The majestic palace loomed at the very center of the imperial city, like a giant beast overlooking everything below.
Under the sunlight, the multicolored glazed tiles shimmered with a dazzling brilliance. Palace servants bustled to and fro, each with their heads lowered and eyes averted, walking swiftly.
The carriage came to a stop outside the palace gates. Duan Mingxi stepped out, but Qiancao, was not permitted to enter the palace and had to wait in the carriage.
After disembarking, Mingxi was led by a palace servant down a cobblestone path through the palace grounds. The towering palace walls receded behind her with each step, and one palace gate after another seemed to stretch on endlessly.
Rounding a corner, she caught a glimpse of someone up ahead, but the hem of their dress vanished around the bend in the blink of an eye.
Duan Mingxi walked through the gate where the skirt had disappeared. The servant leading her quickened their pace.
Duan Mingxi’s expression darkened slightly. This was not the path to the Cuiwei Palace where Consort Shu resided.
Assuming it was her first visit to the palace and that she wouldn’t know her way around, the servant had brazenly led her down a route that clearly diverged from the one to Cuiwei Palace.
Maintaining her composure, Duan Mingxi followed silently, though her wariness had reached its peak.
After passing through another corridor, the servant led her into a courtyard. The red walls and green tiles were partly concealed by hanging vines, and the building ahead had three sections, far too modest for a consort’s residence.
Duan Mingxi slowed her steps slightly, blocking the young eunuch’s retreat. She regarded him with a faint, enigmatic smile.
“Gonggong, are you saying Consort Shu lives in a place like this?”
The young eunuch’s expression remained unchanged as he replied earnestly, “This servant is merely following orders to bring Miss Duan here.”
Duan Mingxi looked at the person in front of her, completely unafraid. It was evident that in a place as ruthless as the palace, he must have committed countless misdeeds, for he showed no trace of reverence.
“Oh?” Duan Mingxi chuckled softly. With a swift kick, she shut the courtyard gate and stood in front of it. “If that’s the case, I suppose you’ll have to keep me company here.”
The young eunuch’s expression finally changed. He barked out in a mix of bravado and fear, “Miss Duan, this is the palace! Such unruly behavior won’t be tolerated.”
“The palace is a place of strict rules. You brought a guest, who entered by imperial decree, to such an area without permission. I wonder which regulation you’ve violated and what punishment awaits if this comes to light.”
The eunuch’s face stiffened as he replied, “This servant is merely following orders. Miss Duan, there’s no need to worry. Someone simply wishes to meet you.”
Before Duan Mingxi could respond, a figure caught her eye. Turning her head, she saw the Crown Prince emerge from behind a screen wall, dressed in a robe embroidered with three-clawed dragons.
Youthful elegance that could grace a painting, paired with a demeanor so distinct it defied replication.
In terms of appearance, the Crown Prince was no less than Duan Wang. While the latter exuded an unapproachable coldness, the Crown Prince’s gentle smile made him seem as warm as the moonlight embracing the earth.
“Miss Duan, it’s been a while.”
A myriad of thoughts flashed through Duan Mingxi’s mind, but she had no choice but to kneel and greet him. “This subject’s daughter greets Your Highness.”
“No need for formalities,” the Crown Prince said with an easy smile. “I invited you here today to ask you a few questions. There’s no need to be afraid.”
Though his smile seemed kind and approachable, Duan Mingxi knew that anyone truly gentle and thoughtful would not have had her brought to such a place. It was clear that the Crown Prince was decisive and shrewd, merely adept at hiding it.
“What does Your Highness wish to ask?” Duan Mingxi’s expression revealed doubt and unease. “I’m not sure what matter requires Your Highness to personally inquire.”
“Is Xie Fang one of your people?”
The sudden mention of Xie Fang caused Duan Mingxi’s heart to skip a beat, though she feigned confusion. “Your Highness, Lord Xie is a relative of my third aunt. Please, don’t speak carelessly; if my third aunt hears of this, she might be upset.”
“Xie Fang has gone to great lengths for your adoptive father. Quite surprising.”
The Crown Prince’s tone remained mild and even carried a trace of warmth, but Duan Mingxi dared not let her guard down. The gentler someone seemed, the more ruthless they could be.
“Your Highness, I asked my third aunt for help. Lord Xie only lent his aid out of respect for her. However, he is indeed an excellent official. Upon learning my adoptive father had been framed, he stepped in to help. I am deeply grateful.”
Duan Mingxi’s expression showed heartfelt gratitude, but a spark of defiance burned in her eyes as she continued, almost confrontationally, “Your Highness, since you’ve gone to such lengths to bring me here for questioning, I assume you’ve investigated the grievances between me and the Jiang family.”
The Crown Prince chuckled softly and spoke with a hint of melancholy. “That day, when Royal Mother sent you the golden hairpin, it brought me joy for quite a while.”
Duan Mingxi: …
An ominous feeling crept over her.
“Your Highness, please watch your words,” Duan Mingxi said, adopting a startled and displeased expression. “The golden hairpin was merely a reward from Her Majesty for saving lives.”
“Oh, is that so?” The Crown Prince’s tone carried a trace of regret.
Duan Mingxi felt a chill down her spine, growing increasingly wary. She quickly added, “Of course.”
The Crown Prince took a step closer, his gaze fixed on her.
Duan Mingxi frowned and retreated a step, her heart pounding like a drum as she wondered if she could still escape the palace alive after striking the Crown Prince.
“I thought you already knew,” he said, his tone tinged with sadness and longing, his eyes brimming with unspoken emotion.
Duan Mingxi looked at him blankly. “Knew what, Your Highness?”
The Crown Prince gazed at Duan Mingxi’s delicate face. Her dazed expression didn’t appear to be feigned, and his eyes darkened slightly as he murmured, “If Consort Shu hadn’t taken the initiative, you should have entered the Eastern Palace.”
Hearing this, Duan Mingxi finally understood the Crown Prince’s intentions. He was trying to sow discord between her, Consort Shu and Duan Wang.
By saying she was supposed to enter the Eastern Palace but not specifying her role, he was clearly trying to imply that she could have been the Crown Princess.
In the eyes of the world, the position of Crown Princess was far more prestigious than that of Duan Wangfei.
First, he had tested her resolve using Xie Fang’s matter, trying to unsettle her. Then, he used the Crown Princess’s title to provoke her dissatisfaction with Consort Shu and Duan Wang.
And now, he donned this facade of reluctant, deep affection. If it were any other woman, she might have fallen straight into his trap.
Cunning. Utterly cunning. Too cunning.
If she hadn’t seen his true nature in her previous life, facing such a seemingly sincere and affectionate expression now, she might not have been able to discern the truth.
Was all of this really necessary?
The Crown Prince actually resorted to using a honey trap on her?
Did she even deserve this treatment?
Whether she did or didn’t, Duan Mingxi wasn’t moved—she was, in fact, disgusted.
Just then, the courtyard gate was suddenly kicked open.
With a loud bang, dust filled the air.
The Crown Prince abruptly leaned forward, reaching out as if to grab Duan Mingxi. Startled, she stepped back sharply, dodging his grasp.
As her body moved backward, someone suddenly seized her arm. Instinctively, she prepared to kick her captor, but then she heard a familiar voice.
“Xixi, it’s me!”
