Chapter 80 Jiang Yu's words reassured her.

After Ning Yanfeng and Cheng Jinchuan's sedan chairs had moved a short distance from the Duke of Chu's residence, Cheng Jinchuan instructed the sedan chair bearers to quicken their pace, catch up with Ning Yanfeng's sedan chair, and, lifting the curtain, said to Ning Yanfeng, "Brother Yanfeng, how about we meet at the teahouse up ahead?"

Ning Yanfeng also wanted to talk to him, and agreed without hesitation. The two sedan chairs turned a corner and soon arrived at Juxian Teahouse. They ordered a private room and two pots of good tea, and the two sat facing each other.

Although Cheng Jinchuan was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and held real power, he still had to be somewhat subservient to Ning Yanfeng, the heir of the Duke of Wei.

He picked up the teapot and poured Ning Yanfeng a cup of tea, then poured one for himself, saying, "Brother Yanfeng, what do you think my father-in-law means by this?"

Ning Yanfeng was somewhat agitated because of family matters. He picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp, then looked at Cheng Jinchuan and asked, "You said that my father-in-law had Jiang Yu participate in our conversation today?"

Cheng Jinchuan nodded, and Ning Yanfeng pondered for a moment before saying, "You've heard about what happened to Jiang Yu in the Imperial Study, haven't you?"

Cheng Jinchuan nodded. Unlike those powerful and influential people who had many informants, he had only heard about it from a colleague in the Ministry of Personnel.

“Our eldest niece is no ordinary person,” Ning Yanfeng poured himself another cup of tea and said, “I’m afraid my father-in-law has plans to groom her, and there’s even a possibility that Jiang Yu might become an official in the imperial court.”

Cheng Jinchuan was startled. "It won't be easy for a woman to become an official in the imperial court!"

Ning Yanfeng glanced at him and said, "It's not easy for others, but if Jiang Yu has real talent, it's not difficult for him."

Cheng Jinchuan adopted a listening posture, and Ning Yanfeng leaned forward to close the distance between them and said in a low voice, "Although my father-in-law has retired, he still has some influence with the Emperor, as can be seen from the Emperor's punishment of Qingshan Earl this time."

If the father-in-law were to complain to the Emperor that the Duke of Chu's family had no heir, and then recommend Jiang Yu for an official position, the Emperor might agree.

Cheng Jinchuan had a knowing look on his face when Ning Yanfeng said, "Don't forget that Jiang Yu is still the granddaughter of Marquis Ningyuan. If Marquis Ningyuan gives it a push, the matter will most likely succeed."

Cheng Jinchuan tightened his grip on the cup. "But even if she enters the court, her future path won't be smooth."

After all, this is a male-dominated society.

Ning Yanfeng leaned back in his chair and said quietly, "That depends on Jiang Yu's ability and luck."

Cheng Jinchuan lowered his eyes to look at the pale yellow tea in his cup, and sighed again at how easy it was for the children of the powerful and wealthy to become officials. Unlike them, who came from humble backgrounds, they had to study hard for many years, and even passing the provincial examination was not an easy feat, let alone becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination).

While a successful candidate in the imperial examinations could become an official, they would only hold the rank of eighth or ninth grade. However, the descendants of powerful and wealthy families could enter the court as officials without having to take the imperial examinations, and could directly enter the Six Ministries.

“If Jiang Yu were to enter the court as an official, he would likely be able to join one of the Six Ministries,” Cheng Jinchuan said.

“Of course,” Ning Yanfeng glanced at him. “You’re in the Ministry of Personnel, and we might need your help sometime.”

“I will certainly do my duty,” Cheng Jinchuan replied immediately.

Regardless of his true feelings, he had only gotten to where he was today because of the Duke of Chu's family, and he had to help them when they needed him. Repaying their kindness was one aspect, but more importantly, he and the Duke of Chu's family were a community of shared interests.

Of course, if Jiang Yu becomes successful in the future, it will also be beneficial to him.

At this moment, Ning Yanfeng let out a heavy sigh, and Cheng Jinchuan knew why he was sighing. He leaned closer to Ning Yanfeng and whispered:

"When we were in my father-in-law's study, Jiang Yu said that Yanfeng should investigate the matter thoroughly before informing the Duke of Wei, so that there would be a clear case and evidence, and that he would not be accused of slander."

Ning Yanfeng nodded, and then Cheng Jinchuan said, "But there was more to say, which she didn't say."

"What did you say?" Ning Yanfeng asked.

Cheng Jinchuan: "You have leverage over him. If you want to crush him later, it won't be difficult at all. And..."

Cheng Jinchuan chuckled, lowering his voice even further, "Evidence can sometimes be whatever you want it to be."

Ning Yanfeng paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. He patted Cheng Jinchuan on the shoulder and said, "It seems our niece really has some skills!"

Cheng Jinchuan: "Of course, otherwise our father-in-law wouldn't have made an exception to train her."

Both men sighed inwardly at the lack of a successor in the Duke of Chu's mansion, and they both hoped for its well-being. As they had said before, they were a community of shared interests; if the Duke of Chu's mansion prospered, they would prosper too.

...

After seeing Cheng Jinchuan and Ning Yanfeng off, Jiang Yu returned to the Duke of Chu's study. The two chatted for a while before Jiang Yu took her leave and went to Lu Yifang's courtyard.

When she arrived, Lu Yifang was not there, presumably she had not returned from Jiang Jiamu and the others, so she turned around and went to Jiang Jiamu and the others.

When they arrived, Lu Yifang was talking to Jiang Yunkang while holding him in her arms, while Jiang Jiamu and Wu Zhengyan looked at her somewhat reservedly. Upon seeing Jiang Yu arrive, the two quickly stood up and invited her to sit down.

Jiang Yu sat down next to Lu Yifang and watched as Lu Yifang asked Jiang Yunkang some simple questions, such as what he usually ate, what he did, and what books he read. Jiang Yunkang answered with feigned composure, but his answers were quite clear. Jiang Yu couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

Then he said, "Our Yun Kang is so intelligent, we should ask the Duke to find a good tutor for him."

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhengyan's somewhat stiff smile became much more sincere. She said, "That's great, but we still need to ask my younger sister to put in a good word for Yun Kang with the Duke."

Jiang Yu held Jiang Yunkang's little hand and said, "Yunkang is Grandfather's only grandson. I don't need to tell him, he must be thinking about it."

Wu Zhengyan smiled; she hadn't yet adjusted to her new identity.

Jiang Yu glanced at Lu Yifang, who was smiling while holding Jiang Yunkang, and said to Wu Zhengyan, "I didn't get to properly explore your yard last time I came. Sister-in-law, please show me around."

Wu Zhengyan was taken aback, then realized that Jiang Yu might have something to say to her, so she stood up and said, "Okay, I'll take my little sister out for a walk."

The two left the hall together and walked to the flower bed in the corner of the courtyard. Jiang Yu smiled and asked Wu Zhengyan, "Mother must have told my sister-in-law that Madam Wu will be visiting tomorrow, right?"

When her troublesome family was brought up, Wu Zhengyan felt a little embarrassed. She said, "My mother told me that the Lady of Jiangling Marquis had visited the Wu residence before."

Jiang Yu nodded, then took Wu Zhengyan's hand and said, "I wanted to tell my sister-in-law that you are the wife of the eldest son of the Chu State Duke's Mansion. The Chu State Duke's Mansion is your source of strength. Don't listen to or pay attention to the nonsense that some shady people are saying."

Wu Zhengyan's eyes welled up with tears. She hadn't expected Jiang Yu to tell her all this. She knew her stepmother's true colors better than anyone. Therefore, she knew that coming tomorrow would definitely not bring anything good.

Ever since Lu Yifang told her that her good stepmother was coming the next day, her heart had been filled with unease. Although Jiang Jiamu's identity had changed, the Jiangling Marquis's mansion was still an untouchable place in her eyes, and she was afraid that her stepmother had made some kind of deal with the Jiangling Marquis's wife.

Jiang Yu's words undoubtedly gave her a lot of confidence. In fact, Lu Yifang had said something similar to her, but Jiang Yu was different. She even felt that Jiang Yu's words carried about the same weight as those of the Duke of Chu.

Therefore, Jiang Yu's words made her feel more at ease.