Knowing when to stop was key, and Duan Mingjing understood this, though he couldn’t suppress his indignation.
Second Madam, frowning as she listened, interjected, “Mingxi, are we really just letting this go? What if the Crown Prince tries to target your second uncle again?”
“That will depend on Second Uncle’s own abilities. Becoming an official isn’t an easy path,” Mingxi said, leveling a serious gaze at him. “If you’re too afraid, perhaps it’s better to give up the position altogether.”
Her words struck a nerve. “You, a mere girl, aren’t afraid. How could I be?” Second Uncle retorted. “This isn’t about whether the Crown Prince will let it go—it’s about us refusing to back down. We’ve already clashed with the Eastern Palace. Fear won’t help; we might as well fight back!”
Second Master Duan was thoroughly provoked. After all, this hard-earned position hadn’t been gifted by the family patriarch; it was something he had achieved through his own efforts.
Before he even got the official position, someone was already trying to take it away—how could he be happy about that?
Besides, Mingxi wasn’t the type to tolerate idlers. Just look at his eldest nephew—working himself to the bone. He spends his days at the yamen and comes home at night to study with his advisors. It’s clear that if he gave up this opportunity, there wouldn’t be another one.
Could he let himself be less courageous than his niece?
Of course, Second Master Duan couldn’t stand to lose face like that. Moreover, this time, Mingxi had made the Crown Prince suffer in silence. With Duan Wang backing her, it was hard to say who would end up sitting on the throne in the future.
He had to take a chance.
Even Second Madam Duan was stunned by her husband’s sudden resolve. Good heavens—when did her husband become so ambitious?
Duan Mingxi understood a simple truth: things that come easily are rarely cherished.
Second Master Duan had already put so much effort into this position, walking more than half the journey. Naturally, he wouldn’t want to let someone else snatch it away. And with that unwillingness came the spark of competitiveness.
Once that spark was lit, the rest would be easier to manage.
Being pushed forward by others could never compare to the satisfaction of forging your own path.
Mingxi looked at Second Master Duan and said, “You’re absolutely right, Second Uncle. Why should we let others reap the rewards of our hard work? This time, the Crown Prince has unwittingly given you a favorable wind. It’s up to us to seize this fortune.”
Second Master Duan, feeling particularly inspired, declared, “Don’t worry, I’ll seize it for sure. Opportunities like this don’t come around often.”
Second Madam Duan barely recognized her husband anymore. She glanced at him, then at Mingxi, and thought about Duan Yu, who was practically tying his head to the beam and stabbing his thighs with needles to stay awake while studying. Lost in thought, she turned her gaze back to Mingxi, who now seemed to shine like a golden treasure—a living embodiment of a guardian deity from the tales.
If Mingxi could even mold a piece of deadwood like Duan Yu into something worthwhile, then her husband surely couldn’t fail, could he?
“So, aside from dealing with the authorities, what should we do next?” Second Master Duan asked, unable to guess what Mingxi was planning.
Mingxi smiled. “Naturally, we need to ensure the dragon boat race is a success. After such an incident, all eyes are on us now. It’s your time to shine, Second Uncle.”
“Make it a success? How am I supposed to do that?” Second Master Duan admitted, lacking experience in such matters.
“I’ve already found someone experienced to assist you,” Mingxi replied. “He used to handle events like this in Jiangcheng.”
Second Master Duan was taken aback. “You’ve already found someone?”
“This person will stay by your side going forward. You’ll find him very useful,” Mingxi explained. “His name is You Sanping. He has extensive experience in matters related to commerce. Second Uncle, while he isn’t a scholar, he’s a man of integrity. It took me considerable effort to bring him here from Jiangcheng.”
Initially, Second Master Duan dismissed the idea. Why should he take a lowly businessman seriously? But Mingxi’s final remark made him reconsider. Straightening his posture, he immediately said, “Don’t worry. I will treat him with the utmost respect and judge him by his merits, not his background.”
Mingxi smiled. “I trust Second Uncle’s ability to recognize and utilize talent. Why would I worry?”
Second Master Duan felt a little guilty, knowing that Mingxi was subtly nudging him in the right direction. “When can I meet this person?” he asked.
“By tomorrow, he should arrive in the capital. He’ll head straight to the shop when he gets here.”
“In that case, I’ll head over to Longhu tomorrow to wait for him.”
That’s being respectful enough, isn’t it?
Mingxi left with a satisfied smile, clearly pleased with Second Uncle’s attitude.
So what if he’s from the lower rungs of society?
The lower classes often produce countless heroes and strategists. Mingxi had seen and experienced much during her travels with her father for business, and naturally, she understood the value in such individuals.
After Mingxi departed, Second Madam turned to her husband and asked, “Is this You Sanping really that capable?”
Second Master Duan nodded. “Given Mingxi’s standards, for her to acknowledge his skills says a lot about him.”
Second Madam’s mood brightened. She said to her husband, “The Old Master found the advisors for the shizi, but Mingxi went out of her way to find someone for you. Clearly, she values you more.”
Second Master Duan frowned slightly, finding her words a bit odd. Before he could respond, his wife added, “Do you think I should prepare a gift to formally greet this Mr. You?”
Mr. You? Already?
Second Master Duan fell silent. His wife seemed to take Mingxi’s word as absolute truth.
“Go ahead and prepare one,” he finally said. “It never hurts to listen to advice. I know my own abilities well enough—not being naturally gifted, I just have to learn as I go. There’s no shame in that.”
The next day, Second Master Duan went to Longhu to wait for You Sanping, his mind consumed with thoughts of the dragon boat race and what to do next. It was the first time in his middle-aged life that he was putting in so much effort.
Meanwhile, Mingxi visited the Duan family home. Her mother, Madam Xu, greeted her joyfully. “Why didn’t you say you were coming? I could have prepared some of your favorite fruits.”
Mingxi took her mother’s arm as they walked inside. “Whatever’s at home is fine. Am I that picky?”
“That’s debatable. Who was it that’s so particular?” Madam Xu tapped her daughter’s forehead playfully.
Mingxi paused. Indeed, in her previous life at the Duan family home, she had enjoyed the finest food and clothing. However, after marrying into Duke Gao’s household, she found herself unable to maintain her comfortable lifestyle. The rigid rules and endless trivialities gradually forced her to abandon her preferences.
Madam Xu had the maid bring out some snacks and then sent someone to the market to buy fresh fruits. Only then did she have a moment to ask, “Looking for your father? He went out early this morning. The Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau sent a message, so he went to meet with Lord Xu.”
Mingxi nibbled on a fried pastry, savoring the familiar taste that instantly lifted her spirits. “You brought the cook here too?”
“I hadn’t planned to, but since we’ll be staying in the capital for a while, and you’re so particular, I had to bring them along.” Madam Xu’s face softened into a gentle smile, delighted to see her daughter enjoying the food.
Them…
Mingxi froze. Had her mother brought the entire kitchen staff from Jiangcheng?
Clinging to her mother’s arm, she teased, “If you keep spoiling me like this, what am I supposed to do when I get married?”
“Then we’ll send them along as part of your dowry.”
Mingxi: …
Actually, that didn’t sound so bad. Her mood instantly brightened.
After all, she was now someone cherished and protected by her parents—she could dare to dream.
Seeing her daughter so happy, Madam Xu felt the same. She chatted endlessly about her son’s letters and updates from Jiangcheng.
For Mingxi, memories of Jiangcheng and its people had grown faint. After living two lives, many details had blurred.
Midway through their conversation, Madam Xu suddenly remembered, “You must have something important to discuss with your father. I forgot to send someone to wait for him outside the Weaving Bureau—”
“Wait for who?” came Duan Pingchang’s voice as he entered. “Is that my Xixi back home?”
“Father.” Mingxi rose to greet him, her smile faltering as she noticed a bruise on his face. “What happened to you? Are you hurt?”
