The Double

Jiang Li and her entourage entered the palace, guided by a palace servant leading the way, with Jiang Li walking behind. Jiang Jingrui also noticed the gazes from the official ladies sizing up Jiang Li earlier; he wanted to tease Jiang Li with this, but when he turned his head and saw Jiang Li’s indifferent expression, seemingly not very pleased, he wisely held his tongue and dared not to speak another word.

Strangely enough, he feared no one in the Jiang Family except for Jiang Li, always feeling a hint of wariness around her. Though Jiang Li was always smiling, he could clearly distinguish when her smile was polite, perfunctory, or angry.

Better not to provoke an angry girl, especially one like Jiang Li.

Upon reaching the palace hall, Jiang Li noticed that the ministers who were present to discuss merits and rewards weren’t many, at least not as many as the last palace banquet. On a closer look, Jiang Li understood somewhat. There were no small number of people involved with King Cheng’s Right Chancellor in the court, and this had cleared out many people. Among the high-ranking officials, one could almost say half were gone. Of course, this did not mean that the court of Northern Yan would now be unstable. Emperor Hongxiao might have prepared a long time ago for this day, supporting new nobles early on. Now with these old officials with hidden agendas giving up their positions, it was just the right time for the newcomers. These new officials were absolutely loyal to Emperor Hongxiao. Once even Jiang Yuanbai’s generation of old officials retire in succession, the court’s configuration would be completely different from before, thoroughly filled with Emperor Hongxiao’s people.

Jiang Yuanbai looked around at the people, his expression somewhat odd as if he too had thought of this.

Jiang Li had thought Madam Liu Xu would be present today, but after looking around, she did not see Madam Liu’s figure. It seemed that today’s palace banquet did not include Madam Liu, and those who were invited all seemed to be high-ranking newcomers. Gentleman Chengde, with his status, wasn’t among those qualified to attend.

As a result, there was no familiar friend that Jiang Li knew. Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou had two brothers and quickly went off to talk to them. Jiang Li stood in a corner of the great hall, standing together with Lady Lu, when suddenly, someone called her name: "Miss Jiang the Second!"

Jiang Li turned around and saw that it was Yin Zhiqing calling her from behind.

Jiang Li quickly replied, "County Princess."