Things progressed smoothly. Second Master Duan reported the incident, and on the same day, Xiao Muchen had Qi He bring his men to the estate. They created an impression of strict investigation and thorough guarding, making it nearly impossible for anyone to approach.
Just days after the report, rumors began circulating in the capital that Gao Zhan had tried to seize Mingxi’s estate.
With Gao Zhan’s wedding approaching, this scandal left him in a foul mood.
It was impossible to suppress the incident. Records of Mingxi purchasing the estate were easy to find, and Gao Zhan’s interference was not difficult to trace.
Now that Mingxi’s estate had been set on fire, and with Gao Zhan’s previous actions as context, he became the prime suspect. The authorities even summoned him for questioning.
Duchess Gao, furious, went straight to Marquis Dingyuan’s estate to demand an explanation. Mingxi, busy dealing with the aftermath of the fire, wasn’t home when Duchess Gao arrived.
Qiancao recounted the scene in detail, “Duchess Gao was aggressive, but surprisingly, the Madam didn’t back down this time and even defended you. Later, the Third Young Master returned and quickly put Duchess Gao in her place.”
“What did he say?” Mingxi asked, pausing as she removed her outer robe.
Qiancao hung up the outer garment on a fragrant camphorwood hanger, fetched Mingxi’s everyday clothes, and helped her change before replying, “The Third Young Master said that the authorities were simply conducting routine questioning. If Duchess Gao had complaints, she should take them to the authorities instead of harassing the victims here. Did she feel guilty and think Gao Shizi was really involved in the arson?”
Mingxi hadn’t expected Duan Qi’s sharp tongue but wasn’t entirely surprised. Thinking back to their meeting, his eloquence had been apparent.
Still, a strange feeling lingered. Duan Qi seemed unusually protective of her. But why?
She had carefully observed and tested him before and didn’t believe he was reborn like her. Yet his attitude toward her was entirely different from her previous life.
It was puzzling.
But Mingxi didn’t dwell on it. For now, all she needed was unity within Marquis Dingyuan’s estate. The rest didn’t matter.
She certainly hadn’t expected Duan Qi to seek her out later that evening.
“Older Sister,” Duan Qi called out as he entered.
Duan Mingxi gestured for him to sit. “It’s late. What brings you here?”
“Don’t worry about the Gao family.”
Duan Mingxi raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Duan Qi pursed his lips. “I already know.”
Know what?
Facing his eldest sister’s clear, bright eyes, Duan Qi felt even more uneasy and embarrassed. He stood up and said to her, “I will work hard in my studies.”
After saying this, Duan Qi left, and Duan Mingxi smiled faintly after a long moment.
Duan Qi was still young. With only the rank of a child scholar, his title didn’t carry much weight in the vast capital.
Duan Ning, on the other hand, had already passed the xiucai exam. The next step for him would be the provincial exam. Once he attained the title of juren, his status would significantly change, and he’d have more influence within the family.
As for Duan Qi, he missed the academy exams last time due to illness. Whether he could achieve the title of xiucai this year remained uncertain, though judging by his demeanor, he seemed confident.
Duan Ning’s relentless pursuit of academic success stemmed from his status as an illegitimate son, leaving him with no other path but the imperial examinations.
Duan Qi… was a surprise to her.
In her past life, she remembered he had passed the jinshi exams, but back then, it had nothing to do with her. This time around, it seemed it might have some connection after all.
***
Duan Qi left his eldest sister’s place and turned to visit his second sister, but along the way, he encountered Duan Qingyin.
He stopped and greeted her, “Third Sister.”
Duan Qingyin was startled but quickly forced a smile. “Third Brother, you’re back? Are you heading to see Second Sister?”
Duan Qi nodded. “And where is Third Sister off to?”
Duan Qingyin smiled. “I’m heading to see Eldest Sister.”
Duan Qi glanced at the maid following behind Duan Qingyin, who was carrying a small bundle. He nodded without asking further, exchanged a few polite words, and continued on his way.
After the Third Young Master left, Lanyue, Duan Qingyin’s maid, whispered to her mistress, “Miss, I’ve heard that the Third Young Master is highly valued by Scholar Zhou. He’s very likely to excel in this year’s county examination.”
Duan Qingyin nodded. “That would be a good thing.”
She knew what Lanyue was worried about—whether Duan Qi’s academic success would pose a threat to her older brother.
But her stepmother had already said that their eldest sister wanted to support everyone in the family, hoping that they would all strive for improvement.
She couldn’t afford to do anything to upset her eldest sister.
Moreover, Duan Qi had always treated her with politeness and respect, unlike their oldest brother, who held himself aloof as the heir, or Duan Huirou, who made things difficult for her as the legitimate daughter.
In her heart, she hoped her brother and Duan Qi could get along harmoniously and support each other. Since Duan Qi treated her with respect, she couldn’t afford to slight him in return.
With that in mind, Duan Qingyin decided she would make some shoes and socks for her third brother as a gesture of care. Now that he was back from Luozhou, as his elder sister, it was her duty to show some concern.
Duan Qingyin had gone to see Duan Mingxi to deliver a skirt she had sewn for her. She had inherited her Yiniang’s needlework skills, which were excellent. Since her eldest sister had shown kindness to their family, she wanted to return the favor in some small way.
Meanwhile, Duan Qi was talking to Duan Huirou elsewhere.
Duan Huirou’s face was dark with anger, her lips pressed tightly together in silence.
Duan Qi remained calm, sipping his tea leisurely. Studying under Scholar Zhou, a traditional and highly disciplined teacher, had been a rigorous experience that helped him temper his temperament. Since returning from Luozhou, he had become more composed.
Duan Huirou had expected Duan Qi to say something nice to soothe her, but he just sipped his tea and ignored her.
She couldn’t hold back anymore and glared at him sharply. “I admit our family was wrong in the marriage negotiations before, but this current issue has nothing to do with me! Stop looking at me like I’m some kind of thief.”
She felt she would never escape the shadow of the mistake she had made with Duan Mingxi. She regretted it deeply, so much that it tormented her.
“I should’ve just arranged my own engagement with Gao Zhan back then,” she muttered bitterly. “Then you’d have been satisfied.”
But Duan Qi didn’t let her derail the conversation. He replied calmly, “Why must our family insist on a marriage alliance with the Gao family?”
Duan Huirou: …..
Her heart ached. Why, indeed?
Duan Qi didn’t know the truth about their household’s struggles, but Duan Huirou couldn’t hold back any longer. She told him everything about the dire financial situation at the Marquis’s estate.
Duan Qi, who had been studying in Luozhou and received yearly allowances from home, had no idea the family was nearly penniless.
“How did it come to this?”
Duan Huirou covered her face. “Father loves to flaunt his cultured image, spending a fortune every year on food, drink, and entertainment. Look at the antiques and calligraphy in his study—none of them come cheap. I didn’t know this at first, but later Mother told me bits and pieces.”
“Then there’s our eldest brother’s career, and Second and Third Uncles’ official ambitions. None of that comes without cost. Money is spent with no guarantee of success, but without spending, there’s no chance at all.”
“After offending Gao Shizi and Duke Zhen’s household, Grandfather’s painstaking efforts for Third Uncle’s post were all for nothing.”
She didn’t understand how things had gotten so bad.
“Either way, if not her, it would’ve been me. What, you’d rather see me sacrificed instead?” she demanded angrily.
Duan Qi this younger brother, at this point, she was done with him.
