Marriage of the Di Daughter

Chapter 59 Part 1: Watching A Play

Cheng Xuan envoy’s noble miss, Meng Hong Jin’s, and the Chief Assistant’s daughter, Jiang Li’s bet set off huge waves in Yanjing. Even in the most remote alley, in the crudest and tiniest tavern, every single person was discussing the recent novel affair. The people in the city discussed this matter enthusiastically.
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All the big and small gambling dens even started to set up bets. Whether young or old, they all wanted to bet.

Inside Wang Xian Lou’s usual place, there were three people having tea.

The scholar wearing a green jacket looked at the continuous stream of people going through the doorway of the gambling alley across from them. He spoke with a smile: “The bet is uncommon, attracting people to advance wave upon wave.”

“But it’s all one sided.” The soldier wearing armor, Kong Liu, shook his head and said: “All these people are crazy. All of them bet that Cheng Xuan envoy’s eldest miss will win. Not one person bet on Jiang second miss. Tsk tsk tsk, really unsightly.” He downed a cup of tea. Even the way he drank tea was free and easy, as if he was drinking wine. He patted the table and spoke grandly: “I, this person, have the most pity for the fairer sex. I can’t see other people bullying the weak. Wen Ji,” he beckoned to the bodyguard standing outside and fished out ten taels of silver from his bosom:

“Help me go downstairs and bet on Jiang second miss winning!”

“Don’t say that as if you are upholding justice.” The scholar in green rubbed his moustache. With all smiles, he said: “Half an hour ago you just spent 100 taels of silver to bet on Meng Hong Jin.”

Hearing this, Wen Ji immediately looked on with contempt. He whispered, spent ten taels to bet on Jiang second miss, and spent 100 taels to bet on Miss Meng. Kong Liu was obviously ready to make profit and didn’t want to suffer a loss. There was no difference between him and those people outside, yet he still wants to put on an act.

Kong Liu was angered out of humiliation, looked at the green dressed scholar and furiously said: “The surname Lu, why are you so clear on my whereabouts?! Are you a mouse spirit?”

Lu Ji, who was that scholar in green, did not acknowledge Kong Liu’s question. Instead, he looked at the person at the side and asked: “What does the Duke think?”

Ji Heng lifted his eyelids lazily and swept a glance downstairs. He said: “Not interested.”

“Not me saying,” Kong Liu said: “Even though I admire Jiang second miss’s courage in betting, that is still Ming Yi Hall’s examination. Aiyo, at that time, my father also wanted to send me to Ming Yi Hall. Before touching the fricking great doorway, I was already driven out. Is Ming Yi Hall a place where ordinary people could enter?” Kong Liu smacked his lips, “in any case, that young miss of the Meng family has studied in Ming Yi Hall for a few years already, but Jiang second miss is just a newcomer. It’s fine if she’s just a newcomer, but the place where Jiang second miss stayed before was a nunnery. No need to mention that the nunnery is a Buddhist nunnery, even if the incense burning in the temple was prosperous, can a Buddhist nun be compared to the teachers coming out of the palace? If Jiang second miss could surpass the young miss of the Meng family, then it could be said to be meeting a ghost.”

“Beg to differ.” Lu Ji said: “Since Jiang second miss dared to issue the stake, moreover three stakes, and the stake is raised one after another, then it must have substance and to some extent could be counted on. Otherwise, why should she do more than is required and create trouble for herself.”

“You normally look smart, why do you become stupid at this time?” Kong Liu ridiculed: “Jiang second miss said it like that, isn’t the meaning the same as when we went to war and issued fierce words. Put out an imposing manner first before discussion! How could there be such deep ideas. All of you scholars, your thoughts are too complicated!”

The last sentence made Lu Ji choke unnaturally. A long time later, he spat a sentence: “Cannot play music to a cow!”

“A rooster cannot communicate with a duck.” Kong Liu retorted.

Ji Heng supported his chin while feeling bored to death. Even if it was just a random posture, there still was a sense of beauty when he’s the one making it.

“Master,” Lu Ji once again looked at Ji Heng, “Ye Shijie’s matter, because of Jiang second miss’s interference, it ruined master’s plan. Although it’s unknown if it was accidental, Jiang second miss is not as brainless as the rumor says. This thing can become an opportunity. It’s better to observe the changes quietly, the plan for the Jiang family must not have any mistakes. Jiang second miss can be the starting point.”

Chapter 59 Part 2: Watching a Play

Kong Liu wondered: “Jiang second miss isn’t valued in the Jiang residence. How can this affect the Jiang family’s decision?”
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Lu Ji calmly waited for the answer from the person opposite him.

After some moments had passed, Ji Heng opened his mouth to speak: “The Jiang family’s drama hasn’t started, no need to be anxious.” He waved his hand and Wen Ji stepped forward and bowed.

Ji Heng said: “Take 12,000 taels of silver, go to Yanjing’s biggest gambling den.”

Kong Liu’s eyes brightened: “You also plan to take this opportunity to earn some money?”
“Have to see a play till the end,” Ji Heng softly laughed, “Go, bet on Jiang second miss.”

……

Yanjing was abuzz with the gamble between her and Meng Hong Jin, but Jiang Li didn’t know at all.

That’s because from that day onwards, she stayed inside the Jiang residence “peacefully preparing for examination”.

However, as it concerned the reputation of the entire Jiang residence, this act of Jiang Li had become a major event when it was passed from outside to old madam Jiang and Jiang Yuan Bai’s ears.

In Wan Feng Hall, old madam Jiang stared at Jiang Li. With a very complicated gaze she asked: “Girl Li, what do you actually want to do?”

“Mother, don’t be angry.” Ji Shuran gently and cautiously spoke: “After all, Li-er is still young and impulsive, only then could she have set up a bet with others.”

“Young,” Jiang Yuan Bai spoke coldly: “She has already reached marriageable age. After a few days, we could talk about matchmaking already. But when doing things, she still doesn’t know how to advance or retreat!”

Inside Wan Feng Hall, there was only the family from the main branch. Although this matter concerned the entire Jiang residence, the one who met with mishap was after all, Jiang Li.

“Perhaps second sister has a card up her sleeve.” Jiang You Yao unhesitatingly added oil to the fire, “that’s how she has the confidence to agree to Miss Meng’s bet, even raising the stake.”

It was fine if these words weren’t said, but once it was mentioned, Jiang Yuan Bai was even more angry. In his entire life, he most despised the kind of person that were conceited and arrogant, especially those conceited and arrogant people with no strong points. The way he looked at Jiang Li turned even more condemning, “I know that your writing is not bad, but if you think just because of this you could pass Ming Yi Hall’s examination, you are gravely mistaken! Don’t view the sky from the bottom of a well1. The people in the Jiang family attach importance to knowing oneself, you are not even aware of yourself but still dare to make the vain attempt of gambling. Do you know, the cost will not simply be your reputation for a lifetime, there’s also my Jiang family’s reputation. If you lose, the entire Jiang family will be criticized behind people’s back!”

Jiang Li looked extremely respectful with a suitable remorse on her face. However, she was actually absent-minded. Jiang Yuan Bai and the others believed that she was ignorant and didn’t know the immensity of heaven and earth. After all they didn’t know she was truly not the genuine Jiang second miss. In other places, if a person was confronted with such a scene, would probably think this matter was incomparably absurd.

Jiang Li spoke submissively: “Father, I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have reacted in a moment of anger. But now the matter has already gone this far, the whole city is aware of it. It will make people laugh if the bet is immediately cancelled. In any case, both scenarios will be other people’s jokes, it will be better to strive hard to fight. There’s still a trace of winning.”

Everyone was stunned, nobody thought that Jiang Li would admit her mistake so readily. Moreover, the way she admitted her mistake was so good that Jiang Yuan Bai was unable to continue reprimanding her.

Jiang Li was calm. She learned from Xue Zhao, “when admitting mistakes one has to be frank and sincere, after making mistakes one has to move forward, not taking big steps back”. This kind of attitude was very useful.

Anyway, a dead pig doesn’t fear scalding water. In that case, they could only try as the last resort to save a hopeless situation.

Footnotes:
1: 坐井观天 zuòjǐngguāntiān: ignorant and narrow-minded