The Double
Chapter 119 - 119 79 Ostentation

119: Chapter 79 Ostentation 119: Chapter 79 Ostentation For the ladies of the Jiang Family, the madams and misses in the hall were all familiar.

As one of Yanjing City’s leading Official Families, it was customary for any lady of the house hosting a banquet to never fail to invite Madam Jiang.

Aside from Lady Yang, Ji Shuran and Lady Lu often met with these ladies.

With no daughters in the second branch, and in the eight years since Jiang Li had left, only Jiang Youyao remained in the main branch; many had forgotten there was a Jiang Li at all.

They saw much more of Youyao than they did of Jiang Li, on the rare occasions she appeared.

And the most memorable impression was left by Jiang Li at the two successive examinations, one with Zither Music and the other at the horse-riding grounds.

“Not known until she strikes, and when she does, she astonishes,” was the impression others had of Jiang Li.

However, those who had not attended the examinations held no opinion on the matter, thinking it was nothing more than a case of falsehoods being embellished over time.

They believed Jiang Li was not as good as rumors claimed.

Thus, the palace banquet had become an opportunity to verify the truth behind the rumors.

All eyes were fixed on Ji Shuran’s entourage.

Walking behind the old madam, Ji Shuran and Lady Lu were leading, with Lady Yang following, and the young girls, with Jiang Youyao walking at the very front.

Jiang Youyao wore a sweet smile, her appearance delicate and lovely, and her dress and demeanor indicated she was a Miss of comfort and ease, untouched by worldly strife.

Beyond that, Ji Shuran also made an effort to present Youyao as poised and stable; knowing that while men value beauty and wisdom in a woman, considering the woman herself, noble families scrutinizing potential daughters-in-law looked beyond that, for a woman’s disposition, capabilities, and whether she could maintain peace within a household.

Especially after Zhou Yanbang recently attempted to call off the marriage, which infuriated Ji Shuran beyond measure.

Were it not for Madam Ningyuan personally apologizing and the fact that Youyao truly admired Zhou Yanbang, Ji Shuran would never have let the Zhou Family off so easily.

The more outstanding Youyao appeared, the more it proved that in this marriage arrangement, Youyao was not at all aiming too high in being matched with Zhou Yanbang; she was more than his equal.

Jiang Youyao, like a blooming bud, entered with a winding grace, her stunning beauty adding luster to Yuming Hall.

Girls with plainer looks felt ashamed as they gazed upon her.

Having grown up in the enviable Official Family, with unparalleled beauty, cherished by family, carefree and happy, with favorable marriage prospects, a handsome and gentle husband-to-be, and an equal social match—wasn’t this the life everyone envied?

Even though many of the young misses present were from wealthy families, every family has its burdens; not all that shimmers on the surface is as bright in the heart.

Jiang Youyao, seeing the marvel of others, couldn’t help feeling a sense of pride, her step becoming even more buoyant.

Walking behind Jiang Youyao was Jiang Li.

By family hierarchy, Jiang Li should have been ahead of Jiang Youyao.

But no one told Jiang Li this, and Youyao naturally walked at the front.

Jiang Li didn’t care for these matters, considering the order of walking unimportant.

The onlookers watched as, behind the floral Jiang Youyao, there stepped forth a maiden like water.

In comparison to Jiang Youyao’s ornate attire, she appeared much too plain.

Yet within that plainness, her distinct facial features were like bold strokes in a landscape painting, offering boundless charm.

Miss Jiang the Second walked at an even pace, unhurried, and appeared more calm and steady than the light-footed Youyao.

If Youyao was like a vivacious Official’s daughter in Yanjing, this girl seemed more like a pure and intelligent fairy from the mountains—while the former suited the richness and vibrancy of a decorated setting, the latter belonged to an unaffected simplicity.

A sharp-eyed person noticed that Jiang Li’s slender wrist was unadorned with jade bracelets, but instead bore a string of black Buddha Beads.

The beads were smooth and lustrous, making her wrist appear as pure as jade.

Recalling that Jiang Li had spent eight years in a temple on the mountain, and despite knowing that the temple was now understood to be a place that harbored misdeeds, it seemed to have no effect on the spiritual clarity and Buddha-nature that Jiang Li had acquired during her time there.

She was indeed “spiritual.”

The girl also wore a smiling expression, different from that of Jiang Youyao.

Jiang Li’s smile seemed to come from the depths of her soul, very peaceful and comfortable, as if she had no troubles, making those who saw her feel comforted in their hearts.

Madam Ningyuan, who was talking to Lady Ji Chen, furrowed her brows.

Ever since Zhou Yanbang mentioned breaking off the engagement with Jiang Youyao, Madam Ningyuan had been troubled.

Although she had been very close friends with Ye Zhenzhen, Zhenzhen had been dead for many years, and Jiang Li, being Zhenzhen’s surviving daughter, naturally wasn’t as favored as Ji Shuran’s own daughter.

Moreover, after an incident where Jiang Li caused Ji Shuran to have a miscarriage and her reputation was tarnished, Zhenzhen had ceased harboring any intentions of connecting their families.

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