Chapter 262 Women can also take control of their own lives as long as they have the ability.
The emperor issued an edict ordering each minister to recommend someone with expertise in engineering. The Grand Tutor's residence recommended one person. However, upon seeing the candidate, Jiang Yu realized that the Grand Tutor's residence was merely going through the motions and the candidate was immediately rejected.
Now that the illegitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor's mansion is kneeling by the roadside recommending herself, Jiang Yu has to think twice. Although talented people are rare, she still needs to thoroughly investigate their background.
"Miss Yan, which branch of the Grand Tutor's mansion do you belong to?" Jiang Yu asked.
Yan Fengju lowered her head, pursed her lips, and then said, "My father, Yan Shuyang, is the eldest son of the Grand Tutor. I am the third child in my family."
Jiang Yu nodded knowingly, then asked, "Why wasn't it you who was recommended by the Grand Tutor's Mansion before?"
Upon hearing this, Yan Fengju's hands involuntarily clenched together, and she said with a mocking expression, "I mentioned it to my father, but he said that a woman confined to the inner quarters like me is not suited to appear in public. Besides... he has already found me a husband, and the engagement will be finalized in a few days. And..."
Tears welled in her eyes. She lifted her skirt and knelt down again, saying, "The husband they've chosen for me... has syphilis. I beg the Duke of Chu to spare my daughter..."
She prostrated herself on the ground, bowing silently, but her trembling shoulders revealed that she was weeping. Jiang Yu stood up and helped her up, saying, "There is an engineering exam at the Zhongshu Sheng government office tomorrow. You will participate. It's getting late, so you will stay at the Duke's mansion tonight."
Yan Fengju stared at Jiang Yu in shock, tears streaming down her face. She hadn't expected Jiang Yu to let her stay at the Duke of Chu's mansion that night. She'd heard she was taking the exam tomorrow and had planned to stay at an inn. Once she entered that house, she couldn't leave.
"Thank you, thank you." She bowed to Jiang Yu again. Jiang Yu asked Dong Shuang to take her away, and then called the steward Li Zhong and instructed him: "Go to the Grand Tutor's mansion and tell him that I met Miss Yan today and thought she was a talented person. Ask her to participate in tomorrow's engineering exam."
Her arrangement was to give face to the Grand Tutor's mansion. She wouldn't mention any of the sordid affairs within the mansion. If Grand Tutor Yan were smart, he would take the opportunity to back down, and then everyone would be happy.
However, if the Grand Tutor's mansion insists on taking Miss Yan back, then she won't be polite. Since Miss Yan came to her and offered herself, she should give her a chance. She also wants to use this incident to let more women in the inner quarters know that as long as a woman has the ability, she can also control her own life.
Upon receiving the order, Li Zhong quickly arrived at the Grand Tutor's residence. He presented a visiting card from the Duke of Chu's mansion, indicating his desire to see Master Yan. The gatekeeper, recognizing Li Zhong as someone from the Duke of Chu's mansion, immediately ushered him inside, while another servant went to report to the Grand Tutor.
A short while later, the servant returned and led Li Zhong to the main hall. Li Zhong waited there for a while before Master Yan arrived. Li Zhong immediately bowed and explained his purpose:
"When my master returned to the manor today, he happened to meet Miss Yan. Knowing that Miss Yan is proficient in arithmetic, he left her at the manor to participate in tomorrow's engineering exam. My master was afraid that your family would worry about Miss Yan, so he sent me to inform you, so as not to cause you any concern."
Master Yan Shuyang frowned slightly upon hearing Li Zhong's words, then smiled and said, "He's in the Duke of Chu's mansion. No wonder we couldn't find him anywhere in the mansion. Thank you, Duke of Chu. I will personally visit you tomorrow to express my gratitude."
After having Li Zhong sent away, Yan Shuyang immediately headed towards the backyard, unaware that Yan Fengju had left the manor. Reaching Madam Yan's courtyard quickly, he asked, "Did you know Fengju had left the manor?"
Madam Yan was taken aback, then gripped her handkerchief tightly, her face filled with confusion as she said, "I don't know, has Fengju left the manor?"
"The person is currently at the Duke of Chu's residence," Yan Shuyang said in a displeased tone.
Madam Yan immediately sent someone to the gatehouse to inquire about the situation, and then summoned Yan Fengju's aunt. A short while later, the maid returned from the gatehouse, saying that the gatekeepers hadn't seen the Third Miss that day. This meant that Yan Fengju hadn't left the mansion through the main gate.
At this moment, Yan Fengju's aunt, Aunt Pan, also arrived. As soon as she entered the room, she knelt down, head bowed, and remained silent. Madam Yan glanced at Yan Shuyang and, seeing the anger still on his face, smiled and said to Aunt Pan, "Get up. I called you here to ask you how Fengju left the manor today."
Aunt Pan did not get up, remaining kneeling on the ground. She did not answer Madam Yan's question, remaining kneeling in silence. Madam Yan looked troubled and turned to look at Yan Shuyang.
"Are you mute? I'm asking you a question," Yan Shuyang said sternly.
Aunt Pan remained silent. How could Yan Shuyang allow a concubine to challenge his authority? He stood up and glared at Aunt Pan, who was kneeling on the ground, and said, "Yan Fengju has found the Duke of Chu as her backer. Are you happy?"
Aunt Pan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. She looked up at Yan Shuyang and said, "Fengju told the master that she is excellent at arithmetic and asked him to recommend her to the court, but the master refused. Fengju can only think of other ways."
Her reckless attitude calmed Yan Shuyang down. She looked at Aunt Pan in silence for a moment, then said, "Fengju is about to get engaged to the fourth young master of the Fei family. How can she show her face in public at this time?"
"That young master Fei has syphilis. If Fengju doesn't fight for herself, is she just going to get infected after marriage and wait to die?" Aunt Pan was really going all out. Anyway, her daughter had a future, so she wasn't afraid of death.
Upon hearing her words, Yan Shuyang turned to look at Madam Yan and asked, "Does Fei Si have venereal disease?"
"This...I...I don't know!" Madam Yan's face showed panic. "Where did Aunt Pan find out? Don't be fooled."
Aunt Pan laughed, a mocking laugh. "The fourth young master of the Fei family spends all his time in the pomegranate grove. He has a prostitute at the Yingchun Pavilion. Last month, that prostitute died of syphilis. The fourth young master of the Fei family hasn't left his residence for over two months, and they've invited almost all the doctors from the capital, including two imperial physicians from the palace."
"This... I didn't know!" Madam Yan said with a guilty look on her face. She turned to Yan Shuyang and said, "My lord, I only thought of arranging this marriage because the Fei family is a good match for our family and Madam Fei is known for her virtue. I really didn't know that Fei Si had syphilis."
Aunt Pan lowered her head, her teeth clenched tightly. It was something almost everyone in the inner quarters of the capital knew, yet this First Madam was blatantly lying, claiming she knew nothing. However, her daughter had likely already been accepted by the Duke of Chu; their goal had been achieved, and there was no need to further provoke Madam Yan.
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