The Double-Chapter 489 - 152: Attending the Banquet_5

Liu Xu said, "Are you well? How long has it been since I’ve seen you? Has it been two or three months? I wanted to visit your mansion before, but I heard things at the Jiang Family have been rather unsettled, so it seemed inappropriate to visit rashly. I thought about asking you to meet me, but I was afraid you would find it inconvenient to leave your home. I didn’t expect to see you here today."

Jiang Li smiled faintly, "A lot has happened recently, but it’s all in the past now."

Liu Xu sized up Jiang Li and, seeing that her demeanor did not seem feigned and she hadn’t become haggard or lost weight, finally breathed a sigh of relief, "That’s good to hear. Seeing you like this puts my mind at ease. How come you’re here alone today? I don’t see Jiang Youyao."

Outsiders weren’t aware yet that Jiang Youyao was missing, so Jiang Li said with a smile, "She’s at home, grounded."

Liu Xu said, "Given her temperament, she must be causing trouble at home again. It’s probably better that she didn’t come; I really fear she’d trouble you."

"Thank you," Jiang Li also smiled, looking at Liu Xu, "I trust you haven’t had any issues recently?"

Liu Xu replied, "Not really," but as she spoke, she seemed to hint at some unspeakable concern, hesitating. Noticing this, Jiang Li softly asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Liu Xu glanced at her, and with a helpless sigh, said, "My father says it’s time to look for potential suitors for me. Today, my mother also came to the banquet to scope out suitable candidates. Heaven knows I don’t want to get married at all; what’s so good about marrying?" As she spoke, she turned to Jiang Li, her eyes lighting up, "Speaking of which, you must be attending the banquet for the same reason, right? You’re around my age, and the Jiang Family should have been looking for suitors for you by now!"

"Perhaps," Jiang Li laughed.

"You don’t seem to be taking it to heart at all," Liu Xu said doubtfully, watching her, "You’re neither shy nor afraid, you talk as if it’s about someone else."

"Me?" Jiang Li came back to her senses and laughed, "I’m like you; I don’t want to marry either. But such matters are not for me to decide. Rather than worry for nothing, it’s better to be at ease."

Hearing this, Liu Xu also sighed and said, "Who asked us to be born women, yet often we have it much harder than men."

Jiang Li glanced elsewhere. Among the guests today were members of the Ji family, Lady Chen Ji was also present, but after just a brief greeting with Madam Jiang the Elder, she sat far away. Because of Ji Shuran’s situation, the relationship between the Ji family and the Jiang Family had become quite awkward. It was not easy to say anything.

Besides them, Jiang Li also saw members of Right Chancellor Li’s Family. Li Xian and Li Lian had actually come too, but on second thought, it made sense since Shen Yurong had thrown her lot in with Prince Cheng, and the Right Chancellor had long colluded with Prince Cheng. Shen Yurong and the Right Chancellor were on the same side. Jiang Li noticed that many of the young women present kept glancing at the Li brothers.

Li Xian and Li Lian were both striking figures. Especially Li Xian, young and talented, with official rank. Although Li Lian seemed like a playboy, his handsome features and social status still made many girls’ hearts flutter. These two brothers were still unmarried, making them extremely desirable among the ladies of Yanjing’s high society. When it came to selecting a marriage partner, either very open-minded families would allow their children to follow their own preferences, or the higher the status, the more they insisted on a match of equal social standing. Others could set their sights on the Li Family, but the Li Family had to regard them favorably in return.

Madam Jiang the Elder also noticed this and couldn’t help but glance towards Jiang Li. Seeing that Jiang Li only talked with Liu Xu and did not look at the Li brothers, she felt relieved. Although the Li brothers were desirable, the Li Family and the Jiang Family were mortal enemies. If Jiang Li also fancied the Li brothers, it was definitely not going to happen. Fortunately, Jiang Li seemed to have no interest in them.

The young ladies who had come today all kept their distance from Jiang Li. Although the charge of matricide and fratricide was no longer upon her, the recent plethora of troubles at the Jiang Family had led everyone to steer clear of trouble and avoid association with the Jiang family members. Jiang Li was glad for the peace and quiet.

While chatting with Liu Xu, Liu Xu suddenly said, "Ah, I didn’t expect Mr. Xiao to come too."

Jiang Li looked up and saw Xiao Deyin wearing a loose purple gown, her robes flowing as she walked gracefully towards them. She always seemed gentle and refined, and that was still the case today. Among the younger girls, she was not overshadowed; instead, she possessed a unique beauty.

Many of the ladies here were also students of Mingyi Hall, and they immediately greeted Xiao Deyin warmly. Xiao Deyin smiled in response and, when she reached Jiang Li and Liu Xu, they both stood up to greet her with a bow.