Hearing Xiao Muchen’s voice, Duan Mingxi immediately lowered her foot and turned around, looking at him in surprise.
She hadn’t expected him to come looking for her.
Seeing the astonishment on her face, Xiao Muchen’s anger, which had been burning in his eyes moments ago, seemed to be extinguished in an instant. His gaze reflected her image.
“Wangye, why are you here?” Duan Mingxi resisted the urge to shake off Xiao Muchen’s hand and instead stood beside him, adopting a weak and helpless demeanor.
Xiao Muchen: …
If not for having witnessed her bravery in saving lives at Yuguan Mountain, one might truly be deceived by her at this moment.
What a little trickster.
Positioning Duan Mingxi behind him, Xiao Muchen finally turned his gaze to the Crown Prince.
By now, the Crown Prince had retreated to his original place, wearing a gentle smile as refreshing as a spring breeze, still maintaining the image of the magnanimous and elegant heir in everyone’s eyes.
“Elder Brother, if Xixi ever gets lost in the palace again, just let me know. I’ll personally escort her back,” Xiao Muchen said with his usual stern demeanor, but there was an unmistakable chill emanating from his expression, like ice refusing to melt.
“Very well,” the Crown Prince replied with a smile. “Royal Father’s birthday banquet is about to begin. Fourth Brother, why don’t you take your fourth sister-in-law and return first?”
The term “Fourth sister-in-law” made Duan Mingxi feel a surge of disgust.
This man, who had just been plotting to steal Xiao Muchen’s beloved moments ago, now uttered the term “Fourth sister-in-law” without the slightest change in expression.
Xiao Muchen took Mingxi’s hand and led her out of the small courtyard. She didn’t resist. But as they stepped out, she couldn’t help but glance back.
Under the sunlight, the Crown Prince’s once-noble demeanor seemed to fade, and the slight curve of his lips carried a hint of roguishness.
Their eyes locked in an instant, his sharp gaze meeting hers with a force that startled her.
The Crown Prince before her and the one in her memories seemed to have become two entirely different people.
Though they should have overlapped, there was a clear contradiction between them.
Suddenly, Mingxi felt her hand tighten, snapping her back to the present. Turning her head, she found Xiao Muchen watching her intently, clearly displeased by her backward glance.
Without saying a word, she allowed him to pull her away at a brisk pace.
Through the courtyard gates, the Crown Prince watched their retreating figures, his gaze lingering on their intertwined hands.
They walked for what seemed like forever, crossing countless corridors until they reached a secluded spot. Only then did Xiao Muchen stop.
Mingxi immediately pulled her hand away, lifting her head to meet his gaze.
Xiao Muchen stared at her and said firmly, “Next time you enter the palace, don’t follow anyone so easily.”
Mingxi replied calmly, “Wangye, this is my first time in the palace. I’m unfamiliar with the paths.”
Her secret of reincarnation was something she would never reveal. Technically, this was indeed her first visit. If she had pointed out earlier that the eunuch had led her the wrong way, how would she have explained it?
She had no choice but to go along with the situation.
Thus, she explained herself seriously to Xiao Muchen.
After all, they were allies now, and she didn’t want to create unnecessary friction over such a small issue.
Xiao Muchen studied her serene expression, pressing his lips into a thin line. “I failed to consider everything. This won’t happen again.”
Duan Mingxi gave him a skeptical look, feeling as though their conversation was entirely mismatched.
Xiao Muchen turned his gaze toward the distance. “The Crown Prince is deeply calculating. Don’t be fooled by his appearance and fall into his traps.”
Hearing this, Duan Mingxi nodded in agreement. “Wangye is absolutely right. The Crown Prince told me he was delighted that the Empress sent me golden hairpins as a gift.”
The Crown Prince Wants to Steal What’s Yours—Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You.
Xiao Muchen’s gaze darkened instantly, his expression turning icier. “How did you respond?”
“The Crown Prince said that if Consort Shu hadn’t acted first, I should have entered the Eastern Palace.”
Xiao Muchen’s face completely sank.
“But what does that have to do with me? I’ve never once considered entering the Eastern Palace. I also told His Highness the Crown Prince that truthfully. Please rest assured, Wangye—I’ve already formed an alliance with you, and I won’t betray it.”
Xiao Muchen suddenly smiled. “Really?”
Duan Mingxi looked at Xiao Muchen. Though he was smiling, his eyes brimmed with a chilling calmness and ambition, with waves of suppressed ferocity beneath the surface. She couldn’t fully understand it, but it was both restrained and scorching.
She thought to herself, thank goodness she was his ally and not his enemy. At this moment, he made her heart race with unease.
Cold sweat seeped into her palms.
She averted her eyes slightly, feeling uncomfortable under this intangible pressure.
“Let’s go,” Xiao Muchen said as he retracted his gaze, once again taking Duan Mingxi’s hand.
Mingxi struggled slightly. “Wangye, there’s no one else here.”
Meaning, there’s no need to keep up the act.
Xiao Muchen didn’t let go, instead tightening his grip. “Xixi, failure often comes from small details. My father knows I care deeply for you, which is why I pleaded for this marriage. Deceiving the emperor is a crime I cannot bear.”
Duan Mingxi: …
Her struggling hand gave up. Fine, you begged for the marriage—your logic wins!
Xiao Muchen held Mingxi’s hand as they appeared at Consort Shu’s Cuiwei Palace. Consort Shu, seeing the scene, nearly spat out her tea.
Was this still her son?
It wasn’t just Consort Shu who was stunned to the point of losing composure; the palace servants in Cuiwei Palace were equally shocked.
Their Wangye had always avoided women like the plague. Even among the servants by Consort Shu’s side, he barely remembered any faces. Only Hu Momo, Xuecen, and Nanjiao were fortunate enough to be remembered by him.
But now, the very same Wangye who treated women like a flood to be escaped was actually holding a beauty’s hand!
Hu Momo was the first to react. She quickly stepped forward and greeted them, “This old servant greets Your Highness and Miss Duan.”
Ah, so this was the future Duan Wangfei!
No wonder!
It was the Wangfei their Wangye had personally chosen. He had pleaded with Consort Shu for a long time before she finally relented and sought an imperial decree for the marriage from the emperor.
As expected, what one cherishes is a treasure—just look at Wangye’s behavior.
This Miss Duan is truly fortunate.
Duan Mingxi couldn’t shake the feeling that the people in Cuiwei Palace were looking at her oddly, almost as if she were some sort of amusing spectacle.
She instinctively tried to free her hand again, but Xiao Muchen glanced at her.
Recognizing the situation, Duan Mingxi gave up struggling.
She had forgotten that Xiao Muchen wasn’t just deeply enamored with her in front of the emperor; he also acted utterly devoted to her in front of his mother, Consort Shu.
This performance left her feeling awkward inside, though her face remained composed.
Consort Shu glanced at her son, who was grinning foolishly with an almost glowing happiness, then at Duan Mingxi, who appeared calm and indifferent. Something about this didn’t quite sit right with her.
Upon closer thought, Huh, my son is such a gem. He doesn’t indulge in drinking, gambling, or any vices. Handsome, suave, remarkably talented, and an outstanding young man.
And yet, Duan Mingxi looks at him like he’s just a piece of wood—completely unmoved.
She actually doesn’t fancy my amazing son?
Consort Shu was not pleased!
As her expression shifted, Xiao Muchen entered with Mingxi in tow and casually dropped a bombshell: “The Crown Prince had someone lure Mingxi away, but fortunately, I noticed in time and brought her back.”
Noble Consort Shu immediately flared up. “What?!”
The Crown Prince still wouldn’t give up!
Well, of course not. Anyone her son fancied would naturally be the best!
If the Crown Prince wanted to take her away? Over her dead body!
Not even a crack in the window would be left for him!
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