Marquis Guangxiang’s flower banquet?
Duan Mingxi’s expression darkened. If Madam Xiao hadn’t mentioned it, she would’ve forgotten.
Duan Huirou was friends with Yao Yunyi, the eldest daughter of the Marquis, and in her previous life, Yao Yunyi had helped Duan Huirou repeatedly suppress her.
Thinking back on past events, Duan Mingxi sneered. Perfect. If Yao Yunyi tried to scheme against her this time, she’d pay her back with interest.
She was determined to go because Duan Wang would also be at the Peony Terrace, and there was a particular incident that could provide her with the opportunity she sought.
This time, she’d take the initiative—she would not allow herself to be someone else’s stepping stone again.
As for reputation, strength brought reputation. Even if people spoke ill of you, they wouldn’t dare do so openly.
If you’re too weak, any reputation you painstakingly earn is as thin as paper, easily torn apart.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, what do you mean by that? Whose face would I disgrace?” Duan Mingxi’s gaze turned cold as she looked at Madam Xiao. “I may have grown up in Jiangcheng, but I’ve studied, know what’s right, and understand propriety.”
Madam Xiao’s face reddened with anger, and her body trembled. She thought, How well-bred could a merchant family’s child be?
Just as she was about to retort, Duan Mingxi added, “It wasn’t me who raised the household servant bold enough to sneak into the inner courtyard for a tryst. What a fine example of family discipline. Hardly shameful at all.”
Though the servant was under Duan Yu, Madam Xiao, as his wife, couldn’t escape responsibility.
Madam Xiao’s face flushed even redder, and she began to shake. “I was merely trying to remind you, out of kindness, Eldest Meimei. I didn’t expect—”
“People can’t guide others if they can’t conduct themselves well. Sister-in-law, perhaps you should manage your own household first.”
Madam Xiao looked at Duan Mingxi as if seeing a ghost. It was as though the gentle and docile girl they had welcomed back was an illusion.
Second Sister had been right—Duan Mingxi had been pretending just to be recognized by the family.
Now that she was accepted, she was unrestrained.
“You’re right, Meimei. My husband and I are ashamed over this recent incident. The household has already been thoroughly checked, and nothing like this will happen again.”
Seeing Madam Xiao’s sudden humility made Duan Mingxi wary. She remained silent, observing Madam Xiao’s true intentions.
Madam Xiao, realizing that her concession hadn’t softened Duan Mingxi, became even more obliging.
“My previous words were thoughtless. I’d like to discuss Marquis Guangxiang’s family with you, to avoid any surprises.”
Hmm?
Duan Mingxi was surprised. Was Madam Xiao actually being friendly?
But why?
Perhaps noticing Duan Mingxi’s curiosity, Madam Xiao smiled apologetically. “In the past, it was my lack of consideration that made you feel wronged. Think of this as my apology.”
Duan Mingxi couldn’t quite gauge the intentions of Madam Xiao and Duan Yu. However, this concession was to her advantage, and Duan Huirou would likely be livid when she found out.
Anything that distressed Duan Huirou pleased Duan Mingxi.
“Elder sister, you’re too kind. We’re family. It’s normal to have bumps along the way. Let’s leave the past behind.”
Anyone could say polite words; the real test was in the actions that followed.
Surprisingly, Madam Xiao gave Duan Mingxi a thorough overview of Marquis Guangxiang’s household. Duan Mingxi was startled that she was actually telling the truth.
Having lived through it once, she knew all about Marquis Guangxiang’s family, having dealt with them often. That household was even more chaotic than this one.
This time, Duan Mingxi personally escorted Madam Xiao to the door. The following day, Madam Xiao returned with servants to help her prepare new clothes, and Duan Mingxi didn’t refuse.
In her previous life, she had always acted cautiously, and even her wardrobe choices were conservative. But this time, she wanted to live as her true self, picking bold and vibrant colors she liked.
With such a beautiful face, why hide it?
Seeing this, Madam Xiao felt a bit unsettled but still praised her. Back at home, she commented to her husband, “It seems our younger sister is no ordinary person.”
Duan Yu was in a foul mood today. Two years ago, he secured a position as a Cloud Cavalry Officer, and this year, he was hoping to advance further, but things hadn’t been going smoothly.
There were some promising developments initially, but rumors spread that the Gao family had intervened, causing further delays.
“If she had been obedient and agreed to marry into the Gao family, we wouldn’t be facing these setbacks,” Duan Yu huffed.
Hearing this, Madam Xiao quickly asked, “What’s going on?”
“What else? My promotion to Commander fell through; the Gao family reached out to interfere,” Duan Yu replied with a dark expression.
Madam Xiao was incensed. “How can the Duke Gao household bully us like this?”
“That’s the way of the world. The Duke Gao family ranks higher than us, so it’s easy for them to pressure us.”
“I don’t think it’s that simple. I’ll go back to my family tomorrow and ask my father and brothers about it,” Madam Xiao said, deeply concerned about her husband’s career and increasingly dissatisfied with the Duke Gao household.
Duan Yu’s expression darkened. “I’ll go with you tomorrow.”
Madam Xiao did not agree. She replied softly, “If this truly is the work of the Gao family, rushing won’t solve anything. However, as for the matter with Eldest Meimei, I don’t think we can let it drag on any longer.”
Madam Xiao then explained everything that had transpired in the household recently to her husband in detail.
Duan Yu was taken aback. “You suspect Mingxi is behind all this? How is that possible?”
“I didn’t believe it at first either, but think about it, Husband. Hasn’t something about Eldest Meimei seemed different ever since she recovered from her last illness?”
Mentioning that incident made Duan Yu frown. “She’s just a young girl with too many schemes in her mind. What’s the point of being so calculating in a family? That day, she embarrassed herself terribly.”
“Embarrassment is a small matter. But since then, look at what’s happened: Mother’s control over the household finances is now divided among three people, Huirou’s maid Chunluo was sold off, Ma Pozi has fallen, and even you’ve been implicated. None of us has come out of this unscathed.”
Duan Yu looked at his wife, shocked. “Are you saying Mingxi orchestrated all of this?”
Madam Xiao sighed. “I don’t have evidence and can’t say for sure. But before Mingxi returned, the household was nowhere near this chaotic. And if you look at the pattern, every single person involved had some conflict with Mingxi.”
Duan Yu’s expression turned grim. After a long silence, he said, “If what you’re saying is true, how could she have accomplished all this?”
He couldn’t believe it. She’d only been back for a few days. Who in the household would even listen to her orders?
“If you don’t believe me, let’s make a bet. I’m sure the flower banquet at Marquis Guangxiang’s residence this time won’t go smoothly.”
“What do you mean?”
“Huirou has suffered repeated losses at Mingxi’s hands. When has she ever endured such humiliation? I bet she’ll try to even the score. And since Miss Yao is close to Huirou, do you think she won’t step in to help her?”
Duan Yu’s face darkened further. “That’s utter nonsense. If things spiral out of control, where does that leave the family’s reputation?”
Hearing her husband’s concern, Madam Xiao sneered internally. *The family’s reputation?*
“Let’s wait and see,” Madam Xiao said. This time, she was determined to find out if her suspicions were correct.
If Duan Mingxi came out victorious again, she would ensure they built a closer relationship in the future.
Moreover, she had begun to suspect there was a hidden secret regarding Duan Mingxi’s potential marriage to the Gao family.
She couldn’t afford to remain in the dark. If there were benefits to be had, she was determined to claim her share.
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