Whether her tongue had been blessed or not, Duan Mingxi didn’t know. But seeing Gao Zhan’s near-fainting face filled her with an immediate sense of satisfaction.
Gao Zhan’s face was dark as iron, his cold gaze fixed on Duan Mingxi. Had he desecrated her ancestral grave in a past life or something?
Xiao Muchen’s eyes swept over Gao Zhan’s dark expression. Unhurriedly, he remarked, “Gao Zhan, if you cannot correct yourself, how dare you criticize others? You’d best handle your situation with Miss Bai first.”
Gao Zhan’s face darkened further, and he fell silent. The blows weren’t just to his pride but to his lungs as well.
“Myself and Miss Duan will spare the Crown Prince from further disturbance.” Xiao Muchen grabbed Duan Mingxi’s hand, bowed to the Crown Prince, and left with her.
Duan Mingxi could feel the Crown Prince’s gaze on her, making her extremely uncomfortable. She didn’t look back and followed Duan Wang away.
After walking some distance, she realized Xiao Muchen was still holding her hand. She cleared her throat lightly and tried to withdraw it.
Xiao Muchen glanced sideways at her. “Xixi, is this burning the bridge after crossing it?”
Feeling inexplicably guilty, Duan Mingxi quickly replied, “Even if we are to marry, it is still improper to act so intimately in public.”
“So, when you need me, I’m your devoted fiancé for building rapport, but once you don’t, you draw a clear line. Xixi, you really have a heart of stone.”
Duan Mingxi: …
Using a slight tug, she managed to free her hand. This version of Duan Wang was so different from the one in her memories that she often wondered if her recollections were wrong.
This time, Xiao Muchen didn’t grab her hand again. Instead, he said, “I’ll escort you home.”
Duan Mingxi didn’t refuse. Having Duan Wang accompany her back to the Marquis’s residence would serve as a warning to Madam Jiang and her daughter not to create trouble during the Dragon Boat Festival.
Xiao Muchen escorted her to the gate of the Marquis’s residence. Though he didn’t enter, his presence stirred the entire household, cementing the impression that Duan Wang was especially attentive to Duan Mingxi.
Madam Jiang didn’t even have the energy to feel angry anymore. In fact, she now harbored a faint sense of dread toward her daughter.
Even Duan Huirou, despite any lingering discontent, didn’t dare to voice her thoughts. She spent her days shut up in her courtyard, refusing to step out.
Meanwhile, Duan Qi, who had been living with the Jiang family, returned to the Marquis’s residence, reviving the lively atmosphere in Rongan Hall.
Mingxi was informed of a welcome dinner for her younger brother, Duan Qi, to celebrate his return.
Though she wasn’t particularly interested, she changed into fresh attire and made her way to Rongan Hall in time for the meal, partly out of respect for the Old Madam, with whom she’d been getting along well lately.
Mingxi had little impression of Duan Qi. In her previous life, she hadn’t seen him before her marriage, and their interactions after she got married were few and far between. To her, he was almost a non-entity.
When she saw her younger brother at the Old Madam’s residence, his bright, gentle smile accompanied by a cheerful “Elder Sister” left her somewhat taken aback.
Duan Mingxi returned his greeting with a faint smile. “Third Brother.”
Though the Old Madam disapproved of Duan Qi’s closeness to the Jiang family, she tolerated it as he had secured an excellent tutor through their connections.
Madam Xiao busied herself with serving tea, smiling as she spoke to Mingxi, “Now that Third Brother has returned for good, it’s wonderful to have the family together. Studying in Tazhou may be beneficial, but it’s so far from home.”
Mingxi was surprised. In her previous life, Duan Qi had remained in Tazhou for his studies, not even returning for her wedding. Yet now, he was back for good?
“So long as one achieves academic success, the location doesn’t matter much,” Mingxi replied to Madam Xiao.
Seated beside Mingxi, Duan Qingyin glanced at Duan Qi before smiling warmly. “It’s good that Third Brother is back. A family reunion is always a joyous occasion.”
Soon, the Second and Third Madams arrived, bringing their sons—Duan Zhen, Duan Chen, Duan Heng, and Duan Xun—adding to the lively gathering.
With Duan Min and Duan Rong seated on either side of Mingxi, the room buzzed with laughter and conversation.
Having spent much of his time studying away, Duan Qi was unfamiliar to his younger siblings. Those closest to his age, like Duan Heng, struck up a friendly rapport.
The Old Madam watched her bustling family, her joy evident. The Second and Third Madams also joined in, engaging the Old Madam in lighthearted banter. Before long, Madam Jiang arrived with Duan Huirou.
Madam Xiao, as a dutiful daughter-in-law, went to greet them. Mingxi remained seated, motionless.
Between conversations, Duan Qi glanced at Mingxi, his smile faltering momentarily. Then, rising to his feet, he went to greet his mother and elder sister politely.
Madam Jiang, looking radiant, seemed rejuvenated now that her youngest son was back, her eldest son’s career was stabilizing, and her youngest daughter had ceased causing trouble.
Not long after, the Marquis and his sons arrived, with Duan Yu trailing in last.
Observing the formalities surrounding Duan Qi’s return, Mingxi reevaluated his standing within the family. Outwardly, however, her expression remained serene.
The old master began by asking Mingxi, “I heard that Duan Wang escorted you back today?”
Duan Mingxi smiled, “Yes.”
Sitting beside Madam Jiang, Duan Huirou stiffened. She really couldn’t fathom what Duan Wang saw in her.
Madam Jiang, now terribly afraid of her elder daughter and worried about her younger daughter causing trouble, quickly patted Huirou’s hand to comfort her.
This ill-starred one was best left unprovoked; it was safer to avoid her altogether.
Seeing that Mingxi had nothing more to add, the old master nodded slightly and reminded her, “Although you have a betrothal, as a young lady, you should avoid meeting with Duan Wang too frequently.”
“I will listen to grandfather,” Mingxi replied sweetly.
The old master nodded in satisfaction. If there was one thing he liked about his eldest granddaughter, it was that she always showed proper respect to her elders, regardless of her actions behind the scenes.
After speaking with Mingxi, the old master turned to Duan Qi. “So you’ve returned for good this time?”
Duan Qi stood up and replied, “Grandfather, the tutor in Tazhou has fallen ill and won’t be resuming classes anytime soon, so they allowed me to return to the capital. Considering that I must take the imperial exams next year, I thought it would be better to stay here and prepare, rather than wasting time traveling back and forth. After the exams, I can decide whether to return to Tazhou.”
Hearing this, Mingxi was surprised. In her previous life, she had little interaction with Duan Qi and only knew he was close to Duan Huirou. She hadn’t expected him to be so composed and capable at such a young age, speaking and acting with such poise.
No wonder the old master had personally come out to greet him today—clearly, he valued him greatly.
The second master seemed surprised. “At such a critical juncture, if you’re staying in the capital, you’ll need a good tutor. Otherwise, it could harm your chances next year.”
Duan Qi looked at the second master and said, “You’re right, Uncle. Before leaving, my tutor gave me a letter of recommendation. Tomorrow, I plan to visit a new tutor.”
The second master grew curious. “And who is this tutor being recommended?”
“Teacher Zhou, Zhou Ying,” Duan Qi replied with a smile.
At that, the entire room was taken aback.
The old madam, beaming with delight, asked, “Do you mean Teacher Zhou Ying, the current compiler at the Hanlin Academy, who once led the compilation of the Records of Emperor Mingzong?”
“That’s correct,” Duan Qi confirmed.
Mingxi was equally astonished. This was unexpected.
It seemed Duan Qi had come back well-prepared.
