“A soldier’s monthly grain and silver allowance is one tael, one qian, and five fen. The materials allowance is four qian and five fen. For an army of 30,000, the annual cost is 192,000 taels.
Each soldier is also allocated two taels for equipment, totaling 20,000 taels. in sum, we need 212,000 taels.
The Imperial Horse Bureau used to supply some horses, but this year, the number has sharply declined. We must purchase them ourselves. To replace 10,000 horses lost in battle, we need 150,000 taels.”
At this point, Marquis Fengcheng’s eyes reddened slightly. The court’s allocation this year was less than 200,000 taels. With constant warfare and heavy losses, that money had been exhausted in less than six months.
“Your Highness, this is 800,000 taels!”
They could fight against Qinan for an entire year!
800,000 taels…
Xiao Lin was stunned. He looked at Duan Wang in awe. Good heavens, what kind of treasure trove had he married?!
Jealousy! Pure jealousy!
Now, he wanted to marry a walking gold mine too!
Even Xiao Muchen was taken aback. He had expected the amount to be significant, but he hadn’t imagined 800,000 taels!
If Mingxi suddenly took out this much silver, it would surely draw unwanted attention!
He looked at Marquis Fengcheng and Xiao Lin. “This must not be made public for now.”
The two understood the gravity of the situation. Marquis Fengcheng immediately said, “We’ll say the funds came from Your Highness. This will boost morale, and we can discuss the rest later.”
Duan Wang had arrived in Yuxiang City—did anyone really think he was here just for show?
Marquis Fengcheng was the future father-in-law of Kang Wang. He was now aware that Kang Wang had sided with Duan Wang.
At first, he hadn’t intended to associate too closely with Duan Wang. When the Wangye was sent to lead reinforcements, Marquis Fengcheng hadn’t given him much thought.
But over the past few months, Duan Wang had shared hardships with the soldiers, showing none of the arrogance expected from a noble. He never interfered with military decisions and always consulted with him first.
This latest crisis—had it not been for Duan Wang—could have turned into a disaster.
Duan Wang often wore a stern expression, appearing distant, but he was responsible and treated people with respect. Even the lowest-ranking soldier was never dismissed as insignificant.
Marquis Fengcheng had one foot on Duan Wang’s ship already. Now, he just needed to observe a little longer.
Now that they had funds, they still needed to figure out how to buy grain—their most urgent task. Marquis Fengcheng immediately dragged Xiao Lin along to help.
Xiao Lin, eager to learn, followed without hesitation.
After they left, Xiao Muchen stood still, lost in thought.
He couldn’t help but wonder—after giving away so much silver, how would Mingxi’s businesses survive? Surely, Duan Pingchang had also contributed his fortune.
What would happen to his enterprises?
Moreover, when this sum of silver is presented before the emperor, he must find a way to ensure that Mingxi does not attract undue attention. He must request merits for her without inciting jealousy.
How should he maneuver through this situation?
Xiao Muchen’s mind worked rapidly. Mingxi had donated this silver to help him overcome a crisis out of goodwill, but if handled poorly, it could bring calamity upon her.
With this thought, he immediately sat down and wrote a letter to Mingxi to discuss the details. Mingxi had always been cautious in her actions—she must have her own plans.
They needed to align their strategies to avoid any missteps.
After sealing the letter, Xiao Muchen summoned Qi He and ordered him to return to the capital immediately, personally delivering the letter to Mingxi and bringing back her response.
Qi He, unaware of the matter regarding the eight hundred thousand taels, carefully tucked the letter away. under the cover of night, he discreetly left the camp and rode straight for the capital.
***
In the capital, the results of the Spring imperial Examination were announced. Duan Ning made the list and became a Jinshi. The entire Marquis Manor erupted in celebration.
When Duan Ning received the news, he could not even pause to bask in his joy before rushing straight to Mingxi. The moment he saw her, he dropped into a deep bow.
Mingxi was momentarily startled before reaching out to help him up. “Second Brother, what are you doing?”
Duan Ning’s eyes were red as he said, “Without your unwavering support—helping me secure a teacher—I would not have achieved this today. This bow is something you fully deserve.”
Mingxi chuckled. “Second Brother, there’s no need to be so formal. We are siblings, and it is only natural that we support each other.”
Duan Ning thought to himself, How could this be merely a natural duty?
Before Mingxi returned to the manor, his life there had been difficult. Though his concubine-born mother, Yang Yiniang, had done everything in her power to support him, his stepmother had always kept him suppressed. Unlike his younger brother, who had the opportunity to study under a famous teacher in Luo Zhou, he had to rely on his own diligence.
It was only through Mingxi’s assistance that he was able to apprentice under a great scholar. It was then that he finally realized what a difference it made to be taught by a true master.
“Mingxi, as long as I live, I will protect you,” Duan Ning vowed solemnly.
Mingxi looked into his eyes, her own curving slightly in a soft smile. “Alright, I will remember those words, Second Brother.”
Duan Ning also broke into a smile. As a newly appointed Jinshi, his radiant grin could easily enchant countless young ladies if they were to see him.
Yang Yiniang was a beauty, and both of her children had inherited her good looks.
“Come, let’s go to Grandfather. Everyone must be waiting for you,” Mingxi urged.
Duan Ning walked alongside her, and sure enough, when they arrived at Rongan Hall, the entire household was bustling with excitement. Mingxi noticed that Yang Yiniang had also been invited, so she cast a glance at Madam Jiang. As expected, Madam Jiang’s forced smile looked particularly unpleasant.
Yang Yiniang, however, was clearly very tactful. Even though the Old Madam had summoned her, she did not try to steal the spotlight. She simply stood quietly in the corner, watching her son receive praise from the family elders and seeing the Old Madam beam with joy.
Now, things were looking up. With her son earning a top rank, and if he managed to secure an even higher position in the Palace Examination, her daughter Qingyin would have a better chance of marrying well.
Yang Yiniang never cared about her own status. She had accepted her fate as a concubine, but if her son could make a name for himself and her daughter could secure a good marriage, she would finally feel vindicated.
At such a crucial moment, she knew to remain humble and composed—there was no need to flaunt her success and risk giving Madam Jiang an opportunity to strike back.
Meanwhile, the Second Madam was feeling rather dejected. Her own son, Duan Jin, had barely missed passing the examination.
The thought filled her with regret. if only she had been quicker back then! Yang Yiniang had seized the opportunity first, allowing Duan Ning to study under the renowned scholar Chen. Meanwhile, her own son had ended up in the lesser Songshan Academy.
Now it was clear—true scholars were leagues apart from the rest.
This incident solidified her resolve. From now on, she would follow Mingxi’s lead in all matters.
The more she thought about it, the more she regretted her hesitation. How could i have been outmaneuvered by a mere concubine?
Frustrated, she treated Duan Ning even more kindly, hoping that he could assist her son in his studies in the future. After all, a disciple of a great scholar was sure to be different.
The Third Madam, however, was not as anxious. Her son was a little younger and had another year at Songshan Academy before taking the exams. By then, he would have a better chance.
As the household rejoiced, Duan Qi and Duan Yu returned home. Soon, Duan Jin and his brothers gathered, joined by Duan Heng and the younger boys, Duan Chenyu and Duan Xun. They declared that they would celebrate with drinks at noon.
Just as they made their announcement, the Second Master and Third Master arrived at the manor gates. Hearing their sons’ plan, they clapped their hands in agreement.
Passing the examination meant entering adulthood—it was only right to have a proper drink.
Meanwhile, Dingyuan Marquis had rushed home as soon as he received the good news. However, before he could even catch a glimpse of his newly minted Jinshi son, his father greeted him with a blow from his cane.
Dingyuan Marquis: …
Was he really getting beaten on such a joyous day?
Duan Qingyin leaned against Mingxi and whispered, “Elder Sister, thank you.”
Mingxi patted her hand. There was no need to talk of gratitude. Supporting Duan Ning was beneficial to herself as well. Fortunately, her judgment had been right this lifetime—Duan Ning was someone who knew how to repay kindness.
When one prospers, all prosper. in a society bound by ties of kinship, classmates, and teacher-student relationships, she knew that if she wanted to claim what was rightfully hers and secure her own happiness, she had to unite all possible allies.
Buddhism taught about letting go.
Some things, she could not let go of. But some things, she could.
To save others was to save oneself.
She was not enlightened enough to truly embrace this philosophy, but in this life, she wanted to live with more ease and joy.
