Ge Hongchou had already been displeased with Bai Zhiwei for taking Zhang Pingtai’s side. Now that she was exerting pressure again and trying to force her to back down, she was furious. Her family had been utterly loyal to the Duke’s household—what had that loyalty earned them?
After discussing with her Father Ge Rong, Ge Hongchou instructed her elder brother Ge An to spread the news that Gao Zhan was secretly keeping a mistress and had fathered a child with her.
Of course, this kind of thing couldn’t be disclosed to Bai Zhiwei beforehand. What if she got wind of it and made the first move to quietly get rid of the mother and child?
Wasn’t she the one forcing Ge Hongchou to accept her husband bringing his mistress into the household and legitimizing the illegitimate child?
Now Ge Hongchou wanted to see if Bai Zhiwei could really be so magnanimous—welcoming them into the house with a smile and formally recognizing the child into the family line.
News like this always spreads quickly. Within just three days, Bai Zhiwei had heard it—and she could hardly believe her ears.
Especially when she found out that Gao Zhan’s mistress was none other than Liu Huiyue’s younger sister, Liu Xiangyue. She was so enraged that she dragged Zhang Pingtai over and gave him a furious scolding.
Her relationship with Gao Zhan may have been rocky, but since when did others get to trample on her face?
She had always been the one trampling on others!
Taking advantage of the momentum, Mingxi fanned the flames further. People began whispering that Bai Zhiwei had been married to Gao Zhan for years without ever getting pregnant. The Governor couldn’t just leave his lineage to die out. Keeping a mistress outside instead of bringing her into the household was already giving great face to the legitimate wife.
Very soon after, someone dug up Zhang Pingtai’s affairs. Originally, no one paid much attention to him—but once it came out that Gao Zhan’s mistress was Liu Xiangyue, people started asking: who was Liu Xiangyue?
That led directly to Liu Huiyue, and then to the revelation that she was Zhang Pingtai’s mistress. Soon after, news spread that Zhang Pingtai’s household was in chaos because of her, and that Bai Zhiwei had forced Ge Hongchou to bring Liu Huiyue and her child into the household.
Everything happened so quickly that Bai Zhiwei didn’t even have time to react before the rumors exploded.
Everyone was saying that if Madam Bai could be so understanding toward a steward, surely she could be even more understanding toward her own husband.
That steward had his own legitimate children, yet still kept a mistress and had an illegitimate child. The Governor didn’t even have a legitimate heir—what was wrong with him keeping a mistress to continue the bloodline?
Once something like this starts, it’s hard to stop the tide.
People even began gossiping about how Bai Zhiwei had moved into her dowry residence. The Governor was loyally serving the country out in the provinces, yet his wife had moved out, no longer cared for her in-laws, and didn’t manage household affairs—what did that say?
Duchess Gao was thoroughly disgusted with Bai Zhiwei. Taking advantage of the storm, she spread the word that Bai Zhiwei had long since fallen out with her son. If not for her son’s deep affection and loyalty, the two of them would’ve divorced long ago.
The mention of “divorce” caused an even greater stir.
Back when the two married, it had been a major scandal—so much so that it even dragged the Duan Wangfei into the fray. They had married under the guise of childhood sweethearts and undying love. Though Bai Zhiwei’s relationship with her mother-in-law had always been strained, there had never been much gossip about her and Gao Zhan as a couple.
But now people were saying they’d already fallen out?
And it was the Duchess who said it herself. Someone even found out that when she heard Gao Zhan had an illegitimate son, she was delighted and insisted on going to Dongjiang personally to bring her grandson back and formally recognize him!
Wave after wave of gossip surged, and Bai Zhiwei could no longer sit still. With no other choice, she returned to the Duke’s residence—and of course, got into another argument with the Duchess/
But this time, the Duchess was confident. Her son not only kept a mistress but had fathered a child. That clearly meant he had no feelings for Bai Zhiwei anymore—what was there to be afraid of?
She not only quarreled with Bai Zhiwei but also insulted her as a hen that couldn’t lay eggs. She even declared that if Bai Zhiwei didn’t move back and fulfill her filial duties, then she would never again be allowed to step through the Duke’s doors!
This was exactly what Mingxi had been aiming for—to force Bai Zhiwei to return to the Duke’s residence. Only then could they take control of the secret passage there.
With that, they’d be able to better monitor the movements of the deposed crown prince.
“Has Bai Zhiwei moved back yet?”
“Not yet,” Xiao Muchen replied slowly, “but the Duchess is putting on quite a show. She’s preparing to go to Dongjiang to fetch the child. I imagine Bai Zhiwei will have to make a decision soon.”
Mingxi nodded slightly. “Her relationship with Gao Zhan probably isn’t simple anymore. Since she moved out, their marriage must have grown cold. But the reason they haven’t divorced yet is likely because of the deposed crown prince.”
“In order to keep Gao Zhan stable, I suspect he’ll want her to move back,” Xiao Muchen said seriously.
Mingxi looked at him. “That’s why where Gao Zhan stands now is very interesting.”
Yes—right now, everything hinged on Gao Zhan.
Mingxi could never have imagined that, after all her rebirth had brought, the final piece of leverage would come from the person she least wanted to see.
All they could do now was wait.
Aside from that, they couldn’t make any more moves. Otherwise, the deposed crown prince might grow suspicious.
Winter was approaching, and the days were getting colder.
Xiao Zhiyi had grown up this whole time, but Consort Shu had never seen her. She discussed with Mingxi whether she could bring the child into the palace for a visit.
Mingxi had initially refused because the child was still small. Later, the atmosphere in the palace grew increasingly foul—first the Empress, then Tan Jieyu. She didn’t feel safe bringing the child in.
But now Tan Jieyu was dead, and the Empress had been completely confined to Kunde Palace by the Emperor, with no freedom to come and go. So the next day, Mingxi brought Zhiyi into the palace.
When Xiao Muchen heard about it, he didn’t object. He simply said, “Go to Cuiwei Palace to pick up the mother and daughter after court.”
It was Zhiyi’s first time entering the palace. Seeing the tall, majestic palace buildings, her big black eyes were simply not enough to take it all in.
Hu Momo had been waiting at the palace gate for a while. From a distance, she saw the Wangfei and her daughter and quickly walked over. Her eyes fell on Zhiyi, and seeing how bright and unafraid the child looked, the more she looked, the more she liked her.
“This old servant greets Wangfei.”
“Hu Momo, please rise,” Mingxi said with a smile. “Why are you still waiting here? It was troublesome for you to come.”
“Her Highness couldn’t wait to see the little Princess, not even for a moment.”
Seeing Hu Momo, still full of energy despite her age, take Zhiyi from her arms, Mingxi didn’t stop her. She smiled and said, “Blame me for being too cautious. I should have brought the child to see Royal Mother much earlier.”
“How can it be your fault, Wangfei? It really was inconvenient before,” Hu Momo said immediately. She truly liked Duan Wangfei—thoughtful in her actions and kind in her demeanor, especially toward old servants like herself. Not only kind, but respectful too.
Where could you find such a mistress?
Talking and laughing, they entered Cuiwei Palace. Unexpectedly, Consort Shu was already standing under the eaves. Seeing the child in Hu Momo’s arms, she lifted her skirt and hurried down the steps. “Our Zhaohua is here—come, let Grandmother take a look.”
Little Zhiyi replied in her soft baby voice, “My name is Zhiyi, not Zhaohua. You’ve got the wrong person.”
Duan Mingxi: …
At home, she and Xiao Muchen always called the child Zhiyi and rarely used her title. So the child didn’t even realize that Zhaohua was also her.
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to the rest of the book? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
