Jin Wang was remarrying. The Empress said that there was already a side consort in the Jin Wang residence who was pregnant and needed care, and the household affairs also required someone to manage them. Therefore, the wedding date was set quite soon.
Over at the Dingyuan Marquis Manor, things couldn’t exactly be described as chaotic, but they were indeed so busy that their feet barely touched the ground.
Madam Jiang also returned to help her daughter prepare for marriage. This time, the Old Madam didn’t drive her away. Yang Yiniang, who had been tasked with teaching Duan Huirou, also returned with Madam Jiang.
Duan Huirou spent a few days learning from Yang Yiniang and then pulled Duan Qingyin aside to complain, “Yang Yiniang… she’s really had a hard time all these years.”
Duan Qingyin: ?
Duan Huirou couldn’t say more. After all, Duan Qingyin’s marriage hadn’t been arranged yet, and some things Yang Yiniang said really weren’t suitable for her ears. Even just listening made Duan Huirou feel embarrassed.
“Second Sister, you mustn’t say things like that in front of Mother.”
If their legitimate mother heard, she would surely feel further resentment toward Yiniang.
Duan Huirou sighed softly and held Duan Qingyin’s hand. “I know. Don’t worry.”
She now had to learn from Yang Yiniang just to protect herself. Who knew what kind of beast that Side Consort Qian was? Being forced into this situation, she had come to understand a bit of what Yang Yiniang had endured all these years and couldn’t help but feel a sense of sympathy.
She was clearly born of the main wife, a legitimate daughter, and should have married into a respectable family as the main wife. Yet now, she was walking a completely different path.
She didn’t even know if she could tread it well. The future was uncertain, with no end in sight. Fear filled Duan Huirou’s heart, and she couldn’t help but imprint everything Yang Yiniang taught her deep into her memory.
Duan Mingxi had said this was her means of survival.
She did not intend to harm others—but she wanted to live.
The day before Duan Huirou’s wedding, Mingxi returned. The marquis manor was lively that day, with many people coming to deliver wedding gifts and dowry additions for Duan Huirou.
Mingxi made a point to arrive early—this was her maiden home. In the past, she and Duan Huirou had such a falling out that if she didn’t come early today to help manage things, Duan Huirou’s face would’ve been completely lost.
Back then, she had forced Duan Huirou’s dignity into the dirt. Now, she had to help pick it back up.
Truly… she owed her.
After going around in circles, it seemed the two sisters had returned to the starting point, though their mindsets were now worlds apart from before.
Today, Duan Huirou was exceptionally obedient, following behind Duan Mingxi like a little tail. From a distance, Madam Jiang watched them, her expression complicated.
Yang Yiniang secretly kept a close eye on Madam Jiang — if Madam Jiang’s mind slipped and she did anything improper, Yang Yiniang planned to rush forward and drag her back immediately.
She knew too well the knot in Madam Jiang’s heart regarding the eldest daughter.
Madam Xiao had also arranged for people to keep an eye on her mother-in-law — they couldn’t let her cause trouble. It was most important to keep her in good spirits.
The Second and Third Madams were busy running around, and at the Old Madam’s courtyard, guests came and went in a constant stream.
Mingxi finally found a moment to breathe and said softly to Qiancao, “When I got married back then, I didn’t even feel this tired.”
Qiancao brought over tea, “Wangfei, have some tea to moisten your throat. You’re just a soft heart under a hard mouth. Aren’t you working so hard just to pave the way for Second Miss? From what I see, Second Miss seems quite different from before — you can rest assured.”
“Let’s hope so,” Mingxi said slowly.
When the guests finally left in the late afternoon, Mingxi went to speak with Duan Huirou privately.
She took out a brocade box about the size of a palm, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward Duan Huirou. “Take these banknotes. After you enter Jin Wang’s manor, don’t be stingy with money.”
Duan Huirou knew Mingxi had promised to give her some money for personal use, so she didn’t refuse. She casually opened the box, glanced inside — and almost jumped up in shock. “This… so much? How many silver notes is this?”
The thick stack dazzled her eyes.
“One hundred thousand taels,” Mingxi said.
Duan Huirou’s legs gave out, and she plopped down onto a chair. “Why are you giving me so much? It’s too much!”
It was so much that she felt she could never lift her head in front of Duan Mingxi again.
It’s hard to hold your head high when you’ve accepted someone’s favor.
Mingxi looked at her seriously and said, “First, once you marry into Jin Wang’s household, we won’t just be sisters, but also sisters-in-law.”
Duan Huirou nodded quickly — she understood.
“Second, however we get along in the future, you must listen to me.”
Duan Huirou nodded again — she didn’t even dare not to.
“Third, and most important, you know that Consort Gui sent Jin Wang’s old wetnurse to his manor, right?”
Duan Huirou nodded again, “Big Brother already told me.”
“And your Second Brother? He didn’t say anything else?”
“He… did mention it,” Duan Huirou said.
“What exactly did he say?”
Duan Huirou: …
Are you interrogating me?
Though she complained inwardly, she still answered honestly, “Second Brother said Jin Wang respects his old wetnurse very much. Once I enter the household, I must treat Qi Momo like a senior and serve her well. I remember it.”
Mingxi knew Duan Huirou had a bit of a proud and lofty nature, and might not have taken her brother’s words seriously. So she looked at her and said, “There’s one thing you must understand.”
Duan Huirou subconsciously straightened her back and tensed up. “What is it?”
“Two years ago, Qi Momo had a serious illness, so Consort Gui specifically allowed her to return home to recuperate. Normally, the wet nurses of Wangyes are honored and kept within the Wangye’s residence. Like the housekeeper in Duan Wang’s manor, Fang Momo, who still manages the household affairs even now.”
“Ah?” Duan Huirou was surprised. “That impressive?”
Indeed, the royal family was different from ordinary noble families.
Mingxi paused, trying to calm herself so she wouldn’t get angry.
Seeing Mingxi’s expression, Duan Huirou shrank back a little. Did she say something wrong again?
“In the palace, a wet nurse isn’t the same as the ones we have at home. At home, once the young master grows up, the nurse is dismissed. But in the palace, the wet nurses stay and look after the princes or princesses as they grow up. The bond they share is extraordinary.”
Duan Huirou heard the implication and looked up at Mingxi, “I understand now what Second Brother meant.”
Mingxi gave her a look — at least she wasn’t completely stupid and figured it out.
“You’ll be unfamiliar with everything when you enter Jin Wang’s household. Winning over Qi Momo is crucial. Someone like her, with both Consort Gui and Jin Wang backing her, lacks neither wealth nor honor. Don’t play any tricks in front of her.”
Duan Huirou’s heart jumped, and she nodded quickly.
“I had people inquire carefully — in recent days, Qi Momo has been staying at Side Consort Qian’s courtyard, using the excuse of helping her preserve her pregnancy to drive Jin Wang out of her rooms.”
Duan Huirou’s expression changed slightly. She clenched her handkerchief tightly and looked at Mingxi, “Are you worried she’ll cause trouble on my wedding day?”
“She wouldn’t dare cause an outright scene. But if Side Consort Qian feels unwell, being pregnant and all, Jin Wang will naturally attend to her. In that situation, what you do will be critical.”
Duan Huirou froze, her expression turning unpleasant. She pursed her lips and asked, “What do you want me to do?”
