Chapter 14: Adaptation

Chapter 14 Adaptation

"How can you succeed without learning?"

Xu Shi sighed.

"Before your father returned, we were just country bumpkins. What I taught you was enough to get by on, but things are different now, Wan Jieer.

If the Prince of Huai successfully rises to power, your father will undoubtedly become a general. That means the status of you three siblings will change, and the company you’ll keep will be different too. How can you manage without learning the etiquette of these noble families?"

"I’m not saying we shouldn’t learn, but can we take it slower?

I’m older, so it’s a bit easier for me, but the younger two aren’t even nine years old yet. They’re used to running freely in the countryside, and suddenly being cooped up in the study with all these rules is really hard for them to adjust to.

Mom, can you give us a month to adjust?"

Xu Shi shot her an amused look.

"Did the younger ones cry and complain to you?"

"What do you think?"

She helplessly lifted her sleeves and gave them a shake.

"Look, the tears on both my sleeves haven’t even dried yet. Jiang Laosan cried so hard he’s not even scared of a spanking anymore. What else could I do?"

"Alright, alright, I know you’ve had a tough time, Wan Jieer. When the tailor comes to take measurements, I’ll order you an extra summer dress."

Jiang Wan waved her hand.

"I’m not a child anymore; you don’t need to bribe me like that. Just promise to give us a month’s break to catch our breath. That way, I can give the second and third siblings some good news.

I came here with a mission—no matter what, you have to do me this favor, Mom. Otherwise, what respect will I have as the eldest sister in front of them from now on?"

"Deal!"

The mother, amused by her child trying to act all grown-up and serious, nodded in agreement.

"No matter what, I have to give my Jiang family’s eldest daughter some face, right? We’ll do as you say and officially start studying in the study next month. This will also give me some time to properly inquire about where to find a good etiquette tutor."

"Thank you for having my back, Mom. I’ll head out now. The second and third siblings are waiting eagerly for me to bring back good news!"

Jiang Wan stood up and turned to leave without asking about what those two people had come for earlier. Grown-up stuff is for grown-ups to deal with—her mother was no pushover anyway, so there was no need for her to meddle.

In the study, the second and third siblings, finally rescued from their misery by their eldest sister, jumped for joy.

"I can’t stand practicing these stupid characters! Thanks for saving my hide, sis!"

The brown-nosing Jiang Yaozu was all over his big sister, fetching her tea and water with way too much enthusiasm. Jiang Han couldn’t stand how happy he was and immediately called him out.

"Jiang Laosan, aren’t you celebrating too early? Eldest sister didn’t say we don’t have to learn—she just said we’re taking a break."

"Even a break makes me happy! A reprieve’s better than nothing! Remember how we used to write characters with sticks in the dirt? Why do we have to use these flimsy brushes now?"

Jiang Wan glanced at him with a smile.

"Back then, we were poor and had no other choice. It was hard enough for Mom to teach us to write in the sand.

Now that we have better conditions, you two need to study properly, understand?

I’m not asking you to be exceptional, but at the very least, you can’t have handwriting like chicken scratch. What would outsiders think if they saw that? They’d assume us three siblings are idiots!"

"Nonsense! Obviously, only you, eldest sister, are the fool. I’m the clever one!"

Jiang Yaozu shot back defiantly, only to immediately receive two smug looks from his second sister.

"Hahaha, Jiang Laosan, you moron, you’re asking for a beating again!"

"Eldest sister, I was wrong!"

The two children spoke at the same time, and Jiang Wan rubbed her temples in exhaustion. She couldn’t understand how her formerly carefree self had ended up here to help raise someone else’s kids.

Sigh.

"Go out and play. Let me have some peace."

"Okay."

The twins obediently turned and dashed out of the study, bickering all the way.

Jiang Wan walked to the bookshelf, randomly pulled out a book, and wandered over to the chair by the window. She sat down, leaning sideways, and flipped through the book half-heartedly.

As it turned out, it was a history book.

She’d been in this darn place for quite a while now. She knew the outside world was somewhat turbulent but had never bothered to look into it too much.

After all, no fancy palace or silver spoon could compare to her own humble modern home. Since there was no way to return no matter what, what did it matter where she killed time?

It wasn’t until she read the history book that she realized—this was an alternate world? The dynasty about to collapse was called the Great Qi Dynasty?

It sounded somewhat familiar, but it definitely wasn’t in any history book she’d studied. Probably just a common dynasty name in those melodramatic novels.

She quietly turned another page.

None of it mattered.

As she said, what did it matter where she killed time? She didn’t have any grand ambitions anyway.

In fact, if it weren’t for the blatant favoritism shown by her mother in this life, making her finally experience the warmth of a mother’s care, her mental state would probably still be as stable as before.

Her motto: living is fine, dying is also acceptable.

Jiang Wan looked down at her fair, delicate hands.

If only she’d had this much strength when she was 12 in her previous life. She would’ve slapped every single one of those bullies who’d wronged her!

Including that worthless pair of parents.

That irresponsible man and woman treated marriage, having children, and divorce as casually as grabbing a fast-food meal.

The most infuriating part was that when they divorced, they even divided the bowls and chopsticks but neither wanted her—the kidney stone of their marriage!

What kind of people does that?

A man can abandon a woman, a woman can abandon a man, but why did she, the unlucky one, have to pay the price for their failed marriage?

From the age of six, she drifted among all her relatives’ homes. Relying on inhuman perseverance, various school scholarships, and loans, she clawed her way into a top-tier university.

As for why she became a psychiatrist?

There wasn't any particularly noble reason for it; she just wanted to study whether some men and women were mentally ill!

Without that sense of responsibility and accountability, why’d they impulsively go get a marriage license?

And why did they have kids so carelessly?

She didn’t want to bring up those old messy business at all—the more she recalled, the more upset she felt. Compared to her parents in this life, what category of oddballs did that pair from her previous life even belong to?

While she was engrossed in reading the history book indoors, time just flew by. It wasn’t until she heard a voice asking a question nearby that she finally looked up.

Oh, her father was right in front of her.

"Wan Jieer, how come you’re all by yourself in the study? Where did the second and third run off to?"

Jiang Huailiang, his face framed by a bushy beard, tried his best to put on what could be considered a fatherly smile for his daughter, though the expression didn’t really fit his rough look.

Jiang Wan slowly averted her gaze.

"I told them to go out and play. I already asked Mother for permission this morning—since the three of us are new here and not quite used to things yet, we’d like to hold off on starting formal lessons for a bit."

"Oh, sure, that’s not a problem! Of course, health comes first, hehehe, health comes first."

Forgive Jiang Huailiang, a rough man who’d spent his life on the battlefield. Though he had the heart to be a loving father, he truly didn’t know how to speak softly and have a gentle, heart-to-heart talk with his daughter.