Chapter 25 Part 1 - Ah L?
Jiang Li wasn’t aware that her movements in front of Ji Xiang Lou were watched by someone. When Tong’er came back from the pawn shop, she shook her head and spoke: “The jade that this servant pawned before was redeemed by someone else. But while in the pawn shop, this slave found a piece of very beautiful jade pendant and bought it.” She spread out her hand when she was done speaking.
The quality of the jade pendant laying in the middle of Tong’er’s palm was just so-so. In Jiang residence, Xiang Qiao was accustomed to seeing good things, so by comparison, this piece of jade really had nothing special. If one were to say whether there was anything unusual about it, it was the carving of a fat racoon on it. The carving was imitated perfectly, vivid and remarkably life-like.
Xiang Qiao only took a glance before moving her sight away. On the contrary, Jiang Li was unable to take her eyes off it and didn’t want to part with it. She said to Tong’er: “It’s pretty indeed.”
“This servant knew young lady would like it, since young lady likes it, just hold on to it.”
historical
Jiang didn’t decline and accepted the jade pendant. Upon seeing it, Xiang Qiao ridiculed in her heart, after all Jiang Li really was a country bumpkin who had stayed in the mountain for 8 years, liking such a lousy toy.
When they returned to Fang Fei Courtyard, it was already late in the evening. No idea since when, Xiang Qiao had disappeared like a wisp of smoke. Jiang Li was also aware that she certainly had gone to Warm and Graceful Courtyard to report to Ji Shuran.
Tong’er saw that there was no other person inside the room and closed the door, then she poured a cup of hot tea for Jiang Li. She inquired quietly: “Young lady, why did you suddenly want this servant to redeem this piece of jade? Who does this jade belong to? Is there anything special?”
They had relied on each other in Mount Qingcheng for 8 years. Although they were master and servant, their relationship was better than the usual master servant relationship. Tong’er was very clear about any matter regarding Jiang Li. But didn’t know since when, Tong’er also no longer knew the meaning behind Jiang Li’s actions.
Just like the thing today. Before they went out, Jiang Li told her to help her by all means to redeem a piece of jade pendant. The words spoken in front of Ji Xiang Lou were all taught by Jiang Li beforehand. What late mother, all of these were fabricated.
Jiang Li smiled at her: “You did very well.” While caressing the jade pendant, she said: “This jade pendant was an old friend’s. That old friend is already gone.”
The jade pendant in her hand was personally carved by Xue Huaiyuan when she was born. The night before Xue Fang Fei’s mother gave birth to her, Xue Huaiyuan had a dream. In his dream, a racoon came in front of their family’s door and solemnly bowed. Afterwards, when she was born, a yin yang Master was invited to look at Xue Fang Fei’s life. The Master said that in her life, Xue Fang Fei would fall and wither, a beautiful woman suffering unhappy fates. The always steady and upright Xue Huaiyuan was so angry he raised a stick and nearly beat the yin yang master to death. His mouth said that he didn’t believe, but his heart nevertheless minded. From neighbors far and near, he heard that it was best to choose a lowly pet name for unlucky people. When the King of Hell and the lower demons heard, they would be disinclined to collect this lowly life.
As a result, Xue Huaiyuan did not give Xue Fang Fei a child’s name, rather, he directly added a pet name, Ah L?.
Xue Huaiyuan had saved half a year of his salary when he encountered a wandering merchant and bought the jade from his hand, it wasn’t very costly. Then Xue Huaiyuan personally requested a senior monk to bless it, and personally carved it, wishing for Xue Fang Fei to be safe and sound and for her things to go smoothly throughout her life.
Afterwards, this piece of jade accompanied Xue Fang Fei up to the capital, Yanjing. Later on, when Shen Yurong became the top scorer and became an official, he needed to make social interactions up and down. The Shen family’s property was too meager, so Xue Fang Fei took out her whole dowry for him to use. During the most hard-pressed time, this piece of jade was pawned.
Originally, she thought to wait for a few days until the home conditions had improved before bringing the jade pendant back. Who would have imagined, not long after, the matter at the birthday feast occurred. Her reputation was entirely ruined, she had no face to go out. Until she passed away, she was not able to redeem this piece of jade.
Tong’er saw Jiang Li thinking of something, she didn’t know what it was but her expression was unexpectedly looking extremely desolate. She couldn’t help opening her mouth: “Young lady.......”