Ten days passed neither quickly nor slowly. For the people of the capital, however, this was a momentous occasion. First, this was the day of the Imperial Academy’s examination, when promising young talents would have their chance to shine. Second, it was also the examination day at Mingyi Hall, when young ladies from official families would display their abilities.
This happened every year, but this year there was an even greater spectacle. Namely, the wager between Second Miss Jiang, daughter of the Chief Minister, and Miss Meng, legitimate daughter of the Bureau Director. Whoever lost would have to kneel down in public and apologize to the other. The capital hadn’t witnessed such an event in years. People who loved watching excitement were never afraid of making things bigger, so everyone from official families to common citizens eagerly awaited the show.
Among those watching the excitement, most favored Meng Hongjin’s side. The reason was simple—anyone with a brain and eyes wouldn’t choose Jiang Li. Miss Meng’s past achievements at Mingyi Hall could be considered excellent, while Second Miss Jiang, to put it bluntly, was about the same level as a child just starting his education. What could she possibly compete with?
Some people refused to follow the crowd and insisted on supporting Second Miss Jiang. When asked why, the person would stroke his chin and reveal a lecherous smile: “If Second Miss Jiang wins first place, Miss Meng would have to remove her outer garment and kneel at the Imperial Academy gates to apologize. Miss Meng is also a daughter of a prominent family—being able to see her remove her outer garment would truly be a feast for the eyes. In comparison, it’s naturally more worthwhile if Second Miss Jiang wins, so I choose Second Miss Jiang!”
This reasoning was simply vulgar. People spat at him in disgust and ignored him thereafter.
When Meng Hongjin’s carriage passed by the street, she could still hear people discussing her. She was extremely angry and hated Jiang Li even more bitterly.
Jiang Li’s three wagers, especially the last one, had become the talk of the town. However, people didn’t realize that having crowds discussing whether an unmarried daughter of an official family could or couldn’t remove her outer garment was already something that damaged her reputation. Master Meng was furious about this and even scolded her. Meng Hongjin had never suffered such a great loss. Before the examination even began, she had already fallen into a disadvantaged position.
“This time I must make her reputation fall to the ground!” she vowed.
On the other side, the Jiang family’s carriage was also on its way to Mingyi Hall.
This time, Jiang Youyao had unexpectedly waited for Jiang Li. Although they still didn’t ride in the same carriage, the two carriages traveled one after the other, having at least left the mansion gates together.
Jiang Yuanbai probably found it better out of sight and out of mind—he didn’t even come to see them off. However, Old Madam Jiang did send a maid to speak a few words with Jiang Li, telling her to just do her best and not take it too much to heart, which surprised Jiang Li somewhat.
Jiang Jingyou and Jiang Jingrui also had to participate in the Imperial Academy’s examination, so they had left early as well. Jiang Jingyou wasn’t particularly close to Jiang Li, and as for Jiang Jingrui, Jiang Li estimated that he was probably just going through the motions at the Imperial Academy examination to obtain the lowest ranking.
Sitting in the carriage, Jiang Li wondered what ranking Ye Shijie would achieve in this examination. If Ye Shijie performed brilliantly, after the Imperial Academy examination he could be promoted and appointed to office without waiting until next year’s spring examinations. Becoming the top scholar naturally brought great prestige, but using the Imperial Academy examination as a pathway was more steady and reliable. After all, many past top scholars who entered court service didn’t necessarily have smooth official careers.
Except for Shen Yurun, but his rise to his current position might not have been without Princess Yongning’s support behind him.
Thinking of Shen Yurun, Jiang Li’s eyes dimmed slightly.
Tong’er thought Jiang Li was worried about today’s examination. She took out a piece of honey jujube flower pastry from the nearby pastry box and handed it to Jiang Li, comforting her: “Miss needn’t worry. Old Madam also said this examination doesn’t need to be taken too seriously. Besides, the master will arrange everything properly. You must remember, you are the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family, daughter of the Chief Minister. No one dares do anything to you.”
This meant that even if Jiang Li lost, she could still act shamelessly and need not fulfill the wager.
Jiang Li took the jujube flower pastry and smiled as she patted Tong’er’s head. Tong’er was still too naive. Setting aside whether this approach would work or not, that Bureau Director, Meng Hongjin’s father, Master Meng, seemed to have deep ties with the Right Minister Li family. Having connections with the Right Minister made them enemies of the Jiang family. How could the Meng family pass up such an opportunity? If Jiang Li lost, Jiang Yuanbai could naturally suppress it with his power and influence, but the Meng family would certainly submit a memorial afterward to embarrass Jiang Yuanbai at court.
For the Meng family and for the Jiang family, this was not just a wager between two young ladies showing off—the deeper implications behind it and the matters of reputation were far more significant than this wager itself.
“I know.” Jiang Li took a bite of the jujube flower pastry. The sweet taste made her smile even sweeter. “I’ll do my best.”
When they arrived at the entrance of Mingyi Hall, many people had already gathered outside the examination building. Seeing Jiang Li arrive, they all looked her up and down, bursting into waves of laughter from time to time. One didn’t need to think to know they were mocking her.
The examination covered the six arts. Calligraphy, rites, and arithmetic were all written on test papers in the examination building, with results to be posted five days later. The subsequent archery, chariot driving, and music all had to be performed publicly at Mingyi Hall’s examination grounds, with results announced immediately on the spot.
Therefore, Mingyi Hall’s examinations were considered very fair and impartial, not allowing even the slightest favoritism.
Seeing Jiang Li, Meng Hongjin smiled and stepped forward, pretending to breathe a sigh of relief: “Second Miss Jiang arrives so late, I thought you didn’t dare to come.”
“How could that be?” Jiang Li smiled. “I’ve taken my wager with Miss Meng very much to heart.”
“That’s good then.” Meng Hongjin smiled viciously. “I hope Second Miss Jiang achieves excellent results and lives up to everyone’s expectations.”
Meng Hongjin emphasized the four words “lives up to expectations” very heavily. Everyone knew that “where expectations lie,” it certainly wasn’t with Jiang Li.
Jiang Li smiled and nodded, as if she hadn’t taken Meng Hongjin’s words to heart. Jiang Youyao also came forward together with Jiang Yue, and Jiang Youyao looked at Jiang Li with concern, saying: “Second Sister, you haven’t practiced at the mansion these past days. Today… don’t force yourself.”
Hadn’t practiced at the mansion at all—the surrounding people laughed mockingly. Jiang Li had even less chance of winning now. Some people couldn’t wait to see just how miserably Jiang Li would lose.
Jiang Li smiled. “Third Sister has practiced every day though. I also hope that today’s examination will reward Third Sister’s painstaking efforts over these days and bring some returns.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Second Sister.” Jiang Youyao couldn’t help but display a sweet smile, feeling pleased inside. For this examination, Ji Shuran had expended great effort and energy cultivating her. The purpose was precisely to use Jiang Li’s crudeness to highlight her own talent before everyone’s eyes. At the thought of stepping on Jiang Li to pave her own way, Jiang Youyao found herself looking forward to it.
Jiang Yue looked at Jiang Li, her gaze unable to hide her arrogance. Although her own status was inferior to Jiang Li’s—she wasn’t Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter—when it came to talent and intelligence, Jiang Li fell far short of herself. This time, Jiang Li was certain to lose face.
After exchanging pleasantries, the time was nearly at hand. Everyone entered the examination building and sat properly in their chairs, waiting only for the Director to arrive.
This would be a battle of victors and vanquished.