In previous years, the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet had never included the Dingyuan Marquis Manor. Even the Old Madam hadn’t entered the palace for many years.
But this year, the Jiang family unexpectedly received an invitation from the palace.
Because of Duan Ning’s situation, Madam Jiang had just been scolded by the Old Madam. Later, Yang Yiniang also cried in front of Dingyuan Marquis, receiving both her mother-in-law’s and husband’s double reprimands, leaving her feeling somewhat listless.
However, when the Mid-Autumn Palace banquet invitation arrived, Madam Jiang’s spirits brightened once again.
Mingxi could not be bothered with her, but the Old Madam was deeply concerned. While preparing Mingxi’s outfit for the palace, she also instructed Madam Jiang to stay indoors for the next few days and prohibited her from returning to the Jiang family.
Madam Jiang, stifling her anger, was in a bind. She wanted to discuss things with her eldest son, but he was busy with official duties. When he returned to the mansion, he had to analyze and learn matters related to the ministry with his staff, and seeing him so exhausted, she didn’t want to burden him with these matters.
Her husband was unreliable and a man without a heart; the two could never find common ground.
On the other hand, Duan Qi, upon hearing about the matter, specifically had dinner with her the day before the Mid-Autumn festival. After dinner, he stayed to talk with Madam Jiang.
Madam Jiang was overjoyed and, in the course of their conversation, brought up Duan Ning’s marriage.
Madam Jiang still felt some resentment, but in front of her son, she couldn’t say anything too harsh. She only asked, “Why are you bringing this up? Did someone say something in front of you?”
Duan Qi shook his head, “No, I just overheard a few things from the servants the other day and realized that Second Brother is now at the age to consider marriage.”
Madam Jiang forced a smile, “You don’t need to worry about such matters. Just focus on your studies.”
The family title was to be inherited by the eldest son, but what about the youngest son?
Fortunately, Duan Qi was doing well in his studies, so they could only hope that he would pass the exams and secure a career that way.
Madam Jiang felt guilty towards her youngest son and was particularly attentive to his studies. That was why she had once pleaded with her family to send him to the Jiang family to study.
When her father was still alive, the Jiang family was thriving. But after his passing, her brothers had not amounted to much, and over the years, the family had slowly declined.
“Mother, what would you do if I were to marry a concubine’s daughter?” Duan Qi asked.
“You’re talking nonsense!” Madam Jiang’s face darkened, her eyes narrowing as she glared at her son. “How could you, the legitimate son of the Marquis household, marry a concubine’s daughter?”
“So what if I’m the legitimate son?” Duan Qi chuckled. “Mother, if it weren’t for Elder Sister being betrothed to Duan Wang, I doubt any high-born concubine’s daughters would be willing to marry me. After all, I am only the youngest son, unable to inherit the title, and you know well the condition of the Marquis household before.”
Madam Jiang’s heart tightened, and she stared at her youngest son. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
Duan Qi lowered his voice, his eyes smiling as he looked at his mother. “Mother, you have always cared for me, even arranging for me to study in the Jiang family.”
Madam Jiang’s eyes reddened slightly at his words; at least her son had a conscience.
“I’ve always been grateful for the care of my maternal grandparents and uncles, but Mother, gratitude is one thing, and Second Brother’s marriage is another. You can’t be muddle-headed about it.”
“Muddle-headed?” Madam Jiang’s face darkened. “The concubine’s daughter from the Jiang family was carefully raised by your aunt, and she is no disgrace.”
“Would the Jiang family offer to marry a concubine’s daughter to Second Brother if he were without ambition?”
Madam Jiang was speechless.
“Once Second Brother succeeds in the exams, with Elder Sister as Duan Wangfei above him, and his own achievements to rely on, he will naturally be able to choose a better wife. Why would he marry a concubine’s daughter?”
“Are you saying that it would be a disgrace to him?”
“It’s not about disgrace. The point is that Second Brother will also be pursuing a career in the officialdom. You need to consider his future.”
“And what does that have to do with you?”
“Of course, it matters. In the bureaucracy, colleagues, classmates, fellow townspeople, and teachers are all interconnected in a vast network. If Second Brother marries a good family with a good father-in-law, he will have an easier time climbing the official ladder, and when I pass the exams and enter the bureaucracy, it will also be smoother.”
Madam Jiang looked confused. “Don’t try to fool me.”
“Isn’t Eldest Brother a good example?” Duan Qi asked in return.
Madam Jiang was left speechless.
Duan Qi sighed softly, “Mother, I know you love your son, and I remember it in my heart. But Second Brother is now capable, and as his legitimate mother, you should not suppress him at this time. Instead, you should help him succeed.”
“Dream on!” Madam Jiang trembled with anger, her hands shaking. “He spreads his wings and soars, and now I have to bow my head to Yang Yiniang and her son?”
“Yang Yiniang only has Second Brother, but you have Elder Sister, Elder Brother, myself, and Second Sister. No matter when, it’s only Yang Yiniang and her son who will show respect to you.”
“But… how does your Elder Sister treat me?”
“How do you treat Elder Sister?”
Madam Jiang stared at her youngest son.
Duan Qi sighed again. “Mother, even if you cannot treat Elder Sister as you treat me, at least you shouldn’t let her harbor resentment towards you for the way you treat your other children. If Elder Sister decides to help Yang Yiniang and Second Brother, think about what will happen?”
Madam Jiang remained silent, her face hard.
Duan Qi continued, calm and steady, “First, Eldest Brother might lose his position. Don’t be hasty; what I’m saying is the truth. Eldest Brother’s position was gained because of Eldest Sister, and he still struggles with long nights and hard study in the Bureau of Military Affairs. If Eldest Sister decided to hold a grudge, a small maneuver could cause Eldest Brother’s position to be jeopardized, and his career might not be secure.”
“And for me, you might see me as successful now with my title of Scholar, but I still have to sit for the provincial exams and the imperial exams. After I pass, I’ll need a post. Where will I find help in the bureaucracy?”
“Can the Jiang family help me? No. Can you and Father help me? No. Eldest Brother and Second Sister, even if they want to, will be powerless. I can rely on my own talents to secure a position, but once I’m appointed, what then?”
“If there is no one to support me, my achievements could be stolen, and I could be suppressed, never able to return to the capital and stuck as a county magistrate.”
“The one who can help me the most in this family is Eldest Sister, but you and she have a poor relationship. How can I ask Eldest Sister to help me? Do you want to watch me struggle and never succeed?”
“I know you don’t want to, would you like to see Yang Yiniang and Second Brother rise to prominence with the support of Eldest Sister, and show off in front of you?”
Madam Jiang listened, her face darkening, but she said nothing.
Madam Jiang’s heart felt as if it had been punctured by her son’s every word!
She glared at him fiercely, “Don’t think I don’t know you’re trying to scare me!”
Duan Qi smiled, “Right now, I am scaring you, but in three, five, or even ten years, if you don’t turn things around, these will become reality. By then, you won’t be able to turn back.”
Madam Jiang clutched her chest, nearly choking on her breath.
Duan Qi didn’t stop, continuing, “This Mid-Autumn banquet, the Empress has personally sent you an invitation. Don’t you wonder why?”
Madam Jiang’s face darkened, her grip on her handkerchief tightening, “You’re just a child. What do you know?”
