128: Chapter 80 Old Tricks _5 128: Chapter 80 Old Tricks _5 Jiang Yue, however, was oblivious to these matters.
She seemed to particularly love the sweet taste of the fruit brew, drinking it until her brows relaxed slightly and a charming flush climbed her cheeks, revealing a coquettishness not seen in her everyday demeanor.
At that moment, she heard Ji Shuran ask with a smile, “Lili, why don’t you try some of the Apricot Blossom Wine?”
Jiang Li looked up to see Ji Shuran naturally picking up the wine cup in front of Jiang Li, filling it up for her, and placing it in front of Jiang Li with a smile, “The Apricot Blossom Wine from the palace is different from what we brew at home; it’s sweeter, and it doesn’t intoxicate.
It’s beneficial for you ladies to drink more of it.”
Jiang Li glanced at Ji Shuran.
Ji Shuran was smiling gently, but for some reason, Jiang Li suddenly felt unease, as if a voice inside her was warning her not to drink this cup of wine.
Trusting her intuition, Jiang Li said, “Thank you, Mother, but I cannot hold my liquor well.”
“This is hardly considered liquor, it’s practically sweetened water,” Ji Shuran chuckled.
“I noticed you didn’t eat much tonight, Lili.
It’s easy to feel lethargic in the summer.
Drinking some Apricot Blossom Wine can help cool you off.”
A jolt went through Jiang Li’s heart, and her gaze accidentally caught the scene of Shen Ruyun conversing with Mother Shen not far from her.
A shock hit her, and suddenly, images flashed across her mind.
Jiang Li instantly knew where she had seen that look in Ji Shuran’s eyes before, and why it was so familiar to her.
The expression of Ji Shuran, that effort to suppress her anticipation while pretending to be nonchalant, was like the gaze of a lurking viper, just like Mother Shen’s look during her birthday banquet, and Xiao Deyin’s smile while toasting!
In that instant, Jiang Li almost changed her expression.
Though her suspicion came without warning, Jiang Li was almost certain that Ji Shuran and her daughter’s intentions were just like those of the people at Mother Shen’s birthday banquet years ago—they wanted to see her ruined!
From the daughter of a low-ranking official to the Chief Minister’s daughter, having been reborn, she once again faced the same scenario.
A mix of outrage and absurdity swelled in Jiang Li’s heart, but in the end, all she wanted to do was scoff coldly.
Her past life had been one of misery because of that incident, and now different people wanted to try the same scheme.
Well then, she would definitely not satisfy their wishes!
Jiang Li looked at Jiang Youyao and said with a smile, “Younger sister hasn’t tried the wine, either.”
“Youyao cannot touch anything made with apricot blossoms,” Ji Shuran said.
“She breaks out in red rashes all over if she does.
Don’t be fooled by her restraint—you’d think she doesn’t care, but I bet she is really craving it.”
Jiang Youyao pursed her lips and remained silent.
But Jiang Li knew full well that Ji Shuran had guaranteed a foolproof plan, fearing that some accident would occur midway and Jiang Youyao might mistakenly drink the wine, thus inventing such an excuse.
However, did Ji Shuran really think that as long as Jiang Youyao didn’t drink the wine, everything would go perfectly according to her wishes?
She was gravely mistaken.
With a faint smile, Jiang Li said lightly, “Really?
This is the first time I’ve heard that younger sister can’t touch apricot blossoms.
Well then, thank you, Mother.” She accepted the wine cup, took a sip behind the veil of her sleeve, and then set it down.
Most of the cup was still full.
Ji Shuran saw this but didn’t urge Jiang Li to drink the rest of the half-cup; instead, she continued to serve her food generously, the very image of a tender, considerate mother without a single fault.
Jiang Li felt a chill inside as she looked up at the men’s seating area.
She saw Ye Shijie being toasted, and since he had just been appointed a Capital Official today, there were many who came to drink to his honor.
Ye Shijie inevitably had to drink a bit too.
While this was not inherently wrong, Jiang Li noticed that the little eunuch who poured the wine was a little too eager.
Among the many young noblemen present, this particular little eunuch lingered only around Ye Shijie.
Despite Li Lian, Li Jing, and Zhou Yanbang also sitting close by, the eunuch, who ought to have paid some attention to the others as well, fixated solely on Ye Shijie.
In fact, with the banquet proceeding and the wine flowing, no one would normally pay any attention to a little eunuch’s behavior.
But Jiang Li happened to notice it.
In her younger years, when following Xue Huaiyuan, he would sometimes teach her something while handling affairs.
In more complex situations, one needed to pay attention to the details.
This seemingly trivial detail, now seen by Jiang Li, finally made it all clear to her.
So, the “adulterer” Ji Shuran and her daughter had set up for her was Ye Shijie.
It seemed quite appropriate, both personally and logically.
Ye Shijie was her cousin; they already had a relationship, and her public defense of Ye Shijie on the street could be construed as evidence of a private affair.
Naturally, a mutual fondness between a young man and woman was no great matter.
But being caught in a disgraceful act at the palace banquet would be a serious offense.
As a woman, her reputation would be destroyed, erasing all the efforts she had made at Mingyi Hall.
As for the newly-minted Capital Official Ye Shijie, it was hard to say how the furious Emperor Hongxiao might punish him.
At the very least, it would be the end of Ye Shijie’s official career.
Her enmity with the Ye Family would deepen.
Both marrying and not marrying would lead to resentment.
In any case, hers and Ye Shijie’s lives would be ruined.
Quite a thorough plot indeed!
Jiang Li’s eyes flashed fiercely, but she quickly lowered her head again and upon lifting it, her smile remained as pure and peaceful as before.
Jiang Youyao suddenly turned and caught a glimpse of the wine cup in front of Jiang Li, which was now empty, and she blurted out in surprise, “When did you finish drinking?”
“Mm,” Jiang Li replied.
“It was so sweet and delicious, I finished it.
But I mustn’t drink too much; one cup is enough.” She was still smiling.
Ji Shuran’s heart settled down.
At the other end, Jiang Yue had just set down her wine cup.