As the overwhelming good fortune came crashing down, Second Master Duan and Third Master Duan returned home, both wearing grim expressions.
Soon after, Duan Yu and Duan Ning also arrived, and the whole family sat together to discuss matters.
“I’ll investigate Side Consort Qian,” Duan Ning said.
Third Master Duan suddenly said, “Side Consort Qian’s Father is still just a provincial governor? Normally, if a daughter became a prince’s side consort, her Father’s position should have risen too.”
“Good point. Given Jin Wang’s affection for Side Consort Qian, it’s strange that there’s been no advancement,” Second Master Duan agreed.
Duan Yu hesitated, then said, “I heard Side Consort Qian is known for her upright and honest character. Could it be that she prevented it?”
Duan Ning chuckled. “Big Brother, she and Jin Wang supposedly fell in love at first sight. He brought her back to the capital personally — do you really think she’s a simple person? If she were truly upright, she wouldn’t have entered into an illicit relationship without a matchmaker.”
Duan Yu: …
That made sense!
Mingxi didn’t clearly remember what happened to Side Consort Qian in her previous life. In her memory, Side Consort Qian’s name rarely came up, and they had no interactions.
But the very lack of information made things all the more suspicious.
Mingxi turned to Duan Ning. “Second Brother, you’d better investigate Qian Zhifu first. It might be hard to dig up anything directly about Side Consort Qian, since she has been battling He Wanyu for years without losing. But outside the capital, Qian Zhifu might not be as cautious.”
“Mingxi is right,” Third Master Duan agreed. He looked at Duan Ning and said, “I’ll assign a few people to assist you. How about that?”
He was thriving now in the Imperial Horse Bureau, especially after Duan Pingchang had expanded the family’s horse business. One inside the capital, one outside — they had secured their positions solidly.
Duan Pingchang was very smart. Now that Mingxi’s reputation was soaring, he had started to retreat from the spotlight. When was the last time anyone in the capital heard about him?
He knew that his identity as a merchant could no longer help Mingxi — sometimes it could even drag her down. So he had consciously faded into the background.
For all Duan family businesses, he no longer showed up personally. Only the horse business, which was based outside the capital, still had his direct involvement.
And because the horse farm was far from the capital, it no longer affected their image.
Third Master Duan admired him greatly. Not everyone could resist the lure of wealth and power. Duan Pingchang had done it — because he truly loved Mingxi like his own daughter and wanted to pave the way for her.
In comparison, her own older brother still couldn’t measure up to Mingxi — who was like her true parent. Really, there was no comparison at all.
Duan Ning didn’t decline and directly agreed, “Thank you, Third Uncle. This is the best arrangement.”
People from the Imperial Horse Bureau often traveled outside the capital for tasks, so it wasn’t unusual for Third Uncle to assign his own men to help Duan Ning.
Mingxi raised her eyebrows slightly, a little surprised that Third Uncle had not only secured his footing at the Imperial Horse Bureau so quickly but also developed his own loyal following. That was excellent.
Initially, they had only intended for Third Uncle to gain some experience there for a year or two before transferring him elsewhere. But now it seemed he had no plans to move anytime soon.
This was even better and aligned perfectly with her plans.
After the family finished discussing everything, Mingxi stayed for dinner before preparing to return to the residence.
She had gone straight to the Marquis household after leaving the palace and hadn’t yet seen how things had played out with Xiao Muchen. Given how he had protected her today, he had probably faced reprimand from His Majesty too. She needed to go back and check on him.
After bidding everyone farewell, Duan Yu said, “I’ll walk you out.”
Mingxi didn’t refuse and walked side by side with him.
“Big Brother, is there something you want to discuss?” she asked once they had left the courtyard.
Duan Yu smiled, “Knew I couldn’t hide it from you. It’s about Second Brother and Duan Jin.”
Mingxi turned her head to look at him. “Tell me.”
“I heard from Duan Jin that you suggested he go into the military?”
Mingxi nodded. “Our cousin doesn’t have much talent for scholarly pursuits, and he can’t just stay home managing household affairs — after all, he’s a legitimate son, and Second Aunt would never agree to that.”
“It’s not a bad idea. His father-in-law is already in the army, so he would have some support. I noticed he’s a bit tempted lately, so I wanted to ask your opinion — should we give him a little push?”
Mingxi smiled. “Big Brother, you decide.”
Being able to look at things from the perspective of the family head was a big step forward.
Being the head of the household wasn’t easy; sometimes you had to sacrifice one person’s interests to protect another’s.
It required courage.
Although Duan Yu might lack a bit of that decisiveness, with Duan Ning and Duan Qi supporting him, he wouldn’t go wrong.
Hearing Mingxi’s words, Duan Yu let out a small breath of relief and smiled. “Got it. I’ll have Second Uncle discuss it with Second Aunt.”
Mingxi nodded. Duan Yu was getting quite good at leveraging others’ strengths — that was a very good sign.
“And there’s another thing: Second Brother’s marriage. Recently, a lot of people have been making inquiries. Grandmother said she would leave it to you. Do you have someone in mind, or are you still considering?”
Mingxi’s mouth twitched slightly — the Old Madam was really throwing responsibilities around casually now.
She looked serious as she replied, “Big Brother, how could an outsider like me, already married into another family, take charge of such a thing? If you have a suitable candidate, I can help give advice, but I can’t be the one making the final decision.”
Duan Yu had expected her to say that. Mingxi had always conducted herself this way — sometimes overbearing, but never crossing the proper boundaries.
“Alright, I’ll explain it to Grandmother. Actually, I do have someone in mind. I’d like you to take a look.”
“Which family’s daughter?”
“The second legitimate daughter of the Imperial Academy’s Jijiu Lord Hou. What do you think?”
Mingxi paused. Hou Jingyun?
“Big Brother, did someone drop a hint to you? Hou Jingyun is Second Aunt’s direct niece. If the Hou family is willing, it would make more sense for Second Aunt to bring it up herself.”
She was quite surprised.
The daughter of the Imperial Academy’s Jijiu — even if she was the second daughter — was still legitimate.
“Jijiu Hou really likes Second Brother. The intermediary said that if Second Aunt were to propose, it would be hard for us to refuse even if we wanted to, so they approached us indirectly instead.”
Mingxi suddenly understood. The Hou family was being quite thoughtful.
She smiled and said, “I’ve met Second Miss Hou a few times. She’s a very nice person. But this still depends on whether Second Brother himself is willing. Ask him first — if he agrees, set up a meeting. If both sides are satisfied, then the marriage can go forward.”
The Hou family had a clean and noble reputation. They wouldn’t marry off a legitimate daughter to a concubine’s son unless they truly liked him.
Duan Ning had always been criticized for being born of a concubine. Marrying the legitimate daughter of the Superintendent would be an enormous boost for him.
Mingxi genuinely liked girls like Hou Jingyun — from a reputable, upright family, with a gentle nature. By rights, marrying Second Brother was a bit of a step down for her.
But encountering such a good girl — it would be foolish to let someone else snatch her away.
Mingxi was very pleased, and Duan Yu could sense it.
Mingxi truly appreciated daughters from proper, well-disciplined families. He knew then that he hadn’t made the wrong decision.
As for whether Duan Ning marrying Hou Jingyun would affect his own standing — he didn’t even think about it.
With Mingxi there holding the fort, who in the Duan family would dare stir up trouble?
“If Second Brother is willing, we must take the initiative to send a matchmaker to formally propose marriage,” Mingxi said seriously.
They had to show full respect. They couldn’t let the Hou family think they were being slighted.
It was a matter of sincerity.
Duan Yu immediately agreed. Of course — no proper marriage should have the girl’s family take the initiative.
Jijiu Hou had already bent over backward by discreetly inquiring. The rest depended on how earnest they were.
Since their own Father couldn’t be relied on, it was up to Duan Yu, the elder brother, to uphold the family’s dignity for his younger siblings.
