brute

The Ministry of Personnel was located to the right of the Imperial City. When Jiang Jin arrived at the office at dawn the next day, she was prepared to be harassed. She saw Chief Eunuch You place a thick stack of documents in front of her and say, "There are many old documents here. You need to rewrite them and give them to me for review."

"Yes, I understand." Jiang Jin had already anticipated this and sat down to begin copying. Many people in the office were watching Jiang Jin, intentionally or unintentionally.

An hour passed, and Jiang Jin showed no impatience. He picked up a sheet of Xuan paper and copied down the next document, repeating this process. Gradually, the number of documents on his desk decreased, while the number of documents, still smelling of fresh ink, increased. By the time the officials of the Secretariat left court, Jiang Jin's desk was piled high with new documents.

"During the funeral, this is a new document that Steward You asked me to transcribe." Jiang Jin placed the Xuan paper in front of her superior.

"Recorder Jiang is indeed very diligent." Bai Shizhong glanced at Steward You and naturally understood a bit. "Steward You, although you are eager to give advice, you should also pay attention to priorities and not confuse the order of importance."

Jiang Jin had overestimated Bai Shizhong's abilities. She had initially thought he was a peacemaker, but it turned out he was a man who clearly distinguished between right and wrong.

"I wonder if there are any other instructions from Bai Shizhong?" Bai Shizhong looked at Jiang Jin's handwriting with some curiosity. "Jiang Shizhong, your handwriting is quite good. I suppose you often practice calligraphy at home. Your archery is also good. Have you learned anything else?"

"I've only dabbled in the Six Arts of a Gentleman, and I suppose my knowledge is about the same as yours, though certainly not as profound." Jiang Jin neither feigned modesty nor exaggerated.

"I know you may all have some misunderstandings about me, but now that I've entered the Menxia Province, I belong to it. If anything happens to me, it will be the entire Menxia Province that suffers disgrace." Jiang Jin bowed to the officials.

"As a newcomer to officialdom, I still need the guidance of my colleagues." Jiang Jin's humble attitude left those who intended to make things difficult for her speechless.

"Registrar Jiang, don't stay by my side today and observe the daily routines of our department. Tomorrow, you will begin handling things on your own." The funeral director sighed. Jiang Jin had rendered meritorious service and was appointed by the Emperor himself; he couldn't be too harsh on him, nor could he be too close to him.

"This humble official thanks you for your help, Bai Shizhong." Jiang Jin stood beside Bai Shizhong, watching his every move intently. It wasn't until someone from the Jiang family came to invite him that Jiang Jin slightly came back to his senses.

"I will come again tomorrow to attend to the funeral arrangements." Jiang Jin gave a curtsy and then followed the Jiang family servants into the carriage.

"In a funeral, are we really going to be colleagues with a young woman?" Steward You harbored some dissatisfaction, but could only grumble inwardly.

"I advise you to put away those thoughts. She was personally appointed by His Majesty and has rendered meritorious service. Her father is also the Censor-in-Chief. If you think your family is clean, then feel free to offend her."

During the funeral, Bai Shizhong glanced at Chief You and said with exasperation, "Remember, no matter what, she is still your superior. It's not your place to intimidate her."

"Thank you for your guidance during the funeral. I will remember it." Remembering Jiang Jin's identity, Chief Steward You restrained himself somewhat. As the supply wagons passed through the long street, Jiang Ru was already waiting in a private room at Yangchun Restaurant.

"Second sister, please sit here for a while. I'll go into the private room next door later. Father, Mother, and the eldest son are all behind the screen." Jiang Ru had specially changed into the clothes she wore when she first met the eldest son of the Tongliang family.

"Third Sister, if you're afraid, you can back out now and I can go in your place," Jiang Jin suggested, her heart softening as she looked at Jiang Ru's trembling fingers.

"Second sister, I'm not afraid. If I can't get through this today, I'll be bullied when I get married. I have to grow up eventually, so I might as well grow up now."

Jiang Ru took a large gulp of tea and watched a man walk into the next private room. She quickly followed him inside. Jiang Jin, somewhat worried, pressed herself against the wall, constantly listening for any sounds from inside.

"Young Master Liang, what brings you to meet me so many times?" Jiang Ru's heart was in her throat, clutching the medicine packet Jiang Jin had given her, fearing the young man before her might have ulterior motives.

"Miss Jiang, there's no need to worry. I am your future husband, so naturally I would never harm you. I simply want to discuss something with you." Liang Erlang stood up and walked to Jiang Ru's side, scrutinizing her.

"You're not my aunt's biological daughter, so you should feel honored to be able to marry into a respectable family. Therefore, you must treat my concubines well." Jiang Ru's hands trembled with anger, but she still maintained some composure.

"Why must you humiliate me, Liang Erlang? Now that we are engaged, I will naturally learn to be a magnanimous mistress and will not be jealous or make a mistake." Jiang Ru took a few steps back to make sure her voice could reach the ears of the people behind the screen without any obstruction.

"In that case, after Yu Niang gives birth, the child will be raised by you." Liang Erlang was very pleased with Jiang Ru's understanding.

"Does Lianglang want to abandon his mother and keep his son, or do you want me to devote all my efforts to raising my adopted son so that you and Yu Niang can reap the benefits?" Jiang Ru sneered. "Although I am not my mother's biological daughter, I am still a legitimate daughter of the Jiang family. I have no reason to suffer such humiliation!"

"How could you be so vicious!" Liang Langjun's face showed a moment of anger, but then he looked at Jiang Ru as if he had thought of something. "You came here alone today. If your aunt finds out, do you have any way out? I advise you to be a magnanimous wife and not meddle in my affairs."

"My dear husband, you are shameless!" Jiang Ru took a few more steps back towards the screen.

"So what? Since I have leverage over you, why don't you just surrender obediently!" Just as Liang Langjun was about to reach out and grab Jiang Ru's sleeve, someone stepped out from behind the screen and kicked Liang Erlang without hesitation.

"Erlang, you're so majestic! You've read all those Confucian classics but they've gone to waste!" Liang Dalang glanced at Jiang Ru out of the corner of his eye. Although she was quite frightened, she was still calmly looking at Liang Erlang.

"Big...Big brother, uncle and aunt." Liang Erlang didn't understand why the situation had taken such a sudden turn. "I was just chatting with Third Sister and had no other intentions."

"How dare you! Haven't you humiliated Third Sister enough?!" Mother Jiang pulled Jiang Ru behind her, blocking Liang Erlang's view.

"Aunt, it really is just a misunderstanding. I was just discussing some things with Third Sister!" Liang Erlang struggled to his feet and grabbed Jiang's father's clothes.

"Second Brother, get rid of your concubines. How can this marriage proceed?" Father Jiang's words were the final word, and Jiang Ruxin's heart sank to the bottom.

"Father, this is inappropriate." Jiang Jin pushed open the door and entered. Although she wasn't wearing official robes, she already possessed the air of someone in officialdom.

"Why are you only arriving now?" Father Jiang frowned slightly. Jiang Jin closed the door behind him. "Third Aunt said she has to grow up eventually, so she begged me to let her face it herself."

"Father, I begged my second sister for all of this, so please don't blame her." Jiang Ru knew her father was still angry with Jiang Jin and was afraid this matter would cause the father and daughter to quarrel again.

"Since you cherish Yu Niang so much, why not make her your principal wife?" Jiang Jin sat on the wooden chair and looked at Liang Erlang.

"Erlang is unwilling, isn't it because he feels that Yu Niang's status is not good enough for you? Why pretend to be nice and use Yu Niang as a pretext? You just want to give my sister a hard time!"

"You bitch, what nonsense are you spouting!" Liang Erlang was about to reach out to Jiang Jin when she kicked him to the ground again.

"You, a commoner, dare to insult me? Insulting an official of the court is a crime punishable by imprisonment." Jiang Jin didn't bother arguing with Liang Erlang. "Father, if Erlang were to deal with his beloved concubine, it would inevitably implicate San Niang. Wouldn't that be pushing San Niang into a fire pit?"

"Then tell me, what's the solution?" Father Jiang didn't want to see Jiang Jin, but since she was now his colleague, he could only give her some face.

"Father, why are you so troubled? This trouble is of our own making. Why don't you ask Liang Dalang?" Jiang Jin glanced at the somewhat dazed Liang Dalang and coughed lightly.

"Uncle and Aunt, this matter is Second Brother's fault. I will punish him severely when I return. As for Third Sister's marriage, I will select a suitable man from the clan. I will ensure that Third Sister is not wronged." Liang Dalang hesitated for a moment before making up his mind.

"That's good. My third sister is exceptionally beautiful and naturally deserves a talented man to match her. When the time comes, we will be a harmonious couple and she will not forget the kindness of Liang Da Lang Jun." Jiang Jin glanced at Jiang Ru, relieved that she did not appear distraught.

"Father, I'll take Third Sister back to the Jiang residence first. You two can continue your conversation with Lianglang." Jiang Jin pulled the dazed Jiang Ru away from Yangchun Tower.

"Second sister, I..." Jiang Ru began to sob softly after getting into the carriage. "Tell me, what have you been hiding from me? It seems like you and Liang Langjun have met more than a few times."

"Second sister, Liang Langjun and I did chat a few words and even played chess, but we never overstepped the bounds. Second sister, I always wore a veil when we played against each other," Jiang Ru hurriedly explained, afraid that Jiang Jin would misunderstand her.

"Of course I believe you, but you should know that if you were of lower status, he would take you into the backyard as a concubine, and if you were of higher status, you could be his wife. But right now, he can't marry you."

Jiang Jin's voice softened a bit, "Liang Langjun may not know your identity, but the fact that he hasn't investigated you means he understands his stance. You fool, do you still want to gamble?"

"Second sister, I..." Jiang Jin lifted the curtain and looked at the crowd outside the carriage. "You can think about it carefully. We'll talk about it when we get back to the Jiang residence."

The supply wagon stopped in front of the Jiang residence. Jiang Jin jumped down and considerately took Jiang Ru's hand.

"Do you want to go to my courtyard, or go back to your own?" Jiang Jin glanced at Jiang Ru, who seemed somewhat absent-minded, and then pulled her directly to her own courtyard.

"Second sister, I don't want to marry into a respectable family anymore." Jiang Ru knelt at Jiang Jin's feet. "I find that I can't face him every day. I'm afraid I'll resent him."

"Second sister, it's my fault for being fickle and indecisive. Please, sister, help me!" Jiang Ru cried, clutching Jiang Jin's skirt.

"Are you sure Liang Dalangjun has feelings for you?" Jiang Jin squatted down and looked at Jiang Ru. "Jiang Ru, look into my eyes and tell me."

"I don't know. He brings me osmanthus cakes, helps me throw prayer ribbons, and finds rare books for me. Second sister, I don't know if this is intentional." Jiang Ru's voice trembled, feeling utterly helpless. She was just a young girl who had just come of age.