"Mother."
After they were led into the room, Yu Chuan spoke first.
"Gao Zhang."
Nian Jiaojiao also called out, then performed a scholar's bow.
Mrs. Xu was startled to see Nian Jiaojiao, then reacted:
"Are you from the Nian family?"
Nian Jiaojiao, unfazed by her cold attitude, bowed again and said, "Yes, Gao Zhang."
Seeing her demeanor, Mrs. Xu was somewhat surprised.
Respectful, yet not lacking in spirit.
This was a stark contrast to her previous fawning and obsequious appearance.
"Remarkable. What brings you to my residence?"
Nian Jiaojiao, knowing that the other party was alluding to her not visiting for years, feigned ignorance:
"There was a misunderstanding with Chuan'er last time, and he stayed at his maternal home for quite a while. Today, I have specifically come to apologize to Gao Zhang."
"Oh?"
Mrs. Xu glanced at her and took a sip of tea.
Nian Jiaojiao swallowed as she observed her leisurely posture.
She had been here for so long, yet this Gao Zhang hadn't even offered them a cup of tea.
She truly wasn't welcome.
Silence settled in the living room for a moment before Mrs. Xu spoke again:
"Since you have sincerely come to apologize, I shall not dwell on it."
Nian Jiaojiao, seeing the other's attitude, realized there was no prospect of them staying overnight, let alone sharing a meal.
She put on a look of filial affection:
"Gao Zhang, I was ignorant before, but now I wish to reform and pursue scholarly achievements."
"After deciding on this path and learning more, I realized how extraordinary Gao Zhang is."
As Nian Jiaojiao spoke, she observed Mrs. Xu's expression. Seeing that her complexion had softened slightly, she continued:
"As a scholar who ranked high on the imperial examination, Gao Zhang is destined to pass the provincial examination in the future."
"Today, I am inspired by Gao Zhang and wish to seek some guidance."
Mrs. Xu put down her teacup and said slowly:
"A prodigal daughter returning is more valuable than gold. It is a good thing."
"However, it is a bit late to begin studying now."
Seeing Mrs. Xu relent, Nian Jiaojiao immediately said:
"In ancient times, there was Mother Qin who encouraged learning; today, there is Gao Zhang guiding her daughter-in-law."
"Your daughter-in-law does not seek guaranteed success, only the peace of mind from doing her best."
[Mother Qin Encouraged Learning]: In the early days of the Great Yue Dynasty, a woman from the Qin family was late to develop a fondness for pleasure and was unmotivated. Later, through various encouragements from Mother Qin, the Qin daughter had a thorough realization and finally passed the provincial examination, becoming a high official.
Mother Qin's name was celebrated for generations, and by comparing Mrs. Xu to Mother Qin, Nian Jiaojiao was subtly advising her daughter-in-law.
Indeed, Mrs. Xu's face broke into a smile:
"Well said. In that case, you and Chuan'er can rest at my residence for two days before leaving, after clarifying the examination format."
She then looked at Xu Xuan:
"Xuan'er, you will be participating in the examination next year. I will have you responsible for..."
She paused slightly here, intending to use Nian Jiaojiao's given name to show closeness, but couldn't recall it for a moment, so she continued:
"Responsible for explaining the preliminary scholar examination to Nian Shi. Perhaps you two will be taking the examination together next year."
Nian Jiaojiao was greatly relieved.
She knew that Mrs. Xu lacked nothing materially at this point.
Instead, "reputation" was more precious than any gold or silver.
If the story of "Gao Zhang guiding her daughter-in-law" spread from the Xu residence, she could imagine the immense boost to Mrs. Xu's prestige.
"Mother, how can you be swayed by a few words from this shameless person? She..."
"You shut up! Have you fed your studies to the dogs?"
Mrs. Xu glared sternly at Xu Xuan.
Did Xu Xuan mean to imply that she, Mrs. Xu, was incapable of guiding Nian Jiaojiao?
Despite Xu Xuan claiming to respect her mother, she spoke like this.
Furthermore, Mrs. Xu was participating in the provincial examination next year, and her reputation was of utmost importance.
Xu Xuan's statement was equivalent to ruining her prospects.
Even her own daughter could not do this!
Xu Xuan was frightened by Mrs. Xu's expression.
Mrs. Xu had long commanded authority in the Xu household, and in her relationship with Xu Xuan, she had always played the role of a strict mother, not a doting one.
Xu Xuan quickly stood up, bowed to Mrs. Xu, and said, breaking into a cold sweat:
"Yes, Mother."
Seeing Xu Xuan agree, Mrs. Xu's expression softened:
"Xuan'er, you have never disappointed me. Nian Shi is your brother's wife; I hope you will treat her with sincerity."
Xu Xuan replied obediently:
"Yes, Mother, your daughter will certainly do her best."
Mrs. Xu nodded with satisfaction, then waved her hand wearily:
"Alright, you may all leave."
The three bowed to Mrs. Xu and left the hall.
Nian Jiaojiao and Yu Chuan followed behind Xu Xuan.
After walking for a while, once they were a good distance from the main hall, Xu Xuan stopped, turned, and glared fiercely at Nian Jiaojiao:
"You shameless person, you think you can pass the preliminary scholar examination? I doubt you even know all your characters."
At this moment, Nian Jiaojiao had shed her obsequious demeanor from the hall. She straightened her back and said calmly:
"Whether I can pass or not is not for my sister-in-law Xu to worry about."
"Who is your sister-in-law? Don't call me that!"
Xu Xuan jumped up like a startled cat, pointing at Nian Jiaojiao:
"Don't casually claim kinship! Who do you think you are?"
She then pointed at Yu Chuan:
"This person isn't even worthy of me calling him 'brother,' hmph, just a son born to a concubine, and..."
Nian Jiaojiao stepped forward to shield Yu Chuan, glaring at the other:
"If you can't speak properly, then don't speak. Also, pointing at others so casually, is this the upbringing in the Xu household?"
"If you don't want to guide me, just say so. I'll withdraw my request from Gao Zhang immediately."
Saying this, she turned and made a move to walk back towards the main hall.
As soon as she lifted her foot, she heard a flustered voice from behind:
"Wait... wait a moment."
Nian Jiaojiao did not turn around.
The person behind her spoke in exasperation:
"I, I didn't say I wouldn't guide you. What are you so arrogant about?"
Hmph...
Nian Jiaojiao sneered inwardly.
Wasn't it someone else who was instigating trouble?
She continued to walk forward.
Xu Xuan became anxious and grabbed Nian Jiaojiao's sleeve:
"I told you, I'll guide you. Don't bother Mother."
Nian Jiaojiao finally stopped.
"Oh? Then let's go."
Xu Xuan was taken aback and blurted out:
"Go where?"
Nian Jiaojiao raised her eyebrows:
"To the study, of course. Aren't you going to guide me? Lead the way."
Xu Xuan looked bewildered and instinctively stepped forward to lead, mumbling:
"How does this person have two faces? She wasn't like this in the hall just now..."
Nian Jiaojiao stared at Xu Xuan's back, guessing her character of bullying the weak and fearing the strong, and urged her without politeness:
"Hurry up! Since you know it's hard for me to pass, do you want to waste my time?"
"Oh, oh, oh."
Xu Xuan quickened her pace.
Nian Jiaojiao felt the person beside her trembling and thought that Xu Xuan's words had hurt Yu Chuan.
She was about to comfort him when she realized he was struggling to suppress a laugh.
Nian Jiaojiao took Yu Chuan's hand, her eyes asking:
Are you alright?
Yu Chuan shook his head.
How could those words affect him?
If he were to dwell on such things, he would have died of anger long before he reached this point.
The Xu family had two daughters.
One was Xu Xuan, the legitimate daughter born to his master.
There was another, like him, born to a concubine, a concubine's daughter.
However, because she was female, her treatment was incomparable to his, a male concubine's son.
This concubine's daughter took pleasure in bullying him.
On the other hand, Xu Xuan, the legitimate daughter, had always kept to herself and never interfered with him.