The Double
Chapter 87 - 87 73 Love for Beauty 7

87: Chapter 73 Love for Beauty 7 87: Chapter 73 Love for Beauty 7 “Oh right,” Liu Xu also thought of it, “In the Imperial Archery competition, besides the daughters of the military families, most of the girls from our school are also quite weak.

Can you…

do it?” She cautiously asked Jiang Li.

If it had been before, Liu Xu would have undoubtedly believed that Jiang Li definitely couldn’t.

However, after several occasions, Liu Xu no longer knew whether Jiang Li could or not.

Jiang Li always managed to surprise everyone time and time again, making one wonder what she wasn’t capable of?

For instance, mastering the three levels of examination studies, being able to distinguish genuine paintings from forgeries, and even playing the “Hu Jia Eighteen Beats” that no one else had played before.

Jiang Li answered vaguely: “A little.”

Even just “a little” stunned Liu Xu with the response, almost making her exclaim out loud “You can actually do it too.”

“Alright,” Jiang Li smiled, “It’s not a big deal.

I just did it to get through the school exam.

I guess I was just lucky today; I don’t know if I will have such good luck in the two Imperial Archery events.” She continued speaking while walking towards the Jiang Family’s seats.

Jiang Yuanbai saw his younger daughter, Jiang Youyao, with a look of dejection on her face which left him feeling uneasy, just as he caught sight of his eldest daughter approaching.

His expression grew complex.

Jiang Li had been abandoned at the temple for eight years, not taught by anyone, yet she had turned out so well.

This seemed to indicate that Jiang Li was even more intelligent than Jiang Youyao, yet such an intelligent daughter had been wasted.

On the one hand, Jiang Yuanbai felt guilty about his inaction toward Jiang Li over the years; on the other hand, he couldn’t forget the mistake she made against Ji Shuran eight years ago.

Although it is said that knowing one’s mistakes can make one improve, which is the greatest virtue, the harm had already been done, and no matter how one tried to make amends, there would always be scars.

It was true for Jiang Li, and the same for him.

Jiang Li ignored Jiang Yuanbai’s complex gaze and met Lady Lu’s warm smile.

Lady Lu said, “Lili is really impressive.

You’ve only been at Mingyi Hall for a few days, yet you’ve topped the class again.

I think, in all these years at Mingyi Hall, Lili is the most formidable.

What others couldn’t do, you did in one go.”

While praising Jiang Li, she also subtly put down Jiang Youyao.

Stating that what Jiang Li could achieve, Jiang Youyao could not, implying that Jiang Youyao was inferior to Jiang Li.

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Youyao felt even more resentful, yet her expression became even more aggrieved and pitiful.

Jiang Yuanbai cleared his throat twice, unable to bear causing distress to his younger daughter, and said: “Youyao is also good.”

Ji Shuran, however, countered, “Youyao is still a bit young and not as polished as Lili.

Lili really opened our eyes today,” she said with a smile looking at Jiang Li, “In the future, Youyao should learn more from Lili.”

This gracious demeanor really astounded Jiang Li, thinking that Ji Shuran indeed knew when to yield and when to stand firm.

But as for her advising Jiang Youyao, not to mention whether she herself was willing, Jiang Youyao probably wouldn’t want it either.

Besides, Jiang Li didn’t think Jiang Youyao felt she was superior to the Immortal Jing Hong.

Nonetheless, it was important to maintain appearances, so Jiang Li smiled and responded, “It’s all thanks to Mother’s good instruction.”

Jiang Yue watched from the side, sneering inwardly.

Now playing the part of the filial and kind, who knows if they didn’t all have their own ulterior motives?

Ji Shuran knew how to act, and so did Jiang Li; Jiang Yue began to grow wary of Jiang Li in her heart.

“Tomorrow will still be the two events of Imperial Archery,” Madam Jiang the Elder said, “Little Miss Li, can you do it?”

The two events of Imperial Archery consisted of horse riding and archery, and this year’s school examinations combined these two events into one – shooting arrows while riding, which was also essentially the skill of horsemanship and archery.

This was because in the recent years, the Dongtu had invaded.

The Dongtu People, hailing from the steppes, excelled at horsemanship and archery, so the army began to drill cavalry archer troops.

Mingyi Hall followed the lead of the army by having the young women combine horse riding and archery, using the skill of horsemanship and archery to test both elements in one go, which was seen as killing two birds with one stone.

“I know a little,” Jiang Li said.

Both Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yue’s hearts skipped a beat as they looked towards Jiang Li.

How could she even know that?

Could it be that, hidden somewhere within Green City Mountain, there was another Mingyi Hall where even Imperial Archery was taught?

Jiang Yuanbai was also surprised and asked, “Where did you learn it?”

“Once some pilgrims donated horses to the temple, and out of curiosity, while feeding them, I climbed up and secretly rode them.

The horses were gentle and not difficult to control,” Jiang Li explained.

“As for archery, Tonger and I once made bows and arrows from tree branches in the forest to hunt birds for food to fill our stomachs.”

Tonger felt a bit perplexed, for she had no knowledge of these matters.

Nevertheless, she nodded and corroborated Jiang Li’s story, keeping a straight face and lying with as much earnestness as her mistress.

To Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai, this tale had a peculiar taste.

Feeding horses, hunting birds, filling one’s belly – those ignorant of the truth might think this the life of a poor country family, never imagining it was the plight of the Chief Minister’s Family’s young miss.

They had no idea just how hard Jiang Li’s past years had been.

Jiang Yuanbai, with both a tender heart and soft ear, especially towards his family, immediately felt extreme regret over his actions from before.

Ji Shuran, however, harbored secret resentment.

Jiang Li dared to voice grievances right in her presence.

So young, yet so crafty.

If she didn’t find a way to stop her now, who knew how much trouble she’d cause in the Jiang Residence in the future?

Jiang Li had to be dealt with, Ji Shuran thought.

Ordinary methods wouldn’t suffice.

As Ji Shuran was pondering this, she suddenly noticed something and gave an involuntary start.

A glance caught Meng Hongjin standing amid the crowd, glaring straight at Jiang Li.

The gaze was brief and blurred, but the darkness and scheming within didn’t escape Ji Shuran’s eyes.

Initially puzzled, Ji Shuran quickly had an epiphany and felt at ease.

She smiled at Jiang Li, the cloudiness from earlier swiftly dispersing, and even going along with Jiang Yuanbai’s sentiments, she said, “Little Miss Li, you truly suffered in the past years.

Now that you are back home, those days are behind you.

It will only get better from here on.”

Jiang Yuanbai was very pleased with Ji Shuran’s considerate response, but upon hearing her words, Jiang Li immediately became alert.

What had changed?

Ji Shuran seemed to have relaxed all of a sudden.

What was the change?

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