“What is it?” You Sanping immediately asked.
Mingxi looked at him, “I want to know which family Xingan Marquis is currently doing business with.”
“Xingan Marquis?” You Sanping didn’t expect this question. “I really haven’t been paying attention to this. Did you hear something, Miss?”
Mingxi shook her head, “It’s not that I know anything for sure, but I just thought, lately Xingan Marquis has been helping the Crown Prince with quite a few matters. Without silver, how could this be done? The Eastern Palace may have its own enterprises, but big financial movements will surely attract the Emperor’s attention.”
You Sanping understood.
If Xingan Marquis had indeed been helping the Crown Prince with something shady, the Eastern Palace’s public funds couldn’t be moved carelessly; there would definitely be a hidden account.
Whether it was Xingan Marquis’s or the Eastern Palace’s, if they could find it, it would be like having their weakness in hand.
“Alright, I’ll check it out. If I get any news, I’ll report back to you, Miss.” You Sanping said.
“Your injury hasn’t fully healed, and now you’re going to be so busy. For this matter, if not you, Li Quan could check it. But he’s still a bit inexperienced. I know you’re teaching him, so when you’re done, I’ll have Li Mama prepare a gift for you as a master’s reward.”
You Sanping: …
“No need.”
He declined.
Mingxi looked at him, “Oh, I see. Up to you.”
She had thought You Sanping wanted to take on a disciple, but now it seemed not.
His thoughts had always been different from ordinary people. Since he disagreed, Mingxi wouldn’t press the matter.
You Sanping thought Mingxi might ask why, but she didn’t.
Once he left the Marquis’ residence, he felt a bit suffocated by the unspoken thoughts in his heart.
He simply wanted to bring Li Quan forward quickly, so that he could do more for her.
He wouldn’t easily trust others, but Li Quan was Li Mama’s son, and Li Mama was fiercely loyal to Mingxi, so it was different.
After sending off You Sanping, Mingxi received Madam Xiao.
Madam Xiao was heavily pregnant and only had about two months left until her due date. Mingxi personally helped her inside and once she was seated, she said, “Sister-in-law, if something comes up, just send someone to call me, I’ll come over.”
“The doctor said the closer to delivery, the more I should walk around, so the birth will be smoother.”
“Really?” Mingxi didn’t know much about these things since she hadn’t given birth herself.
She took note of what Madam Xiao said.
She turned and had someone bring some jujube tea, then looked at Madam Xiao and asked, “Sister-in-law, did you come here for something?”
“Why, can’t I come without a reason?” Madam Xiao, now on good terms with Mingxi, joked casually.
Mingxi smiled, “Of course, if you want to come, just come.”
“I have some good news to share with you. My sister’s wedding date has been set, and we’d love for you to join us for the wedding.”
“Really? That’s wonderful! When is it?” Mingxi asked with a smile.
“May 8th, right after the Dragon Boat Festival.”
Mingxi was stunned, “So soon?”
Madam Xiao nodded, “I didn’t expect it either. My mother sent a letter saying that it was Duke Wei’s family’s decision, but my sister is of marriageable age, and my parents didn’t want to oppose it. The other side was very sincere, so the date was set.”
Mingxi liked Xiao Ling a lot and said, “I’ll definitely go to the wedding for a drink. I’ll be there when the day comes.”
Madam Xiao was very happy to hear that; she knew Mingxi would attend. Her family had been worried that Mingxi wouldn’t want to go out because of the delayed wedding date.
After discussing the wedding, Madam Xiao began to talk about Duan Ning, “My husband and I think that since the second brother has been promoted, we should celebrate.”
Mingxi looked at Madam Xiao suspiciously, “Why do you suddenly want to celebrate? It’s been a while since this happened.”
If they wanted to host a banquet, they should have done it when the imperial decree came down.
However, at that time, Duan Ning had declined.
Madam Xiao gave a slight smile and Mingxi said softly, “Could it be time to prepare for second brother’s marriage?”
Mingxi hadn’t thought about this matter, since the marriage of young masters and young ladies in the house was decided by the adults. Hearing Madam Xiao mention it, Mingxi furrowed her brows, “What’s going on? Is something wrong?”
She remembered that previously, Madam Jiang had set her sights on Duan Ning, wanting a concubine-born daughter from the Jiang family to marry him. It had been Mingxi who put a stop to it.
Madam Xiao wore a worried expression, clearly unsure how to bring up what she wanted to say.
Mingxi didn’t prompt her, simply watching quietly and waiting.
After a long pause, Madam Xiao let out a soft sigh and said, “It was originally nothing, but now that Second Brother has been appointed as a Compiler at the Hanlin Academy, naturally people have started inquiring about his marriage. Lately, however, there have been some unpleasant rumors circulating outside.”
Mingxi’s expression turned serious. “What kind of rumors?”
Madam Xiao frowned and looked at Mingxi. “Remember how the Jiang family once tried to marry a concubine-born daughter to your second brother, and we refused? Now people are saying that your second brother and the Jiang girl had already shown mutual interest, and now that he’s been promoted, he’s just kicked her aside.”
Mingxi’s face darkened immediately. She had thought the Jiang family had learned their lesson after the last incident, but clearly, they still hadn’t given up.
“Who else in the household knows about this?”
“I heard it from someone my mother sent after she caught wind of it. I don’t know if anyone else in the house is aware,” Madam Xiao sighed.
She had come to tell Mingxi about this for two reasons. First, as a junior, it wasn’t her place to meddle in Duan Ning’s marriage matters. Second, with Madam Jiang still around, Madam Xiao didn’t dare upset her and thus hadn’t dared spread the word.
Seeing how grave Mingxi looked, Madam Xiao sighed again. “I hadn’t meant to trouble you with this, but I truly didn’t know who else I could talk to. If I were to tell Grandmother, and it got back to Mother, I fear it would stir up more conflict.”
As the daughter-in-law, she had her own difficulties.
She also knew that telling Mingxi and letting her handle the situation was not a foolproof plan. The only option was to feign ignorance and focus on a peaceful pregnancy.
But if Duan Ning’s reputation was ruined, how would that benefit them?
Furthermore, this was a matter of personal virtue, and the Jiang family had falsely accused him—it couldn’t just be ignored.
Otherwise, who would take Duan Ning seriously in the future? Especially since he was born of a concubine—if his reputation was ruined, his path would only become more difficult.
The only people in this household who could suppress the Jiang family were the Old Madam and Mingxi. It wasn’t appropriate for her to approach the Old Madam, so she could only discreetly inform Mingxi.
“I understand,” Mingxi said solemnly. “Sister-in-law, your concern for Second Brother—he will surely be grateful when he learns of this.”
This was no small matter.
If Madam Xiao didn’t want to offend anyone, she could have easily pretended not to know about it.
“Sigh, we’re all family—this is my duty. It’s just that I am powerless to solve this on my own, so I must trouble you, dear sister,” Madam Xiao said with an embarrassed look.
Mingxi smiled. “Sister-in-law, as you said, we are family—there’s no need to draw such clear lines. I understand your difficulties.”
Madam Xiao smiled sheepishly and said, “Then I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll head back now.”
Mingxi nodded and walked Madam Xiao out, watching as the servants carefully escorted her away before turning back inside.
