Chapter 220 Seizing Love
Jiang Li and her group entered the palace, with the palace servant leading the way in front and Jiang Li walking behind. Jiang Jingrui also noticed the way the wives of the officials looked at Jiang Li before, and wanted to tease Jiang Li a few words, but when he turned around and saw that Jiang Li looked indifferent and didn't seem very happy, he stopped talking rationally and didn't dare to say another word.

It was strange that he was not afraid of anyone in the Jiang family, except Jiang Li, who always had a bit of fear. Although Jiang Li was always smiling, even when she was smiling, he could tell when it was a polite smile, when it was perfunctory, and when it was angry.

It’s better not to mess with an angry girl, especially when that girl is Jiang Li.

When he arrived at the palace, Jiang Li found that there were not many ministers who came to reward their merits today, at least not as many as the last palace banquet. After a closer look, Jiang Li understood a little. There were quite a few people in the court who were involved with the Right Prime Minister of King Cheng. This time, many people were cleared out, and it can be said that almost half of the important ministers were missing. Of course, this does not mean that the court of Northern Yan will be turbulent. Emperor Hong Xiao may have prepared for today a long time ago and started to support the new nobles early. Now this group of ambitious old ministers have vacated their seats to make way for the newcomers. These new ministers are absolutely loyal to Emperor Hong Xiao. After Jiang Yuanbo and his group of old ministers abdicated one after another, the pattern of the court was completely different from before, and they were all completely Emperor Hong Xiao's people.

Jiang Yuanbai looked at the people around him, and his expression looked a little strange, wondering if they had also thought of this.

Jiang Li thought Liu Xu would be there today, but after looking around, she didn't see Madam Liu. It seemed that Madam Liu was not invited to today's palace banquet. It seemed that only important officials and new nobles were invited. With his status as Cheng Delang, it was not his turn to come.

But in this way, Jiang Li had no friends she knew. Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou did have two brothers, and they quickly went to talk to them. Jiang Li stood in the corner of the hall, standing with Lu, and suddenly someone called her by her name: "Second Miss Jiang!"

Jiang Li turned around and saw that it was Yin Zhiqing calling her from behind.

Jiang Li hurriedly said, "Pingyang County Master."

Yin Zhiqing came over and said with a happy smile: "I saw you just after I arrived. Did you just arrive too?"

Jiang Li nodded and looked at Yin Zhiqing. Yin Zhiqing's outfit today was really very beautiful. She was wearing a peacock pattern brocade dress, a rose red long-tailed phoenix skirt, red lips and white teeth, and a charming look. Even Jiang Li couldn't help but praise her in her heart, what a beautiful lady with a face like a lotus.

Yin Zhiqing was born with amazing charm, but her personality was completely different and straightforward. She reached out to pull Jiang Li, as if she was very familiar with her. She said, "My brother is over there. Come on, come with me to say hello to him."

Before Jiang Li had time to speak, Lu said with a smile: "Xiao Li, just go ahead. It just so happens that the prince is here too. It's meaningless for you young girls to stay with me."

Madam Jiang also nodded. Jiang Li shook her head in her heart, but could only smile and say, "Okay."

Yin Zhili was standing outside the palace, talking to a young man. He had actually been living in the clouds before, and had no contact with the people in Yanjing City. But the strange thing was that these officials' children in Yanjing City didn't seem to hate him at all. They didn't mean to be exclusive, and even seemed to have a good relationship with him. Jiang Li had another layer of calculation towards Yin Zhili in her heart. It was not easy to do this. Most of the officials' sons and daughters in Yanjing would think highly of themselves and were unwilling to associate with people they looked down upon. Even Jiang Li, who had been in Yanjing City for a year, had no good friends despite being a young lady of the Jiang family. This was certainly because Jiang Li was unwilling to flatter them, but they themselves resisted Jiang Li's integration into the circle of noble ladies from the beginning.

Yin Zhiqing shouted, "Brother."

Yin Zhili had just finished talking to the person in front of him and was about to leave when he heard Yin Zhiqing's call. He turned around and saw Jiang Li was also stunned. Then a smile appeared in his eyes and he said softly, "Second Miss Jiang."

"Master Yin." Jiang Li replied.

Yin Zhiqing blinked and said, "You guys continue talking, I'll go talk to my mother first." Before Yin Zhili finished speaking, she ran away. Only Jiang Li and Yin Zhili were left standing together.

Yin Zhili was somewhat helpless: "Sorry, sister..."

"The county princess is innocent and very cute. Mr. Yin doesn't have to mind it." Jiang Li said with a smile.

Yin Zhili's expression relaxed when he heard this, and he also smiled and said, "Miss Jiang is still so considerate."

The two of them stood together, naturally attracting many people's attention. The man was dressed in white, gentle, handsome and warm. The girl was dressed in green, smart, charming and well-behaved, and they were a perfect match. Yin Zhili had an outstanding appearance and family background, so naturally many girls liked him. Seeing this scene, those who were interested were disappointed. If the Yin family and the Jiang family were to marry, there would be no one else. Judging from the current situation, Yin Zhili and Jiang Li seemed to be very familiar with each other. Could it be that there was a clue of this long ago?
Jiang Li felt many suspicious eyes on her, and she felt both amused and annoyed, but she was not nervous at all. In Yin Zhili's eyes, Jiang Li did not mind being with him. He looked at Jiang Li and asked curiously, "Why didn't Miss Jiang take the fan that Zhiqing gave you?"

"Fan?" Jiang Li was stunned, and suddenly remembered the fan that was confiscated by Ji Heng. Ji Heng said, "Try accepting gifts from other men again."

He just took the fan away and hasn't returned it yet, and no one knows how he dealt with it. Jiang Li felt amused, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her face. Seeing her like this, Yin Zhili asked softly, "Miss Jiang?"

Jiang Li came back to her senses and said, "That fan... Summer is almost over, and I saw that the weather was getting cooler, so I put the fan away."

Yin Zhili was stunned.

Jiang Li wanted to say something more, but suddenly, a voice came from behind her. The voice was lazy, with a hint of smile, and spoke slowly.

"I always fear that autumn will come, the cool breeze will take away the heat, and I will be abandoned in the box, and the kindness will be cut off." He smiled and asked meaningfully: "Who is Miss Jiang comparing to an abandoned woman?"

Jiang Li looked back and saw Ji Heng walking towards her for some reason.

He had probably just arrived, and today he was also wearing a red robe with black peonies. The gorgeous and deep pattern looked strangely suitable on him. Men didn't need to put on makeup, but even so, when he stood here, he outshined all the girls in the palace who were competing for beauty. Anyone would be eclipsed in his narrow, affectionate amber eyes.

He stood behind Jiang Li, and Yin Zhili stood in front of Jiang Li. Ji Heng was very tall, even a little taller than Yin Zhili. He looked down at the two of them, smiling and stroking his fan. The fan unfolded inch by inch, and the golden peony on it was extremely charming and breathtaking. On the handle of the fan, a blood-red butterfly fluttered and danced.

Yin Zhili was stunned for a moment, his eyes followed the fan, and suddenly, he felt that the fan he gave to Jiang Li was really dull and gloomy. His eyes shifted from the fan to the space between Jiang Li and Ji Heng.

The young man was charming and gorgeous, and Jiang Li was pure and elegant. They stood together, but there was no strange feeling. Their presence would make others feel ashamed, and make people feel that they could not get between the two of them anyway.

It just fits so well.

"Duke." Jiang Li nodded.

After hearing Jiang Li's words, Yin Zhili came back to his senses. He had heard of the name of Duke Su. He also knew that Yin Zhiqing had always paid attention to him. The last time he had a quick glance, he was not as amazed as this time when he saw him up close. He was about to salute Ji Heng, but Ji Heng didn't even look at him and walked past him. He didn't know if it was Yin Zhili's illusion, but he felt that Ji Heng seemed to look at him with a sarcastic and contemptuous look.

Jiang Li suddenly felt a little embarrassed and cursed Ji Heng in her heart. Why did she make Yin Zhili look bad in front of her? How could she save face like this?

Yin Zhili was very good-tempered. After Ji Heng left, he smiled and said, "After meeting Duke Su today, I found that his reputation is well-deserved."

Jiang Li looked at Yin Zhili carefully, and saw that Yin Zhili really had no resentment, as if he was praising him sincerely. Whether it was fake or real, he could do this, at least it would not embarrass others.

Yin Zhili laughed again and said, "Miss Jiang just said that autumn is coming and fans are no longer useful, so it's best to put them away." He said this, but in his heart he was reciting the poem Ji Heng said. The poem means that fans are discarded in autumn, just like abandoned women. Could Ji Heng's words be a reminder that Miss Jiang mentioned autumn fans, did she have other meanings?
His smile became a little absent-minded.

Jiang Li didn't want to talk to Yin Zhili any more, so she took the opportunity to find an excuse to go back to Lu. After that, Jiang Li followed Lu closely. She really didn't want to deal with the Yin sisters, so she ignored Lu's hints and pretended not to know anything.

Not long after, the emperor and Yin Zhan arrived.

Today's palace banquet was held to celebrate Yin Zhan's military exploits, so naturally Yin Zhan was the main guest. This was also the first time Jiang Li saw Yin Zhan. Yin Zhan was not quite the same as she had imagined. She thought Yin Zhan would be a rough and sturdy man like Ye Mingyu, but she didn't expect him to be so handsome. He was handsome and wild. If he were alive today, he would probably be the sweetheart of many women. In comparison, Yin Zhili and Yin Zhan were nothing alike. Yin Zhan had very deep features, and was very similar to Yin Zhiqing, but Yin Zhili was as gentle as a landscape painting in ink and wash, and very soft.

Ji Heng was sitting in a corner of the hall. In the dim light, Jiang Li was too far away from him and could not see Ji Heng's expression. Therefore, she did not know whether Ji Heng looked at Yin Zhan or what expression he had in his eyes.

The palace banquet began soon.

Jiang Li lowered her head and ate slowly. So far, Emperor Hong Xiao has not mentioned the reward, and Yin Zhan naturally did not ask for a marriage. The Queen Mother and the Empress were also there. The Queen Mother, who rarely left the Cining Palace, seemed very happy today and talked to the Empress. Lipin, who was once favored, has now become a pile of yellow earth. The ministers in the court are ready to make a move, trying to calculate which daughter is best to enter the palace. Emperor Hong Xiao is now in a stable position. He has no more worries about becoming a king and no more worries. He is still young. If any daughter catches the eye of Emperor Hong Xiao, she will naturally lead the family to prosperity.

Therefore, many young women tonight tried their best to dress up as beautiful as fairies.

However, Jiang Li didn't think so in her heart. From the incident with Lipin, it can be seen that this emperor is not an emperor who indulges in women. It's not easy to be the second Lipin. In the fragrance of the whole place, Yin Zhiqing is particularly conspicuous. She is born with a beautiful face, and she is dressed up, so it's hard not to notice her. Others probably think that she also wants to enter the palace, but Jiang Li knows that Yin Zhiqing's goal is clearly Ji Heng.

You can tell by looking at them both wearing red today.

Princess Pingyang also put a lot of effort into it this time, but unfortunately, she didn't know that Ji Heng and the Yin family had a deep hatred and were destined to fight to the death. Yin Zhiqing's thoughts were also destined to lead to bitter consequences.

After three rounds of drinking, Emperor Hong Xiao talked about Yin Zhan's contribution in defeating King Cheng's rebels. He said, "Prince Xia has made great contributions in defeating King Cheng. He should be rewarded, and he should be rewarded heavily!"

Yin Zhan stood up from the table, and everyone stared at him. He lifted the corner of his robe, knelt down in front of Emperor Hong Xiao, and said, "It is my duty to subdue the rebels. I dare not take credit for it. It was all due to your Majesty's proper orders. I have a favor to ask, and I hope your Majesty will grant my request in consideration of my leading the troops to suppress the rebellion this time."

"Oh? What do you want, Prince Xia? Just tell me." The young emperor seemed to be in a good mood, and he looked at his ministers with a smile, very tolerant. "I have a son, now he is twenty-three years old," Yin Zhan said, "My son loves the second daughter of the Prime Minister Jiang family. I risk my life to ask Your Majesty to marry my son to the second daughter of the Jiang family. I am very grateful."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall fell silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

Yin Zhan remained kneeling, and Yin Zhili was stunned at first, then he also stood up and knelt on the ground. Emperor Hong Xiao did not answer for a while, but just stared at Yin Zhan, not knowing what he was thinking.

The female family members looked at Jiang Li with half envy and half jealousy. The Yin family was willing to use military merits in exchange for a marriage, which showed that they valued Jiang Li very much. The male family members were jealous of Yin Zhili. If Yin Zhan said so, Emperor Hong Xiao would definitely agree. Miss Jiang would probably become the wife of the prince of the Yin family in the future.

Jiang Yuanbai's hands, which were folded in his sleeves, gradually clenched up, and beads of sweat began to seep out of his forehead. It was not because of anything else, but because Emperor Hong Xiao did not agree immediately.

Why didn't Emperor Hong Xiao agree? It was just a marriage of convenience.

Jiang Yuanbai suddenly thought of what Jiang Li had said to him before. The Yanjing court was still unstable. It was not a good thing to get too close to the Yin family too early. Be careful not to get into trouble. He thought Jiang Li was a little alarmist. After all, Yin Zhan had made such a great contribution and had not done anything out of the ordinary. He had been very peaceful in Yunzhong for so many years. It seemed that Emperor Hong Xiao trusted him very much, otherwise he would not have asked Yin Zhan to come back to help when King Cheng started the rebellion.

But what does it mean now? Could it be that the emperor does not completely trust Yin Zhan?

Time passed slowly, and Emperor Hong Xiao just looked at the Yin father and son kneeling on the ground and thought. Gradually, the court officials also realized that something was wrong. They didn't dare to breathe and just watched the scene in front of them quietly.

The Yin family father and son did not move. Yin Zhiqing's face gradually turned red. She didn't know what was going on. She thought everything would go smoothly, but it seemed that it was not going so smoothly. Under the table, Mrs. Yin held Yin Zhiqing's hand, and Yin Zhiqing felt better.

Seeing that Emperor Hong Xiao was reluctant to speak, the Queen Mother smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I think this marriage is not bad. The two children look very well matched. The second daughter of the Jiang family is a good one, and the eldest son of the Yin family is also very outstanding in my opinion."

As soon as the Queen Mother finished speaking, someone suddenly laughed. Because no one was talking in the silent hall, this somewhat mocking laugh clearly floated into everyone's ears.

Yin Zhiqing was shocked. At this time, someone dared to speak like this. Wasn't that going against the Queen Mother? She looked in the direction of the voice and saw the red-dressed figure that she had seen twice, each time stunning, in the corner, slowly revealing her full appearance in the light.

Ji Heng supported his head with one hand, held the wine pot with the other, and poured wine by himself. He looked lazy and casual. In his long, surprised or suspicious gaze, he acted as if he had nothing to do with it, but it was particularly moving. As if he could feel the gazes of the crowd, he turned his head and looked at them. His pair of smiling phoenix eyes almost drowned people. He said slowly: "Prince Xia, I'm afraid you are a step too late."

Yin Zhan also looked at Ji Heng, and Yin Zhili suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart. The next moment, he heard the Hong Xiao Emperor above him laugh loudly. Hong Xiao Emperor said: "That's right, my dear, you are a step too late this time. Before you, someone had already come to me and asked for help. I even drafted an imperial decree to grant the marriage between Duke Su and Miss Jiang Er. Eunuch Su."

Eunuch Su hurriedly stepped forward, took out the imperial edict from the tray held by the eunuch beside him, unfolded it, and sang in a long voice: "The Emperor, in accordance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims that Duke Su, Ji Heng, is filial and has good manners, and is both civil and military. Now that she has reached the age of youth, the second daughter of the Prime Minister Jiang family, Jiang Li, is only sixteen years old, with a dignified appearance, beautiful and intelligent. Therefore, I decree that she shall be the wife of Duke Su, and a date shall be chosen for the wedding. This is decreed!"

This marriage was so unexpected that no one could understand it. It was Prince Xia who asked the Emperor to grant a marriage between Second Miss Jiang and the Prince's son, but in the end, it was Second Miss Jiang and Duke Su. Duke Su?

The Queen Mother's face changed slightly. Yin Zhan lowered his head, and his expression could not be seen clearly. Yin Zhili felt as if a stone was blocking his heart. Not only did the Emperor not grant him a marriage with Jiang Li, but he also granted a marriage between Jiang Li and Duke Su. This was undoubtedly a slap in the face of both father and son, leaving them with no face.

"Master Jiang," Eunuch Su reminded, "accept the order!"

Jiang Yuanbai was stunned for a moment, then he came to his senses, stood up and hurried to receive the order. He was so flustered and surprised that he almost stumbled, but Jiang Li was calm and composed. Ji Heng also came over, lifted the corner of his robe, and said with a smile: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your help."

Emperor Hong Xiao looked at Ji Heng and seemed very satisfied with his marriage. However, it seemed that only Ji Heng was happy, Jiang Li would not show it, but for others, it was more surprise than joy.

Emperor Hong Xiao looked at Yin Zhan again and said with a generous smile: "Prince Xia, it's not that I don't want to agree to your request this time, it's just that you came a step too late. I think your son is indeed an outstanding talent. Why don't you tell me that if you like another daughter, as long as she is unmarried and has no engagement, I will grant her marriage right away."

The girls in the room suddenly became excited again, and all looked at Yin Zhan expectantly. If she married into the Yin family, she would be the prince of a county, and she would eventually become the princess of a county. In addition, Yin Zhili was indeed handsome and elegant, making people yearn for him.

Yin Zhan raised his head, half disappointed and half relieved, and said: "That's not necessary. This time it's Miss Jiang Er and my son who are not destined to be together, so no one else can be blamed." He turned to Jiang Yuanbo and Jiang Li and said with a smile: "Congratulations, Mr. Jiang, Miss Jiang Er!"

Jiang Yuanbai forced a smile. He only knew one thing: Emperor Hong Xiao's attitude towards Prince Xia was not as simple as trust. The undercurrent behind today's marriage made him sweat. He vaguely felt that he had made the wrong choice by agreeing to the marriage with the Yin family. Now it had implicated the Jiang family. Emperor Hong Xiao might have doubts about the Jiang family.

Jiang Li smiled at Yin Zhan openly. Seeing that Jiang Li was not shy at all, but rather in such a mood, Yin Zhan narrowed his eyes and looked at Jiang Li and Ji Heng before retracting his gaze.

This marriage was unexpected. Afterwards, Emperor Hong Xiao rewarded Yin Zhan with a lot of gold, silver and jewelry. Since Yin Zhili's marriage request was rejected, he had to make some compensation. When they returned to the banquet, the focus of everyone's discussion had already changed. Jiang Li, Ji Heng and Yin Zhili became the topic of everyone's discussion.

Ji Heng returned to the corner where he sat. Facing the gazes from all directions, he didn't care at all. He continued to pour wine and drink slowly. Of course, those who looked at Ji Heng also knew his moody nature, so they didn't dare to look at him blatantly, but looked at him secretly and carefully.

In comparison, the looks from Jiang Li and Yin Zhili seemed a bit unscrupulous.

When Jiang Li returned to the table, everyone in the Jiang family looked confused, especially Madam Jiang and the two brothers Jiang Yuanbai, who looked very unhappy. Jiang Jingrui, Jiang Jingyou, and Lu Shi didn't know the hidden story, they just felt that the person who was given the marriage suddenly became Ji Heng. Compared with Yin Zhili, Ji Heng was a person with erratic moods, and of course, even more difficult to get along with. Not to mention becoming the son-in-law of the Jiang family, even on weekdays, they had to stay away from her.

Yin Zhiqing sat beside Yin Zhili, her face pale, shaky, almost crying. She originally thought that today was a happy event, Jiang Li and Yin Zhili were a foregone conclusion, her brother was good in every way, Jiang Li and Yin Zhili got along well, the Jiang family also liked Yin Zhili, there was no reason why this marriage would not work out. However, it really did not work out.

Not only that, the person who was granted marriage to Jiang Li became Duke Suguo Ji Heng.

Yin Zhiqing was a little confused. She had only met Ji Heng twice, but each time, she was impressed. Outsiders' evaluation of Duke Su was cruel and ruthless, but she felt that Ji Heng was more mysterious. Even though she didn't know about love affairs, she knew that Ji Heng was the first man who attracted her in all these years. She thought it was not urgent, and she could slowly get to know Ji Heng, make friends with Ji Heng, understand him and accompany him, but suddenly, unexpectedly, Ji Heng had his Duke's wife.

Yin Zhiqing just felt that God was playing a joke on her.

Madam Yin looked at her worriedly, but there was nothing she could do. She had no say in the Yin family, let alone change the emperor's edict.

Yin Zhili, who was sitting next to Yin Zhan, had a smile on his face and didn't seem to care about what happened just now. However, if you look closely at the way he raised his glass, you can tell that he was absent-minded.

Not only Yin Zhiqing, but even Yin Zhili himself thought that there would be no surprises in this marriage. Reality slapped him hard in the face, but Yin Zhili didn't feel embarrassed or anything, he just felt...something was wrong.

Before the palace banquet began, the beautiful Duke Su walked past him and slowly recited a poem. Thinking about it now, it was full of determination and the ridicule of the spectators. Yin Zhili thought that he was indeed Jiang Li's autumn fan. When autumn came, it had no use and should be thrown away.

Yin Zhili laughed at himself. He had lived for more than 20 years, and everything went smoothly. There were countless girls who liked him. He never thought that there would be a day when he would not be able to get the love he wanted. He knew that he might not love Jiang Li deeply, but he really liked her. At least before this, he did not care so much about other girls.

That fan...Yin Zhili closed his eyes.

Ji Heng's gorgeous peony folding fan, a white jade folding fan with pear blossoms painted on it, which he gave to Jiang Li. He didn't know how Ji Heng and Jiang Li thought of the fan he gave them, but they must have thought that he was overestimating himself.

Ji Heng must have known about this arranged marriage a long time ago, which is why she sought the imperial decree before her father did. But did Jiang Li know about it?

Yin Zhili couldn't help but turn his head slightly and look at Jiang Li across the crowd.

The girl sat at the table, her back straight, her profile delicate and beautiful. There was a faint smile on the corner of her lips, which was no different from the smile she had shown to Yin Zhili countless times. But Yin Zhili could clearly tell that there was a little more ease in her smile.

She really knew it, Yin Zhili's heart sank.

At this moment, Yin Zhan's voice sounded in his ears. The voice was very soft and only Yin Zhili heard it.

"Do what you have to do, now, without distractions."

Yin Zhili shuddered and put on a gentle smile again.

On the high seat, Emperor Hong Xiao looked at everything in front of him, seemingly with great interest and a faint smile. The Queen sat aside politely, saying nothing. She had always been so gentle and submissive, just like the Queen Mother in her youth.

Queen Mother... The Queen Mother's armor gently scraped across the chair, making a slight sound, but she was completely unaware. Her eyes quickly swept over Yin Zhili and Yin Zhan, and then disappeared.

No one saw it.

　The large-scale werewolf killing officially begins~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)