At Fangfei Courtyard, Jiang Jingrui had talked himself hoarse, yet still failed to change Jiang Li’s mind. In the end, he could only say helplessly: “I’ve said everything I needed to say. Since you insist on being so stubborn, I have nothing more to add. If you want to go find Uncle, then go. If it doesn’t work out, have your maid make a trip to let me know, and I’ll discuss with you about going to find Grandmother.”
For him to say this much, from Jiang Jingrui’s standpoint, he had already done everything in his power.
Jiang Li said: “Thank you.”
Jiang Jingrui shook his head. Jiang Li thought for a moment, then looked at him and asked: “I want to ask you a question.”
“What is it?”
“How are your studies?”
Hearing that this was what Jiang Li was asking about, Jiang Jingrui’s face suddenly flushed red. He leaped to his feet, slamming the table, and shouted: “Jiang Li, don’t go too far! You’re mocking me, yet I haven’t even mocked you! Do whatever you want—this young master won’t care anymore!” With that, he angrily kicked a stool and stormed off.
Behind him, Tong’er curled her lip: “That Second Young Master looks like someone who’s had their sore spot poked—what’s he getting angry at Miss for?”
Jiang Li hadn’t expected Jiang Jingrui to be so resistant to studying. After all, the Jiang family was considered among the literati elite, so Jiang Li had assumed everyone here would be talented scholars and refined ladies. However, Jiang Jingrui’s roguish behavior actually made Jiang Li feel a sense of kinship, because Xue Zhao had been just like this.
Xue Huaiyuan had only one son and one daughter, and Xue Zhao had particularly enjoyed martial arts and swordplay since childhood. Xue Huaiyuan never deliberately required Xue Zhao to choose any particular path. Xue Zhao was interested in martial studies but found studying books extremely vexing. Whenever Xue Huaiyuan wanted to test him on his lessons, Xue Zhao would always think of every possible way to slip away.
Since childhood, Jiang Li had covered for Xue Zhao countless times.
Now… thinking that such a person was gone, a flash of pain crossed Jiang Li’s eyes.
Bai Xue had finally finished brewing the flower tea. In the height of summer, she didn’t find brewing tea to be a hard task. She poured the tea into small white porcelain cups, dropped a preserved plum into each, and set them on a small table to cool. Bai Xue asked: “Miss, is that whatcha​macallit Mingyi Hall really that good?”
Jiang Li smiled: “Most of the teachers at Mingyi Hall were invited from the palace. His Majesty, in order to expand the imperial academy, specially established official schools for both men and women. Many young ladies from imperial and noble families study at Mingyi Hall. Every year, at Mingyi Hall’s examinations, those with the highest grades receive rewards from the Empress Dowager.”
Bai Xue listened in confusion, then said: “Then it must be very hard to get in, right?”
“Hard to get in? Hardly,” Tong’er said quietly from the side. “As long as one has money and standing, how could they not get in?”
“Then why can’t our Miss get in? Why won’t Master let our Miss go?” Bai Xue asked.
Why indeed? Because they’re afraid she’ll bring shame to the Jiang family! Tong’er glared at Bai Xue, thinking she’d have to teach Bai Xue how to speak properly in the future—how could she keep stabbing at their mistress’s heart like this?
Yet Jiang Li’s tone was very calm. She said: “Academic ability is secondary. I have corrupt morals, and if I go out, people will point fingers at me and bring shame to the Jiang family.”
“Miss!” Tong’er couldn’t help but cry out. “You mustn’t say such things about yourself!”
“Exactly,” Bai Xue said earnestly, looking at Jiang Li. “This servant has been to many official households before, and though I wasn’t selected, I’ve seen those young ladies—many of them are gentle to one’s face but scold servants behind their backs. Miss has the best temperament this servant has ever seen. What corrupt morals? If someone like Miss has corrupt morals, then there are no good people left in this world!”
Tong’er chimed in: “That’s right, that’s right!”
Jiang Li laughed despite herself. She was indeed a good person—at least in her previous life. In this life, she didn’t plan to become a bad person either, but she probably wouldn’t repay resentment with kindness as she had before.
She said: “I also believe I’m not someone with corrupt morals, so I plan to have a talk with Father.”
Tong’er froze, then asked hesitantly: “Can Miss persuade Master?”
“What do you think?” Jiang Li asked in return.
Before Tong’er could speak, Bai Xue spoke up first: “This servant believes you definitely can. As long as Miss speaks nicely to Master, Master will surely listen.”
Bai Xue was sincere in dealing with people. She probably assumed all households were as harmonious as her own family in Zaohua Village, not knowing that in the deep courtyards of great houses, many things were beyond one’s control.
“Good,” Jiang Li smiled. “I’ll go right now.”
…
Jiang Yuanbai had been experiencing some setbacks lately.
Ever since the matter of Jiang Youyao’s coming-of-age ceremony, many things had changed. As the current Chief Grand Councilor, quite a few people were watching him from behind, hoping to find leverage against him. Precisely because of this, Jiang Yuanbai had always been cautious and careful in his actions, yet the matter of Jiang Youyao’s coming-of-age ceremony had let people see the vulnerabilities in his first branch’s inner household. It was as if there was now an opening that people constantly watched.
Emperor Hongxiao was growing up day by day. Unlike the past when he always relied on and trusted him, calling him “Grand Tutor” like a small child, the current emperor was increasingly unfathomable. Accompanying the emperor was like accompanying a tiger—Jiang Yuanbai had become even more restrained. Moreover, recently his political rival, the Right Chancellor, had repeatedly targeted him in court affairs, leaving Jiang Yuanbai deeply frustrated.
At such a time, Jiang Li’s sudden visit to see him left Jiang Yuanbai somewhat surprised.
When Jiang Li came to the study, the young servant at the door was still hesitating, until Jiang Yuanbai inside gave his permission before the servant let her through. Jiang Li nodded to the servant and walked straight through the door, knowing in her heart that before long, this servant would report the matter of her going to the study to see Jiang Yuanbai to Shuxiu Garden.
Upon entering, the study was filled with the distinctive fragrance of ink. Jiang Yuanbai was practicing calligraphy inside. On the snow-white rice paper, he had written half of the character for “tranquility.” Jiang Li said nothing, standing quietly behind Jiang Yuanbai, even helping him grind ink.
Seeing Jiang Li grinding ink, Jiang Yuanbai’s movements paused briefly, then quickly became fluid again. His brushwork was very forceful—what should have been angular and sharp strokes appeared on the paper as smooth and rounded, concealing profound depth.
Seeing the writing reveals the person. From Jiang Yuanbai’s calligraphy, Jiang Li understood that he was not, as court circles claimed, mediocre in ability and merely lucky to have become Chief Grand Councilor. This man’s mind was extremely meticulous—he was the type who knew full well he was first but would always claim to be second.
Letting the actual first place become a living target while he himself endured to the very end.
Jiang Yuanbai completed the final stroke and set down the brush. On the paper, the character for “tranquility” was completed in one breath—very beautiful.
Though it should have been praised, Jiang Li remained silent, as if she hadn’t understood it. Jiang Yuanbai turned around to look at Jiang Li, and before he could open his mouth to inquire, Jiang Li had already taken the initiative to speak.
Jiang Li said: “Father, I don’t wish to have a tutor come to the manor to teach me. I want to enter Mingyi Hall.”
Jiang Yuanbai furrowed his brow: “What did you say?”
“I want to enter Mingyi Hall.” Jiang Li’s tone unchanged, she repeated it once more.