It was Mingxi’s first time spending the Qixi Festival in the palace. The palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful banners everywhere, festive and lively. The palace staff wore new clothes, their faces full of smiles and their steps light.
The two first went to Cuiwei Palace to visit Consort Shu. Unfortunately, Consort Shu had gone over to Consort Gui’s place. Nan Jiao invited them into the hall to sit and served them tea and refreshments, smiling as she said, “Niang Niang instructed me to have the two Wangfeis rest here first when you arrive.”
Mingxi smiled and asked, “Did something happen at Consort Gui’s palace?”
Otherwise, why would Consort Shu be summoned there at this hour?
Nan Jiao lowered her voice and said, “It seems that some noble-born young ladies from the Kunde Palace were selected, and Consort Gui has been asked to choose one to be the wife of Jin Wang. Since she couldn’t decide, she invited Niang Niang over to help her make the choice.”
Mingxi smiled, “Well, that’s a happy occasion.”
Nan Jiao glanced at the Duan Wangfei. Although she said it was a happy event, there was no joy in her eyes. Nan Jiao sighed inwardly.
After all, even though Jin Wangfei had made mistakes, she had only recently passed away, and now they were choosing a new wife — it did seem a bit cold-hearted.
But as a servant, she couldn’t say such things. Nan Jiao simply said gently, “Wangfei, please enjoy your tea. It’s very lively in the palace today; you must be careful.”
Mingxi nodded, “Thank you for the reminder.”
Nan Jiao bowed with a smile and withdrew.
Kang Wangfei then said, “I really don’t know what to say. Not only is Jin Wang remarrying, but many other manors are preparing for new marriages too.”
The Empress had said she would select side consort for various princes.
Kang Wangfei, having married most recently and being on good terms with her husband, felt as if she had swallowed a fly at the thought.
Yet she couldn’t show her displeasure — no wonder her expression was strained.
Mingxi looked at her and didn’t know what to say either.
After all, no matter how many comforting words are said, if the situation doesn’t involve you personally, it’s easy to be generous in words but not in feelings.
Kang Wangfei wasn’t really expecting comfort either and quickly changed the subject, “Fourth Sister-in-law, do you think the unmarried noble ladies of the capital will all be summoned to the palace today?”
After all, only Jin Wang needed a wife; the others would be picking concubines, and the standards for concubines were much lower.
“I wonder if the Eastern Palace will bring in new people too,” Kang Wangfei sighed softly.
Mingxi thought for a moment and said, “Most likely.”
The Empress always portrayed herself as dignified and generous; how could the Crown Prince have no new concubines when the others were getting them?
Moreover, recruiting new concubines for the Eastern Palace meant forming new alliances — an opportunity the Empress would not miss. As for which family’s daughter would be chosen — whether it would be a blessing or a curse — only time would tell.
Kang Wangfei read the complicated look on Mingxi’s face and strangely understood her meaning. Her own expression turned odd as well.
After a moment of silence, she said quietly, “Fourth Sister-in-law, today will truly be lively.”
Mingxi nodded, “Indeed. Do you happen to know who’s been invited to today’s palace banquet?”
Kang Wangfei shook her head, “That’s the kind of thing we’re least likely to be informed about.”
She spoke these words openly, without a trace of inferiority.
This was simply the reality of Kang Wang’s position at court — denying it wouldn’t change the facts. Besides, with her fourth sister-in-law, there was no need to put on airs.
Mingxi looked at Kang Wangfei and said, “I don’t know either. I imagine not many people do. If the palace ladies had known, we would have heard something by now — but there’s been no word.”
Kang Wangfei, being clever, instantly understood Mingxi’s meaning. “The Empress hasn’t released the guest list? What does that imply?”
Mingxi shook her head lightly. “It’s nothing good, that’s for sure.”
And indeed, Mingxi’s intuition was spot on. When Consort Shu returned, her expression was dark. Upon seeing the two women bow, she waved her hand, “Enough ceremony, sit and let’s talk.”
“Royal Mother, are you unwell? You don’t look good at all,” Mingxi asked with concern.
Consort Shu looked at both of them, finally resting her gaze on Mingxi. “Consort Gui was summoned to Kunde Palace to review the candidates for Jin Wang’s future Wangfei — and while there, she caught sight of the guest list for today’s palace banquet.”
Mingxi immediately had a bad feeling. “Royal Mother?”
Consort Shu sighed. “The name of the Dingyuan Marquis’ household is on the list.”
Mingxi’s face instantly darkened.
“There are several younger sisters in my family, but only two of the right age to attend the banquet.”
One was Duan Huirou, the other Duan Qingyin.
Duan Qingyin was a concubine-born daughter — not quite prestigious enough even to be chosen as a side consort for a Wangye.
Which meant it could only be Duan Huirou!
Kang Wangfei also quickly realized the implications, and her face became equally grim. She pressed her lips together tightly, her breathing growing uneven.
Hadn’t they just finished dealing with Jiang Liangdi’s matter? And now, this?
Consort Shu continued gravely, “This Qixi banquet has been organized entirely by the Empress herself. I had already sent people to secretly inquire about the guest list, but the list we received before was completely different from what Consort Gui saw today. Clearly, the Empress had this planned all along.”
She paused and added, “Also, it’s said that some invitations were ‘accidentally’ delayed and only hastily delivered this morning. I suspect the Dingyuan Marquis’ family was among those.”
Thus, the Empress deliberately prevented the Dingyuan Marquis’ household from alerting Mingxi in advance — otherwise, Mingxi might have found a way to stop Duan Huirou from attending.
At this point, Mingxi knew it was too late to prevent anything. Her expression shifted several times before she finally said, “I understand.”
She felt a throbbing headache. She had wanted so badly to cut ties with Duan Huirou — to never have anything to do with her again.
Yet time and again, fate kept tangling their paths together.
Mingxi was full of frustration. She didn’t want to owe Duan Huirou anything. She just wanted their lives to be cleanly separated.
Why was it so hard?
Consort Shu, seeing Mingxi’s troubled expression, sighed softly and said, “Mingxi, ties of blood are like this. I will do my best to protect her this time.”
Mingxi rose and bowed respectfully. “I’m sorry for troubling you, Royal Mother.”
“But you must prepare yourself. Since the Empress has made up her mind, I may not be able to stop her.”
“I understand. If things cannot be prevented, then it’s simply fate for the two of us.” Mingxi stood up. “Royal Mother, I will go wait by the Inner Palace Gate.”
“Go.”
Consort Shu understood — Mingxi was going to wait for Duan Huirou, no doubt to warn her or give her advice.
Kang Wangfei looked deeply worried but didn’t follow. If she went too, it would only make the conversation harder.
Mingxi left Cuiwei Palace and went straight to the Second Palace Gate. At this time, the noblewomen were entering the palace one after another. She stood quietly in a secluded spot, eyes scanning the crowd.
She didn’t know how long she waited, but finally, two familiar figures appeared in the distance.
It was her sister-in-law, Madam Xiao, and Duan Huirou.
Madam Xiao, now the Dingyuan Marchioness, was naturally obligated to answer the summons. Both women wore forced smiles, but if one looked carefully, the unease in their eyes was unmistakable.
“Big Sister-in-law!”
Madam Xiao’s head snapped up. When she saw Mingxi, her eyes lit up, and she hurriedly pulled Duan Huirou over, quickening her pace. “Little Sister!”
