Chapter 24 Ali
Jiang Li remained unaware that her actions before Auspicious Tower had been completely observed by others. When Tong'er returned from the pawnshop, she shook her head and said, "The jade pendant I previously owned has already been redeemed by someone else. However, I found a very beautiful jade pendant at the pawnshop and bought it back." As she spoke, she opened her palm.
The jade pendant in Tong'er's palm was of ordinary quality. In a place like the Jiang residence, even Xiang Qiao was accustomed to fine items, making this jade appear particularly unremarkable in comparison. If there was anything distinctive about it, it was the plump raccoon carved onto the jade, rendered with such vivid realism it seemed almost alive.
Xiang Qiao glanced at it briefly before looking away, but Jiang Li stared intently, taking it into her hands with evident delight. She told Tong'er, "It truly is beautiful."
"I knew the young lady would like it. Since you do, please keep it."
Jiang Li accepted it without hesitation. Watching this, Xiang Qiao inwardly sneered—after all, Jiang Li was just a country bumpkin who had spent eight years in the mountains, easily captivated by such a worthless trinket.
By the time they returned to Fragrant Garden Courtyard in the Jiang residence, it was already very late. Xiang Qiao had slipped away unnoticed at some point, and Jiang Li knew perfectly well she had gone back to Elegant Beauty Garden to report to Ji Shuran.
When they were finally alone in the room, Tong'er closed the door, poured a cup of hot tea for Jiang Li, and asked softly, "Young lady, why did you suddenly want me to redeem this jade pendant? Whose pendant is it? Is there something special about it?"
Having depended on each other for survival during their eight years in Qingcheng Mountain, Tong'er and Jiang Li shared a bond that transcended the usual master-servant relationship. Tong'er was privy to all of Jiang Li's affairs, yet lately, she found herself puzzled by the motives behind some of Jiang Li's actions.
For instance, earlier that day before they had even left home, Jiang Li had instructed her to redeem a specific jade pendant without fail. The story Tong'er had told before Auspicious Tower—including the tale about her deceased mother—had all been fabricated under Jiang Li's direction.
Jiang Li smiled at her. "You did very well." She then caressed the jade pendant in her hand and said, "This pendant belonged to an old friend who is no longer with us."
This very jade pendant had been painstakingly carved by Xue Huaiyuan himself when she was born. The night before Xue Fangfei's mother gave birth to her, Xue Huaiyuan dreamed of a patterned raccoon cat bowing solemnly at their doorstep. After the birth, when a fortune-teller read Xue Fangfei's fate and declared she would lead a drifting life and die young, the usually steady and dignified Xue Huaiyuan grew so enraged he nearly beat the fortune-teller to death with a stick. Though he claimed not to believe the prediction, it troubled him deeply. Hearing neighbors say that those with ill-fated lives should be given humble childhood names to deter the attention of the King of Hell and minor demons, Xue Huaiyuan decided against giving Xue Fangfei a formal childhood name and instead directly called her by the nickname Ali.
This jade pendant was bought by Xue Huaiyuan after saving half a year's salary from a traveling merchant. Though not expensive, Xue Huaiyuan personally sought blessings from a high monk and carved it himself, hoping it would protect Xue Fangfei and ensure her a peaceful and smooth life.
Later, this pendant accompanied Xue Fangfei to Yanjing City. After Shen Yurong achieved the top score in the imperial examinations and was appointed as an Imperial Secretariat Writer, numerous social engagements and gifts required funding. The Shen family's finances were meager, so Xue Fangfei used all her dowry. During the most difficult times, she even pawned this jade pendant.She had originally planned to redeem the jade pendant once the family's situation improved. But unexpectedly, the birthday banquet incident happened shortly after, ruining her reputation and leaving her too ashamed to step outside. She never managed to reclaim the jade before her death.
Tong'er noticed Jiang Li lost in thought, her eyes filled with profound sorrow, and couldn't help speaking up: "Miss..."
Jiang Li snapped back to reality and smiled: "It's nothing. Though the one from the past is gone, I'm still here."
Though Xue Fangfei was gone, Jiang Li remained. Xue Fangfei couldn't redeem the jade, but Jiang Li had succeeded.
Xue Fangfei's childhood name was Ali, while Jiang Li's name contained the character "Li". Perhaps this faint connection in fate allowed her to replace this unfortunate girl and return to Yanjing City.
Jiang Li - "Farewell" - the name's meaning wasn't auspicious. Yet the original Xue Fangfei never experienced flourishing beauty in her lifetime, proving that destiny ultimately rests in one's own hands.
Tong'er blinked, relieved to see Jiang Li smile again. Remembering something else, she said: "The two maids in Elegant Beauty Garden usually don't do any work, and even the cleaners from the outer courtyard who came today are lazy. Miss can't let this continue forever. Since Ji Shi won't manage this matter and the Master can't interfere in the inner courtyard, Old Madam Jiang should handle it!"
"Old Madam isn't particularly fond of me. Even if I bring this up, it would only be a temporary solution. I'll handle this myself." Jiang Li shook her head. Old Madam Jiang was strong-willed and capable - being obedient and well-behaved wouldn't necessarily win her favor. Moreover, Jiang Li had previously disappointed the old madam. If things came to confrontation, it was hard to say who she would side with.
"What does Miss plan to do?" Hearing this, Tong'er immediately rubbed her hands together eagerly. Ever since Jiang Li used a monkey to scheme their return to the capital at Qingcheng Mountain, Tong'er had complete faith in her decisions.
"These next few days, keep murmuring in Yun Shuang's ear about how many benefits I've given Xiang Qiao." Jiang Li said: "Most of that box of jewelry Ji Shi sent me has ended up with her."
"Does Miss mean to drive a wedge between them?" The clever Tong'er immediately understood.
"They were never particularly close to begin with - no wedge needs driving." Jiang Li smiled, "This is just giving them a small test."
Just a test - if they passed, all would be well. If they failed, everything would be lost.
...
In Elegant Beauty Garden, Xiang Qiao stood in the room while Jiang Youyao practiced calligraphy at the table, though her attention seemed elsewhere.
Ji Shuran asked: "Ruby headdress?"
"Yes, a ruby headdress from Jixiang Pavilion, four hundred taels of silver. I saw it with my own eyes." Xiang Qiao replied.
"What's so special about a four hundred tael headdress? How shabby." Jiang Youyao sneered.
"While not particularly valuable, it won't bring shame either." Ji Shuran pondered, "Probably similar to what your two cousins from the second branch will give. Technically, there's nothing to criticize."
Hearing this, Xiang Qiao calculated inwardly - Ji Shuran's words clearly indicated she planned to make an issue during Jiang Youyao's hair-pinning ceremony.
"Mother, how can we let her off easily?" Jiang Youyao put down her brush and looked urgently at Ji Shuran.
"She just returned to the capital recently, and Liu Yuanfeng is watching from his side. Your father also feels guilty toward her. However, making people dislike someone is quite simple." Ji Shuran said.
"How?" Jiang Youyao's eyes lit up."Don't forget, she still carries the reputation of a vicious woman, with a past of killing her own mother and brother. Such things aren't so easily erased. It's just that too much time has passed, and people have nearly forgotten. Once they remember, she'll have no way to survive." Ji Shuran smiled demurely. "The nobles of Yanjing can least afford to be tainted by filth."
Xiang Qiao's heart skipped a beat, watching helplessly as Ji Shuran turned her gaze toward her.
(End of Chapter)
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