The maid led Duan Mingxi through a series of winding paths to a secluded courtyard and smiled as she said, “Miss, please enter. The madam is inside.”
Duan Mingxi gave a slight nod and strode in confidently.
The courtyard was small, just a single enclosure, but it was tidy and elegantly arranged. Flowers filled the yard, swaying gently in the breeze and releasing bursts of fragrance.
The atmosphere was exceptionally quiet. Not even a maid was stationed under the veranda to serve. Duan Mingxi stepped onto the stairs, crossed the veranda, and entered the room without hesitation.
As expected, Duchess Wei was seated inside, and beside her was none other than Feng Wenxuan.
When she saw Duan Mingxi enter, Feng Wenxuan rose to greet her. “Miss Duan, you’re here.”
Duan Mingxi nodded in acknowledgment. “Miss Feng.”
Then she turned her gaze to Duchess Wei. “I wonder what business the Madam has summoned me for?”
The Madam smiled warmly. “Please, have a seat, Miss Duan. Earlier, with so many people coming and going, I didn’t have the chance to properly chat with you. Now that I have some free time, I thought I’d invite you over for a conversation. I hope you don’t mind.”
Her words were polite enough, but if true courtesy had been the intention, she wouldn’t have insisted on something inappropriate in the first place. Such actions showed a clear disregard for Duan Mingxi.
Her tone was outwardly refined, her words warm and full of decorum, but her actions spoke of arrogance and high-handedness.
Duan Mingxi didn’t stand on ceremony. After taking her seat, she refrained from speaking and simply looked at Duchess Wei, completely ignoring Feng Wenxuan.
Feng Wenxuan clutched her handkerchief tightly, her grip trembling slightly. The faint smile on her face began to fade, and her eyes betrayed a flicker of resentment.
If her family hadn’t been stripped of their noble title, how could Duan Mingxi, raised in a merchant family, dare to slight her like this?
Duchess Wei observed Duan Mingxi’s calm demeanor and smiled. “Miss Duan, what do you think of Wenxuan?”
To ask so directly demonstrated her strong confidence in her niece.
Moreover, the intent behind her words was blatant—so much so that it seemed she assumed Duan Mingxi couldn’t possibly reject the suggestion.
Oh, such boldness.
“How Miss Feng is as a person, I cannot say,” Duan Mingxi replied, her tone neither soft nor harsh. “After all, we’ve only just met today, so I don’t know her well.”
The Duchess’s smile stiffened for a moment before her expression cooled slightly. Speaking slowly and deliberately, she said, “I’ve watched Wenxuan grow up. She’s been by my side for years, with a gentle temperament and a wealth of knowledge. She grew up alongside Duan Wang—practically childhood sweethearts. Were it not for this royal betrothal, they might have become a perfect match.”
Listening to these words, so blatant they were nauseating, Duan Mingxi’s expression hardened. She replied coolly, “If you care so deeply for Miss Feng, then for her future happiness, you should plead with His Majesty and ask him to make her the Duan Wangfei instead.”
Duchess Wei furrowed her brow, evidently interpreting this as mockery of her lack of influence. Her face darkened as she said, “Miss Duan, you are not an outsider, so let me be frank.”
“Madam, I dare not presume such familiarity. I have not yet married into Duan Wang’s household and am, of course, an outsider. Besides, judging from today’s events, it seems we won’t be becoming family.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, if your family’s daughters marry, I imagine their husbands would be delighted. After all, with such a considerate mother-in-law, even concubines are pre-arranged as part of the dowry.”
“Outrageous!”
“Oh, so you do recognize that this is outrageous!” Duan Mingxi shot to her feet, her gaze sharp as she stared down the Duchess. “I respect you as Wangye’s aunt, yet you scheme to help your niece steal my husband.”
“Wangye is a royal by birth,” the Duchess retorted, her voice colder. “Besides Wangfei, he is entitled to concubines. Do you really think you can stop that?”
“Such talk would be better directed at Duan Wang himself. When he discussed the royal betrothal with me, he personally vowed not to take concubines for ten years.”
“What?”
“If you don’t believe me, summon Duan Wang and ask him yourself,” Duan Mingxi replied icily. “Truly, this is the first time I’ve seen an aunt so eager to push her niece into becoming a concubine. You’re quite the loving relative.”
Feng Wenxuan stepped forward then, her voice soft and plaintive. “Miss Duan, please don’t blame my aunt. It’s my feelings for Duan Wang that drove me to ask for her help. This has nothing to do with her. If you must blame someone, blame me.”
Duan Mingxi turned to finally look at Feng Wenxuan, and her disgust deepened. No wonder she found her loathsome at first sight—this demeanor could rival Bai Zhiwei’s theatrics.
“If you love the Duan Wang, then you should take it up with him. Why come to me?” Duan Mingxi let out a light laugh. “After all, I haven’t even married Duan Wang yet. What business is this of mine?”
“Xixi!”
The sudden call of her name froze the smile on her lips. She turned to see Duan Wang stride in, his expression cold as frost.
Duan Mingxi looked away, bitterness rising in her chest. She had thought that, since Duan Wang hadn’t married in her previous life, marrying him in this one would avoid such troubles. Yet here she was, facing meddlesome “cousins” even before the wedding.
Duchess Wei quickly stood to greet him. “Wangye, you’re here. We were just having a chat with Miss Duan.”
“Cousin,” Feng Wenxuan greeted, her eyes red and brimming with tears, as if she had just been wronged.
Duan Mingxi wasn’t particularly angry at first, merely finding Duchess Weiand her niece shameless. However, seeing Feng Wenxuan act this way ignited a surge of irritation.
She turned to Duan Wang with a cold expression and said, “Wangye, you’ve come at just the right time. Duchess Wei has been urging me to accept Miss Feng as your concubine. How could I make such decisions before I’ve even married into your household?”
Duan Wang froze for a moment, then turned to look at Duchess Wei. “Aunt, is this true?”
Meeting Duan Wang’s cool gaze, the Madam’s heart trembled. She quickly replied, “I was just thinking it’s better to strengthen ties within the family. You’ll need a secondary consort eventually, and wouldn’t it be more reassuring to have someone from our own family by your side?”
Duan Mingxi stood silently, watching Duan Wang, waiting to see his response.
Duan Wang frowned deeply. “I have no such intention, Aunt. There is no need for this.”
“That won’t do!” the Madam insisted anxiously. “Besides, how could your household have only one Wangfei? That would make you the subject of ridicule.”
Duan Mingxi stood to the side, her eyes flickering with mockery, but she kept her mouth shut, not uttering a single word. If Duan Wang gave in, this engagement would have to be reconsidered.
“The affairs of my household are no concern of others,” Duan Wang said, his voice tinged with irritation. “Aunt, you may not be aware, but when I proposed marriage to Miss Duan, I promised not to take concubines. Let’s not discuss this matter again.”
Feng Wenxuan swayed on her feet, her face going pale.
Though Duan Mingxi had claimed she wouldn’t take it to heart, hearing Duan Wang declare it himself was something else entirely.
With tears brimming in her eyes, Feng Wenxuan looked at the Madam. “Aunt…”
