Chapter Thirty-Six: A Discussion

Jiang Li watched the pair across from her.

Jiang Youyao and Zhou Yanbang sat very close together. Their engagement was known throughout Yanjing; a little intimacy between betrothed couples was not out of the ordinary. Yet Zhou Yanbang’s expression just now betrayed a certain discomfort.

Jiang Youyao spoke again with innocent curiosity, “Second Sister, you seemed so engrossed in your conversation just now. Why did you stop when I arrived?”

“There was nothing much,” Jiang Li replied. “I happened to meet the heir, exchanged a greeting, and then you came.” She smiled. “Now that Third Sister is here, do get along well with the heir. I’ll take my leave.” Without waiting for Zhou Yanbang or Jiang Youyao to respond, she departed with Tong’er.

Zhou Yanbang couldn’t help but watch Jiang Li’s retreating figure. Jiang Youyao noticed, biting her lip in secret.

On the way back, Tong’er whispered to Jiang Li, “Miss, it’s best not to pay any mind to the heir.”

“What do you wish to say?”

Seeing Jiang Li not angry, Tong’er grew bolder. “Though you were once engaged to the heir, now it is Third Miss who holds that engagement. You’ve returned, but Master will not change it back. Marriage is no trifling matter; to alter it repeatedly would make our Jiang family the laughingstock of Yanjing. Master would never allow it.”

Tong’er paused, watching Jiang Li’s expression as she continued, “Moreover, the heir seemed far too attentive to you just now. He is Third Miss’s fiancé, yet he forgets his place and behaves so. Clearly, he is not a good match, Miss…”

“I understand,” Jiang Li said with a smile. “I know well he is no fit match. But I am very impressed that our Tong’er can see so clearly.”

Tong’er was a simple, loyal girl; beyond her devotion, nothing much stood out. Yet beneath her rough demeanor lay a sharp mind, unclouded by immediate interests. Jiang Li was fond of her.

Tong’er, pleased by the praise, laughed, “Miss need not worry. As the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, you could wed an heir or even a princess. There will be ample time to choose a worthy husband.”

Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh. Tong’er remained naive, unaware of the weight of public opinion. The accusation from her past—attempting to harm her stepmother—was enough to make her unwelcome in Yanjing. Otherwise, Jiang Yuanbai would not have sent her to the convent; he knew she’d fare no better here.

In any case, she had no intention of marrying in this lifetime.

…

Meanwhile, in Shuxiu Garden, Lady Ji and Lady Ji Chen were speaking.

The guests had all departed. Jiang Youyao’s coming-of-age ceremony had been a mess, chaotic and disgraceful. Others would only blame her, the matron of the household, for failing to keep order in the rear court.

Jiang Yuanbai’s gaze as he left had left Lady Ji fuming. He had clearly blamed her.

She’d intended to put Jiang Li in her place, but Jiang Li had deftly withdrawn, and she’d lost a maid, Xiangqiao, in the process. Worse yet, today’s events were plain for all to see. The ladies of the city loved nothing more than to gossip about the affairs of others’ households; the shrewder ones would surely see the intrigue.

Lady Ji Shuran was not afraid of others seeing through her schemes. Any matron of a grand house had to employ some tactics. But to use trickery only to fail, losing both face and assets, would invite ridicule—admitting defeat to a mere girl.

Her pride wounded, Ji Shuran vented her fury smashing vases and jars throughout her courtyard.

Lady Ji Chen tried to console her, “Why behave so? If others see, they’ll say you lack composure. How can you act like the wife of a Grand Secretary?”

“Sister, I just can’t swallow this humiliation.” Ji Shuran gritted her teeth. “Jiang Li is truly cunning! She’s barely older than Youyao, yet so full of schemes. You saw what happened—how can someone so young be so calculating?”

Lady Ji Chen replied, “She’s clearly not simple. But don’t lose your nerve.” She had the maid close the door. “Right now, you are mistress of the main house. Don’t forget you bore Jiang Yuanbai both a son and a daughter; his heart leans toward you. Jiang Li, a neglected daughter, is hardly regarded as a true lady. Dealing with her should be easy—take your time and don’t leave evidence. See how Xiangqiao nearly got into trouble this time.”

Ji Shuran gradually calmed, “I understand.”

Yunshuang had already been sent away. Jiang Li’s words had stirred her suspicion, though Yunshuang had explained it was jealousy between her and Xiangqiao that led to the current predicament. True or not, Yunshuang had ruined Ji Shuran’s plans and committed too great a mistake to be kept. As for the method, others would say she couldn’t bear Xiangqiao’s death and returned home.

“That Lady Liu,” Lady Ji Chen’s face darkened, “has opposed our Ji family again and again. Father told me that Liu Yuanfeng submitted another memorial against him. Liu Yuanfeng is so lacking in respect, and now Lady Liu frequently challenges us. It’s infuriating.”

“Indeed, she’s tiresome,” Ji Shuran agreed. “If not for her meddling, how could Jiang Li have returned to Yanjing?”

“It matters little,” Lady Ji Chen said coldly. “If the Liu family dares oppose ours, they’ll reap what they sow. But for now, you must appease Jiang Yuanbai after this incident. As for Jiang Li, there’s no rush; you can deal with her as you please. She lives under your roof—her fate lies in your hands. Isn’t it easy to trip her up?”

Ji Shuran nodded, “You’re right.”

Just then, someone rushed in from outside—it was Jiang Youyao, her face twisted with anger.

Seeing both Lady Ji Chen and Ji Shuran present, she wasted no time, blurting, “Mother, Aunt, that little fox Jiang Li dared to seduce the heir right before me! Shameless! You must teach her a lesson!”

“How could she dare?” Ji Shuran sprang to her feet.

“She dared!” Jiang Youyao said, nearly in tears. “Mother, she treats us with such contempt—how can we tolerate it? You must avenge me!”