“Marry a concubine-born daughter from the Jiang family?” Mingxi’s expression darkened.
Yang Yiniang looked at Cai Juan. “You talk too much. Get out and make some tea for the Eldest Young Lady.”
Cai Juan hastily kowtowed, wiped her tears, and left.
Mingxi turned her gaze to Yang Yiniang.
Yang Yiniang took a deep breath before speaking. “It should have been a joyous occasion that Third Young Master passed the provincial examination, but Second Young Master is also set to take the imperial examination next year. Madam, swayed by others, fears that if Second Young Master succeeds, he will overshadow Third Young Master. That’s why she came up with this scheme.”
Mingxi didn’t bother to hide the mockery on her face. “Second Brother’s marriage is not something an outsider can decide.”
Yang Yiniang had expected the eldest young lady to take a stand. In a low voice, she explained, “I can guess that the Jiang family convinced Madam by saying that if Second Young Master marries a Jiang daughter, she could help Madam control him. Madam has always disliked me and my son, so of course, she was tempted. I can endure any hardship, but Second Young Master has studied diligently for years. He cannot be hindered by this. I thought if I let Madam vent her anger by punishing me, she might leave Second Young Master alone.”
The more humble Yang Yiniang became, the better she knew it would be for the second young master.
The eldest young miss couldn’t tolerate even a grain of sand in her eye, and the second young master’s diligence in studying ensured that his future would be bright. How could she agree to let Madam Jiang destroy that?
Sure enough.
Yang Yiniang knew that the kneeling she endured today wasn’t in vain. When she saw the old master in the evening, Madam Jiang’s malicious actions today would surely be exposed to him.
Caught between two enemies, Madam Jiang would not fare well. If she thought she could still control her son, she was dreaming!
Mingxi stood up, looking at Yiniang, and said, “In the future, when something like this happens, you don’t have to humiliate yourself like this. You are the biological mother of the second young master. Once he achieves success, you cannot bring him shame.”
“Miss…” Yang Yiniang was taken aback.
Mingxi turned and left.
Cai Juan entered with tea and saw that the Young Miss had already left, but Yang Yiniang’s expression was strange. She quickly put the tea down and asked anxiously, “Yiniang, what’s wrong?”
Upon hearing Cai Juan’s voice, Yang Yiniang’s tears fell instantly. She grabbed her hand and said, “Cai Juan, I feel like I’ve finally come out of the dark.”
Cai Juan was a bit confused. “Yiniang?”
What had the Young Miss said to make Yiniang so emotional?
After leaving Yang Yiniang’s room, Mingxi went to see the Old Madam.
The Old Madam smiled when she saw her and asked, “Your second uncle has been spending all his time at the manor these days. How’s your manor going?”
Mingxi saluted and sat down before replying, “It’s almost ready. Second uncle will be able to return soon and greet you.”
The Old Madam smiled. “It’s better that he has something to do rather than being stuck at home.”
Now, with three sons, the eldest still useless, the second and third full of energy, she couldn’t be more pleased.
She didn’t know exactly what Mingxi intended, but Old Three had entered the Imperial Horse Bureau, and she was certain Mingxi had plans for Old Two. She, an old woman, didn’t understand the outside world, so she refrained from causing trouble.
The family was thriving, and nothing could make her happier.
“Grandmother, did you hear that Madam punished Yang Yiniang by making her kneel today?” Mingxi looked at the Old Madam and asked.
The Old Madam froze for a moment, then frowned. “After being quiet for a while, Yang Yiniang caused trouble again?”
Mingxi wasn’t surprised by this response. In the past, Yang Yiniang had been spoiled by favor and had constantly tried to rival Madam Jiang. The Old Madam had always held a poor opinion of her.
As the legitimate wife, who would like a seductive concubine?
Wan Mama, who had been listening nearby, felt something was off and quietly stepped out.
Mingxi glanced at her and then directly said, “Did Madam Jiang come today to congratulate you?”
Upon hearing this, the Old Madam knew Mingxi disliked the Jiang family, and for some reason, she felt a bit guilty. She cleared her throat and slowly said, “Your third brother did study at the Jiang’s residence, and we can’t just shut them out.”
“I understand. Although the Jiang family has no affection for me, they have always treated third brother well. Since third brother passed the exam, they came to congratulate us, and our family should treat them properly.”
The Old Madam’s face softened as she listened to Mingxi’s words. She slowly said, “That’s the right thing to do. But this is between your third brother and the Jiang family. Their matters belong to them, and yours with the Jiang family belong to you. Don’t worry, grandmother won’t mix the two up.”
Mingxi lowered her head and smiled. “Thank you for your understanding, grandmother. Today, I came to discuss the second brother’s matters. The punishment of Yang Yiniang was because of second brother’s marriage. The Jiang family wants to marry their illegitimate daughter to second brother.”
“Speaking of which, as both are illegitimate children, it could be considered a closer connection, and I shouldn’t meddle in it. But when I sent second brother to Songshan Academy, it wasn’t just to have him return to marry an illegitimate daughter and live a quiet life, don’t you think?”
The Old Madam’s face immediately became serious. Back when the Duan family was in decline, it was very hard to secure a position for her son. The Old Madam had spent a lot of time worrying about these matters.
But ever since Mingxi had been made Duan Wangfei, the family’s situation had greatly improved.
With the help of her smart and bold granddaughter, the family was gradually rising. The status of even the illegitimate sons had changed in the Old Madam’s eyes.
Besides, Duan Ning was a scholar, and with Mingxi’s support, his future would undoubtedly be bright. She was getting old and confused, but she wouldn’t let her promising grandson marry an illegitimate daughter.
As long as a son had the ability and a degree, how could he not find a good wife?
Seeing the change in the Old Madam’s expression, Mingxi knew she had guessed correctly. She didn’t say more, chatted briefly about family matters, and then stood to leave.
As Mingxi returned to her courtyard, Madam Jiang was called to Rongan Hall, and Mingxi heard from Qincao that Madam Jiang left with red eyes.
Mingxi didn’t trust Madam Jiang. She had relied on the Jiang family when she first established herself in the Duan family, but now her maternal family had little to offer, and this was a mutually beneficial opportunity that could both suppress Yang Yiniang and put Duan Ning in her grasp. She feared Madam Jiang might try to manipulate things again.
She instructed Li Quan to keep an eye on Madam Jiang’s movements and decided to put the matter on hold. After all, Duan Ning had not yet returned to the capital, and with the Old Madam’s pressure, she didn’t dare settle the marriage immediately. She would have to wait for Duan Ning to return after the New Year.
Duan Qi was a smart and rational person. After passing the scholar’s exam, he spent a few days with the elders for social visits, then immediately closed himself off to study, refusing all invitations. This only led to more praise from the outside.
Soon, it was the Mid-Autumn Festival. Mingxi, in response to a royal summons, went to the palace to celebrate. Duan Wang had previously warned her, but just a day before the festival, she received a private letter from Bai Shixi.
The letter contained only a few brief words, but Mingxi frowned deeply upon reading it.
The Empress couldn’t go a single day without causing trouble.
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