The Double-Chapter 674 - 208: Sending the Invitation_5

Lady Lu saw everyone around had fallen silent and said, "Jiang Li, I took some new fabric a few days ago to make clothes, and I made a few outfits for you too. I’ll have the maid send them to you later. And some jewelry too, you are such a beauty, it’d be such a pity not to dress up properly."

Later, Jiang Yuanbai and his brother left, and Lady Lu chattered to Jiang Li for a while before Jiang Li finally returned to Fangfei Garden. As soon as she got back to her room, she sat down and pressed her fingers to her temples.

If Jiang Yuanbai wanted to befriend the Yin Household, Jiang Li could only sense trouble brewing. Judging by Jih Heng’s demeanor, he clearly intended to target Yin Zhan, and if the Jiang Family took the same side as the Yin Household, they would become enemies of Jih Heng.

Jiang Li didn’t wish for the Jiang Family to stand against Jih Heng, not just because of her own feelings, but because if their enemy was Jih Heng, the very thought was terrifying. Jih Heng was kind to her, but his methods against foes were horrifying. When she had once lent her life to Jih Heng, she had told him that she wouldn’t be his enemy and, if possible, she hoped to help him.

To break her word and repay kindness with enmity, even Jiang Li would despise herself. She also didn’t hope for the somewhat sincere yet complicated and frail bond between her and Jih Heng to fade away amidst these grudges and favors.

That would be too much of a pity.

"Miss," Tonger suddenly spoke in a moment of silence, "do you know why the old madam and Madam the Second wanted you to dress up properly on that day?"

Jiang Li answered, "Every time there’s a banquet, they always want me to dress up properly. Moreover, now that Jiang Youyao can no longer appear before people, if I don’t tidy up, I’d inevitably give people something to talk about." Jiang Li herself didn’t really care.

"Not so," Tonger moved behind the table, looked at Jiang Li, and said earnestly, "I think the old madam is considering a match for you. Perhaps she wanted to see what the Princely Heir is like and whether you like him, that’s why she specifically instructed you."

Bai Xue stopped what she was doing, and Jiang Li was also startled before shaking her head with a smile, "That can’t be possible."

An alliance between the Yin Household and the Jiang Family? Such talk was unheard of. She hadn’t even heard of such a person until recently. And at this juncture, Jiang Yuanbai couldn’t be concerned with her marital status.

"How can it not be possible?" Tonger said anxiously, "Miss, believe me. Never mind the old madam, I couldn’t have misread Madam the Second’s expression. It was clear she wished for an alliance between you two."

Jiang Li’s fingertips twitched slightly.

Without Tonger mentioning it, she might not have noticed. Now that she thought about it, Lady Lu’s attitude had indeed been a bit too enthusiastic. Although Lady Lu had been willing to be friendly with her in the past, the warmth she displayed earlier seemed rather strange. She even made special instructions on what Jiang Li should wear, as though worried Jiang Li might forget.

The Crown Prince...

In Jiang Li’s mind, the memory of the handsome young man she met on the street appeared. He seemed gentle and righteous, not at all a bad person; the real Miss Jiang the Second might have liked him. After all, he seemed much better than Zhou Yanbang.

But she was not really Miss Jiang the Second, and no matter how handsome that man was, Jiang Li hadn’t wanted to get to know him from the start. She felt a deep resistance within her heart.

"Miss, are you unhappy to hear about the Crown Prince?" Bai Xue suddenly asked, startling Tonger.

"Nonsense," Tonger said, "I’ve heard that the Crown Prince is very good-looking, amiable to everyone, treats even the servants kindly, and is known outside to have a compassionate heart. How could Miss be unhappy?"

Bai Xue bowed her head and continued to silently wipe the table. After a while, she commented, "I still think Duke Su is better."

Jiang Li was stunned.

Tonger hastily made a gesture to Bai Xue, but Bai Xue, focused on polishing the table till it shone, seemed oblivious to anything else and ignored Tonger’s gaze.

"No matter how good the Commandery Prince is, he never helped the Miss," Bai Xue muttered.

Jiang Li suddenly laughed.

Even Bai Xue could see it.

...

In the Duke Residence, at night, inside the study, a young man leaned back in his chair, reading a letter.

His expression was languid, with a smile lingering on his lips. In the flickering lamplight, he appeared cool and beautiful, irresistibly captivating.

Someone entered from outside, a guard in black. He set down the letter, casually picked up a folding fan beside him, and as the guard entered, first reported some state affairs. Jih Heng listened with apparent indifference, and to an onlooker, he might have seemed not fully attentive, but a closer inspection revealed that his eyes were entirely sober and sharp.

"I’ve also just received news," Wen Ji hesitated before continuing, "Yin Zhili and Yin Zhiqing are going to attend a banquet at the Jiang Family in three days."

Jih Heng paused in flipping his folding fan and asked, "The Jiang Family?"

"Yes," Wen Ji replied, "Yin Zhili has met with Jiang Yuanbai several times before and seemed eager to visit. For some reason, it was only now that Jiang Yuanbai sent an invitation. I speculate it may be because of the Second Miss Jiang. She was not in Yanjing before, so Jiang Yuanbai didn’t let Yin Zhili visit. After the Second Miss returned to the family residence, Jiang Yuanbai invited him."

Jih Heng’s eyebrows raised, and while a smile still graced his lips, his eyes sharpened. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

He said, "Yin Zhili, huh."