Chapter Nineteen: Value

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“Yes, what interesting events have happened in the capital in recent years? I heard the old lady of Rongxin Mausoleum passed away three years ago. I still remember she once gifted me a double-sided embroidery of Guanyin when I was a child. Also, Sister Yuxiang once mentioned the most beautiful woman in the capital, whose husband was the new top scholar. I heard he passed away recently—is that true?”

The sudden, seemingly irrelevant questions left Xiangqiao momentarily bewildered. She glanced at Jiang Li, who still looked at her seriously, and then realized that Second Miss Jiang must have spent too long in the remote mountains. Though now fifteen, she was still a child, curious for fresh news.

Xiangqiao, though greedy, was indeed someone who, once paid, would handle affairs properly—especially when this task required only a bit of gossip, much like the idle chatter among young ladies. She began to recount:

“It’s true. When the old lady of Rongxin Mausoleum passed away three years ago, our madam even went to pay her respects. The husband of the capital’s most beautiful woman you mentioned was last year’s newly appointed top scholar, now the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, Master Shen Yuyong.”

At the mention of that name, Jiang Li’s heart contracted tightly, but her face broke into a smile. “Yes, that’s him.”

“Master Shen is quite remarkable. I heard the master mention to the madam that among the new talents on the court in the capital, he’s the one who rose fastest—a truly gifted man. His wife is indeed beautiful, but…” Here, Xiangqiao paused, a flash of contempt in her eyes, then looked at Jiang Li and became hesitant.

“Is it about the affair between his wife and another man?” Jiang Li asked.

Xiangqiao was startled. “You even know about that?” She forced a smile. “I was afraid to mention it, thinking it would sully your ears, but you already know. Indeed, Lady Shen’s ruined virtue has long been common knowledge. Just think—Master Shen is young, talented, and accomplished, yet his wife betrayed him. Who could understand such behavior?” She spoke with clear disdain.

“Ruined virtue? Everyone knows?”

Jiang Li’s expression seemed odd to Xiangqiao, and the atmosphere suddenly grew tense. After a pause, she hesitantly said, “Second Miss?”

Jiang Li smiled. “It’s nothing. Go on.”

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Xiangqiao paused, seeming to remember her main point, and continued, “Lady Shen did many disgraceful things against Master Shen, yet he remained devoted, never blaming her, treating her as before. Perhaps Heaven could not bear it—since her affair was discovered, Lady Shen fell ill, and about a month ago, she passed away. So you see, it’s retribution.” Xiangqiao shook her head with a sigh. “The scholar was deeply saddened by his wife’s passing, refusing food or drink for three days and nights, nearly following her in death. The Emperor reproached him for his weakness, ordering him to take leave from court, but also admired his loyalty. I heard from the master that Master Shen will soon be promoted again.”

After her lengthy account, Xiangqiao noticed Jiang Li had not spoken. Looking up, she saw the smile at Jiang Li’s lips was somewhat stiff. After a moment, Jiang Li smiled and lifted her tea for a sip. “Master Shen truly is a devoted man.”

“Indeed.” Xiangqiao nodded, privately thinking, isn’t it so? What man would tolerate such humiliation from his wife? Yet this scholar seemed not to mind. At least Lady Shen died early; otherwise, if he had to bear such shame all his life, he would be the laughingstock of colleagues and common folk alike.

So, Heaven must truly be just.

Jiang Li covered her mouth with a gentle yawn. “Alright, you’ve been with me long enough today. I’m preparing to rest early. Tong’er will attend me here; you may leave.”

Xiangqiao, belonging to Ji Shuran, was supposed to remain by Jiang Li’s side, but eager to admire her newly acquired jeweled hairpin, she happily agreed and withdrew.

Once Xiangqiao left, Tong’er closed the door, anxiously saying, “Miss, Xiangqiao is not trustworthy; she sees you as easy to fool and is after your silver.”

“She tricks me—how does she know I’m not tricking her?” Jiang Li smiled, casually scooping up a handful of ornate jewelry from the box sent by Ji Shuran. Though not as fine as Jiang Youyao’s, it was dazzling enough for someone who had spent eight years in the mountains.

Yet, as she looked at the sparkling hairpins reflected in her eyes, Jiang Li’s gaze was peculiarly calm.

Everyone in the capital knew Xue Fangfei was dead. Everyone knew Shen Yuyong nearly followed her in death for love. A man with talent, looks, and affection—perfect in the eyes of the world. To those in power, to the Emperor, a loyal courtier is a useful one.

Shen Yuyong and Princess Yongning colluded, adulterer and adulteress, causing the death of Xue Fangfei, yet made themselves famous for devotion. Under the guise of loyalty, he sought a good reputation and climbed ever higher.

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But this so-called devoted man, how shameless and heartless he truly is—only Heaven knows. If Heaven truly had eyes, it would not allow such injustice.

What a devoted man, indeed!

Now Shen Yuyong stood at a height few could reach. With Princess Yongning’s support, even if Xue Fangfei were to return from the dead, she would be as distant as clouds and mud, powerless to drag him down from the heavens. Once the opportunity is lost, Shen Yuyong will only rise higher and farther, to a place she can never reach.

Fortunately, now she was Second Miss Jiang. The Jiang family held a prominent position among the officials of the capital—a mighty tree to lean upon, a shortcut.

But she must find a way to secure her place in the Jiang family. If she were a Second Miss whose words carried weight, it would be much easier to do things than if she were one ignored by all.

Not to mention the scheming stepmother’s family, nor the unfamiliar second and third branches—even Jiang Yuanbai, her closest blood relative, seemed not to care deeply for her.

How could she secure her footing in the Jiang household?

Xue Huaiyuan once said, at all times, one must have their own value.

She must make the Jiang family understand her worth.