“Duan Mingxi said this, if you still want to hold an official position, you’d better listen to her. What’s wrong with farming? If you don’t know how, go learn.” Second Madam gritted her teeth and spoke. “Don’t forget, Third Brother still doesn’t have a post. If you don’t go, someone else will.”
Second Master Duan: …
“Then I’ll ask later how to farm.”
If word of this got out, people would laugh him to death.
However, thinking back to the benefits he received during the Dragon Boat Festival, he felt certain that Mingxi wouldn’t truly make him farm.
“You fool! Didn’t Mingxi mention You Sanping?”
Only then did Second Master Duan remember his capable adviser. His expression immediately brightened. “I’ll go ask him now.”
Second Master Duan bolted out the door, leaving Second Madam both amused and exasperated.
In any case, at least there was some hope now. What’s a little hardship?
There’s no such thing as free pies falling from the sky.
***
On the other side, Madam Xie specifically came to see the Third Madam, bringing a sum of silver.
Third Madam was very surprised. “What is this for?”
Madam Xie quickly smiled and said, “Sister-in-law, this is something my husband specifically asked me to deliver. If it weren’t for your recommendation to the eldest young lady back then, how could he have his current success?”
Third Madam pushed the silver back. “We’re family; there’s no need to say such things. Take the silver back.”
Madam Xie shook her head firmly. “You don’t know yet, sister-in-law. My husband bet on the Inner Weaving and Dyeing Bureau this time and made a fortune. This portion is yours. Knowing it’s inconvenient for you to act, my husband secretly placed a bet on your behalf. This is your share.”
Hearing this, Third Madam immediately understood. This was Xie Fang’s way of expressing gratitude, though he had come up with a pretext for it.
She smiled at Madam Xie. “It was Xie Fang’s own skill to place the bet. Let’s not talk about favors and gratitude between family members. It’s too much.”
“Exactly! I told my husband you’re always so considerate of us.” Madam Xie’s smile grew warmer, and she leaned in slightly to lower her voice. “Two days ago, Tong Qianshu was summoned by the Eastern Palace. He came back utterly dejected.”
Third Madam’s eyes lit up. She smiled at Madam Xie. “Tell Xie Fang to focus more on Lord Xu. Tong Gaozhuo has the backing of the Crown Prince. He must be extremely cautious in his duties and avoid getting caught in a scandal.”
Madam Xie nodded. “I’ll pass on your words to my husband. He respects you the most now, so he’ll surely listen.”
Third Madam felt delighted. Though her husband’s post remained uncertain, Xie Fang’s rising momentum gave her peace of mind.
Besides, Mingxi was still busy sorting out Second Master’s affairs. Once his position was secured, she would probably have the bandwidth to help her husband.
After leaving the silver notes behind, Madam Xie departed. Unable to refuse, Third Madam accepted them—50,000 taels, no small amount.
It was all thanks to Mingxi’s favor.
However, because of this, Xie Fang’s involvement in the Inner Weaving and Dyeing Bureau caught Tong Gaozhuo’s attention. With Xu Donglin as his superior, Xie Fang would need to tread carefully in the coming years.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the capital gradually returned to calm.
Mingxi, on her end, received numerous invitations: a flower-viewing banquet today, a tea-tasting gathering tomorrow, and in a few days, a celebration for some matron’s birthday. Even Madam Jiang wasn’t as busy as her.
Duan Huirou didn’t even have the energy to get angry anymore. Her poor relationship with Duan Mingxi meant that any event inviting Mingxi wouldn’t include her. How could she not be upset?
But what could anger achieve? After all, Duan Mingxi was destined to become a Wangfei.
Thinking of Duan Qi’s words, Duan Huirou cried yet again and became even more reclusive. She felt as though all the young ladies in the capital looked at her with ridicule.
Meanwhile, Second Master Duan spent his days running back and forth between the manor and the estate. While it wasn’t exactly farming, it was close enough—he was planting vegetables.
Vegetables grown in hot springs.
No wonder Mingxi had her father purchase an estate with hot springs. Business-minded people always think ahead. By winter, when these fresh and tender vegetables grown around the hot spring became available, they’d be worth their weight in gold.
At first, he thought farming was simple—just growing vegetables. It seemed fun enough, with the added perk of relaxing in the hot springs to unwind. But little did he know that You Sanping’s plans went beyond farming. He wanted to divert the hot spring water and use it efficiently.
This meant digging ditches and building greenhouses, turning him into a real farmhand. Second Master Duan was constantly covered in dirt.
Originally, he thought he could get away with just supervising the work, but Mingxi had different ideas. She insisted that if he didn’t get involved and learn, he’d miss valuable opportunities in the future.
Although Second Master Duan didn’t fully understand what opportunities she meant, he trusted her judgment, given her track record of success. So, he shelved his laziness and started learning bit by bit under You Sanping’s guidance.
By the end of July, something noteworthy happened in the capital: Bai Zhiwei’s wedding was announced.
Xu Nanxi invited Mingxi out for tea and brought along Yao Yunyi and Liu Yunhua. They had also invited Chu Qingying, but she had a fallout with her stepmother two days prior, causing her chest pain, so she couldn’t join them. The group decided to visit her the next day to lend their support.
The stepmother of the Jingyuan Marquis Estate was notorious for her cunning. Visiting Chu Qingying was a way to bolster her morale, though there wasn’t much else they could do.
After discussing Chu Qingying’s situation, Yao Yunyi turned to the others and remarked, “I’ve heard that Duke Zhen’s household has been unsettled recently. At least now that Bai Zhiwei’s wedding date is set, things might finally calm down.”
Liu Yunhua frowned. “I don’t understand what Bai Zhiwei is playing at. Even if she causes a scene, does she really think she can replace the Crown Princess? She may have no shame, but the East Palace’s reputation isn’t something to trifle with.”
Xu Nanxi scoffed, “She’s not causing trouble for that. She just wants the Duke’s household to feel guilty and give her a more generous dowry. What else could it be about?”
“No matter how generous, can it surpass the dowry of the Crown Princess?” Yao Yunyi shook her head. “What good does all this drama do for her reputation?”
“Well, her reputation is already in tatters,” Liu Yunhua sighed. “She might as well secure tangible benefits. For a bride, her dowry is critically important.”
Xu Nanxi turned to Mingxi and asked, “Mingxi, what do you think?”
Duan Mingxi looked up at the curious faces and shrugged. “Shameless people are unstoppable. If Bai Zhiwei dares to flirt with the Crown Prince, what won’t she do?”
“Is that true?”
“Tell us everything!”
Xu Nanxi recounted how she had witnessed the Crown Prince and Bai Zhiwei secretly meeting during the Dragon Boat Festival. The revelation left the other two women stunned.
“I can’t believe it. Bai Zhiwei used to have such a stellar reputation. How could she stoop to this?” Yao Yunyi was visibly appalled.
“This is for our ears only,” Xu Nanxi quickly added. “I told you so you’d be cautious of Bai Zhiwei. Don’t let this slip to anyone else.”
“Of course,” the two women nodded quickly.
Yao Yunyi suddenly asked, “Duchess Gao despises Bai Zhiwei as a daughter-in-law. Why hasn’t she said a word about Bai Zhiwei’s antics?”
Mingxi smiled slyly. “Because the Gao family is short on money.”
Everyone: …..
What a shocking secret!
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 15 chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
