Calligraphy, arithmetic, and rites were minor matters that came easily to Jiang Li.

The academy in Tong County wasn’t as luxurious as Mingyi Hall, but it wasn’t shabby either. On the contrary, Jiang Li believed that when it came to learning, wealthy families had their noble methods of study, and common folk had their ordinary methods. Although she didn’t have teachers from the palace personally instructing her, Jiang Li felt that under Xue Huaiyuan’s dedicated guidance, she wasn’t inferior at all. In fact, Xue Huaiyuan had never been stingy about letting her see a broader sky and greater freedom, which allowed her vision to extend even further than many men’s.

Otherwise, when she first arrived in the capital, besides being called the first beauty, she wouldn’t have also earned the title of first talented woman.

Thinking, putting brush to paper, and writing—it all seemed to flow naturally in one breath. Going through this again, having shed the shackle of being the “top scholar’s wife,” perhaps because she had died once and her heart had become more open-minded, Jiang Li wrote with even greater ease. The examination director patrolled the room and was quite astonished to see her write as if divinely inspired, without the slightest pause.

Time quickly passed. After completing the three subjects, the director collected the best examination paper, instructed them about some important matters, then left. What remained was to wait five days for the results to be posted.

As Jiang Li walked out of Mingyi Hall’s courtyard, Jiang Youyao caught up with her and called from a distance: “Second Sister, did you feel it went well?”

“It went well.” Jiang Li smiled in response.

“Second Sister needn’t force herself.” Jiang Yue seized the opportunity to mock Jiang Li. “Today’s examination must have wracked Second Sister’s brain to exhaustion. These next few days, you should rest well at the mansion. When the results are posted, we younger sisters will help you look.”

“Then I’ll trouble you.” Jiang Li nodded.

Seeing that Jiang Li showed neither anger nor panicked exhaustion, both Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yue were somewhat displeased. However, after a moment’s thought, they figured Jiang Li was just forcing a smile, and became happy again.

Meng Hongjin stood at the entrance. Feeling she had done quite well on the examination, she looked at Jiang Li with a challenging smile: “Second Miss Jiang, don’t forget our wager. On the day results are posted, we both must come to Mingyi Hall’s entrance. Don’t use excuses to avoid coming—that would be going back on your word and invite ridicule from everyone.”

“Likewise.” Jiang Li remained unruffled.

Meng Hongjin snorted coldly and turned to leave. Liu Xu looked worriedly at Jiang Li and asked: “Just now… did you find it difficult?”

“Even if I said it wasn’t difficult, you wouldn’t believe me.” Jiang Li patted her hand. “Don’t worry. Just rest freely these next few days. We’ll meet again in five days.”

She smiled and walked away with Tong’er and Bai Xue.

As she approached the carriage, Jiang Li even caught sight of Ye Shijie standing at the Imperial Academy entrance in the distance. Ye Shijie was saying something to someone beside him, and judging by his relaxed expression, he must have performed well. Bai Xue asked: “Miss, do you want to go greet Young Master Ye?”

“No need.” Jiang Li smiled slightly. “Too many eyes around. We’ll see each other on the day results are posted anyway.”

When Jiang Li returned to the Jiang residence, Jiang Jingrui came to Fangfei Courtyard to make trouble again, pestering her with questions about how today’s battle had gone. After finally getting rid of him, Ji Shuran sent someone to deliver some melons and fruits, saying they were for Jiang Li to relieve her fatigue.

Over the next few days, the Jiang mansion remained completely calm. Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai didn’t ask about Jiang Li’s examination, apparently deliberately avoiding the topic. Jiang Jingrui constantly looked forward to Jiang Li losing face at Mingyi Hall’s entrance, but Jiang Li herself wasn’t anxious at all. She lived her days leisurely and carefree, seemingly not worried at all about the wager with Meng Hongjin.

One day, two days, three days, four days, five days. On the morning of the fifth day, gambling dens large and small throughout the streets and alleys actually opened their doors early to welcome customers. Gamblers streamed in continuously, surrounding the gambling den entrances so tightly that not even water could trickle through. Teahouses and wine shops were also especially lively today, filled to capacity with guests. Even the shabby little taverns that usually had few customers were packed with diners.

What people talked about with great relish was precisely today’s posting of results.

“The Imperial Academy posts results today. I wonder how many promising young talents will illuminate the capital this year.”

“Mingyi Hall also posts results at this moment. The young ladies from noble families are mostly talented and beautiful. Who will live up to the reputation this year?”

What they discussed most, however, were still the two names “Meng Hongjin” and “Jiang Li.”

“If you ask me, the most interesting thing to see today is Mingyi Hall’s rankings. Don’t forget, everyone, before the examination, the young lady from the Bureau Director’s residence and the daughter of the Chief Minister made a wager. Whoever loses has to kneel at Mingyi Hall’s entrance to apologize. Neither the talented scholars of the Imperial Academy nor the talented women of Mingyi Hall are as exciting as this wager. Everyone, am I right?”

Everyone raised their cups in agreement. Someone else shook his head and said: “What a pity for the Chief Minister. Such a head of civil officials from a family of moral integrity will now become a laughingstock because of this vicious legitimate daughter.”

“How tragic, how tragic.” Others sighed along.

“Doesn’t the Chief Minister’s family still have a Third Miss? That Third Miss is a true refined lady of a great family. Lord Jiang won’t completely lose face.”

“I’d say this shows the difference. That Third Miss Jiang’s birth mother is a young lady from the Vice Censor-in-Chief Ji family, well-educated and reasonable. But that Second Miss Jiang’s birth mother was just a merchant. So you see, when taking a wife, one should seek virtue. Look how women from merchant families raise daughters who can’t measure up to expectations…”

At this moment, Ye Shijie sat among the guests on the ground floor of Wangxian Tower, the capital’s largest wine shop, his ears filled with people’s discussions about this matter. Hearing the words “just a merchant,” Ye Shijie clenched his fists.

A friend beside him asked: “Looking at the time, it should be when results are posted. Why is there still no movement?”

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd near the windows suddenly became noisy. Someone said: “They’re here! They’re here!”

The people posting the red rankings had arrived.

Those waiting outside surged forward with a whoosh. Guards held back the crowd while posting the red rankings on prominent stone walls in various locations. After the posting officials left, the impatient crowd immediately rushed forward with a swoosh.

Those who couldn’t squeeze in jumped anxiously outside, trying to catch a glimpse or two, constantly asking those inside: “Can you see? Who’s at the top?”

Those inside also had it difficult. A short person, taking advantage of their nimble frame, quickly squeezed through and in one breath pushed to the very front, calling out loudly: “The Imperial Academy’s top scholar is Ye Shijie.”

Outside came waves of astonishment. The name Ye Shijie was too unfamiliar—it didn’t seem to belong to any official family in the capital.

“What about Mingyi Hall?” In the chaos, some cared more about other things and asked: “Who’s at the top of Mingyi Hall’s rankings?”

The short person had apparently become the messenger, drawing out his voice as he said: “Mingyi Hall’s top scholar is, is—” His voice suddenly stopped abruptly, replaced instead by the sound of a long, sharp intake of breath.

The surrounding people became desperately anxious, their curiosity hooked even more, urging and cursing: “Hurry up! What are you being mysterious for? Who is it?”

The short person was shoved a few times. Coming back to his senses, he turned his head irritably and spat out a name.

“Jiang Li!”

Jiang Li?!

The crowd exploded.