Chapter Fifty-Two: Empathy

“I heard that on your way home from the academy today, you quarreled with someone in the street?” the Old Madam Jiang asked.

Jiang Li glanced at Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yuer, who were striving to conceal the schadenfreude in their eyes. As expected, when it came to pouring dirty water on her and tattling, Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yuer were truly tireless in their efforts.

Jiang Li smiled. “I wonder where Old Madam heard such a tale; it’s quite far from the truth.”

“Oh?” said the Old Madam. “Then what is the truth? Tell me.”

Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yuer wanted to speak, but dared not. The Old Madam was a strict woman who valued propriety—no one was allowed to interrupt when others were speaking.

Jiang Li smiled again. “I fear my words alone may not be impartial. Let my maid recount it—Baixue.” She summoned Baixue inside.

Baixue entered, gave a proper salute to the Old Madam, and at Jiang Li’s command, recounted everything from beginning to end. Baixue’s nature was honest and forthright; she spoke plainly and never exaggerated. She retold the events as a bystander, restoring the truth without favoring anyone.

When the Old Madam finished listening, she mused for a moment, then asked Jiang Li, “So, you were standing up for what’s right, not quarreling recklessly.”

“I dare not claim such righteousness. I merely spoke the truth,” Jiang Li replied, her smile unchanging.

At this, Jiang Youyao could no longer restrain herself. “Grandmother, the young master whom Second Sister aided was no stranger—he’s from the Ye family of Xiangyang.”

The Old Madam’s expression grew grave at the mention of the Ye family of Xiangyang.

Ever since Ye Zhenzhen passed away, the Jiang family and the Ye family—once connected by marriage—had grown distant. After Jiang Yuanbo married Ji Shuran and allied with the Ji family, all ties with the Ye family were nearly severed. The only remaining connection was Jiang Li herself, but years ago she had sworn an oath, refusing to associate with merchants. The Ye family, wounded by this, never visited the Jiangs again.

Ji Shuran interjected, “Youyao, don’t speak nonsense. You’ve never met anyone from the Ye family—how can you be sure he’s from Xiangyang?”

“I heard it with my own ears, as did Fourth and Fifth Sister,” Youyao protested. “That young master is called Ye Shijie. Liu Zimin said he’s from the Ye family of Xiangyang.”

“Ye Shijie…” the Old Madam pondered, then looked at Jiang Li. “He should be the eldest son of the main branch—the son of the Ye family, your eldest cousin.”

Only then did Jiang Li realize that Ye Shijie was her cousin.

“Li’er, what happened?” Ji Shuran asked. “You’ve only been back in the capital for just over a month. How is it that you already know your cousin from the Ye family?”

Such words struck at the heart.

Indeed, the Old Madam’s gaze suddenly grew sharp, fixing on Jiang Li as if she could see right through her.

Jiang Li had only returned to the capital for a little over a month and was not yet familiar with the city. Yet today, by chance, she helped her own cousin out of trouble. How could things be so coincidental? The Ye family had not entered the capital for years since breaking ties with the Jiangs. Was it really happenstance, or had Jiang Li and Ye Shijie been in contact all along?

To the Old Madam, this was an absolute taboo.

Jiang Li smiled at Ji Shuran, who seemed oblivious to how her words could push Jiang Li into ruin, as if she spoke in jest.

Jiang Li replied, “I do not know him, nor did I know he was my cousin. If Old Madam hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known our relations. Today, had it been anyone else in that situation, I would have intervened all the same.” She smiled, her words pointed. “Self-preservation is well enough, but there are times when one must act with courage. Especially for families of upright scholars such as ours—we must uphold the integrity of the literati.”

The Old Madam was taken aback.

Her late husband, Jiang Laoye—the father of Jiang Yuanbo—had been a third-rank Scholar of the Hall of Literary Valor all his life. He began as such at thirty, and remained so until his death. Though a third-rank official was respectable, decades without promotion spoke volumes—he was simply too upright and outspoken. The late Emperor knew he was a good man, but fondness was hard to come by. His unbending nature halted his career.

Outwardly, the Old Madam complained of her husband’s temperament, but in her heart, she was proud. Alas, none of Jiang’s three sons had inherited his spirit—Jiang Yuanbo was conservative and mediocre, the second son, Jiang Yuanping, a smiling tiger, and the third, Jiang Yuanxing—a concubine’s son—was weak and indecisive. Not one possessed the old man’s backbone; the Old Madam could not help but feel disappointed.

So even though Jiang Yuanbo, with his cautious ways, had risen to the rank of chief minister, she was never wholly satisfied. In this world, there are always gains and losses—gain high office and wealth, and you must surrender something, such as pride and integrity.

Jiang Li had long noticed that the Old Madam was a woman of pride and refinement, something reflected even in the décor of Wan Feng Hall. Thus, she spoke these dignified and lofty words deliberately, seeking resonance.

She wanted the Old Madam to recall her late husband and see his shadow in Jiang Li.

As expected, the Old Madam’s stern gaze gradually softened.

Ji Shuran was startled. She could not comprehend how, in just a few words, Jiang Li had managed to mollify the Old Madam. Though shrewd herself, Ji Shuran was, like Jiang Yuanbo, an absolute pragmatist. Applying her own logic, she could not grasp the Old Madam’s “integrity”—but Jiang Li could.

Jiang Li continued, “At that moment, I acted on impulse, without considering the consequences. Yet if, as Third Sister says, Ye Shijie is my cousin from the Ye family, then my actions are all the more fitting. Though my mother has passed, the Ye family and ours were once kin. Had I turned away while my own relative was in trouble, those who witnessed it would only say the Jiangs are cold and heartless. Father is an official in court; every word and deed is scrutinized. Should anyone seize upon this to impeach him, what then?”

“We need only conduct ourselves properly so that no one can find fault. Then we can live in peace. Moreover, this is no great matter. Young Master Liu himself said it was a mere misunderstanding—if a few words can resolve it, isn't that a blessing? It requires no gold or silver, just a word to help another. If I begrudge even that, then I am truly unworthy.”

Her final remark was a pointed barb at Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yu’e as well.