Chapter 55: The Musician
When Jiang Li emerged from the teahouse, she carried an extra hundred taels in silver notes.
Tong'er followed closely, hesitating to speak. Noticing this, Jiang Li said, "Speak your mind if you have something to say."
"Young lady, if you're short on silver, you could always approach the Old Madam or the Master... Why ask Young Master Ye? Although he's related to you, he's still an outsider. If word gets out..."
"He's not the type to gossip," Jiang Li replied. "Besides, taking his hundred taels is to ease his conscience."
"This servant doesn't understand."
"Cousin Ye suspects I had ulterior motives in helping him yesterday. Though our conversation just now slightly eased his doubts, past misunderstandings don't vanish so easily. It's natural for him not to fully trust me yet. Rather than letting him speculate wildly, it's better to take his silver and treat this as a business transaction. That will make him feel more at ease—at least he won't interact with me out of a sense of 'obligation.'"
Tong'er nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly looked at Jiang Li. "Will you continue associating with Young Master Ye from the Ye family?"
"Of course," Jiang Li said. "You've seen the difference between having maternal relatives to rely on and having none. Jiang Youyao acts without fear because she has backing, while I stand alone in the Jiang family. Though the Ye family aren't officials, they're not necessarily weaker than the Ji family. In worldly matters, silver is always needed, and the Ye family happens to have plenty. Though their status is somewhat inferior, Ye Shijie is now preparing to enter officialdom. From his speech and talent just now, he's no mediocre man. If he succeeds, he could lead the Ye family to lasting prosperity."
"Young lady wants to reconcile with the Ye family," Tong'er finally understood. "But why didn't you mention this to Young Master Ye just now? Since you helped him yesterday, if you'd asked him to write a letter back to Xiangyang to put in a good word for you with the Ye family, he likely wouldn't have refused."
Jiang Li smiled. "No need for me to bring it up—he'll do it himself."
Given Ye Shijie's suspicions, he would inevitably write to the Ye family in Xiangyang about his encounters in Yanjing. Jiang Li wasn't worried he'd keep it from them; the trouble was, the words the young Second Miss Jiang had spoken to the Ye family back then were too hurtful. Anyone with any pride wouldn't easily forget such things. Rebuilding their relationship would be truly difficult.
Jiang Li sighed inwardly. Things had come to this; she could only take one step at a time. If she could restore her ties with the Ye family, she could return to Xiangyang under the pretext of visiting relatives.
What exactly had happened to her father in the end? Xue Zhao's ashes still hadn't returned home—this was unresolved. And who had handled her father's funeral arrangements?
Distant water couldn't quench immediate thirst; she needed to return to Xiangyang as soon as possible.
Preoccupied with these thoughts, Jiang Li arrived at Mingyi Hall.
The young women of Mingyi Hall didn't bother lowering their voices when they saw Jiang Li and her maid arrive. Jiang Li overheard snippets of conversation—they were discussing how she had publicly humiliated Liu Zimin the day before. Among the noble young ladies of Yanjing City, such public confrontations were rare. People tended to side with the majority and misunderstand the minority. In their eyes, Jiang Li's behavior was deviant and shocking, so they regarded her as an oddity, intentionally or unintentionally isolating her.Jiang Li didn't mind at all and walked to her seat to sit down. But today's Liu Xu was somewhat unusual, even taking the initiative to greet her.
This felt rather novel. Jiang Li knew clearly in her heart that Liu Xu's care for her came from Madam Liu's instructions. As for genuine feelings, Liu Xu probably didn't like her much. Yet today, Liu Xu had surprisingly taken the initiative to approach her, even her smile seeming heartfelt.
After hesitating for a moment, Liu Xu said to Jiang Li, "I saw what happened yesterday at the Imperial College gate when you confronted Liu Zimin."
"Oh?" Jiang Li smiled, "I acted somewhat inappropriately." When in Rome, since the noble ladies here considered speaking up for justice as improper behavior, she wouldn't deliberately emphasize her independence from worldly conventions.
"No, no, no," Liu Xu repeated several "no's" before looking at Jiang Li seriously and saying, "Liu Zimin lacks moral character, resorting to extortion and deception in broad daylight. With so many people watching, only you dared to speak the truth fearlessly. I admire you greatly."
Jiang Li was somewhat surprised.
"Previously, I had heard those rumors about you that weren't very friendly. Now I understand that I misjudged people and nearly misunderstood a good person. Since you dared to stand up for someone you'd never met yesterday, you're far superior to those who only know how to hide in the crowd and watch the spectacle." She straightforwardly bowed to Jiang Li, "I was wrong in the past. Today I apologize to you, and from now on, I won't behave that way anymore."
Jiang Li smiled and said, "You've always been very friendly to me." After all, Liu Xu was Madam Liu's daughter - she was a generous girl who could reflect on herself, a good young woman. Everyone likes good girls, and Jiang Li liked her very much.
Seeing Jiang Li's unconcerned smile, Liu Xu couldn't help but blush. She said, "When you were arguing with Liu Zimin yesterday, you seemed quite knowledgeable about authenticating artworks. Could you teach me?"
Jiang Li was momentarily taken aback, then replied, "That's not difficult at all. I'll teach you."
When Xue Huaiyuan served as county magistrate in Tongxiang, someone once filed a lawsuit at the government office about a shop selling famous calligraphy and painting masterpieces that was accused of selling counterfeits. Those fakes were much more sophisticated than the one Liu Zimin had presented yesterday, almost reaching the level of perfect imitations. Neither side would yield, until someone invited a master who happened to be traveling through Tongxiang to authenticate them.
Jiang Li was still young and playful at that time, hiding in Xue Huaiyuan's entourage when they went to investigate. When she was discovered, Xue Huaiyuan apologized, but Jiang Li found it amusing. The master, seeing her adorable appearance, ended up teaching her some principles of authentication.
A skilled master produces excellent students - Jiang Li could be considered half a disciple of this master. Her skill wasn't exceptional, but it wasn't bad either. Combined with yesterday's poorly made counterfeit and Jiang Li's deep understanding of Liu Zimin's character, she had been able to expose Liu Zimin's deception with just a few words.
Just as she was explaining some key points about authenticating ancient paintings to Liu Xu, a teacher entered. Jiang Li looked up to see a slender woman in a light purple wide-sleeved, narrow-waisted long dress walking gracefully in. This woman had delicate features and a gentle, pleasant demeanor, with a young maid behind her carrying a long zither - she was the teacher of music in the Six Arts.
Compared to Ji Luo, this teacher appeared much more good-natured and extremely gentle.Jiang Li watched, smiling inwardly. This woman was once considered her "close friend"—Xiao Deyin, the foremost female musician in the capital.
(End of Chapter)
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