After meeting Jiang Youyao and then Jiang Jingrui, Jiang Li finally spent considerable time becoming thoroughly familiar with all the paths throughout the Jiang estate.

The Jiang family had deep roots, and their estate was extremely large. Fortunately, Jiang Li had a good memory. Moreover, when she was in Tongxiang, though the estate was small, she loved following Xue Huaiyuan out to handle official business. She had run through every corner of Tongxiang, so finding her way around was one of her strengths.

The following days passed unexpectedly peacefully. Apart from watching Xiangqiao fawn and flatter before her daily while Yunshuang bossed people around, nothing particularly notable occurred. What was subtle was that whether it was Old Madam Jiang or the Second and Third Households, aside from that one day’s chance encounter, not a single person had taken the initiative to seek out Jiang Li—not even Jiang Li’s father, Jiang Yuanbai, who couldn’t even be bothered to put on a show. Within the entire Jiang household, Jiang Li was like an insignificant person. It seemed that bringing her back was only to neglect her on the side, and after some time, she would be completely cast from people’s minds.

No—there was no need to wait. It was already like that now.

Since others wouldn’t give her face, Jiang Li saw no need to eagerly press her warm face against their cold backsides. She treated it as if nothing had happened, didn’t take the initiative to see Old Madam, and usually had Tong’er bring meals back to Fangfei Court for her to eat alone, as if out of sight meant out of mind.

But conflicts wouldn’t automatically disappear just because she ignored them. The current calm was also preparation for future unrest.

On this particular morning, after rain came clear skies—it was rarely cool, unlike the usual sweltering heat. After Jiang Li finished breakfast, she told Xiangqiao that she planned to go out.

Yunshuang stood further away, unobtrusively eavesdropping as Xiangqiao asked Jiang Li, “Second Miss, why do you suddenly want to go out?”

“I’ve been back at the estate for half a month and have stayed within the estate every day. It’s really stifling. I don’t know what Yanjing has looked like these past years either. I just want to go out for a walk and look around.” Before Xiangqiao could speak, she added, “Besides, in a few more days it will be Third Sister’s coming-of-age ceremony. I can hardly go empty-handed.”

Xiangqiao’s eyes darted around as she asked, “Is Miss going to select a coming-of-age gift for Third Miss?”

“That’s right.” Jiang Li smiled. “And while I’m at it, I’ll see what other novel things are available.”

Xiangqiao’s heart was immediately tickled with anticipation. If Jiang Li was going out to buy things and she went along, she might receive some rewards too. Speaking of which, although this Second Miss grew up in a nunnery, she was extremely generous with spending. Whether it was foolishness or inheriting the late Madam Ye Zhenzhen’s nature of spending money like water, her usual rewards were quite lavish. Just from being by Jiang Li’s side for half a month, the jewelry Xiangqiao had received in rewards nearly matched what she’d gotten in an entire year before.

She deliberately asked, “Second Miss, your expenses these past days haven’t been small either…”

“I haven’t spent the silver Grandmother gave me yet.” Jiang Li interrupted her words with a smile. “It’s enough to buy some fine things.”

Xiangqiao thought about it—that was true. What Jiang Li had rewarded her with was all jewelry; the silver had remained untouched. Actually, how could silver be as precious as jewelry? But naturally Xiangqiao wouldn’t voluntarily cut off her own source of income. Thinking that today she might be able to profit again, she immediately swallowed back the words she’d prepared to dissuade Jiang Li from going out, only saying, “In that case, this servant will accompany Second Miss out to take a look. This servant has gone out with Third Miss before and knows which shops in Yanjing are good.”

Yunshuang was somewhat dissatisfied with Xiangqiao’s reaction, but Jiang Li had already spoken: “That’s good then. Tong’er, you come with me too. Thank you, Sister Xiangqiao.”

But she intentionally or unintentionally ignored Yunshuang.

Two maids were already enough; naturally Yunshuang wouldn’t follow along. Although Yunshuang had never planned to accommodate this Second Miss from the start, Jiang Li’s current behavior seemed to be clearly demonstrating one thing: Jiang Li also disliked Yunshuang.

After Jiang Li and Xiangqiao left the room together, Yunshuang spat resentfully and immediately went to Shuxiu Garden to Ji Shuran’s side.

When Jiang Li went out, the gatehouse staff were somewhat nervous. Fortunately, Xiangqiao was very familiar with them. After chatting warmly with the gatehouse for a few moments, she had two guards follow along with the Jiang family’s carriage as they went out.

Perhaps because they felt Jiang Li wasn’t valued, the escort was pitifully small—but this happened to suit Jiang Li’s preference for not having many people around.

Once they left the Jiang estate gates, Tong’er breathed a sigh of relief. She had also felt stifled during these days at the Jiang estate, afraid of causing trouble for Jiang Li. Every day she was as careful as could be, living on thin ice. Now that they were out, she suddenly felt that even Xiangqiao, whom she usually couldn’t stand, wasn’t so detestable anymore.

Xiangqiao didn’t dally either. As soon as they left, she said, “Second Miss, this servant knows the best jewelry shop in Yanjing is Jixiang Building.”

“Then let’s go to Jixiang Building.” Jiang Li was extraordinarily agreeable.

Actually, Jiang Li’s maternal family, the Ye family, had made their fortune in jewelry. Although they weren’t as prestigious as Jixiang Building, they made up for it in volume. Later, as the Ye family’s commercial interests developed more and more, they actually paid less attention to the jewelry business.

When they arrived at Jixiang Building, the shopkeeper recognized Xiangqiao and greeted her warmly. But when he saw Jiang Li beside her, he froze and blurted out, “This honored guest…”

Usually Xiangqiao came with Ji Shuran and Jiang Youyao. Today Xiangqiao was accompanying alone a young lady. This young lady was clearly riding in the Jiang family’s carriage, yet her appearance was extremely unfamiliar. The shopkeeper wondered to himself—she wasn’t one of the Jiang family’s illegitimate daughters, so could she be some relative of the Jiang family?

Just as he was thinking this, he saw Xiangqiao’s face show a strange expression. She hesitated before awkwardly speaking: “This is our estate’s Second Miss.”

When the shopkeeper first heard the title “Second Miss,” he hadn’t reacted yet. His face smiled warmly while he wondered when the Jiang family had gained a Second Miss. But when he saw Jiang Li’s face, he suddenly realized and nearly choked on his own saliva.

Second Miss? The Jiang family’s Second Miss who had poisoned her stepmother and legitimate brother and been sent to a nunnery to cultivate her character!

She wasn’t the fierce ghostly face of rumors, menacing and murderous, nor was she the sharp-tongued, vicious and combative figure of imagination. The girl before him wore a moon-white gauze skirt and jade-colored jacket with plain makeup. She was slightly tilting her head to look at him, as if finding him quite interesting, with a faint smile at the corners of her lips.

Clear and gentle, with beautiful eyes and brows—she was clearly a celestial maiden or jade attendant from beneath the Bodhisattva’s seat.

Good heavens, how could this be the Jiang family’s Second Miss?

The shopkeeper felt his head spin in confusion, unable to think clearly about anything. Tong’er frowned and said angrily, “This young man, are you not planning to receive guests?”

The shopkeeper immediately came to his senses and apologized profusely. He stole another glance at Jiang Li and saw that she still wore a gentle smile without any sign of anger. His brain, which had just cleared, instantly became muddled again.

As he ushered the group into the shop, he thought—why was it that today of all days there weren’t many customers? At the moment, there wasn’t a single customer in the hall. Otherwise, if those customers could see that this vicious Second Miss Jiang looked like this, he surely wouldn’t be the only one shocked!

As Jiang Li’s group entered Jixiang Building, not far across from it stood a magnificent building, resplendent with gold and jade, with celestial music floating through the air.

Upstairs by the window sat two people. One spoke: “Look, people from the Jiang family.”

Opposite them, a hand lifted a teapot and gently poured a cup of tea. The well-defined hand was actually several shades more porcelain-white than the delicate teapot itself.

“Oh.” The voice carried a lazy interest. “An acquaintance.”

—

**Author’s Note:**

The beauty has come out to watch the show again ╮(╯▽╰)╭