“Of course not,” Duan Qi said calmly, his young face carrying a steadiness beyond his years. “You could all choose not to marry. But if you insist on grasping for things that don’t belong to you, you’ll naturally have to pay a steep price.
“What you desire may not be what Eldest Sister wants. Sacrificing her against her will—why would she ever agree to that? Isn’t her refusal entirely reasonable?”
Duan Huirou froze for a long moment at his words. She opened her mouth to speak but ultimately said nothing.
There was nothing to say. The outcome was already clear.
Seeing that his second sister didn’t launch into a desperate defense this time, Duan Qi’s expression softened slightly. He stood and looked at her. “People make mistakes; that’s inevitable. What’s frightening is knowing you’re wrong and refusing to turn back.”
Duan Huirou: …
Her face was already pressed into the dirt by Duan Mingxi—what more could she do?
“I’ve already fallen out with her this badly. There’s no chance of sisterly harmony in the future,” Duan Huirou said bitterly. She knew Duan Mingxi’s personality; she wouldn’t forgive her. And she wasn’t about to beg for forgiveness by discarding her pride and dignity.
“I understand,” Duan Qi said quietly. “Reconciliation isn’t necessary. Just remember one thing: when it comes to matters that concern the Marquis Residence, don’t betray the family. Only then will others perceive the illusion of sisterly harmony.”
Duan Huirou opened her mouth to protest that she’d never betrayed them but stopped short, recalling the past. Her lips tightened, and she lowered her gaze.
In a subdued tone, she muttered, “I understand.”
Duan Qi looked at her seriously. “Second Sister, I’ll grow up. I’ll earn my title and reputation one day. I’ll be someone who can stand by you and support you. So, you need to hold steady.”
Duan Huirou’s eyes reddened, and she pulled out her handkerchief, furiously wiping at her tears. “I’ve already become the laughingstock of the capital. What future could I possibly have?”
“Success comes through effort. Starting now, it’s not too late.”
This time, Duan Huirou couldn’t hold back her tears. She was supposed to protect her younger brother as his elder sister. But now…
“I understand,” she said again, this time with genuine sincerity.
As Duan Qi left, Duan Huirou sat under the lamp, crying until she started laughing, then laughing until she cried again.
Why was everything so difficult for her?
Unable to laugh or cry.
***
Duan Qi returned to his courtyard and burned the midnight oil, studying harder than when he was in Luozhou.
Meanwhile, Duan Mingxi had just sent off Duan Qingyin and instructed Xiangxiang to carefully store away the dresses she had brought.
Elsewhere, Madam Jiang was tossing and turning, struggling to sleep through the night.
She still couldn’t believe she had actually scolded the Madam of Duke Gao’s residence.
But what’s done is done, and there was no use regretting it now.
She tried to calm herself, but it wasn’t easy.
It should be fine, right?
Both her sons had told her to protect Duan Mingxi. Though this daughter often left her fuming, Madam Jiang felt she had done her part in making up for past wrongs.
With that thought, her anxiety only deepened, making sleep even harder to find.
The next morning, Duan Mingxi didn’t go to the Rongan Hall for her morning greeting. Instead, she asked Xiangxiang to deliver her apologies to the Old Madam, as she had left early.
Outside the mansion, You Sanping was already waiting for her.
“Miss,” You Sanping greeted as he stepped onto the carriage.
“Take a seat,” Mingxi smiled. “Why so early? Didn’t we agree to meet at Jinrui Garden?”
“There’s something I need to discuss with you, not suitable to bring up in front of Second Master,” You Sanping explained.
Duan Mingxi’s expression turned serious. “Go ahead.”
Meeting her calm yet penetrating gaze, You Sanping hesitated briefly. It had only been a few months since they last saw each other, but now the eldest Miss seemed inscrutable.
“I discovered something while investigating the arson. There wasn’t just a mole; the estate Gao Zhan purchased is mimicking our efforts to build irrigation channels and wooden cottages.”
Duan Mingxi furrowed her brows slightly. She wasn’t surprised, though it did give her pause. “And?”
“What do you want to do about it?” You Sanping asked.
“What are your plans for the future?”
Caught off guard, You Sanping hesitated before responding earnestly, “I want to follow you.”
“You’re sharp. Surely you’ve realized this is a stepping stone for Second Master to enter officialdom. Following him would lead to better opportunities.”
“Young Miss, I lack ambition.”
Mingxi: …
Like I’ll believe your lies!
“Though I once saved you, I never intended to clip your wings. You Sanping, no matter what you’ve been through in the past, you should spread your wings and find your own sky.”
She had been trapped for ten years and had longed countless times to spread her wings.
But alas, she had realized it too late and missed her chance.
She didn’t want You Sanping to walk the same path she had.
You Sanping chuckled lightly at her words. “I’ve heard, Miss, that you’re considering making Li Quan your chief steward?”
Duan Mingxi: ?
“He’s still too inexperienced. I’m very interested in that position myself.”
Duan Mingxi: !
“I ask for your approval, Miss,” You Sanping said with a relaxed, gentle smile. “A roof over my head, three meals a day—these are enough for me. Peace, I seek nothing more in this life.”
Duan Mingxi was silent.
You Sanping appeared calm on the surface, but his hands under his sleeves were tightly clenched into fists.
He was truly afraid that the Miss would send him off to serve as an aide to Second Master Duan.
“If you follow me, for quite a long time, you’ll only be a steward under Duan Wangfei. If you follow my Second Uncle, it would be different.”
You Sanping keenly noticed the ambiguity in her words, quite a long time, but he couldn’t figure out the exact meaning. He only said, “As long as the Miss doesn’t mind my lack of talent.”
Duan Mingxi laughed. “If you were untalented… well, leave some room for others to survive.”
You Sanping laughed too, realizing that her words meant approval. A weight lifted off his shoulders.
Fearing she might change her mind, he quickly shifted to business. “What should we do about the other estate?”
We now?
Duan Mingxi gave him a look but didn’t comment. After some thought, she said, “No rush. This time we’ve dealt with the insider. Tighten control over the estate’s internal matters and hire some skilled guards. I won’t need the place for another two months, so we’ve got plenty of time.”
“Understood,” You Sanping replied, making a mental note.
When the carriage stopped at Jinrui Garden, You Sanping stepped down and personally lifted the curtain.
Qiancao: …
He stole my job!
She glared at You Sanping with some dissatisfaction. “Master San, such trivial tasks should be left to the servants. How can we trouble you?”
“We’re all working for the eldest Miss; no need for formalities,” You Sanping replied with a smile.
Qiancao: …
Duan Mingxi stepped off the carriage, greeted by Qi He, who was waiting by the entrance.
“Greetings, Miss.”
“Thank you for your trouble, Guard Qi,” Mingxi said warmly, her impression of him favorable.
Qi He hurriedly said he didn’t dare accept such praise and explained, “Wangye instructed me to escort you inside. Early this morning, Consort Shu sent word for him to visit the palace, so he might be delayed.”
Mingxi paused mid-step and turned to Qi He. “Did the other Wangyes also enter the palace?”
Qi He froze for a moment, surprised by her perceptiveness, then nodded slightly.
Trailing behind, You Sanping caught this exchange, his brows furrowing in thought. His expression grew solemn.
