Chapter 53: School
Brother, you’re really good-looking.

In the capital, few families could rival the Duke of Ying’s Residence in prosperity. Although the Duke of Ying was a military official, most of his descendants were civil officials, so the Duke’s household also maintained its own clan school.

Originally, Jiang Qingshi had intended to ask Xie Qinghe to find a place for Jiang Zhimiao to study. However, Xie Qinghe’s family was small and did not employ renowned tutors specifically. Yet, Xie Qinghe always took Jiang Qingshi’s words to heart. Ever since Jiang Qingshi mentioned it to him, he had been pondering the matter. As it turned out, Lin Guilan became acquainted with Song Yunyue, and the issue was conveniently resolved.

Song Yunyue particularly liked Jiang Zhimiao. After all, Jiang Zhimiao was adorable and sweet-tongued, charming Song Yunyue with just a few words. Song Yunyue immediately took charge of arranging schooling for the children. Later, the Duke of Ying and Lin Guilan became unlikely friends despite their age difference, and sending the three children to the Duke of Ying’s school naturally became a straightforward matter.

Song Yunyue even prepared rooms for them at the Duke of Ying’s Residence, saying that if it rained or stormed, Jiang Zhimiao and the others wouldn’t have to leave, as she could take good care of them.

Song Chao was greatly surprised. Was this still his daughter, who had never lifted a finger for household chores? Now, she was arranging everything in an orderly manner, exuding the demeanor of a capable mistress of the household, reminding him of his own virtuous and competent wife back in the day…

Song Chao’s concubine was perceptive. Seeing how capable Song Yunyue was, she considered handing over some household affairs to her. Unexpectedly, Song Yunyue waved her hand impatiently, saying she didn’t want to take on such tedious and exhausting responsibilities. All she wanted now was to live a carefree life.

Although Jiang Zhimiao didn’t want to go to school, he understood clearly that despite his mature inner self, he was still too inexperienced for this era. Only by learning more about the knowledge of this time could he avoid holding his father and mother back.

Thus, the five-year-old Jiang Zhimiao, along with his older brother and sister, resolutely embarked on the journey to study at someone else’s home.

Jiang Zhimiao was the youngest and smallest of the group. Carrying the bookbag his mother had sewn for him, he held his brother and sister’s hands as they made their way to school.

The Duke of Ying’s Residence had hired a retired old Hanlin scholar, a man of profound learning who had resigned early due to poor health. He was an honest official with modest means and only one daughter, who had followed her husband to his official post elsewhere. Due to his friendship with the Duke of Ying, he was employed as a tutor at the Duke’s residence. The children of the Duke of Ying’s household all called him Master Xu.

On Jiang Zhimiao’s first day, he nearly fell asleep listening to Master Xu recite texts. He noticed that Wei Danqing and Wei Sichan were in a similar state. Although education in this dynasty was relatively progressive, few girls attended school.

However, Jiang Qingshi held liberal views, and Jiang Yunxiu also wanted her daughter to gain more knowledge, so Wei Sichan was sent to study alongside the two boys. The Duke of Ying’s school had over ten children in total, most of whom were relatives of the Duke’s family, along with some more distant kin. The majority were boys, and aside from Wei Sichan, there was only one other girl.

It is said this girl is the daughter of the late wife’s nephew of the Duke of Ying, named Xiang Yuzhu. Her father has now been appointed as a Prefect in a remote region. Concerned that Xiang Yuzhu, who had never left the capital, might suffer hardships, he only brought his wife and elder son to his post. Given their close ties with the Duke of Ying’s Residence, and out of consideration for their friendship, they left Xiang Yuzhu there so she could continue playing with her childhood sisters and companions.

Although the Duke of Ying’s Residence has only Song Yunyue as its sole daughter, there are many girls from collateral branches, and relatives of all sorts often come to stay for periods. Thus, Xiang Yuzhu did not find life at the residence dull. However, it was rare for a girl to attend school. Most young ladies from related families preferred to stay indoors embroidering or amusing themselves with their friends, unwilling to study alongside boys. But Xiang Yuzhu, ever competitive and unwilling to admit she was inferior to boys, insisted on joining the lessons.

Xiang Yuzhu was naturally strong-willed and clever, sometimes even outperforming the boys in her studies, often earning praise from Teacher Xu. Moreover, as the only girl in the school, with her delicate and charming appearance, she was quite popular among the boys.

The other children in the school were older, with Xiang Yuzhu being the youngest at seven years old, while the eldest was already twelve.

Wei Sichan had inherited Jiang Yunxiu’s striking beauty, growing more elegantly captivating with age. The moment Wei Sichan arrived, the boys in the school couldn’t take their eyes off her, staring so intently that she felt extremely uncomfortable.

Teacher Xu, advanced in years and somewhat dim-sighted, focused solely on his reading, unaware that the children below had lost concentration. Watching the boys’ infatuated gazes, Xiang Yuzhu snorted disdainfully and continued to focus attentively on the lesson.

Teacher Xu, feeling weary after lecturing for a while, called for a break to rest and drink some water. Several boys then gathered around Wei Sichan. Unaccustomed to formal schooling and already confused by Teacher Xu’s lecture, Wei Sichan was thoroughly startled by their enthusiastic approach.

Wei Danqing stood up, shielding Wei Sichan and Jiang Zhimiao behind him, warily eyeing the approaching crowd.

“What do you want?”

“Where did these country bumpkins come from?”

The speaker was Song Mohan, the only son of the third branch of the Duke of Ying’s Residence. At eight years old, Song Mohan had been doted on by his parents since childhood. In this school, he was the sole legitimate descendant of the ducal household, and the other boys his age were essentially his followers.

The love of beauty is universal, and children, being naturally curious, were intrigued by Wei Sichan’s sudden appearance at their clan school. Song Mohan, in particular, felt compelled to investigate.

“Don’t you know who I am? Who are you people, and why have you suddenly come to our Duke of Ying’s school?”

Jiang Zhimiao was only just over five years old now. From Song Mohan’s attire and demeanor, he had already guessed his identity. After all, since he was coming to study at their residence, he had to memorize the Duke of Ying’s family lineage beforehand. Before arriving, Jiang Zhimiao had asked Song Yunyue and learned that the Duke of Ying had three sons and one daughter. Song Yunyue was the legitimate daughter of the eldest branch. Besides her, the eldest branch also had a son who was currently gaining experience in the military. The second branch of the Duke of Ying’s family had two sons—one serving as an official in the court, and the other who had failed the imperial exams and was preparing to retake the Metropolitan Examination three years later.

As for the third branch of the Duke of Ying’s Residence, there was only an eight-year-old son. When Song Yunyue spoke of this youngest one, her expression was full of disdain, bluntly calling him a little troublemaker and the only unreliable person in their generation of the Duke of Ying’s family. Yet, the third branch’s wife doted on her son as if he were the apple of her eye, spoiling him endlessly every day, which made him act arrogantly and without regard for others in the Duke of Ying’s Residence.

“That kid is even more arrogant than me,” Song Yunyue had said. “I simply can’t stand him.”

“Hello, brother. My name is Jiang Zhimiao, and these are my cousins,” Jiang Zhimiao said with a sweet smile. “We came to seek education, and Aunt Song Yunyue helped us with this favor.”

“So it’s my ill-tempered cousin.”

Song Mohan’s expression grew even more disdainful. Jiang Zhimiao couldn’t help but clench his fists… In truth, Song Mohan was quite good-looking, with rosy lips, bright teeth, and handsome features. But paired with his condescending attitude… Hmph! He just looked crooked and unpleasant no matter how you looked at him!

“I heard she was harassed on the street a few days ago. To think someone would dare harass her—they must not know her well. That sister is a fierce deity no one dares to provoke.”

“Brother,” Jiang Zhimiao tilted his head innocently, “you’re so good-looking, just like a celestial being from the heavens.”

“Of course,” Song Mohan said with a hint of pride, secretly observing Wei Sichan’s reaction. “With this young master’s appearance, who wouldn’t praise it…”

“But when you speak, brother, it doesn’t look good anymore. It feels so familiar…” Jiang Zhimiao put on a thoughtful expression. “Hmm… it’s like my Big Yellow barking at any little noise!”

Song Mohan didn’t catch on. “Who’s your Big Yellow?”

“Big Yellow is a dog,” Jiang Zhimiao said innocently. “He barks nonstop at the slightest sound, and I can never stop him!”

A few children nearby couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

Only then did Song Mohan realize he’d been insulted. His jade-like face flushed bright red. “How dare you call me a dog!”

“I didn’t,” Jiang Zhimiao maintained his innocent expression. “Big Yellow is my good friend. You could be my good friend too, just like Big Yellow! Big Yellow loves meat—I can feed you meat too!”

“You… you… you!” Song Mohan was so angry he nearly exploded. “No one has ever dared insult this young master like this!”

Jiang Zhimiao grinned, revealing neat white teeth. “Then you’re welcome, brother. There’s always a first time for everything!”

“Don’t think I won’t hit you!”

“Song Yunyue is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Ying’s Residence, a person of noble status and your own cousin, yet you speak of her with disrespect.” The smile vanished from Jiang Zhimiao’s face. “The Duke of Ying has always valued propriety. Brother, if I were to report this matter, who do you think would be punished—you or me?”

Even the usually strict Song Mohan couldn’t help but shudder at the thought of his grandfather.

“And being harassed by street ruffians was clearly the ruffian’s fault to begin with. How could you twist right and wrong, brother, and blame Aunt Song Yunyue?” Jiang Zhimiao said with a stern expression. “Now the entire Duke of Ying’s Residence is seeking justice for Aunt Song. Do you think they don’t care about a young lady’s reputation? No, it’s because the Duke’s household understands there are things more important than reputation—that is, justice and righteousness! Aunt Song, though just a woman, could set aside her own reputation to seek fairness. Yet you, brother, as a pillar of the Duke’s household, actually mock your cousin like this. Where is your propriety? Where is your sense of shame?”

Though Jiang Zhimiao was small in stature, his words carried weight. As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings fell into silence.

Song Mohan’s face turned pale then flushed with anger, and for a long moment he couldn’t utter a word.

“You… you… you…”

“I hope you’ll get along well with us at school from now on, and we can consider this matter closed,” Jiang Zhimiao said calmly, turning his head away. “The three of us know our humble status and dare not presume to befriend you all. We only came here to study, hoping for peaceful coexistence without disturbing each other.”

Seeing Jiang Zhimiao coldly turn his face away, Song Mohan flushed crimson with rage. He struggled for a long time but ultimately couldn’t vent his anger, only throwing out the words, “You just wait, you brat!” before storming off in resentment.

Jiang Zhimiao remained unperturbed. Even if Song Mohan sought revenge later, he wasn’t afraid. Was he supposed to be intimidated by such a little punk?

With Song Mohan gone, his other lackeys naturally scattered like birds and beasts. Wei Danqing breathed a sigh of relief. Just as Jiang Zhimiao was about to comfort Wei Danqing and Wei Sichan, he suddenly felt someone’s gaze upon him.

Turning to look, he saw Xiang Yuzhu watching him. When their eyes met, Xiang Yuzhu gave him a slight nod.