Chapter 1713 – Coming to a Preliminary Consensus
Mi Hua’s choice was undoubtedly the right one.
As an outsider who had just been fast-tracked to a high position shortly after recruitment, she had plenty of envious critics.
With the awareness of Feng Zhen and Yang Si, they certainly wouldn’t hold it against her, nor would they intentionally suppress Mi Hua, but what about everyone else?
Could the others trust Jiang Pengji’s choice enough to refrain from making things difficult for Mi Hua?
In places hidden from Mi Hua’s sight, there were many who harbored jealousy and doubts about her. Some merely sneered while waiting for her inevitable fall from grace, while others scrutinized her with biased eyes, attempting to find any evidence to pull her down. Fortunately, these folks were somewhat restrained in their malicious intent, but there were others who were already plotting to ensure she never rises again.
Her starting point was just too high!
Many people had struggled for years without reaching even a fraction of her current status.
Her beginning was everyone else’s end point—how could they not be envious, jealous, or resentful?
Because of this, Mi Hua had to be even more cautious, leaving no room for anyone to criticize her. Being a smart person, Mi Hua naturally understood this. In dealing with confidants and ministers like Yang Si and Feng Zhen, she dared not be careless in the slightest.
Even though she was a hot new noble in the eyes of outsiders, Mi Hua still assumed the demeanor of a junior, earnestly seeking advice.
While it may have been framed as a consultation, it felt more like a discussion among three people, exchanging ideas while sharing knowledge.
As the conversation deepened, Yang Si and the others found Mi Hua provided them with more surprises than they had anticipated, indicating that their lord’s choice of Mi Hua for Ningzhou was not some impulsive decision, but rather because she was indeed the most suitable candidate.
With a good attitude, humility, and intelligence, how could such a colleague not be likable?
However, there was one thing Yang Si couldn’t wrap his head around, so he asked.
“I’ve heard Xu Chong has long resided in the inner quarters, yet she is so familiar with the rivers and streams. How is that?”
Not just familiar—she had done extensive research that couldn’t possibly be crammed in overnight.
It was clearly knowledge built up over time, needing fieldwork and understanding that couldn’t be achieved through mere theoretical discussions.
These weren’t really subjects a woman in the inner quarters would typically study or pay attention to, right?
Mi Hua and Yang Si spoke for more than an hour, both gaining a lot; their initial formal titles turned into more familiar terms, all referring to each other by courtesy names. Mi Hua’s courtesy name was Xu Chong, though it sounded a bit odd, since it was bestowed by her elders, it must have some deeper meaning.
Mi Hua smiled and explained, “My grandfather was once a governor for several years and was fortunate enough to bring some benefits to the common people. My father was also recruited into officialdom, but due to health reasons, he had to resign and retreat from public life. Though your tenures were short, both of you have always cared deeply for the people, which is why we have many books related to water management at home. Influenced by my father from a young age, I learned quite a bit, and I never imagined it would come in handy one day.”
During her childhood enlightenment, her father often lamented in her ear.
“It’s a pity my child is not a son; otherwise, you could surely compete with the young men of the world.”
Though young, Mi Hua was fiercely competitive, and after her enlightenment, she was often praised by her elders, making her unable to tolerate any negative comments.
Her father acknowledged her talent yet denied her due to her gender, which upset Mi Hua greatly, prompting her to retort.
“Father, I can learn better than anyone, so why can’t I compete?”
Those cousins and brothers were all older than her, yet she outsmarted them all, even when they had years more experience.
Her father sighed and stroked her head, saying, “Though my child may have lofty ambitions, women in this world ultimately marry and bear children, residing in the inner quarters. What does an inner quarter woman need to learn? It is enough to manage household affairs, teach children, and handle social interactions…”
Mi Hua, in frustration, slammed a bamboo slip on the table. “I won’t learn that!”
“Of course, you can avoid learning it now, but when you reach marriageable age and are asked to marry, you will need to learn it well then.”
Despite her young age, Mi Hua had an excellent memory and could still recall what her father said years ago.
As she grew older, Mi Hua continued to excel in her studies. Those peers she trounced in knowledge couldn’t catch up, so they resorted to verbal attacks.
“What’s the point of a girl learning so much history and literature? No matter how well you learn, you’ll end up marrying and having children; you won’t need any of this in the inner quarters. It’s better to learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting so that you can share these joys with your future Young Master, enhancing your marital bond. Learning all this just makes you wild; how would your future in-laws appreciate a daughter-in-law like that?”
“How foolish, learning this is pointless and a waste of time and energy.”
While her peers frolicked with butterflies and flowers or enjoyed boating on lakes, Mi Hua was all about studying.
Learning was a tough slog; how could Mi Hua enjoy it?
But she couldn’t swallow her pride!
If she gave up midway, what faces would they make behind her back? How would they mock and ridicule her?
After studying for so many years, why should she let anyone decide that it would be “useless”?
Who set those rules anyway?
Was it those inferior to her, who had nothing but jealousy, envy, and petty remarks?
Why did Mi Hua still cling to thoughts of her deceased husband?
Because he was the first person who understood and respected her—more than just being partners, they were like-minded friends.
In comparison, her current husband was truly worthless apart from his good looks.
After chatting for several hours with Feng Zhen and the others, they all benefited greatly, and their impressions of one another climbed higher.
After she left, Yang Si chuckled, “Thank goodness Xu Chong is a woman and our lord is also a woman, otherwise both sides would be at a loss.”
At a loss for what?
Clearly, for reputation damage.
If Jiang Pengji were a man and immediately favored Mi Hua, outsiders would not only be jealous but also concoct tales like, “Mi Hua used her beauty to win favor and gain an advantage.” Once rumors like that spread, Mi Hua’s reputation would be tarnished beyond redemption. No matter how well she performed, it would always be subject to gossip. There would always be those who wanted to taint her with the worst possible accusations, claiming that her power, status, and achievements were all exchanged for beauty from the lord. Only in this way could these petty folks ease their jealousy and excuse their own incompetence.
If Mi Hua were a man, that would be even worse; the rumors of their long-ignored lord would likely spread like wildfire!
Hmm—
That seems wrong; there have been quite a few favored individuals when the lord first came into power, and it doesn’t seem to have led to many rumors.
This has always been a mystery—why does the world fail to spread scandal about a female lord?
Feng Zhen commented—
Rumors?
Heh, they’d have to compete with Wei Ci first; does anyone know he’s the supreme commander of the eight hundred thousand naval troops?
