Meeting the diverse gazes of everyone in the courtyard, Jiang Li still walked as if nothing was amiss. Her steps were light, yet her movements were leisurely, as if she were a young maiden strolling through a flower garden on an outing, delighting in her own joy, intoxicated, beautiful.

She walked into the courtyard and first stopped beside Jiang Youyao, smiling at her as she said, “Congratulations to Third Sister on your coming-of-age today.” Then she smiled apologetically at Jiang Yuanbai and Ji Shuran on the steps, saying, “I didn’t know the ceremony was in the central courtyard and wanted to find a servant to lead the way. Unfortunately, today is so busy that the residence is short-staffed, and I couldn’t find anyone to guide me. I had no choice but to find my way myself, which took considerable time. Father, Mother, please don’t be angry with Jiang Li.”

Upon hearing this, the people around all began to ponder deeply. How could the residence of a grand secretary be short-staffed? That Jiang Li couldn’t find a servant clearly meant someone had deliberately not brought her over. Probably just to make her arrive late and embarrass herself.

Thinking about this, they suddenly came back to their senses. What had that girl just said—Jiang Li?

The Second Miss Jiang who committed matricide and fratricide—Jiang Li?

The distinguished guests who came to observe the ceremony were either elders a generation older than Jiang Li, or juniors of similar age. The younger generation had never seen Jiang Li, while the elders who had seen her had only known the young child Jiang Li from many years ago.

In the mouths of the capital’s distinguished personages, Second Miss Jiang was mostly an imagined appearance. People passed the description along by word of mouth—even if Second Miss Jiang wasn’t some green-faced, fang-toothed demon, she was at least someone with fierce eyes, furrowed brows, and a harsh countenance.

Yet the girl before them was far too pure and gentle. Her softness and spiritual beauty were almost enough to outshine Third Miss Jiang. It was truly difficult to imagine such a person committing matricide and fratricide.

The moment Jiang Li appeared, Ji Shuran’s expression changed slightly.

She was skilled at gauging people’s hearts, so naturally she could see the shock of the guests in the courtyard when Jiang Li appeared, and their appreciation of Jiang Li’s appearance. What Ji Shuran least wanted was for Jiang Li to overshadow Jiang Youyao. Just as after she became the Jiang family’s mistress, the Jiang family no longer remembered Ye Zhenzhen, once Jiang Youyao appeared, Jiang Li should have been like mud on the ground.

But this mud had nearly overshadowed her precious treasure. In that instant, a trace of violence flashed through Ji Shuran’s heart.

Jiang Yuanbai stood on the steps, looking down at his two daughters. In the depths of his heart, he naturally felt more affection for Jiang Youyao, who had grown up by his side since childhood. However, Jiang Li now resembled him, and her outstanding appearance and bearing gave him tremendous face. Thus his dissatisfaction with Jiang Li immediately dissipated considerably.

Jiang Yuanbai waved his hand, saying, “It’s nothing.”

Jiang Li then bowed to Jiang Yuanbai again and stood beside Lu Shi, making a show of observing the ceremony.

Jiang Li’s appearance attracted the attention of everyone in the courtyard, which meant that Jiang Youyao was no longer the protagonist of this coming-of-age ceremony. Jiang Youyao was extremely irritated inside, yet couldn’t very well show it. She could only suppress the anger in her heart and continue with the ceremony.

The guests took their seats. Jiang Yuanbai rose to give an address. The praiser was a respected female scholar from the capital who had combed Jiang Youyao’s hair. The attendants presented a silk handkerchief and hairpin box.

Ji Chen Shi walked before Jiang Youyao and loudly chanted the blessing: “On this auspicious month and day, we first bestow the ceremonial cap. Cast aside your childish aspirations, conform to your mature virtue. May your longevity be blessed, and may great fortune attend you.” She knelt down to comb Jiang Youyao’s hair.

As Jiang Li watched, memories of her own coming-of-age ceremony when she was still Xue Fangfei floated into her mind.

Her mother had died too early. Tongxiang was too small, and the principal guest who combed her hair was the neighbor auntie who had watched her grow up since childhood. During the coming-of-age ceremony, Xue Huaiyuan had secretly wiped away tears behind her back. According to Xue Zhao, Xue Huaiyuan had murmured to himself, “Little Li has grown up and will leave her father.”

At that time, she had been carefree, hugging Xue Huaiyuan’s arm and laughing, “Little Li isn’t going anywhere. Little Li will stay with Father, together with Father for a lifetime.”

Jiang Li took a deep breath and suppressed the tears glistening in her eyes.

The person who said she wouldn’t go anywhere had ultimately abandoned her old father and brother to marry far away, never returning. Perhaps her tragic fate was punishment for breaking her word.

Jiang Yue’e stood beside Yang Shi, watching Jiang Youyao perform the ceremony on stage, unable to hide the longing and envy in her eyes. Her own coming-of-age ceremony would certainly not be as grand as Jiang Youyao’s. Thinking of this, she felt unwilling after all and couldn’t help but look at Jiang Li.

As a legitimate daughter of the Jiang family just like herself, watching Jiang Youyao’s coming-of-age ceremony and then thinking of her own situation, Jiang Li must be even more resentful and indignant. In Jiang Yue’e’s heart, a kind of perverse pleasure suddenly arose. But when she looked over, she saw Jiang Li staring at Jiang Youyao on stage, as calm as a stranger.

How could this be?

Could it be that Jiang Li felt no anger, no sense of injustice, no unwillingness?

It wasn’t just Jiang Yue’e—many of the surrounding guests were also observing Jiang Li’s expression.

But Jiang Li just watched like that, the smile at the corners of her lips extremely genuine, as if she were truly happy for Jiang Youyao.

The people around were all puzzled.

While Jiang Youyao performed the ceremony on stage, she also didn’t miss Jiang Li’s expression. The calmer Jiang Li appeared, the more she disbelieved it, wildly screaming in her heart—she’s pretending, it’s all pretending!

It wasn’t until Ji Shuran sent her a warning glance that Jiang Youyao realized she had nearly lost her composure. She calmed her emotions, thinking of the scene Jiang Li would soon face. Her earlier indignation then vanished like smoke and clouds, replaced by eager excitement.

Just then, the three bows and three cappings were completed. Jiang Youyao knelt before Jiang Yuanbai and Ji Shuran, listening to their admonishments. She bowed in thanks as the ceremony concluded.

After the ceremony concluded, it was time for the guests to present their coming-of-age gifts.

To demonstrate their goodwill toward the Jiang family, these distinguished personages were generous in their gifts, each one more precious than the last. Within the Jiang family, aside from the third branch whose gifts were lighter, everyone gave substantial presents.

Jiang Youyao held the box that Jiang Li had Tong’er deliver, smiling brightly as she looked at Jiang Li and said, “Second Sister, may I open the coming-of-age gift you sent right now?”

Her smile carried some embarrassment, that shyness between girlhood and young womanhood making her appear especially radiant and lovely.

The guests all stopped and looked toward Jiang Li.

Although Second Miss Jiang appeared gentle and lovely at the moment, the events of the past had truly happened. Third Miss Jiang was young and had been so pampered that she didn’t know the world’s dangers. How would this vicious-minded Second Miss Jiang respond to Third Miss Jiang’s words?

Jiang Li smiled. “Of course you may.”

Xiang Qiao stood far behind the crowd, and at some point, beads of sweat had seeped into her palms. To be fair, during these days, Jiang Li had treated her well—not only with generous rewards but also with great kindness. More than ten times better than Jiang Youyao and Ji Shuran.

However, Xiang Qiao thought regretfully in her heart, in this world, good people don’t necessarily receive good rewards. Kind people are bullied, gentle horses are ridden—even a three-year-old child understands this principle.

Jiang Youyao lowered her head and pulled open the box. No one saw the deepening of the smile at the corners of her mouth. But in just a moment, she cried out in alarm, as if greatly frightened, exclaiming, “Heavens, what is this?”

Author’s Note: Making trouble, making trouble~