The Double

Chapter 43: Sowing Discord

Jiang Yuanbai's plan to send Jiang Li to Mingyi Hall quickly became known throughout the Jiang residence.

When Lu Shi of the second branch spoke with Jiang Yuanping, she remarked, "What is Eldest Brother thinking? How could he consider sending Jiang Li there? If Jiang Li enters, those young ladies studying there will surely gossip behind her back and might even bully her. Wouldn't our Jiang family lose face?"

Having been pampered since childhood and married to the easygoing Jiang Yuanping, Lu Shi often spoke without restraint. The first part of her words seemed concerned for Jiang Li's welfare, while the latter half appeared to blame Jiang Li for potentially embarrassing the family, making it difficult to discern her true intentions.

"Eldest Brother has his own considerations. Why trouble yourself over this?" Jiang Yuanping took a leisurely sip of tea. "Our second branch has no daughters anyway."

"True enough," Lu Shi pondered. "If there's any shame, it'll fall upon the main branch. But I've noticed Jiang Li is no pushover either. She's only been back in the residence for a short while, yet she's already made Sister-in-law look foolish. She seems much more capable than before. Though who knows how long it will last? I've never seen Ji Shi accept defeat from anyone without seeking revenge."

From her tone, it was clear Lu Shi's relationship with Ji Shuran wasn't as harmonious as it appeared on the surface.

"Don't meddle in others' affairs," Jiang Yuanping waved his hand dismissively. "Peace reigns under heaven."

In Evening Phoenix Hall, Old Madam Jiang was discussing the matter with Jiang Yuanbai.

"Yuanbai, what exactly are you thinking?" Old Madam Jiang inquired.

"Mother, Li'er is already fifteen now. Commoners' children begin studies at fifteen, while princes of nobility start at eight, and ministers' sons at ten. Although Li'er is starting late, she's at the same age as commoners' children."

Old Madam Jiang looked at Jiang Yuanbai. "You know that's not what I'm asking. The Second Girl's age upon entry is unimportant."

Jiang Yuanbai hesitated. "Mother, although Li'er made mistakes in the past, it's not too late to mend one's ways. She was too young then—youthful errors shouldn't affect her future."

Old Madam Jiang lowered her gaze, lost in thought. After a long pause, she finally said, "Since you've made your decision, let it be so. Zhenzhu," she called to her maid, "fetch that purple sandalwood scholar's set from the treasury and deliver it to the Second Girl."

Zhenzhu hurried to comply. Seeing this, Jiang Yuanbai finally relaxed.

After discussing more details about Jiang Li's schooling, Jiang Yuanbai took his leave. Once he had departed, Old Madam Jiang's maid Feicui asked, "Does the Old Madam disapprove of the Second Young Miss attending school?"

"If I disapproved, I wouldn't have gifted her the stationery set."

The gift of writing materials signified Old Madam Jiang's support for Jiang Li's education. Other members of the Jiang household, seeing this, would refrain from voicing any objections.

"Then..." Feicui remained puzzled.

"I've watched Yuanbai grow up. He's a deep thinker, and I fear he may have taken notice of the Second Girl with some scheme in mind." Old Madam Jiang sighed deeply. "But the current Second Girl isn't someone who can be easily manipulated anymore."

"I worry that father and daughter might develop misunderstandings over this, disturbing the household peace."

...

While Old Madam Jiang was speaking, in the rear garden of the Jiang residence, Jiang Youyao shattered a teapot.Jiang Yu'e looked at the purple clay teapot with heartache. Such a teapot, if sold outside, would fetch at least a hundred taels of silver. Yet Jiang Youyao had smashed it without a second thought.

"Jiang Li! Why did Father send Jiang Li to Mingyi Hall? What exactly did she say to him?" In front of Jiang Yu'e and Jiang Yuyan, Jiang Youyao never bothered to conceal her fury.

Jiang Yuyan shrank back timidly, but Jiang Yu'e chimed in, "It must be that Jiang Li said something to Uncle. There's something off about her. She hasn't been back in the manor for long, yet Uncle's favor has already tilted toward her. Oh, and by the way," Jiang Yu'e couldn't resist adding a jab, "I heard Grandmother gifted Jiang Li a set of purple sandalwood stationery—the very set you asked for, Third Sister, but Grandmother refused to give you. Jiang Li is truly something, winning over Uncle and even currying favor with Grandmother."

At this, Jiang Youyao froze, then pressed, "Are you serious? Did Grandmother really give Jiang Li that purple sandalwood stationery?"

"Of course it's true," Jiang Yu'e shrugged. "All the servants in Evening Phoenix Hall saw it."

"That wretch!" Jiang Youyao exploded in rage. She had adored that stationery set and had asked Old Madam Jiang for it several times, only to be denied. Now, Old Madam Jiang had given it to Jiang Li—a blatant slap in the face, signaling to everyone that Jiang Youyao was inferior to Jiang Li!

"No, I must go find Mother," Jiang Youyao declared. "We can't let Jiang Li enter Mingyi Hall!"

"Third Sister," Jiang Yu'e held her back, "Grandmother and Uncle have already spoken. Jiang Li's entry into Mingyi Hall is a done deal. It's too late to object now. But think about it: Jiang Li entering Mingyi Hall is nothing but arrogance. Has she considered how many noble young ladies study there? Which of them would dare associate with her? With her shallow talents, she’s bound to make a fool of herself. Wouldn’t she just end up as your foil, Third Sister, and become a laughingstock?"

Hearing this, Jiang Youyao gradually calmed down. Jiang Yu'e had a point. "Even so," she said, "having her flaunt herself in front of me is unbearable!" The thought of Jiang Li possibly approaching Zhou Yanbang at the nearby Imperial College made Jiang Youyao utterly miserable.

"Third Sister, patience in a moment prevents a hundred days of sorrow," Jiang Yu'e said with a smile.

After Jiang Youyao had settled down and left, Jiang Yuyan asked, "Fifth Sister, why are you egging Third Sister on to target Second Sister?"

Jiang Yu'e sneered, "She brought it upon herself by overestimating her abilities!"

The third branch of the Jiang family was already at a disadvantage, being the illegitimate line. Jiang Yuyan and Jiang Yu'e could only attend Mingyi Hall because Jiang Yuanxing had spent years ingratiating himself with Jiang Yuanbai. In Jiang Yu'e's heart, insecurity and arrogance coexisted. She aspired to great heights, determined to be second to none. In terms of talent, Jiang Yu'e was, in fact, the most outstanding among all the Jiang daughters.

Jiang Youyao didn't need the title of a talented beauty to be the jewel of the Jiang family, but Jiang Yu'e relied on that reputation to enhance her status. This was Jiang Yu'e's only source of pride—being more accomplished than Jiang Li and trampling this legitimate daughter underfoot gave her a sense of superiority.But now, Jiang Yuanbai had arranged for Jiang Li to attend Mingyi Hall. This meant all four daughters of the Jiang family were now on equal footing. Someone who had once been far inferior to her had suddenly caught up, stripping Jiang Yu'e of her sense of superiority—and Jiang Li was the one to blame for it all.

To restore her own superiority, Jiang Li would have to fall back into a worse state than hers. Jiang Youyao and Jiang Li were already like fire and water; the slightest provocation would ignite countless conflicts.

All Jiang Yu'e needed to do was fan the flames from the sidelines.

(End of Chapter)