Chapter 47 Catkins
Jiang Li's appearance quieted down the female students in Mingyi Hall.

If the rumored Miss Jiang Er was really a vulgar country girl, or a mean and domineering lady, people would immediately and unceremoniously drown her out. However, Jiang Li looked no different from any well-educated official lady, and was even more amiable and gentle. Even if they were to criticize her, they would not know where to start.

Finally, the tall girl spoke first and asked, "Are you the second young lady of the Jiang Mansion?"

Jiang Li looked up. She had seen this girl before at a family dinner at an official's residence. She was the daughter of the Chengxuanshi's residence, Meng Hongjin, and she was very good friends with Jiang Youyao.

Jiang Li said: "Yes."

"How dare you come to Mingyi Hall?" Meng Hongjin raised his eyebrows. "I heard that you went to a nunnery when you were seven years old. There was no one there to teach you. For someone like you, why don't you hire a teacher in the mansion and come to Mingyi Hall instead? Aren't you afraid that you will be confused and not understand anything?"

These words were really harsh, and everyone in the school stared at Jiang Li to see how she would react.

Meng Hongjin also stared at Jiang Li, but to her surprise, others would probably be furious if they heard this, let alone Jiang Li, the daughter of the Prime Minister. Jiang Li just smiled and said, "Then don't worry about it, young lady."

He blocked Meng Hongjin's words in a bland tone.

Meng Hongjin didn't expect Jiang Li to react like this. She felt like she had punched cotton and was furious. But Jiang Li was smiling again, and her attitude didn't change at all. She was so angry that she whispered in a voice that everyone could hear: "No wonder they say that the family temple is a place of peace of mind. Look at how cowardly you are."

"If this lady wants to calm down, she can go to the family temple for a while." Jiang Li said in a low voice.

"You!" Meng Hongjin was furious. Jiang Youyao tried to persuade her, "Second sister, how could you speak to Hongjin like that?" She looked worried and said to Meng Hongjin, "Hongjin, my second sister just returned to Yanjing and doesn't know the rules. I'm sorry."

Meng Hongjin said: "It's nothing, and it's your second sister's fault. Why are you here to apologize, Youyao? You are just too soft-hearted and too easy to be bullied."

Jiang Li glanced at Jiang Youyao and said calmly, "Third sister, you are too soft-hearted. I didn't say anything, but you apologized for me first. This lady said I was a coward, but I didn't get angry and even responded kindly. Is this wrong?"

Just as Jiang Youyao was about to speak, Jiang Li spoke again: "I heard that in some places, victory or defeat is not determined by morality, but by status. Is Mingyi Hall also such a place? I clearly have a point, but I still have to admit defeat. Could it be that this lady's status is much higher than mine, so I have to admit my mistake. May I ask this lady, what is your father's official rank?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole classroom fell silent. Then, some students could hardly hold back their smiles. Meng Hongjin's face turned red and he couldn't utter a word.

Jiang Li said that they were making trouble without reason, and at the same time, she insulted Meng Hongjin's family background without explanation. Everyone knew that Jiang Li's father was the prime minister of the dynasty, and Meng Hongjin's father was the imperial envoy. No matter how good the imperial envoy was, he could not compare to the prime minister of the dynasty. But Jiang Li asked this question seriously, which made Meng Hongjin a laughing stock.

The atmosphere was awkward, and Jiang Youyao didn't know how to start. Speaking for Meng Hongjin was like stepping on her own father. If she agreed with Jiang Li, it would be strange if Meng Hongjin didn't hate her. Secretly hating Jiang Li for being so cunning, Jiang Youyao had no choice but to wink at Jiang Yu'e.

Jiang Yu'e had no choice but to cough twice to break the silence and change the subject to another side. She said, "Second sister, let's not talk about that for now. You have just entered school and you have to choose a seat. I will sit in the same group with Fourth sister, and Third sister will sit in the same group with Miss Meng. Since you came too late, you have to ask if there is anyone willing to sit in the same group with you."

Is there anyone willing to be in a group with her? Jiang Li knew without thinking that there must be no one.

Sure enough, Jiang Li stood in the school, and no one asked her to sit next to them. Bai Xue couldn't enter the school, so she stayed outside the carriage with the maids of other young ladies. Those maids probably disliked Bai Xue's strong body, so they left Bai Xue alone outside. Bai Xue didn't mind, and squatted down next to the rockery to bask in the sun with the wild cat.

In the silence, a voice suddenly shouted, "There's no one here, come and sit down."

Jiang Li was a little surprised. She saw a girl in a green dress standing up from the front and looking at Jiang Li.

This girl was pretty, but her chin was slightly square, which made her look square and resolute. There was a hint of Madam Liu in her features, and Jiang Li suddenly realized that this was the young lady of Chengde Lang's house, Liu Xu.

Jiang Li did not hesitate and walked towards the table next to Liu Xu. A mocking voice came from behind: "Liu Xu, you really dare to sit with her. Aren't you afraid that she will push you down the stairs one day? If your life is in danger, don't say we didn't warn you."

Liu Xu silently put those words behind her, as if she didn't hear them. Jiang Li sat down beside Liu Xu with a smile. Liu Xu frowned, and a little reluctant expression could be seen, but she didn't say anything.

Jiang Li understood that Madam Liu had also heard that she would go to Mingyi Hall to study, and she had agreed with Liu Xu to take care of her. In fact, it was normal for a girl to be afraid of another person who had killed her mother and brother. It was remarkable that Liu Xu could hold back her fear and complete Madam Liu's request.

Seeing Jiang Li looking at her, Liu Xu tightened her lips and turned her head away. Jiang Li couldn't help laughing, she was also a lovely girl.

The discussion behind her continued, and she could hear someone asking about Jiang Youyao. Jiang Li knew that Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yuyan would do their best to discredit her again.

But not long after, someone came in. It was a lady, wearing a pine-colored gown, with her hair tied up high, narrow eyes and thin lips, and a thin figure. As soon as she came in, the noise in Mingyi Hall disappeared immediately.

He is a strict gentleman.

Jiang Li looked at the lady in front of her, feeling a little dazed.

The lady teacher's surname was Ji, and her given name was Luo. In Mingyi Hall, the one she taught among the six arts was "ritual".

Ji Luo is also a person who strictly observes etiquette. In Jiang Li's opinion, she is even a little conservative and old-fashioned. Ji Luo is aloof and once admired Shen Yurong very much. She praised Shen Yurong's talent in public. But she was a little mean and pitiful to Xue Fangfei.

As a woman, she could naturally see that Ji Luo was fond of Shen Yurong.

Later, the news of Xue Fangfei's affair spread throughout Yanjing. Ji Luo even came to her house and scolded her in person for being unvirtuous and felt deeply sympathetic for Shen Yurong's experience.

However, Jiang Li lowered her eyes, wondering if Ji Luo would still be so affectionate after knowing Shen Yurong's true face?

(End of this chapter)