“You’re not wrong,” said Tong Gaozhuo, “but he’s got Eldest Miss Duan behind him, and that one isn’t to be trifled with. Are you sure you can pull this off?”
“That Duan Ning is just a shu son—what, our Jiang family’s concubine-born daughter isn’t good enough for him? A few years ago, he’d have been dreaming to even think of marrying a Jiang girl.”
Tong Gaozhuo, who also held resentment against Dingyuan Marquis’s household due to Mingxi, snorted: “Exactly. Acting arrogant just because he got a Hanlin Academy post. There are tons of Hanlin editors out there. Climbing the ranks still depends on skill—and luck.”
“Right, let him come back bragging when he becomes an Imperial Lecturer. But I bet he won’t even get that far.” Tong Gaozhuo sneered.
“Brother Jiang, this is your last shot. After this, it’ll be near impossible to get leverage over the Marquis manor again.”
Drunk and red-eyed, Jiang Bingyuan was obsessed with seeking justice and making the Marquis household suffer in silence.
At that moment, a servant rushed in to report: “Third Master, the young madam has really returned to the Jiang residence.”
Tong Gaozhuo’s eyes flashed. “Brother Jiang, this is your chance. Show your authority as her elder brother.”
Jiang Bingyuan stood up with a twisted expression. “Good. I’m going back now. Just wait for my good news.”
He left with the help of his servant. Only then did Tong Gaozhuo sit back, looking pleased.
Now he really wanted to see what Duan Mingxi would do.
She couldn’t possibly kick Madam Jiang out of the Marquis manor—it would ruin her own reputation.
His Highness’s strategy was brilliant—this move was masterful.
Back at the Jiang residence, Jiang Bingyuan wasted no time. Never mind the details of the loud argument with Madam Jiang, he pushed her to agree to marrying off Duan Ning to their concubine-born daughter, all under the pretense of doing it for her own good.
Madam Jiang’s mother and sister-in-law were also present, pressuring her together.
Madam Jiang’s sister-in-law looked at her and said, “You’re determined to play the kind mother now, but do you really think Yang Yiniang and her son believe it? Sister, we’re doing this for your own good. If you control Duan Ning’s marriage, Yang Yiniang will finally yield. Don’t be fooled by her humility—it’s just a show.”
“Yes, your sister-in-law is right. And I, as your brother, only want the best for you. We’re family—how could we harm you?” Jiang Bingyuan added.
Madam Jiang, never very strong-willed, began to waver.
After all, deep down she still didn’t trust Yang Yiniang and her son.
Jiang Bingyuan and the elder madam exploited that hesitation. Every word they said attacked Yang Yiniang and dredged up old grievances between the two women, fueling Madam Jiang’s resentment.
“But the Marquis household would never agree to this marriage,” she frowned.
The elder madam and her mother-in-law exchanged glances. Then the elder madam casually said: “What’s so difficult about that? Marriage is a matter for the parents to decide. You are his legal mother, so you have the authority to decide for him. If you’re still uneasy, why not do this—have Duan Ning meet Huian in private. If someone happens to catch them together, wouldn’t that seal the deal?”
Madam Jiang’s heart skipped a beat. She was clearly tempted.
At this point, the old Madam Jiang spoke: “It’s settled then. Once Huian marries into that household, she’ll help you manage things. You’ll finally have some support in the Marquis manor—better than how things are now.”
Madam Jiang thought about her current situation in the Marquis manor—her husband was unreliable, her son distant, one daughter hated her, and the other couldn’t be counted on.
If Huian married in, she really would gain an ally.
***
“When Madam came back, she didn’t do anything unusual?” Mingxi asked, looking at Li Mama.
Li Mama nodded. “That’s right. When the Madam returned from the Jiang residence, this old servant saw her from afar—she actually looked to be in quite a good mood.”
Mingxi sat there in silence for a long time. She really shouldn’t have had any expectations.
She had thought that after suffering a setback, Madam Jiang might have learned her lesson and would handle things more fairly this time.
But she was wrong.
Madam Jiang was selfish and self-serving, and the Jiang family was a pack of wolves who would devour a person whole without spitting out the bones. In her past life, when her father met his tragic end, the Jiang family played a major role in it.
She had hoped that in this life, as long as the Jiang family left them alone, she could let the past stay in the past and ensure her parents’ safety.
But some people are rotten to the core. How could they possibly change so easily?
Especially now, when the Jiang family was even worse off than in the previous life. Their only means of survival was to maintain a tight grip on Madam Jiang and use her as a means to leech off the Marquis Household.
Duan Ning was the perfect target.
As a concubine-born son, his footing in the family was still unstable, making him easy to manipulate.
Mingxi let out a cold laugh.
What a beautiful dream they were dreaming.
As long as she was here, it would never happen.
Mingxi thought it over but couldn’t quite figure out what the Jiang family would do to force Duan Ning into submission.
That night, after Duan Yu and Duan Ning returned from court, and Duan Qi came back from his studies, she gathered all three of them together.
The three brothers ran into each other at Mingxi’s door, exchanging puzzled glances.
“Big Brother, Second Brother, what are you doing here? Did Big Sister call for you too?” Duan Qi asked.
Duan Yu nodded.
Duan Ning simply responded with, “Yes.”
The three brothers exchanged looks before stepping inside together.
Mingxi was waiting for them. Once they arrived, she led them to the study, had Xiangxiang serve tea, and shut the door.
“Mingxi, you don’t look well. Why did you call us here?” Duan Yu frowned, trying to recall if there had been any recent trouble in the household.
Duan Ning and Duan Qi also glanced at each other, equally confused.
Mingxi poured them each a cup of tea before she spoke. “There is something you may not know yet. It concerns Second Brother and also involves the Jiang family, so I called you all here to discuss it.”
At the mention of the Jiang family, Duan Yu was still trying to process what was going on, but Duan Qi’s expression changed immediately.
Mingxi glanced at Duan Qi.
His face darkened, and his fists clenched tightly. He took a deep breath before turning to his sister. “It concerns Second Brother? Is it related to the past unpleasantness?”
Hearing that, Duan Ning also stiffened, his gaze turning cold as he unconsciously straightened his posture.
Mingxi nodded slightly. “Yes.”
“What are you talking about? What unpleasantness? When did this happen? Why don’t I know about it?” Duan Yu asked urgently, looking at his brothers for answers.
Duan Qi turned to him and enunciated each word carefully. “It’s about Second Brother’s marriage. Big Brother, do you remember now?”
Duan Yu: …
Now that his younger brother mentioned it, he did remember.
Duan Yu and Duan Qi exchanged an awkward look.
Duan Ning, however, stared directly at Mingxi. “When did this happen?”
Mingxi recounted everything in detail. By the time she finished, all three brothers’ expressions had darkened considerably.
Duan Ning was furious.
Duan Yu and Duan Qi weren’t just angry; they also felt deeply embarrassed and ashamed because of the Jiang family’s actions.
