The Double
Chapter 130 - 130 81 Future Prospects_2

130: Chapter 81 Future Prospects_2 130: Chapter 81 Future Prospects_2 Ji Shuran would occasionally lift her eyes to look at Jiang Li.

As time slowly passed by, Jiang Li reached up to touch her forehead and said softly, “Mother, I’m feeling a bit dizzy…”

How could it be so quick?

Ji Shuran felt puzzled in her heart.

She thought that it would take a while before the drug took effect.

Seeing Jiang Li speak like this, she had to respond.

Fearing that staying any longer would raise suspicions and that something untoward might happen, she decided to let Jiang Li leave early.

Ji Shuran then said to a palace maid who had been standing by her side, “First, help the Second Miss back to her room to rest properly.

I will come to fetch her later.”

Jiang Youyao tentatively asked, “Second Sister?”

Jiang Li frowned slightly and waved her hand but accidentally touched a cup on the side, causing the full cup of tea to spill all over Jiang Yue’s skirt.

Jiang Yue let out a startled “Ah!” as she quickly stood up.

Jiang Li’s eyes widened slightly, and she seemed to sober up a bit.

She quickly said, “I’m sorry, Fifth Sister.

I didn’t mean to get it on your clothes.” She then looked apologetically at the stain on Jiang Yue’s clothes, “What should we do now?

Why don’t you come with me to change?

It would be a good chance for me to rest.”

“There’s no need…” Ji Shuran was just about to stop her.

“Mother, this is a palace feast.

It’s not proper for Fifth Sister to wear soiled clothes.

The palace should have some clothing for emergencies, and at the very least, Consort Li should have some.

It’s better for Fifth Sister to change.”

Jiang Yue was somewhat irritated, as she was wearing this outfit for the first time today.

It had been made from fabric found by the old madam, and she rarely had the chance to wear such fine clothes.

Now they were ruined by Jiang Li.

Upon hearing Jiang Li mention Consort Li, her heart stirred.

If the clothes were found by Consort Li, even the least of them would be palace fabric, which might be even better than what the old madam had given her.

She immediately stood up and smiled, “Great Aunt Mother, it’s not a problem, I’ll go with Second Sister.

Second Sister is right, wearing dirty clothes would not be respectful, and it might make others criticize our Jiang Family for disrespect to the Emperor.

I can take care of Second Sister on the way.”

Ji Shuran’s palms were slightly sweaty.

Jiang Yue had no idea of her plan, and Ji Shuran really didn’t want Jiang Yue to disrupt her scheme.

But then she thought about it and let it go.

On their way there, she would have someone lead Jiang Yue away.

Jiang Li’s plan could proceed as originally intended.

Moreover, since the drug took effect so quickly, leaving the seat early would give her enough time to prepare.

Ji Shuran gave a meaningful look to the palace maid beside her and said, “Well, if that’s the case, you two go ahead.”

Lady Yang did not speak.

Although Jiang Yue was her daughter, Jiang Yue ingratiated herself with the main branch of the family and was closer to Ji Shuran, the great aunt, than to her own mother, something Lady Yang had long been accustomed to.

Jiang Yue left with Jiang Li, accompanied by the unfamiliar palace maid.

Not far from the Lake Heart Pavilion, on the edge of a water corridor, there were many empty teahouses, which were prepared for the nobility of the palace to have a place for a temporary headache or to change clothes.

Usually, there were few people, and it was very quiet.

As Jiang Li and Jiang Yue walked together, it wasn’t clear if it was because she had drunk too much at the palace feast, but Jiang Yue also started to feel dizzy as they walked.

Jiang Li began to talk to her about Jiang Youyao’s marital affairs.

“…

Today, mother mentioned the marriage between Third Sister and the Princely Heir.

Third Sister seemed very happy.

I think the Madam Ningyuan is quite satisfied with Third Sister.”

“…

Speaking of which, Third Sister’s marriage is really good.

Prince Zhou is one in a hundred in Yanjing City.

It’s just that I don’t have a fate with Prince Zhou, and I will probably need to look elsewhere for a match in the future.”

“…

Fifth Sister will soon be of age, too.

I heard the servants in father’s courtyard mentioning that Third Uncle is asking father to look for a suitable match for Fifth Sister.

It’s unknown into which Mansion you will marry.”

Jiang Li suddenly bringing up these matters made Jiang Yue suspect that Jiang Li was retaliating against her; the last time the matter of Jiang Youyao and Zhou Yanbang’s marriage was revealed to her by Jingqing, Jiang Li must have been hurt.

But now Jiang Li was twisting the knife in her own heart by talking about her marriage, and Jiang Yue could not help feeling some resentment.

Jiang Yue said, “Second Sister seems quite concerned about my marriage.

But I’m still young, even younger than Second Sister.

As you said, our father is not like our Great Uncle; if he really wants to find someone, of course, we can’t compare to Second Sister and Third Sister.” While saying this, Jiang Yue also sounded a bit defiant.

Normally, she would never have expressed such thoughts, but perhaps she was a bit drunk today, and she spoke more boldly.

Jiang Li looked at her with a gaze that seemed to contain a trace of pity, “Why can’t one choose their own birth?

In my view, Fifth Sister, you are no less in appearance or learning than Third Sister.

You just lost out in terms of birth.

If you were the daughter of the main branch, you and Prince Zhou would be well-matched.”