Back at the Manor, after Xiao Muchen explained what had happened, Mingxi was stunned.
The couple stared at each other—what had seemed like an easy thing turned out so differently.
Mingxi slowly said, “Royal Father wouldn’t let you take leave and even sent you to Dali Temple instead? Isn’t that basically stabbing the Crown Prince right in the heart?”
Hearing that, Xiao Muchen couldn’t help laughing. He turned his head to look at her. “Put that way, you’re not wrong. But knowing Royal Father, he still trusts the Crown Prince. I think it’s more likely he’s testing things.”
“Testing?” Mingxi’s eyes lit up. “So that means Royal Father has started to doubt the Crown Prince?”
Finally, after all this time, there was a crack—it had been so hard won.
Xiao Muchen nodded slightly. “Seems so. Otherwise, he wouldn’t use me to test him. The more this happens, the more cautious I have to be.”
Mingxi agreed, “You’re right. If later on the emperor still makes the Crown Prince his heir, then today’s you will become the stepping stone for his future throne.”
Thinking this through, Mingxi’s face darkened.
Xiao Muchen noticed her expression and, knowing she was upset on his behalf, smiled and said, “It’s still better than before. At least now we have opportunities. All our efforts are finally showing some results.”
Mingxi understood that Xiao Muchen was trying to comfort her. But the emperor had really forced Muchen onto a lonely, dangerous path—no turning back.
Cruel!
Mingxi gripped Xiao Muchen’s hand tightly. “It’s alright. We’ll move forward together. We must challenge the Crown Prince and win!”
“You’re not afraid?” Xiao Muchen asked.
“If I was afraid, I wouldn’t have married you in the first place!”
Though Xiao Muchen knew their marriage had its reasons at the start, he could tell that Mingxi’s feelings now were completely different.
He pulled her into his arms, resting his forehead on her shoulder, unconsciously relaxing a little.
“Xixi, right now, the only people I can fully trust are you and Royal Mother.”
Mingxi hugged him back, replying softly, “You won’t be disappointed.”
Xiao Muchen had thought she might say something more emotional—but this was it?
Oh well, compared to before, this was already more than enough.
Knowing he’d be busy at Dali Temple starting tomorrow and wouldn’t have much time for her, he bent down and scooped her up, carrying her straight into the bedchamber.
Mingxi: …
What are you even thinking about?!
The shift happened so fast she didn’t even have time to react before being pressed into the bed.
Outside, Fang Momo was just about to bring in tea when she heard the sounds and instantly turned around, quietly shutting the door. She didn’t deliver the tea either but instead stayed outside on guard—no one was going to interrupt the Wangye’s “important business” tonight.
She was looking forward to holding a little heir, after all. Just thinking about it made the wrinkles on Fang Momo’s face smooth out with joy.
The next day, the news of Xiao Muchen taking a temporary post at Dali Temple spread.
At the same time, Mingxi was summoned into the palace by Consort Shu.
Mingxi knew exactly why. But when she met Consort Shu’s teasing gaze, she couldn’t help but blush.
Consort Shu took her hand warmly and said, “You and Muchen are so affectionate—I’m more than happy about it. How could I bear to scold you? But the emperor doesn’t see it that way. He insisted I call you into the palace to ‘teach you a bit of sense.'”
Duan Mingxi had lived two lifetimes, but this was the first time she had ever been scolded over something like this. It was an experience she truly never wanted to go through again.
Looking at Mingxi’s face, which was so red it looked like it could drip blood, the smile on Consort Shu’s face grew even more pronounced. She said softly, “If you ask me, it would be nice if you two went to the outside manor for a short stay. I’m still waiting to hold a grandchild. But right now, since the Emperor won’t allow it, you’ll just have to be patient a little longer.”
Mingxi truly didn’t know how to respond and could only lower her head and listen.
What was she supposed to say?
“Honestly, whether it’s a grandson or a granddaughter, as long as it’s your child, I’ll love them all the same,” Consort Shu continued with a smile. “But women have it hard in this world. If you bear a son first, it’ll at least keep gossip at bay. That said, if you give me a granddaughter first, I won’t mind. Whoever dares to make snide remarks, I’ll make sure they learn a lesson.”
Mingxi understood clearly — no matter if it was a boy or a girl, the key was to have a child first.
She wanted to have one too, but such things couldn’t be forced.
They hadn’t been married for long, and Xiao Muchen had been treated like a workhorse by the Emperor. With his serious nature, he never slacked in official duties. So even though their relationship was stable, they hadn’t spent that much time living together.
Mingxi lifted her eyes to look at Consort Shu and said, “I would love to give you grandchildren to dote on, but such things must follow fate.”
“You’re right. No need to rush—you two have only just gotten married,” Consort Shu said, thoroughly delighted by Mingxi’s response.
As long as Mingxi was willing to have children, that was good enough. When they first got together, it was obvious that Xiao Muchen was much more invested emotionally, but now it seemed things were looking up.
Consort Shu kept Mingxi at Cuiwei Palace for the whole day, pampering her with good food and drink. It wasn’t until dusk that she sent her out of the palace, putting on a proper show as if she had truly scolded her, just for the Emperor to see.
Mingxi, playing along, maintained a slightly stiff and uneasy expression as she left. Only once she got into her carriage did she finally relax a little.
To her surprise, Xiao Muchen was already waiting inside.
The moment she saw him, her eyes lit up without her even realizing it.
“What are you doing here?” Mingxi instinctively moved closer to him, beaming with a smile.
Facing Mingxi’s bright gaze, Xiao Muchen said seriously, “Since Royal Mother summoned you to the palace today, it was only fitting for me to wait outside to show my devotion as a husband.”
Mingxi burst out laughing and collapsed into Xiao Muchen’s arms.
They really were pitiable—having to act out a show for others all the time, worn out but not daring to complain.
“Royal Mother didn’t scold you, right?”
“How could she? She kept me in Cuiwei Palace all day, treating me to good food and entertainment.”
Xiao Muchen smiled. “Good. I sent a message to Royal Mother—these next few days, you won’t be summoned to the palace again. Just stay at the manor and rest. We’ll talk about anything else later.”
Mingxi knew Xiao Muchen wanted her to cooperate, so she said, “Alright. How’s everything at the Dali Temple? Going smoothly?”
Xiao Muchen didn’t want to dwell on unpleasant matters and replied lightly, “It’s alright. I haven’t dealt much with Dali Temple affairs before, so I spent the day reviewing case files. Pretty relaxed.”
Mingxi: …
She took a soft cushion and propped it behind her back, tilting her head to look at him. “No need to rush. Take your time. Perhaps Royal Father sent you there to temper your disposition a bit.”
The more impatient one was, the easier it was to make mistakes.
Xiao Muchen played with Mingxi’s fingertips and, hearing her words, smiled. “What a coincidence, that’s exactly what I was thinking. Say, what if I brought Eighth Brother along?”
Mingxi was genuinely surprised this time. “Can you?”
Xiao Muchen’s eyes narrowed slightly. “We can try.”
If the Emperor didn’t object, then Kang Wang might finally have a chance to get some responsibilities—he couldn’t stay a useless Wangye forever.
If he wanted Kang Wang’s support, he needed to elevate him first!
