Duan Mingxi returned Bai Shixi’s gaze with a calm smile, certain that Bai Shixi hadn’t noticed her brief observation of Duan Wang.
As she considered this, Bai Shixi approached her with a wine cup in hand.
The hall was bustling with activity. Some guests were offering toasts to the emperor, while others conversed with the imperial consorts. The empress and four consorts were surrounded by attendees, and the emperor’s area was filled with laughter and cheer.
Every noble present seized every opportunity to curry favor with those in power.
Chu Qingying was busy accompanying Yu Wangfei, and Yao Yunyi followed her mother. Even Liu Yunhua, who had waved at her earlier, stayed close to her own family, mingling in the crowd.
Only Duan Mingxi sat alone.
Bai Shixi seated herself beside Duan Mingxi and lightly clinked their wine cups together, smiling. “Today is a joyous occasion. Let’s have a drink together.”
Duan Mingxi raised her cup.
After taking a sip, Bai Shixi remarked softly, “I noticed earlier how well Duan Wang treats you. His eyes rarely leave you.”
Duan Mingxi thought to herself that feigned affection was naturally convincing. Outwardly, she feigned shyness, replying, “Don’t tease me. Wangye only takes extra care of me because I have no family here to accompany me.”
At the mention of family, Bai Shixi’s expression shifted slightly. She sighed, “You and I are the same. Family is nothing more than a title to people like us.”
From this remark, Duan Mingxi could sense that Bai Shixi’s life in Duke Zhen’s household wasn’t as rosy as it seemed.
Her curiosity piqued, she asked, “Did Bai Zhiwei cause you trouble again?”
Bai Shixi smiled wryly at Duan Mingxi. “Of course. Over a decade of favoritism isn’t something that changes overnight. Surely, you can relate.”
The gossip surrounding Duan Mingxi’s family situation had spread throughout the capital after Jiang Bingyuan’s scandal.
“I can indeed.” Duan Mingxi let a trace of bitterness show on her face. “Here’s to shared struggles. Cheers.”
Bai Shixi chuckled and sipped her wine. “Don’t overdo it at the banquet and risk embarrassing yourself. Let’s keep it light today. Once we’re out of the palace, we can drink properly together.”
“Alright.” At this moment, Duan Mingxi could feel Bai Shixi’s sincerity. “In the future, we will definitely live better lives, relying not on our families, but on ourselves.”
Bai Shixi paused briefly before sighing softly. “I hope so.”
But deep down, she knew it might not be possible.
The Crown Prince had married her because of her family’s power, Duke Zhen’s household.
But Duan Wang had chosen Mingxi because of who she was.
How could the two situations possibly be the same?
Right now, she genuinely envied Mingxi.
Marrying into the Eastern Palace meant she had to maintain good relations with her maternal family to establish herself.
But Mingxi didn’t have to struggle like this. She didn’t have to bow her head to her family; instead, the Dingyuan Marquis’s household had to cater to her.
Watching the trace of confusion and loss flash across Bai Shixi’s face, Duan Mingxi quickly understood her predicament.
For Bai Shixi to come and drink with her despite such circumstances showed genuine friendship. Softening her tone, she offered some advice: “The path is one you have to carve for yourself. You’ll be the Crown Princess in the future. You have to stand on your own for others to respect you.”
“But how can I stand on my own?” Bai Shixi gave a bitter smile. “Mingxi, you don’t understand.”
Duan Mingxi responded firmly, “No matter how hard or bitter the road, can it really be worse than when you were confined to the boudoir? The moment you stepped into the Eastern Palace, you stopped being the second daughter of the Bai family and became the lofty Crown Princess. That alone is enough.”
Bai Shixi froze.
Lowering her voice, Duan Mingxi added, “Instead of making things hard on yourself, why not make things hard for others? Life is only a few decades long—why should you always be the one to suffer?”
Bai Shixi was stunned. She turned her head to look at Mingxi, finally understanding how Mingxi had quickly established herself in the Dingyuan Marquis’s household and trampled Duan Huirou underfoot.
Seeing Bai Shixi’s expression, Mingxi knew her words had sunk in.
Bai Shixi was inherently gentle, allowing Bai Zhiwei to take advantage and suppress her.
She had spent years in the Duke’s household as an invisible presence, accustomed to staying low-profile and enduring quietly.
So Mingxi intentionally stoked the resentment buried deep within her—who wanted to remain invisible forever? Who wanted to be the one who always suffered?
As long as there was discontent in her heart, she would rise up and fight back.
Moreover, given that Mingxi and the Crown Prince were destined to oppose each other, building a good relationship with Bai Shixi now might prove useful in the future.
When Bai Shixi returned to her seat, her expression remained calm, but her eyes now carried a subtle difference.
Liu Yunhua approached with a wine cup in hand and looked at Mingxi. “Since when did you and the second Miss Bai get so close?”
Bai Shixi had even taken the initiative to drink with Mingxi, which was surprising.
Mingxi turned her head to Liu Yunhua. “What are you doing here?”
“Why shouldn’t I be here?”
The two exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter.
“I saw you sitting all alone, so I came over to keep you company,” Liu Yunhua said with a slight tilt of her head.
“Well, thank you very much.” Mingxi clinked her cup lightly against Liu Yunhua’s and smiled.
Liu Yunhua quickly stopped her from drinking further. “Just a sip is enough. Don’t get drunk.”
“Alright.” Mingxi nodded slightly and merely touched the wine to her lips before setting the cup down. “Why aren’t you with Duchess Rong?”
“Same old every year. I told her I was coming to chat with you, and she let me go,” Liu Yunhua said with a giggle.
Mingxi had saved Liu Yan’s life before, and Duchess Rong was grateful. Knowing that Mingxi might not be used to such occasions, she had allowed her daughter to accompany her.
Mingxi cast a glance in the direction of Duchess Rong and then turned back to Liu Yunhua. “Thank the Duchess for me.”
“Why only thank her? Shouldn’t you thank me too?” Liu Yunhua pretended to be angry.
“Of course, I must also thank you,” Mingxi replied smoothly.
After scanning their surroundings, Liu Yunhua leaned in and whispered, “Did you hear about the commotion at Duke Zhen’s household yesterday?”
Mingxi shook her head. “No.”
“I heard that Duchess Gao had a falling out with Bai Zhiwei. Bai Zhiwei and Gao Zhan had an argument, and when she returned home, she even threatened to break off the engagement,” Liu Yunhua said with a tut.
Mingxi was surprised. “Really?”
“Apparently, Bai Zhiwei felt humiliated because Bai Shixi was about to become the Crown Princess, while she, the legitimate eldest daughter, lost all face.”
“But she’s already engaged to Gao Zhan. Can she break it off and marry the Crown Prince instead?” Duan Mingxi sneered.
“It’s not impossible,” Liu Yunhua replied with a cold smile. “They’re only engaged, not married yet. Besides, you had a hand in setting up this engagement back then.
The Empress’s attitude toward you is rather subtle. If Bai Zhiwei were to exploit it, she might succeed, depending on Duke Zhen’s stance.”
Duan Mingxi’s face darkened. “Are you saying Bai Zhiwei wants to step on me to rise up?”
She must be courting death!
