Chapter 49: Wielding Influence
"I am Jiang Li, second daughter of the Jiang family in the capital, the Grand Secretary's legitimate daughter," Jiang Li stated.
With that simple declaration, the clamoring crowd fell silent.
Liu Zimin had been waiting to mock Jiang Li when she revealed her identity, but upon hearing her words, he froze on the spot.
Most people in Yanjing City knew of Jiang Youyao, the Grand Secretary's cherished daughter from the capital's Jiang family. Now that this young woman had identified herself, she could only be Jiang Li, the Jiang family's second daughter who had left the capital eight years ago.
While the Junior Minister's son could indeed swagger through Yanjing City with impunity, everyone knew that Jiang Yuanbai—the emperor's former tutor—was not someone to be trifled with.
Yet Liu Zimin found himself in a predicament. If he backed down now, how could he ever show his face in Yanjing again? Moreover, admitting his guilt would mean exposing his scheme to extort money from Ye Shijie with a fake painting. His peers at the Imperial College would ridicule him endlessly, and if he tarnished his family's reputation, his father would surely beat him to death.
Steeling himself, Liu Zimin recalled that he had indeed bullied sons of higher-ranking families before in Yanjing. Some young masters from prominent households were timid despite their powerful backgrounds. Jiang Li was merely a girl—a few threats might make her yield.
He sneered at Jiang Li, "Even if you're from the Jiang family, that doesn't mean your father will protect you. Don't think flaunting your family name lets you spout nonsense! I say this painting is genuine, so it is. If you collude with this brat, don't blame the consequences!" He punctuated his words by shaking his fist.
This was blatant intimidation.
Watching from her carriage in the distance, Jiang Youyao's eyes lit up. She fervently hoped Liu Zimin would injure Jiang Li right then and there. A public altercation with a man would utterly ruin Jiang Li's reputation. No matter how much Jiang Yuanbai favored her, he would surely be furious this time.
Besides, Jiang Youyao was well aware of Liu Zimin's vicious nature—if he struck, he wouldn't care whether his victim was male or female, nor how severe the injuries.
"Liu Zimin," Ye Shijie frowned, stepping in front of Jiang Li, "our dispute has nothing to do with others. Don't harm the innocent."
Liu Zimin laughed heartily, "My thoughts exactly." He glared at Jiang Li, making it clear she should stay out of this.
Under normal circumstances, the present Jiang Li might have exercised restraint. But she had inherited Xue Huaiyuan's uncompromising sense of justice and hatred for evil since childhood, and Ye Shijie was family besides. Curling her lips, Jiang Li said, "How fortuitous. I happen to be someone who fears no trouble. Perhaps you've forgotten, young master, why I left Yanjing City eight years ago."
The onlookers gasped in shock!
Eight years ago, Jiang Li had been forced to leave the capital for the grave crimes of matricide and fratricide. While others would desperately conceal such misdeeds, Jiang Li seemed determined to remind everyone—bringing up the very subject that should have been buried.
She truly knew how to strike where it hurt most.
Ye Shijie stared at Jiang Li in astonishment, never expecting her to say such a thing. Yet Jiang Li remained composed, calmly meeting Liu Zimin's gaze.
Liu Zimin suddenly felt cold sweat beading on his forehead.
While others might not grasp Jiang Li's implication, Liu Zimin understood immediately: if she was capable of killing her own mother and brother, what wouldn't she do? His petty threats were nothing in her eyes.Liu Zimin should have been angered by this provocation, yet as he looked into Jiang Li's eyes, he felt only fear.
Indeed, he was a bully. Though not entirely wicked in Yanjing City, he was nearly so. He even had several lives on his hands, but those were all commoners far beneath his station—never anyone of equal or higher status from official families.
When facing those with greater influence, Liu Zimin's cowardly nature forced him to hold back. Yet while he hesitated, his opponent showed no fear, instead radiating a ruthless determination, as if having nothing to lose.
Thus, the weak grew weaker, the strong stronger, and in an instant, Liu Zimin found himself at a disadvantage.
Seeing the flickering uncertainty in Liu Zimin's eyes, Jiang Li knew he was wavering.
Xue Huaiyuan was the county magistrate of Tongxiang County, but he was upright, incorruptible, and impartial, even daring to expose officials of higher rank. Such a man enjoyed excellent reputation among the common people, but his colleagues loathed him intensely.
Their hatred extended to his children. Since childhood, she and Xue Zhao had endured countless troubles from the sons and daughters of those officials.
She fared better, as conflicts among girls rarely turned physical. But Xue Zhao suffered greatly—the boys would resort to fists at the slightest disagreement, and he often returned home bruised and battered. Over time, Xue Zhao learned a lesson: when dealing with ruthless people, one must be even more ruthless. No matter what, never lose your imposing manner. Display your past ferocity to intimidate them first. Once their momentum wanes, seize the opportunity without hesitation, and your own dominance will steadily rise, ensuring certain victory.
Relying on his imposing presence and martial skills, Xue Zhao eventually became untouchable in Tongxiang County.
The moment Jiang Li observed Liu Zimin's behavior, she recognized him as a bully who preys on the weak. With the Jiang family as her backing, she could effortlessly crush Liu Zimin without much effort.
Killing her mother and brother was an infamous reputation, but at times, such notoriety could instill fear and avoid unnecessary troubles.
"How shameless!" Jiang Youyao gritted her teeth. "To flaunt such disgraceful deeds—she's utterly disgracing Father!"
Seeing Liu Zimin rooted to the spot, Jiang Li said, "Since this young master insists I'm spouting nonsense, let's do as you initially suggested and report it to the authorities. I'm involved in this case too, so I'll accompany you."
Liu Zimin was both frantic and furious!
His earlier threat to report to the authorities was merely to intimidate Ye Shijie. With some bribes, entrapping a powerless Ye Shijie in Yanjing City would have been effortless. But with Jiang Li involved, everything changed. As a daughter of the Jiang family, the case would be handled impartially out of respect for her status. In the end, he would gain nothing from Ye Shijie and instead implicate himself, even tarnishing his father's reputation.
In a flash, Liu Zimin was drenched in cold sweat. Staring at Jiang Li, he simply couldn't understand how a young girl, abandoned by her family and confined to a temple for eight years, could possess such confidence and relentless determination."However," just as Liu Zimin was caught in a dilemma, Jiang Li suddenly smiled and said, "I believe this matter is likely just a misunderstanding. After all, you don't seem like someone who would deliberately extort others. You probably thought this painting was genuine because you were deceived. In that case, why don't we reconcile? Let Young Master Ye compensate twenty taels of silver, and we'll consider the matter closed. What do you say?"
To Liu Zimin's ears, Jiang Li's words were like heavenly music—she was giving him a way out.
What do I say? Of course, it's good!
(End of Chapter)
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