Just as Jiang Li grew concerned, Yin Ranshuang slowly averted her gaze, found Wei Zizhang, and turned her attention to him.
As always, Yin Ranshuang’s eyes were filled with infatuation.
Jiang Li breathed a small sigh of relief, having feared some new complication would arise.
Thankfully, nothing did.
Jiang Li’s observation had been correct. The moment Yin Ranshuang noticed Wei Zhaohe, she’d had a change of heart.
After all, Wei Zhaohe was by no means less handsome than Wei Zizhang. In fact, one could say he was even more debonair, with a scholarly air about him.
But Yin Ranshuang gave up on Wei Zhaohe in a very short time. It wasn’t for any particular reason, other than she noticed the fabric of his clothes was quite ordinary.
Yin Ranshuang didn’t just want to marry a handsome face; she wanted to marry the son of a powerful and noble family.
Compared to Wei Zhaohe, whose status was a complete mystery, Yin Ranshuang decided the third son of Prince An’s Mansion was a much better choice.
Besides, Wei Zizhang was also good-looking. It didn’t matter if he was slightly less handsome than Wei Zhaohe.
In the Capital City, looks were hardly worth mentioning when compared to status and power.
Having made her decision, Yin Ranshuang began plotting how to get closer to Wei Zizhang.
She had exchanged a few words with Wei Zizhang before, but now she was watching him laugh and chat with someone else.
’He’s the man I’ve set my sights on. How could I let someone else snatch him away?’
Yin Ranshuang would not stand for it.
And so, Yin Ranshuang walked straight over, and just as she reached Wei Zizhang’s side, she faltered and fell into his arms.
Jiang Li could only watch in exasperation. Using the same trick twice in such a short time would only make others look down on Yin Ranshuang.
Yet, for some reason, Yin Ranshuang was extremely fond of such tactics.
Unlike last time, Yin Ranshuang threw her entire body into his embrace, wrapping her arms directly around Wei Zizhang’s waist.
Wei Zizhang, who had been in the middle of a casual conversation, froze. He was just wondering why girls kept throwing themselves at him today when the young lady in his arms lifted her head.
The familiar face made Wei Zizhang realize it was the same young lady from before.
’I don’t think I’ve ever seen this young lady before. Why has she deliberately thrown herself at me twice?’
’She must be captivated by me.’
Wei Zizhang asked in a gentle voice, "Are you alright, miss?"
Tears welled in Yin Ranshuang’s eyes. "Oh—I think I twisted my ankle. It hurts so much."
Wei Zizhang was an expert at dealing with young women and knew that what they needed most in such moments was concern. He put on a worried expression. "You’re injured? We must get you to a physician at once. We can’t afford any delay. Please forgive my forwardness."
With that, he swept Yin Ranshuang up into his arms and headed for the exit.
Yin Ranshuang buried her head in Wei Zizhang’s chest, not daring to look at anyone. Her face flushed beet-red with shyness.
’I just wanted to get closer to Wei Zizhang. I never expected him to carry me out and insist on taking me to a physician.’
’Doesn’t that mean he has a good impression of me too?’
Jiang Li stood watching until she saw Yin Ranshuang’s maid in a panic. Only then did she give an order. "Shouldn’t you hurry back to your family’s estate with a message? Say your young miss sprained her ankle at the flower-viewing banquet and was taken to a physician by the third son of Prince An’s Mansion."
It was time the Yin Family learned of what had happened between Yin Ranshuang and Wei Zizhang.
She figured that even when the Yin Family found out, they would encourage Yin Ranshuang to associate with Wei Zizhang.
Even though Wei Zizhang was the son of a concubine, he was still a young master of a Prince Manor. The Yin Family would naturally be desperate to curry favor with him.
In her past life, after Wei Zizhang’s reputation was utterly destroyed, the Yin Family hadn’t stopped Yin Ranshuang from rescuing him and hiding him in their home.
At this thought, Jiang Li felt that all her meticulous planning for Yin Ranshuang in her past life had been a complete joke.
’Yin Ranshuang was not worthy.’
Thankfully, the heavens had given Jiang Li a chance to do it all over again.
The minor incident of Yin Ranshuang spraining her ankle didn’t attract much attention from the others. Everything in the garden continued as normal.
Jiang Li turned her gaze toward Xia Shixi, who was standing not far away.
Xia Shixi was sitting in a garden pavilion, staring blankly at the surface of the lake.
But if one looked closely, they would notice that Xia Shixi’s gaze kept darting toward a certain corner of the garden.
Jiang Li noticed. Xia Shixi was looking at Wei Zhaohe.
’Could it be? Has the timeline shifted forward? Has Xia Shixi already taken an interest in Wei Zhaohe at this banquet?’
Jiang Li inconspicuously walked over and sat down beside Xia Shixi.
From up close, she could clearly see the red tips of Xia Shixi’s ears.
Jiang Li started the conversation. "Miss Xia, do you often attend these flower-viewing banquets?"
Xia Shixi, seemingly not expecting anyone to suddenly speak to her, looked up in surprise. Upon seeing it was Jiang Li, she visibly relaxed.
"Oh, it’s Miss Jiang. I’ve seen you before. As for these banquets, I don’t attend often. My mother brought me this time."
Jiang Li had no memory of Xia Shixi and couldn’t recall where they might have met.
The events of her past life were too distant; even if they had met as children, she wouldn’t be able to remember now.
However, Jiang Li recalled attending many poetry gatherings with her grandparents, so it was likely they had met at one of them.
Jiang Li said with a smile, "This is my first time at an event like this, too. I don’t quite understand what one does at a flower-viewing banquet."
In truth, Jiang Li had already figured it out: the Eldest Princess was giving her guests an opportunity for matchmaking.
She only asked the question because she wanted to speak a little longer with Xia Shixi.
The tips of Xia Shixi’s ears grew even redder. She leaned close to Jiang Li and whispered, "It’s for the unmarried guests to meet potential spouses. That’s why my mother brought me."
Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Li asked the question she’d been aiming for. "I see. In that case, has Miss Xia seen any gentleman who catches her eye?"
Asked such a question, Xia Shixi became so bashful she couldn’t meet Jiang Li’s eyes, and her words came out in a stutter. "H-How could I possibly pass judgment on the young masters? I... I wouldn’t dare. And even if I did take a liking to someone, there’s no guarantee he would like me back."
Jiang Li shook her head. "Miss Xia, you shouldn’t sell yourself short. Your family background, talents, and looks are all excellent; it would only be natural for suitors to compete for your hand. If there is a gentleman you’ve taken a liking to, you should let your mother know. That way, even if several men are vying for you, your mother will know which one to choose."
Xia Shixi was visibly moved, but as a noble lady from a great house who had been raised to be proper and disciplined, she had no idea how to bring up such a topic with her mother.
Jiang Li decided to add more fuel to the fire. "I’ve noticed that both the second son of Prince An’s Mansion and the second son of Prince Kang’s Mansion keep looking your way. Could it be they’re both interested in you?"
Sure enough, a look of worry appeared on Xia Shixi’s face. The very moment she looked up, her gaze met Wei Zilang’s.
Wei Zilang didn’t even try to hide it. Seeing her look up, he offered her a smile.
Xia Shixi froze, and a profound sense of dread washed over her.
’If I’m to marry, I want to marry the man I admire.’
’They are both sons from a Prince Manor, but if I have a choice, I want to choose the one I actually like.’
"Thank you for the reminder, Miss Jiang. I will speak to my mother as soon as I return home."
After all, the flower-viewing banquet was only an opportunity to meet people; nothing was set in stone.
Jiang Li smiled faintly. "If I was able to help you, Miss Xia, then I can consider it a good deed done."