Why?
Duan Huirou’s mind felt like a tangled mess. “But hasn’t the Marquis Household already fallen out with the Jiang family?”
So what value could they still have?
“But you’re still in contact with Cousin, aren’t you? Don’t you find it odd—if Chunlan, even being close with Yaoying, dared to reveal something so big, would she do it without Cousin’s permission?”
Duan Huirou’s face turned pale. “What are you trying to say? Just say it.”
Her mind was a blur, and she couldn’t think clearly.
“The Jiang family may be done with the Marquis Household, but you and eldest sister are still siblings.”
“But they know I don’t have a good relationship with her. We hardly talk.”
“Really?” Duan Qi sneered. “Did you forget how Jiang Sujie once wanted to become Duan Wang’s side consort and asked you to help her make the connection?”
Duan Huirou suddenly understood, her heart pounding. She blurted out, “You already told me not to harm her. Besides, with my abilities, I couldn’t reach her even if I tried.”
Duan Qi knew she still didn’t fully grasp it. Sometimes, harming someone doesn’t mean doing it directly.
“In any case, just remember one thing—from now on, whether it’s Cousin or the Jiang family, if they ask you to do anything and you don’t know how to refuse, just say I forbid it.”
Duan Qi decided to cut things off decisively and gave her a way out.
Seeing her brother this angry, Duan Huirou realized she might’ve underestimated things. “I understand. Look, I just got the news and came to tell you right away.”
Duan Qi’s expression eased a bit. “Second Sister, even if you don’t understand it now, just remember—before you do anything, ask me first. If you make the wrong move, not only will you drag down Eldest Sister, but Big Brother and I might be dragged in too. Even if you don’t care about Eldest Sister, at least care about my future.”
“Of course,” Duan Huirou no longer dared to be careless. “I really will remember. Don’t worry. This time I’ll just pretend I don’t know anything.”
That should be safe enough, right?
“If Cousin leaked the news to you on purpose, there will likely be more to come. Just remember—don’t agree to anything. And if we guessed wrong, even better. We can still be relatives when we meet again.”
Duan Huirou was properly frightened by her brother. Whatever he said, she’d follow. Besides, she didn’t think her cousin would try anything further.
She was going to be a liangdi—why would she need her for anything?
After instructing his sister, Duan Qi then went to see their eldest brother. Duan Yu wasn’t as sharp as the younger brother, but he understood clearly once Duan Qi explained the situation. His expression didn’t look any better.
The two brothers discussed for half a day before finally parting ways.
Before Duan Huirou had received any news from Jiang Sujie’s side, the Xiao household had already stirred into action. Madam Xiao, whose due date was still a few days away, suddenly went into labor. The Old Madam hurriedly sent for the midwife and had the Second and Third Madams go help out.
Mingxi had just returned from Duan Pingchang’s place when she heard that her sister-in-law was going into labor. As an unmarried girl, the Old Madam didn’t allow her to go over, so a few young ladies, upon hearing that the eldest sister had returned, all gathered in her courtyard to wait for news.
Duan Huirou didn’t come.
Duan Qingyin felt uneasy and, after sitting a while, found an excuse to leave. Halfway down the path, she spotted Yao Ying, Duan Huirou’s maid, hurrying along in the distance.
She quickened her pace to follow. Just as she entered Duan Huirou’s courtyard, the little maid at the door called out loudly, “Greetings, Third Miss!”
The sudden loud greeting gave Duan Qingyin quite a scare.
“You little thing, why are you so loud today? Gave me a fright,” her maid Qiuyue scolded.
The maid shrank her neck, not daring to reply, lowering her head in silence.
At that moment, Yao Ying lifted the curtain and stepped out, smiling at Duan Qingyin, “Third Miss, you’ve come just in time. Our young lady heard the commotion and told me to invite you in.”
Duan Qingyin smiled, “Came a bit suddenly—hope I’m not disturbing Second Sister.”
“How could you say that, Third Miss? Our young lady is delighted you’re here.” Yao Ying personally lifted the curtain to invite her inside.
Duan Qingyin entered the room, passed the screen, and stepped into the inner chamber, where she saw Duan Huirou sitting on the warm couch. She smiled and said, “Sorry to disturb your rest, Second Sister.”
Duan Huirou’s face was slightly pale as she looked at Duan Qingyin. “Not at all. With Sister-in-law suddenly going into labor, I’ve been on edge. You’ve come at the right time.”
Then she turned to Yao Ying and said, “Go on with your tasks.”
Yao Ying looked like she wanted to say something, but after glancing at the Third Miss, she held her tongue and left.
Duan Qingyin casually glanced around and remarked, seemingly unintentionally, “Did something happen with Yao Ying? She looked upset. If there’s something urgent at home, Second Sister, perhaps give her half a day off to go check—so she won’t be distracted.”
She had clearly seen Yao Ying enter from the second gate just now—clearly returning from outside.
“It’s nothing. Just had a little argument with one of the younger maids. She’s still holding a bit of a grudge, that’s all—she’ll be fine in a bit,” Duan Huirou replied.
Hearing that, Duan Qingyin felt even more suspicious. She definitely couldn’t leave now.
Just now, Yao Ying’s eyes practically begged her to leave quickly, which only made her more resolved to stay.
Having made up her mind, she simply sat and chatted with Duan Huirou about some recent gossip from the capital. They laughed and talked pleasantly.
Seeing Duan Huirou’s expression remained normal and not at all unhappy about her not leaving, Duan Qingyin felt reassured.
It seemed Second Sister hadn’t done anything foolish.
As long as she was behaving in the household, then Yiniang would be treated fairly and not be affected. That allowed her to relax.
And recently, she and Duan Huirou had been getting along better. As long as they didn’t bring up the past, they could still be good sisters.
As a concubine-born daughter, she didn’t have the boldness of Eldest Sister to completely cut ties when she wanted.
But she was willing, within her ability, to try to live better—wasn’t it better if everyone just got along?
“Why is there still no news from Sister-in-law’s side?” Duan Huirou asked anxiously.
Duan Qingyin shook her head, “I heard that with the first child, labor usually takes longer. But Grandmother is there, and Second and Third Aunts are too—it should be fine.”
“Why hasn’t Mother come back?” Duan Huirou frowned. “Even if she left the manor, surely something as important as Sister-in-law giving birth should bring her back?”
Duan Qingyin didn’t know what to say to that, so she offered a gentle reply, “Let’s wait a bit longer. Maybe something else is holding her up. You know how there’s still someone over there causing trouble.”
Duan Huirou’s face darkened. “How can someone like Qiao Wan exist in this world—so shameless.”
Duan Qingyin thought for a moment and said, “Why not send a maid to take a look?”
She was also worried about her mother’s situation. That Qiao Wan seemed like a formidable woman—she even caused Father to lose his title.
