Kang Wangfei frowned slightly at the situation but quickly smoothed her expression and said to Qi Wangfei, “Seventh Sister-in-law, why don’t you sit down and rest for a bit?”
Qi Wangfei ignored her completely and sat down on her own, then said slowly, “Eighth Sister-in-law really has it easy. Your estate didn’t have anyone new coming in after all.”
Kang Wangfei: …
Even someone as mild-tempered as her wouldn’t let herself be stepped on like this. True, Kang Wang had the lowest status among the royal brothers, but her natal family was powerful!
Kang Wangfei smiled but said pointedly, “Seventh Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that? It’s true, our estate isn’t as lively as yours. I don’t have your abilities.”
“You—”
Kang Wangfei cut her off with a smile. “Seventh Sister-in-law, instead of lecturing me here, perhaps you should think about managing your own estate better. Otherwise, if you bring disgrace upon the royal family, I wonder how happy Consort De will be when she hears about it.”
Mingxi calmly took a sip of tea, her lips curling slightly. Kang Wang might seem easy to bully because he had to protect Qian Jieyu and swallow his pride, but Kang Wangfei had the powerful Fengcheng Marquis as her Father. She wasn’t afraid of Xingqin Marquis, who was just a paper tiger.
Qi Wangfei really didn’t know her place. Mingxi couldn’t even be bothered to deal with her anymore.
After this exchange, the atmosphere in the reception hall grew a little stiff. Mingxi made no attempt to smooth things over, simply sipping her tea quietly.
The maids outside the room all stood silently with lowered heads, not daring to even glance inside.
Fortunately, soon guests began arriving one after another, finally breaking the awkward silence.
As usual, the Crown Princess and Yu Wangfei didn’t show up — both of them were heavily pregnant and had to be extra cautious.
Qi Wangfei was seething with anger. Today, after all, it was Mingxi’s younger sister marrying into the Jin Wang household. She had no intention of helping and simply sat there like a mountain, glaring disapprovingly at Kang Wangfei who was sticking close to Mingxi.
What a bootlicker!
The first guests to arrive were from Jin Wang’s maternal family — Old Madam Zhang, the wife of Zhang Gelao. Mingxi personally went out to greet her, supporting her arm and helping her into the hall. After all, this was Jin Wang’s grandmother and thus her elder as well.
Old Madam Zhang was quite surprised. She hadn’t expected the dignified Duan Wangfei to be so respectful and courteous.
Madam Zhang, who followed behind, couldn’t hide her astonishment either.
Mingxi helped Old Madam Zhang to a seat and smiled, saying, “With you here today, I feel much more at ease.”
Old Madam Zhang chuckled. “I’m just an old woman. I don’t deserve such words from Wangfei.”
“You are Jin Wang’s maternal grandmother — how could you not deserve it?” Mingxi turned and personally placed a cup of tea on the side table next to Old Madam Zhang. “I’m still young and inexperienced. If I make any mistakes today, I hope you’ll correct me so I won’t make a fool of myself.”
Old Madam Zhang’s heart tightened. Seeing the bright, warm smile on Mingxi’s face, she softened even more. “You’re too kind, Wangfei. If you don’t mind an old woman’s nagging, I’ll certainly offer advice — though from what I’ve seen so far, everything has been handled flawlessly.”
The other ladies in the hall all joined in with flattering remarks, smiling along.
Back then, when Duan Wang swore he would not take a concubine for ten years, many thought the Empress could force him to break his vow. Everyone believed he would cave under pressure. Yet he chose to kneel and beg the Emperor to honor his word instead.
For a man like Duan Wang to go that far, how could the Duan Wangfei be anything but formidable?
Duan Wang was notoriously stubborn — all of the capital knew that.
It was hard to imagine just how capable the Duan Wangfei had to be.
And now her sister had married into Jin Wang’s house — as a main wife, no less. Although she was technically a second wife, there were no legitimate heirs from the first wife, only a favored side consort, and now with an elder sister like the Duan Wangfei behind her… it was hard to predict what would happen.
Everyone knew the Duan sisters once fought bitterly, but seeing Mingxi in charge today, clearly those rumors were exaggerated.
Zhang Yaojun, who had always been on friendly terms with Mingxi, was standing behind her mother, smiling.
Mingxi pulled her over warmly. “You can’t slack off today. You’ll help me entertain guests.” She turned to smile at Old Madam Zhang and Madam Zhang, adding, “I hope you won’t mind me making Yaojun work a little hard today.”
Madam Zhang quickly replied, “We only worry she might cause trouble. If Wangfei doesn’t mind, she’ll gladly assist.”
Zhang Yaojun blushed. “Mother, must you talk about me like that?”
Mingxi laughed. “No one criticizes their own family. If I truly thought you useless, would I even ask you to help? She’s just waiting for me to praise her.”
Madam Zhang laughed helplessly. “Take her quickly, take her quickly. If Wangfei praises her anymore, I’ll have to take her home.”
Mingxi teased, “No way! Back when I first returned to the capital, Yaojun and I got along so well — clearly, it was fated we would become family one day.”
Zhang Yaojun: …
This Duan Wangfei really could talk!
But thinking about it, their relationship had always been easy. Maybe it was fate after all.
Mingxi, pulling Zhang Yaojun with one hand and Kang Wangfei with the other, left the hall smiling.
After they left, a certain lady among the crowd muttered, “Who would’ve thought that the upright, serious Duan Wang would fancy a Wangfei so smooth-tongued and diplomatic?”
“Growing up in a merchant family, it’s no wonder she’s so eloquent.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the smiles on everyone’s faces stiffened. The speaker hid among the crowd, making it impossible to tell who it was.
Old Madam Zhang slowly sipped her tea and said, “Duan Wangfei suffered misfortune and was kidnapped at a young age, yet she still grew up to be so upright, open, and cheerful. It shows that her adoptive family cherished her like a precious gem. Although the Duan family from Jiangcheng are merchants, they possess remarkable integrity, truly admirable.”
Everyone: …
Madam Zhang also glanced at her mother-in-law in surprise. Before they left home, the old Madam had told her to be cautious with words, but now she was openly defending Duan Wangfei.
But thinking about it, Wangfei was indeed likable in both words and actions. Even she felt reassured seeing her today, naturally leaning a little more in her favor.
With Old Madam Zhang making her stance clear, Qi Wangfei felt a bit awkward. What, Zhang’s family had no objections to the marriage between Jin Wang and the younger sister of Duan Wangfei?
No matter what, Jin Wang and Duan Wang didn’t get along well. Now that Jin Wang had married Duan Mingxi’s younger sister, shouldn’t the Zhang family be at least a little wary?
Qi Wangfei couldn’t understand. She had been hoping to watch Duan Mingxi be embarrassed today.
Soon, Duchess Wei arrived. She was Duan Wang’s biological aunt. As soon as she entered, she noticed that the crowd was looking at her strangely and froze for a moment.
What’s going on?
Xu Nanxi, following behind her mother, also sensed something was wrong. As she hesitated, she heard Qi Wangfei deliberately exclaim, “Oh? Fourth Sister-in-law didn’t personally escort Duchess Wei in? Just now she went out herself to assist Old Madam Zhang!”
Duchess Wei’s face instantly darkened!
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