“Where did this come from?” Mingxi asked, looking at Madam Zhang.
Madam Zhang immediately sensed that the Young Miss indeed had a use for the token and explained, “That Madam Xu, after being expelled from the marquis’s residence, had her room searched. This was found there.”
Mingxi picked up the token and examined it. She knew that this must be the very token Fu Hongxiao had used to frame Xiao Muchen.
She had never seen the real command token from Duan Wang’s residence, but this one, made of red copper, was weighty and inscribed with the bold characters “Command Token of Duan Wang’s Residence.” It exuded an air of authority.
“This is an important gift. I’ll accept it,” Mingxi said solemnly. “Please thank Lord Zhang on my behalf.”
“You’ve done so much to help us,” Madam Zhang replied. “This token wasn’t ours in the first place. We simply happened to come across it and thought of giving it to you.”
Fu Jingshu, who had been quietly watching, hesitated for a moment, her face showing some uncertainty.
“Is there something on your mind?”
Fu Jingshu nodded slightly. “But I don’t know how to put it into words.”
Madam Zhang, who had been chatting with her nephew, noticed this and turned to Mingxi. “Miss Duan, it’s just some family matters. You’re not an outsider, so if it’s not too much trouble, why not hear her out?”
Mingxi: …..
You’re really not treating me as an outsider, are you? She was about to decline—it wasn’t her habit to meddle in others’ family affairs, especially since stepping in often led to blame from both sides.
But Fu Jingshu tugged gently on Mingxi’s sleeve, her wandering and uncertain gaze tugging at Mingxi’s heartstrings.
Not everyone was as fortunate as Mingxi, who had the chance to live again after death.
“Alright,” Mingxi said, changing her tone. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
Fu Jingshu spoke in a low voice, “I don’t mean to trouble you for a solution. It’s just that I don’t know what to do right now.”
“Let me explain,” Fu Yan interjected. Mingxi looked at him, already having some idea of what he wanted to say.
With a face full of guilt, Fu Yan began, “Miss Duan, you’ve shown us great kindness. Although this matter is a bit embarrassing to bring up, I’d like to ask for your guidance.”
“You’re too polite, Marquis. I may not be able to help much.”
“Even so, it’s fine. You’ve already done so much for us. But this concerns how to properly settle my father, and it’s something I find very difficult to handle.”
The former Deqing Marquis, still in his prime, had been forced to feign illness and relinquish his title. With the father strong and the son young, once the situation calmed down, the old Marquis might very well regret his decision and stir up trouble again.
Madam Zhang sighed. “My husband and I have discussed this as well, but we don’t have any better ideas. The marquis’s residence is only so big, and they’re family—how can you not see each other every day? Besides, he’s your elder, so it’s likely that you’ll have to give way to him.”
Fu Jingshu added softly, “Sister Duan, Fu Qian and Fu Hongxiao are still in the residence. The house has been in turmoil these past couple of days.”
With Xu Yiniang as their mother, her children weren’t likely to be easy to deal with. Fu Jingshu, with her gentle and soft nature, wouldn’t have been able to withstand their bullying.
“What are your thoughts?” Mingxi asked Fu Yan.
Fu Yan let out a bitter laugh. “The truth is, I have no solution, which is why I wanted to ask for your advice.”
Although Duan Mingxi was about the same age as him, she always gave off an air of reliability and capability.
Fu Yan, having grown up in the Marquis’ residence, was accustomed to yielding—his mother had taught him since childhood to give way, compromise, and accommodate others. Over time, even though he knew some things were wrong and against his will, this deeply ingrained habit had shaped his personality.
Mingxi understood this.
In her past life, despite her exceptional skills in both literature and martial arts, she had ended up in a tragic situation. Ultimately, it was her own doing—she had trapped herself in the web of familial ties, unable to extricate herself.
By the time she finally understood and let go, it was already too late.
Fu Yan’s current situation bore some resemblance to her own back then.
“Has the Marquis ever considered going out to see the world?”
“Going out?”
“You currently hold only a title, without an official post or responsibilities. Have you thought about what you want to do in the future, or what you’re capable of doing? The world is vast. You should take your eyes off the confines of the Marquis’ residence and see the great landscapes of Great Chu, experience the lives of ordinary people, and witness the wonders of the world.”
Fu Yan was taken aback.
Madam Zhang instinctively protested, “How can that be? Yan Er is already at the age for marriage. How could he leave the capital now?”
Mingxi anticipated this disagreement. People’s life goals differ—it depends on what one values most.
Fu Jingshu lowered her head and remained silent for a long time before suddenly looking up and saying, “Aunt, I think Sister Duan is right. Given my brother’s current situation, even if we tried to arrange a marriage, what kind of good match could we secure? With the state our family is in now, what respectable family would be willing to marry their daughter into our household?”
Madam Zhang furrowed her brows deeply, unable to stop herself from cursing the old Deqing Marquis. That shameless man had left his nephew and niece in such a dire predicament.
Fu Yan’s eyes slowly brightened. In all his years, he had never lived a single day for himself, following his own heart. What Duan Mingxi said was right. He needed to think about his own future—and his little sister’s.
Only by standing on his own two feet could he ensure that his sister marries into a good family and that he can genuinely support her.
“Dear Aunt, I’ve made up my mind—I must go. The Young Miss is right. I can’t just muddle through life aimlessly. If I lack the ability to establish myself, then even if I inherit the title, who would truly respect me? At least as a man with a noble title, I can still marry someone. But what about Jingshu? How will others perceive her prospects for marriage?”
Madam Zhang’s eyes reddened. She opened her mouth as if to speak but ultimately swallowed her words.
After a long pause, she gritted her teeth and said, “Alright, if you must go, then go. The Young Miss has a point—boys need to experience the world to grow. When you leave the capital, Jingshu will stay at the Zhang household. I can’t trust leaving her alone in the marquis’ residence. But you need to figure things out quickly and come back as soon as possible. Once you’re gone, the only ones left in the residence will be that unruly pair. Your mother is far from competent—I can only imagine the chaos they’ll cause.”
Mingxi sipped her tea quietly, offering no comment.
Madam Zhang straightened herself, determined. Her nephew couldn’t spend his life under someone else’s thumb. Letting him go out and explore would ultimately be for the best. Boys should be raised with freedom to grow.
After dinner, Mingxi excused herself and returned to her own residence.
Madam Zhang took Jingshu by the hand as they climbed into their carriage, while Fu Yan followed on horseback.
Madam Zhang held Fu Jingshu’s hand and said, “If you had just a fraction of Miss Duan’s capability, I wouldn’t worry so much about you.”
Fu Jingshu smiled sheepishly. “Sister Duan may appear reserved, but she’s truly kind and soft-hearted.”
Madam Zhang glanced at her niece. No wonder Miss Duan looked out for her; she had noticed it earlier. Miss Duan clearly had no intention of getting involved, but once Jingshu asked, she couldn’t refuse.
It was likely only someone as pure-hearted as her niece could earn Miss Duan’s favor.
As for herself or her nephew, they wouldn’t have the standing to even be considered.
“Before your brother leaves, you should move to the Zhang residence. Just say your grandmother misses you dearly and wants you to keep her company for a few days. Your mother won’t object.”
“Alright,” Fu Jingshu agreed, understanding her aunt’s reasoning. If her brother left, her mother would likely refuse to let her live at her maternal home long-term.
Madam Zhang smiled in satisfaction. With both her nephew and niece gone, she and her husband could finally deal with that troublesome sibling duo more effectively.
