In her past life, Duan Mingxi had cared too much about her reputation and suffered greatly for it, allowing others to drag her step by step into the mire.
In this life, what was reputation compared to her life?
“Today’s events will be reported to the elders. Even if the esteemed Young Master Gao disrespects our Marquis family and issues threats, we will not tolerate bullying from your Duke Gao’s household!”
Duan Mingxi left her harsh words hanging, then curtsied to the onlookers. “Today, Gao Shizi and Miss Bai falsely accused me of having a match with Gao Zhan, tarnishing my name. Gao Zhan even fabricated a story that I was slandering Miss Bai because of a rejected marriage proposal. I ask all of you to bear witness to this matter. Although I was raised in a merchant’s household, I understand the principles of propriety, justice, integrity, and honor.”
Liu Yan, who delighted in seeing Gao Zhan embarrassed, spoke up loudly, “Miss Duan, rest assured. Everyone here will testify for you. We won’t let despicable scoundrels get away with this.”
Duan Mingxi bent her knees in thanks to Liu Yan. Before leaving, she turned back to glare at Gao Zhan. “It’s fine to protect the one you love, but to fabricate malicious accusations against me—I will not let this matter rest!”
With that, Duan Mingxi swirled her sleeves and strode away.
Gao Zhan felt a throbbing headache. Duan Mingxi’s sharp tongue and rapid retorts left him no chance to argue back.
If he had known she was this cunning and difficult to handle, he would never have said those words in the first place.
Liu Yan, who had never gotten along with Gao Zhan since childhood, took one look at his expression and immediately believed that most of what Duan Mingxi had said was likely true.
“Gao Zhan, I really didn’t expect this from you!” Liu Yan sneered before letting his gaze sweep over the “unconscious” Bai Zhiwei. “Tsk, truly unexpected.”
Bai Zhiwei had always enjoyed an impeccable reputation in the capital. The expressions on the faces of the young noblemen present were now complex. After all, Bai Zhiwei had been a potential candidate on the matchmaking lists of many prominent families, and a few of the men here had even harbored some affection for her.
But now…
As the crowd dispersed with meaningful glances, Bai Zhiwei could no longer keep up her pretense. She opened her eyes and threw herself into Gao Zhan’s arms. “What are we going to do now?”
The reputations of both were now in tatters. How could they possibly show their faces in the capital again?
Gao Zhan held his beloved close and reassured her in a low voice, “Don’t worry. I’ll make Duan Mingxi change her statement. Dingyuan Marquis is hardly a man of integrity. Don’t be afraid.”
Once the Marquis agreed, would Duan Mingxi really dare to defy her father’s orders?
Bai Zhiwei’s eyes flickered at his words. “But judging by her temperament, she doesn’t seem like someone who would take this lying down. Will this really work?”
Gao Zhan pressed his lips together, remaining silent for a moment before replying, “The old patriarch of the Marquis’s household is currently working hard to advance Second Master Duan’s career. This will definitely succeed.”
After all, if he promised them certain benefits, how could a recently acknowledged daughter outweigh the importance of Second Master Duan’s future?
Bai Zhiwei finally felt slightly at ease. She pulled away from Gao Zhan’s embrace, picked up her handkerchief, and dabbed at the corners of her eyes. “I don’t know how I’ll explain this to my family. You…”
“I’ll personally go to your house to apologize and ask the Duke for his approval of our marriage. Weiwei, don’t worry—I won’t let you suffer any grievances,” Gao Zhan said, his heart aching at the worried expression on Bai Zhiwei’s face.
Reassured by his words, Bai Zhiwei lowered her head slightly and said softly, “Today was full of twists and turns, but at least there was one good thing—I misunderstood you. You and she are innocent. Gao Zhan, now that things have come to this, we’ve been cornered by her and have no way out. We cannot lose.”
Hearing this, Gao Zhan brightened up and held her hand, speaking gently, “I’m just happy you understand me. Weiwei, don’t worry. We won’t lose.”
Duan Mingxi, a nobody from Jiangcheng, really thought a few words could make waves in the capital?
He would make sure she learned that the capital was no Jiangcheng.
After leaving the Peony Terrace, Duan Mingxi found that Li Quan had already hired a carriage and was waiting for her. She stepped into the carriage and instructed him, “You need to handle something immediately.”
“Miss, just tell me.”
Duan Mingxi briefly explained what had happened in the garden. Li Quan clenched his fists in anger. “Miss, that Gao Shizi is truly going too far!”
“He’s not wrong. The Dingyuan Marquis family certainly won’t stand up for me. You must spread this matter far and wide immediately, leaving them no room to back down,” Duan Mingxi said coldly, her lips curling into a sneer. Madam Jiang would surely be reluctant to give up this marriage alliance and would rather have her concede—but she wouldn’t bow her head.
“I’ll take care of it right away.” Li Quan agreed without hesitation, jumped off the carriage, and dashed off at full speed.
Nearby, Qiancao’s eyes turned red. “If I had known this would happen, I should have gone with you earlier, Miss.”
Duan Mingxi looked at Qiancao and said calmly, “It wouldn’t have helped. You’re just a maid; no one would take you seriously. But you can still help me. Don’t feel bad.”
Qiancao immediately perked up. “What do you need me to do, Miss?”
“Go to the Duke Zhen estate and spread the word that Bai Zhiwei and Gao Zhan were caught meeting privately. Make sure this news spreads throughout the vicinity of Duke Gao’s residence. Can you manage that?”
Qiancao didn’t hesitate and said, “Of course, young miss. Don’t worry.”
It was simple enough—just pay a few street kids to shout about it around the back gate of the Duke’s Mansion and then run away. They’d be long gone before anyone could catch them.
Having arranged everything, Duan Mingxi leaned back in the carriage, closing her eyes slightly. There would still be another fight to face once she got back to the manor.
If the Jiang couple insisted on making her submit to the Gao family, she would break ties with them. She’d rather return to her birth parents and be a merchant’s daughter than struggle in the capital’s mire.
Qiancao also left to carry out her orders, leaving Xiangxiang to accompany her.
Two streets away from the Marquis Mansion, Duan Mingxi spoke to Xiangxiang, “You’ll run to the Marquis Mansion, head straight to Old Madam’s Ruan Hall, and seek justice for me with tears.”
“Remember, once inside, make sure everyone knows exactly what happened—how Gao Zhan and Bai Zhiwei conspired to defame me. Everyone needs to know the truth.”
Xiangxiang paused but then understood her intent.
Miss was worried the Marquis family wouldn’t stand up for her, so she planned to put them on the spot, forcing them to act fairly.
“Rest assured, young miss, this servant will do as you say.” Xiangxiang took a deep breath, jumped out of the carriage, lifted her skirt, and ran toward the Marquis Mansion.
Duan Mingxi exhaled deeply. She had done everything possible. If things still didn’t work out, she could only consider it fate.
But since heaven had granted her a second life, it wouldn’t let her fall into the same trap.
This time, she would fight for a chance to live. She would not let the marriage with the Duke’s family proceed, nor would she let Gao Zhan and Bai Zhiwei escape so easily.
Remembering their whispered mockery at Peony Terrace, she felt nauseated.
They could flirt all they wanted, but they insisted on trampling her.
She would show them that she wasn’t some soft target. Anyone who tried to crush her would face the sting.
When the carriage arrived at the mansion gates, Duan Mingxi took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, jumped out, lifted her skirt, and began crying as she entered the Marquis Mansion.
This time, she’d see how Madam Jiang planned to force her hand.
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