Chapter 100 [Extra] Jiang Family's Jiang Mian: "Studying is tiring, doing business is even more..."

Chapter 2 [Extra Chapter] Jiang Family, Jiang Mian: "Studying is tiring, doing business is even more..."

Children from prominent families who were five years old or older could enter the Imperial Academy to study as long as they passed the exam. The academy was filled with renowned scholars of the time, who were extremely knowledgeable. The children who graduated from the Imperial Academy were also very learned, and many of them became successful candidates in the imperial examinations.

The Crown Princess began her education at the age of three and passed the Imperial Academy examination at the age of five. Her teachers all praised her for her intelligence and for showing the talent of a crown prince at such a young age. In contrast to the calm, steady, and exemplary Crown Princess, her cousin Jiang Mian was simply the negative example in the teachers' eyes.

"I entered the Imperial Academy at the age of five. I heard that the youngest scholar in our dynasty was only thirteen years old. If you pass the county-level examination, you still have to take the provincial examination, and after that, there is the palace examination." Jiang Mian stretched out her chubby little hand, counting on her fingers after each sentence. She couldn't help but sigh on her chubby face, "Doesn't that mean I have to continue studying for more than ten years?"

Students at the Imperial Academy, even those from aristocratic families and privileged backgrounds, were taught from a young age to study diligently and strive to become the top scholar. The tradition of studying in Fengman endured for a long time, and scholars were respected wherever they went. Moreover, scions of aristocratic families with genuine talent would rise through the ranks of officials much faster than others.

However, there are also some children who are only five years old and yet are completely ignorant and incompetent.

Just like Princess Jiang Mian.

She had been dozing off in class when Mr. Li called on her, angrily saying she didn't have the talent to be a top scholar. Little Jiang Mian heard everything he said, but instead blinked and innocently asked, "Sir, can I not study?"

She was afraid that if she really studied for so many years, her little brain would become dull.

Mr. Li couldn't help but frown. "The princess doesn't study; does she perhaps want to go into business?"

The Jiang family are imperial merchants, and it would be a good way for their eldest daughter to inherit the family business in the future. However, there is no reason for her to give up her studies at such a young age.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Mian pouted, yawned, and said, "Studying is tiring, doing business is even more tiring. I want to sleep."

She was only five years old. If her mother hadn't insisted on sending her to this Imperial Academy, she would still be happily playing with her friends.

Moreover, she could recite Mr. Li’s “Quiet Night Thoughts” by heart when she was three years old; it sounded like chanting a sutra.

In the classrooms of the Imperial Academy, only Jiang Mian dared to utter such arrogant words.

This infuriated Mr. Li, but out of consideration for everyone's dignity, he didn't continue to argue with Jiang Mian. He simply told her to stand outside and not to come back in without permission.

Even if you want to sleep, you have to go outside to sleep.

For other scions of prominent families, this would be a severe punishment. Ke Jiangmian skipped and hopped out, her steps as light as if she had just finished school. She even made a face at her cousin when Mr. Li wasn't looking.

Xile was reviewing the lessons Mr. Li had assigned when she saw her cousin looking like this, and sighed helplessly.

Jiang Mian was still deliberately restraining herself. Last time, she was curious about why Mr. Lu could always sit so upright, and insisted that he had a stick supporting him. In order to find out the truth, she even deliberately pounced on Mr. Lu, only to find out that he just had a straight back.

Faced with Mr. Lu's doubts, Jiang Mian could only stick out her tongue and use flowery words to say that she admired Mr. Lu's demeanor.

Every time Jiang Mian spoke to Mr. Li, it would infuriate the old lady.

Few teachers at the Imperial Academy were unaware of her; she was precocious and intelligent, always ranking behind the Crown Princess in her studies. Yet, she disliked studying and loved almost everything unrelated to reading.

Mr. Li spoke for half an hour, intending to teach Jiang Mian a lesson, but in the end he softened and called her back. Unexpectedly, there was no one outside.

Xile closed the book and readily agreed, saying, "Mr. Li, Mian'er should have gone to Mr. Song's place."

Mr. Song was in charge of teaching mechanical craftsmen at the Imperial Academy. She had many strange and wonderful gadgets. However, these classes were for older students. The students who had just entered the Imperial Academy were too young and couldn't even lift some of the mechanical items.

Jiang Mian didn't know how she met Mr. Song, but whenever she came to class, she wanted to see Mr. Song every time. Mr. Song was a very easygoing person and usually called Jiang Mian "little friend".

The Imperial Academy was mostly filled with women, but there was also a boys' school specifically for the sons of noble families. As soon as Jiang Mian entered, she saw a little boy dressed in brocade clothes. He had gentle features and was listening to Mr. Song teach about mechanical arts with his lips pursed.

Upon seeing Jiang He's small figure, Mr. Song smiled and said, "Young friend Jiang, did you skip Mr. Li's class today?"

Jiang Mian immediately retorted, "It was Master Li who called me out."

She looked at the little boy next to Mr. Song, her eyes immediately lit up, and she stepped forward to grab his hand without the slightest bit of shyness, "Big brother, look closely, which family's young master are you?"

This was the first time Cong Shan had encountered such a proactive little girl. Before he could even react, he found Jiang Mian had run up to him, looking up at him with a beaming smile.

His face flushed instantly, and he looked at Mr. Song helplessly.

The book says that men and women should not touch each other. Jiang Mian is only five years old, so in principle there should be no problem. However, Cong Shan has never had much contact with outsiders and was frightened by Jiang Mian's sudden enthusiasm.

“Young friend Jiang, this is Jiang Congshan, the eldest son of the Minister of Works.” Mr. Song laughed heartily. “Congshan, don’t be afraid. This is Princess Ruyi, two years younger than you. This child usually has her eyes on the top of her head and is rarely seen getting close to people. It seems she likes you very much.”

Jiang Congshan took a deep breath and nodded slightly, saying, "Greetings, Princess Ruyi."

"Brother Congshan, what did you eat to grow up so tall and handsome?" Jiang Mian looked at him for a while, then smiled and said, "Just as handsome as my father!"

“Princess Ruyi, I…I…” Jiang Congshan didn’t know how to answer her.

The little girl was still clinging tightly to him. Luckily, his collar was high today, otherwise Mr. Song would definitely have seen her bright red neck.

He was an only child and had absolutely no experience interacting with little girls.

Perhaps finding the two children amusing, Mr. Song simply watched from the side without saying a word.

In the end, Cong Shan could only softly say, "Thank you for the compliment, Princess Ruyi."

Perhaps seeing that he was too restrained because of Jiang Mian, Mr. Song said to him, "Congshan, you should go back first."

Cong Shan nodded with relief, but then noticed that Xiao Jiangmian was still holding his hand. Only when he was about to leave did she reluctantly let go.

However, the little gadget that Mr. Song had just developed immediately caught Jiang Jiangmian's attention. Cong Shan felt the warmth left by the little guy in her palm, lowered her eyes, and hurriedly left.

Mr. Li finally found Mr. Song and saw him explaining the mechanism to Xiao Jiangmian. Although she was not yet up to Mr. Song's waist, she was holding her head high and looking very serious. She was not drowsy like she was in class, nor was she as arrogant as she was when she talked back to the teachers.

Mr. Li doubted whether she could understand, and in the end, he did not take Jiang Mian back to school.

Jiang Mian spent another afternoon with Mr. Song. When it was almost time for the end of the school term at the Imperial Academy, she secretly slipped back home to avoid her father finding out that she hadn't been paying attention in class.

Xile rode in the palace carriage back to the palace, while Xue Lingyu personally came to pick up Jiang Mian.

Along the way, Jiang Mian chattered on and on about what had happened at the Imperial College. She said she had finished all her homework, but Mr. Li was probably too old to understand it. She was so engrossed in her conversation that she accidentally let slip that she had gone to see Mr. Song.

Xue Lingyu did not immediately scold her for skipping class. Instead, she held her in her arms and gently asked her if she had encountered anything interesting at Mr. Song's place.

Little Jiangmian, who had been covering her mouth, waiting for her father to scold her, suddenly burst into conversation, "Father, I met a really handsome older brother, I think his name is... something like Shan..."

Xiao Jiangmian slapped her head in distress, realizing that she hadn't remembered it. It must be because Mr. Song's mechanical bird was too fun!

She tugged at Xue Lingyu's sleeve and asked in a clear voice, "Father, why don't I have a brother?"

Xue Lingyu smiled and said, "Because you are Father's first child."

Jiang Mian seemed to understand, but not quite. She nestled in Xue Lingyu's arms and felt like the happiest child in the world because her father knew she was causing trouble and not listening to lessons at the National Academy, but he didn't scold her.

"Mian'er, your father knows you're smart and have things you like, but you can't be so naughty anymore. You've angered your teachers so much that they've gone to your mother to complain." This means he wants her to tone it down a bit.

Xue Lingyu was also somewhat helpless. When she was pregnant with Mian'er, she knew that Mian'er was a lively and active child. She never expected her to be so naughty. Even the many great scholars of the Imperial Academy were troubled by her antics.

"Otherwise, your mother will spank you."

Jiang He's voice suddenly rang out from outside, "What are you talking about me about?"

The carriage slowly came to a stop in front of the Jiang residence. Jiang He was waiting with a child of about four years old in tow. The exquisitely handsome boy was none other than Jiang Xi.

Jiang Xi and his mother were waiting for his older sister to come home from school. When the carriage finally arrived, a girl got out and immediately hugged him.

"younger brother!"

Jiang Mian tried to pick up Jiang Xi. Although she was taller, her younger brother was not light either. She tried hard but found that she could not do it. She couldn't help but feel a little discouraged and gave up.

She hugged Jiang Xi and said earnestly in an older sister's tone, "Little brother, you should eat fewer snacks."

"I think you're the one who should eat less." Jiang He bent down and poked her little head.

"You weren't punished by the teacher today, were you?"

Upon hearing Jiang He's question, Jiang Mian immediately released Jiang Xi, stood up straight as if facing a formidable enemy, and said as if it were true, "Of course not, the teacher even praised me for doing well in my studies, saying that I am second only to my cousin Xile!"

“But sister,” Jiang Xi said softly, “I can’t understand the words you write.”

Jiang Xi also started learning at the age of three. Although she is not as intelligent as Jiang Mian, she still knows quite a few characters.

"Then you'll have to learn to read properly. I'll teach you properly in the future," Jiang Mian said calmly, refusing to admit that her handwriting was terrible.

Hearing this, Jiang Xi really thought it was her fault. She clenched her little fist and nodded very seriously.

The loving relationship between the siblings pleased Jiang He greatly.

The very next day, Mr. Li came knocking on the door.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 21:22:00 on March 14, 2022 and 22:08:27 on March 15, 2022!

Thank you to the little angel who threw the landmine: Su Chan (1);

Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Yogurt 20 bottles; 41713647, jyxsxlyjh 10 bottles; Ciyi, 57647020, and Shian 1 bottle;

Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!