Jiang Yixi looked at Li Zhenbao and said, “You claim men don’t want to glance at ugly women, but I’ve seen your brother constantly watching you. There are two reasons for this: either you aren’t actually ugly, or when someone loves you, they see you as beautiful.”
Li Kai happily fanned himself a few times and said, “Exactly. I just love watching my sister—can’t take my eyes off her.”
Jiang Yixi ignored Li Kai and continued, “In your brother’s case, it’s likely both reasons combined. First, you’re genuinely not ugly. Little Master, I don’t think you’re ugly either. It’s just that your beauty is rather unique—the kind that grows on you, becoming more appealing the longer one looks…”
A smile flickered in Li Zhenbao’s eyes. “Are you saying I have a sophisticated face?”
Sophisticated face?
Jiang Yixi nodded blankly, momentarily stunned. Well, sophisticated was better than crude, so if that’s what she wanted to believe, so be it.
Truthfully, Jiang Yixi didn’t consider Li Zhenbao ugly at all—she simply wasn’t conventionally handsome or beautiful. She had indeed become better-looking as she grew older. The slight cross-eyedness was real but not severe, and Jiang Yixi knew she could help correct it.
She went on, “Second, anyone who likes you will find you beautiful and never tire of looking at you. Your brother adores you, so he sees you as beautiful no matter what. You shouldn’t make those who care about you suffer.”
Li Kai glanced at Jiang Yixi, then looked pleadingly at Li Zhenbao, feeling like crying. Even strangers understand my feelings, yet you don’t.
Li Zhenbao pouted. “Father made me so ugly and abandoned me alone… He doesn’t love me…”
Afraid she’d revert to her old mindset, Jiang Yixi quickly interjected, “But right now, you’re facing your brother.”
In her previous life, Jiang Yixi had met Li Zhenbao five years later when she was already seventeen. Though straightforward and willful then, she was never as unreasonably stubborn as now. Perhaps it was her youth, or perhaps she only dared act this way with family who truly cared for her.
In that regard, Jiang Yixi envied her.
Li Kai nodded repeatedly, deflecting blame. “Sister, your appearance really has nothing to do with me! If you want to blame someone, wait until Father arrives. Besides, I truly don’t think you’re ugly. It’s not just me—this young lady agrees. You really do have a distinctive look—the kind that grows more attractive over time.”
Li Zhenbao rolled her eyes and started negotiating. “Elder Brother, I don’t want to return to Zhaoming Nunnery. It’s dreadfully boring there—I can’t stand that life. If I can’t go back to the Royal Mansion, I want to stay here. Have Abbot Cangji come treat me, or buy me a manor nearby.”
She even tugged at Li Kai’s sleeve playfully.
Thrilled by his sister’s acting cute, Li Kai was overjoyed, but some matters couldn’t be compromised.
He said reluctantly, “I’d love for you to enjoy yourself outside too, but your health can’t handle it, and your illness can’t be treated in the secular world. Once you’ve recovered more, you can go out more often, and this young lady can keep you company more too.”
After all this turmoil, Li Zhenbao no longer wanted to die. She studied the handsome ancient-style man before her carefully. Aside from being slightly frivolous—enjoying looking at pretty young girls, including delicate-looking young nuns—he didn’t seem to have other flaws. Having such an ultimate brother complex as an elder brother might not be so bad after all.But having finally seen the free sky and breathed the fresh, unbound wind, she had no desire to be sent back immediately. Pleading, she said, “Can’t I just stay for today? I don’t need a medicinal bath today, and I’ve already taken my medicine. Brother, please.”
Li Kai shook his head. “At the moment, not even one day is allowed.”
Tears welled up in Li Zhenbao’s eyes again.
Jiang Yixi smiled and said, “Zhaoming Nunnery is nearby. I’ll visit you often from now on, Little Master.”
Li Zhenbao corrected her, “Don’t call me Little Master—I haven’t truly taken vows. Call me Zhenbao. It’s better if I come to your place instead; it’s much freer here.”
Li Kai stood up and cupped his hands in a salute to Jiang Yixi, smiling. “Please forgive my sister’s lack of decorum. To be frank, I am Li Kai, Prince Yong’s heir apparent, and this is my younger sister, Li Zhenbao, whose Buddhist name is Jieshi. May I ask your esteemed surname and age, and where this place is…”
If he wanted to ask her to accompany his sister, he had to introduce himself honestly and inquire about her background.
Jiang Yixi curtsied gracefully. “Greetings, Heir Apparent, greetings, Precious Jewel County Princess. My surname is Jiang, and I am the second daughter. My eldest uncle is Wu Xiang Count, Jiang Xiao. This is my mother’s estate, Hu Estate.”
Since Li Kai had come to Zhaoming Nunnery last month when Li Zhenbao fell seriously ill, he hadn’t returned to the capital and was unaware of the incident involving Second Miss Jiang and Third Young Master Meng.
He felt somewhat disappointed. A young lady from a marquis estate would certainly not stay long in a countryside manor.
“So you are Second Miss Jiang of Marquis Wuxiang Estate. My apologies for the intrusion. May I ask when you plan to return to the capital?”
Jiang Yixi replied with a smile, “You are too kind, Heir Apparent. I came to the estate due to some misunderstandings and may stay for a while longer.”
Li Kai knew that when young ladies from prominent families were sent to live in country estates for extended periods, it was usually for one of two reasons: either they suffered from a hidden illness or they had committed a serious offense.
Observing this young lady, she didn’t appear to be seriously ill. Her speech and demeanor were proper, so it was unlikely she had committed any grave mistake. As long as it wasn’t one of these two reasons, everything else was manageable.
Li Kai cupped his hands again and pleaded, “My sister is confined to the nunnery every day, bored and lonely—it’s truly pitiable. Though she can be a bit willful, she is inherently kind-hearted and inexperienced in worldly matters. It would be a blessing for her to have an intimate female friend as wise and virtuous as you, Second Miss Jiang. If you have the time, would you please visit her at the nunnery on the fourth day of every lunar month…”
Li Zhenbao rolled her eyes and muttered, “As soon as you meet her, you praise her as wise and virtuous and ask her age. It just shows how much looks matter to men. I don’t want Sister Jiang to visit me—I’ll come here to see her instead. That way, I can satisfy my cravings and enjoy the free sky again.”
Her remark made both Li Kai and Jiang Yixi blush. Asking about her age had slipped out unintentionally, and Li Kai belatedly realized it was inappropriate.
Li Kai said, “Whether you can come out still depends on Abbot Cangji’s permission. If Abbot Cangji agrees, you may come here to play on the fourth day of each month. If she doesn’t, then we’ll have to ask Second Miss Jiang to visit you at Zhaoming Nunnery.”
Jiang Yixi smiled and said, “Precious Jewel County Princess is lively, spirited, and adorable. I truly like and admire her. Having a friend like her is also a blessing for me.”
Li Zhenbao laughed. “Sister Jiang, I like you too and want to be friends with you. For some reason, the first time I saw you, I felt as if we’d known each other before. It must be fate. Since we’re friends, call me Zhenbao, not County Princess.”
Li Kai corrected, “You may call her by her name outside the nunnery, but inside, you must still address her as ‘Jieshi’.”
Li Zhenbao pouted, “Still trying to lose weight.” Her stomach growled right on cue, and she covered it, saying, “I’m hungry.”
With all this commotion, it was already the end of the noon hour.