Mingxi went directly to Duan Huirou’s courtyard. Upon seeing her, Huirou immediately tensed up.
Duan Qingyin quickly invited Mingxi inside, offered her a seat, and called for the maids to serve tea.
Mingxi waved a hand. “No need for all that. I’m just here to give a few reminders.”
Duan Qingyin immediately said, “Eldest Sister, you and Second Sister take your time talking. I’ll go help Eldest Sister-in-law.”
“You stay too. You’ll need to help with this matter,” Mingxi said.
Duan Qingyin obediently sat down and pulled Duan Huirou to sit with her.
“I’ve spoken with Grandmother. Your dowry will be prepared according to the proper standards,” Mingxi began.
Duan Huirou quickly nodded. She had a bit of private savings of her own; even if the family gave a little less, she wouldn’t make a fuss.
“Additionally, I’ll give you a sum of money. You’ll use it to open the doors at Jin Wang’s manor.”
“What do you mean?” Duan Huirou blinked in confusion.
Duan Qingyin hurriedly explained, “Second Sister, money makes the world go round.”
Duan Huirou still didn’t quite understand. “What doors am I opening?”
Duan Mingxi: …
Duan Qingyin: …
Afraid that Eldest Sister would think Second Sister was too slow, Duan Qingyin quickly elaborated, “Second Sister, don’t forget, Side Consort Qian has been at Jin Wang’s manor for many years. She must have her own people deeply entrenched there. You need to find a way to win over the people of the manor. Whether you have money or not makes all the difference. With money, things will be much easier.”
Mingxi added slowly, “But money alone isn’t enough. Otherwise, people will just think you’re an easy mark. You also need to know how to intimidate and impress them. Silver only speeds up success; whether you can truly succeed depends on your own ability.”
Hearing this, Duan Huirou sulked. “Was it the same for you in Duan Wang’s manor?”
Duan Qingyin quickly covered her face. “Second Sister, there’s no side consort in Duan Wang’s manor!”
What were you thinking?
Duan Huirou’s face froze, and she wished she could find a hole to crawl into.
Mingxi didn’t argue with her and continued, “You were spoiled since childhood and have never really suffered. You’ve always only considered yourself when making decisions. If you don’t change, you’ll suffer a lot more in the future.”
Duan Huirou was indignant. Before encountering Mingxi, she didn’t even know what suffering was. After meeting her, wasn’t she battered enough? Hadn’t she hit enough walls? Wasn’t she already obedient enough?
She had even cut ties with her maternal family—what more did they want from her?
“Your marriage was caused by me, so naturally I won’t just stand by. But you must understand: you’re the one living in Jin Wang’s manor. I don’t have three heads and six arms—I can’t watch you every moment. Ultimately, you have to rely on yourself.”
Duan Huirou understood. “I know.”
Mingxi was a deity—one couldn’t keep burning incense and begging her to stay. If she got annoyed, the one to suffer would still be Huirou herself.
“I’ll find two capable people for you: one experienced mama to oversee the inner court and one steward to handle the outer court. Remember, you are the master. Don’t be overly timid and listen to everything they say, but also don’t be stubborn and refuse advice. You need to use your brain.”
Duan Huirou: …
This was too hard. Should she listen, or not?
Duan Qingyin, who had learned a lot from her mother’s experiences, whispered, “Listen when they’re right. Push back when they’re wrong.”
Duan Huirou looked at Duan Qingyin, puzzled—how could she tell what was right and what was wrong?
Seeing her blank expression, Mingxi felt the weight of responsibility and looked at her seriously. “First, I’ll find you a teacher. You need to start learning—understanding what’s right, what’s wrong, what can be done, and what must not be done.”
At the very least, if she learned the basic rules and tricks of the royal family, others wouldn’t be able to fool her so easily.
Duan Huirou quickly nodded — literacy training, she could definitely do that.
This concerned her own future, so of course she would study seriously.
There was a big difference between merely surviving, living well, living freely, and living however one pleased.
Seeing her so determined, Mingxi’s expression softened slightly. As long as she was willing to listen, there was hope.
“There’s one more thing. Although I haven’t met that Side Consort Qian, I’ve heard a bit about her. She is skilled at using softness to overcome hardness. Yang Yiniang is good at that too, so I will bring her back. You should learn from her — fight poison with poison.”
Duan Qingyin: …
Was Big Sister… praising her mother?
“But I’m going to be the official wife. Is that appropriate? If word gets out, wouldn’t it be embarrassing for you?” Duan Huirou asked cautiously.
As long as she could win, she didn’t care about the means — but Mingxi was someone who cared about her reputation. She had to make sure.
Mingxi was stunned for a moment, then looked at Duan Huirou seriously and said, “A husband and wife live behind closed doors. How would outsiders know what goes on? If any rumors do spread, that just means you failed to manage your household properly.
Remember this: as long as you can survive and protect yourself, any means you use are justified. Also, Consort Gui dislikes Side Consort Qian very much. You must be filial, respectful, and present yourself well in front of Her Highness — she will be your greatest support.”
Duan Huirou’s eyes lit up. She understood!
She never would’ve thought — once, she had hated how Yang Yiniang schemed against her mother, yet now she was going to learn the same skills to save herself.
Truly… fortunes rise and fall.
Mingxi didn’t realize it, but her words today would end up completely changing Duan Huirou’s life, setting her on a new path without return.
After speaking, Mingxi got up to leave — she still needed to discuss matters with her sister-in-law.
After seeing Mingxi off, Duan Huirou patted her chest and said to Duan Qingyin, “She scared me half to death.”
Duan Qingyin smiled lightly. “Second Sister, you and Big Sister will get along better and better. You have to listen to her, okay?”
Duan Huirou’s face fell. “Am I not already obedient enough?”
Duan Qingyin pulled her down to sit. “I didn’t mean that. I just meant…” She struggled to find the right words, frowning.
Duan Huirou poked her face and laughed. “I know what you’re trying to say.”
Duan Qingyin quickly nodded. “Anyway, Big Sister would never harm us. She sees farther and works harder than we do. As long as we don’t cause her trouble, everything will be fine.”
Stupid people following smart ones — it was a blessing most people could only dream of. As long as you didn’t mess it up, you could hold on to it tightly.
Duan Qingyin knew she wasn’t as clever as her brother or as skilled as her mother. In the past, she listened to her mother; later, she listened to her brother; and now, she listened to her Big Sister. And look — wasn’t her life good now?
Duan Huirou looked at Duan Qingyin. She used to think Qingyin was foolish, but now she felt a little envious.
If she had known she would crash and burn so hard, she should have been silly like Duan Qingyin from the start.
Duan Huirou poked Duan Qingyin’s face again. “Hmph, sometimes I really… envy you.”
Duan Qingyin: …
Envy her for what?
For being a concubine’s daughter?
If possible, who wouldn’t want to be born a legitimate daughter?
Still, she had never regretted being born to her mother, because her mother had always protected her.
Duan Qingyin smiled warmly at Duan Huirou. “Second Sister, we will both live very well from now on.”
But you have to listen!
Looking into Duan Qingyin’s bright, clear eyes, Duan Huirou sighed deeply. She understood.
The glory of the Marquis Household would, in the end, be exactly as Mingxi had wished.
