“Wangye, why are you here?”
Xiao Muchen, dressed in pristine white robes, was seated beneath a tree playing chess with Duan Pingchang. Sunlight filtered through the tree branches, casting dappled shadows and soft, scattered light across his figure.
He sat there, gazing over with a warm smile, making one feel as though basking in the gentle breeze of spring, like a celestial being descended to the mortal world.
“Master Duan is your foster father. I heard he has returned from prison, so I came to visit,” Xiao Muchen said gently, rising to his feet and walking slowly toward Mingxi.
Duan Mingxi stared at Xiao Muchen. She kept her eyes on him, and he also looked at her. His deep eyes were filled with genuine sincerity, causing her to glance slightly away.
“Xixi, don’t just stand there. Invite Wangye to sit!”
Duan Pingchang’s hearty voice broke the silence between them with a burst of cheerful laughter.
Duan Mingxi tried her best to appear natural and smiled as she said, “I’m just surprised. I didn’t expect Your Highness to be here. Thank you, but how could I trouble you to come here personally?”
“Xixi?”
Xiao Muchen’s low voice reached her ears, making her feel a bit uneasy. She bypassed him and went directly to her foster father’s side.
“Father, this is a gift from the Old Madam for you and Mother,” Mingxi said as she sat beside Duan Pingchang.
Duan Pingchang glanced at Duan Wang and felt a bit anxious about his daughter’s actions, but he couldn’t bring himself to scold her. Instead, he went along with her words, saying, “The Old Madam is too generous. How can we accept this?”
The people of the Marquis Household were notoriously proud. For them to send gifts was truly surprising.
Madam Xu came out of the house carrying a tea tray and was delighted to see Mingxi. “Xixi, why are you here?”
“Mother, I missed you, so I came.” Duan Mingxi rose and held Madam Xu’s arm, playfully acting spoiled.
Xiao Muchen watched this side of Duan Mingxi with a hint of surprise. Without a word, he stepped back, positioning himself within Madam Xu’s line of sight.
Sure enough, Madam Xu’s attention shifted. “Wangye, please sit. Why are you still standing? Xixi, invite Wangye to take a seat!”
Duan Mingxi: …
Wait, what exactly did Xiao Muchen do in this short amount of time to earn such favor from her parents?
This behavior was far from just polite courtesy.
“Wangye, please sit,” Duan Mingxi said to Duan Wang with a smile.
Madam Xu instructed a servant girl to bring over a chair and seated Mingxi beside her.
“Xixi, you don’t know how much your father suffered in prison. Thanks to Wangye, the jailers treated him with great respect. You must properly thank Wangye.”
Madam Xu’s words left Mingxi astonished. She looked at Duan Wang, genuinely surprised that he had taken such measures.
“Thank you, Wangye,” she said earnestly this time.
Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi. “There’s no need for thanks between us. You are my future Wangfei; this is what I should do.”
Duan Mingxi: …
Hearing these words from Xiao Muchen felt as surreal as encountering a ghost in broad daylight.
She felt a chill run through her in the middle of the day.
Xiao Muchen was already an extraordinarily handsome man. Sitting upright on the stone bench, the sunlight highlighted his cool, jade-like features, making him appear even more refined, poised, and unattainable.
A man of such stature and standing actually went out of his way to assist her father in prison?
It was beyond belief.
Duan Pingchang resumed his chess game with Xiao Muchen. Mingxi, overwhelmed with conflicting emotions, followed Madam Xu as she went to handle some chores.
“Mother, when did Wangye arrive?”
“About an hour ago,” Madam Xu replied with a smile. “Xixi, your father and I were always worried about whether you’d be treated well after marrying into Duan Wang’s household. After seeing His Highness today, we’re finally relieved.”
Duan Mingxi: …
Aren’t they jumping to conclusions a bit too soon? Their marriage was nothing more than a transaction.
But she couldn’t say that. If she did, her mother would be heartbroken.
“We’re just merchants and merely your foster parents. For Wangye to treat us with such sincerity shows how much he values you.”
Madam Xu’s voice was filled with joy. She naturally saw her daughter as extraordinary, but she was also aware of her and her husband’s awkward social standing. For the Wangye to show them such respect was beyond her expectations.
“He treats us so well; surely, he must hold you in high regard. That’s what makes me happy.”
“You must treat Wangye well in return. When you marry, be filial to the Niang Niang in the palace and attentive to Wangye. You can’t be as willful as you are at home.”
“Mother! I’m not even married yet, and you’re already siding with him!”
“Nonsense. I’m doing this for your good. Relationships are mutual. If Wangye is kind to you, you must reciprocate sincerely. Being a couple isn’t as simple as you think. You can’t always do as you please.”
“What kind of charm did Duan Wang use on you to make you speak for him so much?” Duan Mingxi muttered.
“What charm? Stop talking nonsense,” Madam Xu chided. She placed freshly washed fruits in a white porcelain dish and handed it to her daughter. “Take this to Wangye.”
Duan Mingxi had no choice but to carry the plate back to the courtyard. Setting it on the table, she addressed Xiao Muchen. “My mother asked me to bring this for you, Wangye. Please try some.”
The chess game had just concluded. Duan Pingchang glanced at the two of them and found an excuse to leave, giving them some time alone.
As soon as Duan Pingchang left, the smile on Mingxi’s face faded. “Wangye, what exactly is the meaning of your visit today?”
Xiao Muchen observed Mingxi’s change in demeanor but remained composed. “I’ve told you before, this engagement is something I’m sincere about, Xixi.”
Hearing him call her by her nickname, Duan Mingxi frowned slightly. She lowered her voice. “Wangye, do you realize that your presence here today could have significant repercussions if word gets out?”
“If word gets out, people will only say that my Wangfei is a woman who values gratitude. Even after reconnecting with her biological family, she hasn’t forgotten the kindness of her foster parents.”
“They are merchants,” Duan Mingxi pointed out.
“And so? If you acknowledge them, then I will, too.”
So, was this why Duan Wang hadn’t visited the Marquis Household yet? Because her relationship with them was strained?
Realizing this, Duan Mingxi’s expression hardened. “How did Wangye even know about this place?”
Was he monitoring her movements?
Xiao Muchen’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Xixi, Xie Fang mentioned that you asked the Third Madam to inquire about matters at the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau. That’s how I learned of it.”
Xiao Muchen suddenly brought up Xie Fang, causing Duan Mingxi’s heart to skip a beat. She struggled to maintain her composure, ensuring no trace of her reaction appeared on her face.
“Why is Wangye inquiring about Xie Fang?” Duan Mingxi asked.
Xiao Muchen sighed lightly, “The matter of your foster father’s imprisonment created such a stir that it was bound to reach my ears.”
This implied someone deliberately approached Duan Wang to smear her reputation, hoping he would grow dissatisfied with her?
However, not only did Xiao Muchen not harbor any dissatisfaction, but he also arranged for her father to be cared for while in prison and came to visit him personally upon his release.
Truly, he embodied the ideal son-in-law.
And yet, they weren’t even married.
In Duan Mingxi’s understanding, the Duan Wang of her previous life was no saintly gentleman.
So, what exactly was he after?
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