The Double-Chapter 21 - 19 Value
21: Chapter 19 Value
21 -19 Value
“Right, has anything interesting happened in Yanjing City in the past few years?
I heard that the old madam of Rong Xinling passed away three years ago; I remember she gave me a Guanyin Double-Sided Embroidery when I was a child. ƒгeewebnovёl.com
Also, Sister Yu Xiang mentioned Yanjing City’s number one beauty—her husband was the top scholar and had recently fallen ill and passed away.
Is that true?”
It came out of nowhere.
Why suddenly talk about these trivial matters?
Xiangqiao was initially baffled, but seeing Jiang Li’s earnest expression, she quickly realized that Miss Jiang the Second must have been cooped up in the mountains for too long.
Although she was already fifteen, she was still a child at heart, seeking to hear fresh and exciting stories.
Xiangqiao, despite being greedy for silver, indeed got things done satisfactorily when paid, especially when it was as simple as moving her lips, much like gossiping with the girls on any regular day.
She said, “Indeed, when the old madam from Rong Xinling passed away three years ago, our old madam also went to offer her condolences.
The husband of Yanjing’s number one beauty you spoke of was last year’s top scholar, now a Central Secretariat official, Lord Shen Yurong, right?”
At the mention of this name, Jiang Li’s heart constricted, but her face instead broke into a smile as she said, “Exactly, that man.”
“Lord Shen is quite formidable.
I’ve heard our master and madam discuss how amongst the new talents in the imperial audience hall of the capital, Lord Shen is the one rising the fastest, a genuinely talented person.
His wife is indeed beautiful, but…” At this point, Xiangqiao stopped, a flash of contempt in her eyes, and then turned to look at Jiang Li, starting to stammer.
“Is it about his wife’s affair?” Jiang Li asked.
Xiangqiao was shocked, “You knew about this too?” She nervously chuckled, “I was afraid to soil your ears with such talk, but it turns out you already knew.
It’s true, the scandal of Madam Shen’s lack of virtue is already well known.
Just think about it, what fault can Lord Shen have?
He’s young and promising, a talented gentleman, yet Madam Shen still cheated on him.
It’s inconceivable, isn’t it?” She spoke disparagingly.
“Lack of virtue?
Well known?”
Xiangqiao sensed something odd in Jiang Li’s expression, and the atmosphere abruptly chilled.
She paused and hesitantly asked, “Second Miss?”
Jiang Li smiled and said, “It’s fine, go on.”
After hesitating, Xiangqiao seemed to remember to continue with the important matters, “That Madam Shen did all manner of despicable things to wrong Lord Shen, and despite it all, Lord Shen, being infatuated, blamed her not, treating her as always.
Perhaps even Heaven couldn’t bear to watch, for after Madam Shen’s affair was uncovered, she fell ill and about a month ago, alas, she passed away.
So, you see, that’s what you call karma.” Xiangqiao shook her head, sighing, “When the top scholar found out about his wife’s death, he was so heartbroken that he didn’t eat or drink for three days and nights, nearly following her in death.
The Emperor reprimanded him for his lack of composure but also acknowledged his loyalty and love.
I heard from our master that Lord Shen is likely to be promoted again.”
After a long speech, Xiangqiao looked up to see Jiang Li, whose smiling lips seemed slightly stiff.
But in a moment, Jiang Li casually picked up her tea, took a sip, and said, “Lord Shen really is a man of deep affection.”
“Indeed he is,” Xiangqiao nodded, mumbling to herself, that was true, which man would tolerate his wife’s adultery so calmly?
But thankfully, Madam Shen died early; otherwise, if the top scholar had to live his whole life under the shadows of such disgrace, subjected to the odd looks from others, not to mention his colleagues, even among the common people, it would be ridiculous.
Thus, Heaven ultimately does have eyes.
Jiang Li yawned lightly, covering her mouth, “Alright, you girls must be tired from keeping me company today, and I’m thinking of getting some rest early.
Tonger is here to attend to me, that’s enough.
You may go.”
Since Xiangqiao belonged to Ji Shuran, she was supposed to be constantly by Jiang Li’s side, but today, eager to enjoy the Gem Hairpin Jiang Li had rewarded her with, she promptly and happily agreed, and withdrew.
Once Xiangqiao left, Tonger closed the door and anxiously said, “Miss, that Xiangqiao is no good.
She’s taking advantage of you because she thinks you’re easy to bully, coaxing silver out of you.”
“She’s coaxing me; how does she know I’m not coaxing her?” Jiang Li said with a smile, casually picking two handfuls of jewelry from a box sent by Ji Shuran.
They were all exquisite pieces, and although they might not compare to Jiang Youyao’s, they were dazzling enough for someone who’d been in the mountains for eight years.
But if you looked closely, within Miss Jiang the Second’s eyes, reflecting these sparkling hairpins, there was an extraordinary calmness.
Everyone in Yanjing City knew Xue Fangfei was dead, and everyone knew that because of Xue Fangfei, Shen Yurong almost displayed such grief he could have followed her in death.
Such a man with talent, looks, and affection was, in the eyes of the world, flawless.
In the eyes of those in power, in the eyes of the Emperor, a sentimental minister was also a useful talent.
Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning had an embarrassing affair; adulterer and mistress, they caused the death of his legitimate wife, Xue Fangfei, yet this affair enhanced his reputation for faithfulness.
Leveraging this reputation for affection, he sought an even better one, seizing the chance for a rapid ascent.
Just how shamelessly heartless and insincere Shen Yurong truly was inside, only Heaven would know.
If Heaven indeed saw all, then it shouldn’t be so unjust.
Such a faithful man!
Shen Yurong, now, had already reached such heights that even if Xue Fangfei came back to life, she couldn’t hope to pull him down from his lofty position.
And if she lost the initiative, Shen Yurong would only climb higher and further away, to a place she could never reach.
Luckily, she was now Miss Jiang the Second.
The Jiang Family held a significant position among the official families of Yanjing City, and with strong backing, one could enjoy the shade.
This was a shortcut.
However, she needed to think of a way to solidify her place in the Jiang Family.
A Second Miss with influence would undoubtedly have an easier time doing certain things than an overlooked one.
Let’s not talk about the stepmother’s family with their sinister motives, nor the distantly related branches of the family, even Jiang Yuanbai, with whom she had the closest blood relation—his affection for her might not be that deep.
How could she secure a firm standing within the Jiang Family?
Xue Huaiyuan had once said, at all times, one must have one’s worth.
She had to make the Jiang family members understand her value.
