Chapter Thirty-Seven: Triumph

Ji Chen and Ji Shuran were discussing something, but Jiang Li had no idea what it was. Nonetheless, she was well aware that after today’s incident—facing Ji Shuran’s malice—her actions had laid their conflict bare for all to see. Judging by the things Ji Shuran had done to Second Miss Jiang in the past, she was not someone with a generous heart. Now that the discord had escalated, Ji Shuran would surely resort to even harsher measures.

Jiang Li was not afraid.

She had spent years at Xue Huaiyuan’s side, and he never avoided discussing affairs of state with her, sometimes even seeking her opinion. Jiang Li was not timid by nature, and having died once—her family destroyed by the betrayal of her own husband—she now possessed a resolve that was always ready to risk everything, even if it meant mutual destruction.

She returned to Fangfei Court and had barely rested for half an hour when an uninvited guest arrived.

Jiang Jingrui, carrying a cricket cage, came to Fangfei Court to drink tea without so much as an invitation.

The young master of the second household was notoriously unruly, impossible to discipline by Second Master Jiang Yuanping and his wife Lady Lu. Only occasionally would he heed Jiang Yuanbai’s words. Yet, it seemed that this second young master was on relatively familiar terms with Jiang Li.

Jiang Li invited him to sit and asked, “What brings you here?”

Jiang Jingrui found himself a teacup and ordered Tong’er to pour him tea, showing not the slightest sign of courtesy. Tilting his head at Jiang Li, he said, “You handled things brilliantly today. Jiang Youyao and Aunt were outmaneuvered by your counterattack. I ought to applaud you.”

His words were so blunt that even Tong’er, pouring tea nearby, felt indignant. Though the young master of the second household seemed to bear no ill will toward her mistress, his attitude at times made it clear he did not take Jiang Li seriously, speaking so casually.

“Careful what you say,” Jiang Li replied calmly. “I simply spoke the truth.”

“Why keep things from me?” Jiang Jingrui fiddled with the teacup on the table. “I wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“Cousin, your words make it sound as if we’re very close,” Jiang Li smiled.

As soon as the word “cousin” left her lips, Jiang Jingrui’s expression changed, and he regarded Jiang Li seriously. “Jiang Li, what do you mean by that?”

“Was I wrong?” Jiang Li’s smile carried a strange hint of mockery. “When I was accused in the courtyard of cursing Jiang Youyao, I asked if anyone believed me. Out of everyone in the Jiang residence, only Lady Liu and Tong’er stood by me. I recall that you, cousin, were not among them. If we were truly close, you would have trusted me, even just a little. So, I say, we’re not that close.”

Jiang Jingrui’s face flushed red, while Tong’er, hearing this, felt vindicated. Indeed, he acted as if they were familiar and stood on Jiang Li’s side, but when it mattered, he didn’t dare utter a word, making him no better than an outsider. How could such a person be considered a friend?

Jiang Jingrui was usually quick-witted and adept at arguing, but as he prepared to retort, he caught sight of Jiang Li’s eyes, and his words died in his throat. He could say nothing.

Jiang Li’s eyes were as clear as a mountain stream, transparent and incisive—so much so that every lie seemed to dissolve within them. Suddenly, Jiang Jingrui felt embarrassed and ill at ease.

He had always considered himself on good terms with Jiang Li, and he had even warned her, thinking he had done his utmost. He never expected Jiang Li to ask him so directly: why didn’t you stand by me? Her frankness made him appear petty.

“You didn’t want to offend your mother for my sake, which I understand. Everyone in the Jiang residence knows the importance of self-preservation. I don’t blame you. Just don’t claim we’re familiar in the future; I dislike pretense above all,” Jiang Li said unhurriedly.

Jiang Jingrui found her words unbearably harsh and didn’t know how to respond. Jiang Li was clearly mocking his lack of courage, his reluctance to stand up. As a young man, pampered and proud, he could not tolerate such humiliation. He snapped, “Fine, I get it. Stop being so snide. I won’t come again!” With that, he slammed his teacup onto the table and stormed out in a rage.

Tong’er jumped in surprise, grumbling, “Second young master has such a violent temper.” She glanced at Jiang Li. “Miss, did you agitate him too much just now?”

“Jiang Jingrui’s nature isn’t bad,” Jiang Li tapped the rim of her cup. “He is selfish but not entirely heartless. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have warned me before. In a grand household like ours, interests are tangled and complex; caution is inevitable. I understand his actions, but I don’t like them.”

Perhaps it was Xue Huaiyuan who had taught her from a young age to see things in black and white; Jiang Li herself despised such ambiguous people. Call them good, and they’re infuriating; call them bad, and they aren’t wholly evil—leaving one’s feelings in turmoil.

“If I speak this way, either he will completely resent me and keep his distance, or he will feel guilty and never again stand idly by when I am in trouble. That way, his attitude will be clear rather than ambiguous. Having someone vague in their stance is always a hidden danger, for fear of being stabbed in the back.”

Tong’er nodded, half understanding, half not. “Miss, you make sense. Otherwise, today’s events wouldn’t have led to Xiangqiao suffering her own consequences.”

After returning from Shuxiu Garden that day, Xiangqiao secretly handled Jiang Li’s jewelry box, often showing reluctance to part with the items. Tong’er reported this to Jiang Li, who suspected that Ji Shuran would tamper with the coming-of-age ceremony. Given Second Miss Jiang’s past—her history of matricide and fratricide—it was not hard to guess Ji Shuran’s intentions.

Jiang Li had Tong’er bribe the servants outside, spreading word about a craftsman who made imitations. Sure enough, Xiangqiao sought out the craftsman and swapped the hair ornaments. Jiang Li also instructed Tong’er to speak ill of Xiangqiao in front of Yunshuang, mentioning the many rewards Xiangqiao had received from Jiang Li. Jealous, Yunshuang learned of Jiang Li’s counterattack plan and, driven by envy, decided to help Jiang Li and bring Xiangqiao down.

When Xiangqiao was apprehended, Jiang Li said something to Yunshuang that aroused Ji Shuran’s suspicion. Everything went smoothly: Yunshuang helped Jiang Li deal with Xiangqiao, Ji Shuran dealt with Yunshuang for Jiang Li, and the entire staff of Fangfei Court was replaced and cleansed once and for all.

In this, Xiangqiao’s greed, Yunshuang’s envy, and Ji Shuran’s suspicion were all interlinked, each essential. What Jiang Li exploited most was human nature’s malice.

Human nature is the hardest to fathom, yet the easiest to manipulate. With just a little temptation, one can achieve their aims.

All of this began with the first hairpin Jiang Li awarded to Xiangqiao—it planted the seed.

The hunter sets the trap from the very beginning, and in the end, the prey falls right into it.

In this round, Jiang Li emerged victorious.