The Double

Chapter 104

"Uncle Mingyu, to put it simply, a noble in Yanjing City has taken a fancy to the Ye family's fortune and Cousin's official career, deliberately setting a trap. However, it backfired."

Ye Mingyu was somewhat dazed. He didn't fully understand Jiang Li's words, but he wasn't completely in the dark either.

The Ye family was immensely wealthy in Northern Yan, and such vast riches inevitably attracted envy. Besides jealous competitors, there were others with ill intentions. It wasn't impossible for someone to use underhanded methods to exploit the Ye family and their wealth. But Jiang Li's words subtly suggested that the mastermind behind Great Sealing Pharmacy, and even behind Tong Zhiyang and his brother-in-law, likely wielded immense power.

Those with overwhelming power were never easy to deal with.

Everyone knew the common folk shouldn't contend with officials. Though Ye Mingyu was brave and fearless, the entire Ye family wasn't an impenetrable fortress. If targeted by such people, they might escape once, but what about the second or third time? They couldn't rely on luck every time.

He murmured, "There's no sense in guarding against thieves for a thousand days..."

"Uncle Mingyu, you shouldn't underestimate yourself. The Ye family is related by marriage to the Jiang family. As long as I'm alive, the connection between our families won't be severed. My father and second uncle hold significant positions at court. That person may be noble, but our Jiang family isn't lowly either, and the Ye family can't be bullied so easily. As for Cousin, he's already the Vice Minister of Revenue. With such a high starting point, his future will only be smoother. When Cousin reaches a certain position, the Ye family will have a natural shield."

Jiang Li paused, then continued, "The reason they're acting now is simply because Cousin hasn't yet fully spread his wings. Once the beast grows claws and fangs, it will be much harder to take action. They failed this time, and finding opportunities in the future will only become increasingly difficult."

Hearing this, Ye Mingyu felt somewhat comforted. Thinking about Jiang Li's words, he couldn't help but feel ashamed. "In that case, we're dragging your father and the Jiang family into this trouble."

"Why speak like strangers within the family?" Jiang Li smiled. "Perhaps one day, if the Jiang family faces disaster, we'll need the Ye family's help then."

Ye Mingyu was amused by her words. "A Li, you're quite the joker. The Jiang family would never fall to the point of needing our Ye family's help. Don't say such fanciful things just to comfort me."

Jiang Li didn't argue. In her view, the future was unpredictable. Currently, Prince Cheng's alliance with the Right Prime Minister was growing stronger, which was increasingly unfavorable for the Jiang family. The Hongxiao Emperor was temporarily weak, and whether the empire would fall into Prince Cheng's hands remained unknown. Though she was striving to prevent such an outcome, she couldn't control what might happen to the Jiang family before then. Fortunes changed unpredictably; the Jiang family had enjoyed prosperity for so many years—who knew what the future held?

Setting aside her thoughts, Jiang Li smiled and said, "Regardless, the matter of the Ancient Fragrance Satin is resolved for now. The issue of Tong Zhiyang's mistress and son remains. Since Prefect Tong has been so trustworthy, we should honor our agreement and return his beauty and son to him.""Just return it to him like this?" Ye Mingyu was somewhat indignant. After learning the truth revealed in Tong Zhiyang's letter, he had been deeply displeased. Tong Zhiyang had initially intended to smear the Ye family's reputation along with everything else. Though the Ye family had now cleared their name, it would be extremely difficult to restore the Ancient Fragrance Satin business in the future. Yet Tong Zhiyang remained completely unscathed—this was simply unfair.

"One must keep their word," Jiang Li smiled amiably. "The reason Tong Zhiyang cares so deeply for his son is because Tong Yu is his only heir. Having his sole descendant remain unrecognized would be unfortunate. This time, we're simply doing a good deed while also helping Tong Yu. By letting the He family learn of Tong Yu's existence, he won't have to live as an illegitimate child but can rightfully become the magistrate's young master. As Tong Zhiyang climbs higher in rank, he'll at least have a successor, won't he?"

She spoke with cheerful sincerity, every word appearing to consider Tong Zhiyang's interests. Anyone witnessing this would doubt neither her kindness nor her good intentions.

As Ye Mingyu listened, his expression grew increasingly peculiar. When Jiang Li finished speaking, he couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter, exclaiming, "A true man knows what to do and what not to do, but today I've learned that women should not be provoked either!"

Whenever Jiang Li spoke of her schemes, she always did so with remarkable candor, turning covert strategies into overt ones—a feat only she could accomplish. This method couldn't exactly be called honorable, especially when she'd just finished advocating "keeping one's word" before immediately creating enormous trouble for Tong Zhiyang. Yet as a member of the Ye family, Ye Mingyu found it immensely satisfying, feeling the gloom of recent days completely vanish.

"Tong Zhiyang fears his wife like a tiger. The moment he heard the letter exchange would take place at the He residence, he didn't even dare send followers—that's how terrified he is of his wife. Once Madame He learns about this mother and son pair, Tong Zhiyang's comfortable days will be over. Never mind anything else, whether he can even keep his magistrate position will depend on whether Madame He shows any mercy. But everyone in our Xiangyang City knows the magistrate's wife is severe, harsh, and formidably sharp-tongued. Hahaha, A Li, this move of yours is truly brilliant!"

"You flatter me, Uncle," Jiang Li replied with a modest smile. From the very beginning, she had never intended to let Tong Zhiyang off the hook. Someone like him would only cause more trouble if left unchecked. Who knew if he might create more obstacles for the Ye family in the future? Having him entangled with Madame He and becoming Xiangyang's laughingstock—and having that ridicule reach Yanjing City and certain ears to cause some discomfort—would be just fine.

One shouldn't be allowed to commit all manner of misdeeds without facing any consequences.

Ye Mingyu, being impulsive by nature, acted immediately upon his thoughts. He stood up and declared, "No time to waste! I've been wanting to see that bastard Tong Zhiyang humiliated. A Li, wait here at the estate. This time, watch how I avenge our Ye family!"

With that, he turned and disappeared beyond the doorway.

After Ye Mingyu left, Tong'er asked worriedly, "Miss, won't Third Master get into trouble doing this? What if Madame He and Tong Zhiyang join forces against us?"

"Don't worry, that won't happen," Jiang Li smiled. "While both are dear to him, Madame He will never tolerate Tong Yu, and Tong Zhiyang will inevitably protect him. Tong Yu alone will be enough to throw their marital life into chaos. With just a little provocation, it's only a matter of time before they become completely estranged."At her words, Tong'er finally felt relieved.

Yet Jiang Li's furrowed brow did not relax.

The Ye family's affairs had temporarily come to an end, but her own matters remained unresolved. Her true purpose in returning to Xiangyang was not for this, but for Tongxiang...

Her father, Xue Huaiyuan.

...

Ye Mingyu acted swiftly, faster than Jiang Li had anticipated, for that very afternoon, a farce unfolded in Xiangyang City.

In front of the Tong residence, Tong Zhiyang had a fierce confrontation with his wife, Madame He, the prefect's wife, even going so far as to slap her. Everyone in Xiangyang knew that Tong Zhiyang was utterly henpecked, usually shrinking like a mouse before a cat in his wife's presence, never daring to utter a word of defiance, let alone raise a hand against her. Yet in broad daylight, under the watchful eyes of the public, Tong Zhiyang, as if emboldened by some unheard-of courage, struck his wife.

The bewildered commoners watched with great interest, only then noticing that Tong Zhiyang was shielding a young, delicate woman behind him, along with a child who bore some resemblance to him. The situation became clear at once: Prefect Tong, who had never been known to frequent houses of pleasure, had actually kept a mistress outside and fathered a son with her. Now that the secret was out, somehow discovered by his wife, he was naturally facing retribution.

But it seemed Tong Zhiyang was determined to stand by his mistress, even going so far as to strike his wife for the sake of the mistress and their son. How could this be tolerated? The He family was not to be trifled with—after all, Tong Zhiyang's current status was entirely owed to Madame He's family.

"You damned scoundrel!" Madame He, her hair disheveled from the slap, abandoned all pretense of being a dignified official's wife and pointed accusingly at Tong Zhiyang. "How dare you hit me for that slut? Tong Zhiyang, your audacity knows no bounds!"

In truth, Tong Zhiyang regretted slapping Madame He the moment he did it. Everything he had was thanks to her, and striking her would surely bring him no good end. But when he saw Madame He about to harm Tong Yu, he couldn't hold back. Tong Yu was his only son, and that venomous woman wouldn't even spare his own flesh and blood.

With these thoughts, he steeled his heart and roared, "You poisonous woman, I've had enough of you! We've been married for years without an heir. My Tong family cannot be left without descendants. Even by the seven grounds for divorce, the lack of a son is reason enough to repudiate you. Suqin has borne me a son for the Tong family, yet not only do you refuse to accept her, you even seek to harm Yu'er. How can there be such a malicious woman in this world!"

"Repudiate me?" Madame He laughed instead of growing angry. "Fine, if you have the courage to repudiate me, go write the letter of divorce now. I won't say another word. But remember this: the Tong family's residence, the servants, even your position as prefect—all of it is mine. Without me, you are nothing! You want to preserve the Tong family line? Go ahead! Let's see how you'll carry on your lineage without a single coin to your name!" With a wave of her hand, she ordered the Tong family servants to follow her back into the residence. Once inside, she commanded them to slam the door shut with a loud "bang."

She had barred Tong Zhiyang from entering.

Tong Zhiyang was, after all, a prefect. Though suppressed by Madame He for so many years, he always maintained his dignity before the commoners. Now, being cast out in public, his face burned with humiliation. He immediately ordered the crowd to disperse, but the shame still clung to him.Watching the onlookers' amused expressions, Tong Zhiyang seethed with anger and resentment—angry that He Shi had somehow discovered the existence of Suqin and her son, and resentful that He Shi showed no regard for their marital bond. Yet beneath it all, a thread of uneasy fear crept in.

He Shi truly could strip him of everything he now possessed. If he were no longer the prefect and had no silver at his disposal, what would become of him?

He was truly caught between a rock and a hard place, utterly at a loss.

...

Ye Mingyu recounted the incident at the Tong residence to everyone.

Describing Tong Zhiyang's disgraceful state, Ye Mingyu felt nothing but schadenfreude. He vividly depicted He Shi's ferocity and Tong Zhiyang's bluster masking cowardice.

Guan Shi remarked in surprise, "I never would have thought Prefect Tong, who always seemed to command absolute obedience from He Shi, was secretly keeping a mistress. He was feigning compliance while acting contrary, and even has a son this old already."

"Tsk, tsk, truly unexpected," Ye Mingxuan shook his head. "Logically, Tong Zhiyang kept this hidden for so long, suggesting it was airtight. How did He Shi manage to catch him red-handed at this critical juncture?"

"If you often walk by the river, you’ll eventually get your shoes wet," Ye Rufeng said disdainfully. "What he did could not be concealed forever—sooner or later, it would come to light."

Ye Mingyu and Jiang Li exchanged a glance. Within the Ye family, only the two of them knew about Tong Zhiyang's mistress and son. They had kept it from Ye Minghui and the others, fearing their immediate opposition. Although the Ye family was immensely wealthy, their extensive business dealings made them exceptionally cautious, adhering strictly to rules in their trade. Ye Mingyu was different—bold and unafraid to take action. Jiang Li could discuss it with him without worrying about his refusal.

"Tong Zhiyang's official career is bound to be difficult from now on," Ye Mingxuan said. "Even if just to teach him a lesson, He Shi won’t let him off as easily as before. She might even strip him of some of his authority."

"In a way, that’s good for us," Ye Jia'er commented. "But... even so, the Ancient Fragrance Satin business has plummeted."

Tang Fan had explained the whole story behind the Ye family's Ancient Fragrance Satin affair, but the common people cared only about the outcome, not the intricacies. Whether it was a setup or not, the problem lay with the Ye family's Ancient Fragrance Satin. If wearing it could kill, then they simply wouldn’t wear it.

The weaving workshop had resumed production, but the latest batch of Ancient Fragrance Satin found no buyers. Reluctantly, Ye Minghui had to halt all weaving at the workshop. Yet even now, no good solution had been devised.

"Maybe we should just drop this business," Ye Mingyu said bluntly. "After all, the Ye family’s wealth is enough for generations. Who’s desperate for more silver? Why not live like those idle scions of rich families, spending our days touring scenic spots and enjoying life?"

This sounded utterly unlike something a Ye family member would say. Sure enough, as soon as the words were out, Ye Minghui shot his younger brother a stern look and said, "You’d better not say such things in front of Mother. All these years, it seems you’ve aged in vain—regressing instead of maturing!"

Guan Shi sighed helplessly. "Third Brother, this isn’t about whether we want to continue the business or not. The Ye family’s enterprise was built by Father and Mother with their own hands. You know how much effort Mother poured into Ancient Fragrance Satin. How can we let the family business ruin in our hands? If that happens, what face would we have to meet Father in the afterlife?""That's right, Third Uncle," Ye Jia'er chimed in, "Eldest Brother is still serving as an official in court. I've heard that being an official requires spending silver on connections both above and below. Yanjing isn't like Xiangyang—silver doesn't last long there. We can't let Eldest Brother live in straitened circumstances in Yanjing City."

"Exactly," Ye Mingxuan added, "Even Jia'er is more sensible than you." He glanced at Jiang Li and continued, "Besides, when the Ancient Fragrance Satin incident happened, if A Li hadn't stepped in using the Jiang family's name, how could we have escaped unscathed? They've just helped us, and now you want to stop doing business? What would the Jiang family think?"

Jiang Li understood what Ye Mingxuan meant. Setting herself aside, although Jiang Yuanbai was an official, nowadays the official circles and merchant families were essentially the same—both valued benefits. Jiang Yuanbai had helped the Ye family, and what use did the Ye family have? Nothing more than having a slightly larger business than others. If the Ye family stopped doing business, they would have no value left. If Jiang Yuanbai went through the trouble of saving the Ye family only to get nothing in return, it would truly be an unprofitable deal.

Though harsh to hear, Ye Mingxuan's words weren't entirely without reason.

"Alright, alright, it's all my fault for being unreasonable," Ye Mingyu, under attack from all sides, quickly raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I can't argue with you all—it's all my mistake. But this isn't solely my decision. The Ancient Fragrance Satin business seems untenable now, and our Ye family's textile production relies mainly on Ancient Fragrance Satin, isn't that right?"

The Ye family fell silent.

Jiang Li asked, "Besides Ancient Fragrance Satin, does the Ye family produce nothing else?"

"It's not that we don't produce other things," Guan Shi explained. "Actually, besides Ancient Fragrance Satin, our workshops weave many other fabrics. But those fabrics can be produced by others too, and the ones that others can't produce aren't particularly appealing. When Mother was with Father, they would release trendy fabrics from time to time, but only Ancient Fragrance Satin has stood the test of time."

"Ancient Fragrance Satin is high-quality material with a natural fragrance. Wealthy families love using it, and even commoners with some extra silver are willing to buy a bolt or two to make clothes for festivals. So there's never a lack of buyers."

Jiang Li thought for a moment and said, "Ultimately, the reason the Ye family built its reputation on Ancient Fragrance Satin is because it's well-loved, not because it's irreplaceable. As long as we create fabrics more appealing than Ancient Fragrance Satin, wouldn't we be able to restore our reputation?"

The room fell quiet. Ye Jia'er said, "Cousin, though it sounds simple, over the years countless merchants in Northern Yan have been in the fabric business with countless patterns. What you can make, others can make too. Never mind about being well-loved—just achieving 'irreplaceable' status isn't something easily done."

That was true. Ancient Fragrance Satin's irreplaceability lay in the fabric's natural fragrance—a secret recipe passed down through the Ye family. But secret recipes aren't something you can just find on the street. Sometimes ten or a hundred years pass without one appearing, while sometimes a single recipe can save an entire family.

"Uncle Mingyu has been traveling extensively for years, hasn't he?" Jiang Li looked at Ye Mingyu and asked, "When it comes to fresh, unseen raw materials, Uncle Mingyu should have encountered many, right?"To find the "secret recipe," one must seek fresh "raw materials." While most members of the Ye family remained in Xiangyang with limited exposure to novelties, Ye Mingyu was different. He traveled across deserts and grasslands, often encountering rare items others never saw—among which might lie the key to creating new fabrics.

Everyone turned to Ye Mingyu, who rubbed his nose and muttered sheepishly, "I’ve seen plenty of rare things in my travels, but none related to the fabric trade. When I’m out having fun, who thinks about business…"

Ye Minghui and Ye Mingxuan exchanged exasperated looks. Their younger brother’s unreliability was common knowledge.

But Jiang Li was not discouraged.

She said, "It doesn’t necessarily have to be rare items related to weaving. For example, the box of peacock feathers Uncle Mingyu gave me—couldn’t those be used on fabric too?"

"Peacock feathers?" Ye Mingyu was stunned.

"What peacock feathers?" Ye Mingxuan asked.

"When Third Uncle returned, he brought several crates of pretty shells that resembled peacock feathers. They were lovely but worthless," Ye Rufeng said impatiently, then glanced curiously at Jiang Li. "How could peacock feathers be used on fabric?"

Ye Mingyu also looked at her. Though he had collected those shells, he was clueless about their practical use. When he bought the peacock feathers, business was the last thing on his mind—he’d simply splurged on them for their novelty and beauty.

"This just occurred to me," Jiang Li explained with a smile. "I know nothing about fabrics, so this is just a wild idea. Don’t laugh if I’m wrong. Peacock feathers have a subtle phosphorescence. I once read a fantasy tale describing fairies on mythical islands wearing garments shimmering with watery, pearl-like radiance—not embroidered with gold or silver thread, but glowing naturally. The colors were vibrant yet elegant. It made me wonder: if Ancient Fragrance Satin can imbue fabric with scent, could peacock feathers make cloth gleam like in that legend? We might not need the feathers themselves—any material that replicates their iridescence would work."

"Moreover, if such a fabric is tied to mythical tales, it would surely appeal to noble ladies in Yanjing City. Even if we can’t reproduce Ancient Fragrance Satin, the Ye family’s reputation remains. Creating a new fabric more captivating than Ancient Fragrance Satin could gradually build a new trade."

Jiang Li spoke calmly, projecting confidence, though privately she doubted the feasibility. Specialized crafts required expertise, but many skills were interconnected—excellence in one area often translated to another. Commerce and scholarship weren’t entirely unrelated.

Her unconventional idea left the room in silence. After a long pause, Ye Minghui suddenly stood and said to Ye Mingyu, "Bring me your peacock feathers. We’ll visit the weaving workshop tomorrow."Ye Mingyu was taken aback, still processing the idea when he saw Ye Mingxuan become excited as well, saying, "I think this is a brilliant idea, and it might just work. Let's first visit the weaving workshop to see if it can be produced. If possible... if possible..." He paused, seemingly unable to contain his joy, then finished his sentence, "Our Ye family might be on the verge of a new golden age."

Upon hearing this, Ye Jia'er and Ye Rufeng also grew visibly expectant, their gazes toward Jiang Li unconsciously revealing a hint of admiration.

She seemed to know everything and could always forge a new path in desperate situations, leading everyone toward a fresh direction. She was forever brimming with hope, bringing reassurance to others.

Jiang Li felt the Ye family’s grateful gazes upon her and smiled faintly.

She had done all she could.

There was still one more matter to attend to, but it wasn’t something she could accomplish through effort alone.

...

Ye Mingyu took everyone to see the peacock feathers, but Jiang Li did not join them.

She first visited Old Madam Ye, spending some time chatting with her. Old Madam Ye had been in much better spirits these past few days and had heard about Jiang Li’s proposal to use peacock feathers for new fabric. She praised Jiang Li’s ingenuity repeatedly. After a pleasant and intimate visit, Jiang Li left when Old Madam Ye grew tired and lay down to rest.

Instead of returning to her own courtyard, Jiang Li headed toward the main gate.

Tong’er asked, “Miss, are you planning to go out?”

Jiang Li nodded. “Let’s take a walk. The weather is quite nice today.”

Tong’er and Bai Xue hesitated for a moment but agreed. Unlike in the Jiang residence, where the gatekeepers would question Jiang Li’s whereabouts and Ji Shuran’s people would secretly monitor her every move, in the Ye family’s Xiangyang estate, Jiang Li enjoyed absolute freedom. No one would spy on where she went or what she did—at least, no one in the Ye family would—making it easier for her to carry out her plans.

Jiang Li, Tong’er, and Bai Xue strolled through the center of Xiangyang city for a while. Since her identity as Second Miss Jiang was now known, Jiang Li wore a veiled hat. Tong’er and Bai Xue found the novelty delightful and bought some trinkets, but Jiang Li showed little interest.

These were things she had seen many times before, nothing new to her, so she felt no excitement.

Unconsciously, they walked for some time until Tong’er began to recognize the route, though she couldn’t quite place where she had seen it before. But Jiang Li had always been good with directions, never taking a wrong turn, especially in Xiangyang, where she seemed as familiar as if she had been there many times. So Tong’er and Bai Xue didn’t think much of it.

Until Jiang Li stopped in front of a large mansion.

Tong’er stared at the familiar building, her voice trembling as she said, “Miss, this is Cher... Cher...”

“Cherish Flower House,” Jiang Li kindly reminded her.

“Cherish Flower House!” Tong’er blurted out, then immediately covered her mouth, afraid of being seen. She whispered to Jiang Li, “Miss, why are we here again?”

After their last visit to Cherish Flower House, Tong’er had spent days in fear, worried that someone might discover a young lady from an official family visiting a house of pleasure. She never imagined that, not long after that ordeal, the nightmare would repeat itself—Jiang Li had returned!

Could it be that their young lady had taken a liking to some girl inside? But their young lady had no such inclinations, and while she had heard of male companions, did houses of pleasure even have those?

As Tong’er’s mind raced with wild thoughts, she heard Jiang Li say, “You two don’t need to come up. Wait for me here. I’ll be back soon.”

Before Tong’er and Bai Xue could dissuade her, Jiang Li strode forward without looking back. They recognized it as the “back door” of Cherish Flower House.

Jiang Li walked step by step with unwavering determination.Some time had passed, and she had temporarily resolved the matters of the Ye family. However, her true purpose for returning to Xiangyang was only just beginning.

She wondered how Qiong Zhi's investigation into the Tongxiang affair was progressing.

Today is May 21st, my darlings, I love you all~

(End of Chapter)