126: Chapter 80 Old Tricks_3 126: Chapter 80 Old Tricks_3 After Ye Shijie expressed his gratitude, Emperor Hongxiao looked towards Jiang Li with a smile, “I’ve known for a long time that the Grand Tutor’s family has a legitimate daughter whom I’ve never met.
Are you Miss Jiang the Second?”
Jiang Li raised her head and smiled, “This female servant has seen Your Majesty.”
Compared to Ye Shijie’s discomfort, she was indeed much more open, composed, and calm.
There was not even a hint of excitement about meeting the emperor’s face.
Jiang Yuanbai, who had been somewhat anxious that Jiang Li might make a mistake, finally breathed a sigh of relief at this scene.
Jiang Yuanping said, “Big brother, Little Miss Li has a remarkably stable disposition.”
Jiang Yuanbai was also a bit stunned.
Emperor Hongxiao looked at the young lady before him, with no fear of the imperial family in her gaze, yet it wasn’t disrespectful or offensive.
It was very serene, Jiang Li’s eyes were pure and clear, more akin to a child’s.
The emperor wasn’t angry and, noticing the Buddha Beads on her wrist and remembering that Jiang Li had spent eight years in the temple, he asked, “Do you often read the Buddhist scriptures?
Which ones do you read?”
“To avoid idleness, this female servant enjoys copying Buddhist scriptures, usually reading the ‘Prajna Sutra’, ‘Avatamsaka’, ‘Golden Light’, and ‘Wonderful Dharma Lotus Flower’,” she recounted.
Emperor Hongxiao said with a smile, “No wonder I find you so calm.
Your disposition is indeed well-suited to the Empress Dowager’s taste.”
The current Empress Dowager was known for her deep love of Buddhism.
With these words, Emperor Hongxiao was giving Jiang Li great honor.
Jiang Li responded with a smile and also took the opportunity to observe Emperor Hongxiao.
He was only in his late twenties, yet he seemed older than his peers, exhibiting exceptional stability.
Perhaps it was due to the many concerns he had as the emperor.
Furthermore, the current state of Northern Yan was not as peaceful and prosperous as it appeared to be on the surface, and Jiang Li could somewhat understand Emperor Hongxiao.
To the emperor’s surprise, he had heard many rumors about Jiang Li, including patricide and fratricide, but perhaps because Jiang Li had lost her mother at a young age, he felt a sense of sympathy for her.
He did not harbor much dislike for Jiang Li.
Now that she had become the top candidate in the Mingyi Hall examination, and having seen her gentle and pure character firsthand, he began to appreciate her.
Emperor Hongxiao said, “Honorable Jiang, you have raised a good daughter indeed.
She is like a pearl in the palm of your hand, and as the top candidate of Mingyi hall, she deserves a reward.” With a casual wave of his hand, a servant who looked like an eunuch approached, carrying silk fabric and reciting a long list of names.
It was nothing more than jewelry and treasures.
Jiang Li listened with a headache since Emperor Hongxiao could not bestow upon her an official rank.
If he were to confer a title such as County Princess, it would be rather abrupt at this point.
Jiang Li had no particular fondness for jewelry and listened calmly, while Jiang Yue, hearing this, felt even more jealous and bitter.
Kong Liu said, “See, Miss Jiang the Second is not moved at all.
She truly is a good woman who remains unaffected by the trappings of worldly wealth and glory.”
Jih Heng’s lips curled slightly, her smile carrying a hint of mockery, “Her ambitions do not stop at these, of course, she is not moved.” She then cast a glance at Kong Liu, “Not everyone is as short-sighted as you are.”
“I’m short-sighted?” Kong Liu said, “I could shoot through a hundred steps with an arrow!”
Jih Heng could not be bothered with him.
After expressing her gratitude for the favor, Jiang Li returned to her seat amid the envy of everyone at the banquet.
Ji Shuran smiled and praised her, “Lili truly brings honor to our household.”
“Second Sister is much better than me,” Jiang Youyao also complimented.
It would be one thing for Ji Shuran to do so; Jiang Li knew Ji Shuran was accustomed to such actions.
However, for Jiang Youyao to also suppress her displeasure and save face was somewhat astonishing to Jiang Li.
Jiang Youyao should have been silent like Jiang Yue, secretly resenting her in her heart.
Jiang Li looked at Jiang Youyao again, noticing in her eyes hidden anticipation and excitement, which made her alert.
Nonetheless, the imperial banquet was about to begin.
The dishes were lavish, but Jiang Li had no appetite for them.
Jiang Yue explained the variety of dishes to Jiang Li somewhat boastfully, seeming to prove that she had seen much more of the world than Jiang Li.
Or, perhaps she deliberately omitted to remind Jiang Li how to properly eat certain dishes, waiting to see her embarrass herself.
Yet Jiang Li either navigated the meal without incident or simply did not try that particular dish, foiling Jiang Yue’s plan.
Later on, Jiang Yue didn’t pay much attention to Jiang Li anymore.
She only cared about showing her best side, occasionally turning towards the men’s table, seemingly “attracting notice”.
Jiang Li found Jiang Yue’s behavior laughable and wondered what Lady Yang thought; but if every member of the third branch was like Jiang Yue, Jiang Li could understand why Jiang Yuanxing had remained a Scrivener for so many years.