Even the emperor had heard of it and summoned Xiao Muchen for questioning.
Consort Shu grumbled to Mingxi, “Good thing he already has a fearsome reputation, otherwise the manor’s doorsteps would be worn down by now.”
Mingxi thought that made sense and nodded in agreement.
Consort Shu was in high spirits these days. Thanks to the silver mine affair, even she had benefitted from the good fortune. Among the war spoils sent back by Fengcheng Marquis, the emperor selected a box of pearls for her—each one as big as a wine cup rim.
Consort Shu kept half and gave the other half to Mingxi.
Mingxi refused at first, but Consort Shu insisted it was for her granddaughter. Mingxi could no longer decline.
“How are preparations on your end?” Consort Shu asked.
Mingxi quietly replied, “Almost everything’s in place. Once spring arrives, we’ll take action.”
Consort Shu nodded with understanding. “Recently the empress and the crown prince’s household have been very active. You two must be cautious.”
“His Highness and I are both very careful. Please rest assured, Royal Mother.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting for your good news.” Consort Shu had been waiting for this day for a long time.
As spring approached, the days grew warmer. The first joyous event of the season was Tan Yingtai’s sweeping victory in the bandit suppression campaign. Gao Zhan had also earned significant merit this time—his name was right at the top of the memorial requesting honors.
Within the palace, Tan Guiren basked in glory, while outside, Duchess Gao household finally held her head high. She attended every banquet she could and brought Bai Zhiwei back into the social scene.
Only now did people realize: Bai Zhiwei had been married to Gao Zhan for quite a while—so why was there still no sign of pregnancy?
Some whispered she had been pregnant once, but due to tensions with the Duchess, the child hadn’t been kept.
Whether true or not, rumors abounded.
Soon after came word that Consort Zhang wanted to select a side consort for Jin Wang. To this day, he had no children, and Side Consort Qian’s fall from grace had not been pretty. Now, the other princes either had children or expectant wives—how could Consort Zhang not be anxious?
As the Flower Festival approached, the empress invited noble daughters from various households to the palace for flower viewing. Consort Zhang had already decided to pick someone.
This year’s festival was particularly lively. All the consorts were present. Qi Wangfei and Kang Wangfei were both pregnant and mostly stayed seated in the pavilions, not walking around much.
When Mingxi appeared, many noblewomen immediately gathered around her. The merchant’s daughter they once looked down on had become one of the hottest figures in the capital.
After all, when it came to Donggang, aside from the Crown Prince’s Xie family, only the Duan family had influence. But with the Duans not currently in the capital, that left only Duan Wangfei.
Such a lucrative opportunity—everyone wanted a share.
Mingxi chatted with others, always saying just enough to stir interest but not too much, leaving everyone’s curiosity hanging.
Bai Shixi was attending the empress, and seeing her poor mood, she pretended not to notice and turned to chat with Xie Liangdi.
Because the Xie family had rendered merit, the Empress specifically gave Xie Liangdi face by inviting her to the banquet.
Xie Muhua had always respected the Crown Princess, so at the Flower Festival, she followed closely behind her.
Bai Shixi always felt like she had grown a tail, but since Xie Muhua treated her with consistent respect, never acting arrogantly due to her family’s merits, nor harboring any inappropriate ambitions despite being pregnant, Bai Shixi never made things difficult for her. The two got along surprisingly well, which left many people astonished.
Duan Huirou approached Duan Mingxi and whispered, “That girl in the goose-yellow blouse and skirt over there is the one Consort Zhang has taken a liking to.”
“Which family is she from?” Mingxi glanced over without revealing any emotion.
The girl in yellow had a round and delicate face that looked cheerful and festive—even when silent, she seemed to be smiling.
“She’s the daughter of Chen Zheng, the Director of the Court of State Ceremonial.”
Mingxi nodded slightly. “Consort Zhang has always had an eye for high status.”
A daughter of the Director of the Court of State Ceremonial was indeed qualified to become a side consort to Jin Wang.
However, a side consort with a noble background wouldn’t bode well for Duan Huirou.
“What do you think?” Duan Mingxi asked in a low voice.
Duan Huirou responded casually, “If not her, it’d be someone else. No matter who enters the manor, it doesn’t matter to me—as long as she behaves properly after entering.”
Mingxi now understood and looked at her. “If that’s the case, and the Empress does approve the marriage, you should receive the decree happily.”
“Of course, Sister,” Duan Huirou replied with a smile.
Though Mingxi said this, she had assumed the Empress would at least make things difficult for Consort Zhang. But unexpectedly, the Empress immediately agreed as soon as Consort Zhang brought it up.
Miss Chen was completely stunned when she found out she had been chosen. It was only when Madam Chen recovered and went up to express thanks that Miss Chen came to her senses and followed, looking panicked and flustered.
Everyone’s eyes fell on the Duan sisters. Duan Mingxi appeared completely composed, and Duan Huirou also accepted the Empress’s decree with a happy expression. Everything seemed to be going smoothly.
In the carriage leaving the palace, Miss Chen looked at her mother and said, “Mother, what should I do? I never thought about entering the royal manor as a side consort. And… Duan Wangfei is so formidable, I’m a little scared.”
Madam Chen was naturally unwilling too. Everything had happened too suddenly; they hadn’t even had time to prepare. She held her daughter and tried to console her. “Don’t be afraid. You’re going to Jin Wang’s manor, not to Duan Wangfei’s.”
“But Jin Wangfei is Duan Wangfei’s younger sister,” Miss Chen replied. How could she not be afraid? That was Duan Wangfei.
Madam Chen was riddled with a headache. She held her daughter and said, “Let me go home and discuss it with your Father, but since the decree has already been issued, I’m afraid there’s little room to maneuver.”
Miss Chen started crying—genuinely, wholeheartedly.
Duan Wang was such a powerful figure, yet Duan Wangfei kept him tightly in line. He didn’t even dare take a concubine. Since her marriage into Jin Wang’s manor, the beloved side consort had disappeared entirely.
These two sisters were each more formidable than the other—how could she not be afraid?
Despite Madam Chen’s efforts to negotiate, the matter was already settled. Miss Chen ended up being formally accepted into Jin Wang’s manor on an auspicious day.
The ceremony for a side consort was simple. Jin Wang didn’t know this Miss Chen at all and had no interest in her. On the night she was brought into the manor, he got drunk and slept in his study.
The next day, when Consort Zhang heard of it, she assumed Duan Huirou had interfered. She summoned her into the palace for a scolding, accusing her of being unable to bear a child and trying to prevent Jin Wang from having any heirs.
Such words were grave. After returning to the manor, Duan Huirou locked the door to the study with a key and had all of Jin Wang’s belongings sent to Side Consort Chen’s residence.
Side Consort Chen’s face turned pale. What was she supposed to do?
Jin Wang was dumbfounded when he returned and quarreled with Duan Huirou.
Duan Huirou wept, “Wangye, please have mercy on me. It wasn’t I who meddled that day, but Royal Mother misunderstood and thought I blocked your favor toward Side Consort Chen. I’m truly innocent.”
She cried with such sincere emotion that Jin Wang sat motionless for a long while, staring at her.
Duan Huirou: …
Why aren’t you leaving?
Not only did Jin Wang not leave, he actually stayed in the main courtyard for several days in a row.
Duan Huirou wanted to curse. If Consort Zhang found out, she’d probably summon her to the palace for another scolding.
What was wrong with Jin Wang’s brain? Did she overdo her performance so much that he really felt guilty?
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