The Double-Chapter 43 - 41 Persuasion

43: Chapter 41 Persuasion

43 -41 Persuasion

Jiang Jingrui exhausted all his rhetoric in the Fangfei Garden but couldn’t change Jiang Li’s mind.

In the end, he had no choice but to speak resignedly, “I’ve already said everything I had to say.

Since you insist on being so stubborn, there’s nothing more I can say.

If you really want to go see Great-Uncle, then go.

If it doesn’t work out, have your maid run over to tell me, and we’ll discuss the matter of visiting Grandmother again.”

Considering Jiang Jingrui’s standpoint, he had reached the limits of benevolence and righteousness.

Jiang Li said, “Thank you.”

Jiang Jingrui shook his head.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Li looked at him and asked, “Can I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“How are your studies?”

Realizing it was this question that Jiang Li asked, Jiang Jingrui’s face suddenly reddened.

He slammed the table and stood up, shouting, “Jiang Li, don’t push me too far.

You mock me, yet I haven’t mocked you!

Do whatever you like, I’m done with this!” With that, he kicked the stool in anger and left.

Tonger snickered from behind, “That second young master acts like someone hit where it hurts, why lash out at the young lady?”

Jiang Li hadn’t expected Jiang Jingrui to be so averse to studying.

After all, the Jiang family was also considered a clan of civil officials known for their integrity, and she had assumed everyone here was either a scholar or an accomplished woman.

However, Jiang Jingrui’s disgraceful behavior gave Jiang Li a sense of kinship because Xue Zhao also liked that.

Xue Huaiyuan had only a son and a daughter, and Xue Zhao was particularly fond of practicing martial arts since childhood.

Xue Huaiyuan wouldn’t deliberately force Xue Zhao to choose a certain path.

While Xue Zhao was interested in martial arts, he often found reading books to be a headache.

Every time Xue Huaiyuan tested him on his studies, Xue Zhao always looked for every possible way to escape.

Jiang Li had covered for Xue Zhao countless times since they were young.

Now…

at the thought of that person no longer being there, a hint of pain flashed in Jiang Li’s eyes.

Bai Xue had finally finished brewing the flower tea.

In the heat of summer, she didn’t consider brewing tea an unpleasant task.

She poured the tea into a white porcelain cup, added a piece of plum candy, and placed it on a little table to cool.

Bai Xue asked, “Young lady, that Mingyi Hall, is it really that good?”

Jiang Li smiled and said, “The teachers at Mingyi Hall mostly come from the Royal Palace.

The current Emperor, in order to expand the Imperial Academy, specifically established official schools for both boys and girls.

Many young ladies from noble and royal families study at Mingyi Hall.

Each year, the top performers in Mingyi Hall’s school examination are rewarded by the Empress Dowager.”

Bai Xue, still somewhat confused, said, “So it must be hard to get in, right?”

“Hard to get in?

Anyone with silver and a good reputation can get in,” Tonger quietly interjected.

“Then why can’t our young lady get in?

Why doesn’t the master let our young lady in?” Bai Xue asked.

Why?

For fear of disgracing the Jiang family members, of course!

Tonger glared at Bai Xue, thinking she needed to teach Bai Xue how to speak properly in the future, to avoid always provoking their master’s sore points.

Yet, Jiang Li’s tone remained very calm.

She said, “Academic achievement is secondary.

My character is flawed, and if I went out, I would be pointed at and cause shame to the Jiang family.”

“Young lady!” Tonger couldn’t help but shout out, “You can’t talk about yourself like that!”

“Exactly,” Bai Xue said earnestly to Jiang Li, “I’ve been to many official families before too.

Although I wasn’t chosen, I also saw those young ladies.

Many of them are gentle to your face but scold the servants behind your back.

The young lady is the best-natured person I have ever met.

What do you mean your character is flawed?

If someone like you is considered flawed, then there are no good people left in this world!”

Tonger echoed, “Exactly, exactly!”

Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh; indeed, she had been a good person, at least in her last life.

This time around, she had no intention of becoming a bad person, but she probably wouldn’t repay evil with kindness as she had done before.

She said, “I also believe that I am not a person of poor character, so I intend to have a talk with Father.”

Tonger was startled, and after a moment of hesitation, asked, “Miss, do you think you can persuade Master?”

“What do you think?” Jiang Li countered.

Before Tonger could reply, Bai Xue spoke up first, “This servant believes you definitely can.

As long as Miss speaks earnestly to Master, he will surely listen.”

Bai Xue was honest with people, and probably thought that all families were as harmonious as her own in Zao Hua Village, but she was unaware of the many involuntariness within the deep and large compounds.

“Alright,” Jiang Li smiled, “I’ll go right now.”

…

Jiang Yuanbai’s affairs had been somewhat unfavorable lately.

Ever since Jiang Youyao’s coming-of-age ceremony, many things had changed.

As the current Grand Secretary, he had many eyes on him, all hoping to catch him in a fault.

Because of this, Jiang Yuanbai had always been cautious and meticulous.

However, Jiang Youyao’s coming-of-age ceremony had exposed a flaw in the big room of the Jiang family’s backyard, creating a gap that left him constantly watched.

Emperor Hongxiao was growing up day by day, no longer the little child who always depended on and trusted him, calling him “Grand Preceptor.” The monarch of today was increasingly inscrutable; serving the emperor was like accompanying a tiger, and Jiang Yuanbai became even more restrained.

Moreover, his political adversary, the Right Chancellor, had been targeting him repeatedly in court affairs, making Jiang Yuanbai quite frustrated.

It was at this time that Jiang Li suddenly came to find him, which surprised Jiang Yuanbai.

When Jiang Li came to the study, the young servant at the door hesitated until Jiang Yuanbai inside gave the word, and only then did the servant let her in.

Jiang Li nodded to the servant and walked straight through the door, knowing that it wouldn’t be long before the servant would report her visit to Jiang Yuanbai’s study to the people at Shuxiu Garden.

Upon entering, the study was filled with the unique fragrance of ink.

Jiang Yuanbai was in the room practicing his calligraphy, having written half of the character “tranquility” on a snow-white piece of rice paper.

Jiang Li remained silent, standing quietly behind Jiang Yuanbai, and even began to grind ink for him.

Jiang Yuanbai noticed Jiang Li grinding ink, his movements paused slightly, and then he continued to write smoothly and swiftly.

His strokes were very strong, they should have been sharp and angular, but when they touched the paper, they were smooth and moist, with a hint of mystery.

As the saying goes, one’s writing reveals one’s character.

Seeing Jiang Yuanbai’s handwriting, Jiang Li knew that he was not as mediocre as some claimed in the imperial court, who reached his position as Grand Secretary by sheer luck.

This man was extremely meticulous, the sort who clearly knew he was number one but would always humbly claim to be second.

Allowing the so-called number one to become the target, he himself managed to endure to the end.

Jiang Yuanbai finished the last stroke and put the brush down.

The character “tranquility” on the paper was done in one go, very beautiful.

Though it was worthy of praise, Jiang Li remained silent, perhaps not understanding the full significance.

Jiang Yuanbai turned and looked at Jiang Li.

Before he could ask, Jiang Li had already taken the initiative to speak.

Jiang Li said, “Father, I do not wish to invite a master to the house to teach me; I want to go to the Official School.”

Jiang Yuanbai frowned, “What did you say?”

“I wish to go to the Official School.” Jiang Li’s tone remained unchanged as she repeated herself.