The Double-Chapter 474 - 150 Joy Together_4

Jiang Li hesitated for a moment, thinking of the way Jiang Yuyan looked at Ye Shijie at the dinner table earlier, considering whether or not to warn Ye Shijie. Little did she know that her bashful demeanor caught Ye Mingyu’s attention, who was pleased and said, "You two chat, I’ll go out first." He even dragged Xue Huaiyuan out with him.

Only Jiang Li and Ye Shijie were left in the courtyard, and Ye Shijie felt somewhat uneasy for no reason. Seeing Ye Mingyu leave, Jiang Li felt she had no choice but to speak up, "Cousin Ye, you should be cautious around Miss Jiang the Fourth."

"Miss Jiang the Fourth?" Ye Shijie was startled, "What do you mean?"

"I think... Miss Jiang the Fourth seems to like you quite a bit." Jiang Li said this with some embarrassment, but thinking it’s better to prevent problems before they arise, she decided to spill it all out, "Actually, Miss Jiang the Fourth is quite nice on ordinary days, just a bit timid. However, I’m not reassured. Lately, the third branch of the Jiang Family has been rather strange. Previously, at the palace banquet, Jiang Yue had plotted against both of us, and I always fear the same mistake may repeat itself, them resorting to their old tricks. Although it feels a bit like suspecting the honest of foul play, being a little careful is never a bad thing. You wouldn’t want to be entangled in troublesome matters, right?"

Jiang Li stopped at that, not saying more, but she believed that Ye Shijie, with his intelligence, would understand what she meant. The third branch had a Jiang Yue, and although Jiang Yuyan had never done anything wrong to date, she could still be misled or decide to follow Jiang Yue’s example, or possibly be strategized by Lady Yang.

For Jiang Yuyan, securing a marriage with Ye Shijie was definitely an excellent match. Not to mention that Ye Shijie already held an official post and was bound for greater success in the future, even the wealth of the Ye Family was enough to turn heads. Although merchants were often frowned upon for smelling of money, living within a merchant family, free of worries for food and clothing, was something many people couldn’t even wish for.

After listening to Jiang Li, Ye Shijie said, "I understand, I’ll be careful with Miss Jiang the Fourth."

Jiang Li nodded, then heard Ye Shijie ask, "I heard from my third uncle that you have been quite close to Duke Su?

Jiang Li was startled. Ye Shijie was usually too busy. Every time Jiang Li visited the Ye Residence, Ye Shijie was not around. The same went for Situ Jiuyue. Hence, the direct encounters between Ye Shijie and Jih Heng were few. But that didn’t mean he was unaware.

"The Duke has helped me," Jiang Li replied with a smile.

Ye Shijie said, "You should be careful. Jih Heng is very cunning. If he wants to use you to control the Jiang Family, it could be bad." The last time there was a court debate, Prince Cheng threatened Jiang Li, and it was Jih Heng who helped her out of the predicament. Ye Shijie still remembered it clearly and found it strange at the time why Jih Heng would stand up for Jiang Li. After hearing Ye Mingyu mention it a few times, Ye Shijie had this strange feeling that the relationship between Jiang Li and Jih Heng was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.

Jiang Li said, "I know."

She only said "I know," but did not agree to heed Ye Shijie’s advice to be cautious of Jih Heng. For some reason, this gave Ye Shijie an uncomfortable feeling. He disliked this sensation and said, "In that case, I have nothing else to say. I’m going to return to the Ye Residence with the third branch now," he paused and finally added, "If you have any trouble, you can come to the Ye Residence and tell us. Although I don’t have the power or status of Duke Su, I won’t harm you."

Jiang Li bent her eyes into a smile, "Thank you, Cousin Ye."

Her smile seemed somewhat dazzling in Ye Shijie’s eyes. Whether it was out of avoidance or something else, Ye Shijie quickly turned his head away, not saying more, and left with Ye Mingyu.

After all the members of the Ye Family had left, taking Xue Huaiyuan with them, and after setting off fireworks, they went to Night Wind Hall to speak for a while. Madam Jiang the Elder was getting on in years and soon felt tired, saying she wanted to go to sleep. Thus, only a few of the younger ones were left in the hall. Jiang Jingrui clamored about staying up for the New Year, but Jiang Jingyou refused, wanting to go back to rest as he needed to get up early to study the next day. Jiang Li was also not keen on staying up; as she felt she had nothing to talk about. She rather return to her courtyard to think about how to deal with Xiao Deyin.

After holding out for a while longer, even the previously boisterous Jiang Jingrui started nodding off from sleepiness. Lady Lu couldn’t bear to see it anymore and had the servants take him to bed. Jiang Li stood up and said to Lady Lu, "Second aunt, I’m really feeling tired. I won’t keep you company any longer today and would like to go rest." fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

"If you’re not staying up, then don’t," Lady Lu was also feeling somewhat listless, not sure if it was because there were fewer people or something else, but she just felt like this year’s New Year’s celebration lacked its usual charm. Even Ji Shuran, who was often disliked, now seemed dearer in retrospect; another person would’ve made the occasion merrier. As it was, they just couldn’t seem to liven up the atmosphere.