The Double-Chapter 487 - 152: Going to the Banquet_3

Tonger and Bai Xue chattered for a few moments before they went out, and Jiang Li climbed onto the bed, blew out the candle, but couldn’t fall asleep. She kept thinking about Jiang Youyao’s matter, and it all seemed so strange.

How could such a grown person just disappear without a reason? If she were on the streets, she would surely be easily spotted, and no official family would dare to hide her. Jiang Yuanbai even had people check the tea houses and brothels to see if she had been captured by human traffickers, but to no avail. There was no news of Jiang Youyao at the city gate checkpoints. Could it be... she was being hidden by someone?

Lost in thought, Jiang Li couldn’t come up with any conclusion. She turned over and closed her eyes. Tomorrow’s issues would be dealt with tomorrow; let Jiang Yuanbai report to the officials and have a search conducted again. If they couldn’t find her... If she couldn’t be found, she would ask Zhao Ke.

Perhaps he would know.

...

Early the next day, when Jiang Li stepped out of Fangfei Garden to greet Madam Jiang the Elder, she indeed didn’t see Jiang Yuanbai, who must have gone to report to the authorities. Lady Lu was also present, but without her usual shrewdness and assertiveness, she sat meekly to one side, even shaking her head at Jiang Li, as if warning her not to anger the old madam and to just wait quietly and see how things unfolded.

Madam Jiang the Elder was probably truly angered. The matter with Ji Shuran had not yet been settled, and now Jiang Youyao’s issue had risen anew. The Jiang family was truly about to become the laughingstock of Yanjing City.

The atmosphere in Night Wind Hall was very solemn. It was at this moment that Feicui suddenly entered, holding an invitation card in her hand and delivering it to Madam Jiang the Elder, "Old madam, the mother of the Assistant Head Writer has sent over an invitation."

Assistant Head Writer? Jiang Li’s heart stirred, the Shen family? She couldn’t help but lift her head to look at the invitation in Madam Jiang the Elder’s hand.

Madam Jiang the Elder quickly read through the invitation and appeared somewhat weary as she responded, "Send a reply saying we’ve received it. These next few days, it’s best to avoid going out, particularly since we don’t usually have much to do with the Shen family. Moreover, with the fifth girl’s situation, going there would only lead to awkwardness." Her gaze then caught Jiang Li staring intently at the invitation in her hand.

Since Jiang Li had been in the Jiang Residence, she had always appeared to take everything lightly. Whether it was jewelry or fine silk, even if they were gifts for her, she would only offer a slight smile and show no great excitement. This disinterested demeanor was comforting, yet somewhat unsettling, especially to the old woman and Jiang Yuanbai, who wanted to make up for Jiang Li’s past grievances. Right now, Madam Jiang the Elder saw Jiang Li showing a rare interest and after pondering for a moment, she asked, "Second girl, would you like to go?"

Jiang Li was startled, and Lady Lu also looked over at her. Jiang Li smiled slightly, "I’m merely curious." Though she said this, her gaze was still fixed on the invitation.

Madam Jiang the Elder caught on immediately and after considering for a moment, said, "In that case, accept the invitation. If they are extending an invite and we do not attend, it would seem like the Jiang family lacks confidence. There’s no issue at hand, yet who knows what they might say behind our backs. Two days from now, second girl, you should dress up and accompany me to the banquet."

Lady Lu curiously asked, "Why would the Shen family hold a banquet?"

Madam Jiang the Elder glanced at her, "Miss Shen is getting married, and in ten days, she will enter the gates of Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion. A banquet is being held before her marriage to entertain guests."

The Shen family was not blessed with many offspring, and Mother Shen only had one son and one daughter. With Shen Yurong yet to remarry, Shen Ruyun’s marriage was presumably a major event for the Shen family.

Lady Lu nodded, "Well, our Jiang Li should dress up for the occasion. Now..." She chuckled, leaving her sentence unfinished, but Jiang Li understood what she meant. She had reached the age of discussing marriage, and regardless of how the marriage plans went, it was at least time to start looking at potential suitors.

However, this was not the best of times, with all the turmoil that had befallen the Jiang family. But for Jiang Li, this was exactly what she had hoped for. She didn’t want to get married; she wanted revenge. How could she carry out her desires confined within the inner quarters of the residence?

She would be only too glad if she could not find a match.

But Madam Jiang the Elder began to seriously consider Lady Lu’s words. Previously deceived by Ji Shuran, Jiang Li’s marriage had been put on hold. Then, the situation was further complicated by Jiang Yue’s interference. Although in retrospect, the match with Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion didn’t seem so good, nor was Zhou Yanbang a suitable match, it was certain that Jiang Li had been wronged.

It was about time to take a look at the eligible young men of Yanjing City. At the feast at the Shen residence, many were bound to be present. If she spotted any decent prospects, she would have someone inquire about them. Madam Jiang the Elder mulled this over.

She was unaware that Jiang Li’s smiling lips had unconsciously turned down at the corners.