The Double
Chapter 123 - 123 79 Zhao Yao_5

123: Chapter 79 Zhao Yao_5 123: Chapter 79 Zhao Yao_5 Jiang Li shifted her gaze towards another figure, Princess Yongning.

Princess Yongning, however, made no attempt to conceal her adoring eyes for Shen Yurong, following his every move.

Yet, it seemed like unrequited affection—while petals may fall fondly, the Flowing Water does not return their sentiment, as Shen Yurong did not even bestow a glance upon Princess Yongning.

In her heart, Jiang Li couldn’t help but sneer—naturally, under such public scrutiny, one would have to be discreet.

Princess Yongning may enjoy royal status, but Shen Yurong was a cautious man.

He would not let anyone grasp his vulnerabilities.

He was meticulous in everything he did, just like how he had deceived her in the past.

However, with Xue Fangfei gone, and Princess Yongning pulling out all stops to have the legitimate wife make way, how was it that she still could not become the Lady of the Shen Family?

A flash of schadenfreude passed through Jiang Li’s heart.

Yet the feeling was fleeting.

To tell the truth, Jiang Li was now quite curious as to what would become of Princess Yongning if she married into the Shen family.

She wondered if it would be the happily-ever-after they imagined, or if it would breed resentment from every corner.

Next, Jiang Li’s eyes moved to the Ji family’s crowd, including Ji Shuran’s father, Ji Yanlin, and Liu Xu’s father, Liu Yuanfeng.

Prince Cheng arrived a little later, and upon his arrival, he paid his respects to the Empress Dowager.

The last to arrive was Emperor Hongxiao.

For Jiang Li, this was the second time seeing Emperor Hongxiao in both her lives.

At twenty-seven, Emperor Hongxiao was quite young for an emperor.

He had ascended to the throne seven years ago, and during his reign, the Yan Dynasty had remained relatively free of major disturbances.

Nevertheless, his position on the throne was anything but stable on the surface.

Anyone involved in the imperial court knew that Prince Cheng posed the greatest threat to Emperor Hongxiao’s rule.

Seven years ago, Emperor Hongxiao ascended the throne in a rush when Prince Cheng failed in a critical move.

Now after seven years, could Emperor Hongxiao keep up with the current Prince Cheng?

No one knew.

Standing beside Emperor Hongxiao was a young woman.

She was remarkably beautiful and delicate, endearingly so.

Yet, her attire was far from extravagant—in fact, it was quite modest.

Always with a smile, Liu Xu whispered to Jiang Li, “That’s Consort Li, Jiang Youyao’s aunt.”

Jiang Li then understood that this was Ji Yanlin’s legitimate eldest daughter, Ji Shuran’s elder sister, Consort Li.

She hadn’t seen Consort Li when she last accompanied Shen Yurong to the palace, although she had heard of her.

Some said that Consort Li was to Emperor Hongxiao what Noble Consort Xia had been to the late emperor—his most beloved woman.

However, unlike Noble Consort Xia, who had no backing, Consort Li had the support of the Ji family behind her.

Jiang Li looked at Consort Li, who appeared even younger than Ji Shuran, as if a maiden in her prime.

It puzzled her how Consort Li maintained such a youthful appearance.

She was very gentle and amiable, not the kind to be commanding or authoritative compared to the lofty Princess Yongning, who seemed far more approachable.

However, Jiang Li was well aware that if Consort Li were truly as soft and unambitious as she appeared, she wouldn’t have been able to carve her path through the harem and become Emperor Hongxiao’s favored consort.

Those without the capability would have long become sacrifices in the survival of the fittest.

How could one stand next to Emperor Hongxiao unscathed, adopting the posture of the victorious, feigning humility?

It was all an act.

After exchanging a few words with Consort Li, Emperor Hongxiao waved his hand, and she stepped forward to greet Lady Ji Chen and Ji Shuran.

Jiang Youyao, as expected, went to meet her aunt, while the surrounding ladies looked on with envy.

Having an aunt like Consort Li outshone even having an empress aunt.

Though the empress had borne the Crown Prince, he was just over five, and if Consort Li also gave birth to a son, given Emperor Hongxiao’s affection for her, the Crown Prince’s position in the future was uncertain.

After all, there was a precedent for changing the Crown Prince in the previous reign.

Not knowing what Ji Shuran said to Consort Li, Consort Li looked over with a smile that didn’t betray any specific emotions, yet Jiang Li felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

Liu Xu asked, “Aren’t you going to pay your respects?”

“They haven’t called for me,” Jiang Li replied nonchalantly, “I won’t go.”

Liu Xu stared dumbfounded, then as if suddenly understanding, she happily said, “That’s just like you.”

Jiang Li laughed.

She wasn’t like Jiang Yue, who needed to ingratiate herself with Ji Shuran, nor was she like Jiang Youyao, who was related by blood to Consort Li.

To her, Consort Li was merely a nominal aunt.

Perhaps, the former Second Miss Jiang was meeting Consort Li for the first time.

After all, Consort Li was Ji Shuran’s sister, and would naturally side with her.

They were destined to be enemies, and such an adversarial stance wouldn’t be changed by Jiang Li’s act of courtesy.

“Don’t engage in futile actions, especially those you dislike.” Xue Huaiyuan had said this, and Jiang Li had taken it to heart.

While Emperor Hongxiao was speaking with the Empress Dowager, a eunuch came to report another arrival.

To arrive later than the current emperor was quite audacious.

Even Prince Cheng, who was always punctual, complied with the proper etiquette.

Jiang Li looked up and saw a figure approaching down the palace corridor at a leisurely pace.

The young man was dressed in a resplendent, gold-embroidered crimson robe that trailed behind him.

Under the brilliant lights, its luster outshone even the gemstones embedded in the palace pillars.

Such ornate attire would overpower anyone of lesser looks, reducing them to mere clothes hangers, unless they were extremely beautiful, with flawless features and unparalleled grace to match the splendor.

Yet on this young man, the robe was not only fitting but also enhancing.

Seeing him in this garment made one sigh with admiration, acknowledging that such splendid clothing was only justified by his wearing it.

The clothing was more dazzling than gemstones, and his beauty outshone the clothing.

It was Duke Su, Jih Heng.