If this piece “Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute” were compared to a theatrical performance, the crowd was either angry or fearful because of the singer, or suddenly experiencing sorrow and joy because of the opera itself. Ultimately, they were all having their emotions manipulated. Under circumstances where everyone was absorbed in the play, suddenly seeing someone clearheaded was enough to be surprising.

Jiang Li stared at those beautiful phoenix eyes. For a moment, she couldn’t fathom what emotions those eyes contained. She only felt a chill in her heart, as if she had nearly been seen through.

That moody beauty, Duke Ji Heng of Su, was scrutinizing her and perhaps even trying to uncover her secrets.

Jiang Li lowered her eyes, concealing the myriad emotions in her heart. She gracefully performed a courtesy toward those below the stage. She had finished playing.

The crowd stared at her in stunned silence.

In an instant, all the mockery, ridicule, disdain, and even abuse came to an abrupt halt. If before, when Jiang Li won first place in the upper three categories, it was still difficult to convince everyone because it hadn’t been conducted in front of everyone, then now those who questioned her had nothing to say.

The one playing the qin on stage was truly Second Miss Jiang herself.

Among the judges, that cheerful little old man Mianju was the first to call out. He said, “Little girl, who taught you the qin?”

Calling the Chief Minister’s daughter “little girl” was indeed rather presumptuous. However, this person was the palace musician most favored by the Hongxiao Emperor. Even Jiang Yuanbai had to give him face, so no one would say anything about it.

Mianju’s one sentence brought everyone back to their senses. Indeed, everyone had seen Jiang Li’s qin artistry. Her fingering techniques were so skilled—she didn’t look like someone touching a qin for the first time. Looking at her appearance, she had probably been studying for many years. But there were no qin masters at temples or nunneries. Could there be some master from somewhere? Hidden away from the mundane world?

Seeing Mianju’s eyes glowing brightly, Jiang Li knew what he was thinking. She simply went with the flow and said, “My teacher has already traveled far…”

Hah! As expected, there was a master who had instructed her!

Mianju could hardly restrain himself from rushing forward. He asked in rapid succession, “What’s your teacher’s name? Where does he live? Where has he gone? How can we find him?”

Jiang Li looked at him with difficulty, saying vaguely, “This student doesn’t know…”

Hearing this, Mianju was initially somewhat anxious, but then thought of something and sighed long, saying, “Forget it, forget it. These masters mostly don’t wish to reveal their whereabouts. Living a life as free as the wind, how could they be burdened by the mundane world?” He looked at Jiang Li again, speaking with considerable envy. “You, young lady, have quite good fortune. At such a young age, you could receive instruction from such a master—you can benefit from this for your entire life. How come I don’t have such fortune? Alas!”

Seeing his sighing and lamenting appearance, Jiang Li felt both amused and exasperated inside. However, Mianju’s words had ultimately resolved others’ doubts.

Everyone around began to discuss.

“So Second Miss Jiang received instruction from a master. No wonder she plays so well? I think she’s even more skilled than Third Miss Jiang just now?”

“Of course! Didn’t Teacher Mianju say so? Anyone Teacher Mianju calls a master must naturally be quite remarkable. Second Miss Jiang studied under a master—how could ordinary people compare?”

“Second Miss Jiang has such good fortune. Perhaps in the future she can become a qin master herself. Look at Teacher Mianju’s expression—this is the heart of someone who cherishes talent.”

“Bah! Not being a perfectly good Chief Minister’s daughter to become a qin master? Second Miss Jiang isn’t sick in the head.”

The discussions in her ears had suddenly changed from heaven to earth compared to before. Ye Shijie was somewhat astonished by this sudden change. After thinking it through, he couldn’t help but smile.

At first, he couldn’t help but worry for Jiang Li, yet he vaguely felt that Jiang Li might have her own methods. That powerful young lady who looked down on merchants had now grown up and become someone completely different from the past. The most obvious point was that she had become much more intelligent than before.

Hearing the voices of colleagues around him praising Jiang Li, Jiang Yuanbai’s feelings were complex and difficult to clarify for a moment. On one hand, regardless of anything, having his daughter receive praise from others was naturally something that made him happy. On the other hand, seeing Jiang Youyao’s aggrieved appearance, he felt somewhat distressed.

After all, she was his youngest daughter whom he had treasured and held in his palm as she grew up. Jiang Youyao had always been most skilled at qin arts. Now that she had been surpassed by Jiang Li, Jiang Youyao must be very sad and disappointed.

In fact, the jealousy in Jiang Youyao’s heart was greater than sadness, and hatred greater than disappointment. When Jiang Li began playing “Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute,” Jiang Youyao knew that today’s situation would probably be muddled again because of Jiang Li. She looked toward Ji Shuran and saw Ji Shuran also had a grave expression, feeling somewhat flustered inside.

After the fluster came deep shame.

Being surpassed by Jiang Li, being surpassed by a Jiang Li who had been thrown into a nunnery and had long since lost everything—this was more painful than killing Jiang Youyao. Especially seeing the surrounding people’s praise for Jiang Li’s qin artistry was tantamount to harshly slapping Jiang Youyao across the face.

Praising Jiang Li for playing well—then what was she?

Just as Jiang Youyao could barely suppress the expression on her face, Ji Shuran, seated beside her, gently patted her hand and said to her, “Don’t panic. It’s not over yet. We won’t necessarily lose.”

Hearing Ji Shuran’s words, Jiang Youyao gradually calmed down. Although unwilling in her heart, she ultimately didn’t lose her composure.

Jiang Youyao’s changing expressions were all taken in by Jiang Yu’e, who was puzzled in her heart about what exactly Ji Shuran had said. However, she was more puzzled about how Jiang Li could be so outstanding in qin music.

She had originally thought that after returning to the mansion, Jiang Li would be even more pitiful than herself… but facts one after another proved that Jiang Li could still step on her head.

Jiang Yu’e stared hatefully at Jiang Li, not knowing whether she felt unwilling about her father’s concubine-born status or unwilling about being inferior to Jiang Li.

At this moment, Meng Hongjin also felt very uncomfortable inside. Whenever Jiang Li received any praise, people would look at her with pity, everyone reminding her not to forget the wager she had made. Looking at Meng Youde’s ugly expression, Meng Hongjin also felt very frightened. If Jiang Li truly won first place in all of Mingyi Hall’s examinations, she would have to kneel and apologize to Jiang Li while removing her outer garment at the entrance to the Imperial Academy.

In that case, she would become a laughingstock throughout all of Yanjing City and bring shame to the Meng family. Her father would definitely not forgive her.

A chill suddenly arose on Meng Hongjin’s back, as if she had already seen that terrible scene.

It won’t happen, she consoled herself. Jiang Youyao also played quite well. Jiang Li won’t necessarily win first place. It won’t happen…

Jiang Li walked down from the stage. She didn’t return to the Jiang family’s side but instead walked to Liu Xu, who was waving at her.

Liu Xu excitedly pulled her to sit down. This was the first time Jiang Li had seen this young lady with so many emotions. Liu Xu said, “Jiang Li, that ‘Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute’ you just played was truly too amazing! No wonder you said before going on stage that you’d play something no one had played before. ‘Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute’ is being played at the examination grounds for the first time. I think you played much better than Jiang Youyao. Even someone with mediocre qin arts like me could feel the artistic conception in your qin notes. Using what you call ‘qin heart’ as the standard, in this match, first place must go to none other than you!”

She spoke with great confidence, as if she herself were a judge.

Jiang Li smiled slightly. “That’s not necessarily so.” She glanced toward the stage.

On the examination platform, Mianju was saying to Shi Yan, “Little Yanyan, what did you think of how that little Jiang family girl played just now?”

“Little Yanyan”—Music Official Shi Yan maintained a stern face, neither approving nor disapproving of the nickname Mianju gave him. He said, “It was acceptable.”

Everyone knew that Music Official Shi Yan was extremely arrogant and picky. Most people received evaluations from him like “too unpleasant,” “terrible,” or “not good.” Getting an “acceptable” meant that Shi Yan had already acknowledged this person.

Mianju clearly understood Shi Yan’s personality very well. He immediately clapped his hands and said, “I knew Little Yanyan’s thoughts were exactly the same as mine! Masters like us all think this way!” He then looked toward the Startling Swan Immortal and Xiao Deyin, asking, “Immortal and Teacher Xiao, what do you think?”

The Startling Swan Immortal felt somewhat troubled.

She had taken Ji Shuran’s silver. “Bribing judges”—this had never happened at Mingyi Hall before. The Startling Swan Immortal did this only because she had originally thought that currently at Mingyi Hall, there was simply no one who could compete with Jiang Youyao in qin artistry. Even relying on her own abilities, Jiang Youyao could win first place. The silver Ji Shuran gave her was ostensibly payment for instructing Jiang Youyao, but that payment was too generous.

The Startling Swan Immortal had accepted it, thinking this was going with the flow anyway. Since Jiang Youyao could have won first place anyway, why not do a favor for the Ji family? Moreover, Jiang Youyao could be considered her half-disciple. Both publicly and privately, she should lean toward Jiang Youyao somewhat.

This had been a foregone conclusion, but who knew halfway through, a Jiang Li would emerge. To be fair, Jiang Li’s qin artistry was above Jiang Youyao’s. Especially that Jiang Li, at the age of fifteen, could comprehend “qin heart”—this was truly as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns at present.

The Startling Swan Immortal cherished talent and was proud, but having mingled in pleasure quarters for many years, even as just an entertainer who sold her arts but not her body, she understood human relationships. Jiang Li was certainly very good, but she had taken Ji Shuran’s silver. Between Jiang Yuanbai’s two legitimate daughters, Jiang Li had been sent away at age seven, while Jiang Youyao was the one who grew up by Jiang Yuanbai’s side. Jiang Youyao was more favored. Jiang Youyao also had Ji Shuran and the Ji family. Jiang Li had nothing…

“Jiang Li is quite good, on par with Youyao.” After much deliberation, the Startling Swan Immortal finally said this.

As soon as these words came out, unexpectedly, Mianju directly laughed and said, “Immortal, could it be that because Jiang Youyao is your disciple, you’re biased toward her? I think young lady Jiang Li has much more accomplishment than Jiang Youyao. Setting aside that ‘Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute’ is more difficult than ‘Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank,’ regarding comprehension of artistic conception, Jiang Youyao is outside the door, while young lady Jiang Li has already entered it. Immortal, how have you become increasingly worldly? In a few more years, I’m afraid even your own ‘qin heart’ will be lost!”

These words were extremely impolite, almost giving the Startling Swan Immortal no face at all. Since the Startling Swan Immortal began as an entertainer at Wangxian Tower, she had always been praised by literati and poets. When had she ever been reprimanded so impolitely? Immediately her face flushed red with shame and anger.

“Forget it. Teacher Xiao, what do you think?” Mianju asked Xiao Deyin.

Xiao Deyin pondered for a while, then unexpectedly spoke, saying, “I also believe Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao are on par.”

This meant she wouldn’t acknowledge that Jiang Li was better than Jiang Youyao.

Mianju immediately gave a cold laugh. The way he looked at Xiao Deyin also changed. He asked, “Could Teacher Xiao have also taken Jiang Youyao as a disciple? Why are you both speaking against your conscience?”

Xiao Deyin said, “That’s not it. Although Jiang Li plays very well, the piece ‘Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute’ is too heavy with desolation and resentment, not as open in artistic conception as ‘Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank.’ The fingering of ‘Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute’ is on par with ‘Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank.’ The difficulty lies in the artistic conception. After all, the composer’s desolate and resentful heart is difficult for ordinary people to empathize with. But speaking for Deyin myself, I don’t like desolate and resentful melodies. Qin heart is like human heart—I prefer the meaning of expansiveness and openness.”

“This is utter nonsense.” Mianju was angered to laughter by Xiao Deyin’s words. He said, “Today I’ve learned that qin heart actually has superior and inferior grades. If I may speak frankly, Teacher Xiao, with such a qin heart that seeks fame and reputation, I’m afraid you can no longer bear the title of Yanjing’s number one female qin master. Setting aside the Startling Swan Immortal, even the late Zhuangyuan wife Lady Xue Fangfei was stronger than you. In a few more years, I’m afraid that young Jiang family girl Jiang Li will also surpass you by far!”

These words were utterly impolite, yet they made Xiao Deyin’s expression change dramatically.

She said, “Teacher Mianju, watch your words! Xue Fangfei had corrupt private virtue. How dare you compare me with her?”

“As if Teacher Xiao has such good character.” Mianju’s tone was sarcastic.

“You!”

The examination wasn’t even over yet, but two judges were about to quarrel on stage. Although Mianju seemed very easygoing, he was an extremely stubborn old man. The Startling Swan Immortal hurriedly came forward to smooth things over, smiling and saying, “Why should you two be angry? There are still other students who haven’t taken the stage yet. It won’t be too late after they all go up. If there are students with even more superior qin artistry midway through, there won’t be any difficulty in making a choice.”

Mianju gave a cold snort before letting the matter drop. However, several people understood in their hearts that among the remaining students, there probably weren’t any who could surpass both Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao.

In the end, they would still have to argue.

The dispute between Mianju and Xiao Deyin on stage was also seen by Jiang Li. Although she couldn’t hear what the two were saying, she could roughly guess it was about her and Jiang Youyao’s qin artistry. Mianju must be promoting her, because before entering the palace, Mianju had just been an ordinary folk musician. The folk tune Jiang Li sang before playing the qin should suit Mianju’s temperament well.

As for Xiao Deyin, if it were before, Jiang Li believed she would definitely stand on her side. But now… that was hard to say.

Zhou Yanbang stared intently at Jiang Li beside Liu Xu. Jiang Li’s qin artistry had once again shocked the entire venue just now, and he became even more determined in his heart that he must cancel the marriage with Jiang Youyao and be together with Jiang Li. Jiang Li was originally his fiancée. If not for unforeseen circumstances, perhaps they would already be married by now.

Such a woman should originally be his!

Zhou Yanbang thought that now Jiang Li, by her own abilities, had probably already washed away the name of being a “waste.” This way, his parents’ opposition wouldn’t be so intense. Although she had the reputation of poisoning her legitimate mother, Marquis Ningyuan had always doted on him and should also compromise. It was just that this would wrong Jiang Youyao. Thinking of this, Zhou Yanbang felt somewhat guilty and could only compensate her in other ways.

While Zhou Yanbang was contemplating Jiang Li, not far from him, Shen Yurun also had a dazed look in his eyes.

When Second Miss Jiang was playing the qin on stage, for some reason it reminded him of his late wife. Speaking of which, Xue Fangfei’s qin artistry was also extraordinary. Back in Xiangyang Tongxiang, Xue Fangfei often played the qin. At that time, he would often stand outside the Xue family gate, beneath the wall, listening to the beautiful woman’s laughter and qin notes inside.

Later, when Xue Fangfei came to Yanjing, she no longer played the qin. He became the Zhuangyuan and was busy with various social obligations. The memory of Xue Fangfei’s qin notes gradually blurred, yet today, under Second Miss Jiang’s qin piece, he inexplicably seemed to see his late wife again.

Although Xue Fangfei wouldn’t play such desolate pieces, although Xue Fangfei and Jiang Li were two completely different people…

Shen Yurun’s unusual behavior was seen by Princess Yongning seated beside Prince Cheng. The smile at the corners of Princess Yongning’s mouth remained, but a trace of vicious resentment flashed through her eyes. Looking at Shen Yurun’s appearance, he was clearly thinking of Xue Fangfei again.

Thinking of how Shen Yurun would still think about Xue Fangfei now made Princess Yongning jealously go mad. She also came to hate Jiang Li on stage. They should all die. Why did Jiang Li have to resemble someone? She just had to resemble that bitch!

Naturally, Jiang Li wouldn’t know about others’ thoughts. She was just calculating in her heart, wondering whether Duke Ji Heng of Su had discovered something. She always felt Ji Heng’s gaze made her very uncomfortable. Could there be some deeper meaning? But aside from that one time at Qingcheng Mountain, she and Ji Heng had no other intersections. Even if Ji Heng remembered her, it was only a chance meeting.

There should be… no connection, right?

Jiang Li made up her mind that if Ji Heng exposed her, revealing the matter of her calculating against Master Jing’an at Qingcheng Mountain, she would refuse to admit it even unto death. After all, there was no other evidence.

Thinking this way, she didn’t even pay attention to the students taking the stage for examination. Students continued with qin music one by one. Liu Xu also went up. Jiang Yuyan played. Jiang Yu’e also completed her turn. Until the last female student finished playing, the entire qin music examination had ended. It was already afternoon.

With Jiang Youyao, or rather with Jiang Li as the pearl before swine, everyone else’s qin notes sounded invariably bland and tasteless, as if they had only learned fingering techniques, and even those fingering techniques weren’t skilled. The gap was truly too great. Not to mention those who understood qin—even laypeople could immediately distinguish who was superior and who was inferior.

The qin music examination results were to be posted immediately. And now, the focus of everyone’s attention was nothing more than Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao.

Jiang Youyao stood below the stage, gripping Ji Shuran’s hand tightly. At this moment, her expression couldn’t help but become tense.

If she lost to Jiang Li in what she was best at… Jiang Youyao didn’t dare think about how Zhou Yanbang would view her if he saw this!

Second Branch’s Lu Shi, seeing that Jiang Youyao wasn’t as confident as before, immediately said to Ji Shuran with a laugh, “Sister-in-law is still the best. You’ve raised two daughters who are each outstanding and intelligent. I think whether Youyao or Li girl wins first place, they’re both from your first branch. Sister-in-law will definitely be happy. Worthy of being Elder Brother’s children indeed.”

Ji Shuran was already somewhat vexed and restless. Hearing Lu Shi’s provocative words made her even angrier, though her face showed nothing. She smiled and said, “Naturally. However, I think Li’er played even better.” She even proactively praised Jiang Li.

Jiang Yu’e sneered inwardly. This aunt of hers probably already hated Jiang Li to death. However, Jiang Yu’e would rather Jiang Youyao win first place than have Jiang Li come in first. After all, Jiang Li had nothing. How could someone with nothing compete with someone who had everything? She should obediently bow her head in submission, wagging her tail and begging for mercy like herself.

The five judges were deliberating.

There were no objections regarding the other students. Only when it came to Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao did disagreement appear.

The Startling Swan Immortal and Xiao Deyin believed Jiang Youyao should win first place, while Mianju and Shi Yan believed Jiang Li should be first. The two sides were at a stalemate, neither willing to yield.

“Anyone with eyes can see it’s Jiang Li in first place. What’s wrong with you two?” Mianju was grief-stricken. “Can’t you hear it?”

“Teacher Mianju,” Xiao Deyin said, “everyone has their own perspective. Just as we cannot control your thoughts, you also cannot control ours.”

The Startling Swan Immortal was somewhat astonished inside.

She herself was because she had received Ji Shuran’s silver, and Jiang Youyao was taught by her own hands. She had no choice but to select Jiang Youyao. But speaking as people who understood qin, Jiang Li’s qin artistry should be above Jiang Youyao’s. Xiao Deyin couldn’t possibly fail to hear this.

Then why did Xiao Deyin insist on abandoning Jiang Li and choosing Jiang Youyao? Could Xiao Deyin have also received Ji Shuran’s silver? But this was impossible. Xiao Deyin usually served as a teacher at Mingyi Hall and lived comfortably. Moreover, she had previously refused even the position of palace qin master, showing she wasn’t someone who coveted wealth and honor. It couldn’t be because of silver.

The Startling Swan Immortal couldn’t understand.

Yet Xiao Deyin was rarely persistent.

Mianju was even less likely to give up. Shi Yan didn’t say much more either. The Startling Swan Immortal hesitated for a while before saying, “Perhaps this time we should have two tied for first place?”

Tying for first place—this had happened in previous examinations. It was a last resort when two sides were truly evenly matched and impossible to distinguish.

Mianju sneered coldly. “But Jiang Li clearly played much better than Jiang Youyao!” This indicated he was unwilling.

This wouldn’t work, and that wouldn’t work either. The atmosphere thus became deadlocked.

The examination judges delayed in producing a result, which gradually caught the attention of everyone at the examination grounds.

“What’s going on? Why haven’t they announced the rankings yet?”

“I just saw Master Mianju seem to point at Second Miss Jiang and Third Miss Jiang. Is it difficult to make a choice?”

“That’s true. Second Miss Jiang and Third Miss Jiang are evenly matched. However, I prefer Third Miss Jiang. Third Miss Jiang is truly beautiful! In the past, it was always Third Miss Jiang who won first in qin music.”

“I actually prefer Second Miss Jiang. That was ‘Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute’—no one has ever played it before.”

Seeing that side delay without results, a thread of hope gradually rose again in Jiang Youyao’s heart. Even if they tied for first place, it would be more bearable than Jiang Li surpassing her.

“We can’t just stay here until dark, can we?” Mianju was getting impatient. “We have to come up with an answer.”

“But there’s no other way now.” The Startling Swan Immortal smiled bitterly. She and Xiao Deyin were determined not to yield. Now it seemed Mianju and Shi Yan shared the same mindset.

At an impasse.

Just at this moment, a voice suddenly spoke, carrying some lazy depth, asking, “What, still not finished?”

Looking back, it was Duke Ji Heng of Su, who had been napping all along. He had awakened at some point and was now playing with the folding fan in his hand, smiling as he looked at them.

Even the Startling Swan Immortal, who was already married, couldn’t help but be momentarily dazed upon seeing Ji Heng’s smile. After recovering, she apologetically said, “There’s currently a disagreement…”

Mianju, however, seemed to think of something. His eyes lit up as he said to Ji Heng, “Duke, you’ve awakened just in time. Little Yanyan and I believe Jiang Li should win first place, while the Immortal and Teacher Xiao think first place should be Jiang Youyao. Our two sides can’t convince each other. Since you’ve awakened, you’re also a judge today. Come and tell us—which side do you stand on?”

The Startling Swan Immortal was simply at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Of all people Mianju could look for, he had to look for this Duke of Su. Although she didn’t know why the Duke of Su had also become a judge for qin music, today, in full view of everyone, this Duke of Su had been napping since going on stage. Midway through, he might have woken once or twice, but quickly closed his eyes again absentmindedly.

From judging the first student onward, Ji Heng hadn’t spoken a single word, as if today he was only here to play around and join in the excitement. Therefore, the four tacitly agreed not to bother him, and the four decided the other people’s grades on their own. Even if they truly asked Ji Heng to come over, he wasn’t a qin master—how could he understand qin?

But now, Mianju was asking this Duke of Su, who was too lazy to even lift his eyelids, to determine the final result. Whether to say Jiang Li or Jiang Youyao should be first—the Startling Swan Immortal even doubted whether the Duke of Su even knew which one was Jiang Youyao and which was Jiang Li. Making judgments without even seriously listening to people’s qin notes—wasn’t this just fooling around?

Most importantly, the Duke of Su’s attitude showed he fundamentally disdained participating in such matters. Who knew if he would even deign to open his golden mouth? He was probably too lazy to even say one more word.

Mianju, however, stared at Ji Heng with bright, piercing eyes.

Ji Heng looked at the sheet of red paper before him, his gaze resting on the two wooden plaques reading “Jiang Li” and “Jiang Youyao.” He said in a low voice, “Jiang Li…”

“Right! Did you hear that? Duke of Su has excellent vision and has already decided it’s Jiang Li!” Mianju was so happy he almost jumped up.

“Teacher Mianju, please remain calm.” Xiao Deyin said coolly, “The Duke hasn’t finished speaking.”

Xiao Deyin thought that the Duke of Su had no particular fondness for qin. What he liked was opera. Today he also hadn’t listened seriously, so he definitely wouldn’t choose based on qin artistry. However, the Duke of Su had one hobby—he loved beauties. Jiang Youyao was a stunningly beautiful woman… Xiao Deyin’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. Come to think of it, Second Miss Jiang, Jiang Li, also wasn’t ugly at all!

She turned her head to look at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li was turning her head to speak with Liu Xu beside her, which further accentuated her profile’s pure elegance. Her pale blue-green dress was like spring itself, outlining the young lady’s graceful and beautiful figure even more. It seemed one could even smell the fragrance from her hair.

Jiang Youyao was indeed very beautiful, but Jiang Li was not inferior in the slightest!

Just as she was thinking this, she saw the handsome red-clothed youth suddenly curve his lips in a smile. Holding his folding fan, he casually pointed in a direction and said nonchalantly, “Her then.”

Everyone quickly looked in the direction he pointed!

The gold-threaded folding fan was as thin as a cicada’s wing. Even folded, it was only a narrow strip. The wooden plaque the fan pointed to clearly bore only two characters.

Jiang Li!

Ji Heng chose Jiang Li.

The Startling Swan Immortal felt relieved inside. For some reason, she actually felt much more relaxed. She had taken Ji Shuran’s silver and had indeed helped Jiang Youyao. But the Duke of Su personally speaking was beyond her control. And Jiang Li truly lived up to her reputation.

Xiao Deyin, however, still stubbornly said, “Duke, please don’t jest. The examination is no small matter…” All her words stuck in her throat, solely because Ji Heng glanced at her.

That glance was cool, containing some mockery, as if it had seen through the secrets at the bottom of her heart. It made her instantly fall into an ice cellar, unable to say another word.

Mianju decisively made the call, wielding his large brush to write Jiang Li’s name in the first place position on the red rankings.

The dust had settled!

Xiao Deyin watched helplessly as Jiang Li monopolized first place on the red rankings, with no room left to turn things around. Duke Ji Heng of Su merely gave a light laugh, stood up, and prepared to leave, as if he wasn’t planning to stay here any longer.

Before leaving, his gaze seemed to glance toward Jiang Li’s direction, whether intentionally or not.

Jiang Li was also staring at Ji Heng, still wondering about his purpose. Unexpectedly, as Ji Heng was leaving, he glanced at her again. For a moment, she was even more stunned, feeling this person truly deserved the word “moody”—it was truly impossible to know what he was thinking.

However, was he preparing to leave?

Still in a daze, the young attendant with the red ribbon had already taken the written red rankings and began announcing them one by one. From back to front, Liu Xu received a middling result. Jiang Yuyan and Jiang Yu’e did even worse. Meng Hongjin actually placed sixth. The further forward they went, the more nervous Jiang Youyao became.

Could she win first place?

The red-ribboned attendant read her name: “Jiang Youyao, second place, Grade B—”

Jiang Youyao only felt her mind go blank and her legs go weak. She nearly fell to the ground. Fortunately, Ji Shuran supported her. After steadying herself, her body trembled slightly as she waited in despair for the attendant to speak the final name, desperately shouting inside that it mustn’t be so.

Then she was destined to have her wishes thwarted.

“First place, Grade A: Jiang Li!”

These two crisp, decisive characters shattered Jiang Youyao’s unrealistic fantasy like a sharp sword stabbing directly into her chest. Simultaneously wounded was Meng Hongjin.

Meng Hongjin shook her head, fiercely pinching herself, as if trying to distinguish whether this was all a dream or reality. The clear pain from her hand reminded her that all of this was fact.

Adding the upper three categories, Jiang Li had now won four first places.

If this continued, her wager would be lost. She would have to become a laughingstock throughout all of Yanjing City at the entrance to the Imperial Academy. She was definitely going to lose!

For a moment, only this thought remained in Meng Hongjin’s mind.

Ye Shijie breathed a sigh of relief from afar. Seeing Jiang Li win first place, he felt both that it was inconceivable yet also something that should be expected. Even he himself hadn’t noticed the smile at the corners of his mouth when he heard Jiang Li was first place, Grade A.

She had won after all.

Amidst Liu Xu’s continuous congratulations, Jiang Li’s smile was also very gentle, not particularly excited. In fact, using her learning to participate in Mingyi Hall’s examination was bullying these young students. However, looking at the boiling voices of the people at the examination grounds, Jiang Li also felt a small happiness in her heart.

In this battle, she had also gained a small measure of fame. The road ahead would be easier to walk.

Jiang Li turned her head again, wanting to look at Ji Heng, but only saw the red-clothed figure’s back at the entrance to the examination grounds, gradually disappearing into the afterglow of the sunlight.

Forget it, Jiang Li thought. Perhaps she was overthinking it. Duke of Su had no connection with the Jiang family. How could he pay attention to a small woman like herself? It was nothing more than happening to encounter her and finding it novel, so he looked a couple times, just like he looked at those theater troupe actors who learned new scripts.

Having thought this through, Jiang Li felt relieved.

Liu Xu was even more excited than if she herself had won first place. She said, “Jiang Li, you’re first place. Did you hear?”

“I heard.” Jiang Li smiled.

“How is it you don’t look excited at all?” Liu Xu was somewhat suspicious. “Aren’t you happy?”

“How could I not be happy?” Jiang Li said, “I’m just thinking that there are still the horseback riding and archery categories next. I feel very worried in my heart.”

“Oh right,” Liu Xu also remembered. “The horseback riding and archery categories—aside from those daughters from military families, most of the young ladies in our school are rather weak in these. You… can you do them?” She asked Jiang Li carefully. If it were before, Liu Xu would have unhesitatingly believed that Jiang Li definitely couldn’t. But after experiencing so many times, Liu Xu also didn’t know whether Jiang Li could or couldn’t anymore. Jiang Li always surprised people time and time again, making one wonder if there was anything she couldn’t do. Like the upper three categories of books, mathematics, and etiquette. Like being able to distinguish real paintings from forgeries. And like being able to play “Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute,” which no one else had played.

Jiang Li answered vaguely, “A little bit.”

Even just “a little bit” shocked Liu Xu, who nearly cried out “so you really can” in surprise.

“Alright,” Jiang Li smiled. “It’s not a big deal. I’m only trying to cope with the examination anyway. Today was probably just good luck. I don’t know if I’ll have such good luck in the horseback riding and archery categories.” As she spoke with Liu Xu, she walked toward the Jiang family’s position.

Jiang Yuanbai, seeing his youngest daughter Jiang Youyao’s utterly dejected appearance, was feeling uncomfortable inside when he saw his eldest daughter walking this way. His expression became complex. Jiang Li, placed in a nunnery for eight years with no one to teach her, could still turn out this well. This seemed to indicate that Jiang Li herself was even more intelligent than Jiang Youyao. Yet such an intelligent daughter had been delayed like this.

On one hand, Jiang Yuanbai felt guilty about his years of inaction toward Jiang Li. On the other hand, he couldn’t forget the wrong Jiang Li had committed against Ji Shuran eight years ago. Although youngsters who know their errors and can correct them deserve great praise, harm already caused—whatever method used to make amends would still leave cracks. This was true for Jiang Li, and also true for himself.

Jiang Li ignored Jiang Yuanbai’s complex gaze and met Lu Shi’s warm smile. Lu Shi said, “Li girl is truly excellent. It’s only been a few days since entering Mingyi Hall, and you’ve already won first place again. I think among all the people at Mingyi Hall over these many years, Li girl is the most formidable. Things that others couldn’t accomplish, Li girl, you accomplished in one go.”

Praising Jiang Li while unobtrusively stepping on Jiang Youyao again. Saying that things Jiang Li could accomplish, Jiang Youyao could not. Jiang Youyao was inferior to Jiang Li.

Hearing this, Jiang Youyao hated even more in her heart, though her expression became even more aggrieved and dejected, looking particularly pitiful.

Jiang Yuanbai cleared his throat twice. Unable to bear his youngest daughter’s heartache, he said, “Youyao also did well.”

Ji Shuran instead said, “Youyao is still a bit young, not as refined as Li’er. Li’er today truly opened all our eyes.” She smiled at Jiang Li. “In the future, Youyao should learn more from Li’er.”

This magnanimous appearance was truly awe-inspiring to Jiang Li, who thought that Ji Shuran truly had a flexible personality. However, having her instruct Jiang Youyao—setting aside whether she herself was willing, Jiang Youyao probably wasn’t willing either. Moreover, Jiang Li didn’t believe Jiang Youyao would think she herself surpassed the Startling Swan Immortal.

Appearances still had to be maintained. Jiang Li smiled in response, “It’s all because Mother taught well.”

Jiang Yu’e watched from the side, inwardly sneering. Now playing the devoted mother and filial daughter, who knew if they weren’t each harboring ulterior motives? Ji Shuran could put on an act, and Jiang Li could also put on an act. Jiang Yu’e gradually began to guard against Jiang Li in her heart.

“Tomorrow there are still the horseback riding and archery categories.” Old Madam Jiang said, “Li girl, can you do them?”

The horseback riding and archery categories were originally separate—riding horses and shooting arrows. This year’s examination combined these two items together, meaning shooting arrows while riding horses, which was also equivalent to mounted archery. This was because in recent years, the Eastern Turks had invaded. The Eastern Turk people came from the grasslands and excelled at mounted archery. The military then began training mounted archery troops. Mingyi Hall also followed the military’s example, having the young ladies put horseback riding and archery together, using mounted archery to simultaneously examine both items, which could be considered killing two birds with one stone.

“A little bit.” Jiang Li said.

Both Jiang Youyao’s and Jiang Yu’e’s hearts simultaneously skipped a beat as they looked at Jiang Li. How could she know even this?

Could there be a Mingyi Hall inside Qingcheng Mountain that taught even horseback riding and archery together?

Jiang Yuanbai was also very surprised and asked, “Where did you learn this?”

“The nunnery once had pilgrims donate horses. When I was feeding the horses, I got curious and climbed up to secretly ride. That horse had a gentle temperament and wasn’t difficult to control.” Jiang Li said, “As for archery, Tong’er and I once made bows and arrows from tree branches in the forest to hunt birds to fill our bellies.”

Tong’er felt somewhat puzzled inside. She didn’t know about these things. Nevertheless, she nodded her head to corroborate Jiang Li’s story, following her mistress in lying with a straight face.

Hearing this in Old Madam Jiang’s and Jiang Yuanbai’s ears created another flavor entirely. Feeding horses, hunting birds, filling bellies—those who didn’t know would think this was a poor rural family. How could anyone imagine this was the young lady of the Chief Minister’s household? These years, who knew how hard Jiang Li’s days had been?

Jiang Yuanbai was someone with soft ears and a soft heart, especially toward his own family members. He immediately deeply regretted his actions back then.

Ji Shuran, however, inwardly hated that Jiang Li dared to complain in front of her. At such a young age, she was already so capable with schemes. If they didn’t find a way to stop her, what would that lead to? Who knew how much trouble she would add for herself in the Jiang mansion in the future?

Jiang Li couldn’t be allowed to stay. Ji Shuran thought that ordinary methods wouldn’t work either.

Just as Ji Shuran was thinking this in her heart, she suddenly sensed something. With a casual glance, she was slightly startled.

Not far away, Meng Hongjin stood in the crowd, staring directly at Jiang Li. Though it was very brief and somewhat blurry, the gloominess and calculation in her gaze didn’t escape Ji Shuran’s eyes.

Ji Shuran was first somewhat puzzled, then suddenly enlightened. Her heart settled, and she immediately relaxed. She looked at Jiang Li with a smile. The gloom from just moments ago was instantly swept away. She even went along with Jiang Yuanbai’s sentiment and said, “Li girl has truly suffered these past years. Now that you’ve returned home, those days are over. From now on, things will only get better and better.”

Jiang Yuanbai was very satisfied with Ji Shuran being so considerate. However, upon hearing these words, Jiang Li immediately became alert inside.

What change had occurred? Ji Shuran seemed to have suddenly relaxed.

What was this change?