The Double

Chapter 151: Attending the Banquet

Jiang Youyao's disappearance was an outcome no one had anticipated. She had been present just yesterday afternoon, yet when someone went to check this morning, she was gone. It was clear Jiang Youyao must have slipped away under the cover of night when no one was around.

Old Madam Jiang was so furious she nearly fainted. She immediately ordered Zhenzhu to bring the two maids from Yaoguang Residence for interrogation. When Jinhua and Yinhua were brought to Evening Phoenix Hall, both were pale with terror, clearly aware that a grave incident had occurred. Old Madam Jiang stared at them coldly and said, "Speak."

Jinhua hesitated, seemingly out of unwavering loyalty to Jiang Youyao for some reason. Even at this point, she remained unwilling to betray her mistress, perhaps fearing Jiang Youyao would later seek revenge.

Old Madam Jiang sneered, "Guards, take these two maids away and sell them off."

"Sell" meant they would be sent to a house of pleasure. Jinhua was instantly scared out of her wits. As personal maids to a young lady from an official family, such servants typically either accompanied their mistress upon marriage to become the master's concubines or were married off to become stewards' wives—either fate was far better than ending up in a brothel.

Before Jinhua could speak, Yinhua kowtowed to Old Madam Jiang and said, "Madam, this servant knows where Third Young Miss has gone. She went to the Ji family!"

Jinhua was startled—how could Yinhua reveal it so directly? Little did she know that Yinhua had long held grievances against Jiang Youyao. Jiang Youyao had always been willful, frequently beating and scolding her maids at the slightest dissatisfaction. While Ji Shuran was alive to restrain her, she had shown some restraint. But since Ji Shuran's death, Jiang Youyao seemed to have grown increasingly volatile, often treating Yinhua and Jinhua as less than human. Pitifully, as Jiang Youyao's personal maids, they could not speak ill of their mistress and had to endure such inhuman abuse.

Now that Jiang Youyao was in trouble, Yinhua refused to sacrifice her entire life for her mistress's mistakes. Unlike Jinhua, she felt no hesitation and said, "Madam, last night, the young lady ordered this servant and Jinhua to pack her valuables and fine belongings. She also had us distract the gatekeepers—we slipped laxatives into their tea, and while they were rushing to relieve themselves, Third Young Miss escaped the estate."

Lu Shi asked in surprise, "Escape? Why would she need to escape? If she wanted to go to the Ji family, couldn't she just go openly?"

Yinhua stammered before explaining, "Third Young Miss believed that since the household had placed her under confinement, she would never be allowed to leave the estate again, let alone return to the Ji family. She insisted on going back to the Ji family, and we servants dared not anger our mistress—our indenture contracts are still in her hands... Moreover, this servant thought to report the matter to you first thing this morning. That way, even if Third Young Miss went to the Ji family, you could send someone to retrieve her."

Old Madam Jiang's face darkened considerably. From Yinhua's account, it was evident Jiang Youyao held resentment toward the Jiang family and sought solace with the Ji family. Such a foolish young lady!

Lu Shi added, "Youyao is far too spoiled. How could she think the household would lock her away forever? It's merely that this is a sensitive time—if she goes out, it would only make things worse. Wouldn't it be better for her to stay quietly in the estate and wait for the storm to pass? How could she mistake kindness for malice and be so blind to others' intentions?""Enough! Hold your tongue!" Old Madam Jiang snapped angrily, and Lu Shi immediately fell silent. Old Madam Jiang continued, "Fetch the eldest for me! With such a matter occurring, he must go to the Ji family at once to demand her return! A young lady of the Jiang family living with the Ji family—what would people think if this got out?"

The Jiang family had already become the talk of Yanjing City due to the Ji Shuran incident. If Jiang Youyao were to go to the Ji family as well, what would others think? Although Old Madam Jiang repeatedly called Jiang Youyao foolish, she had still grown up before her eyes, and their grandmother-granddaughter bond was not insincere. If Jiang Youyao acted in this manner, outsiders would only believe the rumors were true—that Jiang Youyao was indeed the illegitimate child of Ji Shuran and an outsider. Jiang Youyao would be truly ruined!

Observing Old Madam Jiang's reaction, Jiang Li sighed inwardly. Despite Jiang Youyao's numerous mistakes, Old Madam Jiang had not completely given up on her. Originally possessing an excellent status, this foolish woman had driven herself to an irreparable situation. It seemed that one's path ultimately depended on how one walked it themselves.

Jiang Jingrui remarked casually, "Why bother fetching anyone? If she wants to return to the Ji family, let her! Our household has one less mouth to feed—how wonderful."

Lu Shi quickly tugged at Jiang Jingrui's sleeve. Although she felt the same way, Old Madam Jiang's expression made it clear she had no intention of letting Jiang Youyao stay with the Ji family indefinitely. The old madam was already furious, and Jiang Jingrui adding fuel to the fire was hardly a good idea.

Jiang Yuanbai rushed over immediately after receiving the news upon returning from court. Upon hearing what had happened, his face turned ashen, and without a word, he took his men to the Ji family to demand Jiang Youyao's return.

After leaving Evening Phoenix Hall, Jiang Jingrui whispered to Jiang Li, "Do you think Jiang Youyao will come back with Uncle?"

"Of course."

"Why?" Jiang Jingrui seemed almost disappointed. "Won't the Ji family keep her? She is, after all, their granddaughter."

Jiang Li replied, "You said it yourself—she's their granddaughter. In the matter of Ji Shuran, the Ji family is already in the wrong and won't have much to say to the Jiang family. Besides, staying with the Ji family is not in Jiang Youyao's best interest. Only by returning to the Jiang family will it be the best outcome for both sides. As for Jiang Youyao's own wishes—do they matter?"

Jiang Jingrui scratched his head and finally said, "True, her wishes aren't particularly wise anyway."

Jiang Li walked toward Fragrant Garden Courtyard. On the first day of the new year, she hadn't expected Jiang Youyao to give the entire Jiang family such a surprise—one that even Jiang Li hadn't foreseen. It was possible that while she was being taken out through the Jiang family's "back door" by Zhao Ke last night, Jiang Youyao was sneaking away through the front gate.

But... the troubles Jiang Youyao would face upon returning to the residence were numerous. At the very least, whatever little guilt Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang had felt over her sudden loss of her mother would have vanished without a trace by now.

Jiang Youyao had lost her support.

In the afternoon, Jiang Yuanbai returned with his men. Jiang Li, staying in Fragrant Garden Courtyard, expected to see a frantic Jiang Youyao. Instead, Tong'er hurried in from outside, closed the door behind her, and said to a bewildered Bai Xue and Jiang Li, "Something major has happened!""What's the matter?" Jiang Li asked. In this mansion, "major incidents" occurred every few days, but ultimately they were hardly significant. As for Jiang Youyao, Jiang Li didn't believe she could stir up much trouble now.

"Master went to the Ji family with his men at noon to fetch the Third Young Miss, but returned empty-handed just now. I initially thought the Third Young Miss insisted on staying with the Ji family, but later I overheard Old Madam Jiang raging outside Evening Phoenix Hall, with Second Master urging Master to prioritize finding her immediately." She paused before adding, "The Third Young Miss never went to the Ji family—she's disappeared!"

"Didn't go to the Ji family?" At this, Jiang Li's gaze sharpened. In terms of cleverness, Jiang Youyao might not even compare to Jiang Yu'e. If she hadn't gone to the Ji family, where else in Yanjing City could she have gone... Unless she went to find Jiang Yu'e, or perhaps Zhou Yanbang? After all, considering Jiang Youyao's temperament, aside from the Ji family, the only person she'd trust most in the world would be Zhou Yanbang, the Heir of Marquis of Ningyuan.

Bai Xue had the same thought as Jiang Li and asked, "Could the Third Young Miss have gone to the Marquis Ningyuan's residence?"

"Possibly, but if she really went there, the Marquis's household would quickly send someone to inform us."

"Why?" Tong'er said. "Are they that eager to protect themselves?"

"Shen Ruyun is about to marry into the Marquis Ningyuan's household," Jiang Li replied with a careless smile. "Her brother Shen Yurong is very protective of his family and has likely already reached an understanding with the Zhou family beforehand. How would the Zhou family dare neglect this? What significance would Jiang Youyao's appearance hold? Moreover, with Jiang Youyao's reputation now tarnished, the Zhou family fears any association between Zhou Yanbang and her—they'd avoid it at all costs."

"So, if the Third Young Miss went to the Marquis Ningyuan's residence, our household would know soon?" Tong'er asked.

Jiang Li nodded. "Therefore, there's no need to worry too much. Although Yanjing City is large, Father hasn't officially reported it to the authorities. As long as Jiang Youyao doesn't encounter any villains—and even if she does, her whereabouts would be quickly traced." She turned away, speaking calmly, "We just need to wait and see how things unfold."

This was Jiang Li's assessment; she was certain Jiang Youyao wouldn't get far. Leaving aside other factors, Jiang Youyao herself wasn't the type to endure hardship. She'd likely regret staying outside for even half a day.

But unexpectedly, Jiang Li's assumption proved wrong.

By nightfall, there was still no news of Jiang Youyao. Tong'er secretly inquired among familiar maids and learned that Jiang Yuanbai had also gone to the Marquis Ningyuan's residence to search, but still found nothing. Those dispatched to track Jiang Youyao's whereabouts had discovered no traces of her. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. Old Madam Jiang had already discussed with Jiang Yuanbai whether to report it to the authorities, but doing so would truly damage Jiang Youyao's reputation.

After much debate, Lu Shi and Jiang Yuanping joined the discussion, and they finally decided to report it to the authorities first thing tomorrow morning. Reputation was important, but life took precedence.

Tong'er and Bai Xue chattered for a bit before leaving. Jiang Li lay down on the bed, blew out the lamp, but couldn't sleep. As she pondered Jiang Youyao's situation, she found it increasingly strange.How could such a prominent person vanish without a trace? If she were walking on the streets, she would easily be spotted, and no official family who knew her would dare to hide her. Jiang Yuanbai even sent people to teahouses and houses of pleasure to check if she had been abducted by traffickers, but there were no leads. There was no record of Jiang Youyao leaving the city gates—could it be... someone had hidden her away?

Jiang Li racked her brains but came up with nothing. She turned over and closed her eyes. Tomorrow’s troubles could wait; let Jiang Yuanbai report it to the authorities and continue the search. If they still couldn’t find her... if not, she would ask Zhao Ke.

Perhaps he might know.

...

Early the next morning, when Jiang Li left Fragrant Garden Courtyard to pay respects to Old Madam Jiang, she indeed did not see Jiang Yuanbai—he had likely taken people to report the matter to the authorities. Lu Shi was also there, but unlike her usual sharp and shrewd self, she sat quietly to the side and even shook her head slightly at Jiang Li, as if warning her not to upset the old madam and to simply observe the situation.

Old Madam Jiang was truly furious. The matter with Ji Shuran had yet to be resolved, and now Jiang Youyao’s disappearance had stirred up another wave of trouble. The Jiang family was truly about to become the laughingstock of Yanjing City.

The atmosphere in Evening Phoenix Hall was heavy with silence. Just then, Feicui suddenly entered, holding an invitation in her hand. She presented it to Old Madam Jiang and said, "Old Madam, the mother of the Imperial Secretariat Writer has sent an invitation."

Imperial Secretariat Writer? Jiang Li’s heart stirred—the Shen family? She couldn’t help but look up at the invitation in Old Madam Jiang’s hand.

Old Madam Jiang quickly skimmed through the invitation and, seeming weary, said, "Decline it. We should avoid going out these days, and we’ve never had much interaction with the Shen family anyway. Besides, with the matter of the fifth young lady, attending would only make things awkward." She glanced up and noticed Jiang Li staring intently at the invitation in her hand.

Jiang Li had always maintained an air of detachment in the Jiang residence. Whether it was jewelry, accessories, or fine silks, she would only offer a faint smile when given such gifts, never showing excessive delight. This seemingly desireless demeanor was both reassuring and unsettling, especially for Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai, who wished to make up for the hardships she had endured in the past. Seeing Jiang Li display rare interest now, Old Madam Jiang pondered for a moment and asked, "Second young lady, do you wish to go?"

Jiang Li was taken aback. Lu Shi also turned to look at her. Jiang Li smiled faintly and said, "I’m just a little curious." Though she said this, her gaze remained fixed on the invitation.

Old Madam Jiang immediately understood. After a moment of consideration, she said, "In that case, we’ll accept the invitation. Since they’ve invited us, refusing would make the Jiang family appear lacking in confidence. There’s nothing amiss, but who knows what they might say behind our backs. In two days, second young lady, dress up and accompany me to the banquet."

Lu Shi asked in surprise, "Why is the Shen family hosting a banquet?"

Old Madam Jiang glanced at her and replied, "The Shen family’s young lady is getting married. In ten days, she will enter the Marquis Ningyuan’s residence. They’re hosting a banquet before the wedding."

The Shen family had few members, and Shen’s mother had only a son and a daughter. Shen Yurong had not yet remarried, so Shen Ruyun’s marriage was likely a significant event for the Shen family.Lu Shi nodded and said, "Then our A Li must dress up that day. Now..." She smiled, leaving the rest unsaid, but Jiang Li understood her meaning. She had now reached the age for marriage discussions. Regardless of how the marriage prospects turned out, it was at least time to start considering potential matches.

However, the timing was truly not ideal, especially since the Jiang family had just experienced so many incidents. But for Jiang Li, this was precisely what she had been hoping for. She had no desire to marry—she only wanted revenge. How could she accomplish her goals while confined to the inner chambers?

She would be perfectly content to remain unmarried.

Yet Old Madam Jiang began seriously considering Lu Shi's words. Previously deceived by Ji Shuran, Jiang Li's marriage prospects had been delayed. Later, Jiang Yu'e had further complicated matters. Although now it seemed the proposed match with the Marquis Ningyuan's household wasn't particularly desirable, and Zhou Yanbang was far from an ideal partner, Jiang Li had still suffered grievances because of it.

It was time to survey the eligible young talents in Yanjing City. This banquet at the Shen residence would provide an opportunity to meet many of them. If any appeared promising, she could have someone make inquiries, Old Madam Jiang contemplated.

Unnoticed by her, the smile at the corners of Jiang Li's lips had already faded imperceptibly.

...

During the two days leading up to the Shen family banquet, the authorities still hadn't found any trace of Jiang Youyao. Thanks to Jiang Yuanbai's arrangements with the officials, Jiang Youyao's name hadn't been publicly disclosed, thus preserving her reputation. For now, aside from the yamen personnel, no one knew about Jiang Youyao's disappearance.

Jiang Yuanbai's expression grew darker with each passing day. Jiang Li knew he was genuinely worried—after all, she was his biological daughter. No matter how angry or disappointed he might be, in such critical moments, concern inevitably surfaced. But for Jiang Li, this changed nothing.

On the day of the Shen residence banquet, early in the morning, Old Madam Jiang had Zhenzhu deliver jewelry.

Several new outfits had been made for the New Year but hadn't been worn yet—now was the perfect opportunity. The jewelry Old Madam Jiang sent was remarkably generous and dazzling. Tong'er selected pieces that complemented the clothing and adorned Jiang Li with them, then carefully styled her hair and applied light makeup. Everything turned out exceptionally well.

"You haven't attended any banquets in quite some time, miss. This is the perfect chance to amaze everyone," Tong'er declared, as if completely unfamiliar with the concept of modesty. "Outshine all the other young ladies and make their jaws drop!"

Jiang Li smiled noncommittally. Her purpose in going to the Shen residence was to search for more evidence, though the likelihood of finding any was extremely slim. The Shen family must have erased all traces after Xue Fangfei's death. Shen Yurong had always been cautious and meticulous—he wouldn't leave any handles to be grasped.

Still, she wanted to see for herself.

When she left the courtyard, Old Madam Jiang and the others were already waiting. Lu Shi hadn't brought Jiang Jingrui or Jiang Jingyou—Jiang Jingyou needed to study, while Jiang Jingrui was too mischievous, and Lu Shi feared he might cause trouble at the banquet. Many young ladies from prominent families would be attending today, and any mishap would be undesirable. Lu Shi also attended with the intention of potentially selecting a daughter-in-law. As for the third branch, Old Madam Jiang had sent someone to inquire, but Yang Shi had politely declined, citing recent poor health. Old Madam Jiang felt she had done all she could—if Yang Shi refused to accept her goodwill, there was no need to press further.Thus, only Old Madam Jiang, Lu Shi, and Jiang Li went to attend the banquet.

Fortunately, Lu Shi and Jiang Li got along quite well. Along the way, Lu Shi made an effort to engage Jiang Li in conversation, creating a rather harmonious atmosphere. However, Jiang Li was preoccupied with her own thoughts and couldn't help but seem somewhat distracted. Lu Shi, assuming she hadn't rested well the previous night, suggested she lean against the carriage and rest for a while, promising to wake her when they arrived.

Jiang Li closed her eyes as she leaned against the carriage, but sleep was impossible. Her mind was in turmoil, filled with memories of her past in the Shen family. Now, returning to this place—the very place that had taken her life, deceived her, harmed her, murdered her, and buried the child she had once carried—she was ultimately going to set foot there once again.

Before long, the carriage came to a stop, and Lu Shi gently shook Jiang Li awake. "A Li, we're here."

Jiang Li opened her eyes and followed Lu Shi as they stepped down from the carriage.

The entrance to the Shen residence looked exactly as it had in the past. The golden plaque inscribed with the words "Zhuangyuan Jidi" (Top Scholar) still appeared brand new, as if meticulously polished every day, without a speck of dust in sight. Even the gatekeeper was someone Jiang Li recognized, though his attire was far more luxurious than before.

Supporting Old Madam Jiang's arm, Jiang Li handed over their invitation to the gatekeeper, who respectfully stepped aside to let them in. He didn't recognize that the young woman before him was the same lady who had lived in the residence for three years.

Who would have thought? No one could have imagined.

As soon as they entered, an air of refined elegance greeted them. Lu Shi remarked, "It seems Lord Shen is a man of refined tastes. His residence exudes the charm of a scholar."

The Jiang family, being a family of civil officials, naturally felt a sense of mutual appreciation among scholars. Jiang Li's gaze turned cold. The Shen family might appear cultured, well-read, and courteous, but no one knew of the wolfish ambitions hidden beneath their gentlemanly facade.

When they reached the courtyard, they found that many ladies and young misses had already arrived. There were also a few young masters, though officials' sons were fewer in number. Jiang Li spotted Liu Xu. Liu Xu and Madam Liu had also come to the banquet. Upon seeing Jiang Li, Liu Xu excitedly rushed over and said, "I finally get to see you!"

Truth be told, Jiang Li had rarely seen Liu Xu since returning to Yanjing City from Tongxiang. She no longer attended Guangwen Hall, and with the Jiang family facing one crisis after another, aside from visiting Xue Huaiyuan at the Ye family every now and then, she hardly went out. Liu Xu took her hand and led her to sit beside Madam Liu. Seeing that she was chatting with a close friend, Old Madam Jiang left her to it.

Liu Xu asked, "Are you doing alright? How long has it been since I last saw you? Two months? Three? I originally wanted to send an invitation to your residence, but I heard the Jiang family hasn't been peaceful lately, so I didn't want to visit abruptly. I thought about asking you to come see me, but I was afraid it might be inconvenient for you to go out. I never expected to run into you here today."

Jiang Li smiled faintly. "A lot has happened recently, but it's all in the past now."

Liu Xu studied Jiang Li carefully and, seeing that she seemed sincere and showed no signs of fatigue or weight loss, finally breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that it's all over. Seeing you like this, I can finally rest easy. Why are you the only one here today? Where's Jiang Youyao?"

Outsiders were still unaware of Jiang Youyao's disappearance. Jiang Li replied with a smile, "She's at the residence, under house arrest."

Liu Xu said, "With her temperament, she must have stirred up trouble again at home. It's just as well she didn't come. If she were here, I'd really worry she'd cause problems for you.""Thank you." Jiang Li smiled as well, looking at Liu Xu. "You haven't had much going on lately either, have you?"

"Not really." At this point, Liu Xu seemed to have something difficult to express, stammering hesitantly. Seeing this, Jiang Li asked softly, "Is something wrong?"

Liu Xu glanced at her and sighed helplessly. "My father says it's time to start looking for a match for me. Today, my mother came to the banquet to see if there are any suitable candidates. Heaven knows I don't want to get married at all—what's so good about marriage?" As she spoke, she looked at Jiang Li, her eyes lighting up. "Come to think of it, you must have come to the banquet for the same reason, right? You're about the same age as me—the Jiang family should have started looking for a match for you long ago!"

"Perhaps." Jiang Li smiled.

"Why do you seem so indifferent?" Liu Xu looked at her suspiciously. "You're neither shy nor afraid, as if you're talking about someone else's matter."

"Me?" Jiang Li snapped back to attention and smiled. "I'm just like you—I never wanted to marry in the first place. But these matters aren't for us to decide. Rather than worrying for nothing, it's better to relax."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xu also sighed and said, "Who made us born as women? Yet we have to endure much more hardship than men."

Jiang Li lifted her gaze to look elsewhere. Among today's guests were members of the Ji family. Chen Jishi was also present. After merely exchanging greetings with Old Madam Jiang, she sat far away at the other end. Because of Ji Shuran's affairs, the relationship between the Ji and Jiang families had become quite awkward. There was nothing appropriate to say.

Besides this, Jiang Li also noticed the presence of the Right Prime Minister's Li family. Surprisingly, Li Xian and Li Lian had also come. But upon second thought, it made sense—since Shen Yurong had thrown his lot in with Prince Cheng's faction, and the Right Prime Minister had long been colluding with Prince Cheng, Shen Yurong and the Right Prime Minister were essentially allies. Jiang Li observed that many of the young ladies present were casting glances toward the Li brothers.

Both Li Xian and Li Lian were exceptionally handsome. Li Xian, in particular, was young, exceptionally talented, and held an official position. Although Li Lian appeared to be a frivolous nobleman, his striking looks and social status still captured the hearts of many young ladies. These two brothers remained unmarried to this day, making them highly sought-after matches in Yanjing's elite circles. However, when it came to marriage alliances, some families were quite liberal, leaving the decision entirely to their children's preferences. Others, the more prestigious they were, the more they emphasized matching social status. Even if others set their sights on the Li family, the Li family still had to find them acceptable.

Old Madam Jiang also noticed this and couldn't help glancing toward Jiang Li. Seeing that Jiang Li was only speaking with Liu Xu and hadn't once looked toward the Li brothers, she felt relieved. While the Li brothers were indeed excellent matches, the Li and Jiang families were sworn enemies. If Jiang Li had taken a liking to either of the Li brothers, it would inevitably lead to complications. Fortunately, Jiang Li didn't seem to show any particular interest in them.

The young ladies circulating today all kept their distance from Jiang Li. Although the charges of matricide and fratricide had been cleared, the Jiang family had recently been mired in too many messy affairs. Everyone preferred to stay away from trouble and avoid entanglement with the Jiang family. Jiang Li, for her part, was content with the peace and quiet.

Just as she was chatting with Liu Xu, Liu Xu suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, I didn't expect Madame Xiao to be here too."

Jiang Li looked up and saw Xiao Deyin approaching gracefully, dressed in flowing purple robes that billowed around her. She always appeared gentle and elegant, and today was no exception. Among the crowd of younger girls, she wasn't overshadowed but instead possessed a unique beauty.

Many of the noble young ladies here were also students of Mingyi Hall, so they warmly greeted Xiao Deyin. Xiao Deyin accepted their greetings with a smile. When she reached Jiang Li and Liu Xu, both stood up and bowed to her.

Xiao Deyin seemed surprised to see Jiang Li there and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to be here. I haven't seen you at Mingyi Hall these days. I heard you caught a chill—are you feeling better now?"

She made no mention of the Jiang family's troubles, as if thoughtfully considering Jiang Li's feelings. Jiang Li thanked her for the concern. After Xiao Deyin left, Liu Xu remarked with admiration, "Among all the teachers at Mingyi Hall, only Madame Xiao is the gentlest."Jiang Li smiled faintly without confirming or denying. She too had once believed Xiao Deyin was the gentlest of all, thinking that someone capable of such moving zither music must possess a refined soul. Yet the truth was ugly, the truth was disheartening.

After sitting a while longer, the hosts finally emerged. Shen's mother and Shen Ruyun came out first, followed by Shen Yurong. Shen's mother pulled Shen Ruyun along to greet the various madams and young ladies. Shen Ruyun wore a magnificent rose-purple gown embroidered with peony patterns and a flowing skirt—truly resplendent. She had taken great care with her appearance today, perhaps because she would soon marry into the Marquis Ningyuan's household and achieve her heart's desire, making her appear exceptionally radiant.

Shen Yurong emerged later. The moment he appeared, the admiring gazes of many noble young ladies, which had been fixed on the Li brothers, instantly shifted to Shen Yurong. Such a talented young man, the promising young Official Shen—even if he were merely..., he would still be highly sought after. Moreover, this gentleman was deeply devoted; despite his wife having committed such disgraceful acts, he never abandoned her. Every woman in the world wishes for a husband of profound affection. With Shen Yurong, aside from his modest family background, one could hardly find any flaws.

Shen's mother couldn't help but reveal a hint of smugness on her face. She greatly enjoyed this feeling of being the center of attention. Any one of the guests present today would have been someone their family had to look up to with reverence just a few years ago. Now, these people praised her children and flattered her, making her feel that all the past hardships were worthwhile. Even if only for this fleeting vanity.

Jiang Li took in Shen's mother's expression entirely. Having been her daughter-in-law for three years, she already knew exactly what was going through Shen's mother's mind. She couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Even though Shen Yurong had risen in rank and wealth, and she had become the mother of an upper-class gentleman, the inherent vanity and vulgarity in her bones remained unchanged from before, even becoming more blatant than ever.

The Shen family's banquet was about to begin, and everyone took their seats. Maidservants brought out plate after plate of exquisite dishes. It had been a long time since she last saw them; the Shen household had acquired many new servants, and even the flavors of the meals had changed. Jiang Li thought distractedly.

Back when she married into the Shen family, they had little wealth to begin with, relying entirely on Shen Yurong's calligraphy earnings and Xue Fangfei's dowry to get by. She budgeted meticulously, yet their daily meals still couldn't be too frugal. Even so, Shen Ruyun and Shen's mother often criticized her for not knowing how to manage the household.

Now, the Shen family seemed to lack no silver, serving lavish feasts with abundant meat and fish at every meal. Who knew how much of this silver came from Princess Yongning's gifts?

No sooner had Jiang Li thought of this than she heard the Shen family servants announce—Princess Yongning had arrived.

The banquet guests were astonished. Why would Princess Yongning suddenly appear?

Jiang Li's lips curled slightly. Of course Princess Yongning would come. Wherever Shen Yurong was, she would follow without hesitation. In the past, it might have been acceptable, but the fervor surrounding the Tongxiang case had not yet completely died down, and rumors about the mastermind behind Feng Yutang had not been cleared. Princess Yongning ought to maintain some distance from the Shen family. Her arrival now would likely displease Shen Yurong.

She discreetly glanced toward Shen Yurong at another table.

Shen Yurong wore a slight smile as he tilted his head to listen to his colleague speaking, casually glancing toward the garden entrance. In that glance, Jiang Li clearly saw anxiety and displeasure.

He and Princess Yongning had indeed developed disagreements.Yongning was willful and clung to Shen Yurong so tightly that she couldn’t bear to be apart from him for even a moment. Yet in Shen Yurong’s heart, staying by Yongning’s side was clearly not his top priority. At this point, given Shen Yurong’s temperament, he would only seek ways to avoid suspicion. Yongning’s eager advances would only irritate him.

Jiang Li raised the teacup before her and took a small sip, her smile gentle and soft.

"I didn’t expect the princess to come so suddenly," Liu Xu, seated beside Jiang Li, whispered to her discreetly.

Just then, Princess Yongning followed the guiding servant into the room.

Today’s banquet was hosted by Shen’s mother in honor of Shen Ruyun, yet Princess Yongning was dressed even more extravagantly than Shen Ruyun herself. She wore a ruby-red pearl-embroidered breastband and a long skirt adorned with flying birds and floral patterns. Her hair was styled into a golden silk and jeweled bun, making her exceptionally dazzling. With her crimson lips and a charming smile, she said, "I happened to be passing by and heard the commotion, only then realizing there was a banquet inside. I came in to take a look—I hope Madam Shen doesn’t mind?"

"Not at all," Shen’s mother replied with a smile. "Your Highness’s presence brings immense honor to our humble home."

Princess Yongning giggled softly and said, "Madam Shen, you flatter me. Everyone, please carry on as before. Pay no mind to me." She naturally took a seat beside Shen Ruyun.

Shen Ruyun, as if bestowed with great honor, sat even straighter and held her head higher.

To Jiang Li’s eyes, it was nothing short of nauseating.

"The Shen family’s behavior is practically fawning," Liu Xu murmured under her breath. "Shen Yurong seems like such an upright person—how could his family be like this?"

"Appearances can be deceiving," Jiang Li replied with just one sentence. After all, no one knew better than her whether Shen Yurong was truly noble-hearted.

Princess Yongning cast a casual glance toward Shen Yurong, but he didn’t notice her. A flicker of disappointment crossed her eyes before she quickly concealed it, engaging in cheerful conversation with the other ladies at the table as if nothing were amiss.

There were plenty of people eager to curry favor with Princess Yongning. However, Old Madam Jiang and Lu Shi remained seated and did not even greet the princess proactively. Princess Yongning was Prince Cheng’s sister, and since Prince Cheng was in league with the Right Prime Minister—who was an adversary of the Jiang family—there was naturally little to be said.

The banquet appeared to be a joyous occasion for both hosts and guests. The ladies busied themselves with lively chatter, some making introductions, others flattering and ingratiating themselves. After the meal, everyone gathered in the courtyard pavilion to admire the snow.

Although it hadn’t snowed that day, the Shen residence, in its refined elegance, had specially maintained a snow-viewing pavilion. The long, covered corridor itself was a scenic sight. Liu Xu, however, seemed somewhat disinterested. While the other young ladies strolled through the courtyard with Shen Ruyun, Liu Xu had no desire to join the crowd and instead pulled Jiang Li along for a solitary walk in the garden.

After wandering for a while, Liu Xu excused herself to use the restroom. Jiang Li waited outside, idly strolling about until she came across an open room where a zither lay on a table.

This ancient zither looked exceptionally precious and was clearly designed for a woman—slender and delicate, with carvings of flowers and birds beneath its surface. Back when she was Xue Fangfei, she had owned a zither, a gift from Xue Zhao, but it had been burned along with her after her death. Shen Yurong played the zither, but he would never use such a feminine instrument. The moment Jiang Li saw this zither, she knew it had been a gift from Princess Yongning.Princess Yongning could also play the qin, though her skill might not have been particularly refined. Yet there was no shortage of people in the world who flattered her and cheered her on. Jiang Li entered the room and walked over to the qin. She reached out and brushed her hand across its surface—a precious instrument, likely smooth to the touch without any roughness, exuding an entirely different kind of elegance. She could imagine how, in the past, Shen Yurong might have sat here, watching Princess Yongning play the qin, perhaps joining in or simply smiling as he watched. The more she thought about it, the more nauseated Jiang Li felt.

Yet she sat down.

Without lighting incense or cleansing her hands, she tested the strings and began to play directly.

She played "Moon Over the Pass."

The melody of the qin drifted far and wide, gradually carrying into the distance. The Shen residence was not as large as the Duke’s mansion, so the music naturally did not fade midway. Slowly, it reached the pavilion in the corridor.

At first, no one paid it much mind, assuming it was some qin master performing. Gradually, however, listeners were drawn in. Someone remarked, "Who is this qin master? To play 'Moon Over the Pass' with such mastery—who could it be?"

"Exactly! Ah, Master Xiao, aren’t you skilled in the qin? This performance is truly exceptional, isn’t it?" someone asked.

Suddenly addressed, Xiao Deyin, who had been lost in thought, was startled back to reality. Only when someone gently tugged at her sleeve did she respond, "Master Xiao, are you all right?"

Xiao Deyin forced a smile and replied, "Yes, it’s played extremely well." No one noticed that her palms were drenched in sweat.

Others could only hear the music, not the heart behind it. Yet she felt unmistakably that the player was so familiar—as if it were that person, the one who should no longer exist... Xue Fangfei?

How could that be!

Xue Fangfei was dead. The one playing must simply resemble her in style; she must be mistaken. Thinking this, Xiao Deyin eagerly asked Shen’s mother, "Madam, may I ask who is playing the qin in your residence? Could we invite them for a visit?"

Shen’s mother was equally puzzled. "A qin master? We haven’t hired any qin master."

"If there’s no qin master, then who is playing?" the crowd wondered. "Could it be one of the young ladies among the guests?"

Shen Ruyun, who happened to be present, thought for a moment and said, "There’s only one qin in our residence—my elder brother’s, kept in the tea room of the west garden. If someone is playing here, it must be that one. We can simply send someone to check and see who it is. There’s no need to rush, everyone. I’ll have a maid go and find out who the player is, then invite them over." With that, she instructed a maid to go.

"Moon Over the Pass" continued without pause, growing more intense and captivating as it reached its climax. Someone couldn’t help but comment, "This performance is nearly on par with Master Xiao’s."

Hearing this, Xiao Deyin felt a surge of irritation. There was a time when all of Yanjing City hailed her as the top qin master, especially after Jinghong Xianzi had married, leaving her without rivals. But in just half a year, first Jiang Li, and now this mysterious player—it seemed as though anyone could claim the title of top qin master!

Beyond her anger, Xiao Deyin felt a deep, profound fear.

It was just too similar.She still remembered the first time she heard Xue Fangfei play "Closing the Moon," so astonished she could hardly believe anyone in the world could reach such a level of mastery. At that moment, she also bitterly realized that her own qin skills were indeed inferior to Xue Fangfei's.

Fortunately, Xue Fangfei was dead.

But who was this person?

The maid dispatched by Shen Ruyun to find the qin player arrived at the western garden's chamber, where the music had ceased at some unknown time. The young maid entered the room and saw that precious floral-and-bird qin placed properly on the table, as if no one had ever been there.

Only a faint fragrance lingered in the air.

(End of Chapter)