The Double-Chapter 67 - 65

67: Chapter 65

3 Doors

67 -65

3 Doors

Seeing Jiang Li approach, Jiang Yuanbai opened his mouth as if unsure what to say, and awkwardly cleared his throat twice.

Jiang Li stepped forward and said, “Second Uncle, Third Uncle.”

Jiang Yuanping smiled at her approvingly and said, “Lili did well this time, taking the lead in the Mingyi Hall assessment is no easy feat.

I was just telling your father that we must properly reward you for this.”

Jiang Li bowed with a smile, “Thank you, Second Uncle.”

Jiang Yuanping then looked at her affectionately.

This Second Uncle appeared to be a good-natured person, even more so than Jiang Yuanbai’s pretense and Jiang Yuanxing’s timid and weak image, which made Jiang Yuanping seem like the most agreeable among them.

However, Jiang Li was certainly not naive enough to think that Jiang Yuanping was just a kind elder.

He was a Smiling Tiger; though he liked to smile, he was still a tiger, and if angered, he would show his tiger’s tail.

Jiang Yuanxing, standing at the end, also smiled at Jiang Li, but his smile was somewhat cautious as he said, “Congratulations to Lili.”

Being an illegitimate son of the Jiang Family, Jiang Yuanxing was not highly regarded, especially when Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Yuanping’s careers were in full swing, leaving Jiang Yuanxing even more forgotten in the corner.

He seemed out of place with the prosperity of the Jiang Family.

Lady Yang, seeing that Jiang Yuanxing also praised Jiang Li, felt very displeased.

In previous years’ school examinations, Jiang Yue had always been the best among the Jiang Residence’s young ladies in the upper three levels of examination.

Jiang Youyao excelled in Zither Music because Ji Shuran had hired the best tutors for her from a young age.

Jiang Yue didn’t have such good teachers, but she had mastered books, mathematics, and etiquette on her own.

The only opportunity to shine in the Jiang Residence was now taken by someone else, how could Lady Yang not be annoyed?

However, her annoyance was nothing compared to the raging fury within Ji Shuran’s heart.

Jiang Youyao watched as the three gentlemen of the Jiang residence, including her own father, turned their attention to Jiang Li, lavishing praise on her, feeling both unfairness and anger, she couldn’t help but blurt out, “Second Sister, with you winning the top spot, surely many will find it hard to accept.”

The room went silent, and Jiang Li turned to look at Jiang Youyao, softly saying, “Oh?”

Realizing that everyone was looking at her, Jiang Youyao hesitated for a moment, then looked worriedly at Jiang Li, “Second Sister, you haven’t previously attended Mingyi Hall, and you’ve only just returned to the capital, having been in Mingyi Hall for less than ten days.

To snatch the top spot without prior study…

it’s truly shocking.”

Continuing without waiting for Jiang Li to reply, she earnestly advised, “I understand the bet with Miss Meng of the Meng Family is no small matter, and you mustn’t want to lose, but we are the Jiang Family after all, and father is watching in the court.

We mustn’t let a trivial matter damage our foundation, as after all, reputation and integrity must not be cast aside.”

Jiang Li almost wanted to clap for Jiang Youyao in her heart.

Look at those words, so noble and upright, yet so ill-intentioned, directly suggesting that Jiang Li secured the top spot through dishonest means.

Jiang Jingrui snorted with a laugh, “What’s it to us what others think in their heads?

If they’re dissatisfied, let them be.

It’s not like they can drag the Mingyi Hall examiners out for a beating to change the rankings.

In gambling, there’s a saying ‘those who gamble must accept their losses.’ What now, only Meng Hongjin is allowed to win, and it’s cheating if Jiang Li wins?”

This statement was a direct face-slap to Jiang Youyao.

Her face flushed with anger, knowing Jiang Jingrui was a ruffian, and reason couldn’t be argued with him.

Jiang Youyao could only hate Jiang Jingrui even more in her heart.

Ji Shuran hurriedly said, “Youyao is also worried.” She looked toward Jiang Yuanbai.

Although Jiang Youyao’s words were cutting, to be fair, they weren’t without reason.

Jiang Yuanbai stared into Jiang Li’s eyes and said, “Lili, you’ve never practiced before, how could you achieve the top rank?

I’ve seen the red list, and for the achieving three levels of examination, in writing, arithmetic, and rites, you were the top scorer.

You…

went to the temple at the age of seven, and it was just the beginning of your enlightenment.

Now that you’ve just returned to Yanjing City, how could you have achieved such results?”

“Father,” Jiang Li laughed, “with a desire to learn, one can still gain knowledge even without the teachings of learned scholars.” She paused, then reminisced, “Initially, life on Green City Mountain was austere, without any form of entertainment.

Fortunately, the temple had many books donated by visiting pilgrims.

Every night, when I found the days unbearable, I would read those books.

This way, immersed in them, time would pass more quickly, and the hardships would not seem so insufferable.”

Everyone was taken aback.

Jiang Li sighed leisurely, “I stayed on Green City Mountain for eight years, reading all the books in the temple.

Then I went to borrow more from Helin temple nearby.

Over the years, I have read as much as any scholar in the schools of Yanjing City.” Jiang Li smiled, “There’s no need for a scholar to teach, after reading so much, one naturally understands.” As she spoke, her tone inexplicably carried a sense of melancholy, as if this vibrant young girl had already experienced the vicissitudes of life.

It made people feel an inexplicable heartache.

Jiang Yuanbai felt a lump in his throat.

Jiang Li hadn’t criticized him at all, yet every word seemed like an accusation.

He could nearly see the image of the younger Jiang Li clumsily holding books in a snow-ravaged hut, under a dim light and an ancient buddha statue, living a lonely and sad existence.

After all, blood is thicker than water, and Jiang Yuanbai’s heart suddenly softened.

Whether or not Jiang Li had cheated became something he was unwilling and disinclined to bother with anymore.

Madam Jiang the Elder evidently felt the same; she said, “You’ve done very well.” It was dry and forced, yet also contained some measure of comfort.

Ji Shuran stiffened her back.

Yet again, the attitudes of Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai had changed because of just a few words from Jiang Li, completely turning the situation around.

Ji Shuran felt a surge of extreme anger.

How could a mere girl of fourteen or fifteen, almost slyly, grasp people’s minds so precisely?

Since she came into the Jiang Residence, she had not reaped any benefits, but had let Jiang Li gain the upper hand?

How preposterous.

Jiang Youyao stopped talking.

Her provocations had no effect.

Jiang Yue, too, understood the current situation and kept silent.

Lady Lu, on the other hand, began to feel a bit of sympathy for Jiang Li.

Looking at Jiang Jingrui, it seemed as if he was the one abandoned in the ruined temple, as if, at Jiang Li’s command, he was ready to vindicate her.

“The second daughter should not be arrogant,” stated Madam Jiang the Elder indifferently, “You have achieved the top rank for the achieving three levels of examination.

But in the Six Arts, the next three departments have not yet been tested.

I’ve heard that the Meng Family girl came second in those three, and if she surpasses you in music, horsemanship, and archery, you’ll still have lost the bet.”

“You need to continue to be victorious in these three subjects,” she asked, “Do you have the confidence?”

Jiang Li smiled radiantly, “I only seek to try my best.”