The Double
Chapter 184 - 184 92 Peers

184: Chapter 92: Peers 184: Chapter 92: Peers The next morning, Jiang Li rose early to dress and make up.

She was to return to Xiangyang, and by now the entire Jiang Residence knew.

Ji Shuran initially opposed the idea in front of Ye Mingxuan, but later for some reason changed her mind.

Putting on the airs of a compassionate mother, she asked Jiang Li if she lacked anything.

It was Jiang Jingrui, upon learning that Jiang Li was returning to Xiangyang, who sat for a long while in Fangfei Garden.

It was nothing more than lamenting Jiang Li’s lack of consideration, not thinking to take him along to Xiangyang to have fun.

He really wanted to accompany Jiang Li to Xiangyang.

Jiang Li was both annoyed and amused; Jiang Jingrui didn’t even know what sort of place Xiangyang was and still imagined it as a pleasurable destination.

Besides, her trip to Xiangyang was not for leisure, and she wasn’t even sure if the Ye Family would welcome her.

As an outsider, her living situation was barely acceptable, so it was brazen of Jiang Jingrui, a nominal relative, to even consider going.

Most importantly, even if all these issues were resolved, Jiang Jingrui’s mother, Lady Lu, would definitely not permit such frivolous behavior.

After much persuasion, Jiang Li finally dissuaded Jiang Jingrui from the notion.

Jiang Li felt a pang of melancholy; it seemed everyone in the Jiang Residence assumed she would have a pleasant life returning to the Ye Family, not realizing that the road ahead was long and might not be as carefree as they imagined.

The day before had been sunny, but today it began to drizzle.

The autumn days in Yanjing City seemed so fleeting, as if the summer heat was still present, only to be replaced abruptly by the cold winds.

Viewing the withered branches and fallen leaves on the ground, it was hard to believe the vibrancy and bustle from the day before.

Tonger stretched her hand outside to test the weather and turned back to Jiang Li, “Miss, the rain is quite heavy; perhaps you should not go out.

Let’s postpone it to another day.”

“It’s fine,” Jiang Li, while fastening her cloak, replied, “We’ll be in the carriage, not walking much.”

Tonger had no choice but to relent.

Jiang Li had informed them that she intended to go out today to shop for gifts to send to the Ye Family.

Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang the Elder even specifically had Zhenzhu come with some silver for Jiang Li to select something nice for herself.

Not expecting it to rain today, Tonger thought there was no rush and proposed it would be better to wait for a day with better weather, especially considering that Ye Mingxuan was still to stay in Yanjing City for about ten days.

But today, the usually agreeable Jiang Li was surprisingly stubborn.

Jiang Li finished securing her cloak and paused in front of the mirror.

The look of Miss Jiang the Second was not as outstanding as Xue Fangfei, but her natural beauty was not lacking, excessively ethereal.

Having recuperated for days in the Jiang Residence, Jiang Li’s diet had improved compared to her time on Green City Mountain.

Her emaciated and frail appearance was now gone, and at first glance, she looked fresh and lively.

“Miss looks so beautiful,” Bai Xue, standing to one side, sincerely complimented, “like you’ve stepped right out of a painting.”

“Exactly, exactly,” Tonger nodded, “Back on Green City Mountain, we could only wear monk’s robes, which didn’t showcase our miss’s beauty.

Now, looking around Yanjing City, I believe no one matches our miss in loveliness.

If those nuns from Green City Mountain saw you now, they surely wouldn’t recognize you.”

Jiang Li gazed at her reflection in the mirror.

The expressions were familiar, but the features felt so strange.

When she appeared before Xue Zhao, would he still recognize her?

Her father… probably wouldn’t recognize her either.

A wave of sadness washed over her, and she turned her head away from the mirror, simply saying, “Let’s go.”

“Alright,” Tonger said, pushing open the door.

…

Due to the rain, there weren’t many people out and about in Yanjing City.

Even the usual street vendors selling candied haws were few and far between.

Jiang Li, Tonger, and Bai Xue could only browse jewelry and fabric stores, as the peddlers who normally carried their wares on shoulder poles to sell trinkets likely hadn’t ventured out today.

However, it was said that the Ye Family did not have many grandchildren besides Ye Shijie; there were only the son and daughter of Ye Mingxuan, and the fourth Ye son was still unmarried, not to mention offspring.

So purchasing gifts for the younger generation wasn’t overly difficult.

Before long, Jiang Li had selected presents for each person.

Returning gifts was no simple matter; many large households instructed their legitimate daughters, especially on the subject of gift reciprocation.

Should those daughters marry into an official family, with the frequent social exchanges of their husbands, returning gifts was inevitable.

If too lavishly given, it appeared too earnest; if too meager, it seemed neglectful.

It was truly a delicate balance.

However, as Jiang Li had learned to reciprocate gifts from accompanying her father, Shen Yurong, when he commenced his social commitments, she was well-versed in the art.

In Tongxiang, where Xue Huaiyuan lived an uncorrupted life, he wouldn’t accept gifts from others.

In Yanjing City, however, sometimes the reciprocation couldn’t be too simple, yet if it was too extravagant, Mother Shen would have words to say, so she had to secretly take out a part of her dowry to make up for it.

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