“Wangye, the emperor summoned Xu Donglin. After leaving the palace, Xu Donglin was intercepted by Xie Fang. It’s unclear what Xie Fang handed over, but Xu Donglin immediately returned to the palace.”
Qi He hurried into the Wangye residence to report.
Golden sunlight streamed down, casting shadows across his brow. His long lashes left a shadow, veiling his dark eyes.
“Who is Xie Fang?”
“The Zhangsi of the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau.”
“What did he give Xu Donglin?”
“This subordinate couldn’t determine. The two spoke privately, far from the crowd.”
“Investigate Xie Fang’s background. I’m heading to the palace.”
“Yes.”
“And keep an eye on the movements of the Crown Prince and Qi Wang. Make sure Qi Wang learns of the Crown Prince’s involvement in burning the ships, and let the Crown Prince know about Qi Wang’s actions.”
“Understood.”
After escorting Wangye, Qi He reflected on the events of the previous night. Although he remained hidden until the end, he stumbled upon an unexpected discovery—evidence of the Crown Prince’s involvement.
Unfortunately, one group of individuals escaped via an alternate route, avoiding the docks. Another group fled in the chaos, leaving no trace. Qi He had to lie low to avoid being followed. His patience paid off when he identified members of the Crown Prince’s faction.
Wangye was right. When Qi Wang casually mentioned the government ships to both the Crown Prince and Duan Wang, he planted a trap.
Wherever Wangye intervened, the Crown Prince was sure to follow.
The sabotage of the government ships would cause reshuffling within the Bureau, ensuring swift resolutions before the emperor’s birthday banquet. This strategy would make it easier to plant insiders.
It wasn’t just the Wangye who sought this outcome. The Crown Prince and Qi Wang had similar objectives.
Qi He suspected the fleeing group were Qi Wang’s agents.
Duan Mingxi had no idea her plan to hire security escorts would be attributed to Qi Wang. The two major Biaoju remained unscathed, their leaders, Xiang Wentai and Qiu Ying, personally leading their missions out of the capital.
Clearly, they were avoiding trouble. Mingxi felt a sense of relief.
In recent days, Li Quan had been quietly gathering information, while occasional updates trickled in from the Third Madam.
Duan Mingxi’s original goal was simple: to punish Jiang Bingyuan and secure her position within the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau.
She never anticipated the situation would escalate into a power struggle between the Crown Prince and Qi Wang.
Zhao Jungong turned out to be aligned with the Crown Prince, while Chen Yisheng worked for Qi Wang. Upon learning of the departing ships, both factions were informed.
Wang Xian had conned Duan Pingchang out of 500,000 taels of silver. Unable to handle it alone, Feng Ji roped in Chen Yisheng, who, being loyal to Qi Wang, sought to claim a significant share of the money.
Thus, Mingxi’s maneuver involving Xie Fang was entirely overlooked amidst the chaos.
Jiang Bingyuan’s scheme implicated Feng Ji, who then dragged Chen Yisheng into the mess. Meanwhile, the Crown Prince and Qi Wang escalated their rivalry, pulling the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau into the fray. Mingxi, hidden behind the “scapegoat” Duan Pingchang, became an invisible player.
The contract—a key piece of evidence—was bought for a hefty 500,000 taels of silver.
Feng Ji’s use of the Imperial Dining Bureau’s name added another layer of complexity, forcing the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau to address the issue.
The situation spiraled further when Feng Ji confessed under pressure, implicating Wang Xian and Chen Yisheng. Wang Xian quickly exposed Huang Yong, who, despite initial resistance, eventually revealed Jiang Bingyuan under duress.
Jiang Bingyuan’s arrest left the Jiang family stunned. They immediately summoned Madam Jiang back home.
Upon her return, Madam Jiang rushed to see Duan Mingxi.
Duan Pingchang is Duan Mingxi’s adoptive father. As long as Mingxi says a word to absolve responsibility, Jiang Bingyuan can be released from the yamen.
As for the capsized boat incident, that was entirely between Qi Wang and the Crown Prince—the Jiang family had no involvement.
“Go tell your Duan Pingchang this: he just needs to say that this matter wasn’t your third uncle framing him, but simply honest business dealings where he was deceived by Feng Ji,” Madam Jiang ordered Duan Mingxi directly.
Her younger brother was in jail, and no one was more anxious than her.
Duan Mingxi looked at Madam Jiang and said, “Jiang Bingyuan brought this upon himself. He deserves the punishment, and I won’t let my adoptive father agree to this.”
“He’s your uncle, Mingxi. You can’t just stand by and do nothing!”
“Jiang Bingyuan demanded 500,000 taels of silver from my adoptive father. What a greedy appetite! Do you even know how much wealth the Duan family has? With one sentence, he wants to take half of it away!”
Duan Mingxi fixed Madam Jiang with a cold glare. “Jiang Bingyuan tried to harm my adoptive father, almost dragging him into political infighting where his life was at stake. And now you dare to plead with me? If my adoptive father were truly in danger, I’d fight the Jiang family to the death!”
Madam Jiang was startled by the ferocity in Duan Mingxi’s eyes and involuntarily took a step back. Yet, thinking of her brother, she braced herself and pressed on, “He knows he was wrong! You know he only wanted to teach him a lesson—”
“What right does he have to ‘teach’ my adoptive father? My adoptive father raised me! Not only does your Jiang family show no gratitude, but you repay his kindness with malice. It’s revolting!”
“Duan Mingxi! Please, I’m begging you. He’s my brother!”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“But he’s still your uncle!”
“A so-called ‘uncle’ who ignores my existence, sides with Duan Huirou to suppress me, and even dares to frame my adoptive father! Now you call him my uncle? What has the Jiang family ever treated me as?”
Madam Jiang felt a pang of guilt under Duan Mingxi’s piercing gaze. Yet she snapped angrily, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll spread the word that you refused to save your uncle? What will people say about you? And if the Niang Niang hears about this, your engagement to Duan Wang will surely be annulled!”
Duan Mingxi had always known Madam Jiang was shameless, but this exceeded all expectations.
With a sudden kick, Duan Mingxi toppled the round table between them. The loud crash made Madam Jiang’s legs turn to jelly.
“Get out!” Duan Mingxi pointed to the door. “Go back and tell the Jiang family: If they dare to trouble my adoptive father again, I’ll have Jiang Bingyuan charged, and his punishment will only be harsher. Let’s see if they’ll wait for the executioner’s blade!”
Madam Jiang was utterly terrified by the fury in Mingxi’s eyes. She hurriedly stumbled out but, unwilling to give up, shouted back through the door, “Mingxi, are you really forcing me to report you as unfilial? If you won’t save your uncle, I’ll make sure your engagement is ruined!”
Duan Mingxi stared at the closed door, a sudden wave of memory washing over her. In her past life, Madam Jiang had used the same tactics: relentless pressure disguised as appeals to family ties, forcing her into one impossible situation after another.
But she wasn’t the same person anymore. She wasn’t that foolish girl yearning for the approval of her birth family, naively hoping they’d accept her.
That blind pursuit had cost her everything.
“Fine, go ahead!” Duan Mingxi strode out the door. “Let’s see if the Marquis’s household values you as the Marquis Madam or me as the Duan Wangfei. Whose move will come first: your petition or their letter of divorce?”
Leaving Madam Jiang stunned, Mingxi headed straight for Rongan Hall.
As a daughter, she might not have the power to deal with Madam Jiang directly, but the Old Madam could. Mingxi had spent so much time currying favor with the Old Madam precisely for moments like this.
Madam Jiang, finally regaining her senses, shrieked, “Stop right there! Duan Mingxi, come back here!”
