Chapter 17

The Jiang family banquet was held once a month.

Amidst candlelight and fine wine, with exquisite delicacies laid out, Grand Tutor Jiang arrived somewhat late.

He walked in with hands clasped behind his back, wearing a stern and solemn expression. Though dressed simply in plain, casual clothes, he carried an imposing presence that commanded respect from his children and grandchildren.

Jiang Liang stepped forward to assist him to his seat, and everyone greeted him in unison. His keen eyes swept over the grandchildren, then he signaled for everyone to take their seats.

“Grandfather, I have recently composed an essay. I humbly ask for your guidance.”

Upon hearing Jiang Yi’s voice, Jiang Si immediately knew what was to come.

After Grand Tutor Jiang uttered the word “Recite,” Jiang Yi began to read his essay with fervent emotion.

Among this generation of the Jiang family, there were seven grandchildren. Except for Jiang Huan, who was honing his skills in the capital, and the late Jiang Wei, the others were present.

Among the grandchildren not yet in official service, Jiang Yi was the most prominent. Partly because he was the sole heir of the second branch, and partly because compared to the stuttering, taciturn Jiang Yu and the very young Jiang Qilang Jiang Xuan, he held a clear advantage.

He finished reading with great pride. After all, it was a work he had painstakingly polished; naturally, it had merits and earned a few words of praise from Grand Tutor Jiang.

That alone was enough for him to look down on the others.

Jiang Xuan was still young and incapable of composing essays, so he recited a classic work by a predecessor. Thanks to his clear articulation and fluent recitation, he also received Grand Tutor Jiang’s commendation.

Jiang Yu kept his head lowered, as if all of this were irrelevant to him.

“Fourth brother, didn’t you also compose an essay recently?” Jiang Si asked innocently, her voice neither too loud nor too soft.

All eyes turned to him, each gaze laden with complexity.

Jiang Yi chuckled lightly. “Fourth brother, since you have an essay, why not read it aloud for Grandfather?”

Jiang Si, seemingly unable to detect the mockery in his words, chimed in, “Fourth brother, your writing is so good, why not share it with us?”

Jiang Yu looked at her with eyes full of fear and pleading. Fear stemmed from his stutter, unwilling to embarrass himself before the elders; pleading was his hope that she wouldn’t egg him on.

She sighed inwardly but maintained an expression of innocent cheerfulness.

No one knew that before every family banquet, Jiang Yu meticulously prepared an essay but had never displayed it before the elders.

The silent efforts made unseen by others—the loneliness and self-doubt of walking that path alone—no one could empathize with her more deeply.

“Fourth brother, I want to hear you read it. Take your time; I’m sure I’ll understand.”

“Can I... really?” Jiang Yu’s palms were sweaty.

Jiang Yi, still enjoying the spectacle, said, “Fourth brother, just read it. We’re all family; none of us will laugh at you.”

“Fifth brother, what are you saying?” Jiang Si looked at him, puzzled and doubtful. “Fourth brother’s essays are so good—why would anyone laugh at him?”

Jiang Yi wore an expression that said some things were better left unsaid. “Fifth sister, you spend a lot of time with Fourth brother recently. You should understand best.”

“I don’t,” Jiang Si looked even more confused. “Fourth brother not only writes well but is also an excellent teacher. When he explains something, it flows like a mighty river—I understand it all at once.”

“Mighty river?” Jiang Yi laughed, but seeing the elders all watching him, he quickly swallowed his mockery. “Fourth brother, since Fifth sister says so, if you don’t read it aloud, wouldn’t that be letting down her praise?”

“Fourth brother, you can do it!” Jiang Si looked at Jiang Yu with eyes full of trust and admiration.

Jiang Yu felt a warmth in his heart, as if his blood was heating up. When he came to his senses, he found himself standing.

Before he could hesitate even a moment, Jiang Si had already brought out the prepared essay.

“Oh,” Jiang Yi’s annoying voice rang out again, “So Fourth brother really came prepared.”

Jiang Si shot him a glare, then turned to Jiang Yu: “Fourth brother, don’t read too fast, or I won’t understand.”

Jiang Yu nodded and took a deep breath before beginning.

He read slowly at first, each word seeming to leap out one by one; then he found his rhythm and gradually increased his pace. Though far from fluent or melodious by normal standards, there was no stuttering.

That alone brought tears to Lady Xie’s eyes.

Others were surprised.

Jiang Liang murmured, “Madam, is Fourth Young Master getting better?”

Lady Xie’s voice trembled with emotion. “Lately, Fourth Young Master has been teaching Fifth Miss to read every day. Fifth Miss is kind-hearted and gets along well with him. He has benefited greatly from it.”

So that was why.

Jiang Liang glanced at Jiang Si and thought she was nothing but childish. Perhaps precisely because of that, Fourth Young Master was willing to be close to her.

After Jiang Yu finished reading, Jiang Si immediately applauded. “Fourth brother, you’re amazing!”

Her applause puzzled others, but Lady Xie was the first to follow, then Madam Gu and Madam Yu, and finally even Grand Tutor Jiang clapped a few times.

“Not bad,” Grand Tutor Jiang said with shrewd eyes. “Fourth Young Master’s essay is well composed. With some polishing, it could be a fine piece. Eldest son, help him review it and then give it to me.”

Though these words seemed ordinary, their meaning was far from simple.

His gaze shifted from the dazed Jiang Yu, stunned by his words, to Jiang Si.

“Little Fifth, your judgment is sharp.”

Jiang Si beamed as if praised like a child. “Of course! I always knew Fourth brother was the best. He has the world in his heart and splendor in his belly. One day, he will stand proudly at court, each word a gem, debating scholars with eloquence, surpassing even Grandfather.”

“The world in his heart, splendor in his belly,” Grand Tutor Jiang stroked his beard, repeating the phrase, then said to Jiang Yu, “Fourth Young Master, your Fifth sister thinks highly of you. You must not let her down. Grandfather awaits the day you surpass him.”

Everyone heard in this a clear affection for Jiang Si and high expectations for Jiang Yu.

For a moment, joy and jealousy stirred among the gathered family.

Jiang Liang stood up solemnly and promised his father, “Father, rest assured, I will teach Fourth Young Master well.”

Jiang Yu also came to himself and pledged excitedly, “Grandfather, I will live up to your expectations.”

He could not disappoint his grandfather, nor his Fifth sister.

Grand Tutor Jiang was pleased, and before leaving, he praised them again.

“Fourth Young Master is excellent, and little Fifth is too.”

...

As the third branch had just returned to the courtyard, the first branch sent a great deal of gifts.

Before this, Jiang Xuan was grumbling in complaint, “Yu-ge, you ungrateful little one. While I was away, you’ve gained another brother. And you say, ‘Fourth brother is amazing!’ Am I not amazing?”

“Second brother is amazing too, but you and Fourth brother are different. He excels at studying, you at fighting. One is literary, the other martial; both can protect me in the future.” Jiang Si hid behind Madam Gu, smiling sweetly and affectionately.

Jiang Xuan felt pleased but snorted.

Madam Gu fondly stroked her daughter’s hair. “My Yu-ge is so good, it’s only right she should have many brothers to care for her.”

Hearing this, Jiang Xuan’s awkwardness melted away.

The first branch sent a large bounty: over ten bolts of fine, glossy top-quality fabric, a dazzling array of cosmetics and powders, and all kinds of delicacies.

Madam Gu kept saying, “This is too much.”

The servant who delivered the gifts was Lady Xie’s confidante, surnamed Liao.

Madam Liao said, “Third Madam, these gifts are from my lady to Fifth Miss. My lady also said that if Fifth Miss needs anything else, she should feel free to take it from the first branch.”

Jiang Si thanked her repeatedly, saying she lacked nothing.

If anything, what she lacked was longevity.

By the calendar, Murong Fan’s medicine should be ready by now.

In the quiet of the deep night, a faint sound came from outside.

She had not been asleep and sat up with a start, sensing something. Sure enough, she saw someone enter as if the place was deserted, parting the beaded curtain.

Dressed in black with hair loose, possessing jade-like skin and a golden countenance, it was Murong Fan.

“Your Highness!” she exclaimed in delight.

Murong Fan handed over a porcelain bottle, his voice very low. “Why aren’t you asleep?”

“I don’t know. I just can’t sleep. Maybe it’s because we are in sync, knowing you would come tonight.” She treasured the bottle like a precious gem, then belatedly realized her words might have been inappropriate. “Your Highness, what made you take up medicine?”

“Just boredom. I learned it casually for fun.”

Casually learned?

Then his medical skills...

Perhaps sensing her thoughts, Murong Fan added, “Among all in the Imperial Medical Institute, no one surpasses me.”

So formidable!

She felt reassured. “Studying books is hard, but none harder than medical texts. Your Highness must have worked very hard.”

“Any medical book, I memorize it after one reading. It’s not about effort.”

“...”

So effort truly counts for nothing against talent.

“You were born with that ability. Compared to everything earned through effort, it’s hardly something to boast about. Even for me, this so-called genius is only ordinary.”

Was he comforting her?

“Your Highness has done me great kindness; I have no way to repay it. But though my abilities are small, I can promise you this.”

She slipped on her shoes, spread paper and ink, and after a flourish of brushstrokes, picked up the paper and read aloud:

“I, Jiang Si, today receive the great kindness of Duke Fangye. With nothing to repay, I can only make this promise: So long as it does not violate my conscience or morals, and does not harm innocent lives, I am willing to do anything for Your Highness.”

She blew the ink dry and offered the paper with both hands to Murong Fan.

“Your Highness, if ever you summon me, I will come running from a thousand miles away!”