The wager between Jiang Li and Meng Hongjin—the results of the upper three subjects were already out. If this were like the betting parlors’ two-round gambling matches, the first half had been won by Jiang Li. It would have been one thing if Jiang Li had merely won, but she had also become the top scholar of Mingyi Hall, inevitably reminding people of the wager between Jiang Li and Meng Hongjin. If the final result was that Jiang Li became the top scholar, Meng Hongjin wouldn’t merely have to kneel and apologize—she would have to kneel at the gates of the Imperial Academy stripped of her outer garment, carrying thorn branches on her back to apologize.

For a time, many of the capital’s idle young masters spent their days sitting in the wine shops and teahouses across from the Imperial Academy, just waiting to witness a good show someday.

However, there were still the lower three subjects to be tested. The lower three subjects tested music, horsemanship, and archery. Setting music aside, in the two arts of horsemanship and archery alone, Meng Hongjin was outstanding in all of Yanjing. It seemed Jiang Li had little chance of victory. As for the art of music, Jiang Li’s younger sister—the Jiang family’s Third Miss—was the most excellent. For a time, the outcome became confusing and unclear.

The honor roll had been posted. The “music” assessment was scheduled for early tomorrow morning.

In Shuxiu Garden, Jiang Youyao was angrily tearing the fan in her hands. That fan had a clean, flat surface as thin as a cicada’s wing, with embroidery so lifelike it seemed to move. One such fan cost over ten taels of silver, yet Jiang Youyao tore it to shreds just like that.

“Stop tearing it.” Ji Shuran snatched the folding fan from Jiang Youyao’s hands and said, “How long are you going to keep tearing things?”

“Mother, I just can’t accept it.” Jiang Youyao’s voice was full of venom. “Why should Jiang Li receive Father and Grandmother’s protection? She’s only been back at the residence for such a short time, yet Father and Grandmother have already sided with her. Have they forgotten that years ago, Jiang Li caused Mother to miscarry? I can’t bear it. Now Jiang Li has gained fame at the Mingyi Hall assessment. Won’t she fly up to the heavens? Just thinking about how much more arrogant she’ll become in the future makes me unbearably distressed.”

Ji Shuran stroked Jiang Youyao’s long hair, her expression unmoved, saying only indifferently, “Don’t think that gaining fame is necessarily good for a woman. Jiang Li has only just returned to Yanjing. Mingyi Hall is full of noble young ladies. If she shows off, naturally those who feel aggrieved will deal with her for you. You just watch the show—why dirty your own hands? Besides, she has only recently returned to Yanjing, making it inconvenient for me to act. In a few more days, once the gossip outside settles down, your mother has plenty of methods.”

“Really?” After hearing this, Jiang Youyao’s heart settled somewhat, though she still couldn’t help asking.

“Of course.” Ji Shuran looked at her lovingly. “You’re so impatient—truly still a child.”

Jiang Youyao pouted. “I just feel sorry for Mother.”

“No need to feel sorry for me,” Ji Shuran said. “Tomorrow’s assessment is for music. You’ve always been quite accomplished in this area, and this year you even received guidance from the Immortal Jinghong. You should be even better than last year. Every year for the lower three subjects, countless people come to observe. Although Jiang Li won first place in the upper three subjects, no one watched. People are more deeply impressed by what they see with their own eyes. If you leave a deep impression in the musical arts of the lower three subjects, for the next three months, the streets and alleys will only discuss the heights of your musical skill. Who will still remember Jiang Li?”

Jiang Youyao’s eyes brightened.

The Jiang family daughters had learned music, chess, calligraphy, and painting from childhood. Especially Jiang Youyao—as the legitimate daughter of the primary branch and Jiang Yuanbai’s treasured pearl—she had lacked nothing from a young age. Ji Shuran placed great importance on Jiang Youyao’s scholarly accomplishments, knowing that Jiang Youyao didn’t need to be proficient in everything, but must have one specialty. Jiang Youyao’s greatest talent happened to be in music.

Therefore, from the time Jiang Youyao was small, she had received instruction from various famous teachers. Setting aside Mingyi Hall’s Xiao Deyin, other renowned teachers had also guided her considerably. Not long before this year’s assessment, Ji Shuran had even invited the long-retired music master Immortal Jinghong to become Jiang Youyao’s teacher.

Already talented and having received guidance from so many masters, Jiang Youyao’s musical accomplishment was naturally considerable. Some even spread rumors that in a few more years, Jiang Youyao might surpass Xiao Deyin.

Ji Shuran had great confidence in Jiang Youyao’s musical skills.

“Those who come are mostly from meritorious noble families. When your brilliance stands alone and unmatched on the field, it will also be beneficial when seeking a husband for you in the future.” Ji Shuran assessed her daughter.

Jiang Youyao’s cheeks immediately flushed crimson. Not knowing what she was thinking of, she showed a somewhat bashful expression. She said, “But our Jiang family doesn’t only have me as a daughter…”

“Jiang Yu’e and Jiang Youyao aren’t worth mentioning. Jiang Li still has a past of matricide and fratricide,” Ji Shuran said coldly. “Any good family would never permit marrying such a person into their household. If someone does seek to marry her, they must have ulterior motives, and would not be a good match. Jiang Li has brought this upon herself—your father won’t be able to save her in the future. Moreover, the more dazzling you are on the field tomorrow, the more crude she will appear by comparison. This is the difference between clouds and mud.”

She looked at Jiang Youyao and suddenly smiled. “Among the Jiang family’s young ladies, there has only ever been you.”

“I’ll listen to Mother.” Jiang Youyao said.

…

In Fangfei Courtyard, Jiang Li was also discussing tomorrow’s assessment with everyone.

Jiang Jingrui had once again invited himself over. Ever since Jiang Li won first place, he seemed to feel proud himself, frequently coming to Fangfei Courtyard to find things to talk about. He said, “Tomorrow is music. This time you’re finished, aren’t you? Why don’t you go learn something very basic—as long as you don’t embarrass yourself publicly, that’s enough.”

Tong’er worriedly poured tea on the side. Before Jiang Li turned seven, she had been too young, having only recently begun her education—forget about playing an instrument. Later she had been exiled to Mount Qingcheng. Tong’er knew that during those days, there was endless work to be done every day—much less playing an instrument. Where would Jiang Li have found a teacher to instruct her in music? Jiang Li simply didn’t know how to play any instrument at all. Making someone who couldn’t play an instrument take the music assessment—just thinking of that scene made Tong’er’s heart clench so tightly she couldn’t speak.

Jiang Li said, “Will you also be attending the observation?”

“Of course!” Jiang Jingrui said without hesitation. “Every year for the lower three subjects assessment, how many people from the capital go to watch? The young ladies of Mingyi Hall are all beautiful. Those young masters will need to marry wives in the future, so they take the opportunity to look them over. Those who shine brightest at the assessment receive the most marriage proposals the following year.”

Jiang Jingrui spoke bluntly and frankly, not avoiding any topics, saying everything outright. He continued, “So if you want to marry, put in your best effort. If you don’t want to marry, just make a casual attempt.”

“Don’t worry.” Jiang Li smiled lightly. “Even if I take first place in the lower three subjects and my brilliance stands alone on the testing grounds, when that day comes, I will still have no suitors.”

Tong’er and the other young maids, along with Jiang Jingrui, stared at her blankly.

Jiang Li said, “Who would want to marry a wicked woman who killed her mother and murdered her brother?”

Her voice was light and cheerful, without any bitter self-mockery. Instead, it sounded as if she were speaking of something good.

This was of course a good thing. Jiang Li felt very pleased in her heart. This way, she could steal others’ thunder without any reservations.

—

**Author’s Note:**

Ali: Staying single keeps you safe~