The Double

Chapter 19 Value

"Right, I was wondering if anything interesting has happened in Yanjing City these past few years? I heard the old lady from Rongxinling passed away three years ago. I remember when I was little, she gave me a double-sided Guanyin embroidery. Also, Sister Yuxiang mentioned the number one beauty in Yanjing City - her husband was the top scholar in the recent imperial examinations. I heard she recently passed away from illness, is that true?"

Out of nowhere, why was she suddenly bringing up these trivial matters? Xiang Qiao was initially bewildered, but then looking at Jiang Li's earnest expression, she suddenly realized - Second Miss Jiang had probably been isolated in the remote mountains for too long. Though she was already fifteen now, she was still essentially a child wanting to hear some fresh gossip.

Xiang Qiao, though greedy for money, was indeed someone who would handle matters properly once paid - especially when it was such a simple task requiring nothing more than a bit of talking. So she began chattering as if gossiping with her usual companions.

She said: "That's right indeed. When the old lady from Rongxinling passed away three years ago, our family's old madam went to offer condolences. The husband of the Yanjing beauty you mentioned must be last year's top scholar, the current Imperial Secretariat Scholar Lord Shen Yurong, right?"

Hearing this name, Jiang Li's heart tightened, yet on the surface she smiled and said: "That's exactly who I meant."

"Lord Shen is truly remarkable. I overheard the master telling the madam that among the rising stars in the imperial court, Lord Shen has been promoted the fastest - a truly talented man. His wife was beautiful, yes, but..." At this point, Xiang Qiao paused, a flash of contempt in her eyes before she looked at Jiang Li and became hesitant.

"Is it about that wife's affair?" Jiang Li asked.

Xiang Qiao was shocked: "You even know about that?" She smiled apologetically: "I was afraid mentioning this would offend your ears, but it turns out you already knew. Well, Madam Shen's moral corruption has become common knowledge. Just think - what's wrong with Lord Shen? Young and promising, a brilliant talent. Yet Madam Shen still sought affairs outside her marriage. Who knows what she was thinking?" She spoke with obvious disdain.

"Moral corruption? Common knowledge?"

Xiang Qiao found Jiang Li's expression somewhat strange. The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. After a pause, she hesitantly asked: "Second Miss?"

Jiang Li smiled: "It's nothing, continue."

Xiang Qiao paused, as if just remembering her main task, and said: "This Madam Shen committed every despicable act possible against Lord Shen, yet Lord Shen remained devoted. Not only did he not blame her, he treated her as always. Perhaps Heaven couldn't stand it - Madam Shen fell ill ever since her affair was discovered, until recently, about a month ago, she passed away. So you see, this is retribution." Xiang Qiao shook her head and sighed: "When the top scholar learned his wife had died, he was heartbroken. He didn't eat or drink for three days and nights, nearly following her in death. The Emperor reprimanded him for such unseemly behavior from a respectable man, ordering him to take leave from court duties. Yet His Majesty was also moved by his deep devotion. According to the master, Lord Shen will probably be promoted again soon."After speaking at length, Xiang Qiao didn't hear Jiang Li respond. Looking up, she noticed Jiang Li's smile seemed somewhat stiff. Moments later, Jiang Li picked up her tea with a smile and took a sip, saying, "This Lord Shen truly is a man of enduring affection."

"Indeed," Xiang Qiao nodded, thinking to herself: Of course he is—what man wouldn't mind his wife cuckolding him? Yet this top scholar didn't seem to care. Thankfully, that Lady Shen died early. Otherwise, if the top scholar had to wear those cuckold's horns for life, enduring everyone's strange looks, forget his colleagues, even commoners would laugh at him behind his back.

So, after all, Heaven has eyes.

Jiang Li covered her mouth with a light yawn and said, "Alright, you've all been keeping me company and must be tired. I plan to rest early tonight. Tong'er can attend to me here—you may withdraw first."

Xiang Qiao was Ji Shuran's person, meant to guard Jiang Li without leaving her side. But today, eager to return and admire the gem hairpin Jiang Li had gifted her, she immediately agreed cheerfully and withdrew.

After Xiang Qiao left, Tong'er closed the door and anxiously said, "Miss, that Xiang Qiao is no good—she's taking advantage of your kindness to swindle silver from you."

"She may be fooling me, but who's to say I'm not fooling her?" Jiang Li smiled faintly, casually scooping up two handfuls of jewelry from the box sent by Ji Shuran. They were all exquisite pieces, likely not comparable to Jiang Youyao's, but dazzling enough to overwhelm someone who had spent eight years in the mountains.

Yet, upon closer look, though the jewels and hairpins glittered brilliantly in Second Miss Jiang's eyes, her gaze remained eerily calm.

Everyone in Yanjing City knew Xue Fangfei was dead. Everyone in Yanjing City knew Shen Yurong nearly followed her in death out of love. A man of talent, looks, and deep affection appeared flawless in the world's eyes. To those in power, even to the emperor, a minister with such sentiment was considered valuable talent.

Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning, adulterers conspiring together, had murdered his lawful wife Xue Fangfei, yet they secured his reputation as a man of enduring love. Using this very reputation, he sought honor and climbed step by step toward higher status.

But how shameless, how fickle and unprincipled this "man of enduring affection" truly was, only Heaven knew. If Heaven truly had eyes, it shouldn't be so unjust.

What a fine "man of enduring affection"!

Now, Shen Yurong had risen to a sufficiently high position. With Princess Yongning's backing, even if Xue Fangfei were to return from the dead, the gap between them would be like cloud and mud—she could never drag him down from his lofty heights. And once she lost the advantage, Shen Yurong would only climb higher and farther, to a place beyond her reach.

Fortunately, she was now Second Miss Jiang. The Jiang family held considerable status among Yanjing's official circles—a large tree to shelter under. This was a shortcut.

Still, she had to find a way to establish her position within the Jiang family. A Second Miss Jiang whose words carried weight would find it easier to accomplish things than one whom nobody noticed.

Setting aside the scheming stepmother's family, the unfamiliar second and third branches, even Jiang Yuanbai—her closest blood relative—didn't seem to harbor particularly deep feelings for her.

How could she secure her footing in the Jiang family?

Xue Huaiyuan once said: At all times, one must have their own value.She had to make the Jiang family understand her worth.

(End of Chapter)