“The Empress must have learned about Second Brother’s situation and knows about the discord between you and Eldest Sister. She’s using your hand to embarrass her. You can understand that, right?”
Madam Jiang, having spent her whole life in the inner courtyard, could recognize this move immediately.
She fell silent.
“I know you’ve always been dissatisfied with Eldest Sister, but you feel helpless because everyone in the household favors her. You can’t do anything about it, so you probably thought this was a good opportunity. You also want to use the Empress’s power to suppress Eldest Sister, am I right?”
Madam Jiang looked at her youngest son in shock.
Duan Qi’s expression became serious. “I advise you to think carefully.”
“You… stop talking nonsense! I don’t have such thoughts,” Madam Jiang’s heart pounded rapidly, denying it vehemently.
Duan Qi sighed deeply. “You don’t have such thoughts? That’s great, I’m just a petty person. Let me apologize to you first.”
He actually got up and was about to kneel to his mother. Madam Jiang quickly stood up and held him, “What are you doing?”
Duan Qi gently helped her sit back down and then spoke. “Since I have a petty mind, I should apologize. Since you understand the Empress’s intentions, I’m sure you have a plan to deal with it.”
Madam Jiang: …
She hadn’t really thought it through.
But she couldn’t take back what she had said in front of her son. The water that had been poured couldn’t be taken back, so she forced herself to continue, “Although Eldest Sister often irritates me, she is still my daughter. How could I help outsiders bully her?”
Duan Qi smiled gently, but his heart felt bitter. If this were truly the case, how could Eldest Sister be so indifferent to her mother?
Once the mirror is broken, even if it is put back together, the cracks remain.
“Mother is right. How we treat each other within the family is our business. But when facing outsiders, we must stand together to avoid giving anyone an opportunity.”
Madam Jiang felt comforted by her youngest son’s words, and her mood lightened. She couldn’t help but say, “I wasn’t really thinking of embarrassing your Eldest Sister. You don’t need to worry so much. When we go to the palace tomorrow, I know how to handle it.”
Not really thinking of it… but still willing to use the Empress’s power to pressure Eldest Sister.
However, was it so easy to borrow the Empress’s influence?
Madam Jiang could only see the scheming of women in the inner courtyard but couldn’t foresee that the struggle between the Empress and Eldest Sister was no longer confined to the inner quarters. She could only be a tool in the hands of others, and a tool that kills often meets a bad end.
Duan Qi suppressed his irritation and anger, looking at his mother and saying, “Mother, the struggle for the heir position can lead to losing titles, being stripped of office, or worse, execution, with the entire family implicated. The Empress only cares about the Crown Prince. Eldest Sister will become the wife of Duan Wang, and she will be on a different side from the Empress and the Crown Prince. Our family’s lives, you must hold them carefully.”
Madam Jiang turned pale with fear.
“Is it really that serious?”
“His Highness Duan Wang has no intention of competing for the throne, so how could that be?” Madam Jiang looked at her son and asked.
“Second Brother is destined not to inherit the title, so why can’t you still tolerate him?”
Madam Jiang instantly understood.
This little rascal was lecturing her in a roundabout way!
Duan Qi was driven out by Madam Jiang, feeling stifled. She hardly slept that night, and when she got up the next morning, she had dark circles under her eyes, startling Mama Luo.
She quickly ordered a maid to prepare a boiled egg to roll over her eyes, while Mingcui and Yingliu busied themselves picking out clothes and accessories. The room was in a flurry of activity with washing up, dressing, and hair styling.
After finishing breakfast, Mingxi went to Rongan Hall. The Second and Third Madams had already arrived with their children. Madam Jiang was slightly later, but since the Old Madam hadn’t come out yet, she wasn’t considered late.
Duan Huirou had been sitting with Duan Min, but when Duan Mingxi entered, she couldn’t help but steal glances at her.
The pearl-red dress Mingxi wore softened her features. The scattered floral embroidery on the hem, interwoven with silver thread, shimmered gently as she walked, like ripples in water. Her jet-black hair was adorned with a single white jade hairpin, enhancing her elegant demeanor.
Duan Huirou quickly looked away as if burned, her expression slightly dazed.
Duan Min, noticing her reaction, sighed inwardly but maintained a relaxed tone as she spoke, pretending not to notice, “Today, only noblewomen and titled ladies are allowed into the palace. Just thinking about it makes me nervous. Luckily, we don’t have to go; otherwise, I wouldn’t even know which foot to step forward with first.”
Duan Huirou gave a soft snort. “What’s there to be afraid of? Everyone has the same nose and two eyes.”
“That’s true, but I’d rather build up my courage first.”
As Duan Huirou and Duan Min continued their lighthearted conversation, those fleeting emotions gradually faded.
Meanwhile, the Old Madam was instructing Madam Jiang about the palace visit, specifically reminding her to look after Mingxi.
Mingxi sat quietly with a smile, but the idea of Madam Jiang “protecting” her was amusing.
Madam Jiang, not hearing any sarcastic remarks from her eldest daughter today, felt a little more at ease and respectfully responded to the Old Madam, “Please rest assured, I will take good care of Mingxi.”
The Old Madam was still uneasy, but apart from reminding Madam Jiang, there was little else she could do. She turned to Mingxi and said, “Once you enter the palace, stay close to your mother. Don’t wander off. If anyone invites you over, make sure to take your mother with you.”
Mingxi nodded. “Yes, Grandmother.”
After what the Crown Prince had done last time, there was no need for anyone to remind her—she would be extra cautious.
The Second Madam smiled and said, “Mother, Mingxi has always been steady and composed. You can rest easy.”
“Yes, Mother. The palace also has Consort Shu, who will surely look after her,” the Third Madam chimed in.
The old madam waved her hand, signaling Madam Jiang to take Mingxi and leave.
The Marquis’ estate arranged two carriages—one for Madam Jiang and one for Mingxi. Once Mingxi boarded her carriage, Qiancao followed and whispered, “Madam has Luo Mama with her. Earlier, Luo Mama told me she’ll wait for you and Madam outside the palace once you finish.”
Servants like Luo Mama and Qiancao weren’t allowed into the palace.
Mingxi nodded. “Just wait in the carriage. If you get hungry, there are some snacks prepared—have a little to tide you over.”
Since they’d be in the palace all day, the servants had to wait outside just as long.
Qiancao smiled in acknowledgment. As the carriage began moving, she placed a cushion behind Mingxi for support and added, “Luo Mama told me that the Third Young Master dined with Madam last night. They talked for quite some time afterward, but it ended with Madam scolding him away.”
Mingxi turned to look at Qiancao.
Qiancao grinned. “Luo Mama didn’t dare serve them directly but overheard a few things from the veranda. She said Third Young Master was trying to convince Madam to go easy on Second Young Master and also asked her to look after you in the palace today. Miss, it seems Third Young Master treats you quite well.”
Though still young, he’s already more considerate than the shizi.
Mingxi’s expression remained calm, though she was slightly surprised.
Duan Qi was clever, knowing how to assess the situation. He likely urged Madam Jiang not to make things difficult for Duan Ning.
Upon reflection, it wasn’t all that surprising.
She currently had a good impression of this younger brother, but considering what happened in her past life, she remained cautious.
Only time would tell.
