Duan Huirou froze at her mother’s blunt words, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
Seeing her daughter’s reaction, Madam Jiang softened her tone. “Don’t do anything foolish. We can’t afford to provoke that troublemaker right now.”
Duan Huirou: …
I get it. Stop talking about this already.
Seeing her daughter’s stubborn expression, Madam Jiang felt another headache coming on and continued to advise her. “Your older sister is capable now and will soon become Duan Wangfei. When you marry in the future, you might need her support to establish yourself in your husband’s household. Don’t make an enemy of her.”
“Mother!” Duan Huirou nearly shrieked. “Are you siding with her too?”
“I’m doing this for your own good.”
“For my own good means I have to bow and scrape to her? No way!” Duan Huirou said furiously.
“I’m not asking you to bow and scrape, but you must stop provoking her. Otherwise, even I won’t be able to protect you.” Madam Jiang’s voice softened. “Can’t you see how things are in this household?”
Duan Huirou’s tears fell immediately. Why has it come to this? My life used to be so comfortable and happy.
Madam Jiang wiped her daughter’s tears. “Stop crying. Just keep your distance from Fu Hongxiao. She’s no good.”
“Mother, you’re just following the crowd too!”
“What is following the crowd? Have you seen the lives of Marquis Deqing’s wife and daughter? Even the favored Yang Yiniang in this household doesn’t dare behave like that. Look at Xu Yiniang—she’s dying to kick the Marquis’s wife out and take her place herself.
With a Yiniang like that, what kind of daughter could she raise? Stay away from her and don’t ruin your reputation. Now, tell me honestly—what did she ask you to do?”
Duan Huirou, still upset, retorted, “We just had tea, that’s all.”
Madam Jiang eyed her skeptically. “That pair of mother and daughter never make a move unless there’s something to gain. Would they really go out of their way to call you over for nothing?
Huirou, let me be clear—if you do something foolish again, even I won’t be able to protect you. Look around this household—your older sister controls everything. Don’t blame me for not warning you.”
Duan Huirou: …
You’re definitely my mother!
She was so angry that she blurted out, “If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was your daughter and not me!”
Madam Jiang nearly slapped her daughter. “Speak to me properly!”
Duan Huirou threw herself onto a soft pillow, crying out loud. Her life, she thought, was more bitter than bitter herbs.
Though she wept, Madam Jiang gritted her teeth and refused to give in this time.
After a long bout of crying, with no sign of her mother comforting her, Duan Huirou finally gave up and spoke in a low voice. “She was asking me about things in our household, but I didn’t tell her the truth.”
Madam Jiang’s expression darkened. “She’s set to become the liangdi of the eastern palace, and your elder sister is to marry Duan Wang. If she’s prying into our household’s affairs, it’s certainly not for anything good. From now on, don’t meet her so easily.”
The Empress and Consort Shu do not get along, and the Crown Prince and Duan Wang are hardly brothers in harmony.
Duan Huirou huffed. “What does her business have to do with me?”
“You foolish girl! Her success may not benefit you, but if she faces misfortune, you’re sure to get caught up in it,” Madam Jiang retorted. As she spoke, regret welled up within her. How had she fallen into this mess in the first place?
The mother and daughter stared at each other, frustration mounting.
That evening, Duan Qi returned home from the academy. After paying his respects to the elders, he went directly to see his second sister.
Duan Huirou frowned as soon as she saw him. “Why are you here at this hour? Have you eaten?”
Duan Qi looked at her seriously. “I heard the second young lady of Marquis Deqing’s household sought you out?”
Duan Huirou’s concerned demeanor shifted instantly. “What, are you here to scold me too? I haven’t even done anything! There’s no need to treat me like some criminal under interrogation!”
“I’m only here to tell you something I just learned. If Fu Hongxiao hadn’t been chosen as the eastern palace liangdi, her doting aunt had already prepared to seize the marriage intended for the daughter of Marquis Deqing.”
Duan Huirou froze. “Really? How come I haven’t heard anything about this?”
Duan Qi sighed. “You’re always so caught up in the affairs of our household that you don’t pay any attention to what’s happening outside.”
Duan Huirou felt the sting of his words and thought her life was unbearable. Why, even after she had taken a step back, did it feel like Duan Mingxi was everywhere in her life?
Seeing her distressed expression, Duan Qi softened his tone. “Second Sister, it’s fine to make a mistake or two, but you can’t keep walking down the wrong path. If you do, there will be no saving you.”
Duan Huirou slapped him lightly on the arm. “How dare you lecture me at your age! I know you succeeded in securing a mentor thanks in large part to Duan Mingxi’s gifts. Is that why you’re always taking her side?”
“Older Sister is so capable; does she even need my help? You know I’m only trying to help you.”
Duan Huirou’s expression shifted, showing a mix of anger and sorrow. Finally, she couldn’t hold back and snapped, “To you all, everything she does is good, while I’m nothing but bad!”
“Put aside familial bonds and speak purely of interests. What good does being at odds with her do for you? When she marries into the royal family and rises further in stature, the lack of harmony between you two will only invite ridicule. Who would dare speak ill of her?”
“And now this—Fu Hongxiao has made a wager with her, and she came to find you at this time? Her intentions are clearly malicious. Are you sure you want to let yourself be used by Fu Hongxiao just to win some petty argument?”
Duan Huirou slumped in defeat. “She asked me about our household, but I didn’t tell her anything.”
Duan Qi visibly relaxed. “That’s good.”
Noticing the fatigue on his face, Duan Huirou suppressed her irritation and asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you struggling with your studies? Did Teacher Zhou scold you?”
Duan Qi shook his head. “Second Sister, Teacher Zhou has been very kind to me. You don’t need to worry. I’m only afraid of you being taken advantage of. Right now, I’m powerless and my words carry no weight. If you really end up in trouble, I fear I won’t be able to help you. So, please, don’t make things harder for me, alright?”
Duan Huirou, who had always been closest to her younger brother, felt her anger dissipate as she looked at him. “Fine, I’ll listen to you, okay? I won’t provoke her anymore. But don’t expect me to actually act like her sister.”
“Even maintaining the appearance of harmony is enough,” Duan Qi said, a hint of relief in his voice. “With those words, I can rest assured. I’ll head back now.”
Returning to his own quarters, Duan Qi found himself unable to focus on his studies. He calculated the days and realized the Dragon Boat Race was fast approaching.
Now, all he could do was wait for the results.
Recalling his teacher’s words, his eyes grew resolute.
He hoped the outcome would align with his expectations.
