All rare items sent to the palace were indeed scarce—but that didn’t mean the quantities were as limited as reported.
Local officials would always underreport the real amount, keeping some in reserve just in case something went wrong.
High Mountain Red Kui grew on cliff faces, with only a few tea trees left, so the annual yield truly was minimal.
Once, while traveling with her father on a business trip, Mingxi had bought some High Mountain Red Kui—bought it, not gifted.
One tael of that tea cost a thousand silver.
Her father had paid five thousand taels for two taels, giving one tael to her.
The fragrance of High Mountain Red Kui was rich and full-bodied, the tea a beautiful amber with crystal clarity. She remembered that scent perfectly.
Now, without a change in expression, Mingxi lifted the tea cup, took a light sip, then set it down and delicately wiped her lips with a handkerchief. She looked up toward the Empress.
The Empress was reminiscing with Duchess Wei, laughter in her voice and a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere. Mingxi was, for the moment, completely overlooked.
But listening to their conversation, Mingxi gradually picked up on something—back before the Empress entered the palace, she and Duchess Wei had once been on good terms.
When the Empress sighed about how well they used to get along, Mingxi inwardly sneered. If there had truly been such feelings between them, why did she still go after the Madam’s only son with such ruthless intent?
At this moment, Duchess Wei wore a warm, gracious smile on her face—yet the more kindly she smiled, the deeper her hatred for the Empress likely ran in her heart.
As time slowly passed, the smile on Mingxi’s face gradually faded. Consort Shu had still not arrived.
Without a trace of emotion, she swept her gaze toward Lu Momo, who stood beside the Empress. Lu Momo was turned slightly, speaking with a nearby palace maid. The maid had her head bowed, so her face could not be seen clearly, but Lu Momo’s expression was calm and content.
Mingxi had received Xiao Muchen’s message quite suddenly. Her entry into the palace had been rushed and urgent—she hadn’t had the chance to send word ahead to Consort Shu.
She was now already in the palace, yet it was likely Consort Shu still did not know.
She had to come up with a way—she couldn’t allow herself to remain trapped in Kunde Palace.
The Empress keeping her and Duchess Wei confined here was certainly not out of genuine hospitality. There was clearly another motive, though she couldn’t yet guess what it was.
Just then, Mingxi’s gaze shifted and landed on a palace maid bringing over a plate of fruit. She picked up the teacup on the table. As the maid passed by her side, Mingxi subtly extended one foot forward beneath the table’s cover.
“Ah—!” The little palace maid stumbled, nearly falling right into Mingxi.
The teacup in Mingxi’s hand spilled onto her clothing from the sudden jolt. She grabbed the maid’s arm with one hand, and with the other caught the fruit plate midair. The teacup rolled off her skirt and hit the ground with a crisp sound.
The sudden incident caught everyone off guard—all eyes turned toward Duan Mingxi in surprise.
The Empress’s eyes flashed coldly, and she snapped, “What’s going on here?”
The maid, trembling with fear, dropped to her knees to plead, “This servant is at fault. I beg Your Highness to punish me.”
Mingxi gently set the fruit plate back on the table, then looked up at the Empress. “Royal Mother, it was merely an accident. This palace maid had no intent to offend. I ask that Royal Mother temper her anger and show mercy this once.”
The Empress fixed her gaze on Duan Mingxi and said in a low voice, “Duan Wangfei, what impressive reflexes—you’ve certainly opened this empress’ eyes today.”
Mingxi gave a light smile. “Many thanks for Royal Mother’s praise. I trained a little in martial arts when I was young, though I couldn’t endure the hardship—what I know are just a few tricks, hardly worth mentioning.”
Before the Empress could respond, Mingxi sighed softly. “However, my garments are now soaked, and my appearance unsightly. I ask Royal Mother to permit me to change.”
The Empress’s hand clenched tightly around her handkerchief. She glanced at Lu Momo. “Take Duan Wangfei to change.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Lu Momo exchanged a brief look with the Empress and nodded slightly.
She turned to face Duan Wangfei with a smiling face. “Wangfei, this way, please.”
Mingxi gave the Empress a curtsy. As she rose, her gaze briefly met that of Duchess Wei before shifting away. She then followed Lu Momo out of the hall.
Lu Momo led Duan Wangfei through the rear hall into the long corridor and immediately ordered, “Go fetch a change of clothes for Duan Wangfei.”
But how could there be any garments suitable for Duan Wangfei in Kunde Palace? This was the Empress’s residence. Mingxi dared not wear any of the Empress’s new clothes.
Hearing this, Mingxi looked at Lu Momo and said, “I’m afraid Kunde Palace won’t have anything suitable for me. No need to trouble yourself, Lu Momo. My royal mother’s palace, Cuiwei Palace, has some of my garments. I’ll go change and return promptly.”
Lu Momo replied with a smile, “If Wangfei leaves like this, wouldn’t that damage your dignity? If word reaches Her Highness the Empress, she will surely hold this old servant accountable. Please, Wangfei, rest here for a moment—I’ll have someone fetch your clothes from Cuiwei Palace.”
Mingxi did not insist, replying sincerely, “Then I must trouble you, Lu Momo. My apologies.”
“Wangfei is too kind. This is my duty,” Lu Momo replied with a smile. “Please wait in the side hall for now.”
Mingxi gave a slight nod and turned into the side hall.
Only then did Lu Momo glance around and call for someone, whispering a few instructions in a low voice.
Just then, the palace maid who had made the mistake earlier stepped out from the main hall. Lu Momo approached her and asked, “What exactly happened back there?”
The maid was pale and trembling. Hearing Lu Momo’s stern tone, her knees gave out and she knelt again. “Please have mercy, Momo! It truly wasn’t intentional—I simply tripped and fell.”
Lu Momo eyed her with suspicion. “Tripped?”
The maid nodded quickly. “Yes! I was really tripped up.”
Lu Momo frowned. “Tripped on what?”
The maid hesitated before replying, face drained of color, “I didn’t see clearly at the time, but… it felt soft underfoot. It seemed like I stepped on someone…”
Lu Momo’s expression shifted several times. She looked at the maid and snapped, “Useless thing!”
The palace maid pressed her head to the floor, trembling. “Spare me, Momo! I won’t make the same mistake again—I’ll be more careful next time!”
Recalling Duan Wangfei’s skill and comparing it to this clumsy maid, Lu Momo couldn’t help but grow irritated. With a sharp kick to the maid’s shoulder, she shouted, “Idiot!”
The girl fell over from the blow but didn’t dare cry. Eyes red, she scrambled back up and remained kneeling, shaking all over.
“What are you doing, Lu Momo?” Mingxi strode out from the side hall, face taut with anger as she stared at Lu Momo. “The girl made an unintentional mistake. I’ve already explained this to the Empress. Why punish her like this? One should show mercy when it’s due.”
Being scolded by Duan Wangfei made Lu Momo’s expression freeze. She stiffly replied, “Wangfei, Kunde Palace has its own rules. If everyone disregards them and goes unpunished for mistakes, what order would remain? I know Wangfei is kind-hearted, but Kunde Palace affairs are not for Wangfei to concern yourself with.”
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to the rest of the book? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
