The Double

Chapter 68: Enemy

The next day, Jiang Li woke up even earlier than usual.

Tong'er had been bustling since dawn, deliberating over which hairstyle to pair with which outfit for Jiang Li. Bai Xue, having previously worked in farming at home, wasn't particularly skilled in these matters, so she left everything to Tong'er.

Since returning to the Jiang residence, Tong'er hadn't been idle. She had put in considerable effort to ensure Jiang Li wouldn't appear inferior to Jiang Youyao.

When they finally stepped out of the courtyard, they saw Jiang Youyao at the entrance of Evening Phoenix Hall, speaking with Jiang Yuanbai. She was tugging at his sleeve, seemingly acting coquettishly with a very charming demeanor.

Jiang Yuanbai was looking down at Jiang Youyao with great affection and hadn't noticed Jiang Li yet. Ji Shuran, standing to the side, had clearly caught sight of Jiang Li out of the corner of her eye but pretended to have just noticed her only when Jiang Li approached, saying with a smile, "Li'er is here."

Jiang Yuanbai instinctively turned to look.

Jiang Li also glanced at Jiang Youyao.

Today was an important occasion. If even Tong'er was making plans for Jiang Li, Ji Shuran would undoubtedly have done the same for Jiang Youyao. Jiang Youyao wore a misty pink floor-length gown with flying birds and floral patterns, layered with a sheer white plum blossom gauze, giving her an ethereal, fairy-like appearance. Her ears were adorned with vibrant red jade droplet earrings, which made her look more radiant than a flower, elegant and peerless. She was also scrutinizing Jiang Li's attire.

Nowadays, Jiang Li's clothes were all prepared by the tailors under Ji Shuran's orders. After the incident at the gate on the day of her return, the outfits Ji Shuran provided for Jiang Li were well-fitted and luxurious, but not particularly suitable for her. Firstly, Jiang Li had a slender figure and delicate features, which couldn't carry overly extravagant dresses. Secondly, the jewelry was overly intricate and heavy, making her look top-heavy.

Although it was a safe choice of attire, standing next to Jiang Youyao would immediately relegate Jiang Li to the role of a foil.

If it were the real Second Miss Jiang, she might have worn these lavish clothes to assert her status. Unfortunately, Jiang Li was not her. She had never had much desire for opulent dresses, and moreover, she was absolutely unwilling to become Jiang Youyao's foil. Therefore, she did not wear the clothes Ji Shuran had prepared for her.

She wore only a chest-high ruqun in osmanthus green, with her hair in a reverse bun adorned with a single jade hairpin. It was the simplest of outfits, yet it simplified complexity. Her brows were distinct, her eyes clear—elegant, refined, and extraordinarily beautiful. She resembled an orchid painting from a deep mountain valley, serene and beautiful without contention.

Standing next to Jiang Youyao, Jiang Li was not overshadowed in the slightest. Instead, Jiang Youyao's excessive brilliance made Jiang Li's beauty appear even more sophisticated.

Jiang Youyao's expression darkened slightly.

Jiang Yuanbai coughed lightly and asked Jiang Li, "Are you ready?"

Jiang Li smiled in response, "Yes."

Today's assessment required the attendance of everyone in the Jiang residence, including Old Madam Jiang. Just as they were discussing this, they heard Jiang Yu'e's voice. Jiang Yu'e and Jiang Yuyan approached from behind, smiling as they said, "Second Sister and Third Sister look so beautiful today."Jiang Yu'e and Jiang Yuyan were also dressed in their finest today, though due to the Third Branch's circumstances, they couldn't compare to Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao. Still, they had taken great care with their appearance. Jiang Yu'e looked particularly excited, hovering around Jiang Youyao as usual in an ingratiating manner, while Jiang Yu'e remained her timid, quiet self, standing off to the side with her head bowed.

"Since everyone is ready, let us depart," said Old Madam Jiang, supported by Zhenzhu and another maid.

The group boarded the carriages and set off for the examination grounds.

After roughly the time it takes for three incense sticks to burn, they arrived.

The Mingyi Hall's examination grounds were originally a martial arts training field from the previous dynasty, where military top scholars were selected. After the late Emperor Zongming ascended the throne and moved the imperial palace, this training field lay abandoned for many years. When the Hongxiao Emperor took the throne, he converted it into examination grounds, where all three levels of Mingyi Hall's examinations were now held.

The square was already packed with crowds. The best seats were reserved for nobles, many of whom were family members of the young ladies taking the exam that day. There were also officials, as Jiang Jingrui had mentioned, "looking to select wives from among the accomplished young ladies," and even members of the imperial family.

By the time Jiang Li arrived, the examination grounds were already filled with people.

Liu Xu, who was standing beside Madam Liu, spotted Jiang Li and immediately came over to greet her. Jiang Li took her hand, and together they paid their respects to Madam Liu. Madam Liu was delighted and said to Jiang Li, "I heard about Second Miss Jiang achieving first place in the Upper Three Disciplines. I haven't had the chance to congratulate you yet. I hope today you will also earn a top grade."

Jiang Li smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Madam."

Liu Xu whispered in Jiang Li's ear, "Look, Meng Hongjin."

Jiang Li followed Liu Xu's gaze and indeed saw Meng Hongjin not far away, staring in her direction. In the past, Meng Hongjin would have stormed over to hurl threats, but today she remained where she was, merely fixing Jiang Li with a venomous glare. It seemed the results of the Upper Three Disciplines had tempered her arrogance somewhat.

"How is your zither playing?" Liu Xu asked quietly. "Today's examiners for zither and music include Xiao Deyin, Jinghong Xianzi, Shi Yan, Mian Ju, and Duke Su."

"Duke Su?" Jiang Li was astonished. Xiao Deyin and Jinghong Xianzi were one thing, and Shi Yan and Mian Ju were understandable, but why was Duke Su Ji Heng among them? She had always heard that Ji Heng loved opera, but zither music and opera were worlds apart. What could Ji Heng possibly contribute?

Jiang Li found it perplexing.

"Who knows? The examiners were all personally appointed by His Majesty," Liu Xu shook her head. "I've never heard you play the zither. How is your skill?"

Her tone was full of concern for Jiang Li.

Jiang Li smiled. "It's passable."

Liu Xu felt a wave of relief. "Regardless, as long as you can get through it, that's what matters. You don't need to be first in everything." She was trying to comfort Jiang Li.

Jiang Li said, "We'll see when the time comes." As she scanned the surroundings, her gaze suddenly froze.

In the area reserved for nobles, there were specially built pavilions. Not far off, a young woman in a golden gauze dress was plucking purple grapes from a glass jar. The grapes, glistening with droplets of water, looked like amethyst gems in the glass container, accentuating the elegance and opulence of her slender, jade-like fingers.

The woman carried herself with haughty pride, her head slightly tilted, her eyes shimmering with a subtle, alluring charm.Liu Xu noticed Jiang Li staring fixedly in one direction and followed her gaze, suddenly realizing, "Princess Yongning? I didn't expect her to come today."

Jiang Li watched Princess Yongning—the very person who had destroyed her family and caused her ruin in her previous life—her chest heaving violently with emotion. Yet on the surface, she maintained a faint smile, her eyes glinting coldly.

With Princess Yongning here, there was no need to wonder—Shen Yurong would certainly be here as well.

All her enemies were gathered in one place. Perfect.

(End of Chapter)