The Old Madam took Mingxi’s hand, guiding her to sit. Xu Nanxi stayed by her side.
“What a good child. Ever since the imperial edict for your betrothal was issued, this old lady has been eager to meet you but feared scaring you away. Now that I’ve met you, it’s clear why my grandson was so insistent.”
Mingxi felt the words sounded like praise but, on closer thought, seemed to suggest her only merit was her appearance. Still, the Old Madam’s warmth made Mingxi wonder if she was overthinking.
“You flatter me, Old Madam. Mingxi dares not accept such praise.” She lowered her head shyly, masking the glint of thought in her eyes.
“Grandmother, Mingxi is truly remarkable. She’s skilled too! Last time during a hunt at Yuguan Mountain, she saved someone. If it were me, I’d have run for my life,” Xu Nanxi chimed in.
“You always know how to say mischievous things,” the Old Madam said with a laugh, turning to Mingxi. “Good child, where did you learn such skills? Practicing martial arts must be very demanding.”
Mingxi looked up at the Old Madam with a smile. “When I first arrived at my adoptive Father’s house, my adoptive mother had difficulty bearing children, so my adoptive Father raised me as though I were a son to inherit the family business.
Traveling merchants often encounter dangers, so I began learning martial arts at a young age. Later, when I had a younger brother, my adoptive Father said it wouldn’t hurt for a girl to learn more skills, so I continued practicing.”
The Old Madam was momentarily stunned. “It seems your adoptive parents cherish you greatly.”
Mingxi smiled sweetly. “Yes, they do.”
Xu Nanxi hadn’t yet realized the deeper implications behind her grandmother’s words, but Mingxi understood them clearly. Still, she wasn’t concerned.
Whether the people of Duke Wei’s household liked her or not didn’t matter much to her comfort as the future Duan Wangfei.
“Grandmother, I told you Mingxi is amazing! Last time, she even jumped into the water to save someone. Before anyone else could react, she had already gone in,” Xu Nanxi said with a laugh.
“Zhenbei Wangfei mentioned this to me last time and spoke very highly of you,” the Old Madam said, her gaze fixed intently on Mingxi.
Mingxi didn’t particularly like the scrutiny of this gaze, but her expression remained perfectly composed as she modestly replied, “Wangfei exaggerated. At the time, I simply acted without thinking. Besides, if it hadn’t been me, someone else would have done it. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“Still, that act of heroism brought about your engagement to Duan Wang. It’s certainly a happy occasion,” the Old Madam said with a warm and gentle smile, her words sounding sincere.
But Mingxi detected a different tone. What was this Old Madam trying to probe?
Beside her, Xu Nanxi pressed her lips into a smile and remarked, “This is truly a match destined by fate.”
The Old Madam glanced at her granddaughter, then back at Mingxi, as though waiting for her response.
Duan Mingxi’s expression grew distant. She looked out the window and, after a pause, spoke unhurriedly, “I’m not sure if it’s destined or not. When I first learned of the imperial decree, I was certainly shocked.
Even now, I wonder why Duan Wang sought the emperor’s approval for the engagement. After all, our temperaments are quite different. If we end up at odds after marriage… I’m a straightforward person who doesn’t tolerate grievances well. Just thinking about it is frustrating.”
Both the Old Madam and Xu Nanxi were stunned.
What was that supposed to mean?
Would she actually resort to physical confrontation if they clashed?
Perhaps it was because Mingxi’s irritation seemed so genuine that even the Old Madam, despite her lifetime of experience, was momentarily at a loss for words. Never had she encountered someone as unconventional as Mingxi.
