Mingxi received a letter from Xiao Muchen and sat by the window in silence for a long time after reading it.
Since her rebirth, her deepest wish had been to ensure the safety and well-being of her adoptive parents and younger brother, to allow them to live peaceful lives.
Her parents were now in the capital, living relatively comfortably. Her younger brother had been sent to an academy to pursue his ambitions.
She had avoided her engagement to Duke Gao’s family, overcoming a major calamity in her life.
Yet, becoming Duan Wangfei had drawn her into the perilous vortex of royal contention.
She hadn’t expected things to escalate so quickly. She thought the storm would arrive years later, when the Emperor’s health further declined, and the Empress and Crown Prince would make their moves.
She had been wrong.
Running her fingers over the letter Xiao Muchen had sent, Mingxi noted the strength in his handwriting, the hidden sharpness—much like the man himself, restrained yet harboring a lethal edge.
Since Xiao Muchen had already unsheathed his blade, she couldn’t afford to be a hindrance.
Mingxi stood, dressed quickly, and rode to the manor on horseback.
When Second Master Duan heard she had arrived, he immediately came out to greet her. “Mingxi, what brings you here so suddenly?”
“Second Uncle,” Mingxi dismounted and signaled to her attendants. “I came to check on the progress of the greenhouses.”
“Per your instructions, the vegetables have been planted. However, Mingxi, the weather isn’t cold yet. Even if they grow, they won’t fetch high prices,” Second Master Duan explained, clearly puzzled by her plans.
Mingxi smiled. “Uncle, who said we’re selling them?”
“Not selling them? Then why plant so many? We can’t possibly consume them all ourselves,” he replied, confused.
“We’ll keep what we need for the family. The rest will be sent as gifts to relatives and friends, or supplied to our family’s restaurants. My Yuxian Tower will also source its vegetables from here.”
Second Master Duan froze, surprised. Wasn’t the plan to profit from selling vegetables?
Mingxi raised her gaze to the orderly rows of greenhouses in the distance, unaware of the subtle shift in her uncle’s expression. She said softly, “Uncle, just remember one thing: no matter who asks for vegetables, refuse them. Tell them it’s for the family’s own use.”
“Ah? Alright… but, Mingxi, you—” He hesitated, unsure how to phrase his concern.
Seeing his expression, Mingxi smiled gently. “Second Uncle, I won’t go back on my word. Trust me.”
Clearing his throat, he replied, “It’s not that I doubt you. I just don’t fully understand the reasoning behind all this.”
“You’ll understand soon enough, Second Uncle. For now, just remember: no matter who asks for vegetables, redirect them to me. If they persist, bring up Duan Wang.”
At the mention of Duan Wang, Second Master Duan stiffened. It was just vegetables—did they really need the Wangye’s authority to back them? Suddenly, he felt an inexplicable pressure but still couldn’t grasp the bigger picture.
Mingxi invited her Second Uncle to the hall for a conversation. “In a few days, our first batch of baby green vegetables will be ready. Second Uncle, you need to find someone to weave bamboo baskets for packing the vegetables. Make sure to hire a skilled craftsman—the baskets must be exquisite and elegant. They should have lids, and the lids must bear the emblem of our ‘Hot Spring Vegetables.'”
Second Master Duan: …
You’re just growing vegetables, not running a jewelry store.
But since Mingxi had spoken, he agreed. “That’s easy to arrange. But what emblem should we use? Right now, Yuxian Tower is quite famous in the capital. Why not use its signboard?”
That way, if they gifted it to relatives and acquaintances, it would look good too.
“That works.” Mingxi nodded in agreement. “In any case, our Hot Spring Vegetables must become well-known.”
Second Master Duan looked at Mingxi, puzzled. “You’re not selling the vegetables but still want to make a name for them—what’s your real plan?”
However, his mind wasn’t as sharp as Mingxi’s, so he simply followed her instructions without further questions.
After discussing the details with her uncle, Mingxi mounted her horse and returned to the city. Her first stop was the Yuxian Tower to speak with its manager, Qi Dongchun.
Qi Dongchun immediately grew excited at her plan, grinning as he said, “Miss, you always have such clever ideas! The nobles in the capital love eating anything with a unique story behind it. This ‘hot spring vegetable’ concept is unprecedented—it’s bound to be a hit!”
Mingxi gave a small nod. “Prepare for it, but ensure it’s only available in limited quantities each day.”
“Understood. Scarcity adds value. Too much of a good thing, and it loses its appeal,” Qi Dongchun said with even greater enthusiasm. Rubbing his hands together, he added, “Miss, the weather’s cooling quickly. If these vegetables can still be harvested during winter, Yuxian Tower might well become the top dining establishment in the capital this year.”
Mingxi smiled slightly. “I’ll try to ensure the restaurant receives a consistent supply.”
Qi Dongchun glanced at her, puzzled. “Miss, how is this uncertain? It’s your farm, after all. Don’t you have full control over it?”
After Mingxi left, Qi Dongchun continued to ponder. Worried she might have encountered difficulties, he decided to visit Duan Pingchang for advice.
When Duan Pingchang returned from the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, he saw Qi Dongchun waiting for him. “What brings you here? Did something happen with the Eldest Miss?”
“Master, there is a matter I am unsure about. Please take a look and advise me.”
Duan Pingchang entered the hall and sat down. “Speak.”
Qi Dongchun explained the situation. “I am worried that the eldest young lady might be facing some difficulties. If she really has control over this estate, would she still be unable to make decisions when the time comes?”
Duan Pingchang had heard Mingxi mention this matter before and knew it had something to do with Second Master Duan. He looked at Qi Dongchun and said, “Just follow the eldest young lady’s instructions. She has her own plans—your job is to carry them out.”
Hearing this, Qi Dongchun realized he had been overthinking. He chuckled and said, “Ah, I was just worrying for nothing. Now that you’ve said this, I feel relieved.”
“You are thorough in your thinking. That’s why I feel at ease entrusting Yuxian Tower to you,” Duan Pingchang said. “The eldest young lady’s status will be different in the future, so it’s right for you to be extra cautious.”
Qi Dongchun did not dare to show any sign of complacency. Having managed affairs in the Duan household for many years, he had always been treated well by both the master and the eldest young lady. Naturally, he was committed to doing his best.
After Qi Dongchun left, Duan Pingchang went to the backyard. When Madam Xu saw her husband, she asked, “Has Qi Dongchun left?”
Duan Pingchang nodded. “It was nothing major—just something he was uncertain about.”
Madam Xu smiled. “Manager Qi has been around for years. Is there still anything he can’t be sure about?”
“The capital and Jiangcheng are different. Here, one bows to officials and looks up to nobility—one must be even more careful.”
“That’s true.” Madam Xu poured him a cup of tea and gently said, “Your elder brother sent a letter. He has found what you were looking for, and it will be sent to the capital in a few days.”
Duan Pingchang nodded. “Tong Gaozhuo has been making frequent moves within the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau lately, targeting me multiple times. Fortunately, Xie Fang has been mediating, and Xu Donglin, considering Duan Wang’s influence, hasn’t let Tong Gaozhuo go too far. But no matter what, I must secure next year’s allocation from the bureau.”
Madam Xu furrowed her brows in concern. “Tong Gaozhuo has become increasingly reckless, relying on the Crown Prince’s support. You must be extremely careful.”
Duan Pingchang sneered. “Every cat has its path, and every rat has its tunnel. Let’s just wait and see.” Then, he looked at his wife. “Xixi is probably about to take action. How are things on your end?”
Madam Xu was taken aback. “So soon? Weren’t there still a few days left?”
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