Not long after the Mingyi Hall examination, the Jiang family quickly received an invitation to the imperial night banquet.

Emperor Hongxiao had favored simplicity since childhood and disliked extravagance. However, the current Empress Dowager loved liveliness. Although Emperor Hongxiao and the Empress Dowager were not biological mother and son, they got along harmoniously. Emperor Hongxiao’s birth mother, Imperial Noble Consort Xia, died early. The Empress Dowager had no sons, so the Late Emperor raised Emperor Hongxiao at the Empress Dowager’s knee. With so many years of affection between them, it could be considered a case of motherly kindness and filial piety.

Besides entertaining the court officials this time, everyone knew that Emperor Hongxiao would also bestow gifts upon the examination champions at the palace banquet. Whether for the students themselves or their families, this was an immense honor. Therefore, even though Old Madam Jiang couldn’t be said to particularly like Jiang Li, she still instructed those around her to prepare with utmost care the clothing and jewelry Jiang Li would need for the palace banquet, ensuring not a single mistake was made.

Jiang Li’s days passed somewhat more comfortably than before. At least after the examination, when the servants in the Jiang residence discussed her, they no longer did so as carelessly and openly as before—they all gossiped behind her back instead. Although it was somewhat bittersweet, the fact that Jiang Li’s status had risen a little compared to before was undeniable.

Many official families from the Yan Dynasty’s capital would attend the palace banquet. However, Herald Meng Youde would not be able to go this time.

At the Meng residence, compared to the usual lively scene, recent days had been terribly desolate. The flowers and plants in the garden seemed unattended, having wilted considerably on their own. Withered yellow leaves fell outside the flowerbeds—even in the scorching summer, there was a sense of bleakness.

At night, the lamplight in the room was dim. From an inner room, the sound of voices could faintly be heard. It seemed to be the sound of arguing. After a while, with a “crack,” something was smashed, and someone stormed out.

It was Meng Youde.

In just a few short days, Meng Youde had become much more haggard and aged, no longer showing his former triumphant demeanor. Someone chased out after him—it was Meng Youde’s wife, Madam Meng.

“My lord, my lord—” Madam Meng trotted after him pleadingly.

“There’s no need to say more. Tomorrow send her to the estate to recuperate. If she continues like this, something terrible will happen sooner or later!” Meng Youde said without looking back.

“But she’s your daughter! How can you be so heartless!” Madam Meng shrieked.

“I’m heartless?” Meng Youde stopped in his tracks and whirled around, pointing at the tightly closed door in the distance. “Look at what she’s become now! Will keeping her in the residence make her better? I’ve already offended Princess Yongning. The Right Chancellor no longer pays attention to me. My career is finished! All of this is the disaster your good daughter brought about! If she hadn’t ignorantly made that wager with Jiang Li, if she hadn’t shot Princess Yongning with that arrow at the horse racing grounds, how would I, Meng Youde, have come to this?”

“But…” Madam Meng wanted to say something.

“She’s already gone mad! My own daughter—don’t I feel pain? But she’s mad! Keeping her in the Meng household may not be a good thing. If others find out she’s gone mad and word spreads, who will dare marry her in the future? If she stays at the estate for a while, gets better and comes back, and no one knows the fact that she went mad, wouldn’t that be better?”

Hearing this, Madam Meng gradually calmed down. She looked at Meng Youde and asked sadly, “What exactly happened to Hongjin at Princess Yongning’s place? Is there truly no way for us to avenge her?”

“Avenge?” Meng Youde laughed coldly. That anger—whether directed at Princess Yongning or at himself—he said, “Behind Princess Yongning stands Prince Cheng. Prince Cheng’s current power is such that even His Majesty must be wary. In the future…” He sighed. “Commoners don’t contend with officials, officials don’t contend with the sovereign!”

The helplessness and grief in his tone made Madam Meng fall silent instantly.

Inside the room, in a corner of the bed, Meng Hongjin clutched the quilt tightly, shrinking into the corner. Her gaze was wary as she looked at the approaching person. “Go away… go away!”

On the floor was a shattered medicine bowl, the medicine spilled everywhere. One maid was bent over cleaning up the mess on the floor, while another maid gently comforted Meng Hongjin, “Miss, it’s alright now. This servant won’t harm you.”

“Go away!” Meng Hongjin screamed. “It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me!”

Ever since Meng Hongjin was sent back by Princess Yongning’s people three days ago, she had been like this after waking up.

Meng Youde and Madam Meng feared that Princess Yongning had tortured Meng Hongjin. The first thing they did was have someone check Meng Hongjin’s body for wounds. After thorough examination, there were no wounds. But when Meng Hongjin woke up, she was like this—hiding from everyone as if she had suffered a tremendous fright. She didn’t recognize the people around her, as if she had even forgotten herself.

No one knew what happened to Meng Hongjin at Princess Yongning’s place. All of this could only be known by the mad Meng Hongjin and Princess Yongning. No one dared to call Princess Yongning to account. Even Meng Youde—as long as he still wanted a future, Meng Hongjin was destined to be a meaningless sacrifice.

At the Princess’s residence, it was brightly lit, in stark contrast to the Meng residence.

In the grand hall, young female dancers in thin gauze garments danced gracefully. White veils covered half their faces, revealing pairs of limpid eyes, full of tender affection, all cast toward the person in the very center of the hall.

The man in the center had a high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, thin lips, and thick eyebrows. His features were handsome, but his narrow, long face gave him an air of unapproachable coldness.

This was Prince Cheng.

“Elder Brother can take whichever one you like from here.” Princess Yongning said listlessly.

Prince Cheng glanced at her. “Why so dispirited?”

“There’s nothing interesting happening, so of course I’m dispirited.” Princess Yongning propped up her head. Her eyes were soft and alluring. Not knowing what she was thinking of, she became somewhat irritable.

Prince Cheng said, “Didn’t you bring back the young lady from the Herald’s residence some days ago? How is that still boring?”

Hearing this, Princess Yongning was somewhat surprised. “I’m amazed you would even pay attention to such matters.” She picked at her fingernails and said, “Don’t mention it. That Meng Hongjin looked fierce but was actually weak on the inside. I merely took her to walk through the prison at the Princess’s residence. I didn’t even touch her, and she was so frightened she wet herself.” Princess Yongning showed a disgusted expression. “Looking at her like that, I didn’t even have the pleasure of tormenting her, so I sent her back.”

“The tragic state of your prison—even men might not be able to bear it when they go there,” Prince Cheng laughed. “You took her to see those things. No wonder she was frightened mad.”

In the Princess’s residence’s prison were kept those who had displeased Princess Yongning, whom she hated extremely but was unwilling to let die immediately. They were kept there while she thought of various methods of torment—peeling off half their skin, gouging out kneecaps, imitating the boiling punishment. In short, calling it a living hell would not be excessive. Although Meng Hongjin was usually arrogant and domineering, the most she had seen at the Meng residence was a maid or two beaten to death. Such vivid tragedy was enough to shatter her courage and become an eternal nightmare in her heart.

“Boring.” Princess Yongning sneered. “Tormenting people is naturally more interesting when you can slowly torment them right before your eyes. It’s best when they struggle desperately, watching them strive to survive and just when they’re about to glimpse a thread of hope—” She blew a puff of air, extinguishing the flame in a small lamp before her. Finding it amusing, she giggled. “Just like this, extinguish their last thread of hope and make them despair. That’s what’s truly interesting. Prey that knows how to resist and struggle—that’s the best prey…”

Prince Cheng smiled faintly. “You’re talking about Xue Fangfei, aren’t you?”

Princess Yongning pursed her lips. Just as she was about to answer, someone came to report from outside, “Secretariat Drafter Lord Shen has arrived.”

Hearing this, Princess Yongning’s eyes lit up. The weariness in her gaze was instantly swept away, and she said happily, “Quickly let him in!”

Prince Cheng calmly picked up the teacup before him and took a sip, saying nothing.

After a while, Shen Yurun was led in. He first saluted Prince Cheng, then looked toward Princess Yongning. “Your Highness, Princess.”

Princess Yongning was overjoyed to see him. Her expression could even be called amiable compared to before. She said to Prince Cheng, “Lord Shen was invited by me. Elder Brother, didn’t you say some days ago that the Wenchang Pavilion was short of people…”

Prince Cheng frowned slightly, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied with Princess Yongning’s such eagerness. Fortunately, only Princess Yongning was beside herself. Shen Yurun still stood in the hall, dignified and proper, eyes looking straight ahead. This made Prince Cheng somewhat more satisfied with him.

Princess Yongning and Prince Cheng had an extremely good relationship, so naturally she could see that Prince Cheng was satisfied with Shen Yurun. She felt very happy in her heart, and also somewhat proud, as if proud on Shen Yurun’s behalf. Since that day at the horse racing grounds when she was shot by Meng Hongjin’s arrow, many people had come to the Princess’s residence to show concern for her health, but not Shen Yurun.

Shen Yurun was now a Secretariat Drafter and someone Emperor Hongxiao valued. His wife had only recently died. Being seen walking too closely with her, a princess, was not a good thing. It wasn’t that Princess Yongning didn’t understand this reasoning. It was just that she truly couldn’t help but miss him. Actually, Shen Yurun couldn’t be said to fawn over her, nor did he please her like other men. But the more Shen Yurun was cold and indifferent to Princess Yongning, the more Princess Yongning loved this manner of his.

Princess Yongning believed that Shen Yurun was born to be her nemesis. For Shen Yurun, she abandoned the dignity of a princess, put aside her pride, even killed his wife, and displayed before him a smile she never showed to others. All of this was only to make Shen Yurun return her love in equal measure.

She loved Shen Yurun very much.

Prince Cheng began questioning Shen Yurun about various matters. Shen Yurun stood ramrod straight, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant—quite the bearing of a capable person. Prince Cheng’s satisfaction with Shen Yurun in his eyes grew stronger and stronger. Although Shen Yurun had an affair with Princess Yongning, Prince Cheng considered this not a great fault.

Those who accomplish great things don’t worry about trifles. What’s more, it was just a useless woman.

People in this world were either stepping stones or stumbling blocks. Stepping stones must be stepped on, stumbling blocks must be discarded.

Shen Yurun had merely discarded a stumbling block, but his future path would become broader and broader—a smooth road ahead.

“Shen Yurun has arrived at Princess Yongning’s residence. Prince Cheng is also there.” A black-clad guard came to report.

In the study of the Duke’s residence, Ji Heng put back the book he had pulled from the wooden shelf.

The guard then disappeared without a sound.

“It seems Shen Yurun has made connections with Prince Cheng.” Lu Ji took a sip of tea and smiled at Ji Heng.

“It was only a matter of time.” Ji Heng put back the book but didn’t leave. Instead, he stood before the huanghuali wood shelf, apparently looking for another book.

“Congratulations, my lord. Your matter has progressed smoothly another step.” Lu Ji said. “With Shen Yurun connecting with Prince Cheng, Prince Cheng will gain a great general among the new nobles, and his power will increase considerably.”

Ji Heng replied carelessly, “Shen Yurun has ambition, Prince Cheng has ambition. Ambitious people give off the same scent. Just as wolves don’t associate with dogs, Shen Yurun in the court won’t choose the Emperor—he’ll only choose Prince Cheng. Only Prince Cheng can satisfy his ambition.”

“My lord is still the most accurate judge of character.” Lu Ji sighed, then suddenly thought of something. “It’s just a pity about Herald Meng Youde. Meng Youde was previously the Right Chancellor’s man. Now that he’s offended Princess Yongning, he’s offended Prince Cheng. The Right Chancellor is Prince Cheng’s man, so naturally he won’t use Meng Youde anymore. Meng Youde—this person actually has quite a bit of ability—”

The Meng family originally worked for the Right Chancellor and was under Prince Cheng’s command. Now, because of this accident between Meng Hongjin and Princess Yongning at the horse racing grounds, the Meng family was destined to be abandoned by Prince Cheng. Actually, it wasn’t that Prince Cheng was taking out his anger on them. Rather, with Meng Youde’s daughter harmed to such an extent, even if Meng Youde said he didn’t mind and still worked for Prince Cheng, resentment would inevitably grow in his heart.

With resentment, perhaps one day he would bite back. Prince Cheng was cautious and suspicious—he would never use Meng Youde again. Actually, speaking of ability, if Meng Youde developed in the future, he might well become a good asset. Even from an outsider’s perspective, one had to feel regret for Prince Cheng.

But things had come to this—there was no way to salvage it.

“This time it was also because of Second Miss Jiang.” Lu Ji smiled. “Previously with Ye Shijie, our plan changed because Second Miss Jiang helped him out of a predicament. Now with Meng Hongjin, the Meng family has also broken away from Prince Cheng because of Second Miss Jiang. Both times it was because of Second Miss Jiang that my lord’s plans were obstructed. This Second Miss Jiang and my lord truly have an ill-fated connection.”

“Are you saying that Second Miss Jiang’s actions weren’t unintentional?” Ji Heng said.

“Doesn’t my lord think the same way?” Lu Ji replied with a smile. “Otherwise you wouldn’t have sent Wenji to investigate who was giving Ye Shijie guidance behind the scenes.”

Ji Heng finally found the book he wanted from the wooden shelf. He pulled out the scroll and turned around. The crimson hem of his robe was embroidered with a golden butterfly, gracefully flying past from behind.

He said, “It was Second Miss Jiang.”

Lu Ji stopped smiling and looked at Ji Heng. “The Jiang family…”

“Not the Jiang family.” Ji Heng slowly curved his lips into an inscrutable smile. “Second Miss Jiang.”

“Isn’t that very interesting?” Ji Heng leaned back, lazily saying, “I suspect this Second Miss Jiang exists specifically to thwart me.”

Summer dragged on. Though it seemed nearly autumn, there still didn’t appear to be the slightest hint of cool autumn air arriving. The sun continued blazing intensely, and the flowers in the garden were all wilted from the heat.

So the belated rain was especially welcome.

It had rained at night. When morning came it still hadn’t stopped, just changing from a torrential downpour to a gentle drizzle. Rainwater dripped from the eaves forming dense bead curtains, pattering down onto the courtyard’s blue stone bricks, washing the blue stone bricks especially clean. They looked like simple jade stones, and one could almost smell the fragrance of earth.

Tong’er brought in the morning meal and was somewhat surprised to see Jiang Li hadn’t woken yet. Usually Jiang Li woke quite early. Jiang Li had no habit of sleeping in lazily. Every time Tong’er brought the morning meal, Jiang Li had already finished washing up on her own.

“Miss.” Tong’er called out softly.

On the bed, Jiang Li’s eyes suddenly flew open from her sleep. Seeing it was Tong’er, she hesitated for a moment before understanding what time it was. She sat up, pressing her forehead. Tong’er saw that Jiang Li’s forehead was covered in cold sweat. After a moment of shock, she quickly found a handkerchief to carefully wipe it dry for Jiang Li. “Miss, did you have a nightmare? You’re covered in sweat.”

Baixue was just walking in from outside. Hearing this, she walked to the window and pushed open several window panels. The cool breeze from outside immediately blew in. The room was no longer as stuffy as before, and Jiang Li seemed to become much more alert.

She said, “I had a dream.”

“It was a nightmare,” Baixue said. “It’s alright. Back in our countryside, there’s a saying—whenever you have a nightmare and feel uncomfortable in your heart, just go bask in the sun and it will be fine. If Miss feels frightened, let’s go bask in the sun—”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Before Baixue could finish, Tong’er interrupted her. “It’s raining outside right now. Where is there any sun?”

Only then did Baixue realize. “Oh, then we’ll wait a few days to bask.”

Tong’er asked Jiang Li, “Miss, what did you dream about that frightened you so?”

Although Jiang Li tried hard to conceal it, the fear and anxiety in her eyes still leaked out somewhat. She usually smiled as she went about her business, as if nothing could trouble her. Therefore, once she lost composure, it became especially obvious.

“Nothing,” Jiang Li lowered her eyes to hide her emotions. “I just dreamed of an old friend.”

Last night, she had dreamed of Xue Zhao again.

Unlike the dream of Xue Zhao she had during the horse racing examination, this time Jiang Li saw Xue Zhao locked in a place like a prison. That place had many guards, all fierce and malevolent-looking. Xue Zhao was covered in blood, hanging upside down in a cell. Jiang Li wanted to get close to him but was separated by iron bars. And when she called Xue Zhao’s name, Xue Zhao didn’t move at all—his life or death unknown.

Then, from who knew where, people came and began torturing Xue Zhao. They used red-hot branding irons to burn Xue Zhao’s body, and poured salt water mixed with chili peppers over him. Xue Zhao began to scream. Jiang Li was in agony, but she couldn’t touch Xue Zhao.

Not until Tong’er woke her did Jiang Li realize it was a dream.

She couldn’t help feeling somewhat anxious. Why would she dream of Xue Zhao? Legend said that deceased relatives would visit their family members in dreams at night. But why would Xue Zhao make her see those things in her dream? What kind of place was that—could it be hell? But a youth like Xue Zhao had never done a single bad deed. He was sincere and passionate, upright and brave. By no means should he go to hell.

And the feeling of being helpless while watching Xue Zhao—it was truly more painful than killing her.

Although it was just a dream, Jiang Li found it difficult to let go. Combined with today’s gloomy, rainy weather—she didn’t know if she was influenced by it—Jiang Li didn’t want to say anything at all. She was very silent.

Jiang Li’s silence was noticed by the maids of Fangfei Courtyard. Tong’er and Baixue didn’t know why either. But seeing that Jiang Li didn’t seem to want to be disturbed, everyone just quietly went about their tasks.

In the afternoon, Feicui from Old Madam Jiang’s side came to Fangfei Courtyard once, saying that Old Madam Jiang wanted Jiang Li to come to Wanfeng Hall—Old Madam Jiang had important matters to convey.

After Jiang Li agreed, she returned to her room to change clothes. Taking advantage of this interval, Baixue asked, “I wonder what Old Madam wants with Miss.”

“Do you even need to ask?” Tong’er said while putting an outer garment on Jiang Li. “Of course it’s about the palace banquet. Tomorrow is the palace banquet. Not only must our Miss go, she must also receive gifts from His Majesty. With such great honor, Old Madam will surely instruct Miss carefully to avoid any mistakes. However,” Tong’er hummed softly, “ever since I followed Miss back to the capital, I’ve never seen Miss make any mistakes. They’d be better off worrying about Third Miss and the others themselves…”

Tong’er’s nature also carried a bit of irreverence. Perhaps she had lived in the mountains too long. These words fell on Jiang Li’s ears and made her laugh despite herself. The gloom from early morning also dispersed somewhat because of this.

Seeing Jiang Li finally smile, Tong’er and Baixue also breathed a sigh of relief. They heard Jiang Li say, “Yes, Old Madam called me over surely because of the palace banquet. Let’s go now.”

At this moment in Wanfeng Hall, besides Jiang Li, all the female family members of the First Branch, Second Branch, and Third Branch had already arrived.

Jiang Yuanbai was the current Grand Chancellor. Jiang Yuanping was a third-rank Vice Minister of Transmission. Although Jiang Yuanxing was only a collator, because he had these two elder brothers, he could also attend the palace banquet and bask in their glory. The palace banquet was a major matter, representing the Jiang family’s face. Naturally Old Madam Jiang had to instruct them on various matters.

These matters had probably already been discussed thoroughly. It was the same every year. Because Jiang Li would also be going this year, there would be extra instructions specifically for Jiang Li.

While waiting for Jiang Li to arrive, Lu Shi perhaps found it boring and asked Ji Shuran, “Elder Sister-in-law, I heard that the time for Youyao and Young Master Zhou’s marriage has already been set?”

Once these words came out, the expressions of several people in the room varied.

Old Madam Jiang showed no emotional fluctuation. The Third Branch people were all astonished, clearly hearing of this for the first time.

Ji Shuran smiled gently. “Sister-in-law is quite well-informed. That’s right. Some days ago I discussed it with the Marchioness of Ningyuan. The Marchioness feels that since Youyao has already had her hairpin ceremony, they can marry early. Next winter would be best.”

Next winter, Jiang Youyao would be nearly sixteen.

Hearing this, Jiang Youyao’s face immediately flushed with two rosy clouds. However, because everyone knew about her marriage to Zhou Yanbang, there was no need to avoid anything. She only lowered her head very shyly without speaking.

Jiang Yu’e was quite shocked. She had known early on that Jiang Youyao’s marriage to Zhou Yanbang would happen sooner or later, but she hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Zhou Yanbang was the heir of Marquis Ningyuan. Marquis Ningyuan only had this one son. In the future, the entire Marquis Ningyuan’s residence would be his. Jiang Youyao could manage the household after marrying in and become the Marchioness. Moreover, Young Master Zhou Yanbang of Marquis Ningyuan was a famous handsome man in the capital—learned and talented, with a gentle temperament. Jiang Youyao’s days after marriage would surely be very comfortable.

Jiang Youyao was marrying a good man. Jiang Yu’e couldn’t help thinking of herself. Her own father was just a collator—how humble his official rank was. He was a concubine-born son in the Jiang family, not particularly close to her eldest uncle or second uncle. Although she tried hard to please Ji Shuran, Ji Shuran surely wouldn’t put much effort into her marriage. There were very few who could help her. No matter what, she couldn’t marry such a desirable gentleman like Jiang Youyao.

Comparing others to oneself, thinking of her own future fate, Jiang Yu’e couldn’t help sighing inwardly, both resentful and unwilling.

Lu Shi smiled. “Youyao truly has good fortune. That Young Master Zhou is someone everyone in the capital wants to marry. However, Elder Sister-in-law,” she asked very concernedly, “don’t forget that Li’er is also a member of our Jiang family. Li’er is still the elder sister. Li’er’s marriage hasn’t even been settled yet, but Youyao’s marriage was settled first. Won’t this invite some gossip?”

These words were somewhat subtle. Everyone knew that Jiang Youyao’s marriage originally belonged to Jiang Li. Jiang Youyao was not only usurping what belonged to another, but also taking precedence over her elder.

Old Madam Jiang closed her eyes slightly, turning a deaf ear to the overt and covert rivalry between her two daughters-in-law. The scene before her was already very familiar. Ji Shuran appeared gentle on the surface but had strong methods. Lu Shi was vain and competitive. When these two came together, friction was inevitable. But as long as it was just minor skirmishes that didn’t affect the overall situation, it was fine.

“Thank you for your concern, Sister-in-law.” Ji Shuran responded amicably, as if she hadn’t heard the mockery in Lu Shi’s words. “The Master has also asked me to keep an eye out for Li’er’s marriage. It’s on my mind too. Li’er is at the age where marriage should be discussed. It’s just that no one has come to propose yet, and I haven’t seen anyone better. I can’t bear to marry Li’er off in a hasty rush. Sister-in-law, if you have a good candidate, please let me know. I’ll have the Master look it over and assess it. After all, Li’er’s lifelong matter—I don’t dare make decisions lightly. Mother and the Master must review it first.”

Ji Shuran nimbly avoided the topic of Jiang Youyao usurping another’s marriage. She also subtly disparaged Jiang Li. They say when one family has a daughter, a hundred families seek her. But Jiang Li had been back in the capital for so long, yet no one had come to the door to propose marriage for Jiang Li. Others looked down on Jiang Li, so the Jiang family couldn’t possibly actively send their daughter over. At the end, she pushed all responsibility for Jiang Li’s marriage onto Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai, completely washing her hands of it.

Coincidentally, Jiang Li had just reached the entrance of Wanfeng Hall when she heard Ji Shuran’s speech. She couldn’t help but smile.

Tong’er was so angry steam was practically coming from her head. Seeing Jiang Li still smiling, she was somewhat puzzled. Ji Shuran had said such things about her, yet not only was Jiang Li not angry, she was smiling. What was there to smile about?

Jiang Li stepped into Wanfeng Hall and called out, “Old Madam.”

Old Madam Jiang’s gaze darkened. Jiang Li still called her “Old Madam” and not “Grandmother.” She seemed to be deliberately drawing a line between herself and Old Madam Jiang, or rather, between herself and the Jiang family. Of course Old Madam Jiang could see that the current Jiang Li couldn’t be regarded as the same person as the former Second Miss Jiang. Jiang Li had changed greatly. However, Old Madam Jiang didn’t know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

Lu Shi gleefully looked away, thinking that since Jiang Li had heard Ji Shuran’s speech just now, she would surely retort with a few sentences to make Ji Shuran uncomfortable. She was always happy to see that happen.

But Jiang Li acted as if she hadn’t heard Ji Shuran’s disparagement at all. After calling out to Old Madam, she gave salutations to each of them in turn, not mentioning a single word about Ji Shuran’s wrongs.

Jiang Yu’e looked at Jiang Li’s newly changed scattered-flower pleated skirt—a reward Old Madam Jiang had given Jiang Li after the examination. Her eyes were nearly red with jealousy.

Jiang Youyao stared at Jiang Li, thinking of what she had heard from the maids before—that Zhou Yanbang wanted to break off his engagement with her to pursue Jiang Li. She couldn’t help the venom in her eyes.

Jiang Li stood composedly, completely ignoring their gazes.

She simply didn’t care.