The Double-Chapter 41 - 39 Enlightenment

41: Chapter 39 Enlightenment

41 -39 Enlightenment

Perhaps it was because Madam Jiang the Elder had reprimanded her once, but Ji Shuran did not utter a word when Jiang Li was re-selecting her maids.

Throughout the entire process of picking maids, Jiang Li was accompanied by Madam Jiang the Elder’s maids, Zhenzhu and Feicui.

Of course, Jiang Li understood that whatever maids she picked, Ji Shuran would likely find out soon enough.

However, Ji Shuran temporarily had no way to interfere with the reorganized Fangfei Garden.

In these past days, peace reigned in the Jiang Residence.

In Shuxiu Garden, Jiang Yuanbai, who had just left the morning court, frowned slightly as Ji Shuran helped him remove his robe.

Although Jiang Yuanbai was the current Grand Secretary, his backyard was much quieter compared to his colleagues’.

When Ye Zhenzhen was still alive, there were only two maids bestowed by Madam Jiang the Elder whom he was intimate with.

Later, one of them became pregnant and was promoted to a concubine.

After the death of Ye Zhenzhen, that concubine also passed away early due to excessive grief caused by the death of her daughter.

After Ji Shuran entered the household, the main branch of the Jiang Family had only one such maid left.

That maid was previously Madam Jiang the Elder’s personal attendant, steady and uncompetitive, almost a non-entity in the Jiang Residence.

After Ji Shuran entered, she took the initiative to elevate that maid to Maternal Aunt Zhao.

Aunt Zhao had always been childless, and after Ji Shuran’s arrival, she devoted herself entirely to serving Ji Shuran, acting more like a servant.

Therefore, Ji Shuran’s position in the main branch was unshakeable.

Although Madam Jiang the Elder had previously expressed some dissatisfaction with the lack of male heirs for Jiang Yuanbai, when Jiang Li was eight years old and pushed Ji Shuran causing her miscarriage, Ji Shuran not only did not hold a grudge but also pleaded on behalf of Jiang Li, making Madam Jiang the Elder feel apologetic towards Ji Shuran.

Later, when Ji Shuran gave birth to Jiang Bingji, Madam Jiang the Elder said no more.

After all, as Jiang Yuanbai was the current Grand Secretary, many eyes in the court were watching every word and deed of his.

Having many heirs in the backyard also implied a complex family, and having many concubines might not be a good thing.

As long as the main branch had one male child, it was fine not to be greedy for more.

Under the tacit approval of Madam Jiang the Elder and the fondness of Jiang Yuanbai, Ji Shuran thrived like a fish in water.

She doted on her own two children to the utmost.

Over the years, among the sisters-in-law, there was no need to mention Lady Yang, even Lady Lu had to lower her head to her.

But all of this was disrupted by the return of Jiang Li to the Jiang Residence.

In less than a month since Jiang Li’s return, Ji Shuran had suffered several setbacks, and this time, even the usually lenient Madam Jiang the Elder was angry, leaving Ji Shuran feeling indignant.

After Ji Shuran neatly stored away Jiang Yuanbai’s robe, she handed him a cup of cool tea, placing it into his palm, and asked softly, “My lord, why the furrowed brow?

Do you have something on your mind?”

Jiang Yuanbai looked up at her.

Ji Shuran’s features were exquisitely beautiful, unlike Ye Zhenzhen’s simple and vague roundness.

Ji Shuran resembled more the fine and educated ladies that came from erudite families, every word and action fittingly picturesque.

Jiang Yuanbai’s gaze fell on Ji Shuran’s fingers, soft as young onion sprouts, noticing a small wound.

In the basket on the table, there was unfinished needlework.

Ji Shuran was making clothes for him.

A softness enveloped Jiang Yuanbai’s heart, and the displeasure he had towards Ji Shuran these past days dissipated at that moment.

He took Ji Shuran’s hand, reproaching her, “How did you get hurt?

You could have let the servants do this.”

Ji Shuran smiled and replied, “My lord seems to have forgotten, I never entrust the making of your personal clothing to anyone else.”

Jiang Yuanbai looked at her, Ji Shuran’s smile was soft, timid, and gentle, thinking about how these past days he had deliberately neglected Ji Shuran because of the accident during the coming-of-age ceremony, guilt inevitably rose in his heart.

He then said, “You’ve worked hard.”

“I am not toiling, it’s the master who truly labors,” Ji Shuran said.

Jiang Yuanbai was somewhat moved.

He had two wives; the first, Ye Zhenzhen, had not been his choice, but that of Madam Jiang the Elder for him. freewёbnoνel.com

At that time, he was on the rise in the court, making many enemies there, and Madam Jiang the Elder believed it was best for him to keep a low profile, to marry a woman whose family was not so prominent.

The Ye Family had a wealth of ten thousand guan and extensive connections, making it the best choice, and because they were not an official family, they would not attract envy.

Jiang Yuanbai followed his mother’s wishes and married Ye Zhenzhen.

Ye Zhenzhen was naïve and lively, oblivious to the sufferings of the world, and although she could not ease his worries, their relationship was harmonious.

Then Ye Zhenzhen died, and Jiang Yuanbai took a fancy to the Vice Imperial Envoy’s daughter, Ji Shuran, after seeing her at a banquet one night.

At that time, Ji Shuran had amazed everyone with her music, her grace and elegance had struck Jiang Yuanbai’s heart with a single blow.

If Ye Zhenzhen had been the wife selected by Madam Jiang the Elder, Ji Shuran was the wife Jiang Yuanbai had chosen himself.

Whether it was affection or favoritism, he was more inclined towards Ji Shuran.

Even if Ji Shuran made a mistake, Jiang Yuanbai could forgive her quickly, and besides, over the years, Ji Shuran had kept the main household in very good order.

Jiang Yuanbai sighed, “Today, during the ebb tide, the Grand Secretary Liu Yuanfeng spoke a few words with me.”

Ji Shuran’s hand tightened around the teacup, yet her face still wore a smile as she inquired, “Lord Liu?

Lord Liu has not had much to do with you on usual days; is there something amiss?”

“Back when Lady Ye was still alive, Liu Yuanfeng’s wife and Lady Ye were close, often visiting each other.

Liu Yuanfeng came about Lili’s matter,” Jiang Yuanbai said, “Liu Yuanfeng reminded me that since Lili has returned to the capital, I should choose a tutor for her to teach her how to read and write.”

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuanbai couldn’t help but feel a headache.

Initially, Jiang Li had made a grave mistake and was banished to a temple, where she stayed for a full eight years, precisely during the most crucial time for enlightenment and learning.

By now, so much time had passed, it was certain that Jiang Li had no tutor in the temple to teach her to read and write.

He was the Chief Senior Scholar, the Emperor’s mentor, and the Grand Secretary, learned and profound, but his legitimate daughter was a plebeian who couldn’t recognize a single character.

To speak of it would be utterly laughable.

While Liu Yuanfeng’s words may not have sounded pleasant, on further thought, they were not entirely without reason.

Jiang Yuanbai thus began to consider finding a tutor to teach Jiang Li some lessons.

Upon hearing this, Ji Shuran breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “I thought it was something else; it turns out to be this.

You need not worry, master.

Although people admire talent, they are ultimately more lenient towards women.

Lili is no longer young, and even if she starts learning now, I’m afraid she won’t be able to learn much.

Rather than that, it would be better to hire tutors for zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, to give her a little guidance in each discipline, just enough to get by.

Doing so, when the time comes for Lili to talk about marriage, her husband’s family will think more highly of her.”

“You make sense,” Jiang Yuanbai said, “But how can my daughter of the Jiang family only learn a smattering of each…”

“Master,” Ji Shuran laughed, “one must not be absolute in everything.

Lili did not learn to read before, and if you are too strict and set expectations too high, I fear it might produce the opposite effect.”

After pondering for a while, Jiang Yuanbai nodded, “Let’s do as you say.”