Shen Ruyun was extremely impatient.

Her status today was completely different from before. If Shen Yurun hadn’t achieved top scholar status and hadn’t become Secretariat Drafter, she should have married last year—to the son of a small tavern owner in the capital. Even such a match would have been considered marrying above her station.

However, ever since Shen Yurun achieved top scholar status and was personally appointed Secretariat Drafter by Emperor Hongxiao, a rising tide lifts all boats, and Shen Ruyun’s status had climbed steadily along with his. Shen Yurun had boundless prospects and was a talented young man. Moreover, Shen Ruyun also knew that Shen Yurun had now gained the favor of Princess Yongning, meaning their Shen family would be even more distinguished in the future. Forget the tavern owner’s son—she now looked down even on the sons of ordinary official families.

Shen Ruyun had someone in her heart—none other than the capital’s famous handsome man, the heir of Marquis Ningyuan, Zhou Yanbang. In the past, Shen Ruyun could only silently watch him in her heart. Zhou Yanbang was a cloud in the sky while she, Shen Ruyun, was mud on the ground. But now things were different. The change in status made Shen Ruyun realize that she too was qualified to stand beside Zhou Yanbang and become Zhou Yanbang’s wife.

However, Marquis Ningyuan’s heir Zhou Yanbang had been betrothed since childhood—to the current Grand Secretary’s daughter, Second Miss Jiang. But Second Miss Jiang had a vicious temperament and at such a young age had committed matricide and fratricide. The Marquis Ningyuan household naturally couldn’t allow such a vicious young lady to enter their family, yet they also couldn’t break the engagement. Thus the marriage arrangement still stood, but the bride had changed from Second Miss Jiang to Third Miss Jiang.

The people of the capital discussed this matter with great relish, but not a single person felt there was anything wrong with Second Miss Jiang’s marriage being replaced, nor did anyone speak up for Second Miss Jiang’s injustice. Because if they were in the same position, they too would choose the charming and lovely Third Miss Jiang over the fierce and malicious Second Miss Jiang.

Today was Third Miss Jiang Youyao’s coming-of-age ceremony, and everyone knew what this meant. Once Jiang Youyao came of age, her marriage to the Marquis Ningyuan’s heir would be imminent.

It was precisely because of the unwillingness in her heart that Shen Ruyun had deliberately come with Madam Shen to see what Zhou Yanbang’s future wife looked like. She had even purposely changed into brightly colored clothing in order to outshine Jiang Youyao.

Those who came here to observe the ceremony either wanted to curry favor with Jiang Yuanbai or were on good terms with him, so naturally they wouldn’t embarrass Jiang Youyao. The noble ladies all wore subdued colors so as not to overshadow the main guest, but Shen Ruyun’s attire was particularly eye-catching here.

Ji Shuran also noticed Shen Ruyun’s behavior and felt displeased. However, she had once heard Jiang Yuanbai mention that the current Secretariat Drafter Shen Yurun’s future achievements should not be underestimated, and it would be best to cultivate good relations with him. Therefore, Ji Shuran still maintained a happy and generous expression on her face, responding to the compliments of the various distinguished madams.

A woman well-acquainted with Ji Shuran said, “I heard that your residence’s Second Miss also returned to the capital some days ago. I wonder if she’ll be observing the ceremony today?”

“She will, naturally.” Ji Shuran smiled. “She’s probably still dressing herself now and running a bit late.” Her words, however, carried the implication that Jiang Li was disobedient and difficult to manage.

Sure enough, once these words were spoken, the surrounding madams all cast sympathetic looks toward Ji Shuran. Those with more direct temperaments said, “This Second Miss hasn’t returned to the capital in so long, who knows how much she still remembers of the capital’s rules. Back then, she was already difficult to manage at such a young age, and now…” The words trailed off unfinished, but the remaining meaning was self-evident.

Ji Shuran sighed at just the right moment. Jiang Yue’e, sitting beside Yang Shi, rolled her eyes and said, “Originally, Second Sister couldn’t make it back for Third Sister’s coming-of-age ceremony, but last month something happened at the nunnery where she was staying. Somehow, Uncle managed to have Second Sister brought back.”

Jiang Yue’e’s words were somewhat muddled, but when heard by the nearby distinguished madams, they took on another layer of meaning. The madam who had initially spoken with Ji Shuran said softly, “I see that your residence’s Second Miss is quite capable.”

Implying that Jiang Li’s ability to return to the capital was due to her own considerable scheming—that she was calculating and difficult to deal with.

Madam Liu sat to the side listening to these madams talk, wanting to defend Jiang Li with a few words. Unfortunately, there were too many people echoing the sentiment. Everyone who had come to observe the ceremony at the Jiang residence was on good terms with Ji Shuran on the surface. Even if she spoke up, probably not a single person would listen, and she might even bring trouble to Jiang Li.

Seeing the slight upturn at the corners of Ji Shuran’s lips, Jiang Yue’e felt triumphant inside. Their third branch had never been valued in the Jiang household. She was the daughter of a concubine, and relying solely on Yang Shi and Jiang Yuanxing, she would never amount to anything in this lifetime. It would be better to properly ingratiate herself with this aunt from the first branch. After all, the Ji family still had the favored Consort Li in the palace. If she could please Ji Shuran, even scraps from the table would be good.

Jiang Yuyan wasn’t as shrewd as Jiang Yue’e and sat dully beside Yang Shi. Yang Shi inwardly resented her daughter’s shameless flattery of Ji Shuran, yet had no choice but to let Jiang Yue’e do so.

Lu Shi sat somewhat farther from them, also alone to one side, a cold smile emerging at the corners of her mouth, as if she looked down upon Jiang Yue’e’s behavior with great disdain.

Just as they were speaking, the coming-of-age ceremony was about to begin.

Jiang Yuanbai and Ji Shuran stood up and took their positions in the center of the courtyard, at the eastern steps. The guests stood outside the courtyard, while attendants holding bronze trays stood at the western steps.

Jiang Youyao slowly approached, surrounded by maids.

For today’s ceremony, Jiang Youyao wore crimson wide-sleeved ceremonial robes and had her hair styled in a double-coil bun for easy pinning during the ceremony. She was naturally born charming and lovely, and the unique fragrance of a young maiden made everyone present feel delighted. Jiang Yuanbai had pampered her since childhood, making her as refined and exquisite as precious pearls and jade. Such bright colors immediately made her stand out distinctly among the guests.

Beauty is measured by comparison. Shen Ruyun also wore brightly colored clothing, yet whether in terms of the refined bearing that came from a life of privilege or in beauty, she fell far short of Jiang Youyao.

Young Jiang Bingji also came to observe the ceremony. Sitting beside Old Madam Jiang, he called out, “Third Sister is so beautiful!”

Hearing this, Jiang Youyao’s mood became cheerful, and in an instant she broke into a radiant smile. In the gentle morning light, when she smiled, she was dazzlingly beautiful and exceptionally charming, captivating everyone’s eyes.

The crowd all stared in astonishment.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Youyao felt triumphant inside and even more pleased. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly sensed something was amiss. The gazes of those guests seemed to pass right through her.

They were looking behind her?

What was behind her?

Puzzled, Jiang Youyao turned around and, lifting her eyes, saw a graceful young lady walking slowly toward them.

The girl was approaching from the other side of the courtyard. The Jiang family courtyard had abundant flowers and trees. She walked all the way through, parting flowers and brushing past willows, yet inexplicably made people feel a sense of soft fragrance.

Unlike Jiang Youyao’s brilliant radiance, this girl wore only a simple light duck-egg blue dress and skirt. The garment didn’t even have a single embroidered flower—it was extremely plain. This only served to accentuate her long hair, black as ink, with a small section pulled up by a jade hairpin of the same hue.

Her face was pure white, her eyes clear and limpid, and the gentle smile at the corners of her lips was as pristine as the color of her long dress.

Not brilliant enough, yet spiritually beautiful and crystalline. If Jiang Youyao was jewelry, she was uncarved jade.

Uncarved, and no longer needing to be carved.

Jiang Youyao’s breath caught, her fingernails nearly digging into her palm.

They were looking behind her.

—What was behind her?

—Behind her was Jiang Li.

They were looking at Jiang Li.