When one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven; even the clumsy and simple-minded Qingxing became a female official.
There's really no way to reason with them.
Now, not to mention Jiang Shuwan, even Qingxing can act arrogantly in front of her.
Fortunately, Jiang Shuwan is still the same as before.
"Wanwan, I've never seen this incense burner before?"
Touching the cloisonné triangular lion-shaped incense burner on the table, Song asked curiously.
"It was a gift from His Majesty."
As soon as Jiang Shuwan finished speaking, the person Song had touched with withdrew.
"Imperial gifts are just displayed here so openly? Aren't they usually kept safe and protected?" Madam Song was shocked.
"...Well, there's no need for that. Imperial gifts are meant to be used. Does Mother like them? I have another one in my storage room. Mother can take one back with you when you leave."
As Jiang Shuwan spoke, she was about to instruct the maid to help Song Shi get dressed.
Pei Yanzhi lived up to expectations and won first place again in the re-examination of the imperial examination. The old emperor, as his patron, was not only proud of him but also bestowed many gifts upon him, among which this pair of cloisonné triangular lion-shaped incense burners was one.
"That won't do. A gift bestowed by the Emperor cannot be given away to others so easily."
Madam Song stared at the incense burner with great delight, but in the end, she resolutely shook her head.
Seeing the hesitation on her face, Jiang Shuwan dismissed the maid and guessed, "Mother, is there something you need me for?"
Madam Song immediately sat up straight, looked around and saw that there was no one else besides Qingxing, and said, "I would like to ask you to change Lingyu's job."
Jiang Shuwan: "..."
Jiang Shuwan almost spat out the mouthful of milk tea she had in her mouth.
She looked at Madam Song in disbelief, "You want me to find Pei Lingyu a better job?"
Staring at Song Shi, Jiang Shuwan fell silent.
Not long after the re-examination of the spring imperial examination in March or April, Jiang Yao moved back to the Jiang family home, refusing to return no matter how much Madam Ren invited her.
Lady Bo came to beg her, and she went back to the Jiang residence to ask Jiang Yao what she planned to do. Unexpectedly, Jiang Yao had come to her senses and wanted a divorce.
This was a tremendous stroke of good news for the Song family; the entire Jiang household was practically bursting with joy.
Unexpectedly, the Earl's family refused to leave, especially Pei Lingyu.
He was clearly very close to Xiao Taohong before, ignoring Jiang Yao. But as soon as he heard that Jiang Yao wanted a divorce, he started going to the Jiang residence every day to fawn over her. He didn't even go back to see Xiao Taohong when she gave birth to the eldest grandson of the Marquis's family in the middle of the night.
To win Jiang Yao's favor, he even donated money to become a county magistrate in the capital, a minor eighth-rank official. Although it was a lowly position, he had been on duty every day since taking office and had done a surprisingly good job.
After going back and forth like this, Jiang Yao softened and returned to the Earl's mansion.
Song was so angry that she fell ill. When Jiang Shuwan went back to see her, Song was still cursing and saying things like "Pei Lingyu is a shameless male vixen who seduced my daughter." She also slammed her hand on the edge of the bed and said firmly that she did not recognize Jiang Yao and wanted to sever ties with her.
How long has it been? They've already made up?
Are you even trying to get Pei Lingyu a government position?
“Wanwan, these gifts were actually prepared by your second sister and brother-in-law. They have always been thinking of you.” As she spoke, Madam Song stuffed the silk into Jiang Shuwan’s arms. “Especially this box of peach gum, which your second sister picked herself from the peach orchard.”
“This servant doesn’t believe what you’re saying, Madam. The Marquis and the Earl’s mansions are just on the same street. If you’re so interested, Second Miss can just come over directly.” Seeing her blatantly lying, Qingxing couldn’t help but interject.
Madam Song was immediately embarrassed. She had tried to persuade Jiang Yao, but Jiang Yao just wouldn't come no matter what.
Let alone begging Jiang Shuwan, she wouldn't even say a kind word.
Her good-for-nothing son-in-law, Pei Lingyu, was also putting on airs and refusing to come over.
Don't you think, what future can an eighth-rank county magistrate have?
Moreover, the Kyoto government has five county magistrates...
Poor thing, it's so tragic!
She wasn't the only one who shamelessly came over.
She grabbed a handful of claws and gave them to Qingxing, sending her outside to play. Inside the house, Jiang Shuwan calmly refused Song Shi's offer.
"It is a good thing that my mother is planning for my future with a loving heart, but how can I have the final say in the appointment and removal of officials in the court?"
"Isn't the young master the Vice Minister of Justice? If we let the young master handle this..."
"Even the Crown Prince won't do."
Jiang Shuwan refused again.
Even if she could do it, she wouldn't do it.
The Ministry of Justice is a place where a slight mistake can lead to a wrongful conviction; it's not a place where people can be easily placed.
"That Ministry of Revenue, I heard that the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue used to be the Crown Prince's subordinate?"
"That won't work either."
Song was a little unhappy that Jiang Shuwan rejected her suggestion twice.
"Wan, I've never asked you for anything before. You're someone I raised, after all. Are you really going to reject me like this?"
“Mother, have you forgotten that you came to me for help before because of the ice-making case?” Jiang Shuwan said earnestly.
"..."
"What do you mean? You're just going to refuse to help no matter what, right?"
"Good! You're very good!"
"We've been mother and daughter for so long, I never expected you wouldn't even help with something this small. I really misjudged you!"
Mrs. Song stormed off, making sure to take all the gifts with her when she left.
When they arrived at the Marquis's residence and Jiang Yao's courtyard, he threw another tantrum.
"As expected, children born to others are just impossible to raise!"
“I’ve been so good to her these past few days, treating her like my own daughter. I’ve said all sorts of nice things and begged her in a humble voice, but she just won’t budge an inch.”
"I've been so good to her for nothing!" Song slammed her hand on the table, her face flushed with anger.
"Mother, I told you long ago that she wouldn't help, but you wouldn't believe me and insisted on going to her place." Jiang Yao said as she brought over a cup of cold tea to calm her down.
"How dare you say that? If Pei Lingyu hadn't been so useless, why would I have had to beg her?" Beating her chest, Madam Song said, exasperated. "I told you to marry into the Marquis's family, but you wouldn't listen. Look at how glamorous Jiang Shuwan is now, and look at yourself—you haven't even had many clothes made this summer..."
Jiang Yao was also getting a little angry. "That's all ancient history, why are you still bringing it up!"
"How could I not read it? I'm doing this because I feel sorry for you. You always say I'm biased, but what I do is all for your sake."
As she spoke of Song Shi, her gaze fell upon the silk she had brought.
Jiang Yao was secretly delighted, "This is Mother's own money, so there's no need for her to help me out..."
Madam Song: "Quickly send these silks and peach gum pastries to the eldest young lady."
Jiang Yao: "..."
Ms. Song: "I argued with her in the heat of the moment, and now that I think about it, I really lost my mind..."
Jiang Yao: "..."
*******
Jiang Shuwan's courtyard.
Jiang Shuwan lay comfortably in the chair, a summer breeze blowing by, bringing the sweet aroma of milk tea.
These past few days, the weather has been getting hotter and hotter, so the old lady took Liu Yunyan to the outskirts of Beijing to escape the heat, and Qingxing's milk tea business has been getting better and better.
Smelling the sweet fragrance, Jiang Shuwan was about to fall asleep when she was awakened by Qingxing's footsteps.
"Miss, something terrible has happened! Our fields have been seized by someone!"
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