“Indeed.” Xin Jiuwei’s gaze was clear and firm. “I know that I come from humble origins and that my talents are inferior to those of noble ladies in the capital. But helping the weak and doing my best is a duty that transcends social status. Although the Xin family is far away in Yingzhou, my father has always taught me that an official should benefit the people in his jurisdiction. I have nothing of value but this sincere heart. I earnestly request that you, sister, introduce me to someone. I am willing to start with the most trivial tasks.”
Looking at Xin Jiuwei's earnest expression, Lin Jingshu couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration. After being made difficult by Shen Zhiwei, she did not choose to back down or harbor resentment. Instead, she wanted to gain a foothold by doing good deeds and working diligently. This kind of character and ambition was far superior to those noble ladies who only knew how to compete for favor.
"With such a kind heart from my younger sister, how could I not help her?" Lin Jingshu grasped Xin Jiuwei's hand. "The matriarch of the Ciyou Hall, the Marquis of Anguo, is the most reasonable and benevolent. I will take you to pay your respects to her tomorrow! Shen Zhiwei wants to suppress you in terms of 'talent and reputation,' but we will establish ourselves in terms of 'virtue'! Let her have nothing to say!"
"Thank you so much, sister!" Xin Jiuwei was deeply moved.
With Lin Jingshu's introduction, and considering Xin Jiuwei's calm demeanor, refined speech, and genuine kindness, the old lady of the Marquis of Anguo had a very good impression of her. After inquiring about her experiences in Yingzhou (Xin Jiuwei deliberately mentioned her father's policies of resettling refugees and encouraging agriculture), the old lady gladly agreed to let her join the orphanage, starting with assisting in managing the storeroom and keeping accounts. Although these were the most basic tasks, they also required the most patience and meticulousness, which would allow Xin Jiuwei to fully utilize her skills in housekeeping, which she was currently learning.
When the news reached Shen Zhiwei's ears, she was playing the zither. Upon hearing that Xin Jiuwei had actually joined the orphanage, and that it was the old lady of the Marquis of Anguo who had personally given her approval, the music stopped abruptly, emitting a piercing noise!
"The Orphanage? What right does she have?!" Shen Zhiwei's face turned ashen. That was her territory, cultivated over many years! It was a crucial place for her to earn her reputation for "both talent and virtue"! And Xin Jiuwei, this country bumpkin, actually dared to try and squeeze in?!
“Miss, please calm down,” Granny Zhou quickly advised. “What good will it do if she goes? She’ll just be doing a menial job managing the storeroom and keeping accounts! You’re the director, you have plenty of ways to make her unable to stay! Let her know what it means that even a ‘good guard’ can’t hold on!”
Shen Zhiwei's eyes flashed with a cold light: "Fine! She wants to 'hide in the depths of hell'? I'll make her 'hide' in the orphanage until she's utterly disgraced! Let's see how she 'makes a splash in the heavens'!"
Xin Jiuwei began her busy work at the orphanage. She arrived early every day, carefully counting the supplies and meticulously recording every income and expenditure. She was gentle and patient with the children, showing no airs of a noble lady. Using the bookkeeping methods she learned from Granny Jiang, she organized the previously somewhat chaotic storeroom and accounts into an orderly manner, earning the admiration of even the head nanny in charge.
Xiao Xun knew of her actions but did not stop her. He simply instructed Chen Qing to secretly send men to protect her near the orphanage to ensure her safety. Every day when he returned home, he listened to her recount the trivial matters at the orphanage—which child could recite poems, which nanny praised her for keeping clear accounts, the old lady of the Marquis of Anguo smiling at her today… Seeing the radiance in her eyes and that down-to-earth sense of fulfillment, his hardened heartstrings seemed to be quietly touched.
That evening, Xin Jiuwei was intently organizing the orphanage's accounts under the lamp. Xiao Xun finished his official duties and came over, sitting beside her and picking up the account book she had kept to look through. His handwriting still carried his distinctive style, but it was now neater, clearer, and more organized.
"Well done." He put down the ledger and suddenly spoke, his voice low and carrying a rare hint of approval, "You're just as good as the old accountants in my manor."
Xin Jiuwei raised her head and met his deep eyes. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but her eyes shone with the joy of being recognized: "Your Highness is too kind. Wei'er was just doing her best."
Looking into the light in her eyes, Xiao Xun's anger, which had been fueled by Shen Zhiwei's underhanded tactics, completely dissipated. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, his chin gently resting on the top of her head, inhaling the faint scent of ink and soap fumes emanating from her.
"Shen Zhiwei's tricks won't hurt you in the slightest." His voice rang out above her head, carrying absolute confidence and a hint of barely perceptible tenderness. "Do what you want. I... am here."
Xin Jiuwei nestled in his warm embrace, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, a sense of peace washing over her. Shen Zhiwei's schemes were like undercurrents in a gutter, sordid yet unable to see the light of day. But under the protection of Xiao Xun, this towering mountain, she was, in her own way, gradually establishing herself in the capital, radiating her own light. In this war without gunpowder, she had already begun to show her prowess.
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