The Double
Chapter 374 - 130 The Expert_2

Chapter 374: Chapter 130 The Expert_2

"It’s best not to disturb Her Highness the Princess these few days, as she’s been feeling quite troubled," Xiao Deyin said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Consort Li asked, "Is it because of the case involving the Xue Family?"

Xiao Deyin nodded, "Exactly."

Consort Li sighed, "Yongning has indeed been caught in an undeserved calamity. Everything was fine until she was dragged into the Xue Family case. Now, there are all sorts of rumors flying about, and she has to exert herself to clear her name."

Xiao Deyin said, "Indeed, Miss Jiang the Second went too far this time. The Xue Family case is already complex with no evidence, yet she dragged Princess Yongning into this muddy water. For Miss Jiang the Second, it was a matter of a single sentence, but for Princess Yongning, it’s something that can’t be easily clarified."

"Yes," Consort Li lamented, "I heard that during the court deliberations, when Miss Jiang the Second spoke of Xue Huaiyuan’s relatives and mentioned Xue Fangfei, the Assistant Head Writer Lord Shen was also present. It seemed very awkward."

At the mention of "Xue Fangfei," there was a fleeting look of discomfort on Xiao Deyin’s face.

Fortunately, Consort Li didn’t continue on this topic but instead said, "That Miss Jiang the Second is indeed formidable, not to mention the court deliberations this time. Even in the previous Inspection Field, she seized the spotlight with her Zither playing. You have heard it yourself, it was quite good."

Now, Xiao Deyin’s expression became even worse. After all, after that examination, many people compared Jiang Li’s "Hu Jia Eighteen Beats" to hers, and had it not been for the fact that she and Jiang Li did not compete directly, many would probably say that Jiang Li had surpassed her. And even without such comments, others were saying that the title of Yanjing’s first Zither Master would belong to Jiang Li in the future.

Xiao Deyin was not convinced, but she had to admit that Jiang Li’s Zither expertise was something she probably couldn’t catch up with at the moment. So she was also worried that if Jiang Li were to perform in any event, how much longer she could hold on to the title of the first Zither Master.

Whether Consort Li noticed Xiao Deyin’s complexion or not, she gracefully picked up the tea cup from the table and took a sip. Just then, a palace maid came in and announced, "Your Highness, Madam Jiang has arrived."

Xiao Deyin quickly got up, "In that case, I won’t bother Consort Li any longer. Deyin takes her leave."

Consort Li did not ask her to stay, saying, "Since that’s the case, let’s chat another day. Hong Zhu, see Mr. Xiao out."

After Hong Zhu saw Xiao Deyin out, Luwu asked, "Your Highness, why did you bring up Miss Jiang the Second’s Zither playing at the Inspection Field? From what I saw, Mr. Xiao didn’t seem to be in a good mood."

"It’s precisely to make her feel uncomfortable," Consort Li’s smile gradually faded as she said, "Xiao Deyin is a person who is extremely competitive and values her reputation above all else. With Jiang Li being such a difficult opponent, having one more person like Xiao Deyin against her will make things easier for my sister. However," she sighed, "Shuran must have no other choice to come looking for my help, and I don’t know what kind of trouble she’s in."

Ji Shuran came in.

Upon entering, she first bowed respectfully and took her place, and Consort Li had the palace maid help her up.

"Third Sister," Consort Li said, "what brings you here?"

When Ji Shuran looked at her older sister, she saw that Consort Li seemed even younger compared to herself. It wasn’t that Ji Shuran wasn’t beautiful enough, but rather Consort Li, despite being older, always had a touch of girlish naivety about her, which made her seem no different from the other younger women in the harem and perhaps even more charming.

Among the three Ji sisters, Consort Li was the most beautiful, Lady Chen Ji had the strongest personality, and Shuran, with her younger sister status, was the most doted upon. Ji Shuran was closer to Lady Chen Ji but admired this eldest sister the most. Putting everything else aside, at their age, Consort Li still managed to monopolize Emperor Hongxiao’s affection in the palace.

Ji Yanlin had decided from a young age to send his eldest daughter into the palace. Therefore, the best portions of everything at home, whether it was food or clothing, were always reserved for Consort Li. When Ji Shuran was a child, she did not understand and always complained that Ji Yanlin was partial, but as she grew up and Consort Li became the Ji family’s support in the palace, she gradually came to her senses.

Especially now, when she needed help in every aspect, she felt that not even Lady Chen Ji could completely offer the aid she needed. Instead, she had to rely on her smart and resourceful eldest sister.

"Sister," Ji Shuran did not address her as Your Highness, but called her as sisters normally would, and said, "You have seen the situation in my house. Jiang Li has become increasingly uncontrollable, and I need to find a way to get rid of her."

Upon hearing this, Consort Li shook her head, "I saw her at the palace banquet last time, and I felt that Jiang Li was a difficult person to deal with. Little sister, you have spent so many years in the harem, how could you let her grow to such an extent. If it were me, I would never have waited until now to act. Now that the girl has grown powerful, getting rid of her is not as easy as it used to be."