The Double-Chapter 27 - 25 Ah Li

27: Chapter 25 Ah Li

27 -25 Ah Li

Jiang Li didn’t realize that her actions in front of the Auspicious Building were all observed by bystanders.

When Tonger returned from the pawnshop, she shook her head at Jiang Li and said, “The servant couldn’t redeem that piece of jade you mentioned earlier because someone had already claimed it, but I found a very nice jade pendant at the pawnshop, so I bought it.” She said, spreading out her palm.

The jade pendant in Tonger’s palm was of average quality; in a place like the Jiang Residence, Xiangqiao herself was used to seeing fine things, and by comparison, this piece of jade was really nothing special.

If there was anything unique about it, it was the chubby civet cat carved on it, lifelike and vivid.

Xiangqiao only glanced at it before looking away, but it was Jiang Li who stared at it intently and couldn’t put it down after taking it, saying to Tonger, “It really is beautiful.”

“The servant knew the young lady would like it, so please take it if it pleases you.”

Jiang Li didn’t refuse and accepted it.

Xiangqiao watched and mocked inwardly, thinking that after all, Jiang Li was just a bumpkin who had spent eight years in the mountains, even treasuring such a trinket.

When they returned to the Fangfei Garden at the Jiang Residence, it was already very late.

Xiangqiao had disappeared somewhere without a trace, and Jiang Li was well aware she must have gone back to Shuxiu Garden to report to Ji Shuran.

Finally alone in the room, Tonger closed the door and poured Jiang Li a cup of hot tea, asking softly, “Miss, why did you suddenly want the servant to redeem this jade pendant?

Whose pendant is this, and what makes it so special?”

Having depended on each other for eight years on Green City Mountain, Tonger knew everything about Jiang Li as if she were more than a servant, yet there were times when Tonger couldn’t understand the meaning behind some of Jiang Li’s actions.

For instance, this very incident today, before even leaving the house, Jiang Li had instructed her to make sure to redeem a jade pendant, and all the things Tonger said in front of the Auspicious Building were taught by Jiang Li beforehand.

The story about a deceased mother was all made up.

Jiang Li smiled at her, “You did very well,” and continued to caress the jade pendant in her hand, “This pendant belonged to someone from my past, who is no longer with us.”

The pendant in her hand was painstakingly carved by Xue Huaiyuan himself when she was born.

The night before Xue Fangfei’s mother gave birth to Fangfei, Xue Huaiyuan dreamed of a civet cat making a formal bow right at his doorstep.

After Fangfei was born, they consulted a soothsayer to predict her fate, but the soothsayer said Fangfei was destined to lead a turbulent life with unfortunate beauty.

This angered the usually composed and dignified Xue Huaiyuan to the point where he almost beat the soothsayer to death with a stick.

Though his mouth spoke disbelief, his heart was troubled.

He heard from neighbors near and far that it was best for a person with a meager fate to have a humble milk name, so that even King Yama would be too lazy to claim such a lowly spirit.

So, Xue Huaiyuan didn’t give Fangfei a formal name and instead directly chose the milk name Ah Li.

This jade pendant was bought from a traveling merchant with half a year of Xue Huaiyuan’s salary – it wasn’t expensive.

Xue Huaiyuan had a monk bless it and carved it himself, hoping it would bless Fangfei with a safe and smooth life.

Later, the pendant followed Fangfei to Yanjing City.

After Shen Yurong ranked first in the imperial exams and was appointed as the Assistant Head Writer, the Shen family, with its meager resources, needed to make arrangements to entertain their connections.

Xue Fangfei gave away her entire dowry to help out, and when things were at their worst, she even pawned the jade pendant.

She had planned to redeem the pendant once the family’s situation improved.

However, not long after, the birthday banquet incident occurred, ruining her reputation, and she was too ashamed to show her face outside, never managing to redeem the jade pendant before her death.

Seeing Jiang Li seemingly lost in thought with a particularly desolate look in her eyes, Tonger couldn’t help but speak up, “Miss…”

Jiang Li came back to her senses and smiled, “It’s nothing.

Even though the old friend is gone, I am still here.”

Although Xue Fangfei was gone, Jiang Li was still there.

Xue Fangfei had not managed to redeem the pendant, but Jiang Li had.

Xue Fangfei’s milk name was Ah Li, and Jiang Li had the single name “Li”.

Perhaps, it was this slight connection that allowed her to take the place of this unfortunate girl and return to Yanjing City.

Jiang Li, with her name meaning to depart, did not carry a positive connotation, but in the end, Xue Fangfei, whose name meant flourishing beauty, did not live a flourishing life.

It proves that fate is ultimately in one’s own hands.

Tonger blinked, saw Jiang Li smile, and breathed a sigh of relief as well.

Then something occurred to her, and she said, “The two maids from Shuxiu Garden hardly ever do any work, and those from the outer yard who came today to sweep are also prone to laziness.

Miss, you can’t let them go on like this forever.

Lady Ji isn’t dealing with this, and master can’t interfere with the women’s quarters, so the old madam ought to take charge!”

“The old madam isn’t close to me, and even if I brought this up, it would only be resolved temporarily, not permanently.

I’ll have to solve this problem myself,” Jiang Li shook her head.

Madam Jiang the Elder was strong and capable, and being well-behaved and obedient might not necessarily win her favor, moreover, Jiang Li had previously disappointed Madam Jiang the Elder.

If it really came down to taking sides, it was uncertain whom she would favor.

“What does miss plan to do?” Upon hearing this, Tonger immediately rubbed her hands together, eager to try.

Ever since Jiang Li had used a monkey to outsmart others on her return from Green City Mountain, Tonger had completely trusted her decisions.

“In the next few days, just grumble in front of Yunshuang about how many favors I’ve given to Xiangqiao,” Jiang Li said.

“Most of that box of jewelry that Lady Ji sent me is also with her.”

“Miss intends to drive a wedge between them?” Tonger was quick-witted and immediately asked.

“They aren’t that close to begin with, it’s not about driving a wedge,” Jiang Li smiled.

“This is merely a small test for them.”

It was merely a test, if they succeeded, they would live in peace, but if they lost, they would lose everything.

…

Inside Shuxiu Garden, Xiangqiao stood in the room, by the table, where Jiang Youyao was practicing her calligraphy, but her gaze was distracted.

Lady Ji asked, “A ruby headdress?”

“Yes, a ruby headdress from Auspicious Building, four hundred taels of silver, I saw it with my own eyes,” Xiangqiao said.

“What’s a headdress worth four hundred taels of silver?

Truly modest,” Jiang Youyao scoffed.

“Although it’s not much, it’s still won’t cause a loss of face,” Lady Ji mused, “It’s probably about the same as what your two cousins from the second branch sent, by rights, there shouldn’t be anything wrong with it.”

Upon hearing this, Xiangqiao calculated in her heart.

Lady Ji’s words were clearly meant to cause trouble for Jiang Youyao at her coming-of-age ceremony.

“Mother, how can we let her off easy?” Jiang Youyao put down her brush and eagerly looked towards Lady Ji.

“She has just returned to Yanjing City, and with Liu Yuanfeng watching, your father also feels guilty towards her.

However, it’s very simple to make people dislike her,” Lady Ji said.

“How?” Jiang Youyao’s eyes brightened.

“Don’t forget, she has a reputation as a wicked woman, with a past of matricide and fratricide.

Such things aren’t so easily erased.

It’s just that too much time has passed and people have all but forgotten.

Once they remember, she’ll have no way out,” Lady Ji said with a virtuous smile, “The nobles of Yanjing City cannot tolerate the slightest taint.”

Xiangqiao’s heart skipped a beat, watching Lady Ji turn her gaze towards her.