The Double

Chapter 37: Bai Xue

After the hair-pinning ceremony, Jiang Li's Fragrant Garden Courtyard returned to its usual tranquility.

Although it had been proven that Jiang Li was wrongly accused in the jeweled headdress incident, no one came to console her. Tong'er secretly gathered information from outside and learned that Old Madam Jiang had summoned Ji Shuran to the Evening Phoenix Hall and severely reprimanded her. Since Jiang Youyao's hair-pinning ceremony had been entirely organized by Ji Shuran, yet ended in such disgrace—making the Jiang family lose face before their guests—this outcome was inevitable.

"Now people will seriously doubt Ji Shi's ability to manage household affairs," Tong'er said with great satisfaction when discussing the matter.

Jiang Li smiled faintly. Old Madam Jiang's reprimand of Ji Shuran probably wasn't solely because the ceremony had been ruined. Having been immersed in inner courtyard struggles for many years, how could Old Madam Jiang not understand the intricacies of household politics? Moreover, Ji Shuran's framing attempt had been particularly clumsy. Although Old Madam Jiang didn't particularly like Second Miss Jiang, she still maintained a semblance of fairness, likely using this incident to warn Ji Shuran.

However, while Jiang Li's actions had protected herself this time, they had also exposed the discord within the Jiang family's inner courtyard. She would inevitably bear some resentment for this—such as the continued cold treatment she received, which served as the Jiang family's punishment toward her.

Not that Jiang Li cared herself.

Tong'er asked cheerfully, "The three new maids are waiting outside. Would you like to see them now, Miss?"

Xiang Qiao and Yun Shuang had already been taken away. Since Jiang Li only had Tong'er as her maid, she had selected three more under the matron's guidance. This arrangement—with Tong'er included—made for two first-class maids and two second-class maids, plus some outer courtyard cleaners, which was just appropriate.

"Have them come in," Jiang Li said.

The three maids entered the room. The two second-class maids were named Mingyue and Qingfeng, both around Tong'er's age and appearing lively and clever. They greeted Jiang Li with crisp voices, having never served in the Jiang residence before.

The first-class maid was named Bai Xue, slightly older than Tong'er. Unlike the first two maids' vivacity, though named "White Snow," she had dark skin and a rather sturdy build. The apricot-red uniform specially tailored by the Jiang residence looked somewhat comically mismatched on her.

Tong'er studied Bai Xue with puzzlement. Typically, a young lady's personal maids represented her face—aside from character and capability, they needed delicate and pretty appearances. This Bai Xue, regardless of her skills, wouldn't have qualified as a first-class maid in any other household with her looks.

During the selection process, the matron had suggested that Bai Xue's strength made her suitable for outer courtyard cleaning, and Jiang Li had initially agreed. Yet in the end, somehow she had become a first-class maid.

The matron had repeatedly questioned Jiang Li's decision, probably thinking she didn't understand the conventions, but Jiang Li had remained firm. Staring at Bai Xue, Tong'er truly couldn't discern anything special about her.

After exchanging brief words with the three maids, Jiang Li dismissed Qingfeng and Mingyue to their duties. Bai Xue remained in the room. Jiang Li looked at her and smiled, "I heard your hometown is Zhaohua Village?"

Bai Xue, who had been standing rather stiffly, relaxed slightly at the mention of her hometown. "Yes, that's right."

"I once knew another maid who also came from Zhaohua Village," Jiang Li said with a smile.The record of Bai Xue's family background stated that she came from Zaohua Village, not far from the capital, with two older brothers and one younger sister. Both her parents were farmers, working a small plot of land. It was because Bai Xue had followed her parents in farming since childhood that she became so dark and sturdy. However, with a large family and her two brothers marrying and having children, life became increasingly difficult to sustain. To earn a living, Bai Xue went to Yanjing to work as a maid.

Servants like Bai Xue were often looked down upon by wealthy officials in Yanjing, who found her unattractive. The Jiang family's matron had chosen her precisely because of her strength, which made her suitable for heavy labor. No one expected Jiang Li to select Bai Xue as a first-class maid—perhaps it was just Bai Xue's good fortune.

Although new to the household, Bai Xue knew that the monthly pay for a first-class maid was entirely different from that of a cleaning maid. She felt deeply grateful to Jiang Li for choosing her. Before arriving, she had heard many rumors about the Jiang family's Second Miss in Yanjing and had expected a fierce and intimidating person. Instead, she found her to be gentle and even concerned about her hometown. Bai Xue thought to herself that rumors were indeed unreliable—just baseless gossip spread by people.

Bai Xue asked, "What is the name of the maid you know, Miss? Perhaps I might know her."

"Her name is Haitang," Jiang Li replied with a smile. "She should be in her early twenties now, with two younger brothers. Her family lives next to the rice shop in the western part of Zaohua Village. Haitang is tall, slender, fair-skinned, and very pretty."

Tong'er, listening nearby, was puzzled. She thought she knew all the maids Jiang Li was acquainted with, but she had never heard of one named Haitang. Was she from the Jiang residence?

Bai Xue thought for a long time before scratching her head and smiling apologetically. "I don't remember anyone by that name. Zaohua Village isn't very big, but it's not small either. However, if you'd like to inquire about Miss Haitang, I can write to my parents and ask."

Tong'er couldn't help but ask, "You know how to write?"

"I sneaked a few lessons from the village schoolteacher," Bai Xue replied with a simple, honest smile.

Tong'er regarded Bai Xue with newfound respect. After all, not many maids in the Jiang residence were literate. Her young mistress truly had an eye for talent—Bai Xue might not look impressive, but she had real skills and was well worth being a first-class maid.

Jiang Li was also surprised that Bai Xue could read and write. She then smiled and said, "Thank you very much."

The reason Jiang Li had chosen Bai Xue as her personal maid was not only because of her loyal and honest nature but, more importantly, because Bai Xue came from Zaohua Village.

Back when she was still Xue Fangfei, she had a personal maid named Haitang, who also came from Zaohua Village. Of Xue Fangfei's four personal maids, two had been beaten to death, and the remaining two—Dujuan and Haitang—were secretly released from the residence. Dujuan had no family and her whereabouts were unknown, but Xue Fangfei knew that Haitang's hometown was Zaohua Village and that she had two younger brothers.

Shen Yurong was unaware of Haitang's background, so he wouldn't think to investigate Zaohua Village. Haitang was clever and meticulous, and after much thought, Jiang Li believed it was highly likely that Haitang had returned to her hometown.

To expose the ugly true faces of Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning, she needed to find witnesses from the past. Unfortunately, she couldn't approach the Shen residence now, and even if she could, the Shen family might not be willing to testify on her behalf.But Haitang was different. Haitang had grown up with her since childhood, as close as sisters. If Haitang were asked to step forward as a witness in Xue Fangfei's case, she would surely agree.

And all of this, Jiang Li thought as she looked at the honest girl before her, would depend on Bai Xue from Zaohua Village.

(End of Chapter)