The madams and young ladies in the hall were no strangers to the Jiang family’s female members. As the foremost official household in the capital, whenever any madam hosted guests at home, they never forgot to invite the Jiang family madams. Besides Yang Shi, Ji Shuran and Lu Shi often met with these madams. The Second Branch had no daughters. In the First Branch, during the eight years Jiang Li was away, there was only Jiang Youyao. Many had forgotten there was even a Jiang Li. They had seen Jiang Youyao many times, but had seen Jiang Li very few times.
Their deepest impression was from Jiang Li’s two consecutive examinations—one in music, one at the horse racing grounds.
Making a stunning debut when she did act—that was outsiders’ impression of Jiang Li. But those who hadn’t attended the examinations were skeptical, thinking it was just exaggerated rumors, that Jiang Li wasn’t as good as the rumors said. Therefore, the palace banquet became an opportunity to verify what the rumors said.
Everyone stared at Ji Shuran’s back.
Behind Old Madam, Ji Shuran and Lu Shi were in front, Yang Shi behind, and among the young ladies, walking at the very front was Jiang Youyao.
Jiang Youyao wore a smile, very sweet and delicate. Her clothing and bearing clearly showed she was a young lady who lived affluently, never tasting life’s hardships. Besides this, Ji Shuran had also worked hard to make Jiang Youyao appear proper and steady. After all, when men look at women, they look at beauty and intelligence—at the woman herself. But when great households select daughters-in-law, besides this, they also look at the daughter-in-law’s temperament and ability, whether she can manage the peace of an inner residence.
Especially since Zhou Yanbang had recklessly attempted to break off the engagement some days ago, which made Ji Shuran extremely angry. If the Marchioness of Ningyuan hadn’t personally come to the door to apologize afterward, and if Jiang Youyao truly didn’t admire Zhou Yanbang, Ji Shuran definitely wouldn’t have let the Zhou family off so easily.
The more outstanding Jiang Youyao was, the more it proved that in this marriage, Jiang Youyao marrying Zhou Yanbang was absolutely not marrying up—she was more than qualified.
Jiang Youyao was like a blooming flower bud, gracefully entering. Her beauty was at its peak, adding luster even to Yuming Hall. Some young ladies with ordinary looks, gazing at Jiang Youyao, couldn’t help but feel ashamed of their appearance.
Raised in an enviable official family, possessing incomparable beauty, beloved by her family, innocent and carefree, marriage going smoothly, husband handsome and gentle, well-matched in status—who wouldn’t envy this? Even though most of the young ladies present came from wealthy families, every family has its difficulties. The lives of young ladies from wealthy families weren’t necessarily as glorious as they appeared on the surface—their suffering was kept inside.
Jiang Youyao took in everyone’s admiration and couldn’t help feeling proud. Her steps became much lighter.
Walking behind Jiang Youyao was Jiang Li.
Actually, speaking of family ranking, Jiang Li should have walked ahead of Jiang Youyao. But no one told Jiang Li, so Jiang Youyao walked ahead on her own. Jiang Li didn’t care about such things. In her view, who went first or second didn’t matter.
Everyone watched as behind the flower-like Jiang Youyao, a water-like young lady emerged.
Compared to Jiang Youyao’s elaborate dress, she appeared too plain, far too plain. But within that plainness, her distinct features were like the rich, heavy strokes in a landscape painting, giving infinite charm.
Second Miss Jiang’s steps were measured, unhurried and calm. Compared to Jiang Youyao’s lightness, she appeared more gentle and steady. If Jiang Youyao was a carefree young lady from an official family in the capital, this young lady was more like a pure and spiritually clever little fairy from the mountains. The former suited adding luster to splendid surroundings, the latter suited aloof detachment from worldly concerns.
Those with sharp eyes noticed that on Jiang Li’s slender wrists, there were no jade bracelets or jewelry, but rather a string of black prayer beads. The beads were smooth and lustrous, making her wrists appear as white as jade.
Some recalled that Jiang Li had stayed in a mountain nunnery for eight years. Although that nunnery was now known to be a den of filth, it didn’t seem to affect at all the spiritual clarity and Buddhist nature Jiang Li had absorbed there.
She was very “spiritual.”
The young lady’s lips also held a smile, but unlike Jiang Youyao’s smile, Jiang Li’s smile was more like a knowing smile emanating from the heart—very peaceful and comfortable, as if she had no worries. Looking at her made people feel soothed inside.
The Marchioness of Ningyuan, who had been talking with Ji Chen Shi, furrowed her brow.
Ever since Zhou Yanbang mentioned wanting to break off the engagement with Jiang Youyao, the Marchioness had developed a heart ailment. Although she and Ye Zhenzhen had been very close back then, Ye Zhenzhen had died many years ago. Jiang Li, as the daughter Ye Zhenzhen left behind, naturally wasn’t as beloved as Ji Shuran’s biological daughter. Combined with later when Jiang Li harmed Ji Shuran’s pregnancy, her reputation fell to ruin. Ye Zhenzhen had abandoned thoughts of forming marriage ties with the Jiang family.
No matter how great the Jiang family’s estate, no family would dare want such a ruthless young lady with a ruined reputation.
But unexpectedly, Ji Shuran proactively came to find her.
Ji Shuran seemed to understand exactly what was in her heart. She only said she too was very reluctant to give up this marriage alliance, even more reluctant to give up relatives like Marquis Ningyuan. After much thought, although Jiang Li wouldn’t do, the Jiang family didn’t have only Jiang Li as a daughter.
The Marchioness was overjoyed. In her view, there was no better marriage alliance in the capital than the Jiang family, and Jiang Youyao compared to Jiang Li was only better, not worse. First, she was also Jiang Yuanbai’s legitimate daughter. Second, whether in looks, talent, or temperament, Jiang Youyao was satisfactory. Later Zhou Yanbang also came to see her and had no objections to this marriage. The Marchioness thought this matter was settled.
Who knew that not long after Jiang Li returned to the capital, Zhou Yanbang would suddenly propose such an absurd idea.
The Marchioness was shocked. Somehow Ji Shuran found out about Zhou Yanbang wanting to break the engagement. Fearing Ji Shuran’s blame, the Marchioness had no choice but to go apologize, even having Ji Chen Shi come along to speak on her behalf. After appealing to emotion and reason all along, Zhou Yanbang finally stopped mentioning that outrageous idea. But the Marchioness, who understood her son’s nature, knew in her heart that Zhou Yanbang hadn’t given up on this notion.
Angry and frustrated, the Marchioness feared Zhou Yanbang would cause more trouble. For today’s palace banquet, she planned to personally see what Jiang Li actually looked like. The Marchioness hadn’t attended either of the examinations, so she didn’t know how Jiang Li had stolen the show. No matter how much she heard others praise Jiang Li’s performance at the examination grounds, the Marchioness scoffed at it.
Now, she finally saw what this girl who had bewitched her son looked like.
To be fair, Jiang Li’s eyes and brows resembled Jiang Yuanbai—clear and distinct. Her features resembled Ye Zhenzhen—with a kind of innocent honesty. However, her gaze and her smile were neither as noble and free-spirited as Jiang Yuanbai, nor as innocent and lively as Ye Zhenzhen.
That gentleness made people lower their guard, yet also made people feel she seemed to know everything.
The Marchioness’s heart sank. With Jiang Li looking like this, it wasn’t surprising she could steal Zhou Yanbang’s heart.
But she couldn’t let this happen. If Zhou Yanbang didn’t give up, Jiang Li would sooner or later become an obstacle between Zhou Yanbang and Jiang Youyao. If the marriage fell through and turned into enmity, truly becoming enemies with the Jiang family would be worse than not having this marriage alliance at all.
The Marchioness only felt a headache coming on.
The crowd didn’t know what the Marchioness was thinking. They only focused on watching the Jiang family’s young ladies. Jiang Youyao was charming and lovely, Jiang Li was pure and unworldly. After them, Jiang Yu’e appeared too vulgar, and Jiang Yuyan was too ordinary, failing to attract people’s attention.
Thus the fact that the two daughters of the Jiang family’s First Branch each had their merits—at least in appearance they were evenly matched—became deeply rooted in people’s minds.
As soon as the Jiang family’s female members arrived, due to their status, quite a few people began warmly coming over to greet them. Ji Shuran naturally had to sit with Ji Chen Shi. Lu Shi also sat with madams she was familiar with. Yang Shi, having no close friends and no one coming to flatter her, could only sit beside Old Madam Jiang with Jiang Yu’e and Jiang Yuyan, appearing rather neglected.
Jiang Li went directly to find Liu Xu.
This was her only close friend. Liu Xu had already been extremely bored alone. Seeing her arrive, she was overjoyed. After Jiang Li greeted Madam Liu, Liu Xu pulled Jiang Li aside and said, “I heard Zhou Yanbang and Jiang Youyao’s marriage has been settled?”
Jiang Li was surprised for a moment, not expecting it to spread so quickly. She smiled and nodded.
“It’s fine.” Liu Xu held it in for a long time but couldn’t come up with any comforting words. Finally, she patted Jiang Li’s hand. “There are countless men in the capital better than Zhou Yanbang. The person you find in the future will definitely be ten thousand times better than Zhou Yanbang. If you really ended up with Zhou Yanbang, you’d be at a loss.”
Jiang Li almost laughed. She sensitively noticed a gaze sizing her up. Looking up, she couldn’t help but freeze—the one staring at her was her former sister-in-law, Shen Ruyun.
Shen Ruyun’s gaze was as harsh as ever, carrying some criticism, making Jiang Li feel somewhat dazed. It was like when she followed Shen Yurun to the capital Shen family for the first time. Back then, Shen Ruyun sat in the room, also using this kind of appraising gaze to look at her. At the time, Jiang Li didn’t understand. Now Jiang Li understood—that kind of gaze was pondering what use she could be, how much benefit she could gain for the Shen family.
Actually, Shen Ruyun and Xue Fangfei weren’t at odds from the beginning. Jiang Li remembered that before Shen Yurun won top scholar and became an official, no matter how many faults Shen Ruyun had, she still had to put on appearances and warmly called her “Sister-in-law.”
But ever since Shen Yurun won top scholar, Shen Ruyun no longer put her in her eyes.
Seeing Jiang Li staring at Shen Ruyun, Liu Xu was puzzled. “Do you have some grudge with her? Earlier when you weren’t here, it was Shen Ruyun who brought up that Jiang Youyao stole your marriage and got together with Zhou Yanbang. Isn’t this deliberately stirring up trouble, using you as a tool? Did you offend her somewhere?”
“I didn’t offend her.” Jiang Li shook her head. She understood in her heart that the reason Shen Ruyun used this matter to stir trouble was naturally because of Zhou Yanbang. Others didn’t know, but she, as the sister-in-law, understood that Shen Ruyun had admired Zhou Yanbang for many years. Now that she finally had the qualifications to discuss marriage with Zhou Yanbang, Jiang Youyao got there first. How could she not be angry?
Most likely she even hated Jiang Li herself. If Second Miss Jiang hadn’t been engaged to Zhou Yanbang first, how could Third Miss Jiang have usurped her position, tying up Zhou Yanbang early on?
Jiang Li thought to herself, not knowing what expression Shen Ruyun would have when she learned her sister-in-law had blocked her marriage prospects. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help finding it amusing.
Jiang Li’s smile in Shen Ruyun’s eyes made her feel even more irritated. Moreover, Shen Ruyun always felt that Jiang Li’s manner and bearing were very familiar. But Shen Ruyun was certain this was her first time seeing Jiang Li. This sense of familiarity didn’t please Shen Ruyun either. She snorted through her nose, turned her head away, and stopped looking at Jiang Li.
After chatting and laughing for a while, a palace maid came from outside to report that the Empress Dowager had arrived.
All the madams rose together to welcome the Empress Dowager’s arrival.
The current Empress Dowager wasn’t Emperor Hongxiao’s birth mother, but had a benevolent nature. She often worshipped Buddha and performed good deeds, and didn’t involve herself in worldly affairs. Precisely because of this, back then the harem had the rivalry between Imperial Noble Consort Xia and Imperial Consort Liu. At the time, rumors spread that the Empress had no son and her position was insecure. But Imperial Noble Consort Xia’s health later deteriorated and she passed away early. Emperor Hongxiao was raised at the Empress Dowager’s knee. The Late Emperor intended to support Emperor Hongxiao as Crown Prince, and only then did Imperial Consort Liu restrain herself somewhat.
Later when the Late Emperor passed away, the Empress became the Empress Dowager, and Imperial Consort Liu became Dowager Consort Liu. Dowager Consort Liu’s son and daughter were the current Prince Cheng and Princess Yongning. Prince Cheng was even older than Emperor Hongxiao. Back then, the forces supporting Prince Cheng were restless, and Emperor Hongxiao’s throne wasn’t secure.
This was also why people in the court now showed Prince Cheng considerable deference.
Emperor Hongxiao had no external relatives for support—he only had himself, and those supporting him weren’t many. Perhaps one day, this throne would have to be handed over. What Prince Cheng possessed seemed far more than Emperor Hongxiao.
The Empress Dowager wore a crimson-purple gold brocade palace robe and a cloud-seed crown. Speaking of it, the Empress Dowager had also reached the age of destiny. But probably due to good maintenance, standing beside the Empress, she didn’t look much older than the Empress. One could see she had been strikingly beautiful in her youth. Her lips curved in a smile—quite amiable indeed.
Following behind the Empress Dowager was Prince Cheng’s mother, Dowager Consort Liu. Standing together with the Empress Dowager, Dowager Consort Liu appeared much more aged. But despite this, it didn’t affect Dowager Consort Liu’s character at all. She dressed brightly and colorfully. The pride in her eyes and brows was identical to her daughter Princess Yongning’s.
The instant she saw Princess Yongning, Jiang Li’s blood ran cold for a moment.
Princess Yongning wore a gold-embroidered openwork gauze skirt that shimmered with flowing light—that thin garment alone was the heartblood of countless weavers. She too had a face as beautiful as flowers. Compared to Jiang Youyao’s girlish charm, she had several degrees more allure. Standing in the hall, she naturally had the bearing befitting heaven’s favored daughter—lofty and superior, not needing to regard anyone.
It was said Dowager Consort Liu was proud, but the Empress Dowager didn’t hold it against her. In the entire rear palace, it was almost Dowager Consort Liu who had the final say. Emperor Hongxiao’s power was still weak, let alone the Empress. Therefore, almost no one dared contradict what Princess Yongning said.
Seeing everyone rise, the Empress Dowager smiled and said no need for ceremony, then had everyone sit. The palace banquet would begin shortly.
Jiang Li watched as Princess Yongning looked left and right, seemingly searching for someone. She laughed coldly in her heart. Princess Yongning like this was undoubtedly searching for Shen Yurun.
Her admiration for Shen Yurun was truly sincere.
The female family members arrived early. The palace banquet was held in Yuming Hall. Outside Yuming Hall were long flower ponds and pavilions. After the night banquet, one could admire the moon and appreciate flowers—quite elegant indeed.
After a while, the male family members also arrived one after another.
Men and women didn’t sit at the same tables, but they were ultimately in the same hall. Northern Yan was different from the previous dynasty. In public, women seeing unfamiliar men didn’t need to avoid them. But after all, there was some shyness. Some thin-skinned young ladies turned their backs to avoid embarrassment.
Jiang Yuanbai came with his brother Jiang Yuanping. Jiang Yuanxing, because his relationship with the two brothers couldn’t be said to be very close, appeared somewhat awkward.
Jiang Li saw Ye Shijie. Ye Shijie had made a stunning debut and was destined to enter officialdom soon. Some young noble sons befriended him. Quite a few people walked beside him, and Ye Shijie seemed to get along well with them.
Jiang Li breathed a soft sigh of relief.
If Second Miss Jiang had a strong maternal family, it would only be good for her future, not bad.
Ye Shijie was riding high on success. Following behind him was this year’s Imperial Academy examination’s second place—the one who should have been first but had the top position taken by Ye Shijie—the eldest son of the Right Chancellor’s residence, Li Jing.
Li Jing had ordinary looks. Compared to his younger brother Li Lian, he really wasn’t popular with young ladies. But heaven was also fair. Li Jing wasn’t handsome enough but had considerable talent. Li Lian was handsome and charming but was an unlearned wastrel.
The two Li brothers entered together with Right Chancellor Li Zhongnan. Many bold young ladies also sized up these two brothers.
After all, the Right Chancellor’s current power was growing stronger, almost able to contend evenly with the Jiang family. If formerly the Jiang family was the foremost among civil officials, now the Jiang family’s position as foremost among civil officials was precarious due to the Right Chancellor’s rise. The two Li brothers naturally became hot commodities.
Jiang Li’s gaze only stayed on the two Li brothers for an instant before sliding away. As far as she was concerned, she didn’t plan to have any dealings with the Li family. She had already warned Ye Shijie about what needed warning. And it seemed Ye Shijie was doing very well, having no exchanges with Li Jing and Li Lian, obviously taking her warnings to heart.
No matter what schemes the Li family had, as long as Ye Shijie didn’t engage with them, he would be somewhat safer.
On the Imperial Academy honor roll, top scholar was Ye Shijie, second was Li Jing, and third was naturally Young Master Zhou Yanbang of Marquis Ningyuan.
Jiang Li quickly saw Zhou Yanbang.
Not because she wanted to notice Zhou Yanbang, but because Zhou Yanbang’s gaze at her was truly unconcealed, excessively fervent. If not for the crowd, people would likely notice something amiss. Jiang Li felt somewhat irritated in her heart. Zhou Yanbang being like this was truly revolting, making her extremely uncomfortable.
Others didn’t notice Zhou Yanbang because although Zhou Yanbang was a talented young man, he was already engaged. But the Marchioness of Ningyuan and Ji Shuran with her daughter had been watching Zhou Yanbang’s every move from the moment he entered.
Seeing Zhou Yanbang immediately search for Jiang Li’s figure after entering, several people became anxious.
The Marchioness’s mind buzzed. She immediately thought this was bad. With Zhou Yanbang so unafraid of being seen, performing so obviously, it would inevitably upset Jiang Youyao and displease Ji Shuran.
Ji Shuran and her daughter hated him extraordinarily—on one hand hating that Zhou Yanbang’s character wasn’t steadfast, easily led astray; on the other hand hating the instigator Jiang Li extremely. If Jiang Li hadn’t seduced him, how could Zhou Yanbang be so infatuated!
Jiang Li decisively stood up and changed positions, blocking Zhou Yanbang’s gaze. She really didn’t want any unclear entanglement with Zhou Yanbang. After the Mingyi Hall examination, her reputation had just begun to improve. She didn’t want it to turn to nothing again because of Zhou Yanbang.
Not seeing Jiang Li’s figure, Zhou Yanbang was somewhat disappointed. But he quickly recovered, still appearing as a refined young gentleman, chatting and laughing with others.
Jiang Li looked past the heavy crowd and finally saw Shen Yurun.
Today Shen Yurun wore official robes. Jiang Li had never seen Shen Yurun like this. When she and Shen Yurun were husband and wife, Shen Yurun was warm, gentle, and tolerant. After Madam Shen’s birthday banquet, she saw Shen Yurun very few times. Back then she felt guilty, and Shen Yurun was only silent.
But the current Shen Yurun was extremely different from back then.
He wore the official robes of a third-rank court official. From the white-robed scholar at the beginning to achieving fame in one stroke, donning official robes, it seemed these robes also added infinite luster to him. He still appeared refined and cultured, but in his eyes, there was already worldliness and maturity.
Jiang Li watched him conversing with colleagues. His colleagues’ attitudes were ingratiating while he was lofty and superior. For a moment, Jiang Li felt this Shen Yurun was extremely similar to Princess Yongning.
The same belief that they were superior to others, the same contempt for people.
Jiang Li shifted her gaze to look at Princess Yongning on the other side.
Princess Yongning didn’t conceal her admiring gaze toward Shen Yurun at all, almost following Shen Yurun’s movements. But looking at it this way, it seemed the falling flower had feelings but the flowing water wasn’t as affectionate as imagined. Shen Yurun didn’t cast Princess Yongning a single glance.
Jiang Li couldn’t help but laugh coldly in her heart. Naturally—under such public scrutiny, of course he had to conceal it. Princess Yongning had the status of princess. Shen Yurun was a cautious person who wouldn’t let anyone catch him in a compromising position. He habitually did things very carefully, just as he had deceived her back then.
However, Xue Fangfei was already dead. Princess Yongning had gone to great lengths to make her, the legitimate wife, vacate her position. How was it that even now she still couldn’t become the Shen family’s wife? A trace of satisfaction flashed through Jiang Li’s heart. But the satisfaction was fleeting. To be honest, the current Jiang Li actually very much wanted to see what fate Princess Yongning would meet after marrying into the Shen family. She didn’t know if it would be as happy as they imagined, or if both would breed resentment.
Next, Jiang Li saw people from the Ji family, including Ji Shuran’s father Ji Yanlin, as well as Liu Xu’s father Liu Yuanfeng. Prince Cheng came somewhat late. After arriving, he paid respects to the Empress Dowager.
The last to arrive was Emperor Hongxiao.
In two lifetimes now, this was Jiang Li’s second time seeing Emperor Hongxiao. Emperor Hongxiao was now twenty-seven years old—for an emperor, this was a very young age. In the seven years since his ascension, no great upheavals had occurred in the Yan Dynasty. Even so, his throne still sat precariously, not as stable as it appeared on the surface.
Anyone in the court knew that Prince Cheng was Emperor Hongxiao’s greatest threat. Seven years ago, Emperor Hongxiao hastily ascended the throne, and Prince Cheng lost by one move. In seven years, could Emperor Hongxiao catch up to the current Prince Cheng?
No one knew.
Beside Emperor Hongxiao stood a young woman. This woman was extremely beautiful and delicate, touching and pitiful. Yet her clothing wasn’t luxurious either—it could even be called simple. She maintained a constant smile. Liu Xu whispered in Jiang Li’s ear, “That’s Imperial Concubine Li, Jiang Youyao’s aunt.”
Jiang Li suddenly understood. So this was Ji Yanlin’s eldest legitimate daughter, Ji Shuran’s elder sister—Imperial Concubine Li.
When she entered the palace with Shen Yurun last time, she hadn’t seen Imperial Concubine Li, but she had long known of such a person. Some said Imperial Concubine Li was to the Late Emperor as Imperial Noble Consort Xia had been—the woman the Late Emperor loved most. But Imperial Concubine Li’s difference from Imperial Noble Consort Xia was that Imperial Concubine Li had the Ji family behind her, while Imperial Noble Consort Xia had nothing behind her.
Jiang Li looked at Imperial Concubine Li. Imperial Concubine Li appeared even younger than Ji Shuran. Who knew how she maintained herself—she looked like a young maiden. Very gentle and very amiable, not directing anything. Compared to the lofty Princess Yongning, she couldn’t be more approachable. But Jiang Li also understood that if Imperial Concubine Li were truly as weak and uncontentious as she appeared on the surface, she wouldn’t have carved out a bloody path in the rear palace to become Emperor Hongxiao’s favored consort.
Those without ability long ago became sacrifices in the law of the jungle. How could they stand safely beside Emperor Hongxiao, feigning humility in a victor’s posture? It was all an act.
Imperial Concubine Li said something to Emperor Hongxiao, and he waved his hand. Imperial Concubine Li then came forward to greet Ji Chen Shi and Ji Shuran.
Jiang Youyao naturally went to see this aunt. The noble daughters around all looked at Jiang Youyao with envy. Having an aunt like Imperial Concubine Li was even more glorious than having an empress aunt. Although the Empress had given birth to the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince was young, just five years old. If Imperial Concubine Li also bore a young prince, given Emperor Hongxiao’s favor toward Imperial Concubine Li, where the Crown Prince position would fall in the future was uncertain.
After all, changing the designated Crown Prince wasn’t unheard of in the previous dynasty.
Not knowing what Ji Shuran said to Imperial Concubine Li, Imperial Concubine Li also smiled and glanced at Jiang Li. That glance didn’t show any particular emotion, yet Jiang Li inexplicably felt very uncomfortable.
Liu Xu asked, “Aren’t you going to pay respects?”
“They didn’t call me over.” Jiang Li said indifferently. “I won’t go.”
Liu Xu was dumbfounded. After a while, as if finally understanding, she said quite happily, “That’s really your temperament.”
Jiang Li laughed despite herself. She wasn’t like Jiang Yu’e, needing to fawn over Ji Shuran and rush to curry favor. Nor was she like Jiang Youyao, having blood ties with Imperial Concubine Li. She and Imperial Concubine Li were only nominal aunt and niece. Most likely, this was the original Second Miss Jiang’s first time seeing Imperial Concubine Li.
After all, Imperial Concubine Li was Ji Shuran’s elder sister and would naturally stand on Ji Shuran’s side. She and Jiang Li were destined to be enemies. This antagonistic position wouldn’t change just because Jiang Li went forward to pay respects.
Don’t do meaningless things, especially things you’re unwilling to do. Xue Huaiyuan had said this, and Jiang Li had taken it to heart.
Just as Emperor Hongxiao was speaking with the Empress Dowager, a eunuch came to report that someone else had arrived.
To arrive later than His Majesty—this person’s audacity was truly great. After all, even someone like Prince Cheng still followed protocol. Jiang Li looked up to see someone walking unhurriedly from the long corridor outside the palace hall.
The young man wore a bright red gold-threaded long robe. The hem of the robe trailed behind him. Under the brilliant lamplight, the radiance it cast was even more dazzling than the gems embedded in the hall’s pillars.
Such complex and magnificent clothing—unless one’s appearance was stunning enough, one would be overwhelmed by the garment, making it a case of “clothes wearing the person” rather than the reverse. Unless one was a peerless beauty with exquisite features without a single flaw, also possessing unparalleled elegance—only then could one barely match such attire.
But this clothing on the young man was not merely barely matching—it could be said they complemented each other perfectly. Seeing him wear this garment, one couldn’t help but sigh in their heart, having to admit that such clothing—in all the world, only when he wore it was it not a waste of magnificent attire.
The magnificent attire was more brilliant than gemstones, and his beauty was more ostentatious than the magnificent attire.
It was none other than the Duke of Su, Ji Heng.