“Thank you,” Duan Mingxi said to Duan Qi.
“As long as Big Sister likes it,” Duan Qi replied with a cheerful smile.
Duan Huirou, watching the seemingly affectionate exchange, paled. She was bewildered. How did things turn out like this? This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
Although Duan Qi’s gift stood out, his behavior otherwise remained normal. During the meal, the Old Master and Old Madam asked about his life in Tazhou, and he provided a detailed account.
In summary, the teacher was excellent, the lectures were engaging, and the Jiang family had treated him exceptionally well.
Duan Mingxi thought to herself that whatever bad impression Jiang Bingyuan had made at the Marquis residence, Duan Qi had now smoothed it over.
Madam Jiang’s complexion improved as she listened. The Jiang family was her maiden home, and the earlier incident with Third Master Jiang had embarrassed her in the Marquis household. Now, her dignity felt restored.
Duan Mingxi remained indifferent to Madam Jiang’s evident joy. She glanced up and, by chance, met Duan Qi’s gaze. He smiled at her, and she returned a faint smile before looking away.
While Duan Qi’s return wasn’t a significant event to Mingxi, it clearly was to Duan Huirou.
The next morning, Mingxi left early to meet Liu Yunhua and others to discuss plans for the Dragon Boat Festival.
Meanwhile, Duan Huirou went to see Duan Qi.
His residence was near Duan Yu’s. When she arrived, a servant was tidying books and other items Duan Qi had brought back from Tazhou. These had just been delivered by the Jiang family that morning.
Duan Qi was busy in his study but came out to greet her when he heard she had arrived.
“Second Sister, why have you come?” he said with a smile, leading her into the main hall and instructing a maid to serve tea.
Hearing him call her “Second Sister” grated on her ears. Her expression darkened as she sat on the silvery-gray cushion and looked at him. “You used to call me Big Sister.”
Duan Qi sighed lightly. “Big Sister has been found.”
Tears welled in Duan Huirou’s eyes. “Even you are taking her side? You even prepared a gift for her but not for me.”
Duan Qi replied calmly, “Last night was my first time meeting Big Sister, so I had to observe the proper courtesies. I’ve prepared gifts for everyone and was planning to deliver them later.”
“Yet you gave hers first,” Duan Huirou said bitterly. “You used to care about me the most.”
Duan Qi looked at her with a steady gaze. The smile on his face faded, replaced by a gravity that belied his age.
“Second Sister, have you not learned any lessons from what happened with Third Uncle?”
“What?” Duan Huirou froze. “What does this have to do with me?”
Duan Qi’s expression darkened. “Nothing to do with you?”
Facing her brother’s stern gaze, Duan Huirou felt a sudden jolt in her heart, her unease evident as her expression shifted repeatedly. She mumbled incoherently, unable to respond.
Duan Qi continued, “Do you know why I didn’t return to Tazhou?”
“You said it was for your studies, wasn’t it?” she said, pouting.
“You really think that’s the reason?” Duan Qi let out a cold laugh.
That laugh sent shivers down Duan Huirou’s spine, and she snapped in annoyance, “What do you mean by that?”
“Second Sister, Eldest Sister was abducted as a child. Although the Jiangcheng Duan family treated her well, it’s still us who owe her. Why can’t you treat her better?”
“And why can’t she treat me better?” Duan Huirou suddenly stood up. “Why do all of you keep saying that? Did I wrong her? Was I the one who lost her? Why is it always my fault?”
“I’m asking you—why couldn’t you get along with Eldest Sister after she returned to the family?”
Her face stiffened, and she abruptly sat down, refusing to say another word.
“I know,” Duan Qi said coldly. “You’re afraid that if everyone is good to Eldest Sister, you’ll be overlooked, aren’t you?”
Her face turned pale, lips tightly pressed together.
Duan Qi ignored her silence and spoke on, “When Eldest Sister reconnected with us, I should have received the letter earlier. But when I did, it was delayed by a full half-month.”
Duan Huirou’s body tensed up, her breathing quickening.
“I won’t tell anyone about this,” Duan Qi said, his tone softening, “but Second Sister, if you can’t get along with Eldest Sister, then at least stop provoking her.”
Duan Huirou glared at him. “But I’m the one who grew up with you.”
“Yes, we had a happy childhood together as siblings. But what about Eldest Sister? She didn’t.” Duan Qi’s gaze softened slightly. “Second Sister, even if there’s no sibling affection, Eldest Sister is set to marry Duan Wang.”
“Our family will never produce another Wangfei. In the future, we’ll all rely on her. For your own sake, at least maintain a harmonious appearance. It’ll only help you, not harm you.”
“Who needs to rely on her?” Duan Huirou gritted her teeth.
“Are you sure? If you’ve made up your mind, I’ll let Eldest Sister know.”
“Duan Qi!” she shouted, furious and on the verge of tears. “What is wrong with you?”
Duan Qi rubbed his temples, his voice growing gentler. “Second Sister, I’ve been staying with the Jiang family recently. Because of Third Uncle’s actions, their household has been in chaos. The aunts are even threatening to divide the family.
“They may not dare offend Eldest Sister now, but they resent you because of Third Uncle’s involvement. I’m sure you’ve already felt the repercussions, haven’t you?”
Duan Huirou’s face turned even paler, her hands trembling slightly. She recalled the embarrassment of her last failed outing.
Twisting her handkerchief tightly, fear crept into her heart for the first time. In the Marquis’ household, everyone sided with Duan Mingxi. At the Jiang family, her aunts harbored hatred against her. Her current life felt like that of a rat scurrying in the gutter.
“What are you trying to say?” she asked, voice trembling. “That I should bow down to Duan Mingxi? You might as well kill me now.”
“Second Sister,” Duan Qi said calmly, “can’t you see? Eldest Sister doesn’t even care if you bow down to her. To her, neither you nor Mother matter anymore.
“To be honest, even the Marquis’ household has little significance to her now. We no longer provide her with any advantages—if anything, we’re a burden.”
“If not for this family, would she even be where she is today?” Duan Huirou shot back, staring at her brother. “Are you demeaning yourself like this?”
“Second Sister, is it that hard to face the truth? Life is long. We’re only just beginning. If you fall behind now, you’ll only fall further behind with every step. Do you want to spend your life under someone else’s thumb?”
Duan Huirou’s head pounded painfully. She felt like her brother had gone insane—completely possessed!
“Duan Qi, what exactly are you trying to do?” she demanded, her trembling hands betraying her fear.
Looking at her, Duan Qi said softly, “Second Sister, for the sake of the bond we’ve shared for more than ten years, I’m offering you a lifeline. If you miss this chance, don’t come crying to me later.”
