“When it rains, it pours,” You Sanping said. “As the legitimate and concubine-born factions of the Xie family fought, the family estate was further damaged. Eventually, they formally split into two separate branches, each living independently.”
“The branch that initially took over the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau felt overly proud of their success and tried to suppress the legitimate branch, which sparked more conflict. Unexpectedly, another rival swooped in and stole the fruits of their labor. After this series of events, the Xie family was left devastated,” Mingxi said softly, looking at Xiao Muchen.
Xiao Muchen’s eyes flickered. “So, what did you do?”
Mingxi replied, appearing completely earnest, “I’m just a woman in the capital — what could I do? But my Father is a kind-hearted man; he lent the legitimate branch a helping hand.”
Oh.
Xiao Muchen knew it wouldn’t be that simple. “So the Xie family has risen again?”
Mingxi nodded. “But they are still not what they once were. They are eager to restore their former glory and intend to join your side to show their loyalty.”
Xiao Muchen: …
You Sanping subtly twitched the corners of his mouth and lowered his head under the guise of drinking tea, avoiding Xiao Muchen’s gaze.
“There is a daughter in the Xie family, as beautiful as a flower,” Mingxi said. “In fact, her situation is quite similar to mine back then.”
Xiao Muchen looked at her. “They want to send this daughter into the Eastern Palace?”
Mingxi nodded. “If one seeks wealth and honor, one must take risks. If the Xie family wants to board your ship, they must show sincerity. However, they do have one condition: should the day come when things change, they hope their daughter can safely return home.”
Xiao Muchen hadn’t expected the Xie family to still have some decency. Thinking about this, he turned to You Sanping and asked, “Is this young lady going willingly?”
If she were being forced, this would be no small matter — it could ruin the entire plan.
“Of course,” You Sanping said. “This young lady from the Xie family is quite capable. Her older brother has no head for business; he loves books and seeks fame through the imperial exams. Her younger brother is inclined toward commerce but is still young. Right now, she is the only one who can step up.”
“Wangye need not worry — once the Xie family regains its honor, no one would dare mistreat her. But if she doesn’t take this chance now, it would be extremely difficult for the Xie family to rise again.”
The eldest son wasn’t suited for business, the younger son was too young, and though the daughter was competent, she didn’t have the talents of some noble daughters who could master both civil and military arts. In business, a merchant needs more than just a silver tongue — they must seize opportunity when it comes.
For a major household like the Xie family, either they overcome this crisis or they will be completely devoured by the local merchants of Xuanzhou — not to mention the ambitious concubine branch still watching eagerly.
Xiao Muchen now had a clear understanding. He looked at Mingxi and asked, “How are you planning to arrange it?”
“Doesn’t the Crown Prince like unexpected encounters?” Mingxi sneered. “Then I’ll arrange one for him.”
Xiao Muchen looked at her. “Good idea, but getting past the Empress will still leave traces.”
“Do you have a better plan?” Mingxi asked.
“Leave it to me,” Xiao Muchen said, then turned to You Sanping. “I’ll need your cooperation.”
You Sanping initially didn’t want to agree, but after thinking it through, he nodded. Since it involved the eldest young lady’s affairs and the Wangye was handling it personally, he had to take it seriously.
After You Sanping left, Mingxi and Xiao Muchen returned to the main courtyard.
Mingxi quietly observed Xiao Muchen’s walking. Seeing that he showed no signs of difficulty, she let out a small sigh of relief.
“Did the Empress make things difficult for you today?” Xiao Muchen asked as he held Mingxi’s hand.
“She intended to, and I was prepared to make a scene. But thanks to your efforts, I won without even fighting,” Mingxi said, a little regretfully.
It was such a rare opportunity to confront the Empress head-on.
Xiao Muchen: …
“I’ll leave you more time next time,” he said.
Mingxi immediately beamed. “If word of this got out, people would say we as a couple are recklessly arrogant.”
Xiao Muchen smiled faintly too. “Today, the court was in an uproar over Zhang Guangan’s case. We need to start wrapping things up.”
“Is Censor Zhong all right?”
“He’s slightly injured, but his life isn’t in danger. However, Qu You took a knife wound. The imperial physicians have been dispatched to save him.”
Mingxi’s heart sank. “The Empress and the Crown Prince are acting so brazenly — does the Emperor really not know?”
Assassinating a high-ranking official just like that?
It was simply absurd!
Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi, tightening his grip on her hand. “Today, the Emperor only had me kneel for an hour. What do you think that means?”
Mingxi’s heart skipped a beat.
“This is good news,” she said, unable to hide her joy.
If the Emperor still wholeheartedly supported the Crown Prince, today he would have used the opportunity to further suppress Xiao Muchen.
But he didn’t.
The Emperor had raised his hand high but brought it down gently — there was hope!
“After waiting for so long, we are finally seeing the light,” Mingxi said, her happiness overflowing.
In her past life, even until the end, Xiao Muchen had never succeeded.
But now, they had hope.
Xiao Muchen pulled her tightly into his arms. Without Mingxi’s wholehearted support, he wouldn’t have had the chance to display his talents during the Yuxiang City incident.
The Emperor — although favoring the Crown Prince — was ultimately unwilling to hand over the empire to an incompetent heir.
The Crown Prince was not useless, but there was always someone more capable.
The most difficult thing was to sow dissatisfaction in the Emperor’s heart toward the Crown Prince and push him toward deposing the heir.
Now, the wall had finally cracked — the rest would be much easier.
“After the Qiping case is settled, we’ll arrange the matter of the Xie family girl,” he said.
“Alright.”
If His Majesty no longer protected the Crown Prince this time, once the case of Qiping Prefecture was confirmed with solid evidence, the Eastern Palace would inevitably suffer a heavy blow. That would be the best time for Miss Xie to appear.
Back in their chamber, after washing up, Mingxi brought over an ointment. Seeing this, Xiao Muchen instinctively tugged at his pants leg.
Mingxi: …
Facing Mingxi’s speechless expression, Xiao Muchen couldn’t help but laugh.
Well, they were husband and wife after all—what was there to hide? He simply rolled up his pant leg himself.
His knee was swollen and bruised a deep purple-black, looking quite frightening.
Mingxi, who had suffered her share of injuries before, sat by the bed and asked softly, “This ointment is something I used to carry when traveling. It works well—you’ll see a lot of the swelling go down by morning.”
The green ointment felt cool and soothing when applied.
“You used to get injured a lot?” Xiao Muchen asked, watching her.
“Not a lot, but bumps and scrapes are inevitable when traveling,” Mingxi replied as she carefully applied the ointment. “Let it dry a little before pulling your pants down.”
Otherwise, the ointment would just rub off on the fabric and be wasted.
After washing her hands and returning, Mingxi was pulled by Xiao Muchen to sit beside him.
“Let’s talk for a bit,” he said.
Mingxi leaned against him. They had both been so busy lately; it had been a long time since they sat together like this and chatted.
“How are things at the Marquis Manor?”
“It’s a done deal, nothing can be changed. But we’ll make the best of it. Tomorrow, I’ll enter the palace and ask my mother-in-law to find a seasoned matron, assign her a capable steward for the outer courtyard, and send a few strong-willed maids and old servants along. That should be enough to protect her.”
Xiao Muchen: …
Anyone hearing this would think they were preparing to attack Jin Wang’s manor!
