Chapter 4: No Such Interest

Chapter 4: No Such Interest

Madam Xiao could accomplish this, and it was even simpler than finding a suitable marriage match for Shi Yuanxi.

The problem was that Madam Xiao’s younger daughter, Shi Yuyan, was currently enrolled in the Imperial Academy.

There were regulations regarding female students at the Imperial Academy, allowing only one daughter from a fourth-rank official’s family to be enrolled.

Shi Yuyan had only been able to replace her sister and enroll in the Imperial Academy after Shi Chuo had married and withdrawn from the academy.

Now, with Shi Yuanxi wanting to enter the Imperial Academy, there was no available slot for her.

Shi Yuanxi said, "I will not enter through the Yin Supervisor system."

The so-called Yin Supervisor system, a privilege for high-ranking officials of the fourth rank or above in the capital, allowed their children to be directly admitted to the Imperial Academy.

She was also aware that, even for Shi Chuo’s sake, Madam Xiao would never allow her to take Shi Yuyan’s spot in the Imperial Academy. That would be extremely painful for Madam Xiao.

"You wish to follow the regular promotion system?" Madam Xiao immediately understood.

Women in the Liang dynasty had fewer ways to enter the Imperial Academy compared to men, with only two available methods.

Apart from the Yin Supervisor system, there was only one other method—the promotion recommendation system.

This meant that if one performed excellently in the academy they attended and held a recommendation letter personally written by the academy’s headmaster, they could enroll in the Imperial Academy.

If that was the case, it would indeed be easier to handle.

They had previously intended to arrange several advantageous marriage prospects for Shi Yuanxi. However, she had used this opportunity to persuade her eldest uncle to allow her to study at the female academy in the capital.

The female academy in the capital taught musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, painting, and etiquette. She had mastered all of them and received top grades in each.

This did fulfill one of the conditions, though the second condition was slightly more problematic.

The main problem was that Shi Yuanxi’s reputation in the capital had suffered, and even with her excellent grades, the headmistress of the female academy might still refuse to give her a recommendation letter.

However, this was actually the easiest part for Madam Xiao to manage.

She had previously mentioned that she came from the Xiao family of Yinzhou, and the headmistress of the female academy in the capital was someone connected to Madam Xiao.

If she intervened, the matter would certainly be resolved.

Madam Xiao looked at her. "You’ve really thought far ahead, taking even your former teachers into account in your plans."

Shi Yuanxi smiled. "Madam is too kind."

"Since you’ve already thought it through, make your preparations. In three days, I’ll take you to meet the headmistress."

The Imperial Academy had strict regulations, and sending Shi Yuanxi there, Madam Xiao feared, might cause problems for the family.

But Shi Chuo’s matter was urgent, and Madam Xiao didn’t have time to hesitate.

If all else failed, she could still send Shi Yuanxi back to Yinzhou.

Three days later, Shi Yuanxi followed Madam Xiao, boarding a carriage and leaving the Shi family’s residence.

Madam Xiao had submitted her invitation in advance. After entering the residence, she was led to the reception hall.

Although it was a women's academy, the head of the academy was in fact a man.

He was from the same clan as Madam Xiao and had regular contact with her. Madam Xiao personally visited, presenting her husband's letter of introduction as the Deputy Minister of Rites.

The head of the academy did not decline, and after hearing their request, he had the ink and brushes prepared and immediately wrote a letter of recommendation for Shi Yuanxi.

As the ink dried, the head of the academy looked up at Shi Yuanxi, whom he had not seen for several years.

"…Although I have written the letter of recommendation, there is something I need to inform you," the head of the academy paused slightly, "This year, the regulations for entering the Imperial Academy have changed."

"This time, except for students with special privileges, all other students will participate in an entrance examination."

"Those who fail the examination will not be allowed to enroll."

As soon as these words were spoken, even Madam Xiao's expression changed slightly. "Does this include female students as well?"

"Yes," the head of the academy didn't mention that the vast majority of female students entered through special privileges and were already excluded by this regulation.

The specific reasons were inconvenient to explain in detail, but it was the result of factional struggles within the court.

Many students were affected, not just Shi Yuanxi alone.

However, the entrance examination has never distinguished between genders, and while very few female students have participated over the years, it could only be said that her luck was not good.

"Thank you for the guidance, respected teacher," Shi Yuanxi paused, her expression unreadable.

Seeing her reaction, the head of the academy said no more and, once the ink had dried, affixed his seal.

Before returning to the Shi family residence, Madam Xiao sent all the necessary letters to the Imperial Academy.

This way, Madam Xiao had fulfilled her promise to Shi Yuanxi.

On the way back to the residence, Madam Xiao said in a calm tone, "I've already gotten you what you need. But with the new admission rules at the Imperial Academy, if you don’t pass the entrance exam, you’ll have to wait a few more years."

She said this, but both knew the changes in the academy's admission rules were out of their control. However, there were clear age limits for students.

Men with official ranks can’t be older than twenty-five, and women have to be under twenty-two.

Shi Yuanxi was already twenty-one.

At her age in the Liang dynasty, hardly anyone still wanted to enter the Imperial Academy.

Because of that, Shi Yuanxi only had this one chance to get into the Imperial Academy.

"I’ll have someone invite Jiang Hao to our home."

Shi Yuanxi didn’t respond but looked up to see Madam Xiao staring intently at her.

She then said, "Please rest assured, Madam."

What Madam Xiao did was simple. What Shi Yuanxi had to do was even easier.

She was really good at scolding people.

A few days later, the air felt heavy, and the clouds gathered, brewing a storm.

Jiang Hao was led by the servants of the Shi family residence, heading towards the main room.

On the way to the main house, there was a fake rock forest, and above the rock formation stood the Drunken Pavilion.

Madam Xiao stood in the three-story building behind the Drunken Pavilion. From this position, she had a clear view of the happenings in the pavilion.

"Do you think the Third Miss will try to play some tricks?" The maid by Madam Xiao's side looked at the people in the pavilion with concern.

"She won't," Madam Xiao said with certainty. "The entrance exam for the Guozijian hasn't started yet. If she tries to play tricks at this time, she'll end up with nothing."

Shi Yuanxi had two maids with her. Apart from Le Shu, the other was Madam Xiao's servant. Madam Xiao knew perfectly well every word Shi Yuanxi said to Jiang Hao today.

The people nearby breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "The eldest son-in-law has arrived."

Jiang Hao was handsome, with sharp features, but his cold, downcast eyes revealed a hint of melancholy.

Today, his father-in-law had summoned him to the Shi family residence, ostensibly for official business. However, Jiang Hao knew well that the Shi family was indirectly reminding him of something.

The more they did this, the more resentful he became.

In a foul mood, he didn't realize this wasn't the way to the main house.

It was only when the people ahead stopped walking that Jiang Hao realized this. A woman was sitting in the stone pavilion ahead.

At first, he couldn't make out her face. He thought the Shi family was trying to reunite him with Shi Chuo.

Jiang Hao's expression turned icy as he turned to leave.

But before he could take a step, the person ahead turned their head.

…At that moment, Jiang Hao found he couldn't move his feet.

When Shi Yuanxi turned around, she saw a face filled with surprise and excitement. Seeing him dazed and speechless, she stood up and said, "Eldest Sister's Husband."

Those three words abruptly quelled Jiang Hao's emotions.

His eyes darkened, and his expression grew complicated as he looked at her, awkwardly saying, "Yuanxi."

Jiang Hao looked at Shi Yuanxi's slender figure, wanting to ask something but unable to find the words.

The three words Shi Yuanxi uttered stood between them like an invisible mountain.

After a long silence, he finally asked, "When did you return to the capital?"

"It's been some time," Shi Yuanxi said, looking at him. "And you, Eldest Sister's Husband? Are you here to fetch Eldest Sister today?"

"Yuanxi!" The term she kept mentioning made Jiang Hao's temples throb. "You know very well that I have no feelings for Shi Chuo!"

The servant who had been guiding them had quietly retreated, and Shi Yuanxi's maids now stood at a distance outside the pavilion.

Once Jiang Hao broached the subject, he found it hard to hold back.

"I don't love her. After a forced marriage, our relationship has been far from harmonious. I'm here at the Shi family residence only because my father-in-law has some tasks for me."

Jiang Hao had always harbored resentment towards the Shi family.

He also understood that the Shi family wouldn't call him over for no reason and had deliberately arranged for him to meet Shi Yuanxi.

With such an arrangement and considering Shi Yuanxi's current reputation...

Jiang Hao's heart pounded, realizing that today's events were likely not simple.

He said eagerly, "My thing with Shi Chuo was just a charade, they made me do it..."

Shi Yuanxi looked at him, surprised. "You don't really think I met you here today to become your concubine, do you?"

Jiang Hao froze.

In recent years, his father's career had been going well, getting promoted not long ago, and Jiang Hao had also risen within the Ministry of Rites.

Meanwhile, his father-in-law wasn't in favor right now.

It was obvious the Shi family was desperate to save the marriage. In this context, bringing Shi Yuanxi back—wasn't that the obvious implication?

His eyes flickered, but he dodged Shi Yuanxi's question. Instead, he said, "Yuanxi, I know I messed up in the past, but you're the only one who's ever been in my heart."

Shi Yuanxi played with the white porcelain teacup in her hand, casually scanning him. "So, you're saying they forced you to swap brides, forced you into the wedding chamber, forced you to hold a beautiful woman in your arms, and paved the way for you in your father-in-law's department?"

She hadn't even cared about his 'you're the only one' line.

Jiang Hao's expression stiffened.

"And now that you have everything, you come to the former fiancée you betrayed, telling her how distant you are from your fake wife and how deeply you love her."

Shi Yuanxi looked up at him. "Jiang Hao, when did I discover you were so talented?"

"You might fool others with that, but don't fool yourself."

"Have you been feeling super sorry for yourself these past few years, thinking that because you clearly loved me so much, but were torn apart by others, that everything you've gained was not what you wanted?"

Shi Yuanxi laughed, turning her head. Her bright eyes stared directly at him. "Look at how wronged you are, rising through the ranks of officialdom with ease."

"Your mansion is filled with gentle harmony, and because you've endured so much, they might even proactively add a beautiful concubine for you."

Shi Yuanxi stopped smiling, giving him a cold look. "Since you've chosen power and wealth, you should stick to that path. How come after just a few steps, you're pushing all the responsibility onto others?"

"You're a corrupt person, yet you still speak of righteousness and morality."

"What is it? Do you like putting lipstick on a pig?"

Clatter.

Shi Yuanxi placed the teacup back on the table. "Too bad, I don't have the hobby of collecting turtles."