Mingxi didn’t know how to describe what she was feeling. Was Yu Wang really this easy to fool now?
She steadied her thoughts and looked at Yu Wangfei. “Is it possible that… Yu Wang truly wants to earn the Emperor’s forgiveness, and even knowing that Qi Wang might be scheming, he thought it was worth trying anyway?”
Yu Wangfei was stunned—she had never thought of it that way and was caught off guard.
Mingxi looked at her. Judging by how flat her tone was when talking about Yu Wang now, it was clear she had truly let him go.
But while feelings can be put aside, interests cannot.
Yu Wang’s future was ultimately her son’s future. For her child’s sake, Yu Wangfei would definitely still support Yu Wang in the bigger picture—helping Yu Wang was helping her own child.
That’s why, when she had spoken of Qi Wang’s manipulation, her tone had been laced with disappointment and helplessness.
Yu Wangfei frowned at Mingxi. “But… what happened with He Wanyi was so disgraceful. Royal Father may not forgive him so easily. Look—he’s been back in the capital for so long and hasn’t been given a single assignment. He’s just holding a noble title with nothing to do.”
At this, she sighed again. “If he had just a bit of drive, that would be something. But he’s all ambition and no ability, gullible to boot. He never handles proper matters, but the moment someone encourages him to jump into a pit, he dives right in.”
“It’s not all bad,” Mingxi said, her eyes gleaming. She looked at Yu Wangfei. “Think about it—if he were too capable, you wouldn’t be able to control him. This way, you can hold the reins over the entire Yu Wang Manor.”
Yu Wangfei sighed. “That’s what I’ve been thinking too. But I’m always afraid—what if one day he brings back another disaster and drags me and the child down with him?”
Mingxi had learned earlier from Xiao Muchen that Consort Gui had invited Consort Xian and Consort De for tea—but had notably excluded Consort Shu.
That said a lot. It meant that Consort Gui’s biggest concern was Consort Shu and Xiao Muchen, which meant it was necessary to find a way to break that alliance.
She had been trying to come up with a good plan for days, but now, unexpectedly, the opportunity had presented itself.
Lowering her voice, she asked Yu Wangfei, “Have you heard about Consort Gui inviting Consort Xian and Consort De for tea a few days ago?”
At this, Yu Wangfei’s face showed a flicker of discomfort. She nodded. “I heard about it afterward. Consort Gui’s conduct is… well, as a younger generation, I don’t carry much weight and honestly don’t know what I should say or do.”
“That’s not right, Second Sister-in-law. I’m not blaming you for not doing anything—it’s that this kind of opportunity, we mustn’t miss.”
Yu Wangfei looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Mingxi didn’t answer directly and instead asked, “Before this, had Qi Wang ever tried to rope in Yu Wang for anything?”
Yu Wangfei shook her head.
“There you have it.” Mingxi smiled faintly. “My guess is that Consort Gui privately promised something to Consort De, which is why Qi Wang suddenly tried to push Yu Wang into action. Otherwise, there had been no signs—why would he suddenly drag Yu Wang into this mess?”
Yu Wangfei’s expression changed. “Yes… I couldn’t figure out what felt off. But now that you say it, it really does make sense.”
Mingxi continued, “With the Crown Prince under house arrest, of the remaining princes—Jin Wang is the eldest, Yu Wang can’t recover from the scandal with He Wanyi, and Qi Wang is too impulsive. In the Emperor’s eyes, none of them seem fit to shoulder great responsibility.”
Yu Wangfei added, “Only Duan Wang is steady and cautious in his actions, and has been entrusted with important tasks by His Majesty. That’s why Consort Gui has grown hostile toward him.”
She might not want him dead, but she certainly wanted to suppress him.
Mingxi said, “Between Yu Wang and Qi Wang, clearly Qi Wang has more influence. If she uses Qi Wang to drag down Yu Wang, and once things fall apart, the Emperor will surely grow tired of Qi Wang too. It’s a double blow—Consort Gui played her hand well.”
Yu Wangfei was so angry her face darkened. “Exactly. She wouldn’t dare use that trick on Duan Wang because he’s been seasoned in court these past two years—he’s not like Yu Wang or Qi Wang. His insight is sharp as a blade—he’d see through Consort Gui’s scheme in an instant.”
But Qi Wang and Yu Wang were a different story.
Yu Wang hadn’t seen through anything. Qi Wang might have sensed the risk, but probably thought he could benefit by leveraging Consort Gui’s influence.
“This whole incident was stopped early by Consort Xian, but she might not have seen Consort Gui’s deeper motives—just thought Yu Wang shouldn’t be egged on by Qi Wang.”
“You’re right. I should remind Royal Mother to be cautious of Consort Gui.”
Mingxi nodded slightly. “That’s the right move. The palace is a complicated place right now—one wrong step and the consequences could be disastrous. His Majesty is already in a foul mood over the Crown Prince’s confinement. If anyone steps on a landmine now, they might suffer a terrible fate.”
Yu Wangfei could no longer sit still—she stood up immediately. “Mingxi, you’ve awakened me with your words. I’m heading into the palace right now.”
Mingxi stopped her. “There’s no need to rush. Go back to the manor first and try dropping a hint to Yu Wang. If he’s the one who speaks directly to Consort Xian, it will have a greater impact.”
Yu Wangfei hesitated. “I’m just afraid he’ll mess it up again.”
Mingxi smiled. “How much worse could it get? It won’t be any more disastrous than it is now. But if Yu Wang really takes your advice to heart, he’ll only be more grateful to you. Once your child is born, their position will be even more secure.”
Yu Wangfei gave Mingxi a look, forced a smile, and her eyes suddenly reddened. She lifted her chin slightly and said, “You may be younger than me, but you handle matters with far more care and foresight. I’ll never be able to repay this debt of kindness I owe you.”
“Second Sister-in-law, you overstate things. You know I’m not doing this just for your sake—our interests are aligned. Naturally, I want things to go well for you. If you’re well, then I’ll be well too, isn’t that right?”
Yu Wangfei took Mingxi’s hand. “You can say it like that, but I know what’s really in your heart.”
Mingxi pulled her to sit back down. “Then let’s sit a while longer. We haven’t seen each other in so long—there’s truly so much to talk about.”
Yu Wangfei laughed and cried at once. She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, then sat down again with a sigh. “Actually, I had something to discuss with you—but talking like this, I almost forgot about it.”
“What is it?” Mingxi asked curiously.
A troubled expression came over Yu Wangfei’s face. “It’s about Qingying’s marriage.”
Mingxi frowned. “What, that Madam He is causing trouble again?”
“Ever since the fall of Marquis Xingan’s household, she’s been more restrained. She doesn’t butt heads with Qingying as sharply as before. I thought she had finally learned her lesson, but now I realize I was wrong.”
Mingxi’s heart sank slightly. “What happened?”
“She arranged a marriage for Qingying without telling my father. And now that my younger brother has been made shizi and Xingan Marquis’s title has fallen, I think she’s lashing out at us out of spite.”
Mingxi paused. “Who did she betroth her to?”
“To Xie Jingyang, the Commandant of the Left Garrison. Have you heard of him?” asked Yu Wangfei.
Mingxi: …
She had heard of him in her past life.
