Volume One, Chapter 4: Jiang Xian’s Ability Has Gone Awry

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But she observed that none of Qiao Tongsheng’s family bore the mark of misfortune. Ordinarily, such a fate would affect the entire household, yet not only was there no ripple effect, Qiao Tongsheng himself had passed the Tongsheng examination.

Truly strange!

Qiao Tongsheng continued, “I am ashamed to say, my family has supported me through years of study, yet after passing the Tongsheng exam, I have not advanced further. Since last August, I have been holed up at home, ears deaf to the world outside. It has been a hardship for Mother and my two elder brothers’ wives. For three years, the drought has devastated the people. Now that the authorities have issued relief policies, it is most advantageous for us to divide the household. Then Mother and the two sisters-in-law won’t have to quarrel over my affairs!”

“My son, but this division of the family—” Wang Shi did not finish her sentence. She knew that keeping the whole family together to support her third son’s studies was somewhat selfish. Yet once he passed the Xiucai exam, he would be permanently exempt from taxes and corvée labor. If someday he ranked on the imperial list as a Jinshi and became an official, it would be a tremendous boon for the entire Qiao family. What was a little hardship now compared to that?

The eldest and second brother’s households were truly foolish!

Qiao Tongsheng shook his head slightly, his gaze steady and words resolute: “Mother, dividing the family now is to our greatest benefit. As the old saying goes, ‘A big tree branches out, when sons grow up, families split.’ This cannot be stopped, so it’s better to part cleanly and maintain harmony, making everyone happy.

My eldest and second brothers have borne the burden of supporting me through many years of study. The two sisters-in-law married into this family and have not enjoyed comfort — it is time to lighten their load.

From now on, you and Father will live with me. Apart from this old house and the vegetable garden, the rest of the property will be equally divided between the eldest and second households. I will not ask for a single thing, nor require any written guarantees. Since they have already labored for me, it is only fair that they enjoy the benefits in the future! If I, Qiao Xun, can succeed and make a name for myself, I will surely repay my eldest and second brothers and their wives for their support.”

Jiang Xian nodded approvingly. This Qiao Tongsheng was indeed a scholar, speaking with reason and clarity, and a man who understood matters well.

The old woman sighed deeply. “Very well. Since you agree, then Mother will follow your decision.”

This news delighted the sisters-in-law of the Qiao family immensely.

The quarrel came to an end.

Just then, Jiang Xian lightly knocked on the courtyard door and called out in a voice neither too loud nor too soft, “Is anyone home?”

This was a polite reminder that she was a newcomer, had not heard any quarrels, and spared the Qiao family any embarrassment.

The two daughters-in-law of the Qiao family each returned to their rooms to ponder, leaving only the old woman and Qiao Tongsheng in the courtyard.

Wang Shi began tidying the scattered mess, picking up vegetable baskets and farming tools, with Qiao Tongsheng helping her.

Jiang Xian pushed open the courtyard door and stepped inside.

Neither Wang Shi nor Qiao Xun had seen Jiang Xian before. She was a stranger — a young girl of pleasant appearance and graceful figure.

Wang Shi’s eyes grew curious. Which family in the village hid such a delicate and beautiful girl? Why had she never seen her before? As she looked back and forth between Jiang Xian and her youngest son, the resemblance was uncanny—almost like a destined couple.

Qiao Xun’s voice was low and serious: “Miss, may I ask what brings you here?”

Jiang Xian cleared her throat gently and smiled. “Aunt, Qiao Tongsheng, I am a girl from the neighboring Taoyuan Village, the Jiang family. I apologize for the sudden intrusion. I hoped to ask Qiao Tongsheng to help me write an adoption transfer contract. You’re the only one literate in these ten or so villages. Could I borrow your assistance for a while?”

Wang Shi chuckled, “You’re so straightforward, girl, it’s amusing. If you want help, just say so—what’s this ‘borrow for a while’ nonsense?”

Jiang Xian grinned and scratched her head.

Wang Shi worried her son was buried in books to the point of folly, so she turned to Qiao Xun. “Third son, why don’t you go with Miss Jiang for a bit? It’ll do you some good to get out and move around.”

“Alright!” Qiao Xun agreed promptly, raising an eyebrow at Jiang Xian before quickly diverting his gaze. “Miss, do you have brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone? If not, I can fetch some from home.”

“I have them ready at home. You just need to come with me!” Jiang Xian had received an advanced education in her previous life. Transmigrated to this backwater, she frequently bought brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones to prevent her parents from questioning her literacy and numerical skills. She also learned about the culture of the Great Xia dynasty from the bookshops in the county town. Overall, Great Xia’s culture resembled that of the Ming dynasty in China but was not mutually intelligible.

Qiao Xun admired Jiang Xian’s resourcefulness—few rural families possessed such writing implements.

“Very well, I’ll change clothes and come right away. Please wait a moment, Miss.”

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Qiao Xun strode into the eastern side room.

Jiang Xian understood that scholars of this era cared greatly about appearances.

Wang Shi found herself increasingly fond of Jiang Xian, whose sharp, bright eyes gleamed like a hunter stalking prey.

Her youngest son had everything—good looks, intelligence, tall stature, talent—but no luck with women.

When he passed the Tongsheng exam at thirteen, suitors had come knocking fiercely. But Wang Shi, uncertain of her son’s future fortunes, had not consented to any betrothals.

Since he suffered misfortune repeatedly during the county examinations over the past three years, and now at nineteen still held only the Tongsheng rank, many families who once expressed interest took a wait-and-see stance or shunned the unlucky Qiao Xun altogether.

Wang Shi could not bear the insult and held grudges against such fickle families, refusing any future requests regardless.

Seeing her youngest son age without marrying—while the first and second brothers were already wed at his age—Wang Shi searched far and wide. She found no suitable match in the surrounding villages, but this sudden arrival of Jiang Xian pleased her increasingly.

Perhaps her son marrying would bring some good fortune.

Wang Shi’s face softened with a kind smile as she gently asked, “Miss, how old are you? How many family members do you have? Are you betrothed?”

Jiang Xian answered truthfully, “Aunt, I am seventeen years old and unmarried.”

“Oh? Did your parents not arrange a good match for you?” Wang Shi’s eyes searched, thinking her son was nineteen, close in age.

Jiang Xian felt a chill under Wang Shi’s gaze—it was impossible to avoid the look of a mother seeking a daughter-in-law!

She forced a couple of awkward laughs. “Aunt, marriage is decided by parents; I follow their wishes. I’ll step outside and wait for Qiao Tongsheng.”

With that, she turned and fled almost like an escape.

Wang Shi laughed aloud—this girl was shy after all.

Taoyuan Village’s Jiang family?

She had never heard of a Jiang family there.

She would have to ask the matchmaker about it later.

“Third son, hurry up! Miss Jiang is still waiting!” Wang Shi called out, eager to bring them together.

“Coming!” Qiao Xun leisurely stepped out, dressed in a clean indigo long robe without patches, his black hair tied neatly in a bun with a matching cloth bag, feet in black boots worn only when going to the county academy.

He glanced at Wang Shi with some concern. “Mother, I’ll be back soon. Don’t quarrel with the sisters-in-law—wait until we return to discuss everything.”

“Alright, alright. I’ll listen to you. Hurry along and don’t keep the girl waiting!” Wang Shi urged, then quickly ran to the gate to peek out.

...

Jiang Xian stood beneath a cedar tree nearby, waiting for Qiao Xun. When he approached, she immediately took a string of copper coins from her bosom and handed them to him.

“Qiao Tongsheng, the wealthy in our village do not want to raise an abandoned child. I cannot bear it, so I want to adopt him. I’d like your help writing the contract and handling the paperwork. It’s urgent. I don’t have much money, but here is a string of coins as a token of sincerity. Is that acceptable?”

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Qiao Xun glanced at the coins and said, “That’s unnecessary. I have little to do at home. This is just a simple errand, how could I accept your money, Miss?”

Jiang Xian thought to herself, this man was quite decent!

Such a pity his fate was not good.

She smiled brightly, showing a mouth of silver teeth. “A gentleman’s word is worth a thousand gold pieces. I know this money is little—just enough for your tea.”

“No need. Let’s go.” Qiao Xun declined firmly, striding toward the village entrance.

Jiang Xian resolved to investigate the fate chart of this Qiao Tongsheng.

She pocketed the coins and hurried after him.

At the Qiao household, Wang Shi watched her youngest son and Jiang Xian depart, a smile tugging at her lips.

Suddenly, the gossiping voices of two daughters-in-law rose behind her.

“Mother, is this the bride you’ve found for Third Son?”

“She looks pretty, but her hips are narrow—might be hard to bear children!”

Wang Shi turned sharply, scolding the two with a stern look. “You two, stop prying into things that haven’t even begun! Instead of gossiping, why not hurry up and boil water, cook, and work? Once everything’s done, we’ll divide the household!”

The two daughters-in-law immediately renewed their vigor, hastening to their chores and marking household items to prepare for the division.

...

Jiang Xian led Qiao Xun back to Taoyuan Village. The village chief and villagers were still waiting outside Chen San’s leper’s home.

Seeing Jiang Xian return with Qiao Tongsheng, the crowd eagerly looked on with a natural respect for scholars.

“Is that Qiao Tongsheng? What a fine young man!”

“Look at that indigo robe; he looks the part of a high official!”

“I heard he’s eighteen?”

“Nineteen now, still unmarried!”

“No worries about marriage. Qiao Tongsheng is destined to be an official. He’ll marry daughters of noble families. No rush before thirty!”

“I heard if he passes the exam one more time, he’ll be a Xiucai. Xiucai don’t have to kowtow before the county magistrate and their whole family is exempt from taxes and labor. From then on, it’s all luxury and ease. If only my family had such a scholar!”

“What’s so great about that? The whole family tightens belts to support his studies. Just the tuition and writing supplies cost dozens of taels of silver a year. And Qiao Tongsheng is probably done for. My parents say he’s ruined!”

All heads turned sharply to the speaker, eyes sharp as knives.

In these villages, a scholar was sacred. To insult one was a grave offense.

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