When Kang Wangfei arrived at Cuiwei Palace, she found only her Fourth Sister-in-law there. She was told that Consort Shu had already gone to Kunde Palace and didn’t think much of it.
“Fourth Sister-in-law, if I hadn’t been delayed halfway by Qi Wangfei and her Side Consort Ming, I would have arrived much earlier,” she said helplessly.
Mingxi steadied herself and then remembered — the Empress had issued an edict allowing side consorts to enter the palace with Wangfeis from now on.
Before, only the Jin Palace had a Side Consort Qian. Now the Crown Prince’s palace, Yu Wang’s palace, and Qi Wang’s palace all had side consorts. Clearly, the Empress was stirring up trouble.
By giving the side consorts face, wasn’t she just undermining Wangfeis?
It seemed she was afraid the households were too peaceful and wanted to give them something to fight over.
The Kang Residence didn’t have a side consort because the Empress had forgotten about it during a moment of rage. Later, it would have been too conspicuous to suddenly add one.
Now, only two households remained without side consorts. Qi Wangfei, being competitive and arrogant, probably resented Kang Wangfei and thus spoke sharply, with Side Consort Ming fanning the flames. Mingxi could easily imagine the scene.
Looking at Kang Wangfei, Mingxi asked, “And what kind of person is this Side Consort Ming? What’s your impression?”
Kang Wangfei smiled and said, “She seems like someone who won’t suffer a loss — clever and shrewd. She’s very much like our Qi Wangfei.”
Mingxi stiffened slightly. Having two sharp, competitive women in the same household — there was no way it wouldn’t be lively.
But Mingxi didn’t want to concern herself with the affairs of the Qi Residence. She said to Kang Wangfei, “It’s about time. Let’s go to Kunde Palace now.”
With Jin Wang kneeling in Chongzheng Hall, Duan Huirou could only follow Consort Gui to Kunde Palace — Mingxi had to go check, lest the Empress humiliate her.
Kang Wangfei, still unaware of what was happening at Chongzheng Hall, followed Mingxi immediately. As they walked, she asked, “Fourth Sister-in-law, did Side Consort Qian cause any trouble yesterday?”
Mingxi shook her head and said, “I have not yet met Jin Wangfei, nor do I know what happened yesterday.”
Upon hearing this, Kang Wangfei immediately said, “With Qi Momo there, I’m sure nothing too serious could have happened. Fourth Sister-in-law, don’t worry.”
Mingxi nodded, then added, “Let’s hope so.”
It would be best if Jin Wang was a clever one. If he allowed Duan Huirou to lose face, even if not for Duan Huirou’s sake, for the sake of her own dignity, Mingxi would still have to seek an explanation.
Besides, if she didn’t intervene, that Side Consort Qian would probably become even more arrogant. Hopefully, Side Consort Qian was smart enough to know when to stop.
As the two walked toward Kunde Palace, they happened to encounter Yu Wangfei, who was visibly pregnant, with Side Consort An following behind.
Upon seeing them, Side Consort An stepped forward, curtsied, and said, “This Side Consort greets Duan Wangfei and Kang Wangfei.”
“No need for such formality, Side Consort An. Please rise,” Mingxi said with a smile.
Side Consort An thanked them and obediently stood behind Yu Wangfei.
“Second Sister-in-law, you look quite well today. I suppose you and Side Consort An are getting along splendidly,” Mingxi said with a smile as she looked at Yu Wangfei.
Yu Wangfei smiled faintly, glanced at Side Consort An, and then replied, “Side Consort An has a gentle nature and follows the rules diligently. I am very fond of her.”
Mingxi understood — she was an easy one to manage.
The situation in Yu Wang’s manor wasn’t too complicated, but with He Wanyi there as a dominant presence, it was natural that the newly entered Side Consort An would side with Yu Wangfei, hoping to leverage her strength against He Wanyi.
But Mingxi wondered: once Side Consort An learned that Consort Xian was suppressing He Wanyi, would she still remain so well-behaved?
Chatting and laughing, the group made their way to Kunde Palace. Mingxi casually asked, “Why haven’t we seen Consort Xian today?”
Normally, Consort Xian would accompany the daughters-in-law, but not today.
Yu Wangfei glanced at Mingxi and said, “You haven’t heard? Consort Shu went to Kunde Palace to pay her respects to the Empress, and as she passed by Changning Palace, she invited my royal mother along.”
Mingxi kept a neutral expression but felt amused inside. So, Consort Shu was recruiting help to pressure the Empress from the sidelines.
Chatting along the way, they soon arrived at Kunde Palace. Coincidentally, they ran right into Consort Gui, who was leading Duan Huirou out. The two groups met at the door.
Mingxi and the others quickly stepped forward and paid their respects.
“This Qie greets Consort Gui.”
Consort Gui was momentarily surprised but then smiled and said, “What a coincidence! How did you all gather together like this? Quickly, rise.”
“Thank you, Consort Gui.”
After they rose, Mingxi quickly glanced at Duan Huirou.
Duan Huirou, catching Mingxi’s gaze, was slightly startled, then blinked at her.
Mingxi: …
What was that supposed to mean?
Was it good news or bad?
That blink was basically meaningless!
Consort Gui didn’t notice the little exchange between the sisters and smiled at Mingxi, saying, “You and Jin Wangfei are sisters. In the future, take good care of her.”
“Niang Niang flatters me; it’s my duty. If my younger sister does anything improper, please feel free to tell me, and I will discipline her,” Mingxi replied with a gentle smile.
Consort Gui: …
You really dare to say that. If Jin Wangfei makes a mistake, I’m supposed to hand her over to you for punishment?
As Consort Gui was thinking this, she heard Duan Wangfei continue, “I know Niang Niang loves by association. You have always been kind to me, but I fear you might be too lenient with my sister out of affection for me.”
Consort Gui was left both amused and exasperated. She looked at Mingxi and said, “With that mouth of yours… fine, if my daughter-in-law makes mistakes, I’ll trouble you instead.”
Mingxi smiled lightly. “An eldest sister is like a mother — it is what I ought to do.”
Consort Gui immediately felt a headache, toothache, and full-body aches. Having such a sister-in-law meant her son’s future days would not be easy.
But then again, he deserved it!
Someone needed to rein him in. As a mother, she couldn’t bear to be too harsh — better to let someone else do it.
Thinking this way, she felt suddenly at ease, completely relaxed.
Affectionately holding Mingxi’s hand, she chatted as they walked, saying, “I am very fond of Huirou. She’s gentle, well-mannered, and knowledgeable. Last night, when Side Consort Qian had a scare with her pregnancy, it was thanks to Huirou’s steadiness that things didn’t spiral. It shows she was well taught.”
Mingxi’s heart stirred slightly but she quickly followed Consort Gui’s lead and said, “She’s young and hasn’t faced such situations before. I’m sure it was thanks to Qi Momo’s guidance that she managed to stay calm. I must thank Niang Niang for sending Qi Momo to assist; otherwise, my sister would not have handled it so well.”
Duan Huirou: …
She suddenly felt she had much more to learn. Was this really the same Mingxi she knew?
At home, Mingxi was like a fierce beast guarding the house, quick to resort to violence when displeased. Yet here she was, so smooth-tongued and sweet?
Duan Huirou felt dazed — how could one person have two such completely different faces?
More surprisingly, no one else seemed to find this strange at all!
Consort Gui led the group into the main hall of Kunde Palace, but the atmosphere inside wasn’t good.
The Empress sat high on her throne, her face dark, while Consort Shu and Consort Xian sat below, smiling pleasantly.
Mingxi quickly adjusted her expression, appearing obedient and proper.
Duan Huirou: …
Shouldn’t she be learning how to do that too?
Today was really an eye-opener!
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