Fang Momo hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up: “Today, Jin Wangfei sent over a visitation card, but this old servant saw that Li Mama returned it. I don’t know why.”
Mingxi looked at Fang Momo and couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, that’s what you’re worried about?”
Li Mama was someone she had brought with her. Back when Duan Huirou got married, she had busied herself helping her keep up appearances. Fang Momo wasn’t too clear on the matters between the two sisters, so she naturally assumed they were still on good terms.
However, since Li Mama was Mingxi’s personal maid, Fang Momo felt a bit uneasy bringing up this matter, likely having debated with herself for a long while before finally speaking.
“You didn’t ask Li Mama about it?” Mingxi asked as she looked at her.
“Li Mama had already returned to the Marquis Manor, otherwise I would’ve asked,” Fang Momo replied with a smile, feeling relieved upon hearing the Wangfei’s light tone.
Mingxi then said, “Jin Wangfei came supposedly to visit me while I’m ill—no doubt at the behest of Jin Wang or Consort Gui. Though we are sisters, to me, Wangye naturally comes first. I’m not one to hide my feelings. Rather than letting her in and causing more trouble, it’s better not to see her at all—for her own good.”
Though Duan Huirou had some wit, she lacked experience in serious matters. Someone like her simply couldn’t hide her thoughts before Consort Gui.
Besides, with Side Consort Qian at Jin Wang’s side, Mingxi had to be extra cautious. It was better to not meet Duan Huirou at all—let her return and give her account as she sees fit.
Li Mama had gone back to the Marquis Manor precisely for this matter—to let the Marquis family know. If Consort Gui or Jin Wang tried to dig information from them, they wouldn’t get what they wanted.
Understanding now, Fang Momo quickly said, “Wangfei is so kind, thinking even of Jin Wangfei at a time like this.”
Mingxi smiled without replying. She couldn’t just sit back and watch Duan Huirou get dragged into the mess of Jin Wang’s household. As long as she was smart and willing to learn, in a few years, Mingxi could let go.
“It’s already dark—has Wangye not returned yet?” Mingxi asked softly.
Fang Momo shook her head. “Not just Wangye. Even Lord Qi and Miao Sheng haven’t been seen today.”
A heavy feeling settled in Mingxi’s heart. Was today’s court session really that difficult?
Fang Momo left with the maidservants to light the lamps. Mingxi leaned against the window, feeling slightly unwell. Although the prescription had been changed, the Xiao Ji San still affected her body.
Had she known she was pregnant back then, she would never have taken such a risky step.
But there was no “what if” in life. Now, she could only rely on Ren Mian and do her best to restore her health, hoping to deliver a healthy baby.
The lanterns outside had just been lit when Li Quan came running in, gasping for breath.
Qiancao hurried in to report, “Wangfei, Li Quan is here.”
“Let him in,” Mingxi said immediately.
Li Quan stood under the eaves for a moment to catch his breath. Once he was steady, he stepped inside to report.
“Greetings, Wangfei.”
“Speak,” Mingxi said at once. “Any news?”
“Wangfei, His Majesty has ordered a thorough investigation of the Ministry of Revenue. All those involved in the Qiping Prefecture case have been dismissed and sent to the frontier. Those with lesser offenses are awaiting further judgment. Not a single person involved has been spared.”
Mingxi’s heart trembled. “Truly?”
“It’s true. The Minister of Revenue voluntarily offered to take responsibility. His Majesty, remembering his years of service, allowed him to retire. But the rest weren’t so lucky. I heard over a dozen officials have been imprisoned awaiting trial. Half the ministry is basically empty,” Li Quan said, still visibly shaken. “People say it’s been years since the capital has seen so many officials arrested at once.”
His Majesty even allowed Liu Chuxian to retire…
Liu Chuxian was a loyal and upright minister—entirely devoted to the Emperor—yet even he was only spared his life.
It seemed the Emperor was truly furious this time.
Thinking of this, Mingxi looked at Li Quan again and asked, “What about the Eastern Palace?”
Li Quan immediately replied, “I asked around everywhere, but couldn’t find any information about the Eastern Palace. However, I did see the Imperial Guards surrounding it completely.”
Mingxi frowned. The Eastern Palace had been surrounded, yet there was no word about the Crown Prince. It left her unsettled, unsure of what the Emperor intended to do.
“Anything else?”
“Yes. It’s not just the Ministry of Revenue. Officials from other departments were also arrested today—stripped of their black hats, seals taken, thrown into prison. Now the whole capital is on edge. Common folk don’t even dare stroll the streets.”
Mingxi frowned again. Judging from this, the Emperor’s wrath must have reached a boiling point, hence the mass purge. And yet, news about the Eastern Palace remained sealed—only adding to her anxiety.
After all that effort, they couldn’t possibly let the Crown Prince escape. If he did, all her suffering would have been for nothing.
“You may go now. You’ve had a hard day,” Mingxi said as she looked at Li Quan. “Did You Sanping explain everything to you?”
Li Quan quickly nodded. “Third Brother You said I’ve been following him long enough, it’s time I trained on my own. He wants me to write him a letter every ten days.”
Mingxi couldn’t help but smile. “Learn well from him. Your responsibilities will only grow in the future.”
Li Quan’s eyes lit up. “Rest assured, Wangfei. I’ll definitely learn well and won’t betray your trust.”
“Go on, then.” Mingxi dismissed him so he could rest. He had been running around all day.
Li Quan backed out of the room. Mingxi stood with Qiancao’s help and began walking slowly around the room. Qiancao supported her with great care, her eyes glued to the floor.
Mingxi looked at her and said, “Go wait at the second gate. If Wangye returns, come tell me right away.”
“Yes.” Qiancao helped Wangfei sit properly before leaving.
Just as she stepped out and hadn’t yet reached the front veranda, she saw Wangye striding in. She immediately turned and ran toward the inner courtyard.
“Wangfei, Wangye is back!”
Mingxi’s eyes lit up. Before she could even speak, Xiao Muchen had already lifted the curtain and stepped in with long strides.
Seeing his relaxed and easy expression, Mingxi’s eyes lit up even more. “Did everything go smoothly today?”
Xiao Muchen walked over, helped her sit back down, and took a seat across from her before replying, “More or less.”
“How did His Majesty deal with the Crown Prince?”
Hearing the urgency in Mingxi’s voice, Xiao Muchen looked at her and replied, “Confined to the Eastern Palace. He cannot leave without an imperial edict.”
Mingxi frowned. “That’s it?”
“What more do you want?” Xiao Muchen immediately chuckled.
“The Crown Prince committed such a grave offense, and he’s only confined?” Mingxi was clearly dissatisfied. “Shouldn’t he be deposed?”
“The heir to the throne is a matter concerning the foundation of the nation—it can’t be taken lightly.”
“But didn’t Zhang Guangan submit a blood-written letter before, straight to His Majesty? We still don’t know what was written in it. Could it be he was trying to exonerate the Crown Prince?” Mingxi’s expression darkened. This was not the outcome she had hoped for.
Seeing Mingxi’s anger, Xiao Muchen took her hand and said, “Don’t get upset. Be mindful of your health. It’s complicated. Father may very well have the intention to depose the Crown Prince, but the situation is intricate—he’s been heir for over ten years. Public sentiment must be considered.”
“Public sentiment?” Mingxi sneered. “Just make his crimes public. Who would object?”
Xiao Muchen: …
Wouldn’t that mean the emperor loses all face?
