The Double

Chapter 66: Yongning

Just as Meng Youde had anticipated, Jiang Li's examination paper had indeed made its way into the palace.

In the imperial study, a young man emerged from within. Eunuch Su, waiting by the door, bowed respectfully as he escorted him out. Watching the retreating figure, Eunuch Su sighed inwardly—barely past twenty, having achieved success in the imperial examinations, and climbing to such a position in just a year. Truly, he had sailed through smoothly, a formidable young talent.

This young man was none other than Shen Yurong, the current Imperial Secretariat Writer. The Hongxiao Emperor held Shen Yurong in high regard, often discussing current affairs with him. Some even said the emperor intended to bring Shen Yurong into the Grand Secretariat, grooming him as the future Grand Secretary and successor to Jiang Yuanbai.

No one could predict the future, but that didn't stop people from currying favor with him now.

As Shen Yurong made his way through the imperial garden, he encountered someone in the corridor.

Princess Yongning was resting at a stone table in the garden. Spotting him, she offered a charming smile and said, "Lord Shen."

It was summer, and the imperial garden was lush with shade, cooled by a gentle breeze. A sliver of golden light filtering through the leaves illuminated half of her face, highlighting her opulent beauty. Her skin resembled the finest mutton-fat jade, tempting one to reach out and touch it.

Though her features were sharp and haughty, she adopted a gentle, demure posture, addressing him with polite dignity.

Shen Yurong bowed in greeting. "Your Highness."

"You've just come from my imperial brother. What did you discuss?" Princess Yongning fanned herself lightly with a sheer gauze fan, her lips painted a vibrant red, full and alluring.

Shen Yurong averted his gaze. "His Majesty heard that the rankings for yesterday's examination have been released, with the top honors going to both the Imperial College and Mingyi Hall. He was discussing the matter with this official."

"Oh?" Princess Yongning looked at him in surprise, her tone carrying a flirtatious innocence, almost seductive. "I've heard about this as well. They say the top candidate at Mingyi Hall is the second young lady of the Jiang family—the one who was expelled from the Jiang household and spent eight years in a nunnery. She returned to the capital barely over a month ago and joined Mingyi Hall only ten days ago. Yet she managed to take the top spot." She smiled enchantingly. "She truly is a remarkable talent. I hear she writes with exceptional penmanship, though I haven't seen it myself. What do you think, Lord Shen?"

Shen Yurong paused, lowering his head. "This official hasn't seen it either."

"Heh," Princess Yongning chuckled softly. "I would have thought such a matter would surely draw your attention, Lord Shen. I didn't expect you to show no interest. Perhaps you're accustomed to talented women and prefer those adorned with rouge and powder?" Her last words carried a flirtatious provocation.

Shen Yurong took a step back. "Your Highness, please be cautious with your words."

"Look how frightened you are." A flicker of displeasure crossed Princess Yongning's eyes, but it vanished quickly as she chided playfully, "My attendants are guarding outside. No one will overhear us. It's been so long since we last met. Have you missed me?"

She grew increasingly bold.

Shen Yurong lowered his head slightly, giving an almost imperceptible nod.

That faint nod instantly brought a radiant smile to Princess Yongning's face. She even reached out to stroke his hand, laughing softly. "I knew you still thought of me. It's just that there have been too many trivial matters lately, making it difficult for me to seek you out. Tomorrow, Mingyi Hall will test the remaining three subjects. Why don't we both go to watch? After it concludes..." Her voice trailed off, leaving the ending shrouded in ambiguity.Shen Yurong allowed her to hold his hand, his expression softening slightly as he murmured, "Princess..."

"I've long said that when we're alone, you should call me Yongning." Princess Yongning gazed obsessively at his handsome features. From the first moment she saw Shen Yurong, she had fallen for him. This young, brilliant man who understood governance and composed elegant essays—when she saw him parading through the streets on horseback during the imperial examinations, her heart was lost forever.

The only pity was that he already had a wife. But ultimately, this was no great matter. She was a royal princess of golden branches and jade leaves, while his wife was merely the daughter of a minor official. Even if she possessed both talent and beauty, she was as lowly as an ant.

So she killed her.

Princess Yongning knew that Shen Yurong still held some affection for Xue Fangfei in his heart. Xue Fangfei had been blessed with striking beauty and a reputation as a talented woman, sharing years of marital bonds with Shen Yurong. Though he retained lingering feelings, Princess Yongning could not tolerate even a sliver of his heart belonging to another. For Xue Fangfei, she wanted not just her life but also her reputation and dignity—to make her die with nothing, in the most wretched state.

Who told her to cling to what wasn't rightfully hers?

In the end, she was the victor.

Shen Yurong didn't linger long in the imperial garden. After all, the palace was full of eyes and ears, and despite Princess Yongning's people standing guard, he feared unexpected complications. It hadn't even been half a year since Xue Fangfei's death—if rumors spread about his involvement with Princess Yongning, it would be impossible to silence public gossip.

Princess Yongning could only watch Shen Yurong's retreating figure with reluctant longing.

Beneath the tree shade, she was alone again. She thought about how every few days she would come to the palace, ostensibly to converse with Consort Liu, but actually to catch a glimpse of her beloved. How difficult it was! Even though Xue Fangfei was already dead, she still couldn't be with him day and night openly. Instead, they resembled illicit lovers. The more she thought about it, the more sorrowful she became.

"How hard it is to stay together..." she sighed deeply.

Suddenly remembering that after tomorrow's verification, she would have another brief moment of joy with Shen Yurong, a hint of delight colored Princess Yongning's brows. Though she had never particularly liked talented women, as they always reminded her of Xue Fangfei.

Speaking of which, Xue Fangfei's calligraphy had once been considered unparalleled in Yanjing, but Xue Fangfei wrote in delicate "hairpin flower" script, while Second Miss Jiang's characters resembled masculine strokes.

Talented women emerged generation after generation, but Xue Fangfei was ultimately dead.

...

In Fragrant Garden Courtyard, Bai Xue watched Jiang Li practicing calligraphy and remarked after some contemplation, "Young lady's handwriting is truly majestic."

"Majestic" was the most refined word Bai Xue could summon.

"Yes, yes," said Mingyue, who had come over with tea, glancing at the writing. "It's different from all the other young ladies' calligraphy."

Jiang Li smiled.

When she was Xue Fangfei, her early years in Tongxiang had given her bold, sweeping handwriting, learned from Xue Zhao's heroic style. But when she later came to Yanjing, she switched to delicate "hairpin flower" script.

Not for any other reason—but because all the noble ladies in Yanjing City wrote that way. To avoid standing out and to integrate faster into the circles of nobility, she abandoned what she loved, including her writing habits.

Even Shen Yurong probably thought she excelled at "hairpin flower" script. But times had changed. While the delicate script was elegant, as a woman navigating the world was inherently more difficult than for men—simply because society treated men with leniency and women with severity.Since that's the case, I'll rely neither on heaven nor earth, but only on myself. If I consider myself as capable as any man, naturally I can shoulder life's unpredictability.

Today I received notice from my editor that the novel will go VIP next Tuesday. At that time, approximately ten chapters will be put behind the paywall retroactively. So dear readers who've been saving up chapters, now would be a good time to catch up to avoid having to pay for previously free content later~

For those who've been following along, please pay attention to chapter numbers to avoid duplicate subscriptions. I'll remind everyone once more before the VIP transition~

(End of Chapter)