The Double

Chapter 58: Watching the Show

The wager between Meng Hongjin, daughter of the Commissioner of Transmission, and Jiang Li, legitimate daughter of the Grand Secretary, had stirred up quite a storm in Yanjing City. Even in the most remote alleys and the humblest taverns, whenever people discussed recent novelties, someone would inevitably bring up this matter with great relish.

Gambling houses large and small had even started taking bets. Regardless of age, everyone seemed determined to place a wager.

At their usual spot in Gazing Immortal Pavilion, three people were drinking tea.

The scholar in blue robes watched the endless stream of people at the entrance of the betting house across the street and smiled. "This wager is so novel it's drawing people in like moths to a flame."

"But it's completely one-sided," Kong Liu, the armored soldier, shook his head. "These people have gone mad, all betting on the eldest daughter of the Commissioner's household to win. Not a single person is betting on Second Miss Jiang. Tsk tsk, it's really quite pitiful." He downed a cup of tea with the flair of someone drinking wine, slapped the table, and declared boldly, "I'm someone who cherishes the fairer sex and can't stand seeing the strong bully the weak. Wen Ji," he called to the guard standing outside, pulling ten taels of silver from his robe, "go downstairs for me and bet on Second Miss Jiang to win!"

"Don't act like you're being chivalrous," the scholar in blue stroked his beard and said with a smile. "Just half an hour ago, you spent a hundred taels betting on Meng Hongjin to win."

Hearing this, Wen Ji immediately showed a look of disdain. Hah! Betting ten taels on Second Miss Jiang while spending a hundred on Miss Meng—Kong Liu was clearly ensuring he couldn't lose, just like everyone else outside, yet putting on this act.

Kong Liu, embarrassed and angry, glared at the scholar in blue and snapped, "Lu, why are you tracking my every move? Are you a mouse turned spirit?"

Lu Ji, the scholar in blue, ignored Kong Liu's question and turned to the other man. "What does the Duke think?"

Ji Heng lazily lifted his eyelids and glanced downstairs. "Not interested."

"Not to be rude," Kong Liu said, "although I admire Second Miss Jiang's courage in making the wager, this is Mingyi Hall's examination. Goodness, back when my father wanted to send me to Mingyi Hall, I didn't even get past the front gate before being thrown out. Is Mingyi Hall a place just anyone can enter?" Kong Liu clicked his tongue. "That Miss Meng has been at Mingyi Hall for several years, while Second Miss Jiang is a newcomer. And not just any newcomer—she previously lived in a nunnery. Never mind if it was some disreputable nunnery; even if it had the most flourishing incense, how could nuns compare to instructors who came from the palace? If Second Miss Jiang could beat Miss Meng, it would be nothing short of a miracle."

"I beg to differ," Lu Ji said. "Since Second Miss Jiang dared to propose the wager, especially with three escalating stakes, each more resolute than the last, she must have something to rely on. Otherwise, why would she go to the trouble of creating difficulties for herself?"

"You usually seem quite clever, so why are you being so dense now?" Kong Liu mocked. "When Second Miss Jiang said that, it was just like us talking tough before a battle—intimidate the opponent first! There's no deeper meaning. You scholars always overcomplicate things!"

This last remark left Lu Ji speechless for a moment before he finally retorted, "It's useless to explain things to fools."

"Like a rooster trying to reason with a duck," Kong Liu shot back.Ji Heng propped his chin idly, and even such a casual gesture carried a certain grace when performed by him.

"Sir," Lu Ji turned to Ji Heng again, "Ye Shijie's matter has disrupted your plans due to Second Miss Jiang's involvement. Though it's unclear whether it was coincidental, Second Miss Jiang doesn't appear to be as foolish as the rumors suggest. This incident might serve as an opportunity. Perhaps we should observe how things develop. The Jiang family must not err in our plans, and Second Miss Jiang could become the catalyst."

Kong Liu looked puzzled: "Second Miss Jiang isn't valued within the Jiang family. How could she influence their decisions?"

Lu Ji waited quietly for the other man's response.

After a long while, Ji Heng finally spoke: "The Jiang family's drama hasn't even begun yet. There's no hurry." He waved his hand, and Wen Ji stepped forward and bowed. Ji Heng said: "Take ten thousand taels of silver to Yanjing's largest gambling house."

Kong Liu's eyes lit up: "Are you planning to make a fortune from this opportunity too?"

"One must watch a play until its conclusion," Ji Heng chuckled lightly. "Go, bet on Second Miss Jiang's victory."

...

Jiang Li remained unaware that the entire Yanjing City was abuzz with news of her wager with Meng Hongjin. Since that day, she had been "calmly preparing for the examination" within the Jiang residence.

However, as this matter concerned the entire Jiang family's reputation, Jiang Li's actions would become a serious issue once they reached Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai's ears.

In the Evening Phoenix Hall, Old Madam Jiang stared at Jiang Li with a complicated gaze and asked: "Li Yatou, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"Mother, please don't be angry." Ji Shuran said cautiously: "Li'er is still young and impulsive, that's why she made such a wager with someone."

"Young?" Jiang Yuanbai said coldly: "She's already had her coming-of-age ceremony. Soon she'll be at the age for marriage proposals, yet she still doesn't know her limits!"

Only the main branch of the family was present in the Evening Phoenix Hall. Although this concerned the entire Jiang family, it was ultimately Jiang Li who had caused the trouble.

"Perhaps Second Sister is confident in her abilities." Jiang Youyao didn't hesitate to add fuel to the fire. "That's why she so confidently accepted Miss Meng's challenge and even made additional demands."

This comment only infuriated Jiang Yuanbai further. He had always despised arrogant and conceited people throughout his life, especially those who were arrogant without any real capabilities. His gaze toward Jiang Li was full of reproach. "I know your calligraphy isn't bad, but if you think that alone will help you pass Mingyi Hall's examination, you're gravely mistaken! Don't be a frog in a well. The Jiang family values self-awareness above all, yet you don't even know your own limitations, daring to dream of coming out on top. Do you realize that you're not just gambling with your lifelong reputation, but with the Jiang family's honor? If you lose, our entire family will become the laughingstock of the city!"

Jiang Li maintained a respectful expression with appropriately timed remorse, though inwardly she remained detached. It was understandable that Jiang Yuanbai and the others thought she was overestimating herself—after all, they didn't know she wasn't the real Second Miss Jiang. If she were in their position, she would also find this situation utterly absurd.

Jiang Li lowered her eyes meekly and said: "Father, I was wrong. I shouldn't have acted on impulse. But now that things have reached this point and the whole city knows about it, calling off the wager would only make us a laughingstock anyway. Since we'll be mocked regardless, we might as well give it our all—there's still a chance we might win."

Everyone was stunned, not expecting Jiang Li to admit her mistake so readily. Her attitude of remorse was so convincing that Jiang Yuanbai found himself unable to continue reprimanding her.Jiang Li remained calm at heart, having learned from Xue Zhao that "admitting mistakes should be sincere and swift, and making mistakes should be done with unwavering strides." This attitude had always proven effective.

After all, a dead pig fears no scalding water, so one might as well try desperate remedies for desperate situations.

(End of Chapter)