The Double-Chapter 29 - 27 Flawless Jade

29: Chapter 27 Flawless Jade

29 -27 Flawless Jade

Shen Ruyun was very impatient.

Her status now was not what it used to be.

If Shen Yurong had not become the top scholar and had not been appointed as the Censor by Emperor Hongxiao, she should have been married off last year to the son of the owner of a small tavern in Yanjing City.

Even such a match was considered marrying above her station.

However, ever since Shen Yurong had become the top scholar and was handpicked by Emperor Hongxiao as the Censor, her own status had risen as well.

Shen Yurong had a limitless future, not to mention he was a talented young man.

Plus, Shen Ruyun was aware that Shen Yurong was now favored by Princess Yongning, which would elevate their family’s nobility to an even more indescribable level.

Not to mention the son of a tavern owner, ordinary sons of official families couldn’t even catch Shen Ruyun’s eye anymore.

In Shen Ruyun’s heart, there was someone she esteemed—the famously handsome Heir of Marquis Ningyuan, Zhou Yanbang.

In the past, Shen Ruyun could only silently admire him from afar, as if Zhou Yanbang was a cloud in the sky and she, Shen Ruyun, was just mud on the ground.

But now things were different.

The change in her status made Shen Ruyun realize that she too was qualified to stand by Zhou Yanbang’s side and become his wife.

It’s just that Zhou Yanbang had been betrothed since childhood to Miss Jiang the Second, the daughter of the current Chief Minister.

Miss Jiang the Second had a cruel nature, and at a very young age, she had done something as atrocious as killing her mother and brother.

Naturally, Marquis Ningyuan’s Household could not let such a vicious Miss enter their doors.

However, they could not renege on the marriage contract, so the betrothal was kept, but changed from Miss Jiang the Second to Miss Jiang the Third.

People in Yanjing City relished discussing this matter, and no one thought there was anything wrong with Miss Jiang the Second being replaced, nor did anyone feel injustice on her behalf.

If they had to choose, they would also favor the charming and gentle Miss Jiang the Third over the cruel and malicious Miss Jiang the Second.

Today was the capping ceremony for Miss Jiang the Third, Jiang Youyao, and everyone knew what that meant.

Once Jiang Youyao had her coming-of-age ceremony, her marriage to the Heir of Marquis Ningyuan would be just around the corner.

It was precisely because Shen Ruyun could not reconcile with this that she had specifically come to see what the wife-to-be of Zhou Yanbang, who had not yet entered their household, was like.

She had even changed into a bright, beautiful dress in hopes of outshining Jiang Youyao.

Those who came to witness the ceremony either wanted to ingratiate themselves with Jiang Yuanbai or were already on good terms with him, so naturally, they wouldn’t slight Jiang Youyao.

The noble daughters all wore simple and subdued attire, not wishing to outshine their host, whereas Shen Ruyun, dressed like this, stood out conspicuously.

Ji Shuran also noticed Shen Ruyun’s extravagant display and was displeased.

However, she had heard from Jiang Yuanbai that the current Censor, Shen Yurong, was not to be underestimated in the future, and it would be best to win him over.

Therefore, Ji Shuran still maintained a warm and generous demeanor on her face, dealing with the compliments from the various Madams.

A woman who was on good terms with Ji Shuran said, “I heard that Madam’s Second Miss has also returned to the capital a few days ago.

I wonder if she will attend the ceremony today.”

“Of course she will,” Ji Shuran smiled and said, “She should still be dressing up at this moment and is a bit late.” However, her words implied that Jiang Li was disobedient.

Indeed, as soon as she said this, the surrounding Madams cast sympathetic glances at Ji Shuran.

One of the more straightforward ladies said, “The Second Miss hasn’t been back to Yanjing for a long time; who knows how much of Yanjing’s etiquette she still remembers.

She was difficult to manage when she was young, and now…” She didn’t finish her sentence, but the implication was clear.

At the right moment, Ji Shuran sighed.

Jiang Yue, who sat beside Lady Yang, quickly spoke up, “Actually, my Second Sister couldn’t have made it for my Third Sister’s ceremony, but last month, the temple where she was staying had some trouble, and somehow, our granduncle had her brought back.”

Jiang Yue’s words were a bit hasty, but they implied something else to the noble Madams listening in.

The Madam who had initially spoken with Ji Shuran whispered, “I think that the Madam’s Second Miss is quite capable.”

The implication was that Jiang Li was smart and scheming, having gone through a lot of effort to return to Yanjing, indicating she was not someone to be taken lightly.

Madam Liu, who was standing to the side, listened to the conversation among these Madams, intending to speak a few words in defense of Jiang Li.

However, there were too many people agreeing with Ji Shuran, and with everyone at the Jiang Residence showing politeness on the surface to Ji Shuran, no one would likely pay attention to her, and it might even bring trouble to Jiang Li.

Seeing Ji Shuran’s slightly raised lips, Jiang Yue felt proud as well.

Their third branch had never been valued in the Jiang Residence.

As a daughter of an illegitimate son, relying just on Lady Yang and Jiang Yuanxing, she couldn’t make much of a name for herself in her lifetime.

It was better to curry favor with this great aunt.

After all, the Ji family still had Consort Li favored in the palace.

If she could please Ji Shuran, even leftover scraps would be quite good.

Jiang Yuyan was not as shrewd as Jiang Yue, and sat woodenly next to Lady Yang.

Lady Yang was inwardly furious about her daughter’s obsequious fawning over Ji Shuran, but had no choice but to let Jiang Yue do so.

Lady Lu sat a little further away, alone, with a cold smile at the corners of her mouth, clearly disdainful of Jiang Yue’s behavior.

As the conversation continued, the capping ceremony was about to begin.

Jiang Yuanbai and Ji Shuran stood up, positioning themselves in the courtyard, facing the eastern steps.

The guests stood outside the courtyard, while the officer holding a copper tray stood by the western steps.

Jiang Youyao, surrounded by her maids, slowly approached.

Today, for the coming-of-age ceremony, Jiang Youyao dressed in a dark red, long gown with wide sleeves and had her hair arranged in double buns, convenient for the later hair-binding ritual.

Inherently charming and delightful, her unique fragrance as a young girl made everyone present feel a sense of beauty.

Jiang Yuanbai had pampered her since she was young, making her as exquisite as a collection of pearls and jade.

The bright colors she wore made her stand out immediately among the guests.

A beauty is discerned by comparison.

Shen Ruyun was also dressed in vibrant attire, yet her noble demeanor and attractiveness fell far short of Jiang Youyao’s.

The young Jiang Bingji also attended the ceremony, sitting next to Madam Jiang the Elder, he exclaimed, “Third Sister looks so pretty!”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Youyao’s mood brightened, and she instantly beamed a smile.

The morning light was faint, and as she smiled, she was dazzling and charming, enchanting to the point that people couldn’t take their eyes off her.

Everyone was stunned by her beauty.

Jiang Youyao, seeing this, felt proud and even happier, and was about to speak when she suddenly sensed something amiss.

The guests’ gazes were subtly shifting past her.

What were they looking at behind her?

What was there?

With curiosity, Jiang Youyao turned and saw a graceful young girl slowly approaching.

The girl was coming from another side of the courtyard.

The Jiang family’s courtyard was abundant in flowers and trees, and as she walked, she seemed to sway the flowers and brush past the willows, her presence alone evoked a sense of softness and fragrance.

Unlike the bright and colorful Jiang Youyao, this girl wore a light duck-egg blue gown without a single embroidered flower, the epitome of simplicity and plainness.

It only made her long, dark hair, tied up with a matching green jade hairpin, more noticeable.

Her face was pure white, her eyes clear, and the gentle smile at the corners of her mouth shone as brightly as the color of her gown.

She might not have been vividly stunning, but she was ethereally translucent.

If Jiang Youyao was a jeweled ornament, she was an uncut piece of jade.

That uncut jade needed no further carving.

Jiang Youyao’s breath caught, her nails almost digging into the palm of her hand.

They were looking at someone behind her.

—What was behind her?

—It was Jiang Li.

It was Jiang Li they were admiring.