“I heard Duchess Wei got wind of the news and is on her way to the palace to seek justice. Wangye wants you to intercept her at the gate,” Miao Sheng said quickly.
Duan Mingxi immediately realized the seriousness. Without even changing clothes, she hurried out the door.
She got into a carriage and rushed straight to the palace. Her expression was grave. Duke Wei’s only son had nearly died at the hands of the Eastern Palace, and the Emperor had been alarmed by the incident back then.
Now, the Duke had used the Qiping Prefecture case to impeach the Eastern Palace—His Majesty would see it as adding insult to injury and was sure to take offense.
Xiao Muchen wanted her to stop the Duchess—he feared she might fall into the hands of the Empress, which would be dangerous.
The carriage raced forward. Mingxi was filled with anxiety.
Soon, the carriage arrived outside the palace gate. As she stepped down, she saw Duke Wei’s carriage already there. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly walked over.
The carriage was empty. Mingxi headed straight into the inner palace.
Fit and fast, she took a shortcut and sure enough, intercepted Duchess Wei on the outer path near Kunde Palace.
“Your servant greets Duan Wangfei,” the Duchess said, eyes red as she curtsied.
Mingxi quickly supported her with a smile. “Madam, you’re truly punctual—I didn’t expect you so early. I nearly missed you. Royal Mother is waiting in Cuiwei Palace—come with me.”
Cuiwei Palace?
The Duchess frowned, about to say something, but Mingxi noticed movement from Kunde Palace. Palace attendants had already poked their heads out.
She immediately raised her voice. “Madam, come with me.”
The Duchess hesitated. This wasn’t what her husband had instructed. What should she do?
Mingxi turned her back to the palace staff and quietly said to her, “Wangye sent me to stop you.”
The Duchess was momentarily stunned but then followed Mingxi toward Cuiwei Palace.
Just then, Lu Momo came out of Kunde Palace and called from afar, “This old servant greets Wangfei. Greetings to Duchess Wei. What brings you here together? Are you here to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress?”
Duan Mingxi’s heart sank. Although the Emperor had sealed off news from Chongzheng Hall to the inner palace, the moment Duchess Wei entered the palace, the Empress had already received word—showing just how tightly she controlled the inner palace.
Seeing that Mingxi didn’t look well, Duchess Wei was about to speak, but Mingxi spoke first: “Lu Momo, Duchess Wei and I didn’t meet by chance—we agreed to come together.”
Lu Momo had already approached, smiling with narrowed eyes. “Is that so? What a coincidence. Her Majesty the Empress just happened to be idle and, upon hearing voices, sent me out to have a look. I wonder if the two of you have time to accompany Her Majesty for a cup of tea?”
Seeing Lu Momo’s demeanor, Mingxi knew there was no avoiding it. She turned to Duchess Wei and smiled, saying, “In that case, let us pay our respects to Her Majesty together. I’ll send word to Cuiwei Palace; Royal Mother won’t be upset if I’m a little late.”
Lu Momo slightly lifted her head and glanced at Duan Wangfei, then quickly said, “No need to trouble Wangfei. I’ll have someone report it. If Her Highness Consort Shu is free, perhaps she can join us for tea as well.”
Before Mingxi could speak, Lu Momo waved over a young palace maid and instructed her,
“Go quickly to Cuiwei Palace and inform Her Highness Consort Shu that Her Majesty the Empress has invited Duchess Wei and Duan Wangfei for tea. If Her Highness is free, she is also welcome to join us for a cup to relieve the summer heat.”
“Yes, this servant will go at once.” The young maid bowed and then hurried off.
At this point, how could Duchess Wei not realize something was amiss? Her heart clenched with unease, but she said nothing, silently following behind Duan Mingxi into the Kunde Palace.
The Empress was not in the main hall. Lu Momo led them to the back hall, where from afar they could see the Empress holding a pair of bronze scissors, trimming flower branches.
Hearing footsteps, the Empress turned her head.
Duan Mingxi and Duchess Wei stepped forward to greet her.
“Daughter-in-law greets Mother Empress.”
“This humble wife greets Your Majesty the Empress.”
The Empress’s gaze swept over the two of them, and she smiled, “Rise. The sunlight is lovely today, so I came out to trim some flowers and pass the time.”
“Your Majesty is truly refined. I, a rough woman, could never manage such delicate work,” Duchess Wei said with a smile.
Though she wasn’t yet sure what had changed, she had weathered many storms in the capital over the years. She quickly regained her composure, showing no hint of weakness before the Empress.
Seeing that the Madam had steadied herself, Mingxi relaxed slightly. She stood obediently to one side, looking as if she were attentively listening to the conversation.
The Empress turned her eyes to Duchess Wei and said, “You’re being too modest. Back in the day, you were known throughout the capital as a talented lady. It’s been so many years in the blink of an eye—we’re all getting older.”
Duchess Wei sighed softly, raising a hand to smooth her temples, then slowly said, “Your Majesty flatters me. I never truly possessed any great talent. Back in those days in the boudoir, I was merely causing a few laughs at best.”
The Empress smiled faintly, then looked toward Duan Mingxi and said, “Speaking of which, Duan Wangfei hasn’t been back in the capital for long and hasn’t yet had the chance to attend one of the capital’s poetry gatherings. In the future, you must try. As a woman of the royal household, even if you don’t seek fame for your talents, you mustn’t be completely without refinement—lest others make a mockery of you.”
Duan Mingxi: …
Even that was an opportunity for the Empress to throw a veiled insult at her!
“Royal Mother’s guidance, I will remember. I only worry that my meager talents may bring shame upon Your Majesty when the time comes,” Mingxi replied with composure.
Wasn’t the Empress just trying to provoke her and make her feel awkward?
She deliberately responded in a cheerful, relaxed tone, to show she felt no pressure at all.
The Empress looked at Mingxi, smiled, and said, “If you’re worried about shame, then read a few more books in your spare time at the residence.”
Mingxi heard the message clearly—the Empress was displeased about her entering the palace.
But so what?
She hadn’t done anything wrong. The Empress had no grounds to punish her or bar her from entering the palace.
“Yes,” Mingxi responded sweetly. There was no benefit in butting heads with the Empress right now. Without Consort Shu present, she, a junior, was already at a disadvantage.
At that moment, Lu Momo brought in tea and said with a smile, “Your Majesty, the tea has arrived.”
The Empress looked toward the two women. “Sit. Your timing is perfect. This tea is a new gift from His Majesty—High Mountain Red Kui. Only three or four catties are harvested in a whole year.”
Mingxi and Duchess Wei sat down. The Duchess said, “Thanks to Your Majesty’s kindness today, we get to taste such fine tea.”
Mingxi watched as Lu Momo personally poured the tea, first offering a cup to the Empress, then placing a cup in front of her, and finally serving Duchess Wei.
The tea’s aroma wafted strongly.
Mingxi’s nose twitched slightly. High Mountain Red Kui?
Something didn’t seem right.
