The Double

Chapter 59: The Capital

The time it took to leave Evening Phoenix Hall was even earlier than Jiang Li had anticipated.

Tong'er, who was anxiously waiting, was pacing at the entrance of Fragrant Garden Courtyard. Seeing Jiang Li and Bai Xue return, she was taken aback and asked, "Why so soon?"

Jiang Li smiled and replied, "Yes, faster than I expected."

She had originally thought the three-hall interrogation would drag on for a while, but it didn't take long. Firstly, Jiang Li had admitted her mistake sincerely, and secondly, the matter was already settled—the bet couldn't be canceled now. Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai couldn't come up with any good solutions, while Ji Shuran and Jiang Youyao were eager to see Jiang Li humiliated. Thus, the matter was smoothly finalized.

Jiang Yuanbai had considered hiring a tutor for Jiang Li to familiarize herself with the subject in the coming days to avoid an embarrassing loss, but Jiang Li politely declined. She insisted that such a short time would only be a strain and that it was better to conserve her energy.

Jiang Yuanbai likely felt there was no persuading Jiang Li, so he sighed deeply and left in a huff. Jiang Li guessed he was off to think of other methods.

Once inside the room, Tong'er poured Jiang Li a cup of hot tea and said, "No matter the outcome, even if you lose, it will be an honorable defeat. It takes more courage than those who retreat without even daring to compete."

"I don't think you'll lose," Bai Xue said earnestly. "You are a person blessed with good fortune."

Jiang Li was amused by Bai Xue's words, but after laughing, she felt a pang of sorrow. If she were truly blessed, she wouldn't have encountered Shen Yurong and caused the destruction of the Xue family.

She had barely sat down for half a moment when Jiang Jingrui eagerly arrived uninvited. He must have just returned from outside and hadn't yet gone back to his own courtyard, as he was still carrying a cricket cage. Upon seeing Jiang Li, he exclaimed, "Jiang Li, you're really something! Your bet is the talk of the town now. All my friends know I have such a cousin and are eager to see your elegance and charm."

"I'm not some top courtesan from a house of pleasure; what elegance and charm is there to see?" Jiang Li retorted bluntly.

Jiang Jingrui, who had just taken a sip of tea, nearly choked and cried out, "What kind of talk is that? You're a young lady—speak more elegantly! If Uncle hears this, you'll be copying the family rules ten thousand times in the ancestral hall."

"Enough, why are you really here?" Jiang Li asked him.

That strange feeling surfaced in Jiang Jingrui again. Although he was older than Jiang Li, he often felt like the younger one. Jiang Li seemed more like an adult humoring a child, patiently indulging his antics.

But today, he hadn't come for idle chatter. Jiang Jingrui said, "Ahem, although accepting the bet shows some of my past flair, it was too impulsive. If a young lady really kneels to apologize, how will you ever marry in the future? You should have thought it through then. That Miss Meng is no good person—she was clearly waiting for you to fall into her trap."

"Are you so sure that I'll be the one kneeling to apologize?" Jiang Li asked.

Jiang Jingrui looked at her and said, "I know you're unwilling and resentful, but now is not the time for stubbornness. I suspect Uncle might try to find some way to ensure you don't lose too badly. Here, I have some silver." Jiang Jingrui pulled three banknotes from his pocket. "Lend it to you. Use this to see if anyone at Mingyi Hall is willing to help you."This was about using silver to bribe classmates into helping Jiang Li cheat.

Jiang Li glanced at the pitifully few banknotes in Jiang Jingrui's hand and calmly said, "If you could produce a few dozen more banknotes, perhaps it might be possible."

"Too little?" Jiang Jingrui rubbed his nose. "This is all my savings. My mother doesn't give me much silver normally. If you need more, I could try asking my elder brother for some, but several dozen notes would be too difficult."

Jiang Li shook her head. The students attending Mingyi Hall were all daughters of officials—how could they lack that bit of silver? Moreover, the current problem wasn't about silver at all. Apart from Liu Xu, Jiang Li had become the enemy of nearly every female student in Mingyi Hall. Anyone who helped Jiang Li would be opposing the entire Mingyi Hall. Besides that foolish girl Liu Xu, who would do such a thing?

Besides, it was widely accepted throughout Yanjing City that she would inevitably lose miserably.

"Miss," Tong'er on the side suddenly brightened up, "If it's about silver, Cousin Ye must have plenty. How about borrowing from him?"

Jiang Li was taken aback, while Jiang Jingrui also caught on and exclaimed excitedly, "Right! Your cousin is from the Ye family—he shouldn't lack silver. Since you just helped him, if you ask him, he definitely won't refuse your request."

Both Tong'er and Jiang Jingrui looked at Jiang Li expectantly. After a moment of silence, Jiang Li said, "Forget it. He's also participating in the Imperial College examination. Associating with me at this time wouldn't be wise."

If Jiang Li sought help from Ye Shijie now, he would look down on her in his heart. Moreover, Ye Shijie's dispute with Li Lian hadn't been resolved yet, and Jiang Li wasn't willing to openly establish good relations with Ye Shijie at this point.

Actually, the best approach would be for Ye Shijie to astonish everyone in this examination while she herself achieved remarkable success. Then everything that followed would happen naturally and smoothly—nothing could be better.

Jiang Li said, "The Six Arts: Calligraphy, Music, Rites, Mathematics, Charioteering, and Archery. To take the top spot, it's best to be first in every category."

Jiang Jingrui said, "What nonsense are you talking?"

Jiang Li calculated in her heart: Calligraphy involved documents, which she had excelled at since childhood. Music meant qin music—in her previous life, her seven-string qin skills could rival Xiao Deyin's, so that wouldn't be difficult either. Rites were even simpler, with her exceptional memory and past studies. Mathematics concerned commercial calculations—since there were no other women in her family when she was young, Jiang Li had managed household accounts. Charioteering meant handling horses, which she had practiced with Xue Zhao and received praise for. Archery involved shooting arrows—she had once shot sparrows and hunted, sitting down to feast on game.

These ordinary things that had once been integral parts of her life became, at Mingyi Hall and in Yanjing City, gilded accomplishments that noble young ladies took pride in as their "studies."

In her previous life when she came to Yanjing City, thinking she shouldn't show off, she restrained herself as much as possible and still earned the reputation of being first in talent and beauty. In this life, under the Jiang family's protection and with her noble status, she naturally had nothing to fear.

"Filled with nobles and carriages throughout the capital" was just an ordinary saying, but she would make it reality.

In this battle, she would undoubtedly make her name known throughout the world.

The holiday passed too quickly! So unhappy!

(End of Chapter)