Chapter 73 Love Beauty
If we compare this song "Eighteen Beats of the Hujia" to a play, people may be angry or frightened by the singers, or feel sad or happy because of the play itself. Ultimately, they are emotionally involved. When everyone is immersed in the play, it is surprising to suddenly see a sober person.

Jiang Li stared at the beautiful pair of phoenix eyes. For a moment, she couldn't figure out the emotions contained in those eyes. She just felt cold in her heart, as if she was almost seen through.

The moody beauty, Duke Su, was looking at her, perhaps trying to discover her secrets.

Jiang Li lowered her eyes, hiding the myriad emotions in her heart, and bowed leisurely to the stage. She had played the piano.

Everyone stared at her in amazement.

For a moment, all the ridicule, sneers, disdain and even abuse came to an abrupt end. If Jiang Li's victory in the previous top three exams was not convincing enough because it was not conducted in front of everyone, then those who were questioning her now had nothing to say.

The one playing the piano on the stage is the real Miss Jiang Er.

Among the examiners, the cheerful old man Mianju was the first to shout out, "Little girl, who taught you to play the piano?"

It was a little rude for the daughter of the Prime Minister to be called a "little girl". However, this person was the favorite court musician of Emperor Hong Xiao, and Jiang Yuanbai had to give him some face, so no one would say anything.

Mian Ju's words brought everyone back to their senses. Indeed, everyone had seen Jiang Li's piano skills. Her fingering was familiar, and she didn't look like someone who had just touched the piano for the first time. Judging from her appearance, she must have learned for many years. But there was no pianist in the temple. Could it be that there was a master from somewhere? Hidden away from the secular world?
As soon as Jiang Li saw Mian Ju's sparkling eyes, she knew what Mian Ju was thinking, so she simply said, "My master has traveled far away..."

Haha, it turns out that there is an expert giving advice!

Mianju almost couldn't hold back and rushed forward, asking repeatedly: "What's your master's name? Where does he live? Where did he go? How can I find him?"

Jiang Li looked at him awkwardly and said vaguely: "The students don't know either..."

Mianju was a little anxious when he heard this, but then he thought of something and sighed, saying, "Forget it, most of these masters are unwilling to reveal their whereabouts. They live a life as free as the wind, so how could they be burdened by the secular world?" He looked at Jiang Li and said with some envy, "You are very lucky, little girl. You can get guidance from such a master at such a young age. You will benefit from it throughout your life. Why don't I have such luck? Alas!"

Jiang Li felt a little amused when she saw him sighing. However, Mian Ju's words finally cleared up other people's confusion.

Everyone around started talking about it.

"So Miss Jiang Er got some guidance from a master. No wonder she plays so well. I think her skills are even better than Miss Jiang San's just now."

"Of course not. Didn't Mr. Mianju say that those who can be called masters by Mr. Mianju are naturally extraordinary. Miss Jiang is a master, how can others compare to her?"

"Miss Jiang Er is really lucky. Who knows, she might become a zither player in the future. Look at Mr. Mianju's expression. He seems to be interested in talent."

"Tsk, you're giving up your good job as the daughter of the Prime Minister to become a musician? There's nothing wrong with Second Miss Jiang."

The conversations in his ears from just now to now seemed to have suddenly changed. Ye Shijie was a little surprised by this sudden change, but after thinking it through, he couldn't help laughing.

At first, he couldn't help but worry about Jiang Li, but he also felt that Jiang Li might have her own way. The powerful daughter who looked down on merchants has grown up and become a completely different person. The most obvious thing is that she has become much smarter than before.

Jiang Yuanbai listened to his colleagues praising Jiang Li, and for a moment he felt mixed emotions. On the one hand, no matter what, it was always a happy thing for him to see his daughter praised by others. On the other hand, seeing Jiang Youyao's aggrieved look, he felt a little distressed.

After all, she is his little daughter who was raised in the palm of his hand like a treasure. Playing the piano has always been Jiang Youyao's best skill. Now that she has been surpassed by Jiang Li, Jiang Youyao must be very sad and disappointed.

In fact, Jiang Youyao felt more jealous than sad, and more hateful than disappointed. When Jiang Li started playing "Eighteen Beats of the Hujia", Jiang Youyao knew that today's situation would be messed up again because of Jiang Li. She looked at Ji Shuran and saw that Ji Shuran also had a serious face, and she felt a little confused.

After the panic comes a deep sense of shame.

Being outdone by Jiang Li, a Jiang Li who had been thrown into the nunnery and had nothing left, was more painful than killing Jiang Youyao. Especially when he saw the people around him praising Jiang Li's piano skills, it was like a slap in the face of Jiang Youyao.

Praising Jiang Li for playing the piano well, then what is she?
Just when Jiang Youyao was about to lose control of her expression, Ji Shuran, who was sitting next to her, patted her hands gently and said to her, "Don't panic. It's not the end yet. You may not lose."

After listening to Ji Shuran's words, Jiang Youyao gradually calmed down. Although she was unwilling, she had no choice but to give in.

Jiang Yu'e also saw the changes in Jiang Youyao's expression. Although she was puzzled about what Ji Shuran said, she was more puzzled about how Jiang Li could be so outstanding in piano music?

I thought Jiang Li was a poor creature even worse than me after returning home... But facts have proven one after another that Jiang Li can still step on my head.

Jiang Yu'e stared at Jiang Li with hatred, not knowing whether she was resentful for her father's status as a bastard or for herself being inferior to Jiang Li.

At this moment, Meng Hongjin felt very uncomfortable. Whenever Jiang Li received any praise, people would always look at her with pity, and everyone would remind her not to forget the bet she had made. Seeing Meng Youde's ugly face, Meng Hongjin was also very scared. If Jiang Li really won the first place in all the school examinations of Mingyi Hall, she would take off her outer clothes at the gate of the Imperial College and kneel down to apologize to Jiang Li.

If that happens, I will become the laughing stock of the entire Yanjing City, and the Meng family will not be able to hold their heads up. My father will definitely not forgive me.

Meng Hongjin suddenly felt a chill on his back, as if he had already seen that terrible side.

No, she comforted herself, Jiang Youyao played well, Jiang Li might not win first prize, no...

Jiang Li walked off the stage. She did not go back to the Jiang family, but walked to Liu Xu who was waving at her.

Liu Xu excitedly pulled her up and sat her down. It was the first time that Jiang Li saw this girl with so many emotions. Liu Xu said, "Jiang Li, the piece 'Eighteen Beats of the Hujia' you just played was really amazing! No wonder you said before you went on stage that you played something no one had ever played before. It was the first time that someone played 'Eighteen Beats of the Hujia' in the test field. I think you played much better than Jiang Youyao. Even someone like me who is not good at playing the piano can feel the artistic conception in your piano sound. Judging from what you said about the 'heart of the piano', you are the winner in this competition!"

She spoke with confidence, as if she was the examiner.

Jiang Li smiled slightly: "That may not be the case." She glanced at the stage.

On the test bench, Mianju said to Shi Yan, "Xiao Yanyan, what do you think of the performance of the little girl from the Jiang family just now?"

"Little Yanyan," said the music official Shiyan, with a stern face, not commenting on the name given to him by Mianju, and said, "Not bad."

Everyone knows that the music official Shi Yan is the most arrogant and picky person. Most people's comments from him are nothing more than "too bad", "terrible" and "not good". If he says "okay", it means that Shi Yan has approved of this person.

Mianju obviously knew Shi Yan's personality very well, and he clapped his hands and said, "I knew that Xiao Yanyan had the same idea as me. Experts like us all think so!" He then looked at Fairy Jinghong and Xiao Deyin and asked, "What do Fairy and Mr. Xiao think?"

Fairy Jinghong was a little embarrassed.

She took the money from Ji Shuran. The "bribing examiners" thing had never happened in Mingyi Hall in the past. Fairy Jinghong did this because she thought that there was no one in Mingyi Hall who could compete with Jiang Youyao in piano art. Jiang Youyao could win the first prize even with her own ability. The money Ji Shuran gave her was said to be a reward for guiding Jiang Youyao, but the reward was too generous.

Fairy Jinghong accepted it, thinking that it was a matter of course. Jiang Youyao could have won the first prize anyway, so it was not bad to do a favor for the Ji family. Moreover, Jiang Youyao was half her apprentice after all, so she would be more inclined to Jiang Youyao in both public and private matters.

It was a done deal, but who knew that Jiang Li would show up halfway through. To be fair, Jiang Li's piano skills were better than Jiang Youyao's, especially since Jiang Li could comprehend the "heart of the piano" at the age of fifteen, which was really rare at the moment.

Fairy Jinghong loves talents and is also aloof, but she has been hanging out in romantic places for many years. Even if she is just a prostitute, she knows the ways of the world. Jiang Li is good, but she took Ji Shuran's money. Jiang Yuanbai's two legitimate daughters, Jiang Li was sent away at the age of seven, and Jiang Youyao grew up with Jiang Yuanbai. Jiang Youyao is more favored, Jiang Youyao also has Ji Shuran and the Ji family, Jiang Li has nothing...

"Jiang Li is very good, on par with You Yao." Fairy Jinghong pondered for a long time before speaking.

As soon as these words came out, Mianju laughed and said, "Fairy, are you partial to Jiang Youyao because she is your disciple? I think Jiang Li is much more accomplished than Jiang Youyao. Not to mention that "Eighteen Beats of the Hujia" is more difficult than "Pingsha Luoyan", as for the comprehension of artistic conception, Jiang Youyao is still outside the door, but Jiang Li has already entered the door. Fairy, why are you becoming more and more worldly now? In a few years, I'm afraid you will even lose your own 'heart of the zither'!"

This was an extremely impolite remark, and it almost gave no respect to Fairy Jinghong. Fairy Jinghong had been praised by scholars and writers since she started working as a prostitute in Wangxian Tower. How could she have been reprimanded so impolitely? Her face immediately turned red, and she was ashamed and angry.

"Forget it, what do you think, Mr. Xiao?" Mianju asked Xiao Deyin again.

Xiao Deyin pondered for a while, but unexpectedly said: "I also thought that Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao were equally matched."

This means not admitting that Jiang Li is better than Jiang Youyao.

Mian Ju immediately sneered, and his gaze towards Xiao Deyin changed. He asked, "Did Mr. Xiao also accept Jiang Youyao as his apprentice? Why are both of them speaking against their conscience?"

Xiao Deyin said, "Not really. Jiang Li plays very well, but the tune 'Eighteen Beats of the Hujia' is too sad and not as broad as 'Wild Goose Falling on the Plain Sand'. The fingering of 'Eighteen Beats of the Hujia' is similar to 'Wild Goose Falling on the Plain Sand', but the difficulty lies in the artistic conception. After all, it is difficult for ordinary people to empathize with the sadness of the composer. But as for Deyin herself, I don't like sad sounds. The heart of the zither is like the human heart. I prefer the spacious and open meaning."

"What nonsense." Mianju was so angry at Xiao Deyin's words that he laughed, and said, "Today I know that there are different levels of zither heart. Excuse me, Mr. Xiao, you are so famous for your zither heart that I'm afraid you are not worthy of the title of the best female zither player in Yanjing. Not to mention the Fairy Jinghong, the deceased top scholar's wife Xue Fangfei was also better than you. In a few years, I'm afraid that the little girl Jiang Li from the Jiang family will be much better than you!"

These words were very rude, but they made Xiao Deyin's face turn pale.

She said, "Mr. Mianju, be careful with your words! Xue Fangfei has a corrupt personal character, and you dare compare me with her?"

"You make it sound like Mr. Xiao is a good person." Mian Ju said sarcastically.

"you!"

The school exam was not over yet, but the two examiners were about to quarrel on the stage. Although Mianju seemed easy to talk to, he was an extremely stubborn old man. Fairy Jinghong quickly came out to smooth things over, saying with a smile: "Why are you two so angry? There are still other students who have not yet gone on stage. It won't be too late to wait for them to go on stage. If there are students with better piano skills in the middle of the class, there is no need to be so difficult to choose."

Mianju snorted coldly and gave up. But they knew that among the students who came next, there was no one who could surpass Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao.

In the end, there will still be an argument.

Jiang Li also saw the dispute between Mian Ju and Xiao Deyin on the stage. Although she couldn't hear what they said, she could guess that it was about her and Jiang Youyao's piano skills. Mian Ju probably admired her because before entering the palace, Mian Ju was just an ordinary folk musician. The country tune that Jiang Li played before playing the piano should be very suitable for Mian Ju's personality.

As for Xiao Deyin, if it were in the past, Jiang Lixin would definitely stand on her side, but now... it's hard to say.

Zhou Yanbang stared at Jiang Li beside Liu Xu. Jiang Li's piano skills had once again shocked the audience, and he was more determined to cancel his marriage with Jiang Youyao and be with Jiang Li. Jiang Li was originally his fiancée. If it weren't for some strange mistake, they might have been married now.

A woman like this should have been his!

Zhou Yanbang thought that Jiang Li had probably washed away the name of "straw bag" with her own ability, so her parents' opposition would not be so fierce. Although she was accused of poisoning her stepmother, Ningyuan Hou always loved her and would compromise. But this would be unfair to Jiang Youyao. Thinking of this, Zhou Yanbang felt a little guilty and had to compensate her in other ways.

While Zhou Yanbang was thinking about Jiang Li, Shen Yurong, who was not far away from him, also had a confused look.

When Miss Jiang played the piano on the stage, he inexplicably thought of his deceased wife. Speaking of which, Xue Fangfei's piano skills were also unique. When she was in Tongxiang, Xiangyang, Xue Fangfei often played the piano. At that time, he often stood outside the Xue family's door, listening to the beauty's laughter and piano music under the wall.

Later, Xue Fangfei came to Yanjing and no longer played the piano. He became the top scholar and was busy with various social events. The sound of Xue Fangfei's piano gradually faded in his memory. But today, when listening to the piano music of Miss Jiang Er, he inexplicably seemed to see his deceased wife again.

Although Xue Fangfei would not play such a sad song, and although Xue Fangfei and Jiang Li were two completely different people...

Shen Yurong's strange behavior was seen by Princess Yongning who was sitting next to King Cheng. Princess Yongning still had a smile on her lips, but a trace of resentment flashed in her eyes. Looking at Shen Yurong's expression, it was clear that she was thinking of Xue Fangfei again.

When Princess Yongning thought of Shen Yurong still thinking about Xue Fangfei, she became jealous and crazy, and even hated Jiang Li on the stage. Damn it, who made Jiang Li look like that bitch!
Jiang Li naturally didn't know what was going on outside. She just wondered in her heart whether Duke Suguo Ji Heng had discovered something. She always felt that Ji Heng's gaze made her feel very uncomfortable. Could there be some deeper meaning? But except for that time in Qingcheng Mountain, she and Ji Heng had no intersection. Even if Ji Heng remembered her, it was only a one-time encounter.

It should... not matter.

Jiang Li made up her mind that if Ji Heng exposed her and told her about her plot against Master Jing'an in Qingcheng Mountain, she would never give in, since there was no other evidence anyway.

Thinking like this, he didn't even pay attention to the students going on stage for the school examination. One by one, the students continued to play the piano. Liu Catkins passed by, Jiang Yuyan played, Jiang Yu'e also finished, until the last female student played. The whole piano and music school examination was over and it was already afternoon.

With Jiang Youyao, or Jiang Li as a role model, the piano sounds of others always sound dull, as if they only know the fingering, or even have not mastered the fingering. The gap is so big that even laymen can immediately tell which is better, not to mention those who know the piano.

The results of the piano and music school exams were to be announced immediately. And now the focus of everyone's attention was none other than Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao.

Jiang Youyao stood in the audience, holding Ji Shuran's hand tightly. At this moment, she couldn't help but look nervous.

If she lost to Jiang Li in the area that she was best at... Jiang Youyao didn't even dare to think about how Zhou Yanbang would look at her if he saw it!

Seeing that Jiang Youyao was not as confident as before, Lu from the second house smiled and said to Ji Shuran, "Sister-in-law is still the best. She raised two daughters, both of whom are very smart. I think that no matter whether Youyao or Li Yatou wins the first prize, they are both from your first house. Sister-in-law will definitely be happy. They are indeed the eldest brother's children."

Ji Shuran was already a little upset, and she became even angrier when she heard Lu's provocative words. However, she did not show it on her face and smiled, "Of course. I think Li'er plays better." She also took the initiative to praise Jiang Li.

Jiang Yu'e sneered in her heart, fearing that her aunt hated Jiang Li. However, Jiang Yu'e would rather Jiang Youyao won the first place than Jiang Li. After all, Jiang Li had nothing. How could a person with nothing compete with a person who had everything? She should just bow down and beg for mercy like herself.

The five examiners are discussing the matter.

The other students had no objections, but Jiang Li and Jiang Youyao had disagreements.

Fairy Jinghong and Xiao Deyin thought that Jiang Youyao should be the first, while Mianju and Shi Yan thought that Jiang Li should be the first. The two sides were deadlocked and neither was willing to give in.

"Anyone with eyes can see that Jiang Li is number one. What's wrong with you guys?" Mian Ju was distressed. "Can't you guys hear it?"

"Mr. Mianju," Xiao Deyin said, "Everyone has their own opinions. Just as we cannot influence your thoughts, you cannot influence ours either."

Fairy Jinghong was a little surprised.

She had to choose Jiang Youyao because she had received money from Ji Shuran and Jiang Youyao was taught by her. But according to those who knew about the zither, Jiang Li's zither skills should be better than Jiang Youyao's, and Xiao Deyin couldn't have failed to hear it.

Then why did Xiao Deyin have to abandon Jiang Li and choose Jiang Youyao? Could it be that Xiao Deyin also got Ji Shuran's money? But this is impossible. Xiao Deyin usually works as a teacher in Mingyi Hall and lives a rich life. Moreover, he refused to be a court musician. It can be seen that he is not greedy for fame and wealth. It is not because of the money.

Fairy Jinghong found it hard to understand.

Xiao Deyin was very persistent. Mianju was even less likely to give up, and Shi Yan didn't say a word. Fairy Jinghong hesitated for a while and said, "Could it be that we have to tie for the top two this time?"

In the past, there were cases where two teams were tied for first place. This was done because the two teams were so evenly matched that it was difficult to tell who was the best.

Mian Ju sneered: "But Jiang Li obviously plays much better than Jiang Youyao!" This meant he was unwilling.

Neither this nor that worked, and the atmosphere became tense.

The examiners of the school examination were slow to come up with a result, and this gradually attracted the attention of everyone in the examination room.

"What's going on? Why haven't you announced the list yet?"

"I just saw Master Mianju pointing at Miss Jiang Er and Miss Jiang San. Are you having trouble deciding?"

"That's true. Second Miss Jiang and Third Miss Jiang are equally beautiful, but I like Third Miss Jiang more. She's really pretty! In the past, Third Miss Jiang always won first place in piano music."

"I prefer Miss Jiang Er's. That's the 'Eighteen Beats of the Hujia', which has never been played before."

Seeing that there was no result, Jiang Youyao began to feel a glimmer of hope. Even if they were tied for first place, it would be better than Jiang Li beating her.

"We can't stay here until dark, can we?" Mianju said impatiently, "We have to come up with an explanation."

"But there is no other way now." Fairy Jinghong smiled bitterly. She and Xiao Deyin were determined not to give in, and it seemed that Mianju and Shi Yan had the same idea as them.

Dilemma.

At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded, with some lazy and profound meaning, asking: "Why, it's not over yet?"

Looking back, they saw that Duke Suguo Ji Heng, who had been dozing off, had woken up at some point and was playing with the folding fan in his hand, looking at them with a smile.

Even Fairy Jinghong, who was already a married woman, couldn't help but be distracted for a moment when she saw Ji Heng's smile. After she came to her senses, she apologized, "We have a disagreement now..."

Mianju seemed to have thought of something, his eyes lit up, and he said to Ji Heng: "Duke, you woke up just in time. Xiao Yanyan and I think Jiang Li should be the first, while Fairy and Mr. Xiao think Jiang Youyao should be the first. Neither of us can convince the other. Now that you are awake, and you are also the examiner today, tell us, which side are you on?"

Fairy Jinghong was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

Mianju had to find someone else, but he had to find this Duke Su. Although he didn't know why Duke Su was also the examiner of the zither music, but under the watchful eyes of the public today, this Duke Su had dozed off since he started the performance. He may have woken up once or twice in the middle, but soon squinted his eyes absentmindedly.

From the time he judged the first student, Ji Heng hadn't said a word, as if he was just here to have fun. So the four of them understood each other tacitly, and didn't bother him. They decided the scores of the others on their own. Even if they really asked Ji Heng to come, he wasn't a zither player, so how could he understand the zither?
But now, Mianju asked the Duke of Su, who was too lazy to even raise his eyelids, to judge the final result. He said that Jiang Li or Jiang Youyao won first place. Fairy Jinghong even doubted whether Duke of Su knew which one was Jiang Youyao and which one was Jiang Li? He didn't even listen to the piano carefully and judged it. Isn't this nonsense?
The most important thing is that Duke Suguo's attitude is that he simply disdains to get involved in these matters. Who knows if he will open his mouth? I'm afraid he won't even bother to say a word.

Mianju, however, stared at Ji Heng with sharp eyes.

Ji Heng looked at the red paper in front of him, his eyes fixed on the two wooden signs "Jiang Li" and "Jiang Youyao", and whispered: "Jiang Li..."

"Yes! Did you hear that? Lord Suguogong has good vision and has already decided on Jiang Li!" Ji Heng was so happy that he almost jumped up.

"Mr. Mianju, please be patient." Xiao Deyin said calmly, "The Duke hasn't finished speaking yet."

Xiao Deyin thought that Duke Su had no interest in the zither, but liked to sing operas. He had not listened seriously today, so he would definitely not choose anyone based on his zither skills. However, Duke Su had a hobby of liking beauties, and Jiang Youyao was a beautiful woman with a vivid appearance... Xiao Deyin's heart suddenly skipped a beat. After all, Miss Jiang Li, the second daughter of Jiang, was not ugly!

She turned her head and looked at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li was talking to the catkins beside her with her head tilted to one side, which made her silhouette look even more beautiful. Her light green dress was like spring, which further outlined the girl's gracefulness and beauty. One could even smell the fragrance from her hair.

Jiang Youyao is indeed very beautiful, but Jiang Li is no worse!
Just as I was thinking about it, I saw the handsome young man in red suddenly raised his lips and smiled, holding a folding fan in his hand, pointing in a direction casually, and said nonchalantly: "Let's pick her."

Everyone quickly looked in the direction he pointed!
The gold-thread folding fan was as thin as a cicada's wing, and when folded it formed only a narrow strip. The wooden sign that the fan was pointing at had only two words on it.

Ginger pear!

Ji Heng chose Jiang Li.

Fairy Jinghong felt relieved. For some reason, she felt a lot more relaxed. After taking Ji Shuran's money, she did help Jiang Youyao, but Duke Su spoke in person, which was beyond her control. And Jiang Li lived up to her reputation.

However, Xiao Deyin still said stubbornly: "My Lord, please don't joke around. The school entrance examination is not a trivial matter..." She swallowed all her words in her throat just because Ji Heng glanced at her.

That look was cold and contained a hint of sarcasm, as if he had seen through the secret in her heart. She felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar in an instant and was unable to utter a word.

Mian Ju acted decisively and wrote Jiang Li's name at the top of the red list with a stroke of his pen.

The dust settles!

Xiao Deyin watched helplessly as Jiang Li took the top spot on the red list with no room for maneuver. However, Duke Suguo Ji Heng chuckled, stood up, and was about to leave as if he was not going to stay here any longer.

Before leaving the table, he glanced towards Jiang Li vaguely.

Jiang Li was also staring at Ji Heng, still thinking about Ji Heng's purpose, but unexpectedly Ji Heng looked at her again before leaving. She was stunned for a moment and felt that this person really deserved the word "Impermanence". She really didn't know what he was thinking.

But is he ready to leave?

While they were still in shock, the little boy with a red scarf had already taken the written red list and started reading the names one by one. From the back to the front, Liu Xu got the middle place, Jiang Yuyan and Jiang Yu'e were worse, and Meng Hongjin got the sixth place. The further they went, the more nervous Jiang Youyao became.

Can she get first place?
The little boy in the red scarf read out her name: "Jiang Youyao, second grade B——"

Jiang Youyao felt her mind go blank, her legs went weak, and she almost fell to the ground. Fortunately, Ji Shuran helped her up. After she stood firm, her body was trembling slightly, and she waited desperately for the child to say the last name, and she desperately shouted in her heart, "Don't do it."

Then she was doomed to fail.

"Yijia, Jiangli!"

These two sharp words shattered Jiang Youyao's unrealistic fantasy, like a sharp sword piercing Jiang Youyao's chest. At the same time, Meng Hongjin was also stabbed.

Meng Hongjin shook her head and pinched herself hard, as if trying to figure out whether this was a dream or reality. The clear pain in her hands reminded her that this was all true.

Including the top three subjects, Jiang Li won four first places in total.

If this continues, I will lose the bet and become the laughing stock of the entire Yanjing City right in front of the Imperial College. I am doomed to lose!
For a moment, this was the only thought in Meng Hongjin's mind.

Ye Shijie breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing Jiang Li won the first place, he felt it was incredible, but also felt it was natural. He didn't even notice the smile on the corner of his mouth when he heard that Jiang Li was first.

In the end, I won.

Amid Liu Xu's congratulations, Jiang Li's smile was very gentle, and she was not very excited. In fact, using what she had learned to participate in the Mingyi Hall exam was bullying these young students. However, looking at the boiling voices in the examination hall, Jiang Li felt a little happy.

With this battle, she has gained a little fame, and her future life will be easier.

Jiang Li turned her head again, wanting to look at Ji Heng, but she only saw the back of a man in red standing in front of the inspection field, gradually disappearing in the afterglow of the sun.

Forget it, Jiang Li thought, maybe I was overthinking. Duke Su had nothing to do with the Jiang family, so how could he notice a little girl like me? He just happened to meet him and felt curious and took a few glances at him, just like he looked at those actors who had learned a new script.

After figuring this out, Jiang Li felt relieved.

Liu Xu was so excited that she was even happier than if she had won first place. She said, "Jiang Li, you are first. Did you hear that?"

"I heard it." Jiang Li smiled.

"Why don't you look excited at all?" Liu Xu was a little suspicious, "Are you unhappy?"

"Why would I be unhappy?" Jiang Li said, "I'm just worried because I think of the two events of imperial archery coming up."

"Oh, right," Liu Xu also thought of it, "Except for the daughters of generals, most of the girls in our school are weak in the two aspects of imperial archery. Can you... do it?" She asked Jiang Li carefully. If it were in the past, Liu Xu would have thought without hesitation that Jiang Li definitely couldn't do it. But after several times, Liu Xu didn't know whether Jiang Li could do it or not. Jiang Li always surprised people again and again, making people wonder what she couldn't do? For example, the book counting etiquette for the third grade, such as being able to distinguish between real paintings and fakes, and being able to play the "Eighteen Beats of the Hujia" that no one has ever played.

Jiang Li replied vaguely: "A little bit."

Even though it was just "a little bit", Liu Xu was shocked by the answer and almost screamed out "You can do it too".

"Okay," Jiang Li smiled, "It's not a big deal. I just wanted to prepare for the school exam. I guess I was lucky today. I wonder if I'll have such good luck in the imperial archery events." She and Liu Xu talked as they walked towards the Jiang family's location.

Jiang Yuanbo saw his youngest daughter Jiang Youyao's disappointed face, and he felt bad. Then he saw his eldest daughter coming over here, and his expression became complicated. Jiang Li was carried in the nunnery for eight years, and no one taught her, but she could still grow up like this. This seems to show that Jiang Li is smarter than Jiang Youyao, but such a smart daughter was delayed.

On the one hand, Jiang Yuanbo felt guilty for his inaction towards Jiang Li for many years, but on the other hand, he could not forget the mistake Jiang Li made to Ji Shuran eight years ago. Although knowing a little about a mistake can improve it, the damage has been done, and no matter how you try to make up for it, there will be cracks, both for Jiang Li and for him.

Jiang Li ignored Jiang Yuanbo's complicated gaze and met Lu's warm smile. Lu said, "Li girl is really great. It's only been a few days since you entered Mingyi Hall, and you've won the championship again. I think Li girl is the most powerful in Mingyi Hall over the years. You did it in one go, something that others couldn't do."

He praised Jiang Li, but he also quietly stepped on Jiang Youyao. He said that Jiang Li could do something that Jiang Youyao did not do, and Jiang Youyao was not as good as Jiang Li.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Youyao felt even more resentful, but her face looked even more aggrieved and frustrated, and she looked extremely pitiful.

Jiang Yuanbai cleared his throat twice, but couldn't bear to see his little daughter feel sad, so he said, "Youyao is not bad either."

Ji Shuran said, "Youyao is still a little young, not as refined as Li'er. Li'er really opened our eyes today." She smiled and looked at Jiang Li, "Youyao should learn more from Li'er in the future."

Jiang Li was amazed by Ji Shuran's generosity. She thought that Ji Shuran was a very flexible person. But if she were to give Jiang Youyao advice, Jiang Youyao might not be willing to do so, let alone whether she was willing to do so. Besides, Jiang Li didn't think that Jiang Youyao would think that she was better than Fairy Jinghong.

The noodles still need to be made to look good, so Jiang Li smiled and replied: "It's all my mother's good teaching."

Jiang Yu'e watched from the side, laughing in her heart. Now they were acting kindly and filially, but who knew if they had their own agenda. Ji Shuran was good at acting, and Jiang Li was also good at acting. Jiang Yu'e gradually began to be wary of Jiang Li.

"Tomorrow we will have two events: imperial archery." Old Madam Jiang said, "Little Li, can you do it?"

The two items of imperial archery originally consisted of horse riding and archery. This year's school examination combined the two items together, that is, archery while riding a horse, which is equivalent to horseback archery. This is because the Eastern Turks invaded a few years ago. The Eastern Turks came from the grasslands and were good at horseback archery, so the army began to train horseback archery troops. Mingyi Hall also followed the example of the army and let the women put horse riding and archery together, using horseback archery to test two items at the same time, which was twice the result with half the effort.

"A little bit." Jiang Li said.

Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yu'e's hearts skipped a beat at the same time and they looked at Jiang Li. How could she even know this?

Is there a Mingyi Hall in Qingcheng Mountain that also teaches archery?

Jiang Yuanbai was also surprised and asked, "Where did you learn it from?"

"A pilgrim once donated a horse to the nunnery. I was curious when I was feeding the horse, so I climbed up and secretly rode it. The horse was gentle and not difficult to control." Jiang Li said, "As for archery, Tong'er and I once made bows and arrows with branches in the woods and shot birds to eat to fill our stomachs."

Tong'er was a little confused. How could she not know these things? But she nodded and agreed with Jiang Li's statement, and lied to her master without changing her expression.

These words made Old Lady Jiang and Jiang Yuanbo feel differently. Feeding horses, hunting birds, and filling their stomachs, those who didn't know better would have thought that she was a poor family living in the countryside. Who would have imagined that she was the daughter of the Prime Minister? Over the years, no one knew how hard Jiang Li's life had been.

Jiang Yuanbo was a soft-hearted person, especially in front of his family. He immediately regretted his actions.

Ji Shuran secretly hated Jiang Li for whining in front of her. She was so young, yet she had such a way. If she didn't find a way to stop her, what would happen? She didn't know how much trouble she would cause in the Jiang Mansion in the future.

Jiang Li can't be kept, Ji Shuran thought, ordinary methods won't work.

Just as Ji Shuran was thinking this in her heart, she suddenly noticed something. She took a casual glance and was slightly startled.

Not far away, Meng Hongjin was standing in the crowd, staring straight at Jiang Li. Although it was brief and blurry, the gloom and calculation in his eyes did not miss Ji Shuran's eyes.

Ji Shuran was a little confused at first, but then she suddenly understood and felt relieved. She smiled and looked at Jiang Li, and the gloom just now was instantly swept away. She even followed Jiang Yuanbo's wishes and said, "Li girl has suffered a lot in the past few years. Now that you are back home, those days are over, and things will only get better and better in the future."

Jiang Yuanbo was very satisfied with Ji Shuran's thoughtfulness, but Jiang Li immediately became alert after hearing these words.

Something had changed, and Ji Shuran seemed to suddenly feel relieved.

What has changed?

(End of this chapter)