168: Chapter 88 Meeting_5 168: Chapter 88 Meeting_5 “Nothing,” Ye Shijie withdrew his gaze, shook his head, and thought to himself that it must have been an illusion.

Even if Jiang Li did come out tonight, she wouldn’t be alone; there would always be Jiang family members with her.

He was really being overly paranoid.

…

Wangxian Tower was the largest tavern in Yanjing City.

When Jiang Li had been a lady of the Shen Family, she had passed by this building with Mother Shen and Shen Ruyun.

At the time, Mother Shen and Shen Ruyun were very envious, but she didn’t care much.

Compared to the Shen family members, her desires were always remarkably tame.

However, from that time on, she understood that Wangxian Tower was a den of extravagance, a place frequented by the upper class.

A place she couldn’t set foot in in her previous life, she now could stride into so boldly in this one, even being called a “distinguished guest” and “invited” in, though this invitation was different from others, it was still justifiable to accept.

In the lobby on the first floor, some people had already arrived, but the place Jiang Li was invited to was on the second floor.

In a tearoom on the second floor.

The Chief Minister’s Residence was already incredibly luxurious, but Wangxian Tower was even more exquisite than the Jiang family’s place.

Just the carpet laid on the floor was a Persian long-pile embroidered rug, and the ceiling was adorned with gems.

Jiang Li couldn’t identify the incense burning in the room, but it was an incredibly comfortable and fragrant scent.

In Xue Zhao’s words, it was “clearly very expensive.”

In the “clearly very expensive” tearoom on the second floor of Wangxian Tower, Wen Ji helped Jiang Li lift the curtain and walk in.

Jiang Li saw the people inside.

To her surprise, in addition to Jih Heng, there were two others.

One was a green-robed scholar with a goatee, who smiled faintly at Jiang Li.

She didn’t recognize this man but responded with a polite smile.

The other was someone she knew, the examiner from the Inspection Field Imperial Archery contest, Kong Liu—also known as Commander of Light Chariots Kong Wei.

Kong Liu seemed very pleased to see Jiang Li, calling out with his rough voice, “Miss Jiang the Second.” He appeared eager to engage in conversation with Jiang Li, but after thinking it over, he couldn’t come up with anything appropriate to say, and could only awkwardly compliment, “Miss Jiang the Second rides a horse well, and her archery is good too!”

It was as if he was praising a soldier he had recruited.

Lu Jiu and Jih Heng looked at him oddly.

Kong Liu scratched his head, chuckled, and then fell silent.

Only then did Jiang Li turn her attention to Jih Heng.

Today, the young man was wearing a pale red long robe.

Although the color was muted, it made his features seem even more striking.

His skin was whiter than that of a woman who had applied powder, and his lips were as red as peach blossoms in April.

Thus, the white was whiter, and the red was redder.

His eyes, a clear amber color, made him seem unworldly, like he was above mortal concerns.

Wherever he stood, there was a painting; even while lazily twirling his golden silk folding fan, he was so beautiful that he could have stepped straight into a painting and become part of its mystery.

“What does the Duke want with me?” Jiang Li asked.

She really couldn’t figure out why Jih Heng had asked for her.

Jih Heng glanced at her and suddenly smiled, saying, “After all, we have some acquaintance, Miss Jiang the Second need not be so distant.

On this Mid-Autumn Festival, fate has brought us together on this road.

Golden Mansion is performing a show at Wangxian Tower, and I am inviting the Second Miss to enjoy it together.”

Jiang Li was puzzled.

Where was there any acquaintance between them?

If anything, theirs were bonds of misfortune.

Jih Heng had seen her scheme against Venerable Master Jing’an and Liaowu on Green City Mountain, and she had seen him meddling in the affairs of Zhou Yanbang and Jiang Yue.

She had also accidentally discovered the secrets of Jih Heng’s dealings with the Li Family.

Knowing each other’s secrets, at times, it seemed they each wanted the other dead.

Yet Jih Heng spoke as if they were old friends.

It was utterly baffling.

Moreover, their meeting was not a matter of “fate on the road;” Jih Heng had sent people to “invite” her without giving her a second choice.

Jiang Li said, “Thank you for the kind offer, Duke, but I don’t like watching operas.”

“If the Second Miss wishes to perform better in the future, it would be beneficial to observe celebrated performers more closely,” Jih Heng replied with a smile.

Jiang Li almost couldn’t help laughing.

Jih Heng’s words seemed to remind her again about the palace banquet.

It was really true, she should not have let Jih Heng catch her by the tail, to be threatened like this all the time!

Kong Liu looked from one to the other, not understanding the subtle atmosphere between Jih Heng and Jiang Li.

However, he was still fairly cordial and said to Jiang Li, “Miss Jiang the Second, I noticed you upstairs without any guards or family members by your side.

Have you been separated from your family?

Every year during the lantern festival, a number of women get lost, and there are many bad people about.

Even with the City Garrison, it’s not completely safe.

After watching the show, how about we arrange for someone to escort you back to your residence, so that you can be reunited with your family?

Just to prevent any mishaps.”

It’s hard to refuse a friendly offer, and since Kong Liu appeared much more sincere and simple-hearted than Jih Heng, it was difficult for Jiang Li to feel any animosity toward him.

Moreover, what Kong Liu said made sense; as the night grew darker and the street lanterns brighter, the crowds out enjoying the moon became more congested.

It truly wasn’t wise to venture alone through the crowds.

Seeing the looks of concern on Tonger and Bai Xue’s faces, Jiang Li made up her mind to follow Kong Liu’s suggestions for now.

She promptly flashed a warm and pure smile, saying, “Thank you, Lord Kong.”

Kong Liu was a bit flustered yet flattered, and couldn’t help but look over at Lu Jiu with pride.

How about that?

He hadn’t scared the young lady, and he wasn’t that old, was he?

Lu Jiu turned away, not deigning to look at his foolish expression.

Just as they were speaking, the distinctive opening sounds of the opera troupe came from downstairs.

The performance by Golden Mansion was about to begin, marking the start of the first act.