Early the next morning, Xiao Muchen quietly got up. Outside, Miao Sheng was already waiting with a group of attendants. When they saw the Wangye emerge, they quickly stepped forward to serve him.
Inside the bedchamber, it remained as quiet as usual. By now, everyone was well used to it—Wangfei didn’t see Wangye off to court every day.
Wangye was even afraid they might disturb her rest, so all the attendants had trained themselves to move soundlessly. It had become a skill in itself.
Even though the sounds outside were nearly nonexistent, Mingxi still woke up.
She didn’t move.
After a while, she sat up, put on an outer robe, and lifted the bed curtains.
Hearing the sound, Xiao Muchen turned his head and saw Mingxi coming out. He said, “Why not sleep a little longer?”
Mingxi replied, “No slacking off today.”
Miao Sheng and the others quickened their pace, all lowering their heads, pretending not to hear. Once they finished, they bowed and withdrew.
Xiao Muchen came over and looked at Mingxi. “I’ll likely be back late today. Don’t wait for me.”
Mingxi understood what he meant. She looked up at him. “Be careful. Royal Father has always been… In any case, if things don’t go as planned, your safety is what matters most.”
Xiao Muchen smiled. “Alright.”
Seeing that it was about time, he turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, he came back and pecked Mingxi lightly on the lips before smiling and walking away.
Mingxi: …
Why is he becoming more childish?
Still, perhaps because of that kiss, her heart gradually settled.
Xiangxiang and the others came in to help her wash and dress. After they finished, she went to see her daughter. Xiao Zhiyi had already gone to the martial arts field and was darting across the plum-blossom stakes, her little topknot bouncing, and her bright red ribbon fluttering in the wind.
Mingxi didn’t disturb her and turned to leave quietly.
The imperial congee reward arrived quickly. In this cold weather, by the time it was delivered to the residence, it was already cold. But since it was an imperial gift, Mingxi had it sent to the kitchen to be reheated. She then shared it with Zhiyi and saved a portion for Xiao Muchen.
Before noon, Li Quan came in sweating, despite it being the dead of winter, and reported that the Imperial Guards had surrounded Duke Gao’s residence.
Mingxi was taken aback. She looked at Li Quan and asked, “Any other news? Where is Wangye?”
“Wangye had no official duties today, but the Ministry of Revenue sent a message saying some accounts didn’t match up, and with the year-end reports approaching, they requested Wangye to review them. So he went to the ministry.”
Mingxi knew this couldn’t be a coincidence—most likely, Xiao Muchen had arranged it. Her second brother was in the Ministry of Revenue, and it would be easy to manipulate things there.
Knowing Xiao Muchen wasn’t at Duke Gao’s residence when the incident broke out, she let out a deep breath of relief and said to Li Quan, “Go and inquire again. Find out exactly what’s going on over there.”
“Yes, right away.” Li Quan turned and left.
The sudden encirclement of Duke Gao’s residence by the Imperial Guards on the Laba Festival stunned the entire capital. People flooded to gather news, but no one could get past the gates.
Everyone knew that just days ago, the Governor had been gravely injured by his own wife and nearly didn’t survive. Yet in less than half a month, he had ended up in such dire straits. What on earth had happened?
Meanwhile, Mingxi received letters from the Marquis family and other close friends, all asking what was going on. Naturally, she claimed ignorance.
Kang Wangfei came in person. Since giving birth, she hadn’t lost the extra weight, looking more full-figured than in her maiden days. But having delivered a son on her first try, she now had solid standing. No one could argue for her husband to take a concubine on the basis of lacking an heir anymore.
“In this freezing weather, why did you come in person?” Mingxi welcomed her in.
Kang Wangfei removed her cloak and handed it to a maid before following Mingxi into the hall. The underfloor heating made the room as warm as spring, and she visibly relaxed.
“News came from Duke Wei’s residence—he personally led the troops to surround Duke Gao’s.”
Mingxi froze. “Duke Wei?”
“Yes. It wasn’t him at first—he was later summoned by an imperial edict,” Kang Wangfei said. “Fourth Sister-in-law, I’m a bit worried. I have a bad feeling something major is about to happen.”
Mingxi hadn’t expected the Emperor to deploy Duke Wei. After all, Duke Wei bore a deep grudge against the Crown Prince, who had once attempted to kill his son.
Back then, in order to impeach the Crown Prince, Duke Wei had even smashed his head against a pillar in court and nearly died on the spot.
That must mean they’ve uncovered something serious.
Mingxi thought of the Crown Prince’s private army in her previous life—could it be the same this time?
But without her dowry and the Duan family’s funds, where would he get enough silver to maintain a large private force?
Seeing Mingxi’s dark expression, Kang Wangfei held a teacup to warm her hands and after a while said, “Fourth Sister-in-law, if Duke Wei takes over the Imperial Guards, tomorrow’s court session will surely be turbulent.”
“Or maybe Royal Father only meant to use him temporarily,” Mingxi said slowly. “In any case, we’ll wait and see.”
“The Governor must’ve committed many crimes. Dongjiang borders Donggang—Fourth Sister-in-law, you should be cautious too,” said Kang Wangfei with concern.
No wonder she came personally—she feared Mingxi might be dragged into this.
Mingxi replied, “Though Donggang and Dongjiang are neighbors, our business dealings have always followed the rules. There won’t be any trouble—don’t worry.”
Hearing this, Kang Wangfei felt reassured and didn’t stay long. She got up to leave.
“Fourth Sister-in-law, if you hear anything, have someone inform me.”
“Don’t worry. If there’s news, I’ll send it to you. Just stay safe at your residence.”
Kang Wangfei, thinking of her child, put on her cloak and looked up at the sky. “It’s snowing.”
Mingxi watched the snowflakes flutter down, the north wind picking up again. She helped Kang Wangfei tie the cloak’s ribbon. “Hurry back—travel safely.”
As soon as Kang Wangfei left, Qi He returned to report personally: “Wangfei, the deposed Crown Prince secretly left Donghua Palace disguised as a palace maid and went to Duke Gao’s residence. A visiting imperial physician happened to spot him and reported it directly to the Emperor after returning to the palace.”
“The Emperor ordered the Imperial Guards to surround Duke Gao’s residence, but the deposed Crown Prince resisted. So the Emperor commanded Duke Wei to go suppress them. In Gao Zhan’s study, they found a map of the palace’s layout, a name list, and a private army the deposed Crown Prince had raised—over a thousand men.”
A thousand?
Mingxi’s eyes flickered. In her previous life, there had been over ten thousand.
Looks like, without the financial backing from her and the Duan family, the deposed Crown Prince could only afford a small force. But what of the money Gao Zhan amassed in Dongjiang? What was it used for?
Before she could think further, Qi He added, “And one more thing—Duke Gao’s residence was in chaos. Amid the commotion, Bai Zhiwei stabbed the Duchess to death.”
What?
Mingxi was truly shocked. “She’s dead?”
“Stabbed more than a dozen times. Not even a god could have saved her,” said Qi He.
Mingxi found it hard to describe her current feelings. She despised Duchess Gao, but she never imagined that she would end up dying at Bai Zhiwei’s hands.
In her past life, that woman had sung nothing but praises of Bai Zhiwei.
