The second branch resided on the west side of the Marquis estate, with Rongan Hall as the center. The east side housed Duan Mingxi, as the eldest had inherited the title and thus occupied the entire east courtyard.
In contrast, the second and third branches had to share the west courtyard, making their accommodations much more cramped.
Duan Mingxi followed Second Madam into the main hall of the second branch. After they were seated as host and guest, Second Madam’s chief maid, Caiqin, served tea and quietly withdrew.
The courtyard was serene, unlike the bustling east courtyard where servants and maids came and went, leaving little room for peace.
Second Madam observed Duan Mingxi’s composed demeanor. Ever since entering the room, aside from expressing gratitude for the tea, she hadn’t initiated any conversation, signaling that Second Madam would have to take the lead.
“Mingxi,” Second Madam began, “Second Aunt knows you suffered an injustice today. Some things, however, are difficult for me to speak of plainly. But you’re a clever child—I’m sure you’ve sensed something, haven’t you?”
Second Madam’s straightforwardness surprised Duan Mingxi. In her previous life, both Second Madam and Madam Third had maintained only lukewarm relations with her.
The first branch and the second and third branches had always been at odds. Although the Old Duke and the Old Madam were still alive, preventing a formal division of the household, in private, everyone was eager to live separately for their own comfort.
Madam Jiang and her husband wanted the second and third branch to leave the marquis’s residence empty-handed. There was no way they would agree to that; if they couldn’t inherit the title, surely they could at least get a larger share of the family wealth.
Unfortunately, the second and third madams were unaware that, after so many years of Madam Jiang managing the household, the family’s financial reserves had significantly dwindled. There wasn’t much wealth left to divide.
Otherwise, in her previous life, how could the Old Madam have targeted her, aiming for the wealth of her adoptive parents?
Recalling the cause of their deaths, Duan Mingxi’s gaze dimmed slightly.
Duan Mingxi smiled without responding.
Seeing this, the second madam’s mind began to work. “If you truly don’t wish to maintain relations with the Duke Gao family, then how about letting me handle this matter for you in the future?”
After today’s events, Gao Zhan would have to be mad to agree to the marriage. However, Duchess Gao was still hoping for a large amount of gold and silver to fill her family’s financial gaps, so she likely wouldn’t give up easily.
Duan Mingxi did have her own way to break off the engagement. But since the second madam offered her help, Duan Mingxi wouldn’t mind letting her handle things and keeping herself out of the mess.
“Thank you, Second Aunt. I’ll also do my best regarding cousin’s matters.”
Duan Mingxi understood what the second madam wanted. Since she had helped, it was only fair to repay her somehow.
Switching topics, she said, as if by chance, “When I was unwell a few days ago, I overheard a maid talking outside about the woman at the second gate, Ma Pozi. She often disappears once she closes the gate, and sometimes, even when there’s an urgent matter in the courtyard, no one can find her to open it.”
“The gatekeeper, Ma Pozi, is often absent, especially during the late hours of the night. It leaves me a bit worried about the safety of the inner courtyard.”
The Second Madam didn’t believe that Duan Mingxi’s comment was made casually. While pondering its implications, she heard Duan Mingxi continue, “Yang Yiniang has already sent word, and Second Brother is set to depart south tomorrow. I’ll write the letter tonight and have him deliver it to Uncle Chen.”
Hearing this, the Second Madam grew somewhat anxious. She couldn’t openly suggest that her own son accompany the journey, so she simply said, “Second Aunt will be waiting for your good news.”
Duan Mingxi replied with a faint smile, “Yes, I’m looking forward to good news as well.”
The double entendre in her words made the Second Madam’s heart skip a beat.
After Duan Mingxi excused herself and left, the Second Madam immediately called for her trusted servant, He Mama. “Go find out if there’s been anything unusual about Ma Pozi at the second gate recently.”
He Mama was puzzled and asked, “Madam, why investigate a gatekeeper all of a sudden?”
The Second Madam didn’t have the patience to explain and simply said, “Just go and do as I say.”
He Mama dared not question further and quickly left to carry out her task.
The Second Madam’s expression darkened. Duan Mingxi wasn’t someone who would let matters slide without getting something in return. Since she had pointed out Ma Pozi, there was definitely more to it.
If she wanted her son to gain any advantage, it seemed she would first have to pave the way for Duan Mingxi.
Meanwhile, Duan Mingxi returned to her courtyard and went straight to sleep. When she woke up, Xiangxiang reported, “Second Miss came by earlier, but I told her you were resting and sent her away.”
Duan Mingxi nodded nonchalantly. She didn’t need to think hard to guess why Duan Huirou had come looking for her. She had no intention of wasting her time on her.
“Where is Qiancao? How is the task I assigned her coming along?”
“Qiancao just returned to the residence. I’ll call her for you now.”
Qiancao entered shortly and reported, “Miss, this servant visited the shops your father left you. The managers were all appointed by him and are trustworthy. The accounts are clear, and you can check them anytime.”
Duan Mingxi had limited trustworthy people at her disposal. With Li Mama’s son Li Quan currently away delivering a letter to Jiangcheng, she couldn’t spare anyone else.
“Did you find out how much silver is available in the accounts?”
“The managers said they hand over the accounts twice a year, with the mid-year report due in June. But since the shops now belong to you, they will report to you directly.”
Duan Mingxi listened carefully as Qiancao continued, “There’s a herbal medicine shop, a silk store, and a restaurant, all located in prime areas of the capital. The surplus silver alone amounts to at least tens of thousands of taels.”
Duan Mingxi was taken aback; she hadn’t expected it to be so much.
In her previous life, Old Madam and Madam Jiang deceived her, claiming the family had many children to marry off, with significant expenses for weddings and dowries. Out of concern for their troubles, she handed over her shops to them.
She was too stupid. She had no idea that her father had left her shops with tens of thousands of taels in active funds.
It was simply the Marquis household fearing she might realize how profitable the shop was, so they preemptively silenced her, making her feel guilty and willing to give up even more.
“Which restaurant is it?” Duan Mingxi asked.
Qiancao chuckled. “It’s Yuxian Tower, the one on the busiest street in the city. Miss, you wouldn’t believe it—it’s even grander than the restaurant our family has in Jiangcheng.”
Yuxian Tower?
Duan Mingxi froze for a moment. It was actually Yuxian Tower.
In her past life, when she was newly reunited with her family and had just arrived in the capital, she had been timid and overwhelmed, not bothering to inquire about the properties her father had given her. Instead, she handed everything over to Madam Jiang and her daughter-in-law.
The restaurant had been added to Duan Huirou’s dowry by Madam Jiang. All Duan Mingxi had known was that her father had given her a restaurant, but she never realized it was Yuxian Tower.
These deceitful, heartless people had truly fooled her thoroughly.
She had been too naive, placing too much trust in family ties.
Duan Huirou had scorned Gao Zhan but had been infatuated with Duan Wang. To get closer to him, knowing he wanted to buy Yuxian Tower, she had sold it to him outright.
Once in Duan Wang’s hands, Yuxian Tower quickly became the capital’s top restaurant. It was a goldmine, practically earning its weight in gold every day.
In this lifetime, Madam Jiang and her daughter could dream on if they thought they’d get even a single copper coin from her.
Duan Wang…
Duan Mingxi’s gaze sharpened. In her previous life, when Duan Wang and the Crown Prince were at odds, Gao Zhan had used her dowry assets to help the Crown Prince recruit soldiers. This had ultimately led to Duan Wang’s downfall.
This time around, without her money, she’d like to see how Gao Zhan will manage to earn merit in front of the Crown Prince.
As for Duan Wang, she would have to give it some careful thought. She couldn’t act rashly.
Duan Wang was the Crown Prince’s most formidable rival, the one who nearly brought him down.
She’d definitely need to leverage his power, but exactly how to use it would require thorough consideration.
That night, Duan Mingxi barely slept. In the middle of the night, she faintly heard shouting from outside. At first, she felt annoyed, but suddenly realizing something, she sat up abruptly.
“Xiangxiang, go see what’s happening outside,” Duan Mingxi said, lifting the bed curtain and stepping out, her eyes glinting with excitement.
