179: Chapter 91 Returning Home 179: Chapter 91 Returning Home “Why wait?
This is a perfect opportunity.
After Uncle Ming Xuan has finished his business, I’ll go back to Xiangyang with him.”
At these words, both Ye Shijie and Ye Mingxuan were taken aback.
Tonger also widened her eyes in surprise.
After a long while, Ye Mingxuan asked doubtfully, “Did you just say you want to go back to Xiangyang with me?”
“Yes,” Jiang Li replied readily, “I haven’t seen my grandmother and uncles for many years.
I was young and naive, made many mistakes.
Later on, when I realized how people and things work, I regretted it deeply but never had the chance to apologize in person.
Now that uncle has come to Yanjing, and he will be going back to Xiangyang in a few days, it’s the perfect opportunity.” She lowered her head slightly with a hint of guilt, “I’ve never had the chance to show filial piety to my grandmother, and I often feel uneasy when I think about it.”
Ye Shijie was initially inclined to snort in derision.
Hearing such words from Jiang Li seemed like a joke.
After all, Jiang Li had not been so pleasant towards the members of the Ye Family who had come to pick her up in the past.
But as the sarcastic words reached his lips and he looked into Jiang Li’s smiling eyes, Ye Shijie found he couldn’t utter them.
If she was lying, she must be the most skillful liar under the heavens, her eyes so sincere that any doubt seemed an insult.
Ye Mingxuan was so shocked that he found himself unable to speak.
Ye Mingxuan, who was in business all year round, was the sharpest and most cunning among the three sons of the Ye Family.
Unlike Ye Shijie, who didn’t realize that he had begun to inadvertently treat Jiang Li as someone he recognized, and by extension, acknowledged the changes in her, Ye Mingxuan firmly believed that a person’s nature wouldn’t change easily.
Moreover, even if the young Jiang Li was led astray by others and kept her distance from the Ye Family, why wouldn’t the person behind her continue to influence her over the years?
Jiang Li’s sudden enlightenment seemed illogical.
The Jiang Li he saw today was indeed different from the one he remembered.
Whether in terms of demeanor or speech, she was remarkable among the ladies of Yanjing City.
As for her sudden overtures to the Ye Family, Ye Mingxuan dared not conclude hastily.
He thought perhaps it was either instigated by the Jiang Family or Jiang Yuanbai, or Jiang Li had her own ulterior motives.
Who couldn’t put on a friendly face?
But her sudden request to return to Xiangyang confused Ye Mingxuan.
Firstly, albeit the Ye Family was extraordinarily wealthy, Xiangyang could not compare with the prosperity of Yanjing City.
Furthermore, travel by boat and carriage would be arduous.
Could a delicate young lady accustomed to comfort endure it?
On the other hand, if Jiang Yuanbai or the Jiang Family had directed Jiang Li to return to the Ye Family, what would they stand to gain?
Knowing that Jiang Li, alone at the Ye Family, wouldn’t be able to stir up much trouble, and would actually be vulnerable.
Was the Jiang Family willing to take such a risk for the mere purpose of currying favor?
“Uncle, you don’t have to overthink it,” Jiang Li said, her smile unwavering, “I simply want to visit my grandmother; that’s all.” As if glimpsing into Ye Mingxuan’s thoughts, she suddenly spoke.
Struck at the core by her words, Ye Mingxuan’s face did not show any sign of embarrassment.
Instead, he immediately smiled and said, “I was thinking, the journey back to Xiangyang is long and challenging.
How would you, a young girl, endure it?”
“Don’t forget, uncle, I lived in a temple for eight years.
I had to fetch water and chop wood all by myself; I’m not so delicate,” replied Jiang Li.
She spoke openly, without a hint of shame, as if she was simply detailing a segment of her past life, leaving Ye Mingxuan momentarily speechless.
Ye Shijie frowned slightly.
“However, I’m afraid your father wouldn’t feel at ease letting you go back with us,” Ye Mingxuan pondered aloud.
“If uncle could negotiate with my father, I believe he would allow me to go back,” Jiang Li said indifferently, “My mother has been dead for more than ten years, and I have grown up.
There is also my third sister at home; I am not the only legitimate daughter.
My father’s attention won’t be focused solely on me.”
Her words were suggestive; after Ye Zhenzhen’s death, Ji Shuran became a part of the family.
If Ji Shuran wished to create the impression of a kind mother, she would have to make Jiang Li become close to her.
And as long as the Ye Family was around, it would be impossible for Ji Shuran to be the closest person to Jiang Li.
Thus, a rift between Jiang Li and the Ye Family had to be created.
As to how this rift came to be, it depended on the methods used.
These were conclusions Jiang Li had come to later on.
At that time, Ji Shuran probably coaxed the young Miss Jiang the Second, making her say unpleasant things about her own grandmother, thereby breaking the relationship between the two families.
Whether Jiang Yuanbai was aware of it was uncertain.
Still, even if he knew, given the choice between a merchant in-law and an in-law who was a Vice Imperial Envoy, he would prefer the connection with the Vice Imperial Envoy.