The next day, Jiang Li rose even earlier than usual.
Early in the morning, Tong’er began gesturing to Jiang Li about what hairstyle to arrange and what clothes to match. Bai Xue, having previously farmed at home, wasn’t particularly skilled in such matters, so she left everything in Tong’er’s hands.
Since returning to the Jiang family, Tong’er hadn’t been idle. To ensure Jiang Li didn’t look inferior to Jiang Youyao, she had put in considerable effort.
When they finally left the courtyard, they saw Jiang Youyao at the entrance of Wanfeng Hall, saying something to Jiang Yuanbai. She was tugging at Jiang Yuanbai’s sleeve, seemingly acting coquettishly, appearing very charming and innocent.
Jiang Yuanbai was also looking down at Jiang Youyao with great affection, not noticing Jiang Li for a moment. Ji Shuran, standing to the side, had clearly glimpsed Jiang Li from the corner of her eye, yet deliberately waited until Jiang Li approached before acting as if she had just noticed, saying with a smile, “Li’er has arrived.”
Jiang Yuanbai instinctively looked over.
Jiang Li also looked toward Jiang Youyao.
Today was a very important day. Even Tong’er knew to plan for Jiang Li, so Ji Shuran would certainly also plan for Jiang Youyao. Jiang Youyao wore a floor-length gown in the color of rosy clouds, embroidered with flying birds, covered with a layer of white plum blossom gossamer gauze—truly ethereal as an immortal. Dangling from her ears were red jadeite drop pearl earrings of extremely bright luster, making her entire being more delicate than flowers, supremely beautiful and dignified. She also looked Jiang Li’s attire up and down.
Currently, all of Jiang Li’s clothes were prepared by the seamstress under Ji Shuran’s instructions. After that incident at the main gate on the day of her return to the residence, the clothes Ji Shuran now prepared for Jiang Li were indeed well-fitted and certainly luxurious, but not necessarily very suitable for Jiang Li. First, Jiang Li’s figure was slender with clear brows and beautiful eyes—she couldn’t support those extremely lavish gowns. Second, the jewelry was also very cumbersome and valuable, making her appear top-heavy when worn.
Though it was attire that wouldn’t make mistakes, standing together with Jiang Youyao, she would immediately become Jiang Youyao’s backdrop.
If it were truly the original Second Miss Jiang, to establish her status, she might not refuse to wear such valuable clothing. Unfortunately, Jiang Li wasn’t her. She had never harbored much desire for gorgeous gowns. Moreover, becoming Jiang Youyao’s backdrop was something she absolutely refused to do. Therefore, she hadn’t worn the clothes Ji Shuran prepared for her.
She only wore an osmanthus-green high-waisted auspicious brocade jacket and skirt, with a reverse-coiled bun adorned with a single jade hairpin. The simplest possible attire—yet simplifying the complex, her brows were brows, her eyes were eyes, elegantly refined and extraordinarily fresh and beautiful. Like an orchid painting from deep mountain valleys—serene, beautifully uncontentious and unassertive.
Standing together with Jiang Youyao, Jiang Li wasn’t overshadowed in the slightest. Instead, because Jiang Youyao was too brilliant, Jiang Li’s beauty appeared even more superior by a notch.
Jiang Youyao’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant.
Jiang Yuanbai coughed lightly and asked Jiang Li, “Are you ready?”
Jiang Li responded with a smile, “Yes.”
For today’s assessment, everyone from the Jiang residence would be going, including Old Madam Jiang. Just as they were discussing this, Jiang Yu’e’s voice was heard. Jiang Yu’e and Jiang Yuyan approached from behind, smiling and saying, “Second Sister and Third Sister look so beautiful today.”
Jiang Yu’e and Jiang Yuyan had also dressed splendidly today, though due to the third branch’s circumstances, they couldn’t compare with Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao. Nevertheless, they had been quite meticulous. Jiang Yu’e looked very excited, fawning over Jiang Youyao as usual, while Jiang Yuyan remained timid and quiet as always, head lowered, standing to the side.
“Since everyone is ready, let’s depart,” said Old Madam Jiang, supported by Zhenzhu and Feicui.
The group boarded their carriages and headed toward the testing grounds.
After about the time of three incense sticks, they arrived at the testing grounds.
Mingyi Hall’s testing grounds were a martial training field from the previous dynasty. During the previous dynasty, military imperial examination champions were selected in this very plaza. Later, when the previous Emperor Zongming ascended the throne and relocated the imperial palace, this training field had been abandoned for many years. When Emperor Hongxiao ascended the throne, he converted the training field into testing grounds. All of Mingyi Hall’s lower three subjects assessments were conducted in this place.
Around the plaza, there were already crowds of people. The best positions were reserved for the nobility—many were family members of the noble young ladies taking the assessment today. There were also official families “selecting wives for meritorious sons” as Jiang Jingrui had mentioned, and even imperial family members.
When Jiang Li arrived, many people had already gathered at the testing grounds.
Liu Xu, following beside Madam Liu, saw Jiang Li and immediately came over to greet her. Jiang Li took her hand and together they paid respects to Madam Liu. Madam Liu was very pleased and said to Jiang Li, “I know that Second Miss Jiang won first place in the upper three subjects. I haven’t had the chance to offer congratulations yet. I hope Second Miss Jiang can also achieve first-class results today.”
Jiang Li smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Madam.”
Liu Xu whispered in Jiang Li’s ear, “Look, Meng Hongjin.”
Jiang Li looked in the direction Liu Xu indicated and indeed saw Meng Hongjin not far away, looking toward her. If it had been Meng Hongjin’s former temperament, she would surely have come forward to deliver some harsh words to Jiang Li. Today, however, she didn’t approach, only watching her with venomous eyes. It seemed the matter of the upper three subjects honor roll had made Meng Hongjin restrain herself somewhat.
“How is your instrumental skill?” Liu Xu said softly. “Today’s examiners for the music assessment include Xiao Deyin, Immortal Jinghong, Shi Yan, Mianju, and also Duke Su.”
“Duke Su?” Jiang Li was very surprised. Never mind Xiao Deyin and Immortal Jinghong; Shi Yan and Mianju were also understandable. But why was there also Duke Su Ji Heng? She had always heard that Ji Heng loved listening to opera, but the musical arts and opera were worlds apart. What could Ji Heng accomplish by coming?
Jiang Li found it puzzling.
“Who knows? The examiners were all personally selected by His Majesty the Emperor,” Liu Xu shook her head. “I’ve never heard you play an instrument. How is your musical skill really?”
Her words carried much worry for Jiang Li.
Jiang Li smiled. “Not bad.”
Liu Xu’s heart settled with relief. “No matter what, as long as you can get through it, that’s enough. Not everything requires being first place.” She was comforting Jiang Li.
Jiang Li said, “We’ll see when the time comes.” Looking around, suddenly her gaze fixed.
In the area where the nobility sat, there were special pavilions. She saw not far away a young woman dressed in a golden gauze hundred-beauty gown, pinching purple grapes from a glass jar to eat. The grapes were crystal clear, still bearing water droplets. Resting in the glass jar, they looked like purple jewels, further highlighting the noble brilliance of the slender jade fingers plucking those jewels.
That woman’s appearance was haughty, her head slightly raised, her eyes flowing with a subtle seductiveness.
Seeing Jiang Li staring fixedly to one side, Liu Xu followed Jiang Li’s gaze and said in realization, “Princess Yongning? I didn’t expect she would come today.”
Jiang Li looked at Princess Yongning—the murderer who had destroyed her family in her previous life. Her chest heaved violently, yet her face still bore a three-part smile, her gaze cold and gleaming.
If Princess Yongning was here, there was no need to guess—Shen Yurun would certainly also be here.
All her enemies were gathered here. Excellent.