Chapter 490 – Future Vice Minister of Education (1)
“Who knew what triggered Shangguan Wan? This girl ended up hugging her waist, burying her face in her embrace, and bawling her eyes out.”
Jiang Pengji was taken aback for a moment before realizing something was off.
Shangguan Wan was indeed lively and cheerful, but that didn’t mean she lacked noble upbringing.
So by Shangguan Wan’s standards, even if this girl were heartbroken and crying, it wouldn’t be to the extent of disregarding her dignity.
Shangguan Wan knew her gender, but outsiders didn’t!
Crying so loudly in public while hugging a man? Wouldn’t she be the laughingstock for being shameless?
Moreover, she had come with the troops all the way from Hejian County to Xiangyang, which was quite intriguing.
No matter how mischievous Shangguan Wan was, she wouldn’t just run away from home.
Jiang Pengji’s expression darkened as Jiang Nongqin stepped forward to pay her respects, her demeanor respectful.
“I, Jiang Nongqin, greet my Lord.”
“Get up, no need for such formality,” Jiang Pengji frowned and asked Jiang Nongqin, “Did Wan’er leave Hejian County with you?”
“Yes.” Jiang Nongqin replied, after a moment, her cold expression grew somewhat indignant. As a woman who had once been victimized, she couldn’t stand such tragic situations, “My Lord, it’s a long story regarding Wan-jia. She didn’t run away on her own accord; she was forced to. If she hadn’t left Hejian County, my Lord might only see Wan-jia’s grave in the future.”
Jiang Pengji’s heart sank, and while comforting the still-sobbing Shangguan Wan, she said, “This isn’t the place to talk. Let’s head into the city first.”
Seeing Shangguan Wan unable to control her tears, Jiang Pengji refrained from too much consolation, waiting quietly for her to calm down.
After a while, someone gently tugged at her clothing.
She looked down and asked, “Not crying anymore?”
Shangguan Wan wiped her tears with her hand, and Jiang Pengji’s clothes were also dampened by her tears.
“N-No more crying… Wan’er isn’t that much of a crybaby…”
Even after being tormented by the Zhang Clan, she had stubbornly refused to shed tears; yet now, upon encountering Jiang Pengji, the tears flowed like a fountain.
Shangguan Wan felt countless eyes on her and immediately forgot her crying, blushing fiercely.
“Then stop clinging to me. Do you want me to carry you into the city?”
Jiang Pengji chuckled and reached out to ruffle Shangguan Wan’s hair. But when she did, she sensed something was off. Furrowing her brows, a bold guess flashed through her mind, and she maintained a calm expression, asking, “Why did you cut your hair?”
Hair is a person’s crown, bestowed by parents.
According to the rules, apart from a few exceptions, hair can only be trimmed, never cut.
Shangguan Wan’s face paled, biting her lip as she said, “Husband passed, a widow cuts her hair to show resolve…”
Hearing this, Jiang Pengji’s face suddenly clouded over.
Connecting Shangguan Wan’s attitude with her appearance in Xiangyang, she faintly guessed something.
“Let’s get into the city first!”
Her voice deepened by a couple of degrees.
Dressed in a crisp outfit, Jiang Nongqin followed Jiang Pengji into the county office.
A long time later.
Bang—crack—
The sound of a table shattering came from the back hall, causing Qi Guanrang to furrow his brows.
Moments later, muffled voices of their Lord suppressing his anger emerged from the back hall.
Qi Guanrang was taken aback. Which clueless fool had angered their Lord?
Seeing Jiang Pengji fuming, Shangguan Wan felt embarrassed instead and spoke quietly.
“Lan Ting-jiejie, Wan’er is fine.”
“Call him brother,” Jiang Pengji emphasized.
With her head bowed, Shangguan Wan said, “Oh… Lan Ting-gege… Wan’er really is fine.”
After sending away the Zhang Clan’s divorce papers, she had abandoned her womanly attire and reverted to her youthful clothes.
But it’s hard for her chopped-off long hair to grow back; even though she was covering it well, as soon as Jiang Pengji touched it, she noticed the issue.
“I really don’t know where your usual cleverness went. When your stepmother pressured you, you should’ve thought of sneaking out while bringing the token I gave you to the Liu Residence for help.” Jiang Pengji felt frustrated, tapping her forehead, “If not for your mother coincidentally stopping you, were you planning to end it all? If this place doesn’t keep you, others will!”
Suicide is the behavior of the weak, something Jiang Pengji has always looked down upon.
Shangguan Wan’s heart warmed, and she lowered her head saying, “… At that time… I just didn’t think…”
It was indeed her overconfidence.
Having been favored for so long, Shangguan Wan hadn’t regarded her stepmother as a rival.
She believed her family would definitely stand by her side, protecting her from her stepmother’s torment. Not to mention, she already had a marriage engagement; as long as her mourning period was over, she could marry into her husband’s family, avoiding the face of her stepmother’s hidden blades.
Yet, little did she know, one misstep led to losing everything.
Having a stepmother also brought along a stepfather—how true those words were.
Her stepmother was cunning, playing the role of the meek, cozying up, and lowering herself so much that Shangguan Wan looked down on her.
She truly doubted whether her stepmother came from a noble family or a brothel?
Ironically, this act catered to her grandmother’s and father’s preferences, slowly winning over the two most vital pillars of support in the family. Even her future mother-in-law was manipulated into retreating from the engagement, turning the proud daughter of the heavens into a laughingstock for others.
Looking back, this stepmother was indeed remarkable, like a black widow weaving a venomous web, silently waiting for her prey to get trapped. Once the prey was worn out and breathless, she would suddenly strike out to dismantle and devour them.
Just thinking about it sent chills down Shangguan Wan’s spine.
Jiang Pengji sighed, “Well, at least you’re safe and sound now.”
Shangguan Wan replied softly, smiling as she held Jiang Pengji’s hand, tentatively asking.
“Now that Wan’er is without a home, would Lan Ting-gege be willing to take in a stray?”
“Not willing.” Jiang Pengji answered firmly, not giving Shangguan Wan a chance to feel sad, “Good Wan’er, come help your brother, how about it?”
At these words, Shangguan Wan was left stunned.
The live stream’s bullet comments swarmed in like a tidal wave, attacking Jiang Pengji.
[Tuhui Master]: Holy cow, can you have a shred of dignity, dear anchor! Can you have a shred of dignity!?
[Star Master]: Hi everyone, I’m the anchor’s dignity. She doesn’t want me anymore, so sad, ohhh.
[Madman Master]: Little Shangguan, just escaped from one tiger’s den, now stepping right into a wolf’s den.
The viewers in the live stream felt sympathy for Shangguan Wan’s plight, but due to the distance in dimensions, they could only watch helplessly as the little bunny hopped into Jiang Pengji’s carefully dug trap. It was easy to imagine that once the young girl jumped into the trap, Jiang Pengji would be grinning while burying her.
Sold out by the anchor, and she was still helping Jiang Pengji count the money.
Shangguan Wan blinked, puzzled about Jiang Pengji’s words, “How do I help Lan Ting-gege?”
Jiang Pengji ignored the comments and said, “I plan to establish a school to take in children of suitable ages to study. I don’t expect them to be scholars, but at least I want them to be able to read and do arithmetic… Wan’er, how about being a teacher and helping your brother teach them for a while?”
Top talents are hard to find, but grassroots talents can be nurtured themselves; a couple of years of learning could prepare them for use.
Jiang Pengji was someone who aimed for great things, calculating every step meticulously.
