Duke Wei returned to his quarters with a face full of fury. Looking at his wife, he demanded, “How would you react if this happened to Nanxi?”
“What kind of situation?” Duchess Wei frowned.
“If your daughter’s future husband’s aunt arranged for a concubine to enter the household before your daughter even married, and that concubine was her own niece, how would you feel?”
“She wouldn’t dare!”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Duchess Wei’s expression turned awkward. She quickly added, “That’s completely different. Nanxi is of noble birth, while that Miss Duan…”
“What about her?” Duke Wei sneered. “She’s the Wangfei personally chosen by Duan Wang. No matter her origins, even if she were a commoner, once she marries Duan Wang, you’ll still have to bow and greet her!”
Duchess Wei opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her face turned ashen, and she finally snapped, “Why are you yelling at me? I’m only doing this for you, for our son, and for the family!”
“Is that so?” Duke Wei laughed coldly. “You know better than anyone what you’re really doing this for.”
Hearing this, Duchess Wei’s confidence faltered, and she suppressed her anger to speak in a softer tone.
“My lord, I admit I have personal motives. I just wanted to help Wenxuan. The poor girl has been through so much. You know how talented and beautiful she is. Must she really marry an ordinary man?”
Duke Wei thought of Wenxuan’s usual filial and gentle demeanor. He sighed inwardly but still said, “Even though the Feng family has fallen, she still has the backing of Duke Wei’s household. Finding her a respectable match won’t be impossible.”
Duchess Wei, however, thought differently.
She knew that in the capital, aristocratic families were full of pride and prejudice. None would willingly take in a daughter-in-law with no political advantage.
Although she doted on Wenxuan, she also knew her husband would never risk offending anyone for the sake of his niece.
It was precisely because of this that she wanted to find Wenxuan a reliable match.
And who could be more suitable than Duan Wang?
While Wenxuan couldn’t become Duan Wangfei, a secondary consort was within reach. Considering Duke Wei household’s influence, both Consort Shu and Duan Wang would likely agree.
With Wenxuan’s relationship to her, life in the Wangye’s household would naturally be easier for her.
Moreover, her marriage to Duan Wang would strengthen ties between their household and Duan Wang—an all-around win.
And yet, in the end, she was the one who became the villain.
In Duchess Wei’s mind, it was all Duan Mingxi’s fault for being so overbearing.
After explaining her reasoning to her husband in detail, Duke Wei finally responded, “Your plan isn’t without merit, but you forgot one crucial thing: Duan Wang doesn’t want it.”
Duchess Wei choked back her frustration but couldn’t resist a sarcastic jab. “If it weren’t for that Duan Mingxi being so ungrateful…”
Duke Wei frowned deeply. “If this is how you feel about Miss Duan, you’d better avoid meeting her from now on.”
“What?”
“Otherwise, you might offend her and bring trouble upon our household.” The Duke suppressed his temper. “I’ve said it before: as long as Duan Wang values her, the Wei family must hold her in the highest regard.
“If you look down on her, it will show, and offending Miss Duan is the same as offending Duan Wang. While he may be my nephew, never forget that he is first and foremost the emperor’s son, Consort Shu’s son, and a prince personally bestowed his title by the emperor. Only after all that is he related to our family.”
The Duchess’s face turned pale, and her hands clenched tightly.
The Duke looked at her with disappointment. “I didn’t object to you bringing Wenxuan into the household; I even think she’s a decent girl. But risking offense to Duan Wang over a niece? As Mother said, if that’s how you’re going to behave, you’d best send her back.”
Duke Wei had not anticipated that his usually poised and dignified wife would fail to see reason in such a matter.
She had clearly overstepped, assuming her role as Duan Wang’s aunt entitled her to act with impunity.
Flinging his sleeves in anger, the Duke left.
The Duchess’s face alternated between shades of anger and unease. Thinking of having to send Wenxuan away, she was at a loss as to how to break the news to her niece.
Duan Mingxi, meanwhile, remained unaware of the conflict brewing in the Wei household. The following day, she discussed the dragon boat races with the Old Madam.
“We’re planning to pool funds to sponsor a team and have them compete to win,” Mingxi explained. “The Dingyuan Marquisate’s position in the capital is currently precarious, and this could be a chance to elevate our name.”
The Old Madam was perplexed as to how a boat race could achieve such a goal but wisely deferred.
“I’m getting too old to understand these worldly matters. You’d better discuss this with your grandfather.”
Mingxi smiled demurely. “I will follow Grandmother’s advice and consult him.”
With that, the Old Madam waved her off, eager to avoid further questions that might reveal her ignorance.
Mingxi went to see the old marquis, who was relaxing in the shade of a sweet osmanthus tree. After being announced, she was allowed in.
After paying her respects, she reiterated her plan in greater detail. “I’ve heard that the dragon boat races are a grand event in the capital and that the noble families actively participate each year.”
The old marquis nodded slightly. “So, you wish to join the competition?”
“It’s not just me. A few other young ladies invited me to collaborate. But I believe this is a great opportunity for our family and not something we should pass up.”
The old marquis stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Do you know how much it costs to support a team capable of winning?”
The marquisate hadn’t avoided such public displays of prestige in the past because of a lack of ambition—it was simply due to financial constraints.
Mingxi smiled lightly. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll use funds from the household accounts, and if that’s not enough, I’ll cover the rest myself. Once the races are over, I’ll make sure to earn it back.”
The old marquis was taken aback. Earning money back from such an endeavor? This was the first he’d heard of such a thing.
Given his granddaughter’s unorthodox methods, he chose not to press for details, curious but unwilling to risk embarrassment. Instead, he stated, “Do as you see fit. You’re managing the household now.”
Even his eldest grandson deferred to Mingxi. As an old man, what right did he have to cling to power? Letting her have her way was preferable to allowing the household to stagnate.
Besides, Mingxi was poised to become Duan Wangfei. The marquisate couldn’t afford to be as irrelevant as it had been in the past.
Mingxi raised an eyebrow in mild surprise at her grandfather’s easy acquiescence. Smiling, she replied, “Then please look forward to the results. I promise the Dingyuan Marquisate will shine brilliantly this time.”
The old marquis didn’t dare entertain such lofty hopes. If they avoided embarrassment, he’d already count it a success.
