Mingxi immediately understood what Xiao Muchen was aiming for — fighting alone wouldn’t be enough. Two fists couldn’t fend off four hands.
Among all the princes, Kang Wang was the weakest and least favored, but precisely because of that, helping him would appear more genuine — a show of brotherhood.
After all, what benefit could there possibly be in helping Kang Wang?
Qian Jieyu was practically invisible in the harem; the Emperor barely visited her even once a year.
Kang Wang existed in the Emperor’s eyes only when he was needed. Good things never came his way. Only when useful did the Emperor remember he had such a son.
For example, during the marriage grants — to control the military generals, the Emperor had married the daughter of Fengcheng Marquis to Kang Wang.
Everyone knew about Kang Wang’s miserable position. Marrying the Marquis’s daughter to him was a clear warning to Fengcheng Marquis: don’t ally yourself with any prince.
Thinking this through, Mingxi looked seriously at Xiao Muchen and said, “But if someone slanders you to Royal Father, Kang Wang’s situation might become even worse. And it would hurt you too.”
“I know. But we still have to try,” Xiao Muchen said slowly.
How could he not know the risks involved? But he had no better options.
“Fengcheng Marquis is still stranded in the capital and can’t return to Yuxiang City. It’s likely he’ll never get back there. Under these circumstances, using Kang Wang is very risky,” Mingxi said, her heart growing heavier.
Xiao Muchen looked at her and said, “That’s why it’s a gamble. Think about it: Fengcheng Marquis is stuck in the capital. The Emperor won’t let him leave, but might still want to appease him. Giving some benefits to his son-in-law, Kang Wang, wouldn’t be impossible.”
Mingxi blinked, stunned — that made so much sense!
Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Xiao Muchen. “Why didn’t I think of that? Maybe you really can pull it off!”
“Let’s give it a try,” Xiao Muchen said, smiling. Mingxi’s affirmation lifted his spirits; her confidence in him made all his recent struggles feel worthwhile.
Even though he spoke firmly, he didn’t have full confidence.
But with even a fifty percent chance, he was willing to bet everything.
“Are you planning to speak to him yourself?” Mingxi asked again.
Xiao Muchen nodded. “By doing it personally, it appears more upright and aboveboard. If someone else speaks on my behalf, Royal Father might grow suspicious.”
What Xiao Muchen said made sense. The Emperor had grown increasingly distrustful, and every step they took had to be extremely cautious.
The couple exchanged a glance. Mingxi tightly gripped Xiao Muchen’s hand. “Then let’s give it a try. Worst case, we’ll just get scolded.”
Mingxi said it lightly, but both of them understood — it wasn’t just a simple scolding. Still, risk and reward always went hand in hand.
After escorting Mingxi back to the residence, Xiao Muchen didn’t get off the carriage. He said to her, “Go inside first. Tonight, I’m meeting Fengcheng Marquis to discuss matters. We’ve arranged to meet at Uncle Fang’s place. If it gets too late, I won’t return, to avoid alerting the patrols and causing trouble.”
“Alright, be careful,” Mingxi nodded. She turned to get off the carriage, but suddenly felt a tightness at her waist and then a light kiss pressed against her lips.
Mingxi looked at Xiao Muchen and didn’t push him away. He often hugged or kissed her so suddenly — she was slowly getting used to it.
Their breaths intertwined as they leaned closely together.
After a moment, Mingxi caught her breath and gently pushed him away. “I should get going.”
Xiao Muchen let out a light sigh, personally lifting the carriage curtain for her to get off.
Before stepping out, Mingxi pulled out a bronze mirror to tidy up her appearance — she didn’t want to become a laughingstock.
Xiao Muchen waited patiently beside her. Once she finished, he jumped down first and then helped her down.
After dismounting, Mingxi withdrew her hand, looked up at Xiao Muchen, and said, “You should hurry along.”
“I’ll wait until you go inside.”
Without hesitation, Mingxi turned and walked into the residence. Only then did Xiao Muchen return to the carriage and leave.
Night gradually fell, and the capital plunged into its nightly bustle.
At the Zhong residence.
Zhong Sheng returned from the government office. After greeting his mother, he headed straight to his own courtyard.
As soon as he entered, he asked the maid, “Where’s the young madam?”
The maid quickly curtsied and replied, “The young madam is in the inner chamber.”
Zhong Sheng strode forward briskly, his steps lacking their usual leisure and steadiness, heading directly into the inner room.
Inside, Liu Yunhua was reviewing the household accounts. Her mother-in-law had been training her to manage the household affairs and had even given her old account books to study, saying that once she became more familiar, she would officially hand over the household management to her. Liu Yunhua didn’t dare slack off even a little.
Though she was the legitimate eldest daughter of a Duke’s household, she never relied on her status while at the Zhong residence.
Hearing footsteps, she thought it was one of her maids and said without looking up, “Has the young master returned? If not, send someone to wait at the second gate. As soon as he returns, have the kitchen prepare the meal.”
“Yunhua!”
Startled by the voice, Liu Yunhua looked up quickly. “You’re back? Why so early today?” She hurried over to greet him. “You don’t look so well. Was work unpleasant today?”
Zhong Sheng looked at his wife. “Today, I ran into Duan Ning.”
Liu Yunhua smiled and said, “What a coincidence! Although you’re both at the Hanlin Academy, you don’t work together. How did you run into each other?”
Zhong Sheng carefully studied his wife’s expression. Seeing no change — her face just as warm and gentle as usual — he suppressed his surging emotions and added calmly, “We bumped into each other after work and walked together for a bit.”
Liu Yunhua smiled again. “I heard from Duan Wangfei that her second brother is a very serious and upright person. It’s rare that you two got along.”
“Duan Ning mentioned something to me.”
“What was it?” Liu Yunhua replied casually as she instructed the maid to notify the kitchen, then pulled Zhong Sheng inside to change clothes.
After a day of wearing his heavy official robes, changing into casual wear would surely be more comfortable.
“He mentioned Lord Liu.”
“Lord Liu? Which Lord Liu?” Liu Yunhua reached out to help him remove his official robe and handed him his casual clothes, carefully hanging up his robe.
“Lord Liu from the Dali Temple,” Zhong Sheng said, his gaze fixed on her.
At his words, Liu Yunhua’s heart skipped a beat. Her hand trembled slightly, and the robe nearly slipped from her grasp. She hurriedly caught it and forced a smile. “I’m so clumsy — can’t even hold onto clothes properly.”
Zhong Sheng waited until she had carefully hung up the robe before grabbing her hand. “Yunhua, the other day when you rushed back to your family home, was it because of this matter? Why didn’t you tell me when you came back?”
Liu Yunhua’s expression shifted several times. Facing her husband’s concerned and self-reproachful gaze, she couldn’t hold out anymore. She forced a smile and said breezily, “Oh, it wasn’t a big deal. My mother just called me home to give me some advice. No need to overthink it.”
