“So what if it spreads?” Mingxi leaned against Xiao Muchen’s shoulder and smiled. “Right now, the Empress is too busy dealing with the Crown Prince’s mess to care about the Jiang family.”
Thinking of this, she looked up at him and asked, “Lord Qu is investigating the case — do you think he can handle it?”
She wasn’t familiar with Qu You, so she couldn’t judge.
Xiao Muchen toyed with her fingers and smiled, “It doesn’t matter who investigates. At this point, Qu You wouldn’t dare to falsify anything.”
Mingxi understood a bit more and raised her head to look at him. “So this time… will it succeed?”
Xiao Muchen met her gaze, leaned down, and kissed the corner of her lips lightly. “Whether it succeeds or not — it must succeed. Since the Emperor doesn’t want to face reality, I’ll make sure he sees clearly just how fit the Crown Prince is to be heir.”
When Mingxi heard this, she immediately realized that Xiao Muchen was planning to officially challenge the Crown Prince. She straightened up and looked at him. “Have you thought it through?”
It was still a little early to make a move. After all, although the Emperor was frail and sickly, he could still live for a few more years.
In her previous life, Xiao Muchen hadn’t shown himself so early. Could it be that because of her, many things had changed, and even he had altered his plans?
“I’ve thought it through,” Xiao Muchen said, squeezing Mingxi’s hand slightly. “If I don’t take a step forward, Royal Father won’t seriously scrutinize the Eastern Palace. If this drags on, I’m afraid Royal Father will become increasingly biased.”
If they waited until then to act, it would only be harder.
Mingxi leaned back against Xiao Muchen’s shoulder again. “So you’re planning to use this incident to make your move?”
That’s why he had said earlier that it didn’t matter whether Qu You succeeded or not—because he already had another plan in mind.
“Mm.” Xiao Muchen responded. “Xixi, if we do this, your days ahead might not be easy. Are you ready for that?”
“I’ve long been ready,” Mingxi said.
Ever since they had formed their alliance and made their vows, she had been waiting for this day.
Thinking of this, Mingxi suddenly turned to look at Xiao Muchen. “As for the Jiang family’s situation, we can make use of it.”
It was being handed to them on a silver platter—no reason not to take advantage.
“You can decide these things,” Xiao Muchen said with a smile.
Mingxi’s lips curled into a slight smile. “In that case, today You Sanping’s efforts weren’t wasted. Perfect timing—I’ll settle both old and new scores with the Jiang family at once.”
“Good.”
Xiao Muchen didn’t mind at all. The Jiang family nowadays was not what it used to be. Their descendants were incompetent, no younger generation held official posts at court, and they had nearly squandered the little glory left to them by their ancestors.
As for Jiang Liangdi, who had entered the Eastern Palace—she was nothing more than a pawn in the Crown Prince’s hands from the beginning.
If they couldn’t get what they wanted through her, what good end could Jiang Sujie expect?
That’s why Xiao Muchen said to let Mingxi handle it as she pleased. He was eager to see whether the Crown Prince could withstand both their coordinated attacks—one overt and one covert.
The couple returned to the royal mansion in a happy mood, but on the other side, the Jiang family was not so lucky. They had been berated outside their gates by You Sanping and his men for most of the day. Everyone in the Jiang household was practically collapsing from the humiliation.
Third Master Jiang had led people to charge out, intent on beating You Sanping to death on the spot, but then he saw Qi He standing not far away with a group of guards watching them. Terrified, he dared not make a move. Instead, he slammed the door shut and pretended to be deaf.
Eldest Madam Jiang was trembling all over with rage. She had never been so humiliated in her life. She immediately went to find the Old Madam Jiang, asking her to send someone to the Jiang estate to deliver a message—to ask them to control Duan Mingxi, that daughter of theirs.
But the messenger couldn’t even get past the front door. Instead, Yang Yiniang came out swinging a handkerchief and left a single line: “The Madam is ill and will not receive visitors today.”
What was there not to understand? Madam Jiang had also been put under strict management, even allowing a concubine to take charge of household affairs.
The Old Madam’s face grew darker by the moment, and she and Eldest Madam Jiang sat in silence.
After a long while, Eldest Madam Jiang finally said, “Mother, should we send a message to Sujie at the Eastern Palace?”
They couldn’t just let this go. Someone had to take charge. Was it acceptable to just let people hurl insults at their door?
Old Madam Jiang scolded angrily, “You want to involve Sujie? How is Sujie supposed to explain this to His Highness? She already failed at what His Highness ordered—if she drags him into this mess, how can she ever stand firm at his side again?”
Eldest Madam Jiang said no more. Her temples were throbbing, her mind buzzing, and her heart pounding heavily.
As for You Sanping outside—everyone knew he was Duan Mingxi’s lackey. Not only had he dragged today’s matter into the open, but he also dug up the past incident where Third Master Jiang had harmed Duan Pingchang, and even exposed Jiang Sujie’s repeated attempts to befriend Duan Huirou.
That steward outside might seem like a mere servant, but he was an educated one—his cursing contained not a single vulgar word yet was enough to make people vomit blood in rage.
The entire Jiang household shut themselves in, like turtles shrinking into their shells, refusing to show themselves. Meanwhile, the crowd outside only grew louder with jeering. How many of them had been arranged there beforehand by You Sanping was anyone’s guess.
This time, Old Madam Jiang truly fell ill from anger. Not only had they failed to outwit their opponents, they had gotten themselves thoroughly humiliated—enough to make their ancestors roll in their graves.
Meanwhile, Madam Jiang was sulking in frustration. Yang Yiniang had been put in charge of household affairs under the Old Madam’s orders, and Madam Jiang was both furious and helpless.
Her feelings toward Yang Yiniang were complicated too. With a capable son like Duan Ning, Yang Yiniang couldn’t be easily suppressed anymore. Which household’s concubine was ever as lucky as she?
Yang Yiniang entered the room carrying bird’s nest soup. Seeing Madam Jiang looking listless as she sat by the window, she stepped forward and bowed. “Madam, please have a little something to eat.”
Madam Jiang looked at her coldly. “Why are you here?”
Yang Yiniang smiled, placed the bird’s nest soup on the table, and said softly, “Madam, please eat a little. We’ve both suffered greatly; your health isn’t what it used to be. You must take care of yourself. Second Miss is not yet married, and Third Young Master hasn’t taken a wife. How can you not be worried?”
Madam Jiang: …
This vixen was trying to guilt-trip her with kind words.
Yet, what she said was true. It was just that Madam Jiang really didn’t have much appetite.
Watching her, Yang Yiniang continued gently, “Madam, the Old Madam only asked me to help manage the house for a few days. She knows you can’t bear to be harsh. But if you aren’t ruthless, then the ones to suffer will be Second Miss and Third Young Master. Third Miss said Second Miss’s foot injury is quite severe. If you saw it yourself, you’d surely feel heartbroken.”
Mentioning her daughter made Madam Jiang’s eyes redden slightly. “I thought Eldest Sister-in-law genuinely wanted to take her to look at jewelry…”
“I know, the Old Madam knows too. I’m just the villain she sent to protect you. Once this matter passes, you won’t have to be in such a difficult position anymore.”
Madam Jiang coughed lightly and glanced at Yang Yiniang. After her serious illness, she was much thinner than before. Madam Jiang asked irritably, “Where’s the master?”
Yang Yiniang replied casually, “In the front study, with maids attending him.”
Madam Jiang’s face darkened — truly stubborn and unrepentant.
Yang Yiniang lowered her head. Now that her son had made a name for himself and the Old Madam wouldn’t easily hand over her daughter’s marriage matters to Madam Jiang anymore, Yang Yiniang actually had no fear of losing favor. She didn’t even need to try to please her anymore.
At long last, she had made it.
