It was none other than Gao Zhan, usually dressed in simple green attire and exuding a dashing and elegant demeanor. Now, however, his mouth was bruised, his hem wet, stray strands of hair clinging to his cheeks, and lingering anger in his eyes.
When Gao Zhan saw Duan Mingxi, he froze, and his anger dissipated. “Duan Mingxi? Why are you here?”
She stood there in a white dress with red borders, her slim waist accentuated by the intricate embroidery. Her jet-black hair was adorned with white jade tassels that dangled near her ears, her side locks as dark as ink. Her eyes sparkled like stars, her smile bright and confident. She seemed both different and the same from when they first met.
Duan Mingxi looked at Gao Zhan with a faint smile. “Why shouldn’t I be here?”
Hearing this, Gao Zhan couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of emotions. Not long ago, Duan Mingxi had been involved in a marriage discussion with him. Although she never acknowledged it, how could his mother have lied about the negotiations with Marquis Dingyuan?
The truth was, even if Marquis Dingyuan had deceived Duan Mingxi, the marriage talk had indeed taken place.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, she had been chosen by Consort Shu to become Duan Wangfei.
When Duan Mingxi heard his comment, she shot a cold glare at Gao Zhan. Is there something seriously wrong with this person?
“This restaurant does happen to be mine,” Duan Mingxi said with a cold laugh. “Qi Dongchun!”
“What are your orders?” The manager, Qi Dongchun, immediately came running over, beaming as he addressed Duan Mingxi.
Duan Mingxi turned to Gao Zhan. “From now on, my Yuxian Tower does not welcome Gao Shizi. You’d better remember that.”
“Yes,” Qi Dongchun replied without hesitation. He then turned to Gao Zhan. “Gao Shizi, this way, please.”
Gao Zhan: …
The onlookers gasped and whispered among themselves, some already aware of the bad blood between the two.
Gao Zhan’s face turned a mix of black and red. He hadn’t expected that what he assumed was just a jest would turn out to be true—this Yuxian Tower actually belonged to Duan Mingxi!
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable under the crowd’s gazes and the mocking glint in Duan Mingxi’s eyes, Gao Zhan stormed off in anger, his sleeves whipping in the air.
Duan Mingxi leaned down to whisper something to the manager before heading upstairs.
The moment she left, someone in the crowd asked, “Manager Qi, is it true that the proprietor of Yuxian Restaurant is Miss Duan?”
Qi Dongchun’s smile widened. “Young Master Zhan, who would dare lie about such a thing? Since our Proprietor is in a good mood today, she’s treating everyone to a meal!”
The banquets at Yuxian Tower weren’t cheap, but to declare a free treat like this instantly lifted everyone’s spirits.
Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, “Miss Duan is truly generous!”
The crowd erupted in agreement, cheering for her magnanimity.
Upon reaching the third floor, Liu Yunhua and the others were already there. Hearing the commotion downstairs, they teased Mingxi as she entered, “Who would’ve thought this Yuxian Tower is yours? Then today, you’re treating us!”
Duan Mingxi smiled and agreed readily, “Why not? From now on, whenever you come to Yuxian Tower, just put it on my tab.”
The group laughed heartily, marveling at their wealthy friend.
Chu Qingying looked Duan Mingxi up and down. “I heard from one of the maids that you ran into Gao Zhan?”
Duan Mingxi nodded. “Indeed. What bad luck.”
“You really have a way with words.” Qiao Renshu tugged her to sit beside him. “We just sent someone to inquire about it. Turns out, young master Gao met with Miss Bai here today. It seems their meeting didn’t go well, and then he bumped into you, which probably set him off further.”
Chu Qingying sneered, “So, he takes his frustrations with Bai Zhiwei out on Mingxi? All because Bai Shixi was made crown princess, and Bai Zhiwei is feeling bitter? How amusing.”
Clearly, there was a story behind this.
Duan Mingxi turned her gaze to Liu Yunhua, who didn’t disappoint.
“Bai Zhiwei and her younger sister, Bai Shixi, don’t have the best relationship. Now that Bai Shixi has been made crown princess, it’s only natural Bai Zhiwei feels overshadowed and is struggling to cope,” Liu Yunhua explained leisurely.
“Of course! If she hadn’t been caught secretly meeting with Gao Zhan, the title of crown princess might’ve gone to her. That’s the crown princess position—who wouldn’t covet it?” Chu Qingying said, laughing. “I heard Bai Shixi even thanked Bai Zhiwei after receiving the decree, which must’ve been quite the jab.”
Duan Mingxi imagined herself in a similar situation with her own sister, Duan Huirou, flaunting success in front of her. Just the thought made her understand why Bai Zhiwei would be so furious.
“Bai Zhiwei, as the eldest legitimate daughter of the Bai family, has always been the most favored. Even after the scandal with Gao Zhan, Duke Zhen’s household gritted their teeth and arranged the marriage with the Gao family. But now that Bai Shixi is the crown princess, she has become the star of her generation in the Bai family.”
“Exactly. This shift in status must be intolerable for someone with Bai Zhiwei’s temperament. I’ve heard that the sisters have already had several spats within just a few days.”
“Things will probably only get more entertaining in the future. Once Bai Zhiwei marries Gao Zhan, she’ll be the future Madam of the Gao family. Whenever she enters the palace, she’ll have to bow to the crown princess, lowering herself to her younger sister every time. Can you imagine her enduring that?”
The group was engrossed in gossip while Mingxi listened with interest. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret that her own sister, Duan Huirou, didn’t have to bow to her regularly. The thought alone was immensely satisfying.
Once the Bai family drama subsided, Liu Yunhua turned to Mingxi. “Do you know why you were chosen as Duan Wangfei?”
Mingxi knew full well but couldn’t reveal her secret dealings with Duan Wang. She feigned ignorance and shook her head. “I haven’t a clue.”
“I heard some whispers. Let me tell you.”
Duan Mingxi adopted a curious expression. “Go on, tell me everything.”
She was genuinely intrigued by the palace’s internal power plays.
“Do you remember when the Empress gifted you a gold hairpin? Everyone assumed it was a sign you’d enter the Eastern Palace. Then came rumors that the hairpin’s design was somewhat unusual, leaving people unsure of its significance. After some digging, my sister and I discovered it was indeed intended for someone entering the Eastern Palace.”
At this, Chu Qingying interjected, “If the Empress disregarded Mingxi so blatantly, why would she then arrange for her to enter the Eastern Palace? Honestly, it’s a good thing that didn’t happen.”
Liu Yunhua nodded. “The truth is, while the Empress had her plans, Consort Shu had her eyes on Mingxi all along. She wouldn’t let the opportunity slip and went straight to the Emperor, pleading for the marriage. It just so happened she clashed with the Empress over it…”
Duan Mingxi was surprised. She hadn’t known about this confrontation. If Consort Shu had been a step slower, extricating herself from the Eastern Palace might’ve been much harder.
“Consort Shu praised Mingxi to the heavens, calling her a rare gem. She even pointed out that Duan Wang, with his aloof nature, had finally taken an interest in someone. She begged the Emperor to grant the marriage.”
Everyone turned to Mingxi with playful expressions.
Duan Mingxi: …
Consort Shu praised her?
Was this the same Consort Shu she remembered?
“Mingxi, here’s some good news for you—Duan Wang is the only Wangye without any women in his household,” someone added with a sly grin.
“Exactly. Not even a concubine.”
Duan Mingxi: …
How do you all know this?
