As soon as she saw Zhang Jin, Zhang Qi shrank back a little, with a mixture of fear and timidity in her lowered eyes, revealing a hint of rustic simplicity.

  She walked with a majestic gait, stopping for a moment beside Zhang Qi before asking without looking at her, "Cheap girl, your father seems to hold you in high regard."

  She said coldly: "Youre really good, even Father thinks that Shao Lang values you."

  Zhang Qi didnt dare to lift her head, her ten fingers twisted together, and she muttered: "Aqi is good at most, but also a servant concubine... Jin sister is the real noble girl."

  As soon as these words came out, Zhang Jins face was filled with anger and hatred, but it all disappeared in an instant. She turned her head to glance at Zhang Qi, snorted and said: "You still have some self-awareness." After speaking, she raised her chin high and called out in a soft and crisp voice: "Father, Ah Jin wants to see you."

  A clear voice came from inside, "Come in." As Zhang Jin stepped across the threshold, Zhang Gui, who had been keeping his head down, respectfully bowed to her before quietly retreating.

  She glanced back at Zhang Qi and thought: This country girl is quite sensible.

  As Zhang Qi walked down the steps, a voice came from inside, which was Zhang Jins. It was faintly audible that she mentioned the two words "Xiao Mo".

  Zhang Qi shook her head and quickly walked towards her residence.

  She walked along the main road, where maids and scholars passed by from time to time. These people seemed a bit excited, constantly talking about something, Zhang Gui listened, every word they said was related to the new emperor.

  Its settled, now its Chen Qians turn, the new year number has just been set... The new emperor is handsome and wise, all the Han familys young men have placed their hopeful gazes on him. The daughters of large families are also casting their eyes on him at this time, arent they?

  The new emperor ascended to the throne, and Jiankang still had a few clear days left. She had to think carefully about her next move.

  No one understands how difficult Zhang Qi is now. She, who just came from her maternal grandparents home in the countryside, didnt have a single penny on her and didnt bring anyone useful with her. Even Ah Lu was someone she got to know after entering the manor.

  No one, no money, no status, and no freedom, she still has some ideas, but nowhere to put them into practice.

  But now its better, she has acknowledged her father and become a proper young lady, no one will arrange things for her to do anymore. Her time is now free.

  But its still not enough. This freedom is only in her small room. To do something, timing is also needed - and I dont know when Zhang Jin will meet Xiao Mo again to ask him about the "Beauty Fu" writing?

  Zhang Jin, like many other girls, didnt have much talent. Therefore, she wouldnt know that even if Xiao Mo wanted to write a beautiful womans poem, he wouldnt be able to write about women of different identities and statuses, let alone one who is both inner and outer beauty. Since ancient times, when men wrote about beautiful women, wasnt it always about describing their clothes and makeup, and then focusing on their looks and charm? As for what they were thinking in their hearts, no one ever cared.

  Beautiful women are just like precious vessels, mere playthings. What bitterness they harbor in their hearts, and yet what can be done about it?

  His words were so full of loopholes, yet they could still deceive such a foolish woman.

  But that wont fool Xiao Mo. I just hope that after hearing this, Xiao Mo will think of asking himself a question.

  Back in the room, Ah Lu kept asking Zhang Qi for a long time. After she gave some vague and random answers, she pouted her mouth and went busy.

  Smiling as she watched Ah Lu cleaning the weeds in the courtyard, Zhang Qi shook her head and picked up an embroidery needle from one side, lowering her head to embroider a picture.

  She has been embroidering this painting for three months now. In a few more days, she will be able to finish it off. After finishing it off, she will write a poem on the side with a brush dipped in special powder. The elegant and flowing font inherited from her previous life, paired with the exceptional embroidery skills inherited from her memory, plus the painting that is especially tailored to His Majestys psychology, will surely be able to fetch a high price - In her previous life, there was a rural embroiderer who made a fortune with the same painting.

  Before you know it, another day has passed.

  On the third day early in the morning, a middle-aged woman came to Zhang Guis house and called out: "Is Ah Gui there?"

  In the crisp and clear voice of Ah Lu, the middle-aged woman said: "Madam has instructed that Ah Gui can also follow the young ladies to school. Go now."

  "Lets go, all the ladies have arrived, it wouldnt be proper for you to be late."

  "Yes."

  Zhang Qis school this time was completely different from the last one. Last time, she only learned to recognize a few characters, but this time, she had to learn everything including music, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery, poetry, etiquette, mysticism and genealogy (genealogy is also known as family tree, which is used to distinguish between commoners and nobles, and is also used by large families to prevent impostors, it was a prominent subject at that time). This was the proper education for young ladies from big families.

  When Zhang Gui arrived, there were whispers and faint laughter in the school. Looking from afar, there were twenty or thirty girls sitting inside the school.

  These girls, all daughters of the Zhang family, sat on the left side in front of the noble seat, with several tables and chairs, and various pastries were placed on the tables. There were maidservants waiting on both sides. They were naturally the legitimate daughters. Far away, separated by three meters, there were only a few without tables or chairs, let alone maidservants waiting on them. They were all the illegitimate daughters of the Zhang family.

  Zhang Qi followed under the leadership of the woman.

  As soon as she appeared, the buzzing noise stopped at once, and all the girls turned their heads to look over.

  After another murmur, the crowd of girls who knew her identity simultaneously flashed a hint of humiliated anger on their faces: Is this kind of lowly person worthy of sitting with us?

  In the middle of the hall, a woman in her thirties lightly tapped on the desk. After the crowd of girls quieted down, she raised her head and stared at Zhang Qi with an even tone that couldnt convey any emotions: "Are you Zhang Qi?"

  "Yes."

  "You shouldnt be here in this school with your identity. However, the elder of our family had a suggestion, and we cant help but follow it. So, you stand there for class." She pointed to a corner of the school, which was empty and bare.

  As soon as these words came out, the discontented voices in the school immediately disappeared.

  Zhang Qi lowered her eyebrows and nodded quietly: "Yes."

  "Now that you know your identity, its good. Go and stand up straight. Remember to work hard and learn well, for someone like you, this is a great blessing."

  Zhang Gui respectfully responded again, but secretly sneered in her heart: Its still the new emperor who is strong and wise, the old men in the clan want to please the new emperor, but dont want to be laughed at by other aristocratic families, so they lower the standards of this school. Just waiting to find some good seedlings with low status and Zhangs bloodline to send to the palace?

  However, it was humiliating, but she wouldnt refuse at this time. Her memory is incomplete, and to make the most of this life, she still has to rely on now. What she needs to learn now may not be useless for her future.

  Before she knew it, Zhang Qi was lost in thought again. The northern states of Qi and Zhou were not like this. There, womens status was very high, and in some places, womens status even surpassed that of their husbands. If only she could take what she had learned and gained here to live there, how wonderful would it be?

  Just as she thought of this, Zhang Qi couldnt help but smile bitterly: In her previous life, she had also thought and done the same thing.