Going to the Academy

Xu Xi shook her head. "No, it's just that Xu Xue, the younger sister from the Xu Family, entered the academy at the same time as me, and we wanted to be assigned together. So we arranged to meet at the academy gate at the beginning of the day. It's not far from the capital, so there's no rush."

The old lady was a lady of high birth and had a habit of not speaking while eating or sleeping. Qingfeng had reminded Xu Xi of this before they arrived. Xu Xi was happy not to have to awkwardly chat with the old lady she didn't know and could focus on enjoying the food.

Undoubtedly, even though the Marquis's mansion is currently struggling financially, they are unwilling to compromise on their food. The old lady's breakfast is, of course, elaborate, with four cold dishes, four hot dishes, four pastries, and specially prepared bird's nest porridge on the table; Xu Xi's portion is half that of the old lady, and the dishes are not as refined. But compared not only to the Xu Family, but also to the casual breakfasts she used to eat in modern times, it is much more delicious and plentiful.

Therefore, she ate with exceptional relish.

The old lady was getting on in years and didn't have a very good appetite. She often ate with her grandchildren, but this was the first time she had ever seen Xu Xi eat with such relish and enjoyment. Before she knew it, she had also been influenced and ate half a bowl of porridge and a roll more than usual.

Matron Jin was very Gao Xing to see this.

After the meal, the old lady said, "Your aunt is very busy; she's indispensable for everything in the household. Perhaps your mother could take you to the academy later?"

"No need, no need," Xu Xi quickly waved her hand. "I don't need anyone to take me. Just send me a carriage. It's just going to school, not some big deal. I don't need anyone to take me."

"That won't do," the old lady frowned.

Xu Xi interrupted before she could say anything more, saying, "If the old lady is really worried, she'll have Qingfeng come with me. If anything happens at the academy, I can have her come back and report to you."

The admission notice stated that students were not allowed to bring servants into the academy, and students had to do everything themselves within the academy. Therefore, Qingfeng would only see Xu Xi off and would not enter the academy with her.

Having already decided to give Lady Wei a hard time, the old lady naturally didn't bother to mediate between Lady Wei and Xu Xi. Since Xu Xi had said so, she didn't insist, only saying, "Then let Matron Ruan and Qingfeng accompany you."

Matron Ruan was the head of the inner courtyard, representing the Old Madam and the First Madam. Her presence to escort Xu Xi was a sign that the Marquis's mansion attached great importance to this matter, providing an explanation to both Xu Xi and outsiders.

"Then I'll have to trouble Matron Ruan."

Xu Xi stood up. "It's getting late, I need to go back and pack my things. I'll head back to Tea Tasting Residence now."

"Take care on your journey. If anything happens, just ask Matron Ruan to take care of it."

"Yes."

The group left the mansion, boarded a carriage, and Beining County.

Lady Wei was still waiting for Xu Xi to come and pay her respects. Upon hearing that Xu Xi had breakfast at the old lady's house and then went to the Women's Academy, she was furious. She cursed, "You little hussy, you have no conscience! I carried you for ten months and gave birth to this thing. Seeing others' wealth, you fawn over them, completely ignoring your own mother! You're truly a country bumpkin, knowing nothing of filial piety or etiquette. How can someone like that be worthy of attending the Women's Academy? I must go and have a word with the headmaster!"

Zhao Yuanliang had stayed in his concubine's room last night. In Lady Wei's courtyard, there were only a group of servants. When she started cursing, even Granny Li Fang didn't dare to say a word.

Only after her anger subsided somewhat did Matron Li advise her, "Madam, please don't say those words again. You know how much the Old Madam values the academy. If anything happens to Fifth Miss at the academy in the future, the Old Madam will blame you."

"I'm afraid of her? You old hag." Lady Wei scoffed.

The word "old hag" startled Matron Li, who immediately looked outside to see if anyone was there.

Fortunately, when Lady Wei was scolding people, the servants, fearing they would be implicated and take their anger out on them, quickly went about their business and didn't dare linger around. There was no one outside.

Turning away, she dared not offer any further advice, fearing that she might provoke Lady Wei into saying something outrageous.

The more Lady Wei thought about it, the angrier she became. She said bitterly, "When I get back tonight, I'm going to give her a good beating."

In the Marquis's residence, meals are served in separate rooms. Xu Xi is from the second branch of the household, so her meals will be delivered directly to the second branch. At that time, Lady Wei will not believe that she will still be loitering in the main courtyard and not coming back, and that she will have the face to eat the old lady's meals.

Xu Family Xu Xi returned to the Marquis's mansion, the four members of the Xu family have been unable to eat or sleep properly, constantly worrying that Xu Xi is not doing well at the mansion. So this morning, they all went out together to wait at the entrance of the Women's Academy, hoping to see Xu Xi. Even Xu Chongwen asked the school for half an hour's leave.

Xu Xi stepped down from the carriage, Xu Xue hugged her tightly, crying and laughing at the same time, "Sister, sister, I missed you so much."

Xu Xi chuckled, "You've only been apart for a day, and you're already thinking like this." But when she looked up and saw the concerned gazes of Xu Yongyi and his wife, as well as Xu Chongwen, her heart ached.

Madam Xie opened her mouth as if to ask Xu Xi how he was doing at the Marquis's residence, but when she saw the coachman and the Matron Ruan and Qingfeng getting out of the carriage, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

"Uncle, Aunt, Brother, I'm fine. The Old Madam and the First Madam are both very kind to me." Xu Xi smiled to reassure them, then introduced Qingfeng, "This is my Daya, Qingfeng. Besides Qingfeng, I also have two other maids and a maid who does odd jobs. I live alone in a small courtyard, and I've even furnished a study. My food and clothing are very good."

Seeing that her complexion was rosy and she was all smiles, wearing a mint green dress with ochre embroidery trim that was even more exquisite than yesterday's, and with an extra piece of jewelry on her head, and noticing that Matron Ruan Xu Yongyi Madam Xie were also very respectful, it seemed she was really doing well in the Marquis's mansion. Only then did Xu Yongyi and Madam Qingfeng feel relieved.

"Alright, it's getting late. You and Miss Xue should go inside." Xu Yongyi hesitated for a moment, then asked, "What are the arrangements for later? Should we wait for you at the entrance?"

The other girls who were admitted had already inquired about the rules from the academy in the past two days, deciding whether to live at the academy or go home, and how to pay the accommodation fees. They had made their decisions and preparations. However Xu Xi and the Xu Family had been preoccupied with the Marquis's affair these past two days and had no time or energy to inquire about these things, so they were still completely clueless about them.

"We'll go in first to register and find out how we'll be settled, then we'll come out and tell you. You can wait outside for now." Xu Xi said to Xu Yongyi wife, then glanced at Matron Ruan and Qingfeng.

Qingfeng nodded, indicating that he had heard it too.

"Okay, let's do it that way." Xu Yongyi urged, "Then hurry up. I just saw a few people go in."

"Okay," Xu Xi agreed, grasping Madam Xie's hand tightly. "Xiaoxi, you must take care of yourself. I won't be able to see you often anymore."