Over there, Ji Wanwan was getting more and more exaggerated in her words. Xiao Tao, sensing something was off, quickly reminded her, “Miss! Stop talking now. This is the Duke’s residence, not our own home. You’ve already come of age, and the master and young masters are busy choosing a husband for you. You can’t cause any more trouble at this time. If your reputation gets ruined, how will you ever get married?!”
Seeing her mannerisms so similar to Ji Mingjing’s, Ji Wanwan remembered that Xiao Tao was originally chosen by Ji Mingjing to be her maid, giving her the right to offer blunt advice without holding back.
Ji Wanwan shrugged and said, “No husband means no husband. In life, one must seek joy in the moment. Being a happy single noble is also quite nice!”
They were bungee-jumping girls, fearless of life and death, ready to take on any challenge!
Xiao Tao couldn’t help but remind her, “But our household is very poor, miss. You can only be a single poor person.”
Ji Wanwan: “…”
Thanks, I’m hurt!
Ji Residence.
As soon as Ji Wanwan entered the room, she gulped down a large mouthful of tea, drinking like a cow.
Shen Zhinan immediately ran over and asked anxiously, “Mother, did Duchess Rong give you a hard time?”
After finishing her drink, Ji Wanwan replied, “No, Duchess Rong may look fierce and have a strong presence, but she’s a very reasonable person. Not only did she not blame me, but she also gifted me a box of high-quality ginseng.”
…To nourish the brain.
She decided not to mention the latter part to her newly acquired son, lest it affect her mighty motherly image.
“It’s good that nothing happened,” Shen Zhinan said, then leaned in closer and whispered something into her ear.
Ji Wanwan raised an eyebrow upon hearing it. She glanced toward the empty doorway and asked, “Are you sure it’s snow lotus? The betrothal gift my Second Brother prepared for his wife?”
Shen Zhinan nodded emphatically, “Absolutely sure. I could smell it.”
Ji Wanwan chuckled, “Pfft, do you have a dog’s nose? You could smell it through the box?”
Shen Zhinan grinned and said, “Mother, what should we do now? The snow lotus was given to the Duke’s residence, so Second Uncle won’t have a betrothal gift when he gets married later.”
Ji Wanwan patted his little head and said, “Don’t worry, the Duke’s residence didn’t accept our gift. Xiao Tao brought it back. But my Second Brother…”
This guy, who appears fierce and cold on the surface, genuinely cares about her. Using such a precious item to help her clean up the mess—she was genuinely touched, just a tiny bit.
Ji Wanwan decided that if Ji Mingjing ever lectured her again, she would endure it and not talk back.
Fortunately, the snow lotus wasn’t given away today. Otherwise, she wouldn’t know where to find another one to repay him.
“By the way, my Second Brother is taking the Military Imperial Examination tomorrow. Will he pass this year?”
Shen Zhinan counted on his fingers and said, “It seems not. Second Uncle missed it again this time.”
“What?!” Ji Wanwan immediately stood up from her seat. “Are you remembering wrong? My Second Brother missed the last Military Imperial Examination because of me. Since nothing happened to me this year, how could he miss it again?”
Shen Zhinan shook his head. “Nan Nan remembers correctly. Second Uncle only passed as the Top Scholar in the Military Imperial Examination the year Nan Nan was born. Then, in the same year, he married Second Aunt and had Cousin Che, who is one year younger than me.”
Seeing how detailed his account was and recalling his photographic memory, Ji Wanwan was already eighty to ninety percent convinced.
She asked again, “Then why did he miss the exam?”
Shen Zhinan tilted his head and said, “It seems it was because of Second Aunt.”
Ji Wanwan: “??”
Why did she suddenly imagine a tragic love story!
He gave up the most important Military Imperial Examination of his life for her, just to play the hero and rescue the beauty, saving the love of his life. Although he missed one exam, it allowed them to meet their destined other half…
What a beautiful and romantic tale!
However, Shen Zhinan shattered all her unrealistic fantasies as soon as he spoke: “Because Second Uncle and Second Aunt got into a fight, and by the time it was over, he had already missed the exam.”
Ji Wanwan: “…”
My dear second sister-in-law, truly worthy of you!
She had instinctively assumed her second sister-in-law would be a refined lady from a noble family. Who would have thought that a wild donkey like Ji Mingjing would have someone to rein him in!
But that aside, the Military Imperial Examination was still very important, held only once every three years. If he missed this one, he would have to wait another three years!
She had to find a way to help Ji Mingjing resolve this.
Ji Wanwan quickly turned to her little know-it-all and asked, “Nan Nan, which family is your second aunt from?”
First, figure out the other party’s background, then devise a detailed battle plan!
Shen Zhinan answered honestly, “Second Aunt is a fierce daughter of a military family. She lives in the He family in the southern part of the city and is General He’s only granddaughter, He Ying.”
Ji Wanwan: “…”
My apologies, a fierce daughter of a military family—she couldn’t possibly win against her.
Ji Wanwan scratched her head and tentatively asked, “Then, can your second uncle defeat her?”
If Ji Mingjing could defeat her, that would be fine—at least he wouldn’t miss the imperial examination. But if he could defeat her, he wouldn’t have missed this year’s exam in the first place.
Shen Zhinan shook his head in confusion. “Second Uncle is very good to Second Aunt. Nan Nan has never seen them fight. But Second Uncle is the Zhuangyuan of the Military Imperial Examination, so he shouldn’t be unable to defeat Second Aunt, right?”
Ji Wanwan patted his head and said, “Hard to say. Fierce daughters of military families are very formidable. If both sides really went all out, it’s hard to tell who would be stronger…”
Shen Zhinan suddenly looked up and asked, “Then, could it be that Second Uncle married Second Aunt so late because she delayed his exam…”
Ji Wanwan blinked. If that were the case, it would be another annual tragic love drama. Probably, he held a grudge against his second sister-in-law for many years before finally reconciling.
Ji Mingjing was already eighteen this year, and he wouldn’t marry until three years later. At that age, in ancient times, he would definitely be considered a leftover bachelor.
It seemed she had no choice but to help. This concerned her second brother’s love life and career.
“But we don’t know martial arts. How can we help him?” Ji Wanwan instinctively asked Shen Zhinan.
This little guy seemed extremely clever—maybe he would have some good ideas!
Shen Zhinan didn’t hesitate and immediately tilted his head, thinking seriously.
Before long, he exclaimed, “I’ve got it!”
The next day.
Ji Wanwan and Shen Zhinan obediently ate their breakfast. Old Master Ji occasionally added a dish to his ‘silly son’s’ bowl. “Nan Nan, try the food in the mansion and see if it suits your taste. If it doesn’t, just tell me.”
Shen Zhinan nodded. “It suits me, thank you, Maternal Grandfather.”
Old Master Ji’s brow twitched. Why hadn’t this child changed how he addressed him yet?
But upon further thought, since the child was a bit slow, it was normal for him to take longer than other children to adjust.
Ah, what a poor little thing!
After the meal, Ji Mingjing was about to leave for the exam.
Ji Wanwan quickly stood up and said, “Second Brother, let me see you off!”
Shen Zhinan added, “Nan Nan will go too!”
Ji Mingjing had been busy with the Military Imperial Examination lately. Having already missed it once three years ago because of Ji Wanwan, he now saw her trying to cause trouble again and immediately shot a cold glare at the two of them.