After dinner, Xiao Muchen personally escorted Duan Mingxi back to the Marquis Household.
Duan Wang didn’t enter the manor, but the gatekeepers at the Marquis Household were already accustomed to this.
Silently, they marveled at how remarkable their eldest young lady was—able to have Duan Wang personally escort her back several times. This alone showed how highly he regarded her.
Inside the manor, the atmosphere was lively and cheerful. Everyone had earned a tidy profit from the recent dragon boat race, and their wallets had grown substantially.
When they saw Duan Mingxi, they treated her like a golden doll and quickly welcomed her in.
The Old Madam smiled warmly at Mingxi. “Next time, invite Wangye in for a visit.”
Mingxi smiled back. “Wangye has other matters to attend to and was in a hurry to return.”
She didn’t promise to have him enter.
The Old Madam nodded slightly, understanding that Mingxi couldn’t make decisions for someone of Duan Wang’s status. Her words were just polite niceties, not wanting Mingxi to feel that the family harbored any negative views about the prince.
“Mother, Wangye is a busy man. Once we’re family, there will be plenty of opportunities,” the Second Madam joked. Then, turning to Mingxi, she added, “Thanks to you, Second Aunt made a fortune this time. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for a banquet. You must come and have a drink with us.”
Before Mingxi could reply, the Third Madam interjected, “Second Sister-in-law, you’re not the only one who made money. If Mingxi had to go around to everyone’s celebrations, wouldn’t she be busy for days? Why don’t we all gather for a grand feast instead?”
The Old Madam agreed, so they decided to hold the banquet that evening at Rongan Hall.
Mingxi didn’t say much throughout, but seeing everyone so happy, she didn’t dampen the mood and smiled in agreement.
See, problems solvable with money aren’t really problems.
In her past life, the Marquis Household had nearly torn itself apart over money. The family schemed and fought against each other to the point where even she had to pay a steep price.
This time, with everyone’s pockets full, things were naturally different. Treating her as their “wealth-bringer,” they were willing to work for her benefit. Mutual benefit led to unity, and when word spread, others would commend the Marquis Household for its solidarity and familial harmony.
When a family sticks together, outsiders are less likely to pick on them.
No one understood the power of a united family better than Mingxi. She didn’t need them to truly treat her like family—obedience and superficial harmony were enough.
This time, even Madam Jiang made a considerable profit. However, her unease around her eldest daughter made it hard to grow closer. She did, however, do her best for the evening banquet.
If she couldn’t be a loving mother, she at least hoped they wouldn’t become true enemies.
Duan Huirou also attended, though reluctantly, with Duan Qi accompanying her. Huirou felt her days were becoming increasingly unbearable.
Duan Qi, who had helped Second Uncle organize the event, had learned a great deal and gained new insights. He was deeply grateful to Mingxi.
Mingxi, however, had always been wary of Duan Qi. Hearing his gratitude, she merely smiled and said, “Second Uncle praised your diligence and meticulousness—those are your own merits. However, such opportunities are rare and shouldn’t be repeated often.”
“You should focus on studying under Teacher Zhou and prepare for next year’s imperial examination. You’ve already passed the county-level exam, and although you missed the prefectural exam last time due to illness, you must prepare well for the next one.”
Duan Qi looked at Mingxi in surprise. “I didn’t expect Big Sister to know so much about me.”
Duan Mingxi smiled. “You’re my younger brother, and now that you’re back in the capital to study, of course, I’d inquire.”
Hearing this, Duan Qi smiled even more brightly. “Big Sister, rest assured. I will definitely pass the examination and earn my title as a scholar.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Next year, let’s see if you succeed. If you do, Second Uncle will surely throw a grand banquet to celebrate,” the Second Master Duan laughed heartily.
The prestige of nobility fades after three generations. Only through scholarly achievements can a family ensure lasting prosperity.
Third Master Duan added, “Speaking of which, the other children are studying at Songshan Academy. I wonder how they’re doing now.”
Hearing this, Mingxi said, “It’s only been a few months. Even if they’re diligent, what can they achieve in such a short time? We’ll see how they fare by the end of the year.”
Everyone agreed with this reasoning—after all, there’s a reason they call it ‘ten years of diligent study.’
Just then, the old master entered, supported by Dingyuan Marquis. Hearing Mingxi’s words, he nodded in agreement. “Mingxi is right. Songshan Academy, with its esteemed Confucian scholar Chen, is highly renowned. Many fight tooth and nail to get in.”
“Don’t worry so much and let the children focus on their studies. Don’t disturb them unnecessarily.”
“Yes,” everyone replied in unison, not daring to object.
The Marquis Household’s current predicament was clear to all.
One option was to divide the family as the Second and Third Madams had once suggested, with each branch going its own way. However, once separated, any branch without promising descendants would inevitably decline.
The other option was to unite and strive for collective progress. With Duan Yu already working in the military selection bureau and Mingxi betrothed to Duan Wang, the family’s prospects were improving.
At such a juncture, unity was clearly the better choice. Thus, ensuring the younger generation excelled academically was paramount.
The lack of successors was the most fatal flaw.
Once everyone settled down, the old master and Old Madam, both in good spirits, were entertained by Dingyuan Marquis’s attempts at humor. Though mediocre in ability, his filial devotion was unmatched, which brought joy to the elders.
Madam Jiang joined in to liven up the mood, and Duan Huirou, serving tea and wine by her side, presented a harmonious scene.
Duan Qingyin, seated beside Mingxi, whispered with a smile, “Yiniang asked me to thank you, Big Sister. Thanks to you, she and I made quite a bit of money this time.”
Mingxi glanced at Duan Qingyin. “There’s no need to thank me—it’s because you had the courage to act. For now, tell Yang Yiniang to focus on her health and set other matters aside.”
Duan Qingyin was momentarily stunned but quickly nodded. “I’ll tell her. Big Sister, are you planning something?”
Duan Mingxi shook her head. “I understand Yang Yiniang is impatient, but some things can’t be rushed. First, she needs to recover her health. Second, we must wait for news about Duan Ning.”
Duan Qingyin nodded immediately. “I’ll listen to Big Sister and bring it up to Yiniang later.”
Big Sister was right. Her older brother was the first grandchild in the family aiming to pass the imperial exams. If he succeeded, Yiniang’s position in the household would naturally improve. There would be no need for her to endure humiliation and debase herself as she had in the past.
She resolved to work hard as well, honoring the elders to earn a good reputation. That way, she could secure a favorable marriage for herself. If she married into a good family, she wouldn’t only support her brother but also bolster Yiniang’s confidence.
People often said that Yiniang was favored, but only Qingyin and her brother knew the truth of her hidden struggles and sorrows.
Being a concubine might seem glamorous, but the hardships behind the scenes were equally great.
Duan Mingxi observed Duan Qingyin’s newfound clarity and felt a surge of happiness.
Neither Duan Yu nor Duan Qi shared genuine sibling affection with her; their relationships were purely interest-based.
If she helped them rise to power in the future, there was a real risk they would be swayed by Madam Jiang or Duan Huirou to turn against her.
At that point, they wouldn’t be allies but rather enemies.
No matter the circumstances, the household couldn’t allow any single faction to dominate. Thus, Mingxi deliberately supported Duan Ning and his siblings to maintain a balance of power.
Yang Yiniang was a smart woman. Mingxi trusted that she would understand and know how to act accordingly.
