The Double-Chapter 32 - 30 Unmanned

32: Chapter 30 Unmanned

32 -30 Unmanned

Xiangqiao’s sudden outburst startled everyone present.

But the most vehement reaction did not come from Jiang Li; rather it was Tonger.

Tonger immediately stepped in front of Jiang Li, shielding her like a hen protecting her chick, and loudly objected, “Nonsense, slanderer!

My mistress has never done such a thing; Xiangqiao, it seems your conscience has been eaten by wolves, to so malign my mistress!”

Xiangqiao didn’t even glance at Tonger, but instead kowtowed several times to Madam Jiang the Elder, weeping, “This servant dares not lie, should there be half a word of untruth, may thunder strike me down!”

“You!” Tonger, so angry she was at a loss for words, thought Xiangqiao dared to make such a dreadful oath, clearly a person who was desperate and reckless with her own life.

Yet Xiangqiao’s words seemed to drive the final nail into Jiang Li’s coffin of guilt, leaving no room for liberation.

Jiang Yue spoke again, her voice laced with mockery, “Second Miss, you don’t have a single piece of jewelry on yourself, yet you buy a headdress worth four hundred taels of silver for your third sister, how very generous.

Surely only a deep bond of sisterly love could compel such an action.

Having returned to the capital for less than a month, I never expected you to grow so fond of your third sister.”

Her words insinuated that Jiang Li was never on good terms with Jiang Youyao and questioned how she could bear to spend a fortune on a precious capping ceremony gift for her, implying clearly that Jiang Li must have tampered with it.

Jiang Youyao lifted her head, her eyes rimmed in red from grievance, and dabbed away a tear with a handkerchief, mournfully saying, “Second Sister, I was so happy when you returned to the residence, but I didn’t expect you to still harbor resentment towards me.”

“Lili,” Ji Shuran, who had yet to speak, also stepped forward, enveloping Jiang Youyao in her arms, and tenderly patting her arm before looking at Jiang Li, “If you’re discontent with me, let it out on me.

I’ve always looked after you, favored you, and treated you sincerely as your mother.

I don’t expect you to accept me, but I hoped, for your father’s sake, our family could get along.

All else aside, Youyao is your blood sister; how can your heart bear to curse her?

Could it be…

you truly disregard the bonds of kinship?” And saying so, as if overwhelmed by sorrow, she clung to Jiang Youyao, weeping incessantly.

The sight of the mother and daughter, fragile and pitiable, aroused much sympathy among those present.

Especially Ji Shuran’s last words made people recall how Jiang Li had once caused her to lose a child.

The hearts of the women softened, particularly those with children, who felt even more sympathetic towards Ji Shuran.

Mutterings could be heard, “No wonder stepmothers have a hard time, saddled with such a miss; even a saint would be troubled.”

Madam Jiang the Elder’s expression was dark as water.

What should have been a splendid capping ceremony had turned into a farce.

Jiang Li had managed to disgrace the entire Jiang Family today, and Madam Jiang the Elder blamed Jiang Yuanbai with reproachful eyes.

If Jiang Yuanbai had managed his household properly, they would not be facing these troubles.

Jiang Yuanbai’s gaze towards Jiang Li also contained some anger, stirred by Ji Shuran’s words that reignited his own guilt.

After all, it was Jiang Li’s unruliness that had caused Ji Shuran to lose a child, who was also Jiang Yuanbai’s child.

Now Jiang Li had committed another malicious act, and the flicker of fatherly affection he’d felt due to Jiang Li’s resemblance to him instantly evaporated.

Jiang Yuanbai said, “Unfilial daughter, will you not kneel?” His judgment clouded by disappointment and disregarding the consequences, if Jiang Li really did kneel, she would be infamous in all of Yanjing City’s elite circles.

Even if she remained in the Jiang Residence, she would never be able to raise her head among Yanjing’s nobility, let alone consider marriage.

A flicker of joy crossed Jiang Youyao’s eyes, as Madam Liu, anxious, was about to speak up when Jiang Li arched an eyebrow and countered, “Why should I kneel?”

No one expected Jiang Li to talk back in front of the crowd; even Jiang Yuanbai was momentarily stunned.

Lady Lu was surprised, Lady Yang tightened her grip on Jiang Yue’s hand, worried she might speak out of turn again.

“You harbor dark schemes and curse your legitimate sister.

As your father, I must discipline you properly—kneel!” Jiang Yuanbai bellowed.

Jiang Li looked at him and uttered two words, “I won’t.”

The confrontation was direct and unyielding.

Tonger, shaking with fear, still stood resolutely in front of Jiang Li.

Before Jiang Yuan Bai could speak, Jiang Li spoke again, “I have made a mistake, and it is only natural for Father to want to discipline me.

However, Father, isn’t it right that before I personally confess to the wrongdoing I’ve committed, what you should do is to believe in me and help me, rather than help others frame me and discipline me?”

Jiang Li’s words were quite impolite, leaving the guests around them a bit at a loss for what to do.

Who dared speak to the Grand Secretary in such a manner?

Although Jiang Yuan Bai always seemed amiable and conciliatory in imperial court, no one truly believed that he was a pushover to be trifled with.

“You dare to quibble?” Jiang Yuan Bai shook with anger.

“Lili, Xiangqiao claims to have seen it with her own eyes, do you still not confess to this matter being your doing?” Ji Shuran said, “Although your father is angry, you are his legitimate daughter.

Just confess honestly and apologize, and this matter can be forgotten.”

Ji Shuran’s words sounded very magnanimous.

Jiang Li found it somewhat amusing.

Confess to a mistake and apologize, and then this matter would be forgotten?

Of course not.

Once she admitted to this baseless accusation, her reputation as a person with a vindictive nature would be forever beyond redemption.

Such vicious thinking.

Although she herself did not care for these empty titles, the pitiful girl, the real Miss Jiang the Second, would not think the same.

Jiang Li said, “If I did it, I did it, but if I didn’t, I am not so good-tempered as to be a scapegoat for everyone to splatter with nameless dirt.

Today, right here, I say that the cuts on that headdress were not made by me.

Among all present here, who believes me?”

Everyone looked at her.

The girl spoke softly and politely, her features gentle and lovely.

Yet, it was an obstinate tenacity that could not be argued against, as if from her eyes, clear as mountain streams, one could see an unshakeable defiance.

Not one person spoke.

The guests all looked away, which was to be expected.

After all, today’s event was but a family affair of the Jiang Family.

Madam Jiang the Elder was staring at Jiang Li, her thoughts unknown.

Jiang Yuan Bai’s gaze was filled with anger and regret, while Jiang Youyao and Ji Shuran clung to each other, crying sadly.

Behind them, Jiang Bingji looked at her with hostility.

Jiang Yuyan nodded submissively, while Jiang Yue appeared smug.

Lady Yang’s gaze was evasive, Lady Lu watched as though enjoying a good show.

Jiang Yuanping smiled and observed from the sidelines, while Jiang Yuanxing kept his head low, pretending not to see.

Jiang Jing You and Jiang Jing Rui were huddled together, whispering as if they had not heard Jiang Li’s words.

Had they really not heard?

It was nothing more than a desire to protect oneself wisely.

Jiang Li glanced over each one of them, the corner of her lips curling slightly, but within that smile lay a trace of irony.

In the vast Jiang Residence, not one of her blood relatives who were thicker than water stood by her side, believing in her.

Poor Miss Jiang the Second, Jiang Li sighed inwardly, yet she did not know whether that sigh was for Miss Jiang the Second or for herself.