The Double-Chapter 61 - 59 Watching a Play

61: Chapter 59: Watching a Play

61 -59: Watching a Play

The bet between Chengxuan Envoy’s Mansion’s eldest legitimate daughter Meng Hongjin and the eldest legitimate daughter of the chief minister, Jiang Li, has caused quite a sensation in Yanjing City.

Even in the most secluded alleys and the humblest taverns, people would eagerly discuss this latest piece of gossip.

Betting parlors, big and small, even started to set up wagers, with people of all ages placing their bets.

At their usual spot in Wangxian Tower, three people were sipping tea.

The scholar in a blue robe looked at the endless stream of people at the entrance of the opposite betting parlor and laughed, “The bet is novel, attracting crowds to follow suit.”

“But it’s all one-sided.” Kong Liu, the soldier in armored clothing, shook his head and said, “These people are insane, all blindly betting on the eldest daughter of the Chengxuan Envoy’s Mansion to win, not a single one on Miss Jiang the Second.

Tsk tsk, it’s a sorry sight.” He downed his cup of tea with a flourish as if it were liquor, slapped the table, and said boastfully, “I’m the type who pities and cherishes the fairer sex.

I can’t stand to see the strong bully the weak.

Wen Ji,” he called an attendant standing outside, and taking out ten taels of silver from his breast pocket, he said, “Go down and place a bet on Miss Jiang the Second to win!”

“Don’t make yourself out to be so righteous.” The scholar in a blue robe adjusted his beard and smiled warmly, “Half an hour ago, you spent one hundred taels of silver betting on Meng Hongjin to win.”

Hearing this, Wen Ji’s face showed disdain.

Psh, spending ten taels of silver on Miss Jiang the Second and one hundred on Miss Meng, Kong Liu was surely making a safe bet, no different from those people outside, yet he put on an act.

Kong Liu became frustrated and angry, looking at the scholar in a blue robe, he shouted, “Lu Jiu, why do you know my every move so clearly?

Are you a spirit transformed from a rat?”

Lu Jiu, the scholar in a blue robe, didn’t respond to Kong Liu’s question but turned to another person, asking, “What does the Duke think?”

Jih Heng raised his eyelids lazily and glanced down the tower, saying, “Not interested.”

“No disrespect,” said Kong Liu, “but although I admire Miss Jiang the Second’s courage to make a bet, that’s the school examination of Mingyi Hall.

Man, my father also wanted to send me to Mingyi Hall, and I didn’t even touch the doorstep before getting kicked out.

Is Mingyi Hall a place for ordinary people?” Kong Liu smacked his lips, “At least that lady from the Meng Family spent a few years at Mingyi Hall.

Miss Jiang the Second is just a newcomer.

That by itself wouldn’t be too bad, but the place where Miss Jiang the Second stayed before was a temple.

Not to mention that temple was a scandalous one.

Even if it was famous, could the nuns compare to scholars from the palace?

If Miss Jiang the Second can outdo the lady from the Meng Family, then that would be a sight for sore eyes.”

“I beg to differ,” Lu Jiu said, “Miss Jiang the Second wouldn’t dare to propose the bet, especially increasing the stakes threefold, with such confidence, unless she has something to rely on.

Otherwise, why would she go out of her way to make trouble for herself?”

“You look smart usually, how come you’ve turned dumb now?” Kong Liu scoffed, “When Miss Jiang the Second says something like that, it’s just like us in battle issuing a tough talk, an attempt to overpower the opposition right from the start!

There’s nothing so profound about it.

You scholars, your thoughts are just too convoluted!”

Lu Jiu was momentarily speechless, then finally sighed, “You can’t make a cow appreciate a zither.”

“A rooster doesn’t talk with a duck,” Kong Liu retorted sarcastically.

Jih Heng, propping up his chin out of sheer boredom, made even this casual gesture look graceful.

“My lord,” Lu Jiu looked again at Jih Heng, “the situation with Ye Shijie, due to Miss Jiang the Second, has disrupted your plans.

Although it’s unclear if it’s accidental, Miss Jiang the Second appears to have more brains than rumors suggest.

This may very well be an opportunity.

Let’s wait and see how things develop.

The Jiang Family cannot afford mistakes in our plans, and Miss Jiang the Second could be the catalyst.”

Kong Liu was confused, “How can Miss Jiang the Second, who is not highly regarded in the Jiang Family, influence their decision?”

Lu Jiu waited quietly for the response from the person across from him.

After a long while, Jih Heng finally spoke, “The Jiang Family’s play has not yet begun, there’s no rush.” He waved his hand, and Wen Ji approached and bowed down; Jih Heng said, “Take ten thousand taels of silver, go to Yanjing’s largest gambling house.”

Kong Liu’s eyes shone, “You also plan to take this opportunity to make a big profit?”

“To watch a play is to watch it to its end,” Jih Heng chuckled lightly, “Go, bet on Miss Jiang the Second to win.”

…

This matter concerning her bet with Meng Hongjin had been causing a stir throughout Yanjing City, yet Jiang Li was unaware.

Because from that day on, she had been “calmly preparing for the exam” within the Jiang Residence.

However, it involved the reputation of the entire Jiang family, and once Jiang Li’s actions leaked out, reaching the ears of Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai, it would become a serious matter.

In the Night Wind Hall, Madam Jiang the Elder eyed Jiang Li with a very complex look and asked, “Lili, what exactly do you intend to do?”

“Mother, please don’t be angry.” Ji Shuran spoke cautiously, “After all, Lili is young and impulsive, which led her to make a bet with someone.”

“Young,” Jiang Yuanbai said coldly, “She has already reached the age of marriage, and soon it will be time to talk about betrothal.

Yet she is still so thoughtless in her actions!”

In the Night Wind

Hall, only the members of the eldest branch were present.

Although it involved the entire Jiang family, after all, it was Jiang Li who had gotten into trouble.

“Perhaps the Second Miss has full confidence in herself,” Jiang Youyao added fuel to the fire without hesitation, “That’s why she accepted Miss Meng’s bet so confidently and even made her demands.”

Without mentioning this, it might have been better, but once it was brought up, Jiang Yuanbai was even more infuriated.

He had never liked those who were arrogant, especially those who were arrogant without merit.

His gaze towards Jiang Li was full of reproach, “I know you write well, but if you think this will get you through the Mingyi Hall’s exam, then you are gravely mistaken!

Do not overestimate yourself, members of the Jiang family value self-awareness, and you don’t even have that.

Yet you dare to dream of coming out on top.

Do you understand?

What you are gambling is not just your lifetime reputation, but also the honor of our entire Jiang family.

If you lose, our entire family will be the subject of ridicule!”

Jiang Li’s face showed the appropriate respect and timely regret, but in her heart, she was quite indifferent.

They all thought her ignorance was excusable as they did not know she was not the real Miss Jiang the Second.

In another place, facing such a situation, she would also find it utterly ridiculous.

Jiang Li looked down humbly and said, “Father, it was my fault, I should not have been swayed by my emotions.

But now that it has come to this, the whole city is aware.

If I call off the bet now, it will also be a laughingstock.

Since I will be laughed at either way, I might as well give it my best shot.

At least then there is a chance of winning.”

Everyone was stunned, not expecting Jiang Li to admit her mistake so readily.

And her attitude in admitting fault was so good that even Jiang Yuanbai found it hard to continue berating her.

Jiang Li felt calm internally, having learned from Xue Zhao that “admitting a mistake should be sincere and swift, and even when making a mistake, one should stride forward proudly without looking back.” Such an approach had always proven effective.

After all, a dead pig does not fear boiling water, so she might as well treat a dead horse as a living horse doctor.