The Double-Chapter 62 - 60 s Splendid Capital

62: 60 chapters: Splendid Capital

62: 60 chapters: Splendid Capital

Leaving Night Wind Hall happened earlier than Jiang Li anticipated.

Impatiently pacing before the entrance of Fangfei Garden was Tonger.

On seeing Jiang Li and Bai Xue return, she was taken aback for a moment and said, “Why so soon?”

Jiang Li replied with a smile, “Indeed, quicker than I thought.”

She had expected the three-hall hearing to be tangled for a while, but it didn’t last long.

First, Jiang Li admitted her mistake sincerely; second, what’s done can’t be undone, and the bet couldn’t be canceled.

Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai couldn’t think of any good solution, while Ji Shuran and Jiang Youyao couldn’t wait for Jiang Li to embarrass herself.

Thus, the matter was smoothly settled.

Jiang Yuanbai still wanted to find a tutor in the next few days for Jiang Li to become well-versed and avoid losing too badly, but she politely declined.

Jiang Li simply said that such a short time frame was unfeasible, and it would be better to conserve her energy.

Jiang Yuanbai likely felt that this avenue was closed and let out a long sigh before departing; Jiang Li guessed he was off to think of another strategy.

Once inside, Tonger poured a cup of hot tea for Jiang Li, saying, “No matter the outcome, even if Miss loses, it would be an honorable defeat.

That’s far braver than those who don’t dare to compete and beat a hasty retreat.”

“I believe Miss won’t lose,” Bai Xue said earnestly.

“Miss is a person of good fortune.”

Jiang Li’s laughter was coaxed out by Bai Xue’s words, but after laughing, she felt a pang of sadness.

If she were truly a person of good fortune, she wouldn’t have encountered Shen Yurong and brought ruin upon the Xue Family.

Before she could sit for half a moment, Jiang Jingrui burst in excitedly.

He must have just returned from outside and hadn’t had the chance to go to his own courtyard yet, still carrying a cricket cage.

Upon seeing Jiang Li, he said, “Jiang Li, you’re really something.

The news of your bet has already spread throughout Yanjing.

My friends all know I have such a cousin and are eager to witness your grace.”

“I am not the top courtesan from a brothel; what grace is there to witness?” Jiang Li retorted unreservedly.

Jiang Jingrui almost choked on his tea and blurted out, “What are you saying?

You’re a young lady; speak more gracefully.

If Granduncle hears such talk, you’ll be writing the family rules ten thousand times in the ancestral hall.”

“All right, what brings you here?” Jiang Li asked him.

A strange feeling surfaced again in Jiang Jingrui’s heart.

Although he was older than Jiang Li, he often felt more like a younger brother.

Jiang Li seemed like an adult unwilling to indulge a child, tolerating his shenanigans with patience.

But today, his visit wasn’t for mischief.

Jiang Jingrui said, “Ahem, although the bet you accepted has the flair of my younger days, it was too impulsive.

If a young lady truly kneels to apologize, do you still wish to marry one day?

You should have considered at the moment.

That Miss Meng was no good person, clearly waiting for you to fall into the trap.”

“Are you so sure I will be the one to kneel and apologize?” Jiang Li asked.

Jiang Jingrui looked at her and said, “I know you cannot accept this, you’re indignant, but now is not the time for stubbornness.

I reckon Granduncle might find another way so you won’t lose too shamefully.

I also have some silver here.” Jiang Jingrui pulled out three silver notes from his bosom, “I’m lending these to you.

Use this silver to see if anyone at Mingyi Hall is willing to help you.”

He was suggesting that Jiang Li use silver to bribe classmates to help her cheat.

Jiang Li glanced at the pitiful few silver notes in Jiang Jingrui’s hand and spoke calmly, “If you could bring out a few dozen more silver notes, perhaps there might be a possibility.” ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

“That’s too little?” Jiang Jingrui touched his nose.

“That’s already all my belongings.

My mother doesn’t usually give me much silver, but if you need it, I can ask my elder brother for some, though a few dozen would be difficult.”

Jiang Li shook her head.

Those attending Mingyi Hall were daughters of officials; they were not lacking in silver.

Moreover, the problem was not with silver.

Aside from Liu Xu, Jiang Li was practically the enemy of every female student at Mingyi Hall.

Whoever helped her would be making an enemy of the entire Mingyi Hall.

Apart from that silly girl Liu Xu, who else would do so?

Furthermore, she was bound to lose miserably, a fact tacitly acknowledged by everyone in Yanjing City.

“Miss,” Tonger suddenly brightened up, “if it’s about silver, Young Master Cousin Ye surely has plenty.

How about asking to borrow from him?”

Jiang Li was startled; Jiang Jingrui also caught on and excitedly said, “That’s right, your cousin is a member of the Ye Family; he must not lack silver.

You just helped him, he will definitely not refuse your request.”

Tonger and Jiang Jingrui looked at Jiang Li together.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Li said, “Let it be.

He too has to participate in the Imperial College examinations.

Associating with me at this time would not be wise.”

If Jiang Li sought help from Ye Shijie now, he would think less of her.

Moreover, Ye Shijie and Li Lian had not settled their court affairs, and Jiang Li was unwilling to openly connect with Ye Shijie at this time.

Indeed, the best approach was for Ye Shijie to make a name in the examinations, and for her to win fame in a single stroke.

Afterward, everything would naturally fall into place.

Jiang Li said, “The Six Arts, involving script, music, rites, arithmetic, charioteering, and archery.

To come out on top, best to be first in everything.”

“What nonsense are you talking?” Jiang Jingrui asked.

In her heart, Jiang Li reasoned that script was literature, her childhood forte.

Music meant zither music, and in her previous life her Seven-tone Zither skills were on par with Xiao Deyin, so this was not a challenge.

Rites were simple, with her extraordinary memory and prior knowledge.

Arithmetic, that of commerce, was under her charge since no women were at home to take care of it when she was a child.

Charioteering meant horse-riding, which she had practiced with Xue Zhao and received praise.

Archery involved shooting arrows, and she had hunted birds and game for food before.

These ordinary things from her past life, which were part of her every living moment, turned to gold when she arrived at Mingyi Hall and Yanjing City, becoming the ‘studies’ that noble girls proudly claimed.

When she lived her previous life in Yanjing City, she kept a low profile and was still awarded the reputation for having the highest talent and beauty.

Now, under the protection of the Jiang Family and given her noble status, she could be fearless.

“The city brimmed with noble visitors,” was just an ordinary saying, yet she was determined to make it a reality.

In this battle, she would surely rise to fame.