Dream of the Red Chamber: Madam, please have some self-respect!

Li Wan remained silent.

She naturally understood Su Yun's unspoken meaning. Jia Yun's current potential was indeed worth investing in.

Moreover, she still harbored the idea of ​​having Jia Yun tutor Jia Lan.

Although I was annoyed by his frivolity that day, to be fair, his talent and patience with Jia Lan were indeed unmatched by the other gentlemen in the mansion. The clan school? Jia Dairu spent his entire life as a mere student, while the fourteen-year-old Jia Yun had already achieved that.

After much deliberation, consideration for his son's future ultimately outweighed his personal displeasure.

Li Wan could only say calmly, "Let him in."

Having received permission, Jia Yun lowered his head and entered the room.

Once inside, Jia Yun became much more well-behaved, keeping his head down and not daring to look around. He bowed deeply to Li Wan, saying, "Nephew Jia Yun has come to apologize to Aunt! The other day, I was impetuous and disrespectful, and it was truly unintentional. I beg Aunt's magnanimity to forgive me this time!"

Jia Yun adopted an extremely humble posture. Given his current status, others might even praise him for knowing how to behave and being polite.

Li Wan looked up and saw his ashamed face and respectful attitude, which eased her anger slightly, but her tone remained calm and distant: "There's no need to bring up the past. What brings you here today?"

Seeing that she was willing to speak, Jia Yun felt somewhat relieved and quickly said, "Aunt, I was fortunate enough to pass the county examination, but I know that my knowledge is shallow, especially my foundation in classics and history. My writing often relies on shortcuts, which is not a long-term solution. I have heard... I have heard that the late Uncle Zhu was diligent in his studies and learned, leaving behind a large number of reading notes and insights. Some of the books I borrowed from you last time have already benefited me greatly. I humbly request that you grant me permission to borrow Uncle Zhu's legacy again, so as to gain insight into the path of learning."

After speaking at length, Jia Yun bowed deeply once more.

Upon hearing this, Li Wan's heart stirred slightly.

Jia Yun, living in the west corridor, is so keenly aware of his shortcomings, and instead of being complacent, he is eager to make up for them. This ambition and self-awareness are truly rare.

She hesitated and did not immediately agree. The room fell silent for a moment, with only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind outside the window.

Jia Yun could only stand aside with his head down and wait.

After a long silence, Li Wan slowly spoke: "My late husband's notes are indeed the culmination of his life's work. I cherish them and rarely show them to outsiders."

Just as Jia Yun's heart sank, Li Wan changed the subject: "However... since you are eager to learn and willing to work hard, I am not unwilling to make an exception."

Jia Yun suddenly looked up, her eyes gleaming with surprise.

Li Wan looked at him and stated her condition: "Borrowing is fine. But I have one condition."

"Please speak, Aunt! Not to mention one, even ten, I would accept them!" Jia Yun said hurriedly.

"Ten isn't necessary. I need you to promise that if you pass the prefectural examination in April, you will set aside a fixed amount of time to diligently teach Lan'er her studies. Can you do that?"

This was Li Wan's true purpose in finally revealing her secret.

Jia Zhu's notes are inanimate objects. If they could be exchanged for a "teacher" with genuine talent and who is about to advance on the path of the imperial examinations, providing long-term instruction to Jia Lan, that would be a truly beneficial investment for Jia Lan.

Upon hearing this condition, Jia Yun felt a sense of relief.

He nodded solemnly and said, "Auntie, rest assured! Even without the matter of borrowing books, it is my duty to teach Lan-ge'er. I promise that if he passes the prefectural examination, I will do my utmost to teach Lan-ge'er to read and understand principles, and I will not dare to slack off in the slightest!"

Jia Yun's words were sincere and heartfelt.

Li Wan's tense expression finally eased slightly, and she nodded slightly: "I hope you will remember what I said today."

After a moment of contemplation, her gaze swept over Jia Yun's young and upright figure. For some reason, she didn't dare to turn her back completely to him to reach the books on the high shelf. She felt that the young man's gaze was more intense than that of adult men, carrying a kind of naive directness that made her heart tighten for no reason.

But since the matter had been settled, Li Wan had no choice but to get up and go to the inner room to fetch her book box.

As she moved, her figure was inevitably fully exposed to Jia Yun's eyes.

Although she was dressed in simple clothes, her waist was very slender, which contrasted perfectly with her full and shapely hips.

As she walked, she possessed a dignified yet undeniably alluring charm, especially her exposed neck and occasionally glimpsed wrists, her delicate skin exuding a sweet and gentle quality that had been nurtured in seclusion for many years.

Jia Yun remained standing with his head bowed.

Having learned his lesson from last time, he was even more humble this time.

He kept his eyes down, his mind focused on his thoughts, reminding himself not to look at anything improper.

Li Wan carried out the heavy sandalwood book box and gently placed it on the table. Jia Yun hurriedly stepped forward and took it with both hands. His gaze involuntarily swept over Li Wan's lowered eyebrows and her slightly thin yet curvaceous figure.

Li Wan still noticed this subtle movement.

Her heart suddenly felt heavy, and the goodwill she had felt towards him because of his ambition vanished almost entirely.

This young man's eyes were still so unruly! She immediately thought of the rumors in the mansion about his ambiguous relationship with Wang Xifeng, the second mistress of the Lian family, and an indescribable sense of disgust welled up in her heart.

As expected, he's a wicked person. He even dares to get entangled with me, a widow... What good could he possibly be!

As she thought this, her face turned completely cold. Looking at Jia Yun, she spoke with unprecedented seriousness and distance, offering a blunt warning.

"Take this book and study it carefully. There is one more thing you must remember—in the future, prioritize your reputation and future, and do not get too involved with... your second aunt Lian in the West Mansion. She... is not a kind person. You are still young, do not let her tarnish your reputation and lead you astray!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Yun was first taken aback, and then his heart trembled violently!

He thought Li Wan was referring to the time when he asked Wang Xifeng to give false testimony for him!

Jia Yun, disregarding everything else, quickly lowered his voice and explained, "Aunt, please understand! That matter... that matter was of my own free will! It was truly... truly that circumstances forced me to act against my will. If things had been different then, I fear... I fear my life would have been in danger! I was forced into this situation; I absolutely did not intend to associate with Second Mistress Lian!"

His original intention was that he had conspired with Wang Xifeng to give false testimony because his life was in danger, but Li Wan thought it was just a matter of saying that Wang Xifeng had coerced him.

Hearing his urgent confession and seeing the genuine fear and helplessness on his face, Li Wan couldn't help but believe him to some extent.

She thought to herself, "Yes, how old is he? It must be that shrewish Feng girl who used her power to force him into doing such shady things! What a terrible thing!"

Thinking this way, Li Wan's gaze towards Jia Yun held a touch more sympathy and sigh.

Her tone softened somewhat, and she said softly, "In that case, let bygones be bygones. Since you know she's not a good person, you should stay away from her in the future. If you want to find a quiet place to study, you can come here more often in your spare time to study with Lan'er. There's always less trouble here than outside."

This was the extent of acceptance and protection that Li Wan could offer.

However, Jia Yun shook his head: "Thank you for your kindness, Aunt. But... I often come here, and I'm afraid it might damage your reputation. People's opinions can be dangerous, and I can't help but consider this for your sake."

His words stemmed from a sincere desire to protect others.

But seeing his earnest expression, Li Wan inexplicably felt that his handsome face carried a hint of "romantic tenderness" that shouldn't exist.

Recalling his furtive glances at her earlier and the accidental physical contact, the annoyance she had just suppressed surged back up, mixed with a strange feeling. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, her tone slightly mocking: "So now you know how to worry about what people say?"

Li Wan's glance wasn't intentional, but her naturally beautiful appearance caused her eyes to reveal a slightly resentful charm that differed from her usual dignified demeanor. This made Jia Yun's heart flutter, and he momentarily forgot to reply.

As soon as Li Wan spoke, seeing his stunned expression, she immediately realized that she had lost her composure.

The flirtatious look in his eyes vanished instantly, and he returned to his usual aloof demeanor.

She was even more annoyed. Why did I waste my breath talking to this frivolous boy?

Li Wan immediately turned around, her tone turning indifferent again: "Since that's how it is, so be it. You've got the book, so take care of yourself and go."

Jia Yun, clutching the heavy book box, left the courtyard with mixed feelings.

After he left, Li Wan sat alone in her room, thinking about his seemingly considerate but actually suggestive words, as well as her unbecoming glare, and her face flushed again.

These twists and turns are becoming increasingly difficult to unravel.