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

After sending the letter, Xue Xu began studying past exam questions while counting down the days.

I won't bother Jiang Lan'er anymore, after all, the Jiang sisters are quite busy.

Landlord Jiang became a hands-off manager, leaving all household affairs to his daughter-in-law and four granddaughters.

Lin Yueniang was responsible for preparing everything for the annual festivals, as well as preparing winter clothes, monthly wages, and year-end bonuses for the guards and servants.

Jiang Xiwen and Jiang Xiyue were mainly responsible for the dietary planning of several scholars, adjusting it as needed, and instructing the kitchen staff to prepare various nutritious meals.

Of course, their fighting skills were also used for supervision, to prevent the examinee from slacking off and trying to sneak out.

Their activity areas were limited to the study, bedroom, and outhouse.

Meals are delivered directly to the study, and once finished, the table is cleared away without delay.

Although Xue Xu was not a member of the Jiang family, he still received the same treatment as everyone else living under the same roof.

He has witnessed firsthand what it means to "roll yours up, I'll roll mine up even more".

Jiang Xiaoqi appears to be quite free, since she practices extra every night in the study space.

Fearing that it might affect a few test takers, he doesn't appear in front of others much during the day.

His skill with concealed weapons has improved several levels; if he doesn't break through, things will get a bit boring.

However, ever since his third and fourth sisters kept pestering him to learn martial arts, he has managed to fill part of his daytime hours.

"Third sister has made great progress, but fourth sister's grip strength is still a bit off. I have a few darts here, fourth sister, why don't you practice with these first!"

Jiang Xiaoqi contributed the cheap darts he used to practice aiming at the beginning, which Jiang Lian'er found quite rare.

Holding the darts and target like they were some precious treasure.

Sure enough, girls are the easiest to please and the easiest to coax.

Sigh~ Fourth Sister, you really shouldn't be fooled by just two candied hawthorns in the future!

"Now that you've learned hidden weapons, would you like to learn some lightness skills as well?"

"Lightness skill? Us? Can we really do it? Will it be too difficult?"

Jiang Lan'er was intrigued. If they could combine light footwork and hidden weapons, wouldn't they be considered half-experts?

If they encounter any more clueless people in the family in the future, these two will be able to step in!

"It's difficult for those who don't know how, but easy for those who do. It will be a bit difficult at first, but it gets easier as you go on."

This is Jiang Xiaoqi's experience. As for hidden weapons, practice makes perfect. With more practice, you can develop so-called "muscle memory."

Even if you don't use it for a long time, you can still take it out and familiarize yourself with it again. It's just like learning to drive or swim; once you've learned it, it's yours.

To master light-body skills, one needs a certain level of comprehension. Those who grasp it quickly can make a breakthrough in a few months, while those who grasp it slowly may need a year or two.

The third and fourth sisters are quite well-educated, so their comprehension skills shouldn't be too bad either.

The two of them are currently lacking in physical strength and endurance, which means they'll have to put up with some hardship.

"Mingfei, it's okay, we're not afraid of hardship."

"Yes, you have to train hard in the coldest days of winter and the hottest days of summer. Now that winter is here, it's the perfect time to practice martial arts!"

The two sisters had a determined look in their eyes.

"In that case, I'll make a training plan, starting with basic physical training tomorrow."

Jiang Xiaoqi looked serious, and her tone became earnest.

Jiang Lan'er and Jiang Lian'er exchanged a glance, both seeing the determination in each other's eyes.

At the Xue family residence in Puyang, Madam Xue, along with Concubine Li and Xue Yu, packed up their valuables.

They also gathered all the available cash in the house, thinking that even a poor family should be prepared for a rainy day.

The silver notes were scattered and sewn into the three men's clothes, and more than twenty bodyguards were hired.

They don't need to bring as many guards to their own homes; someone has to be there to watch over the family to prevent any trouble from the clan.

He left the head steward and his personal maid to keep watch, one in charge of the outer courtyard and the other in charge of the inner courtyard.

In addition, he summoned the managers of several farms to his home to arrange matters concerning the farms and shops.

Fortunately, there wasn't much to do at the manor after winter set in, just waiting for spring planting, and there were trustworthy managers overseeing the shops.

The three members of the Xue family made arrangements one by one, but somehow the news leaked out, and the second branch of the family suddenly visited them that day.

"Sister-in-law, are you going on a long trip? I'm not trying to criticize you, but as a woman, you should just stay home and take good care of my poor third brother. Why are you thinking about going out into the world?"

If my third brother were still alive, he'd be furious! A woman should behave like a woman; always thinking about going out—what kind of behavior is that?

Xue Yu was so angry that her cheeks puffed out. She really wanted to go up and tear her second aunt's mouth apart, and say that whoever was not a virtuous woman! It was the gossipy woman who was not a virtuous woman because she was always meddling in other people's business!

Madam Xue remained calm, seemingly accustomed to her second sister-in-law's barbed words; after so many years of widowhood, she had become numb.

At first, she would get upset and want to argue because of these words, but then she would think, why would the other person hurt her like this?

Hmph, isn't it because she lives a better life than the second son's family even though she's a widow!

She had no worries about food, clothing, or money. Even without her own children, her two illegitimate children treated her sincerely, and her only concubine was honest and dutiful.

Is this life any better than that of many women who have husbands to back them up?

Moreover, Xue Xu is a promising young man who has already passed the imperial examinations. She is the mother of a successful candidate in the provincial examinations and may even become the mother of a high-ranking scholar in the imperial examinations in the future.

Once Xu'er becomes an official, even if it's just a minor seventh-rank official, how could ordinary people afford to offend him?

So why should she make a big fuss over a few harsh words? No anger, not at all. A woman's revenge is never too late.

Her son, Ah-Xu, will come back to support her!

Hmph, besides, Ah Xu is now interested in Miss Jiang. With the Jiang family as a powerful in-law to help him in the future, these people won't be able to cause any trouble!

"What are you all standing there for? A few barks from the dogs, do you think they'll stop you from getting to work?"

The servants stiffened instantly and quickly sped up their work of moving things and loading them onto the cart. The mistress was really something today!

"You! You widow! You barren hen, you old childless woman! Who are you calling a dog!"

"Whoever picks up the insult will be the one to be blamed. Second Aunt, move aside, or it might hit your foot. Our family doesn't have any medical expenses to pay for your treatment!"

If you want to stage an accident, turn left when you go out! The old man on the left is richer; he'll definitely throw you ten or eight taels of silver, enough to buy a lot of pig offal and shut your filthy mouth up!

"You lowly illegitimate daughter! You wretched girl! How dare you speak to your elders like that! Ugh, you're making me so angry! I can't live like this anymore!"

"That's so old-fashioned, you just keep repeating the same few lines! No wonder you can't have a son who can study well, it's because he takes after you!"

This was the first time Xue Yu had ever talked back to an elder, the first time she had ever cursed someone offline, and she actually performed quite well, daring to call her mother childless and asking if her older brother was just a figurehead!

Madam Xue was very satisfied and looked at Xue Yu with satisfaction. This little girl had finally stood up for herself; when she did scold someone, it was astonishing.

He's talented! He's fucking talented!

Lai, the second wife, was so angry that she fainted. In the freezing cold, she collapsed to the ground with a thud, which was probably not an act.

But whether she's actually dizzy or not, nobody cares anyway; everyone's busy with their work.

Aunt Li silently applauded Xue Yu in her heart. She was a concubine, and if she spoke up, the second wife's family would only say more unpleasant things.

Xue Yu is, after all, a young lady of the Xue family; she would never be beaten up and sold off so easily.

Although her indenture had been given to her by her mistress long ago, she still felt inferior, like a half-slave of the Xue family.

This deeply ingrained belief is difficult to eradicate in a short time.

The three members of the Xue family set off against the howling cold wind, but none of them felt cold at the moment.

After all, once you get to the capital, you'll be able to see the person you've been longing for, and you'll also have your daughter-in-law/sister-in-law!

The addition of a new member to the family is a joyous occasion!

If her son can stay in Beijing after high school, she will also buy a house near the Jiang family's residence to live in.

What's so special about Puyang? It's not like I absolutely have to go back!

With boundless hope ahead, why cling to Puyang to the bitter end?