“Leaving it to Father-in-law gives me the most peace of mind,” Xiao Muchen said solemnly.
The person must be familiar with maritime affairs, understand commerce, and most importantly, be loyal to him.
There was no one more suitable than Duan Pingchang.
“Besides, Father-in-law was originally a merchant. It won’t raise suspicions. Since last year, he’s intentionally reduced his business in the capital. Going into maritime trade now is simply returning to his old trade.”
Mingxi understood—this was “darkness under the lamp.”
“Alright. I’ll ask Father about it.” Mingxi didn’t immediately agree. If her Father went to the East Sea, it wouldn’t be easy for the Father and daughter to see each other again.
Xiao Muchen nodded. “No rush. If Father-in-law doesn’t want to go, recommending someone trustworthy is fine too. But whoever goes won’t be in charge.”
Mingxi agreed. It needed someone knowledgeable to keep an eye on things.
“Alright, I’ll ask my Father first. After all, he’s still in charge of the horse farm. I don’t know if he’s willing to go.”
“You don’t go out often, so it’s a good time to invite them to the manor. You can chat more easily that way. Last time there were too many people—you probably didn’t get a chance to talk much.”
Mingxi glanced at Xiao Muchen. “You’re quite observant, I see. Sirui has returned to the capital; he’ll need to spend time with peers. Having Duan Qi help him get to know people is good for him.”
Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi. “If you hadn’t objected, I would’ve personally accompanied him. That wouldn’t be a problem either.”
Mingxi laughed. “Your heart’s in the right place, but he’d probably struggle to make friends in the future. Everyone has to walk their own path—life is long, after all.”
Xiao Muchen focused on Mingxi. She was still young, but spoke and acted more thoughtfully and steadily than her peers.
“With me here, you can afford to relax a little.”
Mingxi looked at Xiao Muchen. “When they went on their study tour, even though I supported it, the places they visited were all managed by people you sent. You tried to hide it from me, but I figured it out.”
Xiao Muchen: …
So it was him!
“How did you guess?”
“I bluffed you.”
Xiao Muchen: !
“After the incident in Qiping Prefecture, I started to suspect. I just didn’t think the entire trip was arranged by you.”
“I was only offering some support behind the scenes. Duan Qi and Sirui don’t know, rest assured—it didn’t interfere with their studies.”
Mingxi nodded. “In any case, I appreciate all you’ve done. There’s one more thing I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Go ahead.”
“My uncle’s family in Jiangcheng has always treated me well. They didn’t want to come to the capital because they didn’t want to trouble me. He has a son and a daughter. If more hands are needed at the dock in the East Sea, I’d like my Father to bring along my cousin and cousin-in-law. Would that be alright?”
“Of course, that’s a small matter. Anyone you trust won’t be a problem,” Xiao Muchen said. “They’re still young—after a few years of experience, they can take on responsibility. Once Father-in-law gets older, someone has to succeed him.”
Mingxi didn’t respond to that directly. She knew that once the business grew and the profits became substantial, the court would never allow it to stay in private hands.
No one would pay attention to a small dock now—but what if it became big?
Her real intention was to use this rare opportunity to help her cousin and cousin-in-law gain a foothold. Where they could go from there would depend on their own capabilities.
It was her way of repaying her uncle and aunt. They had always behaved uprightly, never tried to benefit from her or cause trouble. Now, she was simply giving them a chance to carve out their own path—and she knew they wouldn’t refuse.
By the time the two finished talking, night had grown late.
After accompanying Mingxi to wash up, Xiao Muchen lay down beside her in the tent. Watching her fall asleep the moment her head touched the pillow, he couldn’t help but laugh. Turning on his side to watch her peaceful sleeping face, he too slowly drifted off.
Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion. Fengcheng Marquis had accepted his new post and departed the capital for his assignment three days later.
Kang Wangfei paid her a visit. Though she harbored resentment in her heart, she dared not voice it aloud. Here in front of Mingxi, she could still say a few words, but beyond this doorway, she wouldn’t dare utter a single syllable.
Mingxi did not tell her about the port matter. After all, it was merely a plan between her and Xiao Muchen. Whether it could truly come to fruition was still uncertain.
She had a plan—since Fengcheng Marquis was Kang Wangfei’s Father, it wasn’t something that could completely leave her out. If money was to be made, everyone could profit together. If things proceeded smoothly, even if she didn’t mention it, Xiao Muchen would surely involve Kang Wang.
At that point, bringing Kang Wangfei in to make some private money would be no issue.
After Fengcheng Marquis left the capital, the newly appointed official of Yuxiang City, Gao Ling, also traveled south to assume his post. The capital suddenly quieted again.
Spring arrived in the blink of an eye. The weather gradually grew warmer, and the heavy winter clothes were exchanged for lighter, padded garments.
After Fengcheng Marquis reached the Eastern Sea, within half a month, Duan Pingchang received word and brought Mingxi’s cousin Xu Jishu and cousin-in-law He Yuan to the East Sea.
You Sanping remained stationed at the horse farm. With Duan Pingchang gone, the place couldn’t do without him. The industries under Mingxi’s name were now officially handed over to Li Quan, who also took in Lan Jiang’s son, Lan Ping, as a sort of apprentice.
News came twice from Jin Wang’s residence in the past days. The first was that Side Consort Qian nearly slipped while paying respects to Duan Huirou. Fortunately, Lan Jiang’s wife reacted quickly and cushioned her fall with her own body.
Afterward, Lan Jiang’s wife deliberately mentioned the matter in front of Jin Wang when he visited the main courtyard: “Wangfei has already excused the side consort from paying respects. She has been peacefully nurturing the pregnancy for months now. Who would have thought she’d show up without notice and nearly cause an incident?”
Later, through a message from Lan Jiang’s wife, Mingxi learned that Qi Momo had been unwell that day and wasn’t present to supervise Side Consort Qian—giving her the chance to sneak off to the main courtyard.
When Qi Momo found out, she cried before Jin Wang, saying she was too old to be useful, and that no one listened to her anymore. “If something happens to Side Consort Qian’s child, how could I explain myself to Her Grace, Consort Gui…”
Jin Wang, worn out by Qi Momo’s tears, scolded Side Consort Qian.
Then came the palace’s Huachao Festival. This year coincided with the imperial beauty selection. Consort Gui claimed the palace needed fresh faces and requested an imperial decree to host the festival grandly.
But the Emperor denied the request. So Consort Gui compromised, proposing at least to hold the Huachao Festival and select a few beauties for the palace.
She even dragged the Empress into it, accusing her of only focusing on her health and neglecting the Emperor.
The Empress had no choice but to make a request for the decree as well.
Since Mingxi had been poisoned during this pregnancy at the Kunde Palace, and the Huachao Festival was now being led by both the Empress and Consort Gui, she naturally feigned illness. Even when the Emperor learned of it, he didn’t blame her, instead asking Xiao Muchen about her current condition.
Among all the women in the palace, aside from the Crown Princess, she alone had the honor of being personally inquired about by the Emperor.
After the festival, three new beauties were selected for the palace.
Among them, Lin Sijing, daughter of the imperial astrologer, and Tan Yingtai’s daughter, daughter of Dongjiang’s Governor-general, were granted the title of Meiren. The daughter of General-in-Chief Xie Bin, due to her exceptional looks, was directly conferred the title Guiren.
Just as the selection concluded, the Crown Princess suddenly went into labor—half a month ahead of schedule.
