Chapter 28: An Unexpected Turn

Amidst the myriad gazes in the courtyard, Jiang Li walked on as if nothing were amiss. Her steps were light and brisk, yet her manner was so leisurely she seemed a young girl strolling through a field of blossoms, delighted and lost in her own reverie, radiant in her beauty.

She walked into the courtyard and halted first beside Jiang Yaoyao, offering her a gentle smile. “Congratulations, Third Sister, on reaching your coming-of-age ceremony today.” She then looked up at Jiang Yuanbai and Ji Shuran, who stood on the steps, and gave a contrite smile. “I didn’t know the ceremony would be held in the central courtyard. I tried to find a servant to lead the way, but everyone is busy today, and there weren’t enough hands in the household. I couldn’t find anyone to guide me, so I had to make my way here myself. It took quite some time. Father, Mother, please don’t hold it against me.”

Hearing this, the people around fell into thoughtful silence. In the grand estate of the Chief Minister, how could there be a shortage of servants? Clearly, someone had deliberately left her to find her own way, just to ensure she’d be late and lose face.

As these thoughts drifted through their minds, they suddenly recalled the girl's name just mentioned—Jiang Li. Was this the infamous Second Miss of the Jiang family, accused of murdering her own mother and brother?

Among the guests, some were elders a generation older than Jiang Li, while others were her peers. The younger ones had never seen her before; the elders had only known her as a child, many years ago. In the stories circulating among the nobles of Yanjing, the Second Miss of the Jiang family had been imagined a hundred ways—if not a demon with a fearsome face, then at least a shrew with harsh eyes and a bitter mouth.

Yet the girl before them was too pure, too gentle. Her grace and refinement even seemed to surpass that of Third Miss Jiang. That someone like her could commit parricide and fratricide was almost unimaginable.

The instant Jiang Li appeared, Ji Shuran’s expression shifted. Skilled in reading others, she saw at once the shock among the guests—the admiration for Jiang Li’s beauty. What Ji Shuran dreaded most was Jiang Li outshining Jiang Yaoyao, just as she herself, upon becoming the Jiang family’s matriarch, had erased any memory of Ye Zhenzhen. Once Jiang Yaoyao made her debut, Jiang Li should have been nothing but the mud beneath her feet.

Yet now, that mud threatened to surpass her precious daughter, and a fierce, violent impulse flashed through Ji Shuran’s heart.

Jiang Yuanbai stood on the steps, looking down at his two daughters. Deep down, he had always favored Jiang Yaoyao, the one who’d grown up by his side. But now Jiang Li so closely resembled him, her beauty and poise brought him such pride that his dissatisfaction with her dissipated considerably.

He waved his hand. “It’s nothing.”

Jiang Li bowed to him, then went to stand beside Lady Lu, making a show of observing the ceremony.

Her arrival had drawn all eyes, and Jiang Yaoyao was no longer the sole focus of the coming-of-age ritual, much to her barely concealed fury. She could only suppress her frustration and continue with the ceremony.

The guests took their seats. Jiang Yuanbai stood up to make a speech. The sponsor was a highly respected female scholar from Yanjing, who had come to comb Jiang Yaoyao’s hair. The ceremonial officers presented the silk scarf and the hairpin box.

Madam Ji stepped forward, reciting the blessing in a clear, ringing voice: “On this auspicious day, you don the cap of adulthood. Cast away childish thoughts, follow the path of virtue. May you be blessed with long life and great fortune.” She knelt to arrange Jiang Yaoyao’s hair.

As Jiang Li watched, memories surfaced of her own coming-of-age ceremony, back when she was still Xue Fangfei.

Her mother had died young, and Tongxiang was a small place. The sponsor who combed her hair had been the kindly aunt next door who’d watched her grow up. During the ceremony, Xue Huaiyuan had turned away to hide his tears. Later, Xue Zhao said that their father had muttered to himself, “Ali is grown now—she’ll leave her father soon.”

Back then, she’d been carefree, clinging to her father’s arm and laughing, “Ali isn’t going anywhere. Ali will stay by Father’s side forever.”

Jiang Li took a deep breath, forcing back the glimmer of tears in her eyes.

Yet in the end, the one who said she’d never leave was the one who left her aged father and brother behind, marrying far away and never returning. Perhaps her tragic fate was punishment for not keeping her promise.

Standing beside Madam Yang, Jiang Yu’e watched Jiang Yaoyao go through the ceremony, unable to hide her yearning and envy. Her own coming-of-age would never be so grand. The thought left her unwilling, and she glanced at Jiang Li.

As daughters of the Jiang family, surely Jiang Li, watching this spectacle, must be even more resentful. The thought gave Jiang Yu’e a perverse satisfaction—until she noticed Jiang Li’s gaze, calm and detached, as if she were watching a stranger.

How could this be? Did Jiang Li truly feel no anger, no sense of injustice or discontent?

It wasn’t just Jiang Yu’e. Many guests were also watching Jiang Li’s expression.

Yet Jiang Li simply watched, a genuine smile lingering at her lips, as if sincerely happy for Jiang Yaoyao.

The people around her were bewildered.

Onstage, Jiang Yaoyao also kept stealing glances at Jiang Li. The calmer Jiang Li appeared, the less she believed it, inwardly screaming that it was all an act.

It wasn’t until Ji Shuran shot her a warning glance that Jiang Yaoyao realized she’d almost lost her composure. She calmed herself, thinking of the scene Jiang Li was about to face, and her anger melted into anticipation and excitement.

Just then, the triple bows and hairpin ceremony concluded. Jiang Yaoyao knelt before Jiang Yuanbai and Ji Shuran to receive their teachings, thanked them with deep bows, and the ceremony was complete.

Afterward, it was time for the guests to present their coming-of-age gifts.

Eager to show goodwill toward the Jiang family, the distinguished guests gave lavishly, each gift more precious than the last. Only the presents from the third branch were modest; the rest were extravagant.

Jiang Yaoyao held the box that Jiang Li had sent through Tong’er, her eyes bright with a smile as she looked at Jiang Li. “Second Sister, may I open your gift now?”

Her smile was tinged with a maiden’s bashfulness, making her appear especially charming, poised between girlhood and womanhood.

All the guests paused, looking toward Jiang Li.

Though the Second Miss Jiang now appeared gentle and lovely, everyone knew the rumors—her dark history was not forgotten. The Third Miss was young, pampered, innocent to the world’s dangers. Who knew how the supposedly vicious Second Miss would respond?

Jiang Li smiled. “Of course.”

Far in the back of the crowd, Xiangqiao stood nervously, palms moist with sweat. In truth, Jiang Li had treated her well these days—generous with her rewards, always amiable. Far better than Jiang Yaoyao and Ji Shuran, ten times over.

Yet Xiangqiao couldn’t help the regret in her heart. The world was not fair—goodness is often bullied, kindness trampled. Even a child knows that.

Jiang Yaoyao lowered her head and opened the box. No one saw the deepening curve of her smile. Yet in an instant, she cried out in shock, as if struck by terror, exclaiming, “Heavens, what is this?”

—End of Chapter—