Xiao Xun kept his word. Not two days later, Chen Qing respectfully invited a nanny surnamed Jiang to the prince's residence.
Granny Jiang was about fifty years old. Her hair was neatly combed, her face was serious, but her eyes revealed a shrewd and capable nature.
She was originally an old servant who had served the Dowager Consort in the palace. She was first-rate in etiquette, manners, and household management. Later, she was released from the palace to live a life of leisure due to her advanced age. The fact that Xiao Xun invited her out of retirement this time shows how much he values Xin Jiuwei.
The arrival of Granny Jiang made Xin Jiuwei's life much more regular.
In the eyes of those haughty noble ladies, she was just a "country bumpkin" who "only got lucky and managed to marry the Sixth Prince." She had to become strong as soon as possible so that she wouldn't let Xiao Xun down and could stand confidently by his side.
Although Granny Jiang was strict, she greatly admired Xin Jiuwei's comprehension and resilience. She was especially impressed by Xin's focused attention and increasingly steady brushstrokes when she copied Xiao Xun's calligraphy; her eyes held a deeper meaning. This Miss Xin was not merely a pretty face.
The days slipped by quietly amidst the intense and fulfilling studies. Xin Yunzhou had fully recovered and returned to the affairs of the Ministry of War, though now his brows held a newfound composure and the sharpness of a soldier. Good news arrived from Yuncheng: Xin Wenhai had finally awakened. Although weak and requiring long-term recuperation, he was conscious and out of danger. Xin Jiuwei's worries were completely relieved, and her smile became even more genuine and radiant.
That day, Xin Jiuwei was practicing flower arranging in the warm pavilion, with Granny Jiang pointing out the matching of flowers and the artistic conception. A maid came to report that Miss Lin Jingshu from the Duke of Anguo's mansion had sent an invitation, inviting Xin Jiuwei to the residence of Academician Shen Wei of the Hanlin Academy in three days to attend a small "refined discussion" and to appreciate several newly acquired paintings and calligraphy from the previous dynasty.
"Lord Chenwei?" Xin Jiuwei put down the plum branch in her hand and looked at Granny Jiang. She was still getting to know the intricacies of the officials in the capital.
Granny Jiang pondered for a moment and said, "Lord Shen is a leader of the Qingliu faction, a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy, with profound knowledge and an upright character. His wife comes from a scholarly family in Jiangnan and is extremely refined. His family's gatherings are renowned in the capital, and only learned scholars or young ladies from truly elegant families are allowed to enter." She paused and looked at Xin Jiuwei, "Miss Lin's invitation to you is a kind gesture. However... there is a young lady in the Shen family named Shen Zhiwei, about the same age as you, who is known as the 'most talented woman in the capital.' She is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and her personality... is quite aloof. If you go, you must be careful of her."
"Shen Zhiwei?" Xin Jiuwei noted down the name. A proud and talented woman? It seems this gathering is not just a simple appreciation of paintings and tea.
"Don't worry, Granny, I'll remember." Xin Jiuwei nodded. Lin Jingshu meant well by helping her integrate into the circle, and she couldn't back down.
Three days later, at the Shen residence.
The Shen residence was not luxurious, but exuded a scholarly atmosphere. Pavilions and towers were decorated with bamboo and rocks, and famous paintings and calligraphy hung under the corridors. The air was filled with the faint scent of ink and tea. There were not many people attending the gathering, but they were all well-known talented men and women in the capital, and their clothing was mainly simple and elegant, without any extravagance.
Xin Jiuwei entered the flower hall accompanied by Lin Jingshu. She was still dressed in an elegant, moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with only a flawless white jade hairpin, a gift from Xiao Xun, adorning her hair. Her demeanor was serene. Her appearance still attracted many curious glances, especially from the talented men who were captivated by her beauty. However, many noble ladies looked at her with scrutiny and a hint of barely perceptible disdain.
"Sister Jing Shu, Sister Xin, you've arrived." A woman dressed in a light blue brocade dress, with a refined and elegant demeanor, greeted them. She was beautiful, with a scholarly air about her; she was Shen Wei's only daughter, Shen Zhiwei. Her gaze swept over Xin Jiuwei with a condescending scrutiny, as if appraising an object, finally settling on the jade hairpin in Xin Jiuwei's hair, a barely perceptible glint of something unusual flashing in her eyes.
"Sister Zhiwei." Lin Jingshu greeted them with a smile and introduced them, "This is Sister Xin, Jiuwei. Sister Jiuwei, this is Scholar Shen's beloved daughter, the renowned talented Miss Shen Zhiwei."
“Miss Shen.” Xin Jiuwei nodded slightly, neither humble nor arrogant.
“Miss Xin.” Shen Zhiwei’s voice was clear and pleasant, but lacked warmth. “I have long heard that Miss Xin is the beloved daughter of Prefect Xin of Yingzhou. Yingzhou… I have heard that it is located in the Central Plains and has a thriving literary culture?” She asked casually, but her tone carried a subtle sense of detachment from the “place”.
Xin Jiuwei answered frankly: "Yingzhou is indeed a place in the Central Plains, and its culture and education have inherited ancient traditions. Although my father was a common official, he valued education and often invited famous teachers to give lectures."
"Oh?" Shen Zhiwei's lips curved slightly, revealing a faint but unsatisfying smile. "Prefect Xin is diligent in his duties and loves his people, which is admirable. However, the elegance of the capital is ultimately different from the 'lecturing' in the provinces. Miss Xin is new here, so today is a good opportunity for her to broaden her horizons." In her words, she had already positioned herself as a representative of the "elegance of the capital" and positioned Xin Jiuwei as an outsider who needed to "broaden her horizons."
Lin Jingshu frowned slightly, just about to change the subject, when Shen Zhiwei turned around and led everyone to the center of the flower hall: "Please, everyone, what we are going to appreciate today is a copy of the painting 'Fishing in a Snowy Stream' by Wu Daozi, the painting master of the previous dynasty, which my father recently found. Although it is not the original, its brushwork and spirit are extremely rare."
The crowd gathered around, marveling at the painting and discussing its brushwork and artistic conception. Shen Zhiwei stood before the painting, speaking eloquently, quoting classical texts and speaking with profound wisdom, drawing frequent nods from the crowd and further solidifying her title as the "First Talented Woman." Occasionally, she would pose a question, her gaze seemingly intentionally or unintentionally sweeping over Xin Jiuwei.
Xin Jiuwei listened quietly without interrupting. She was indeed not as knowledgeable about calligraphy and painting as these noble ladies from the capital who had been immersed in this field for many years, but by carefully feeling the artistic conception in the paintings and combining it with the family lineage taught by Granny Jiang, she could understand some of the nuances and did not feel embarrassed.
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