The Double

Chapter 101: Curtain Call

The guards dragged them all away. Those performers who had been dressed in splendor were stripped of their magnificent costumes, rendered immobile, and hauled off while collapsed on the ground—an utterly wretched sight. Jin Mantang, once renowned throughout the land, had become a prisoner in the blink of an eye.

What awaited them was an even more tragic fate than the opera "Hearing the Bell in Jiange" they had just performed.

Jiang Li watched Little Peach Red's retreating figure.

Such a charming and captivating female role—even she, as a woman, couldn't help but feel pity. Yet Ji Heng showed not the slightest trace of emotion.

Jiang Li turned to look at Ji Heng again.

His crimson robes stood out vividly against the stark black-and-white courtyard. On the dilapidated stage, there were no more melodious singing voices. Only the bloodstains and scattered weapons on the ground served as reminders of the recent slaughter. But the beautiful young man gently fanned himself with a folding fan, his eyes and brows full of romantic elegance, showing no trace of the coldness he had displayed moments before.

A heart of steel concealed behind tender affection—Jiang Li had never met anyone like him. One who could kill amidst laughter and conversation, without batting an eye.

"Why does Second Miss Jiang look at me so?" he asked with a smile.

"The performance just now was quite spectacular," Jiang Li said. "I admire the Duke greatly."

Ji Heng closed his fan. "I don't perform."

"Indeed," Jiang Li replied. "The Duke doesn't immerse himself in the play, which is why the Duke wins.Ji Heng was too awake. Jiang Li had realized long ago that his mind distinguished everything with perfect clarity. Though he wore bright crimson robes, his heart was like the clearly defined black-and-white courtyard before them—seeing everything with perfect lucidity. So when Little Peach Red had flirted with him on stage with her eyes, when the opera's melodies had moved the audience, he had smiled at the corners of his mouth while his heart filled with mockery.

Just as he had known all along that Jin Mantang's following him to Xiangyang was superficial to curry favor but actually to assassinate him—he had understood this entire play from the very beginning. He could have made preparations earlier, yet he deliberately waited until this very moment, allowing Jin Mantang to perform the entire opera.

He simply wanted to watch the show.

Jiang Li thought that perhaps she herself, the Jiang family, and even the Ye family were nothing more than plays in Ji Heng's eyes. His attention to them was merely due to some lingering interest. As for how much he would truly invest—after all, it was just watching a play, why expend excessive effort? None of it was to be taken seriously.

"You seem quite affected, Second Miss?" Ji Heng remarked.

Jiang Li smiled. "I was merely reflecting on how unpredictable life can be."

"Was Second Miss Jiang satisfied with this performance?"

"I wouldn't dare be unsatisfied," Jiang Li replied with a smile.

"Don't make me sound so terrifying," Ji Heng said, the corners of his lips quirking up as he lowered his voice suggestively. "Earlier, when you were in danger, didn't you quite fearfully burrow into my embrace?"

Jiang Li nearly choked.

In that moment of crisis, if she hadn't found a shield, she might have died under misdirected swords—what an unjust fate that would have been. Naturally, she had to put Ji Heng in front. But now that he mentioned it, looking at her with such amusement, it gave her earlier actions a different implication.

"Exigent circumstances call for expedient measures," Jiang Li said with a strained smile. "I apologize for my forwardness with the Duke."

For a woman to be the one saying "I was forward" to a man—if this spread through Yanjing City, people would surely laugh themselves silly."Nothing." Ji Heng said, his gaze falling to the ground. He suddenly bent down and picked up an object.

Jiang Li saw at once that it was the jade pendant she had redeemed earlier—the one Xue Huaiyuan had personally carved with a knife when she was born.

Her heart skipped a beat as she hurriedly touched her neck, only to find the cord broken. It must have snapped during the earlier struggle.

Jiang Li said, "That's my jade pendant."

Ji Heng rubbed the pendant in his hand, his eyes lingering on it as he noticed the vividly carved flower-patterned wildcat. Anxious and disregarding propriety, Jiang Li reached out to snatch it back. Ji Heng, unwilling to comply, leaned back slightly and raised the pendant higher.

Unable to reach it, Jiang Li said, "Duke, that is my jade pendant. Please return it to me."

"I heard Second Miss Jiang's given name is Li," he said with a smile.

Jiang Li felt irritated. Everyone in Yanjing City knew her name was Jiang Li. Ji Heng's remark was clearly deliberate.

"The Ye family calls you A Li," he said, looking down as the smile at the corners of his mouth deepened. His eyes held a faint chill, yet also seemed to carry affection, making it hard to discern his true feelings. "I wonder which 'Li' it is—the 'Li' for pear blossom, or the 'Li' for wildcat?"

For a moment, Jiang Li felt as if all the blood in her body had frozen.

She forced a smile and said, "Of course, it's the 'Li' for pear blossom."

"Is that so?" Ji Heng stared unblinkingly at her, his voice unusually soft. "I think it's the 'Li' for wildcat."

Jiang Li looked up at him.

The man was impossibly beautiful, and the crimson teardrop mole beneath his eye seemed even brighter now, accentuating his striking features.

Jiang Li asked, "Why do you say that?"

Ji Heng remained silent for a while before replying with a smile, "Because you're not as lovely as pear blossoms. You're as cunning as a wildcat. Isn't that right, A Li?"

The way he uttered "A Li" was almost seductive, yet Jiang Li felt a chill run through her entire body.

Ji Heng couldn't possibly know her true origins, but he must have noticed something amiss. This was a test—whoever faltered first would lose.

Jiang Li lifted her head and smiled flawlessly. "Duke, you may call me whatever you like. After all, it's just a name. But others might misunderstand the nature of our relationship if they hear it."

Ji Heng chuckled. "Second Miss, your words are always so unexpectedly hurtful."

Jiang Li watched him as he continued, "But surprises are not limited to just one thing. For instance, I was quite astonished that Second Miss Jiang managed to locate Tong Zhiyang's mistress."

Jiang Li sighed inwardly.

Though Tong Zhiyang had been unable to trace the whereabouts of his mistress and son after they were taken by Ye Mingyu's men, Jiang Li knew it was impossible to keep this from Ji Heng. Someone bold enough to arrange assassinations in the palace would surely have informants in Xiangyang.

With Ji Heng's capabilities, it would be easy for him to have someone watching her at all times.

"I'm very curious," he said, his tone gentle yet pressing, "how did Second Miss Jiang learn of Tong Zhiyang's mistress's whereabouts?"

"Walls have ears," Jiang Li replied calmly, meeting his gaze. "Since Tong Zhiyang did it, he was bound to leave clues. Following those clues to uncover the truth wasn't difficult. I'm also surprised that the Duke would take an interest in such trivial matters concerning others' family affairs.""Nothing concerning you is trivial," Ji Heng said with a light laugh. "Everything Second Miss Jiang does is significant." After a brief pause, he added, "Indeed, walls have ears. Once something is done, clues will inevitably surface. Following these clues, the truth will eventually come to light." He smiled at Jiang Li. "Isn't that so?"

Jiang Li nodded. "Yes."

She understood his implication—despite her careful concealment, the suspicions surrounding her would eventually betray traces. Once caught, her secrets would unravel.

Perhaps Ji Heng truly possessed such capability, but she felt no fear. Her sole purpose was to avenge the Xue family; beyond that, she cared little for what the future held.

Ji Heng seemed to perceive her indifference and remarked casually, "Second Miss Jiang fears nothing because you have nothing to lose. With thorough planning and Tong Zhiyang keeping watch, no one dares touch you now."

Jiang Li abruptly turned her gaze to him.

He had seen through this as well.

Indeed, before arriving in Xiangyang, Jiang Li had anticipated that Ji Shuran and her daughter, having suffered a great loss at the palace banquet, would eventually suspect her involvement. Even without the banquet incident, that pair would never tolerate her presence. Her return to Xiangyang presented them with a perfect opportunity to eliminate her.

Ji Shuran and her daughter would surely hire spies to watch her, ready to strike at the slightest provocation. By announcing her identity at Lizheng Hall, she not only instilled fear in Tong Zhiyang and ensured the Ye family’s courtesy but also secured a safeguard for herself.

Given her unique status, Tong Zhiyang would undoubtedly assign people to monitor her movements. Moreover, with all of Xiangyang aware of his conflict with Jiang Li, if anything were to happen to her here—regardless of the truth—Tong Zhiyang would bear the blame. Others would assume he had retaliated covertly, and Jiang Yuanbai would never let him off. To avoid unjustly shouldering such infamy, Tong Zhiyang’s men had no choice but to protect Jiang Li.

This was her way of using Tong Zhiyang’s forces to counter Ji Shuran’s schemes—at least within Tong Zhiyang’s domain in Xiangyang, Jiang Li was safe.

This had been her covert strategy, yet Ji Heng had discerned it.

Jiang Li smiled. "Is there anything in this world that the Duke is unaware of?"

"There is," Ji Heng replied, his gaze captivating as he looked at her. "That would be you."

"Me?"

"In all my years," Ji Heng said, "at your age, whether man or woman in Northern Yan, I have never encountered anyone with such foresight and cunning. You are the first."

"Thank you for your praise, Duke," Jiang Li responded. "I dare not claim such merit."

"You deserve it. I merely wonder, if you are so clever, how is it that eight years ago, your stepmother managed to banish you to Qingcheng Mountain?" he asked with a smile.

"Man proposes, heaven disposes. I was merely unlucky," Jiang Li replied lightly. "Besides, I was only seven years old then. Comparing my seven-year-old self to who I am now is rather harsh. Heaven does not favor one person indefinitely. Eight years ago, my fortune was poor, but as the saying goes, 'Every dog has its day.'" She offered a faint smile.

"Then I shall wait and see," he said.Jiang Li smiled and nodded to him. By now, Ji Heng had finally returned her jade pendant. She bowed to him in return. "Today's drama was quite thrilling, but I should be going now. Thank you for saving me earlier, Duke. I am deeply grateful."

"No need for thanks," Ji Heng chuckled. "Even without me, Second Miss Jiang would have emerged unscathed, wouldn't you agree?"

Jiang Li's gaze sharpened momentarily before she smiled again. "I still owe you my gratitude." She bid farewell to Ji Heng once more before turning to leave unhurriedly.

After Jiang Li's figure disappeared beyond the courtyard, Wen Ji appeared behind Ji Heng. "Sir, the people from Jin Mantang..."

"Don't let them die," Ji Heng said, fanning himself lightly. "After interrogation, send them to their master."

Wen Ji acknowledged the order and asked, "What about Second Miss Jiang..."

"Keep watching her," Ji Heng replied. "The Weaving Office Order will arrive soon. I'm curious to see how she'll conclude this performance."

Wen Ji fell silent, deep in thought. He had witnessed everything from beginning to end. Jiang Li, a mere fifteen-year-old girl, had faced Jin Mantang's assassination attempt with only a moment of panic before quickly composing herself, as if completely unafraid. Moreover, Wen Ji and his men had noticed how Jiang Li repeatedly reached into her sleeve; even in life-threatening situations, she never seemed helpless or resigned to her fate. She was adept at concealing backup plans and preparing for all contingencies. Just as Ji Heng had said, even if he hadn't intervened today, Jiang Li might still have escaped unharmed.

Wen Ji glanced at Ji Heng, whose smile had vanished. When he wasn't smiling, all traces of gentleness and compassion disappeared, replaced by cold indifference that sent chills down one's spine.

Yet Second Miss Jiang showed no fear of him and even matched wits with him step by step... She was truly remarkable...

...

When Jiang Li returned to the Ye family courtyard, Tong'er and Bai Xue were startled. The hem of her dress was stained with fine droplets of blood, likely splattered from the assassins.

"What happened, miss? Are you injured?" Tong'er fretted, circling around her to check for wounds.

"It's not my blood," Jiang Li reassured her. "I'll change clothes. Don't mention this to anyone else."

Though worried, Tong'er and Bai Xue could only nod at Jiang Li's serious expression.

Jiang Li sighed in relief, changed her clothes, and sat down in a chair. Bai Xue brought her a cup of hot tea. The two maids had no idea what had transpired—she had only been speaking with Ye Mingyu at the estate gate an hour ago. How could something so significant have happened in such a short time?

After sipping the hot tea, Jiang Li gradually calmed down.

She had intended to gauge Ji Heng's depth today, only to stumble upon Jin Mantang's assassination attempt against him. Clearly, Xiangyang was not at peace. Those people were targeting Ji Heng, and though she had no real connection to him, others might assume otherwise. If they turned their attention to her, it would be an undeserved disaster. With the Ye family matters unresolved and the Xue family's blood debt still on her shoulders, she had no desire to invite more trouble.

It would be best to stay far away from him.Once matters in Xiangyang are resolved and we return to Yanjing City, we must cease all dealings with Ji Heng. This person's thoughts run too deep, and the secrets he carries seem profound. We must not risk entangling ourselves.

"Today marks the seventh day..." she murmured.

Seven days had passed since she made her declaration at the Lizheng Hall entrance. Counting from when she had written the letter to Ye Shijie beforehand, the Weaving Office Order officials should be arriving within these two days.

With the Weaving Office Order officials present and his mistress and child in others' hands, Tong Zhiyang wouldn't dare interfere. The Ye family's situation wouldn't worsen further. Even if the Right Prime Minister was behind this scheme, the Ye family would remain safe for now due to their connection with the Jiang family.

Beyond the Ye family matters, her primary purpose in coming to Xiangyang was for Xue Huaiyuan. She wondered how Qiong Zhi from Cherish Flower House was progressing with her inquiries. Time was pressing, and she needed to find an opportunity to return to Xiangyang personally.

...

Two days later, the Weaving Office Order officials arrived in Xiangyang.

The officials went directly to meet Tong Zhiyang first. After Ye Shijie reported the Ancient Fragrance Satin incident in Xiangyang to the Weaving Office Order under the Jiang family's name, the Yanjing office immediately recognized the seriousness of the matter. The Ye family was not only related to the newly appointed Ministry of Revenue official but also former in-laws of the current Grand Secretary Jiang Yuanbai—this couldn't be taken lightly. They immediately dispatched officials who traveled day and night to Xiangyang to thoroughly investigate.

Tong Zhiyang hadn't expected the Yanjing officials to arrive so quickly. These days he had been entirely preoccupied with searching for his mistress and child, having nearly turned all of Xiangyang upside down without success. Distracted, he had been negligent about the Ye family matter, not pondering it deeply. He had merely written to his brother-in-law about the changed situation in Xiangyang, awaiting his response and strategy.

But before his brother-in-law's reply arrived, the Weaving Office Order officials came first. Uncertain how to proceed, Tong Zhiyang could only brace himself to deal with them, thinking to delay as long as possible until word came from Yanjing about the next steps.

"Official Tang," Tong Zhiyang said with a beaming smile, "the Ye family's Ancient Fragrance Satin caused a death. Since the responsible parties from the Ye family are currently detained in our office, weaving matters fall under your jurisdiction, but death cases belong to ours. Therefore, the two Ye gentlemen cannot be released yet."

The official dispatched to investigate this case was Tang Fan. Hearing Tong Zhiyang's words, he couldn't find fault with them. Tong Zhiyang was correct—the Weaving Office Order handled weaving affairs, not murders. Since the Ye family's fabric was involved in a death, it indeed fell to the local office to investigate.

"That's fine," Jiang Li, who had come with Ye Mingyu for discussions, smiled. "We're not demanding Uncle Minghui and Uncle Mingxuan's immediate release."

Tang Fan breathed an inward sigh of relief. Before his departure, his superior had clearly instructed him that this case involved both the Grand Secretary Jiang family and the Ye family, with the Jiang family being paramount. They were the leading literary family in Yanjing City and must not be offended. Moreover, in recent months, Jiang Li's affairs had spread throughout Yanjing—everyone knew the Second Miss Jiang was a formidable figure. Since she wanted to protect the Ye family, they had to comply. Had she insisted on the Ye gentlemen's immediate release, the Weaving Office Order would have had to confront the local office.

Tong Zhiyang, however, was taken aback.At the entrance of Lizheng Hall, Second Miss Jiang's words were truly unsparing, and Tong Zhiyang understood in his heart that this daughter of the Grand Secretary must be an arrogant and domineering figure. Since she intended to stand up for the Ye family, she would surely protect Ye Minghui and Ye Mingxuan. If he refused on the grounds of impropriety, he could entangle with the Weaving Office Order officials, and such entanglement would not end quickly, buying him some time to await a reply from Yanjing City.

To his surprise, Second Miss Jiang was so accommodating, agreeing straightforwardly and decisively.

Tong Zhiyang suspected this was some trick of Jiang Li's and couldn't help but eye her suspiciously. Yet the girl appeared clear-eyed and delicate, with a gentle smile, seemingly guileless, pure, and transparent.

Perhaps it was all bluster, and she was merely a young girl who understood nothing? Tong Zhiyang wondered. On second thought, even if Jiang Li was this easy to deal with, it didn't matter. Though he couldn't buy time, with Ye Minghui and Ye Mingxuan, the heads of the Ye family, imprisoned, the Ye family had no one in charge. That Ye Mingyu knew nothing about the Ye family's business and was not a concern, while Ye Jia'er and Ye Rufeng were just two immature children. The Ye family was in disarray and posed no threat. Even if the Weaving Office Order officials arrived, they likely wouldn't uncover anything. After a few days of fruitless delays, new orders from Yanjing should arrive.

With this thought, Tong Zhiyang felt immensely relieved and said with a laugh, "In that case, our office will no longer concern itself with the matter of the Ancient Fragrance Satin. Official Tang, please investigate this case thoroughly and give the people of Xiangyang an explanation."

Tang Fan replied, "It is my duty."

Ye Mingyu also said, "We leave it all in your hands, Official Tang."

Just as Tong Zhiyang was feeling smug, convinced that the Ye family, even with the Weaving Office Order's involvement, could do nothing for now, he heard Jiang Li say, "Official Tang, all the finished garments made from the Ancient Fragrance Satin that caused rashes on the people have been collected by us. The servants have already packed the satin into boxes and sent them to the weaving workshop at the foot of the mountain."

Tong Zhiyang was taken aback. Tang Fan glanced at Jiang Li in surprise and smiled, "Second Miss Jiang has been very thorough."

"Official Tang will likely have people examine where the Ancient Fragrance Satin went wrong. Besides that, everything in the Ye family's weaving workshop remains untouched, making it convenient for your men to investigate," Jiang Li said with a smile. "The Ye family will fully assist with whatever is needed. Once you uncover the issue, you can report back to the Weaving Office Order. If the Weaving Office Order in Yanjing City determines it was the Ye family's fault, they will shut down the Ye family's weaving business. If it wasn't the Ye family's fault, then the matter becomes more complicated, suggesting there may be other conspiracies at play, and it would have to be handed over to the Prefect for investigation."

She spoke unhurriedly. Ye Mingyu, unfamiliar with official matters, was utterly confused. Tong Zhiyang frowned, vaguely sensing that Jiang Li was not the naive, ignorant young lady he had imagined. The most astonished was Tang Fan. Everything Jiang Li described was indeed the standard procedure for officials in Yanjing City. Could it be that Jiang Yuanbai was teaching his daughter such official matters at home? Otherwise, how could she speak of these things so knowledgeably and fluently, as if she had long memorized them?Of course, they had no idea that this young woman had long mastered the official procedures back when she married Shen Yurong. At that time, Xue Fangfei, unsure how else to assist Shen Yurong but blessed with a photographic memory, had thoroughly studied all official documents in Yanjing City—including the official procedures. She knew about the Weaving Office Order and understood what its arrival would entail. By explaining this to Tang Fan, she aimed to make him realize that, at least regarding the Ye family matter, she wouldn’t be easily deceived, and Tang Fan would have to take her seriously.

If previously Tang Fan had to be polite to the Ye family out of respect for Jiang Yuanbai, Jiang Li's words now couldn't help but evoke a small sense of admiration in him. When this Second Miss Jiang, who had killed her mother and brother, first returned to the capital, she was despised by everyone. Yet she managed to rise to fame through the Mingyi Hall examinations and even received a personal commendation from His Majesty the Emperor. Truly, a capable person can thrive anywhere—even in adversity, they can carve their own path.

Tang Fan said respectfully, "Then, we must not delay. Let us proceed to the weaving workshop now."

As Jiang Li's group left with Tang Fan, Tong Zhiyang watched their retreating figures, a flicker of unease crossing his heart. He paused for a moment, then asked irritably, "Has there been no reply from Yanjing yet?"

"No, sir."

"Useless fools!" Tong Zhiyang cursed angrily. "Send another urgent inquiry. And," he lowered his voice, "if there's still no news of my wife and son, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

His mistress and son remained missing, and Tong Zhiyang suspected they had been abducted from Xiangyang. But too much time had passed, making any investigation now extremely difficult.

Everything was going wrong! He slammed his cup onto the table in fury.

...

The Ye family's weaving workshop was located in a clearing at the foot of a mountain in Xiangyang.

The workshop was now empty. Since the incident with the Ancient Fragrance Satin, the Ye family's workshop had suspended operations, ceasing all fabric production. The original Ancient Fragrance Satin had already spread throughout Northern Yan. While rumors about the Ye family were rampant in Xiangyang, it was unclear how the situation was perceived in other parts of Northern Yan.

The looms were covered in a thin layer of dust. Walking through the entrance, the vast workshop felt particularly desolate. Ye Jia'er and Ye Rufeng were waiting inside and hurried forward to greet Jiang Li's group.

"Cousin, you've finally arrived," Ye Jia'er said. They had been waiting anxiously for the Weaving Office Order officials. These days, no one in the Ye family had been sleeping well. The Ye Minghui brothers were still detained in the yamen, the Lizheng Hall had closed, and all of Xiangyang was buzzing with rumors that the Ye family's Ancient Fragrance Satin had caused deaths. Anyone else in their position would have been too worried to eat or sleep properly.

Now that the Weaving Office Order had arrived, they could finally determine where the problem lay. Even if there truly was an issue, they would know how to correct it, rather than flailing around helplessly like headless flies, watching the situation worsen day by day.

"Cousin, where is the Ancient Fragrance Satin?" Jiang Li asked.

Ye Jia'er quickly replied, "Over here." She stepped aside, revealing a row of neatly arranged wooden boxes on the platform behind her.

Servants opened the boxes, and Tang Fan led his team to inspect them.

The patterns on the Ancient Fragrance Satin were elegantly simple and subtly dark, but what made it truly rare was the natural, faint fragrance emanating from the fabric—a unique characteristic only the Ye family could produce. In its early years, a single bolt of Ancient Fragrance Satin was highly sought after, with nobles even competing fiercely to obtain one.

Now, however, the fabric had become a public enemy, despised by all. A trace of sorrow flickered in Ye Jia'er and Ye Rufeng's eyes.

"These bolts of Ancient Fragrance Satin haven't been touched since they were removed from the customers," Jiang Li explained with a smile. "If there truly is something on the fabric that causes illness, it should still be present now."Tang Fan reached out and picked up a piece of fabric, rubbing it between his fingers a few times as if trying to identify it. After a moment, he brought it closer and gave it a light sniff.

Ye Jia'er nervously gripped Jiang Li's hand. Jiang Li gave her a reassuring smile, which eased her worries slightly.

Tang Fan pondered for a while, then called his subordinate forward to repeat the actions he had just performed, as if confirming something.

Seeing that he seemed to have noticed something, Jiang Li asked, "Lord Tang, have you discovered something?"

Facing Jiang Li, Tang Fan dared not be negligent and quickly replied, "I wouldn't call it a discovery, but there is something peculiar."

"What is it?" Ye Jia'er asked urgently.

"Why is there camel thorn on this Ancient Fragrance Satin?"

(End of Chapter)