Inside Jixiang Building, Jiang Li and the other two were still selecting jewelry.

Whether out of fear of Jiang Li’s “evil reputation” or not, both the shopkeeper and the clerk summoned their utmost attention to attend to Jiang Li. Since there happened to be no other customers today, the shopkeeper had brought out almost all the newly made jewelry for Jiang Li to choose from.

Xiangqiao had originally thought that when Jiang Li selected a gift for Jiang Youyao, she would not only lack sincerity but might even secretly play some trick. Yet unexpectedly, Jiang Li truly selected carefully and even generously purchased a complete set of red jadeite pearl-drop phoenix headdress. This set of headdress alone cost a full three hundred taels of silver.

The box of silver Old Madam Jiang had given Jiang Li contained only four hundred taels in total. After buying this headdress, there would only be one hundred taels left.

Looking at Jiang Li again, she showed no sign of distress. Xiangqiao felt she truly didn’t understand what this Second Miss was thinking.

The shopkeeper and clerk had originally been serving her with trepidation today, but who would have known that from start to finish Jiang Li never made things difficult for them—she was even more easygoing than other high-born young ladies of Yanjing. It was rather inexplicable.

After buying this headdress, the remaining silver couldn’t possibly buy any other jewelry from Jixiang Building. When the three of them left the shop and were about to walk toward the carriage, Tong’er suddenly pointed to a pawnshop not far away and said to Jiang Li, “Miss, before this servant left the capital, I pawned a jade pendant my late mother gave me here. This servant wants to go take a look to see if that jade pendant is still there. If it is, I’ll redeem it as a keepsake.”

Jiang Li said, “Go ahead.” She also handed the remaining silver to Tong’er. “Use this.”

Tong’er couldn’t refuse and had to take the silver and walk toward the pawnshop. Xiangqiao remained, staring blankly at Jiang Li. Jiang Li was truly too good to her servants. Even she herself had gained many benefits from Jiang Li. Speaking from the heart, having such a mistress was far better than following Third Miss or Ji Shuran. Xiangqiao felt somewhat regretful. If Jiang Li weren’t the Jiang family’s Second Miss, destined to be dealt with miserably by Ji Shuran, she would even be willing to follow this mistress—it would surely be much more comfortable.

This entire scene of the three of them before Jixiang Building fell completely into the eyes of two people at the window of the “Wangxian Building” nearby.

Seated at a yellow pear wood table were two people. One had thick eyebrows and large eyes, with yellow ribbons embroidered along the edges of his black armor—he seemed to be a military man. His movements pouring tea were bold and carried a martial spirit. He spoke carelessly, “Which young lady from the Jiang family is that? Why is she even going to a pawnshop?”

After a while, the person opposite answered slowly, “The second.”

“The second?” The armored soldier smacked his lips, suddenly catching on. “Second Miss Jiang? The one who recently returned to the capital, Jiang Yuanbai’s eldest daughter? You mean that evil woman who killed her mother and murdered her brother? By God, that can’t be right!”

Of the two standing before Jixiang Building, the one dressed as a maid need not be mentioned, but the other had a slender figure, delicate as a willow swaying in the wind. This armored soldier’s eyesight must have been quite good—he could roughly make out Second Miss Jiang’s appearance. He muttered, “Looking so pitiful—this is Second Miss Jiang? I, Kong Liu, have never misjudged a person. Either you’ve mistaken her for someone else, or this young lady simply didn’t do such things!”

The person opposite ignored him.

Seeing his friend wouldn’t respond, the one called Kong Liu pressed again, “…Really?”

The person opposite still didn’t respond, so Kong Liu understood—this was indeed true. He said, “Damn, appearances really can be deceiving. But how do you know this is Second Miss Jiang? Have you seen her before?”

The person opposite answered, “I have.”

“Ah.” Kong Liu shook his head. “Rumors can’t be trusted. They all say this Second Miss Jiang is unbearably ugly, but I see she’s quite pretty—clean and refined, isn’t she?” he asked.

“Plain and uninteresting.”

Kong Liu choked briefly. “What about Third Miss Jiang? Third Miss Jiang is quite lovely and fresh, isn’t she?”

“Common rouge and vulgar powder.”

“For heaven’s sake, what about Xue Fangfei? She was Yanjing’s foremost beauty. You must admit she was beautiful!”

“Beautiful?” The person opposite spoke with a cold tone. “You want me to evaluate a… dead person?”

As he spoke, he finally withdrew his gaze and looked toward Kong Liu opposite him.

This young man wore a crimson robe with black and gold phoenix butterflies embroidered at the collar, which cast his face in an alluring and bewitching light. He had a pair of long, narrow phoenix eyes with slightly upturned corners—should have been a proud bearing, but because of a red mole at the corner of his eye, even his pride carried a restrained charm.

His lips were also thin, yet naturally vivid red. His skin was too pale, making his profound features appear exceptionally distinct. This young man’s striking beauty couldn’t be concealed no matter what, yet his demeanor was cool and detached—even the interest he showed seemed somewhat heartless.

Kong Liu nearly choked just looking at him.

He had to sigh—the person opposite him indeed had the qualification to be critical of worldly beauties, because his own appearance gave him the right to disregard all renowned beauties.

This was the Duke of Su’s son, Ji Heng.

“Forget it, forget it, let’s not talk about women.” Kong Liu scratched his head. “The Right Minister’s movements have been growing bolder recently. He’s already secretly trying to win over last year’s top scholar, Shen Yurong. Shen Yurong is probably still observing. If Shen Yurong can be won over, the Right Minister and the Jiang family’s power in court would be evenly matched.”

“Then you should go help that old man, the Right Minister,” Ji Heng’s tone was very gentle, “and ensure the top scholar is definitely won over by him.”

“In a few days is the coming-of-age ceremony for the Jiang family’s Third Miss. I expect the Shen family will send someone to probe Jiang Yuanbai’s situation.”

Ji Heng said, “Shen Yurong is valued by the Hongxiao Emperor. Both Jiang Yuanbai and the Right Minister are competing to win him over. However,” his lips curved, “he absolutely cannot be won over by the Jiang family.”

“I understand.” Kong Liu comprehended. “The Jiang family’s days ahead will be troubled.”

“How pitiful.” Ji Heng sighed softly. Kong Liu immediately felt his hair stand on end. He knew that this fellow opposite him would never truly pity anyone. On the contrary, those he called pitiful would surely end up in a pitiful state.

Perhaps it was lamenting the Jiang family’s future that made Kong Liu look toward the figures before Jixiang Building again with sighs of emotion. He said, “You say, with Second Miss Jiang’s pure and lovely appearance, that matter of killing her mother and murdering her brother might well be a misunderstanding. Perhaps she never did such things.”

“No.” Unexpectedly, Ji Heng actually responded. He said, “With this Second Miss Jiang’s appearance, it’s absolutely possible she did such things as killing her mother and murdering her brother.”

Kong Liu rolled his eyes and stopped talking.

—

**Author’s Note:**

Beauty Ji: In terms of looks, this lord is number one under heaven, regardless of gender ╭(╯^╰)╮