The Double-Chapter 70 - 68 Outcome

70: Chapter 68: Outcome

70 -68: Outcome

The wager between Jiang Li and Meng Hongjin, regarding the results of achieving three levels of examination, has been settled.

If we compare it to a betting house with two rounds, then the first half is certainly Jiang Li’s win.

It’s not just that Jiang Li won; she also became the top scholar of Mingyi Hall, which inevitably brings to mind the bet between her and Meng Hongjin.

If Jiang Li ends up as the top scholar in the final outcome, Meng Hongjin’s penalty won’t simply be kneeling to apologize, but rather, in front of the gates of the Imperial College, stripped of his outer garment, kneeling with a birch on his back to apologize.

For a time, many of the young scions in Yanjing City took their seats daily at winehouses and tearooms across from the Imperial College, all eagerly awaiting the day to witness this spectacle.

However, there are still the next three departments’ inspections.

The exams for the next three departments are on “Zither, Imperial Archery, Archery,” and let’s not talk about the zither for now.

Just considering Imperial Archery, Meng Hongjin is among the best in all of Yanjing City, and it seems challenging for Jiang Li to overcome.

Furthermore, when it comes to the art of Zither Music, it happens to be where Jiang Li’s younger sister, the Jiang Family’s third legitimate daughter, excels the most.

Thus, the outcomes become unpredictable for a moment.

The red list has come out, and the “Zither” music examination is scheduled for early tomorrow morning.

Inside Shuxiu Garden, Jiang Youyao was furiously tearing up the fan in her hand.

That fan, with a clean and smooth surface as thin as a cicada’s wing and the embroidery lifelike and vivid, was worth more than ten silver pieces, and now Jiang Youyao shredded it to pieces.

“Stop tearing it,” Ji Shuran snatched the folding fan from Jiang Youyao’s hand, saying, “How long do you plan to keep tearing these fans apart?”

“Mother, I just can’t accept it,” Jiang Youyao’s voice was filled with venom, “Why should Jiang Li receive our father’s and grandmother’s protection?

She has only returned home not long ago, and both father and grandmother have already taken her side.

Have they forgotten how Jiang Li caused you, mother, to miscarry years ago?

My hatred for her is overwhelming.

Now that Jiang Li has again gained fame at the Mingyi Hall inspection, isn’t she going to soar to the heavens?

The thought of her becoming more and more arrogant each day causes me unbearable discomfort.”

Ji Shuran gently stroked Jiang Youyao’s long hair, her expression unflustered as she replied indifferently, “You must not assume that a woman’s fame is always a good thing.

Jiang Li has just returned to Yanjing City, and Mingyi Hall is full of noble ladies.

With her standing out, there will naturally be those who are displeased and will deal with her for you.

You just need to sit back and enjoy the show; there’s no need for you to take action.

Besides, right now she just returned to Yanjing, and it wouldn’t be right for me to make a move.

Give it some time, once the rumors outside settle down, I have plenty of strategies up my sleeve.”

“Really?” Jiang Youyao asked, somewhat reassured, but couldn’t help inquiring further.

“Of course,” Ji Shuran looked at her affectionately: “But you are so impatient.

You really are still a child.”

Jiang Youyao pouted, “I’m just worried about mother.”

“There’s no need to worry about me,” Ji Shuran said, “Tomorrow’s inspection is on ‘Zither Music,’ in which you have always excelled, and this year you even received guidance from Immortal Jing Hong, making you better than last year.

Every year during the next three departments’ inspections, countless people come to watch.

Even though Jiang Li achieved the position of top scholar, no one was there to see it.

People are more impressed by what they see in person.

If you leave a deep impression in the Zither Music section this time, for the next three months, people throughout the streets will only talk about the climax of your zither performance; who will remember Jiang Li then?”

Jiang Youyao’s eyes lit up.

Daughters of the Jiang Family have been learning zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood, especially Jiang Youyao, as the legitimate daughter and the pearl in the palm of Jiang Yuanbai, had wanted for nothing from an early age.

Ji Shuran valued Jiang Youyao’s education greatly, knowing she needn’t be proficient in everything, but she must excel at something.

And it so happened that Zither Music was where Jiang Youyao was most talented.

Therefore, since Jiang Youyao was young, she received tutelage from various renowned masters.

Not to mention Xiao Deyin from Mingyi Hall, other famous masters had also given her extensive guidance.

Just recently, before this year’s inspections, Ji Shuran even invited the reclusive Zither Master, Immortal Jing Hong, to mentor Jiang Youyao.

With innate talent and instruction from so many experts, Jiang Youyao’s zither skills were naturally not modest.

There were even whispers that, with a few more years, she might surpass Xiao Deyin.

Ji Shuran had great confidence in Jiang Youyao’s zither playing.

“Many of those who come are from families of the Meritocratic Nobility.

When you stand out on the field, unparalleled in elegance, it will indeed benefit you in finding a husband later on,” Ji Shuran appraised.

Jiang Youyao’s cheeks suddenly flushed with crimson, as if thinking of something that made her shy.

She said, “Our Jiang Family doesn’t have just one daughter…”

“Jiang Yue and Jiang Youyao are not worth mentioning.

Jiang Li has a past of matricide and fratricide,” Ji Shuran said coldly.

“Any decent family would never allow such a person to marry into their household.

Anyone who would propose to her must have ulterior motives and couldn’t be a good match.

Jiang Li has brought this upon herself, and even your father won’t be able to save her in the future.

Moreover, the more dazzling you are on the field tomorrow, the more vulgar she will seem by comparison — that’s the difference between heaven and earth.”

She looked at Jiang Youyao and suddenly smiled, “Among the daughters of the Jiang Family, there has always been only you.”

“I will heed Mother’s advice,” Jiang Youyao said.

…

In Fangfei Garden, Jiang Li was also discussing the upcoming inspection with everyone.

Jiang Jingrui came over uninvited again.

Ever since Jiang Li achieved top honors, he seemed to wear an extra air of pride as if the accomplishment reflected on him as well, frequently visiting Fangfei Garden without purpose just to chat.

He said, “For the zither music tomorrow, you’re finished, aren’t you?

Why not go learn the most basic skills so as to not make a fool of yourself in public.”

Tonger, anxious, poured tea on one side.

Jiang Li, having been too young before she turned seven and only just beginning her studies, could hardly speak of playing the zither.

Later, after being exiled to Green City Mountain, Tonger knew that every day was filled with endless chores, let alone time for the zither.

Where could Jiang Li find a Zither Master to teach her?

Jiang Li simply did not know how to play the zither at all, and the thought of someone who lacked any zither skills being examined in zither music wrenched Tonger’s heart with unspeakable dread.

Jiang Li asked, “Will you be there to observe as well?”

“Of course!” Jiang Jingrui answered without hesitation.

“Each year, so many people from Yanjing City come to watch the lower three departments’ examinations.

The ladies from Mingyi Hall are beautiful; the young masters who will be seeking wives in the future take this opportunity to look them over.

Those who stand out the most during the examinations will have the most suitors come next year.”

Jiang Jingrui spoke in a carefree manner, without any inhibition, blurting out everything on his mind.

He added, “So if you want to get married, you better do your best; if you don’t wish to, just casually get it over with.”

“Don’t worry,” Jiang Li said with a light laugh.

“Even if I become the top of the lower three departments and am second to none on the Inspection Field, come the following day, no one will pay me any heed.”

Tonger and the other little maids, along with Jiang Jingrui, looked at her in astonishment.

Jiang Li continued, “Who would want to marry a wicked woman accused of matricide and fratricide?”

Her voice was lighthearted, void of self-mockery or distress, as if she were discussing a good thing.

Of course, this was a good thing in Jiang Li’s heart.

She was quite pleased because this meant she could outshine others without any reservations.