Mingxi sat down across from Duan Ning and asked in a gentle voice, “Second Brother, I heard you’re planning to take the shujishi exam.”
Duan Ning poured her a cup of tea and chuckled. “This Shanliqing tea set was a gift from you. Before you gave it to me, I never owned anything this valuable.”
Mingxi frowned slightly—what did that have to do with her question?
“When I was studying in Songshan, my mother almost lost her life during childbirth. it was you who ensured justice was served and saved her. Now, thanks to you, Qingyin can live comfortably in the manor without constantly living in fear. I know all of this is because of you.”
“Second Brother, there’s no need to be so formal with me.”
“How could it be formal? I’m sincerely grateful to you. Now that I’ve passed the exams, people will say that the Marquis Manor took great care in educating its shu sons. They’ll praise my di mother’s generosity, saying that even the shu sons have achieved success.”
Mingxi started to understand what he was getting at.
“But no one knows that before you returned to the manor, everyone used to say that my mother was arrogant because of her favor. Only I knew that she lived in constant fear, worried that if she lost favor, we siblings would be trampled underfoot by our di mother. She dressed in her finest clothes every day, cherished her beauty, never ate too much meat for fear of gaining weight, counted every grain of rice she consumed, and never even touched pastries or sweets.”
Mingxi listened quietly, realizing that Duan Ning had been holding these words in his heart for a long time.
Duan Ning tilted his head back to look at the sky. “Truthfully, my di mother isn’t a vicious person. otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to continue my studies. But…”
Mingxi understood—some things were simply hard to let go.
Duan Yu, Madam Jiang’s son, had inherited the title of shizi despite not excelling in academics. He had only secured a low-ranking official position and still had to study diligently every day.
The laziness of youth eventually had to be made up for if he wanted to get ahead.
Meanwhile, Duan Qi was still young, and Madam Jiang wasn’t willing to push her youngest son too hard. That meant Duan Ning, as a shu son, would pose a threat to her own sons if he became too outstanding.
Of course she wouldn’t be happy about that.
She constantly sought ways to suppress him, though her methods were limited. Madam Jiang was narrow-minded, but she wasn’t truly ruthless—just dealing with a single concubine already drained her energy.
This was why Duan Ning had such complicated feelings toward Madam Jiang.
He resented her lack of generosity, yet he was also relieved that she wasn’t crueler.
Mingxi looked at him and asked, “Second Brother, when you marry and have children in the future, will you treat your di and shu children equally?”
Duan Ning was stunned.
Mingxi smiled. “Even though you’re shu born, I think when the time comes, your heart will naturally lean toward your di children.”
If he married a wife from a noble family, she certainly wouldn’t allow him to blur the line between di and shu.
“Big Brother and Third Brother are both di born, yet why did the shizi title go to Big Brother? Because he’s the eldest di son,” Mingxi said. “Second Brother, life rarely goes exactly as one wishes. In this society, hierarchy and rules exist for a reason. Without them, everything would fall into chaos.”
She smiled again and continued, “The label of ‘shu’ only holds back those who are ordinary. But you—you’ve already passed the imperial exam with flying colors. If you pass the shujishi exam and enter the Hanlin Academy, your future will be entirely different. A great roc spreads its wings and laments that the sky is too low. You can carve out your own path. There’s a saying: ‘A real man does not rely on inheritance, just as a virtuous woman does not rely on her dowry.’”
“Second Brother, those who remain trapped in past grievances are the ones who fail to move forward. Right now, you are in your prime. Instead of dwelling on old grudges, you should look ahead. Look at the imperial court, look at the people of this land, look at the suffering of commoners where war rages. You have studied for so many years—shouldn’t you serve the court with loyalty and speak for the people? Be a man who stands tall and proud.”
Madam Jiang should not become your inner demon.
Hearing Mingxi’s stirring words, the frustration in Duan Ning’s heart dissipated.
She was right—he was a man of honor. His eyes should be set on greater things, not confined to this four-walled courtyard.
His expression turned to one of shame. “Little Sister…”
“Second Brother, we siblings have all had our struggles. I understand how you feel. From now on, let’s work together and move forward side by side.” Mingxi raised her teacup. “Come, I’ll toast you with tea. May you have a bright future and leave your name in history!”
Duan Ning laughed heartily. “Alright! I’ll accept your good wishes.”
Behind a closed door, the Old Master stood silent for a long time. He looked up at the sky and sighed. He had always prided himself on his wisdom, yet when it came to raising his children, he had been outdone by a merchant’s daughter.
Duan Ning had always harbored resentment toward Madam Jiang because of Yang Yiniang. The day he came to visit and announced he would stay in the capital, he knew this matter wouldn’t be easy to resolve.
Yet, Mingxi managed to make him open his heart and let go of old grudges with just a few words.
The marquis household owed much of its current stability to Mingxi, and the old master knew it well.
His granddaughter was truly remarkable.
Once she married into the imperial family, in that deep and treacherous pond, who knew what kind of future she would carve out for herself?
The old master wasn’t even aware of the matter concerning the 800,000 taels of silver. If he knew, he might not have been able to stand here so calmly.
Mingxi’s ambitions were always aimed at the highest places.
***
The next day, Duan Ning went to take the imperial exam for Shujishi. After returning home, he first paid respects to his grandfather and grandmother before heading to Madam Jiang’s quarters to greet her.
This time, he was calm and composed before Madam Jiang, lacking the sharpness of the past and showing more deference.
Madam Jiang: …?
Had he been possessed?
Duan Ning had always treated her with courtesy, but never had he made her feel this unnerved before.
Was Yang Yiniang plotting something again?
Though she had never liked Duan Ning and wasn’t happy about him staying in the capital, she hadn’t done anything to obstruct him this time.
Just as she was lost in thought, she heard Duan Ning say, “Mother, I decided to stay in the capital for three reasons. First, I wish to assist Eldest Brother as his right hand. Second, I can help guide Third Brother with his studies whenever I have time and share my insights with him.
Thirdly, after being under your guidance for so many years, I haven’t had the chance to truly fulfill my filial duty. I feel deeply uneasy about this. I hope that by staying in the capital for a few years, I can repay your kindness. After that, I will consider taking an official post elsewhere.”
Madam Jiang: …
She hadn’t guided him at all—if anything, she had spent most of her efforts feuding with Yang Yiniang and setting obstacles for him.
However, hearing Duan Ning speak this way, and realizing that it would benefit both of her sons, she felt slightly more at ease, whether he was sincere or not.
Madam Jiang coughed lightly and said, “It is good that you have such intentions. If you pass the Shujishi exam and enter the Hanlin Academy, you should dedicate yourself to your duties. The Hanlin Academy is filled with talented individuals, and rising through the ranks is incredibly difficult. You must understand the challenges ahead. Since you’ve chosen this path, do your best.”
It could take ten years or more before he saw any success. The phrase “bitter Hanlin” wasn’t for nothing—climbing up the ranks there was extremely difficult. By then, her youngest son would surely have achieved great success, and her eldest son would have his help. What waves could Duan Ning possibly stir up?
With this thought, Madam Jiang suddenly felt much more at peace.
Right now, Duan Ning was in his prime, and she was even gaining a reputation as a benevolent stepmother who treated her husband’s illegitimate son kindly. it somewhat helped salvage her poor reputation in the capital.
On second thought, Duan Ning’s successful career could even help her two sons.
But as soon as she was pleased with this, she remembered her troublesome eldest daughter. Because of her, the entire marquis household had risen in prominence, and now she had virtually no authority left in the family.
She couldn’t dwell on it—it only made her more frustrated.
