The Double-Chapter 490 - 152: Go to the Banquet_6

Xiao Deyin seemed quite surprised to find Jiang Li here, and smiled, "I didn’t expect you to come. I haven’t seen you at Mingyi Hall these days. I heard you caught a cold, are you feeling better now?"

She didn’t bring up any of the matters regarding the Jiang Family, acting as if she was thoroughly considerate of Jiang Li’s situation. Jiang Li thanked Xiao Deyin for her concern, and after Xiao Deyin left, Liu Xu sighed, "Among the teachers at Mingyi Hall, only Mr. Xiao is the most gentle."

Jiang Li smiled and said nothing. She once thought Xiao Deyin was the gentlest among them, for someone who could play such moving zither music must be a sensitive person. But the truth is ugly, the truth is disappointing.

After sitting for a while longer, the host family finally emerged. Mother Shen and Shen Ruyun came out first, followed by Shen Yurong. Mother Shen led Shen Ruyun in greeting the various ladies and misses, with Shen Ruyun dressed in a rose-purple peony patterned brocade robe and a long skirt with embroidered fringes, truly looking very splendid. She was meticulously made up today too, perhaps because she was soon to marry into Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion, achieving her desire and looking exceptionally charming.

Behind them came Shen Yurong. As soon as he appeared, many noble young ladies’ gazes, initially stuck on the Li brothers, instantly turned to Shen Yurong. Such a talented and promising young Lord Shen, even if he were just a - , he would still be sought after by everyone. Moreover, this master is known to be a romantic, remaining steadfast beside his wife despite the shameful things she did, which is what every woman desires in a husband. Shen Yurong, with all that aside from a lesser family fortune, really had no flaws to find.

A look of pride couldn’t help but appear on Mother Shen’s face. She loved this feeling of being the center of attention, with every guest who came today being someone they would have had to look up to years ago. Now, to have these people praising her children and courting her favor made her feel that all the past hardships were worthwhile, even if just for this moment’s vanity.

Jiang Li took in Mother Shen’s expression completely; having been mother-and-daughter-in-law with this woman for three years, she knew very well what Mother Shen was thinking. She couldn’t help but smile ironically to herself. Even with Shen Yurong’s rise in status and wealth, making her the mother of a higher echelon, her inherent vanity and vulgarity were just the same as before, if not more blatantly displayed.

The family banquet at Shen residence was about to begin, and everyone took their seats. Maids served one exquisite dish after another, and Jiang Li, not having seen it for a long time, noticed the servants at Shen residence had increased in number, and even the taste of the food had changed.

Back when she married into the Shen family, they had little to their name, relying on Shen Yurong’s writing and Xue Fangfei’s dowry for sustenance. She managed the household frugally, but the day’s meals could not be too modest. Despite this, she was still often scorned by Shen Ruyun and Mother Shen for her supposed inability to run a household.

Now, it seemed the Shen family was not lacking silver at all, with every meal featuring lavish meats and lavish banquets being prepared. She wondered how much of this silver came from Princess Yongning’s gifts.

Jiang Li had just thought of this when she heard a servant from Shen residence coming to announce—Princess Yongning had arrived.

The guests at the banquet were all surprised. Why would Princess Yongning suddenly come?

The corners of Jiang Li’s mouth twitched, of course, Princess Yongning would come. Wherever Shen Yurong was, she would follow without hesitation. It used to be fine, but the enthusiasm for the Tongxiang case had not yet completely faded, and the rumors behind Feng Yutang were not yet dispelled. Princess Yongning ought to maintain a distance from the Shen family; her coming now would likely displease Shen Yurong. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

She looked over discreetly at Shen Yurong seated elsewhere.

Shen Yurong wore a smile on his lips, half-listening to a colleague next to him while casually glancing towards the entrance of the garden. In that glance, Jiang Li distinctly saw impatience and displeasure.

He and Princess Yongning indeed had differences.

Yongning was willful and clung to Shen Yurong tightly, unwilling to part even for a moment. However, in Shen Yurong’s heart, staying with Yongning was clearly not his top priority. At this point, given Shen Yurong’s character, he would only try to avoid suspicion, and Yongning’s clinginess would only aggravate him.

Jiang Li lifted her cup of tea, sipping it lightly, her smile gentle and warm.

"I didn’t expect the princess to come so suddenly." Liu Xu, sitting beside Jiang Li, whispered to her secretly.

At this time, Princess Yongning also entered with the young servant guiding her.

The banquet today was set by Mother Shen for Shen Ruyun, yet Princess Yongning’s attire was even more dazzling than Shen Ruyun’s, with a cinnabar-red pearl embroidered bodice and a long skirt outlined with flying birds, and her hair styled into a golden wire bejeweled bun, making her stand out immensely. Her lips were rosy, her smile enchanting as she said, "I happened to pass by, and upon hearing the festivities, I learned there was a banquet inside. I came to have a look; I hope Madam Shen won’t mind?"