“This humble consort pay respects to the Empress.”
“This humble woman greets the Empress.”
Mingxi followed behind Consort Shu, stepping forward to offer her greetings.
The Kunde Palace was already packed with people—concubines, titled ladies, and several noble young women who had recently been granted imperial marriages. The entire hall glittered with golden light, dazzling silks, and brocade fabrics, creating a spectacular display.
“Rise.”
The Empress’s voice was gentle and composed, revealing nothing of her current mood.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Consort Shu rose with a smile, leading Duan Mingxi to their seats.
Duan Mingxi followed closely, her gaze steady and her posture upright. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Chu Qingying winking at her from across the hall. Mingxi responded with a faint smile before retracting her gaze.
Chu Qingying chuckled quietly to herself. Mingxi’s act of playing the obedient, well-mannered girl was quite convincing.
“Miss Duan, this must be your first time in the palace?” The Empress’s eyes landed on Duan Mingxi. “Are you adjusting well?”
The Empress’s words carried a double meaning. Everyone knew Duan Mingxi was the recently rediscovered daughter of the Dingyuan Marquis’s household. What exactly did the Empress mean by her question? Was it pure concern, or something more?
Only now did Duan Mingxi lift her gaze, meeting the Empress’s eyes. The same despised figure from her memories stared back at her.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty,” Mingxi replied. “I’m still not entirely accustomed. I even got lost in the palace earlier. Fortunately, Consort Shu had someone find me just in time. Otherwise, I would have made a fool of myself.”
Consort Shu raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, thinking to herself, Well played! Clearly, her teachings hadn’t been in vain.
If the Empress and Crown Prince dared to make a move against her, it was only fair to strike back. Since this mother-and-son pair loved creating awkward situations for others, it was time everyone learned what Duan Mingxi had endured in the palace today.
As expected, her words caused a stir in the room. The titled ladies exchanged subtle glances, their expressions unreadable.
The other imperial consorts, including the Noble Consort and Consort Xian, exchanged surprised looks as well.
Was Duan Mingxi truly naive or merely pretending to be? To say something like this in such a setting? She had essentially embarrassed the Empress in public!
Today’s banquet was hosted by the Empress herself. If anything went wrong, it would reflect poorly on her.
The Empress’s expression froze momentarily before softening again. She looked at Mingxi and spoke in a gentle tone, “I wonder which palace attendant behaved so carelessly. Rest assured, I will investigate and give you an explanation.”
The Empress’s words sounded graceful, but everyone knew they were merely for show. She would likely never bring it up again.
But Mingxi’s goal had already been achieved. Taking the opportunity to bow slightly, she replied, “Her Majesty’s fairness and sense of justice leave this humble daughter deeply grateful.”
The Empress smiled faintly and said no more, though the coldness in her gaze deepened.
So uncultured. She sneered inwardly. A merchant’s daughter raised with no sense of propriety.
The Empress thought back to the incident involving the gold hairpin and realized Duan Mingxi wouldn’t be easily manipulated.
Yet, she hadn’t anticipated that her courage would be this audacious. Did Mingxi truly believe that having Consort Shu and Duan Wang as her backers would ensure her security?
Meanwhile, Consort Xian turned to Consort Shu with a meaningful smile. “Consort Shu, your future daughter-in-law certainly has a unique charm.”
Consort Shu wasn’t blind to the subtext but responded with an oblivious laugh. “Indeed. Growing up in Jiangcheng has made her a little wild. She’s not quite like the demure young ladies here in the capital. She’s too straightforward, says what’s on her mind.”
Consort Xian faltered. Everyone knew that Mingxi had been raised in a merchant household. Now that Consort Shu had openly acknowledged it, what was there left to ridicule?
It was just like Consort Shu to anticipate others’ moves and neutralize them preemptively.
“True,” Consort Xian eventually replied, smiling thinly. “It takes courage and boldness to jump into a river to save someone. Such qualities are rare. Duan Wang is truly fortunate.”
Consort Shu smiled earnestly. “I think so too.”
Consort Xian: …
I yield.
From the sidelines, the Noble Consort had been silently observing the entire exchange. She sighed internally. Consort Xian loved sparring verbally with Consort Shu but never won. Why did she persist?
Nearby, Chu Qingying quietly sidled over to sit beside Mingxi. Leaning in, she whispered, “You’re truly bold. Where do you get the nerve to say such things?”
Duan Mingxi maintained a smile but said, “Every word I’ve said is true.”
Chu Qingying looked at her in surprise. “You were really deceived?”
Duan Mingxi nodded slightly. “If not for luck, you might never have seen me again.”
Chu Qingying frowned. “Do you know who it was?”
Duan Mingxi glanced at her but didn’t respond.
Meeting her meaningful gaze, Chu Qingying recalled how Mingxi had targeted the Empress before, and her expression shifted multiple times.
A formidable figure.
It was either the Empress or the Crown Prince.
Judging by the Empress’s reaction, it probably wasn’t her. That meant it must have been the Crown Prince. Who would have thought he’d do such a thing?
“The next time you enter the palace, I’ll go with you,” Chu Qingying said coldly.
Duan Mingxi smiled. “There won’t be a next time. Consort Shu will surely make arrangements.”
“True. Since you suffered this time, she won’t let it happen again,” Chu Qingying relaxed slightly. “I didn’t expect Consort Shu to like you so much.”
“You can tell?” Duan Mingxi smiled.
Chu Qingying snorted but noticed the increasing number of eyes on them. Feeling uncomfortable, she tossed out, “We’ll talk later,” before leaving hastily.
As Chu Qingying left, Mingxi resumed her quiet demeanor.
More and more people cast curious glances her way. Many had only heard her name before and were now surprised by her appearance.
Though from a merchant family, Mingxi showed no trace of vulgarity. Instead, her elegant aura softened her strikingly beautiful features.
It was hard to imagine such a delicate young lady had dared to jump into the water to save someone.
After a while, the Empress rose, followed by the four consorts, as everyone proceeded to the palace hall for the banquet.
Exiting Kunde Palace, Chu Qingying grabbed Yao Yunyi and quickly found Duan Mingxi. The three walked together.
Yao Yunyi gave Duan Mingxi a thumbs-up. “You’re impressive. You even dared to speak like that in front of the Empress.”
Exposing the Empress’s shortcomings—bold.
Duan Mingxi replied earnestly, “I’m a victim. How could I not answer the Empress’s kind inquiries sincerely?”
Yao Yunyi clicked her tongue but then lowered her voice. “Were you really taken away?”
Duan Mingxi had no intention of covering for the Crown Prince. “Thankfully, Duan Wang arrived quickly.”
“It must be about that golden hairpin,” Chu Qingying said angrily. “Everyone’s saying the Empress wants you as the Crown Prince’s side consort, but Consort Shu and Duan Wang stood in the way.”
Duan Mingxi’s face darkened. What nonsense!
“There’s no such thing,” Duan Mingxi quickly clarified. “If the Empress really had that intention, the golden hairpin she gave me wouldn’t have been less valuable than the one she gave Fu Liangdi.”
Mingxi wanted to solidify this point to avoid giving the Empress and Crown Prince any opportunity to slander Consort Shu and Duan Wang.
Failing to take her, they resorted to tarnishing their rivals.
The Crown Prince had used such tactics often in her past life. She didn’t expect, after being reborn, to experience it firsthand so soon.
Shameless!
