She hadn’t expected that, after so many twists and turns, the two of them would still end up colliding.
But now, she could only shake her head and say to Yu Wangfei, “I don’t know him.”
Yu Wangfei’s face was filled with distress. “Xie Jingyang is a widower. He has a son from his first wife. If this marriage goes through, Qingying will end up being someone’s stepmother. How could I possibly agree to such a match?”
“But Madam He didn’t just arrange the engagement behind our backs—she also matched their birth charts and even spread the word. If I openly oppose it now, she’ll accuse me of bullying others with power. I’m already married, so I’m not afraid for myself—but Qingying is still an unmarried young woman. If this gets out, it’ll only make it harder for her to find another match in the future. But to marry her off as a stepmother—I absolutely cannot accept that.”
“I truly had no other choice, so I came to ask you—do you have any good ideas to end this engagement cleanly and peacefully?”
Mingxi found it a bit difficult too. This really wasn’t a simple situation.
Madam He had taken the initiative to arrange the engagement with Xie Jingyang. If they went back on it now, it would be hard to justify both in terms of principle and propriety.
Even the matter of her being a stepmother wouldn’t hold water—after all, a stepmother is still a mother, and it’s within her rights to arrange Qingying’s marriage.
Clearly, Madam He had torn off the mask completely and no longer cared about appearances. That’s why she would dare to do something like this.
Mingxi looked at Yu Wangfei and asked, “Do you think there’s any chance your father would divorce Madam He?”
Yu Wangfei: …
She stayed silent for a long time, then shook her head.
All these years, the mistreatment she and her younger brother suffered in the household—did her father really not know?
Of course he knew.
He simply favored Madam He and chose to turn a blind eye.
Even after the fall of Xingan Marquis’s household, her father still treated Madam He the same as before. Otherwise, how would Madam He dare act so brazenly?
She simply had something to rely on.
Mingxi had already come to her own conclusion. If Jingyuan Marquis had even a shred of decency, he would never have let Madam He steal the title of shizi and mistreat his legitimate children for so many years.
Men—once their hearts are biased, their eyes go blind too.
She had learned that lesson herself, at the cost of her life.
“There is a way,” Mingxi said thoughtfully, “but it’s a bit ruthless—and it might hurt the bond between you and your father.”
Yu Wangfei hesitated for a moment, then said resolutely, “Tell me. If it can help Qingying, I’ll be the bad guy.”
Mingxi shook her head. “You can’t be the one to act. Yu Wang has already fallen out of favor with His Majesty. Your reputation can’t afford another blemish.”
Yu Wangfei’s expression turned pained—Mingxi had struck right at the heart of the matter.
If she weren’t pregnant, she could throw caution to the wind. But now, she had to think more carefully.
“But the shizi can act,” Mingxi said decisively.
Yu Wangfei was stunned. Mingxi continued, “Think of what happened with Deqing Marquis before. It’s not impossible to plan something.”
Yu Wangfei was so shocked she couldn’t speak for a moment.
The old Marquis of Deqing had lost his title over that Xu Yiniang.
Her heart pounded. “If you’re suggesting my father pass the title to my younger brother early—that’s absolutely impossible.”
Mingxi shook her head. “It’s not about the title. It’s about having the shizi go speak directly with Xie Jingyang, explain the truth, and expose Madam He’s real face. Whether the marriage goes through is uncertain—but what we must not allow is for Xie Jingyang to think Madam He is respectable.”
Yu Wangfei let out a cold laugh. “That fight over the title at Jingyuan Marquis’s household was so fierce—how could he not know?”
But Mingxi remembered that in her past life, after Xie Jingyang married Chu Qingying, he had treated her well. The only downside was that he was a widower with a son. At heart, he was a decent man.
Thinking of this, she looked at Yu Wangfei and said, “We shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Let’s investigate him first.”
Yu Wangfei nodded. “You’re right. I’ve been so worried ever since I heard the news that all I could think about was how to break off the engagement—I didn’t even consider this. I’ll have someone look into it first, then we’ll talk.”
“That’s the proper way to handle it—better than hurting the innocent. If the truth turns out to be different, perhaps we can even convince Xie Jingyang to strike back at Madam He.”
But Yu Wangfei didn’t seem hopeful. She sighed lightly. “Why would Xie Jingyang want to wade into these murky waters? I doubt it.”
With her mind burdened, Yu Wangfei couldn’t sit still any longer and got up to take her leave. Mingxi saw her to the door, but Yu Wangfei held her back.
“Stay here and rest. If I hadn’t been out of options, I wouldn’t have troubled you with my family’s mess.”
“Qingying is my friend too. If you talk like that, you’re treating me like an outsider. I also hope she can find a good husband.”
Yu Wangfei left, heavy-hearted.
Mingxi wasn’t all-powerful. She didn’t know the full situation with Xie Jingyang either—but if, in her past life, he had been willing to protect Qingying, then perhaps he truly was a man of good character.
That evening, when Xiao Muchen returned, Mingxi asked him about Xie Jingyang.
After washing his hands and taking off his outer robe, he changed into more casual clothes and sat down across from Mingxi. “Why are you asking about him?” he said.
From his tone, it seemed he knew the man.
Mingxi explained the matter, and Xiao Muchen looked a bit surprised. He looked at Mingxi and said, “I remember you and Second Miss Chu were on good terms.”
Mingxi nodded. “Back when I first returned to the capital, I was unfamiliar with everything. She looked after me a lot at my first banquet.”
Xiao Muchen gave a slight nod at her words and then said, “Xie Jingyang reached the position of Commandant at a young age—he’s considered accomplished and capable. His character’s decent, too. If someone were to marry him, it wouldn’t be considered a bad match.”
“He’s a widower, and he already has a legitimate son. Marrying him would make her a stepmother from the start. What kind of girl would willingly take that on?” Mingxi shook her head. “It’s not that Xie Jingyang is lacking, but when there are clearly better options, why settle for becoming someone’s stepmother? This engagement was arranged by Madam He behind Second Sister-in-law’s and Jingyuan Marquis’s backs. That alone shows she knows it’s not appropriate.”
Her tone shifted as she asked again, “The affairs of the Jingyuan Marquis household are no secret in the capital. Since Xie Jingyang knows that, he should have at least asked Jingyuan Marquis about the engagement. How could he just agree without a word?”
“You’ve misunderstood him on that count,” Xiao Muchen replied. “He was just seconded out of the capital and only returned recently.”
Mingxi was a little surprised to hear that. “If that’s the case, then it’s somewhat understandable. Still, an engagement is a major matter. How could he agree to it just based on Madam He’s word, without even notifying the Marquis? That’s still rash.”
Xiao Muchen looked at her with an amused expression. “He only just got back to the capital, and he’s looking after an infant not yet a year old. He’s likely overwhelmed juggling official and family matters. Someone was willing to arrange a marriage—he probably didn’t even have time to think it through and just agreed. Martial officials are straightforward by nature, not ones for subtle maneuvering.”
“If that’s the case, then perhaps there’s still room to turn things around,” Mingxi said softly.
Xiao Muchen looked at her. “You really are… always worrying about other people.”
“How is she someone else?” Mingxi replied. “Back then, Qingying helped me a lot. I should repay that kindness. Marriage is a major life event—how can it be treated carelessly?”
“Alright, alright. If Xie Jingyang doesn’t listen, I’ll step in and handle it myself. How about that?” Xiao Muchen said with a smile, clearly not taking it too seriously.
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