Duan Mingxi immediately had someone summon Xiao Muchen back. As soon as he saw her, he asked, “What happened?”
Mingxi handed him the letter.
After reading it, Xiao Muchen’s expression turned grim. He looked at Mingxi and said, “Stay in the manor.”
Mingxi grabbed his hand and said softly, “Be careful.”
“I will.” Xiao Muchen gently kissed her on the forehead. “Wait for me.”
Mingxi saw him off at the door and watched as he donned his cloak and walked into the howling northern wind.
That very afternoon, the news that Marquis Fengcheng had gone missing while suppressing pirates at sea spread throughout the capital.
Kang Wangfei fainted. Mingxi asked Li Mama to stay at the palace to watch over the young princess, then boarded a carriage to Kang Wang Manor.
Fengcheng Marquis Madam was also there. Upon seeing Mingxi, she immediately rose to greet her.
Mingxi quickly supported her. “No need for formalities, Madam. I came to see Eighth Sister-in-law. How is she now?”
Fengcheng Marquis Madam’s eyes were red. “She fainted upon hearing the news of her Father’s disappearance. The imperial physician has checked her pulse and said she was just shocked. The maid is decocting medicine now.”
Mingxi didn’t see Kang Wang—he was likely busy with official duties and probably hadn’t heard yet that his wife had fainted.
Fengcheng Marquis Madam looked at Duan Wangfei hesitantly and asked, “Wangfei, is there really no news at all from the Marquis?”
Mingxi looked at her and spoke gently, “A fierce storm arose at sea. They only said the Marquis’s fleet lost contact—it doesn’t mean the people are gone. Please try to stay calm. Let’s wait for more news.”
Fengcheng Marquis Madam nodded, suppressing her grief. Her husband had spent years campaigning outside—she was used to it—but each time still filled her with dread and worry.
Just then, Kang Wangfei awoke. When she opened her eyes and saw her mother and Duan Wangfei, she tried to sit up. Mingxi helped her up and placed a soft pillow behind her.
“Fourth Sister-in-law, Mother, you’re both here?” Kang Wangfei looked at them with a pale face. “Is there any news about Father?”
Fengcheng Marquis Madam forced a smile and said, “Has your Father ever returned late from a campaign? Just rest and take care of your body. We’ll get news in time.”
Kang Wangfei clearly didn’t believe her. She turned to Duan Mingxi. “Fourth Sister-in-law?”
Mingxi held her hand. “We don’t know the exact situation in the East Sea yet, but the local authorities have already sent people out to search. Eighth Sister-in-law, you’re with child—you must take care of yourself and the baby. If the Marquis returns and finds you unwell, he’ll be heartbroken.”
“Fourth Sister-in-law, how could this happen? Why would a sudden storm hit like that?” Kang Wangfei was no longer that naïve young girl. Her Father had been stationed in the East Sea for so long—how could he not have checked the weather before setting out?
“Eighth Sister-in-law, no one can predict an accident.” Mingxi sighed inwardly. Everyone knew the importance of checking the weather before going to sea, but sometimes storms still struck unexpectedly afterward.
Mingxi wished this were all just a joke, but her Father’s letter had been vague. It seemed that the Marquis had left in a rush, so even he hadn’t obtained any solid information.
This year’s New Year really couldn’t be celebrated properly.
Because of Fengcheng Marquis’ disappearance, the court became divided. One side praised him for his selfless service and noble conduct; the other side impeached him for making unauthorized decisions that led to the fleet’s disappearance and caused great losses to the court.
The debate in court was heated, making the New Year tense and uneasy.
Even the palace banquet that year had a somber atmosphere. Mingxi still didn’t bring her daughter into the palace for New Year’s Eve. The child was too young. Consort Shu only asked Xiao Muchen to stay and keep vigil in the palace and let Mingxi return early to accompany her child at the residence.
Duan Huirou sat beside Consort Zhang. Yu Wangfei and the Crown Princess had already left early due to their children. Qi Wangfei and Kang Wangfei were also pregnant, leaving her alone—she truly felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
Seeing this, Consort Zhang simply let Duan Huirou return to the manor too. This year, not a single Wangfei kept vigil in the palace.
In the Eastern Palace, Xie Muhua walked out of the Crown Princess’s courtyard with her round belly and ran into Chen Liangdi midway.
She had wanted to avoid her, but Chen Liangdi blocked her path.
“Chen Liangdi, what are you doing?” Xie Muhua frowned.
Chen Liangdi stared at her belly. Xie Muhua instinctively protected her stomach and took a step back.
Chen Liangdi sneered, “What are you afraid of? You think I’d dare touch you? Now you’re the one His Highness dotes on the most—who would dare lay a finger on you?”
Xie Muhua’s heart tensed. She spoke slowly, “I don’t deserve that title. Since I became pregnant, I haven’t served His Highness at all. There’s no reason for Chen Liangdi to vent your anger on me.”
Chen Liangdi looked up at her and suddenly let out a cold laugh. “As expected—having money really is a good thing.”
With that, she turned and left. Xie Muhua furrowed her brow tightly and cautiously let the maid help her back to her courtyard.
Had Chen Liangdi found out something?
Xie Muhua grew increasingly uneasy. That night, her stomach began to ache. Her maid rushed to the Crown Princess to request an imperial physician.
The Eastern Palace was in turmoil all night and only quieted down by morning. Bai Shixi, looking exhausted, summoned Chen Liangdi for questioning.
Naturally, Chen Liangdi pleaded innocence, saying she had only exchanged a few words with Xie Liangdi and had done nothing. How could Xie Liangdi’s stomach pain have anything to do with her?
Bai Shixi asked exactly what she said, and in the end, Chen Liangdi admitted to saying that line: “Having money is good.”
Bai Shixi truthfully reported this to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince flew into a rage and ordered Chen Liangdi to be confined.
The imperial physicians had been alarmed by the commotion in the Eastern Palace, so word inevitably leaked out. When Mingxi heard about it, she too grew worried for Xie Muhua. But the Eastern Palace was not somewhere she could interfere—she could only hope that Xie Muhua could get through this ordeal safely.
The matter in the Eastern Palace was originally a minor issue, but somehow it reached the Emperor’s ears. With Fengcheng Marquis’s disappearance already souring his mood, trouble stirring in the Eastern Palace at such a sensitive time infuriated him, and he gave the Crown Prince a harsh scolding.
It was the first time the Crown Prince had ever been reprimanded so severely over something so small. He returned to the Eastern Palace with a dark face.
Later, Mingxi heard that Chen Liangdi had received a few strokes of the board as punishment, which caused her Father, Chen Xian, the Commander of the Capital Guards, to harbor some dissatisfaction.
The whole capital seemed to be getting restless.
Xiao Muchen returned to the palace through the snow. As soon as Mingxi welcomed him in, she asked, “Any news?”
Xiao Muchen shook his head. “No word from Donggang has reached the capital yet. Have you received any letters from home?”
Mingxi also shook her head. “Nothing.”
Xiao Muchen looked at her. “I want to go to Donggang in person.”
He wouldn’t feel at ease until he saw things with his own eyes.
Mingxi’s heart tightened. “Showing yourself at a time like this might not be a good idea.”
“The Eastern Sea fleet was only recently established—of course there are all kinds of issues. Fengcheng Marquis’s situation feels strange to me. Information reaching the capital is delayed. Only by going there personally can one find out the truth.”
“Even if you want to go, do you think Royal Father will approve?” Mingxi looked at him. “Better to wait a little longer.”
