Hu Momo’s words prompted the consort to ponder deeply. “Let me think it over. You may leave for now.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I will take my leave.” Hu Momo bowed and exited.
Leaning against her soft cushions, the consort reflected on her many years in the palace, experiencing its ups and downs. Whether it was the Empress or the other four consorts, the relationships among them were merely superficial.
If the Crown Prince or another Wangye ascended to the throne, what kind of fate would await her and her son?
Before his recent illness, the Emperor had shown hesitation in confirming an heir. However, after a severe illness this year, he became much more lenient toward the Crown Prince. For her and her son, this was certainly not good news.
Her son was right. The current priority was to avoid raising suspicion in the Emperor’s mind while fostering a sense of guilt toward their family.
Marrying a young lady from a moderately influential family would stand in stark contrast to other Wangyes, compelling the Emperor to feel guilt toward them.
Still, the consort couldn’t help but feel reluctant to let her son make such a concession.
***
Duan Mingxi, meanwhile, was unaware of the consequences her rescue of Gan Li had triggered. At this moment, Zhenbei Wangfei and Gan Li personally visited the Marquis’s residence to express their gratitude, bringing with them an extravagant gift: an entire box of jewelry that glittered with gold and light.
Gan Li blinked playfully at Mingxi. They hadn’t had the chance to speak much on the day of the incident, as the Empress had her escorted away immediately. Seeing Mingxi again now, she felt a sense of closeness.
Zhenbei Wangfei held Mingxi’s hands and showered her with praise, making her cheeks flush red. Finally released, Duan Mingxi quickly sat beside Gan Li, heaving a small sigh of relief.
While the Old Madam of the Marquis’s household exchanged pleasantries with Zhenbei Wangfei, Gan Li quietly expressed her thanks to Mingxi.
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without you that day,” Gan Li said softly.
Duan Mingxi, whose only wish had been to prevent the Crown Prince from marrying Gan Li, felt her goal had been accomplished. Smiling, she replied, “I grew up in Jiangcheng and have been swimming since childhood. That day was an emergency, and since I knew how to swim, of course, I had to jump in to help. Miss Gan, there’s no need to feel overly grateful.”
Gan Li, observing Mingxi’s frank and unaffected demeanor, felt even greater respect for her.
In a hushed tone, she remarked, “Mingxi, you must understand now the consequences of saving me that day, both for you and for me.”
Surprised by Gan Li’s directness, Duan Mingxi decided to be equally forthright, nodding. “I do now, thanks to a few hints from others afterward.”
“Do you regret it?” Gan Li asked with a smile.
“Hard to say.”
Gan Li chuckled lightly. “You really are an interesting person. Let’s stay in touch in the future, alright?”
As Mingxi looked at Gan Li, so bright and spirited, she recalled the one time she had seen her after her marriage into the Eastern Palace. Gan Li had seemed shadowed and melancholic, far from the lively young woman she was now.
Indeed, marriage was a fateful crossroads for women.
For some, it led to ascension and glory, soaring high into the heavens. For others, like herself and Gan Li, it plunged them into h*ll.
After Zhenbei Wangfei and Gan Li left—extending an invitation for Mingxi to visit their residence, which she courteously declined—Mingxi returned to her quiet thoughts.
Madam Jiang had not shown her face at all today. Duan Huirou still hadn’t recovered from her rash and cried endlessly, so Madam Jiang was busy comforting her precious child.
The Old Madam, who had doted on Hui Rou for years, was somewhat displeased with Madam Jiang’s absence but ultimately said nothing.
As for Duan Mingxi, she didn’t concern herself with her at all.
The palace’s first rumors revolved around Fu Hongxiao. It was said she had been selected for the Eastern Palace. While the position of Crown Princess wasn’t hers to take, the role of a side consort was still within reach.
The Deqing Marquis’ residence was instantly bustling with activity. Many sought to capitalize on the situation, and the line of visitors waiting outside the gates was reportedly endless.
Duan Mingxi avoided going out for several days. She sent a message through Li Quan to her parents, reassuring them not to worry about her.
The following afternoon, after a brief nap, Duan Mingxi was reading a book when Qiancao rushed in, her expression anxious.
“Miss, the young madam is here. She says she has something to discuss with you.”
Madam Xiao?
Duan Mingxi stood and went to greet her. As Madam Xiao stepped onto the veranda, Mingxi lifted the curtain and walked out with a smile.
“Sister-in-law, what brings you here at this hour?”
Madam Xiao’s expression was peculiar. She quickened her pace, looking at Mingxi with urgency. “Let’s talk inside. I have something to tell you.”
Feeling a bit puzzled, Mingxi invited Madam Xiao inside and had tea served before asking, “Sister-in-law, what’s the matter?”
Madam Xiao, barely suppressing her excitement, looked at Mingxi and said, “That day at Shangyang Palace, your act of saving someone was noticed by the Empress. Did you know?”
An ominous feeling rose in Duan Mingxi’s heart. “Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that?”
Lowering her voice instinctively, Madam Xiao said, “Word is, the Empress intends to select you as the Crown Prince’s side consort.”
Duan Mingxi felt as though she’d been struck by lightning. “Sister-in-law, what did you just say?”
Startled by the sharpness of Mingxi’s tone, Madam Xiao stammered, “Little Meimei, isn’t this a good thing?”
Duan Mingxi’s heart clenched. Of course, to everyone else, this would indeed seem like a great honor.
Previously, the people of the Marquis Residence had worried that Mingxi’s act of saving Gan Li might offend the Empress and Crown Prince by disrupting their plans. But if Mingxi entered the Eastern Palace, all concerns would vanish.
Her mind raced. Entering the Eastern Palace was absolutely out of the question. Just the thought of meeting the Crown Prince again made her want to kick him out of sight.
He and Gao Zhan—neither was worth a thing.
Marrying the Crown Prince was no different from jumping back into the pit of fire that was the Gao family.
“Elder sister-in-law, this news is truly shocking. How could it be possible? Where did you hear it from?” Duan Mingxi tried her best to suppress the complex emotions surging within her and asked as calmly as possible.
Hearing Mingxi’s explanation, Madam Xiao found it reasonable and smiled as she replied, “It was my mother who happened to meet Duchess Cao today. From her words, this seemed to be the implication, and she passed it along to me.”
It was from Duchess Cao herself. Given that the Empress was her daughter, such words would not be spoken lightly.
It was unlikely that the Duchess and Marquis Fuchang Madam had met by coincidence. Mingxi cast a sidelong glance at Madam Xiao and asked, seemingly casually, “Elder sister-in-law, do you think this is possible? Besides, I offended both the Empress and the Crown Prince that day. Why would they select me for the Eastern Palace?”
“That’s exactly what’s puzzling. But perhaps, younger sister, your bravery in saving others impressed the Empress. If you really were to enter the Eastern Palace, your future would be secure, and no one would dare belittle you again. Isn’t that a wonderful thing?”
Madam Xiao was thrilled. If their household produced a Crown Prince’s sideconsort, the Emperor would surely bestow favor upon the Marquis’s residence. Her husband would benefit from it too. Wasn’t this excellent news?
Her joy wasn’t just immense; she could hardly resist beating a gong and spreading the word throughout the residence.
Seeing Madam Xiao’s overjoyed expression, Duan Mingxi found it rather irksome. But she knew Madam Xiao was unaware of the events from her previous life or the true nature of the Crown Prince. To her, becoming the Crown Prince’s side consort would indeed be a grand and respectable marriage.
