After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Lin Yueniang thought this way and told her son about it.

For some reason, she felt that if there was one person in her family who would support her ideas, that person would be none other than Mingfei.

From the moment Mingfei had all the women study martial arts, he knew that his son was different from other men.

Some things are unconventional, some things go against worldly norms, so what?

Don't women have the right to grow freely?

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Jiang Xiaoqi's eyes, but she quickly understood.

"Mother, why wait? Just take Second Sister with you. Although Second Sister is sixteen, I think it's better for a girl to get married at eighteen."

I think it's too early for a woman to get married and have children. It's too harmful for her to get married and have children too early.

Over the years, I've read quite a few medical books, and doctors say that the best time for a woman to conceive is after the age of twenty.

It's not only good for women, but also for the development of the fetus in the womb. Children conceived at an older age tend to grow and develop better and are smarter.

"We can easily take my second sister on a year-long trip, and then discuss marriage next year when we return. With our family boasting three scholars, we're not worried about finding someone to marry her."

Jiang Xiaoqi actually wanted to say that if her grandfather and father both passed the provincial examination next year, her second sister would become the granddaughter and daughter of a successful candidate in the imperial examination.

Her value will naturally increase, so what if she's 17 or 18? Plenty of men will be eager to marry her.

"Is this... really feasible? Will your grandparents agree?"

Lin Yueniang was deeply moved! To travel the world with her daughter, sword in hand—just thinking about it filled her with excitement and anticipation.

"You don't need to worry about that. As long as you've made up your mind, your son will naturally find a way to get you to agree. It just depends on whether you want to or not."

Lin Yueniang took a deep breath. "Alright, Mingfei, I'll go south with you. You can continue your studies with your master, and I'll take your second sister to travel and see the world!"

As Lin Yueniang spoke these words, it was as if she had been relieved of a heavy burden, and her eyes shone with an alarming brightness.

In Jiang Xiaoqi's eyes, however, she felt that her mother had been reborn, shedding her old age and becoming more vibrant and energetic.

“When my grandparents return from their inspection tour of Changshou County, I will tell them that this time, I must take them with me.”

The mother and son carefully went over their stories and waited for the landlord and his wife to return.

After discussing the eldest and second eldest sisters, the two talked about Master Jiang Xiaoqi and his senior brother, but naturally didn't mention the war in the northern border, as that was still too much of a shock for the woman.

Since it's all in the past and everyone has returned unharmed, it's best not to bring it up again to avoid unnecessary worry for their families. Jiang Xiaoqi decided to keep it a secret.

"Mother, didn't you see the gift my master gave us? That whole box must be full of good stuff!"

Jiang Xiaoqi didn't care about that, he just wanted to change the subject, since Lin Yueniang had already realized what was going on and was asking him about the family letter.

"Oh? I haven't looked at it yet. It's not appropriate to open it in front of the guests. I forgot about it after a day. I should take a look so I can prepare some return gifts for them."

The topic was indeed steered off course, and the mother and son brought out a somewhat rough elm wood box, made of ordinary materials and with almost no carving.

It looks like a box that a countryman would just casually make, made by the worst carpenter, nothing special.

However, Jiang Xiaoqi roughly knew what was inside, so she carefully placed the box on the octagonal table covered with a tablecloth.

The box wasn't locked, just fastened securely. When Lin Yueniang opened the latch and lifted the lid, she was stunned.

"This...this is far too, far too precious. We can't accept it; it would be awkward to return the favor!"

Jiang Xiaoqi was also dazzled. Even though he was mentally prepared, he was still shocked when he saw the specific object.

Gems! Rubies! Emeralds! Sapphires! Topaz! Amethysts! Pink sapphires! And even crystal-clear, colorless diamonds?!

As expected, Master and his men robbed quite a few good things from the barbarians. The barbarians in the north lacked food and clothing, but they had no shortage of beautiful gemstones that they could neither eat nor drink.

If they had brought gems to the Great Zhou to exchange for grain, there would have been no shortage of people willing to trade with them. But they chose to rob us!

How foolish! It's a waste of resources and manpower, harming others for personal gain.

In the end, the powerful and wealthy got the land they wanted, the officials and generals were rewarded, the soldiers lost their lives, and the common people lost their loved ones.

Ha, it's clear that starting a war isn't the only way out, and there's clearly a "PLAN B" to solve the problem, but those in power just won't choose it.

After all, it doesn't require their sons to go into battle or their relatives to risk their lives.

Jiang Xiaoqi was thinking too much at the moment. He didn't pity the barbarians; he had also lost more than a hundred barbarian soldiers.

He simply couldn't agree with those in power who treated human life like dirt. He wasn't a saint, but he was a human being.

He wasn't a great man; he was just a normal person who believed that everyone has the right to life—yes, the right to life.

"Oh, Mother, please accept this. As for the return gift, I have my own plans. You don't need to feel pressured."

There are quite a few pieces; any one of them could be made into a nice piece of jewelry. Needless to say, the pieces from my eldest and second eldest sisters were definitely kept for good use.

Mother, you can choose first. Clarity and color are easy to tell whether something is good or bad. As for size, it's not the most important thing.

Of course, there are also those that are perfect in every way; those are the absolute best of the best. Making them into jewelry would be a waste, but they're good for collecting for now.

When someone in the family becomes an official in the future, we can take it out and wear it without attracting too much attention.

Lin Yueniang understood her son's meaning; it was his intention to prepare a return gift.

She would pick out at most half of these items, and then choose the ones in dignified and elegant colors for her mother-in-law.

Those pink and tender ones could naturally be given to a few concubine's daughters, oh right, and also to Aunt Pan, who has always been very low-key.

"Okay, Mother will listen to you. Pick some, and distribute the rest."

Jiang Xiaoqi naturally wouldn't want the things in the box. Although he liked the shiny things, his current status didn't allow him to.

Well, if he can't wear hairpins and jewelry, he can still wear a jade crown.

The mother and son chatted until 9 PM before Jiang Xiaoqi returned to his own courtyard. He was now nine years old, and it was true that a grown man should avoid his mother, but deep down he sometimes considered Lin Yueniang his "best friend".

After all, his mother was about the same age as her in her previous life, forty-one this year, and he would sometimes forget his identity as her "son" when they were together.

A few days later, Ouyang Zheng and his apprentice were considering taking their leave, asking Jiang Xiaoqi to stay at home for a few more days before following them.

Jiang Xiaoqi used the excuse that he hadn't met the head of the household, Jiang the Landlord, to stay. Just kidding, these two are important props, how could they run away first?

Fortunately, Landlord Jiang sent a message back saying he would be returning home in two days.

This is the seventh day since Jiang Xiaoqi arrived home. During this time, Dong Jin has not only come to check in every day, but he has also been stationed there as soon as he arrives.

He seems to come once a week, and once a week, all because he can learn a lot from his brother-in-law.

He felt that his brother-in-law was more capable than his previous teachers, who were all scholars. Once he passed the provincial examination, those scholars could no longer teach him anything.

He is currently studying with a scholar from the prefectural city, but that scholar is also preparing for the metropolitan examination, so he doesn't have much time to spare.

Even if his tutor, a scholar, and his tutor, a graduate, were paired together, he still felt that none of them were as easy to understand and learn from as his brother-in-law's lectures.

That kind of ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms and draw on classical allusions is impossible to achieve without years of accumulated knowledge. Of course, the most important thing is to have the talent to be a teacher.

He felt that his brother-in-law was born to be a teacher, a natural-born master!

As someone who passed the imperial examination by rote learning, I had to cling to my brother-in-law's coattails. Whether I could pass the provincial examination in the future depended entirely on my brother-in-law's help.

He was a little afraid to think about the provincial examination next year, but he felt he could give it a shot four years from now. He would only be twenty-four then, which wouldn't be too late.

But judging from his brother-in-law's attitude these past few days, it's clear he wants him to participate in next year's provincial examination along with his father-in-law Jiang Wenqing and grandfather Jiang Changshou!

This is way too much of a compliment! He doesn't even believe in himself, so why would his brother-in-law believe he can do it?

Although it is spring now, the provincial examination will be held next autumn, which means there is still a year and a half to go, which sounds like plenty of time.

But what's the point of having enough time? This is the provincial examination! I haven't touched a book in ages since I passed the county-level examination last year.

If he weren't worried about his wife losing face in her family, he really wouldn't have planned to continue taking the imperial examinations. He knew his own abilities best!

My father-in-law had barely passed the imperial examination, and I was even worse off.

At least my father-in-law was second to last, while he was last! How dangerous!

I almost failed the exam, and I almost had to continue as a student to participate in the next provincial examination.

He barely made it this time, and he felt that he would be in even worse shape next time!

Before passing the county-level imperial examination, he even thought he would be in his thirties or forties before he could pass the provincial-level examination.

Only after passing the provincial examination with the lowest score did he dare to tell his family that he wanted to marry Xiao Sanyuan's older sister, and only then did he have a little confidence to let his family come to test him.

If he were just a student who had only passed the preliminary examination, he wouldn't dare to do it even if he had eight hundred points of courage!

"Brother-in-law, I think you're capable, no worse than anyone else. Have you been studying the materials I gave you?"

"Oh, yes, I do. I study for several hours every day and I dare not slack off! I estimate I can finish reading all the materials in about six months."

"Six months? That's too slow. Let's do it within this month. Brother-in-law, finish reviewing all the materials this month and gather all your questions. I'll answer them for you before I leave!"

"This month! But it's already the middle of the month, and there are only a dozen days left until the end of the month!"

"That's right, is there a problem?" Jiang Xiaoqi asked calmly.

"No, no problem, I will definitely study day and night, even if it means hanging my head from the rafters or pricking my thigh with an awl, and I will finish reading it within this month!"

"Very good, brother-in-law is a strong-willed man, I will naturally lend you a hand!"

Dong Jin didn't know what his brother-in-law meant by "giving him a helping hand." Did his brother-in-law intend to personally tutor him?

But isn't he still heading south? Does he intend to take me with him? How can that be?! He hasn't even had time for the child to be born yet; how can Wenniang manage alone!

No, no, no, the brother-in-law couldn't be so heartless. She's his own sister. How could he take his brother-in-law away and leave his sister to face such a big event as childbirth alone?

You're overthinking it. Does that mean you need to find a scholar who can wholeheartedly tutor you? Or a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)?

Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore. My brother-in-law is capable; he'll make arrangements for himself. I'll just listen to him. He's my own brother-in-law; he wouldn't harm me.

Jiang Xiaoqi had no idea what her brother-in-law was imagining. After giving her instructions, she prepared to tailor a study plan to Dong Jin's progress.

He was different from his grandfather and father. He was not good at anything, which meant that he was not outstanding in any one area!

The foundation is only so-so. Although I have read the Four Books and Five Classics thoroughly, my application and understanding of them are really stiff.

To put it bluntly, this man's knowledge is not as good as his father Jiang Wenqing's.

This person was incredibly lucky to pass the provincial examination and become a scholar.

In short, he has even better luck than his father, who came in second to last. It would be a real shame if he didn't use such a good exam-taking physique to participate in the provincial examination.

Try to make the most of your good luck in the provincial examination. Even if you pass the provincial examination with the lowest score, you will still become a successful candidate in the imperial examination.

Others only know that you are a successful candidate in the provincial examination, and they won't keep asking about your ranking in the provincial examination. Nobody is that crazy.

"Oh, Mr./Ms. XX, may I ask what rank you were in the provincial examination?" Who would ask such a question? How could someone be so stupid as to ask that?

Once you pass the imperial examination and become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations), that's all that matters. Does your ranking still matter?

Of course, the period right after the exam results are released is still important, and the rankings will attract attention.

But that's the difference between 300th and 301st place, just like the difference between the title of Juren and Xiucai.

One step away, and it's heaven or earth; one step away, and another three years have passed.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaoqi couldn't help but shake his head, realizing that he had to be responsible for the attached systems.

After a two-day break at the prefectural school, my grandfather will also return home from Changshou. I can then gather the three of us together and prepare an exam to see how much my grandfather and father have improved over the past two years.

Of course, this also serves as a chance to get to know my brother-in-law better. If he's really that much worse, then I'll have to adjust my plans and give him a "hell mode" of challenges.

Dong Jin, who was still desperately studying the "Examination Manual," was unaware that his dear brother-in-law was about to give him special attention.

They actually tied their hair to a rope and hung it from the roof beam. Of course, they even prepared an awl, but they just couldn't bring themselves to stab it.

Jiang Xiwen didn't care about any of that. She was pregnant, and she followed the theory that her younger brother always stayed at home.

Only by cherishing yourself first can you have the energy to cherish others. If a person can't even cherish himself, what right do they have to cherish others?

So she settled down and did what a pregnant woman should do.

Eat when you should eat, sleep when you should sleep, and occasionally check on those who are studying hard.

The Dong family isn't without servants; they take care of things like stewing soup and making desserts, so she doesn't need to cook herself.

If all else fails, she can ask the servant to order takeout, as her younger brother suggested. She and her younger siblings often order takeout together when they are at home.

"Young Madam, the snacks and chicken soup have been bought. Shall we send them to the young master now?"

"Wait a minute, let me check."

Jiang Xiwen lifted the food box and touched it; it was a bit cold. This restaurant was quite far away, and it was still a bit chilly at night, so it cooled down quickly.

"Take it to the kitchen to heat it up. Oh, and while you're at it, let's use some of our own soup bowls. That way, it'll look just like homemade soup."

"Yes, young lady!"

The servants of the Dong family all listened to Jiang Xiwen, the young mistress, because some of them recognized their young mistress as the "heroine" from that day!

Jiang Xiwen not only saved her parents-in-law, but also a group of servants, including maids, old women, coachmen, and servants.

Having witnessed their young mistress's twin swords, who would dare to act recklessly?

Even those who had never met him believed it after hearing these people's private gossip and seeing how Mr. and Mrs. Dong treated their daughter-in-law.

Therefore, while Jiang Xiwen may not be the absolute authority in the Dong family, she certainly commands great prestige, and will naturally comply with such a small matter.

They thought it was perfectly normal. Having a high-flying female warrior cook? That's what's abnormal!

Our young master is truly blessed to be able to drink chicken soup that the young mistress personally ordered the servants to buy!

She even heated it up! The young mistress is so virtuous and thoughtful!

Jiang Xiwen, the virtuous and considerate woman: Oh, you flatter me!