137: Chapter 82: Attracting Disaster_4 137: Chapter 82: Attracting Disaster_4 Ji Shuran was smiling as she listened to the ladies complimenting Jiang Youyao when suddenly Granny Sun approached her and whispered something in her ear.
Ji Shuran nodded, her eyes flashing with delight.
Lady Ji Chen also looked toward Ji Shuran and, seeing her satisfied smile, nodded along with a smile of her own.
Lady Lu, watching all this, caught sight of Jiang Li’s empty seat and seemed to understand.
She purposefully moved closer to Ji Shuran and asked, “Eldest sister-in-law, why hasn’t Little Miss Li returned yet?”
“Lili complained of severe dizziness,” Ji Shuran said with a smile, “I didn’t expect her tolerance to be so low.
It’s understandable, though, after her eight years on Green City Mountain.
She couldn’t drink in the temple and hasn’t had much alcohol before, so she was easily overwhelmed by a bit of fruit wine.”
By saying this, she brought up the past events when Jiang Li was cast out of her family for the murder of her mother and sibling.
The surrounding ladies started to whisper among themselves.
Lady Lu sneered inwardly but didn’t want to watch Ji Shuran bask in success, so she added, “I think we should have some servants wait on Little Miss Li.
The palace is so vast, and it’s her first time here—let’s make sure she doesn’t get lost.”
“There’s no need,” Ji Shuran replied with an amiable smile, “After all, Yuer is with her, along with some palace maids to guide them.
Perhaps sister-in-law is worried about the safety of the palace?
The palace is guarded by sentries; it’s safe.”
Lady Lu was at a loss for words; she couldn’t exactly suggest that the palace was unsafe, not with the Empress Dowager present.
Moreover, following Ji Shuran’s remark, Lady Lu noticed Consort Li glancing her way from a distance.
Chilled to the core, she quickly put on a smile and replied in a friendly tone, “I’m just concerned about the children.
You’re right, eldest sister-in-law, there’s nothing to worry about.”
Although Lady Lu’s paternal family was not bad, it couldn’t compare to the current Ji family.
Not to mention other things, the Consort Li from the Ji family was deeply favored by Emperor Hongxiao—who could compete with that, who would dare?
Those who understand the times are always the best.
At this moment, Ji Shuran felt exceedingly happy, so jubilant that she didn’t even care about Lady Lu’s deliberate provocation.
She had just learned that Jiang Li and Ye Shijie had both gone to the tea room, that both were drugged, and aphrodisiac incense was lit in the room; they must be entwined in passion right now.
Soon, with all the evidence present, they would have the perfect excuse to “discover” the affair between Jiang Li and Ye Shijie and expose the scandal to public view.
Jiang Li’s end was near, and the smile on Ji Shuran’s lips was especially tender as she stroked Jiang Youyao’s black hair, her heart full of the victor’s joy.
The Jiang family was never meant to have two legitimate daughters.
Her daughter had to be the Jiang family’s unique treasure.
Jiang Li couldn’t compete with Jiang Youyao for anything, be it Jiang Yuanbai’s affection, the status as the legitimate daughter of the main house, or her future husband.
Jiang Li had to give up everything.
…
The corridors of the palace were eerily silent.
Lanterns hung under the eaves, flickering gently in the night breeze, casting shadows that seemed to carry a hint of romance.
The palace was vast, and Jiang Li walked slowly.
She wasn’t eager to see if Jiang Yue and Zhou Yanbang could “be together,” certain of the outcome.
For someone like Jiang Yue, born of a low status yet restless, she was extremely cunning.
With just a little push, there was no doubt Jiang Yue would proceed accordingly.
Jiang Li sighed softly.
Hidden beneath the beauty of the palace at night were so many dirty deeds.
Who could know if underneath these dazzling flowers, the soil wasn’t filled with countless skeletons?
She wasn’t worried about getting lost; she had a photographic memory, and a single journey was enough to familiarize her with the route.
The cool evening breeze was a strange comfort, and unlike Ji Shuran’s uncontrollable triumph, Jiang Li was surprisingly serene at this moment.
To Jiang Li, the mother and daughter Ji Shuran were, after all, strangers.
The love and hate between strangers couldn’t stir much in her heart.
Her actions were only to seek justice for the tragically wronged Miss Jiang the Second and retaliate against those who had provoked her kind nature.
But the ones she truly despised were Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning.
Without guessing, Jiang Li knew that Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning must be secretly meeting during the royal banquet.
However, Shen Yurong was not like Jiang Yue—innately cautious and meticulous in her actions.
Moreover, Princess Yongning would have countless people covering for her, making it momentary impossible to reveal their scandal.
Jiang Li felt a twinge of regret.
She had to be patient in approaching her enemies, planning meticulously, yet to smile in the face of deep-seated hatred was asking too much of anyone.