The third master looked at his wife. “So, what’s your plan?”
The third madam sighed, “I still don’t know what exactly our sister-in-law and the Old Madam are planning, taking Duan Mingxi for matchmaking without her knowledge. And Duke Gao’s household is also acting suspiciously. I sensed something was off about this marriage proposal from the beginning, and I was right.”
“What’s so suspicious?” The third master was still clueless about what was going on.
The third madam sneered, “Can’t you tell? Our eldest sister-in-law is biased towards Huirou and disregards Mingxi, but she won’t allow her to return to Jiangcheng. And the Old Madam’s attitude is equally strange; she even scolded our sister-in-law and insisted on keeping Duan Mingxi. Why do you think that is?”
The third master’s face changed, recalling his wife’s earlier words, then thought aloud, “The Duan family of Jiangcheng is the wealthiest there. Since Duan Mingxi was acknowledged, I suspect they must have given her a substantial inheritance.”
Considering the current state of the Marquis household, the third madam, who had recently gained one-third control over household affairs, had discreetly reviewed the accounts and was shocked. She had assumed the household was generous due to its wealth.
Who would have thought that now, while not quite a hollow shell, the family legacy is almost depleted.
The couple exchanged a heavy glance.
All of this over money.
“Is the Jiangcheng Duan family really that wealthy?” the Third Madam hesitated, asking her husband.
Third Master Duan shook his head. “When they went to recognize her as kin, I didn’t go to Jiangcheng myself, so I’m not sure of their exact situation. But if they’re calling themselves the wealthiest in Jiangcheng, they must have a sizable fortune.”
Third Madam’s face darkened with frustration. “Fine! The Second House is angling for an official position, and the First House wants the family assets. They’re all benefitting, so what does our Third House get?”
Fuming, she reached over and grabbed Third Master’s ear. “I’m telling you now, this isn’t over. It seems the whole family is treating our Third House like a joke. My family isn’t here to be mocked.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Third Master quickly freed his ear, muttering.
The couple did have a good relationship, and after so many years of marriage, Third Master only had one concubine and one illegitimate child.
But even if they got along well, he couldn’t let his wife speak ill of his parents behind their backs.
“This must be the First House’s idea. Second Brother has always wanted an official position; I don’t think he knows about this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Think about it. If Second Brother and his wife knew, would Second Sister-in-law still compete with First Sister-in-law?”
Third Madam paused, realizing she’d overlooked this point, which only made her angrier.
Second Brother and his wife knew nothing, yet Father-in-law and Mother-in-law still went to lengths to secure him a position. And what about her own Third Master?
“No way. I won’t let this go.” Fired up, Third Madam abruptly stood to leave.
Third Master quickly pulled her back. “Don’t cause trouble right now. Isn’t the house chaotic enough already?”
“I’m just feeling wronged on your behalf,” she fumed, reluctantly sitting back down. “You respect your parents, honor your older brother—what’s the result? They say the youngest son is treasured, but look at how you’ve been treated.”
“I’ll get my own position.”
“If you hadn’t been set up last time, you’d never have lost your official role.”
Third Master’s face reddened. “That’s all in the past; why bring it up now?”
He had his pride too.
“When you were an evaluator at the Dali Temple, it was my family who helped you. But now, I’d be too ashamed to ask my father for help again.”
“I know your family has always supported me. Don’t worry; I’ll figure out a way.”
Third Madam knew it wouldn’t be easy. In the capital, official roles were scarce and sought-after, with many influential families waiting for their turn.
You either had money or connections.
Thinking of the silver, her eyes sparkled slightly.
Knowing her husband’s deep respect for his family, she decided against telling him her true intentions. Instead, she simply said, “I’ll go check in on Mingxi. Poor girl.”
Third Master seemed displeased at this. “Don’t go now. If First Sister-in-law finds out, she’ll just have more to say.”
“Ha! I’m not afraid of her. She’s biased, but that doesn’t mean others can’t show care. That’s just ridiculous.” She was determined. “I’ll take Min Er along, so First Sister-in-law won’t have much to complain about.”
Unable to stop her, he sighed. “Just visit briefly, all right?”
He silently hoped she wouldn’t stir up trouble.
Ignoring him, Third Madam found her daughter, and the mother-daughter pair headed toward Duan Mingxi’s courtyard.
On the way, they crossed paths with Second Madam, who looked visibly upset. Sensing an opportunity, Third Madam sent her daughter ahead and approached Second Madam.
“Second Sister, you don’t look well. Are you feeling unwell?”
Seeing her, Second Madam approached with a solemn expression and whispered, “Third Sister-in-law, it’s good I ran into you. I was actually about to look for you.”
“What is it?”
“This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s go to my quarters.”
They entered the Second House, dismissed the servants, and got down to business.
“I went to my family today to seek advice. After all, we can’t afford to offend two noble families. I wanted to see if there’s a way to smooth things over.”
Third Madam was surprised at this purpose for her visit. “And what did Lord Qiao say?”
“I didn’t even see my father. He’d already left for the office. My mother told me that the news has reached the palace, and that my younger sister returned home this morning to find out what happened.”
Second Madam’s younger sister was married to Marquis Hou, the Jijiu of the Imperial Academy. If even the Academy had heard, the news was spreading fast.
Third Madam’s face twisted at this revelation. She and Second Madam exchanged glances. “Second Sister-in-law, what do you think is going on?”
“My family investigated; the rumor came from Duke Rong Mansion.”
Everyone knew that Duke Rong Mansion’s heir, Liu Yan, was at odds with Gao Zhan!
“So, things just got even more complicated,” Third Madam sighed. She had assumed Duan Mingxi had orchestrated all this.
Now, it seemed she had misjudged her. It was Liu Yan all along.
With a new plan forming, she whispered to Second Madam, “Second Sister-in-law, I think we shouldn’t keep this from the Old Madam. We ought to let her know.”
If the Old Madam or First Madam planned to claim Duan Mingxi’s assets, they’d have to reckon with her first.
Why should the Third House be left out of the rewards while the others reaped everything?
Since they wanted to exclude the Third House, she was ready to stir things up so no one would get anything.
Without suspecting a thing, Second Madam agreed, “You’re right, Third Sister-in-law. Let’s go now.”
Second and Third Madam headed to the Rongan Hall, where they found Madam Jiang, her face shadowed and exhausted.
The three sisters-in-law exchanged a look, and Third Madam feigned alarm. “Mother, this is serious! Second Sister says news has spread throughout the capital—even the Academy has heard of it. What are we going to do?”
Let’s see how they still intend to force Duan Mingxi to yield!
