39: Chapter 37: Winning Ga 39: Chapter 37: Winning Ga Lady Ji Chen and Ji Shuran were discussing sothing, and Jiang Li had no idea what it was about, but she was also clear that, with today’s incident, facing Ji Shuran’s trap, her actions had blatantly exposed the conflict between them.
Considering past deeds committed by Ji Shuran against Miss Jiang the Second, it was obvious that Ji Shuran was not a person of generous spirit.
As the conflict intensified, Ji Shuran would undoubtedly resort to even more ruthless thods.
Jiang Li was not afraid.
In the past, she had followed Xue Huaiyuan, and when he dealt with political affairs, he did not avoid her; sotis, he even discussed them with her.
Jiang Li was not faint-hearted, and having died once already, been betrayed by the person who slept beside her, lost her family and everything she owned, she now harbored a resolute determination, ready at all tis to burn both the jade and the stone.
She returned to Fangfei Garden, and had been resting for less than half an hour when an uninvited guest ca.
Jiang Jingrui, carrying a cricket cage, dropped by Fangfei Garden uninvited to have so tea.
This second branch’s young master was unruly and ungovernable.
Both Old Master the Second, Jiang Yuanping, and Madam the Second, Lady Lu, were unable to discipline him.
Only occasionally would he half listen to what Jiang Yuanbai said.
However, this Second Miss seed quite acquainted with Jiang Li.
Jiang Li invited him to sit down and asked, “What are you here for?”
Jiang Jingrui found a teacup, had Tonger pour him tea with not the slightest bit of politeness.
Cocking his head to look at Jiang Li, he said, “You did quite a fine job today.
Both Jiang Youyao and your great-aunt got outmaneuvered by you.
I was about to give you a round of applause.”
His words indeed made Tonger, who was pouring the tea, a bit angry.
Although this second branch’s young master did not seem to have any malice toward their lady, his attitude sotis clearly showed disdain for Jiang Li, hence his informal way of speaking.
“You can’t be careless with your words,” Jiang Li said indifferently, “I rely stated the truth.”
“Why did you hide it from ?” Jiang Jingrui fiddled with the teacup on the table.
“I wouldn’t have told anyone.”
“You speak as if we are very close,” Jiang Li said with a smile.
The mont “cousin” left her lips, Jiang Jingrui’s expression changed subtly.
He looked at Jiang Li seriously and asked, “Jiang Li, what do you an by that?”
“Is there sothing wrong with what I said?” Jiang Li’s smile carried a hint of odd mockery.
“Earlier in the courtyard, when I was accused and cursed over Jiang Youyao, I asked if anyone believed .
In the entire Jiang Residence, Madam Liu and Tonger believed .
I rember that you, cousin, were not among them.” Jiang Li continued, “If we were very close, cousin, you would have to believe a little bit at least.
So, I say, we aren’t really close.”
Jiang Jingrui’s face flushed red in a flash, while Tonger on the side felt an imnse sense of relief.
That’s right; he pretended to be close and as if he was on Jiang Li’s side, but when it ca to the crunch, he couldn’t even muster a peep, not as reliable as a stranger with no blood relation; how could such a person be considered close?
Jiang Jingrui was usually slick and good at arguing, but as he was about to retort, upon seeing Jiang Li’s eyes, the words died on his lips, and he couldn’t say anything at all.
Jiang Li’s eyes were like transparent stream water, very clear, as if all the lies in the world could not hide within them.
Suddenly, Jiang Jingrui felt sowhat ashad and restless like sitting on pins and needles.
He thought he had a decent relationship with Jiang Li and had even warned her, believing he had done his utmost.
Yet he had not expected Jiang Li to blatantly ask, “Why don’t you stand by my side?” Her straightforward question made him seem like a petty person in contrast.
“I understand that my cousin doesn’t want to offend our mother for my sake.
Everyone in the Jiang Residence knows the importance of staying out of trouble, and I don’t bla them.
But please never again say that we are close, cousin.
I am soone who particularly dislikes re appearances,” Jiang Li spoke calmly.
Jiang Jingrui found her words extrely grating but didn’t know how to respond.
Jiang Li was essentially mocking him for his lack of courage, for not daring to take a stand.
As a young man, used to being indulged and pampered, how could he tolerate such an insult?
He imdiately said, “I get it, stop speaking in such a sarcastic tone.
I just won’t co again!” And with that, he slamd the teacup onto the table with a “snap” and stord off in a huff.
Tonger was startled and complained, “Why does the Second Young Master have such a volatile temper?” Then, turning towards Jiang Li, she asked, “Did you maybe push him too hard just now?”
“Jiang Jingrui isn’t inherently bad,” Jiang Li tapped the teacup lightly, “Selfish, yes, but not to the point of being cold-blooded.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have warned earlier.
Living in a prominent family, with complex interests at play, he naturally has concerns, and I can understand his actions.
However, I don’t like them.”
Perhaps it was because Xue Huaiyuan had taught her to see things in black and white from a young age that Jiang Li herself detested such people—a curious mix of being sotis unbearable, yet not entirely evil, leaving one with conflicted feelings.
“By speaking this way, either he will grow to thoroughly dislike and avoid , or he will feel guilty and stop watching from the sidelines when it cos to my affairs.
With that, his attitude will be clear rather than ambiguous.
An ambiguous ally by one’s side is always a hazard, as they may stab you in the back,” she explained.
Tonger nodded, albeit not fully comprehending, “What you say makes sense, Miss.
Otherwise, Xiangqiao wouldn’t have ended up suffering the consequences today.”
Since the day she returned from Shuxiu Garden, Xiangqiao had been secretly fiddling with the box holding Jiang Li’s headdress, occasionally showing a reluctance to part with it.
When Tonger ntioned this to Jiang Li, she guessed that Ji Shuran was likely to tamper with it during the coming-of-age ceremony.
It wasn’t hard to guess Ji Shuran’s intentions, given Miss Jiang the Second’s past of patricide and matricide.
Jiang Li then instructed Tonger to bribe a servant from the outside, spreading rumors about a craftsman who forged imitations.
As expected, Xiangqiao sought out the craftsman to switch the headdress.
Jiang Li also had Tonger badmouth Xiangqiao to Yunshuang and ntioned all the rewards Xiangqiao had received from her.
Out of jealousy, and upon learning of Jiang Li’s counter-plot, Yunshuang decided to go with the flow and conspire with Jiang Li to doom Xiangqiao.
When Xiangqiao was caught, sothing Jiang Li said to Yunshuang raised Ji Shuran’s suspicions.
The plan unfolded smoothly, with Yunshuang dealing with Xiangqiao for Jiang Li, and Ji Shuran taking care of Yunshuang while also completely replacing the servants in Fangfei Garden—one fell swoop, for good.
In all this, Xiangqiao’s greed, Yunshuang’s jealousy, and Ji Shuran’s suspicion intertwined, each link essential.
What Jiang Li had exploited was human malice.
Human nature is the hardest to fathom but the easiest to manipulate.
With just a little enticent, one could achieve their objectives.
All of this had begun with the first hairpin Jiang Li had rewarded Xiangqiao with, sowing the seed.
The hunter had set the trap from the beginning, and ultimately, the prey was ensnared.
In this ga, Jiang Li had won.
Reviews
All reviews (0)