Chapter 74 Part 6: Riding and Archery
Jiang Li turned it over in her mind but had no thoughts. Since she came back to Yanjing, there were countless people in the dark who regarded Jiang second miss as the thorn in their eyes. If she wanted to achieve her purpose, it’s inevitable for her to obstruct the road of many people. It’s no surprise to want to remove her, this rock blocking their paths.
Bai Xue came over with brand new riding clothes in her hand and said: “Miss, the outfit is ready.”
Jiang Li swept her eyes over the clothes in Bai Xue’s hands and said: “Okay, just place it on the table.”
The equestrian archery required riding a horse, so it’s necessary to wear a riding outfit. Jiang Li didn’t have one, this was old madam Jiang who asked someone to make a new one for her. To show fairness, all four daughters in the family would also get one. All the materials were chosen by themselves. Naturally, Jiang You Yao would get the best one.
Tong’er thought Jiang Li would need to exert a lot of effort as she put on the riding outfit for the first time. She didn’t think that Jiang Li was very proficient and didn’t even need anyone’s help. She could wear them in two, three steps. Tong’er bound her hair into a bundle, looking both vigorous and agile, exhibiting a bit of heroic spirit that she didn’t normally carry. This attracted the several servant girls in the courtyard to praise her.
The equestrian riding would begin in the early morning so Jiang Li also got up early. Then she went towards Wan Feng Hall to join the others. Her timing was right as the others had just arrived. Jiang Yu’e and Jiang You Yao immediately sized her up upon her arrival.
Jiang You Yao wore a pink riding outfit. She was originally dainty and bright, depicting the characteristics of Yanjing’s lively young ladies. Jiang Yu’e was in a light blue riding outfit, looking lovely with her pretty smile. Jiang Yu Yan was wearing a goose yellow riding outfit. Her skin color wasn’t white and the color of the cloth set her skin to appear slightly darker. She wouldn’t be noticed among a crowd of people.
Jiang Li’s riding outfit was cyan. She really liked the color cyan and picked this color for her riding outfit. The originally pretty and clear facial features appeared elegant and watery, seemingly unsuitable with this kind of ardent attire. But it was unknown why, when she stood there with her orderly sleeves and her light smile, she was like a perfectly straight green bamboo. The branches and leaves carried the morning dew, the heroic spirit flourished, full of vitality.
Even old madam Jiang couldn’t help showing her appreciation.
Jiang You Yao felt uneasy again. But after recalling the words Ji Shuran spoke to her yesterday, she looked towards Jiang Li and said with a smile: “Today second sister looks different from the before, truly good looking. Don’t know whether everyone present would again be surprised by the equestrian riding skill later.”
Jiang Li smiled indifferently: “Third sister overpraised.”
Jiang You Yao despised Jiang Li’s smile. Jiang Li’s smile looked too sincere, making Jiang You Yao, who knew Jiang Li’s insidiousness, disgusted with her. She turned her head and stopped looking at Jiang Li. Instead, she said to Ji Shuran: “Mother. Let’s go.”
Contrary to expectation, Jiang Yuan Bai fell behind and paused to say to Jiang Li: “You don’t have to force yourself if you are unable to.” Then he walked away.
Jiang Li was slightly startled and shook her head. Without thinking more, she immediately boarded the carriage and headed towards the examination field.
Today, Yanjing was almost empty as the people crowded outside the examination field. Probably yesterday’s music exam attracted a lot of people and the audience doubled for today’s equestrian riding.
Jiang Li got off the carriage and walked over to the exam platform.
Liu Xu saw her coming and greeted her cheerfully. She said: “Looking at how good your spirits are today, there should be no problem?” There’s probing in her words.
Jiang Li said: “Not bad.”
Liu Xu was satisfied and taking a quick look around, she saw Meng Hong Jin in the crowd. Today Meng Hong Jin looked exceptionally conspicuous, her whole body was wrapped in a fiery red riding outfit, making the whole person look enthusiastic and pa.s.sionate. Seeing that Jiang Li had arrived, Meng Hong Jin glanced before quickly moving her sight away.
Jiang Li was a bit puzzled.
The people ridiculing Jiang Li were not as many as yesterday. Perhaps the display Jiang Li presented yesterday intimidated the whole audience. Even the female students from Ming Yi Hall merely gathered together on one side and sized Jiang Li stealthily. They also didn’t dare to discuss in front of Jiang Li.
Liu Xu softly snorted: “Only know to feel afraid now.”
It’s the first time Jiang Li saw Liu Xu looking like this and felt novel. She said: “What to be afraid of?”
“You won’t be the person at the bottom of Ming Yi Hall anymore. You won’t lose the gamble between you and Meng Hong Jin. You know, many people went to the wine shop in Yanjing yesterday to buy liquor and drank till drunk. It was no other than because they’ve bet a lot on Meng Hong Jin and now grieving after losing everything that they’ve invested. Saying up to here, Liu Xu took joy in the calamity and said: “I also heard that the Meng family bet a lot of silver, this time they lost miserably. If not my father didn’t let me gamble, I would have also placed a bet, don’t know how many times my profit would have been right now.”