“Third Aunt, what is this?” Mingxi invited the Third Madam to sit and looked at the booklet in her hands.
The Third Madam hurriedly handed it over. “This year, our household is responsible for the Dragon Boat Race, remember? That’s what this is about. Take a look first.”
Last year, Second Uncle had assisted with the event. This year, the Old Master had asked Mingxi if she wanted to take charge, but she had declined.
So, the responsibility had fallen to the Third Madam. Since Second and Third Master were now officials, they couldn’t be directly involved anymore.
The Second Madam had shown some interest in taking over, but since the Old Master had already assigned it to the Third Madam, she hadn’t fought for it. Still, she had contributed funds to support the Marquis Household’s dragon boat team.
Mingxi didn’t know what the issue was, but she took the booklet and carefully read through it. Her expression showed a hint of surprise.
Seeing her reaction, the Third Madam said, “This year is so strange—why are there so many bets placed on our Marquis Household’s team? If our boat loses, won’t we be scolded to death?”
“What’s the situation with the Dragon Boat Race this year, Aunt?”
“It’s even livelier than last year—more than twice as many boats are competing,” the Third Madam replied.
“Is our household’s dragon boat team the same as last year’s?” Mingxi asked.
Since she had no intention of managing the event, she had never interfered or asked about it.
“Yes, we had already made an agreement with last year’s team that they would return this year. But the payment we’re giving them has increased by thirty percent.”
Mingxi was aware of this arrangement. Since they had booked the same team in advance, it was customary to increase the payment.
“Which families are the most prominent in this year’s race?” Mingxi asked again.
“This year, Xingan Marquis’s household has invested a huge sum. It’s said that they invited last year’s champion boat team from the south, and they are quite formidable. Jin Wang’s and Qi Wang’s residences are also participating, and even the Eastern Palace is joining again. It’s rumored that the Eastern Palace’s boat team is also extraordinary. But I haven’t been able to gather concrete details, so it’s still unclear how they will perform.”
Hearing this, Mingxi was lost in thought for a moment before she looked at Third Madam and asked, “How are the betting odds in the other households?”
“That’s exactly why I’m so anxious! Our Marquis Residence has the highest and largest number of bets placed on it.” Third Madam said hastily.
Mingxi knew someone was manipulating things behind the scenes—this was clearly an attempt to push the Marquis Residence into taking the fall.
“Tomorrow, I’ll have someone place bets. Third Aunt, you don’t need to worry.” Mingxi said calmly.
Third Madam was puzzled. “Mingxi, even if you place a bet, how would that change anything?”
Mingxi smiled. “Why wouldn’t it make a difference? Just wait and see, Third Aunt.”
Third Madam had always trusted Mingxi, so she let out a deep breath of relief. “Now I can finally rest easy. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep these past few days.”
Mingxi looked at her and said, “Your worries are justified. Based on the current situation, it’s clear that someone is setting us up behind the scenes.”
Third Madam’s expression turned serious. “I knew it! Someone with a black heart just can’t stand seeing others do well.”
“Every crisis comes with an opportunity. Perhaps this is a chance to make a huge profit. Since the money is coming to us, we might as well take it.” Mingxi chuckled.
Third Madam was stunned. “Mingxi, what do you mean?”
“If you trust me, just place some bets along with me.”
“If you put it that way, then I’m definitely in.” Third Madam immediately patted her chest in agreement. When it came to making money, she had never seen Mingxi lose.
Leaving joyfully, Third Madam made a detour on her way and visited Second Madam’s courtyard. Since Second Madam hadn’t fought her for control of this event, she figured she might as well invite her to join in on this money-making opportunity.
—
The next morning, Mingxi sent word to You Sanping, instructing him to prepare silver and wait for her at Longhu.
Meanwhile, Li Quan went to the stables to ready the carriage, and Li Mama helped Mingxi change into a simple apricot-colored robe.
Xiangxiang and Qiancao followed her as she stepped out.
Before leaving, Mingxi stopped by Duan Qingyin’s place to collect her private savings.
Duan Qingyin thought of Duan Huirou and hesitated before asking about her. Mingxi did not object.
Thus, Duan Qingyin quickly went to Duan Huirou’s place and returned with her private savings.
Duan Huirou was reluctant to hand over the money, but Duan Qingyin persuaded her, saying, “It’s not like you have a grudge against money.”
After thinking about it, Duan Huirou agreed but only gave up seventy percent of it.
Mingxi made Duan Qingyin write an IOU, kept the money, and then visited Duan Min and Duan Rong. They were much more straightforward—upon hearing about the opportunity to make money, they practically turned their private savings upside down.
Mingxi didn’t care much for the small sums, but since it made everyone happy, she saw no reason not to indulge them.
Soon, even Madam Xiao and Madam Ma heard about it. Ma Minyi wasn’t very familiar with Mingxi and felt embarrassed to take advantage, but Duan Rong, who had a good relationship with her sister-in-law, pulled her along.
Madam Xiao, now visibly pregnant, bumped into Madam Ma on the way. She smiled and teased, “What a coincidence! Our family’s golden hand rarely steps in, and now, dear sister-in-law, you just happen to get an opportunity. You can’t miss out on this.”
Madam Xiao’s lighthearted remark eased Madam Ma’s nerves, making her laugh a little in embarrassment.
Duan Rong chimed in, “Sister-in-law, I was the one who convinced her. She was too shy to come on her own.”
“You little trickster,” Madam Xiao playfully tapped Duan Rong’s forehead. Then, looking at Madam Ma, she added, “Little Sister Rong is right. This is a great opportunity, and our little sister has a good heart. The more you interact with her, the more you’ll see for yourself.”
Mingxi glanced at Madam Xiao, Madam Ma, and Duan Rong. Duan Rong covered her face, making Mingxi chuckle.
“Dear sister-in-laws, let’s be clear upfront—business has its risks. If we win, everyone will be happy. If we lose, you can’t come scolding me.”
“Of course not.” Madam Ma quickly waved her hands. Since she wasn’t very close with Mingxi, she already felt grateful just for being included. She would never dream of blaming her.
Madam Xiao saw how reserved Madam Ma was and couldn’t help but laugh. She then turned to Mingxi and said, “We’ll accept whatever happens. Your sister-in-law can afford to take a loss.”
Mingxi accepted their money, recorded it in the books in front of them, and then set off.
Madam Ma watched Mingxi’s departing figure, realizing how different she was from the rumors.
Before marrying into the family, Madam Ma had heard a lot about Mingxi, especially regarding her bad relationship with her birth mother. The outside world had mostly negative things to say about her.
She hadn’t understood before, but after marrying in, she slowly began to see things differently.
As Madam Xiao sent Duan Rong off to play, she walked and chatted leisurely with Madam Ma.
Since Madam Xiao came from a higher status than Madam Ma, the latter respectfully addressed her as “sister-in-law.” Madam Xiao, in turn, found Madam Ma pleasant to talk to and shared some insights about Mingxi.
“You’ll come to realize that our little sister is truly a wonderful person. You can rest assured.”
Madam Ma accompanied Madam Xiao a little further before heading back to her own courtyard, smiling as she walked.
Even if she lost money, it didn’t matter.
For someone like Mingxi to be liked by everyone in the household—except for her birth mother—surely meant the problem wasn’t with Mingxi.
