Xiao Muchen saw Duan Mingxi frowning deeply and continued, “The empress offended Royal Father with her words. In his rage, he’s decided to depose her. The decree will be issued soon.”
Mingxi froze for a moment, then said, “In the end, the empress still tried to save her son. Unfortunately… she forgot that His Majesty now is no longer the same as he was decades ago.”
The decree deposing the empress was announced in court the very next day. Not a single official objected. The deposed crown prince’s crimes were too severe—none could bring themselves to plead for him.
Moreover, many officials inside and outside the court had been implicated. Each was barely protecting themselves and had no intention of rescuing the already doomed crown prince.
When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter. That’s how it always goes.
Knowing the situation could no longer be reversed, Mingxi immediately selected the thickest furs from her shop to make warm clothing. She also prepared medicine the children might need on the road, and had thick bedding laid out in the carriage, hoping they would reach their destination safely.
Under the cover of night, and with Xiao Muchen’s assistance, Mingxi secretly entered Donghua Palace. The guards stationed there were under the command of Duke Wei. When they saw it was Wangye and Wangfei, the duke twitched his lips but said nothing, raising a hand to let them pass.
Xiao Muchen didn’t go in. He and Duke Wei stood in a wind-sheltered corner to talk.
“Never thought the one to bring aid in snow would be Wangfei,” the duke said with emotion.
Xiao Muchen replied calmly, “She has known the crown princess for years. With this bitter cold, she fears they won’t make it through the journey.”
“Heng Er too was once saved by the Wangfei. Such kindness is rare.” The duke sighed.
“It’s fate,” Xiao Muchen said flatly, saying no more.
Duke Wei was deeply moved. Someone like Duan Wangfei—truly a rare person.
Inside, Mingxi saw Bai Shixi, who quickly pulled her through the door and whispered, “Why are you here at a time like this? What if someone sees you?”
“I was worried,” Mingxi replied quickly. “Luckily Duke Wei is guarding the gate. Thanks to the Wangye, I was able to get in.”
Bai Shixi’s eyes turned slightly red. She gripped Mingxi’s hand tightly. “I know what you’re worried about. Don’t worry. I’ll be all right. I’ll wait for the day you come to bring the children and me back to the capital.”
Mingxi nodded. “Wangye tried to plead for you, but His Majesty is still enraged. Even the empress was deposed for pleading on your behalf.”
Bai Shixi froze, then slowly said, “If only she had woken up sooner and advised the crown prince not to be so arrogant, maybe it wouldn’t have come to this.”
The crown prince’s downfall—no small part of it was due to the empress.
“Let’s not speak of that now. I’ve brought you fur-lined clothing, thick bedding, and some preserved food like dried meat,” Mingxi said quickly. “I’ve packed the children’s things separately. Once you set off, Duke Wei will quietly send them to you.”
Bai Shixi nodded. If they left the city carrying too much, it would only draw attention.
Mingxi took out a thick coin purse, palm-sized and wrapped in oiled paper, and pressed it into Bai Shixi’s hand. “These are all ten-tael banknotes. They’ll be easier to use once you’re at the tomb.”
“I have money. I don’t need yours,” Bai Shixi refused.
“Large-denomination notes can bring trouble. That kind of remote place—the imperial tombs—we don’t know what it’s like. You have to be careful. These smaller notes won’t attract as much greed. Keep the big ones you already have for emergencies.”
“Mingxi…”
“And another thing. You go first. Later, I’ll arrange for people to set up businesses in towns near the tomb. We’ll make contact as soon as we can,” Mingxi said, looking at Bai Shixi. “Remember—live well. As long as we’re alive, we’ll meet again.”
Bai Shixi’s tears fell like pearls, and she quickly covered her face with a handkerchief. She hadn’t cried a single tear even when her mother had come to force her to save Bai Zhiwei. She had stayed strong.
“Please help take care of Xie Muhua as well. Her baby is too young. I’ve prepared some medicine—hopefully you won’t need it,” Mingxi said softly. “The Xie family can’t do anything else besides send silver. This box of silver is from them for Xie Muhua. Please pass it to her for me.”
Mingxi then handed over a small palm-sized box. “You two need to look out for each other. The first few months will be hard, but once our people arrive, things will get better.”
Bai Shixi didn’t refuse on Xie Muhua’s behalf. She took the box, dried her tears, and looked at Mingxi. “Don’t worry. After enduring so much, we have to live well. We’ll be waiting for you.”
“Mm. As long as there’s a chance, we’ll try to plead on your behalf. There are still children involved. Once His Majesty calms down, perhaps he’ll show mercy.”
Bai Shixi knew it was unlikely—but people needed something to hope for.
“We can’t stay here too long. You should go.” Bai Shixi looked at Mingxi. “I will remember your kindness today.”
Mingxi tightly held Bai Shixi’s hand. “Take the children and live well.”
“Alright.”
Mingxi pulled up the hood of her cloak, glanced once more at Bai Shixi, then turned and walked into the vast darkness of the night.
Bai Shixi steadied herself, washed her face with cold water, and carefully packed everything. Only then did she have Su Ying quietly bring over Xie Muhua.
Holding the silver from the Xie family meant to help her settle, Xie Muhua said softly, “Madam, one day, we will return.”
They all trusted Duan Mingxi. What she said, she would never go back on.
The next day, Duke Wei was ordered to escort the deposed crown prince and his family to the imperial mausoleum. Bai Shixi’s carriage was slightly larger, so she called Xie Muhua and her child over to sit together. Chen Yiniang and Jiang Yiniang shared another carriage. Reduced to this state, neither had the energy to quarrel anymore.
Jiang Sujie’s face was dark with rage. She had schemed for so many years—who would have thought she’d end up spending her life guarding the imperial tomb? What a joke.
What was all that effort for?
On the day the deposed crown prince left the capital, the deposed empress hanged herself with a white silk sash.
The emperor flew into a rage. With the empress dead and the crown prince sent to the mausoleum, his fury turned toward Duke Cao. Because of the evidence found in the crown prince’s secret chamber, Duke Cao was stripped of his title and exiled. But before he could be sent into exile, the emperor, in his fury, ordered immediate execution.
The women of the Duke Cao household were sent to the pleasure bureau. Li Peilan, who had married into Zhenbei Wang’s residence, fell gravely ill. The empress was gone, the crown prince had fallen, her Father was dead—she feared Zhenbei Wang’s residence would abandon her.
After all, ever since she married in, she had been at odds with her husband’s family and constantly fought with her husband. In all their years of marriage, they hadn’t even consummated the relationship.
Li Peilan now deeply regretted it. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn’t have turned her nose up at Gan Hao. She should have consummated the marriage earlier. If she had her own child, she wouldn’t be living in such fear now.
Zhenbei Wangfei, seeing Li Peilan had become delirious with illness, didn’t kick her while she was down. She knew what was weighing on Li Peilan’s mind. Though she disliked this daughter-in-law, she had no intention of forcing her to death.
In the end, it was Li Peilan herself who requested to go to a nunnery. She couldn’t find peace staying in the household. After the forced marriage had brought shame to Zhenbei Wang’s house, now that disaster had struck, she was convinced someone wanted to harm her.
If she continued like this, she’d either die or go mad. Better to shave her head and become a nun—at least she wouldn’t have to fear for her life.
