Perhaps because she had been admonished once by Old Madam Jiang, Ji Shuran said nothing when Jiang Li was reselecting her maids. Accompanying Jiang Li throughout the entire selection process were Old Madam Jiang’s maids, Zhenzhu and Feicui. Of course, Jiang Li understood clearly that whichever maids she selected, Ji Shuran would undoubtedly be able to find out very quickly.
However, with Fangfei Courtyard having been thoroughly reorganized, Ji Shuran temporarily had no way to interfere.
These past few days, the Jiang household had been temporarily peaceful.
In Shuxiu Garden, Jiang Yuanbai, who had just returned from court, furrowed his brow slightly as he allowed Ji Shuran to remove his outer robe.
Although Jiang Yuanbai served as the current Chief Minister, compared to his colleagues, his inner household was considerably more tranquil. Back when Ye Zhenzhen was still alive, there had only been two concubines that Old Madam Jiang had sent to his bed. Later, one of these concubines became pregnant and was elevated to the rank of secondary consort. After that, Ye Zhenzhen died of illness, and that secondary consort also passed away early from excessive grief over her daughter’s premature death. By the time Ji Shuran entered the household, there was only one concubine remaining in the main branch of the Jiang family.
That concubine had formerly been Old Madam Jiang’s personal maid. She had a steady temperament, neither competing nor fighting for favor, and was practically a decoration in the Jiang household. After Ji Shuran entered the household, she proactively elevated that concubine to the position of Yiniang Zhao. Yiniang Zhao had always been childless, and after Ji Shuran entered the household, she wholeheartedly and willingly served Ji Shuran, acting more like a servant.
Therefore, within the entire main branch, Ji Shuran’s position was unshakeable.
Although Old Madam Jiang had previously voiced some complaints about Jiang Yuanbai’s thin line of descendants, when Jiang Li was eight years old and pushed Ji Shuran, causing her miscarriage, Ji Shuran not only didn’t hold it against her but even pleaded on Jiang Li’s behalf, making Old Madam Jiang feel apologetic toward Ji Shuran as well. Later, when Ji Shuran bore Jiang Bingji, Old Madam Jiang said nothing more.
After all, as the current Chief Minister, there were still many eyes in the court watching Jiang Yuanbai’s every word and deed. A multitude of offspring in the inner household also meant complex relationships among family members—having numerous concubines wasn’t necessarily a good thing. As long as the main branch had one male heir, they need not be greedy for more.
Under the tacit approval of Old Madam Jiang and the favor of Jiang Yuanbai, Ji Shuran could be said to be thriving like a fish in water. She lavished extreme affection on her son and daughter. Over all these years, among the several sisters-in-law, needless to say Yang Shi, even Lu Shi had to defer to her.
But all of this had been disrupted by Jiang Li’s return to the household. Less than a month after Jiang Li returned, Ji Shuran had suffered setbacks several times. This time, even Old Madam Jiang, who had always treated her leniently, had become angry. In Ji Shuran’s heart, she couldn’t help but be furious.
Ji Shuran put away Jiang Yuanbai’s outer robe neatly, handed him a cup of cooling tea, placing it in Jiang Yuanbai’s palm, and asked gently: “Why does Master look so troubled? Do you have something on your mind?”
Jiang Yuanbai raised his eyes to look at her.
Ji Shuran’s features were extremely refined. Unlike Ye Zhenzhen’s simple, soft roundness, Ji Shuran was more like a refined lady carefully cultivated in a scholarly family—every word and action was as pleasing as a painting. Jiang Yuanbai’s gaze swept toward Ji Shuran’s fingers. On her tender fingertips, delicate as scallion shoots, there was a small wound. In the basket by the table, there was still unfinished needlework.
Ji Shuran was making clothes for him.
Jiang Yuanbai’s heart softened. All the displeasure he had felt toward Ji Shuran in recent days vanished like smoke at this moment. He pulled Ji Shuran’s hand toward him and reproached her: “How did you injure yourself? You could let the servants do these things.”
Ji Shuran smiled: “Master has forgotten—your personal garments, I have never entrusted to others’ hands.”
Jiang Yuanbai looked at her. Ji Shuran’s smile was gentle, timid, and warm. Thinking of how he had deliberately neglected Ji Shuran these past days because of the incident at the coming-of-age ceremony, Jiang Yuanbai couldn’t help but feel guilty in his heart. He said: “You’ve worked hard.”
“I haven’t worked hard—Master is the one who truly works hard,” Ji Shuran said.
Jiang Yuanbai felt somewhat emotional. He had had two wives. His first wife, Ye Zhenzhen, had not been his choice but rather selected for him by Old Madam Jiang. At that time, he was rising rapidly in the court and had made many enemies. Old Madam Jiang believed it would be best for him to keep a low profile and marry a woman whose family wasn’t too prominent. The Ye family was enormously wealthy with extensive connections, making them ideal, yet because they weren’t an official family, they wouldn’t attract jealousy.
Jiang Yuanbai had obeyed his mother’s wishes and married Ye Zhenzhen. Ye Zhenzhen was innocent and lively, sheltered from worldly hardships. Although she couldn’t help him with his worries, their life together had been harmonious enough.
Later, Ye Zhenzhen died. At an evening banquet, Jiang Yuanbai had taken notice of Ji Shuran, daughter of the Vice Censor-in-Chief. At that time, Ji Shuran’s performance at the banquet had been stunning—elegant and graceful, she had struck Jiang Yuanbai’s heart in one blow.
If Ye Zhenzhen was the wife chosen by Old Madam Jiang for him, Ji Shuran was the wife Jiang Yuanbai himself had chosen. Whether it was affection in his heart or favoritism, he leaned more toward Ji Shuran. Even when Ji Shuran made mistakes, Jiang Yuanbai could quickly forgive her. Moreover, over all these years, Ji Shuran had managed the main branch very properly.
Jiang Yuanbai sighed: “When retiring from court today, Chengde Lang Liu Yuanfeng spoke a few words to me.”
Ji Shuran’s hand gripping the teacup tightened, though her face still bore a smile as she inquired: “Lord Liu? Lord Liu ordinarily has had little interaction with Master—was there some matter?”
“Back when Lady Ye was still alive, Lord Liu’s wife was close friends with Lady Ye and would often visit. Liu Yuanfeng came because of Li’er’s matter,” Jiang Yuanbai said. “Liu Yuanfeng reminded me that now that Li’er has returned to the capital, I should select a tutor for her to teach her literacy and proper conduct.”
Thinking of this, Jiang Yuanbai couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on. When Jiang Li had committed her great offense and been banished to the nunnery, she had stayed there for a full eight years—precisely the optimal period from elementary education through learning. Now that so much time had passed, Jiang Li in the nunnery certainly hadn’t had any teacher to instruct her in literacy and learning.
He was the Chief Grand Secretary, the Emperor’s mentor, the current Chief Minister, profoundly learned—yet his legitimate daughter was completely illiterate, unable to recognize a single character. If word got out, wouldn’t people’s teeth fall out from laughing?
Although Liu Yuanfeng’s words hadn’t been pleasant to hear, thinking more deeply about it, they weren’t entirely without reason. Jiang Yuanbai pondered finding a tutor to instruct Jiang Li in her studies.
Hearing this, Ji Shuran breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: “I thought it was something serious—so it’s this. Master needn’t be anxious. Although the world admires talent, they are ultimately more lenient toward women. Li’er is no longer young now. Even if she begins studying from now, I’m afraid she won’t be able to learn much. Better to engage some tutors in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—have them provide a little guidance in each area. As long as she can get by, that will suffice. This way, when Li’er discusses marriage in the future, her husband’s family will also think more highly of her.”
“What you say makes sense,” Jiang Yuanbai said. “However, learning only superficially in each area—how could a daughter of my Jiang family be like this…”
“Master,” Ji Shuran smiled, “nothing can be judged in absolutes. Li’er hasn’t been literate before. If you are overly strict and set your requirements too high, I’m afraid it will backfire.”
After considering carefully for a moment, Jiang Yuanbai nodded: “Then let’s proceed this way.”