Chapter 699: Chapter 214: Vanquishing_5

Her gaze was gentle and clear, radiantly captivating, but it always felt as if separated by a layer of something. If her engagement was announced to herself before they had a heart-to-heart, how would Miss Jiang the Second react?

Yin Zhili always felt that Miss Jiang the Second would probably not be very pleased.

…

June the twenty-ninth was the birthday of Jiang Family’s Second Miss.

In the early morning, Jiang Li received various congratulatory gifts sent by Jiang family members. They were all either clothes and jewelry, or gold and silver. Ye Mingyu also had someone send something over, which was a silver note, telling Jiang Li to buy whatever she wanted. Xue Huaiyuan had painted a picture and sent it over; Jiang Li cherished it greatly and hung it on the wall of the study. Her father’s painting still looked as before, but it made her much happier than the gold and silver jewelry.

She couldn’t go to Ye Residence today because there were guests in the house, and this guest was Yin Zhili.

By now, the intentions of the Yin Household were clear, and Jiang Li’s advising had not had any effect on the Jiang Family. It seemed that the Jiang family members believed the Yin Household was indeed a good choice for marriage, and there was nothing to criticize about Yin Zhili himself. Although Jiang Li was resisting now, with time, she would naturally discover his strengths and slowly cease to reject him.

“What would you like to wear today, miss?” Tonger asked.

“Then just this one,” replied Jiang Li, pointing at random to one of the pieces. Bai Xue hesitated, watching. The clothing was fine for everyday wear, but on such a day, it seemed rather plain. However, Jiang Li showed no desire to change her mind, so Tonger nudged Bai Xue, “What the miss says to wear, we should just wear; she has her own ideas.”

Tonger was wholeheartedly considering Jiang Li’s feelings, noticing that Jiang Li had been unhappy these days because of the Yin Household’s matter. If wearing something could make their young lady even slightly happier, even if Jiang Li said she wanted to wear the monk’s robe from the Green City Mountain’s Nunnery, Tonger wouldn’t stop her.

Nothing was more important than happiness.

Jiang Li smiled and sat in front of the mirror while Tonger came over to help her comb her hair. Looking at herself in the mirror, Jiang Li thought to herself that the Jiang family members always believed that with time, her views would change. Only she knew how stubborn she was. Especially now, it was even less likely for her to grow fond of Yin Zhili.

Prince Cheng’s forces had been subdued by Yin Zhan, and recently in the capital, all the ministers and officials associated with Prince Cheng had been eradicated. Since conspiring against the state was an unforgivable crime, Emperor Hongxiao had finally seized the opportunity to root out all of Prince Cheng’s implanted spies, cleansing both inside and out thoroughly.

The only person Emperor Hongxiao refrained from touching was the Right Chancellor.

Perhaps it was because the Right Chancellor’s power was too great and needed to be eliminated slowly rather than all at once, or maybe Emperor Hongxiao had other plans. Regardless, the days for the Right Chancellor were not easy; it was like he was the largest tree in a forest, with all other trees around him chopped down. Isolated within miles, he knew his turn would come eventually, but awaiting his doom would be agonizing, making each day stretch on endlessly.

Thus, having pledged allegiance to the Right Chancellor, the Third Branch of the Jiang Family was now imploring Jiang Yuanbai for rescue. Of course, Jiang Yuanbai flatly refused, as saving Jiang Yuanxing would likely drag down the entire Jiang Family. Everyone saw Emperor Hongxiao’s tactical skills, and the courtiers seemed to have finally understood the emperor’s true nature, all becoming extraordinarily obedient, not daring to misbehave as in days past.

Of course, everyone also believed that Emperor Hongxiao’s eyes were sharper than anyone else’s. It was probable that he was aware of the Jiang Family Third Branch’s collusion with the Right Chancellor. The reason the Jiang Family had avoided the emperor’s suspicion was because they had long divided the family; if Jiang Yuanxing were to return now, it would truly invite a calamity upon the Jiang family.

All these matters of the Jiang Family Third Branch were things Jiang Li heard about from the Jiang Family’s servants. She herself didn’t care about the Third Branch; Jiang Yuanxing was too weak, and Lady Yang too shortsighted to stir any significant trouble. Hearing that Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion and Zhou Yanbang had started considering remarrying, Jiang Yue’s days would only get worse. Without the Jiang Family’s support, the Third Branch would not be esteemed by Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion.

However, Jiang Li did not have the luxury to worry about other people’s affairs now, with her own life being such a tangled mess.

“Miss, the Crown Prince and the County Princess have arrived; the old madam says you can go to the Night Wind Hall now,” Ming Yue came in and said.

“Alright,” Jiang Li replied as she spoke, Tonger finished securing the hairpin for her. The girl in the mirror had clear brows and beautiful eyes, warm and lovely, yet the light in her eyes lacked joy.

Tonger sighed softly, feeling pity for her young mistress. Jiang Li clearly favored Duke Su, and in terms of appearance and status, he was not inferior to the Princely Heir, perhaps even surpassing him. Although his reputation was not very good, he had not hurt Jiang Li during their long period of interaction and had provided much help.

What were Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai thinking? The thought of Young Master Yin as a son-in-law came to them, but why hadn’t they thought of Duke Su as a son-in-law? If they were to discuss marriage with the Duke Residence, everyone would truly rejoice.