Three days later in the morning, which was when the pair of children from the Yin family would be coming to visit the mansion, Jiang Li woke up and Tong’er busily set about dressing and adorning her.

Since both Old Madam Jiang and Lu Shi had already given instructions, Jiang Li also had to carefully dress herself up today. Fortunately, the several new garments Lu Shi had sent over weren’t particularly bright in color either. She probably knew that Jiang Li didn’t like to wear especially eye-catching colors—they were all clear and light tones, very suitable for Jiang Li. Therefore, when Jiang Li glanced at them, she didn’t find anything objectionable. Tong’er selected hairpins and earrings that matched the color of her garments and put them on Jiang Li. Looking at the young lady in the mirror, she sighed with emotion, “Miss, you truly don’t have any trace of your former appearance now.”

Jiang Li looked at the young lady in the mirror. What was strange was that when she had just awakened in Second Miss Jiang’s body, she had also seen that child’s appearance. Sallow and emaciated, extremely thin and weak, but still just a child. Now, after only a year and a half, the childishness had completely faded away, revealing the freshness and charm of a young maiden.

She should really be grateful to heaven—from Xue Fangfei, she had returned to being a young miss, her life had a chance to start over, and the future seemed to hold infinite possibilities. Just as Lu Shi and Old Madam Jiang had planned, for a girl like her, what she should do in the future was to continue being beautiful without haste or worry, find a good man, live in harmony like the zither and lute, prosperous for a lifetime.

But after all, she wasn’t the real Second Miss Jiang, nor was she willing to be forever confined to the same monotonous daily routine.

Jiang Li stood up and walked out to the courtyard. All the flowers in the courtyard had bloomed. Ever since Tong’er had returned to Fangfei Court, she had diligently scattered flower seeds around the perimeter of the courtyard. In autumn and winter it wasn’t particularly noticeable, but when spring arrived, the flowers all competed to bloom first—how could this still be the desolate appearance everywhere when Jiang Li first arrived at the Jiang mansion?

“Miss, what do you think? This servant said long ago that our days would get better and better,” Tong’er said with a smile.

Jiang Li also smiled. “Naturally.”

She too hoped things could get better and better.

While they were talking, Mingyue came over and said, “Miss, Sister Feicui from Old Madam’s side just came by. She said that the Commandery Prince’s Heir Apparent and Princess Pingyang have already arrived at the gate and asked you to hurry over.”

“This early?” Tong’er muttered.

When people of such high status visited others’ homes, they would usually arrive fashionably late to show their nobility. Of course, for the Xia Commandery Prince, the Jiang family wasn’t one that could be treated slowly either. If his pair of children really put on airs at the Jiang family, Jiang Yuanbai might not be able to accept it.

In any case, they had to meet. Jiang Li wasn’t afraid. She said, “Let’s go.”

Just as she reached the entrance of Wanfeng Hall, before she had time to go inside, she saw at the far end of the garden that servants were leading people in from outside. Judging by their appearance, these should be the guests. Therefore, Jiang Li didn’t continue walking inside, but instead stopped at the entrance and looked toward the approaching figures.

The approaching figures were naturally a pair of siblings—the son of Yin Zhan, that pair of exceptionally handsome brother and sister that Jiang Li had encountered on the street that day. The Commandery Prince’s Heir Apparent wore a white robe and looked extremely refined and scholarly. His features were handsome and beautiful, gentle as jade, causing the young maids of the Jiang family to blush and steal glances at him. He also had a good temperament, always smiling as if he could tolerate anything.

Walking beside him was the woman who must be Princess Pingyang, Yin Zhiqing. Yin Zhiqing wore a brilliant red dress with gold-embroidered crane patterns and gauze sleeves with large cuffs. Her features were already bright and vivid, and the vivid colors perfectly complemented her aura, making people feel her beauty was aggressively striking. Her eyes were large and alluring, and she also liked to wear a smile, but compared to the Commandery Prince Heir Apparent’s smile, her smile radiated brilliant light and was extraordinarily passionate.

Looking at that woman’s red outfit, Jiang Li inexplicably thought of Ji Heng. For some reason, Jiang Li felt that this Princess Pingyang wearing such a red outfit today—perhaps it was because she naturally liked such eye-catching colors, or perhaps… it was because of Ji Heng.

When the two reached Jiang Li, Yin Zhiqing’s steps suddenly halted. She looked at Jiang Li, first furrowing her brow, probably finding Jiang Li familiar. Then she exclaimed “Oh!” as if remembering who Jiang Li was, showing surprise.

Yin Zhili also stopped, his eyes showing unexpected recognition.

Jiang Li smiled slightly and said, “I am Second Miss Jiang Li from the Jiang family mansion. A few days ago on the street, the Princess saved my friend. We’ve met before.”

Yin Zhiqing had a sudden realization. “So you’re that Second Miss Jiang, Jiang Li!” She turned to look at Yin Zhili.

Yin Zhili also looked stunned for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, “So we’ve already met before—what fate! Second Miss, I am Yin Zhili. You already know my younger sister’s name.”

Jiang Li also smiled. “I’ve met the Heir Apparent.”

They were talking outside the door when Lu Shi’s voice came from inside. “Xiao Li, why aren’t you coming in? Have the Heir Apparent and Princess arrived?”

“Let’s go inside to talk,” Jiang Li said.

Yin Zhiqing and Yin Zhili nodded.

When the group entered Wanfeng Hall, all the people inside had actually gathered. Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Yuanping were also there. Jiang Li noticed that behind Yin Zhili and Yin Zhiqing, there was no one else—which meant their father, General Zhaode Yin Zhan, had not come. This was puzzling. If Jiang Yuanbai wanted to establish good relations with the Yin family, why didn’t Yin Zhan appear but instead sent his pair of children to call?

Over there, Old Madam Jiang and the Yin siblings had already begun talking.

Jiang Li had originally thought that the Yin family members whom Ji Heng targeted couldn’t be good people. Even if they seemed fine on the surface, they were probably deeply scheming at heart. She had seen many people who were one way on the outside and another inside—Shen Yurun was one, Xiao Deyin was another, even Zhou Yanbang was the same. However, this pair of siblings’ words and conduct didn’t seem to be an act, but rather something naturally formed through years of cultivation. Yin Zhili had a gentle and courteous attitude. Yin Zhiqing seemed to have picked up some of the straightforward efficiency unique to military families, speaking rather directly, but she was still a clever young lady. At least in casual conversation with Old Madam Jiang, she didn’t say a single word about what shouldn’t be said or what shouldn’t be revealed. Back and forth, it was all just everyday amusing anecdotes.

Even Second Branch’s tyrant Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou, who was devoted to the books of sages, listened intently to their conversation.

Jiang Li sighed inwardly. Old Madam Jiang was advanced in years, so when she asked questions, she inevitably became confused and would ask the same question twice. However, Yin Zhili acted as if he was completely unaware, patiently explaining again with no trace of impatience on his face.

Thus the satisfied expression on Lu Shi’s face grew even stronger. Jiang Li thought to herself that if it weren’t because Second Branch had no daughters, only the two sons Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou, Lu Shi herself probably would wish she could make Yin Zhili her own son-in-law.

Jiang Yuanping was better, speaking with smiles, but Jiang Yuanbai didn’t say much today. He kept observing Yin Zhili, occasionally seeming to be contemplating something. Jiang Li understood in her heart—just as Tong’er had said, today was clearly about coming to appraise a “good match” for her, and obviously, this good match hadn’t shown any flaws so far. Everyone in the family seemed very satisfied, except for Jiang Li herself.

Yin Zhili and Yin Zhiqing were half-siblings from the same father but different mothers. In these past few days, Tong’er had already used every means to thoroughly investigate this for Jiang Li. Yin Zhili’s mother had died giving birth to him, and a few years later, Yin Zhan’s new wife gave birth to Yin Zhiqing. Although the two weren’t full siblings, their relationship was still quite good. Yin Zhan probably hadn’t shown favoritism, and the later wife wasn’t someone like Ji Shuran either, which was why the family was harmonious.

Of course, if one thought of people more negatively, that wife simply wasn’t Yin Zhili’s match and was completely controlled by him, so she hadn’t found an opportunity to strike—that wasn’t impossible either.

After chatting and laughing for a while, Old Madam Jiang suddenly said, “You’re all young people. Er Yatou, Jingrui, Jingyou, you should accompany the Heir Apparent and Princess for a walk in the courtyard and have a chat. We old folks talking with you—after a long time, you’ll probably find it boring too.”

Although Yin Zhili and Yin Zhiqing expressed that they didn’t mean that at all, Lu Shi insisted on urging them, so the several young people still went out.

Jiang Li smiled without saying anything and followed them out. Today at Wanfeng Hall, from beginning to end, she had performed very quietly, saying almost fewer words than even Jiang Jingyou. She knew what Old Madam Jiang meant—nothing more than hoping she and Yin Zhili would spend some time together. But unmarried men and women staying together was rather strange, which was why Yin Zhiqing and the Jiang Jingrui brothers were added.

In the eyes of the Jiang family, setting aside the father Yin Zhan for now, just Yin Zhili himself was probably very satisfactory. Even Jiang Li had to admit that Yin Zhili was indeed a likable person. Back in Tongxiang County, Jiang Li had thought Shen Yurun was the gentlest, most talented person, but when truly compared, Shen Yurun still fell far short of Yin Zhili.

Yin Zhiqing walked ahead. Perhaps because her features were too beautiful, even someone like Jiang Jingrui who had never been interested in “matters between men and women” couldn’t help but frequently glance at her and actively engage her in conversation. Yin Zhiqing was quite forthright. As they walked, Jiang Li suddenly discovered that she and Yin Zhili had been left alone behind.

She was first surprised, then understood—everyone present today probably knew what Old Madam Jiang was planning, and they were creating opportunities for them to spend time together in various ways. Needless to say about the Jiang Jingrui brothers, that Princess Pingyang also seemed to hope they could succeed.

Without all the noise and commotion, Jiang Li’s heart became calmer instead. She simply slowed her pace even more, walking slowly through the garden.

Walking beside Yin Zhili, she didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. In fact, she could almost treat this person as if he didn’t exist. People were probably all like this—if there was someone in your heart, you couldn’t see anyone else in your eyes. Yin Zhili was very good, but in Jiang Li’s eyes, what did that have to do with her?

Her indifference, in Yin Zhili’s eyes, became tranquility and composure.

The young girl wore a dark blue soft satin skirt and a jade-colored brocade spring jacket. Her hairpin was a red bean pin, with two small pieces of green jade hanging by her ears. The various shades of green made her stand out with particular elegance among all the purples and reds.

Her profile was delicate and refined, possessing a kind of exquisiteness different from official family young ladies. She wasn’t like a delicate flower carefully nurtured and protected in a flower garden to bloom brilliantly. Rather, she was like a special plant growing by streams in mountain valleys—her graceful upright posture didn’t exist to please anyone, and her charm was comfortable.

“Since coming to Yanjing City, I’ve heard many rumors about Second Miss Jiang,” Yin Zhili suddenly spoke.

His voice was also gentle. Jiang Li asked, “What rumors?”

“There are truly many rumors about Second Miss, but what impressed me most was the story of Second Miss leading the citizens of Tongxiang County to the capital to strike the stone lion and cry out for justice, seeking vindication for Tongxiang County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan.” He smiled. “When I heard this, I was very surprised. To think there was such a woman in the world—I very much wanted to meet her, so I sent a calling card to Chief Minister Jiang.” At this point, he looked abashed. “I know doing so was rather presumptuous, but I had no other intention. I just felt such a woman was very worth befriending.”

He smiled again. “I originally thought such a woman would probably be passionate and straightforward, just like my younger sister Zhiqing. I imagined her as a dashing young lady. I never expected that when I saw her today, it would be you whom I met on the street that day. To be honest, Second Miss is different from what I imagined, but having met you, I now understand why the common people of Yanjing City speak of Second Miss the way they do.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li became curious. “How do the common people of Yanjing City speak of me?”

“They say the Chief Minister’s family’s Second Miss is ethereally lovely, pure and good as a snow-white lotus flower. At first I didn’t believe it,” he said. “I always felt that the young lady in their rumors seemed too delicate—how could she accomplish so many spirited deeds? Now it seems… one cannot judge by appearances. It was my shortsightedness.”

His speaking manner was very comfortable—unhurried and with no aggressive intent. Praise was simply praise, curiosity was simply curiosity. There were no traces of pretense, nor any deliberate flattery.

Jiang Li smiled. “So that’s how the common people speak of me.”

“Very similar to Second Miss.”

“What?”

“Ethereally lovely, lotus flower,” he said.

Such praise from this jade-like gentleman would probably make any woman who heard it blush with shyness. However, when Jiang Li heard it, she only felt inwardly amused.

So Yin Zhili ultimately still didn’t understand her—he had only seen her surface. For instance, Ji Heng had reminded her repeatedly that she was actually very cunning and not as docile as she appeared.

“I heard that Second Miss also won first place in the Six Arts examination at Mingyi Hall back then,” Yin Zhili said. “That’s very difficult.”

“If the Heir Apparent had been among those taking the examination, the Heir Apparent could also have won first place,” Jiang Li replied.

According to the information Tong’er had gathered, this Commandery Prince’s Heir Apparent was also accomplished in both civil and military arts, almost omnipotent—there was nothing he wasn’t good at. Jiang Li didn’t doubt it.

“Unfortunately I wasn’t present that day, otherwise I could have witnessed Second Miss’s brilliance. What a regret,” Yin Zhili said with a smile. “I truly hope there will be opportunities in the future.”

Jiang Li smiled slightly. “In this world, there are many people more accomplished than me. The Heir Apparent will naturally be able to see the best, but that person won’t be me.”

Her words seemed to contain some other meaning. Yin Zhili looked at Jiang Li. Jiang Li’s expression was calm. He appeared thoughtful for a moment and said nothing more. Just then, they walked to the stone table in the courtyard. On the stone table were a chess board and chess pieces. Yin Zhili asked, “Second Miss, would you like to play a game?”

“All right,” Jiang Li said.

They sat down at the stone table. The stone table was under a tree. Through gaps in the branches and leaves, tiny rays of sunlight fell on the chess board, becoming scattered patches of gold.

Yin Zhili made a “please” gesture to Jiang Li. Jiang Li chose the black pieces. Yin Zhili then chose the white pieces.

Black moves first.

Actually, Jiang Li hadn’t played chess with anyone for a long time. Xue Zhao didn’t like playing chess, but Xue Huaiyuan was quite fond of it. When she was young, Xue Huaiyuan would pull Xue Fangfei to accompany him in chess, forcibly transforming a terrible player into an expert. In the first few years after marrying into the Shen family, Shen Yurun also liked playing chess with her. They had once enjoyed the gentle elegance of “betting on books until the fragrance of tea spilled,” but later it was worn away by increasingly tedious matters.

Later, after she became Jiang Li, her sole focus was revenge, and there was no one who could play against her. Ji Heng didn’t seem to like playing chess—at least Ji Heng had never played with her. So Yin Zhili could be considered the first person to play against her during leisure time after she became Jiang Li.

Yin Zhili’s chess style was very gentle, but each move was firm and decisive. In comparison, Jiang Li’s pieces seemed rather haphazard, appearing somewhat clumsy. But how could someone who won first place in the Six Arts be completely ignorant of chess? Yin Zhili sighed with admiration. “Second Miss’s chess strategy is quite unconventional.”

“Just using some small cleverness,” Jiang Li said. While speaking, she swiftly placed another piece and casually remarked, “The Heir Apparent also knows about Prince Cheng’s troops recently arriving outside the city, preparing to rebel, right?”

Yin Zhili’s hand paused. He seemed not to have expected Jiang Li to suddenly mention this matter, but he still answered gently, “I know about this. My father returned to the capital this time precisely under imperial decree to capture the rebel army.”

“Can General Zhaode subdue the rebel army?” Jiang Li asked.

Her question was truly somewhat innocent and naive, as if she had no idea how many troops Prince Cheng had or how many soldiers were under General Zhaode’s command. To her, warfare only had a distinction between “winning and losing”—she understood nothing else.

Yin Zhili smiled. “Second Miss, rest assured. With Father here, the rebel army won’t enter the city.”

“Then General Zhaode must be stronger than Prince Cheng?” Jiang Li asked.

Yin Zhili had just placed a white piece when, hearing this, he raised his head to look at Jiang Li.

The girl seemed not to have noticed the unusual look from the person opposite her. She merely held a black piece, apparently seriously contemplating where to place it. She casually said, “General Zhaode probably won’t just defend the city—he’ll have to go annihilate the rebel army too, right? Otherwise, if Prince Cheng’s people keep hovering outside the city, if this continues indefinitely, people outside can’t enter the city and people inside can’t leave. Everyone will be inconvenienced. What if Prince Cheng simply goes to attack other cities? Didn’t history books record that there were rebel armies that conquered half the realm and established themselves as kings?”

“Second Miss’s thinking isn’t wrong,” Yin Zhili said, lowering his head again. Following Jiang Li’s placement of a piece, he also placed one. His movements were very quick, unlike Jiang Li who still needed to think, as if he had already calculated every subsequent move. He said, “The rebel army must be eliminated sooner or later. It’s just that once war begins, it’s always the common people who suffer.” At this point, a trace of pain flashed in his eyes.

Jiang Li took in this trace of pain, inwardly surprised. Rumor had it that this Commandery Prince’s Heir Apparent was a kind-hearted and compassionate person. Now it seemed it wasn’t false. Those in positions of power, or even those of slightly higher status, always couldn’t empathize with the common people or truly understand the hardships of human life. Yet Yin Zhili could think about the civilians affected by war, which showed he was different from others.

Jiang Li said, “War is also to protect more common people. This has nothing to do with the Heir Apparent. The Heir Apparent need not blame himself too much.”

Yin Zhili also smiled. “My father often says I have a woman’s soft heart, which isn’t a good thing. Second Miss, you must find this amusing.”

“Having a heart full of righteousness and benevolence is not something shameful. The Heir Apparent need not say such things,” Jiang Li said with a smile. “The Heir Apparent is very good.”

“You keep calling me Heir Apparent, Heir Apparent—it’s too distant. We met once on the street before and have played chess together. In any case, we can be considered friends.” Yin Zhili said gently, “From now on, don’t call me Heir Apparent anymore.”

Jiang Li paused, hesitated for a moment, then said, “Young Master Yin.”

Although this was better than Heir Apparent, it still wasn’t much more familiar. Fortunately, Yin Zhili wasn’t someone who would push his advantage. On the contrary, he seemed quite satisfied with how Jiang Li addressed him and didn’t mention the earlier matter again.

The two played chess earnestly.

While playing, surprisingly no one came to disturb them. There wasn’t even a maid serving tea—it was just exceptionally quiet. They could concentrate on thinking. At first, Yin Zhili’s white pieces held the advantage, seemingly always forcing Jiang Li’s black pieces into desperate situations, yet Jiang Li’s black pieces always managed to escape from desperate straits. By mid-game, Jiang Li’s black pieces gradually caught up, consuming some of the white pieces. The two were evenly matched, neither gaining the upper hand. Thus Yin Zhili’s originally very quick movements also slowed down, and he would even pause to think for a while.

Until the very end.

The black and white pieces each occupied half the board. Jiang Li placed the final piece, raised her head, and smiled. “I won.”

She had always worn a faint smile—though gentle and courteous, it always seemed veiled by something. But this smile was genuine and heartfelt. The girl’s smile was radiant as flowers, her eyes bright. Sunlight filtering through branches fell upon her, making her especially captivating.

Yin Zhili was also momentarily stunned.

Then he looked at the chess board and suddenly shook his head with a laugh. While laughing, he said, “I originally thought I was someone with firm goals. Now it seems Second Miss Jiang is the one.”

The chess strategy that seemed haphazard and irrelevant actually had the same purpose from beginning to end. She moved carefully, cautiously—not as comprehensive as Yin Zhili, but it was like spending a long time laying a net. While laying the net, naturally nothing was caught, but she wasn’t anxious either. She patiently waited, unhurried, until the net was laid. When the prey walked into it, she swept through and eliminated everything without mercy.

Such a gentle blade.

“Whether Second Miss’s chess style is gentle or sharp, I cannot tell,” Yin Zhili said with a bitter smile. “However, Second Miss is very formidable. I concede defeat wholeheartedly.”

Gentle or sharp? In Jiang Li’s mind, a person’s figure emerged. Just as she always wanted to ask—was he deeply affectionate or callously indifferent?

Jiang Li smiled. “Young Master Yin is also very formidable.”

Chess character reveals human character. In Yin Zhili’s chess style, one could see more or less a reflection of him as a person. Though gentle, he was absolutely not weak. Anyone who wanted to take advantage of him or deceive him probably wouldn’t find it very possible.

She spoke these words sincerely, and Yin Zhili also smiled. Just as the two were about to stand up, Yin Zhiqing’s voice came over. She said, “I’ve been looking for you two for so long. So you were hiding here playing chess.” She glanced at Jiang Li, then said to Yin Zhili, “Didn’t you always have high standards? When I want to play chess with you, you’re never willing.”

“Your chess skills are truly too terrible,” Yin Zhili made a pained expression and said, “Plus you always take back moves. You’d better play with yourself.”

Yin Zhiqing humphed but didn’t take issue with his words.

Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou followed behind and said, “It’s getting late. The banquet will probably begin soon. Let’s go outside first.”

Jiang Li nodded.

She had been naturally walking along with everyone, but after walking for a bit, she felt someone tug at her sleeve. Looking back, it was Yin Zhiqing.

Jiang Li looked at her somewhat questioningly.

Yin Zhiqing didn’t move. She waited until Yin Zhili and the Jiang Jingrui brothers walked ahead and opened some distance between them. Only then did Yin Zhiqing look at Jiang Li. She seemed somewhat hesitant, but ultimately still asked in a low voice, “Second Miss Jiang, there’s something I want to ask you.”

Jiang Li vaguely guessed what question she might ask. A strange feeling arose in her heart, yet her expression remained unchanged as she only said, “Please speak, Princess.”

“That day when my brother and I encountered you on Yanjing City’s street, beside you was a young gentleman in red. May I ask who that gentleman was?”

Jiang Li stared at her.

Yin Zhiqing seemed somewhat embarrassed, her cheeks flushing slightly pink. With this flush, she became beautiful as peach blossoms and plum trees. Seeing that Jiang Li didn’t answer, she frowned slightly and asked again, “Second Miss Jiang?”

“That is the current Duke of Su,” Jiang Li answered.

“Duke of Su?” Yin Zhiqing looked stunned, as if she wasn’t very familiar with Yanjing City’s official families and was hearing about such a person for the first time. But very quickly, she said, “I don’t mean anything else. That Duke of Su—what is his relationship with Second Miss Jiang?”

This question was truly rather presumptuous. Jiang Li didn’t know whether it was because Yunzhong itself had open customs and this Princess was also so direct and straightforward, or if she was deliberately speaking this way. Jiang Li thought for a moment before saying, “Just acquaintances, with some dealings.”

“Are your relationships very good?”

Jiang Li shook her head. “Not particularly good.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li swore she saw Yin Zhiqing’s eyes light up. Yin Zhiqing immediately broke into a smile. When she smiled, she was exceptionally beautiful, outshining all the surrounding scenery. Jiang Li inexplicably found it somewhat glaring.

“We’ll be living in Yanjing City from now on,” Yin Zhiqing said with a smile, speaking meaningfully to Jiang Li. “My brother doesn’t often play chess with people, nor does he often get along this well with women. It seems he admires you very much.”

One after another, they all came to hint at something. Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh inwardly, yet outwardly she still smiled and said, “The Heir Apparent is very good. Being able to earn the Heir Apparent’s admiration is Jiang Li’s honor.”