Lunch was taken at the Marquis Household. The women finished their meal earlier, and the Old Madam sent the younger generation to keep Mingxi company. Mingxi didn’t want to disturb the Old Madam’s rest—after all, she was getting older—so she brought the group to her own courtyard to chat.
Her maiden room had been kept just as it was—neatly cleaned. Aside from the items she had taken with her to Wangye’s manor, everything else remained unchanged.
Fresh flowers had been arranged in a vase on the table, emitting a light fragrance that lifted everyone’s spirits.
Madam Xiao brought in tea and snacks with her maid, smiling as she said, “We’ve kept this courtyard for you. Whenever you want to come back, you’ll have a place to stay.”
But Mingxi didn’t think it necessary. Though she no longer harbored resentment toward the Marquis Household, she didn’t feel much attachment either. Smiling at Madam Xiao, she replied, “Sister-in-law and the elders in the family are thoughtful, but with all the children that will surely come along, there’s no need to keep this place just for me.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Ma looked over and said, “Youngest Sister is still so considerate, always thinking of others.”
“You flatter me, Cousin-in-law. We’re family—there’s no need to be so polite. What, am I not allowed a place to rest when I visit my parents’ home?”
“That’s true,” Madam Xiao said with a hearty laugh. With a son of her own, now also the Marquis Madam, a sister married to the Duke Wei shizi, and no longer under Madam Jiang’s shadow, her days were increasingly comfortable and her confidence had grown.
Duan Min brought out leaf cards and everyone gathered for a round of card games, making the atmosphere livelier.
Madam Ma and Madam Xiao watched from the side. Duan Rong, being younger, lost a round and looked quite disheartened.
Duan Min, noticing this, turned to Madam Ma with a smile. “Sister-in-law, come help Rong Er regain her pride.”
Madam Ma, being Duan Rong’s sister-in-law and fond of her, laughed and took a seat. “Then I won’t hold back.”
Duan Huirou wasn’t here. This merriment didn’t include her, and she didn’t want to bow her head to Duan Mingxi.
Duan Qingyin was stuck in the middle—she couldn’t disappoint her elder sister, nor could she persuade Duan Huirou—so she sat at the card table, clearly distracted.
After a couple rounds, Madam Xiao noticed and smiled at Duan Qingyin. “Third Sister, it seems your luck’s not with you today. Why not take a break? I’ll take over.”
Duan Qingyin quickly gave up her seat and sat behind Madam Xiao to help look at the cards.
Duan Mingxi glanced at her, smiling without saying anything.
Duan Rong, being young, couldn’t sit still for long and soon dragged Duan Min and Duan Qingyin outside to play.
Only Madam Xiao, Madam Ma, and Mingxi remained in the room. The cards were put away.
Madam Ma, being clever, immediately stood and said, “I’ll go have a look outside. Eldest Sister-in-law, keep Mingxi company for a chat.”
Once she left, Madam Xiao looked at Mingxi and said, “Yesterday, Jiang Sujie was carried into the Eastern Palace.”
“Yesterday?” Mingxi was surprised. “That quickly?”
“I heard the original date wasn’t supposed to be yesterday. No one knows why the Eastern Palace suddenly brought her in early.” Madam Xiao looked displeased. “My husband didn’t sleep well last night, tossing and turning and sighing the whole time over it.”
Mingxi replied, “Why should Eldest Brother be upset? Everyone has to take responsibility for their choices. Since the Jiang family chose the Eastern Palace, then they should follow that path to the end.”
Seeing Mingxi’s calm and unaffected expression, Madam Xiao felt a sense of relief and continued, “That Jiang girl is quite something—she even sent a letter to Second Sister.”
Jiang Sujie wrote to Duan Huirou again? Mingxi frowned slightly.
“But I heard from the servants in Second Sister’s courtyard that she tore the letter up before even finishing it. Her eyes looked a bit swollen today—she definitely didn’t sleep well last night,” Madam Xiao added.
Mingxi looked at her and said, “It’s best if she can come to her senses. If she does something foolish, it’ll be Eldest Brother and the brothers who are implicated first. If she cares at all about family, she wouldn’t hurt them.”
“It’s rare for Second Sister to act sensibly this time. I feel relieved too,” Madam Xiao said warmly.
Mingxi smiled. “Eldest Sister-in-law, thank you for your efforts. I think Jiang Sujie’s letter is probably just testing the waters. She might send more later. You and Eldest Brother should discuss it and tell the gatekeeper not to accept them.”
Madam Xiao understood what she meant—to intercept Jiang Sujie’s letters—but hesitated. “What if Second Sister doesn’t agree?”
“Then have Third Brother talk to her. She listens to him the most,” Mingxi said calmly. “If she won’t listen, we’ll handle it from there.”
“Alright, I’ll talk to my husband and have him discuss it with Third Brother.” Madam Xiao valued Duan Qi, her husband’s younger brother, greatly.
Duan Qi was smart, steady, and with Mingxi’s support, his future would be bright.
Her husband was decent too, but his abilities were what they were—not quite as promising as Third Brother. As for Duan Ning, though quiet, he was dependable and had a good relationship with Mingxi.
Though her husband held the title of Marquis, Madam Xiao didn’t underestimate the two younger brothers. Since the title had landed on her husband, she bore no wariness toward them and preferred harmony among the siblings.
Mingxi nodded. “Thank you, Eldest Sister-in-law.”
“You’re being too polite. I didn’t even get a chance to properly thank you for what you did for Ling Er last time. If it weren’t for you, I fear she might have…” Madam Xiao took a deep breath—she didn’t want her sister to become a widow so young.
“What’s past is past, no need to mention it again,” Mingxi said. “It was Ling Er’s good fortune. It just so happened I had the medicine at the time—if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to help either.”
Madam Xiao understood Mingxi’s temperament—since she had said it, she meant it. Smiling, she responded, and then added, “There’s another matter, I don’t know if you’ve heard?”
“What is it?” Mingxi asked with a smile, taking a sip of tea.
In a low voice, Madam Xiao said, “I heard Li Peilan’s marriage has been arranged.”
Li Peilan?
That piqued Mingxi’s interest. “To which family?”
Which family was so blind as to marry off such a jinx?
“The second son of Zhenbei Wang—Second Young Master Gan.”
Mingxi was truly taken aback. “Really?”
Madam Xiao nodded solemnly. “Mingxi, you and Wangye should be cautious.”
Mingxi was puzzled. “Back then, Consort Shu tried to frame Gan Li to become Crown Princess and failed, which offended Zhenbei Wang’s household. Why would they now agree to marry someone as scandalous as Li Peilan?”
It made no sense.
Zhenbei Wang had dared to defy the Empress before—why wouldn’t he protect his son this time?
Madam Xiao shook her head. “I haven’t been able to find out why Zhenbei Wang’s household agreed to this marriage. It all happened suddenly, and the engagement ceremony is happening in the next couple of days.”
This was truly big news. Mingxi sighed lightly. The Empress was indeed capable, able to make even Zhenbei Wang yield.
