Seeing his daughter’s reluctance, Duan Pingchang’s mind drifted to the confident, straightforward girl she had been in Jiangcheng. Now, she seemed weighed down with sorrow, and it pained him deeply.
Although Mingxi was not their biological daughter, he and his wife had raised her as their own after taking her in.
Despite being a merchant family, they had spared her from hardship. Yet, in just a month in the capital, how had she become so diminished?
Duan Pingchang gritted his teeth. “Xixi, speak up. Your father is listening. If you want to return home, I’ll find a way to sever ties with the Marquis Residence.”
Even if it cost everything they had, he would make it happen.
Isn’t it just spending some money?
Madam Xu nodded eagerly. “Xixi, don’t be afraid. Your father will figure it out.”
Duan Mingxi tightly held her parents’ hands, taking a deep breath before recounting her experiences since arriving in the capital.
Madam Xu was so furious at Madam Jiang’s blatant favoritism that her whole body trembled, unable to speak.
Pei!
They had promised to properly compensate Xixi, and this was how they did it?
Madam Xu’s heart ached with maternal love. Her dear Xixi—when had she ever endured such hardships?
“Father, Mother, I’ve temporarily managed to secure a foothold in the Marquis Manor. For now, it’s impossible for them to let me return to Jiangcheng. However, my position in the Marquis Manor is still weak, so I need your help.”
Duan Pingchang understood his daughter’s meaning and pondered for a moment before saying, “Are you asking us to stay in the capital?”
“The Marquis Manor is in dire financial straits,” Duan Mingxi said with a cold laugh.
Duan Pingchang’s expression darkened. “So they’ve set their sights on you?”
When he had sent his daughter back to acknowledge her lineage, he had feared she might suffer grievances. That was why he had provided her with an abundance of personal assets. Now it seemed those things had provoked envy.
Duan Mingxi nodded and explained the situation regarding the feud with Duke Gao’s family.
This time, Madam Xu didn’t have the time to cry. She immediately lashed out, “What a deceitful, heartless mother! Why didn’t she let the Second Miss marry instead? Clearly, she knew this match was inappropriate and decided to use our Xixi to gain benefits!”
“Thankfully, Xixi is clever and managed to escape this calamity,” Duan Pingchang sighed in relief. Although he had wealth, he had no influence in the capital. Confronting Duke Gao’s family head-on was beyond his current capabilities.
Duan Mingxi thought to herself, clever? Hardly. In my previous life, I trusted my birth mother blindly and jumped straight into a pit of fire. I was the most foolish of all.
Madam Xu looked at her husband, her eyes pleading. “Lao Ye?”
Duan Pingchang paced the room with his hands behind his back. His foundation was in Jiangcheng; moving recklessly to the capital would make it difficult to establish a name. A merchant without backing would be devoured until nothing was left.
Especially since they were Xixi’s adoptive parents. If the Marquis Manor discovered this, they might secretly sabotage their efforts and force them back to Jiangcheng.
Duan Mingxi understood what her father was worried about and softly said, “For now, we must keep a low profile. My suggestion is that Father begins discreetly establishing businesses in the capital. Once I’ve stabilized things here, I’ll find a patron to support you.”
Duan Pingchang frowned at his daughter. “There’s no need for you to trouble yourself over such matters. I’ve been in business all my life and dealt with officials for decades. I know what to do.”
Duan Mingxi was about to say more, but Duan Pingchang interrupted her. “Xixi, focus on being the First Miss of the Marquis Manor. Leave everything else to me. Since I’ve come here, I have the ability to gain a foothold in the capital.”
At this moment, Duan Sirui, who had been silent until now, tugged on his sister’s sleeve.
Mingxi turned to look at her younger brother, listening as he said, “Sister, I’ll study hard. This year, I’ll pass the provincial exams and become a xiucai. Then I’ll pass the metropolitan exams and, in a few years, become a jinshi. When I’m an official, I’ll support you.”
Hearing her brother’s ambitious declaration, Duan Mingxi couldn’t help but smile. Passing the imperial exams was no easy feat, especially for families like the Marquis, where the younger generation didn’t excel academically.
Still, she wouldn’t discourage him. Instead, she encouraged him, “Great! I’ll be waiting for the day you achieve high honors and stand by my side.”
“I’m heading to Uncle Chen’s academy to study. After meeting you, I’ll have to leave,” Duan Sirui said reluctantly. If not for his desire to see his sister, he wouldn’t have taken this detour to the capital.
Duan Mingxi nodded gently. “You’re the little man of our family now. When you get to Uncle Chen’s place, study hard and don’t be mischievous.
“As for the Marquis young masters, don’t let them weigh on your mind. When you meet them, just be polite and follow etiquette. They owe me a favor and won’t trouble you.”
Duan Sirui nodded. “I’ll remember what you said, elder sister.”
Hearing his daughter’s words, Duan Pingchang understood that she had used Chen Qiting’s influence to suppress the second and third branches of the Marquis’s household and temporarily align them with her. He thought she had handled the situation quite well.
Time was pressing, and Duan Mingxi couldn’t stay long. Reluctantly, she bid farewell. “I’ll visit you when I get the chance.” Then, turning to her father, she added, “Please think carefully about coming to the capital.”
Her father replied with assurance, “I understand. Don’t worry. If you want to live comfortably in the Marquis’s household, don’t hesitate to spend money. Our family lacks for many things, but not that.”
Duan Mingxi smiled faintly. “Understood.”
She then looked at her mother, Madam Xu. “Mother, please take good care of yourself. Don’t overthink or worry too much. Knowing you’re healthy will ease my mind. Otherwise, if your health suffers, I’ll always be concerned about you even while living at the Marquis’s household.”
Madam Xu, her face filled with joy, said, “Alright, alright, I understand. You take care of yourself too. Don’t rush to visit us—come whenever it’s convenient. I’ll be waiting here for you, not going anywhere.”
Duan Mingxi tightly embraced her mother and couldn’t hold back her tears.
How wonderful that her parents and younger brother were still well, and their family could still be together.
As long as they didn’t return to Jiangcheng, they wouldn’t fall into the miserable fate of her previous life. By staying in the capital, she could keep an eye on them.
Things would turn out well for them from now on.
After boarding the carriage, they returned to the shop from earlier, where Qiancao was already waiting. Duan Mingxi changed her attire and asked, “Did anything happen on the way?”
“Nothing at all,” Qiancao replied cautiously. “We took a very roundabout route before coming back.”
Duan Mingxi nodded. “It’s getting late. Let’s head back.”
The group returned to the Marquis’s household, where Duan Mingxi first went to pay her respects to the Old Madam. This time, Rongan Hall was exceptionally quiet.
The Old Madam didn’t see her; instead, Wan Mama came out with a smile. “It’s thoughtful of you, Eldest Miss, but the Old Madam isn’t feeling well and has retired early.”
Duan Mingxi immediately appeared concerned. “Is Grandmother alright? Has a physician been called?”
“It’s just an old ailment. She’s taken her medicine and is resting. No need to worry, Eldest Miss.”
With a look of genuine concern, Duan Mingxi handed over some pastries she had brought from Jiuchunzai. “I know Grandmother loves their rose pastries and plum blossom cakes, so I brought some back. I will trouble Mama to pass them on for me.”
Wan Mama accepted the pastries with a beaming smile, thanked her, and sent her off before turning back to the inner chamber.
“Old Madam, these are the pastries the Eldest Miss brought for you.”
The signature pastry box of Jiuchunzai was instantly recognizable.
“She is thoughtful,” the Old Madam remarked in a detached tone.
If she were truly filial, she wouldn’t have caused such headaches.
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