After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 343 Gifts for the Sisters, Grandfather Gets Jealous

The group sat at the desk, their bottoms glued to the spot, refusing to budge.

Jiang Xiaoqi immediately kicked everyone out of the study.

You should rest when you need to. After such a long and tiring journey, don't you know to take a bath and change your clothes first?

"If you want to read, you'll have plenty of time later, so why rush it?"

"How about we come over after dinner?"

"Alright, alright, go back and take a shower and change your clothes first, settle your luggage, and do whatever you want after you've eaten. Don't make my grandfather, who is so old, wait for you youngsters to eat!"

"No, no, it's just that seeing the sea of ​​books for a moment made my heart surge with uncontrollable emotion, haha~"

Old Wang made a joke, but still obediently followed the Jiang family out of the study.

After tidying themselves up, the group went to pay their respects to Madam Jiang.

When Madam Jiang saw someone she didn't recognize, she naturally asked him a few more questions.

However, as expected of a couple married for many years, when he learned that the other party was also a successful candidate in the provincial examination of Xuanzhong Prefecture, his somewhat cloudy eyes brightened, though no one noticed.

After everyone paid their respects to Madam Jiang, they went to the dining hall together for a meal.

During the meal, men and women sat at separate tables, separated by a screen.

The four unmarried daughters of the Jiang family, born out of wedlock, are all getting on in years. If it weren't for Jiang Xiaoqi returning home, they wouldn't be dining in the front yard.

Under the personal tutelage of Jiang Xiaoqi in recent years, the Jiang family's kitchen has become increasingly innovative, integrating the recipes given to them by their young master.

The table was now laden with a variety of dishes. They weren't particularly exquisite, but the aroma alone was enough to tempt anyone to pick up their chopsticks.

The young men, who were already eager for food, couldn't resist. Landlord Jiang didn't have the habit of giving a pre-meal speech; he simply said, "Welcome to the Jiang family," and then told everyone to start eating.

With his grandson back, Landlord Jiang felt his appetite had improved.

I usually only eat one bowl of rice, but today I ate two bowls.

If it weren't for Madam Jiang stopping her, she probably would have asked for the bowl back.

"Old man, how old are you? You need to eat in moderation, otherwise you'll toss and turn at night and suffer from severe stomach pain."

"I know, I'm so happy! Mingfei is back home and has become the top scholar in the imperial examination. I'm thinking of throwing a feast for him for a few days."

After hearing what the landlord said, even Old Madam Jiang was a little tempted. A banquet? That's something we can do!

Jiang Xiaoqi noticed her grandparents' intentions and quickly tried to stop them.

“Grandfather, Grandmother! Forget about the banquet. We haven’t fully established ourselves in the capital yet, and we don’t know many people.”

It wouldn't be good to be too ostentatious at this time. Besides, I'm just a provincial champion. There are more than a dozen provincial champions in the Great Zhou Dynasty. This is nothing unusual.

Let's just celebrate with our family to avoid gossip and unnecessary criticism.

After all, we are under the emperor's nose, and even the smallest things can be magnified. Besides, we will be taking the imperial examination next year, so we should focus on our studies.

"When we finally pass the imperial examination, we can celebrate, and then no one will dare to say anything more."

"This... old man, is it really as serious as Mingfei makes it out to be? In the capital, are people no longer allowed to hold banquets?"

"It's not that it's impossible, but Mingfei has a point. There are many powerful and influential people in the capital, and our family doesn't have any significant position in the officialdom yet."

"Countless children in my family have passed the imperial examinations in this capital, and none of them have celebrated yet. For us lowly officials to hold such a grand celebration is bound to invite gossip."

After thinking it over, Landlord Jiang decided to listen to his beloved grandson. He was overjoyed that his grandson was so composed and self-controlled.

Therefore, he helped his grandson explain a few more words to his wife.

"Alright, let's not hold it for now. We'll wait until Mingfei and the others pass the imperial examination, then we'll hold it together with the clan. It'll be a big celebration!"

Jiang Xiaoqi was relieved, but Jiang Lin, Jiang Yan, and Jiang Hao were on tenterhooks.

To pass the imperial examination together? I've fantasized about it before.

They could only dream of it, and they could only do it. Among them, only Jiang Lin could really compete. He ranked around two hundredth in the provincial examination, so he probably had no chance.

However, it was not appropriate to say anything discouraging in front of the elders at this time, so they could only bite the bullet and agree.

Sigh, their decision to go to the capital with Mingfei's younger brother was more about practicing and experiencing the atmosphere of the imperial examination, so as to prepare for the next attempt.

How could my great-aunt's words make them seem like they could all pass the imperial examinations...? My great-aunt's confidence in them is a bit too much!

Ugh, the pressure is so immense!

Old Wang ate the dishes heartily, thinking that everything was delicious. He thought to himself, "It's really worth befriending Mingfei."

I passed the provincial examination, and they helped me a lot. Now they are still providing me with food, lodging, and books. It is no exaggeration to say that they have given me a second life.

As for whether he can pass the imperial examination, let's leave it to fate. He's not a member of the Chiang family, so he doesn't have that kind of pressure.

Hehe, these round meatballs are so delicious! What's that crunchy stuff inside?

After the meal, Landlord Jiang wanted to chat with his grandson, but the grandson said he had to distribute gifts to his sisters and would have to come later.

"Sigh, Mingfei treats his sisters equally well. They mustn't forget how good their brother from their maternal family is to them after they get married."

Madam Jiang looked pleased. These girls had practically grown up with her, especially the fifth and sixth daughters.

From a tiny little child to this age, they have been raised with love and care.

Seeing her eldest grandson treat her sisters well, the old lady is naturally pleased.

"Oh dear, Mingfei hasn't even had a chance to talk to the girls since he got back. What? Are you jealous of your own granddaughter?"

"Cough cough, what? I'm not jealous at all. I'm just curious about what gifts Mingfei brought for his sisters."

They'd already sent loads of stuff before; this kid just loves to spend money recklessly.

Madam Jiang said with a teasing look, "Oh? So you're complaining that your grandson is a spendthrift? Don't you see that most of the family's wealth was earned by your grandson? Can't he spend some of the money he earns?"

You're such a cheapskate! Don't let yourself become a sugar rooster after working in the Ministry of Revenue for so long!

"What are you talking about, what sugar rooster... Are you saying I not only won't give you a penny, but I'll also try to get something back? Humph!"

"Haha, you actually figured it out, old man! Haha, don't you think about it? No matter how much Mingfei brings you, it's always mostly for you."

That means they only give you small, scattered pieces, and every time it's you, as the grandfather, who decides how to distribute them. You shouldn't be so ungrateful.

Landlord Jiang thought about it and realized that most of the things his grandson sent back were given to him, the grandfather.

He had several granddaughters, but even combined, they didn't amount to what he received. Instantly, he felt at peace and stopped being angry.

"What are you waiting for? Mingfei said that if it's late, you can come back tomorrow. Are you going to wait forever?"

"It's just a gift, how long will it last? I'm not sleepy right now, so don't worry about me!"