That ginseng… had been taken from Mingxi’s storeroom.
Just yesterday, she’d come demanding the ginseng with harsh words, like a living demon—and today, that same girl had saved her life.
Madam Jiang’s chest felt tight, suffocating.
Even though Mingxi had saved her, she still refused to even look at her.
She knew—Mingxi wouldn’t forgive her. And in her current state, she didn’t even have the face to ask for forgiveness.
Madam Jiang asked Yingliu to try getting the ginseng back, even though she knew it was impossible. But she had to try.
Just as expected, Yingliu returned empty-handed.
Tears streamed down her face. “This maid requested to see the Old Madam, but couldn’t even get in. The Eldest Madam said the Old Madam was unwell and mustn’t be disturbed. Then they heard I was there asking for the ginseng and said… they said…”
“Said what?” Madam Jiang’s voice was far more composed than she expected.
“The Eldest Madam said… said you shouldn’t do something so disgraceful again.”
Madam Jiang coughed up a mouthful of blood.
“Madam! Are you alright?” Yingliu was terrified. She quickly took a handkerchief to wipe the blood, trembling. “Please don’t get angry. You have to take care of yourself. Think of Second Miss, think of the young masters. Think of the Eldest Miss—she just saved your life. You can’t let her kindness go to waste.”
With Luo Mama gone and Mingcui still unable to get up, Yingliu was the only one left. She was terrified but didn’t dare show it—she forced herself to stay strong, not even daring to cry.
“I’m fine,” Madam Jiang steadied her breath. From now on, I’ll consider myself without a natal family.
“Any word on Luo Mama’s whereabouts?” she asked suddenly.
Yingliu shook her head. “I’ve already told the Eldest Miss. She’ll definitely look into it.”
Madam Jiang was stunned for a moment, then said, “We can’t leave everything to her. Go summon the Eldest Young Master and the Third Young Master. Don’t alert the Second Miss yet—she’s timid. We mustn’t frighten her.”
“Yes, this servant will go right away.” Yingliu was secretly delighted — the Madam was finally showing some concern for the miss.
She knew that the young miss might find it hard to forgive the Madam, but as long as the Madam didn’t cause trouble for her anymore, being able to coexist peacefully was already a good outcome.
Setting aside Yingliu going to the Military Selection Division to find Duan Yu, on the other side, Mingxi had returned to the Marquis Household and explained everything to the Old Master and the Old Madam. The Old Madam was so enraged she nearly fainted.
Mingxi quickly helped support her and eased her breathing. “Grandmother, getting overly angry will harm your health. Please don’t worry too much.”
The Old Madam let out a long sigh. “If I had known they’d almost lose their lives after moving out… I never should’ve let them go.”
The Old Master frowned. “What kind of talk is that? They brought it upon themselves!”
That may have been what he said, but Mingxi knew it was just venting.
“Wan Mama.”
“This old servant is here,” Wan Mama quickly stepped forward. “Old Madam?”
“Go call the Second Madam here.”
“Yes.”
Wan Mama soon brought the Second Madam. The Old Madam asked her to go help out with Madam Jiang for a few days. The Second Madam looked completely puzzled — help with what?
The Old Madam glanced at Wan Mama, who briefly explained the situation.
The Second Madam: …
My goodness!
Her legs went a bit weak. She glanced at Mingxi and clutched her chest. “How could that Qiao Wan dare to do such a thing?”
Mingxi didn’t respond.
But the Old Madam exploded, “It’s all that useless Eldest Son’s fault! Where is he? Has anyone found him yet?”
Something so serious had happened at home, and he had vanished without a trace — absolutely outrageous!
Mingxi shook her head. “He hasn’t been found yet, but I suspect Qiao Wan used some trick to either charm or deceive him into going somewhere. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dared act so ruthlessly.”
She had to first take the Eldest Master out of the picture, then deal with Madam Jiang and Yang Yiniang. Once she had control over everything in that household, it would be easier for her to reach into the Marquis Household under the Eldest Master’s name.
Unfortunately for her, fate had other plans. Mingxi discovered something was wrong much sooner than expected.
“First, we need to find him,” the Old Master said angrily. Then he looked at Mingxi and added, “Good child, we really owe you this time. If not for you…”
It was rare for someone like Mingxi to put aside past grudges and still be willing to help Madam Jiang.
Mingxi smiled faintly but said nothing. She didn’t save Madam Jiang because she forgave her or out of compassion — she simply didn’t want this incident to create a rift between herself and Duan Yu or Duan Qi.
Besides, her wedding was approaching. She didn’t want to end up in mourning for another three years. She didn’t have time to waste.
The Second Madam quietly took people over to Madam Jiang’s residence to help handle things. Meanwhile, the Third Madam also got wind of the news and was too shocked to say a word for a long time. It was just too terrifying.
Given how serious the situation was, the Old Master gathered all the men of the household and called for Mingxi as well to explain everything in detail.
“So Qiao Wan really belongs to the Crown Prince’s faction?” Duan Ning couldn’t hold back and slammed his hand on the table.
Madam Jiang was only weak but not in mortal danger — but his own Yiniang had nearly died!
Duan Ning’s eyes turned red.
“Duan Wang has already started investigating. We’ll have results soon, but I believe my guess is likely correct,” Mingxi said, looking at Duan Ning. “Second Brother, this matter does involve me a bit. When His Highness set out on his campaign, I contributed 400,000 taels of silver, which caught the Crown Prince’s attention. That’s probably what led him to fixate on the Marquis Household.”
Duan Ning listened and looked at her. “Little Sister, you don’t have to blame yourself. I understand — maybe that’s part of the reason, but since our family has aligned itself with Duan Wang, and the Crown Prince and Duan Wang are in contention, our Marquis Household was bound to be dragged into it.”
Duan Ning wasn’t the type to hold petty grudges or throw blame at Mingxi.
If they were going to enjoy the benefits of Mingxi’s marriage alliance, they also had to bear the risks that came with it.
“Second Brother is right,” Duan Qi agreed. “Big Sister, you don’t need to blame yourself. When it comes down to it, it’s our own incompetence. We failed to protect our family, which is why Mother and Yang Yiniang suffered so much.”
The two brothers had already gone to visit their mother. After seeing her current state, they were filled with shock, anger, and heartache.
Second Master Duan looked at his two nephews. “You’re both right. A true man must take responsibility. When things go wrong, we can’t just pass the blame. Our Marquis Household may be weak, but we’re not some pushovers for the Crown Prince to crush at will.”
He then turned to Third Master Duan. “Third Brother, what do you think?”
Third Master Duan took a deep breath. “You’re right. The enemy has come to our doorstep — we can’t just curl up and hide.”
He’d followed his second brother all his life, and only now in his old age had he earned a minor position thanks to his niece. He couldn’t live his whole life spinelessly, relying on Mingxi to hold up the Marquis Household.
He might not be as talented as his father, but he wasn’t a coward either.
“Father, whatever you decide, I’ll follow,” Third Master Duan said firmly.
“Yes, Father, just give the word,” Second Master Duan added.
The Old Master turned his gaze to Duan Yu, who had remained silent all this time. “What do you say? What should we do about this?”
Duan Yu had only just inherited the title of Marquis, yet was already facing a major crisis. This strike from the Crown Prince had landed squarely on his face.
Because of his incompetence!
To the Crown Prince, someone like him could be crushed with a single finger!
But he knew — he couldn’t retreat!
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