As the Dragon Boat Festival approached, the race had become the most anticipated event in the capital. Duan Pingjing had rented a location by the lake specifically for this purpose.
Not only did he register participants and take bets, but he also provided detailed information about each participating team.
Duan Mingxi had a plan in mind. To set an example, Duan Pingjing, the second master of the Marquis household, publicly posted information about his family’s team for bettors to reference.
This immediately drew in a large number of bets, which in turn encouraged other teams to follow suit. Many provided their team details to attract attention and increase their odds of winning.
In just a few days, the number of team profiles displayed by Duan Pingjing surged, and some highly skilled teams quickly gained popularity.
Seeing this trend, hesitant teams decided to join in as well, submitting their profiles to be posted.
Duan Pingjing became an overnight sensation, with a constant stream of visitors seeking a favorable spot on the ranking list.
Second Master Duan had never been so popular in his life. When he first took on Mingxi’s task, he never imagined it would lead to such a lively scene.
The more attention he received, the more cautious Duan Mingjing became. He politely declined invitations to drinks and requests for favors, making it clear that the rankings on the board were determined first by registration order and then by betting results.
From the restaurant near Longhu, the Crown Prince watched the bustling Duan family’s stall through the window. The stream of visitors—rich and poor alike—was a rare sight.
Chen Chang, a staff member of the Eastern Palace, followed the Crown Prince’s gaze and spoke slowly. “The Dingyuan Marquis Residence has certainly stolen the limelight this time. Especially Duan Mingjing. He wasn’t obscure before, but he wasn’t well-known in the capital either. Now, everyone knows his name.”
Liang Xun, dressed in a bamboo-green robe, frowned slightly at these words. “Indeed. The Dingyuan Marquis Residence used to rely solely on the old marquis’s reputation. Things are different now.”
“Who’s the one accompanying Duan Mingjing?” the Crown Prince asked.
“That’s Duan Qi, the youngest son of the Marquis. He studied at the Jiang family’s school in Luozhou and recently returned,” Liang Xun replied.
“At the Jiang family’s school?” The Crown Prince’s eyes narrowed. “I recall that Duan Mingxi has a poor relationship with the Jiang family.”
“The matter of Jiang Bingyuan caused a huge uproar before; it’s widely known,” Chen Chang added, his tone subtly shifting as he spoke.
Liang Xun and Chen Chang exchanged a glance. Slowly, Liang Xun said, “Your Highness, Duan Qi was indebted to the Jiang family for his education in Luozhou, but now that he’s back in the capital and working with Duan Mingjing, the Jiang family won’t be pleased.”
Who was Duan Mingjing working for?
Duan Mingxi.
And Duan Mingxi had a feud with the Jiang family.
But now, Duan Qi working under Duan Mingjing effectively meant he was working for Duan Mingxi.
The relationships within the Dingyuan Marquis Residence were truly baffling.
“Does Duan Mingxi also have a little sister who doesn’t get along with her?” the Crown Prince asked.
“This subordinate will need to investigate further.”
“Do it quickly. I want them both approached,” the Crown Prince said with a cold laugh. “The Dingyuan Marquis Residence isn’t a monolith. Does Duan Mingxi think I can’t deal with her?”
“Understood.”
***
When Duan Mingxi returned to the Marquis Residence, she was immediately summoned by the old Marquis.
Without even stopping by her courtyard to change, she went directly to pay her respects.
“Grandfather, you called for me?” Duan Mingxi greeted him respectfully before speaking.
The old Marquis nodded and motioned to the seat opposite him. “Sit. Let’s talk.”
Mingxi sat down, uncertain about the purpose of this summons, and looked at the old Marquis.
“I heard your adoptive father organized a team for the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau?”
Duan Mingxi wasn’t surprised the old Marquis had heard the news, but she hadn’t expected it so soon. “Where did Grandfather hear about this?”
The old Marquis observed her. “Your adoptive father’s frequent visits to the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau have not gone unnoticed by keen eyes.”
It was a warning.
Mingxi nodded slightly, then smiled. “I didn’t expect to keep it a secret for long. Tomorrow, the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau’s information will also be posted on the notice board.”
Hearing this, the old Marquis understood she had planned for this. “What are you trying to do?”
“To help Xu Donglin earn some legitimate silver and pave the way for my adoptive father,” Mingxi replied.
The old Marquis frowned deeply. “What are you scheming this time? The Four Divisions and Eighteen Bureaus are not places for you to meddle. A single mistake, and you could bring disaster upon yourself.”
“I know.” Duan Mingxi chuckled softly. “I plan to secure a government position for Second Uncle.”
The old Marquis was stunned. “You’re confident?”
The last time with Xie Fang was just a stroke of luck; such things can’t be repeated.
“I’m not confident, but I have to try,” Mingxi said softly, her gaze lowered slightly. “If Second Uncle manages the dragon boat races successfully this time, it will showcase his abilities. Once his reputation spreads, we’ll act based on the opportunities that arise.”
The old master hadn’t expected his granddaughter to be so bold, daring to push forward with no certainty of success.
“You want to leverage Xu Donglin?”
Mingxi shook her head. “If I did that, Xu Donglin would immediately turn against my adoptive father.”
These senior eunuchs cared nothing for personal relationships or face—only interests mattered to them. If something was advantageous, they’d agree to anything; if not, they’d turn hostile without hesitation.
Hearing Mingxi’s reasoning, the old master realized she had a plan in mind. The intricate connections within the Four Offices and Eighteen Bureaus were exceedingly complex and fraught with risk.
“If you know it’s dangerous, why insist on taking such a risk?” The old master, valuing stability above all at his age, naturally didn’t want the Marquis household to take unnecessary risks.
But Mingxi’s personality was entirely contrary to his expectations.
She wasn’t just decisive—she was extraordinarily bold.
“Because if we stick to conventional methods, Second Uncle’s desired official position might remain out of reach indefinitely.”
The old master felt an even bigger headache coming on. Her unexpected approach reminded him of the surprising job she had found for Duan Yu.
“Are you sure?”
“No, but I have to try. If this attempt fails, there’s always the next one. But if we don’t try at all, there won’t even be a sliver of hope.”
“What if you offend the Four Offices and Eighteen Bureaus?” the old master asked.
“We won’t. At worst, we simply won’t succeed. How would that offend anyone?” Mingxi smiled. “Don’t worry, Grandfather, I’ve thought this through.”
The old master knew he wouldn’t get more out of her. He fixed his gaze on Mingxi and said, “Be careful and don’t let youthful impulsiveness cloud your judgment.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The old master waved her off, and Mingxi stood to take her leave.
Some things stemmed from memories of her previous life, things she couldn’t possibly share. How could she explain them?
She refused to repeat the tragedies of her past life. She wanted to live the life she desired.
What if she had to risk the flames to grab the chestnuts?
What if she had to take perilous risks alone?
Could it possibly be worse than her past life?
Sometimes, you have to break the old to establish the new.
Given the Marquis’ current situation, if they didn’t fight now, even their noble title might be lost.
There was so much she needed to do in the future, and the Marquis’ household had to become her support.
Thus, helping the Dingyuan Marquis’ household rise again was essential. She didn’t believe in familial affection within the household, but she trusted in shared interests. For the sake of profit, these people would support her.
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