Chapter Forty-Seven: Willow Catkins

Jiang Li’s arrival brought immediate silence among the young women of Mingyi Hall. If the rumors about the Second Miss Jiang were true—if she were a crude girl from the countryside or an arrogant, overbearing young lady—the gathered voices would have drowned her without hesitation. Yet Jiang Li appeared no different from any well-bred daughter of an official’s household, even more gentle and amiable than most. There was not the slightest fault to seize upon, even for those determined to find one.

At last, the tall girl from earlier spoke up first. “So you’re the Second Miss of the Jiang family?”

Jiang Li lifted her gaze. She recognized this girl from a family banquet at an official’s residence—the daughter of the Director of Proclamations, Meng Hongjin. She was well known for her close friendship with Jiang Youyao.

“Yes,” Jiang Li replied.

Meng Hongjin arched her brow. “You actually dare to come to Mingyi Hall? I heard you were sent to a nunnery at seven, where no one taught you the basics. Instead of hiring a tutor at home, you come here? Aren’t you afraid you’ll be utterly lost, learning nothing at all?”

Her words were sharp as knives, and all eyes in the classroom turned to Jiang Li, eager to see how she would respond. Meng Hongjin watched her too, certain anyone else would have been furious—especially the daughter of a Grand Secretary. But Jiang Li only smiled softly. “You needn’t trouble yourself on my account, Miss.”

Her calm reply neatly blocked Meng Hongjin’s provocation.

Meng Hongjin was taken aback, as if she’d punched a pillow—her anger had nowhere to land. Jiang Li’s smile did not change, infuriating Meng Hongjin all the more. She muttered, loud enough for others to hear, “No wonder they say the family temple makes one meek. Look at her, such a coward.”

“If you wish for peace and quiet, Miss, you might consider a stay at the family temple yourself,” Jiang Li replied in a low voice.

“You!” Meng Hongjin flared, but Jiang Youyao quickly interjected, “Second Sister, how can you speak to Hongjin like that?” She appeared worried and turned to Meng Hongjin, apologizing, “Hongjin, my second sister has just returned to Yanjing. She doesn’t understand the rules—please forgive her.”

Meng Hongjin said, “It’s nothing. Still, it’s your sister’s fault. You don’t need to apologize, Youyao. You’re just too soft-hearted, easily bullied.”

Jiang Li glanced at Jiang Youyao and replied serenely, “Third Sister, you are far too soft-hearted. I hadn’t said anything, and you apologized on my behalf already. This young lady called me cowardly, and instead of taking offense, I replied kindly. Is that wrong too?”

Jiang Youyao was about to speak when Jiang Li continued, “I’ve heard that in some places, disputes are settled not by reason but by rank. Is Mingyi Hall such a place? Even when I am in the right, I must yield? Or is it that this young lady’s status is far higher than mine, so I must apologize by default? May I ask, Miss, what is your father’s official rank?”

Her words brought the classroom to a sudden hush. A few students nearly burst into laughter. Meng Hongjin’s face turned crimson, unable to utter a single word.

Jiang Li had both criticized their unreasonable behavior and, without mercy, shamed Meng Hongjin’s family background. Everyone knew Jiang Li’s father was the Grand Secretary of the court, while Meng Hongjin’s father was merely the Director of Proclamations—a position far beneath the Grand Secretary. Yet Jiang Li had asked so earnestly, making Meng Hongjin a laughingstock.

The atmosphere grew awkward. Jiang Youyao was at a loss—defending Meng Hongjin would mean belittling her own father, agreeing with Jiang Li would surely earn Meng Hongjin’s resentment. She silently cursed Jiang Li’s cunning, and, seeing no way out, exchanged a glance with Jiang Yuer.

Compelled, Jiang Yuer cleared her throat to break the silence and forcibly changed the subject. “Second Sister, let’s set that aside. You need to choose a seat, since classes are about to begin. I’m sitting with Fourth Sister, Third Sister is with Miss Meng. Since you arrived late, you’ll need to see if anyone is willing to partner with you.”

Would anyone be willing to sit with her? Jiang Li already knew the answer—no one would volunteer.

Indeed, as she stood in the classroom, not a single student invited her to join their table.

Bai Xue, her maid, was not permitted inside and waited outside by the carriage with the other young ladies’ maids. The other maids, looking down on Bai Xue for her sturdy appearance, left her alone. Bai Xue didn’t mind; she crouched by the rockery, sunning herself with the stray cats.

Amidst the silence, a voice suddenly called out, “There’s no one beside me—come sit here.”

Jiang Li was a little surprised. She saw a girl in a blue dress stand up and look her way. The girl’s features were delicate, though her jaw was slightly square, giving her an air of steadfastness. There was a faint resemblance to Lady Liu in her brow and eyes. Jiang Li realized this must be Liu Xu, daughter of the Gentleman of Integrity.

Without hesitation, Jiang Li walked to the desk beside Liu Xu. Laughter rang out behind her. “Liu Xu, you really dare sit with her? Aren’t you afraid she’ll push you down the steps someday? If something happens, don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

Liu Xu ignored the words, casting them aside as if she hadn’t heard. Jiang Li sat down beside her with a bright smile. Though Liu Xu frowned slightly, revealing a hint of reluctance, she said nothing more.

Jiang Li understood—Lady Liu must have heard she would be attending Mingyi Hall and instructed Liu Xu to look after her. In truth, it was only natural for a girl to be wary of someone accused of murdering her mother and brother. For Liu Xu to set aside her fear and fulfill her mother’s request was already admirable.

Noticing Jiang Li’s gaze, Liu Xu pressed her lips together and turned away, making Jiang Li smile to herself—she was an endearing girl.

Behind them, the murmurs continued, and Jiang Li could hear people questioning Jiang Youyao. She knew that Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yuyan would be doing their utmost to poison others against her.

But soon, someone entered—a female instructor dressed in a pine-green robe, her hair in a high chignon, eyes narrow, lips thin, and figure slight. At her arrival, all noise in Mingyi Hall ceased at once.

She was a strict teacher.

As Jiang Li looked at her, a trace of distraction crossed her mind.

This instructor’s surname was Ji, with the single given name Luo. At Mingyi Hall, she taught “Rites,” one of the six classical arts.

Ji Luo was a woman who upheld ritual propriety to the letter—in Jiang Li’s eyes, she was almost old-fashioned in her rigidity. Ji Luo was upright, and once greatly admired Shen Yuyong, publicly praising his extraordinary talent. Toward her, when she was still Xue Fangfei, Ji Luo had been harsh, even pitiless.

As a woman herself, Jiang Li could see Ji Luo’s feelings for Shen Yuyong.

Later, when Xue Fangfei’s scandal with another man spread through Yanjing, Ji Luo had come to her house, scolding her face-to-face for failing in her feminine virtue and expressing deep sympathy for Shen Yuyong.

Jiang Li lowered her gaze. She wondered, if Ji Luo ever learned the truth about Shen Yuyong’s real character, would she still hold such affection for him?