Duan Mingxi seemed oblivious to the peculiar expressions on both the Old Madam’s and Xu Nanxi’s faces. She maintained her poised demeanor, sitting upright with an elegant smile.
Xu Nanxi glanced at her grandmother, then promptly stood up and said, “Grandmother, I’ll take Mingxi out for a stroll. You’re likely to get busy here, so we’ll head to the main hall later.”
The Old Madam smiled and nodded, then turned to Mingxi with a kind expression. “Let Nanxi show you around the estate. We’ll be one family soon, so feel free to visit often without restraint.”
Mingxi returned the gesture with a gentle smile, nodding before leaving with Xu Nanxi.
Once they had left, the Old Madam’s smile faded, her expression turning contemplative. This girl is no ordinary person.
It seemed that her clever daughter-in-law’s plans would not come to fruition. Who would have thought that a merchant family could raise such a remarkable child? The Old Madam also recalled how Duan Pingchang had secured business with the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau, marking his first major foothold in the capital.
Ordinary merchants lacked the audacity to produce 500,000 taels of silver, let alone the resilience to turn a crisis into an opportunity, gaining lucrative business connections with the Internal weaving and dyeing bureau in the process.
After all, the Four Divisions and Eight Bureaus’ business dealings were so fiercely contested that most could only dream of establishing ties. Yet, Duan Pingchang had succeeded.
The Old Madam had initially disapproved of Duan Wang’s interest in Duan Mingxi. Even with the noble act of saving lives enhancing her reputation, she had remained indifferent.
But today’s meeting had given her much to ponder, her expression now far more serious.
Xu Nanxi led Mingxi to the family’s garden, speaking as they walked. “Mingxi, don’t take some of my grandmother’s words to heart.”
Mingxi looked at Xu Nanxi in slight surprise, having assumed she hadn’t noticed.
Seeing Mingxi’s astonished expression, Xu Nanxi added softly, “That’s how elders are.”
Mingxi understood and smiled lightly. “I didn’t take it too seriously.”
While she claimed not to mind, there was still a trace of unease, which Xu Nanxi easily discerned.
The garden was filled with artificial hills resembling fierce beasts or mythical creatures, rising and intertwining. Moss-covered rocks dotted the scenery, and vines concealed portions of the space. Vibrant flowers bloomed among the greenery, adding a touch of brilliance to the picturesque scene.
Xu Nanxi led Mingxi through a moon gate and across an arched bridge. Before they even entered, the sound of cheerful chatter reached them.
Mingxi glanced sideways at Xu Nanxi, who explained, “This is where we entertain the young ladies from various families. I’ll introduce you.”
Mingxi neither agreed nor refused, following Xu Nanxi into the area. Entering through a side door, she discovered a secluded courtyard, where more than a dozen small tables were seemingly scattered among the flowers. Stone-paved paths connected the tables, weaving through the space.
The placement of the flowers provided just enough concealment to allow voices to drift out without immediately revealing their sources, lending the scene a unique elegance.
The first group they encountered was familiar faces—Zhang Yaojun, Liu Yunhua, and Yao Yunyi. The three were laughing at some private joke.
Yao Yunyi looked up and spotted the newcomers. She waved enthusiastically, calling them over. “I was just wondering where you were! Of course, the host personally entertaining you means you’re not like the rest of us.”
Xu Nanxi laughed, playfully covering Yao Yunyi’s mouth. “You heartless girl! When have I not personally welcomed you? This time, Mingxi is visiting for the first time, so I had to make an effort. Besides, we’ll all be family in the future—I have to treat her well.”
Liu Yunhua pulled Mingxi to sit beside her. “Ignore them. Every meeting turns into a playful argument. How long have you been here?”
“I just arrived and went to pay respects to the Old Madam first.”
“That’s proper.” Liu Yunhua nodded. Unlike the rest of the younger generation, Mingxi had the honor of visiting the Old Madam directly—a privilege reserved for someone who was soon to marry Duan Wang.
Zhang Yaojun wasn’t particularly familiar with Mingxi. Considering the nuanced relationship between Duke Wei Residence and Mingxi, she refrained from commenting. Instead, she quietly sipped her tea.
Just as Xu Nanxi was about to speak, a maid arrived to summon her. Apologizing to the others, she excused herself, but not before urging them to take good care of Mingxi.
Zhang Yaojun observed the maid. Though her demeanor seemed composed, there was a flicker of urgency in her eyes. What had happened?
Liu Yunhua took the opportunity to engage Mingxi in a conversation about the details of the birthday banquet. Meanwhile, Yao Yunyi had a maid bring over another set of tea cups, and the four of them began chatting together.
Although they appeared harmonious, each represented a different faction.
Zhang Yaojun was the cousin of Jin Wang; Liu Yunhua, the cousin of Qi Wang; Yao Yunyi, the cousin of Xian Wang; and Mingxi was the future Duan Wangfei. Together, they embodied connections to all four princes.
Liu Yunhua was closest to Mingxi, given that Mingxi had once saved her brother’s life.
Smiling warmly at Mingxi, she said, “Did you know that Duan Wang will also be attending today to celebrate the Old Madam’s birthday?”
Mingxi had anticipated this but still shook her head. “No one informed me, but I did guess.”
It was true—no one had mentioned it to her.
The others chuckled at this response. Zhang Yaojun looked at Mingxi with a gentle expression and said, “I imagine Duan Wang will be quite pleased today.”
Duan Mingxi: “…”
Yao Yunyi added with a playful wink, “Indeed, if it were me, I’d be thrilled too.”
Everyone knew that Mingxi was the object of Duan Wang’s affections, the one he had personally sought to marry.
Duan Wang was highly admired among the princes for his integrity and discipline, making him especially popular among the noblewomen of the capital. Many had dreamed of becoming his wife.
Yet, Mingxi, an outsider, had unexpectedly claimed that position.
“You’ve certainly stirred up some envy,” Liu Yunhua teased with a laugh.
Duan Mingxi: “…”
Seeing Mingxi’s blank expression, the others laughed even harder.
“Have you heard that the Crown Prince’s wedding date has been set?” Zhang Yaojun asked in a hushed tone.
“I’ve heard whispers—it’s supposed to be three months from now. Isn’t that awfully soon?” Yao Yunyi replied, lowering her voice conspiratorially.
A Crown Prince’s wedding should be meticulously planned, reflecting the highest standards of ceremony and grandeur. A three-month timeline seemed rushed, especially considering the protocols the Ministry of Rites would have to follow.
Liu Yunhua coughed lightly. “I heard it has something to do with Duke Zhen Residence. Do you know more?”
Zhang Yaojun sneered. “So it’s not much of a secret after all.”
Duan Mingxi wasn’t surprised. Bai Zhiwei wasn’t the kind to play by the rules. However, for Bai Shixi to influence the Empress to expedite the wedding date, she must also have significant leverage.
These two sisters were certainly evenly matched.
“What do you think, Mingxi?” Liu Yunhua casually inquired.
Both Zhang Yaojun and Yao Yunyi turned to Mingxi, curious about her opinion.
Mingxi smiled and said, “The eldest Miss Bai already has a betrothal. The second Miss Bai has a marriage decree granted by the Emperor. If someone else wants to usurp the position, they would need extraordinary opportunities.”
To the Crown Prince and Empress, the most important factor was Duke Zhen Residence itself. The individual marrying into the royal family was secondary.
However, Bai Zhiwei’s reputation was already tarnished, and she was engaged to another. To replace her younger sister, she would need to reverse public opinion, have Bai Shixi commit an unforgivable mistake, and successfully dissolve her own engagement to Gao Zhan.
Any one of these challenges was monumental.
Yet Bai Zhiwei continued to stir up trouble. Mingxi had already begun to guess her true intentions.
