Сhaptеr 10: Тrulу а Вit Overwhelming
In hеr рrevious lifе, the keу tо bringing dоwn Хiао Zheng wаs еvidеnсe of his сorruption.
Hоwеver, Хiао Zhеng’s сorruрtiоn оccurrеd аfter hе becamе the Мarquis of Anding. Аt prеsent, Хiаo Zheng wаs still at Chengwеn Асаdemy, withоut аnу аuthority, lеt alоne the mеans to еngage in сorruption.
Shе соuldn’t find evidеnсe of his crimеs.
Shen Мingshu lеt out a sоft sigh. No rush, no rush—tаke it slоwlу!
Shе oрened thе book оn thе tаble and began reading earnеstlу.
Originally, Chеngwеn Acadеmу did not admit women. It had only been in the last decade or so that women were granted a place of their own.
Fifteen years ago, Liu Ruyi, the daughter of the Minister of Rites, shook the imperial court with her essay “On the Education of Virtuous Women.” Following this, the Empress submitted a petition, and thirty noblewomen jointly submitted memorials, pleading for the establishment of a hall for women.
Thus, the current “Yinhua Terrace” came into being.
There weren’t many women in the terrace, and the seats were arranged neatly and orderly.
Shen Mingshu sat by the window in the second row, her fingertips gently rubbing the edges of the book pages. Suddenly, soft laughter and whispers reached her ears.
Shen Mingshu’s expression remained unchanged as she lowered her head, focusing on the text in her hands.
Today’s lesson was the policy discussion class, which she found most troublesome.
She had never been good at writing policy discussions or essays. When she first started taking this class years ago, she racked her brains but couldn’t produce a decent piece.
At that time, Jiang Xun had just passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi. Every night, he would spare time to teach her, explaining structure, analyzing topics, and developing arguments over and over again. He even personally reviewed the drafts she wrote.
Yet, she never quite grasped the essence. What she wrote always seemed like a pile of empty words, devoid of strength.
Over time, even Jiang Xun stopped pushing her. “Since you don’t like it, focus on what you’re good at.”
In recent years, she had found it even more difficult to learn.
Before long, the teacher arrived—a stern middle-aged scholar who, upon entering the room, swept his gaze over everyone.
“Today’s topic is about current affairs and the principles of governance. Essays should emphasize structure and logical progression…”
Shen Mingshu tried hard to concentrate, but her mind felt as if stuffed with cotton.
She held her brush but couldn’t write a single word on the paper for a long while, feeling only a buzzing in her head.
What is all this…?
Indeed, she still wasn’t good at this.
Lin Qingyan sat in the corner, watching Shen Mingshu’s back, her brows unconsciously furrowing.
Why had she returned?
But even if she had returned, what could she do?
Lin Qingyan lowered her gaze to the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on her desk. All of these had been personally chosen for her by Xiao Zheng just yesterday.
As the bell signaling the end of class rang, Shen Mingshu remained seated, her peach blossom eyes slightly lowered, staring motionlessly at the book in front of her.
“What the teacher said… was it about discussing three policies together?”
Her voice was soft, almost like a murmur, with a hint of confusion at the end.
The characters on the page seemed to dance before her eyes, and the more she looked, the more confused she became. She gently pressed her fingertips against her temple.
As she was lost in thought, a shadow suddenly fell over her. Shen Mingshu instinctively looked up to see a young girl standing before her, dressed in a light yellow ruqun with flowing patterns.
It was Jiang Yuan.
She paused for a moment before slowly calling out, “Miss Jiang?”
The noblewomen around them, who had been packing up their belongings in small groups, all stopped what they were doing, showing expressions of surprise.
What was Jiang Yuan doing approaching Shen Mingshu?
It seemed she had never particularly liked Shen Mingshu.
Was she planning to bully Shen Mingshu now?
Shen Mingshu’s elder brother, Jiang Xun, had entered the Grand Secretariat at a young age and was now the Deputy Grand Secretary, wielding significant power.
But Jiang Yuan was the legitimate granddaughter of the Chief Grand Secretary and had been personally chosen by the Emperor to be the Fifth Prince’s consort. Her status was different from theirs.
If Jiang Yuan really intended to bully Shen Mingshu later…They could only watch the spectacle.
Shen Mingshu stared blankly at Jiang Yuan.
Had she spoken to Jiang Yuan before? No, she didn’t think so.
Then why had Jiang Yuan suddenly come to find her?
As Shen Mingshu’s thoughts wandered, Jiang Yuan directly placed a thread-bound book on Shen Mingshu’s desk.
“For you.”
The noble young ladies around them: ?
Wasn’t this meant to bully Shen Mingshu?
Shen Mingshu didn’t reach for it, still looking at her in confusion.
What did this mean…
“Open it and see,” Jiang Yuan said helplessly.
She hadn’t liked Shen Mingshu before—always following Xiao Zheng around, with no pursuits of her own.
And anyone could see that Xiao Zheng didn’t care for her. She didn’t know what Shen Mingshu was hoping to gain.
She didn’t like such weak women.
But today’s Shen Mingshu had surprised her a little.
Shen Mingshu opened the thread-bound book and found densely written notes summarizing the key points from recent classes. Not only were they clearly organized, but even the details the teacher had emphasized during lectures were meticulously annotated.
At the end, a piece of paper was tucked inside—an analysis of the topic for the current policy essay assignment, even listing several arguments for reference.
It was the answer! It really was the answer!
“Sister Jiang Yuan, you’re too kind!” Shen Mingshu immediately looked up, her eyes shining as she gazed at her.
“Your notes are so thorough too! Thank you! You’re truly the kindest person in the world! May the Bodhisattva bless you!”
Her voice was soft and sweet, her eyes filled with sincere gratitude.
Heavens! The answer had truly fallen from the sky!
Her homework was saved now!
Jiang Yuan lowered her gaze to look at her, meeting Shen Mingshu’s eyes—bright and beautiful, glistening like water.
She subtly shifted her gaze away. “No need to thank me.”
But she couldn’t help thinking, it would be hard for anyone to refuse such a look…
Bright eyes fixed only on you, offering sincere praise and gratitude.
So soft, so sweet.
It was almost too much to handle.
She really didn’t know what was going through Xiao Zheng’s head.
Lin Qingyan sat in her seat, her gaze piercing through the crowd as she watched the scene.
Inwardly, she sneered coldly. If it weren’t for having a good elder brother, what was Shen Mingshu worth?
If she had that kind of status, that kind of elder brother, she would never be as timid and submissive as Shen Mingshu had been before. She would make everyone like her…
Zunjing Pavilion.
In the classroom, the teacher’s voice droned on.
But Xiao Zheng sat restlessly, his fingertips tapping lightly on the desk, his eyes occasionally drifting toward the window, distracted.
Qi Yu noticed his unusual state and leaned over to whisper, “What do you think happened to Shen Mingshu? Seeing her today, it’s like she’s a different person.”
Xiao Zheng’s brow furrowed, his tone unable to conceal his irritation. “How should I know?”
Qi Yu choked back his words and wisely fell silent.
He knew Xiao Zheng all too well—hot-tempered, impulsive, and lacking patience.
Before, Shen Mingshu had always been the one to soothe him.
Whenever Xiao Zheng wore a stern expression, Shen Mingshu would either bring him pastries or whisper sweet words, quickly coaxing him back into a good mood.
But this time, the one who had provoked Xiao Zheng’s anger was Shen Mingshu herself.
Xiao Zheng’s face was dark as he unconsciously toyed with a delicately embroidered doll in his hand.
It was a palm-sized tiger, its ears perked up lively, its eyes carrying a hint of endearing clumsiness.
Shen Mingshu had embroidered it for him herself.
She said he was born in the Year of the Tiger and, as a military man, should have a tiger by his side to guard his fortune.
This little tiger had always been kept in his book box. He usually paid it no mind, just left it there.For some reason today, he had inexplicably taken it out.
He lowered his head and stared at the little tiger for a long while, suddenly realizing that Shen Mingshu was not only exceptionally skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but her embroidery was also astonishingly exquisite.
Such a woman, yet she was wholeheartedly devoted to him.
Thinking of this, Xiao Zheng’s brows and eyes relaxed involuntarily.
He would give her a few more days.
If she continued to act so willfully, he had his temper too.
When she came to coax him again, he would not forgive her easily.