Wan Mama, uncertain of the Old Madam’s feelings, thought about the hefty pouch Qiancao had just slipped her and said evenly, “Indeed, among the young masters and misses of this household, the Eldest Miss is the first to bring you something after being outside. It shows her respect and devotion.”
The Old Madam’s expression softened slightly. “She’s filial enough, but her disposition is troublesome.”
Wan Mama opened the pastry box, took out a small package of rose pastries, and placed them on a small white porcelain dish, setting it lightly before the Old Madam.
“From what the Eldest Miss said the other day, since Jiangcheng raised her as a firstborn son, it wouldn’t do for her temperament to be too soft—how else could she manage the family business?”
“In my opinion, her temperament is just right,” Wan Mama continued. “With the Old Madam’s support, you can arrange a good match for her. She’d certainly manage her future household with competence.”
The Old Madam snorted softly. “I think she’s very shrewd. About that marriage with Duke Gao’s household—now that I think of it, she might have caught wind of it early.”
Otherwise, how could things fall into place so seamlessly?
Wan Mama’s heart skipped a beat. “Old Madam, surely not. The Eldest Miss hasn’t been back long—how could she know about Duke Gao’s household? I think it was their shizi and that Miss Bai being indiscreet and getting caught by the Eldest Miss. Instead of owning up, they tried to smear her name. Anyone would find that intolerable.”
That’s true.
The Old Madam sighed. “Forget it. Don’t bring up Duke Gao’s marriage anymore. With her current reputation, arranging her future marriage won’t be easy.”
“Old Madam, the Eldest Miss saved Miss Qiao and Miss Chu. As for that matter with Duke Gao’s household, it will soon be forgotten,” Wan Mama said with a smile.
The Old Madam, however, was still pondering how to make Duan Mingxi contribute financially. Marriage could wait, but her sons’ prospects were urgent. The household’s resources were dwindling, and the expenses were considerable.
A solution had to be found.
***
The night was cool, the moon hidden, and stars sparse.
The tassels on the bamboo blinds swayed gently in the breeze. As the night wind blew through the window, the flickering lamplight illuminated a figure seated at a desk. The person set down their pen under the shifting glow.
The slender, elegant hands, as fair as fine jade, were mesmerizing under the lamplight.
“How are things progressing?” the figure asked.
Qi He replied immediately, “The Old Madam of Duke Rong’s household visited Consort De in the palace today. Consort De then petitioned the Emperor, and the matter of Yuguan Mountain is now under investigation.”
Xiao Muchen’s expression remained calm. Without looking up, he spoke quietly, “Has the news been released?”
“Yes, the informant placed in Consort De’s palace has already taken action,” Qi He replied with a bow. “Your Highness, the incident at Yuguang Mountain is quite peculiar. I investigated secretly and found that Liu Yan was indeed pursued and injured. However, Liu Yan claims that the assailants were masked, making it impossible to identify their appearances or confirm who they were.”
Xiao Muchen stood tall, dressed impeccably, his figure illuminated by the lamplight. His sharp gaze rested on the night sky, and after a moment of silence, he let out a cold laugh. “Exactly. That way, everyone present at the scene can be implicated.”
“Wangye means this is a plot orchestrated by those aligned with Consort De?” Qi He’s expression turned grave.
“That day, only the Crown Prince did not participate. Keep an eye on the Empress and the movements of Duke Cao family. Spread this news, and drag both the Empress and the Crown Prince into the water,” said Xiao Muchen.
“Yes,” Qi He responded, bowed, and retreated.
So, was it the Empress and the Crown Prince’s conspiracy, or the schemes of Consort De and Qi Wang?
Regardless, once the news was released, no matter who made the move, they’d all be caught in the mire.
A blazing red sun rose in the sky, heralding the start of a new day. By then, rumors about the Crown Prince and several Wangyes had already spread throughout the capital.
The near-death incident of Liu Yan, the shizi to Duke Rong household, during a hunting expedition had been woven into the struggle for succession among the princes, further complicating the situation.
The citizens discussed it fervently, and officials and nobles across the capital were abuzz with speculation.
Early in the morning, Duan Mingxi returned from paying her respects to the Old Madam. After a simple breakfast, Li Mama came to report on matters outside.
Duan Mingxi’s eyes darkened. As expected, just like her previous life, the Empress and the Crown Prince had been dragged into the fray.
What was she doing at this time in her past life?
By then, Madam Jiang had already finalized her engagement with the Gao family. She was confined to the mansion, embroidering her dowry. During that time, Madam Jiang and the Old Madam told her that the business ventures of the Marquis household had suffered because of the incessant infighting between the Crown Prince and the Wangyes.
Seeing their anxiety, she had handed over a portion of her properties to assist them.
Unbeknownst to her, it was all a performance by the two of them.
Recalling the scene earlier when Madam Jiang intentionally mentioned the difficulties faced by the Marquis household in front of the Old Madam, Duan Mingxi let out a cold laugh.
In her previous life, they had at least waited until the capital was in turmoil from the power struggles before approaching her. In this life, they were testing her much earlier.
How could someone newly returned to the mansion, like her, know anything about the affairs of such a large household?
If they couldn’t manage, the Old Madam and the other Madams could use their dowries to cover the losses. What did it have to do with her?
Coveting her possessions? Dream on.
Naturally, the Old Madam and Madam Jiang were displeased. Their test that day had yielded nothing, as Duan Mingxi remained calm as a mountain, showing no reaction. This left them with a foreboding sense of unease.
They couldn’t directly ask her for things; she had to willingly offer them up.
“Miss,” Qiancao hurried in with a post in her hands. “A message from Miss Liu of Duke Rong household.”
Duan Mingxi reached out to take it. Opening the post, she saw that Liu Yunhua had invited her to Jinrui Garden for tea.
Liu Yunhua was Liu Yan’s sister, likely reaching out about the incident at Yuguan Mountain.
Initially planning to decline, Duan Mingxi suddenly remembered something. She stood up and said, “Go to Rongan Hall and inform the Old Madam.”
The Old Madam would not stop her from going out upon receiving a message from Liu Yunhua.
Sure enough, the Old Madam gave her approval.
The Old Madam frowned and looked at Wan Mama. “Liu Yunhua… Since when did she get involved with the Duke Rong household?”
Wan Mama was equally puzzled. “I’m not sure. Shall I inquire?”
The Old Madam grew increasingly uneasy. First, it was the Qiao family, then the Xian Wang household, and now the Duke Rong family. None of these were connections the Marquis household could easily rely on, yet this granddaughter had already linked herself to all of them within such a short time.
The Old Madam’s expression shifted repeatedly, her gaze turning ever more somber.
Standing nearby, Wan Mama dared not speak but silently marveled at how formidable their eldest young lady was. One thing after another, she was utterly unpredictable.
It seemed the Old Madam and Madam Jiang’s plans were bound to fail.
