When it came to the Jiang family, Duan Mingxi couldn’t help but frown slightly.
Yang Yiniang’s words were quickly proven true. The very next day, the Momo from Old Madam Jiang’s side came to the Marquis Household to escort Duan Huirou over, claiming that the Old Madam missed her. Not a word was mentioned about Duan Mingxi.
Madam Xiao tilted her head slightly to glance at Duan Mingxi, only to find her expression calm as usual, which made Madam Xiao feel a bit of admiration.
Duan Mingxi had been back at the Marquis Household for quite some time, but Old Madam Jiang had never asked the Madam of the Marquis Household to bring this granddaughter over to visit. Yet now, with the consort selection approaching, she suddenly wanted Duan Huirou to stay with her for a while. Even a fool could guess what this was all about.
Unable to contain her excitement, Duan Huirou looked at the Old Madam and said with a smile, “Grandmother, I’ll stay with my maternal grandmother for a few days and then come back, alright?”
The Old Madam’s gaze swept subtly over Duan Mingxi, a hint of displeasure flickering in her heart. Old Madam Jiang had expressed a desire to see Duan Huirou, yet she hadn’t even mentioned Duan Mingxi.
No matter what, Duan Mingxi had been acknowledged as part of the family. Old Madam Jiang’s behavior was bound to embarrass Mingxi.
However, Madam Jiang was completely oblivious. She was focused solely on leveraging her own mother’s influence to secure Huirou’s chances in the consort selection. Once Huirou returned from the Jiang family, Madam Jiang planned to advocate for her in front of the Old Madam to ensure she was chosen.
At this moment, Madam Jiang gave no thought to Duan Mingxi’s feelings.
When the Old Madam approved Duan Huirou’s visit, Huirou was delighted. Turning to Duan Mingxi, she blinked mischievously and said softly, “Jiejie, when I return from Grandmother’s house, I’ll bring you some of their signature treats. How about that?”
Duan Mingxi raised her eyes to Duan Huirou. It was clear Duan Huirou was trying to flaunt and provoke her, hoping to upset her.
“There’s no need,” Duan Mingxi declined flatly. Her gaze unintentionally swept toward the stewardess from Madam Jiang’s household before she added slowly, “Since it’s your maternal grandmother’s home, just enjoy yourself.”
The room fell silent.
The Mama who managed beside Old Madam Jiang expression darkened slightly. While the Jiang family might not be as prominent as before, they were still a respected household. Even the Old Madam had to give them some respect.
This eldest daughter, however, was indeed from a small, rural place. Just as the second young miss had described in her letters, she relied on her beauty and showed no tolerance for others.
No wonder the second young miss wanted to stay with the Jiang family—she must have been bullied harshly by this older sister.
“Eldest Miss, this servant has something to say, though I’m unsure if it’s appropriate…”
“If you know it’s inappropriate, yet still intend to speak, it seems the servants of the Jiang family hold no regard for me,” Duan Mingxi interrupted coldly. She turned to the Old Madam and said, “Grandmother, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
If the Jiang family didn’t respect her, she had no intention of sparing their dignity.
The Old Madam’s face remained stern. No matter what, Duan Mingxi was her eldest granddaughter. Old Madam Jiang’s actions, in contrast, were upsetting. She nodded and said, “Go ahead.”
Duan Mingxi curtsied politely and left without sparing Madam Jiang or Duan Huirou another glance.
The managing Mama from the Jiang family was left standing awkwardly, her face a mix of embarrassment and indignation.
While the managing Mama escorted Huirou back to the Jiang family and gossiped to Old Madam Jiang about what had happened, Duan Mingxi turned her thoughts to the upcoming consort selection and her strategy.
Recalling how, in her past life, the crown prince had bestowed Gao Zhan a marriage after seizing power made her feel nothing but disgust.
Did the crown prince not know Gao Zhan was already married?
Of course, he did. But he did it anyway.
Among the emperor’s sons, only Xian Wang and Jin Wang were married. Aside from the crown prince, this selection included Duan Wang, Qi Wang, and Kang Wang.
Duan Mingxi only planned to go through the motions. The power struggles for the throne were something she could leverage to her advantage, but she had no intention of marrying into such a volatile environment. It was akin to bargaining with a tiger.
However, she couldn’t let the Marquis Manor discover this, or they would never let her off so easily.
While Duan Huirou went to stay with the Jiang family, the Momo arranged by the second madam arrived at the manor.
When Madam Jiang found out, she was furious, feeling that the second madam was deliberately opposing her and undermining her reputation.
The second madam, however, openly declared that Mingxi had saved her niece’s life. She was merely repaying her kindness.
It was perfectly reasonable.
Only Madam Jiang found herself in an awkward position. Compared to Duan Huirou’s motherly kindness, the contrast was stark and self-evident.
Duan Mingxi didn’t just study by herself—she brought along several younger sisters from the household, regardless of their birth status, to study together.
She privately gave extra silver to the Momo as a token of appreciation for her hard work. Naturally, the Momo who taught etiquette was delighted.
Teaching one is teaching, and teaching a group is also teaching. If she could earn a bit more, why not?
Given Mingxi’s generosity, the Momo taught with great diligence.
A day later, she even told the Old Madam, “Your family’s eldest young lady is extremely intelligent and hardworking. She has learned the rules exceptionally well. Old Madam, you can rest assured.”
The Old Madam felt deeply conflicted. While Duan Min and the others also followed along to study, the Momo had never given them even a single word of praise, which showed how strict she was.
Yet, she often praised Mingxi. The Old Madam couldn’t help but admit that Mingxi was indeed the most intelligent girl in the Duan family.
If only she had been raised by her side from childhood.
When an imperial decree arrived from the palace, the entire capital was thrown into an uproar. Every household discussed submitting names.
At the Marquis’s residence, the Old Madam and the Old Master carefully deliberated and ultimately decided to send Duan Mingxi.
First, she was the legitimate eldest daughter. Second, she was resilient in character and had a good reputation for saving someone before, increasing her chances of being selected.
When Madam Jiang heard the news, she was shocked and hurried to the Old Madam to plead on behalf of her younger daughter. However, she was unsuccessful.
When Duan Mingxi heard the news, she wasn’t surprised at all.
The Old Master and Old Madam had always prioritized benefits. Now, her value surpassed that of Duan Huirou. As long as she didn’t make a mistake, the chances of Huirou replacing her were slim.
As expected, she was right.
What use was Madam Jiang’s backing from the Jiang family? If they disgraced the Marquis’s residence like this, would the Marquis’s residence look any better?
Did Madam Jiang still think her family was as glorious as it had been a decade ago?
Once the decision was finalized, Duan Huirou hurriedly returned from the Jiang residence and went straight to Mingxi. With reddened eyes, she said, “Are you satisfied now?”
She had thought bringing up their grandmother would give her a better chance.
But the result…
Duan Mingxi ignored Huirou completely. There was nothing to say to her. She simply closed the door in her face.
Huirou’s face turned dark with anger. She clenched her fists tightly within her sleeves and turned to leave.
That evening, shortly after Duan Mingxi finished her meal, she started itching all over and broke out in rashes, especially on her face, which itched terribly.
Qiancao and Xiangxiang were beside themselves with worry, nearly bursting into tears.
Duan Mingxi, however, was not in a hurry. She calmly gave instructions, “Qiancao, go invite the Old Madam over. Xiangxiang, go to the Second Madam and ask for her help to detain the kitchen staff for now.”
The two maids, as if reassured by this show of authority, promptly acknowledged the orders and ran off.
Li Mama, full of concern, hesitated to touch the young lady’s face. With her eyes brimming with worry, she said, “Miss, I’ll have someone fetch a doctor immediately. Please endure the pain for now.”
Duan Mingxi nodded. “Bring Doctor Ren from Baohetang on the east side of the city.”
Li Mama froze for a moment. “Miss, I’ve never heard of this Doctor Ren. Is he any good?”
Duan Mingxi thought to herself, He is excellent, naturally.
It’s just that others don’t know it yet.
