Duan Mingxi understood clearly: Duan Wang was no benevolent figure. In her previous life, he had been ruthless enough to contend with the Crown Prince until the very end.
Their engagement was merely a transaction; she couldn’t afford to act recklessly.
Moreover, she didn’t want Duan Wang to grow suspicious. Her covert actions must remain hidden from his knowledge.
“Please convey my gratitude to Wangye,” she said. “However, I believe this matter should end here. Enemies should be resolved, not made. As long as the Jiang family refrains from troubling my foster parents in the future, that will suffice.”
Qi He smiled. “Young Miss truly has a kind heart. Third Master Jiang’s actions this time were indeed excessive. The Jiang family had to spend a significant sum to secure his release.”
Duan Mingxi glanced up at Qi He, catching the meaning behind his words. Clearly, Duan Wang had intervened.
“Thank Wangye for his concern,” she said.
Seeing her pleased demeanor, Qi He happily took his leave to report back.
Upon returning to the Wangye residence, he recounted the events in detail, emphasizing how pleased the Young Miss seemed.
Standing by the window with his hands behind his back, Xiao Muchen’s figure was bathed in golden sunlight, his silhouette edged with a glowing radiance that only enhanced his noble and refined aura.
Yet his eyes remained cold, untouched by the sun’s warmth.
Pleased?
Could his assumptions have been wrong?
Was the Duan family’s predicament unrelated to her?
Impossible. Xie Fang’s sudden involvement couldn’t have happened without someone orchestrating it.
The Third Madam of the Marquis Household wasn’t known for acts of unwarranted kindness.
“Have you finished investigating Xie Fang?” Xiao Muchen asked.
Hearing the question, Qi He immediately straightened. “Before the incident at the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau, the Third Madam of the Duan family made several visits to her maternal home. During those times, Xie Fang also visited the An residence.”
“What did Xie Fang say about this?”
“Lord Xie said that the Third Madam heard from the Eldest Miss that Master Duan had come to the capital to do business and connected with the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau, which caused her concern. She then asked the Third Madam to inquire on her behalf, and that’s how he learned of the situation.”
“So Xie Fang realized Feng Ji’s manipulations?” Xiao Muchen didn’t believe in coincidences.
He was more inclined to think this was all part of a scheme.
This incident had stirred a massive storm in the court, with everyone’s focus on the Crown Prince and Qi Wang. However, Xiao Muchen’s attention was fixed on the silver that had sparked the entire affair.
Five hundred thousand taels of silver…
Duan Mingxi was certainly willing to take risks.
“Go and tell Xie Fang that since this is the answer he’s given today, he should stick to it no matter who asks in the future.”
Qi He stiffened, a fleeting image of Eldest Miss Duan flashing in his mind. Even his smile faltered.
Could it be what he thought?
“Understood. I’ll handle it immediately.”
If this matter truly involved the Eldest Miss, then Wangye’s warning to Xie Fang was clearly intended to protect her.
Still, Qi He was astounded. If his understanding of the Wangye’s intention was correct, could this entire situation have been orchestrated by the Eldest Miss herself?
He found it hard to believe.
It was easier to assume that the Eldest Miss had discovered someone had deceived Duan Pingchang and sought to assist her adoptive father, aiming only at Jiang Bingyuan.
But to meddle in the political whirlpool of the Crown Prince and Qi Wang’s conflict? That seemed impossible. Moreover, tracking the exact movements of official ships departing from Haian wasn’t something just anyone could manage.
While the Crown Prince and Qi Wang’s struggle remained unresolved, the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau’s situation had mostly stabilized.
Jiang Bingyuan, having targeted only Duan Pingchang, escaped more severe punishment. The Jiang family paid a significant sum of silver to secure his release.
Others, however, were not so lucky. Jiang Bingyuan’s subordinates, Huang Yong and Wang Xian, were exiled to the frontier as soldiers. Feng Ji, who had used his position in the Shangshanjian to commit fraud involving a massive amount of silver, was executed publicly due to lack of protection.
Chen Yisheng, backed by Qi Wang, and Zhao Jungong, supported by the Crown Prince, were entangled in a standoff. Xu Donglin, a chief eunuch, was too powerful for anyone to deal with directly, leaving the matter to the Emperor.
However, as the Emperor’s stance remained ambiguous, the issue was temporarily at a standstill.
Without dealing with Chen Yisheng, Xie Fang couldn’t secure the position of Qianshu. But he was patient and continued performing his duties in the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau without revealing his ambitions.
The incident of him bringing the signatory document to Xu Donglin wasn’t a secret, and Chen Yisheng hated him deeply for it. Unfortunately, from his prison cell, there was little Chen could do to retaliate—at least until he managed to escape unscathed.
The developments in the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau had gone far beyond Duan Mingxi’s expectations. She had no idea at the outset that Chen Yisheng and Zhao Jungong were tied to Qi Wang and the Crown Prince.
As expected, the harmonious camaraderie at Jinrui Garden that day was nothing but an illusion.
After Feng Ji’s execution, Duan Pingchang was finally released.
Before Mingxi had the chance to visit her adoptive father, she received a message from him, delivered through Li Quan. Xu Donglin had entrusted the business surrounding Jiangcheng to Duan Pingchang.
Duan Mingxi’s mind raced. She immediately went to see the Old Madam.
The Old Madam was surprised. “You’re saying the Duan family has secured contracts with the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau?”
Duan Mingxi smiled and nodded. “Yes, Grandmother. I suppose Lord Xu felt that my adoptive father’s five hundred thousand taels of silver warranted some compensation since the Bureau couldn’t refund the amount directly.”
The Old Madam’s expression was complicated. Duan Pingchang had been quite fortunate. “With connections to the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau, your adoptive father has secured his foothold in the capital.”
Maintaining a calm demeanor under the Old Madam’s scrutinizing gaze, Duan Mingxi replied, “I think so too. This benefits our family as well.”
The Old Madam raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“I can arrange for some of my adoptive father’s business to be managed through the Marquis’s household shops,” Mingxi said, meeting the Old Madam’s eyes. “This way, our shops can also be associated with the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau. Once the reputation spreads, profits will follow easily.”
The Internal weaving and dyeing bureau supplied goods for the imperial household, and noblewomen in the capital prided themselves on owning its silks and satins.
The Old Madam studied Mingxi carefully but saw no trace of pretense.
However, she knew this was a negotiation.
If the Marquis’s household wanted a share of the business, they’d have to permit Mingxi to maintain ties with her adoptive family.
Tight-lipped, the Old Madam finally spoke. “Since your adoptive parents are in the capital, it’s only proper for our families to have a meal together. Arrange a time to invite them to the house. After all, they raised you and are owed respect.”
This time, Duan Mingxi’s smile was genuine, her expression softening. “Thank you for your kindness, Grandmother. However, my adoptive parents are merchants and may feel uncomfortable here. Besides, the Madam wouldn’t approve, so perhaps we should forgo the meal.”
She wouldn’t subject her parents to bow and scrape before the Marquis’s family.
“Very well, then.” The Old Madam’s thoughts were complicated. Mingxi’s protectiveness over her adoptive parents was clear. “I’ll have Wan Mama prepare some gifts for you to deliver on my behalf.”
“Of course, I’ll do as you say.” Mingxi’s eyes curved into a smile. “By the way, Grandmother, have you prepared the list I mentioned before? It’s a good time to let them practice their skills.”
The Old Madam: ….
This granddaughter never missed an opportunity. The moment she gave an inch, Mingxi came back with a counteroffer.
With the list in hand and the prepared gifts, Mingxi confidently left the household, unconcerned with how Madam Jiang might react.
But upon arriving at the Duan family residence, she was utterly stunned to find Duan Wang there.
