After returning from the Old Master’s residence, Mingxi was surprised to find Duan Qi waiting for her.
“Big Sister,” Duan Qi greeted her with a smile.
Qiancao quickly added, “Miss, the Third Young Master insisted on waiting for you.”
Mingxi was somewhat surprised by his visit. Thinking of the ivory carving from last time, she asked, “Third Brother, what brings you here? Is something the matter?”
“There is something I’d like to share.” Duan Qi followed Mingxi into the room and handed her an item. “Big Sister, take a look at this first.”
Duan Mingxi accepted it, smiling. “Have a seat,” she said before instructing the servants to bring tea.
Only then did she lower her gaze to examine what Duan Qi had brought. What she saw left her astonished.
It was a detailed report listing the teams participating in the Dragon Boat Race, including betting amounts, rankings, team strengths, and the supporters behind each team.
“You compiled this yourself?” Mingxi asked, genuinely surprised. She knew such information because of her memories from a past life, but how did Duan Qi know?
Duan Qi nodded. “When I was studying at the Jiang household in Luozhou, I often read miscellaneous books to pass the time and picked up some knowledge from my teachers.”
That explained it.
“What made you think to do this?” Mingxi inquired, curious.
“Second Uncle’s notice board inspired me. I reorganized the recent registrations and bet amounts into a clearer format, making it easier for common folk to understand.”
Mingxi looked at him thoughtfully. In her past life, she barely interacted with Duan Qi and knew little about him. But the person standing before her now seemed to be the most intelligent among the younger generation of the Duan family.
Seeing Mingxi remain silent, Duan Qi asked, “Big Sister, do you not like this?”
Duan Mingxi snapped out of her thoughts. “I’m just surprised. I didn’t expect you to do something like this.”
“Big Sister, you’ve been working tirelessly for the family. I couldn’t just sit idle. I wanted to help in my small way. Unfortunately, my abilities are limited, and I can’t do much,” Duan Qi said with a sigh.
Mingxi smiled and gestured to the report in her hands. “If this is what you call limited, what hope is there for others?”
“Do you think I’m smart, Big Sister?”
Meeting Duan Qi’s expectant gaze, Duan Mingxi’s emotions became complex. After a moment, she replied, “Yes, you’re smart.”
Duan Qi beamed like a child. “Big Sister, once I’ve found a teacher and studied diligently, I’ll aim for the top in the imperial exams and secure an official position. Then I’ll be able to support you.”
Mingxi was startled. “Support me in what?”
Duan Qi’s expression turned serious. “The other day at Longhu, I saw you speaking with Duan Wang by the shore. You didn’t look happy. Did he bully you?”
Duan Mingxi: …
Not quite.
“I know the situation in our family. Forget about supporting you—just not dragging you down is already a blessing.”
Duan Mingxi was stunned, furrowing her brows. “Who told you this?”
“No one. I saw it with my own eyes.”
“You—”
“Big Sister, I know Mother and Second Sister have hurt you, but I’m still here. I’ll protect you. I’ll work hard to excel in my studies and bring honor to our family—for you.”
Duan Mingxi was dumbfounded. What was happening?
Could Duan Qi also have been reborn?
The thought made her heart skip a beat. She looked at him and asked casually, “Don’t let your imagination run wild. I’m fine. What made you suddenly think this way? Did someone say something to you?”
“Big Sister, when you were first acknowledged by the family, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to return. I missed the timing because I received the family letter too late,” Duan Qi said earnestly.
He didn’t mention Second Sister’s meddling, not wanting Mingxi to resent her further.
One of Duan Mingxi’s long-standing grievances was that Duan Qi hadn’t returned when she was formally recognized by the family. She hadn’t expected it was due to this reason.
While she wasn’t entirely convinced, his confidence in speaking the truth implied he wasn’t afraid of her investigating. It was likely true.
As for the delay, Mingxi didn’t need to think too hard to know who was behind it.
Duan Qi’s silence on Duan Huirou likely stemmed from his desire to protect Mingxi’s impression of her.
For someone so young, Duan Qi’s thoughtfulness showed he’d matured significantly during his years away.
“I’m not angry anymore,” Duan Mingxi said to Duan Qi.
Hearing this, Duan Qi looked pained. “What’s done is done. There’s nothing I can do to change it. But I want you to know—I never disliked you.”
This kind of affection no longer mattered to Mingxi now.
But as she looked into Duan Qi’s bright, determined eyes, a faint ache tugged at her heart.
The very thing she had once longed for the most…
Duan Qi stood up and said, “Older Sister, just wait and see. I’ll do what I say.”
Duan Mingxi watched his departing figure in silence, her thoughts lingering long after he left.
At that moment, Xiangxiang approached quietly and said, “Miss, the Third Young Master still has a good heart.”
Qiancao nodded in agreement. “Yes, Miss. The Third Young Master is well-versed in his studies, and his future is sure to be bright. That can only benefit you, Miss.”
Duan Mingxi didn’t respond. She stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the sky beyond.
In truth, she no longer needed it.
But Duan Qi’s words had stirred something within her heart.
How pathetic she was—moved by a few kind words.
Duan Mingxi let out a cold laugh. Anyone can talk sweetly. Let’s see how he acts.
She returned to the table and handed over the items Duan Qi had sent to Qiancao. “Take these to the Second Madam and tell her they’re for the Second Master.”
“Yes,” Qiancao replied, taking the items and heading toward the second branch of the household.
After Qiancao left, Xiangxiang looked at her mistress cautiously and asked, “Miss, are you upset?”
Duan Mingxi shook her head. She didn’t feel particularly upset or happy.
It was just a faint sense of melancholy.
The next day, Duan Pingjing replaced the notice board using Duan Qi’s simplified version. Its concise and clear format received widespread praise from the townspeople, many of whom voiced their approval aloud.
As betting increased and the stakes grew higher, some people started scheming to snatch the credit from Duan Mingjing. They even brought the matter to Jin Wang, hoping for his intervention.
Jin Wang sneered at this. Do they take me for a tool?
This matter had already reached the Emperor’s ears. Seizing something from Duan Mingjing might not seem like much, but how would the Emperor perceive such actions?
Jin Wang’s eyes glinted. He invited Duan Wang for a drink and casually passed the trouble onto him, using it as an opportunity to curry favor.
“Fourth Brother,” Jin Wang said with a smile, “if someone has come to me, surely they’ve sought others too. Let me warn you—keep a close eye on your wife’s side of things. You wouldn’t want any real trouble cropping up.”
“Thank you, Brother,” Duan Wang replied earnestly.
“We’re brothers; no need for thanks,” Jin Wang said as they clinked glasses. After taking a sip, he added, “By the way, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I hear the Crown Prince has been in contact with people from the Dingyuan Marquis household. Best to keep your guard up.”
With this, Jin Wang slyly laid a trap for the Crown Prince. While the Crown Prince thought he was operating in secret, years of rivalry had ensured no one could move without someone else noticing.
