The Double

At this moment, Jiang Li actually felt a sense of relief. Jiang Yuanbai was so busy that he could hardly spare a thought for her marriage plans. The main branch of the family had no matriarch in charge, and Madam Jiang the Elder was advanced in age. With the incident involving Jiang Youyao, it seemed the elder had also taken a hit, now only taking care of Jiang Yuanbai and trivial matters every day. Lady Lu wouldn’t take the initiative to interfere with the affairs of the main house, and as for the third branch, they had already separated and moved out, no longer considered part of the same household and thus having no say in the matter. Therefore, Jiang Li didn’t need to worry about whom she would marry for the time being.

Considering that Prince Cheng’s rebellion was imminent, the Jiang Family was not in the mood to arrange a wedding.

But even if it was not discussed now, one day it would have to be. There were only two daughters in the main branch of the Jiang Family, and now that Jiang Youyao had become that sort of woman, the family had long been prepared to support Jiang Youyao for a lifetime. This left Jiang Li as the sole legitimate daughter. Certainly, Jiang Yuanbai treated Jiang Li as his own daughter, but his career also depended on marital alliances for support. Just like the initial alliance between the Ji family and the Jiang Family, who could say that Jiang Li wouldn’t become the next Ji Shuran?

Let it go, let it go. When that day comes, then it shall be dealt with. If the man turned out to be unbearable and repulsive, then she could simply follow the stories once narrated to her by Xue Zhao, who, sitting on top of a wall, animatedly told her about young ladies who had run away from their marriages to elope with their beloveds. Although the saying goes "engaged to be a wife, flee to be a concubine," it was impossible for the current Jiang Li to elope with anyone. But she thought that running away and then traveling the world with Xue Huaiyuan for a lifetime might not necessarily be worse off than getting married.

Lost in these wild thoughts about the future until Tonger’s voice awoke Jiang Li. Tonger said, "Miss, everyone outside is talking about how General Zhaode returned to the capital today."

"General Zhaode?" Jiang Li stood up in shock, "Are you telling the truth?"

"Absolutely certain," Tonger replied, "The maids who went out to market saw it with their own eyes. General Zhaode was sitting atop a large horse, looking very imposing. It was only today that I learned there was a General Zhaode. It’s said that he was once a famous general, but why haven’t we heard any tales of him these years?"

That was because many years ago, General Zhaode had already left Yanjing. Since then, Northern Yan had not been involved in any military conflicts, so naturally, General Zhaode was forgotten. Jiang Li had heard rumors of this general when she was young, but they were not of his battle prowess. Instead, they mentioned his extraordinary good looks, enough to be compared with that time’s Jinwu General.