Chapter 69 Dowry ( )

After a series of news reports, Shang Yuji realized the importance of patriotic education.

Rather than saying that Rakar killed the eldest prince to avenge himself, the Da'an and Xianbei forces in between lacked the concept of loyalty to the emperor and serving the country, and had no sense of belonging to the Xianbei. Therefore, Rakar quickly integrated into the Da'an army and became a sharp blade for Da'an to pierce the Xianbei.

Fortunately, the printing technology she possessed could widely disseminate books. When the imperial examination system was implemented, taking advantage of the fact that everything was still in its infancy and in the exploratory stage, she would make great strides in the subjects of the examination.

At that time, literature, arithmetic, and natural sciences will be needed... We will not be limited to one discipline dominating, and at least we cannot turn it into a rigid, template-based answer and debate.

This is to select talented officials for the imperial court and good, capable officials to serve the people.

Therefore, we must arrest them all, investigate every single one, and leave no one out.

What ancestral laws are immutable?

They were the true founders of the imperial examination system in Da'an.

In other words, they are the immutable ancestral laws!

Shang Yuji listened attentively, her fingers unconsciously tapping the cheek of the person on her lap, one hand supporting her chin, occasionally catching a fleeting thought.

"If possible, I will ask Your Highness for a request."

Yi Ning: "What kind of request? I can mention it to Your Highness."

Shang Yuji smiled and said, "I will explain to His Highness personally at that time, so there's no need to trouble Miss Yi."

What she wanted to mention was not related to the development of Da'an, but rather to her own personal reasons. Therefore, there was no need to trouble Yining to act as a messenger; she could simply mention it to the Princess herself.

As Dr. Yan said, the waters of the imperial court are murky. If you stay too long, you will inevitably get muddy. At this time, it is best to retreat from the rapids and protect yourself wisely.

However, she was too deeply involved with the eldest princess's faction. Even if they were torn apart, they would still be entangled. It would be best if they separated amicably, but the worst thing would be if they ended up parting on bad terms.

Moreover, Jiang Xiqu is not suited for such intricacies. Nowadays, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a human soldier. When she's around, he can keep an eye on things, but if she has to leave temporarily, she doesn't dare to imagine how many people will manipulate this not-so-bright Jiang Xiqu.

Shang Yuji had to admit that Jiang Xiqu's dream of being used as a tool still affected her.

...Never mind, the most urgent task right now is to help the princess ascend the throne after the marriage. We can deal with the rest later.

Taking advantage of Yi Ning's arrival at the mansion, Shang Yuji was about to get up to get a book for her to review. She called away the person who was resting her head on her knees and asked Jiang Xi to sit on the floor. After hearing her words, she took the initiative to accept the task and quickly got up and left the hall.

Shang Yuji was used to his sitting on the ground, so she didn't notice anything wrong at first. But as soon as she entered Hongyun Garden, she noticed that his legs hadn't been used for a long time and he was clumsy in his movements. His daily activities were limited to walking from the bed to the door, and then sitting on the threshold for a long time watching the bamboo shadows.

Only when a large-scale, rapid movement is absolutely necessary will Jiang Xi barely manage to crawl, supporting himself with his hands on the ground.

After the initial adjustment period, he realized the loose bond between them. When he was afraid she would abandon him or worried that she would be angry and ignore him, he would cry and crawl to her side, hugging her legs and begging her not to leave.

Tears streamed down her face, and her thin, bony body made her legs ache. Shang Yuji was afraid that even the slightest movement of her legs would break her bones, so she had to comfort him repeatedly until he gradually calmed down.

When he had nothing, Jiang Xiqu was indifferent to everything and never even hoped that these things would have anything to do with him.

But when he realized that he actually had something he cherished, he lost his original easygoing attitude and wished he could tear his body apart and hide it deep inside.

At that time, he knew that people would leave, but he didn't know how to keep them. He only had a broken body, relying on instinct to open everything and clumsily try to keep people.

Watching Jiang Xi's figure disappear around the corner, Shang Yuji pondered: What was she thinking back then?

Rather than serving a nobleman with constant anxiety, fearing that he might punish her if he became displeased, she would rather serve a simple-minded but safer young master, the Third Young Master Jiang.

During the year that followed at Hongyun Garden, the two were more like two weak beasts, supporting each other and surviving in the cracks of a man-eating mansion.

She was still loyal and devoted, and never thought of giving up on Jiang Xi, who looked pitiful but was actually very beautiful.

After secretly praising himself to himself, Shang Yuji turned his attention back to Yining and began talking about expanding the printing of books.

Jiang Xi was quick on his feet and knew everything Shang Yuji had been doing. When he returned to the lobby, Shang Yuji hadn't even had a chance to start planning the bookstore.

Remembering the camaraderie forged in hardship at Hongyun Garden, Shang Yuji accepted the printed product and patted his arm with a sense of mutual respect.

Jiang Xiqu didn't understand why, but she liked Aji's closeness.

He made no attempt to hide the smile on his face and wanted to continue resting his head on her lap, but Shang Yuji asked him to move to the stool next to her, saying it was a disturbance to official business.

Seeing that there was no other way, Jiang Xi obediently sat down to the side.

Yi Ning opened the book. The words were neat and orderly. Although they were not written with the vigorous strokes and powerful lines of a master calligrapher, they were sufficient for reading.

Importantly, it can take a great calligrapher several months to write a book that is half a finger tall, while the convenience of printable books lies in their ability to be printed in sets and in large quantities, and even so, it only takes a few days.

"In the early stages when there were not many books, we focused on printing more books. We set up bookstores in places with high foot traffic so that people could borrow books and buy them if they needed them. It would be even better if we could put up a sign outside the store that says 'Learn to Read Today'."

"Does the young lady mean hiring someone to write commonly used words on signs?"

"Absolutely."

Da'an has private schools and academies, but these are different from what Miss Shang suggested.

That was when students, after paying tuition, studied classics and history under the tutelage of a teacher. But Miss Shang's idea was to make writing accessible to ordinary people. It sounded like anyone who happened to pass by the bookstore and wanted to learn could come and practice writing in front of the sign...

The learning rate may not be high, and ordinary people may not learn many characters, but gradually they will recognize these characters and they will come to mind when they need them someday.

Yi Ning dared not think too deeply about it and quickly said, "Scholars who practice calligraphy may not necessarily be willing to teach commoners."

Many are arrogant about their own knowledge and look down on those who are illiterate. Yi Ning's statement is not wrong.

Shang Yuji smiled and said, "So, doesn't that mean we need to cultivate new students ourselves?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Yi Ning suddenly grasped the key point: "The refugees that the young lady took in at Nuan An Ju..."

Yes, it is said that it is to provide refugees with shelter from the cold winter. But from another perspective, their current practice of calligraphy in warm and comfortable homes is also a kind of "school".

Shang Yuji nodded: "That's called a 'pilot program.' Once we've accumulated experience, we can then roll it out."

Even if she doesn't understand the meaning of "pilot program," Yi Ning can understand its function from the explanation that follows.

Shang Yuji: "The bookstore will first be piloted in Yangzhou. As for the name of the bookstore, it will be called 'Xinhua Bookstore'."

She admitted that she had been lazy again when it came to naming the bookstore, but whenever the name Xinhua came to mind, she couldn't help but think of it. So, she decided to just accept it as another selfish reason.

Yi Ning didn't understand why Miss Shang had chosen this name for the shop. What she had to do was to put Miss Shang's words into practice, no matter how difficult or painful it was.

After all, everyone in the Princess's residence tacitly agreed on a crucial principle: no matter how novel Miss Shang's suggestion was, it should be implemented, because it would always bring unexpected benefits.

After seeing off Yi Ning, who was completely bewildered after hearing the plan, Shang Yuji sighed, resting her chin on her hand.

The imperial examination system was bound to clash with the methods of ruling by keeping the people ignorant, but politics is an art of balancing.

The eldest princess was at a disadvantage compared to the powerful ministers from aristocratic families who held significant influence in the court, so a new balance of power had to be introduced.

What could be more reassuring than a completely new force that doesn't intersect with the old ones?

For officials who rose from humble beginnings, their only support came from the emperor's trust and the support of countless ordinary people.

A clean resume, talent that stood out from millions, and a style that cherishes one's reputation even more when one knows the power one holds...

Everyone who's used it says it's great!

"Yunxiao, what's wrong?" Jiang Xiqu, who had been hunched over the table staring at her, asked with concern when she saw her sigh.

"If everyone were as easy to understand as you, that would be great."

It's like speaking in riddles and circumlocutions, revealing only half the meaning, as if afraid others won't understand the hidden meaning.

Therefore, politics is the most troublesome thing; it involves tears, sweat, and blood.

The struggle between several forces ultimately resulted in a compromise between them.

Intricate and complex, intertwined and inseparable, with each thread barely distinguishable from the others.

She was worried about getting out of the court unscathed, and naturally, she didn't think she could outmaneuver those cunning old foxes who had long infiltrated the court.

You never know when you might accidentally step into a pit and end up being smashed to pieces.

Thinking of this, Shang Yuji was overcome with grief. She reached out and wrapped her arms around Jiang Xiqu's neck, pulling him close to her body, and cried out, "What are we going to do, Jiang Haitian? We're like fish on a chopping board—at the mercy of others, anyone can stab us in the back!"

He could tell that Aji's wailing was empty and not genuine; it was just for show. But he still thought seriously, put his arms around her back, gently stroked her spine, and said in a stern voice with a serious face, "I will stab them before they stab us, Yunxiao, don't be afraid."

One person was yelling and the other was frantically trying to calm them down. A-Cuo, who was passing by, knocked on the door frame and said calmly, "Dinner is ready. Aunt Zhao asked me to call you for dinner."

"Oh, we'll be right there," Shang Yuji replied, falling silent.

.

The next day, several craftsmen arrived at the Lotus Road Mansion. After a few quick steps, they installed a plaque with the words "Shangzhai" (meaning "merchant's residence") inscribed in bold, flowing calligraphy at the center of the mansion's main gate.

The supervisor, Shang Yuji, gave the craftsman a reward with satisfaction. The craftsman happily took the money and left, and the rumor spread throughout Yangzhou once again that the work done by Miss Shang was of high quality.

The previous house number was the one belonging to the previous household. Shang Yuji had thought about changing the house name, and to save time, she thought she could just remove the house number and engrave a new house name on the back.

Unexpectedly, she had the same idea as the previous family.

Because if you flip the house number over, you'll find the name of the house owned by the previous owner.

...People can always come up with ingenious ideas when it comes to cutting corners.

After being busy for a while, Shang Yuji put the matter of changing the name of the house out of her mind. Now that she thinks about it, with the wedding approaching, if she were to marry Jiang Xi, she should have brought him into her own mansion.

Otherwise, it would be like sending Jiangxi to someone else's house.

Absolutely not, absolutely not.

Therefore, Shang Yuji had no choice but to put changing the address plate on the agenda.

In addition to decorating the mansion, she also prepared a lot of dowry to ensure Jiang Xi could have a grand wedding.

Hmm, it seems she prepared both the bride price and dowry herself.

Jiang Xi also brought the items he had hidden. If he hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have even realized that he had actually collected five full boxes of the gifts she had given him.

...No, it seems some of them weren't gifts, but rather things she no longer used.

"?" After carefully examining the contents of the box, Shang Yuji picked up the red silk rope with one hand, grabbed Jiang Xiqu's earlobe, and asked in a gloomy tone, "Tell me, how did my little clothes end up here?"

Jiang Xi frowned, grabbed her wrist, and pleaded, "I...I asked Aji, and Aji told me to put it away!"

"I told you to put it in my closet, not to hide it. I was just saying I couldn't find it no matter how hard I looked!"

"I'm taking it back..."

Jiang Xi quickly crossed her arms and wrapped them around her waist, pressing her cheek against her waist as she tried to persuade her, "Aji, this little garment is a bit too small for you. I'll knit you a new one, so you can keep this one for me?"

"?" The man under her was so slippery that Shang Yuji almost couldn't hold him down, but that didn't stop her from asking, "What exactly do you want this for?"

Jiang Xi paused for a moment, then explained softly, "Because it was given to me by Aji, I need to keep it safe..."

After he finished speaking, Shang Yuji looked at the wooden boxes next to him, which were full of items. Some of the items were not very valuable, but they were still neatly arranged in the boxes. Some were fragile, so he put them in wooden boxes. Others were brand new, as if they were the first time they were delivered.

Feeling a bit emotional, Shang Yuji fell silent, thinking that she should just give it to him.

"I know Aji best, I'm sure I can sew the most suitable little clothes for Aji."

The person who wrapped their arms around her waist increased their leverage, but unexpectedly received a sharp rebuke from Shang Yuji: "There's no need to say such things!"

Sensing that Aji's attitude was softening, Jiang Xi lifted her head from Aji's waist and said softly, "Okay, I won't say anything."

The spot where she flicked her finger quickly turned red. Jiang Xi laughed so hard her eyes were almost closed. Shang Yuji said firmly, "I'll take care of your dowry. Keep these things safe and don't take them out."

Jiang Xi felt someone brush against her side and sighed in a muffled voice, "Aji, you're so kind—!"

"It's good that you know."

Shang Yuji smugly agreed with his words, but then remembered that she wasn't there and someone might be able to take advantage of him. She ruffled his hair and said, "Don't trust others too easily in the future. If someone asks you to do something, you have to think it over carefully. If it's really difficult, just refuse."

She gave him detailed instructions and cited several common examples, to which Jiang Xi nodded vigorously and agreed to each one.

After explaining the theory, Shang Yuji decided to conduct a practical test on him.

She pointed to the bed on one side: "Sit still. If I were a lecherous man now, what would you do?"

Of course, the answer is no.

Such a simple test.

"Ah Ji, come quick, I'm ready!"

"Wait, wait, wait! What are you doing, taking off your belt?!"