“Yes, have there been any interesting events in the capital in recent years? I heard that the old lady of Marquis Rongxin passed away three years ago. I remember when I was small, she even gave me a double-sided Guanyin embroidery. Also, I heard Sister Yuxiang mention the most beautiful woman in the capital, whose husband was even the top scholar in the imperial examinations. I heard he passed away from illness some days ago—is that true?”
Coming out of nowhere, why suddenly speak of these irrelevant matters? Xiangqiao was first somewhat bewildered, then seeing that Jiang Li still looked at her seriously with complete earnestness, she suddenly understood—Second Miss Jiang had probably stayed in the deep mountains too long. Though she was already fifteen now, she was ultimately still a child who wanted to hear some fresh and interesting tales.
Xiangqiao was someone who, though greedy for money, would indeed handle matters properly once she took payment, especially since this was a simple task that only required moving her lips. She poured it all out as if gossiping with her little sisters as usual.
She said, “Indeed it is. When the old lady at Marquis Rongxin’s residence passed away three years ago, our residence’s Old Madam even went to pay her condolences. The husband of the most beautiful woman in the capital you mentioned is last year’s top scholar, the current Secretariat Drafter Lord Shen Yurong.”
Hearing this name, Jiang Li’s heart contracted tightly. Yet on her face she smiled instead, saying, “Precisely that person.”
“Lord Shen is truly formidable. This servant has heard Master mention to Madam that among the new rising stars in the capital’s court, Lord Shen has the fastest promotion—he is someone with genuine talent. His wife is beautiful, truly beautiful, but…” Speaking to this point, Xiangqiao stopped. A flash of contempt crossed her eyes, then looking at Jiang Li, she became hesitant and evasive.
“You mean the matter of that madam having an affair with someone?” Jiang Li asked.
Xiangqiao was greatly shocked. “You even know this?” She smiled apologetically. “Originally I feared speaking of this would pollute your ears, but unexpectedly you already knew. Indeed, the matter of Madam Shen’s moral corruption is already known to all. Just think—what is wrong with Lord Shen? Young and accomplished, a talented young gentleman. Yet this Madam Shen actually carried on affairs outside. Truly, who knows what she was thinking?” She spoke with great disdain.
“Moral corruption? Known to all?”
Xiangqiao felt Jiang Li’s expression was somewhat strange. The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat stagnant. After pausing, she opened her mouth somewhat hesitantly, “Second Miss?”
Jiang Li smiled. “It’s nothing. Continue.”
Xiangqiao paused for a moment, as if only then remembering the main matter, then said, “This Madam Shen did all manner of base things to wrong Lord Shen, yet Lord Shen was devoted and not only did not blame Madam Shen, but treated her as always. Perhaps Heaven could not bear to watch—this Madam Shen fell ill after the affair was discovered, until some days ago, about a month ago, well, she passed away. So this is retribution.” Xiangqiao shook her head and sighed. “When the top scholar learned his wife had passed, he was extremely grieved. For three days and three nights at home he neither ate nor drank, nearly following her in death. His Majesty rebuked him, saying that as a dignified husband he showed weak spirit and unseemly behavior, ordering him to take leave and not attend court. Yet moved by his deep devotion and righteousness, according to what Master said, Lord Shen is probably about to be promoted again.”
Having spoken such a long passage, Xiangqiao heard no response from Jiang Li. Lifting her head to look, the slight smile at the corners of Jiang Li’s mouth appeared somewhat stiff. However, in a moment, Jiang Li smiled and picked up her tea to take a sip, saying, “This Lord Shen truly is a devoted person indeed.”
“Exactly so.” Xiangqiao nodded, muttering to herself—indeed, which man would not mind his wife putting green horns on his head, yet this top scholar did not care. Fortunately that Madam Shen died early. Otherwise, if the top scholar spent his entire life wearing those green horns and enduring everyone’s strange looks, never mind how his colleagues would react, just among the common people he would become a laughing stock.
So Heaven ultimately still has eyes.
Jiang Li covered her mouth and lightly yawned, saying, “Very well. You’ve kept me company today and must be tired. I also plan to rest early. Having Tong’er attend me here is sufficient. You may go now.”
Xiangqiao was Ji Shuran’s person and should properly stay close to Jiang Li without leaving for a moment. However, today she was eager to return and admire the gemstone hairpin Jiang Li had rewarded her with, so she immediately agreed happily and withdrew.
After Xiangqiao left, only then did Tong’er close the door. She said urgently, “Miss, that Xiangqiao is not a good person. She sees you as easy to bully and is coaxing silver from you.”
“She coaxes me—how does she know I am not coaxing her?” Jiang Li smiled slightly. Casually scooping up two handfuls from the box of jewelry Ji Shuran had sent, all were luxurious pieces. Though they probably could not compare to Jiang Youyao’s collection, at least for someone who had spent eight years in the mountains, they were enough to dazzle the eyes.
However, looking carefully, reflected in Second Miss Jiang’s eyes as they gazed at these jeweled hairpins were glittering lights, yet they were oddly calm.
Everyone in the capital knew Xue Fangfei had died. Everyone in the capital knew Shen Yurong had nearly died for love following Xue Fangfei’s death. A man with talent, looks, and devotion—in the eyes of the world, he was without flaw. In the eyes of those in power, in the Emperor’s eyes, a minister with devotion was also usable talent.
Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning were complicit in their wickedness, adulterous lovers who had caused the death of the legitimate wife Xue Fangfei, yet established his reputation for devotion. Using the name of devotion, he would also gain a good reputation and take the opportunity to rise steadily upward.
Yet how shameless and fickle this devoted person’s heart truly was—only Heaven knew. If Heaven truly had eyes, it should not be so unjust.
What a devoted person indeed!
The current Shen Yurong had already reached a sufficiently high position. With Princess Yongning’s support behind him, even if Xue Fangfei returned from the dead, compared to him they would be as different as clouds and mud—she would have no way to reach up and drag him down from the clouds. And once the initiative was lost, Shen Yurong would only walk higher and farther, so far to a position she could not touch.
Fortunately, she was now Second Miss Jiang. The Jiang family held considerable status among the official families in the capital. It was good to enjoy the shade of a large tree—this was a shortcut.
However, she must think of a way to establish her position in the Jiang family. A Second Miss Jiang whose words carried weight would find doing certain things much easier than a Second Miss Jiang whom no one paid attention to.
Setting aside the stepmother’s family with their hidden schemes, setting aside the unfamiliar second and third branches, even Jiang Yuanbai who shared the closest blood relation with her—that bit of affection he had for her was not necessarily very deep.
How could she firmly establish her footing in the Jiang family?
Xue Huaiyuan had once said that at any time, one must have one’s own value.
She must make the Jiang family understand her value.