71: Chapter 69 Enemies 71: Chapter 69 Enemies The second day, Jiang Li got up even earlier than usual.
Tonger had been gesturing early in the morning about which hairstyle to choose and which clothes to match for Jiang Li.
Bai Xue, who used to farm at home before, was not very skilled in these matters, so she left everything in Tonger’s hands.
Since returning to the Jiang Residence, Tonger had not been idle.
In order to make Jiang Li look no worse than Jiang Youyao, she had put in a lot of effort.
By the time they finally left the courtyard, they saw Jiang Youyao at the entrance of Night Wind Hall, speaking with Jiang Yuanbai.
She was tugging at his sleeve, seemingly coquettishly, her demeanor incredibly charming and naive.
Jiang Yuanbai, too, was looking down at Jiang Youyao with an affectionate gaze, and for a moment, he didn’t notice Jiang Li.
Ji Shuran, standing on the side, clearly caught sight of Jiang Li from the corner of her eye but pretended only to have just seen her as Jiang Li approached, and smiled, “Lili is here.”
Jiang Yuanbai subconsciously looked over.
Jiang Li also looked at Jiang Youyao.
Today was a very important day.
Tonger knew to dress Jiang Li appropriately, and Ji Shuran would certainly have made arrangements for Jiang Youyao.
Jiang Youyao was wearing an evening mist colored long dress with bird and flower embroidery, trailing on the ground, and she was draped in a layer of white plum cicada-wing gauze, looking as if floating like an immortal.
Her ears sported glowing red jade drop earrings, vibrant and bright, which made her even lovelier than the blooms, peerlessly elegant.
She was also sizing up Jiang Li’s attire.
Now that Jiang Li’s clothes were all prepared under the direction of Ji Shuran, the outfits were indeed very fitting and opulent since the scene at the entrance on her return to the residence.
However, this did not mean they were quite suitable for Jiang Li.
For one thing, Jiang Li was slender and had delicate features that couldn’t carry those extremely luxurious dresses.
Secondly, the ornaments were too intricate and lavish, making her appear top-heavy.
Although the attire was error-free, standing next to Jiang Youyao immediately relegated Jiang Li to a mere backdrop.
If she were indeed Miss Jiang the Second, she might have worn these precious attires to assert her status.
But unfortunately, Jiang Li was not, and she never had much desire for splendid garments, let alone become a foil to Jiang Youyao, which was something she absolutely didn’t want.
Therefore, she didn’t wear the clothes Ji Shuran prepared for her.
She only wore a cassia-green ruqun with a straight collar, and her hair was done up in a reverse coiffure adorned with a green jade hairpin.
It was the simplest of attires, yet in its simplicity, it revealed pure elegance.
Her brows and eyes were distinct, her beauty ethereal and extraordinary.
She looked like an orchid painting hidden in the depth of lush valleys, serene, without the need to compete—her beauty was subdued yet undeniable.
Standing next to Jiang Youyao, Jiang Li did not seem outshone at all.
On the contrary, due to Jiang Youyao’s overly resplendent looks, it made Jiang Li’s beauty appear even more refined.
Jiang Youyao’s complexion didn’t look too good.
Jiang Yuanbai cleared his throat and asked Jiang Li, “Are you ready?”
Jiang Li replied with a smile, “Yes.”
Today’s inspection required all members of the Jiang Residence to attend, including Madam Jiang the Elder herself.
They were just discussing this when the voice of Jiang Yue and Jiang Yuyan were heard approaching from behind, laughing, “Second sister and third sister look so pretty today.”
Jiang Yue and Jiang Yuyan were also dressed up today, but due to the situation of their own branch of the family, they could not compare to Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao.
However, their preparations were meticulous.
Jiang Yue appeared very excited, and as usual, fawningly moved closer to Jiang Youyao.
Jiang Yuyan maintained a timid and quiet demeanor, standing downcast to one side.
“Now that everyone is ready, let’s set off,” said Madam Jiang the Elder, assisted by her servant girls wearing pearls and jade.
The group then boarded the carriages and headed towards the Inspection Field.
After roughly the time it takes three sticks of incense to burn, they arrived at the Inspection Field.
The Inspection Field of Mingyi Hall was a training ground in the previous dynasty, where the Martial Champion was selected on this very square.
When Emperor Zongming ascended the throne after the previous emperor, he moved the imperial palace, and this training ground lay abandoned for many years.
By the time Emperor Hongxiao succeeded the throne, he transformed the training ground into the Inspection Field, and all exams of the next three departments under Mingyi Hall took place here.
Surrounding the square, there was already a sea of people, with the best positions prepared for the nobles, many of whom were family members of the noble ladies coming for the exam today.
There were also Official Families, like Jiang Jingrui had said, “picking daughters-in-law for children of meritorious service,” and even members of the imperial family.
When Jiang Li arrived at the Inspection Field, many people were already there.
Liu Xu, who accompanied Madam Liu, immediately came to greet Jiang Li when she saw her.
Jiang Li took her hand and together they greeted Madam Liu.
Madam Liu was very pleased and said to Jiang Li, “I heard that Miss Jiang the Second achieved the top rank in achieving three levels of examination, and I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you.
I hope today Miss Jiang the Second can also secure the top rank.”
Jiang Li nodded with a smile, “Thank you, Madam.”
Liu Xu whispered in Jiang Li’s ear, “Look, Meng Hongjin.”
Following the direction Liu Xu pointed, Jiang Li indeed saw Meng Hongjin not far away staring at her.
If it had been the usual temper of Meng Hongjin, she would have certainly come forward to spout some harsh words at Jiang Li, but today she didn’t approach, merely fixating a resentful and venomous gaze upon her.
It seemed that the matter of the top rankings in achieving three levels of examination made Meng Hongjin restrain herself somewhat.
“How is your zither playing?” Liu Xu whispered softly, “The examiners for Zither Music today include Xiao Deyin, Immortal Jing Hong, Shi Yan, Mian Ju, and Duke Su.”
“Duke Su?” Jiang Li was extremely surprised.
Xiao Deyin and Immortal Jing Hong were understandable, and Shi Yan and Mian Ju were not unreasonable, but why was there also Duke Su Jih Heng?
It was always heard that Jih Heng loved to watch plays, but Zither Music was a completely different path from opera.
What could Jih Heng do by coming here?
Jiang Li found it puzzling.
“Who knows, the examiners were all personally appointed by His Majesty.” Liu Xu shook her head, “I have never heard your zither playing.
How good is your zither skill?”
Her words were filled with concern for Jiang Li.
Jiang Li smiled, “It’s passable.”
Liu Xu’s heart settled down, “No matter what, as long as you’re passable, that’s fine.
Not everything has to be the top.” She was comforting Jiang Li.
Jiang Li said, “We’ll see in a moment.” While looking around, her gaze suddenly fixed.
At the seats where the nobles sat, there were special pavilions, and not far away, a young woman wearing a golden silk dress was nibbling on purple grapes from a glaze jar.
Those crystal-clear grapes still had dew drops on them, resting in the glaze jar like glittering purple gems, making the delicate jade fingers that twisted them look even more luxurious and resplendent,
The woman’s appearance was arrogant, her head slightly tilted back, her eyes languidly moving, oozing a slight charm.
When Liu Xu saw Jiang Li staring straight ahead, she followed Jiang Li’s gaze and suddenly said, “Princess Yongning?
I didn’t expect she would come today.”
Jiang Li looked at Princess Yongning, the murderer who had caused her family’s ruin and death in her previous life, with her heart violently fluctuating.
Yet on her face, there was still a hint of a smile, her eyes cold and clear.
If Princess Yongning was here, there was no need to think further—Shen Yurong would certainly be here too.
The enemies were all here, which was quite fitting.