“Indeed, Ms. Franklin’s experience is impressive. But the strengths of the other candidates shouldn’t be overlooked either.”
“Strengths? Piano, violin, writing, embroidery, social dancing… are you referring to these?”
“Yes.”
Deborah brightly answered. Jen, surprised like prey caught in a trap, followed up after a delay.
“Are these not basic etiquettes for ladies in society? Wouldn’t it be better to learn from specialists in each field?”
“Well, I considered that approach, but it seemed more efficient this way.”
“Wouldn’t it be more efficient to learn from experts as soon as possible?”
Jen replied, lifting one corner of his mouth.
Deborah nodded and answered.
“That would be the case typically, but the situation of Countess Blaise is unique.”
“How so?”
“Learning new subjects from strangers can be quite nerve-wracking, especially since the countess is moving her residence to Baker Manor. She’ll be feeling unsettled. Adjusting to the new environment is a challenge in itself.”
Even Deborah, who could sleep anywhere, felt restless looking at the high ceilings, let alone Dia.
Continuing without avoiding Jen’s piercing gaze, Deborah spoke calmly.
“Anxiety reduces educational efficiency. It’s like trying to fill a small cup with a lot of water. Why not increase the size of the cup first?”
Slowly, step by step… Such words might be intolerably frustrating for Jen, who dreams of swift revenge. But Deborah believed that preparation was necessary even for a race.
Thus, even if this was a ruse to disqualify Anna, it wasn’t just a superficially plausible method.
“Therefore, hiring only one governess with exceptional cultural knowledge would allow Countess Blaise to adapt to life here while learning both knowledge and basic refinement relatively peacefully.”
Jen looked up at Deborah, his mouth firmly closed.
‘I’ve felt this before…’
Looking up at Deborah, Jen vividly remembered her eighteen-year-old face.
‘Despite all she’s been through, to remain so consistent is a skill.’
Unaware of Jen’s thoughts, Deborah cautiously anticipated his response.
‘Is he going to sarcastically ask if I think she’s just a child for pampering her too much?’
If so, she planned to respond, ‘Only for a while. Once Countess Blaise gets comfortable here and covers the basic etiquette, I’ll request the best educators in each field.’
However, Jen’s next question was unexpected.
“Why did you include Anna Franklin in the candidates? She doesn’t seem to excel in the miscellaneous skills you value.”
‘Miscellaneous skills?’
It irked Deborah to hear such a description of Anna’s talents, but she replied with a pleasant smile.
“Nevertheless, she has an impressive background. Impressive enough to catch Mr. Baker’s eye.”
Jen crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly, his dissatisfaction clearly visible. Deborah blinked slowly.
‘Hmm, does he still think Anna Franklin should be chosen?’
Honestly, if Deborah didn’t know the future, she would have chosen Anna too. Anna’s clear talent made Deborah’s suggestion seem like a secondary option.
‘Logically, it makes sense to learn basic academics and etiquette deeply from Anna. But it can’t be Anna!’
Knowing the future alone was a lonely battle. To fight all alone like this.
Regardless, Deborah was determined to find another way if Jen didn’t accept her opinion.
‘Somehow, I’ll figure it out.’
Jen’s response, however, was unexpectedly accommodating.
“So, you included her just because you thought I’d favor her.”
Caught off guard by his almost introspective comment, Deborah just blinked.
“Anyway, I’m sufficiently convinced by your strange opinion…”
Jen spoke sarcastically, crumpling Anna’s resume like trash. He tossed the remaining resumes onto the desk.
“Let’s interview these people.”
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
