The Double

Chapter 56: Three Bets

After Xiao Deyin entered Mingyi Hall, she began her lesson. Gazing at her familiar figure, Jiang Li's thoughts drifted far away.

After Shen Yurong achieved the title of Zhuangyuan, Jiang Li had encountered the instructors teaching the Six Arts at Mingyi Hall a few times. Apart from Ji Luo, who held obvious animosity toward her, the other instructors each had their own distinct temperaments. Among them, Xiao Deyin was the one Jiang Li resonated with most.

Xiao Deyin possessed the gentlest disposition. Whenever Ji Luo deliberately targeted Jiang Li, it was always Xiao Deyin who stepped in to mediate. Jiang Li also greatly admired Xiao Deyin's talent. As the foremost female musician in Yanjing City, Xiao Deyin's mastery of the seven-string zither was sublime, so exceptional that she was nearly selected by the Empress Dowager to serve in the palace. Yet Xiao Deyin preferred not to become a court musician, choosing instead to remain a modest instructor at Mingyi Hall.

Jiang Li herself was highly skilled in zither playing. The two often exchanged techniques, each time evoking the profound connection of kindred spirits who appreciated the same refined artistry.

But it was this very kindred spirit who, after the incident of Jiang Li's alleged affair, never once came to see her. Perhaps this was because Xiao Deyin valued her reputation and refused to associate with someone deemed shameless. However, Jiang Li happened to recall one particular event: on the day of Shen's mother's birthday celebration, Xiao Deyin was among the guests and sat right beside Jiang Li. At that time, Xiao Deyin frequently urged her to drink, and it was Xiao Deyin who assisted her back to her room to rest. Yet when she awoke, her world had shattered, and Xiao Deyin merely claimed that Jiang Li had been taken over by her personal maid halfway.

There was no evidence to prove Xiao Deyin's involvement in the events of Shen's mother's birthday, but Jiang Li's intuition told her that Xiao Deyin might have played a part. She simply couldn't comprehend the reason behind it. If it were a matter of being bribed by Princess Yongning, Xiao Deyin had even declined the opportunity to become a court musician, proving she wasn't driven by greed for wealth and status. Moreover, Xiao Deyin had no grudge against her, so why would she aid in such wrongdoing?

If she couldn't figure it out, it didn't matter. Now that she had returned to Mingyi Hall, if Xiao Deyin truly had issues, clues would eventually surface.

Furthermore, if Xiao Deyin had indeed participated in the events of Shen's mother's birthday, she would serve as a crucial witness when the truth came to light one day.

Jiang Li pondered slowly.

During the lesson, Jiang Li remained preoccupied with other matters. To others, it merely appeared that she was neglectful of her studies. Liu Xu, with good intentions, tried to remind her to focus, but Jiang Li only smiled and continued as she pleased, leaving Liu Xu with no choice but to give up in resignation.

It wasn't until Xiao Deyin concluded the class and specifically mentioned the upcoming examination in a few days that the atmosphere shifted. Xiao Deyin said, "Those who achieve top scores in this year's examination will have the honor of receiving an audience with the Emperor at the palace banquet, where he will personally bestow honors. This is an exceptional opportunity for all of you. Being honored by the Emperor in person will greatly benefit your future prospects. I hope each of you will give it your all."

Personal honors bestowed by the Emperor! The young women of Mingyi Hall immediately buzzed with excitement.

"Similarly, those with unsatisfactory examination results will face disgrace. Having shared a teacher-student bond with all of you at Mingyi Hall for several years, I naturally do not wish to see any of you expelled," Xiao Deyin added. "Therefore, in the remaining days, I urge you to practice diligently. Mingyi Hall will suspend regular classes until the examination day. Before the class ends, the detailed rules for this examination will be posted. Please remember to review them." With a warm smile, Xiao Deyin finished speaking, picked up her zither, and left—without so much as a glance toward Jiang Li.

Seeing this, Jiang Li began to form her own conclusions.After Xiao Deyin left, the lively atmosphere in Mingyi Hall still hadn't dissipated. When the young attendant came to post the examination rules, the young women gathered around in small groups to read them. Liu Xu tugged on Jiang Li's sleeve, unable to conceal her excitement, and said, "Let's go take a look too."

Unable to resist her, Jiang Li followed to the front of the hall. Jiang Youyao and Meng Hongjin were also there. Liu Xu carefully examined the rules and sighed, "The top performer in this year's examination will truly be in the spotlight. If I could... even just in one subject, my father would be overjoyed."

Seeing Liu Xu's enthusiasm, Jiang Li smiled and said, "Indeed, receiving honors from the Emperor would bring endless glory."

"Well, well," an abrupt voice interrupted—it was Meng Hongjin. She glanced at Jiang Li and said, "Second Miss Jiang is also dreaming about receiving honors from the Emperor? How bold of you to imagine being the top performer."

Liu Xu frowned. "Meng Hongjin, that's too harsh."

Recognizing Liu Xu, Meng Hongjin immediately raised her eyebrows defiantly. Though her father's official rank couldn't compare to Jiang Yuanbai's, it was higher than Liu Xu's family's. She retorted, "So it's Miss Liu. What, are you trying to imitate Second Miss Jiang's 'righteous outburst' on the street yesterday? Liu Xu, don't say I didn't warn you—think carefully about who you associate with. Second Miss Jiang has a Grand Secretary for a father, but you don't. I've heard that Chengde Official Liu Yuanfeng has been facing some troubles lately..."

Liu Xu's face instantly paled.

Though Jiang Li didn't know exactly what had happened to Liu Yuanfeng, she could tell Meng Hongjin's words held truth, otherwise Liu Xu wouldn't have reacted so strongly. Liu Xu gritted her teeth and said, "Meng Hongjin, don't spread baseless rumors..."

"If you say I'm spreading rumors, so be it," Meng Hongjin replied smugly. "I just find it strange why you'd offend your classmates for someone destined to leave Mingyi Hall."

"Who says she's destined to leave Mingyi Hall?" Liu Xu blurted out impulsively.

"Isn't it obvious?" Meng Hongjin widened her eyes and glanced at the girls around her, who were all snickering. Jiang Youyao looked troubled, as if she wanted to intervene but was too timid. Meng Hongjin giggled and said, "Why don't we make a bet? Let's bet on whether Jiang Li will leave Mingyi Hall after the examination. If you lose, you'll kneel and apologize to me in front of everyone in Mingyi Hall!"

Liu Xu froze, then flushed with anger, biting her lip in silence. If she agreed, Jiang Li, who had just entered Mingyi Hall, was very likely to rank last. But if she refused, it would publicly humiliate Jiang Li.

Caught between a rock and a hard place!

Meng Hongjin watched her confidently, while the mocking gazes of those around her made Liu Xu hesitate.

Jiang Li observed the scene and sighed inwardly. Liu Xu was still young and impulsive, easily falling into others' traps.

After struggling internally, Liu Xu glanced at Jiang Li and saw her silently watching without any plea in her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she resolved, "Fine, I'll—"

"I'll take the bet," Jiang Li interrupted before Liu Xu could finish, taking over the conversation. "No need for Liu Xu—I'll bet with you. If my examination results force me to leave Mingyi Hall, I'll kneel and apologize to you. Otherwise...""Otherwise, I'll apologize to you." Meng Hongjin was overjoyed and immediately replied.

"That's not enough." Jiang Li smiled faintly: "If I remain in Mingyi Hall, you must kneel down to apologize to me. If my examination results are better than yours, you must add another condition—kneel down to apologize to me at the entrance of the Imperial College."

"You!" Meng Hongjin was furious.

But Jiang Li hadn't finished yet, she continued: "If not only are my examination results better than yours, but I also take first place in the examination..."

"You must remove your outer garment, carry thorny branches on your back, and kneel down to apologize to me at the entrance of the Imperial College!"

Ali is about to trick someone again~

(End of Chapter)