Lei Juan also chimed in, "Junior Sister Nian, may I speak with you privately?"
Nian Jiaojiao nodded and led Lei Juan and Qiu Hezi to the main hall.
Qiu Hezi stated, "I have a small favor to ask of you, Junior Sister Nian."
Nian Jiaojiao looked at them curiously. She had wondered why they visited so early. It seemed they were waiting for her.
"Senior Sister Qiu, please proceed," Nian Jiaojiao said.
Qiu Hezi nodded. "Junior Sister Nian, you should know that aside from Qingzhou, other prefectures also have branches of the miscellaneous studies school, and the Royal City is the headquarters of this school."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded. Lei Shijie had already briefed her on these basic details, so she was aware.
Qiu Hezi continued, "Our Qiu family in Qingzhou is the same. The Qiu family in the Royal City is our main branch. It's just that our younger generation in Qingzhou is too disappointing; none of the younger ones are promising. The main family has called for a gathering, and it would be one thing if we embarrassed ourselves at home, but this time the main family is gathering to compete with other families in the Royal City, so..."
Before Qiu Hezi could finish, Nian Jiaojiao interjected, "So you want me to represent Qingzhou in the competition?"
Qiu Hezi was taken aback and praised, "Junior Sister Nian is indeed quick-witted."
Nian Jiaojiao added, "However, as an outsider, I obviously cannot participate in a competition for a branch. Do you plan to help me assume a new identity?"
Qiu Hezi nodded with a smile. "Exactly. I plan to have Junior Sister Nian assume the identity of a junior member of our Qingzhou Qiu family branch to participate in this competition."
Nian Jiaojiao agreed without hesitation. "Certainly." For her, this was not difficult. Compared to acquiring precious cultivation methods, she was the one gaining the advantage.
Qiu Hezi was delighted. "That's wonderful! It's settled then!"
"Wait a moment, Senior Sister Qiu, I have one more request," Nian Jiaojiao suddenly said.
"Oh? Please, Junior Sister Nian."
Nian Jiaojiao smiled. "Can I choose the person whose identity I will assume? Since I'll be playing someone else, I might be able to portray the character better if I choose them myself."
Qiu Hezi laughed heartily. "Hahaha, that's no problem at all. I didn't realize Junior Sister Nian also studies acting! However, this is urgent. Junior Sister Nian, you'll accompany me to the Qiu family to select someone today!"
"Alright."
...
Qiu Residence.
Main Hall.
The head of the Qiu family appeared to be around 40 years old and was a very robust woman.
Upon seeing Qiu Hezi, she respectfully bowed and called out, "Aunt."
Nian Jiaojiao found it a bit strange. Qiu Hezi seemed to be the same age as the head of the Qiu family.
Lei Juan leaned closer to Nian Jiaojiao and whispered in her ear, "Senior Sister Qiu has a higher seniority within the Qiu family."
At this moment, the head of the Qiu family looked at Lei Juan and called out, "Aunt Lei."
Lei Juan, being a disciple of Elder Qiu, clearly was not visiting the Qiu family for the first time. She seemed quite familiar with the head of the Qiu family.
When the head of the Qiu family shifted her gaze to Nian Jiaojiao, a flash of "astonishment" crossed her eyes.
Qiu Hezi had already greeted the head of the Qiu family and knew that the person before them was their junior sister.
Therefore, she respectfully greeted her, "Greetings, Aunt Nian."
Then, she added with flattery, "Aunt Nian, you are indeed as the rumors say, possessing the grace of a dragon and phoenix."
Nian Jiaojiao's face flushed slightly. She was being called "Aunt" by an elder who was older than her own mother. However, she knew the importance of seniority, especially in large families, so she didn't say much.
At this moment, Qiu Hezi said, "Alright, call in the few juniors who have been shortlisted."
"Yes!"
Before long, the head of the Qiu family entered with five junior members of the Qiu family. These individuals appeared to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, likely of the same age as Nian Jiaojiao.
As they entered, their eyes were filled with curiosity. The head of the Qiu family had not explained the situation to them, only saying that she had a task to assign.
Qiu Hezi and Lei Juan knew them, and they respectfully paid their respects and greeted them upon entering.
At this moment, the head of the Qiu family pointed at Nian Jiaojiao and said, "This is your Grandmother Nian. Hurry and pay your respects!"
The five juniors: ???
Seeing their bewildered expressions, Nian Jiaojiao found it somewhat amusing. She turned to the head of the Qiu family and said, "Never mind, let's get down to business."
Qiu Hezi also said to the head of the Qiu family, "Brief Junior Sister Nian about the situations of these individuals."
After the introduction by the head of the Qiu family, Nian Jiaojiao had a clearer picture. Besides being close in age, these five people shared another commonality: ordinariness. They studied in ordinary academies and socialized with rather ordinary people. In short, they didn't stand out much.
Of course, one person was a slight exception. This person was the most attractive among the five, and her eyes bore some resemblance to Nian Jiaojiao's.
Nian Jiaojiao pondered for a moment and then pointed to the most attractive woman. "I've decided, it will be her."
Everyone present was quite surprised by Nian Jiaojiao's decision.
After the five juniors retreated, Qiu Hezi couldn't help but say, "Junior Sister Nian, the junior you just chose, she, she has a bit of a..."
Nian Jiaojiao blinked. "Motherly tone?"
"Ahem, yes." Qiu Hezi felt a bit awkward speaking ill of a junior.
Lei Juan also said, "Junior Sister Nian, you're not picking her just because she's pretty, are you?"
Nian Jiaojiao raised her eyebrows. "This person's eyes are similar to mine, so the disguise will be more convincing. Besides, with such a distinct characteristic as a motherly tone, it'll be easier to portray." In this world, that woman had a somewhat motherly tone. But in Nian Jiaojiao's eyes, it was merely like those delicate and charming women from her previous life. She felt no psychological burden in imitating her. Moreover, precisely because of her motherly tone, she had the fewest friends among the five. Her father died early, her mother rarely saw her disgraced daughter, and she had only one friend. What better environment for disguise could there be?
Seeing Lei Juan and Qiu Hezi's disbelief, Nian Jiaojiao pulled on Lei Juan's sleeve, swayed her body from side to side, and pouted in a cutesy manner, "Senior Sister Lei~ Why don't you believe me anymore? Jiao Jiao is so wronged~ but Jiao Jiao won't say..."
Upon hearing this, the three adult women present shivered. Lei Juan, as if seeing a ghost, retreated repeatedly and pleaded, "I know, I know, Junior Sister Nian, please return to normal. I really can't take it."
The head of the Qiu family stepped forward at the opportune moment and praised, "As expected of Aunt Nian, your portrayal is truly convincing. Your motherly tone even surpasses that of my junior relative."
Hearing this, Qiu Hezi couldn't help but say, "Qiu Shu, you truly are... suited to be the head of the family."
Qiu Shu humbly replied, "You flatter me, Aunt."
...
Two hours later.
Nian Jiaojiao returned to the Nian Residence with the information on the junior member of the Qiu family. Tonight, she would memorize the other person's life story and carefully study their personality to facilitate a better immersion during her portrayal.