Seeing Mingxi’s visible reaction, the others couldn’t stop laughing.
Qiao Renshu nudged her. “It’s the royal family—who doesn’t pay attention? The number of concubines or attendants around each Wangye is common knowledge.”
Duan Mingxi furrowed her brows. If every detail about the royal family was public knowledge, wouldn’t the affairs of the Wangye residence also become widespread once she married?
Chu Qingying noticed her expression and explained, “It’s not the prince’s residence that leaks the information. The palace Niang Niangs are always comparing their sons, from their talents to their entourages. Any move they make is quickly known.”
Understood!
So, royal Niang Niangs loved to compete and gossip about their sons.
“Consort Shu seems quite unusual, though,” Mingxi mused. She never sent anyone to him?
Liu Yunhua burst into laughter. “You think she didn’t try? Duan Wang wouldn’t allow it. It’s said that they’ve argued countless times over it.”
“Once, the Emperor even got involved and sent someone to the Wangye residence himself. The Wangye ignored her for an entire year until Consort Shu, out of pity, found her a husband.”
Duan Mingxi recalled how serious Xiao Muchen had looked when he told her he wasn’t planning on becoming a monk.
What an amusing contradiction!
“So, now you know—becoming Duan Wangfei has made you the envy of many, hasn’t it?” Liu Yunhua teased with a smile.
Duan Mingxi maintained her composure, smiling as she thought to herself, If others knew about my agreement with Duan Wang, they probably wouldn’t think this way.
Qiao Renshu said to Mingxi, “Today is all about celebrating you. We’re genuinely happy for you. Duan Wang is upright and virtuous, not one to indulge in women easily. He’s truly a rare, ideal husband. You must cherish him.”
“Thank you. I’m so happy to have your blessings, and meeting friends like you has been one of the biggest surprises since coming to the capital.” Mingxi raised her glass to toast with everyone.
As the young ladies chatted and laughed, the topic inevitably shifted to the gossip of the capital.
Someone mentioned Fu Hongxiao.
“Ever since Fu Hongxiao was chosen to be the Crown Prince’s Liangdi, she and her aunt have become even more arrogant. I even heard she’s aiming to become an equal wife! Such audacity!”
“There’s no such thing as an equal wife these days,” Chu Qingying said with a cold laugh. “That Xu Yiniang must be hoping to force Deqing Marquis Madam to divorce. A daughter raised by someone like that will undoubtedly cause trouble in the Eastern Palace.”
As they spoke, Duan Mingxi thought of how Fu Hongxiao and her mother nearly drove Deqing Marquis Madam and her daughter to death in her past life. Truly, small-minded people grow bolder when they gain power.
“I heard the Crown Prince’s wedding is set for six months from now. If that’s the case, Mingxi’s wedding will probably be next year,” someone remarked.
Naturally, the Crown Prince’s wedding took precedence, and the weddings of the Wangyes would be pushed back.
According to protocol, after the Crown Prince, it would be Duan Wang’s turn. With the summer already here, the Crown Prince’s wedding would take place at the year’s end.
Given the busyness of the palace during that time, Consort Shu would certainly not want her son’s wedding to be rushed.
Duan Mingxi didn’t mind the timing of her wedding. What concerned her most was the matter of the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau.
Before getting married, successfully placing her people into the bureau was her top priority.
The meal ended with everyone in high spirits. Each guest presented Mingxi with congratulatory gifts, and she escorted them out, smiling warmly at the sight of the presents.
In this life, she had finally made friends in the capital.
This feeling was wonderful.
Upon returning to the Marquis’s residence, Duan Mingxi was summoned to Rongan Hall.
The Old Madam greeted her with a beaming smile. As Mingxi entered, the Old Madam said warmly, “Mingxi, come and sit.”
Mingxi curtsied before walking over to sit beside the Old Madam. “Grandmother, what’s made you so happy?”
“Of course, it’s good news,” the Old Madam replied, looking at Mingxi with great affection. “Word from the palace has come: your wedding to Duan Wang is set for next spring. This gives us plenty of time to prepare your dowry.”
Duan Mingxi listened quietly, knowing the Old Madam had more to say.
“But as you know, given the current state of our household, even if we emptied our coffers for your dowry, it might still be inadequate. I fear it would bring you shame,” the Old Madam sighed.
Hearing this, Duan Mingxi smiled and said, “There’s no need to worry. Since Grandfather entrusted me with the household businesses, I’ll manage them well so you won’t have to worry about anything.”
The Old Madam’s smile faltered slightly, her next words caught in her throat.
Just as she was pondering what to say, Mingxi continued, “I’m also planning to train some of the household staff. This way, the businesses will continue running smoothly even after I’m married.”
The Old Madam swallowed back the words she was about to say, composed herself, and asked, “Who do you plan to take with you?”
“I’m not very familiar with the people in the residence yet, so I thought it would be best to follow Grandmother’s recommendation,” Mingxi replied.
The Old Madam’s face lit up with a smile. “You’re a good child. I’ll think about it and let you know later.”
Duan Mingxi responded with a smile, but as she left Rongan Hall, the smile faded from her face.
The Old Madam’s concerns were simple—she didn’t fully trust Mingxi and feared she might take the Marquisate’s money with her.
As she walked past the covered corridor, heading toward her own courtyard, she heard the Third Madam’s voice calling out, “Mingxi, wait a moment.”
Duan Mingxi stopped and turned around, seeing the Third Madam approaching quickly. She stepped forward to meet her. “Third Aunt.”
The Third Madam looked at her and said, “This isn’t the best place to talk. Would you prefer to go to my place or yours?”
“I’ll come to yours,” Mingxi said with a smile.
The Third Madam smiled back and led her back toward her courtyard, chatting casually about household matters along the way. The two appeared to be engaging in harmless conversation.
In the distance, one of Duan Huirou’s maidservants peeked around the corner, observing them briefly before turning to leave.
As Mingxi turned a corner in the corridor, her peripheral vision caught the maidservant’s retreating figure. The corner of her lips curled into a faint smile.
Once they arrived at the Third Madam’s quarters, she dismissed everyone else before speaking to Mingxi. “Xie Fang sent me a message. He said the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau’s next shipment is about to depart. It will leave from Haian County, be loaded onto ships, then pass through Bogu and Jiangtian before arriving in the capital.”
The smile in Mingxi’s eyes disappeared. The route her father had reported for the seafood shipment matched exactly.
This meant the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau wasn’t transporting sea goods at all—they were shipping silk.
“How many ships?”
“Ten,” the Third Madam replied. “But Xie Fang mentioned that in previous years, there were only six. This year, there are four additional ships.” Her tone carried unease.
The additional ships were likely part of a trap set for Duan Pingchang.
Duan Mingxi smiled faintly. “How interesting.”
“How many days will it take for the ships to reach Jiangtian? I need precise times, locations, and details about the guards on board. Can Lord Xie find this out?”
The Third Madam looked troubled. “That’s difficult. Chen Yisheng is in charge of the convoy, and his information is tightly controlled.”
“If it’s possible, tell Xie Fang to persuade Zhao Xunjun to accompany him and use an excuse to be present in Jiangtian. This could be a chance for great merit.”
If Chen Yisheng couldn’t escape blame, Jiang Bingyuan wouldn’t come out unscathed either.
The Third Madam’s heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding rising within her.
But Mingxi had a point—fortune favors the bold.
She steeled herself. It’s all or nothing now!
Meanwhile, Duan Wang received a secret message. The court’s grain ships had encountered issues in Haian, and the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau’s ships, about to set sail from there, would be borrowing a few of the grain ships to accompany them.
Using a ship from the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau?
Duan Wang frowned deeply. Could his plans have been leaked?
It seemed he had to leave the capital for a while.
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 5 chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
