Chapter 96 Part 1
Chapter 96 Part 1: Ye Third
After Jiang Li, Tong’er and Bai Xue were done at Xi Hua Lou, the time of day was no longer early, so they no longer continued strolling outside. They also did not return to Li Zheng Tang and directly returned to the Ye residence.
None of the little servants in the Ye residence dared to be in charge of her and it was very convenient for her to go out. However, after she returned, Jiang Li specially asked Tong’er to inquire about Ye Jia Er’s situation only to learn that Ye Jia Er had not yet returned.
For the entire afternoon since Jiang Li left Li Zheng Tang, Ye Jia Er had been staying at Li Zheng Tang. If it was simply business, Ye Jia Er should have returned when evening came. Now that she had not returned, Jiang Li guessed that it was related to the “uncle Zhuang” and “uncle Zhao” in Ye Jia Er’s mouth before. The small trouble that occurred in the Ye family’s business didn’t seem to be that small.
But at present, even if she asked the people of the Ye family, they would not tell her the truth. After all, they had not “repaired the old friendship”. There’s no need to mention this kind of family matters towards someone who was a not-that-familiar guest.
It’s not time yet.
Jiang Li no longer paid attention to Ye Jia Er’s affair. Today her meeting with Qiong Zhi could be regarded as settling a load of her mind and she felt much more relaxed. This evening, for the first time, she felt tired early and soon settled down to rest.
A good night’s dream.
Just like that, from this day onwards, the Ye family suddenly became busy. The following few days, whenever Jiang Li walked around in the Ye residence, all she could meet were the housekeeper and servants. No need to mention Ye Ming Xuan and Ye Ming Hui, even Zhuo-shi and Guan-shi were not present. It was also unknown where Ye Ru Feng and Ye Jia Er had gone. Sometimes, there wasn’t even anybody during meal times. The housekeeper simply let Jiang Li open a small kitchen and she did not have to go to the main hall for her daily meals or if she wanted to eat something. So she ate in her courtyard by herself.
It was not because the people of the Ye were not willing to see Jiang Li, the truth was the people of the Ye family were so busy that they couldn’t have their meals at home. If not because being aware of the matter in Li Zheng Tang, other people would be suspicious as to how a big family’s residence would not have its master present.
Jiang Li vaguely sensed that the trouble the Ye family faced was not a trifle matter. But the people couldn’t be seen, even if she wanted to ask around, it was to no avail. She asked Tong’er to inquire but the servant girls in the Ye residence were not very clear of the situation. Jiang Li felt extremely frustrated.
Today, the weather was bright and sunny.
The end of autumn and the beginning of winter. Xiangyang was located in the South and was slightly warmer than Yanjing, the winter days also came a bit later. Jiang Li had a coat draped on her as she stood in the courtyard, watching Tong’er and Bai Xue make knots.
The two servant girls were somewhat lazy while staying at the Ye residence. After all, it wasn’t their own residence, so they did not have the mood to look after the flowers and plants. Sometimes they only had to do some things well in the morning and nothing else to do for the rest of the day, so Jiang Li taught them to recognize some characters to pass the time.
Tong’er fought a yawn and said: “There’s no one in the Ye residence today.”
Of course it was incorrect to say that there was no one, there were plenty of people in the Ye residence. However, those were all subordinates. They did not know anything at all when asked about the Ye family’s matters. Tong’er did not even have the desire to chat.
“It’s still not good that there’s no one restricting you?” Jiang Li teased her, “you can be said to be liberated.”
“The way Miss said it seems as if this servant likes to behave atrociously all over the place.” Tong’er pouted, “this servant is fighting for justice for Miss. It’s fine if the people in this Ye residence are not present, they still did not mention anything about allowing Miss to see old madam Ye. Towards old madam Ye, these subordinates were even more tight-lipped. We’ve been here for so long, Miss doesn’t even know in which courtyard old madam lives in.”
The people of the Ye family really did not seem to have any intention to let Jiang Li meet with old madam Ye. They also didn’t say when she could actually meet; waiting like this seemed forever. Actually, Jiang Li could take advantage of the absence of the people in the Ye family to find and meet old madam Jiang. However, if this happened, the impression of the people of Ye family would be even worse and it would be even more difficult to restore the relationship.
Moreover, if it was as the Ye family said, how old madam Ye’s health was not good right now, if she became too excited upon meeting Jiang Li and got into an unexpected accident, that would truly be Jiang Li’s sin.
Therefore, Jiang Li didn’t take the initiative to touch the fragile string, it’s hard to be confused.
Looking at the sky, today’s sun looked very good. Jiang Li said: “Let’s go out and walk around.”
There’s no use to always stay in the Ye residence, it’s not as good as going outside to look around.
Tong’er was immediately happy after hearing this. She pulled Bai Xue up and asked: “Good! Where does Miss want to go?”
“Just walk around.” Jiang Li said smilingly.
A few people went out from the courtyard together. The gatekeeper, a servant boy, also did not obstruct them and merely asked whether they needed bodyguards. Jiang Li indirectly refused politely. Right at this moment, a team of vehicles and horses suddenly stopped in front of the Ye residence’s gate.
It looked like a caravan as there were bundles on the horses’ backs. There’s also a heavy wooden trunk tied behind the carriage.
Jiang Li’s steps paused slightly, is this a Ye family’s visitor?
The caravan stopped; there were no bodyguards, only a stable lad and a person who looked like a servant boy. That servant boy saw Jiang Li standing at the gate and looked her up and down for a while with astonishment. He then walked very quickly towards the carriage where a man hopped out from.