Chapter 42: Decision
In the Elegant Beauty Garden, Jiang Youyao was sitting on the couch playing with a newly acquired tasseled knot when she heard that Jiang Li had gone to Jiang Yuanbai’s study. She immediately jumped up and said, “She went to find Father? What does she want with him?”
The servant who had come to deliver the message replied, “It seems she went to see the Master about hiring a tutor.”
Ji Shuran held a highly influential position in the main household. Any minor movement from Jiang Yuanbai would quickly reach her ears. The informant had acted swiftly—news of Jiang Li’s visit to Jiang Yuanbai’s study had arrived at Ji Shuran’s quarters not long after Jiang Li had entered.
“What is she trying to do? Does she actually think she can choose her own tutor?” Jiang Youyao pressed.
Seeing the hesitant expression on the servant’s face, Ji Shuran instructed a maid to fetch a pouch of silver coins for him and said, “Just speak freely.”
“Yes, Madam.” With the silver in hand, the servant’s reservations vanished instantly. He promptly replied, “The guard outside the study overheard that the Second Young Lady wishes to enter Mingyi Hall and is pleading with the Master about it.”
“Mingyi Hall?” Jiang Youyao couldn’t contain herself and shrieked, “Her? What qualifications does she have to enter Mingyi Hall?”
Ji Shuran waved her hand, signaling the informant to leave. After he had gone, she murmured to herself, “Jiang Li has only just returned to Yanjing, and already she wants to enter Mingyi Hall. She certainly has lofty ambitions. Regardless of her own virtue and learning, if she enters Mingyi Hall, who knows what trouble she might stir up? She’s always been one for scheming. If she plays any tricks behind the scenes, she might end up hindering you.”
The incident at Jiang Youyao’s hair-pinning ceremony had taken Ji Shuran a long time to smooth over with Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai. Even so, the other noble ladies were surely gossiping about her behind her back. Ji Shuran had yet to settle this score with Jiang Li, and now, unexpectedly, Jiang Li had delivered herself right to her doorstep, seeking trouble once again.
Jiang Youyao exclaimed furiously, “She must be trying to get close to Heir Zhou! That wretched girl!”
Across from the women’s official school, Mingyi Hall, was the Imperial College, where Zhou Yanbang, the Heir of Marquis Ningyuan, studied. Ji Shuran hadn’t immediately made the connection, but Jiang Youyao had grasped it at once.
“I knew she was up to no good! On the day of my hair-pinning ceremony, she was already trying to seduce Heir Zhou in the garden—utterly shameless! Now that her first plan failed, she’s trying another. Mother, you can’t let her succeed!”
Hearing this, Ji Shuran’s brow furrowed as well. To be fair, Jiang Li was quite attractive, and compared to a young girl like Jiang Youyao, she possessed an indescribable composure. Her demeanor was always calm and unhurried, as if she never fought for anything, which ironically made her more appealing to men. Believing she understood men well, Ji Shuran thought it was entirely possible that Jiang Li, with her looks, might intentionally try to seduce Zhou Yanbang.
This marriage alliance was something she had fought hard to secure for Jiang Youyao. Although Zhou Yanbang wasn’t royalty, the Ningyuan Marquis’s status in Yanjing City was no lower than the Jiang family’s. Moreover, the Ningyuan Marquis’s household was relatively simple, and Zhou Yanbang’s mother was easy to get along with. Most importantly, Jiang Youyao herself was deeply infatuated with Zhou Yanbang. After all the effort she had put into snatching this marriage away from Jiang Li, she couldn’t let it all come to nothing."Indeed, we cannot let her go to Mingyi Hall." Ji Shuran said: "Last time during the hair-pinning ceremony, even a foolproof plan ended with her escaping unscathed. That little wretch is strangely cunning. If we allow her into Mingyi Hall, who knows what might happen. It's safer to keep her under our watchful eyes - tripping her up would be as easy as turning over one's hand." Ji Shuran stood up: "I'm going to find your father now."
...
In Fragrant Garden Courtyard, Tong'er looked at Jiang Li and Bai Xue who had returned, extremely surprised: "So soon? Miss, did the master not agree?"
"The master agreed." Bai Xue smiled: "I've always said, when speaking properly with one's own father, the master would surely listen."
Tong'er rolled her eyes - if only matters in this world were truly that simple. She looked doubtfully at Jiang Li, only believing when she saw Jiang Li smiling and nodding. "Really? That's wonderful! I've always known our young lady's qualifications are more than sufficient for Mingyi Hall." Then her expression turned worried: "But miss, now that the master has agreed, might he go back on his word later?"
Perhaps Jiang Li had spoken some soft words, making Jiang Yuanbai relent momentarily out of pity. But how would Ji Shuran let this rest? With some pillow talk, what if Jiang Yuanbai wavered and changed his mind?
"If I guess correctly, Ji Shi is either on her way to father's study right now, or has already arrived and is persuading him to cancel the decision to send me to Mingyi Hall."
Tong'er and Bai Xue's smiles instantly froze. Tong'er asked: "What should we do? The master won't agree, will he? Miss, should we go now to prevent Ji Shi from exploiting this opportunity?"
"No need," Jiang Li shook her head with a smile: "She won't succeed."
...
"Master, isn't it somewhat inappropriate to send Li'er to Mingyi Hall right now..."
In the study, Ji Shuran was speaking to Jiang Yuanbai with apparent concern.
"Enough, say no more. I've already decided to send Li'er to Mingyi Hall." Before Ji Shuran could finish speaking, Jiang Yuanbai interrupted her.
Ji Shuran had never been spoken to like this by Jiang Yuanbai before, and felt somewhat aggrieved. She said: "This humble wife is only thinking of Li'er's best interests..."Normally when Ji Shuran appeared wronged, Jiang Yuanbai would feel heartache." But today, thinking of how Jiang Li had endured grievances yet stood before him calmly stating facts, Jiang Yuanbai found Ji Shuran's behavior somewhat artificial and glaringly obvious.
He said: "Youyao is my daughter, Li'er is also my daughter. Both are young ladies of the Jiang family - how can I favor one over the other? If this gets out, where would I, Jiang Yuanbai, put my face? And you," he looked at Ji Shuran, "Li'er has been away from the mansion for eight years and has just returned. As her mother, you should care for her more. If you could show half the concern for Li'er that you show for Youyao, I would be relieved."
Ji Shuran stared at him in astonishment - Jiang Yuanbai's words were clearly accusing her of favoritism. Before Ji Shuran could say anything more, Jiang Yuanbai picked up his outer robe and left the study alone.
Only Ji Shuran remained in the study. A young servant timidly peeked inside and saw that always dignified and gentle madam's face was twisted like a demon's, her expression terrifying, as if she had become a different person.Ji Shuran was now filled with fury and resentment, unsure of what Jiang Li had said to Jiang Yuanbai to sow discord. The gentleness Jiang Yuanbai had shown her in recent days had completely vanished, as if they had instantly reverted to their former state.
"Jiang Li..." she gritted her teeth and muttered.
She would make Jiang Li pay for everything she had done today!
(End of Chapter)
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