Yu Mingyue felt a bit embarrassed, likely due to her excitement in her dream. In it, Xie Jia'an had become the Grand Tutor even earlier than in the storybooks, holding a position second only to the emperor. She was sure she had chosen the right path.
"Me? I... I dreamed I married all of you off," Yu Mingyue teased.
"Miss is so mischievous, teasing us again."
Granny Rong cleared her throat, and the room immediately quieted down. "Aren't you girls going to help Miss settle in? You should be paying your respects to Madam."
The girls quietly stuck out their tongues, daring not to fool around any longer.
For the past few days, Yu Mingyue had been having breakfast with Cui Shi. Her father was busy at the yamen, and her elder brother was also occupied, so the task of accompanying her mother fell to her.
Cui Shi's birthday a few days prior hadn't been a grand affair. She was pregnant and feared disturbing her unborn child. They would have a big celebration next year.
Yu Mingyue regaled Cui Shi with witty anecdotes and little stories her tutor had shared recently. Her knowledge had indeed grown significantly, which pleased Cui Shi greatly.
The Qixi Festival had been rain-free, but it was followed by several days of continuous rain, which brought a welcome respite from the oppressive heat.
On Xie Jia'an's day off, Yu Mingyue visited the Xie residence. It was raining, and climbing the wall was inconvenient, so she had to use the main gate.
Xie Jia'an hadn't expected Yu Mingyue to visit today. He put down the book he was reading and went to the pavilion.
She always waited in that pavilion when she visited, never wandering off.
"Brother Jia'an," Yu Mingyue said. Today, she wore a green skirt and blouse, with a green ribbon in her hair. She looked elegant and refreshing, like a little fairy who had strayed into the mortal realm.
"Shouldn't you be studying with your tutor at this hour?" Xie Jia'an asked with a smile.
Yu Mingyue was diligent in her studies and never slacked off.
"My tutor has a friend visiting today, so I have the day off."
Xie Jia'an nodded. His Uncle Qi did indeed have many friends in the capital. "Is there anything you don't understand in your studies?"
Yu Mingyue usually came to him for academic help.
"It's not about my studies, actually." Yu Mingyue accepted the tea Xie Jia'an poured. "I wanted to ask Brother Jia'an for a favor."
"What favor?" The little girl was full of mischief.
"A few days ago, it was my mother's birthday, and my maternal grandfather in Jiangzhou sent many gifts. Among them were five hundred scrolls of books that I borrowed from him. They are rare editions from the Cui family's library. I'm afraid of damaging them, and my grandfather might be reluctant to lend me books again next time. So, I wanted to ask Brother Jia'an to help me find scholars from the Hanlin Academy to copy them."
"Five hundred scrolls?" Xie Jia'an was surprised.
The head of the Cui family doted on his granddaughter, lending her five hundred rare editions at her request.
And they were sent from Jiangzhou. Each book alone was priceless.
"Yes. My grandfather is so stingy. I said I wanted to borrow a thousand scrolls, and he only lent me five hundred," Yu Mingyue pouted, clearly displeased.
Xie Jia'an smiled and shook his head. "Not at all. I fear there isn't an elder in the Great Wei who dotes on his granddaughter as much as your grandfather. Jiangzhou to the capital is a thousand miles away. These five hundred scrolls are priceless. You can imagine the risk your grandfather took for you."
"Is that so?"
"Naturally."
"Then can Brother Jia'an use his position to help me with this small favor?" Yu Mingyue asked, feigning casualness.
"I can't agree to that just yet. This is no small matter. Moreover, it's not just helping you; the entire Hanlin Academy would benefit. These books are from the Cui family's library, and it's likely they cannot be circulated outside. You need to get your grandfather's permission first."
Yu Mingyue was young and didn't understand these matters, but he was not a child. The three rare editions he had copied before, though from the Cui family, were gifts from the Cui family to Yu Mingyue, and she could make her own decisions about them.
The situation now was different. The status of noble families was irreplaceable, stemming largely from such collections. Therefore, he couldn't rashly agree, lest it cause her trouble later.