After they finished talking about Qingyin, Duan Huirou prepared to take her leave. But Mingxi stopped her and asked, “Has the Jiang family approached you lately?”
Duan Huirou: …
Could Mingxi read fortunes now?
“They did—but I didn’t meet with them.” Duan Huirou answered honestly.
Mingxi nodded. “They also went to see the eldest madam.”
“They approached my mother?!” Duan Huirou’s brows nearly shot up. “Can’t be anything good.”
“They want to invest in Donggang. But the Jiang family doesn’t have much money, so they’ll definitely try to drag the main madam in with them. You know how she always gives in to her natal family.”
“Giving money to the Jiang family is no better than feeding it to dogs,” Duan Huirou said, face darkening. “I know what to do. Don’t worry, Big Sister—leave this to me.”
Mingxi didn’t want to deal with Madam Jiang herself. If Huirou was willing to step in, all the better. She gave a final reminder, “Best to give Sister-in-Law a heads-up about this.”
“Then… Mother’s reputation really can’t be saved?”
“What reputation does she still have?”
Duan Huirou fell silent. The words were harsh, but somehow, they rang true.
“But I told Sister-in-law, and there’s nothing she can do.”
“She may be a junior and unable to do anything to the Eldest Madam directly, but when it comes to the Jiang family, she still has some sway.”
Duan Huirou understood. “Alright, I’ll go talk to Sister-in-law first.”
Duan Mingxi nodded, then looked at Duan Huirou and asked, “Did you invest any silver in Donggang?”
Duan Huirou nodded somewhat awkwardly. “A little.”
Mingxi asked again, “What about Jin Wang?”
“That I don’t know. I didn’t ask him.”
“He didn’t try to get information about Donggang from you?”
Duan Huirou: …
“He did ask, but I honestly didn’t know anything.”
Mingxi now understood. Jin Wang hadn’t been able to get any useful information from Duan Huirou. Their marital relationship was already lukewarm, and with Duan Huirou unwilling to go out of her way for him, it was no surprise he’d be annoyed.
So Mingxi said, “When you go back, tell Jin Wang that you got some information from me today. If he wants to make money, he should invest silver through you. But as for when the money will come back, he must listen to you. Otherwise, if there’s a loss, he can’t blame you.”
Duan Huirou pursed her lips. “Actually, that’s not really necessary…”
“It’s not just for you—it’s also for Duan Wang’s household.”
Duan Huirou replied, “Alright then. Still, thank you. I know you want me to earn some money, and you want Jin Wang to treat me a little better.”
Mingxi had no choice either. Since Jin Wang bore resentment toward Duan Huirou because of Duan Wang’s household, she had to do what she could to help smooth things over—for no other reason than to ensure Duan Huirou could eventually bear a child of her own.
After leaving Duan Wang’s residence, Duan Huirou, afraid the Jiang family would swindle money, went straight to the marquis’ residence to find her sister-in-law. After explaining everything to Madam Xiao, she immediately headed to Madam Jiang’s side.
Madam Xiao, upon hearing the news, was so furious her chest hurt. Why were the Jiang family like stubborn ghosts that wouldn’t go away? After thinking it over, she went to see the Old Madam.
“Grandmother, I really don’t know what to do. Second Sister has already gone to persuade Mother. What do you think I should do?”
The Old Madam had been living a relaxed and peaceful life lately, and her spirits were much improved. Hearing what Xiao-shi said, she couldn’t help but slam the table. “If the Jiang family has become this shameless, we don’t need to show them any courtesy.”
That very evening, the Old Madam summoned her sons and grandsons for a discussion. The next day, Duan Yu and Duan Qi went to confront Madam Jiang and then paid a visit to the Jiang family.
Mingxi soon got word that everything had been settled. First, Duan Huirou sent a message: Jin Wang thought the marriage proposal with the Zhang family was acceptable. Then Madam Xiao personally came to report what had happened with Madam Jiang.
“Thankfully, Second Sister delivered the news in time. When we arrived, Mother was just about to give silver to the Jiang family. My husband stopped her immediately and even called Father over. The two of them had a huge fight. Father said if she continued to devote herself to the Jiang family, he’d divorce her and remarry.”
Mingxi: …
That’s the extent of the Marquis’s abilities, isn’t it? He and Madam Jiang probably already found each other intolerable—he was just looking for an excuse to get rid of her and bring home a young, pretty wife.
Of course, Madam Jiang wouldn’t let him have his way. She caused a huge scene with the Marquis right in front of the younger generation, completely losing face.
Though Madam Xiao kept the account brief, Mingxi could easily imagine the chaos of that situation.
“The Jiang family has thoroughly torn off their last bit of pretense. Old Madam Jiang even fainted from anger. But my husband and his brothers didn’t budge.”
Mingxi sneered, “If the Jiang family still wants to invest money, they’ll have to sell off their properties.”
That’s exactly what she was waiting for.
“Exactly. When I came over today, I heard the Jiang family had already sold off several shops in the capital and handed the silver to Jiang Chenghui in the Eastern Palace.”
Mingxi didn’t want to talk about the Jiang family any further. She’d already dug the pit and was just waiting for them to fall into it. The outcome was already plain to see.
“What about the Zhang family’s marriage proposal? What’s the family’s decision?”
“Grandmother thinks it’s a good match. The Zhangs may not be aristocrats, but with Zhang Gelao as kin, and Zhang Zhiyuan having genuine talent, Third Sister might just rise through the ranks after enduring for a few years.” Madam Xiao also felt it was a good match. “I met Madam Zhang once—her expression was kind, her manner warm. She seemed easy to get along with.”
“Has anyone in the family met Zhang Zhiyuan?”
“Your eldest brother and third brother have. Your eldest brother’s judgment is… well, you know, but the third brother said he seemed alright. It’s a pity Second Brother’s busy with work and hasn’t seen him yet.” Madam Xiao smiled. “But Second Brother is Third Sister’s full brother. He’s naturally more attentive. Even Yang Yiniang sent word to ask me about it. I told her everything I knew, and she seemed quite pleased.”
A few days later, Duan Ning met with Zhang Zhiyuan, and the engagement was officially set.
The whole matter was handled very quietly—neither family made a public show of it. The Zhangs didn’t boast about Zhang Gelao, and the engagement gifts were modest but sincere.
Since Zhang Zhiyuan planned to seek a post outside the capital, Madam Zhang proposed an earlier wedding. After the marriage, Duan Qingyin could accompany her husband on his assignment, while she herself would stay in the capital and tend to the family home.
This suggestion made the Duan household very happy. Newlyweds wouldn’t be separated right after the wedding. Madam Zhang’s willingness to let her daughter-in-law travel showed she was a generous elder.
Yang Yiniang was especially grateful. She gave over half her personal savings to her daughter as dowry silver. Mingxi also gave Duan Qingyin a generous wedding gift.
Duan Qingyin knew that when Second Sister married, Eldest Sister had given her a substantial dowry, but she hadn’t expected to receive just as much herself.
“Eldest Sister, I can’t accept this—it’s too much.”
A hundred thousand taels. Enough to scare someone!
“Take it. In my eyes, you and Huirou are the same.”
Duan Qingyin still shook her head. “I’m marrying into an ordinary family. I don’t need so much. You have so many expenses—you should keep it.”
Then she smiled and said quietly, “Eldest Sister, my mother and brother both gave me silver for my personal use. I actually have a lot now. Don’t worry about me.”
Mingxi looked at Duan Qingyin. Her temperament wasn’t easy to define—neither especially good nor bad. She was just very soft-hearted and thoughtful. Back when Duan Huirou had fallen on hard times, it had been Duan Qingyin who reached out and supported her.
Mingxi took back the silver, she’ll leave a shop for her in Donggang later.
Before the end of the year, Duan Qingyin got married. She didn’t get to spend the New Year in the capital and left with Zhang Zhiyuan, who had been appointed to a post outside the city.
As the year drew to a close, the entire capital grew lively.
At this time, Mingxi received a letter sent back from Donggang by her Father. Upon reading it, her expression instantly changed.
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