When Nian Jiaojiao emerged victorious, she tiptoed her way towards the Patriarch of the main Qiu family.
The Qiu family Patriarch, looking at the boyish Nian Jiaojiao, found her more pleasing the more he looked.
Indeed, throughout history, true geniuses had always possessed some quirks.
Sensing the gaze upon her, Nian Jiaojiao’s small movements increased.
She fiddled with her toes, tugged at her hem, and played with her fingers.
The Luo family Patriarch beside them felt a pang of bitterness.
Their family's five-year plan had been thwarted by such a person?
The other Patriarchs also wore complex expressions.
In the attic.
The young masters of the prominent families had mixed opinions about the victor.
Luo Jin: "How is this possible? Hasn't the winner of the family competition always been an exceptional individual? How can this person possibly bear that title!?"
Yu Huan: "That person won the competition through their own abilities, so they naturally deserve it."
Cui Tong: "I also feel that Miss Qiu is exceptionally formidable."
Shangguan Yan: "For a woman, talent is most important, and her appearance is not bad either."
Luo Jin pouted and looked at Cui Qingluo, tilting his head to ask, "What do you think?"
Cui Qingluo seemed distracted, slowly replying, "What does it matter to me how that person is?"
Luo Jin let out a scoff: "Heh, indeed. Although you are from a noble family, don't you always look down on women from distinguished backgrounds? Cui Qingluo, Cui Qingluo, you must remain consistent with this belief!"
...
Qiu Manor.
After Nian Jiaojiao and the others returned to Qiu Manor, the beaming Qiu family Patriarch immediately sent for Qiu Shu.
At this moment, Nian Jiaojiao and the Qiu family Patriarch were alone in the study.
The Qiu family Patriarch said:
"In the past, our Qiu family has had victors, but that was a very long time ago, and they were always people sent from our main lineage. This year, it's unexpected that your Qingzhou branch has produced such talent.
So, I will grant the rewards for the Qingzhou Qiu family, but I will also give you a personal reward. Is there anything you desire? Tell me."
Nian Jiaojiao's heart stirred upon hearing this.
Previously, Qiu Hezi had already told her that she would receive the individual reward for winning, as thanks for her help in Shazhou.
She already had an idea in mind regarding the reward.
However, Nian Jiaojiao did not immediately reveal her thoughts.
Seeing her hesitation, the Qiu family Patriarch assumed it was because she was young and shy, embarrassed to speak up.
She said heartily:
"Do you want gold? A mansion in the royal city? Or even an enrollment quota for the four great academies of the royal city? I can satisfy all of these for you!"
Nian Jiaojiao, feigning having finally mustered the courage, said:
"Money is sufficient. I am accustomed to living in Qingzhou and have no intention of coming to the royal city, so a mansion there holds little meaning for me. However, I do have a small personal interest..."
The Qiu family Patriarch was initially taken aback, then felt a flicker of unease.
A "small" interest?
A personal hobby?
Why did she detect a hint of perversion in her words?
She eyed Nian Jiaojiao strangely, afraid that she might request beautiful women as a reward.
As the Qiu family Patriarch, finding beautiful women was not difficult, but this would truly tarnish her "reputation."
Nian Jiaojiao, unaware that the other had already gone down the wrong path, continued:
"Actually, it's nothing major, I just personally enjoy collecting books on cultivation."
The Qiu family Patriarch frowned:
"You haven't ascended yet, and Qiu Shu is already discussing such matters with you juniors so early."
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head repeatedly:
"Patriarch, please don't misunderstand. I merely wish to observe cultivation books outside of the Dao of Calligraphy."
The Qiu family's cultivation books naturally focused on the "Dao of Calligraphy." Nian Jiaojiao's implication was that she would not delve into the core aspects of the family.
Although the Qiu family Patriarch found her request somewhat strange, she felt a sense of relief.
After a moment of thought, she said:
"The library should only contain cultivation methods related to the Dao of Zither and the Dao of Martial Arts. Although these methods are precious, you have made such a significant contribution, you deserve a reward!
I will send someone to escort you to the library to choose. You can transcribe anything that interests you."
Nian Jiaojiao immediately expressed her gratitude:
"Thank you, Patriarch!"
But then, she seemed to recall something and asked:
"Patriarch, I was just wondering, if my friend wanted to learn this method..."
The Qiu family Patriarch understood immediately.
So, this junior was seeking cultivation paths for her friend.
This greatly improved her impression of Nian Jiaojiao.
She casually waved her hand:
"The books are yours now, and you are free to handle them as you wish."
After all, the entire Qiu family was established on the "Dao of Calligraphy." The martial arts methods were rudimentary, and no one practiced the Dao of Zither, so she had no intention of imposing further restrictions.
At this moment, Qiu Shu arrived at the study with a servant.
She looked at Nian Jiaojiao excitedly and exclaimed loudly:
"I knew you could do it! ... Xiao Yu."
"Aunt Nian!"
Nian Jiaojiao blushed and whispered:
"You flatter me, I... I was just lucky."
The Qiu family Patriarch said to Qiu Shu:
"I asked you to come here to discuss the family rewards for your Qingzhou branch. Coincidentally, Qiu Yu, go with the butler to the library to fetch books."
Having said that, she summoned the butler and gave him a few instructions.
...
Library.
Nian Jiaojiao followed the butler to the library. The library was surrounded by patrols, and four guards stood watch at the entrance.
Upon entering the library, the butler did not proceed further but called out into the library:
"Elder Guan, Elder Guan."
At this, an old woman appeared like a ghost.
The butler bowed respectfully to her and explained his purpose.
Elder Guan did not even glance at the butler and walked inside. The butler consciously withdrew, closing the library door.
"What are you doing? Keep up."
Elder Guan, leaning on her cane, stopped and said to Nian Jiaojiao, who remained standing where she was, with her back turned.
"Ah, oh, alright, alright."
Nian Jiaojiao, no longer concerned about her "persona," quickly quickened her pace and followed Elder Guan.
Fifth floor.
Elder Guan walked to a bookshelf in a secluded corner and said:
"The books you want are over here. After you've browsed them, please return them to their original places."
Then, as if performing a magic trick, she produced a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone and handed them to Nian Jiaojiao.
Nian Jiaojiao thanked her, and then saw Elder Guan vanish from her spot like smoke.
What skill!
Nian Jiaojiao's eyes held a look of envy.
...
An hour later, Nian Jiaojiao left the Qiu family library, satisfied with the transcribed manuscripts.
...
Cui Family.
The Cui family Patriarch summoned her two sons and said:
"Tong'er, you have reached marriageable age, and Qingluo is also nearing it. I called you here today to ask for your thoughts on arranging your marriages soon."
In her view, as long as the families were well-matched, she wanted to satisfy her sons' wishes as much as possible.
Cui Qingluo unhesitatingly refused:
"Mother, my affairs are not yet settled. It's not too late to get engaged in a couple more years."
The Cui family Patriarch asked, puzzled:
"Of all the excellent young ladies from noble families today, is there not one you fancy?"