Of course, Yang Yiniang wished to stay in the marquis’ household, but she knew that was impossible.
After receiving the news, she had her maid start packing her things.
Duan Qingyin clutched at her mother’s sleeve, unwilling to let go. If her Yiniang left, what would she do?
Yang Yiniang gripped her daughter’s hand tightly and advised her: “Listen to your eldest sister in all things. If anything happens, go to your brother. Don’t trouble the eldest miss with every little thing.”
“Yiniang…”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine—with Madam there.” Yang Yiniang knew what her daughter was afraid of. She held her hand, gently and patiently saying, “Now that things have come to this, your marriage will likely be even harder than before.”
Duan Qingyin wasn’t too concerned about this. “I’m only a concubine’s daughter. Even without this incident, my marriage prospects wouldn’t be any better. I just want a simple household, to live quietly and peacefully.”
“Silly girl.” Yang Yiniang smiled. “Remember your mother’s words. Stay close to your brother and sister-in-law. You’ve always treated them respectfully and never slighted them—keep it that way. Don’t be overly eager either, or they’ll look down on you.”
Qingyin listened silently, remembering every word, tears brimming in her eyes. She quickly took a handkerchief to wipe them away.
“I’ll do as you say, Yiniang.”
“I know you’ve always been a good girl—gentle, unassuming, and well-mannered. Your eldest sister likes girls who are obedient and diligent. Once I leave, I may never return to the Marquis Manor—unless someday, the Old Master allows your father to return. Only then could I come back too.”
“So, from now on, you must stand on your own. I will grow old. Your brother will marry. Your eldest sister will wed. Your father is unreliable, and Madam Jiang will never truly look out for you. In the end, the only one you can count on is yourself. Remember this: if something isn’t yours, you can let it go—but if it is yours, you must fight for it.”
“I understand, Yiniang,” Duan Qingyin choked out.
Yang Yiniang stood. “It’s time. I can’t keep Madam waiting. Come with me—let’s go pay our respects to Old Madam and the Old Master before we leave.”
“I’ll just tidy myself first.”
“No need. It’s better this way. If you look too put together, they might not be pleased.”
Qingyin understood immediately and followed her mother out.
They arrived early. Madam Jiang, seeing that Yang Yiniang was so tactful, swept her gaze over Qingyin and beckoned her forward.
“Mother,” Duan Qingyin stepped up and paid her respects.
“Good child, get up,” Madam Jiang said gently as she looked at Duan Qingyin. “You and your older sister will be staying here—make sure to look after each other.”
“Please don’t worry, Mother. I will take good care of Second Sister.”
Madam Jiang nodded in satisfaction. “Though I won’t be in the manor, rest assured—I won’t ignore your marriage prospects. I will choose a good match for you and make sure you marry with dignity.”
At those words, Duan Qingyin’s heart skipped a beat. For the madam to mention marriage now was clearly a warning—not to let her second sister suffer in her absence. If she didn’t look after her properly, her own marriage would surely be affected.
Hearing this, Yang Yiniang’s expression didn’t change, but instead she beamed, “Third Miss, thank the Madam. With her promise, your future is secure.”
Duan Qingyin knelt and kowtowed to Madam Jiang.
Madam Jiang helped her up and turned to Yang Yiniang. “Her bright future is also thanks in part to your efforts.”
Yang Yiniang smiled even wider. “Madam, I wouldn’t dare take credit. As for the one outside, never mind you—even I can’t bear to look at her. How could we let someone like that tarnish our family’s reputation?”
Just then, Madam Xiao arrived, heavily pregnant and walking with care. Now newly the official Marquis Madam, she had to be especially cautious in front of her newly disgraced in-laws.
“Mother,” she greeted, leaning on a maid for support.
“What are you doing here?” Madam Jiang looked at her stomach. “You’re due soon—you should be focusing on your health.”
Madam Xiao smiled quickly. “Mother, I know how much you care for me.”
Madam Jiang, deeply disappointed in her husband, now realized she’d have to rely on her eldest son and daughter-in-law in the future. Her attitude toward Madam Xiao was no longer as harsh.
“Sit,” Madam Jiang said, then looked to Yang Yiniang and Duan Qingyin. “You two, sit as well.”
Before her words had even faded, Duan Huirou and Duan Qi arrived. Duan Yu was out chasing down their father and couldn’t appear at the moment.
Madam Jiang turned to her youngest son. “Have you finished packing?”
Duan Qi replied, “Second Brother is overseeing everything. Eldest Brother says we shouldn’t touch the storage room for now. Once you’re settled, we’ll send your things over.”
Madam Jiang glanced at Madam Xiao, her expression darkening, assuming her daughter-in-law was coveting her possessions.
Madam Xiao, sensing the cold look from her mother-in-law, pretended not to notice and smiled, “Mother, my husband is just worried that we don’t know the condition of the new house yet. If we move everything now and there’s nowhere to put it, it’ll only cause trouble. Once everything is ready, he’ll personally deliver it to you—so it can go straight into storage and spare you the effort.”
Madam Jiang’s expression eased at that and she turned back to Duan Qi. “Did you find your father?”
Duan Qi shook his head.
Madam Jiang’s anger rose again, her face stormy. “Fine. Just fine!”
Duan Huirou, seeing her mother like this, hurried over and said, “Mother, please take care of your health. I wish I could go with you.”
“Nonsense, you’re not allowed to go,” Madam Jiang said at once. Staying in the Marquis Household was naturally better than following them out. “Just listen to your eldest brother.”
Then she glanced at Madam Xiao. “With your sister-in-law here, if anything happens, just go to her for help.”
Madam Xiao smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Mother, I’ll take good care of my younger siblings.”
Madam Jiang replied indifferently, “Of course I trust you. Not to mention, the eldest is still here.”
Madam Xiao’s smile didn’t waver, as if she hadn’t caught the veiled implication in her mother-in-law’s words.
Soon, the second and third madams also came to see them off. Madam Jiang couldn’t delay any longer, but Duan Mingxi still didn’t show up.
With a dark face, Madam Jiang left the Marquis Household with Yang Yiniang. Duan Ning and Duan Qi personally escorted them. Duan Huirou cried so hard she almost fainted.
Madam Xiao quickly had her maids and servants help carry her back to her courtyard. It caused quite a bit of commotion.
Duan Mingxi sat quietly in the study reading a book, completely unfazed by the departure of her parents from the mansion.
At that moment, Li Quan came into the courtyard, his face full of excitement, and happened to run into his mother, Li Mama.
“Wipe that silly grin off your face! If people see you looking like this, they’ll gossip about the young miss behind her back,” Li Mama scolded, pinching his ear. This little rascal really didn’t know how to behave.
The Eldest Master and Madam had just been expelled from the mansion, and here he was grinning from ear to ear. What would others think?
“Ow, ow! Mother, let go! I’ve got good news for the young miss!” Li Quan yelped, hopping around in pain.
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