Jiang Li had regretted it deeply when she found out about all this in her previous life. She regretted being so nosy. Since Yin Ranshuang liked Wei Zizhang, Jiang Li should have just let her leap into the abyss if that was what she wanted. Jiang Li also felt guilty toward Yin Ranshuang’s husband; she was the one who had ruined him. This time, Jiang Li would no longer stop Yin Ranshuang. If necessary, she would even lend her a helping hand.
Yin Ranshuang stared at Wei Zizhang for a long time, only withdrawing her gaze when he finally walked away. Noticing Jiang Li beside her, Yin Ranshuang tried to fish for information. "Jiang Li, do you know the gentleman who was standing by the flowers just now?"
Of course Jiang Li knew him. However, she knew him from her previous life; logically, she shouldn’t know him in this one. She shook her head, though she didn’t forget to offer an idea. "If you want to know, Ranshuang, you can just send a maid to ask around."
Yin Ranshuang thought that made sense. She simply had to know. Thus, she sent someone to find out. But feeling that sending someone was too slow, she decided to get closer and make the gentleman notice her. She was dressed so brightly and beautifully today; she refused to believe she couldn’t catch his eye.
Seeing Yin Ranshuang lift the hem of her skirt and walk away, Jiang Li immediately guessed what she was up to. She didn’t chase after her, choosing instead to stay put and watch. She watched as Yin Ranshuang walked forward and, just as she neared Wei Zizhang, loosened her grip on her handkerchief. After the handkerchief fell to the ground, Yin Ranshuang bent down to pick it up, then feigned a loss of balance and bumped right into Wei Zizhang’s arms.
Jiang Li found it hilarious. Such behavior was not something a noble lady from a noble family would ever do. From this very first meeting, Wei Zizhang probably wouldn’t even consider Yin Ranshuang a girl from a decent family. No matter. This was Yin Ranshuang’s true nature, after all.
Wei Zizhang reached out to steady Yin Ranshuang. They were in the Princess Mansion, after all. No matter how much of a scoundrel he usually was, even he wouldn’t dare harass a young woman here.
"Careful, miss."
Captivated by his voice, Yin Ranshuang was completely unable to snap out of her daze. Lowering her head slightly, she was too shy to look at him. "Thank you for saving me, sir."
Looking down, Wei Zizhang noticed the red tips of Yin Ranshuang’s ears and gave a faint smirk. She was just another woman utterly enchanted by him.
"You’re too polite, miss. The path is slippery, so please be careful."
Yin Ranshuang nodded slightly and gathered her courage to ask, "Seeing your outstanding demeanor, sir, I can’t help but wonder which family you belong to?"
Wei Zizhang was very familiar with this routine. After all, he often encountered people asking about his background when he was out and about. He answered swiftly, "I am the third son of Prince An’s Mansion, Wei Zizhang."
Yin Ranshuang had never interacted with the Imperial Family before, much less understood its complex inner workings. The moment she heard Wei Zizhang was from a Prince Manor, she felt his background was incredibly noble. She lowered her head. "So it is Third Young Master Wei. I am a daughter of the Yin Family."
Wei Zizhang had never heard of the Yin Family in the Capital City. He assumed it was just some obscure, insignificant household that had managed to leech off someone else to attend the flower-viewing banquet—completely beneath his notice. However, he still gave Yin Ranshuang a second glance. If this woman was interested in him, she would deliver herself to his doorstep on her own.
Watching the entire exchange from the sidelines, Jiang Li felt nothing but icy indifference. She wanted to see if Yin Ranshuang could successfully marry Wei Zizhang this time without her interference.
Even after Wei Zizhang walked away, Yin Ranshuang’s eyes continued to follow him, filled with sheer adoration. Unable to hold back, she asked, "Jiang Li, is Prince An’s Mansion a very high-ranking family?"
"Naturally. A Commandery Prince is part of the Imperial Family. They are imperial relatives, so of course their status is noble."
Jiang Li wasn’t lying with this answer. A Prince Manor was indeed a high-ranking household. But Wei Zizhang was born of a concubine, disliked by his legitimate mother, and infamous for his poor conduct. No one thought highly of him. Even the Commandery Prince paid little mind to this son of his. Furthermore, as an illegitimate son, the title of nobility would never fall to him. Jiang Li couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it any longer. Having been reborn, she finally understood what it meant to never meddle in the affairs of an ungrateful wretch.
As she was lost in thought, she heard a shout.
"Mr. Pan, you’re finally here."
Jiang Li looked toward the voice and noticed the newcomer. It was none other than the top scholar from two years ago, Pan Shiyan. Looking closely, A Gua did bear some resemblance to Pan Shiyan. They really might be father and daughter.
Jiang Li listened to the commotion around Pan Shiyan with half an ear and heard someone teasing him.
"Brother Pan, you’re not getting any younger. Why are you so reluctant to take a wife? Could it be that you prefer the company of men?"
"Brother Jia, please don’t joke with me. I am already married and have a lovely daughter. Sadly, I was separated from them, and I still haven’t found their whereabouts."
Hearing Pan Shiyan say this, the people around him instantly became intrigued.
"Brother Pan, did your wife elope with someone else?"
Pan Shiyan’s face turned serious. "Don’t speak nonsense. I was separated from my wife and daughter when I traveled to the Capital City for the imperial examinations. I will definitely find them."
Jiang Li observed Pan Shiyan’s expression. He didn’t seem to be lying. Why was there a discrepancy between his words and what A Gua had said? A Gua had clearly stated that after she and her mother arrived in the Capital City, they went to find Pan Shiyan, but he refused to acknowledge them. Once the people she had sent out finished their investigation, she would uncover the truth of the matter.
However, Pan Shiyan was quite handsome, and now that he worked in the Hanlin Academy, his future was limitless. If he wanted to marry the daughter of a powerful and wealthy family, it likely wouldn’t be difficult. The fact that he hadn’t remarried after becoming the top scholar meant he might truly be waiting for A Gua and her mother. Jiang Li reined in her thoughts and didn’t ponder it any further.
Seeing more and more male guests filling the garden, Jiang Li took Yin Ranshuang’s arm and urged, "Ranshuang, let’s head back to the flower hall first. It’s getting too crowded here."
Yin Ranshuang found Jiang Li’s timid behavior incredibly annoying, but since they were out in public, she still had to give her some face. But remembering the humiliation she had suffered in the flower hall earlier, she had no desire to return.
"Do we have to go to the flower hall? Since this is a flower-viewing banquet, can’t we just stay here and view the flowers?"
Jiang Li put on a timid expression. "I suppose we could, but the Eldest Princess will likely go to the flower hall first. We need to go and pay our respects to her."
Yin Ranshuang felt a bit impatient, but thinking that Jiang Li might be right, she decided to head back for now. Besides, she already knew that the gentleman was from Prince An’s Mansion and that he was the third son. It shouldn’t be too hard to see him again in the future. Reluctantly, Yin Ranshuang followed Jiang Li back to the flower hall.
Sure enough, no sooner had they returned than the Eldest Princess and Commandery Princess Baoqing arrived. After taking her seat, the Eldest Princess noticed Jiang Li sitting in the corner, along with the flashy butterfly beside her.
Ever since she was disfigured, the Eldest Princess had loved lively gatherings. She would host flower-viewing banquets on a whim, inviting the ladies and misses of the Capital City to admire the blooms. Sometimes she would even invite male guests, and when she was in a good mood, she liked to play matchmaker. Since there was a large crowd today, the Eldest Princess had every intention of arranging some matches. She turned to the senior maid beside her and asked, "Have the young masters from Prince An’s Mansion and Prince Kang Mansion arrived?"