The Double-Chapter 36 - 34 The Twin Carvings

36: Chapter 34: The Twin Carvings

36 -34: The Twin Carvings

The sudden mention of Yunshuang’s name from Jiang Li’s lips caught people by surprise.

In the crowd, Yunshuang, caught off guard by being named, first thought to look at Ji Shuran’s expression when she made out what Jiang Li was saying.

Despite the crowd between them, Yunshuang could still feel Ji Shuran staring at her as if she were looking at a dead person.

She instinctively wanted to shake her head and deny it, but then Jiang Li turned to her and, with a thankful and seemingly admiring tone, said, “Yunshuang had warned me before to beware of Xiangqiao.

At that time, I didn’t quite believe her.

Now it seems, I was too arrogant.

Thank you, Yunshuang.” She then turned to Ji Shuran and said, “Although Mother believed in Xiangqiao, she sent me a thoughtful Yunshuang.

Jiang Li is very grateful for Mother’s hard work.”

Ji Shuran forced a smile, her feelings at that moment unknown to anyone.

It was too late for Yunshuang to say anything now, and in front of all the guests, she really couldn’t refute the words.

Indeed, it was Xiangqiao who had hidden the Ruby headdress, but it was Yunshuang, who always followed her, who dug it out and secretly placed it in Xiangqiao’s room.

Most people in the world suffer not from lack but from inequality.

Both she and Xiangqiao were Ji Shuran’s spies placed by Jiang Li’s side, but Xiangqiao, just by using her mouth, managed to obtain many rewards from Jiang Li.

Those rewards, they might not even get as much by staying by Ji Shuran’s side for over ten years.

Yunshuang’s eyes reddened with jealousy as she found Xiangqiao increasingly intolerable.

She overheard the plan between Tonger and Jiang Li, knowing that to counter Ji Shuran, Tonger would prove in front of the guests that Xiangqiao had switched the headdresses.

So Yunshuang quietly put the headdress back in Xiangqiao’s room.

Even so, Ji Shuran’s plan was doomed.

What of it, even if Xiangqiao told Ji Shuran about Jiang Li’s plan and Ji Shuran re-strategized, she would just be claiming credit, yet not harming Xiangqiao a bit.

But following Jiang Li’s plan, Xiangqiao’s death was certain.

A servant with malicious intentions, who framed her master, had no place to live in the Jiang Residence, let alone the fact that she failed the task Ji Shuran entrusted her with.

How could Xiangqiao possibly meet a good end?

Everything was going smoothly until Xiangqiao was exposed, who would have known that just before the end, a single sentence from Jiang Li would plunge Yunshuang into an abyss.

Yunshuang’s legs went weak, and she nearly knelt down.

Jiang Li’s smile became more genuine.

Ji Shuran was probably a suspicious person.

Her own words would now likely make Ji Shuran truly doubt whether Yunshuang had turned traitor.

After all, a foolproof situation had suddenly taken a turn here, unless there was an insider who informed Jiang Li.

Naturally, Xiangqiao wouldn’t dig her own grave, leaving Yunshuang as the only option.

At this point, with things coming to light, Madam Jiang the Elder spoke coldly, “What are you waiting for?

Drag this trouble-making maid out and beat her to death with sticks!”

Xiangqiao’s eyes bulged, and with her mouth gagged by cloth, she couldn’t speak but only looked at Ji Shuran for help pleadingly.

But at this time, why would Ji Shuran entangle herself in unclear relationships for her sake, even urging them on, “Be quick, didn’t you hear what Mother said?”

Xiangqiao struggled as she was dragged away, and the onlooking guests felt a chill in their hearts.

The Jiang Residence’s family rules were strict indeed, worthy of Jiang Yuanbai; even if he seemed kindly in ordinary days, his methods were not to be underestimated.

Watching the scene, Yunshuang felt her spine grow increasingly cold.

She vaguely realized that by going with the flow and framing Xiangqiao, she might have made a grave mistake.

Jiang Li clasped her hands together and softly chanted “Amitabha.” As everyone looked at her, the epicenter of the whirlpool of the incident, the eye of the storm of upheaval, was bowing her head slightly, as if she could hardly bear Xiangqiao’s fate, yet appearing even more beautifully innocent in profile.

Madam Jiang the Elder cast an enigmatic glance at Jiang Li and said to Ji Shuran, “Now that Lili’s maid Xiangqiao is gone, we must pick out some new ones for her.

Let the housekeeper bring some over tomorrow and have Lili choose a few herself.”

Upon hearing this, Tonger’s heart fluttered, and she crisply spoke up, “Old madam, the sweeping maids in Fangfei Garden were also arranged by Xiangqiao.

Since Xiangqiao has shown to be lacking in virtue, may I suggest that old madam dismisses those maids as well, and select new ones.

So that inside and out, Fangfei Garden will be thoroughly cleansed.”

These words made Ji Shuran’s face burn with embarrassment and her heart fill with irritation.

A mere maid dared to criticize her in her words.

Regardless of her inner anger, she kept her composure.

Madam Jiang the Elder replied, “Let’s do as you have said.”

Ji Shuran hastened to agree, then turned to Jiang Li with a smile, “Previously, I was blind in judging people, nearly causing a great misstep.

How about this, Yunshuang will return to my side, and you, Lili, will personally select your new personal maid tomorrow.

Does that sound good to you?”

Jiang Li displayed a hint of regret, “I was actually quite pleased with Yunshuang by my side, but what mother suggests makes sense.

I’ll abide by mother’s decisions.”

Yunshuang, listening to Jiang Li speak, was terrified out of her wits.

Jiang Li’s words were pushing her into a pit of fire!

Ji Shuran had already grown suspicious of her, keeping her close was simply to torment her.

And Jiang Li was just pouring oil on the fire!

“Today has been quite an embarrassment,” said Madam Jiang the Elder as things seemed to be settling down, her voice grave, “Our Jiang Residence has failed to discipline our servants properly, resulting in such a ludicrous scene.

It has disrupted everyone’s mood, and on behalf of the entire Jiang Residence, I offer an apology to all.”

The guests all humbly demurred, and Jiang Yuanbai added, “We’ll gather again on another day.”

The visitors who came for the hairpin ceremony witnessed quite a spectacle today, yet they gained little amusement from it.

It was as if Jiang Youyao, who was meant to be the protagonist, had been somewhat ignored.

Shen Ruyun and Mother Shen, escorted by the Jiang Residence servants to the door, couldn’t help but discuss in a low voice, “I find Miss Jiang the Third rather average, but Miss Jiang the Second is indeed formidable.

With a few words, she reversed the situation, and I fear her schemes run deep.”

Shen Ruyun disliked Jiang Youyao because Jiang Youyao was Zhou Bangyan’s fiancée.

Today, Jiang Li flipped the situation, ostensibly punishing Xiangqiao but, in reality, also marring Ji Shuran’s dignity, as well as leaving Jiang Youyao in a disgraceful light.

Jiang Li’s actions led to Jiang Youyao’s loss of composure, which Shen Ruyun was glad to see, but this did not mean she had any fondness for Jiang Li.

In Shen Ruyun’s view, if Jiang Youyao hadn’t taken Jiang Li’s place, Zhou Yanbang’s fiancée would have been Jiang Li by now.

They were both love rivals, equally loathed.

Just as they were talking, they suddenly heard someone call out, “Miss.” Shen Ruyun and Mother Shen turned around and saw two people approaching—it was Miss Jiang the Second, who had just made a scene, and her maid, Tonger.

Miss Jiang the Second also noticed them, paused slightly, gave them a nod with a smile, and then passed by.

Since they were not acquainted, it was not considered impolite.

Yet in that moment, Shen Ruyun suddenly felt that the way Miss Jiang the Second nodded and smiled at her was very familiar.

Where had she seen it before?