Because of Xiangxiang’s public display, by the time Duan Mingxi reached Ruan Hall, everyone in the Marquis household had heard about the incident.
The Second and Third Madam arrived quickly. Just as Duan Mingxi stepped inside, Madam Jiang and Duan Huirou also entered.
Duan Huirou looked bewildered. She had been in the middle of complaining when this scandalous news broke out. Unable to continue, she hurried over, eager to add fuel to the fire.
She wanted to see how Duan Mingxi would extricate herself this time.
The Marquis family valued the marriage alliance with the Duke’s Mansion. Now that her sister had thoroughly angered the Duke’s shizi, there would be some spectacle to watch.
Soon, the Marquis himself arrived, breathing heavily, his face dark, eyes blazing.
The Old Master didn’t appear, but the Old Madam took her seat.
The second and third Masters weren’t home, and the young men were studying at the academy. Aside from them, the household was assembled.
Standing behind Madam Jiang, Madam Xiao felt uneasy. She had expected some tension at the banquet, but not this.
Had she chosen the wrong person?
The Old Madam sat with a stern face at the head of the room. With a fierce tap on her chair, she demanded, “Explain what happened. The Duke’s Mansion is not someone we can afford to offend!”
Duan Mingxi’s heart sank; her fears were confirmed.
She hadn’t even asked right from wrong and was already laying the blame on her.
Duan Huirou quickly chimed in, “Grandmother, you wouldn’t believe it. Eldest sister was so high-handed today, completely disregarding me and embarrassing me in front of everyone. Such a good sister.”
Ignoring the Old Madam’s reaction, Duan Mingxi looked straight at Duan Huirou, saying, “Why don’t you explain why I was so high-handed? If you won’t, then perhaps I should.”
Duan Huirou gritted her teeth. “Regardless of the reason, I’m your sister. You should protect me.”
“Regardless of the reason, I’m your elder sister, and you should not defame me with a smile on your face.”
Watching the two sisters quarrel, the Old Madam slammed her hand on the table.
The room fell silent.
Duan Mingxi straightened, ready for the worst. If they dared to make her bow her head, she would take the opportunity to sever ties and reunite with her parents and brother.
“What is this all about?” The Old Madam sounded exasperated. One problem after another.
This time, Duan Mingxi didn’t give Duan Huirou a chance to speak first. She recounted everything that had happened at the banquet, clearly and concisely.
When she finished, Duan Min stepped forward and testified, “Grandmother, every word my sister said is true. I can vouch for it.”
Duan Huirou shot a sharp glare at Duan Min.
The Third Madam’s face darkened. “Why are you glaring at your sister, Huirou? Can’t she even speak the truth? Aunt should teach you better. Family harmony matters, lest we become a laughingstock.”
“Third Sister-in-law, it was just a bit of fun between sisters.” Madam Jiang chimed in, displeased.
“Enough!” the Old Madam shouted.
Silence filled the room.
“This situation is everyone’s fault. Each of you will receive punishment.”
Hearing this, Duan Mingxi’s heart sank. What did she mean by everyone would be punished?
Madam Jiang, who favored Duan Huirou, clearly saw the Old Madam letting her off lightly.
Duan Huirou threw a smug look Duan Mingxi’s way, as if to say complaints wouldn’t matter.
The Old Madam scrutinized Duan Mingxi, noting her composed expression. Inwardly, she had a bad feeling. If there had been any resentment on her face, it would mean she still cared about the family. But now she was unreadable…
Nonetheless, being a daughter of the Duan family meant she was bound to its rules.
“Duan Mingxi, tell us exactly what happened.”
With that, everyone turned their eyes to Duan Mingxi.
Duan Mingxi had no expectations from the Old Madam or Madam Jiang, so she recounted the events without any expression or hint of emotion.
She recited every word spoken at the time, especially the identities of all the noble sons present. If the household wanted to bow down to pressure, they’d better consider how these families would view them afterward!
The Old Madam and Madam Jiang’s expressions both darkened.
The second and third madams exchanged glances, their faces becoming grim.
They knew Duan Mingxi wasn’t easy to deal with, but they hadn’t expected her to fight back so fiercely in such circumstances.
Moreover, even before she returned to the estate, her maid had spread the story throughout the household. It was clear: Duan Mingxi intended to make this a big issue!
Seeing Duan Mingxi’s fearless expression, the Old Madam’s vision momentarily blurred with anger. At this point, was there any way to recover?
Especially with so many noble young men present, the matter would surely become the talk of the capital.
Madam Jiang was beside herself with rage and rebuked Duan Mingxi, unable to contain her anger: “How could you act like this? Do you think we can afford to offend both Duke Gao’s and the Duke Zhen’s mansions?”
Duan Mingxi turned to look at Madam Jiang with a cold, emotionless gaze. “So, Madam is saying I should let that pair of scoundrels ruin my reputation? Or maybe you’d like me to apologize to them in person?”
Madam Jiang trembled in anger, pointing at Duan Mingxi. “As a young lady, how can you be so crude… shameless! Have you no decency?”
Duan Mingxi sneered. “I lack decency? Lacking decency would be refusing to seek justice for one’s own daughter and instead worrying only about offending others!”
With another mocking laugh, Duan Mingxi added, “Honestly, I wonder if you’ve recognized the wrong daughter. You treat me with such bitterness, without a shred of maternal care. I must not be your real child.”
Madam Jiang froze.
Duan Mingxi ignored the stares of the others and, since she no longer wished to remain there, looked up at the Old Madam. “Old Madam, I think I’ve guessed correctly—your family may have truly mistaken someone else for me. Don’t worry; I won’t linger where I’m not welcome. I’ll pack my things and leave immediately, so you can retrieve your real daughter.”
With that, Duan Mingxi turned to leave, her steps decisive.
“You fools, stop her!” the Old Madam shouted in alarm.
The third madam stepped forward to hold Duan Mingxi back. “My dear, please calm down and don’t be rash. There’s no mistake here. You look just like your mother; there’s no doubt.”
The second madam quickly added, “Yes, Mingxi, this all happened suddenly. If Madam Jiang misspoke, it wasn’t intentional. She’s just concerned about the estate.”
Duan Mingxi looked at them and asked, “If it were Rong Meimei or Min Meimei suffering such humiliation today, how would you react?”
The two madams exchanged uncomfortable smiles.
Duan Mingxi gave them a faint smile. “Why deceive yourselves?”
Madam Jiang’s face was as dark as coal, feeling that this unruly girl simply wouldn’t let her live in peace.
