The Double

Chapter 25: The Shen Family

The third day of the seventh month was Jiang Youyao's hair-pinning ceremony.

From the previous evening onward, the entire Jiang residence had been bustling with activity. During these days, Jiang Li, who had already been largely overlooked, was naturally forgotten even more. By the next morning, the kitchen staff had not even remembered to send meals to the Fragrant Garden Courtyard.

Tong'er had to go to the kitchen herself and managed to find only some leftover pastries. As she handed them to Jiang Li, she grumbled indignantly, "It's just a hair-pinning ceremony. Aren't you a legitimate daughter of the Jiang family too? To show such favoritism is truly excessive!"

Jiang Li picked up a chestnut cake and took a bite, comforting her as she did so, "Jiang Youyao has always been the treasured pearl of the main branch. The hair-pinning ceremony is a significant event, and with so many distinguished guests coming and going these days, of course, they can't afford to be negligent."

"Young Lady, the way you speak, one would think you're an outsider," Tong'er said. "You may not feel it yourself, but I find it unfair on your behalf." She added, "Among the servants in the Fragrant Garden Courtyard, aside from a few still sweeping outside, not a single one remains. That Yun Shuang, after all, is just a maid, yet she puts on airs all day long, acting like a young lady. But that's not the worst of it—that Xiang Qiao, who took so many of your jewelry pieces, hasn't shown her face today. She's probably gone to Ji Shi's side to curry favor again. Ugh, what an ungrateful wretch!" Tong'er had long harbored resentment toward Xiang Qiao and Yun Shuang, and today she finally let it all out in one breath. "Xiang Qiao was always Ji Shi's person. All her fawning and flattery in front of me these days was just for the silver. Now that she's emptied my jewelry box, she has no reason to keep up the act. As for Yun Shuang, since I treated Xiang Qiao so well and she gained nothing from it, of course, she resents me even more for being biased." Jiang Li finished a piece of pastry and took a sip of tea to rinse her mouth.

Tong'er watched from the side. Since returning to the Jiang residence, Ji Shuran had not dared to mistreat Jiang Li overtly in the initial days, so the food and provisions had been passable. As a result, Jiang Li's complexion had improved noticeably. Her features were naturally delicate and clear, and with slightly better attire than before, her budding beauty became even more apparent.

As for her every movement, Tong'er couldn't quite put it into words, but she found it particularly captivating.

Noticing Tong'er's daze, Jiang Li asked, "What's wrong?"

Tong'er snapped back to reality and immediately said, "Young Lady, regarding Third Young Lady's hair-pinning ceremony today, do you think they might not allow you to attend?"

So far, no one had come to inform Jiang Li about attending the ceremony. If it were the real Second Miss Jiang, she would inevitably feel a mix of emotions, overthink the situation, and even become flustered. After all, Second Miss Jiang had a tarnished reputation, and someone like Old Madam Jiang, who valued the family's honor, might indeed prevent Jiang Li from appearing to avoid any potential disruption at the ceremony.

Given that Second Miss Jiang had a past marred by accusations of killing her mother and brother, and with the Heir of Marquis of Ningyuan, Zhou Yanbang, present today, it was not impossible for her to act out upon seeing him, especially with the resentment over her stolen marriage.

Jiang Li smiled faintly. "They won't."

Tong'er asked, "How can you be so sure?""Even if every member of the Jiang family doesn't want me to attend Jiang Youyao's hair-pinning ceremony, there's one person who definitely wishes for my presence—Ji Shi. To ensure I witness this ceremony, Ji Shi will surely strive to persuade everyone and secure this opportunity for me."

Tong'er stared wide-eyed at Jiang Li.

"The stage is already set. If I don't make an appearance, how will they perform this play?" Jiang Li smiled gently. "That's impossible."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xiang Qiao entered from outside, beaming as if she had received heavenly good news. Seeing Jiang Li and Tong'er sitting there, she said, "Second Young Lady, please hurry and dress up. The distinguished guests are arriving one after another for Third Young Lady's hair-pinning ceremony today. Madam and the others are waiting for you."

A perfectly measured expression of pleasant surprise appeared on Jiang Li's face as she said, "That's truly wonderful."

Truly wonderful—the play was finally about to begin.

...

The Jiang residence had welcomed many guests today.

Jiang Yuanbai held a significant position in the court. While court officials disapproved of his constant mediocrity and tendency to blindly cater to the emperor's wishes, they couldn't help but envy his standing in the emperor's favor.

The previous Grand Secretary, at the peak of his power, had nearly been able to stand as an equal to the Hongxiao Emperor, yet he ended up with his family property confiscated and exiled. From prosperity to decline took only three short years. Yet Jiang Yuanbai had maintained his position as Grand Secretary for over a decade, sitting firmly in place—proof that he wasn't as incompetent as he appeared.

Regardless, Jiang Yuanbai held considerable influence in the court, and scholars sought his friendship. Naturally, there was no shortage of guests attending his daughter's hair-pinning ceremony.

The principal officiant for Jiang Youyao's ceremony was Ji Shuran's elder sister, now known as Madam Ji Chen, wife of the Court Counselor. Ji Shuran had two sisters: one was Ji Chen Shi, and the other was in the Hongxiao Emperor's harem, currently holding the title of Li Pin. Ji Shuran's influential position in the Jiang family was not only due to the rising importance of the Ji family, with its Vice Metropolitan Inspector-General, but also because of the respect afforded to Li Pin.

The Hongxiao Emperor deeply favored Li Pin.

In the main hall, many noblewomen had already gathered. All were distinguished figures from Yanjing, chatting about recent amusing affairs. Even Madam Liu, wife of Chengdelang Liu Yuanfeng, had come.

Although Liu Yuanfeng was at odds with the Ji family, he maintained surface peace with the Jiang family without open hostility. Madam Liu's attendance today wasn't truly for Jiang Youyao, but rather to see how Jiang Li was faring. Since Jiang Li's return to Yanjing, Madam Liu hadn't had a chance to see her.

Ji Shuran sat among the noblewomen. Graceful and beautiful, she was socially adept and eloquent. In no time, she had warmed up to the distinguished guests, though this was largely because these noblewomen sought to curry favor with the Jiang family.

Jiang Yu'e and Jiang Yuyan had arrived early. Jiang Yuyan wore a deep purple garment, conservative in style. Combined with her plain appearance, she didn't stand out. Accustomed to blending into the crowd, Jiang Yuyan sat quietly by her mother Yang Shi's side without saying a word.Jiang Yu'e, however, was not one to resign herself to mediocrity. Though aware that Jiang Youyao was the star of the day and she must not steal her spotlight, she remained unwilling to fade into obscurity like Jiang Yuyan. She donned a delicate goose-yellow dress and styled her hair into a "red bean" chignon, accentuating her delicate, charming beauty that evoked both pity and admiration. Her brows danced with unrestrained delight as she actively sought conversation with noble young ladies, hoping to forge valuable connections.

Among the noblewomen, two sat on the left side of the hall. One was middle-aged, her eyes crinkled with wrinkles that made her appear markedly older than the surrounding matrons, yet she was lavishly dressed in a manner that seemed both extravagant and incongruous, ill-suited to her bearing.

Beside her sat a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen, with delicate features that could be considered pretty, though her face was narrow with slightly prominent cheekbones, lending her a somewhat sharp appearance. This young woman’s attire was equally opulent, making her stand out conspicuously among the noble ladies. Yet, her expression betrayed subtle impatience as she whispered to the woman beside her, "Mother, why hasn’t Jiang Youyao appeared yet?"

These two were none other than the mother and younger sister of Shen Yurong, the current Imperial Secretariat Scholar and last year’s top imperial examination graduate—Madam Shen and Shen Ruyun.

(End of Chapter)