Yet, Xiao Muchen’s words—If you acknowledge them, I will too—struck a deep chord within her.
Merchants might have wealth, but they lacked social standing.
She had always sought a reliable protector for her foster father. At one point, she even considered building connections with Duan Wang.
Who would have thought that after so many twists and turns, she was now set to become his Wangfei? His statement deeply moved her—if Duan Wang would protect her foster family, who would dare lay a finger on them?
With Duan Wang valuing her foster parents, even the Marquis’s household would have no choice but to treat them with respect.
Xiao Muchen was too shrewd; he knew exactly what she lacked and desired, leaving her with no grounds for refusal.
“Thank you, Wangye.”
Xiao Muchen gazed at Duan Mingxi with a sincere expression, his handsome face illuminated by a gentle smile that radiated warmth and honesty. “Xixi, there’s no need for such formalities between us.”
Duan Mingxi thought to herself, It’s fortunate I know his true nature. Anyone else would undoubtedly be captivated by this facade.
Someone who understands exactly what you need and presents it to you on a silver platter—it was nearly impossible not to be drawn to him.
She reminded herself that Duan Wang was a ruthless figure who could contend with the Crown Prince until the bitter end. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down or be deceived by his gentle exterior.
She would repay his favors in another way.
Duan Mingxi smiled faintly, choosing not to respond further.
Xiao Muchen calmly packed up the chess pieces, seemingly unconcerned about her reserved attitude. He continued in a gentle tone, “Royal Father’s birthday is approaching. You may receive a summons to attend the banquet.”
Duan Mingxi was momentarily taken aback by this unexpected news. “Is everyone required to attend?”
Xiao Muchen nodded slightly. “You needn’t worry. Royal Mother will take care of you.”
Duan Mingxi inwardly dismissed this reassurance. Consort Shu was not pleased with her—would she really take care of her?
She vividly recalled Consort Shu’s sharp maneuvers against the Empress in her previous life. Though always polite in word and deed, the consort’s actions were ruthless.
Would such a person truly look after her?
So long as she wasn’t humiliated publicly, Duan Mingxi could coexist peacefully with Consort Shu.
If the consort deliberately made things difficult, Duan Mingxi would endure for Xiao Muchen’s kindness toward her family. But if it crossed the line, she wouldn’t hesitate to retaliate.
“Then I’ll trouble Wangye to extend my gratitude to the Noble Consort,” Duan Mingxi said diplomatically.
Xiao Muchen glanced at her briefly before looking away, his lips curving into a subtle smile.
Duan Mingxi seized the opportunity. “Wangye, when will the matter of the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau be resolved?” She pretended to inquire casually. With Xiao Muchen before her, it was a rare chance to gather information.
“The internal affairs of the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau are essentially settled.”
Mingxi knew he was referring to her father’s case, which had indeed reached its conclusion. But that wasn’t what she wanted to know.
What she truly wanted was the outcome of the struggle between the Crown Prince and Qi Wang. She was waiting for a key position to open up.
“Settled?” Duan Mingxi feigned surprise. “So soon? Even the issue with the official ship has been resolved?”
Xiao Muchen shook his head. “That matter is more complicated. The Crown Prince and Qi Wang are clashing fiercely over it. Reaching a conclusion will take time.”
“At Jinrui Garden that day, I saw the Crown Prince and Qi Wang getting along so well. I thought they were in harmony. Who would have guessed it was like this?” Duan Mingxi remarked, feigning a casual tone while subtly probing him.
Xiao Muchen chuckled lightly. “Royal brothers—what do you think?”
What could she say?
“I wouldn’t know,” Duan Mingxi quickly deflected.
“Is that so?” Xiao Muchen didn’t believe her for a second.
“Of course,” she insisted, feigning nonchalance. What can he do if I don’t admit to anything?
“The fire at Jiangtian Wharf is under intense investigation,” Xiao Muchen said, his tone casual but probing. “If solid evidence is found, the case will be concluded. The officials there have already uncovered leads, so the matter should be resolved soon. Xixi needn’t worry.”
Duan Mingxi: !
She was anything but reassured.
The officials were still looking for evidence? Wasn’t everything destroyed in the fire?
She carefully kept her expression neutral and replied calmly, “That’s good to hear.”
Hopefully, they never trace it back to me.
“Qi He has connections with Jiangtian’s county magistrate. Word is, they’ve uncovered new evidence suggesting that aside from the Crown Prince and Qi Wang’s men, there was another party lying in wait.”
Duan Mingxi’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly on edge. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Xiao Muchen was testing her.
But how could he know she had a hand in it?
Maybe she was just being paranoid.
“Is that so? What a complex situation. I’m just a woman of the inner court—I don’t understand these matters. Still, I hope it’s resolved soon. After all, my foster father’s 500,000 taels of silver were reduced to ashes in that fire.” She sighed, both feigning indifference and expressing genuine heartache.
After all, half of their family’s liquid wealth had gone up in smoke.
“The Internal weaving and dyeing bureau has no funds to compensate your foster father, but I’ve subtly hinted to Xu Donglin to hand over the weaving and dyeing businesses around Jiangcheng to your father. With proper management, he’ll recover the losses in two to three years.”
“Speaking of this, we must thank Wangye for his generous help.”
“You’re being too polite.”
Duan Mingxi wisely fell silent.
Xiao Muchen let out a soft chuckle. His gaze swept over Mingxi as he stood up and said, “It’s getting late. I should take my leave.”
Hearing that Duan Wang was leaving, Duan Pingchang and his wife hurried out to invite him to stay for a meal. Duan Wang glanced at Mingxi, noticed she didn’t speak up, and resolutely departed.
After he left, Madam Xu gave her daughter a light slap on the arm. “Why didn’t you ask him to stay?”
Duan Mingxi replied matter-of-factly, “I’m not that familiar with him. Why should I?”
The way Xiao Muchen had looked at her in the end made her heart race with unease. She couldn’t wait for him to leave.
Duan Pingchang, ever protective, said, “No need to keep him if she doesn’t want to. Mingxi’s right; a young lady should maintain her reserve.”
Duan Mingxi nodded firmly.
Madam Xu pinched her husband’s side. “You old rascal, don’t lead our daughter astray.”
Duan Pingchang yelped in pain but didn’t dodge, instead retorting, “How many good men are there in the world, really? Even if Duan Wang is so eager, who knows what his true intentions are?”
“Wangye just helped you, and this is what you say? You’re so ungrateful.”
“My daughter is more important than gratitude. Besides, there are plenty of ways to repay kindness; she’s my only girl.”
Watching her parents bicker, Duan Mingxi couldn’t help but smile brightly.
This is happiness, she thought. She, too, was someone’s precious treasure.
Madam Xu, though she scolded her husband, turned to her daughter and said, “Your father is right. Wangye’s kindness is something we can repay. Don’t let it make you feel like you’re lesser.”
Mingxi clung to her mother’s arm, playfully whining, “Then you both must stay healthy and always have my back.”
“You silly girl,” Madam Xu said as she led her daughter inside. “Have they been bullying you at the Marquis’s residence?”
Duan Mingxi remembered she had serious matters to discuss. She turned to her father and said, “Dad, I have something important to talk about—something big for our family.”
Duan Pingchang immediately followed her in, asking, “What is it? Has the Marquis’s family wronged you again? I’ll go settle accounts with them!”
He felt emboldened now, with support to lean on.
He had long been displeased with how the Marquis’s family treated his daughter. Worst-case scenario, he’d tear up all ties and bring her back.
