The Double
Chapter 196 - 196 94 Flower Pavilion_4

196: Chapter 94 Flower Pavilion_4 196: Chapter 94 Flower Pavilion_4 Ye Jiaer was taken aback and looked at the shopkeeper, saying, “Shopkeeper Qian, why not show the Ancient Fragrance Satin to my cousin?”

Shopkeeper Qian’s face immediately showed a hint of difficulty, responding, “Miss Jiajia, it’s not that I don’t want to show it to Miss Biao, it’s just that…”

Before he could finish, his gaze suddenly froze, Jiang Li followed his eyes, and turned back to see two unfamiliar middle-aged men.

“Uncle Zhuang, Uncle Zhao, what brings you here?” Ye Jiaer asked.

The two men looked at Ye Jiaer and asked, “Jiajia, aren’t your father and your uncle here?”

“They’re not.

Is there something going on?” Ye Jiaer cautiously inquired.

Since she was young, Miss Ye had begun to learn about the family business.

Ye Shijie had chosen the path of a civil service career, and the vast family business couldn’t always rely on the older generation’s management alone.

Only Ye Rufeng and Ye Jiaer remained of the Ye family’s grandchild generation.

However, it was said among the Ye family’s maids that Rufeng being young was somewhat impetuous and lacked the propriety that Jiajia demonstrated.

Recently, some of the business at Lizheng Hall was being introduced to Ye Jiaer.

After exchanging a glance, the two men looked at Ye Jiaer and said, “Indeed, there is a matter.

Since your father and the others are not here, we might as well speak with you about it first, Jiajia.”

While they were talking to Ye Jiaer, they hadn’t paid any attention to Jiang Li.

Presumably, they thought Jiang Li was just a close friend of Jiajia, someone irrelevant.

However, Jiang Li was paying close attention to the two men, their tones far from relaxed, seeming to suggest they had encountered some thorny issue.

Ye Jiaer nodded, saying, “Alright.” She then flashed an apologetic smile to Jiang Li, saying, “Cousin, I have some matters to discuss with Uncle Zhuang and Uncle Zhao.

You might have to wait a bit…”

“It’s fine,” Jiang Li gently interrupted her, “you just focus on the discussion.

I originally intended to just stroll around today, finding Lizheng Hall has already been a pleasant surprise.

Afterward, Tonger, Bai Xue, and I will browse nearby; we won’t go far.

Don’t worry about us.”

“You, alone…”

“It’s alright,” Jiang Li said, “there’s the City Garrison, isn’t there?

No need to worry.”

Seeing Jiang Li insist, Ye Jiaer found it hard to press further.

Moreover, she didn’t know how long the discussion might take, and to have Jiang Li waiting outside alone would indeed be rather dull.

So she nodded to Jiang Li and followed the two men inside to discuss matters.

Jiang Li then bid farewell to shopkeeper Qian and left with Tonger and Bai Xue.

On the way, Tonger asked, “Miss, why didn’t we wait for Miss Biao to come out?

We haven’t even seen the Ancient Fragrance Satin yet.”

Jiang Li teased her, “You’ve seen Ancient Fragrance Satin in Yanjing City, haven’t you?

How can you act as if it’s your first-time seeing it?

Are you embarrassed?

Have you forgotten what Ancient Fragrance Satin looks like?”

“But the Ancient Fragrance Satin from Yanjing was delivered to us, the Ye family’s might be even more unique,” Tonger said with a grumble, pulling Bai Xue along, “Moreover, though I’ve seen Ancient Fragrance Satin, Bai Xue hasn’t, right Bai Xue?”

Bai Xue earnestly replied, “I have seen it.

The day after you entered the palace and received gifts from the Emperor, old madam sent lots of fabrics, among them was Ancient Fragrance Satin.

You even let me touch it.”

Tonger: “…”

Jiang Li laughed, “Alright, alright.

I have my own important matters to attend to, which are more significant than seeing Ancient Fragrance Satin.” In fact, she truly wanted to stay at Lizheng Hall.

Those two called “Uncle Zhuang” and “Uncle Zhao” seemed to have important matters to discuss with Ye Jiaer, and shopkeeper Qian’s hesitation to bring out the Ancient Fragrance Satin also appeared to have other reasons.

Jiang Li guessed that it might relate to what Tonger called “a little trouble at the Ye family” and was curious to find out what was happening.

But upon further thought, even if she inquired, it wasn’t certain whether Jiajia would be willing to tell her.

With her young age, Miss Ye conducted herself with organized grace; she was indeed sincere and earnest, yet she wasn’t without wit, and in the family’s business affairs, she was perhaps even more cautious.

Since staying at Lizheng Hall was unlikely to yield any insights, she thought it better to leave.

After all, what was meant to be known would come to light eventually; there was no need to rush for the moment.

At this time, she had far more important things to do.

“Miss, where shall we go now?

Let’s not wander too far.

You are here in Xiangyang for the first time; if we get lost later, we won’t know the way back, especially since we didn’t come by carriage,” Tonger said.

Xiangyang was not like Yanjing.

Noble daughters in Yanjing would certainly not be seen without a carriage when going out, but in Xiangyang, taking a carriage was a matter of personal preference, and it was quite normal for young ladies to walk the streets, which might be described as a reflection of a more simple local custom.

Although it would be mockable in Yanjing City, Jiang Li genuinely enjoyed this kind of feeling here.

Utterly free.

“Not to worry,” Jiang Li smiled, “let’s just casually stroll along this street.”