Chapter 701: Chapter 214 Goodbye_2

Jiang Li said, “It really makes one envious.”

Yin Zhili smiled and said, “Miss Jiang the Second also has siblings.”

Jiang Li just smiled without speaking. If they were talking about Xue Fangfei, of course, she had a deeply affectionate brother who was willing to lay down his life for her. But if it was Jiang Li, she had no full-blooded brothers or sisters. She only had sisters like Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yue, who were full of schemes and would not hesitate to wish for her death. How could such relationships be considered deeply affectionate?

Yin Zhili probably knew about the situation in the Jiang Family and realized he had said something wrong. His face turned slightly red, and just as he wanted to change the subject, he suddenly noticed the fan in Jiang Li’s hand. That fan had been a gift from Yin Zhiqing to Jiang Li, who had started using it recently due to the hot weather. The fan’s handle felt cool to the touch, and the breeze it created was refreshingly cold, making it comfortable to use.

“Miss Jiang the Second is already using this fan?” Yin Zhili said with a smile, “I thought Miss Jiang the Second wouldn’t use it.”

“This fan is very nice, and it is comfortable to use. I must thank the princess,” replied Jiang Li. By saying “princess,” regardless of whether the fan was actually chosen by Yin Zhili, but as it was presented in the name of Yin Zhiqing, Jiang Li used it without any burden and it didn’t affect her reputation.

She was also reminding Yin Zhili.

It was unclear whether Yin Zhili truly didn’t understand or pretended not to understand, but he simply smiled and said, “As long as Miss Jiang the Second likes it. In the future, if Miss Jiang the Second ever needs anything, she can look for me or Zhiqing. We will not refuse to help.”

Jiang Li looked at him with amusement, “Young Master Yin is truly too courteous, others might criticize this behavior.”

“They should not,” Yin Zhili said, “Because Miss Jiang the Second is a friend of mine and Zhiqing’s.”

He spoke with a smile, his demeanor gentle and his focused gaze on Jiang Li warm and crystal clear. Jiang Li felt uncomfortable under his stare and turned her head away. She remained silent, not responding to Yin Zhili’s words, because she truly didn’t know what to say. But inside, she suddenly felt tense. In the few encounters she had with Yin Zhili, he always maintained proper etiquette. Although Jiang Li knew that both the Yin Household and the Jiang Family were in favor of this marriage, it was impossible to discern Yin Zhili’s attitude from his behavior.

He was kind to Jiang Li, but his kindness was not excessive, like that toward a friend, maintaining a very comfortable distance. That’s why Jiang Li was willing to talk to him. And from his chess-playing, it was apparent that Yin Zhili was a smart man. Jiang Li had hinted, both overtly and covertly, at her resistance to the betrothal in their previous meetings, and presumably, Yin Zhili had noticed it. If Yin Zhili were a proud person, he probably wouldn’t continue to approach her.

However, today, Jiang Li could feel that his attitude had become more obvious than in their past meetings; he hadn’t stepped back but had instead moved forward.

Why was this?

Could it be that the Yin Household already had some other plan in mind, and were about to start making arrangements? But they had only met a few times, and surely it wouldn’t happen so fast. Today was indeed the sixteenth birthday of Miss Jiang the Second. After reaching the age of sixteen, most girls of noble families in Yanjing City were married off. Jiang Li had yet to even have a betrothal arranged, which was considered quite late.

She maintained a forced genial smile until the evening when Yin Zhili and his sister left the Jiang Family.

This time, Madam Jiang the Elder did not insist that Jiang Li see off the siblings and then come to Night Wind Hall for a chat, probably realizing that her advice would fall on deaf ears and simply refrained from calling her.

Jiang Li returned to Fangfei Garden.

Bai Xue brought over the two cases presented by the Yin siblings and asked Jiang Li, “Miss, these are the gifts from the princess of Pingyang County and the Princely Heir. Would you like to open them?”

Jiang Li said, “Open them.”

Bai Xue did as instructed. Yin Zhiqing had sent a set of jeweled headdresses, obviously very valuable. Jiang Li guessed that they might have been from the rewards Zhaode General had received from The Late Emperor, such headdresses were not available in shops. Yin Zhiqing had indeed been generous.

As for Yin Zhili’s gift, it was a book that looked ordinary at first glance. But upon opening it, Jiang Li saw that it was a hand-copied unique manuscript left behind by a distinguished scholar of the previous dynasty, priceless and unmarketable. This book was even more valuable than Yin Zhiqing’s gift.

After a glance, Jiang Li said, “Put them away in the chests.” She had no intention of reading the book or wearing the headdresses, and Bai Xue followed her orders and put the items away. Noticing Tonger’s absence, Jiang Li asked, “Where did Tonger go?”