Chapter 39 Part 2: Teaching

Jiang Yuan Bai was rueful. He had had two wives, the first wife Ye Zhen Zhen really wasn’t his choice, rather, it was old madam Jiang who chose her for him. At that time he was rising in the court and there were numerous enemies, old madam Jiang thought it best for him to conceal his light and marry a wife that was not so illustrious. Ye Zhen Zhen’s family was wealthy and their connections were clear. The greatest thing was that because they were not a family of officials, they would not incur other people’s resentment.

Jiang Yuan Bai complied with his mother’s meaning and married Ye Zhen Zhen. Ye Zhen Zhen was innocent and lively, and had never eaten human’s sufferings. Although she could not share his worries and difficulties, the two people could be regarded as getting along harmoniously.

After Ye Zhen Zhen passed away, Jiang Yuan Bai saw the daughter of the Vice Imperial Censor, Ji Shuran, at a night banquet. In the night banquet, Ji Shuran was amazing, beautiful and graceful. With one strike, she had hit Jiang Yuan Bai’s heart.

To speak of, Ye Zhen Zhen was the lady selected by old madam Jiang, but Ji Shuran was precisely the lady that Jiang Yuan Bai fancied. Whether it was the love in his heart, or partiality, they leaned more towards Ji Shuran. Even though Ji Shuran made a mistake, Jiang Yuan Bai would very quickly forgive her. Furthermore, Ji Shuran had managed the main backyard in good order these years.

Jiang Yuan Bai sighed: “When I went out today, Chengde Official Liu Yuan Feng said a few words to me.”

Ji Shuran’s hand holding the teacup tightened, yet the smile on her face remained. She asked exploringly: “Master Liu? Master Liu normally don’t have much dealings with master, is there something?”

“Before, when Ye shi was still alive, Liu Yuan Feng’s wife were good friends with Ye shi and visited frequently to get together. Liu Yuan Feng came over to me for Li-er’s matter.” said Jiang Yuan Bai: “Liu Yuan Feng reminded me, since Li-er has returned to the capital, a master should be selected for her to teach her so she learns how to read the book1.”

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuan Bai’s head ached. At that time, Jiang Li made a big mistake and was sent to the nunnery, and just like that 8 years had passed. That was the perfect time to get instructions and learn. Now the time had passed for so long, while in the nunnery, it was inevitable that Jiang Li didn’t receive any teaching from a master.

He was the head of the scholars, the emperor’s respected teacher, the chief assistant in court with profound learning. Yet his biological daughter actually couldn’t recognize nor write a character. If word came out, how ridiculous it was.

Although Liu Yuan Feng’s words were not pleasant to hear, upon pondering, it wasn’t without any basis. So Jiang Yuan Bai immediately considered finding a master to come and give lessons to Jiang Li.

Hearing what was said, Ji Shuran relaxed her breath and said with a smile: “I thought what it was about, so it was actually about this. Master does not have to be anxious, even though people advocate talent, they are somewhat a bit more lenient towards females. Li’er’s age is not small anymore, even if she starts learning now, I’m afraid she couldn’t learn so much. It’s better to invite a few masters to teach the four arts, and allocate a bit of time for each of them, as long as she could pass a little it should be fine. Thus in the future when discussing Li’er‘s marriage, her husband’s family would still look at her a bit higher.”

“What you said is reasonable.” Jiang Yuan Bai said: “However, just learning the surface of each type, how can my Jiang daughter do this….. “

“Master,” Ji Shuran smiled: “Not everything can be viewed unconditionally. Li’er has never learned to read before, if you are being rigorous and demand too highly, it’s very likely that it will be counter productive.”

After considering it for a while, Jiang Yuan Bai nodded: “Just handle it like that.”

Out of topic:

Ah Li: Scum, this old mother used to be a bookworm ╭（╯^╰）╮

“He was the head of the scholars, the emperor’s respected teacher, the chief assistant in court with profound learning. Yet his biological daughter actually couldn’t recognize nor write a character. If word came out, how ridiculous it was.” well that’s your fcking fault as a shitty father who literally forgot you had that daughter for so long, you deserve all the shame and faceslaps!

Happy Halloween everybody! Have you seen our new banner? It’s a super awesome carved pumpking my friend did! Crazy, right? I love it so much I felt I needed to share it with everyone^^ She also has another super amazing light-and-shadow paper artwork, check it out! You can also find more of her beautiful art in IG^^ @gemmaaloisi

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Footnotes:

1: Learning to read the book in this case is not just restricted to being literate. But to also be able to learn all those literature which teach moral, conducts, etc which teach logic and reason..:leftwards_arrow_with_hook: