The Double
Chapter 113 - 113 77 Banquet Invitation_5

113: Chapter 77 Banquet Invitation_5 113: Chapter 77 Banquet Invitation_5 It seems that all the necessary arrangements have been discussed; it is the same every year.

Because Jiang Li will also be accompanying us this year, there will be an additional set of instructions specifically for her.

While waiting for Jiang Li to arrive, Lady Lu might have felt bored, so she asked Ji Shuran, “Elder sister-in-law, I heard that the wedding date for Youyao and Prince Zhou has been settled now?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of several people in the room changed.

Madam Jiang the Elder did not show any change in her expression, but the faces of others from the third branch of the family were full of surprise, clearly hearing of it for the first time.

Ji Shuran smiled gently, “My sister-in-law is indeed well-informed.

Indeed, a few days ago, after discussing with Madam Ningyuan, she felt that Youyao had reached the proper age and could marry early.

Next winter would be best.”

Next winter, Jiang Youyao would be almost sixteen years old.

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Youyao’s cheeks immediately blushed with excitement.

Since her engagement to Zhou Yanbang was known to all, there was nothing to hide, so she merely shyly lowered her head without speaking.

Jiang Yue was quite shocked.

She had long known that Jiang Youyao’s engagement with Zhou Yanbang was bound to happen eventually, but she did not expect it to be so soon.

Zhou Yanbang was the Heir of Marquis Ningyuan, his only son, and the entire Ningyuan’s Mansion would be his in the future.

Once Jiang Youyao married over, she would be able to manage the household and become Madam Ningyuan.

Besides, the Heir Zhou Yanbang was a famously handsome man in Yanjing City, knowledgeable and talented, with a gentle disposition.

Jiang Youyao’s life after marriage was bound to be comfortable.

While Jiang Youyao had found an Ideal Gentleman, Jiang Yue couldn’t help but think of her own situation.

Her own father was just a Scrivener, a position too lowly to mention in terms of official rank.

In the Jiang Family, she was an Illegitimate Son, not very close to her uncles or grandfather.

Although she tried hard to ingratiate herself with Ji Shuran, her sister-in-law would not put much effort into her own marriage matters.

There were barely any people who could help her; no way could she marry an Ideal Gentleman like Jiang Youyao.

Seeing others congratulate her, Jiang Youyao thought about her own future destiny and couldn’t help but sigh heavily in her heart, filled with melancholy and unwillingness.

Lady Lu said with a smile, “Youyao is indeed very lucky.

Prince Zhou is the man everyone in Yanjing City wishes to marry.

However, elder sister-in-law,” she asked with concern, “don’t forget Lili is also a member of our Jiang Family.

Lili is the elder sister, and her marriage has not yet been decided, yet Youyao’s engagement is settled first, wouldn’t that invite idle gossip?”

This statement was rather subtle; everyone knew that Jiang Youyao’s match was originally intended for Jiang Li, and now Jiang Youyao was not only taking her place but also taking the lead.

Madam Jiang the Elder slightly closed her eyes, turning a deaf ear to the overt and covert struggles between her daughters-in-law, already all too familiar with these scenes.

Ji Shuran appeared gentle but was strong-handed, while Lady Lu was vain and competitive.

When these two were together, friction was inevitable, but in the end, it was just minor squabbles without any real harm, as long as it did not affect the bigger picture.

“Thank you for your concern, sister-in-law,” said Ji Shuran, as if she hadn’t heard the sarcasm in Lady Lu’s words.

She replied amiably, “I have also been paying attention to Lili’s marriage prospects.

The Master has asked me to keep an eye out, and I have it on my mind.

Lili is of marriageable age, but as of yet, no proposals have come our way, and I haven’t seen any better matches to rush her into a marriage.

If my sister-in-law happens to know of any suitable candidates, please inform me.

I would consult the Master to have a look, after all, for Lili’s lifelong matter, I dare not make decisions lightly.

It must be approved by mother and the Master.”

Ji Shuran skillfully dodged the topic of Jiang Youyao taking someone else’s marriage prospect while subtly belittling Jiang Li.

People say that a family with a daughter is sought after by a hundred families, yet since Jiang Li’s return to Yanjing City, there hasn’t been a single proposal for her.

If others did not value Jiang Li, the Jiang Family would not actively offer their daughter.

She then shifted all responsibility for Jiang Li’s marriage prospects onto Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai, keeping herself entirely out of the matter.

Unfortunately, just as Jiang Li reached the doorway of Night Wind Hall, she overheard Ji Shuran’s words and couldn’t help but laugh.

Angered, Tonger’s head was about to explode with indignation, not understanding why Jiang Li was laughing.

Ji Shuran had belittled her so, yet Jiang Li was not only not angry but also laughing.

What was so funny?

Jiang Li stepped into Night Wind Hall and greeted, “Old madam.”

Madam Jiang the Elder’s gaze darkened as Jiang Li still addressed her as “old madam” and not “grandmother”, as if she were deliberately distancing herself from their relationship, or perhaps from the Jiang Family.

Madam Jiang the Elder could certainly see that today’s Jiang Li should not be seen as the same person as Miss Jiang the Second from before.

Jiang Li had changed a lot; only, Madam Jiang the Elder was not sure whether this change was for better or for worse.

Lady Lu, reveling in the misfortune of others, turned away, thinking that after hearing Ji Shuran’s words, Jiang Li would surely have a retort, leaving Ji Shuran uncomfortable.

She always enjoyed seeing that.

However, as if Jiang Li hadn’t heard Ji Shuran’s previous defamation, after greeting old madam, she also greeted each of them properly without mentioning a word of Ji Shuran’s wrongdoing.

Jiang Yue looked at Jiang Li’s new pleated skirt with flower patterns—a reward given to Jiang Li after it was inspected by Madam Jiang the Elder—her eyes red with jealousy.

Jiang Youyao, on the other hand, was staring at Jiang Li.

Remembering what she had heard from a maid—that Zhou Yanbang wanted to annul their engagement to seek out Jiang Li—she could not help but reveal a sense of resentment.

Jiang Li stood calmly, acting as if she didn’t notice their gazes at all.

She simply did not care.