176: Chapter 90 Uncle_3 176: Chapter 90 Uncle_3 Jiang Li was momentarily bewildered when Uncle Ming Xuan addressed her as “Ah Li,” and she thought it was Xue Huaiyuan calling her “Ah Li.”
Ye Mingxuan scrutinized Jiang Li, a hint of surprise also flashed through his eyes.
Having learned many things from Ye Shijie’s mouth, such as the bet she made at Mingyi Hall with Meng Hongjin, the way she astonished everyone at the Inspection Field, and the incident where she held a knife to force Ye Shijie to come up with rational strategies during the palace banquet—each and every event was hard for Ye Mingxuan to imagine being done by that somewhat headstrong little girl who used to speak hurtfully.
Ten years had passed, and it had been ten years since Ye Mingxuan had last seen Jiang Li.
After Ye Zhenzhen’s death, the Ye Family, fearing that Jiang Yuanbai’s new wife would treat Jiang Li harshly after remarrying, considered bringing Jiang Li back to Tongxiang.
Although the Ye Family could not compare with the Jiang Family as an official family, at least they would sincerely protect Jiang Li and ensure she had a worry-free life of luxury.
But the reality was that Jiang Li, nearly five years old, looked down on them with a face of scorn, complaining in front of Old Madam Ye that the Ye Family were just merchants and spouting hurtful words that merchants were all lowly.
Old Madam Ye fell seriously ill after that, and it wasn’t as if the members of the Ye Family bore no grudge against Jiang Li.
How could such a small child say things that hurt people so much?
And it seemed that even then, she had already acquired the cool detachment and the hidden mercenary nature of people in official circles from the Jiang Family’s blood, more adept at analyzing pros and cons than they as merchants.
It was really hard to let go.
The girl now standing before Ye Mingxuan, dressed in a light-green blouse and a pale blue long skirt, was tall and slender, strikingly beautiful.
Her lips curled into a smile, her expression gentle and pure, no longer showing the sharpness and hostility of the past, which was immensely comforting to observe.
She truly was different from before.
Ye Mingxuan found himself briefly envisioning his sister Ye Zhenzhen, but upon closer inspection, Jiang Li was different from Ye Zhenzhen.
Ye Zhenzhen was bright and naive, like a fluffy little animal nurtured in the sunlight, carefree and adorable.
Jiang Li, on the other hand, was like a pear tree growing alone by the stream, unseen in its solitary endurance of wind, frost, rain, and snow, blooming into white, exquisite flowers upon the strength within her.
Ye Mingxuan’s past resentment towards that little girl seemed to dissipate by more than half in the clarity of Jiang Li’s eyes, unnoticed.
He didn’t know if this was due to the bonds of blood, which made it difficult for him to remain cold and indifferent towards Jiang Li, or if it was because Jiang Li seemed too kind and pure, leading him to completely separate this Jiang Li from the five-year-old Jiang Li in his mind.
He gave Jiang Li a sincere, warm smile.
Madam Jiang the Elder noticed Ye Mingxuan’s admiration and let out a sigh of relief.
Nowadays, Ye Shijie had become the Assistant Minister of Revenue, and reaching such a position at his age was not easy.
With the past marital relation, it could become an asset for both branches of the Jiang Family on their official paths in the future.
So when Ye Shijie and Ye Mingxuan actively visited, Madam Jiang the Elder’s first response was to consider renewing the cordial relations with the Ye Family.
Madam Jiang the Elder was aware of the harsh words Jiang Li had once said to the members of the Ye Family.
She herself did not believe that members of the Ye Family harbored no hard feelings.
However, Jiang Li was now a changed person, and Madam Jiang the Elder hoped that after they met, they would discuss it further.
Now that they had met, Ye Mingxuan’s attitude toward Jiang Li was relatively gentle, which was a good sign in Madam Jiang the Elder’s eyes.
At least the Ye Family would not say outside that the Jiang Family had mistreated Ye Zhenzhen’s daughter or deliberately led her astray.
Ye Mingxuan laughed, “You probably don’t recognize me anymore.
The last time I saw you, you were just a little one.” He gestured with his hand down to his knee, “—You were about this tall.” He said, “I’m your mother’s second brother, just call me Uncle Ming Xuan.”
“Uncle Ming Xuan,” Jiang Li called softly.
She felt good about Ye Mingxuan, but she didn’t know if it was because his calling her “Ah Li” reminded her of Xue Huaiyuan.
“Your Uncle Ming Xuan is here in Yanjing on some business, and he took the opportunity to come see you,” Madam Jiang the Elder said with a smile.
“He even brought you a gift, which will be moved to your courtyard in a while.”
Jiang Li smiled, her mind clear on the matter.
How could Ye Mingxuan have brought her a gift?
It must have been something bought nearby in Yanjing City, after all, there had been no contact between Ye Mingxuan, the Jiang Family, and herself previously.
This sudden visit to the Jiang Family must have been prompted by Ye Shijie discussing her with him.
Jiang Li glanced at Ye Shijie, and when he saw her looking his way, he turned his head aside, avoiding her gaze as if feeling somewhat guilty.