The third madam wasted no time and hurried back to her family.
Meanwhile, the Old Madam had caught wind of something and sent someone to the third branch to inquire why the third madam kept returning to her family’s home, expressing clear dissatisfaction.
Duan Mingxi personally visited the Old Madam to explain. She claimed it was related to the third master’s prospects, and the third madam was seeking information from her family.
Upon hearing this, the Old Madam was overjoyed. Mingxi had already secured an official position for the eldest grandson, and now the third master seemed to have prospects too. Things were looking up.
The Old Madam wanted more details, but Duan Mingxi politely declined, explaining that the matter was still in progress and not finalized yet, so there was no need to raise false hopes.
Unable to get more information, the Old Madam let Mingxi leave.
However, the Old Madam did not suppress the news, and it quickly spread.
Not to mention how Madam Jiang and Duan Huirou reacted, but the second madam couldn’t help but feel upset. Why was it the third master’s turn before the second master, the older brother?
The second madam knew Duan Mingxi’s character well and realized this wasn’t intentional, so she held back her curiosity and refrained from questioning Mingxi.
At this time, Mingxi’s efforts on behalf of the Third Master clearly indicated that the court position was suitable for him. This left the Second Madam feeling a bit disheartened, wondering when it would finally be her husband’s turn.
She thought about Duan Yu, who, ever since becoming yuanwailang had been working late every night with a tutor the Old Master had hired at great expense.
“Better to prepare in advance,” she thought. It wouldn’t hurt to start laying the groundwork for her husband now—just in case the opportunity arose.
When Mingxi learned that the Old Madam had deliberately spread news about the matter, she wasn’t upset. It was entirely expected. This was clearly an attempt to pressure her into fulfilling her promises.
Ha.
The Third Madam returned in a rush, and upon seeing Mingxi, she said, “Xie Fang has already gone to wait outside the palace gates. Mingxi, I’m really scared about all this.”
“Third Aunt, the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau is not a place for just anyone. If Xie Fang can’t handle even this, then he might as well give up on becoming a Qianshu. Since he dared to go, he must be confident. Don’t worry—just wait for the news,” Mingxi said in a steady and reassuring tone.
Her composure calmed the Third Madam considerably.
“You’re right. Xie Fang also told me not to worry, but hearing that made me even more anxious. Now that you’ve said it, I feel more at ease,” the Third Madam said, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief and sighing in relief.
For some reason, she found Mingxi more reliable—perhaps because of her decisiveness and strong presence, which naturally inspired trust.
Mingxi smiled and said, “It’s my honor to have your trust, Third Aunt. For now, all we can do is wait. Go home and rest for now.”
Having run around all day, the Third Madam was indeed tired and took her leave.
But no sooner had she returned than the Second Madam blocked her path.
The Second Madam dared not bother Mingxi directly, but she had no qualms about cornering the Third Madam, given their good relationship.
Hearing the Second Madam’s probing questions, the Third Madam felt a pang of alarm. Mingxi had never mentioned finding a court position for the Third Master—it was for Xie Fang.
But she knew she absolutely couldn’t reveal this and said instead, “Second Sister, Mingxi only asked me to go back to my maiden family to gather some information. She didn’t tell me anything specific about the court position. I truly don’t know anything.”
The Second Madam looked skeptical. “Be honest with me—can this position work out?”
The Third Madam thought to herself, How could it work out? The position isn’t even for my husband.
Not wanting to implicate Mingxi, she said instead, “Second Sister, these positions aren’t so easily obtained. If it were that simple, why have we been struggling all these years?”
The Second Madam found herself agreeing. With a sigh, she said, “I’m just anxious. Don’t hold it against me, Third Sister-in-law.”
The Third Madam replied warmly, “How could I blame you, Second Sister-in-law? But listen—there’s no shadow of a position for the Third Master yet, and the Old Madam has already spread the word to pressure Mingxi. You mustn’t get caught up in the mess. If you offend someone now, how will you plead for the Second Master in the future?”
The Second Madam: …..
The Second Madam froze.
Had she just been used as a pawn by the Old Madam?
Thank goodness she hadn’t gone directly to confront Mingxi!
Looking pale, the Second Madam left, and the Third Madam finally exhaled deeply.
The Old Madam might have wanted to stir up a rivalry between her, Mingxi, and the Second Madam, but she certainly wasn’t about to let the Old Madam have her way.
***
Meanwhile, Xie Fang intercepted Xu Donglin outside the palace gates and handed over the contract. After reading it, Xu Donglin’s expression shifted between anger and concern.
He stared at Xie Fang. “How did you get this?”
Wiping the cold sweat from his brow, Xie Fang replied, full of regret, “My lord, I didn’t foresee this outcome. It’s a long story. You’re aware I have family ties to the third madam of the Dingyuan Marquis household, aren’t you? Recently, their eldest daughter, newly titled Duan Wangfei, has just returned to the family…”
Xu Donglin, having heard a little about this, frowned. “What does she have to do with this?”
Xie Fang sighed. “It’s sheer coincidence. The young lady has an adoptive father, Duan Pingchang, who happens to be the wealthiest man in Jiangcheng. Wanting to expand his business to the capital, he got connected with Wang Xian from the Capital Chamber of Commerce…”
Wang Xian introduced Feng Ji to him. Knowing that I work in the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau, the Third Madam summoned me to inquire about the situation. From the moment I heard, I knew something was off. Since when does our Internal weaving and dyeing bureau deal in marine goods…”
Xie Fang was a clever man. He narrated the story from his own and his family’s perspective, making it appear seamless.
It seemed as if Xie Fang was genuinely helping the Third Madam gather information on behalf of Miss Duan’s foster father.
“This morning, upon hearing about the trouble with the cargo ships from Haian, I immediately went to find Duan Pingchang. I obtained this contract from him, and after reading it, I nearly fainted.
Hearing that the lord was summoned to the palace, I dared not inform Lord Chen, Feng Ji’s superior, fearing collusion between them. I had no choice but to overstep my bounds and wait here for you, my lord, to make a decision.”
Xu Donglin recognized that Xie Fang suspected Chen Yisheng and Feng Ji of collusion. If the contract fell into Chen Yisheng’s hands, evidence could very well be destroyed.
Patting Xie Fang on the shoulder, Xu Donglin said, “You’ve done well. Wait outside the palace gates. I will now request an audience with His Majesty.”
“Yes, my lord. I will obey.”
After sending off Xu Donglin, Xie Fang felt relieved. Waiting outside the palace gates was a precaution in case the emperor summoned him directly.
What if His Majesty did call on him? How would he respond?
Did Miss Duan foresee this when she instructed him to intercept the official?
If so, this young lady was truly extraordinary. And if she were to become Duan Wangfei, Xie Fang thought, he had certainly aligned himself with the right person.
No wonder she, a recently recognized daughter of the Duan family, had been chosen as the future Duan Wangfei. Truly remarkable.
Xie Fang resolved to stay loyal to Duan Mingxi. If the opportunity arose to speak before the emperor, he would praise her—carefully, so as not to arouse suspicion.
The stronger Duan Mingxi’s position, the brighter his future would be.
