Mingxi wasn’t being paranoid. In her previous life, Duan Qi and Duan Huirou had been very close. Although Duan Qi now showed goodwill toward her, Mingxi couldn’t help being cautious.
Duan Qingyin might struggle to pass the message to the madam, but Yang Yiniang could.
“Yiniang, are you sure this is okay?” Duan Qingyin asked worriedly. “If people find out, won’t it harm Older Sister?”
Yang Yiniang reclined on her couch. Her complexion had greatly improved after prolonged rest. She glanced at her daughter and chuckled. “If only you had half of your older sister’s skills, I wouldn’t worry so much.”
Duan Qingyin’s lips twitched. “Mother, Older Sister is extraordinary. Who could compare to her? Even a tenth of her abilities would be a dream come true for me.”
“You’re hopeless.” Yang Yiniang sighed. “Your older sister’s skills were acquired. You just need to learn from her.”
“Yes, Older Sister has been very kind, teaching me bits and pieces when she has time.”
“Yes, Eldest Sister is very kind and teaches me things whenever she has time,” Duan Qingyin said with a smile. “Yiniang, you’re amazing. When Eldest Sister was brought back, you were quick to show goodwill.”
Speaking of this, Duan Qingyin sighed. “Last time, it was Eldest Sister who saved your life. My brother and I will always remember that favor.”
Yang Yiniang smiled gently at her daughter’s words. “I will repay that kindness myself. You, however, should get along well with your Eldest Sister. Don’t be afraid of offending Madam or Second Sister.”
“I know. Because of my good relationship with Eldest Sister, Second Aunt and Third Aunt treat me more kindly now than before.”
“You’ve understood your Eldest Sister’s intentions, haven’t you?”
Duan Qingyin’s expression grew serious. “Yiniang, I understand what Eldest Sister means. Don’t worry—I won’t act recklessly.
My brother has already gone to Songshan Academy to study. As long as he achieves scholarly success, his future will be bright. If he focuses only on the affairs of this household, competing with Eldest Brother and Third Brother, he’ll only provoke Eldest Sister.”
“Do you understand why Eldest Sister is doing this?”
Duan Qingyin shook her head. “Not completely.”
Yang Yiniang turned to look out the window, her smile fading slowly. After a long pause, she began to teach her daughter.
“Your Eldest Sister is going to be Duan Wangfei in the future. Do you think being a Wangfei is easy? She needs a strong and capable maternal family to support her. Look at our Marquis family now—just not being a burden to her is already fortunate enough.
Since the Marquis family can’t provide her the family she needs, your Eldest Sister has to create her ideal maternal family herself. Whether it’s you, your Second Brother, or me—none of us can stand in her way.
Look around the household. Everyone who aligns themselves with your Eldest Sister is steadily rising. Look at the shizi. What was he like before, and what is he like now?
And Third Young Master—despite his young age, he was the first to approach Eldest Sister and show goodwill after returning to the household. You’ll see, neither Madam nor Second Sister can escape your Eldest Sister’s grasp.
Do you know why your Eldest Sister asked you to pass the message to Madam and Third Young Master?”
“I have some idea.”
“Your Eldest Sister is using Madam and Second Sister to test Third Young Master. Moreover, if Madam and Second Sister act against Eldest Sister or the Marquis family again, just watch—she will show no mercy.”
Duan Qingyin shivered, her fingers clutching her handkerchief tightly. “Yiniang, what do you think Madam and Duan Huirou will do?”
“I wouldn’t know. The message has already been delivered. Let’s just wait and see,” Yang Yiniang said calmly.
Hearing that her mother didn’t plan to intervene, Duan Qingyin let out a small sigh of relief.
***
Meanwhile, on the other side, when Madam Jiang received the news, she felt as though she couldn’t breathe. Her face turned pale with fear.
“Check if the Second Young Miss has returned yet. If she has, bring her here,” Madam Jiang instructed, clutching her chest.
Mingcui quickly agreed. “I’ll go look right away.”
Once Mingcui left, Luo Mama stepped forward to massage Madam Jiang’s back, speaking gently, “Madam, don’t be angry just yet. The Second Young Lady might have just gone out for some fun.”
Madam Jiang knew her daughter well and, trusting her longtime servant Luo Mama, said bluntly, “What kind of person is Fu Hongxiao? What good could come of associating with her?”
“Miss Fu is set to become a Liangdi in the Eastern Palace. It doesn’t hurt for the Second Young Lady to befriend her.”
“A liangdi in the Eastern Palace? That’s still just a concubine!” Madam Jiang’s face darkened. “Do you know of any noble daughters who would willingly associate with a concubine once they’re married? It’s laughable!”
Luo Mama, seeing how upset her mistress was, tried to console her again. “The Second Young Lady is still young and doesn’t understand these things. You can teach her.”
“Still young? Look at her older sister….” Madam Jiang stopped abruptly, her face growing even darker.
Luo Mama stiffened at the mention of the eldest young lady. With Madam Jiang and the eldest young lady at odds, she, as a servant, wouldn’t dare interfere.
If the eldest young lady were soft-hearted, it would be one thing, but she wasn’t just firm in nature—her methods were even firmer.
Neither the madam nor the lord of the household was as strong-willed as the eldest young lady, who clearly inherited her temperament from the old master. People said that the old master had been just as formidable in his youth.
Unable to hold back, Madam Jiang turned to Luo Mama and said, “Mingxi and Fu Hongxiao are already competing against each other. Why is Huirou getting involved? She’ll gain nothing from it and only end up angering that troublemaker. Who knows what she might do?”
Luo Mama felt a shiver down her spine at the mention of the eldest young lady. She was indeed someone they couldn’t afford to provoke. Hurriedly, she said, “I’ll go look for her myself.”
“Quickly, bring her back as soon as you find her,” Madam Jiang said wearily.
After Luo Mama left, Madam Jiang’s expression turned sour. What kind of daughter did I give birth to? More like an ancestor I have to appease!
No matter how displeased she felt, she couldn’t fight her, out-talk her, or outmaneuver her. The entire household had already sided with her.
Even her own two sons were helping her now. What else could she do?
The power dynamics had shifted irreversibly. Madam Jiang only wanted to stay out of her way until the eldest young lady got married, at which point life in the household might finally return to normal.
After a while, voices came from outside, and soon the curtain was lifted. Duan Huirou entered the room, wearing a bright peach-colored dress, her steps light and cheerful.
“Mother, were you looking for me?” Duan Huirou sat beside her mother with a big smile.
Seeing her daughter in such a good mood, Madam Jiang didn’t want to ruin it, but she couldn’t avoid the topic. Her expression darkened as she asked, “Why did you meet with Fu Hongxiao?”
Duan Huirou’s heart skipped a beat. “Mother, how did you find out? I only had tea with her.”
Madam Jiang wasn’t foolish. Seeing her daughter’s expression, her face grew even darker. “Did Fu Hongxiao ask you to do something?”
Duan Huirou was startled by her mother’s sharp tone and stammered, “Mother, what’s wrong? I didn’t agree to anything!”
“Didn’t agree? So Fu Hongxiao did ask you for something!” Madam Jiang slapped the table in anger. “That Fu Hongxiao is just a mere’s concubine’s daughter. Why are you getting involved with her?”
