Chapter 173 - 151: A Father Honored Through His Daughter

Ms. Zhang’s pregnancy was difficult, and she ended up giving birth prematurely.

She had a constitution that made it hard for her to conceive, but thanks to the Fertility Pills Jiang Xian sent from the Capital, she finally had a son. Protected by the system-provided Golden Finger, the child, though premature, was still quite healthy.

When it was time to change the baby, Jiang Ke took on the duty and remarked, "It seems I’m fated to raise premature babies. His sister was born early too, just like a little kitten. The one good thing about Yanchuan is that he doesn’t cry much."

"Now that you have a son, you’re looking down on your daughter? I ought to twist your ear! If you ask me, Yanchuan is here thanks to his sister’s good fortune."

"I’m not looking down on her. In fact, I pity Xian’er more. As parents, we hope our children will be successful, but our hearts always worry more about the one who gives us trouble. When Xian’er was born, she was congenitally weak from being premature, and she cried constantly. If you weren’t careful and failed to soothe her, she would cry until her little face turned purple. Seeing that Yanchuan loves to smile instead of cry, I’m much more at ease, and that makes me miss my daughter even more."

For now, Jiang Yan Chuan was just a tiny, pink bundle in swaddling clothes. He drank milk on schedule, slept when he was full, and would flash a toothless smile at anyone who looked at him, completely unaware that his sister had already planned out his entire life, from his first lessons to the imperial examinations.

All the comforts of his fate had their examination dates secretly scheduled.

The couple’s longing for their daughter grew stronger with each passing day. Finally, just before Jiang Xian was due to give birth, their convoy arrived in the Capital City. Using the Silver Taels his daughter had given him, Jiang Ke first purchased a small, single-courtyard home. Past the spirit screen at the main gate lay the living quarters. The Jiang family was small, with no concubines or maids, so a single courtyard was more than enough space.

When Jiang Ke went to report for duty at the Hanlin Academy, the others initially treated him with indifference, seeing his rustic air. But the moment they learned he was Lady Wan Yi’s father, they immediately warmed up to him. Comments like, "Brother Jiang, what took you so long? We’ve been waiting for you!" and "As expected of Lady Wan Yi’s father, you’re so dashing and distinguished..." were endless.

After leaving the Hanlin Academy, Jiang Ke didn’t forget his daughter’s instructions and went to pay a visit to the Rong Mansion.

When a servant at the Rong Mansion heard he had come to serve tea to their master, he immediately laughed. "Those who wish to serve tea to our master must be above the Sixth Rank. May I ask what rank Your Excellency holds?"

During festivals and New Year’s, the Rong Mansion’s gift registry was like a list of all the officials in the Capital.

The servant at the Rong Mansion recognized the faces of his master and madam, and he mistook Jiang Ke for one of the many minor officials who had come to the Capital to report for duty, someone unqualified to visit Mr. Rong.

The question truly stumped Jiang Ke.

"I am not a fifth-rank official," Jiang Ke said. "But my daughter is the Junior Fourth Rank Lady Wan Yi. My daughter mentioned she owes Lady a tea ceremony, and Lady said that a daughter’s debt should be paid by her father. Therefore, this humble official has come to call."

Upon hearing this, the servant’s legs went soft, and he nearly collapsed.

Fortunately, having worked as a gatekeeper for the Rong Mansion, he had seen his share of big shots. He just barely managed to steady himself and avoid embarrassment. He couldn’t help but look at Jiang Ke again. ’He doesn’t have a trace of that legendary beauty. Perhaps Gu Wan Yi takes after her mother; her father is rather plain-looking.’

’But looks don’t matter. Who would dare impersonate the father of a palace concubine and fabricate words from the Noble Consort?’ The servant, who had just been putting on the airs of a master, immediately bowed deeply and apologized profusely. "My humble eyes were blind! Your Excellency is magnanimous, please don’t mind a lowly person like me. I’ll go announce you right away."

Jiang Ke asked deliberately, "My rank is low. Am I worthy of meeting your master?"

"Your Excellency, you flatter this humble one! Our master only set this rule because far too many people come seeking favors, and he simply cannot see them all. Normally, a Sixth-rank Official or lower would have no dealings with the master. If he had to refuse them to their faces, it would only breed resentment. It’s better to have a cold, hard rule and let a worthless thing like me be the one to cause offense. An official like yourself wouldn’t bother getting angry with a nobody!"

The servant cast aside all his pride, humbling himself to the extreme.

Jiang Ke was not a petty man. After enjoying the moment of satisfaction from the servant’s words, he decided not to press the matter. "Alright, alright. Please go and announce me."

In no time at all, Jiang Ke was an honored guest in the Rong Mansion.

Back in Meize County, he hadn’t fully realized it, but now that he was in the Capital City, Jiang Ke discovered just how useful his daughter’s name was. Then he thought about how the Jiang family had no foundation in the Capital. All the respect his daughter commanded today, she had earned entirely on her own. ’As her father, I’m the one who has failed to live up to expectations. I’ve been derelict in my duty.’

He felt both a surge of pride and a pang of sorrow.

Moreover, the Rong Mansion was truly and Unrivaledly magnificent. It was an oasis of tranquility in the bustling Capital City, right under the Emperor’s nose. Every rockery and stream was exquisitely luxurious. In all his years as an official, Jiang Ke had never seen such a residence. But since he wasn’t there to ask for anything, he walked with a steady gaze, looking straight ahead. He showed no envy, much less any sense of inferiority, which inadvertently earned him a measure of respect from others.