Duke Jing's younger sister

Chapter 172 Equal Wife

After dinner, Jiang Li took Xingping to her brother’s courtyard again.

In recent days, Jiang Cheng has been locking himself in the study, studying hard and preparing for the autumn examination.

She took out the jade pendant and gently placed it on the table, "Brother, I'll give this back to you."

Jiang Cheng was wearing a gray and white round-necked cloth shirt. He was sitting behind a desk, holding a book with great concentration.

When I heard the voice, I just glanced at it casually.

"Running out so quickly?"

His tone was calm as water.

It seemed that he had already known about her action of secretly taking the jade pendant that day.

"Ok!"

She smiled and nodded, then remembered that the betrothal date with the Xue family was approaching, so she asked casually,

"Brother, have you finished writing the betrothal letter for the day of marriage?"

As soon as she said it, she regretted it.

My brother is concentrating on memorizing his lessons now, and these trivial matters should not disturb him.

However, she had never dealt with these things before and was a little hesitant for a while.

They were afraid that something might go wrong and that the Xue family would think that the Jiang family did not take this marriage seriously.

"It's okay, just go ahead and do it. Don't be too ostentatious, and don't lag behind others. Just follow the rules."

The candlelight cast his shadow on the lattice window, and he gently twisted his fingers and turned the page of the book.

"Well, then I won't bother you anymore."

Jiang Li bowed and left the study, closing the door for her brother.

On the way back to the hospital, she went over it again and again in her mind.

She had participated in other people's betrothal ceremonies before, but had never hosted one herself.

Back in his own courtyard, Jiang Li picked up a pen and tried to write down all the matters and procedures related to the betrothal gift in his memory.

But even if the fragments of memory are pieced together, they are still messy and I can never make sense of them.

Xingping lit the candle a little brighter, and seeing what the girl was worried about, she suggested softly,

"Miss, our Madam is the most rigorous in her work. Why don't you go back to the Shen Mansion tomorrow and ask her for advice?"

Jiang Li was stunned for a moment, then put the brush in his hand back on the pen holder.

Xingping was right. The Yang family had always attached great importance to appearances.

No matter big or small matters, he can handle them with ease.

The mere gift of betrothal gift is of course not a problem.

Speaking of which, she hasn't been back to visit for some time since she moved out of the Shen Mansion.

"Then go prepare some gifts and come back to the Shen Mansion with me tomorrow."

Xingping nodded quickly and replied, "Yes, young lady."

Although her last name is no longer Shen, Jiang Li still feels a sense of belonging when mentioning the Shen Mansion, and she still uses the word "return".

The next day.

When the sunlight covered the steps in front of the Shen Mansion.

Jiang Li got off the carriage.

Standing in front of the gate of Shen's Mansion again, she felt as if she was in another world, with a myriad of emotions in her heart.

The doorman came forward and saw that it was the third young lady from the past. He quickly saluted and let her in without reporting anything.

After all, everyone in the mansion now knows that the former Third Young Lady will be the future Lady of the Duke and the mistress of the Shen family.

Who can not give her some face.

Jiang Li stood under the sycamore tree in the yard for a while. After the servant girl passed the message, Nanny Qin came out to greet her personally.

"Oh, Third Miss, it's been a while since I last saw you. Are you feeling well these days?" Nanny Qin complimented with a smile.

Jiang Li bowed slightly towards her, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Everything is fine. Is mother busy?"

Nanny Qin waved her hand and said, "It's hot now, Madam doesn't like to move much, Third Miss, please follow me."

"Thank you, mama."

In sharp contrast to the scorching heat outside, there are several large basins of ice placed in the house, and a hint of cool air continues to emerge, making the whole room exceptionally cool.

Jiang Li bowed respectfully.

Yang waved for her to stand up, signaled the maid to bring her an embroidery stool, then turned around and told Nanny Qin to serve tea.

"Is there something that brought you back this time?"

"I do have something to ask, and I would like to trouble my mother for some advice."

As soon as the words came out, Jiang Li felt a little uneasy, wondering if it was appropriate to address him like that.

She has called Yang mother for eight years. Although her identity has changed now, it is really difficult for her to call her Madam Shen instead.

There was nothing unusual on Yang's face.

He didn't seem to care how she called him, but just signaled her to continue with her eyes.

Jiang Li felt slightly relieved and then stated her purpose.

Yang did not refuse when she heard this, and ordered Nanny Qin to write a list and the various procedures and give them to her.

She took a quick look and explained everything clearly, no matter how big or small.

With this list, my brother's betrothal gift will surely be completed smoothly.

She stood up, knelt down and said, "Thank you, mother."

"In fact, it's my fault," Yang gently blew away the foam on the edge of the tea and looked up at her.

"I haven't had time to teach you these complicated things. The Jiang family doesn't have a mistress now, so everything depends on you. If there is anything else you don't understand, just send someone to find me."

Jiang Li felt warm in her heart, and she bowed and said, "Yes, daughter understands."

After finally coming to the Shen Mansion, she asked to go see Shen Zhiyan, and Yang agreed.

As soon as she turned around, Yang called her again.

Yang stared at her for a long time. Recently, Taifu Yang had been putting pressure on her to have her niece Yang Lijun marry into the Shen Mansion as his legal wife.

Yang has clearly told Master Yang that Shen Beiqi has already decided to marry Jiang Li.

But Master Yang wanted to follow the example of Ehuang and Nvying and make Yang Lijun the principal wife and Jiang Li the secondary wife.

Thinking of this, Yang asked,

"Li'er, I know that you and Hengzhi are now as close as brothers, and I am ready to welcome you into the Shen family. Now, I have something to ask you."

"Mom, you can say whatever you want."

"If I give you the status of a co-wife, would you be willing?"

Jiang Li was stunned when he heard this.

Although a wife of equal status has a higher status than a concubine, she is still different from the real mistress.

She pursed her lips slightly, not knowing how to answer for a moment.

"I don't know... why does mother ask this?"

Yang sighed softly.

"I won't hide it from you. Your grandfather wanted Lijun to marry into the Shen family. I know Hengzhi has you in his heart, but he can't persuade his father. After much thought, this is the only way to have the best of both worlds."

Jiang Li lowered her head in thought. She knew that this was a difficult decision.

On the one hand, she didn't want to put herself in a difficult position.

On the other hand, she didn't want to embarrass Yang.

But in the final analysis, the choice in this matter does not lie with her, but with Shen Beiqi.

If he agreed, what would it matter if she didn't?

"Mother, let me go back and think about it." Jiang Li said slowly.

Yang nodded to show her understanding.

Jiang Li left Qiwu Pavilion, feeling increasingly depressed.

After passing Langwu, turn left to reach Shen Zhiyan's Yanyu Pavilion, and turn right to reach the Shen Family Ancestral Hall.

Shen Beiqi's Cuibai Hall is only separated from the ancestral hall by a wall.

She paused slightly, and as if possessed, she changed direction and walked towards Cuibai Hall.