The Double-Chapter 729 - 220 Seizing Love

Jiang Li and her entourage entered the palace, guided by a palace servant leading the way, with Jiang Li walking behind. Jiang Jingrui also noticed the gazes from the official ladies sizing up Jiang Li earlier; he wanted to tease Jiang Li with this, but when he turned his head and saw Jiang Li’s indifferent expression, seemingly not very pleased, he wisely held his tongue and dared not to speak another word.

Strangely enough, he feared no one in the Jiang Family except for Jiang Li, always feeling a hint of wariness around her. Though Jiang Li was always smiling, he could clearly distinguish when her smile was polite, perfunctory, or angry.

Better not to provoke an angry girl, especially one like Jiang Li.

Upon reaching the palace hall, Jiang Li noticed that the ministers who were present to discuss merits and rewards weren’t many, at least not as many as the last palace banquet. On a closer look, Jiang Li understood somewhat. There were no small number of people involved with King Cheng’s Right Chancellor in the court, and this had cleared out many people. Among the high-ranking officials, one could almost say half were gone. Of course, this did not mean that the court of Northern Yan would now be unstable. Emperor Hongxiao might have prepared a long time ago for this day, supporting new nobles early on. Now with these old officials with hidden agendas giving up their positions, it was just the right time for the newcomers. These new officials were absolutely loyal to Emperor Hongxiao. Once even Jiang Yuanbai’s generation of old officials retire in succession, the court’s configuration would be completely different from before, thoroughly filled with Emperor Hongxiao’s people.

Jiang Yuanbai looked around at the people, his expression somewhat odd as if he too had thought of this.

Jiang Li had thought Madam Liu Xu would be present today, but after looking around, she did not see Madam Liu’s figure. It seemed that today’s palace banquet did not include Madam Liu, and those who were invited all seemed to be high-ranking newcomers. Gentleman Chengde, with his status, wasn’t among those qualified to attend.

As a result, there was no familiar friend that Jiang Li knew. Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou had two brothers and quickly went off to talk to them. Jiang Li stood in a corner of the great hall, standing together with Lady Lu, when suddenly, someone called her name: "Miss Jiang the Second!"

Jiang Li turned around and saw that it was Yin Zhiqing calling her from behind.

Jiang Li quickly replied, "County Princess."

Yin Zhiqing walked over, smiling happily, "I saw you as soon as I arrived, did you just get here too?"

Jiang Li nodded and looked towards Yin Zhiqing. Yin Zhiqing’s attire today was indeed very eye-catching. She was dressed in peacock-patterned brocade clothes, a rose-red long-tailed phoenix skirt, with ruby lips and shining teeth, looking around with a bright gaze. Even Jiang Li couldn’t help but internally praise her, thinking what a stunning beauty with a face like a lotus.

Yin Zhiqing, with her incredibly charming beauty, had a straightforward nature that was entirely different. She reached out to take Jiang Li’s hand, as if they were quite familiar. She said, "My brother is over there, come with me to greet him."

Before Jiang Li could speak, Lady Lu said with a smile, "Jiang Li, you should go. The Crown Prince is there too. It’s not interesting for young ladies like you to just stay with me."

Madam Jiang the Elder nodded. Inside, Jiang Li shook her head, but outwardly, she could only smile and said, "Okay."

Yin Zhili was standing outside the hall, talking with a young man. He actually had been living in Yunzhong all this time and hadn’t had any interaction with the people of Yanjing City. Strangely, the sons and daughters of the official families in Yanjing City didn’t seem to dislike him at all. There was no sense of exclusion, and it even seemed that they got along well with him. Jiang Li’s heart had a new consideration for Yin Zhili; achieving this was not easy. The sons and daughters of Yanjing’s official families tended to view themselves highly and didn’t wish to associate with people they looked down on. Even Jiang Li, who had been in Yanjing City for a year, and despite being a daughter of Jiang Family, had no close friends. This was partly because Jiang Li was unwilling to fawn over them, but they themselves were also resistant to Jiang Li joining their circle of noble ladies from the beginning.

Yin Zhiqing called out, "Brother!"

Yin Zhili had just finished conversing with the person in front of him and was about to leave when he heard Yin Zhiqing’s call. He turned around, and upon seeing Jiang Li, he momentarily paused, then a smile appeared in his eyes as he warmly greeted, "Miss Jiang the Second."

"Young Master Yin," Jiang Li responded.

Yin Zhiqing blinked and said, "You two talk, I’ll go tell my mother first." Without waiting for Yin Zhili to finish, she ran off, leaving Jiang Li and Yin Zhili standing together.

Yin Zhili looked somewhat helpless and apologized, "I’m sorry, my sister..."

"The County Princess is innocent and lovely; she is very endearing. Young Master Yin need not worry," Jiang Li said with a smile.

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