Jiang Li paid no mind to the various thoughts her enrollment at Mingyi Hall would provoke among the different branches of the Jiang family. She was teaching Bai Xue how to write characters.

Bai Xue could recognize characters, though not many. In order to inquire about Haitang’s whereabouts in Zaohua Village, Bai Xue also needed to write letters home. Jiang Li watched her write while teaching her characters she didn’t recognize. Tong’er listened with great interest from the side, occasionally saying: “Miss is truly amazing. This servant went with Miss to the nunnery on Mount Qingcheng, yet Miss learned to recognize so many characters on her own while this servant can only write her own name. What a huge difference!”

“Indeed,” Bai Xue muttered. “She’s not the Chief Grand Councilor’s daughter for nothing—born already knowing how to read.”

As the three were chatting and laughing, Jiang Jingrui arrived again. He had also learned the news of Jiang Li’s enrollment at Mingyi Hall. Upon entering, he said: “Congratulations, congratulations! You actually managed to persuade Uncle. Jiang Li, this time you’ve really made me see you in a new light.”

Jiang Li released Bai Xue to continue writing on her own and walked toward Jiang Jingrui, saying: “What are you here for again?”

Jiang Jingrui’s throat caught. “Why do you always look like you don’t welcome me? I came to remind you—don’t think Mingyi Hall is some wonderful place. Nobles’ children all have their temperaments, and you’re a new face. Being new, you’d better behave yourself. If someone bullies you, don’t stubbornly endure it for the sake of face—invoke your father’s name. Don’t be afraid of losing face either. If things get really excessive, running away is fine too.” He fumbled in his sleeve and pulled out a small curved blade. “Here, this is for you. Take it for self-defense.”

Jiang Li stared at the sharp blade in Jiang Jingrui’s hand, silent for a moment, then said: “Are the people at Mingyi Hall fierce beasts?”

“Pretty much.” Jiang Jingrui said: “Just like the people at the Imperial Academy. Last time I accidentally stepped on a classmate’s cricket and nearly got my hand broken. I figure yours is about the same, so just take it.” He forcibly pressed the knife into Jiang Li’s hand.

Jiang Li was truly at a loss for words. It was like seeing the time before her wedding when Xue Zhao had mysteriously called her to the back courtyard and given her a phoenix-headed flower spear. That flower spear never ended up accompanying Jiang Li to the capital—she’d never heard of anyone giving such a thing to a new bride. Of course, Xue Zhao had nearly been beaten by Xue Huaiyuan for it, and only after much pleading had he taken the flower spear back.

However, a curved blade was much easier to conceal in one’s sleeve than a phoenix-headed flower spear. Jiang Li reluctantly accepted it and said: “Alright, thank you.”

“That thanks is completely insincere.” Jiang Jingrui added: “If things really don’t work out, you can also come across to the Imperial Academy to find me. I’ll help settle things for you.”

Jiang Li nodded. Jiang Jingrui winked at her: “I’ll call Zhou Yanbang out too.”

Jiang Li looked at him. Jiang Jingrui grinned, waiting for Jiang Li’s praise. But Jiang Li calmly said: “Bai Xue, see the guest out.”

Jiang Jingrui was thus “escorted” out by the strong Bai Xue.

The day before enrollment passed in such chaos and commotion. That evening, Ji Shuran even had someone send over new clothes for Jiang Li, saying that one’s appearance must be neat for enrollment.

Tong’er asked Jiang Li: “Miss, are you afraid?”

A completely unfamiliar new environment, and very likely facing classmates who were all hostile toward her—it seemed nothing good would come of going.

Jiang Li smiled. “No.”

Not afraid—in fact, quite delighted.

…

The next day, Jiang Li rose very early.

Mingyue and Qingfeng were somewhat surprised to see Jiang Li rise so early. Tong’er explained to them: “From today on, Miss will be enrolled at Mingyi Hall. Students cannot be late each day, and today is the first day—we can’t be careless.” Her tone was quite proud.

Mingyue and Qingfeng didn’t understand such matters, but seeing Tong’er speak with such pride, they followed along respectfully: “We heard it’s very difficult to enter Mingyi Hall. From now on, Miss can attend school together with Third Miss and the others.”

Hearing mention of Jiang Youyao, Tong’er immediately snorted and muttered: “Who cares about going with them?”

On the first day of enrollment, Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yu’e had already left early. Generally speaking, when sisters from the same household enrolled, there should be introductions. Moreover, Jiang Li wasn’t familiar with the noble ladies of the capital. If she went and no one paid attention to her, having sisters nearby would at least prevent her from being pitifully alone.

But Jiang Youyao and the others hadn’t even greeted her before leaving on their own. Jiang Yuanbai was busy with court affairs and couldn’t attend to this side. Tong’er wanted to complain but had nowhere to do so. She fumed on Jiang Li’s behalf while feeling helpless.

Instead, Jiang Li turned around to comfort Tong’er: “They don’t want to go with me, and I find it troublesome to go with them anyway. This is much better—it saves everyone trouble.”

As she was thinking this, the door behind them opened. Jiang Li and Bai Xue came out together.

Tong’er stood stunned for a moment, then suddenly said: “Miss looks so beautiful!”

Not just Tong’er—Mingyue and Qingfeng were also stunned.

They all knew that among the four girls of the Jiang family, the most exquisitely beautiful was Jiang Youyao, who was exceptionally charming like a flower. Jiang Yu’e wasn’t bad either, with delicate grace like a lady from a modest family. Jiang Yuyan’s appearance was plain and not worth mentioning. As for Jiang Li, her features were proper enough, just rather bland.

But since returning to the Jiang manor after spending eight years at the nunnery, her formerly bland features had matured, developing a unique ethereal beauty. Different from the capital’s noble ladies, it was a growing, indescribable quality. As if touched with heroic spirit and graced with elegance.

A beauty lies in bone, not skin. Jiang Li’s beauty was more the beauty of character, of bearing, of refined grace.

She wasn’t wearing any of the brightly colored clothes from the large box Ji Shuran had sent yesterday. She wore only a moon-white chest-high ruqun dress, tied at the chest with a pale yellow silk ribbon. Her long hair was gathered into a bun on one side at the back, adorned with a wooden hairpin decorated with a single red bean. Her skin was white as jade, her eyes bright and teeth luminous. The simplest of attire, yet exquisitely elegant and beautiful.

Her person was gentle too, walking forward step by step. Mingyue and Qingfeng couldn’t help but stare. Tong’er also couldn’t tear her eyes away. Jiang Li had clearly spent eight years on Mount Qingcheng together with her, yet Tong’er didn’t know when it had started—Jiang Li’s walking posture, the curve of her smile, had all become so unfamiliar. Still the same face, yet it was as if she had become a different person.

Old Madam Jiang, who was walking this way, also froze. The maids Feicui and Zhenzhu at her side promptly supported her without advancing.

Jiang Li’s face couldn’t be called devastating to kingdoms or nations, a national beauty or heavenly fragrance. But as she walked over with a gentle smile, she seemed like an incomparable beauty descended from heaven.

As if she were born to be such a stunning beauty who naturally drew all eyes.

Bai Xue followed behind Jiang Li and said: “Miss, things have been arranged with the gatehouse as well. We can go to the carriage now.”

Jiang Li nodded and smiled. “Let’s go.”