Jiang Shuyue smiled gently and leaned forward slightly, "It's Sui Sui."
"Is that the baby Jingxiu liked the most?" The old lady had heard the real Jingxiu mention that the private school had taken in a student who could compose poems on the spot.
"Thanks to your guidance, Young Master Zhen, this child Sui Sui is naughty and has caused you a lot of trouble."
Jiang Shuyue had heard Nangong Zeyue say that when Sui Sui finished class, he would take his older classmates to the garden to play with crickets and accidentally trampled on some precious flowers and plants.
Nangong Zeyue insisted on compensation, but Zhen Jingxiu refused. In the end, he made Sui Sui write a poem as compensation.
Of course, that poem is from the Three Hundred Tang Poems.
The old lady took a while to process what she was saying. Looking at Jiang Shuyue's hair, her lips twitched, but she swallowed the question she was about to ask.
She was puzzled. She wasn't wearing a married woman's hairstyle and didn't look like a married woman, so how could she have a child?
The old lady and Jiang Shuyue met only three times.
The lady's refinement was evident; though she harbored doubts, she wouldn't pry like a common woman.
The old lady smiled, suppressing her surprise. "I also like children. Yue'er, bring your child over to play when you have time. It's only right that Jingxiu gives your child an early education at the private school. Our two families are not like others, so there's no need for formalities."
Jiang Shuyue sat and exchanged pleasantries for a while before getting up to take her leave.
Upon arriving at the front hall, they saw Su Jin and Zhen Jingxiu chatting very congenially.
After saying goodbye, Zhen Jingxiu personally saw them off at the gate.
Jiang Shuyue said to Zhen Jingxiu, "Young Master Zhen, please wait. Thank you for taking care of Sui Sui these days. When you passed the imperial examination, Sui Sui went to study at the Imperial Academy."
"The Imperial Academy? It would be great to be able to enter the Imperial Academy every year."
After Zhen Jingxiu finished speaking, he came to his senses. How did Miss Jiang know that Sui Sui went to the Imperial Academy?
Sui Sui once said that his mother was very good at poetry.
The couplets in front of the Jiang Mansion, and the poems on the walls of Qingyunzhai.
When everything came together, Zhen Jingxiu was enlightened, and Jiang Shuyue became known as Yue Niang.
Rumors circulated that the Jiang family were wealthy merchants from Yannan, and he also knew that Jiang Shuyue ran Jishetang. How did she have connections to get into the Imperial Academy?
Wait, why is Miss Jiang thanking Sui Sui on her behalf?
Could it be...?
Even after the person had gone far away, Zhen Jingxiu remained standing there, stunned.
It wasn't until the butler called to him, "Young Master Sun, Miss Jiang has already gone far away," that he finally understood.
Zhen Jingxiu gave an "Oh" and reluctantly looked away.
Upon returning to the hall, he paused briefly, then turned and strode quickly toward the inner courtyard.
In the old lady's room.
The old woman who served her closely comforted her, saying, "Madam, there's no need to worry. This old servant thinks that Miss Jiang's figure doesn't look like she's given birth. Why don't we send someone to inquire about it?"
The old lady rested her cheek on one hand, looking listless, her brows furrowed in worry.
“Haven’t we done enough research? Even the real butler said he’s never seen a male master in the Jiang family. The servants all call her ‘Miss,’ but this child suddenly appears… It doesn’t make sense.”
“Grandmother is right, I’m also completely baffled.” Zhen Jingxiu’s voice came before he even entered the room.
"grandmother!"
Zhen Jingxiu entered the room, bowed, and went straight to sit down in front of Old Madam Zhen.
“Grandmother, I’m also wondering. Miss Jiang said that Sui Sui will go to the Imperial Academy to study, which is a good thing, but it’s not convenient for us to ask her in detail.”
The old lady immediately straightened up, looking at Zhen Jingxiu in disbelief: "What? To the Imperial Academy!"
It should be noted that in Wanling Kingdom, those who can enter the Imperial Academy are all meritorious officials, descendants of civil and military officials, and are of the fifth rank or above.
At the very least, only noble families personally bestowed this honor by the emperor.
The Jiang family were merchants, and children from merchant families were not allowed to enter the Imperial Academy; this was against the rules.
Unless... a member of the royal family?
A thought flashed quickly through the old lady's mind.
Seeing her eldest grandson's distraught appearance, how could the old lady not understand his thoughts?
She relaxed her furrowed brows and said, "I saw that Yueya was still wearing her hair in a girl's bun, so perhaps that child was adopted by her."
Hearing his grandmother's words, Zhen Jingxiu felt much better. "Grandmother is absolutely right. Most doctors are kind-hearted and skilled. That child is exquisitely beautiful and exceptionally intelligent. If I met him, I would also be willing to take him as my godson. I was just being narrow-minded."
He paused, then continued, "Miss Jiang is kind-hearted, highly talented, and possesses the medical ethics to heal the sick and save lives. Even if that child is her own, her grandson is still..."
Before he could finish speaking, a blush crept onto his handsome face.
Realizing he had spoken abruptly, he stood up and bowed, saying, "Grandmother, please rest. I will go and prepare the items I need to take to the examination hall tomorrow."
Before the old lady could answer, Zhen Jingxiu hurried away.
"Don't come to pay your respects tonight. Get some rest. Your grandmother will help you fulfill your wish." The old lady stood up and called out to her grandson's back.
"How did this child fall for me so easily!" The old lady muttered to herself as she watched her eldest grandson flee in panic.
The old woman serving him smiled and said, "Madam, young master Sun has realized his admiration for the young lady. This is a good thing, a great thing indeed."
The old lady sighed and said, "Alas! It's a pity that his parents haven't returned yet. The most joyful time in life is when one passes the imperial examination and the wedding night. It seems we can only wait and see if Jingxiu can pass the imperial examination."
"Yes, of course. Young Master Sun is exceptionally talented and learned. In my opinion, he is either a third-place scholar or a top scholar."
It wasn't just the old woman flattering her; even the old lady thought so in her heart.
Over the years, the Zhen family has kept their talents hidden, waiting for the day when they could enter officialdom and serve a wise ruler.
Back at the Jiang residence, Qiuju said, "Miss, I noticed that Young Master Zhen looks at you differently than he does at other people."
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