“Second Miss is first place, the top scholar of this examination. Congratulations to Old Madam!”

Ji Shuran’s smile froze on her face.

Jiang Youyao opened her mouth and couldn’t hold back from blurting out: “What did you say?”

Her voice carried several notes of alarmed shrillness.

“Could we have heard wrong?” Jiang Yue was filled with disbelief, shaking her head as if this could convince herself, only saying: “You must have made a mistake…”

It was Madam Lu who reacted first. She immediately broke into a smile and said: “If I heard correctly just now, Li’er got first place?” She glanced at Ji Shuran’s stiff smile, and a flash of satisfaction crossed her heart.

She had long harbored grievances against Ji Shuran. Ji Shuran relied on Vice Censor-in-Chief Ji Yanlin’s promotions these past years to become increasingly domineering at the Jiang mansion. Madam Lu was originally a proud and arrogant person who had always found Ji Shuran distasteful. Moreover, every year at the examinations, the better Jiang Youyao’s grades were, the more it highlighted how extremely mediocre the two young masters of the second branch were. Now Jiang Li had suddenly emerged out of nowhere and severely suppressed Ji Shuran’s prestige. Madam Lu naturally was happy to see this happen.

“I never expected Li’er to be such a capable person.” Madam Lu unhesitatingly plunged a knife into Ji Shuran’s heart. “She only came to Mingyi Hall not long ago, and it seems she never studied these things before either. I’d say, she’s truly worthy of being elder brother’s bloodline—all possess such brilliant literary talent, naturally gifted with spiritual energy…”

With every sentence she spoke, the venom in Jiang Youyao’s heart increased by a degree. The anger at being surpassed by Jiang Yue had now completely transferred to Jiang Li. Jiang Yue was one thing, but what was Jiang Li? If she couldn’t even compare to someone who had just entered Mingyi Hall a few days ago, didn’t that mean she was worse than trash?

At this moment, Jiang Yue had also twisted the handkerchief in her hands tight, her nails nearly embedded in her palm. The joyful anticipation from earlier felt like a basin of ice-cold water poured over her head. In the dog days of summer, it chilled her to the bone, making even her fingertips turn cold. Beyond that, there was also bone-deep unwillingness.

The only thing she took pride in, the only thing she could use to trample Jiang Li underfoot—now even that was gone! Why?!

Old Madam Jiang only gave a cursory glance. Everyone’s various expressions all entered her eyes. She said lightly: “Did you see clearly? Is it truly Second Girl who’s at the top?”

“Indeed,” the young servant said. “Old Madam, please look at the transcribed red rankings. Second Miss achieved first place in all three subjects—calligraphy, arithmetic, and rites. There’s no doubt she’s the top scholar!”

Jiang Youyao’s body went soft, nearly collapsing.

…

At Fangfei Courtyard, Jiang Li was watching Li’er tend to the flowers and plants.

“You’re really not going to run away?” Jiang Jingrui sat in a chair. While pouring tea water into his mouth, he couldn’t help but advise: “If you flee now, there’s still time. At most you’ll be mocked for breaking your word. But if you really wait until you want to flee but have nowhere to flee to, and then kneel down to apologize to Meng Hongjin, your life will truly be finished. I’d say, you’re not some noble gentleman, and besides, even noble gentlemen must act according to circumstances. As long as green hills remain, one need not worry about firewood. Why make things difficult for yourself?”

Don’t look at Jiang Jingrui’s appearance as a dandy—when it came to these comforting platitudes, he had them down pat. Jiang Li almost really was persuaded by him. However, she just glanced at Jiang Jingrui and said: “This tea is Junshan Silver Needle. I only brewed one pot today. Since you’re guzzling it like a cow chewing on peonies, you shouldn’t come here to drink tea in the future.”

Jiang Jingrui angrily slammed down his teacup: “Listen to what you’re saying. Are you really a young lady from our Jiang family? What’s the point of being so frugal? We’re a family of wealth—we should indulge in wine and luxury, be intoxicated with gold and jade. The way you are is far too boring!”

The difference between a humble household and a family of gold and jade. Fine, Jiang Li was too lazy to argue with him. Everyone had their own way of living; there was no need to force it.

As they were talking, Qingfeng and Mingyue suddenly hurried in from outside. Both their faces were flushed red, carrying some excitement. As soon as Qingfeng entered, she said: “Miss, Mingyi Hall’s red rankings have been posted!”

Before Jiang Li could speak, Jiang Jingrui set down his teacup and said: “How was it, how was it? Did your miss come in last?”

Looking at his appearance, Jiang Li felt that his saying he hoped she could win was probably a lie.

Mingyue glared at Jiang Jingrui: “What nonsense are you spouting? Our miss is extremely intelligent, naturally born with excellent material for studying…”

Before she finished speaking, Jiang Jingrui burst into laughter: “Even lying doesn’t require being so obvious about it.”

Jiang Li quietly watched him.

Mingyue became anxious: “I’m not lying! Now everyone in the mansion from top to bottom knows—our miss is the top of Mingyi Hall’s examination this time, the champion!”

She heavily emphasized the word “champion.”

Jiang Jingrui said: “You silly girl, how can you speak so thoughtlessly? Even to comfort your master, you shouldn’t make such wild claims.”

Qingfeng said: “It’s true!”

Jiang Jingrui was about to speak when he saw the maids’ eyes truly reddening with urgency. Realizing something, he slowly stopped smiling and tentatively looked toward Jiang Li, asking: “Is it true?”

Jiang Li was too lazy to talk to him and only asked: “What about the Imperial Academy? Who’s the top scholar at the Imperial Academy examination?”

“It seems to be an unfamiliar name, surnamed Ye… called Ye Shijie!”

A stone in Jiang Li’s heart finally settled.

Jiang Jingrui reacted and suddenly cried out: “What’s going on? You became Mingyi Hall’s examination top scholar, and your cousin became the Imperial Academy’s examination top scholar.” He leaned close to Jiang Li and mysteriously said in a low voice: “Tell the truth—did you two bribe the examiners? You know your cousin’s family isn’t short of silver, but can the Imperial Academy be bribed so easily these days…”

He muttered to himself again.

Qingfeng said: “Old Madam requests that Second Miss hurry to Wanfeng Hall.”

“Alright.” Jiang Li stood up. “I’ll go right away.”

“I’m going too!” Jiang Jingrui also stood up and said: “This time you’ve earned face for the Jiang family. Grandmother will definitely reward you handsomely.”

Seeing him so excited, Jiang Li wondered if people might think Jiang Jingrui was the one who had won the championship. She paused and said: “Are you sure you want to go now?”

“Why wouldn’t I go?” Jiang Jingrui was baffled.

Jiang Li sighed: “Aren’t you afraid they’ll bring up your grades?”

“I’m not afraid.” Jiang Jingrui seemed not ashamed but proud instead, completely unconcerned: “Everyone’s used to it.”

Jiang Li was too lazy to speak. Since Jiang Jingrui himself didn’t care, why should she be the busybody villain? She then took Tong’er and Bai Xue and headed toward Wanfeng Hall.

When she arrived at Wanfeng Hall, the little maids standing outside all showed her amiable smiles, along with some scrutiny, probably also extremely astonished that she had won first place.

Jiang Li paid no attention to these things and walked in on her own. After entering, she discovered that Jiang Yuanbai was actually also there.

Not just Jiang Yuanbai—the two brothers Jiang Yuanxing and Jiang Yuanping had also come. Madam Yang was saying something to Madam Lu. All the people from the Jiang family’s three branches were actually gathered together at this moment.

This was indeed rare.