Feng Wenxuan paled. “Cousin, why are you asking me this?”
“I’ve heard the rumors. Do you intend to become my cousin’s concubine?” Xu Nanxi pressed, trying to contain her frustration. The table was still mostly empty, and she wanted clarity.
Feng Wenxuan’s eyes reddened. “Did Miss Duan tell you this? I have no such intention. But my aunt suggested that since I’m familiar with the household, entering Wanye’s residence would mean someone trustworthy could support my cousin. She said it would put her at ease.”
Looking at Feng Wenxuan’s tear-filled eyes, Xu Nanxi softened her tone. “Marriage is a lifelong matter. You should aim to become a proper wife. Don’t just listen to everything my mother says.”
Feng Wenxuan clenched her handkerchief tightly.
Be married as a proper wife?
Her family had lost its title and was now common folk. What kind of household would accept her? No prominent family in the capital would ever consider her.
Xu Nanxi didn’t understand her struggles. Did she want to be a concubine? Of course not. But entering Wangye’s residence as a secondary consort, bearing a son, and elevating her position would make her life far better than most.
That was the future she envisioned for herself.
Xu Nanxi, despite her kind words, suggested she marry a poor person and live modestly.
“I have no one else to rely on. I can only depend on my aunt,” Feng Wenxuan said, lowering her head and choking back tears.
Seeing her like this, and mindful of the surrounding crowd, Xu Nanxi chose not to press further. “We’ll talk later,” she said, suppressing her frustration.
However, her heart was heavy. How could her mother make such a decision? Even though Feng Wenxuan’s family had fallen on hard times, Duke Wei household could still arrange a decent match for her.
Besides, Duan Mingxi hadn’t even married into Wangye’s household yet, and Duke Wei family was already scheming to insert someone else. How would this look to Duan Mingxi?
Xu Nanxi, burdened by her thoughts, glanced at Duan Mingxi, who was laughing and chatting with Liu Yunhua. She knew this wasn’t the right time to approach her and decided to wait until after the banquet.
The Old Madam Wei family arrived with assistance, officially starting the birthday celebration. The hall buzzed with activity.
When it was time for toasts, Duan Mingxi joined the younger generation in presenting tea to the Old Madam, offering their congratulations.
Afterward, everyone moved to the theater to watch a performance. Duan Mingxi found it dull but endured it patiently before finally excusing herself.
Liu Yunhua, eager to leave as well, quickly informed her mother and left with Duan Mingxi.
Xu Nanxi, wanting to have a private word with Duan Mingxi, hesitated when she saw Liu Yunhua with her. Smiling, she sent them off before heading back inside.
Upon returning to the Marquis residence, Duan Mingxi said nothing about Feng Wenxuan’s ambitions. She decided to wait for Duan Wang to make a decision first.
Meanwhile, things were far from calm at Duke Wei household.
After the banquet, Duan Wang briefly met with the Old Madam before quickly departing.
Following his visit, the Old Madam summoned Duke Wei couple. Xu Nanxi tried to join them but was stopped by a maid at the door, realizing her grandmother didn’t want her involved. Frustrated, she returned to her quarters.
Inside, the Old Madam wore a stern expression as she faced her daughter-in-law. “Do you see what you’ve done? I never thought you would act so recklessly.”
Duchess Wei, confused, forced a smile. “Mother, why would you say that? Did something go wrong with the banquet?”
“Don’t play dumb with me. I’m asking you, what exactly did you say to Miss Duan?” The Old Madam hadn’t thought much of the matter until Duan Wang brought it up. Now, she knew it couldn’t be ignored.
Duchess Wei stiffened, her face darkening. “Mother, who’s been telling you things? I didn’t say anything inappropriate. I merely mentioned Wenxuan to Miss Duan. Wenxuan has lived in our household for years and is well-acquainted with our ways. If she enters Wangye’s household, wouldn’t that benefit us all?”
Duke Wei was startled. “What did you say?”
Duchess Wei dismissed his reaction nonchalantly, saying, “It’s not such a big deal. That Miss Duan is just inexperienced and overly sensitive. Which royal household doesn’t have a secondary consort? Instead of benefiting someone else, why not keep it within the family?”
The Old Madam gazed at the Duchess with a grave expression and retorted sharply, “With the current standing of the Feng family, they dare to aspire to the position of secondary consort? You certainly have some audacity.”
“Mother!” Duchess Wei was displeased. “Though my family has lost its noble title, Wenxuan is both talented and beautiful. Is she not better than Duan Mingxi, who grew up in a merchant’s household?”
“If that’s how you feel, why not have your niece become Duan Wangfei?” the Old Madam snapped.
Duchess Wei’s expression faltered, and she looked visibly embarrassed. Unable to hold back, she muttered, “If the marquisate hadn’t fallen, Wenxuan might have been eligible.”
“And yet, the marquisate did fall!” Duke Wei slammed his hand on the table. “You look down on Miss Duan, but she was personally chosen by Duan Wang, approved by Her Majesty, and decreed by the Emperor.
If she becomes Duan Wangfei, do you think she’ll just let our household off after what you’ve done today?”
“She wouldn’t dare!” Duchess Wei’s brows furrowed indignantly. “Our household is Duan Wang’s maternal family!”
The Old Madam had seen through it—her daughter-in-law was absolutely determined to send Wenxuan into Duan Wang’s manor.
If Duan Wang were willing, it would naturally be a win-win situation.
But he wasn’t willing.
The Old Madam looked at her daughter-in-law and said, “You’re truly bold to even say such things. I wouldn’t dare!”
Duchess Wei froze. “Mother, you’re Duan Wang’s own maternal grandmother.”
“And so what? From ancient times, loyalty to the sovereign comes first, kinship second. Before Duan Wang, we are subjects first, relatives second. After Miss Duan marries into his manor, if you visit, you’ll have to greet her and bow first.”
Duchess Wei’s face stiffened.
“It seems you’ve sat in the position of Madam for far too long, and now your ego has grown with it. You don’t even respect the future Wangfei. Who gave you such nerve?”
“Mother, that wasn’t my intention,” Duchess Wei said, her hands trembling and her heart pounding.
“It may not have been your intention, but you dared to act on it! Impressive! Right in front of Miss Duan, you tried to send her a secondary consort as if it were your decision to make!”
The Old Madam’s anger surged, her face dark. “The girl from the Feng family has been staying in our house long enough. Tomorrow, send her back to her family.”
“Mother, please don’t!” Duchess Wei, now panicked, tried to stop her. “If Wenxuan goes back, how will she endure the hardships there?”
“If the rest of the Feng family can endure hardship, why can’t she? In my opinion, she needs to suffer a bit to understand her place. It’s settled.” She turned to her son. “You’ll handle this. Now, you two can leave.”
Duchess Wei opened her mouth to protest, but the Duke glared at her. “Hurry up and leave with me!”
