Even if someone guessed it was Jiang Li and was willing to meet her, hoping to give Yin Chengzhou a chance, they were scared off by her words—spoken both overtly and covertly.
Jiang Li would deliberately mention how Yin Chengzhou could not break his gambling addiction and had been beaten half to death by Old Master Yin. After saying this, she would adopt the demeanor of a sister-in-law wholeheartedly concerned for her brother-in-law, making people feel she harbored no ill intentions, and that her remarks were entirely unintentional.
In short, as the eldest sister-in-law visiting one academy after another just to secure an education for her brother-in-law, how could she have any bad intentions? When rejected, she showed no annoyance, expressing her gratitude with a gentle expression, maintaining perfect etiquette, and delivering the gifts the Yin family had prepared.
Three days after delivering the medicine to the First Prince, the Eldest Princess sent for Jiang Li again.
After visiting an academy, Jiang Li feigned going to an eatery for a meal and used the opportunity to slip out of a window. Rendong stood guard there to ensure no one realized Jiang Li was missing.
Jiang Li seized the moment to visit the Princess’s mansion and meet the First Prince. He was even more spirited than when she last saw him; the prominent birthmark on his left cheek had completely vanished. Seeing Jiang Li arrive, the First Prince’s face was filled with excitement.
“Miss Jiang, you are truly someone of great ability.”
Jiang Li offered a formal salute to the Eldest Princess, Princess Baoqing, and the First Prince. Upon entering, she could feel that the gazes of everyone in the hall were quite different. She understood the reason—having removed the First Prince’s birthmark and solved a source of anxiety for the Emperor, it was no surprise the imperial family was grateful. However, the way the First Prince looked at her seemed to involve more than just that.
Jiang Li did not take it to heart; she would handle whatever came her way, especially since she had the Eldest Princess backing her.
The moment the Eldest Princess saw her, she brought up the First Prince’s birthmark. “A-Li, your capability is truly extraordinary. With such a contribution, even requesting a title as a County Princess would be within reach.”
Jiang Li shook her head and refused: “Your Highness, I did not do these things for vain fame.”
She only wanted a divorce. Even if she could petition the Emperor for one, she would not do so. The reason was simple: she did not want others to think the Yin family was to be pitied. She wanted the Yin family to be firmly branded with the reputation of failing to accommodate a humble daughter-in-law, rather than being discarded by an ambitious one who had risen to greatness. Furthermore, she intended for the Yin family to perish, to fall completely, and to never have a chance at recovery.
“I have a request, Your Highnesses. Please do not let it be known that I possess such Beauty Pills. I do not wish for others to know. Moreover, I only had those two in my possession; for now, I have no more.”
Whether the system would grant her more in the future, Jiang Li was unsure, so it was best to keep it a secret. She also wanted to develop the Beauty Pill herself, though that would take time. Perhaps only after she left the Yin family would she have the time to do so.
The Eldest Princess understood Jiang Li’s implication—she did not want the Yin family to know. Naturally, she agreed. Wei Yunlie also agreed, though his eyes held deep meaning as he watched Jiang Li.
Princess Baoqing seemed to perceive something and pulled Jiang Li aside to view her fruit trees. She took the opportunity to warn her: “Sister Jiang, I suspect the First Cousin has intentions toward you. Even if he does, and even if he wants to marry you, it would only be as a concubine. My mother once said that if you have to share a man with other women, it is better not to marry at all. Of course, this depends on your thoughts; if you also have feelings for the First Cousin, Mother and I can support you—even as a concubine, we would not let you suffer.”
Jiang Li did not hesitate to shake her head: “I have no feelings for the First Prince, and I have never thought of clinging to him.”
Hearing this, Princess Baoqing felt a slight sense of relief. She had been worried Jiang Li might harbor thoughts of marrying the First Prince. Although he was the Emperor’s eldest son and very likely to be named Crown Prince in the future, Princess Baoqing genuinely considered Jiang Li a friend and did not want to see her entangled in such affairs. The struggle for the succession was never as simple as it appeared on the surface.
The two chatted for a while longer, and Jiang Li mentioned the jewelry shop. Hearing that a location had been selected and that it would open in two days, Princess Baoqing’s eyes sparkled. “This is my first time doing business. I really want to feel what it is like. Sister Jiang, will I really be able to do it well?”
Jiang Li smiled comfortingly: “Do not worry, Princess, I will have everything arranged.”
Princess Baoqing replied: “I trust in your capability, Sister Jiang.”
Two days later, the jewelry shop officially opened. Everyone in the capital knew that Princess Baoqing had opened a store. Many wealthy families, government officials’ kin, and noble ladies fought to get inside—be it out of curiosity or a desire to curry favor with the Eldest Princess. Either way, business was surprisingly good on the first day. As for the signature piece, many people tried to offer high prices to buy it, but all were refused.
When Yin Ranshuang heard this, she tried every way possible to squeeze into the shop. Unfortunately, after seeing the prices of the jewelry, she was deterred. She simply had no money to buy anything. The more she thought about it, the sadder she became. Why could so many people in the capital afford it, but not her? It seemed she had to marry into the Prince An mansion as soon as possible. Once she did, forget such jewelry—she would be able to get her hands on anything she wanted.
Jiang Li did not know that the opening of the jewelry shop would push Yin Ranshuang toward the fire pit, nor would she have cared if she did. Jiang Li was busy going out to find an academy for Yin Chengzhou, though in reality, she was wandering the capital, observing the business of various shops and hearing news.
For instance, some had seen the third young master of the Prince An mansion frequenting brothels. Others had seen the personal attendant of the second young master of the Prince An mansion buying medicine from a pharmacy—medicine rumored to cause chronic illness in its victims. Others still had seen Yin Chengzhou returning to the gambling dens the moment his injuries healed.
Meanwhile, Jiang Xiuyuan of the Jiang family was sabotaging Yin Hongcai, and the two had begun fighting both openly and in the shadows. This was the result Jiang Li wanted: let them get busy, and they would have no time to pay attention to her.
However, Jiang Li was also concerned: what if the Yin family refused to let her leave no matter what? If that happened, she would have to find a way to make her continued presence in the Yin family a stain on their reputation. Since the Yin family cared about face, they would surely not keep her then. Even if that failed, she had a trump card. It was a pity that the trump card could not be used lightly.
Jiang Li remembered that in her previous life, Yin Hezhou had quietly returned to the capital after half a year, bringing with him his mistress and a pair of children. The Yin family, terrified that the news of Yin Hezhou’s faked death on the battlefield would spread, had hidden them in a residence outside the city. It was only after more than a decade that Jiang Li had learned Yin Hezhou had not died back then. Yin Hezhou was a coward who feared death. After he faked his death, the Yin family knew he was alive but, still greedy for reputation, had kept it a secret. If this were to spread, the reputation the Yin family so desperately craved would vanish into nothing, and Yin Hezhou would face severe charges.