In the blink of an eye, it was the Qixi Festival. On this day, Xiao Muchen specially took a day off and brought Mingxi and their daughter out to enjoy a lake cruise on a painted boat.
At dawn, Xiao Muchen held their daughter in one arm and led Mingxi with the other as they boarded the carriage.
The capital city awakened to the sound of morning bells. Street vendors had long been waiting at the market gates; as the drums sounded, they hoisted their poles and baskets, faces full of cheerful smiles as they began a new day of livelihood.
Mingxi hadn’t been to a morning market in a long time. Seeing the bustling crowd and vibrant human life, she felt a momentary daze.
She turned her head and said to Xiao Muchen, “When I was very young, I used to travel around with Father for business. The two of us often ate out like this. Come to think of it, I haven’t been to a morning market in a long time.”
“Then let’s eat out today,” Xiao Muchen said with a smile, as if it were nothing.
Mingxi looked at their daughter and smiled, shaking her head. “Let’s save it for another day—without this little one.”
The morning market was crowded and it would be easy to get bumped into. The child was still too young.
“Fair enough,” Xiao Muchen agreed, lovingly teasing his daughter. “See? Your mother dotes on you so much.”
Longhu was especially lively today. Even early in the morning, many were selling along the shore—Qixi-themed sachets, handkerchiefs, fan sleeves, hairpins, bangles, rings—calls of hawkers echoed one after another. Young girls carrying baskets full of fresh flowers lined the streets.
Mingxi’s gaze landed on the flowers. Xiao Muchen immediately jumped off the carriage and bought a large bouquet, placing it in front of her.
Mingxi beamed, took the flowers, and lightly sniffed them. She said with a smile, “I heard there’s a ‘Needlework Competition’ today—comparing which girl’s hands are the most skillful.”
“Do you want to go see?”
Mingxi shook her head. “Just thought it sounded fun. I’ve seen one before—some girls are really amazing. One needle can thread dozens of strings.”
Hearing the wistful tone in her voice, Xiao Muchen looked at her hands, then reached out and took them. “Everyone has their strengths. I prefer the way you look holding a spear.”
Mingxi: …
She suddenly recalled the scene at the hunting grounds back then and couldn’t help but laugh. At that time, she had just been reborn and was focused on securing her footing in the capital. She had used knowledge from her past life to save Liu Yan—never expecting to be discovered.
Maybe… that was fate.
Cradling a bouquet, she boarded the painted boat. On Qixi, Longhu was especially festive. Painted boats of all kinds drifted across the water, and in the distance one could hear the melodious singing of courtesans.
It was Zhiyi’s first time out. Nestled in her Royal Father’s arms, her big eyes couldn’t take in everything. She chirped excitedly, kicking her tiny arms and legs.
Xiao Muchen showed endless patience, walking around the boat with her in his arms, “chatting” back and forth in babbles.
Mingxi sat by the window, leaning against the floral lattice, watching Father and daughter. She couldn’t help but smile.
She had never dared to hope for such bliss in this life. Perhaps because she never forced it—now that it had come to her, she cherished it all the more.
At noon, they had a fish banquet on the boat. Zhiyi, tired from all the excitement, fell asleep after nursing.
The Momo took her to nap in the back cabin while Mingxi and Xiao Muchen sat side by side on the deck, enjoying the scenery.
Somewhere, the sound of a flute floated through the air—clear and melodious, carried by the lake breeze. A truly peaceful moment.
Unfortunately, such moments never last. Qi He arrived in a hurry.
Mingxi hadn’t seen him in a while. At first glance, he looked noticeably thinner and darker from traveling back and forth between the East Sea and the capital.
“Your Highness, something’s happened,” Qi He said, face tense.
Xiao Muchen looked up. “What is it?”
“News just came from the palace—Tan Guiren has been poisoned. All evidence points to Consort Shu.”
Mingxi’s brow twitched, her expression instantly turning serious.
Xiao Muchen immediately rose to his feet, face dark. But suddenly remembering something, he paused and turned to Mingxi.
Mingxi also stood up. “Go handle your matters. I’ll take Zhiyi back to the residence. I mentioned Qixi to Royal Mother earlier, she was already on guard. Don’t worry—stay steady, no matter what.”
Xiao Muchen squeezed her hand. “I’ll take Miao Sheng with me to the palace. Qi He will escort you back.”
Mingxi nodded. “Alright. I’ll do as you say.”
With a final glance at her, Xiao Muchen boarded a small boat and left with Miao Sheng.
As soon as he left, Mingxi had the painted boat turn back toward the shore.
But before they reached it, a painted boat suddenly darted out from the depths of the lotus patch—and slammed hard into theirs.
Mingxi had just taken her daughter into her arms when the impact nearly knocked her out of the cabin. The Momo clung to her leg while Mingxi grabbed the window frame with one hand, her other arm cradling the child. Her face changed as she opened her mouth to speak—only to hear Qi He shouting from outside:
“Who dares to ram the Duan Wang’s boat!”
Mingxi held her daughter tight. Zhiyi began squirming uncomfortably, her mouth letting out soft cries. Mingxi steadied herself and began gently soothing her.
“Duan Wang’s boat?”
Mingxi froze. That voice—it sounded like the Crown Prince?
Could she have misheard?
Just then, she heard Qi He again: “Greetings to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Mingxi: …
At that moment, the boat swayed again. A sense of dread settled in Mingxi’s heart. She quickly stepped out of the cabin and saw their painted boat tilting.
The Crown Prince’s boat had struck theirs hard enough to crack the hull. Water was now slowly seeping in.
She looked up at the Crown Prince across the water, gave a slight curtsy, and said, “Greetings to Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince’s gaze fell on the child in her arms, then shifted back to her. “Sister-in-law, your boat is about to sink. You’d best come over and take shelter.”
Mingxi glanced at Qi He. He whispered, “There’s only one small boat.”
Xiao Muchen had taken it earlier.
In other words—she had no escape.
So, today was a setup.
She tightened her grip on the short dagger hidden in her sleeve, then looked up at the Crown Prince and gave a soft smile. “Then I must thank Your Highness.”
Mingxi brought the people from Wangye’s residence aboard the Crown Prince’s boat. The Crown Prince’s vessel was much larger than theirs. The wet nurse and Qi He followed closely behind her, while Qiancao and Fang Momo also stayed near, their expressions tense and wary.
“Why don’t I see Fourth Brother?” the Crown Prince asked, looking at Duan Mingxi.
Duan Mingxi couldn’t quite discern what the Crown Prince meant, so she answered cautiously, “His Highness had an urgent matter and left ahead of us. I was just preparing to return to the residence with the child when this unexpected incident happened.”
The Crown Prince clearly heard the undertone in her words but seemed unbothered. “It’s been a long time since I last saw you, Fourth Brother’s wife. The Crown Princess recently gave birth to a daughter—adorable, just like your little one.”
Mingxi increasingly felt something was off with the Crown Prince. She replied carefully, “All children are delightful at that age, and when it’s your own child, naturally one finds them all the more precious.”
“The Emperor named her Zhaohua, didn’t he? May I hold little Zhaohua?” the Crown Prince stepped forward as he asked.
