The Double-Chapter 52 - 50 Bullying by Power

52: Chapter 50: Bullying by Power

52 -50: Bullying by Power

“The Jiang family of the capital, eldest legitimate daughter of the chief minister, Second Miss Jiang.” Jiang Li said.

With that simple sentence, the noisy and chattering crowd fell silent.

Liu Zimin had been waiting for Jiang Li to concede so he could mock her mercilessly, but the moment he heard her declaration, he was frozen in place.

The Jiang family of the capital, the legitimate daughter of the Grand Secretary, the daughter of the chief minister known to most in Yanjing City, Jiang Youyao.

Now that the girl before them had announced her identity, she was the Second Miss of the Jiang family, Jiang Li, who had left the capital eight years ago.

The youngest son of the Household of the Minister of Taichang might be able to strut around Yanjing City, but everyone knew that offending Jiang Yuanbai, the teacher favored by the Emperor, was not an option.

At this moment, however, Liu Zimin was in a dilemma from which he could not easily extricate himself.

If he backed down now, how could he continue to mix in Yanjing City in the future?

Moreover, if he admitted his guilt, it would be known that he tried to extort silver from Ye Shijie with a counterfeit painting, which would make him the laughing stock among his peers at the Imperial College and ruin his family’s reputation—his father would kill him.

Steeled by desperation, Liu Zimin thought to himself that in the whole of Yanjing City, he had fought with sons of higher status than himself.

Some of these young masters, despite belonging to great and powerful families, were cowardly by nature.

Jiang Li was just a girl—intimidating her with a few words might just make her yield.

Liu Zimin sneered at Jiang Li, “Even though you’re a member of the Jiang family, it doesn’t mean your father will protect you.

Don’t think that just because you cite the Jiang family, you can spout nonsense.

I’m telling you this painting is authentic, and you’re colluding with this boy—don’t bring disaster upon yourself!” With that, he brandished his fist.

This was a clear threat.

From within the carriage, Jiang Youyao’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, wishing nothing more than for Liu Zimin to hurt Jiang Li immediately.

If Jiang Li were to be involved in a conflict with a man on the street, her reputation would only sink further.

Even Jiang Yuanbai, no matter how biased he was towards her, would have to be angered this time.

Besides, Jiang Youyao was amused by Liu Zimin’s despicable behavior.

If Liu Zimin were to attack, it wouldn’t matter if it was a man or a woman, serious or minor injuries would ensue.

Ye Shijie scowled and shielded Jiang Li to his side, “Liu Zimin,” he said, “the grudge between you and me has nothing to do with others; do not harm the innocent.”

Liu Zimin laughed loudly, “That’s precisely what I’m saying.” He looked at Jiang Li, implying that she’d better not interfere in this matter.

If it had been someone else, Jiang Li might have endured it, but she had inherited Xue Huaiyuan’s distinctly clear sense of right and wrong and hatred for evil from her youth, not to mention that Ye Shijie was her own relative.

Jiang Li smiled and said, “Coincidentally, I’m the last person afraid of courting trouble.

Young Master seems to have forgotten why I left Yanjing City eight years ago.”

The guests were shocked!

The crime Jiang Li was accused of when she left Yanjing City eight years ago was none other than the heinous act of matricide and fratricide.

While others were busy covering up their own misdeeds, Jiang Li, as if afraid others were unaware, brought it up herself.

It really was a case of raising the most inconvenient topic.

Ye Shijie looked at Jiang Li in surprise, seemingly not expecting her to utter such a statement.

Jiang Li, however, remained calm and composed as she gazed at Liu Zimin.

Liu Zimin suddenly felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead.

Perhaps others were unaware of the implication of Jiang Li’s words, but Liu Zimin understood instantly what she meant: she had been accused of a crime as terrible as killing her own mother and brother—what couldn’t she do?

A threat from someone like Liu Zimin really wasn’t worth her concern.

Liu Zimin should have felt angered by this provocation, but looking into Jiang Li’s eyes, he felt afraid instead.

Yes, he was a bully.

In Yanjing City, he might not have committed every possible evil, but he was not far off.

He even had a few lives on his hands, but those were from people of much lower status than he, not from those of equal stature or especially not from those of higher status and Government Households.

When faced with families more powerful than his own, Liu Zimin’s nature of bullying the weak and fearing the strong forced him to be cautious.

However, when he was cautious, his opponent showed no fear, even exhibiting a ruthless boldness like that of someone with nothing to lose.

Thus the weak grew weaker and the strong grew stronger.

In an instant, Liu Zimin had already fallen into an inferior position.

Jiang Li saw Liu Zimin’s flickering gaze and knew he was wavering.

Xue Huaiyuan was the magistrate of Tongxiang County, known for his integrity, impartiality, and courage to expose even higher-ranking officials.

Such a man was highly reputed among the common people but detested by his colleagues.

His colleagues’ resentment, driven by envy, extended to their children.

From a young age, Jiang Youyao and Xue Zhao endured many troubles caused by those children of official families.

She was spared somewhat; conflicts between women never got physical.

Xue Zhao, however, wasn’t as fortunate.

Those young men would start a fight over the slightest disagreement, and Xue Zhao would often come home battered and bruised.

Over time, Xue Zhao gained some experience: to deal with ruthless people, you have to be even more ruthless.

In any case, you can’t lose in terms of momentum.

Intimidate them with past acts of ruthlessness, suppress their spirit.

Once their momentum weakens, don’t give them an opportunity; let your own momentum rise step by step, and victory is assured.

With his imposing manner and martial skills, Xue Zhao eventually made it so that no one in Tongxiang County dared to provoke him.

As soon as Jiang Li sized up Liu Zimin’s manner, she knew he was the kind who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

With the Jiang family as her backing, she wouldn’t need to expend much effort to crush Liu Zimin effortlessly.

Being known as a parricide and fratricide carried a terrible reputation, but sometimes, that notoriety could cause people to shudder and avoid many unnecessary troubles.

“Shameless.” Jiang Youyao gritted her teeth, “To flaunt such scandals, she has utterly disgraced our father!”

Seeing Liu Zimin standing still, Jiang Li said, “If this young master insists on determining that I’m talking nonsense, then let’s do as you first suggested and report to the officials.

I am also involved in this matter, so I’ll accompany you.”

Liu Zimin was both anxious and angry!

His initial mention of reporting to the officials was just to intimidate Ye Shijie; as long as he bribed the right people, bringing down a Ye Shijie with no connections in Yanjing City would be easy.

But involving Jiang Li changed everything.

As the daughter of the Jiang family, the case would certainly be handled fairly to save the Jiang family’s face.

In the end, he’d be robbing Peter to pay Paul, not only missing out on Ye Shijie’s silver but also trapping himself, tarnishing his own father’s reputation.

In a blink, Liu Zimin was sweating profusely.

He didn’t understand how a girl, who had been cast aside by her family in the capital for eight years, could be so confident and relentless?

“However,” just as Liu Zimin felt torn, Jiang Li suddenly smiled and said, “I think this matter must be a misunderstanding, after all, you seem not the type to intentionally swindle others.

Perhaps you believed the painting to be genuine and were deceived as well.

In that case, why not settle this amicably?

Let Young Master Ye compensate with twenty taels of silver and we leave this matter behind, what do you say?”

To Liu Zimin’s ears, Jiang Li’s words were like heavenly music, offering him a way out.

What do I say?

Of course, it’s good!