“Don’t act rashly!” Consort Gui glared at Consort Shu angrily.
Consort Shu gave a light laugh. “How is this acting rashly? Are you really willing to just let it go? If this time those two manage to dodge the disaster again, our days will only become even harder.”
“You think Duke Wei’s household is willing to take the lead?” Consort Gui said, not believing it.
“I’m more worried that taking the lead would end up helping the Empress and the Crown Prince instead.”
Consort Gui took a deep breath. “You know how dangerous this is. Then what do you suggest?”
“Aren’t there still the censors? The noble families and the civil officials have never been on good terms, but your Father is Gelao, the head of all civil officials. I’m sure he can figure something out.”
Consort Gui: …
Round and round, in the end, it was still about having her own family take the risk.
Consort Gui kept a stern face, not speaking. The risk was enormous. Even if she were willing to gamble, her Father might not be.
“Zhang Gelao is known for being upright, and the Emperor knows this too. Besides, if the case of Qiping Prefecture is true, the crimes of the Empress and Crown Prince cannot be lightly pardoned. The censors exist precisely for this kind of thing—otherwise, what are they for? Wealth and rank have always been earned by taking risks.”
Consort Gui looked at Consort Shu. “You make it sound easy. It’s incredibly difficult to actually pull off.”
“Of course, otherwise why involve the Gelao?”
Consort Gui: …
“Let me think about it.”
Consort Shu nodded. “You must think it over carefully. This concerns not just us, but the future of our children.”
At the mention of her children’s future, Consort Gui’s resolve began to waver.
If the Crown Prince were deposed, the most likely candidate for the next heir would be her own son—after all, he was the Emperor’s eldest!
Seniority had always been respected.
—
Meanwhile, Feng Momo escorted a few Wangfeis to the small garden, had the palace maids serve them tea and refreshments attentively, and then withdrew.
As soon as Feng Momo left, Duan Huirou finally relaxed her tense shoulders.
Duan Mingxi glanced at her, and Duan Huirou immediately sat up straighter.
Kang Wangfei watched all this with amusement. She lowered her head, pretending not to see, and sipped her tea. Only after setting her teacup down did she say casually, “I wonder how the Wangyes are faring.”
Kang Wang was often unlucky—hopefully today he would be safe.
Mingxi also didn’t know. She said slowly, “We’ll wait for news,” and then turned to Duan Huirou. “How was Side Consort Qian yesterday?”
Duan Huirou’s mouth twitched slightly as she carefully thought about how to answer.
Mingxi, seeing this, said directly, “Just speak honestly.”
Duan Huirou immediately said, “Not very well. Before the bridal chamber could even begin, she cried out with stomach pain, claiming she slipped and strained her fetus. Qi Momo sent someone to summon the Wangye.”
“And what about you?”
“As the main Wangfei, of course, I followed,” Duan Huirou thought to herself that Duan Mingxi had predicted all this—that Side Consort Qian would cause trouble and use the unborn child as leverage, and had warned her that she must not retreat when it happened.
“And then?” asked Kang Wangfei disdainfully. “That Side Consort Qian really is troublesome.”
If she really had a tendency to slip, why not before? Why only when the bridal night came?
Clearly deliberate.
Duan Huirou felt comforted hearing this and continued, “I thought she might be faking, but then she really started bleeding. Qi Momo was unwell herself and couldn’t manage everything, so I…” She glanced at Duan Mingxi and continued, “I seized the opportunity to take control of the royal household. I ordered a doctor to be called in and had Side Consort Qian properly settled.”
It was inappropriate for the Wangye to be present while a woman was bleeding in such a private area. Duan Huirou had naturally taken the chance to keep him outside and personally managed the situation.
Though she now spoke lightly, last night had indeed been chaotic and dangerous.
“Side Consort Qian had a clear bruise on her belly. She said she slipped and hit the edge of a table. I can’t be sure if it was really an accident, but the injury itself was real.”
Duan Huirou looked at Duan Mingxi, cautiously seeking her advice. “Big Sister, do you think it was truly an accident?”
Hearing her call “Big Sister,” Mingxi’s brow twitched slightly but, in front of Kang Wangfei, she said nothing.
Duan Huirou instantly breathed a huge sigh of relief—turns out what Duan Qingyin had said was right: thick skin wins the day.
She needed to be adaptable. Life in the royal family was messy, complicated, and cutthroat—she needed someone to protect her.
And that person had to be Duan Mingxi.
No matter how proud she was, she still wanted to live.
And to live with dignity.
With wealth and status already falling into her lap, if she still couldn’t catch it, she might as well be reborn.
Mingxi collected herself and looked at Kang Wangfei. “Eighth Sister-in-law, what do you think?”
Kang Wangfei shook her head. “Hard to say. If there’s a real bruise from an impact, it could be an accident. But if not, Eldest Sister-in-law must be very careful. Anyone ruthless enough to harm her own unborn child is not someone you can take lightly.”
Duan Huirou turned pale. She herself was no saint, but even a tiger wouldn’t eat its cubs. If she were pregnant, she would never risk harming her own child.
Seeing Duan Huirou so frightened, Mingxi said gently, “Side Consort Qian has fought with He Wanyu for years and always acted with restraint. You’ve just entered the household, and she hasn’t yet figured out your temperament, so she probably wouldn’t dare be too ruthless yet. An accident is more likely.”
“And when you kept the Wangye outside, how did Side Consort Qian react?”
In the chaos of the moment, Duan Huirou hadn’t paid attention, but thinking back carefully, she said, “She didn’t react much—she was entirely focused on her stomach. She seemed really scared.”
Mingxi and Kang Wangfei exchanged a glance, and Kang Wangfei said, “Then an accident is more likely. But since she dared to use her pregnancy to stir trouble, Eldest Sister-in-law must stay on guard.”
This time might have been an accident.
But next time—who could say?
“What did the physician say?” Mingxi asked again.
“The physician said this pregnancy needs extra care. After the fall, the fetal position is very unstable and needs to be carefully nurtured,” Duan Huirou replied.
“So the pregnancy is precarious, and she could miscarry at any time. You really must be cautious,” Mingxi said slowly.
Duan Huirou’s expression grew complicated. She hadn’t expected that just after getting married, she would face such a difficult problem — wasn’t this like asking a child scholar to immediately pass the imperial exam? It was simply impossible.
“What did Cheng Momo tell you?” Mingxi asked again. With such a big incident, Cheng Momo must have given her advice.
“Cheng Momo said that from now on, matters concerning Side Consort Qian should be handled either by Qi Momo or by someone the Wangye assigns. It’s best if I stay out of it,” Duan Huirou answered.
“Then listen to Cheng Momo,” Mingxi said in a serious tone. “Tell Jin Wang that since you are newly married and inexperienced in caring for pregnant women, and given that Side Consort Qian’s condition is precarious, you are concerned about the safety of the Wangye’s heir. You should suggest that an experienced Momo be assigned to watch over her to ensure a safe delivery.”
No matter what schemes Side Consort Qian might have, as long as Duan Huirou stayed far away, she could avoid getting caught up in them.
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