Chapter 78 Entering the Palace
"Little Li, you will come to the palace with us tomorrow." Old Madam Jiang said, "If there is anything you need, just tell your mother and she will prepare it for you."

Jiang Li nodded in agreement.

"This is your first time in the palace since returning to Yanjing City. Don't break the rules. If you don't understand something, just ask. If you don't know what to do, just follow what Youyao did." Old Madam Jiang instructed carefully, "Clothes and jewelry have been prepared for you. Tomorrow you will represent the face of the Jiang family. I believe you can do well."

Old Madam Jiang actually praised her for the first time. Jiang Li smiled and nodded, not showing any excitement.

Seeing her like this, Jiang Yu'e, who was left alone, felt very uncomfortable. Jiang Yu'e had watched Jiang Li's status improve little by little after she returned home. She always hated others for having more and laughed at others for having less. Jiang Li's good life was very glaring in Jiang Yu'e's eyes. She wished that Jiang Li would fall into hell overnight and live a more miserable life than herself.

"Li girl is really amazing. This time, His Majesty will personally present the gift. Among the young people in our mansion, Li girl is the only one who has done it." Mrs. Lu said with a smile: "I heard that the champion of the Imperial College this year is Ye Shijie. Ye Shijie is from the Ye family in Xiangyang. To be honest, he is also related to our Jiang family. He is also Jiang Li's cousin."

Ye Zhenzhen had passed away for many years, and the Jiang family had no contact with Ye Zhenzhen's family. At this time, Lu mentioned Ye Shijie, naturally to stop Ji Shuran's heart. You know, Ji Shuran's nephew from her family didn't even make the list of the Imperial College, let alone the top one.

When Jiang Li heard Lu mention Ye Shijie, she sighed in her heart. She didn't want to involve the Ye family in the Jiang family's mess. The Ye family was in Xiangyang. In the future, she would have to rely on the Ye family when she returned to Xiangyang to pay tribute to Xue Huaiyuan. Involving the Ye family and the Jiang family together might not be a good thing for the Ye family.

She hopes that the Ye family will be clean.

Ji Shuran smiled and looked at Jiang Li: "Yes, I also think that Li'er should get along more with the young master of the Ye family. Although Sister Zhenzhen has gone, the two families are in-laws after all. If the young master of the Ye family enters the official career, our master will be able to help him in the future. We are all family members, and it is better to help our own family than to help outsiders."

Jiang Li's eyes moved slightly when she heard this.

Ji Shuran's words were very sincere. But would Ji Shuran really be so kind that she would even ask Jiang Yuanbo to help Ye Shijie? This was impossible. Ji Shuran would only have people suppress Ye Shijie secretly. It was not that Jiang Li deliberately thought people were dark, but after staying in the Jiang Mansion for so many days, she knew what kind of person Ji Shuran was.

This time, Zhou Yanbang even proposed to cancel the engagement with Jiang Youyao and be with him. It would be strange if Ji Shuran and her daughter didn't hate him for all these things.

But up to now, Ji Shuran and her daughter have been very quiet and have not done anything strange.

When Jiang Li thought of this, she looked at Ji Shuran.

Ji Shuran smiled virtuously, as if she were a loving mother, but Jiang Li felt that her gaze was more like that of a poisonous python hovering on a branch, squinting its eyes, slowly sizing up its prey, giving a sinister smile, with its fangs still filled with venom.

She is calculating something.

Jiang Li's gaze fell on Jiang Youyao again.

Jiang Youyao was younger after all, and her expression wasn't as perfect as Ji Shuran's. She tried her best to smile as if she didn't care about the people around her, but she couldn't hide the hatred for Jiang Li in her eyes, as well as a hint of excitement for some unknown reason.

The sticky gaze made Jiang Li feel familiar, but in the blink of an eye, Jiang Li didn't know when she had seen it. But the only thing she could confirm was that this gaze made her very uncomfortable, her back felt cold, and she became alert in an instant.

Yang didn't have much say in the Jiang family. She just kept moving her shrewd eyes around, looking at Jiang Li and Ji Shuran.

Madam Jiang didn't say much, and told Jiang Li some matters about entering the palace. In fact, Jiang Li already knew these things, because she had also entered the palace as a family member of Shen Yurong. As officials appointed by the court, the rules of the Jiang family were much more relaxed.

After Mrs. Jiang finished explaining one by one, it has been a long time.Thinking that they had to go back to prepare, everyone dispersed from Wanfengtang.

Jiang Li walked out of the Wanfeng Hall and headed for her own courtyard. Fangfei Garden was in the corner of the Jiang Mansion, and was not in the same direction as Jiang Youyao and the others' courtyards, so naturally they didn't need to go together.

But she didn't expect that after she had walked a short distance, someone called her from behind: "Second sister."

When I turned around, I saw that they were the sisters Jiang Yu'e and Jiang Yuyan.

Jiang Yuyan was silent about these two people, but Jiang Yu'e never had a good face towards Jiang Li. As soon as she saw Jiang Yu'e, Jiang Li knew what the other party was planning.

"Second sister, you are walking so fast that I can hardly catch up with you." Jiang Yu'e said affectionately.

Jiang Li stood there, unwilling to even pretend to be polite, and just asked politely: "Fifth sister, what's the matter?"

Jiang Yu'e didn't expect Jiang Li to be so disdainful as to pretend to be nice. She was a little embarrassed, but after a moment, she quickly adjusted herself and said with a smile: "Today in Wanfeng Hall, my second sister hasn't come yet, and I heard something." At this point, Jiang Yu'e paused deliberately, and then said: "It's about my third sister's marriage. My aunt said that my third sister and Zhou Shizi's marriage has been decided, and it will be in the late winter or early spring of next year. I thought my second sister might not know about this, so I came here to tell her."

Just for this?
Tong'er was a little angry. Jiang Li smiled and said, "Thank you, Fifth Sister, for telling me. I understand."

Jiang Yu'e seemed a little dissatisfied with Jiang Li's calm tone. She carefully looked at Jiang Li's face and saw that Jiang Li did not look painful or disappointed. She said, "In fact, the marriage between Second Sister and Zhou Shizi was also a very good match. If Second Sister had not had an accident, it would be Second Sister who would marry into the Ningyuan Marquis' Mansion. Zhou Shizi is one of the best match in the whole city of Yanjing. Now Third Sister can marry into the Zhou family without any effort. Second Sister is older than Third Sister, but she has no marriage. I feel sorry for Second Sister from the bottom of my heart."

Jiang Yuyan glanced at Jiang Li with some fear, wanting to stop Jiang Yu'e from speaking, but in the end she just reached out and tugged at the corner of Jiang Yu'e's clothes without saying anything.

Jiang Li didn't rush to answer Jiang Yu'e's words, but just stared at Jiang Yu'e carefully, with a smile on her lips. Her smile was gentle and clear, without including anyone in it, but it made Jiang Yu'e a little flustered for no reason.

In order to break through this sense of oppression, Jiang Yu'e asked Jiang Li: "Why are you staring at me, second sister?"

"Nothing." Jiang Liyun said calmly, "I just feel touched that Fifth Sister is so worried about me, but..." She said calmly, "Do mother and Third Sister know about Fifth Sister's care?"

Jiang Yu'e's face changed suddenly.

She was eager to come over and touch Jiang Li's heart, but she didn't know what would happen if the words "speaking up for my second sister" fell into the ears of Ji Shuran and her daughter.

Jiang Yu'e forced a smile and said, "This is a heartfelt message between me and my second sister..."

Jiang Li looked at Jiang Yu'e and smiled: "Actually, you don't have to worry too much about my marriage. My father is the prime minister of the dynasty. No matter how bad Yanjing City is, I can still find an official family to marry into. Even if mother doesn't worry about me, there are still father and old lady. I am the eldest daughter of the Jiang family. Can I marry a lower-class family?" She glanced at Jiang Yu'e meaningfully: "Although fifth sister is not yet of marriageable age, it is better to take care of herself. Third uncle's current career is not bright. According to the power of third uncle and third aunt, it is still hard to say what kind of family fifth sister will marry into in the future."

Seeing Jiang Yu'e's face turn pale in an instant, Jiang Li's mood suddenly improved, and she continued slowly: "In this world, you have to know that although talent, appearance, temperament and morality are all important, without family background, they are nothing. Otherwise, look at those girls in Yihonglou in Beijing, who are not one in a million beautiful and elegant, but they will be girls all their lives."

After saying this, she left with Tong'er without waiting for Jiang Yu'e to answer.

Of course, I didn’t see the expression on Jiang Yu’e’s face behind me.

On the way back, Tong'er laughed so hard that she fell down. When she got back to Fangfei Garden, she told Bai Xue and the others everything word for word. After she finished, she laughed and said, "You didn't see the Fifth Miss's face at that time. Oh, our girl is really capable. Comparing the Fifth Miss with the girls of Yihonglou in Yanjing City, the Fifth Miss must have been furious. Pah, who made her have bad intentions and deliberately provoke us!"

"Why does Miss Fifth always pick on our girl?" Mingyue was young, and asked curiously, "If Miss Third and our girl were picking on each other, it's because Miss Third and our girl are both daughters of the first wife, and Miss Third is jealous, but Miss Fifth is from the third wife, and our girl doesn't get in her way."

"She can't stand seeing others doing well." Tong'er blurted out, "She has to make everyone as bitter and resentful as her. Why? The girl is a royal daughter, why does she always compare herself with her? Isn't it natural that the girl is better than her?"

Jiang Li listened to the discussions of her maids, smiled and shook her head.

What Jiang Yu'e wanted was nothing more than unwillingness. Jiang Yu'e hoped to see her live in poverty and be sad, so that she could feel superior to herself. Jiang Yu'e even hoped to use Zhou Yanbang to stimulate herself, but what Jiang Yu'e didn't understand was that Jiang Li really had no interest in Zhou Yanbang.

To her, Zhou Yanbang was just a stranger, and a rather annoying stranger at that.

Jiang Li said: "There are people like this, who have a bad background but are restless. They always want to jump to the top, thinking that the world is all unfair and unwilling to accept it. Such people can do anything."

Several maids nodded, not quite understanding.

Jiang Li thought, in this way, Jiang Yu'e and Shen Yurong are actually the same people. The more humble people are, the more they yearn for the heights, the more they become obsessed, and the more they will do whatever it takes to climb up. It's just that Jiang Yu'e doesn't know how to hide her unwillingness, while Shen Yurong knows how to hide her unwillingness.

He concealed it so well that even his wife couldn't notice it, and she thought he was full of passion and ambition.

It's ridiculous.

Jiang Li's smile slowly faded, and she recalled the way Jiang Youyao looked at her in Wanfeng Hall. That familiar look still made her feel uncomfortable.

She had to be on her guard.

Jiang Li thought for a moment and said, "Tong'er, bring my box over here."

……

The turmoil on the first day did not affect everyone's joy in entering the palace the next day.

When Jiang Yu'e saw Jiang Li again, she did not look at Jiang Li coldly because of what happened yesterday. She still had a smile on her face as before and even praised Jiang Li's skirt for being beautiful.

Jiang Li replied: "Fifth sister is also very good."

Jiang Yu'e was about to reach the age of marriage. Although she was younger than Jiang Youyao and was the youngest daughter of the Jiang family, she was tall, only a little shorter than Jiang Li, and did not look childish at all. She wore a honey-colored Bafu Luo skirt with crab claw chrysanthemums embroidered on the hem. Her long hair was tied into a cloud-shaped bun, adorned with a crabapple jade hairpin with emerald beads.

In fact, this luxurious dress overshadowed Jiang Yu'e's simple and elegant demeanor, but Jiang Yu'e herself was very happy. Probably because the clothes and jewelry for entering the palace were prepared by the old lady, and Jiang Yu'e rarely had such expensive clothes and jewelry in the past, so she didn't think it was bad and was very satisfied. Ji Shuran was obviously happy to see this scene. Jiang Yuyan was ordinary in appearance, and Jiang Yu'e was too dressed up, which naturally made Jiang Youyao stand out.

Jiang Youyao had indeed put a lot of thought into it. Apart from anything else, the rose-red, gold-embroidered, double-layered, long-tailed Luan robe was enough to attract people's attention. The golden hairpin, the eight-treasure bracelet, the cherry-red string around her waist, and the special makeup. Jiang Youyao usually rarely wears heavy makeup, but this time she was going to the palace, so she rarely drew eyebrows, applied powder, and put on rouge. Her facial features were delicate and beautiful, and she could also suppress such heavy makeup. Standing under the flowers, she looked more beautiful than the flowers, radiant with brilliance.

If she entered the palace like this, she would indeed attract the attention of noble men. However, Jiang Li was very puzzled. Since Jiang Youyao was already engaged to Zhou Yanbang, why did she still dress up?

You have to know that Jiang Youyao doesn't even look at other people, let alone actively attract others.

When Jiang Li was looking at Jiang Youyao, Ji Shuran was also looking at Jiang Li. Mrs. Lu even laughed exaggeratedly, covering her mouth with her hands, "If I didn't know these two maids, I really wouldn't have recognized Li girl."

Jiang Li didn't like to dress up. Maybe Madam Jiang also noticed her habit. This time, she asked the tailor to make her clothes, but she didn't choose bright red colors. But because she was going to see the emperor, she couldn't be too plain. She still needed some color. Jiang Li wore a magnolia green double embroidered forged skirt, with a jade brocade skirt inside, which was a light green color. The gourd bun made her look particularly fresh and neat. There was no hairpin on her head, only two white jade earrings, which made her ears small and delicate, and her face as white as jade.

She did not put on heavy makeup like Jiang Youyao, but only lightly drew her eyebrows, which were like spiral ink, her eyes were like dots of lacquer, and her lips were light in color, but she looked otherworldly.

Being with Jiang Youyao is like being with green bamboos to red flowers, or being with a deep valley to fireworks. The latter is certainly pleasing, but the former is easy to be imprinted in the mind.

Ji Shuran turned around and gently pressed Jiang Youyao's shoulder, and Jiang Youyao then put away her angry look.

On the other hand, Old Madam Jiang couldn't help but look at Jiang Li twice more. Of the several daughters of the Jiang family, the third wife was born to a concubine, and she looked down on them. The second wife had no daughters, and the first wife had two daughters. She originally thought that Jiang Youyao was the apple of her eye and was loved by everyone. But now it seems that Jiang Li, who grew up outside, is like a jade that fell on the shore, with her own smart and elegant demeanor.

It is really hard to tell which is good and which is bad now.

Seeing that both of his daughters were beautiful and graceful, Jiang Yuanbai felt satisfied and said, "It's time to set off."

Each family took a carriage. In the carriage that Jiang Li was riding in, Jiang Youyao kept acting coquettishly towards Jiang Yuanbo, and I don't know if it was to provoke Jiang Li.

Jiang Li just smiled and watched everything in front of her, indifferent, which made Jiang Yuanbai feel a little uncomfortable. Jiang Li could see that Jiang Youyao often acted like a spoiled child to Jiang Yuanbai, and Jiang Yuanbai's discomfort at the moment might be due to his guilty conscience towards a woman like him.

But she didn't look sad at all. Seeing this, Jiang Youyao felt like she had punched cotton. Ji Shuran, who had always been virtuous, did not stop Jiang Youyao's provocative behavior. It made sense. It was normal for her daughter to act like a spoiled child and play with her father. Why should she stop it?

Seeing that Jiang Li was unmoved, Jiang Yuanbai felt slightly disappointed. His daughter has grown up to be beautiful and outstanding, and he, as a father, is not without pride. Jiang Li seemed to have no complaints about his actions back then, and never complained. This may be because Jiang Li is generous, but Jiang Yuanbai feels that Jiang Li does not care.

Jiang Li seemed to be watching a stranger.

At this moment, Jiang Li was sitting in the carriage, thinking about the past experience of entering the palace.

At that time, she was truly and deeply happy, proud of Shen Yurong's achievements, and fortunate to be his wife. She was afraid that she would make a mistake and embarrass Shen Yurong, so she practiced nervously when she was in the mansion. She was rarely so nervous, and Shen Yurong laughed at her at that time and said to her: "Don't worry, if Ali makes a mistake and angers His Majesty, at worst, I will not be your official and go back to Tongxiang with Ali to farm."

She pretended to be angry and wanted to hit Shen Yurong, which made Shen Yurong laugh. Thinking about it now, it really seems like a lifetime ago. In fact, she did not make a fool of herself at the palace banquet, but did a good job. The queen praised her for her intelligence. And Shen Yurong would never lose her official position or title for her. Instead, she would kill her for a higher position and title.

What she thought was true was not true, and what she thought was a lie was not a lie. True and false, this time, walking the path she had walked before, she would not be blinded again.

She will also slowly walk to where she wants to go and accomplish what she wants to accomplish bit by bit.

To avenge his father and Xue Zhao, and to seek justice for himself who was unjustly killed.

As the carriage moved to the back, Jiang Youyao stopped talking and became silent. The family members were all thinking about their own things, and they felt that time was passing very quickly.

About half an hour later, the carriage stopped.

The groom outside said, "Madam, Master, we're here."

Jiang Yuanbai got off the carriage first, and the maids and old women below came to help Ji Shuran and others. Jiang Lifu got off the carriage and lay on the ground separated from the palace gate by a wall. Looking at the deep palace wall, he felt complicated for a moment.

It was in this palace that a vicious and domineering person like Princess Yongning was raised, who used her power to oppress the people. Shen Yurong sacrificed her without hesitation just to gain a place in the magnificent palace.

This palace looks magnificent, but how many of the people living in it are zombies? They wear gold and silver, as if they have everything, but in fact they have nothing. Jiang Li pity them, look down on them, and don't want to associate with them.

"Second sister, this is the palace gate." Jiang Yu'e said as she got off the back carriage.

Jiang Li smiled, and Jiang Jingrui twisted his neck uncomfortably. He had to dress properly today and not act as recklessly as he did at home. This was almost like killing Jiang Jingrui. Jiang Jingyou, who was beside him, was as kind as ever, and he looked exactly like Jiang Yuanping and his son.

Outside the palace gate, some official carriages also arrived one after another, and those of lower rank came to greet Jiang Yuanbai in a flattering manner. However, the Jiang family arrived a little late, and Jiang Yuanbai had to see Emperor Hong Xiao first, so he did not stay outside the palace gate for too long and went directly inside with the guide.

Jiang Youyao originally thought that Jiang Li would be at a loss and overly nervous when entering the palace for the first time, and it would be great if she could see Jiang Li make a fool of herself. But when she turned around, she saw Jiang Li holding up her skirt slightly and walking very leisurely.

It was as if the palace was her own back garden.

Jiang Youyao couldn't help but feel upset. Even though it was her first time in the palace, she was trembling with fear for doing something wrong, but Jiang Li didn't seem to be nervous at all. Jiang Youyao wanted to find fault with Jiang Li, but until they were almost at their destination, Jiang Li did everything perfectly without any mistakes.

Old Madam Jiang was very satisfied. After all, among the younger generations who came today, only Jiang Li was the least familiar with the palace. She was afraid that something might go wrong on Jiang Li's end. But now it seemed that Jiang Li was doing very well, so there shouldn't be any problem.

At this moment, many officials' wives have come to the main hall of Yuming Palace. These ladies are all from the families of officials above the third rank in Yanjing, and their status is noble. Because the night banquet has not yet started, most of them are looking for familiar people to chat. For a palace banquet like this, the girls try their best to dress themselves up. These girls, whether they are of age or not, are willing to keep a good appearance at the palace banquet. Because there are many officials and viscounts and young talents entering the palace today, the atmosphere in Northern Yan is more open than in the previous dynasty. As long as young men and women do not do anything beyond the limit and have feelings for each other, they can all form a good relationship by proposing marriage.

In places like palace banquets, most of the people who come are from similar social classes, which is a great convenience.

Sitting in the east direction was a mother and daughter. The girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old. She wore a crepe skirt with jade flowers and a jade butterfly pattern hairpin on her head. She was quite beautiful. The woman next to her was also dressed gorgeously, but her manners were not as natural as the ladies around her and she looked a bit petty.

The mother and daughter were Shen Yurong's mother and sister, Shen Ruyun.

Now that Shen Yurong is the secretary of the Central Secretariat, Shen Ruyun and Shen's mother can naturally attend the palace banquet. Although Shen Yurong is a widower, everyone in Yanjing City knows that it was Shen Yurong's wife Xue Fangfei who had an affair with someone, and the death of such a wife is God's revelation. Shen Yurong herself is young and promising, with a bright future, and she is also extremely beautiful and gentle, so many families have set their sights on Shen Yurong and are thinking of sending their daughters to the Shen family.

You have to know that the Shen family is a simple family with only Shen Ruyun and her mother. When Shen Ruyun gets married in the future, whoever's daughter marries her will be the head of the family. She doesn't have to get along with her sister-in-law, but only needs to get along well with her mother-in-law. For many spoiled young ladies, this is already very good.

It was precisely because of these considerations in their hearts that many noble ladies came to make friends with Shen's mother for the sake of Shen Yurong. They did not despise Shen's mother's humble family background, and they praised her enthusiastically, and even praised Shen Ruyun, which made Shen Ruyun feel a little flattered.

Nie Xiaoshuang, Zhu Xiner, and the two young ladies from Mingyitang who were in the same group with Jiang Li when they were checking the imperial archery last time, also surrounded Shen Ruyu and talked to her.

Seeing this, Liu Xu on the side snorted softly and whispered to Madam Liu: "This is the first time I see someone rushing to marry someone else."

Madam Liu tapped Liu Xu's forehead and whispered, "You're the only one who talks too much!"

"That's right." Liu Xu muttered. She really couldn't stand the behavior of these classmates. They were from one of the most noble families in Yanjing City. The wife of Shen Zhuangyuan had just died. Regardless of Xue Fangfei's character, Shen Zhuangyuan showed that he was deeply in love with his deceased wife. Those ladies didn't think about it carefully. If he was deeply in love with his deceased wife, why would he remarry so soon? If he remarried so soon, then Shen Zhuangyuan was not as affectionate as he showed, and he was also a hypocritical person.

Just as he was speaking, he heard someone beside him say, "I heard that the marriage between the Prince of Ningyuan Marquis's Mansion and the Third Miss of the Prime Minister Jiang's family is also scheduled for the end of winter next year."

As soon as these words came out, Shen Ruyun on the other end of the phone changed her expression immediately. She asked, "Is it true?"

"It's true." Nie Xiaoshuang said, "I also heard my mother mention it a few days ago. Youyao and Prince Zhou's marriage was decided a long time ago. It's reasonable that they just decided on the date now."

Shen Ruyun couldn't help but feel resentful and said sarcastically, "I remember that Prince Zhou's marriage was arranged with Miss Jiang Er long ago."

The people around looked at each other.

Shen Ruyun's words were not pleasant to hear, and no one dared to answer. If they did, they would offend the Jiang family. Jiang Yuanbai was the prime minister of the dynasty, and who dared to say anything bad about his daughter? However, it was also difficult to offend the sister of the Zhongshu Shelang, so everyone had to remain silent.

But in silence, they all thought of what Shen Ruyun said. Indeed, the one who was engaged to Zhou Yanbang was Jiang Li. It was not a glorious thing to say that the younger sister took over the older sister's marriage. Everyone went to see the face of the Ningyuan Marquis' wife.

The wife of Ningyuan Marquis seemed to be oblivious to all this. She was chatting and laughing with the wife of the Counselor, Ji Chen, Ji Shuran's biological sister, as if she didn't hear what people around her were talking about.

Whether one heard it or not, only the individual knows.

Liu Xu wanted to speak up for Jiang Li, but she didn't know what to say. She could only look towards the door repeatedly, wondering why Jiang Li hadn't arrived yet.

At this moment, the palace maid who came to announce it announced that the women of the Jiang family had arrived.

Everyone looked towards the door and saw that the one in front was Old Madam Jiang, followed by Ji Shuran, and then Mrs. Lu, and then Mrs. Yang. The girls of the Jiang family walked in leisurely.

　Horrible Monday
　　
　
(End of this chapter)