Chapter 3: Aiming for a Higher Family

Chapter 3: Aiming for a Higher Family

It’s unclear if there was any chaos in the Jiang family, but the Shi family was already in disarray.

During the three years that Shi Yuanxi had been away from the capital, Madam Xiao had governed the entire Shi family very well. As a result, the fact that Shi Chuo returned to the Shi family almost three months ago hadn’t spread.

Or rather… the second branch of the family, especially Second Madam Yan, was completely unaware.

Since Shi Chuo's return, Jiang Hao hadn’t come to fetch her or sent any message.

“...It’s fine that he ignores me, but now he’s been staying outside for several months,” Shi Chuo took a deep breath, her face looking troubled. “Today, my mother-in-law sent a message, saying that I need to persuade Jiang Hao to come back.”

“If he doesn’t return to the estate, then I shouldn’t go back either.”

Madam Xiao sneered coldly. “He’s got quite the nerve.”

“We were the ones who initially proposed this marriage, but in the end, didn’t he agree to it silently? Was this marriage forced at knifepoint by your father, with him holding a knife?”

Shi Chuo was having a hard time in the Jiang family, caught between Jiang Hao and her mother-in-law, putting her in a particularly tough spot.

Over time, though Madam Xiao had once been optimistic, she now couldn’t stand Jiang Hao.

As soon as she finished speaking, Shi Chuo’s expression became even more troubled.

Seeing her like this, Madam Xiao said solemnly, “I understand your concerns, but in the Liang dynasty, marriage is never just about the man and woman.”

“Jiang Hao has been spoiled by the Jiang family and has become stubborn, thinking that you ruined his relationship with Shi Yuanxi.”

“He’s still young and immature. Does he think marrying you was just about you?”

Madam Xiao looked outside the courtyard, her gaze cold and emotionless. “He married you for the support of the Shi family and your father as his father-in-law!”

Shi Chuo sighed deeply. “He gave up Shi Yuanxi to gain Father’s influence.”

But this was something that no one in the family could say, especially Shi Chuo herself.

Saying it out loud would be admitting that they had coerced Jiang Hao into marrying. If his true feelings were revealed, he would only hate her more in the future.

Not just her, but her father and mother could never say such things to Jiang Hao.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t end in a marriage, but in a feud.

Madam Xiao briefly paused. “Stay here for the next few days. If your mother-in-law asks, I’ll send someone to explain it to her.”

Jiang Hao, believing himself deeply in love, had isolated himself, pretending that he and Shi Yuanxi had been torn apart.

So, Madam Xiao decided to bring Shi Yuanxi to him.

Let Shi Yuanxi tear down his facade and make him face reality instead.

Madam Xiao had her trusted attendant send Shi Chuo back to her room. As soon as Shi Chuo left, someone from Shi Yuanxi’s courtyard arrived.

Hearing that Shi Yuanxi wanted Jiang Hao to divorce his wife before marrying her, the capable managers around Madam Xiao were dumbfounded.

Wang shi felt a sense of foreboding in her heart.

Madam Xiao was thorough in handling such matters and had considerable skill in dealing with them.

But in the midst of all this, there was one person who was uncontrollable.

Shi Yuanxi dares to say such things before even meeting Jiang Hao. Who knows what kind of madness she might get up to once she sees him.

"Wasn't it said that her mind was unstable and that she had a difficult life all these years? How is it that..."

How is it that she's even more out of control than before?

The matters they could think of, Grand Lady Fu had naturally considered as well.

However, she didn’t expect that Shi Yuanxi could be so straightforward.

"Go to the second household," said Grand Lady Fu as she stood up.

The courtyard assigned to Shi Yuanxi was remote, and by the time Grand Lady Fu reached its entrance, it was nearly dusk.

As she opened the gate, she heard laughter coming from inside Shi Yuanxi's room.

...It was her maid, Le Shu.

It was now dark, but since Shi Yuanxi had eaten some pastries in the afternoon, she wasn’t hungry and was lounging on the daybed, chatting idly with Le Shu.

Upon hearing a sound outside, Shi Yuanxi sat up.

As she looked up, she saw Grand Lady Fu, dressed in brand-new clothes, wearing a few simple jade accessories in her hair, leading several noiseless servants into the room.

Shi Yuanxi lost her smile and asked slowly, "What brings you here so suddenly at this hour, Grand Lady Fu?"

As she spoke, Madam Xiao was also observing her.

She had lost a lot of weight, but her beauty was still striking.

She seemed more composed than three years ago... and there was something inexplicable about her now.

For instance, she didn’t seem as constrained by rules as before.

In the past, although Shi Yuanxi wasn’t close to the main household, she had always been graceful and polite in front of others.

Yet now, even after Madam Xiao had entered the room, she remained lounging on the daybed.

The mama beside Madam Xiao was about to remind her, but Madam Xiao stopped her.

"It is said that you suffered a great deal in Yuezhou," said Madam Xiao as she sat down, her eyes meeting Shi Yuanxi's. "Yuanxi, sending you to Yuezhou was due to the circumstances back then."

"I hope this doesn’t cause you to become estranged from your elder uncle's wife."

It was indeed Madam Xiao who decided to send Shi Yuanxi away three years ago, but no one expected that Madam Xiao would bring it up so openly.

After these words, the room fell silent. Everyone around Madam Xiao, including Zhang Mama and Le Shu, withdrew from the room.

Only Shi Yuanxi and Madam Xiao remained in the room.

"Besides, the matter back then... not just me, even your uncle was not in command of his own decisions," said Madam Xiao, implying something without making it explicit.

"I know you've suffered these past years, and this time we've brought you back to compensate you."

"Compensate?" asked Shi Yuanxi.

However, Shi Yuanxi today seems somewhat different.

According to Madam Xiao's previous style, she would probably have left Shi Yuanxi waiting for a few more days. But Shi Chuo had already been in the residence for too long, along with the message that Shi Yuanxi had sent earlier that midday.

Madam Xiao realized that Shi Yuanxi had already understood her intentions.

She decided not to bother hiding them anymore.

"You should know that I am from the Xiao family of Yinzhou."

The Xiao family was a prominent local clan, and Madam Xiao had relatives serving as officials in the court. Though they were not as powerful as some other noble families, they were still considered part of the upper-middle tier of nobility.

"My younger sister from my natal family has a son. Although he is the second son, he is handsome and highly talented. He has already achieved scholarly honors."

"Once he passes the imperial examinations next spring, he can officially become a government official."

Madam Xiao knew all along that Shi Yuanxi's constant struggles stemmed from her refusal to accept her fate.

However, she had never approved of Shi Yuanxi's approach before. Moreover, as she had said, marriage was about forming alliances between families.

Shi Yuanxi had neither a powerful maternal family nor influential male relatives.

With such conditions, it was out of the question for her to enter the Xie family, and even joining the Jiang family would be considered a high match.

Now that Shi Yuanxi's reputation was in ruins, the marriage proposal Madam Xiao offered her was already the best option available.

Moreover, her nephew was indeed a handsome and talented young man.

Although his lineage was not as prestigious as the Jiang family’s, his scholarly abilities were genuine, and he was well-known for his talents in Yinzhou.

According to her brother-in-law, he was said to be sure to pass the imperial examinations next spring.

If it weren't for her younger sister, this marriage proposal would never have been offered to Shi Yuanxi.

The only issue was that he already had a highly favored concubine in his chambers.

Her younger sister had asked her to find a proper wife who could keep in check that concubine.

And Shi Yuanxi would be the perfect candidate for that role.

Madam Xiao had to admit that beauty was a significant advantage for men.

Normally, Shi Yuanxi's marriage should have been discussed with her parents.

But she had a mind of her own and didn't easily agree. Even if it was a good opportunity, she would still need to personally agree.

After Madam Xiao finished speaking, Shi Yuanxi before her showed no reaction at all.

Madam Xiao paused, then looked at her. "Does Yuanxi despise the Xiao family?"

Compared to Shi Yuanxi's previous three marriage proposals, this one was a far cry from what she hoped for.

But given her current situation, she had no choice.

Shi Yuanxi neither agreed nor disagreed but simply smiled in response. "Madam Xiao, you are clever."

"First, you manipulated my mother to spread the false rumor that I was to become a concubine to Jiang Hao, and now you've come here personally to offer me such a wonderful marriage proposal."

"Indeed, compared to being a concubine, becoming a proper wife is much better." Shi Yuanxi blinked. "Even being the wife of a scholar who hasn't passed the examinations yet."

"Yuanxi, I know you have big ambitions, but everything in this world has its rules. People should be in the position that suits them," Madam Xiao warned, her expression turning cold.

"Yes," Shi Yuanxi nodded in agreement. "Just like something that doesn't belong to you. Even if you swallow it whole, it will cause a storm inside."

Xiao-shi's gaze also cooled down.

She did not get angry but instead looked directly into Shi Yuanxi's eyes and asked, "What is it that you want?"

Although Shi Yuanxi's words were harsh, they weren't entirely wrong.

It was because they had previously blocked her marriage that they were now facing the backlash.

However, Shi Yuanxi looked down on ordinary marriage prospects. Xiao-shi wondered what kind of family Shi Yuanxi could marry into given her current reputation.

Xiao-shi had considered many options, even thinking about Xie Yuwei.

On Shi Yuanxi's first day back in the capital, she saw Xie Yuwei at the dock. This was something she had heard from Manager Wang.

However, Xie Yuwei was now a high-ranking court official, and even if Shi Yuanxi were bold enough to suggest such a match, Xiao-shi wouldn't agree to it.

Shi Yuanxi watched Xiao-shi's expression shift, and after a long pause, she said, "I'll have to trouble you, Senior Madam."

"I want to enter the Guozijian."

This was the real reason for what she said earlier.

Hidden behind this lightly spoken sentence was an ambition that others could scarcely imagine.

There were various ways to become an official in the Liang dynasty, the most common of which was the well-known imperial examinations.

The examinations consisted of different levels, with the most important being the spring examination, held every three years.

In addition, one could benefit from family influence. This was the main method of gaining official positions for the major clans.

Some merchants, after making enough money, were also willing to spend a large sum to purchase a nominal official position.

However, such positions were usually largely nominal, just a fancy facade.

The Guozijian was the final avenue.

Entering officialdom as a student of the Guozijian was one of the main avenues for selecting officials in the Liang dynasty.

During the reign of Emperor Jianyuan of the Liang dynasty, due to the virtuous empress's grace, a special decree was issued allowing women to enter the Guozijian.

However, from the time this decree was established until now, there had never been a female official.

For the noble daughters of the Liang dynasty, the Guozijian was like a layer of gilding. With this gilding, they gained a reputation for talent.

This would in turn help them marry into high-ranking families.

Clearly, this was exactly what Xiao-shi was thinking now.

Shi Yuanxi wanted to use the Guozijian to enter a high-ranking family once again.