138: Chapter 82: Attracting Disaster_5 138: Chapter 82: Attracting Disaster_5 While she was immersed in thought, she suddenly noticed in the flower bed opposite her two familiar figures.
It should have been an official’s daughter with her close maid.
The official’s daughter was dressed in extreme luxury; just the Enamel Multicolored Lovesickness Hairpin on her head was worth several hundred taels of silver.
Among the young ladies who came to the palace banquet today, she could at least be ranked near the top.
However, this richly adorned lady seemed to be in a less than cheerful mood at the moment.
She merely said, “Those people are so uninteresting to talk to.
I’m tired of hearing their praises, which are nothing more than attempts to pry into my brother’s affairs.
Can’t they see for themselves?
My brother is not someone they can just climb up to?”
Jiang Li was initially listening to the girl’s complaints with a smile, but upon hearing this, the smile on her lips gradually faded.
That young woman was none other than Shen Yurong’s sister, her sister-in-law, Shen Ruyun.
Shen Ruyun at this moment must have slipped out for a breath of fresh air, instead of staying with Mother Shen.
As Jiang Li recalled what Shen Ruyun had just said, she couldn’t help wanting to scoff.
Those who came today were all daughters of imperial court officials, and if not that, at the very least daughters of high-ranking government households.
Shen Ruyun’s arrogance was tremendous.
With Shen Yurong’s status—having neither a noble title nor the shadow of an official father—although he was indeed a talented young man, he was ultimately a solitary figure with limited influence.
There were countless scions of noble families in Yanjing City with better backgrounds than Shen Yurong.
Yet Shen Ruyun actually felt that all of these couldn’t hold a candle to Shen Yurong.
Jiang Li understood in her heart that Shen Ruyun said this, not because she truly believed Shen Yurong was that remarkable, but rather because in Shen Ruyun’s heart, her sister-in-law could only be matched with someone of Imperial lineage—like Princess Yongning.
How could the daughters of great ministers compare to her?
Thus, she naturally considered the only match for her brother was someone among the imperial kinsfolk and nobility.
In that instant, a curious thought suddenly appeared in Jiang Li’s mind.
She knew Shen Ruyun’s secret aspirations, just as she was certain that Shen Ruyun had stepped out for fresh air because Zhou Yanbang was nowhere to be seen.
Now that she knew Shen Ruyun’s secret, if she didn’t make use of it, she’d be doing an injustice to their past relationship as relatives by marriage.
Thinking this, Jiang Li smiled faintly and slowly stepped forward, calling out, “Miss Shen.”
Shen Ruyun, who was feeling irritated, was startled when she suddenly heard someone calling her.
She turned her head, saw it was Jiang Li, and, with a frown, reluctantly responded, “Miss Jiang the Second.”
Shen Ruyun was well aware of who Miss Jiang the Second was, and both publicly and privately, she disliked Jiang Li.
Jiang Li had once been Zhou Yanbang’s betrothed, and this fact alone was enough to make Shen Ruyun look unfavorably upon Jiang Li.
Moreover, Jiang Li had a notorious reputation of being accused of killing her mother and brother, a fearful person it was best to avoid.
Before, whenever Shen Ruyun encountered Jiang Li, she would be sure to throw some sarcastic remarks.
But ever since Jiang Li returned to Yanjing and made a splash, her status in the Jiang Family was not as lowly as others had thought; gradually, no one dared to look down upon Miss Jiang the Second.
Although Shen Ruyun was arrogant and domineering under Shen Yurong’s power, Jiang Yuanbai was the current Grand Secretary, and Shen Yurong still had a long way to go compared to him.
Jiang Li said to Shen Ruyun with a smile, “Miss Shen, how come you’ve come out?”
Shen Ruyun replied haughtily, “Aren’t you out here too?”
Jiang Li was internally taken aback.
Although she knew this sister-in-law was very spoiled, she had only ever treated Xue Fangfei that way; outside, Shen Ruyun was very well-behaved.
There’s a saying, “A dog takes after its master,” and now Jiang Li felt she had truly experienced it.
It seemed that as Shen Yurong climbed the ranks, Shen Ruyun’s temper had also grown significantly.
Jiang Li shook her head: “I came out because I had a bit too much fruit wine and felt a bit dizzy.
I needed some fresh air to sober up.” She then appeared to remember something, chuckled, and said, “Tonight seems to be fateful, encountering acquaintances again and again.
Just now, I even saw Prince Zhou.
I didn’t expect to run into Miss Shen right after.”
“Prince Zhou?” Shen Ruyun was initially impatient to hear Jiang Li speak, but at the mention of “Prince Zhou,” she immediately perked up and hurriedly asked, “Is it the Heir of Marquis Ningyuan?”
“Indeed.”
Shen Ruyun eyed Jiang Li suspiciously, recalling Jiang Li’s past relationship with Zhou Yanbang, and said with a sour note, “You and Prince Zhou do have a rather special connection.”
Jiang Li laughed it off: “Not at all, we just happened to see each other.
Prince Zhou was on his way to rest for a bit at the East Garden Yuxiu Pavilion, and that’s how we came across each other.” She pointed in a direction, “There, just over that way.”
“East Garden Yuxiu Pavilion?” Shen Ruyun asked.
“Correct, I believe Prince Zhou had also had quite a bit to drink and possibly felt unwell.” Jiang Li spoke with a smile, “But I must get back to my mother now.
Miss Shen should also return earlier; it’s chilly outside.” With that, she took her leave from Shen Ruyun and walked away.
Shen Ruyun stood there dumbly, her expression wavering, biting her lip as if struggling to make a decision.
The maid beside her was somewhat frightened and asked in a quiet voice, “Miss, now…?”
“Let’s go, we’re heading to the East Garden Yuxiu Pavilion,” Shen Ruyun decided resolutely.
“Miss, this isn’t proper…,” the maid hesitated, still showing some sense of propriety.
“What’s proper or not!
I’m just coincidentally passing by, that’s all!” Shen Ruyun snapped harshly and immediately led her maid toward the direction of the East Garden Yuxiu Pavilion.
After the mistress and servant had left, Jiang Li emerged from behind the rose bushes.
Shen Ruyun was truly lovesick.