“Come with me,” Mingxi said, leading the two by a shortcut directly back to Cuiwei Palace.
First, she took them to pay respects to Consort Shu, and only then did she guide them to a side hall to talk privately.
Duan Huirou looked extremely tense the whole time, her face pale with a faint bluish tint. She clenched her handkerchief tightly.
Mingxi glanced at her, took a deep breath, and said, “Big Sister-in-law, please, sit.”
Madam Xiao pulled Duan Huirou to sit down and then said anxiously, “We received the palace invitation just this morning. Grandmother immediately sensed something was wrong, but how could we refuse a royal summons? I was told to bring Second Sister into the palace. Mingxi, what’s going on? Other families got their invitations days ago — why was ours only delivered today? I’m so worried.”
Madam Xiao, still young and inexperienced, was clearly rattled.
Her maiden family had no suitable daughters for marriage, and her own mother hadn’t been invited to today’s banquet either. With no one to advise her, she was understandably panicking.
Mingxi looked at the two of them, finally letting her gaze settle on Duan Huirou. “It’s likely because of me that you’ve been dragged into this.”
Hearing these words, Duan Huirou seemed to relax slightly, though she still didn’t raise her head or look at Mingxi.
She kept her head lowered, her voice trembling faintly, “The palace announced that they’re choosing a primary consort for Jin Wang… I know I’m not lucky enough for that. As for choosing side consorts for the other princes — you’re already Duan Wangfei. You wouldn’t allow me to be a side consort for another Wangye.”
At this point, Duan Huirou’s voice was already shaking. “They… they still won’t give up?”
Madam Xiao’s anger boiled over. Her eyes were red as she fiercely gripped her handkerchief. “Mingxi, is there any way—”
Mingxi took a deep breath. “I only just learned about it myself. The Empress deliberately delayed the invitation because she was afraid I would interfere.”
Madam Xiao blinked hard to fight back tears, choking out, “What are we going to do?”
With Duan Huirou’s delicate nature, if she entered the Eastern Palace, even someone like Jiang Sujie could swallow her whole — how could she possibly survive?
If Second Sister really were to wither away in the Eastern Palace, wouldn’t Mingxi be burdened with guilt for the rest of her life? And then… how would they explain it to her mother-in-law?
Madam Xiao’s mind was in a complete mess. What should they do?
At that moment, it was as if Duan Huirou summoned all her courage — she suddenly lifted her head to look at Duan Mingxi. “I… must I really go?”
Duan Mingxi stared at her intently. “Perhaps… the Empress and the Crown Prince intend to use you to control me.”
Duan Huirou’s face turned pale, and her breathing grew faster. “If… if I do go, could we consider our past grievances settled?”
Mingxi was stunned — she hadn’t expected Duan Huirou to say such a thing. She opened her mouth and said, “When I severed our sisterly ties back then, all past grievances were settled for me. At that time, if you hadn’t insisted on entangling yourself with the Jiang family…”
But there was no point in bringing up the past. Mingxi sighed. “In any case, this time it’s me who dragged you into this.”
Duan Huirou froze — so long ago, she had already been dismissed from Mingxi’s life…
The heavy weight pressing on her heart seemed to lift in an instant. Her whole body relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on her face. “I don’t owe you anything anymore, right?”
Mingxi felt something was off with her, but still nodded. “Right.”
Later, despite repeated provocation from Jiang Sujie and the Jiang family, Duan Huirou had not betrayed her. From that moment, Mingxi had let go of her grudges.
She simply didn’t want to be close anymore — the wounds ran too deep.
“Then that’s good.” Duan Huirou lowered her head again.
Mingxi frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
Duan Huirou spoke with her head down: “I’m very scared. I don’t want to go to the Eastern Palace. But I know you don’t want me to either.”
Mingxi remained silent.
“You say it’s because of you, but I also know: the Marquis Household has enjoyed the favor and support of Duan Wang’s household. We have to bear the consequences too.”
She had figured it out. She didn’t hate Mingxi — this was simply her fate.
Back then, Mingxi had scolded her, telling her to cut ties with the Jiang family. It was she who refused to listen and insisted on opposing her, continuing to associate with them.
“And besides…” Duan Huirou raised her head to look at Mingxi, “Everyone knows we don’t get along. The Empress sending me into the Eastern Palace — I know why. Isn’t it just to sow discord, to turn me against you?”
Mingxi looked at Duan Huirou. Now she was finally thinking clearly.
“If you enter, the dangers will be great. Whether you can survive will depend on your own ability.”
“Don’t treat me like a fool. I may not be as smart as you, but I’m not stupid either,” Duan Huirou said. “I will survive. I’ll live well. Besides, the Empress might not even let me into the Eastern Palace. Maybe we’re all guessing wrong.”
Madam Xiao covered her face and silently wept.
If the family had to choose between the two sisters, the Marquis Household would undoubtedly choose Mingxi. Huirou would be the one abandoned.
Though she didn’t like Huirou’s temperament much, after all those years together, how could she bear it?
Mingxi stared seriously at Duan Huirou. “Listen to me — I will make sure you stay alive.”
Duan Huirou smiled faintly and looked up at Mingxi. “Once I’m in the Eastern Palace, we’ll be on different boats. For the sake of my own life, let’s keep our distance.”
She still had a score to settle with Jiang Sujie. Of course she had to live well.
As for the rest, she’d just take it step by step.
She would show Duan Mingxi that she was no fool.
At that moment, a palace maid came to call them — the palace banquet was about to begin.
Mingxi saw Duan Huirou stand and stride ahead, her brows furrowed deeply. She quickly stepped forward and blocked her way.
“Duan Huirou, don’t gamble with your life. Staying alive is the most important thing.”
“Of course. My life is still a life.” Duan Huirou brushed past Mingxi and strode out of the hall.
Mingxi’s heart sank heavily.
She knew it — she and Duan Huirou were just fundamentally incompatible, always clashing.
Madam Xiao patted Mingxi’s hand and hurried after Huirou.
Madam Xiao led Duan Huirou ahead toward Kunde Palace, while Mingxi and Kang Wangfei accompanied Consort Shu.
Kang Wangfei glanced at Mingxi’s grim expression but didn’t know how to comfort her.
If the sisters were truly close, everything could be easily solved — but they weren’t.
There were too many uncertainties.
The Qixi Banquet was set in the Imperial Garden.
At this moment, colorful silk threads hung from the trees everywhere. Tables were scattered throughout the garden, each topped with boxes of needles and stacks of plain satin cloths about a foot wide.
Even before getting close, laughter and chatter could be heard from afar — the lively voices of young noblewomen filled the air.
Consort Shu led them onto the covered walkway and into a pavilion, where the Empress was chatting with the gathered ladies, her face beaming with happiness.
Duan Huirou was already sitting not far from the Empress.
“We pay our respects to Your Majesty the Empress.”
“We greet you, Mother.”
Mingxi’s gaze swept over Duan Huirou, seemingly indifferent, but her palm had already clenched tightly.
Without the Empress’s permission, how could Duan Huirou possibly sit there?
