Chapter 40: Taking the Younger Siblings Out

Chapter 40: Taking My Younger Siblings Out

"Allow me to remind you, your Windchaser is a donkey. Don’t casually try to compare it to my Ru Hua; she won’t be pleased."

Faced with her sister’s cold water, Second Miss Jiang, ever so adaptable, simply opened her mouth and drank it down.

"What’s wrong with a donkey? Does that stop my Windchaser from looking cool? He just took a wrong turn during reincarnation, that’s all. I believe he’ll be full of spirit and leave everyone in the dust at the equestrian field by the end of the month!"

"Hah, such grand ambitions. Why do you think it’s called an *equestrian* field?"

Jiang Wan used her finger to gently push her sister’s large head off her shoulder, then turned to meet her gaze.

"You’re small and delicate; not being able to ride a tall horse isn’t a flaw. If it comes down to it, you can simply forgo the riding and archery disciplines. But what would it look like if you brought a donkey? Do you think Master Zhao would approve?"

To be fair, the Princess of Huai truly put a lot of effort into the children at Li Family Academy. While she certainly had her own ulterior motives, she never shortchanged anyone.

The Six Arts for gentlemen and Eight Elegances for ladies were all taught without exception. The educational approach clearly followed the standards for cultivating children of aristocratic families, and she spared no effort in providing these children with the best education.

For children from minor families or humble backgrounds, many subjects were beyond what their families could typically afford, let alone the Jiang family, who had just emerged from a farming background.

In fact, if the Old Jiang family hadn’t been fortunate enough to serendipitously encounter the distressed Miss Xu, the Jiang children would likely have been illiterate under normal circumstances.

No one knew what patience Miss Xu had mustered over the years to teach a naive child to clumsily write characters with a branch in a sand tray.

Whenever Jiang Wan thought of her mother’s dedication, she felt even more tender towards her two younger siblings.

"If you’re afraid of being ridiculed, shall I speak with Master Zhao for you tomorrow? Being afraid of horses and unable to ride isn’t shameful. Who are you trying to prove yourself to with this pointless pride?"

"How is it not shameful? You have no idea how hateful that wretched Li Laowu is, always colluding with Jiang Laosan to criticize me. If I fail riding and archery again this time, those two will definitely laugh me to death behind my back!"

Jiang Han was so angry she wanted to stomp her feet.

Her own brother, Jiang Laosan, was detestable, and Li Laowu, who shared his rotten tastes, was just as bad!

"Sis, I’ve already made plans with Qingqing to go to the outskirts to practice riding and archery today."

"What, does Sun Qingqing also ride a donkey?"

"Yep!"

Jiang Wan’s mouth twitched.

"Have you children in the Xuan Class already become so exceptionally clever and fiercely competitive?"

Jiang Han pouted her crimson lips, grumbling unhappily.

"You have no idea how annoying those boys are—Jiang Laosan and Li Laowu are the worst! And Chang Yuhao and Ji Minzhi aren’t any better; they love eavesdropping on us girls.

Guo Ziqian is the same; he always acts so smart in front of me and calls me stupid at every turn.

Hmph, I don’t need him to teach me. I have the most amazing eldest sister! Just wait until I astonish everyone someday!"

Children didn’t harbor complex ulterior motives—at least, her own naive second and third siblings didn’t. But Jiang Wan had met those so-called annoying boys from the Xuan Class, and she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in amusement.

Her sister had just turned nine a few days ago—was she already so eye-catching?

However, her family’s precious little cabbage indeed needed her careful protection. Otherwise, if some scoundrel from another family were to whisk her away, her father would probably cry himself to death in front of their mother.

"Alright. You go get ready, and tell Third Brother to come along for training. I’ll go to Anran Residence to inform Mother, then take you out to meet your classmate."

"Thank you, Eldest Sister!"

Jiang Han thanked her happily and turned to leave contentedly, only to hear her sister call out a few more reminders from behind.

"Change into proper riding attire. Don’t wear a skirt that will restrict your movement. Your skills aren’t great to begin with; don’t make it harder on yourself."

"Got it!"

As soon as the words left her mouth, the petite figure had already darted back into her room.

Green Fruit, who attended the second young miss, bowed respectfully to the eldest young miss before hurrying to catch up with her mistress.

Hong Zhu stood to the side, holding the snow-blue, gold-flecked trailing skirt she had just selected for her mistress, and asked with a smile,

"Eldest Young Miss, will you wear this *ruqun* or riding attire today?"

Jiang Wan reached out to touch the beautiful dress. Ever since her appearance had successfully improved, Mother always found ways to dress up her and her sister within their limited household budget.

"Put this dress away carefully for now. I’ll wear it for Mother another time when I have a chance. Bring out that set of red riding clothes—it’ll be more convenient for riding."

"Yes, Mistress. Please wait a moment; this servant will fetch it."

Turning back to the chest, she carefully returned the dress and opened another huanghuali wood chest, taking out the set of fiery red riding clothes.

Presenting it to her mistress, Hong Zhu’s smile remained.

"Eldest Young Miss, with your fair skin and beauty, paired with this bright red outfit, you’re sure to look absolutely stunning! How about this servant styling your hair simply today, using that ruby floral crown to tie it up?"

"Whatever you think is best—simple is fine. I need to hurry to Mother’s place, or Second Sister will surely come urging me again."

"Then this servant will help you dress."

"No need, I’ll dress myself. Prepare the hair styling tools—let’s make this quick."

"Yes."

Jiang Wan swiftly changed into her clothes and shoes, and under Hong Zhu’s skilled hands, all her beautiful hair was gathered at the back into a simple ponytail-like style. The ruby floral crown was placed on her head, and she was ready.

"Let’s go."

She hurried to the main courtyard with her maid. After being welcomed by Zi Yu, her mother’s attendant, she realized not only was her mother busy inside, but her grandparents were also there.

"Grandfather, Grandmother, good health. Mother, good health."

Greetings often doubled as academic check-ins, and Jiang Wan’s bow was always impeccably standard.

After acknowledging her eldest daughter, Miss Xu sighed softly inwardly. This child was too proud; she’d likely never learn to humble herself. But at least she could feign deference superficially, which was good enough.

"Coming here so early in the morning—is there something you need?"

The Jiang family temporarily didn’t enforce strict morning and evening greetings; the elders doted on the children and couldn’t bear to trouble them.

"Mother, I plan to take Second and Third Siblings out riding later, so I came to inform you. We won’t be back for lunch, but I’ll bring them home early in the afternoon."

Before Miss Xu could respond, Old Wang Shi, sitting to the side, spoke up first.

"Nonsense!"