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

After two days and one night of bumpy travel, we finally saw the city gate of Xinghe Prefecture.

Jiang Changqing had been an official in Xinghe Prefecture for nine years. In his third year in Xinghe Prefecture, he felt that there was no hope of being promoted for the time being.

He feared he would have to remain in the position of a fifth-rank prefect for a few more years, so he discussed with his clan about moving the clan school from their ancestral home in Puyang to Xinghe Prefecture.

Firstly, the prefectural city is more convenient, which can attract knowledgeable people to come and exchange ideas. Secondly, having them by one's side, one can personally guide any promising talents.

"Young master, it's the city gate! We've finally arrived!" Wenbin and the coachman Datou were sitting side by side outside and were the first to see the city gate.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaoqi lifted the carriage curtain, and the heavy city gate stood far away at the end of the road.

"Yes, Wenbin, don't make a fuss once we get into the city. Our uncles' cars are just ahead. We're new here, so we need to avoid causing trouble."

"Yes, young master!" I was too excited just now and did shout a bit too loudly. I can't let the city people laugh at me after we enter the city and embarrass the young master.

"Uncle Big Head, there are lots of cars and people in the city, don't lose them."

"Yes, young master, I will stay close to the two young masters!"

The carriage slowly drove into the city gate, and the guards did not make things difficult for it, since one of their two carriages bore the family crest of Prefect Jiang.

Upon entering the city, the coachman, Da Tou, and his servant, Wen Bin, were dazzled by the sight before them. It was truly a bustling and prosperous place, teeming with pedestrians, and lined with teahouses and restaurants.

Jiang Xiaoqi did not lift the carriage curtain again, but looked out through the carriage window. The bustling scene in the prefectural city was indeed incomparable to that of Changshou County.

He recalled the promise he made to his grandfather before leaving: that he would study hard in Xinghe Prefecture and embark on the path of the imperial examinations.

Jiang Xiaoqi wanted Wenbin to go find an inn first, but Jiang Wenhai stopped her.

"We agreed to stay at the manor, why are you being so uncooperative, child?"

"Uncle, you've misunderstood. It's getting late, and I'd like Uncle Datou to stay the night and rest before returning to Changshou County."

"Oh dear, why are you in such a hurry? Do you, a three-year-old, need to worry about these things? Everything has been arranged at home. Your coachman and servants can't sleep on the streets!"

"Then thank you very much, Uncle. It was my oversight."

Jiang Xiaoqi: I used to be used to going to the hotel to drop off my luggage as soon as I landed on business trips. I really forgot that I am now a member of a clan, not a rootless duckweed.

蒋府

"Judging by the days, the eldest and second eldest brothers should be heading to the city by now, right?" a middle-aged woman asked while pruning the flowers.

"Reporting to Madam, it's about this time. Perhaps the child is too young, which is why we've been delayed."

"I don't know what the master was thinking. Could a three-year-old child really be so intelligent and quick-witted? To be able to recite the Four Books by the age of three, does that mean he has a photographic memory?"

With a 'thud,' the excess, slanted branches were pruned off, leaving a small pile.

"That depends on their performance after entering the school. If they are gold, they can withstand the test of time; if they are sand, they will be swept away by the ocean."

"Granny, your words are becoming more and more Zen-like. All these years of worshipping Buddha have not been in vain," Madam Jiang joked.

"Madam, please don't tease this old servant. If we're talking about Zen wisdom, who can compare to you? Master Liaoming's commentary was about you..."

"Hey? Don't talk about that."

"Yes, this old servant has spoken too much."

Madame Chiang put down the scissors in her hand and examined the half-open gardenia in the pot. May and June are the flowering season for gardenias.

If overly long branches are not pruned in advance, the plant will not look good, and the dead and rotten branches may affect subsequent flowering.

Cultivating flowers is like managing a family; managing a family, governing a country, and bringing peace to the world—the first step is especially important.

The maid, Lushui, lifted the curtain and came in. "Madam, the eldest young master and the second young master have returned and are already in the front hall."

"Oh? I was just saying, and we've arrived. I can't help but keep thinking about it."

"Madam, let this old servant help you change your clothes. Young Master Mingfei will surely come to pay his respects later."

"Okay, keep it simple, don't scare the children."

Upon entering the Jiang family mansion, Jiang Xiaoqi felt that her family's two-courtyard house was simply not enough.

When I first transmigrated, I was amazed at my good fortune, that I had actually transmigrated into the home of a landlord who was somewhat wealthy.

Seeing this grand three-courtyard mansion today, with its pavilions, terraces, rockeries, flowing water, and koi swimming around, I realized how ignorant I truly was.

He only glanced at it a few times out of the corner of his eye and was already shocked. Wenbin was older and remembered his grandfather's instructions before entering the door. After entering, he only dared to walk with his head down.

After passing through numerous corridors, Jiang Xiaoqi stepped over the last threshold, which was half a person's height high, and finally arrived at the largest flower hall in the Jiang family.

The flower hall was filled with the fragrance of incense and was decorated with exceptional elegance. Whether it was the potted plants or the calligraphy and paintings, everything exuded a scholarly atmosphere.

Jiang Xiaoqi: Hmm, tasteful and refined. It seems that this uncle I've never met is a cultured person.

After Jiang Wenhai led Jiang Xiaoqi into the flower hall, he instructed someone to inform Jiang Changqing, since Jiang Xiaoqi was a junior and there was no reason to keep the elder waiting.

Before long, Jiang Changqing, the current head of the Jiang family, entered the flower hall. Jiang Wenhai and Jiang Wenhao led Jiang Xiaoqi to stand up and pay their respects.

"Father! This is the little prodigy Jiang Mingfei that you've been longing for."

"Young man Jiang Mingfei greets his great-uncle, and thanks his great-uncle for allowing him to study at the clan school."

"No need for formalities. Your presence here proves that you have passed the tests of your two uncles. This opportunity was earned for you by your grandfather, and it is also due to your own hard work!"

"My two uncles are very knowledgeable. Seeing that Mingfei is young, they only tested him by having him recite the text."

"Oh? What books did you memorize?" Jiang Changqing asked with interest as he leaned back in his armchair.

"Hehe, he has covered almost all four books, and Mingfei answered them all fluently."

"Oh?"

“Father, we originally planned to make things easier on the way there, but we changed our minds the moment we met Mingfei.”

To only ask questions about classic texts like the Hundred and Thousand Classics or the Elementary Learning Manual of the Jade Forest would be to look down on such a bright child.

Jiang Changqing looked closely at Jiang Xiaoqi, a three-year-old child who was not lively enough but overly calm, with a cunning look in his eyes and a calm expression between his brows.

It's a bit inconsistent and contradictory to his three years old, but geniuses can't be judged by ordinary standards; every genius should be special.

"So you questioned every single one of the Four Books, humph!"

Jiang Wenhai was confused. Was his father angry or not?

Jiang Wenhao: What does 'humph' mean?

"Alright, you must be tired from your journey. Let's take Mingfei to pay his respects to your mother first, and then settle him in. He's still young and his body hasn't fully developed yet, so let him rest for a while. He can go to the clan school to report tomorrow afternoon."

"Yes, Father, I take my leave."

Jiang Xiaoqi followed suit and bowed in farewell: Sigh, it seems I'll have to keep doing these kinds of bowing and saluting all the time from now on.

Many elders of the Jiang family attended the clan school and were taught by many teachers.

I miss the days at home again, how carefree and unrestrained they were!

Now? When in Rome, do as the Romans do! Keep up the act!