Setting up this situation—one could say it’s easy, or not easy at all. It all depends on how it’s handled.
Mingxi had Kang Wangfei spread the news, not in a grand or public way, but secretly and quietly. The more it was kept under wraps, the more others would be intrigued.
Moreover, the East Sea port affair wasn’t officially led by Mingxi—she had already pulled the golden cicada shell trick and shifted the lead to the Xie family.
Once the Xie family entered the game, Xie Muhua inevitably stepped in as well.
With Xie Muhua’s involvement, the Eastern Palace naturally got wind of it.
Xiao Muchen: …
Watching Mingxi calculating away under the lamplight, her whole person seemed to be glowing.
“You’re not worried that Xie Muhua might be suspected because of this?”
The Crown Prince had always been suspicious by nature—he would never believe something just because Xie Muhua said it.
“I’m more worried he doesn’t get suspicious,” Mingxi said, her tone laced with irony.
Xiao Muchen glanced at her. “What did you do this time?”
Mingxi looked up at him. “Nothing much. I just let the Xie family and the Duan family compete for profits. As merchants, rivalry is only natural.”
“You stirred up conflict between two major merchant families—one backed by the Crown Prince, the other by you, Duan Wangfei.”
Mingxi smiled and picked up the thread, “Exactly. People will think it’s the old story of the snipe and the clam fighting while the fisherman benefits.”
But what they didn’t know was—the fisherman was also the two of them as a couple.
Xiao Muchen was silent for a moment, then said seriously, “This plan is actually excellent.”
You’re basically sweeping the board, not sparing a single one.
“And it’s a good opportunity to fish out those still lurking in the shadows.”
There were still many supporters of the Crown Prince who hadn’t revealed themselves. Mingxi didn’t know who they were—but with this net cast, they were bound to haul in a few.
“This winter will be quite lively.”
Mingxi was tired of the Crown Prince and Empress being like cockroaches that refused to die. This time, both she and Xiao Muchen would strike without mercy.
The brewing conflict between the Xie and Duan families quickly became a hot topic in the capital. Because no one would openly speak about the port, it only fueled the rumors in private circles.
What made it even more tempting was that this was a lucrative venture. Duan Pingchang, as the adoptive Father of Duan Wangfei, had barely been at the East Sea a short while, yet carts of goods were already being sent to the capital for her. Who would complain about too much silver?
In just the past few days, Mingxi had received a number of invitations—banquets under the pretext of socializing, but really to probe for information.
To keep up appearances, she actually attended a few.
Xie Muhua was pregnant, and as the Crown Princess, she couldn’t appear publicly. But Madam Xie had no such restrictions, and soon became a frequent guest at capital banquets.
Clearly, the two families had set up opposing camps. Since her marriage, Duan Wangfei rarely attended social gatherings. Now that she was showing up at banquets, people took notice.
She was raised in a merchant household and was famously skilled at making money—so the rumors about the port being profitable must be true.
Xu Nanxi visited the manor, bringing lots of toys for Zhiyi, who rolled around laughing, filling the house with joy.
When Xu Nanxi was leaving, Mingxi personally saw her off and said, “The Duchess sent you to gather information, didn’t she?”
Xu Nanxi: …
She looked helpless. “Even in disguise like this, I can’t fool you. But never mind, don’t worry—I’ll handle it when I go back.”
Mingxi looked at her. “The Duchess has always given her all for her maiden family. Now that the Feng family is trying to make a comeback, they’re bound to set their sights on this.”
Xu Nanxi gave a bitter smile. “I know.”
Mingxi patted her hand. “This business is doable—but it’s not for just anyone. If you have silver, give it to me, I’ll help you earn more. If the Duchess asks, just tell her the truth—say I said it’s profitable.”
Xu Nanxi was stunned. “Cousin-in-law…”
“But how much profit they make depends on their own ability. If they’re too greedy, they might not even get their capital back.” Mingxi’s face carried a smile, but her gaze was cold.
She had let the past go for Xiao Muchen’s sake, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t still angry. If the Duchess and the Feng family could get along with her peacefully, all would be well. But if they wanted to profit from her while refusing to show sincerity, then she wouldn’t be polite.
Xu Nanxi, a clever girl, understood instantly. She sighed softly. “Then I definitely can’t give you my private silver—otherwise it’ll be hard to explain in the future. I’ll hand it over to my mother and let her decide.”
Mingxi looked at her. “Why bother?”
Xu Nanxi stared into the distance. “It’s worth it.”
Mingxi understood—Xu Nanxi didn’t want the Duchess to lose money and then blame her.
If Xu Nanxi profited from investing with her, while the Madam Guogong and the Feng family lost money, they would inevitably take out their anger on her.
But Mingxi didn’t care.
Xu Nanxi clearly did.
Mingxi said, “Then do as you wish.”
Xu Nanxi smiled and got into the carriage. Mingxi watched it disappear into the distance. In this world, there were all kinds of people—some greedy and unscrupulous, others upright and principled.
Some were ruled by their desires, while others held fast to their bottom lines.
Mingxi didn’t tell Xiao Muchen about this matter, but within a few days, the stir caused by the Duchess and the Feng family reached his ears.
Though still angry at his aunt’s interference in the past, Xiao Muchen knew that his uncle had always treated him well and helped him secretly over the years. So he arranged a meeting and gave him a heads-up.
Duke Wei said, “Nanxi already told me. You know your aunt’s nature—unless she suffers a serious setback, she won’t admit she’s wrong. Let her lose some silver, maybe she’ll finally learn.”
At this, the Duke paused, looked at Duan Wang, and said, “I don’t know what you and Wangfei are planning—but maybe having your aunt lose a large sum isn’t a bad thing for you two. Isn’t that right?”
Xiao Muchen fell silent.
The Duke patted his shoulder. “Then let’s leave it at that.”
With the Duchess joining the fray, the matter stirred even more waves in the capital. Some noble ladies who had still been hesitating now brought out their silver as well.
In a flash, Mingxi had over a million taels in hand—and soon had it sent off to Donggang.
Duan Pingchang was startled at first when he suddenly received such a large sum of money. But after reading his daughter’s letter, he immediately understood what was going on and promptly wrote back, instructing Xie Liangdi’s older brother to hurry to Donggang.
With that, the Xie family and the Duan family openly stood opposed to each other in Donggang.
At this moment, Xie Liangdi was being questioned by the Crown Prince.
“My Father is truly being ridiculous. Your Highness, please do not believe the rumors outside,” Xie Liangdi said with a face full of fear. “As for what’s really going on in Donggang, I haven’t seen it with my own eyes. How could I dare to speak recklessly in front of Your Highness?”
The more cautious and hesitant Xie Muhua was, the more the Crown Prince believed there was truth to the matter.
He looked at her and said softly, “I believe in you, and I believe in the Xie family.”
Since entering the Eastern Palace, Xie Muhua had contributed several hundred thousand taels of silver to him. The Crown Prince indeed held her in high regard now.
Xie Muhua wore an expression of delighted surprise mixed with humble fear and said, “Your Highness trusts the Xie family—then the Xie family will naturally give its all, and dare not disappoint Your Highness’s expectations.”
