Xiang Qiao’s sudden testimony shocked everyone.

However, the most intense reaction came not from Jiang Li, but from Tong’er. Tong’er immediately stepped in front of Jiang Li and, like a mother hen protecting her chick, shielded Jiang Li behind her while loudly refuting, “Nonsense! Slanderous lies! My mistress has never done such a thing. Xiang Qiao, I see your conscience has been carried off by wolves—how dare you slander my mistress like this!”

Xiang Qiao didn’t even look at Tong’er. Instead, she faced Old Madam Jiang and kowtowed several more times in succession, crying, “This servant dares not lie. If there’s half a word of falsehood, may heaven strike me with lightning!”

“You!” Tong’er was too angry to speak. This Xiang Qiao actually dared to make such a vicious oath—clearly she was someone who had thrown caution to the wind and no longer cared for her life.

And Xiang Qiao’s words seemed to seal Jiang Li’s guilt like nails in a coffin, with no way to explain it away anymore.

Jiang Yue’e spoke up mockingly again, “Second Sister, you don’t have a single piece of jewelry on yourself, yet you buy Third Sister a ruby jewelry set worth four hundred taels of silver. How truly generous. This must be the result of deep sisterly affection to do something like this. You’ve been back in the capital less than a month, yet unexpectedly your relationship with Third Sister has already become so good.”

The implication was that Jiang Li had never gotten along with Jiang Youyao in the first place, so how could she kindly spend a large sum to send Jiang Youyao such a precious coming-of-age gift? Clearly, she had tampered with it.

Jiang Youyao raised her head. Her eyes were ringed with red, and because of her grievance, she used a handkerchief to wipe away tears from the corners of her eyes, sorrowfully saying, “Second Sister, I was so happy when you returned to the residence, but I never imagined you still harbored resentment toward me in your heart.”

“Li’er.” Ji Shuran, who had remained silent until now, also stepped forward. She embraced Jiang Youyao in her arms, patted Jiang Youyao’s arm with heartache, then looked at Jiang Li. “If you have any dissatisfaction with me, you can direct it at me. I consider myself your mother and have taken care of you in everything, supported you, and treated you with sincerity. I don’t expect you to accept me—I only hope that for your father’s sake, our family can get along well. These things aside, Youyao is your real younger sister. How can you bear to curse her? Could it be… that you truly have no regard for blood ties anymore?” At this point, as if extremely sorrowful, she held Jiang Youyao and wept continuously.

This mother and daughter pair appeared delicate and pitiful, instantly arousing quite a bit of sympathy. Especially Ji Shuran’s last sentence made people think of how Jiang Li had once caused Ji Shuran to lose a child. The women present were soft-hearted, and those with children of their own were even more partial to Ji Shuran. Someone whispered, “No wonder being a stepmother is difficult. Dealing with such a young lady, even a saint would be put in a difficult position.”

Old Madam Jiang’s face was as dark as water. What should have been a wonderful coming-of-age ceremony had turned into a farce. Jiang Li had today lost all face for the entire Jiang family. She looked reproachfully at Jiang Yuanbai—if Jiang Yuanbai had managed his inner household properly, how would these troublesome matters arise?

Jiang Yuanbai’s gaze toward Jiang Li also held several parts anger. Ji Shuran’s words had stirred up his guilty conscience again. After all, it was Jiang Li’s stubbornness that had caused Ji Shuran to lose a child—that was also his child, Jiang Yuanbai’s child. Today, Jiang Li had committed such a malicious act again. The little bit of affection that had developed these days because Jiang Li resembled him instantly vanished like smoke and clouds.

Jiang Yuanbai said, “Wretched daughter, won’t you kneel?” His heart was overcome by disappointment, and he gave no thought to the consequences. If Jiang Li truly knelt like this, she would become notorious throughout the capital’s circle of distinguished personages. Even if she remained in the Jiang family in the future, she would never be able to lift her head before the capital’s elite again, not to mention discussing marriage prospects.

A flash of joy passed through Jiang Youyao’s eyes. Madam Liu was anxiously about to speak when she saw Jiang Li raise her eyebrows and ask instead, “Why should I kneel?”

No one had expected that Jiang Li would actually talk back in front of everyone. Even Jiang Yuanbai was momentarily stunned. Lu Shi was somewhat surprised. Yang Shi gripped Jiang Yue’e’s hand tightly, afraid that Jiang Yue’e would speak carelessly again.

“You have improper intentions and cursed your legitimate younger sister. As your father, I must properly discipline you. Kneel!” Jiang Yuanbai said angrily.

Jiang Li looked at him and uttered two words: “I won’t.”

It was outright defiance.

Tong’er was so frightened her body was trembling, yet she still firmly stood in front of Jiang Li.

Before Jiang Yuanbai could speak, Jiang Li spoke again. “If I’ve made a mistake, Father wanting to discipline me is the natural course of things. However, Father, before I personally admit to the mistake I’ve committed, shouldn’t you first believe me and help me, rather than helping others frame me and discipline me?”

Jiang Li’s words were extremely impolite. The surrounding guests all looked somewhat at a loss. Who would dare speak this way to the grand secretary? Although Jiang Yuanbai always appeared smiling and peacemaking at court, no one truly believed that Jiang Yuanbai was a soft persimmon that anyone could squeeze.

“You dare to quibble?” Jiang Yuanbai trembled with anger throughout his body.

“Li’er, Xiang Qiao said she saw it with her own eyes. Will you still not admit that this was your doing?” Ji Shuran said. “Although your father is angry, you are his legitimate daughter. If you properly admit your mistake and apologize, this matter can be dropped.”

Ji Shuran spoke extremely magnanimously.

Jiang Li found it somewhat laughable. Admit the mistake and apologize, and this matter would be dropped?

Of course not. Once she admitted to this fabricated charge, her reputation as Jiang Li with a vicious temperament would never have a chance to be restored. What malicious intentions.

Although she herself didn’t care about such false reputations, that poor girl—the real Second Miss Jiang—wouldn’t think this way.

Jiang Li said, “What I’ve done, I’ve done. What I haven’t done, I’m not a good-tempered scapegoat for anyone to throw unknown dirty water on. Today I’ll say it right here—the knife marks on that jewelry set were not done by me. Among all of you here, who believes me?”

Everyone looked at her.

The girl spoke gently and amiably, her features beautiful and graceful, yet she displayed undeniable stubbornness and tenacity, as if one could see unshakeable determination in those eyes clear as a stream.

Not a single person spoke.

Those guests all turned their gazes elsewhere—that was understandable. After all, today was just the Jiang family’s domestic affair. Old Madam Jiang stared at Jiang Li, not knowing what she was thinking. Jiang Yuanbai’s gaze was full of anger and regret. Jiang Youyao and Ji Shuran embraced each other, crying sorrowfully.

Further back, Jiang Bingji looked at her with hostility. Jiang Yuyan was timid and compliant. Jiang Yue’e was triumphant. Yang Shi’s gaze was evasive. Lu Shi watched like viewing a spectacle. Jiang Yuanping smiled and observed from the sidelines. Jiang Yuanxing lowered his head, pretending not to see.

As for Jiang Jingyou and Jiang Jingrui, they were currently huddled together whispering, as if they hadn’t heard Jiang Li’s words.

Had they truly not heard? No—they were simply protecting themselves.

Jiang Li swept her gaze over each of them one by one, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, but that smile carried three parts mockery.

In the vast Jiang household, among blood relatives thicker than water, standing by her side and believing in her—there was not a single person.

Second Miss Jiang was truly pitiful. Jiang Li sighed inwardly, though she didn’t know whether this sigh was for Second Miss Jiang or for herself.

Author’s Note: Discovered today that we’re in PK competition, hope everyone will support us—don’t stockpile chapters, you can follow along now! \（≧▽≦）/