The Double
Chapter 90 - 90 74 Imperial Archery_3

90: Chapter 74 Imperial Archery_3 90: Chapter 74 Imperial Archery_3 Jiang Youyao was puzzled, “Is someone also targeting Jiang Li?”

“Youyao, you must remember,” Ji Shuran didn’t answer Jiang Youyao’s question but said only, “The best strategy is to not stain one’s blade with blood and watch as the tigers fight from the safety of the mountain.”

Jiang Youyao nodded understandingly, although not quite comprehending.

…

Within the Jiang Residence, Jiang Youyao was displeased, yet Fangfei Garden remained a picture of harmonious joy.

Jiang Jingrui had evidently become a regular visitor to Fangfei Garden; even Bai Xue knew he preferred tea that wasn’t bitter and had poured a large spoonful of honey into his teacup.

“I say, the great-uncle and great-aunt are truly too unprincipled,” Jiang Jingrui said, “You win the first place in Zither Music, and they don’t even give you a congratulatory gift.” He spread his hands, “When Jiang Youyao used to get first place every year, the rewards never failed to follow.

He scrutinized Jiang Li carefully, “Both being daughters of great-uncle, why such a huge difference?

Could it be…

actually, you’re not one of the Jiang family members?”

The words were really quite offensive, almost as if he had specifically come to stab at people’s hearts.

Tonger was so angry she almost cursed out loud, while Bai Xue furrowed her brows.

Jiang Li watched him quietly and said, “Perhaps.”

“Eh?” Jiang Jingrui was surprised, “Why aren’t you angry?”

“There’s nothing to be angry about.” After all, she wasn’t one of the Jiang family members.

“You really have good composure,” remarked Jiang Jingrui with a shrug, before suddenly remembering something and laughing unabashedly, “Just thinking of Jiang Youyao’s expression today makes me want to laugh—”

Jiang Li couldn’t help but wonder if Jiang Youyao had ever seriously offended Jiang Jingrui to make him so disinclined to wish her well.

“Speaking of which, what do you actually plan to do tomorrow?” Jiang Jingrui asked, “Tomorrow is the Imperial Archery competition, you…” He appraised Jiang Li from head to toe and shook his head, “Surely you can’t win that too, right?”

Jiang Jingrui, though surprised that Jiang Li managed to surpass Jiang Youyao in Zither Music and win first place, did not find it completely unbelievable.

Since he himself had no understanding of zither playing and couldn’t comprehend what it meant for Jiang Li to play “Hu Jia Eighteen Beats” completely and brilliantly.

But as someone who had gone horse racing and archery with his friends, he knew the difficulty since he was only passable at equestrianism himself, which is why he came to advise Jiang Li.

“When you mount a horse, just take a couple of steps and then pretend to give up if you can’t do it, or don’t compare yourself with others.

I see many young ladies from Mingyi Hall treat it this way every year; sometimes they don’t even run, and just walk slowly to the finish line.

It’s okay.

You girls shouldn’t push yourselves too hard; protecting yourself is most important.

The Inspection Field is so large; if you fall and get hurt, it’s truly not worth it,” he advised while shaking his head.

Hearing his words, Jiang Li knew that Jiang Jingrui meant well, and she thought to herself that he and Xue Zhao were indeed different.

If it were Xue Zhao, he would surely have said, “If you’re going to compete with others, of course, you have to learn well.

Getting injured from a fall is no joke, so you must practice your equestrian and archery skills to be the best.

In case something happens, you will be more than capable of handling it.

What’s wrong with being a girl?

Girls must also compete!”

Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh.

“What are you laughing at?” Jiang Jingrui asked curiously, “Is what I said so funny?

Did you even listen to what I just said?

Jiang Li, I’m taking the trouble to advise you because we’re relatives, and here you are being stubborn.

Just don’t come crying to me later.”

“Rest assured, I definitely won’t come to you,” Jiang Li said.

“You!” Jiang Jingrui flung his sleeves, “I can’t win against you, have it your way!” He huffed and stood up to walk out.

Halfway through, he stopped and said, “There’s a riding master in the residence.

If you want to see him later, just go directly.

I’ve already notified him; at the very least you should not get thrown off the horse.” After leaving these words, Jiang Jingrui truly left.

“Miss,” Tonger said worriedly, “Is the Imperial Archery really that dangerous?

Maybe you should not go.” She had spent eight years with Jiang Li in the temple and knew that Jiang Li had never learned any such equestrian or archery skills.

Although Jiang Li hadn’t learned Music, Literature, Mathematics, and Etiquette, those weren’t dangerous.

Even if she competed, at the end of the day if it involved danger, Tonger couldn’t help but worry.

“It’s fine,” Jiang Li said, “I have my own plan.” She had a vague suspicion about why Ji Shuran’s attitude toward her had changed during the day; given that the Inspection Field was rife with risks and accidents could happen at any time, an “accident” at that time could easily be dismissed as just that.

Accidents could happen at any time.

But she wasn’t afraid of accidents, because she was more than capable of handling them.