141: Chapter 83: Encounter with Beauty_3 141: Chapter 83: Encounter with Beauty_3 What in this palace happens without his knowledge?
Perhaps even the secret meetings between Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning are crystal clear to this man!
Jiang Li’s complexion was sullen and unclear, which, on the contrary, made Jih Heng find amusement.
He said, “What is Miss Jiang the Second thinking about?”
Jiang Li raised her head and looked at him.
In a moment, she had made up her mind and said to Jih Heng, “The Duke enjoys watching plays, so let’s watch.
But as the saying goes, ‘silent spectating is the norm,’ which I’m sure the Duke understands.”
Jih Heng, upon hearing this, chuckled as if he had heard a joke.
He leaned slightly to the side, his tone growing even more ambiguous, “What if I insist on speaking?
What can you do to me?”
A wave of frustration surged in Jiang Li’s heart, and truthfully, she really couldn’t do anything to Jih Heng.
Jih Heng was Duke Su, and even as Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter, she couldn’t do anything to Jih Heng.
Moreover, this man was unpredictable and unorthodox in his actions, and Jiang Li had previously glimpsed his sinister ambitions—it was uncertain whether he would reveal this affair or not.
“Then I can only admit defeat,” Jiang Li replied flatly.
When under someone else’s roof, one must bow one’s head, and standing up to Jih Heng at this time would do no good, making her situation only more troublesome without achieving anything.
At least she had done everything she could tonight; if even this didn’t work, then it was simply her bad luck.
Everyone has their moments of bad luck, but not every time.
Jih Heng glanced at Jiang Li and suddenly laughed.
He said, “Don’t worry, I won’t speak of it,” as he idly brushed off the non-existent dust from his sleeve with his folding fan.
“Because if I did, I wouldn’t have any more dramas to watch.
That would be…
such a pity.”
Hearing this, Jiang Li felt a sense of relief.
Although it was just an offhand remark from Jih Heng, given his temperament, he likely wouldn’t go back on his word.
She said, “Then I thank the Duke.”
“You and Ye Shijie seem to be on quite good terms,” Jih Heng suddenly mentioned Ye Shijie, “Tonight, you two seemed in perfect sync, as if you shared the same mind in staging the play.” Jih Heng said, “Ye Shijie, do you get along with him well?”
Why bring up Ye Shijie out of the blue?
But Jiang Li quickly thought of Li Jing, who was speaking with Jih Heng earlier.
The Right Chancellor’s Residence had previously intended to draw Ye Shijie in, but now Ye Shijie was distancing himself from them…
Could Jih Heng be here because of this?
After weighing the thoughts rapidly in her mind, Jiang Li finally said, “My relationship with Cousin Ye is just average at best; we haven’t spoken much, and I am not particularly aware of his affairs.
Tonight’s event was just a coincidence.”
Jih Heng heard this and smiled as if in deep thought, but he did not pursue the conversation.
Jiang Li felt uncomfortable just looking into his eyes.
Fortunately, he didn’t intend to stay with her indefinitely, eventually saying, “Let’s go.”
Jiang Li said, “What?”
“Aren’t you here to watch the play?” he stated matter-of-factly, “I’ll accompany you.”
Jiang Li: “….”
She didn’t want to stand with Jih Heng, not to mention what the Jiang family members might think, and just being observed by Jih Heng’s probing gaze made Jiang Li feel too scrutinized.
Although she had been a wife in her past life and was not an innocent and naive girl, capable of dealing with various people, Jih Heng had a dangerous aura, like a venomous beast yet to reveal its claws.
One could only see its beautiful plumage and graceful form but not the lethal claws and the pose it strikes when it hunts, hidden under its lovely appearance.
But no matter what, she had no way to refuse Jih Heng’s request.
So, Jiang Li proceeded forward with Jih Heng.
…
At the waterside pavilion, the tea on the table had been refilled several times.
After the night banquet and lotus viewing, the Empress Dowager, being older, sat for a while and then needed to return to her sleeping palace to rest.
Imperial Consort Liu habitually opposed the Empress Dowager, so once the Empress Dowager left, she felt it was dull and soon departed as well.
Emperor Hongxiao wanted to discuss state affairs with his ministers, while the ladies in the waterside pavilion were gradually showing signs of fatigue.
Although the Apricot Blossom Brew served at the palace banquet was not intoxicating, after drinking a lot of it, and now with the night breeze blowing, it was comfortable to simply want to close one’s eyes and doze off for a while.
Lady Ji Chen saw this and smiled, suggesting, “Sitting here all the time does make one sleepy.
Why not stand up and take a walk?
I have heard that the lotuses at the far end of the waterfront walkway are blooming most vibrantly.
Consort Li said that a few days ago, a Lotus with Twin Flowers blossomed, which is a rare sight.
Let’s go take a look and widen our views.”
On hearing this, the young ladies and madams, who were previously dozing off, all perked up as if by unspoken agreement.