Xie Jingyang had a young child to care for, and the engagement had been rushed—the wedding date was even more so.
Chu Qingying and Liu Yunhua were married off around the same time. Liu Yunhua’s marriage had been arranged long before, set for the ninth month, with plenty of time for both families to prepare.
In contrast, Chu Qingying’s wedding felt a bit hasty. Fortunately, even though the date was rushed, Xie Jingyang handled the formalities thoroughly, with generous betrothal gifts that saved Chu Qingying plenty of face.
Mingxi wasn’t fit to attend the wedding banquet, so she had Li Mama deliver a hefty dowry gift on her behalf.
Liu Yunhua and Chu Qingying had agreed in advance to visit Mingxi at the Duan Wang’s residence a few days before the wedding. They also invited Yao Yunyi and Xu Nanxi. The group of close friends spent the day together in joy and laughter.
This year, there was no Mid-Autumn Banquet at the palace because the Empress had fallen ill.
Whether the illness was real or not, the Emperor’s cancellation of the banquet was at least a gesture of consideration and gave the Empress face.
With the Emperor’s move, court officials began to shift their views on the matter of the Crown Prince’s confinement.
Autumn passed into winter, and soon after winter began, a heavy snow fell. While a timely snow is a sign of a good harvest, as the snowfall increased and became excessive, it turned into a snow disaster, changing everything.
The Emperor’s temper became increasingly volatile. Due to poor disaster relief efforts, two officials were punished, dismissed, and thrown into prison. The court was filled with tension.
On the day of the Laba Festival, Hu Momo personally brought Laba porridge to the Duan Wang’s residence, delivering Consort Shu’s message: Mingxi was still not to enter the palace.
The Empress remained “ill.” Meanwhile, Consort Gui was trying to seize power in the palace, intending to rival the Empress. Jin Wang had been entrusted by the Emperor with disaster relief duties.
This time, Zhang Gelao had assigned experienced officials to assist Jin Wang. The situation gradually stabilized, and the Emperor, pleased, praised Jin Wang repeatedly.
As the snow disaster eased, the New Year arrived.
Consort Shu requested an imperial edict for Mingxi: she didn’t have to attend palace banquets or stay overnight for the New Year’s Eve vigil and could rest and care for her pregnancy at home.
But Xiao Muchen still had to enter the palace for the New Year’s vigil, so the couple couldn’t spend a proper New Year together.
On the second day of the new year, the day to return to the maiden family, Mingxi didn’t go back to the Marquis family. Since she wasn’t attending palace banquets, it wouldn’t be proper to return to her maternal home either—she simply had someone deliver New Year’s gifts.
Duan Qi and Duan Sirui didn’t make it back to the capital before the year’s end. It wasn’t until after the Lantern Festival that they returned, dusty from travel—thinner, tanner, taller, and more spirited.
Seeing her two younger brothers, Mingxi was overjoyed.
She specially invited the Marquis family members and her adoptive parents to the Duan Wang’s residence for a gathering and sent an invitation to Duan Huirou as well.
Because she hadn’t returned home for the New Year, the Marquis family had planned to visit after the first lunar month anyway—so this worked out nicely.
Duan Pingchang and his wife arrived quickly. Madam Xu had only just returned from the horse ranch before the new year, and Duan Pingchang himself hadn’t returned to the capital until the day before New Year’s Eve.
Mingxi’s belly had already begun to slightly show. Duan Sirui said happily to his sister, “Soon I’ll be a elder in the family too.”
Mingxi reached out and poked his forehead. “I just praised you for being mature—and here you are revealing your true colors.”
“In front of my sister, why should I act all steady and mature?” Duan Sirui muttered.
Duan Qi looked at how the siblings interacted, then turned to glance at Duan Huirou, who was sitting to the side.
Duan Huirou: …
Why are you looking at me? At this point, I practically want to worship Duan Mingxi like an ancestor!
Soon, Xiao Muchen had someone come and invite Duan Qi and Duan Sirui to the front courtyard, where the male guests were being entertained.
After they left, the Old Madam looked at Mingxi and said, “Seeing you looking so well puts my mind at ease.”
“Sorry to have made you worry.” Mingxi smiled. She hadn’t expected her grandmother to come in such cold weather—she was both surprised and touched.
Perhaps because she was going to be a mother soon, she now had a different understanding and feeling toward family and kin than before.
The Second Madam looked cheerful in this joyous season. Madam Ma was also pregnant, but her morning sickness was severe, so she hadn’t come.
Madam Xiao came with her son. The little one was just starting to learn how to crawl. He wiggled his tiny bottom on the soft couch, making everyone laugh.
The Third Madam was currently looking into marriage prospects for her son. Duan Qingyin’s marriage was also being arranged, and there was now progress on Duan Ning’s marriage too. Today, she also wanted to discuss it with Mingxi.
Duan Qingyin was helping Madam Xiao care for Little Ming, so Madam Xiao came over to speak to Mingxi about Duan Ning’s match.
“This proposal didn’t come from us—it was the Jijiu himself who took a liking to Second Brother. Madam Hou had my second aunt inquire, and the family wanted to discuss it with you, little sister.” Madam Xiao glanced around before finally addressing Mingxi.
The Second Madam immediately chimed in, “My brother-in-law is extremely principled—he doesn’t care about family background, only about talent. He was already impressed with Duan Ning when he ranked high in the exams. While serving at the Hanlin Academy, Duan Ning diligently fulfilled his duties and never slacked in his studies. Later, when he was appointed as a Geishizhong, he was unafraid to submit critical memorials to the court. That’s what caught the Jijiu’s eye, and he eagerly sent my sister to inquire.”
Mingxi was genuinely surprised. The Jijiu was known as a rare, upright presence in the court. If one said Censor Zhong was a good remonstrating official unafraid of authority—with his title bolstering him—then the Jijiu truly had a strong and unyielding character, intolerant of evil.
He oversaw the Imperial Academy, and all the scholars in Great Chu feared and respected him. They studied diligently, not daring to slack off in the slightest. The capital’s pampered young masters now actively avoided the Academy, refusing to attend because the Jijiu actually hit people—and their parents didn’t even dare complain.
That Duan Ning could catch his eye—Mingxi wasn’t just surprised, she was downright shocked.
This was an excellent match that they must not miss. The Jijiu’s reputation was well-known. Though his official rank wasn’t high, his talent was extraordinary and he was widely respected.
Mingxi smiled at the Second Madam and said, “Such a good match should be accepted without hesitation, Second Aunt. We can’t afford to miss this opportunity.”
Hearing Mingxi say this, the Second Madam was beaming. She looked at Mingxi and said, “Guess which daughter of his he’s offering?”
Mingxi couldn’t guess, so she shook her head. “Second Aunt, don’t keep us in suspense.”
The Third Madam said from the side, “Actually, you know the young lady too. She’s the Jijiu’s legitimate eldest daughter—Jinyun.”
Mingxi: …
If that’s the case, then the Jijiu must genuinely like Duan Ning—to the point of offering his legitimate eldest daughter to marry a concubine’s son.
“In that case, we must treat this marriage with utmost importance and not let down Lord Hou’s sincere intention,” Mingxi said.
Only now did the Old Madam speak up: “Yes, I think the same. Duan Ning is fortunate to receive such a good match—it’ll pave the way for him in the future.”
Mingxi said with some concern, “Second Brother is now a Geishizhong in the Ministry of Revenue, and his job involves submitting impeachment memorials. Lord Hou is someone who brooks no nonsense. If they become in-laws, I wonder how they’ll get along.”
Everyone imagined that scenario—and immediately fell silent.
They might very well become in-laws who terrify everyone and make people avoid them.
Duan Qingyin had been quite happy initially, but hearing her older sister say that, she was dumbfounded. Now she wondered if her second brother would know how to soothe his wife once she entered the household.
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The story timeline keeps moving fast…looks like a baby will be out no sooner too…