Jiang Li looked at the two people standing before her.
Jiang Youyao and Zhou Yanbang were standing very close together. Their engagement was known throughout the entire capital of Yanjing, so it was understandable for an engaged couple to be intimate with each other. However, Zhou Yanbang’s expression at this moment appeared somewhat uncomfortable.
Jiang Youyao spoke again with an innocent tone: “Second Sister, what were you talking about so intently just now? Why did you stop the moment I arrived?”
“It was nothing,” Jiang Li replied. “I merely happened to encounter the heir apparent and had just exchanged greetings when you arrived.” Jiang Li smiled. “Since Third Sister has come, you and the heir apparent should spend time together properly. I’ll take my leave first.” With that, without waiting for Zhou Yanbang or Jiang Youyao to respond, she departed directly with Tong’er.
Zhou Yanbang couldn’t help but watch Jiang Li’s departing figure. Seeing this scene, Jiang Youyao secretly gritted her teeth.
On the way back, Tong’er quietly asked Jiang Li: “Miss, it would be better if you didn’t associate with Heir Apparent Zhou.”
“What are you trying to say?”
Seeing that Jiang Li wasn’t angry, Tong’er became bolder and said: “Although Miss was previously engaged to Heir Apparent Zhou, the person engaged to him now has changed to Third Miss. Now that Miss has returned, the master still won’t change the engagement back. Marriage isn’t child’s play—changing it two or three times would make our Jiang family the laughingstock of Yanjing. The master certainly wouldn’t allow such a thing to happen.”
“Furthermore,” Tong’er continued while observing Jiang Li’s expression, “Heir Apparent Zhou’s behavior toward Miss just now was far too familiar. He’s currently Third Miss’s fiancé, yet not only does he fail to be mindful of his position, he acts in such a manner—this shows he’s not a good match. Miss…”
“I understand.” Jiang Li smiled. “I naturally know he’s not a good match. However, our Tong’er can actually think of so much—I’m truly impressed.”
This little maid Tong’er was usually carefree and careless. Aside from her loyalty, nothing particularly special could be seen in her. Unexpectedly, there was meticulousness within her roughness, and she could avoid being blinded by immediate benefits. Jiang Li was very pleased in her heart.
Hearing Jiang Li praise her, Tong’er also smiled and said: “Miss needn’t worry. Our miss is a legitimate daughter of the Jiang household. Never mind being the wife of the Marquis Ningyuan’s heir—you could even become a princess consort. You can slowly select an excellent husband and good match in the future.”
Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh. Tong’er was still too naive after all, unaware of how terrifying public opinion could be. Just that single accusation from before of attempting to harm her stepmother was enough to make her undesirable throughout Yanjing. Otherwise, Jiang Yuanbai wouldn’t have sent her to the nunnery back then—it was because he knew that in Yanjing, Second Miss Jiang wouldn’t have had it any better.
However, in this lifetime, she had no intention of marrying anyway.
…
At the same time, in Shuxiu Garden, Madam Ji and Madam Ji Chen were having a conversation.
All the guests had already dispersed. Today’s coming-of-age ceremony for Jiang Youyao had truly been a complete disaster, chaotic and messy. When others saw it, they would only say that she, as the household’s mistress, managed poorly and kept a disorderly inner household.
The look in Jiang Yuanbai’s eyes when he left also made Madam Ji very angry. Jiang Yuanbai was clearly blaming her.
She had originally wanted to properly deal with Jiang Li, but unexpectedly Jiang Li had extricated herself and retreated, even costing her a maid named Xiangqiao. This would have been tolerable, but anyone with eyes could see the twists and turns in today’s events. Those madams and young ladies loved nothing more than to discuss matters in others’ inner households—the clever ones would definitely see through the schemes involved.
Ji Shuran wasn’t afraid of others seeing through the schemes. As a household mistress, whose hands were completely clean without some methods? But to use such methods and still lose, to suffer both losses—if this got out, people’s teeth would fall out from laughing. It was admitting she was inferior in skill, defeated at the hands of a young girl.
Ji Shuran was proud and arrogant. After returning, she had angrily smashed a roomful of vases and ceramic jars in her courtyard.
Madam Ji Chen comforted her: “What are you doing acting like this? If others see, they’ll say you can’t keep your composure—where’s the dignity of the Chief Minister’s wife?”
“Elder Sister, I simply cannot swallow this anger.” Ji Shuran said hatefully. “That little wretch Jiang Li is truly too wicked! Around the same age as Youyao, yet with so many schemes. You saw what happened this time—how could anyone have such cunning!”
Madam Ji Chen said: “She is indeed not simple. Don’t let yourself become flustered. Madam Ji Chen instructed a maid to close the door, then said: “Right now in the Jiang household’s main branch, you’re in charge. Don’t forget you bore Jiang Yuanbai a son and daughter—Jiang Yuanbai’s heart favors you. Jiang Li is just a neglected daughter. Has anyone in the Jiang household ever truly treated her as a proper young lady? If you want to deal with her, isn’t it as easy as flipping your hand? Just remember to proceed slowly and carefully, and don’t let anyone catch you with evidence. Look at Xiangqiao this time—that nearly went wrong.”
Ji Shuran gradually calmed down and said: “I understand.”
Yun Shuang had already been taken away. The words Jiang Li had spoken ultimately made Ji Shuran suspicious. Although Yun Shuang had also explained that it was jealous rivalry with Xiangqiao that had led to the current situation, whether true or false, Yun Shuang had caused Ji Shuran to fail in her mission. Having committed such a grave error, she couldn’t be kept. As for what methods to use—in any case, when others asked, they would only say that Yun Shuang, unable to bear Xiangqiao’s death, had packed her things and returned to her hometown.
“As for that Madam Liu,” Madam Ji Chen’s expression became gloomy, “she has opposed our Ji family three times over. Last time Father even told me that Liu Yuanfeng had impeached him again. This Liu Yuanfeng is so ungrateful, and now that Madam Liu frequently opposes us as well—it’s truly infuriating.”
“Indeed annoying.” Ji Shuran echoed. “If not for her meddling back then, how could Jiang Li possibly have had the chance to return to Yanjing!”
“It doesn’t matter,” Madam Ji Chen said coldly. “If the Liu family dares to oppose our Ji family, naturally they’ll get what’s coming to them. The urgent matter now is yourself,” Madam Ji Chen instructed Ji Shuran. “This time you’ve angered Jiang Yuanbai—you must properly placate him. As for Jiang Li, there’s no rush. Just find some method—after all, she’s right under your nose. Don’t forget, her marriage prospects are still in your hands. If you want to trip her up, isn’t that easy as pie?”
Ji Shuran nodded: “What you say makes sense.”
Just as they were talking, someone suddenly rushed in from outside—it was none other than Jiang Youyao. Her expression was furious, her features somewhat distorted. Seeing that both Madam Ji Chen and Ji Shuran were present, she disregarded everything else and blurted out: “Mother, Aunt, that little vixen Jiang Li actually tried to seduce Heir Apparent Zhou right in front of me—she has no shame! You must help me teach her a lesson!”
“How dare she?” Ji Shuran shot to her feet with a start.
“She just dares.” Jiang Youyao felt extremely wronged. “Mother, she shows such disregard for us—how can we tolerate this? Mother, you must help me vent this anger!”