At the entrance of Lizheng Hall, Jiang Li stood calmly.

As soon as the words “legitimate daughter of Chief Minister Jiang” left her mouth, the crowd instantly fell silent.

Xiangyang ultimately wasn’t Yanjing City. People far away in Xiangyang already looked up to those who held office in Yanjing, let alone the Chief Minister who was foremost among scholars. Only then did people recall that the Ye family’s youngest daughter, Ye Zhenzhen, had indeed married Jiang Yuanbai, who now served as Chief Minister. It was just that Ye Zhenzhen had later died, and the Ye family and Jiang family hadn’t maintained contact for over a decade, so the people of Xiangyang had gradually put this matter out of mind.

Now that Jiang Li had actively brought up her identity, recalling how Ye Jia’er had earlier called Jiang Li “younger cousin,” and seeing that Jiang Li’s dress, bearing, and manner of speech didn’t seem like that of a girl from a small household, the troublemaking common people believed seventy percent.

“Even if you’re a young miss from the Jiang family, you can’t abuse your power to bully people!” A thin, long-faced man in the crowd said. After speaking, he hid behind a burly man in front of him, as if wanting to conceal his face.

“That’s right, how can you abuse power to bully people!”

“The Jiang family is protecting their in-law relatives the Ye family—officials and merchants colluding, birds of a feather!”

The thin, long-faced man’s single phrase immediately ignited the crowd again. Ye Jia’er looked worriedly toward Jiang Li. It was bad enough that the Ye family had trouble, but if people linked the Ye family with the Jiang family and splashed dirty water on the Jiang family too—Jiang Yuanbai was a high official in Yanjing City. If this invited trouble, what could be done?

Ye Rufeng also frowned tightly.

Jiang Li didn’t move at all, only stood in place with a smile. She neither hastily refuted in panic nor nervously acquiesced by default. Her smile was as calm as water, her gaze gentle, yet she seemed to possess invisible authority. When people met her eyes, they involuntarily quieted down.

The crowd gradually grew quiet.

Only then did Jiang Li speak. She said, “Our Jiang family isn’t even courteous to our own daughters. My father is most just and upright—where does talk of favoritism come from?”

Only then did everyone recall that this wealthy young miss had years ago been sent to a nunnery for killing her mother and younger brother. So speaking, Jiang Yuanbai was indeed not someone who would show favoritism to relatives.

But was it really alright for her to remind others of her own misdeeds like this?

Ye Jia’er and Ye Rufeng exchanged glances, both somewhat puzzled.

Jiang Li didn’t care at all how others viewed her. She only asked, “May I ask everyone, from where did you learn that Guxiang satin has problems?”

“The garment shops are all saying so!” A woman at the very front answered. “Everyone in Xiangyang knows now. Prefect Tong has even taken the Ye family masters back to the yamen for trial!”

Trial?

Jiang Li sneered inwardly. So that was the scheme. The clearer her mind became, the more sincere her smile appeared. She only said, “I didn’t know that when it comes to textile matters, since when was it the yamen’s turn to manage them?”

This statement was abrupt and confusing. Someone asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Jiang Li spoke with a smile, “The highest official in Xiangyang City is probably this Prefect Tong Zhiyang. I see that Tong Zhiyang’s position has gone to his head—he’s even forgotten what he should and shouldn’t manage.”

She called Tong Zhiyang by name directly. The surrounding common people were all startled, not expecting a girl to be so bold and arrogant. But on second thought, even if she called his name to his face, there would be nothing she wouldn’t dare do—after all, she had a Chief Minister father backing her up.

“It’s true that deaths should be Tong Zhiyang’s concern, but I’ve never heard that textile problems should also be managed by him as prefect. If everything were only in Xiangyang, that would be one thing, but the Ye family’s Guxiang satin isn’t only sold to Xiangyang people—many officials and nobles in Yanjing also wear it. As you say, if Guxiang satin has killed people and this isn’t an isolated incident, I think besides Xiangyang’s Guxiang satin having problems, Guxiang satin elsewhere also has problems.”

“Then if the ladies and young misses of Yanjing City are also harmed by Guxiang satin, the waves stirred up would be enormous. Such a major matter, concerning the lives and deaths of common people throughout all of Northern Yan, rests in the hands of one small Tong Zhiyang. I say he has quite some audacity!”

The last sentence was spoken with increased volume and great severity, causing people’s hearts to involuntarily tighten.

Hearing this, A Shun almost wanted to applaud this young miss from the Jiang family. What had been the Ye family’s trouble, after a few words from Second Miss Jiang, seemed to have become a good thing. What was even more brilliant was that Jiang Li turned the tables on Tong Zhiyang, now scolding him worse than a dog. It made his heart feel extremely satisfied.

A Shun and Ye Mingyu were both like people of the martial world, unable to stand Tong Zhiyang’s bureaucratic airs and affectations. Yet the Ye family couldn’t afford to offend Tong Zhiyang—who told him he was Xiangyang’s highest official? But Jiang Li dared to speak, dared to scold, dared to suppress!

He just didn’t know what Tong Zhiyang’s reaction would be when these words reached his ears.

Jiang Li’s words indeed shocked quite a few people. Someone asked carefully, “Second Miss Jiang, if this matter shouldn’t be managed by Prefect Tong, who should manage it?”

“Naturally the Textile Bureau Director in Yanjing City should manage it. Textile problems throughout the nation all fall under the Textile Bureau Director’s jurisdiction. As you say, if the Ye family’s Guxiang satin has problems, the problems should be clearly documented and sent by the prefect to the Textile Bureau Director in Yanjing. The Textile Bureau Director will dispatch officials to Xiangyang to thoroughly investigate this matter.” Jiang Li said, “Tong Zhiyang did well—he directly arrested people for trial, yet doesn’t mention reporting to the Textile Bureau Director at all. What’s he trying to do? I think he’s the one trying to cover for the Ye family!”

Lu Ji across the way watched in amazement, only saying, “This Second Miss Jiang’s ability to reverse black and white is truly astonishing!”

“Not just reversing black and white—look at her method of abusing power to bully people. She’s very skilled at it too,” Ji Heng said.

After Jiang Li finished speaking, some in the crowd looked confused while others suddenly understood. They were all common people—even those who held office were just minor officials of little importance. How would they know what positions in Yanjing City managed what? They understood even less about textile matters. Jiang Li spoke methodically and didn’t seem to be lying.

Someone asked, “Second Miss Jiang, can the Textile Bureau Director really manage these matters?”

“The ground beneath your feet is Northern Yan’s soil. These common people are all the emperor’s subjects. Officials exist to serve the people. The Textile Bureau Director’s existence is precisely to resolve problems that arise in the textile sector—of course they will take action. It’s just that Tong Zhiyang is being very strange right now. Not only does he not report this matter upward, he wants to resolve it himself. Such a major matter—can he resolve it?” Jiang Li’s tone carried just the right amount of disdain.

“Why won’t Prefect Tong report this matter?”

“That I don’t know.” Jiang Li said meaningfully, “Perhaps Prefect Tong has been an official in Xiangyang so long that he’s not even clear on basic official duties and jurisdictions, yet has concern for all under heaven and wants to handle everything personally.” Jiang Li smiled sincerely. “Such a good official—when I return to Yanjing, I must tell my father about him so he knows there’s such a person. Having him serve as just a prefect in Xiangyang is really underutilizing his talents.”

The crowd burst into laughter.

Everyone could hear the sarcasm in Jiang Li’s words. Even a fool would know this Prefect Tong was probably in for trouble. Second Miss Jiang clearly wasn’t someone to be trifled with. If she told Jiang Yuanbai about this matter, Jiang Yuanbai would naturally understand that Tong Zhiyang had overstepped his authority.

“Prefect Tong worries about the nation and its people, wanting to conduct the trial himself, yet we can’t let him exhaust himself.” Jiang Li joked, “I’ve already written a letter back to Xiangyang. After my father receives it, he’ll personally inform the Textile Bureau Director. I expect before long, people from the Textile Bureau will come to Xiangyang.”

“Really?”

“I swear to you all on my identity as a young miss of the Jiang family.” Jiang Li smiled.

Her eyes curved as she smiled, as if spring had warmed and flowers had bloomed, causing the previously tense atmosphere to unknowingly soften.

“I think everyone here didn’t come to destroy Lizheng Hall, but rather for this matter to have a resolution. Everything should be handled according to proper procedures. If this is the Ye family’s fault, the Ye family will of course acknowledge it, but before the Textile Bureau arrives, the Ye family also doesn’t want to bear responsibility for baseless charges. To all who came here today—it’s getting late and you’ve worked hard. What we can do, we’ll strive to do. Tong’er,” she instructed her maid, “bring out those banknotes.”

Jiang Li said, “I’d like to ask everyone a favor. The Guxiang satin you’ve purchased—to preserve evidence, we hope to buy it back. Of course, when buying it back, we’ll also compensate you with silver. Besides the original purchase price of the Guxiang satin, there will also be some compensation. In this matter, we’ll all strive for a satisfactory conclusion. However, please give the Ye family some more time. Please believe in the Ye family—after all, for the past several decades, the Ye family has never had problems.” She said, “Based on past good faith, requesting trust at this time isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

She spoke very seriously.

Serious girls were beautiful, and the solution she proposed was also beautiful—the silver was even more beautiful. When it came down to it, these people had come today for nothing more than money. If there really were problems, the Ye family weren’t physicians and couldn’t cure the rashes on their bodies. At most, with the silver they could find a doctor for treatment.

Jiang Li employed both soft and hard tactics. These people couldn’t take advantage and still complain. Most importantly, facing the Chief Minister’s daughter, there wasn’t much they could do.

Moreover, Jiang Li had also pushed the blame onto Tong Zhiyang. If Tong Zhiyang had reported to the Textile Bureau earlier, the Ye family’s problems would have been resolved long ago—how could it drag on until now?

Someone said, “Then let it be so. Second Miss Jiang, you must have the Textile Bureau people come to Xiangyang soon!”

“Yes, it can’t be delayed.”

Jiang Li said, “Rest assured, everyone. Please hand over the Guxiang satin you’ve worn to us. These must also be handed over to the Textile Bureau. I’m afraid if we don’t give them to the Textile Bureau, Prefect Tong will want to handle everything personally again.”

The common people burst into laughter. Now there was none of the previous hostility as they cheerfully went to find the Guxiang satin they’d used to give to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li gave Ye Jia’er a meaningful look. Ye Jia’er immediately ordered servants to prepare silver and manpower, also breathing a sigh of relief in her heart. Matters that could be resolved with silver weren’t really problems—consider it spending money to avert disaster. If not for Jiang Li controlling the situation today, who knew what great chaos might have erupted? When Ye Minghui left, he’d specifically instructed that Lizheng Hall be entrusted to the siblings. If Ye Minghui and Ye Mingxuan returned to the Jiang family to see a completely devastated Lizheng Hall, she and Ye Rufeng would have no face to show anyone.

Thinking of this, Ye Jia’er’s heart filled with gratitude toward Jiang Li.

Ye Rufeng looked at Jiang Li with complex emotions. Ever since learning of Jiang Li’s vile words about the Ye family and knowing of her “killing her mother and younger brother” record of misdeeds, Ye Rufeng had been extremely disgusted with Jiang Li and unwilling to associate with her. He hadn’t expected that today it would be Jiang Li who resolved the Ye family’s predicament. Although she’d brought out Jiang Yuanbai’s name, which could also be considered abusing power to bully people, her composure and ease were things he himself didn’t possess.

This person… really made one unable to like her, yet also unable to hate her. Ye Rufeng struggled internally.

In the teahouse across the way, Ji Heng looked out the window and asked, “How was this play?”

Lu Ji clapped his hands “clap, clap, clap” and said, “Only today did I realize that a fifteen-year-old young girl could have such great ability. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would only think it was a fabricated legend.”

“Indeed.” Ji Heng gently exhaled. “At fifteen, she can already shoulder the main beam and sing the lead role in a grand opera.”

“She handled this well, but isn’t she afraid that Chief Minister Jiang in the capital will blame her for this matter?” Lu Ji said. “Jiang Yuanbai is an old fox, slippery as they come. He would avoid such trouble before it was too late, yet his daughter is quite willing to use her authority.”

“Haven’t you noticed?” Ji Heng tapped the window with his fan. “She deliberately brought up Jiang Yuanbai.”

“Hm? Because Jiang Yuanbai is Chief Minister, Tong Zhiyang will be somewhat wary? But behind Tong Zhiyang is the Li family…”

“Exactly.” Ji Heng smiled meaningfully. “Second Miss Jiang wants the Jiang family and Li family to clash head-on, intensifying the conflict until it’s irreconcilable.”

Lu Ji was stunned. “Why?”

“That depends on what she’s after.”

Just as he was speaking, Lu Ji suddenly exclaimed “Ah!”

On the not-so-distant street, the girl stood under the eaves, her gaze precisely and unerringly passing through the crowd to fall on this teahouse window.

“We’ve been discovered.” Ji Heng smiled and waved his fan. “How unfortunate.”

Jiang Li was leading Tong’er outside.

Having finally temporarily resolved Lizheng Hall’s troubles, Jiang Li wanted to order the guards to inquire about Ye Mingyu’s news. This Tong Zhiyang seemed fearless. She was at least Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter—even for Jiang Yuanbai’s sake, Tong Zhiyang would be somewhat courteous.

Who knew that just as she walked out of Lizheng Hall, Jiang Li felt a gaze watching her. Following her instinct to look up, she saw familiar red robes and that gently swaying gold-threaded folding fan.

Ji Heng?

What was he doing here?!

Jiang Li’s heart jumped in alarm. Her first instinct was to wonder if Ji Heng had followed her to Xiangyang. But that shouldn’t be the case. Setting aside that her stated reason for returning to Xiangyang this time was to visit Old Madam Ye, even if there were suspicious points in her behavior, the dignified Duke of Su wouldn’t spend every day watching her. This Duke of Su was unfathomably deep—someone who did great things wouldn’t be so bored.

However… Jiang Li glanced at that teahouse’s small window. From the window’s vantage point, everything at Lizheng Hall could be seen clearly. This Duke of Su loved watching plays most of all. He probably hadn’t missed this play from beginning to end. Or rather, he’d already arrived before Jiang Li came and had long known Lizheng Hall would be smashed, specifically coming to watch the excitement.

How detestable.

Jiang Li took a deep breath. Regardless of this Duke of Su’s purpose, she had to go up and meet with him. Probe his depths—find out what he’d come to do. If their paths didn’t cross, he could naturally watch his play and not interfere. But if there was conflict… she would weigh the situation and handle it accordingly.

Jiang Li gave Tong’er and Bai Xue a few instructions and headed alone toward the teahouse.

“She’s coming.” Lu Ji stroked his beard. “My lord, to be honest, I’m now a bit afraid of this Second Miss Jiang.”

“Afraid of what?” Ji Heng toyed with his folding fan. “She’s just a young girl.”

“Second Miss Jiang isn’t an ordinary young girl.” Lu Ji also smiled. “Employing both grace and威严, using official methods—she handles it all with complete ease. She’s learned Jiang Yuanbai’s style to perfection. But I don’t understand—she spent eight years in the nunnery, eight years not at Jiang Yuanbai’s side. How is she also so proficient in official protocols and customs? It’s as if Jiang Yuanbai personally taught her. Could it be that as long as one is blood kin, they naturally inherit this trait?”

Ji Heng glanced at him. “That’s also not something ordinary people can inherit.”

In outsiders’ eyes, Jiang Li’s methods seemed truly incredible. But although she hadn’t spent eight years at Jiang Yuanbai’s side, she had truly and thoroughly spent decades at Xue Huaiyuan’s side. Xue Huaiyuan was an honest official, a good official, but Tongxiang also had obsequious, flattering bad officials. Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao had seen more official tactics than ordinary people, and because their official positions weren’t high, they felt it even more deeply.

The two were still talking when they saw the young attendant knock at the door outside. Jiang Li entered.

As soon as Jiang Li entered, she saw Ji Heng and the scholar in blue robes she’d seen at the Jinmantang gathering last time.

“What a coincidence,” Ji Heng said with feigned surprise. “To meet Second Miss Jiang here.”

This person was now pretending to look very surprised. Jiang Li inwardly remained noncommittal. Given Ji Heng’s practice of planting eyes and ears throughout the palace, on the very first day in Xiangyang he’d probably already sussed out Xiangyang’s dynamics. Her every move was probably under this viper beauty’s watchful eyes.

However, if the other party wanted to put on a show, she could only pretend ignorance and play along. She smiled. “I’m also very surprised to meet the Duke here.” She asked with doubt, “I wonder what brings the Duke to Xiangyang?”

Ji Heng looked at her with a beaming smile. After a long moment, he uttered two words: “Official business.”

He said nothing, yet also said everything—at least he hadn’t come for her. This person Ji Heng had one characteristic: he didn’t tell the truth. What he said was like his captivating eyes—without much sincerity. But he also didn’t lie. At most, he simply didn’t say.

Jiang Li’s heart settled down. She didn’t want this Duke’s attention focused on her. What she had to do couldn’t be known by outsiders, and she didn’t want it known by outsiders either. Especially this Duke, who might have considerable connection to Prince Cheng. Prince Cheng and his sister were her enemies—she would never align herself with enemies.

She could only patiently deal with him.

“The Ye family seems to have trouble.” Ji Heng looked toward Lizheng Hall in the distance outside the window. “If not for you, Lizheng Hall would have been reduced to ruins.”

As he spoke, his tone carried a hint of regret. Jiang Li couldn’t hold back and blurted out, “How is it that the Duke seems to very much hope Lizheng Hall would become ruins?”

“Can’t help it.” Ji Heng answered as if very troubled. “I love watching plays.”

This statement really made one unable to not be angry. Jiang Li smiled with gritted teeth. “The Duke truly has such fine spirits—everything can be a play.”

“But ones as brilliant as Second Miss’s are rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.” Ji Heng answered completely seriously.

“I’m the same as the Duke,” Jiang Li smiled through clenched teeth. “I don’t perform as an actor.”

“How unfortunate.” Ji Heng regretted it. “I was thinking that having encountered you in Xiangyang this time, there would be good plays to watch.”

“What?” Jiang Li looked at him.

His beautiful eyes flowed with light like whirlpools tempting people to fall and become infatuated. With a half-smile he said, “I have a premonition that Second Miss Jiang will perform quite a few good plays in Xiangyang.”

“Didn’t the Duke come here for official business?” Jiang Li smiled in response. “How can you indulge in idle pleasures and neglect your duties?”

“The play is too brilliant—I can’t bear to miss it.” He stared at Jiang Li, eyes unblinking, his lips and teeth carrying the flavor of provocation.

Jiang Li inwardly cursed Ji Heng as shameless. Ji Heng was now in his twenties, yet Second Miss Jiang was just a green young girl. He could so carelessly use his beauty to entice people. When Xue Fangfei had her incident, everyone in Yanjing cursed Xue Fangfei for being wantonly debauched relying on her beauty, yet why didn’t a single person condemn Ji Heng for committing crimes with his beauty!

Jiang Li stared at Ji Heng for a while, then suddenly said, “The Duke heard, didn’t he? I just scolded Tong Zhiyang at Lizheng Hall’s entrance.”

“I heard.” Ji Heng nodded.

“Does the Duke think I scolded correctly?” Jiang Li wanted to draw out Ji Heng’s attitude. Right now Jiang Li suspected Tong Zhiyang was acting under the Li family’s instructions. Ji Heng was acquainted with the Li family’s young master Li Lian. Jiang Li wanted to know if Ji Heng knew this matter was related to the Li family, and whether he would interfere if he’d come to Xiangyang for this. If Ji Heng interfered, things would become much more difficult.

“Second Miss Jiang told me to watch plays without speaking.” Ji Heng smiled. “I don’t know.”

This person—impervious to both soft and hard tactics, watertight, truly frustrating.

Jiang Li said, “I hope the Duke can continue to watch plays without speaking.”

Ji Heng only smiled without speaking.

So Jiang Li spoke on her own initiative: “Tong Zhiyang has a brother-in-law who serves as Palace Bell Director. The Palace Bell Director is someone under Right Chancellor’s youngest son Li Lian. Speaking of it, this Tong Zhiyang is actually someone under the Right Chancellor. He really shouldn’t be underestimated.”

Ji Heng’s hand holding the fan paused slightly. The gaze he directed at Jiang Li carried several traces of deep thought.

Lu Ji was shocked. Jiang Li even knew this? These intricate connections—even Jiang Li’s father Jiang Yuanbai might not necessarily remember them all. Jiang Li couldn’t have known these things in advance, nor could she have investigated Jiang Yuanbai’s official registry. How did she know?

Ji Heng: “It seems Second Miss has complete knowledge of these matters.”

“Because my father is the Chief Minister.” Jiang Li said softly. “Our Jiang family has made quite a few enemies. One careless move and we fall into others’ schemes. Right Chancellor Li and my father are mortal enemies. We must remember well who’s among our mortal enemy’s soldiers and horses. Otherwise, to be unknowingly schemed against by a minor piece would be a disaster falling on our heads.”

Ji Heng smiled. “With Second Miss Jiang present, I think the Jiang family won’t be schemed against, but will flourish for a hundred years.”

“The Duke jests.” Jiang Li said, “The forces behind the Right Chancellor are not small. How dare we make eggs collide with stones?”

Between her brows carried some spirited cunning. Though her tone was gentle and polite, every step was a probe. Sparring with Ji Heng, she didn’t fall into the slightest disadvantage. Lu Ji was somewhat shocked. If sitting here now were a middle-aged person or a young man, he wouldn’t be so surprised. But it was precisely a girl of around ten years old, still a sheltered young miss.

She was very clever, had methods, spoke with righteous words, yet possessed officialdom’s slipperiness. Loyal, crafty, and also unafraid of Ji Heng.

What a special young girl—not at all like Jiang Yuanbai.

“Oh?” Ji Heng raised an eyebrow. “Just now when you denounced Tong Zhiyang at the entrance, you weren’t afraid at all.”

Jiang Li smiled sweetly. “That was for the common people. For the common people, let alone Tong Zhiyang—even if Right Chancellor Li Zhongnan himself came, I wouldn’t be afraid.”

Lu Ji nearly applauded!

When it came to speaking official language, he considered himself quite experienced, yet this young girl spoke in layers, saying what should be said to people and what should be said to ghosts, face not red and heart not beating, appearing frank and upright in a way that left people speechless.

Ji Heng was also speechless.

After who knows how long, he laughed “chi”—whether in mockery or truly finding Jiang Li’s words funny—and said, “Second Miss commands admiration.”

“However, this will more or less invite the Right Chancellor’s displeasure.” Jiang Li sighed. “It’s also an unavoidable matter.”

“The Right Chancellor won’t be displeased with you.” Ji Heng smiled. “For the common people.”

Jiang Li said, “That would be best.” She stood up, patting the dust on her sleeves she hadn’t had time to brush off earlier—picked up from the troublemaking common people at Lizheng Hall—and said to Ji Heng, “Just now seeing the Duke here, I specifically came up to greet you. Now that greetings are finished, my older cousins are still busy and I should go help. I won’t keep the Duke with idle chat.” She politely curtsied to Ji Heng. “I take my leave.”

Ji Heng showed no intention of seeing her off, answering with a faint smile, “Second Miss Jiang, safe travels.”

Jiang Li smiled slightly and calmly left the tea room. Having faced Ji Heng several times now, though still vigilant, it could be seen that her responses to Ji Heng had become more composed with each encounter.

This young girl was growing very quickly.

Leaving the tea room, Jiang Li walked downstairs, her heart beating rapidly.

That statement just now—when she said “this will more or less invite the Right Chancellor’s displeasure”—was a probe. The result of the probe was that Tong Zhiyang targeting the Ye family was indeed related to the Right Chancellor. Because Ji Heng said “the Right Chancellor won’t be displeased with you,” tacitly acknowledging Li Zhongnan’s involvement.

Jiang Li lowered her eyes. With Li Zhongnan involved, no wonder Tong Zhiyang’s audacity was so great. But so what? She would take this opportunity to make things bigger, raise the Jiang family’s banner high, completely sever the subtle balance between the Right Chancellor and Jiang family, and also eliminate any possibility of Prince Cheng winning over Jiang Yuanbai.

She would make Prince Cheng and the Jiang family become irreconcilable enemies—either you die or I live. Only then would Jiang Yuanbai burn his boats, unhesitatingly, openly and righteously, confidently launch an attack on Prince Cheng.

This was her goal.

In the room, Lu Ji watched Jiang Li’s gradually receding figure downstairs and deeply sighed. “Truly the waves behind push the waves ahead on the Yangtze River. The younger generation is formidable, formidable indeed.”

Jiang Li had given him a great lesson. At only fifteen she already possessed such scheming and strategy. Who knew to what admirable heights she would grow in a few more years?

“We were duped.” Ji Heng suddenly spoke.

“What?” Lu Ji was startled.

“So just now she was drawing out my words.” Ji Heng thought of something and suddenly smiled. “Tong Zhiyang is no match for her.”

He said, “The young girl is quite shrewd.”