The Double-Chapter 742 - 222: Visiting_4

But no matter what, things still need to be done one by one, one after another.

The Jiang Family had no choice but to accept this arranged marriage, and thus could not be said to be enthusiastic. Lady Lu did not understand the implications and merely thought Yin Zhili to be much more gentle and kind-hearted than Jih Heng, often sighing with regret in front of Jiang Li.

Jiang Li did not agree, and the happiest were the maids in Fangfei Garden, precisely Bai Xue and Tonger. They had always taken Jiang Li’s preferences as their own, so the fact that Jiang Li could marry the one she liked was the best thing in the world to them. Therefore, regarding the bridal clothes, jewelry, and what patterns to embroider on the purse, Tonger and Bai Xue were even more enthusiastic than Jiang Li herself.

Jiang Li was both amused and exasperated. After learning about the imperial decree on her marriage, she had even visited the Ye Residence once, where Ye Mingyu grabbed her and demanded to know what was really going on. After finally placating Ye Mingyu, it was her turn to explain to Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao, and Jiang Li again found herself at a loss for words.

However, even for this matter, Xue Zhao had prepared in advance. Xue Huaiyuan surprisingly said he had long known about the deep relationship between Jiang Li and Jih Heng, and if Jiang Li truly liked Jih Heng, Xue Huaiyuan would have no objections. Upon hearing this, Jiang Li knew that Xue Zhao had told their father everything. Xue Zhao was even smugly proud, saying that if it weren’t for him, Jiang Li would now have to spend a great deal of effort just explaining to Xue Huaiyuan.

In short, what was difficult for the Jiang Family was understood with ease at the Xue Family. Xue Huaiyuan even told Jiang Li that he had never met Jih Heng, but according to what Xue Zhao said, he should not be as horrible as rumors suggested. Besides, Xue Huaiyuan also believed Jiang Li to be a sensible girl; if Jih Heng were such a villain, how could Jiang Li fancy him? He trusted Jiang Li’s judgment but still hoped to see Jih Heng with his own eyes one day, so that he could be at ease.

Jiang Li naturally agreed, but it wasn’t until she returned to the Jiang Residence that she started to worry. Ye Mingyu plainly found Jih Heng disagreeable; how could he take the initiative to invite Jih Heng over to the Ye Residence? And what if people found out about Jih Heng’s visit to the Ye Residence to see Xue Huaiyuan?

She felt a headache coming on and couldn’t help pressing her temples.

Tonger was tracing a flower pattern and, seeing her distress, said, "What’s wrong, Miss? Are you tired? Why don’t you rest for a while on the couch, after all the reading you’ve done this morning?"

"It’s you who should rest," replied Jiang Li. "You’ve been sitting here tracing patterns since morning; aren’t you tired?"

"Not at all." Tonger replied cheerfully, "I’m really enjoying it. Miss, look, what do you think about a peony pattern on the purse? Or perhaps butterflies would look good? I’ve drawn several patterns; you can choose carefully, Miss. I’ll have the other servants work on the others, but you’ll have to make the one for the Duke yourself."

Jiang Li was left speechless and asked, "Why should I make a purse for him?"

"Things are different now," said Tonger, still joyful. "Miss and the Duke have an engagement now; naturally, you’ll need to exchange tokens of affection."

"I don’t like doing needlework," Jiang Li said. In truth, she did not dislike needlework; when she was Xue Fangfei, she made clothes for Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan. After marrying Shen Yurong, it was the same. However, after becoming the Second Miss of the Jiang Family, although she wasn’t served hand and foot, many things indeed didn’t require her personal involvement, and she had rarely touched needle and thread.

It was the same now.

"But if Miss were to make a purse for the Duke, he would be very happy. Right, Bai Xue?" Tonger asked, turning to Bai Xue, who was drying tea leaves nearby.

Bai Xue, quite the honest person, got called upon abruptly and, after a pause, replied, "I am not the Duke; I don’t know if he would be happy."

Jiang Li was skeptical; would Jih Heng be pleased? He was extremely fastidious about the clothes he wore. Jiang Li had seen it several times; his garments were of the finest material and he changed daily. Although all were red, the patterns were always different. Her handicraft wasn’t bad, but by comparison, it was indeed quite modest.

To pretend to know what you don’t know is not as good as admitting your lack of skill—this was a truth Jiang Li knew well. She had no reason to seek out hardship for herself.

"Miss, should we go to the jewelry shop again in a few days? Have some new jewelry made. Oh dear, our residence has never had a lady’s marriage, so we don’t know what needs to be prepared for a wedding," said Tonger. "I should go ask around and find out."

Among the young ladies of the Jiang Residence, only Jiang Yue had gotten married, and that as a concubine; there was no auspicious wedding date, no grand bridal sedan, so it couldn’t really be called a marriage at all.

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