Duan Mingxi changed into plain clothing and boarded a carriage alone, heading directly to Guangsheng Biaoju, the largest Biaoju in the capital.
Wearing a veiled hat to conceal her face, she placed banknotes worth 20,000 taels on the table. “Seven days from now, an official ship from the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau will depart Haian. When it reaches Jiangtian, I want the two ships trailing at the end to capsize. That’s all.”
Xiang Wentai scrutinized the young lady before him. She seemed no older than her early twenties, but her words carried a commanding and seasoned tone.
“Miss, those are official vessels. We are a legitimate Biaoju and cannot afford to clash with the authorities.” Xiang Wentai pushed the banknotes back toward her in refusal.
Duan Mingxi didn’t spare the silver notes a second glance. She stood and said coolly, “Not in the business of dealing with officials? Then last year’s grain warehouse case in Guangxing County—perhaps the authorities would be very interested in finding the real culprit.”
Xiang Wentai’s expression darkened instantly. “Wait, Miss!”
Duan Mingxi walked away without turning back. “No killing, no looting, just overturning the ships. 20,000 taels. Will you take it, Chief Xiang?”
“We’ll take it!”
As he watched Mingxi’s figure disappear, Xiang Wentai’s gaze sharpened. Who was this woman, and how did she know about the Guangxing County affair?
He immediately summoned his trusted aide, Chen Bin. “Follow her. Find out her origins.”
“Understood.” Chen Bin hesitated, his face serious. “Shall I…?”
He made a subtle gesture indicating silencing her.
Xiang Wentai shook his head. “For someone to walk into our agency alone and mention Guangxing County, she must be prepared. We can’t act recklessly.”
Chen Bin nodded and left without another word. Not long after, he returned with a strange expression.
“Chief, you won’t believe where that woman went.”
“Where?”
“The Wantong Biaoju—our old rival.”
Xiang Wentai froze in surprise.
“I even saw their head, Tan Sheng, tailing her just like I did. Oddly enough, she seemed to have eyes in the back of her head. She slipped into a silk shop, and when we looked again, she was gone.” Chen Bin’s voice carried a note of unease.
Xiang Wentai’s expression grew heavy. “She went to the Wantong Biaoju too? Did she commission two jobs, or is she having them watch us?”
If it was the former, fine. But if it was the latter… this couldn’t be left alone.
“Keep an eye on Wantong’s movements,” Xiang Wentai ordered grimly. “I’ll personally escort this shipment.”
He wanted to see for himself what game this woman was playing.
After circling around and losing her tail, Duan Mingxi returned to the Marquis’ Manor. To her surprise, Madam Jiang was waiting for her.
“Where have you been? It’s so late, and you’re only just coming back? You’re a young lady with a royal engagement—you can’t afford even the smallest slip-up!” Madam Jiang began nagging.
Duan Mingxi shot her an icy look. No one visits without a reason. What could Madam Jiang possibly want this time?
“Is there something you need?”
Madam Jiang’s endless chatter came to an abrupt stop when she met Duan Mingxi’s cold, sharp gaze. Her face darkened.
“Your younger brother has returned from Ta Zhou. Your grandmother is hosting a banquet at the Jiang family residence to welcome him back. You should come as well,” Madam Jiang said.
“I’m not going,” Duan Mingxi replied flatly.
If Madam Jiang hadn’t mentioned it, Duan Mingxi might have forgotten she even had a younger brother, Duan Qi, born to the same parents.
In her previous life, she hadn’t interacted with Duan Qi much. When she returned to the family, Duan Qi had been studying in Ta Zhou. Later, she was hurriedly married off, and even then, Duan Qi hadn’t come back.
She had little impression of this brother, and Duan Qi didn’t seem to care about her as his sister either.
Unexpectedly, in this lifetime, Duan Qi had returned at this particular time. Instead of heading to the Marquisate, he had gone straight to the Jiang family. It wasn’t hard to guess what the Jiang family was plotting.
They were clearly trying to use her new title as the future Duan Wangfei as an excuse to mend relations under the guise of a welcome banquet for Duan Qi.
Madam Jiang grew anxious at Duan Mingxi’s refusal. “That’s your biological brother! How can you not go?”
“My biological brother didn’t even bother to return to see his sister when I was formally recognized by the family. Clearly, I’m not that important to him,” Duan Mingxi retorted.
“He was busy with his studies.”
“So now that he’s done studying, why has he come back to the capital?”
Madam Jiang was left speechless by Duan Mingxi’s sharp replies, her expression growing increasingly sour. “Duan Mingxi, is this how you talk to me?”
Duan Mingxi was already losing patience. She sneered at Madam Jiang, her gaze icy. “A banquet to welcome Duan Qi? Isn’t it really about the Jiang family trying to use my status as the future Wangfei to patch things up with me?”
Madam Jiang’s face froze.
“Let me tell you something: the Jiang family can keep dreaming.”
“How can you be so heartless?”
“Heartless? The Jiang family sure loves playing the victim. Have they forgotten how they sided with Duan Huirou to suppress me? Should I remind you?”
“That’s all in the past. Why can’t you let it go?”
“Let it go? Imagine eating a melon seed only to find a worm inside. Some people really don’t know their place. The Jiang family, with all its petty schemes and arrogance, wants me to let things go just because they say so? Did I agree?”
Duan Mingxi was done arguing. She turned to Qiancao and ordered, “See her out.”
“Duan Mingxi!”
Ignoring Madam Jiang’s shouting, Duan Mingxi lifted the curtain and strode into the inner room.
Madam Jiang stood frozen, staring at the curtain Mingxi had nearly ripped off its hooks. It was clear now—getting her to return to the Jiang family was impossible.
After escorting the Madam out, Qiancao whispered to Xiangxiang, “Back then, Madam and the Jiang family always favored the Second Young Miss. Now that the Eldest Young Miss is set to marry a Wangye, they’re scrambling to cozy up to her. Do they think our Young Miss doesn’t have any temper?”
“Keep your voice down,” Xiangxiang warned. “If the Young Miss hears, she’ll feel hurt.”
After all, Madam Jiang was her biological mother.
Duan Mingxi, overhearing through the window, felt no sadness. She’d long moved past such feelings. Whatever heartbreak she’d endured, she’d experienced it all in her past life.
Now, she only wanted to strip the Jiang family of their dignity and exact her revenge.
“Miss, the guard Qi He from His Highness Duan Wang’s side requests to see you.”
Duan Mingxi was slightly taken aback. Could it be that Duan Wang needed something?
She changed into a new outfit and went to the front reception hall to meet him.
As soon as she entered, she saw her frequently absent father chatting with Qi He. The flattering smile on his face was truly an eyesore.
When Marquis Dingyuan saw his daughter arrive, he blurted out, “Why did you take so long?”
Duan Mingxi glanced at him calmly. “I needed to tidy up before meeting someone.”
Her retort left the Marquis of Dingyuan embarrassed. He wanted to reprimand her on the spot but refrained in front of Qi He, fearing that being rebuffed again would further damage his dignity. Left with no other choice, he mumbled some pleasantries and left.
Duan Mingxi maintained her composure and turned to Qi He.
Qi He inwardly marveled. The future Wangfei is impressive—her father is even wary of her. No wonder Wangye is fond of her.
“Subordinate Qi He greets the eldest young lady,” Qi He said respectfully, his demeanor cautious and deferential.
“Why has Lord Qi come at this time? Does Wangye require something?” Duan Mingxi asked directly.
“His Highness wishes to invite the young lady to admire the scenery at Jinrui Garden tomorrow,” Qi He replied.
Duan Mingxi was a bit surprised. Xiao Muchen inviting her to admire the scenery?
“Did Wangye say anything else?”
Qi He’s eyes glinted slightly. “Tomorrow, Jinrui Garden will be quite lively. There will be something worth seeing.”
Duan Mingxi: …
Duan Wang wants her to see someone’s drama?
If it were someone unrelated to her, she wouldn’t be interested. But if it was relevant to her, then she was indeed curious.
