No wonder Madam Jiang’s expression looked so unpleasant. Duan Huirou had been hoping to turn the situation around, but yet another unexpected incident occurred.
In the days following the longevity banquet, the entire capital seemed to be enveloped in a tense atmosphere.
However, this had little to do with Mingxi. At present, her Father had already obtained the first batch of goods from the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau and had begun transporting them from Jiangcheng.
A small portion was allocated to the Marquis’s household, and from that, some were distributed to the Second and Third Madams for their use.
With their dowry shops now benefiting from improved business, they had some active funds and no longer needed to focus solely on the household’s shared resources. This fundamentally eased financial tensions within the family.
Mingxi had not forgotten Yang Yiniang. She called Duan Qingyin over.
“Does Yang Yiniang still have two shops in her name?”
Duan Qingyin froze for a moment and then looked at Mingxi with some unease. “Elder Sister, why do you ask? Is there something you need?”
Duan Mingxi smiled. “I have a business opportunity in hand. Let Yang Yiniang know and ask if she’s interested.”
Duan Qingyin was stunned. “Really? Is that even possible?”
Although her Yiniang appeared outwardly well-off, in recent years, their Father’s financial situation had been tight. He had even less to spare for Yiniang.
Those two shops had been gifted privately by her Father in earlier days when Yang Yiniang was still favored, back when the Marquis’s household was financially comfortable.
“It seems she’s interested.”
Duan Qingyin’s cheeks flushed. “Elder Sister…”
“There’s no need to feel embarrassed. Everyone needs resources to live. Yang Yiniang’s planning for your future is only right. I’ll send someone to meet with the managers of her shops later. Ask her to notify them in advance.”
“Thank you, Elder Sister.” Duan Qingyin stood up and bowed deeply, her eyes reddening.
“We are sisters. No need for such formality.” Duan Mingxi observed her thoughtfully. With Yang Yiniang protecting her, Duan Qingyin’s eventual marriage, though not ideal, still turned out better than hers. In some ways, Duan Qingyin was more fortunate.
Yang Yiniang was sensible and tactful, so Mingxi saw no reason to treat her unfairly.
When Duan Qingyin relayed the news to Yang Yiniang, the latter nearly jumped with excitement. “Really?”
Duan Qingyin smiled faintly. “Elder Sister said it herself. How could it not be true?”
“My heavens, I’ve finally latched onto the golden thigh of the God of Wealth!” Yang Yiniang was overjoyed. “With the Eldest Miss helping me, I can save up even more money. When you marry, I’ll secretly add to your dowry so you can hold your head high in your new home.”
Relying on the legitimate wife to not skimp on her daughter’s dowry would already be a blessing, let alone expecting anything extra.
In this world, you had to rely on yourself.
The more Yang Yiniang thought about it, the more excited she became. “The Eldest Miss treats us so sincerely. We must not disappoint her. I’ll write to your brother and have him build a good relationship with the young master of the Duan family.”
“Yiniang, is this appropriate?”
“Why wouldn’t it be? The Eldest Miss openly interacts with her foster parents now. The Old Madam even prepared gifts for her to bring on her visits last time. Having your brother support the Duan family’s young master is the least we can do. If we benefit from someone’s help, we must act accordingly.”
Yang Yiniang’s mind moved swiftly. “Oh, and have you gathered any information about the Jiang family?”
Duan Qingyin whispered, “Qiuyue and Yaoying have inquired, but this time, Yaoying didn’t accompany Duan Huirou back to the Jiang family. Details are still unclear.”
“Give Qiuyue two taels of silver and have her dig deeper. We missed the chance to assist the Eldest Miss regarding Jiang Sujie’s situation last time. We can’t afford to fall behind again.”
“Yiniang, what exactly is the Jiang family planning?”
“Who cares what they’re planning? The Eldest Miss is now engaged to Duan Wang. After they initially looked down on her, and the engagement was decreed, they’re trying to make amends. Do you think someone like the Eldest Miss would accept that?”
Yang Yiniang sneered. “What Third Master Jiang did—don’t even mention the Eldest Miss—if it were me, I’d fight him to the end.”
She suddenly paused, turning to her daughter. “The Second Miss didn’t attend the palace banquet to celebrate the birthday this time. The Madam must be upset. But the Jiang family arranging for the Second Miss to go with Jiang Sujie seems suspicious, don’t you think?”
“Yiniang, what do you mean? Could the Jiang family scheme against Duan Huirou? That seems unlikely. The Jiang family’s Old Madam adores her.”
Exactly. With the Jiang family backing her, Duan Huirou gets all the love and attention in the Marquis’s household, leaving you to suffer under her foot.
Yang Yiniang’s expression grew sharper. “Third Master Jiang was severely punished by the Eldest Miss, and the Jiang family has yet to let it go. Do you think they’d just forgive and forget after losing so much silver to bail him out? What about the other branches of the Jiang family?”
Duan Qingyin’s eyes brightened. “Do you think the other branches are making a move?”
Yang Yiniang’s mind raced. “It’s too early to say for sure, but there’s something you can do now.” She called her maid, Yinghong, and said, “Go to Chuihua Gate and wait quietly. As soon as the Marquis returns, ask him to come here. Tell him I have something urgent to discuss.”
Yinghong nodded and left.
“Yiniang, why do you need to speak with Father?” Duan Qingyin was puzzled.
Yang Yiniang smiled. “The Jiang family is being two-faced. I need to have a proper conversation with your Father.”
The Eldest Miss’s position in the household was increasingly secure, and the Marquis was careful not to provoke her now.
After the Jiang family’s previous actions, the Marquis had already been displeased. This time, with a little pillow talk, he would certainly grow even more dissatisfied with the Madam.
The more tension there was between the Marquis and the Madam, the more he would lean toward the Eldest Miss.
That way, no matter what schemes the Jiang family hatched, the Marquis would no longer trust them.
Yang Yiniang prided herself on being someone who repaid kindness. Since the Eldest Miss was helping her earn money, she would help the Eldest Miss crush the Jiang family.
As for the Second Miss? If she were smart, she’d quickly change her ways.
If not, she’d better not blame Yang Yiniang for being ruthless.
The next morning, Mingxi received word that the Marquis and the Madam had a massive argument the previous night.
She chuckled to herself. Yang Yiniang’s pillow talk was indeed effective.
Pleased with Yang Yiniang’s efforts, Mingxi promptly summoned Li Quan and instructed him to send someone from her shop to meet with the managers of Yang Yiniang’s shops.
For just a bit of silver, she managed to win hearts and make people work for her.
Having Yang Yiniang deal with Madam Jiang made things much easier for her.
By noon, another piece of news arrived: the marquis had sent people to retrieve Duan Huirou from the Jiang family, and it was said they left on bad terms.
Oh, Yang Yiniang’s abilities were impressive—there were even follow-up developments.
The drama was just heating up when word spread that Duan Huirou went to trouble Duan Qingyin and ended up hitting her.
Duan Mingxi’s smile faded. Duan Huirou had hit Duan Qingyin—was this Yang Yiniang’s plan, or was it Huirou stirring up trouble on her own?
As she was pondering this, Xiancao rushed in, panicked. “Miss, Yang Yiniang has miscarried!”
What?
Wasn’t Duan Qingyin the one who got hit?
How did Yang Yiniang end up miscarrying?
Wait, Yang Yiniang was pregnant?
This was going to cause a major uproar!
