“What matter?” Mingxi couldn’t think of anything major at the moment.
Seeing her confusion, Second Madam smiled. “Duan Ning’s wedding is approaching—you’ve forgotten?”
Mingxi blinked, then said, “So soon?”
“Indeed. He should have married right after passing the imperial exams, but fate had other plans. Now, it turns out he’s marrying into my maternal family. The Old Madam and my relatives discussed it and decided to move the date up—it’s scheduled for next month,” Second Madam said cheerfully.
Duan Ning clearly had a bright future ahead. Mingxi had always been fond of this younger cousin. And since Jinyun was her own niece, she would be well cared for after marrying into the family.
“So what did you want to discuss with me?” Mingxi asked, puzzled. The marriage arrangements should be handled by the Marquis household—she, as a married daughter, just needed to attend, offer a congratulatory gift, and be done with it.
Second Madam cleared her throat lightly and said softly, “Well, we were wondering—since Duan Ning is getting married, shouldn’t Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law return home for the wedding?”
Mingxi suddenly understood. Of course—Duan Ning was a concubine-born son, but the legitimate mother was still alive. Naturally, the proper etiquette required that she be there to accept the daughter-in-law’s formal greetings.
At the mention of Madam Jiang, Mingxi’s expression remained calm. She nodded and said, “The Old Madam will make the arrangements as she sees fit. There’s no need to ask me. I’m married now—it’s not my place to meddle in my natal family’s affairs.”
Hearing this, Second Madam quickly replied, “Then I’ll go back and discuss it with the Old Madam.”
Mingxi smiled and added, “I wonder how the Eldest Madam is getting along with Yang Yiniang these days?”
Second Madam: …
She cleared her throat again and said, “Eldest Brother is doing well these days. Eldest Sister-in-law is virtuous and capable—she even found him a pretty maid to serve him, adding a bit of charm to his study.”
That eldest brother of hers had little true talent, but he fancied himself a man of refined taste. Back in the day, he had wasted a fortune buying worthless stones and fake calligraphy. The household’s silver had been swindled countless times, and the junk he brought back only made one’s blood boil.
But what could you do? He might be useless himself, but the children he produced were each more capable than the last—wasn’t that just infuriating?
Thinking of her children, the Second Madam turned to Mingxi and said, “Ever since your elder cousin went to join the army in Yuxiang City, my heart has been hanging in suspense. I still don’t know how he’s doing now.”
She had hoped her son would take the scholarly route and pass the imperial examinations, but he simply wasn’t made for studying. After managing household affairs for a while, she grew anxious—how could a proper legitimate son be left to handle such menial things?
Later she begged Mingxi to help persuade him, and unexpectedly, her son expressed a desire to join the military. She had been utterly unwilling, a thousand times over, but if she kept holding him back, he really might have ended up managing house affairs for life.
Fortunately, Duan Wang’s side arranged for him to follow Xiao Shizi to Yuxiang City. Who would have thought that not even half a year after he arrived, war would break out? Her heart had been in constant turmoil ever since.
“Don’t worry, Second Aunt. Eldest Cousin has a steady temperament and won’t act recklessly. Besides, Lord Xiao is there to watch over him. Military officials can only rise through merit on the battlefield. And Cousin’s Father also came from a military background—he’ll surely look after Cousin. So please rest easy.”
“I understand all that,” Second Madam replied, “but as a mother, if I haven’t seen him with my own eyes, I can’t help but worry.”
Mingxi smiled. “Exactly. Now that I’m a mother myself, I truly understand how you feel.”
Second Madam glanced at the little princess rolling around on the large couch—fair and plump, with eyes just like the Duan Wang’s: dark and intense, intimidating when not smiling.
But the child didn’t really resemble either Mingxi or Wangye. Her features had a bold spirit to them, which made her quite captivating.
After teasing the child for a bit, Second Madam rose to take her leave. Mingxi moved to walk her out, but the Second Madam gently stopped her. “You watch the baby—I can go myself.”
Mingxi had Qiancao escort her out, and told Xiangxiang to prepare some fresh fruits and vegetables for the Marquis Residence—rare delicacies in the capital, all recently delivered from the estate. Among them was a small basket of lychees.
That evening, Xiao Muchen returned, and not only that—he brought Duan Sirui with him.
Duan Pingchang had gone to the Eastern Sea, and wouldn’t be back for months. His wife Madam Xu had been sent off in a carriage by Mingxi to join him, leaving behind her younger brother, who was invited to live at Wangye’s residence. But he refused, claiming it would interfere with his studies.
Still, whenever he returned from the academy, he would inevitably stop by.
“Sister!” Duan Sirui had already grown into a teenager, now slightly taller than Mingxi. His voice had started to crack, and the moment he spoke, Mingxi burst into laughter.
Duan Sirui: …
He went straight for his little niece, scooping her up. Xiao Zhiyi furrowed her brow and stared at this young uncle. After blinking a few times, she seemed to recognize him and broke into a smile.
Duan Sirui thought to himself—such a cute niece, but how come her personality’s a bit like her Father’s? If only she took after her mother more.
“Missed your little uncle, huh? Look what I brought you!” Duan Sirui pulled out the trinkets he’d collected: a rattle-drum painted with tiny figures, a cloth tiger sewn with lifelike precision, and a small purple jade pomegranate, its seeds carved as if they were real.
Mingxi reached out and snatched it. “She’s so small, don’t give her something so expensive. If she drops it, it’ll be a waste.”
Duan Sirui didn’t care. “It’s just a jade pomegranate. If it breaks, I’ll buy another.”
Mingxi grabbed his ear. “Goodness! You’ve no idea how hard it is to earn money until you manage a household. You think studying is just about turning into an idiot?”
“Brother-in-law! Help!” Duan Sirui clutched his ear and jumped behind Xiao Muchen, who, having his back, didn’t stop him from poking his head out to argue. “She’s my only niece. I’m happy to spend on her! You used to hit me when I was little, and you’re still hitting me now that I’ve grown up! Can’t you let me save a bit of face?”
“Get over here!”
“No way!”
“Come!”
“Not a chance!”
Just as Mingxi was about to roll up her sleeves and give him a beating, she heard her daughter burst into giggles. Turning to look, Xiao Muchen took the opportunity to shove his brother-in-law out the door.
Mingxi stared at them with exasperation. “You just keep shielding him—sooner or later you’ll spoil him into a good-for-nothing!”
Xiao Muchen rubbed his nose. “Sirui is already quite well-behaved. He’s grown up now, you need to let him save some face.”
Mingxi looked up at him. “You can tell a person’s future from how they are at three or seven years old. He’s the only son of his parents—he’s the one who will carry the family legacy.”
“Well, don’t you also have a daughter?” Xiao Muchen squeezed her hand. “He’s still a kid. Don’t be too strict, or he might run away.”
“He wouldn’t dare!” Mingxi replied firmly. But as she recalled her brother from her past life, her heart softened. “Fine, whatever. As long as he’s got you protecting him, no wonder he’s getting bolder.”
Xiao Muchen picked up their daughter, who had rolled near him, and held her in his arms. “I’ll take Zhizhi to check on Sirui. Look at her—she keeps stretching out her arms.”
What an excuse—how could a child barely past her hundredth day know anything?
Mingxi couldn’t help laughing in exasperation.
