Ji Shuran’s death should have been a major event, but in the Jiang Manor, it wasn’t even as significant as Concubine Hu’s death. However, regardless, within just a few short days, two people had died consecutively in the Jiang Manor, and the bloody truth of the past had been stripped bare before everyone. The atmosphere in the Jiang Manor could hardly be called lighthearted. This winter also seemed colder than previous years.
Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai, as if trying to compensate for Jiang Li’s past grievances, indulged her in every way, caring about every detail. Old Madam’s trusted servants, Pearl and Jade, had already come several times to deliver clothing and silver. Jiang Li treated them warmly and accepted everything, appearing as if there were no barriers between them. But after learning of Jiang Li’s reactions, Old Madam Jiang could only sigh deeply.
Ji Shuran needed to be buried, but the official story was that she had suddenly fallen ill and died overnight. No matter how much people outside pointed fingers, whether puzzled or confused, the Ji family, as Ji Shuran’s natal family, said nothing, clearly accepting this version of events as fact.
So while the people of Yanjing City would insert a few remarks over tea about whether there were hidden circumstances behind Ji Shuran’s death, lacking any evidence, after a few comments they would switch to other topics.
Ji Shuran’s coffin was buried only after seven days. During those seven days, only Jiang Youyao kept vigil for Ji Shuran. Jiang Bingji was too young. Jiang Li was nominally Ji Shuran’s daughter, but Ji Shuran had killed her birth mother—how could she keep vigil for her mother’s murderer? As for the other members of the Jiang family, Ji Shuran had so many lives on her hands and had killed the previous madam. Whoever kept vigil for such a murderer would be opposing Old Madam Jiang.
Jiang Youyao endured the humiliation and kept vigil for Ji Shuran alone. When she first learned of Ji Shuran’s death, Jiang Youyao wanted to confront Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai, but neither of them would see her. It was Jinhua, one of Jiang Youyao’s maids, who reminded her that this matter was Old Madam Jiang’s decision all along. Only then did Jiang Youyao recognize the truth, and at the same time, deep fear arose in her heart.
The Jiang family could kill her mother without hesitation, and they could kill her without hesitation too! Fear overcame grief. Jiang Youyao didn’t even have the presence of mind to cry injustice for Ji Shuran. At first, she wanted to place all her hopes on the Ji family, waiting for them to come to the Jiang Manor so they could take her away. But since Ji Shuran’s death, the Ji family hadn’t appeared at all.
They hadn’t even come to offer condolences.
At that moment, Jiang Youyao truly understood that both her mother and herself had been abandoned by the Ji family. From now on, in the Jiang Manor, she could only rely on herself.
All these matters reached Jiang Li’s ears through Tong’er. Jiang Li wasn’t surprised by Jiang Youyao’s actions. Ji Shuran had always considered everything thoroughly for Jiang Youyao, naturally cultivating in her a habit of depending on others’ help whenever something went wrong. But this time, the Ji family would likely disappoint her. To maintain relations with the Jiang family—at least to avoid an open rupture on the surface—the Ji family wouldn’t do anything to defend Ji Shuran’s honor.
Ji Shuran had already been buried, and Jiang Youyao had temporarily fallen silent. Nothing else had occurred in the manor. Jiang Li still went to the Ye Manor daily to watch Situ Jiuyue administer acupuncture to Xue Huaiyuan. Though there was still no improvement, at least she had something to care about in her heart.
But on this day, the rare peace was shattered.
Jiang Li had just gotten up and had Tong’er comb her hair, planning to visit the Ye Manor. Suddenly, Qingfeng rushed into the inner chamber, saying: “Miss, something’s happened!”
Tong’er’s hand shook, the hairpin failed to hold the hair, and the nearly finished hairstyle came loose again, black hair falling down her back. Jiang Li didn’t bother with it and only looked at Qingfeng, asking: “What is it?”
“This servant went out to purchase supplies today, and all over the streets people are talking about Ji Shuran’s death!”
“If they’re talking, let them talk,” Tong’er said oddly. “Haven’t people been talking about it already?”
“No, it’s not that,” Qingfeng was so anxious her words became unclear. “They’re saying Ji Shuran died because she had an affair with someone and gave birth to an illegitimate child. Now that the scandal has been exposed, our Master personally dealt with her!”
“What?” Jiang Li frowned and stood up.
“Isn’t this just the truth?” Bai Xue, who was holding hot tea, froze upon hearing this. “Didn’t the manor forbid people from spreading this matter outside? How did it leak?”
“No matter how it leaked, it should be good news for us.” Tong’er said with satisfaction. “Our Miss suffered injustice all along. Although Ji Shuran is dead, the false accusations on Miss’s shoulders are still there. Now it’s good—the truth is out. Everyone knows that the matter of Miss killing her mother and brother years ago was a false accusation. Our Miss has finally been cleared.”
“She’s been cleared,” Bai Xue shook her head. “But this way, everyone in the manor will think it was Miss who leaked the information.”
Tong’er froze. Qingfeng said: “That’s exactly it!”
“We’re wronged!” Tong’er cried out. “We truly didn’t say a single word to outsiders!”
Jiang Li fell into thought.
Although she really wanted to clear Second Miss Jiang’s name, she also knew to consider the bigger picture. Domestic scandals shouldn’t be publicized. If this matter spread throughout the streets until everyone knew, it wouldn’t be good for Second Miss Jiang’s reputation and would also hinder Jiang Yuanbai’s official career. If Jiang Yuanbai fell, the Jiang family would inevitably be devoured by others. Therefore, she never planned to spread Ji Shuran’s affairs outside.
If it wasn’t her, who was it? The servants in the manor all had their contracts of servitude in the masters’ hands. Although Old Madam was elderly, regarding this kind of matter, whether through threats or bribes, she would certainly have the servants under control. Moreover, for the servants, preserving their lives was most important. Everyone knew that if they spoke out, they would lose their lives.
Who could it be?
Before she could figure it out, she suddenly heard Mingyue’s alarmed cry from outside: “Third Miss, you can’t go in.”
Immediately after, Jiang Youyao’s furious voice rang out: “Get out of the way!” It sounded like she pushed Mingyue down.
Jiang Youyao barged in aggressively.
Jiang Li stood up and looked at her.
Seeing Jiang Li, Jiang Youyao’s eyes filled with sharp pain. Jiang Li wore a plain blue silk embroidered jacket and skirt, her hair half-styled, with two lustrous pearls on her ears that made her face appear beautiful and fair, elegant and radiant.
Immediately, what Yinhua had told her surfaced in her heart—those people’s gossip from outside: “Could Third Miss Jiang also be Ji Shuran’s illegitimate child? Then wouldn’t Second Miss Jiang be the only legitimate daughter of the Jiang family’s main branch? I thought so all along—at the training grounds during the Six Arts competition that day, Second Miss Jiang appeared far more outstanding than Third Miss!”
If this had been said in the past, Jiang Youyao would have dismissed it with scorn. But now, she sadly discovered she couldn’t refute these words. Unknowingly, Jiang Li had risen from behind to surpass her. She had monopolized Jiang Yuanbai’s attention and monopolized Grandmother’s favoritism. She had outshone her. Now, Jiang Li was the Chief Minister’s daughter, while she was called an illegitimate child by people outside!
How unfair!
“What urgent matter brings Third Sister charging in like this?” Jiang Li asked.
“Stop pretending to be kind and making me sick,” Jiang Youyao laughed coldly. “Those rumors outside were all spread by you, weren’t they? Father and Grandmother clearly said this matter couldn’t be spread, yet you made it known to everyone, making the Jiang family a laughingstock. Jiang Li, what are your intentions?!”
Jiang Li shook her head: “It wasn’t me.”
The mockery on Jiang Youyao’s face intensified: “Not you? Then who else could it be? In the entire Jiang family, only you hate me and my mother the most! You want to cut off my path forward, so you leaked this information. You’ve ruined me! You’ve ruined me!”
“I already said it wasn’t me. If I wanted to tell, I would have told that very day, not waited until after the burial.” Jiang Li said: “Moreover, the one who made the Jiang family a laughingstock isn’t me—it’s Ji Shuran. The one who ruined you isn’t me either—it’s Ji Shuran. Blaming everything on me—I’m sorry, I don’t have such great abilities.”
In verbal sparring that drew blood without showing wounds, Jiang Youyao was no match for Jiang Li. With just a few words, Jiang Li provoked Jiang Youyao until her eyes grew even redder. She stared at Jiang Li, murmuring: “I’m going to kill you…” and lunged directly at her!
But in this room, there was still Bai Xue, who possessed extraordinary strength. The moment Jiang Youyao lunged forward, Bai Xue set down her teacup and rushed over to block Jiang Li. Bai Xue was taller than Jiang Youyao and grabbed Jiang Youyao’s hand. With her hand twisted by Bai Xue, Jiang Youyao furiously said to Jinhua and Yinhua on the side: “What are you standing there for? Seize this lowly servant!”
Only then did Jinhua and Yinhua snap back to their senses and rush forward together. Tong’er was no pushover either. She called Qingfeng and Mingyue, and they all tangled together in a mass. Jiang Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She quickly stepped out of the room and called two old servants to separate everyone, then sent someone to fetch Old Madam Jiang.
Old Madam Jiang’s people arrived quickly. Seeing Jiang Youyao’s disheveled state while Jiang Li remained calm and composed, they felt a chill in their hearts. They told Jiang Li that Old Madam Jiang requested both of them to come to Wanfeng Hall.
Jiang Youyao had lost her momentum by now. With Old Madam Jiang’s people before her, she didn’t dare act presumptuously. Though unwilling in her heart, she could only restrain herself. When they arrived at Wanfeng Hall, they found Jiang Yuanbai was also there.
“Father.” Jiang Youyao called out timidly.
Jiang Yuanbai looked at Jiang Youyao, his heart filled with complex emotions.
He wasn’t a saint. His hatred for Ji Shuran inevitably affected Jiang Youyao. But seeing Jiang Youyao so terrified, he found it difficult to harden his heart. Jiang Youyao had grown up pampered in the Jiang family—when had she ever been so timid and afraid? His two daughters—would they ultimately walk the same path, becoming disappointed in him as their father and completely alienated from the Jiang family?
Old Madam Jiang had already learned the whole story from the servants. Looking at Jiang Youyao, she said angrily: “Third girl, you’ve gone too far! Is this the proper behavior you’ve learned? You actually tried to harm your own sister!”
“Grandmother.” Jiang Youyao’s knees went soft and she knelt down decisively, saying: “Youyao acted impulsively in the moment. But… now outside everyone is discussing Mother’s… my mother’s death. This matter has spread everywhere. As a daughter, Youyao knows Mother committed unforgivable wrongs, so I didn’t plead for her. But Mother has already left and paid the price she should have. Why can’t even the dead be left in peace? How should we children feel? Father, please empathize for once!”
Jiang Li looked at Jiang Youyao. It seemed that after Ji Shuran’s death, Jiang Youyao had matured somewhat. At least she knew how to use the pitiful victim strategy to gain others’ sympathy.
“Moreover, spreading Mother’s affairs outside also hurts the Jiang family. What will others think of the Jiang family? Now everyone outside says Father doesn’t manage the household strictly and that the Jiang family is a den of chaos. Second Sister,” she looked at Jiang Li, tears streaming down like rain. She kowtowed several times to Jiang Li, saying: “Youyao knows I cannot make up for the harm done to Second Sister, but please show mercy, Second Sister. Don’t blacken the Jiang family’s name anymore. As long as you’ll spare the Jiang family, Youyao will do anything!”
Tong’er, listening from the side, was furious. She had originally thought Third Miss was brainless, but now she realized she couldn’t be underestimated. At least this pretentious skill was identical to Ji Shuran’s. No wonder they say like mother, like daughter. This pitiful act would make anyone sympathize with her. In this situation, it made Jiang Li appear aggressive while she seemed quite innocent.
Jiang Li said: “Third Sister, I didn’t do this.”
“If not you, who else?” Jiang Youyao sobbed. “Only you hate Mother the most. You want to clear your name, and you’re the only one who can freely come and go from the manor daily…”
Jiang Li went to the Ye family daily. Because of what happened before, Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang felt guilty toward Jiang Li and didn’t restrict her movements. Unexpectedly, this had now become Jiang Youyao’s “evidence.”
“Although I resent Father and the Jiang family, I wouldn’t go so far as to drag the Jiang family down with me.” Jiang Li said calmly. “Though revealing this matter could resolve my grievances, it would put the Jiang family in a very unfavorable position. That way, it wouldn’t benefit me at all.” Jiang Li smiled faintly. “I understand Third Sister’s distress, but no matter how distressed you are, you must weigh the pros and cons. Don’t act impulsively.”
Her frank admission of resenting the Jiang family stunned both Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai. Immediately after, what Jiang Li said next left them with complicated feelings. Weighing pros and cons, thinking of the Jiang family—this should have been a good thing, but Jiang Li’s words were too rational, too cold, too lacking in the feeling of “family.”
But the more she acted this way, the more guilty Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang felt toward her.
Jiang Li walked before Jiang Youyao and personally reached out to help her up. Jiang Youyao instinctively shrank back, wanting to avoid Jiang Li’s hand. Jiang Yuanbai saw this and frowned slightly. Seeing this, Jiang Youyao could only grit her teeth and place her hand in Jiang Li’s palm.
“Third Sister,” Jiang Li helped her up and said: “Your mother has already paid the price for the wrongs she committed in the past. Whether that price was sufficient or not, she’s already deceased, and discussing it is meaningless. Let this matter be considered settled. I never intended to be relentless. Moreover, the pain of watching a mother leave—as a daughter, others might not know this pain, but how can you say I don’t know it in front of me?” She said lightly: “I certainly know.”
She certainly knew, because Ye Zhenzhen was killed by Ji Shuran.
With just one sentence, Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang could no longer harbor any other thoughts toward Jiang Li. Jiang Yuanbai only asked: “A-Li, was this matter truly not leaked by you?”
“Father may investigate thoroughly. It wasn’t my doing.”
Jiang Yuanbai nodded: “Good. Today’s matter shall be considered a misunderstanding. As for who the person behind this is, I will also investigate clearly.” He looked at Jiang Li: “If there’s nothing else, you may return to your courtyard to rest.” His words even carried a hint of cautious appeasement.
Jiang Youyao stared blankly at the scene before her. She suddenly realized that whether it was Old Madam Jiang or Jiang Yuanbai, they were now completely helpless when it came to Jiang Li. It seemed that no matter what Jiang Li did, they would compromise.
Yes, compromise. Because Jiang Li could always easily provoke their guilt, and she deeply understood their bottom line, so she made the maximum demands within that boundary.
Jiang Youyao was unwilling and wanted to say more. Old Madam Jiang had already coldly ordered her attendants to escort Jiang Youyao back to Yaoguang Pavilion.
This meant placing her under house arrest.
Jiang Youyao was greatly alarmed, not understanding why she was being punished when she was clearly the victim. She wanted to plead with Jiang Yuanbai, to provoke his sympathy for herself, but Jiang Yuanbai only looked at Jiang Li with a complex expression. Jiang Youyao watched and watched until the fire in her eyes gradually died out.
Without a word, she allowed Old Madam Jiang’s people to “escort” her back to her courtyard.
But in her heart, she understood—she could no longer remain in the Jiang family. No one would stand by her side anymore. She and Jiang Li were mortal enemies, destined to fight to the death. But now, whenever she clashed with Jiang Li, without question, everyone in the manor would stand on Jiang Li’s side.
The position of Chief Minister’s daughter had disappeared along with Ji Shuran’s death and could never be recovered.
She had to find another way out.
…
On the other side, Jiang Li returned to Fangfei Courtyard and sat down in the study.
Qingfeng and Mingyue busily cleaned up the mess from the earlier fight with Jiang Youyao’s maids. Bai Xue and Tong’er helped with various tasks. But Jiang Li’s heart was not as calm as her face appeared.
Judging from Jiang Youyao’s appearance, she clearly didn’t know about this matter either. It wasn’t Jiang Youyao who leaked it, nor was it herself. Those present that day, apart from the Jiang family members, were only the Jiang Manor’s servants. Now that the affair about Ji Shuran had been leaked, there was no way to remedy the situation. The Jiang family’s reputation was damaged, and damage to Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Yuanping’s official careers was inevitable. No matter how one looked at it, this matter had a hundred harms and not a single benefit for the Jiang family.
In the entire Jiang family, Jiang Li appeared to have the greatest suspicion because of wanting to clear her name. But eliminating this possibility, could it be that someone wanting to attack the Jiang family deliberately leaked this matter using Ji Shuran’s case?
Who could it be? Right Chancellor Li’s family? Princess Yongning? Prince Cheng? Or some other person hidden in the shadows? If it was these people, there might be their spies among the Jiang family’s servants. From now on, she would need to be more careful about her every move in the Jiang Manor.
If it wasn’t these people but rather an inside traitor from the Jiang family itself, it would be even more serious. Since ancient times, inside traitors have been difficult to guard against. If problems emerged from within the manor, and there was coordination between inside and outside, the Jiang family would be in grave difficulty.
Jiang Li felt her mind becoming somewhat chaotic and couldn’t help pressing her temples. Seeing this, Tong’er thought she was worried about this matter and came over to comfort her: “Miss needn’t worry too much. We have a clear conscience and aren’t afraid of suspicion. Even if Master orders an investigation, nothing will be traced back to you. Though this matter is baffling, Miss has actually turned misfortune into fortune. Now everyone in Yanjing City knows Miss was wrongly accused in that matter from years ago. Anyway, in this vast world, no one can blame Miss anymore.”
“Moreover, compared to us, the Ji family should be the ones with a headache now.” Tong’er was somewhat gleeful. “With such an incident involving their own daughter, the reputations of all Ji family women will be implicated. Not just the unmarried ones—even the Ji family women who are already married will be gossiped about. Isn’t Consort Li Ji Shuran’s elder sister? If His Majesty hears about this, who knows what he’ll think of Consort Li.”
Consort Li?!
Jiang Li suddenly stood up, startling Tong’er, who said: “Miss, what’s wrong?”
Jiang Li didn’t speak, her expression changing constantly. She always felt she had overlooked something, but hadn’t paid attention to it these past days. Now, hearing Tong’er mention it, she suddenly remembered. Regarding Daoist Priest Chongxu’s matter, there was still a key figure—Consort Li! Jiang Yuanbai had captured Daoist Priest Chongxu and said he would report the matter honestly to Emperor Hongxiao.
If nothing went wrong, Emperor Hongxiao should know that Daoist Priest Chongxu was a fraud and that the case involving Consort Li’s厌胜之术 (curse ritual) years ago was false. But now, there was no news from the palace. Could it be that Emperor Hongxiao still didn’t know Daoist Priest Chongxu was a fraud? Or was the palace concealing the information? But if they were concealing it, at least the Ji family would have come to Jiang Yuanbai to plead. Yet since Ji Shuran’s death, the Ji family hadn’t come even once, clearly not wanting to be associated with this matter anymore.
The truth had suddenly become confusing. Jiang Li couldn’t figure it out. Living in the Jiang Manor, if she wanted to know what was happening in the palace, it would be somewhat difficult. Involuntarily, Jiang Li’s hand moved toward the whistle in her sleeve. There was a shortcut available… but would Ji Heng allow Zhao Ke to tell her?
After all, this wasn’t a small matter.
…
At the same time Jiang Li thought of Consort Li, Consort Li in the palace had also been having an uneasy few days.
Ji Shuran had suddenly died.
The last time Consort Li saw Ji Shuran, they were still discussing how to use Daoist Priest Chongxu to deal with Jiang Li. After leaving that day, there was no more news of Ji Shuran. Not only that, Daoist Priest Chongxu had also lost contact. Consort Li vaguely sensed something was wrong, but the people she sent out found nothing. The Jiang family was guarded like an iron barrel—no information could get out.
After waiting two more days, she received news of Ji Shuran’s sudden death from acute illness. Consort Li’s heart jumped, suspecting some change had occurred. She wrote to the Ji family, but Ji Yanlin’s reply said nothing and didn’t allow Consort Li to go to the Jiang Manor to offer condolences. Consort Li then became certain something had happened. What was suspicious was the Ji family’s attitude. She heard the Ji family also hadn’t attended the mourning at the Jiang Manor. Consort Li became even more uneasy.
Because of her worries, Consort Li had claimed illness these past days and rarely left her quarters, saying she still hadn’t recovered from her previous ailment. Consort Li’s maid, Hongzhu, came in from outside, hurrying to Consort Li and saying: “Your Highness, something’s happened outside.”
“What is it?” Consort Li sat up.
“They say Madam Ji’s death has other circumstances.” Hongzhu told Consort Li everything she had heard from outside in detail, then said: “Now the streets and alleys are all discussing this matter. I’m afraid… I’m afraid His Majesty also knows.”
Suddenly receiving this news, Consort Li couldn’t quite process it for a moment. After a long while, she finally gathered her thoughts.
How could Consort Li not know about Ji Shuran’s affairs? When Lady Chen Ji came to the palace every few days, she would always mention them. Regarding Ji Shuran, her younger sister, Consort Li hadn’t thought much of her initially. Ji Shuran wasn’t as strong-willed as Lady Chen Ji. But the matter involving Ye Zhenzhen and Liu Wencai made Consort Li look at her with new eyes. After all, there was some ruthlessness in her bones.
But this admiration, when it implicated herself, turned into disgust.
“How could this leak!” Consort Li said angrily.
If something happened to Ji Shuran, the reputations of all Ji family women would be damaged, and she was no exception. When people saw her, they would say, “Look, she’s Ji Shuran’s sister, flowing with the same blood. Will she be just as vicious and promiscuous in the future?” In the palace, full of constant scheming and rivalry, countless people would seize this opportunity to try to bring her down.
Wait—how did Ji Shuran die? Was it because her scandal was exposed and Jiang Yuanbai executed her? Then why was the scandal exposed? Counting the time, it was shortly after Daoist Priest Chongxu came to the manor for the exorcism, wasn’t it?
Could it be that the fact that Daoist Priest Chongxu was a fraud was discovered? Consort Li twisted her handkerchief. If this matter was true, she would be the first to suffer! The Emperor wouldn’t allow someone who deceived him to live in this world!
Just as she was thinking this, a palace maid from outside came to report that His Majesty had arrived.
Consort Li hurriedly got down from the bed and rose to greet him.
She lowered her head, her eyes catching a glimpse of the bright yellow corner of the dragon robe. The dragon robe stopped before her. In the past, Consort Li had been quite bold—unlike other palace consorts who were extremely respectful toward Emperor Hongxiao, she could banter with him. Therefore, facing the dragon robe, she had never felt much fear. It was precisely this fearlessness that made her the most special one in Emperor Hongxiao’s eyes.
But today, the bright yellow color was like a death warrant. For the first time, she felt fear of imperial power. She was humble, fragile. As she lowered her head, she felt time passing unbearably slowly. She didn’t know what fate awaited her.
After a very, very long time.
Just as cold sweat began gradually seeping from Consort Li’s forehead, a familiar voice sounded, saying: “Rise.” A pair of hands helped her up.
Emperor Hongxiao looked at her with a smile, just as indulgent and handsome as before. Only then did Consort Li’s heart gradually settle—judging by how Emperor Hongxiao treated her, he seemed unaffected by the rumors outside.
He probably didn’t know about Daoist Priest Chongxu’s matter either.
Emperor Hongxiao reached out to sweep the long hair that had fallen before her face behind her, his hand touching her cold, sweat-covered forehead. He frowned: “Why is Consort Li sweating so much? In such cold weather.”
Consort Li smiled: “Probably because my body is still somewhat weak and hasn’t fully recovered.”
Emperor Hongxiao nodded and ordered his attendants to summon the imperial physician to take Consort Li’s pulse. Seeing Emperor Hongxiao’s attitude no different from before, Consort Li completely relaxed.
In truth, as long as the matter of Daoist Priest Chongxu wasn’t known to Emperor Hongxiao, Ji Shuran’s affair alone wouldn’t be enough to completely shake her position. Consort Li could use other methods to show she knew nothing about this matter, and could even use the pitiful victim strategy.
As long as she could completely separate herself from this matter and turn herself into someone who was deceived.
Thank goodness, thank goodness. As if returning from the brink of death, Consort Li revealed a genuine smile and gently leaned her head on the Emperor’s shoulder.
Emperor Hongxiao patted her hand soothingly, but the look in his eyes was ice cold.