The Double-Chapter 48 - 46 Good People
48: Chapter 46 Good People
48 -46 Good People
When Jiang Li went to Mingyi Hall, she only brought along Bai Xue, a maid.
Although Mingyi Hall was a place where daughters of Government’s Houses received their education, the discipline was strict.
If it weren’t for her interactions with the teachers of Mingyi Hall when she was formerly married to Shen Yurong, she would likely be entirely ignorant about it and might have become the laughingstock of many.
Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yue definitely wanted to see Jiang Li make a fool of herself, which is why they didn’t bother to explain even a word to her.
When Jiang Li and Bai Xue were getting on the carriage, Tonger couldn’t help but show her reluctance by saying, “Miss, please come back early.”
Tonger had been inseparable from Jiang Li during those eight years on Green City Mountain, when the latter had only Tonger as a maid.
Now that Jiang Li had more servants around her, Tonger felt somewhat left out, and Jiang Li had to comfort her quite a bit.
Although she took Bai Xue to Mingyi Hall, other people would certainly sneer at her for having such a silly-looking maid by her side.
However, in this world, one shouldn’t judge by appearances; although Bai Xue might not have the pleasing looks of other maids, she was exceptionally strong.
Ever since her near-death experience, Jiang Li often thought that if she had some martial skills, might she have escaped by luck that day, instead of dying helplessly?
However, martial skills couldn’t be mastered overnight, especially since the Jiang Family was a family of civil officials, and Jiang Li was a lady; it just didn’t seem reasonable for her to learn martial arts.
Besides, she guessed that her body was not particularly suited for martial arts, so she dismissed the idea.
Not knowing martial arts herself, having a strong maid by her side might increase her chances of survival.
Jiang Li knew that living meant hope, and any opportunity to increase her chances of living could be crucial when the time came.
While Jiang Li and Bai Xue were on their way to Mingyi Hall, Jiang Youyao and the others had already arrived ahead of them.
In the past, Jiang Youyao wouldn’t have traveled with Jiang Yue and Jiang Yuyan, as they were from the third branch of the family, and she genuinely looked down on them.
However, since Jiang Yue had a sweet tongue and was good at flattering her, Jiang Youyao would occasionally show her some favor.
Today, to spite Jiang Li, Jiang Youyao took the same carriage as Jiang Yue and Jiang Yuyan for the first time.
This unusual occurrence did not go unnoticed by the people at Mingyi Hall.
“Youyao,” a girl in a pink dress looked back and asked curiously, “Isn’t today the day your family’s Second Miss will also come to start her studies?
Why don’t I see her?
Didn’t you come together?”
Before Jiang Youyao could speak, Jiang Yue preempted her, saying, “The Second Miss got up late today.
She must be busy choosing which outfit to wear, as today is her first day at school, and she takes it very seriously.”
On any ordinary day, Jiang Youyao would have been displeased with Jiang Yue’s interruption, but today she let it pass without comment.
No sooner had Jiang Yue finished speaking than another tall girl sneered, “Choosing which outfit?
This isn’t a beauty pageant, what’s there to choose?”
“I heard that when your Second Miss first returned home, some got a glimpse of her and said she was quite a beauty.” Another girl tried to probe Jiang Youyao, “Is she really that beautiful?
How does she compare to you, Youyao?”
Although Jiang Youyao couldn’t be considered the top in either talent or beauty at Mingyi Hall, those who were more talented than her couldn’t compare to her beauty, and those who were prettier didn’t match her talent.
Coupled with Jiang Yuanbai’s status, Jiang Youyao stood out at Mingyi Hall.
Jiang Yue smirked, “The Second Miss is indeed beautiful, but having stayed in the mountains for too long, her…
temperament…” she didn’t finish, but everyone thought of the fact that Jiang Li was once exiled to the temple on the mountain and had stayed there for eight years.
Having lived in the deep mountains for eight years, she must be a country bumpkin.
Having just returned to Yanjing, what could she possibly know?
Even the girl who had initially been curious about Jiang Li now showed a disdainful expression.
The female students of Mingyi Hall judge by identity, status, appearance, and talent.
Those who come here are the pearls of their respective families, and by their inherent positions, none are willing to be outdone.
Whenever there is a newcomer, they must be compared.
Apart from having a Grand Secretary as a father, Jiang Li had nothing to her name.
And even this father of hers did not seem to hold her in high esteem.
With that in mind, what was there to notice about Jiang Li?
While they were speaking, suddenly, a student with a penchant for gossip shouted from outside, “Miss Jiang the Second has arrived!”
All the female students in the academy, as if by some unspoken agreement, turned to look toward the entrance.
At the door, two young girls appeared.
The maid in tow had a more robust build compared to the average maid, and her dark skin, coupled with the peach-pink maid’s gown, did not lend her a delicate air but rather made her look somewhat comical; her movements more akin to those of a village girl from the countryside.
Although this maid was eye-catching, her comical appearance only served to make the girl beside her seem even more ethereal.
The girl’s face was adorned with a gentle smile, soothing like a warm breeze in the mountains, caressing the heart and bringing nothing but comfort.
Her features were perfectly balanced — clear-cut with a distinctive and spirited look in her eyes that lent an air of resilience to her tenderness.
“Is that Miss Jiang the Second?” someone whispered softly, “She doesn’t seem to have been raised in the mountains.”
It was her first day at the academy, her first time at Mingyi Hall, surrounded by strangers, yet the girl showed not the slightest discomfort or timidity.
Her confident demeanor was on par with anyone else’s.
“To me, she seems just like someone raised in the mountains,” another whispered to her companion, “Quite spirited.”
“Spirited” is a feeling difficult to describe; it cannot be acquired by spending a few extra days studying with a teacher, nor can it be bought with silver.
The girl’s eyes were as clear and pure as a spring, sweet and virtuous.
Even after hearing so many malicious rumors about her, it was hard to feel any animosity toward Miss Jiang the Second, who was just too pure and kind.
The immediate shift in attitude towards Jiang Li from the people around didn’t escape the notice of Jiang Youyao and her friends.
Youyao was seething with anger; Jiang Li hadn’t worn any of the dresses Ji Shuran sent her, making her own decisions instead.
She was clearly doing it on purpose, purposefully stealing the spotlight!
Jiang Youyao’s thoughts were somewhat unreasonable.
If Jiang Li had dressed in the gowns sent by Ji Shuran, that would have truly been showing off.
However, standing out at this moment might not have been a good thing.
Jiang Li’s simple and elegant attire, blending with her temperament, inadvertently made her stand out even more.
Jiang Yue, however, didn’t understand.
She couldn’t comprehend why, despite Jiang Li’s besmirched reputation, the students didn’t show a hint of disgust upon seeing her.
Could it be that reputation didn’t matter after all?
Jiang Li smiled inwardly.
There are always things beyond the sight of the world, and what people fail to see, they are blind to.
Yet, most people prefer to believe that what they see is everything.
For instance, truly understanding someone’s character from a single encounter is impossible.
What is understood is merely another’s judgment.
To them, she appeared to be a good person, and with just a little effort, she might indeed become a “good person.”
