Knowing all of this in her previous life, Jiang Li felt deep regret.
She regretted being a busybody; since Yin Ranshuang liked Wei Zizhang, then even if it were a dragon’s pool or a tiger’s den, she should have let her jump into it.
Jiang Li also felt guilty toward Yin Ranshuang’s husband; it was she who had harmed him.
This time, Jiang Li would no longer block Yin Ranshuang.
If necessary, she could even assist her.
Yin Ranshuang stared at Wei Zizhang for a long time, and only when he walked away did she withdraw her gaze.
Noticing that Jiang Li was beside her, Yin Ranshuang wanted to ask, “Sister-in-law, do you know the young gentleman who was just standing by the flowers?”
Jiang Li certainly knew him, but it was from her previous life; in this life, she shouldn’t know him.
Jiang Li shook her head, yet she did not forget to offer a suggestion: “If you are curious, Ranshuang, just have a maid inquire about it.”
Yin Ranshuang thought that made sense; she really wanted to know.
Therefore, Yin Ranshuang sent someone to inquire.
However, feeling that sending someone else was too slow, she decided to walk closer, hoping to make that young gentleman notice her.
She was dressed brilliantly and movingly today, and she did not believe she could not attract his attention.
Seeing Yin Ranshuang lift her skirt and walk away, Jiang Li guessed what she wanted to do.
Jiang Li did not follow; instead, she remained where she was to watch.
She saw Yin Ranshuang walk forward, approach Wei Zizhang’s position, and let go of her handkerchief.
After the handkerchief hit the ground, Yin Ranshuang bent down to pick it up, then feigned a stumble, bumping into Wei Zizhang’s arms.
Jiang Li found it laughable; such an action was not something a noble lady of a prominent family would do.
She feared that from their very first meeting, Wei Zizhang would not mistake Yin Ranshuang for a lady from a proper family.
No matter; this was, after all, who Yin Ranshuang truly was.
Wei Zizhang steadied Yin Ranshuang; after all, they were at the Princess’s residence, and even if Wei Zizhang was usually a scoundrel, he dared not flirt with a girl there.
“Be careful, Miss.”
Yin Ranshuang was enchanted by Wei Zizhang’s voice, unable to collect herself.
With her head slightly lowered, she was too shy to look at him: “Thank you for your help, young sir.”
Wei Zizhang looked down and noticed Yin Ranshuang’s flushed ears, his lips curling slightly.
Another woman captivated by him.
“You are welcome, Miss. The path is slippery; do be careful.”
Yin Ranshuang nodded slightly and gathered her courage to ask: “I see that you possess an exceptional bearing, may I ask which noble house you are from?”
Wei Zizhang was accustomed to this; he often encountered people asking about his background while out and about.
Wei Zizhang answered quickly: “I am the third son of the Prince of An’s estate, Wei Zizhang.”
Yin Ranshuang had never interacted with royalty before, let alone understood the complexities involved. Hearing that Wei Zizhang was from a Princely estate, she felt his background was even more noble.
Yin Ranshuang lowered her head: “So it is the third young master of the Wei family. I am a young lady of the Yin family.”
Wei Zizhang had never heard of the Yin family in the capital and guessed it was likely an obscure, minor household; he did not know whose favor they had borrowed to attend the flower-viewing banquet, and he deemed them completely unworthy of his attention.
However, Wei Zizhang gave Yin Ranshuang another glance; if she were interested in him, she would eventually throw herself at him.
Jiang Li watched everything from the side, her heart feeling like ice.
She wanted to see if, without her interference this time, Yin Ranshuang would succeed in marrying Wei Zizhang.
After Wei Zizhang walked away, Yin Ranshuang’s eyes still followed him, filled with admiration.
Yin Ranshuang could not help but ask: “Sister-in-law, is the Prince of An’s estate a family of high status?”
“Naturally. A Prince is royalty; they are relatives of the Emperor, so of course, their status is noble.”
Jiang Li’s answer was not a lie; the Prince’s estate was indeed high-status, but Wei Zizhang was a concubine’s son who lacked the favor of the legitimate mother and, combined with his poor conduct, was not highly regarded.
Even the Prince himself did not take this son to heart, and being a concubine’s son, the title would not fall to him.
Jiang Li did not care to think about it anymore. Having lived another life, she finally understood what it meant not to meddle in the affairs of an ingrate.
As she was thinking, she heard a shout.
“Magistrate Pan, you have finally arrived.”
Jiang Li followed the sound and noticed the man who had arrived; he was Pan Shiyan, the top scholar from two years ago.
Looking closely, Agua did indeed bear some resemblance to Pan Shiyan; it was entirely possible that they were father and daughter.
Jiang Li listened intentionally or otherwise to the conversation around Pan Shiyan, hearing someone tease him.
“Brother Pan, you are not young anymore; why do you delay in taking a wife? Could it be that you have a preference for men?”
“Brother Jia, do not joke with me. I have long since taken a wife and have a lovely daughter. It is just that, unfortunately, I was separated from my wife and daughter, and I have yet to find their whereabouts.”
Hearing Pan Shiyan say this, those around him became instantly interested.
“Brother Pan, could your wife have eloped with someone else?”
Pan Shiyan said with a serious expression: “Do not talk nonsense. I was separated from my wife and daughter when I came to the capital for the imperial examinations. I will certainly find them.”
Jiang Li looked at Pan Shiyan’s expression; he did not seem to be lying. Why was there a discrepancy with what Agua had said?
Agua had clearly said that after she and her mother arrived in the capital, they went to find Pan Shiyan, but he refused to acknowledge them.
Once the people she had sent out finished their investigation, she would be able to clear up the truth of the matter.
However, Pan Shiyan was handsome, and serving in the Hanlin Academy, his future was limitless; if he wanted to marry the daughter of a powerful family, it would not be difficult.
That he had not remarried after becoming a top scholar suggested that he might truly be waiting for Agua and her mother.
Jiang Li withdrew her thoughts and stopped pondering.
Seeing more and more male guests in the garden, Jiang Li pulled on Yin Ranshuang and advised: “Ranshuang, let us return to the flower hall; there are too many people here.”
Yin Ranshuang felt annoyed by Jiang Li’s timid demeanor, but as they were out, she still had to give her some face.
However, remembering the snub she received in the flower hall, she did not want to return.
“Do we really have to go to the flower hall? Since it is a flower-viewing banquet, can’t we stay here and view the flowers?”
Jiang Li feigned cowardice: “I suppose it is possible, but the Princess should be heading to the flower hall first, and we must go to pay our respects to the Princess.”
Yin Ranshuang was somewhat impatient, but thinking that Jiang Li might be right, she decided to return first.
In any case, she already knew that the young gentleman was from the Prince of An’s estate and was the third son; it should not be difficult to see him again in the future.
Reluctantly, Yin Ranshuang followed Jiang Li back to the flower hall.
Sure enough, just as they returned, the Princess and Princess Baoqing arrived.
After the Princess took her seat, she noticed Jiang Li sitting in the corner, as well as the “painted butterfly” beside her.
Since she had been disfigured, the Princess loved bustle; she hosted flower-viewing banquets whenever she could, inviting the wives and young ladies of the capital to enjoy the flowers. Sometimes she would invite male guests, and when she was in a good mood, she would act as a matchmaker.
With so many people here today, the Princess was thinking of playing matchmaker.
She asked the matron beside her: “Have the sons of the Prince of An’s estate and the Prince of Kang’s estate arrived?”