The Double-Chapter 39 - 37 Winning Game

39: Chapter 37: Winning Game

39 -37: Winning Game

Lady Ji Chen and Ji Shuran were discussing something, and Jiang Li had no idea what it was about, but she was also clear that, with today’s incident, facing Ji Shuran’s trap, her actions had blatantly exposed the conflict between them.

Considering past deeds committed by Ji Shuran against Miss Jiang the Second, it was obvious that Ji Shuran was not a person of generous spirit.

As the conflict intensified, Ji Shuran would undoubtedly resort to even more ruthless methods.

Jiang Li was not afraid.

In the past, she had followed Xue Huaiyuan, and when he dealt with political affairs, he did not avoid her; sometimes, he even discussed them with her.

Jiang Li was not faint-hearted, and having died once already, been betrayed by the person who slept beside her, lost her family and everything she owned, she now harbored a resolute determination, ready at all times to burn both the jade and the stone.

She returned to Fangfei Garden, and had been resting for less than half an hour when an uninvited guest came.

Jiang Jingrui, carrying a cricket cage, dropped by Fangfei Garden uninvited to have some tea.

This second branch’s young master was unruly and ungovernable.

Both Old Master the Second, Jiang Yuanping, and Madam the Second, Lady Lu, were unable to discipline him.

Only occasionally would he half listen to what Jiang Yuanbai said.

However, this Second Miss seemed quite acquainted with Jiang Li.

Jiang Li invited him to sit down and asked, “What are you here for?”

Jiang Jingrui found a teacup, had Tonger pour him tea with not the slightest bit of politeness.

Cocking his head to look at Jiang Li, he said, “You did quite a fine job today.

Both Jiang Youyao and your great-aunt got outmaneuvered by you.

I was about to give you a round of applause.”

His words indeed made Tonger, who was pouring the tea, a bit angry.

Although this second branch’s young master did not seem to have any malice toward their lady, his attitude sometimes clearly showed disdain for Jiang Li, hence his informal way of speaking.

“You can’t be careless with your words,” Jiang Li said indifferently, “I merely stated the truth.”

“Why did you hide it from me?” Jiang Jingrui fiddled with the teacup on the table.

“I wouldn’t have told anyone.”

“You speak as if we are very close,” Jiang Li said with a smile.

The moment “cousin” left her lips, Jiang Jingrui’s expression changed subtly.

He looked at Jiang Li seriously and asked, “Jiang Li, what do you mean by that?”

“Is there something wrong with what I said?” Jiang Li’s smile carried a hint of odd mockery.

“Earlier in the courtyard, when I was accused and cursed over Jiang Youyao, I asked if anyone believed me.

In the entire Jiang Residence, Madam Liu and Tonger believed me.

I remember that you, cousin, were not among them.” Jiang Li continued, “If we were very close, cousin, you would have to believe me a little bit at least.

So, I say, we aren’t really close.”

Jiang Jingrui’s face flushed red in a flash, while Tonger on the side felt an immense sense of relief.

That’s right; he pretended to be close and as if he was on Jiang Li’s side, but when it came to the crunch, he couldn’t even muster a peep, not as reliable as a stranger with no blood relation; how could such a person be considered close?

Jiang Jingrui was usually slick and good at arguing, but as he was about to retort, upon seeing Jiang Li’s eyes, the words died on his lips, and he couldn’t say anything at all.

Jiang Li’s eyes were like transparent stream water, very clear, as if all the lies in the world could not hide within them.

Suddenly, Jiang Jingrui felt somewhat ashamed and restless like sitting on pins and needles.

He thought he had a decent relationship with Jiang Li and had even warned her, believing he had done his utmost.

Yet he had not expected Jiang Li to blatantly ask, “Why don’t you stand by my side?” Her straightforward question made him seem like a petty person in contrast.

“I understand that my cousin doesn’t want to offend our mother for my sake.

Everyone in the Jiang Residence knows the importance of staying out of trouble, and I don’t blame them.

But please never again say that we are close, cousin.

I am someone who particularly dislikes mere appearances,” Jiang Li spoke calmly.

Jiang Jingrui found her words extremely grating but didn’t know how to respond.

Jiang Li was essentially mocking him for his lack of courage, for not daring to take a stand.

As a young man, used to being indulged and pampered, how could he tolerate such an insult?

He immediately said, “I get it, stop speaking in such a sarcastic tone.

I just won’t come again!” And with that, he slammed the teacup onto the table with a “snap” and stormed off in a huff.

Tonger was startled and complained, “Why does the Second Young Master have such a volatile temper?” Then, turning towards Jiang Li, she asked, “Did you maybe push him too hard just now?”

“Jiang Jingrui isn’t inherently bad,” Jiang Li tapped the teacup lightly, “Selfish, yes, but not to the point of being cold-blooded.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have warned me earlier.

Living in a prominent family, with complex interests at play, he naturally has concerns, and I can understand his actions.

However, I don’t like them.”

Perhaps it was because Xue Huaiyuan had taught her to see things in black and white from a young age that Jiang Li herself detested such people—a curious mix of being sometimes unbearable, yet not entirely evil, leaving one with conflicted feelings.

“By speaking this way, either he will grow to thoroughly dislike me and avoid me, or he will feel guilty and stop watching from the sidelines when it comes to my affairs.

With that, his attitude will be clear rather than ambiguous.

An ambiguous ally by one’s side is always a hazard, as they may stab you in the back,” she explained.

Tonger nodded, albeit not fully comprehending, “What you say makes sense, Miss.

Otherwise, Xiangqiao wouldn’t have ended up suffering the consequences today.”

Since the day she returned from Shuxiu Garden, Xiangqiao had been secretly fiddling with the box holding Jiang Li’s headdress, occasionally showing a reluctance to part with it.

When Tonger mentioned this to Jiang Li, she guessed that Ji Shuran was likely to tamper with it during the coming-of-age ceremony.

It wasn’t hard to guess Ji Shuran’s intentions, given Miss Jiang the Second’s past of patricide and matricide.

Jiang Li then instructed Tonger to bribe a servant from the outside, spreading rumors about a craftsman who forged imitations.

As expected, Xiangqiao sought out the craftsman to switch the headdress.

Jiang Li also had Tonger badmouth Xiangqiao to Yunshuang and mentioned all the rewards Xiangqiao had received from her.

Out of jealousy, and upon learning of Jiang Li’s counter-plot, Yunshuang decided to go with the flow and conspire with Jiang Li to doom Xiangqiao.

When Xiangqiao was caught, something Jiang Li said to Yunshuang raised Ji Shuran’s suspicions.

The plan unfolded smoothly, with Yunshuang dealing with Xiangqiao for Jiang Li, and Ji Shuran taking care of Yunshuang while also completely replacing the servants in Fangfei Garden—one fell swoop, for good.

In all this, Xiangqiao’s greed, Yunshuang’s jealousy, and Ji Shuran’s suspicion intertwined, each link essential.

What Jiang Li had exploited was human malice.

Human nature is the hardest to fathom but the easiest to manipulate.

With just a little enticement, one could achieve their objectives.

All of this had begun with the first hairpin Jiang Li had rewarded Xiangqiao with, sowing the seed.

The hunter had set the trap from the beginning, and ultimately, the prey was ensnared.

In this game, Jiang Li had won.