Chapter 23: Ke Yue's Pursuit of Knowledge

  That day, Jiang Keyue came to the Tiandi Temple in the northwest of the county town. A black-clad man with a covered face asked her from across the temple wall: "How has your life been at the Zhou residence lately?"

  "Aren't you all-knowing? Why ask?" Jiang Keyue retorted.

  "You've been living too comfortably, don't forget what you're here for?" The newcomer reminded her in a hoarse voice.

  "I understand. What's the task?" Jiang Keyue asked with a serious expression.

  "Find a way to take root in the Zhou family, that's the current task." After finishing speaking, the person disappeared.

  Jiang Keyue returned home, and the second wife's maid, Xiaohong, happened to come looking for her, saying that the second wife had something to ask of her. Jiang Keyue asked what it was, but the maid just smiled and didn't answer.

  Jiang Keyue followed Xiaohong into Aunt's house.

  "Auntie, are you looking for me?" Jiang Keyue asked as soon as she entered.

  "Come in, girl." The second lady saw Jiang Keyue and she quickly put down the watering can in her hand. "Sit down quickly." She pointed to the chair beside the table and sat on another chair herself. "Keyue, are you getting used to living and eating here these days?"

  Jiang Keyue nodded slightly, "Very good! Since coming here, Master and you have treated me like a close niece. Those few madams also liked me, being a niece is already very satisfying."

  "It's just a habit. But... after all, this isn't the right way to do things. Five miles away from our Zhou Family Village is a small village called Li Village, where there lives a Li Yuanwai, whose family may not be as wealthy as ours, but they're still quite rich. They have a son who's just turned twenty and hasn't been betrothed yet, I've heard. I was thinking, you're not young anymore either - when boys grow up they should get married, and when girls grow up they should get married too. Why don't I ask someone to propose this marriage for us?"

  Jiang Keyue heard that her aunt was going to find a husband for her and she lowered her head without saying a word.

  The second lady thought that her niece was willing, but was too shy to say so, and continued: "You've settled your lifelong affair, and as a maternal aunt, I can also put my mind at ease, and it's also resolved a worry for me and your father."

  Jiang Keyue raised her head and looked at the second lady, saying: "Auntie, are you tired of me and want to drive me away?"

  "Look at you, child! How have I troubled you? Your aunt has finally found a good family for you, and such a family is hard to find even with a lantern. If you miss this opportunity, there won't be another one!" Madam's words were laced with anger.

  "I'm not getting married. I still feel like a kid. If Auntie really wants to be good to me, she should find me a place to study in a private school and learn some martial arts or something, that's the way to think about my future!" Jiang Keyue persuaded her aunt.

  "When I was your age, I had already married into the Zhou family. Girls these days are just different from us." The second lady sighed, "If you really don't want to get married, I won't force you either. Actually, after thinking about it carefully, what you said makes some sense too. People say that girls reading books is of little use, but I'm not entirely in agreement with this view either."

  "It's still Auntie who understands me. Otherwise, Auntie can help me find a place to study, how about that?" Jiang Keyue leaned in close to the second madam, acting coquettishly.

  "Private schools are easy to find, but it's not easy to find a good one." The second lady thought for a moment, as if she had suddenly come up with an idea. "Why don't I talk to your father about it? You can also go to Tianhao's school to study. It's a place where you can learn both literature and martial arts. However, it is a bit far away."

  "It doesn't matter if it's far away, I'm just reading books anyway. It's actually better to be closer to home. If I really go, I can keep each other company with Tianhao and take care of each other, that's great." Yuexin said happily.

  The second lady was delighted to hear that and thought: Who knows, after a long time together, they might become close, and one day, the niece would become her daughter-in-law. At that time, her status in the Zhou family would rise, which would be more beneficial than marrying into the Li family. Thinking of this, the second lady happily said: "Tianhao is also a good child, what do you think of him after those few days of contact?"

  "People are very clever, knowledgeable and reasonable, but not like the general big family's spoiled sons. However, I also had a first impression, without more contact..." Jiang Keyue thought for a moment, saying lightly.

  "You'd better get in touch with him more often from now on, who knows...". The second lady smiled faintly and didn't continue speaking.

  Ke Yue understood the meaning of her aunt's words and blushed, "Aunt, what are you talking about..."

  "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more. You'd better have a number in mind for the future, or you'll regret it when it's too late..."

  "Are you done yet? Look at how much more nonsense you've spouted..." Jiang Keyue's mouth was indeed very sharp.

  "Alright, I won't argue with you anymore. I'll go talk to the master about this. You can go back to your room for now." The second mistress said as she turned around and walked towards the door...

  These days, the owner of the manor, Zhou Shiming, was in a particularly good mood. Although there had been many things happening at home recently, after all, the matter of the stolen silver donation that he was most worried about had come to an end, which was a big deal concerning the lives of the entire Zhou family. He took out a precious sword and began practicing in the backyard...

  The two madams finally found Zhou Shiming with great difficulty, saw him practicing swordplay, and stood aside watching, pretending to be very appreciative, waiting for him to finish his practice.

  After a while, Zhou Zhuang's master finally calmed down and put away his sword. He hurried forward, shouting from afar: "Ah, old man, it's been a long time since you've practiced your sword skills, how come you have the leisure to hide here today?"

  "Hahaha..." Old Master Zhou Shiming laughed loudly, "If I don't practice anymore, this old body will be even more useless."

  "Look at you, the old master is in good health! However, it's still better to make time to practice more often." The second lady replied, changing the subject, "A few days ago I went to the store downstairs and had a simple conversation with Ke Yue, I don't know if the old master has seen it?"

  "I've taken a look, and overall the management situation seems to be okay, but there are some signs that should still be paid attention to. Like the coal yard, many things are not very perfect, and over time it's easy for problems to arise." Zhou Shiming said as he walked back and forth with Madame Two.

  "Yes, I think so too. In the future, I'll just make a few more trips."

  "That girl's writing is quite good, it's rare among girls." Old Master Zhou Shiming praised.

  "This girl has been clever and quick-witted since she was a child, and she's also read quite a few books. The other day, I wanted to find her a husband to marry into, but she refused to agree no matter what. Guess what? She still wants to continue studying. So I advised her, 'What's the use of girls reading so many books?' But others don't recognize this reasoning." Madam Zhang was chattering on and on about Jiang Keyue.

  "Don't say that, this girl is very insightful and it's not easy to achieve this. This girl does things, treats people with propriety, and there's no one in the mansion who doesn't like her. Bring her here, I'll have a talk with her."

  "Alright, I'll go now." The second mistress said and turned around to find Jiang Keyue...

  After a while, she brought Jiang Keyue in front of Old Master Zhou Shiming. After Jiang Keyue paid her respects, Zhou Shiming asked her: "Miss Keyue, I heard you want to read books, is this true?"

  "Yes, sir!" Jiang Keyue replied softly.

  "Alright, it's rare to see you so eager. I'll send you to Longtan City to study, are you willing?" asked Zhou Shiming.

  Jiang Keyue couldn't believe her ears. She had never thought that the old man would agree so quickly. "Really?"

  "What's wrong with that? It's just a bit far from home."

  "I will definitely not disappoint Master's kindness." Jiang Keyue excitedly replied.

  Master Zhou turned his head to the second lady and said, "The tuition for Ke Yue's studies will be paid from the Zhou family's account. You go get some silver later and prepare her travel expenses and so on. I'll arrange for her to start school."

  The two nieces were overjoyed, thanked Old Man Zhou and went back to prepare...