After leaving her natal home, Liu Yunhua learned that her Father had not yet returned; after meeting with Chen Chang, he had gone out again.
Sitting in the Zhong family’s carriage, swaying along the road, she thought: Why is it that after marriage, the whole world feels different? Everything she faced now wore a different face.
In that moment, Liu Yunhua even thought spitefully— It would have been better to never marry at all.
But she immediately mocked herself with a bitter smile. How could that ever have been possible?
On the way back, she firmly decided: She would not mention any of this to the Zhong family.
Firstly, her father-in-law was too upright—if he found out, he would not only scold her husband but might even resent her natal family. How would the two families maintain relations after that?
Secondly, she was now a daughter-in-law of the Zhong family. Her in-laws treated her kindly, and her husband cherished her. How could she do anything to make them feel cornered?
Her heart felt as though it were frying in oil—no matter how she turned, the pain was unbearable.
Perhaps it was fate, but that night Zhong Sheng stayed at the Hanlin Academy and didn’t return home.
Liu Yunhua didn’t know what she felt—part relief, part sadness.
—
The next day, Zhong Yuqing met up with Dali Temple Minister Qu You, and together they set out for Qiping Prefecture.
Originally, Zhong Yuqing, being an imperial censor, had no need to leave the capital. But no one understood what the Emperor was thinking—he insisted that Zhong Yuqing join the mission.
Even though there had been opposition at court, the Emperor had remained firm, and the matter was decided.
—
Meanwhile, at Duan Wang’s residence, Mingxi was finally able to enjoy a quiet tea time with Xiao Muchen.
In recent days, Xiao Muchen had been secretly working for the Emperor and also handling matters regarding Qiping Prefecture—he had lost considerable weight.
Mingxi hadn’t been idle either.
Things at Qi Wangfei’s household had turned chaotic, and she had to watch over Dingyuan Marquis family and Jiang Sujie’s situation.
Even sharing a meal with her husband was rare, let alone sitting down for tea.
Mingxi looked at Xiao Muchen and asked softly: “Was it your idea to have Censor Zhong join the mission?”
Xiao Muchen looked back at her. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s brilliant,” Mingxi said, immediately guessing it was his work.
Hearing this, the tension in Xiao Muchen’s brows eased a little. “Qu You is upright as the Dali Temple Minister, but if the Eastern Palace applies pressure, he might waver. With Zhong Yuqing along, it’s a different matter. This case is of great importance. Zhong Yuqing didn’t accept because of me—he himself worries whether Qu You’s final report would remain just.”
“So you took advantage of his worries to give him a push?”
“Something like that,” Xiao Muchen smiled. “Everyone wins, right?”
Mingxi smiled too. “Of course.”
But for the Eastern Palace, this was hardly good news.
Zhong Yuqing was a hard bone to chew—whoever tried would probably break their teeth.
Thinking of this, Mingxi said to Xiao Muchen: “Now that the plan is set, can you finally relax a little?”
Xiao Muchen looked at her. “Why? Do you have plans?”
Mingxi nodded. “We’ve both been too exhausted lately. The Eastern Palace is watching you too closely. I was thinking we could stay at one of our countryside estates for a few days, to lie low. Once Qu You and Zhong Yuqing return from Qiping Prefecture, a storm will surely erupt at court.”
Xiao Muchen stared at Mingxi. These days, he had been so busy he hadn’t properly cared for her, yet here she was, still thinking of his well-being.
Almost immediately, he said: “Alright, I’ll ask the Emperor for leave.”
“Will that be possible?”
Xiao Muchen smiled faintly, “Of course.”
The Emperor had assigned him work at the Six Ministries, but it wasn’t truly a delegation of power—it was just for show.
The Emperor still favored the Crown Prince, but even token opportunities had to be seized.
By entering the Six Ministries, Xiao Muchen could quietly place his own men.
This Qiping Prefecture case would bring major upheaval.
The Emperor would surely suspect he was plotting against the Crown Prince.
At such a sensitive time, withdrawing temporarily would be the smartest move.
Mingxi truly understood him.
Xiao Muchen acted immediately, going straight into the palace to complain to the emperor.
“Requesting leave?” The emperor looked at Xiao Muchen in surprise. “You’re perfectly fine—why are you asking for leave?”
Xiao Muchen maintained a calm and proper demeanor as he replied, “Royal Father, your son has been running around the Six Ministries these days, spending more than half the month buried in official duties. Although Wangfei has made no complaint, your son feels guilty toward her. Now that the workload has lightened a bit, I thought I could take her out for a few days to relax. I ask Your Majesty to grant permission.”
The emperor: …
He fixed his gaze tightly on Xiao Muchen.
Lately, the Eastern Palace was under heavy scrutiny, and the emperor knew his other sons were surely making moves in secret.
Still, no matter what he had imagined, he hadn’t expected this: at such a critical time, his fourth son wanted to put down his work and take his wife on vacation!
The emperor’s face darkened.
If a son was too ambitious and threatened the crown prince’s position, he was unhappy. If a son lacked ambition and focused only on romance, he was also unhappy.
At least this “old neither-here-nor-there” son wasn’t as outrageous as the others, who couldn’t even manage their households properly.
Still, the emperor had truly not expected his usually serious and upright fourth son to request leave because of his wife!
The emperor fell silent.
Xiao Muchen lowered his head and said nothing.
The atmosphere between Royal Father and son instantly turned awkward.
The emperor stifled a breath, then, after a long pause, asked, “Does Duan Wangfei know about this?”
Xiao Muchen lifted his head. “This is not something I needed to inform her about.”
The emperor was momentarily caught off guard, giving his son a strange look. “Are you sure she won’t cause a fuss over this?”
Xiao Muchen looked at his Royal Father in confusion, as if only now realizing the emperor’s concern. He quickly said, “Royal Father, Mingxi is not like ordinary women. She loves doing business and making money; she doesn’t care about these things. In fact, she’d probably wish I’d resign and spend all day with her. Besides, Your Majesty has already granted me a princely title. Mingxi always said it would be best if I lived a leisurely life as a minor Wangye. It’s only that I refuse—I’m a man, after all. How could I let my wife support me?”
The emperor: …
The emperor half-believed, half-doubted Xiao Muchen’s words. But thinking about it, Duan Mingxi indeed had a talent for business, and she was generous with Muchen, so maybe it made some sense.
“In that case, since Qu You is out of the capital, the Dali Temple is short-staffed. You go there for a few days to fill in. As for your wife, I’ll have your mother help explain things to her.”
The emperor waved his hand. “Get out!”
Xiao Muchen: …
He really hadn’t expected to be refused!
His shock was so genuine that the emperor found it extremely irritating.
Young people these days—either not doing real work or just thinking about romance all day. Outrageous!
Thinking you could get leave? Not a chance!
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