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

Chapter 514 Taking a stroll around Dali Temple

Even after leaving her grandmother's courtyard, Jiang Xiaoqi still felt unsettled.

I always felt that the marriage with the Ouyang family came suddenly and strangely. Although it was a branch of the Ouyang family, it was still the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. It was not a good match for my family.

Moreover, he has the powerful Ouyang family as his backing. Although he is only a son born out of wedlock, he is the eldest son born out of wedlock.

In other words, this illegitimate son was born before the legitimate son was born, thus taking the position of the eldest son.

How could the matriarch of this family tolerate this eldest son born out of wedlock?

This person not only grew up but also passed the imperial examination. Could the mistress of the house be an extremely magnanimous lady?

Something's not right. It just doesn't make sense no matter how I look at it.

Something's not right about the marriage arranged by the Ouyang family, and this eldest son from a concubine is also suspicious.

No, no, no, something's definitely off about this branch of the Ouyang family.

My family's highest official position right now is only a sixth-rank official. My grandfather might be promoted one rank in a couple of years, but he'll still be a sixth-rank official.

The highest-ranking official in the Jiang family was a fourth-rank official, but that was several generations removed from his great-uncle. The marriage ties between his family and Prime Minister Liu's family were also complicated and convoluted.

The Jiang family and the Ouyang family were clearly mismatched in terms of social standing, yet the Ouyang family was the one who initiated the marriage proposal.

Instead of letting your mind wander here, why not take a stroll around Dali Temple?

The excuse was readily available: he had once been in charge of the assassination of the First Prince, and the clues later pointed directly to the Earl of Chengen, who had died at the Dali Temple...

This can barely be considered an excuse to take a stroll around Dali Temple, right?

Speaking of which, Madam Ouyang is a kind-hearted person. She has met the eldest son of the Ouyang family, who is indeed a good person.

Since the last chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, Madam Ouyang has been inviting Madam Jiang over for chats and tea from time to time.

Despite their vastly different social statuses, the two women get along like old sisters, without any barriers between them.

Upon learning that the Jiang family had a granddaughter of marriageable age, Madam Ouyang decided to act as matchmaker.

Madam Jiang hadn't taken it too seriously, feeling that her family's social standing was far inferior to that of the Ouyang family's collateral branches.

However, after learning about Young Master Ouyang's situation, she felt that this marriage was not impossible.

As the eldest son born out of wedlock, his position in the family was awkward, which is probably why Old Madam Ouyang chose this young master.

In this light, it seems that our family is not so unworthy of our status. Madam Jiang just felt that the young master, who was young enough to be a successful candidate in the imperial examinations and knew how to make progress in his studies, was a good match for her.

But Jiang Xiaoqi considered far more than just these things: What was his character like? Was he good-tempered? What were his hobbies? Did he have any maids in his household? Did he have any bad habits? Could he show respect and affection to women?

All in all, it's been considered very comprehensively.

Jiang Xiaoqi had been thoroughly investigated and spent a long time getting to know her five brothers-in-law before she finally gave up on any objections.

My sister's marriage was a result of her meeting her future in-laws by chance.

The Ouyang family's case is currently the only one that can be considered an arranged marriage; even if it's through an acquaintance, it's not guaranteed to be a safe one.

So Jiang Xiaoqi made up his mind to go to Dali Temple, but of course, he had to go during Dali Temple's office hours.

Now in the Hanlin Academy, Academician Qiu, the supervising academician, takes great care of Jiang Xiaoqi, of course, after he learned that Jiang Xiaoqi was on the same side as him.

As a result, Jiang Xiaoqi was able to enjoy some special privileges, such as visiting other departments during her shifts...

"Please inform Lord Ouyang that I am Jiang Mingfei, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy!"

"Han... Hanlin Academy?"

"Yes, that's right! I was in charge of the case of the First Prince before. Although the case has been closed, there are still some follow-up tasks that require the Dali Temple to provide some information."

"The Crown Prince's case? Providing information? Okay, okay..."

"Then, Lord Jiang, please wait a moment. I'll go and inform the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices if he is available."

Jiang Xiaoqi wasn't left standing outside the Dali Temple gates, after all, he was still wearing the robes of a sixth-rank official.

Given the foreigner's official attire, the Dali Temple wouldn't expel him, especially since Jiang Xiaoqi was also disguised as an official.

Hmm, how could this be considered skipping work to run personal errands? I was clearly on field duty!

?w?

The tea served at the Dali Temple was of a higher grade than that at the Hanlin Academy, which surprised Jiang Xiaoqi. He had thought that the Hanlin Academy offered the best possible treatment.

It seems that I should travel more and broaden my horizons when I have nothing to do, otherwise I'll really feel like a frog in a well.

While I was sipping tea, lost in thought, a figure in red official robes appeared outside the hall.

Jiang Xiaoqi immediately put down her teacup and stood up to greet him.

"This humble official pays his respects to Lord Ouyang. I apologize for the inconvenience caused by my unannounced visit!"

One shouldn't hit a smiling face. Regardless of his true intentions, Jiang Xiaoqi would never leave any room for criticism of disrespecting his superiors.

"Lord Jiang, please sit! My men have reported that you have come to inquire about matters related to the Crown Prince's case."

However, that case wasn't handled by the Court of Judicial Review; Lord Jiang has probably come to the wrong place.

Ouyang Ming got straight to the point, without beating around the bush, and sat down immediately to get to the heart of the matter.

It's clear that she has a decisive and efficient personality.

"Lord Ouyang, you misunderstand. Of course I know that the case of the First Prince was not handled by the Court of Judicial Review. After all, it was handled by me!"

Ouyang Ming narrowed his eyes, and for the first time began to take the excessively young Hanlin scholar in front of him seriously.

He had always thought that the case of the eldest prince was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice, but he never expected that the official in charge was actually from the Hanlin Academy!

So low-key!

If it were any other young person entrusted with such an important task by His Majesty, they would probably make a big fuss about it and let the whole world know.

"I see. May I ask what brings Lord Jiang to our Dali Temple today that you require our assistance?"

"Lord Ouyang, it's like this..."