The Double-Chapter 45 - 43 Decision

45: Chapter 43 Decision

45 -43 Decision

In Shuxiu Garden, Jiang Youyao was sitting on the couch, fiddling with the newly acquired tasseled loincloth, when she heard that Jiang Li had gone to the study to find Jiang Yuanbai, she immediately leaped up and said, “She’s gone to see Father?

What does she want with Father?”

The servant who had come to report replied, “It seems she went to see the great master about hiring a tutor.”

Lady Ji commanded considerable respect in the main house, and if anything at all transpired involving Jiang Yuanbai, she would know immediately.

The messenger had been swift; not long after Jiang Li had gone to Jiang Yuanbai’s study, Lady Ji had already been informed.

“What does she have in mind?

Surely she’s not thinking of choosing the tutor herself?” Jiang Youyao pressed on.

Seeing the hesitation on the face of the servant who brought the message, Lady Ji ordered a maid to hand him an embroidered purse filled with silver and said, “Just speak.”

“Replying to Lady Ji.” After taking the silver, the servant abruptly brushed off all reservations and promptly said, “The ones guarding the study overheard that it seemed like the Second Miss wanted to enter Mingyi Hall and was pleading with the great master.”

“Mingyi Hall?” Jiang Youyao couldn’t help but exclaim in a high-pitched voice, “Based on what?

What qualifications does she have to enter Mingyi Hall?”

Lady Ji waved her hand, signaling the messenger to leave.

Once he had left, Lady Ji spoke to herself, “Jiang Li has just returned to Yanjing and now she wishes to enter Mingyi Hall; she truly has audacity.

Not to mention her own morals and learning, if she were to gain entry to Mingyi Hall, who knows what troubles she would stir up.

She’s skilled at creating obstacles; if she employs any schemes behind the scenes, you might end up being delayed.”

The last time, the incident regarding Jiang Youyao’s coming-of-age ceremony had caused Lady Ji to spend a considerable time softening Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai’s attitudes towards her.

Even so, there was no telling what other ladies might say behind her back.

The dispute had not yet been settled with Jiang Li, and to Lady Ji’s surprise, Jiang Li was presenting herself again, looking for trouble.

Jiang Youyao said excitedly, “She must want to get close to Prince Zhou, that shameless woman!”

Directly opposite the female Official School Mingyi Hall was the Imperial College, where Heir of Marquis Ningyuan, Zhou Yanbang, was studying.

Lady Ji hadn’t thought of this, but Jiang Youyao had made the connection instantly.

“I’ve long known she’s up to no good.

That day of my coming-of-age ceremony, she was seducing Prince Zhou in the garden, completely shameless!

Now that one plot has failed, she concocts another.

Mother, you mustn’t let her succeed!”

Upon hearing this, Lady Ji’s brow also furrowed.

To be fair, Jiang Li was quite attractive, and compared to a young girl like Jiang Youyao, she possessed an indescribable poise that made her actions seem effortless and uncompetitive, which was all the more likely to catch a man’s attention.

Believing herself to understand men, Lady Ji thought that, if Jiang Li were intent on seducing Zhou Yanbang, it might well be possible.

This marital alliance was something she had fought hard to secure for Jiang Youyao.

Although Zhou Yanbang was not of imperial or noble birth, the Marquis of Ningyuan’s status in Yanjing City was no lower than that of the Jiang Family.

Moreover, the household of Marquis Ningyuan was straightforward, Zhou Yanbang’s mother was amiable, and most importantly, Jiang Youyao herself was enamored with Zhou Yanbang.

She had worked tirelessly to snatch this marriage arrangement from Jiang Li’s hands; it couldn’t all be in vain.

“Indeed, she must not be allowed to go to Mingyi Hall,” Lady Ji said, “Last time, during the coming-of-age ceremony, everything was foolproof, and yet she managed to walk away unscathed.

That girl has a knack for mischief; if she gets into Mingyi Hall, who knows what might happen.

It’s safer to keep her under close watch.

To set a trap for her would also be as easy as turning one’s hand.” Lady Ji stood up, “I’ll go see your father right away.”

…

In Fangfei Garden, Tonger was extremely surprised to see Jiang Li and Bai Xue return, “Why so soon?

Miss, did the master not agree?”

“The master agreed,” Bai Xue smiled and said, “I’ve said it before, if you talk nicely to your own father, the great master will certainly listen.”

Tonger rolled her eyes.

If only things in the world were that simple.

She looked at Jiang Li with disbelief, but seeing Jiang Li smiling and nodding her head, Tonger finally believed her and exclaimed, “Really?

That’s wonderful!

I’ve always known our young lady’s capability is more than enough to enter Mingyi Hall.” But then her expression became worried again.

“But young lady, now that the master has agreed, he won’t go back on his word later, will he?”

Perhaps at that moment, a few gentle words from Jiang Li had softened Jiang Yuanbai’s heart enough for him to agree.

But Ji Shuran, upon learning of this, how could she let it go?

A little whispering in the ear, and if Jiang Yuanbai’s resolve wasn’t firm, and he changed his mind, what then?

“If I’m not mistaken, Lady Ji is right now on her way to father’s study, or perhaps she’s already there, persuading him to cancel his decision to send me to Mingyi Hall.”

Tonger and Bai Xue’s smiles instantly stiffened, and Tonger asked, “What should we do then?

The master won’t agree, right?

Young lady, shouldn’t we go now too, just to prevent Lady Ji from exploiting any loopholes?”

“No need,” Jiang Li said with a smile, shaking her head.

“She won’t succeed.”

…

“My lord, isn’t it somewhat inappropriate for Lili to go to Mingyi Hall now…”

In the study, Ji Shuran spoke anxiously to Jiang Yuanbai.

“Enough, don’t say any more.

I have made up my mind to send Lili to Mingyi Hall.” Jiang Yuanbai interrupted her before she could finish her sentence.

Ji Shuran, who had never been spoken to like this by Jiang Yuanbai, felt somewhat wronged and said, “I am only considering what’s best for Lili…”

Normally, seeing Ji Shuran differently would have touched Jiang Yuanbai’s heart.

But today, thinking of the hardships Jiang Li had endured, who merely stood in front of him calmly stating the facts, Jiang Yuanbai found Ji Shuran’s behavior to be contrived and particularly grating to the eye.

He said, “Youyao is my daughter, Lili is too, and both are misses of the Jiang Family.

How can I show favoritism?

If this gets out, where will I, Jiang Yuanbai, put my face?

And you,” he looked towards Ji Shuran, “Lili was away from the household for eight years and has just returned.

You, as her mother, should take more care of her.

If you could share half the affection you have for Youyao with Lili, that would put my mind at ease.”

Ji Shuran stared at him stunned.

What Jiang Yuanbai said was essentially an accusation of her favoritism.

Before Ji Shuran could say anything more, Jiang Yuanbai picked up his cloak and stepped out of the study, departing on his own.

Ji Shuran was left alone in the study.

A young servant peered anxiously inside and saw the usually dignified and gentle madam, her face now twisted like a demon with an alarming expression, as if she had become another person.

At this moment, Ji Shuran’s heart was filled with nothing but anger and hatred.

She couldn’t fathom what Jiang Li had said to Jiang Yuanbai to turn him against her so completely.

The mildness Jiang Yuanbai had shown her in the past days was now nowhere to be seen, as if in an instant, things had reverted to how they once were.

“Jiang Li…” she ground out between clenched teeth.

She was determined to make Jiang Li pay for everything she had done today!