The Xu Residence.
The study.
Xu Xuan brought Nian Jiaojiao to her own private study.
Even Xu Xuan herself couldn't freely enter her mother's study, let alone an outsider like Nian Jiaojiao.
As for Yu Chuan, he parted ways with Nian Jiaojiao at a crossroads and returned to his biological father's residence.
Men were not permitted to enter the study.
“Speak, which subject do you require my guidance on?”
The little loli, seated at the desk, had a proud and haughty expression.
“Uh… you first tell me what subjects there are,” Nian Jiaojiao said.
Xu Xuan was speechless:
“Why aren’t you attending the academy? What can you even learn in just these two days?”
Nian Jiaojiao shrugged:
“That’s none of your business. You just need to tell me which subjects are on the exam and lend me your books.”
Xu Xuan sighed:
“Fine, whatever you say.”
As she spoke, she stood up and took several thick books from the bookshelf behind her.
“The Tong Sheng exam includes ‘History of Da Yue,’ ‘History of Confucianism,’ ‘Arithmetic,’ and ‘Poetry, Lyrics, and Fu.’”
Nian Jiaojiao opened the first page of ‘History of Da Yue.’
Uh…
She was illiterate.
The script of the Da Yue Dynasty bore some resemblance to ancient Traditional Chinese characters, forming square blocks.
However, the specific forms of the characters were different.
“Wait a moment.”
Nian Jiaojiao decisively interrupted Xu Xuan’s lengthy introduction.
“What is it now?”
Xu Xuan said impatiently.
“Besides these books, you need to add one more.”
Nian Jiaojiao said with a serious expression.
“What?”
“A ‘Dictionary.’”
Xu Xuan: “……”
If this idiot can pass, I’ll kick my head around like a ball!
The ‘Dictionary’ was one Xu Xuan had used when she was ten. She searched for a while among the piles of clutter before finding it.
A thin layer of dust had settled on it.
Xu Xuan, with a look of disdain, threw it on the table: “Here!”
Nian Jiaojiao picked up the dictionary and blew on it gently…
“Cough… cough… What are you doing!”
Xu Xuan, caught off guard, inhaled a face full of dust.
“My apologies.”
Nian Jiaojiao said with a face devoid of remorse.
“You!”
Xu Xuan was so angry she puffed up like a pufferfish.
Nian Jiaojiao suddenly felt that this Xu Xuan wasn’t so detestable, just a bit spoiled.
She opened the ‘Dictionary’ and said seriously, “Alright, alright, don’t be angry. Let’s get down to business.”
“You have absolutely no foundation. Are you asking me to start from scratch?”
Xu Xuan looked shocked.
Although her mother had asked her to explain things to this scoundrel, it was only meant to tide her over for a couple of days.
“Yes, don’t worry, I’m very easy to tutor!”
Nian Jiaojiao continued with a smile, “How about this, start reading from the first character, and once you finish this ‘Dictionary,’ that’s it.”
“Just reading the ‘Dictionary’ will take two days, and there are still so many other books!”
“Heh, once this dictionary is finished, that’s all. I won’t trouble you further.”
Hearing Nian Jiaojiao say this, Xu Xuan’s eyes darted around: “Then… Mother’s side…”
Nian Jiaojiao understood perfectly: “I will thank you for your patient explanation at Gao Zhang’s place, and I won’t make things difficult for you.”
“You said it yourself!”
Xu Xuan nimbly pulled a chair over to the table and sat down, then pointed to the seat beside her: “Sit!”
“Alright, let’s start with the first character on the first page.”
Seeing her shake her head and wag her chin, appearing like an old scholar, Nian Jiaojiao couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
“…This character is the character ‘Yue’… Yue as in the moon, and also the Yue of our Great Yue Dynasty. As the saying goes, ‘Yue’…”
“Wait a minute!” Nian Jiaojiao interrupted.
“What is it?” Xu Xuan, caught in the flow of her explanation, glanced at her unhappily.
“Miss Xu, you are explaining very well and in great detail, but apart from the characters in this dictionary and their meanings, you don’t need to elaborate so much afterward.”
Xu Xuan listened and said displeasedly, “I’m explaining the meaning of the characters!”
“Yes, yes, yes, but it’s too verbose. Just be concise.”
Nian Jiaojiao extended her index finger and lightly tapped the character on the paper.
“Take this character ‘Yue’ for example. Just say it’s ‘Yue,’ the ‘Yue’ of the moon, and then move on to the next character.”
“See, this way, your explanation will be faster, and if everything goes smoothly, you might even finish before noon tomorrow.”
“Fine, whatever you say!”
Xu Xuan rolled her eyes, inwardly cursing this Nian Jiaojiao for being ungrateful.
Why was she saying so much and wasting her breath!
…
Noon.
The main hall of the Xu Residence.
Nian Jiaojiao and Yu Chuan were seated at the table.
To her left was Xu Xuan, and further left were three men, presumably Yu Chuan’s brothers.
Mother Xu and Father Xu sat directly opposite.
Of course, the Father Xu here referred to Mother Xu’s official husband, Xu Xuan’s father. Yu Chuan’s father was not qualified to dine in the main hall.
“I think Jiaojiao might not remember everyone. Fan, introduce them to Jiaojiao. It’s important to recognize family members.”
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao looking at her three sons with a blank expression, Mother Xu spoke to Father Xu beside her.
After Father Xu’s introduction, everyone at the table had different expressions.
From Father Xu’s introduction, Nian Jiaojiao clarified the family structure and summarized in her mind:
This Xu family had two daughters and five sons, a thriving lineage…
The eldest son, Xu Sheng, was of the main wife and had already married, so he was not at home.
The second daughter, Xu Qing, had passed the Tong Sheng exam last year and was currently attending the academy.
The third son was Xu Yu Chuan.
The legitimate daughter, Xu Xuan, was the sixth child.
At the table, counting from Xu Xuan’s left, were the fourth son, fifth son, and seventh son. All three were from concubines.
Nian Jiaojiao observed them slightly. The Xu sons shared about a third of their likeness but differed in style.
The fourth son, Xu Nan, appeared refined and scholarly, with gentle eyebrows and eyes.
The fifth son, Xu Ruo Liu, had a more effeminate beauty.
The sixth son, Xu Wu Shuang, still had baby fat on his face, looking round and cherishing, possessing a touch of pretty cuteness.
“I heard Mother mention that the third daughter is going to participate in the imperial examinations?”
The sixth son, Xu Wu Shuang, looked at Nian Jiaojiao curiously and suddenly spoke.
Nian Jiaojiao had just picked up a chicken leg and was about to put it in her mouth. Hearing the sudden question, she could only place the chicken leg back into her bowl.
She gave a dry chuckle: “Hehe, yes.”
Upon hearing Nian Jiaojiao’s reply, the fifth son, Xu Ruo Liu, on the side also seemed to become interested.
“I wonder if the third daughter will be participating in this year’s imperial examinations?”
Nian Jiaojiao nodded haphazardly.
Damn it, why were there so many questions from everyone while eating!
I want to eat meat!
“Oh! Then won’t the third daughter be participating in the imperial examinations before the sixth sister?”
Xu Ruo Liu raised an eyebrow, with a half-smile, and asked Xu Xuan again: “Sixth sister, I heard you were discussing academics with the third daughter today. I assume you must have benefited greatly.”
Xu Xuan: ???
Benefited what? Greatly how?
She had been teaching someone to recognize characters the entire time!
Nian Jiaojiao’s smile also faded at this moment.
She had finally realized that this sixth son was likely not here with good intentions.
It seemed that the other party had already inquired about her situation through the servants.
Now, by bringing it up publicly, was he trying to embarrass her?
No, she hadn’t had any interactions with him, so why would they be at odds?
Nian Jiaojiao looked at Yu Chuan beside her.
He’s targeting my Chuan’er!
Yu Chuan had already become wary when Xu Ruo Liu started speaking. Before Xu Xuan could reply, he immediately responded:
“My wife has only been studying for a short time. It’s good for her to gain some experience by participating in this imperial examination.”
Nian Jiaojiao felt a warmth in her heart.
My Chuan’er is so heartwarming, immediately defending me!
However, he still lacks confidence in his own wife…