Jiang Li

Biodata

Background / History

Jiang Li maintained a relationship with Feng Yanshan for three years while his first wife, Bai Zhi, was pregnant with Bai Yunsheng. After Bai Zhi divorced Feng Yanshan and later died of cancer, Jiang Li benefited from the Feng Household's narrative that treated Bai Yunsheng—the legitimate son—as an outsider while concealing Feng Tingfan's illegitimate birth 6.

She tacitly permitted, and at times hinted at, the household servants' mistreatment of Bai Yunsheng. The servants understood that Jiang Li and Feng Yanshan would not intervene, allowing them to deny him food and treat him as beneath them 7.

In the timeline before Bai Yunsheng's rebirth, Jiang Li comforted Feng Tingfan after Bai's death and regarded Bai's death as beneficial, believing it removed a threat to her son’s position 3.

Appearance

Jiang Li is over forty but maintains herself so carefully that her age is not immediately apparent. She is often depicted in expensive clothing and jewelry, and she uses a polished, tearful appearance to present herself as vulnerable when advantageous 22.

• Maintains a youthful, carefully groomed appearance 22
• Wears new jewelry and styled clothing 20 21
• Uses tears and visible distress strategically during confrontations 22

Personality

Jiang Li is status-conscious, calculating, and fiercely protective of Feng Tingfan. Her concern for him is inseparable from her fear of losing the position and security that his favored status once gave her 3 46.

She avoids open responsibility when it threatens her image. When Bai Yunsheng publicly exposes that the servants are starving him, she orders them to prepare food not out of compassion, but because she cannot risk appearing complicit 7. When Feng Yanshan favors Bai due to his connection with Meng Shangzhi, she rapidly changes from accusing Bai of assault to publicly apologizing and praising him 22.

Her confidence collapses when Bai Yunsheng threatens her after she insults Bai Zhi. Though terrified, she continues to conceal resentment and plot against him afterward 21.

Relationships

• Feng Yanshan — Husband. Their affair began while he was married to the pregnant Bai Zhi; Jiang Li later relies on his authority and wealth to protect her own position 6 22.
• Feng Tingfan — Biological son. Jiang Li repeatedly defends him, shields him from Feng Yanshan's anger, and fights to preserve his standing after his illegitimate status is exposed 3 12 46 48.
• Bai Yunsheng — Stepson and adversary. Jiang Li enabled his neglect, views him as a threat to Tingfan, and is frightened by his growing power and violence 7 21 22.
• Feng Zhiyou — Regards Jiang Li as his mother despite Bai Yunsheng being his full younger brother. He promises that neither Bai's return nor Feng Yanshan's favoritism will change his loyalty to her or Tingfan 48.
• Meng Shangzhi — A powerful opponent to her influence over the Feng family. He openly questions whether Jiang Li can be considered Bai Yunsheng's family and supports Bai against her interests 23 46.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Bai Yunsheng's neglect

• Jiang Li allows the Feng Household servants to mistreat Bai Yunsheng, including withholding food during his basement confinement 7.
• Bai forces her to intervene by calling her on speakerphone and reporting that the kitchen refuses to feed him; she publicly orders the servants to prepare congee 7.

Conflict over Feng Tingfan

• After Feng Tingfan's conduct damages Feng Yanshan's attempt to cooperate with Meng Shangzhi, Jiang Li defends Tingfan and attempts to redirect blame toward Bai Yunsheng 12.
• When Feng Tingfan is sent to the basement, she tries to intervene but is silenced by Feng Yanshan's assertion of authority 21.

Staircase confrontation

• Jiang Li threatens Bai Yunsheng over Feng Tingfan and boasts that she defeated Bai Zhi in the past 21.
• Enraged by the insult to his mother, Bai Yunsheng grabs Jiang Li by the throat and suspends her over a stair railing before releasing her 21.
• Jiang Li accuses Bai of trying to murder her, but Feng Yanshan dismisses her accusation because Bai's connection to Meng Shangzhi is more valuable to him 22.
• Recognizing the changed balance of power, Jiang Li immediately apologizes to Bai in front of Feng Yanshan, creating a false reconciliation 22.

Loss of status

• At the Meng estate, Meng Shangzhi publicly distances Jiang Li and Feng Tingfan from Bai Yunsheng by questioning whether they are truly his family 23.
• After Bai demands public recognition as Feng Yanshan's legitimate son, Jiang Li panics because the revelation would expose her as the third party in Feng Yanshan and Bai Zhi's marriage 46.
• Following Feng Tingfan's public exposure as the illegitimate son, Jiang Li turns to Feng Zhiyou for reassurance and secures his promise to continue protecting both her and Tingfan 48.

Notable Quotes

“A few years ago, your mother couldn't defeat me. A few years from now, the outcome will be exactly the same.” 21