The Double

Chapter 107 Tyranny

Jiang Li had never seen the Xue family in such a state.

When Xue Huaiyuan served as the county magistrate's assistant, his salary was modest. Unlike previous assistants who renovated their residences into tall, grand structures, he lived like any ordinary commoner. This three-section courtyard was only acquired because the original owner was embarking on a long journey and urgently sold it to Xue Huaiyuan at a low price.

Though dilapidated, the courtyard was kept clean and tidy—it was a home. Here, Xue Zhao and Xue Fangfei grew from carefree children into young adults.

In her memory, the Xue residence always had wisps of cooking smoke rising, full of vitality. The inexpensive flowers and plants planted at the entrance added charm to the home.

Yet now, the Xue family’s gate stood in ruins, the official seals glaringly stark. Even the seals were covered in a thick layer of dust, clearly untouched for a long time.

A once happy home, scattered just like that.

Seeing Jiang Li suddenly shed tears, Ye Mingyu was startled and asked, “A Li, what’s wrong?”

Jiang Li snapped back to reality and smiled, saying, “There’s too much dust here; some sand got in my eyes.” She took out a handkerchief, wiping her eyes as she spoke. “It’ll be fine after I wipe them.”

Ye Mingyu didn’t suspect anything. To him, Jiang Li was visiting Tongxiang for the first time, so this unfamiliar courtyard couldn’t possibly move her to tears. He asked, “Whose family is this? Why is it sealed by the authorities?”

“The Xue family,” Jiang Li replied.

Ye Mingyu was astonished. “How do you know?”

Jiang Li pointed at the seal. “It’s written right there. It must be the home of that magistrate’s assistant you just mentioned, the one who served the people wholeheartedly.”

Bai Xue and Tong’er were puzzled, while Ye Mingyu was too shocked to speak. After a long pause, he finally said, “What magistrate’s assistant? Why would the Xue family’s home be sealed? There must be some mistake. What… what happened here?” He had been away from Xiangyang for years, let alone Tongxiang. Moreover, the matter of Xue Huaiyuan hadn’t spread far; even Qiong Zhi had to inquire to learn about it, so Ye Mingyu couldn’t possibly have known.

Jiang Li smiled, her tone turning cold. “The weather is unpredictable, and fortune can change in a day. Who knows what Magistrate Xue encountered that led to his home being confiscated.”

Ye Mingyu found Jiang Li’s words somewhat odd but couldn’t pinpoint why. As they stood in silence, they heard a creak not far away. Someone pushed open the door and emerged from the small courtyard next to the Xue residence.

It was a woman with a floral scarf wrapped around her head, her skin slightly tanned, wearing a blue cloth skirt and carrying a bamboo basket over her elbow. She seemed surprised to see a group of strangers standing in front of the sealed Xue residence and hesitated to approach, watching them with wary uncertainty.

Ye Mingyu sighed. “Well, she probably thinks we’re troublemakers.”

Seeing the woman, Jiang Li felt a wave of familiarity wash over her.

This woman in the blue skirt was Aunt Chunfang from next door. She had watched Jiang Li and Xue Zhao grow up. After so many years apart, Jiang Li couldn’t help but take a few steps forward, walking toward Aunt Chunfang.

Ye Mingyu called out softly from behind, “Hey, A Li, what are you doing?”

Jiang Li walked up to Chunfang.Chunfang looked at Jiang Li, hesitantly wringing her hands. These people clearly weren't from Tongxiang, but the young lady before her was unmistakably from a wealthy family. Her features were flawless, her smile gentle and soft - where would Tongxiang ever produce such a refined young woman? No, there had been one before - Fangfei from the Xue family, who was recognized as Tongxiang's great beauty. Unfortunately, she had married into Yanjing City. But thankfully she had married away, otherwise if she had stayed in Tongxiang, she would have been implicated too...

As Chunfang's thoughts wandered, the young lady before her looked at her and asked gently, "Auntie, may I ask if this sealed residence belongs to County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan?"

Chunfang was startled. She scrutinized Jiang Li before replying, "Yes, it is. Do you know the Xue family?"

"No," Jiang Li shook her head. "I'm just curious. May I ask why County Magistrate Xue's residence has been sealed?"

Chunfang froze for a moment, then shook her head. "I... I don't know..."

"He's a local official, your county magistrate. There must be some reason why a government official's home was sealed. How could you not know, auntie?"

Perhaps it was Jiang Li's penetrating gaze or her pressing tone, but Chunfang unconsciously took a step back. She stammered, "I don't know... I just don't know... You should ask someone else."

Jiang Li said, "Is it that you don't know, or that you're unwilling to say?"

Chunfang looked up at Jiang Li and mustered her courage. "Why are you asking about Magistrate Xue? Who are you?"

With Jiang Li pressing like this, no one would believe she was merely asking out of curiosity. But Chunfang's evasiveness only made it more obvious she was hiding something. Jiang Li smiled, "Who I am isn't important. What matters is that I want to know about the Xue family, and whether you're willing to tell me."

Jiang Li knew Chunfang - they had been neighbors for many years, and Chunfang was a warm-hearted, kind person. Jiang Li believed that if not for overwhelming fear, Chunfang would never stand by and watch her father imprisoned. The same went for the other Tongxiang residents. But she wondered what kind of threat could make these common people too afraid to speak up.

Just then, the gate to Chunfang's courtyard creaked open again, and her husband's voice drifted from afar, "A Fang, why haven't you left yet? What are you doing?"

"I need to go sell my embroidery." Chunfang abruptly pushed past Jiang Li as if seizing an excuse, hurriedly trying to escape. But halfway there, she hesitated, turned back and said, "Young lady, since you're new here, let me give you some advice. Don't mention the Xue family in front of outsiders, to avoid bringing trouble upon yourselves. You... shouldn't draw too much attention." With that, carrying her bamboo basket and without another glance at Jiang Li as if pursued by something terrifying, she quickly disappeared.

Ye Mingyu stepped forward to stand beside Jiang Li, who was staring blankly at Chunfang's retreating figure, and complained, "Really, A Li was so polite, why did she act like she'd seen a ghost, scared to death?" Then he looked at Jiang Li, "I just heard you talking about some Xue family. What does that mean? A Li, what are you planning to do?"Jiang Li had come to Blue Stone Alley for no apparent reason, lingered for so long before the sealed Xue residence, and even inquired about the Xue family from a stranger—Ye Mingyu could tell this was no coincidence or whim. Her purpose in coming here was related to the Xue family.

"Uncle Mingyu," Jiang Li said, turning her head to look directly into Ye Mingyu's eyes, allowing him to see the determination in her gaze. "I came to Tongxiang for this very reason. Uncle, I want to clear the Xue family's name."

Ye Mingyu was stunned. Tong'er and Bai Xue were equally shocked.

No matter how one looked at it, Jiang Li was the daughter of Yanjing's Grand Secretary, while Xue Huaiyuan was merely a county magistrate in Tongxiang. The two had never crossed paths. Jiang Li's sudden declaration left Ye Mingyu at a loss for words.

It took him a long moment to find his voice. "You... what did you say?"

"I can't tell you why I'm doing this," Jiang Li apologized. "It's a long story, not something that can be explained in a few words. But County Magistrate Xue was indeed wrongly imprisoned. I've been entrusted by someone to investigate this matter thoroughly and restore his reputation."

"But how do you know County Magistrate Xue is innocent? How can a young girl like you investigate and clear his name? A Li, this is impossible!"

"Uncle Mingyu," Jiang Li's voice remained calm, as if this were a carefully considered decision that brooked no doubt. "Whether County Magistrate Xue is innocent or not will be revealed through investigation. Though I am just a girl, I am also the Grand Secretary's daughter—not without influence. To act despite knowing the difficulty isn't out of recklessness, but for the sake of justice." She continued, "In this world, right and wrong are often blurred—it's truly unfair. Moreover, the person I want to help has shown me kindness. Consider this my way of repaying a debt. Those in the martial world speak of repaying kindness and grudges alike. I know this matter is serious and I don't wish to implicate you, Uncle. If you find it inappropriate, you may withdraw now. I can handle it alone."

What should have sounded like a petulant declaration was delivered by Jiang Li with steady composure. Ye Mingyu stared into her eyes. He had always known his niece had a strong will, but only at this moment did he realize that Jiang Li always moved forward with unwavering resolve. She wasn't blind to the potential troubles and dire consequences, yet nothing could shake her determination to take each step.

As for him, her uncle—in a way, whether he was involved or not wouldn't hinder Jiang Li from pursuing her goals.

Then it struck him: if a young girl understood the principle of "acting despite knowing the difficulty," while he, who prided himself on being a hero, hesitated like a coward—how could he compare? A surge of reckless courage welled up in him. "Through fire and flood, I'll see this through to the end!" He patted Jiang Li's head affectionately. "After all, aren't I your own uncle?"

Jiang Li: "..."

"Then, Uncle," Jiang Li said, "once we're settled, there's something I'd like your help with."

"Name it!" Ye Mingyu agreed readily."Please have these guards and Uncle's men find a way to inquire loudly about the Xue family's sealing in the busiest places of Tongxiang—whether in taverns or teahouses—making it as conspicuous as possible, so that everyone can hear."

"Miss?" Tong'er whispered, "Didn't that auntie just say not to mention the Xue family's affairs in front of outsiders to avoid trouble? Why... why are we deliberately letting people know?"

Jiang Li smiled, "Because I want to beat the grass to startle the snake."

Ye Mingyu looked puzzled.

"If I can't find the snake, I'll make the snake come to me," she said with a faint smile.

Yongning's people had framed Xue Huaiyuan and imprisoned him, but the commoners had seen it all clearly. Over the years, no one understood Xue Huaiyuan's character better than the people of Tongxiang. To prevent the commoners from gossiping and causing unrest, they had resorted to some means to forbid discussions about the matter.

It was easy to imagine that when a group of people suddenly appeared, making a show of inquiring about Xue Huaiyuan's case, it would inevitably draw the attention of the other side. Before long, they would come knocking.

She was too lazy to investigate who the other party consisted of one by one. Instead, she would sit here and wait for them to walk right into the trap.

And she would settle accounts with them, one by one, without haste.

...

The peaceful lives of the Tongxiang commoners were completely shattered one afternoon.

In the afternoon, a group of outsiders appeared from nowhere, wandering around teahouses, taverns, and even the streets. What they were saying and doing, however, was asking passersby about the sealed-off residence of County Magistrate Xue.

Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu sat inside a tavern—the busiest one in Tongxiang. In the past, whenever there was fresh gossip in Tongxiang, people loved to gather in this small tavern to discuss it. Xue Zhao used to bring her here to eavesdrop, and sometimes they would hear many interesting stories.

But today was entirely different.

At first, the commoners were curiously eyeing them as unfamiliar outsiders. But when Ye Mingyu's guards began asking about the Xue family, the people's faces instantly turned fearful, scattering in all directions as if avoiding something. Others shut their mouths tightly, shaking their heads frantically.

Having lived in Tongxiang for so many years, Jiang Li knew the locals were generally warm and hospitable. Yet, it was clear that Ye Mingyu's men had frightened them—no one dared to approach. In fact, they were treated like the plague. Within just half an afternoon, commoners on the streets would either detour around them or whisper among themselves.

By the time they settled in the tavern, there wasn't a single customer left.

The tavern owner was no different. When he saw Jiang Li and the others arrive, he seemed to want to close up shop but was afraid of provoking the sword at Ye Mingyu's waist. So, he simply handed the tavern over to the waiter and made a quick escape. The waiter was even more amusing, trembling as he served tea. When Ye Mingyu tried to ask him to bring some fruit for Jiang Li to moisten her throat, the waiter, as if fearing that Ye Mingyu would utter something terrifying, scurried away in a flash.

"Well, isn't this strange," Ye Mingyu said, both annoyed and amused. "What have we done? These people are acting like mice seeing a cat—could they run any faster? Even when I traveled the world with a big beard, I never saw anyone this scared!"Jiang Li smiled faintly, "Because you mentioned the word 'Xue'."

"'Xue' isn't some forbidden word, why can't it even be mentioned?" Ye Mingyu grew increasingly agitated as he spoke, "A Li, I think you're right. This Tongxiang place is strange, and these common folks are odd too. If Xue Huaiyuan truly had nothing to hide, why make everything so mysterious? It's practically a case of protesting too much! I'd say there's an eighty percent chance Xue Huaiyuan was framed. Who the hell is scheming against the Xue family behind their backs?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a loud clatter came from downstairs, as if a young waiter had dropped his abacus. Jiang Li glanced down and saw the young waiter sitting by the tavern entrance, seemingly trying his best to distance himself from her.

"Fear reigns supreme," Jiang Li remarked.

"What?" Ye Mingyu looked puzzled.

Jiang Li explained slowly, "In the thirty-fourth year, the king grew increasingly harsh. None in the kingdom dared speak, and people only exchanged glances on the roads."

"In history, there was a monarch whose cruel policies, influenced by his favored ministers, transferred many commoners' livelihoods to the royal family, plunging the people into poverty and discontent. Instead of heeding advice, the king sent numerous sorcerers to patrol the capital's streets, eavesdropping on conversations. Anyone they identified as rebellious or slanderous was immediately imprisoned and executed. Thus, the entire nation no longer dared to comment on state affairs. Even when meeting, they avoided casual conversation and only exchanged glances on the roads."

Ye Mingyu said, "You mean Tongxiang is under surveillance, with people eavesdropping on conversations? Once someone is discovered discussing the Xue family, they're ordered executed? That's why the common folks 'turn pale at the mention of Xue' and view us as some kind of plague?"

"Exactly," Jiang Li replied.

"This is too..." Ye Mingyu exclaimed, "This is too audacious! Who in Tongxiang dares to act like a local tyrant? Even Tong Zhiyang in Xiangyang has to worry about public opinion. Who would be so bold? Who gave them such power?"

Jiang Li sneered inwardly. Those behind this naturally had immense courage because they were backed by Yongning, the current Prince Cheng's own sister. With the court situation unstable and uncertain whether Hongxiao Emperor could maintain his position, aligning with Yongning might bring future wealth and honor. Even disregarding the future, there was never any shortage of people currying favor with Yongning in the present.

They naturally felt secure and unafraid, daring enough to make Tongxiang "exchange only glances on the roads."

"Ah, I understand!" Ye Mingyu suddenly slapped the table. "No wonder you wanted us to openly discuss the Xue family like this, A Li. If those people are mixed in the crowd eavesdropping, they'll definitely find out and come to us proactively!"

"Yes," Jiang Li said. "This saves us a lot of time."

Seeing Jiang Li sitting upright without a trace of fear or unease, Ye Mingyu couldn't help asking, "But A Li, aren't you afraid?"

"I'm not afraid," Jiang Li said calmly. "In terms of conscience, I stand straight and fear no shadow. In terms of power, my father leads the scholars. I fear nothing. The only thing I fear is that they won't come. But fortunately," the corner of Jiang Li's mouth lifted, and for a moment Ye Mingyu felt her smile held a hint of mockery, "they've come."

Ye Mingyu looked down toward the lower floor.Suddenly, a group of mounted officers swarmed outside the tavern. The waiter nearly toppled from his chair in fright, trembling like a leaf. The leading officer shouted, "Where are those who were just discussing the Xue family?"

"Right here, you bastard!" Ye Mingyu slammed his cup onto the table arrogantly and stood up. His tall frame exuded an imposing aura as he strode downstairs.

Jiang Li set down her teacup and followed Ye Mingyu down. Tong'er and Bai Xue, worried for Jiang Li's safety, trailed closely behind her, step for step.

Ye Mingyu's men, who had been sent out earlier, had now returned to the tavern and were surrounded by the officers. Amid the tense standoff, Ye Mingyu descended the wooden stairs unhurriedly, his heavy footsteps creaking loudly, only amplifying his formidable presence.

Tall, with a sword at his waist and a scarred face, he radiated a bandit-like fierceness that was momentarily intimidating. Behind him, a young woman descended gracefully, her smile gentle and her demeanor pure and elegant.

The pairing of a hero and a beauty created an oddly harmonious picture, yet the leading officer felt that despite her smiling face, the beauty carried a sharper, colder aura than the hero's murderous intent.

Perhaps it was just his imagination.

Collecting himself, the officer demanded, "What are your intentions, going around asking about the criminal official Xue Huaiyuan?"

He immediately framed the question as an accusation, implying that Jiang Li and her companions were accomplices of the criminal official, as if they could be arrested with a mere conviction.

Without a second thought, Ye Mingyu retorted, "Boredom. We ask because we feel like it. What of it? Does Tongxiang now control what common folks chat about? You’ve got quite the reach—do you manage their eating, drinking, and shitting too?"

The officer flew into a rage, clearly not expecting Ye Mingyu to be so defiant. He drew his sword and pointed it at Ye Mingyu, who glared back, unsheathing his own blade with a menacing snarl.

In the jianghu, survival depended not on kindness or gentleness, but on ruthlessness—everyone was a tough character.

The officers drew their swords in unison, and Ye Mingyu's men did the same. The two sides faced off, terrifying the waiter so much that he hid under a table.

Amid the tension, the beauty chuckled lightly. Jiang Li stepped forward, extended a delicate finger, and gently, ever so gently, nudged the tip of the officer’s sword away from Ye Mingyu.

Her fair, soft fingertip rested against the cold, silver-glinting blade, not appearing fragile but instead exuding a chilling elegance. Her smile, however, was warm—a stark contrast to the sword’s edge—and she showed no fear of the officers. She said calmly, "Uncle, stop joking. Sir, we are not looking for the criminal official Xue Huaiyuan." She emphasized the words "criminal official," paused, and continued, "What we seek is your superior."

"Our superior?" The officer frowned. "What do you mean?"

"It's simple," Jiang Li replied. "I don’t know where your superior is, nor how to invite him here. I don’t even know how to inform him that we’ve arrived. But I heard that if we discuss the Xue family here, your superior would appear. So, I spoke—and indeed, how magical, here you are."Her smile was charming, but the sarcasm in her words left the soldiers feeling deeply unsettled. Their faces flushed and paled alternately, yet they couldn't refute Jiang Li's words—to do so would be a blatant admission of guilt, leaving them thoroughly frustrated.

"Enough nonsense!" The leading soldier snapped in shame and anger. "Why are you looking for our superior? What are you scheming?"

"Actually, if I hadn't come to find your superior, he would have certainly invited me himself upon learning of my arrival in Tongxiang," Jiang Li remarked nonchalantly. "But our schedule is tight, which is why I'm in such a hurry to see him."

Ye Mingyu said impatiently, "A Li, why waste so many words with them? Hurry and lead the way so we can meet this so-called official!"

The head officer, probably encountering for the first time someone who treated them with such disregard, sneered, "You think you can just demand to see our official? Who do you think you are? Talking so arrogantly—who knows what your relationship is with the criminal official Xue Huaiyuan?" He waved his hand. "Take them all away!"

Jiang Li smiled and retorted, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

The officer looked at her disdainfully, about to say something, when his eyes suddenly caught the emerald earring dangling from her earlobe, and he abruptly fell silent.

The emerald earring was a vibrant, translucent green, so vivid it seemed to drip with color, clearly of immense value. He recalled that the most favored concubine of their current official owned a bracelet of inferior quality, and even that had cost the official a fortune.

This girl couldn't be more than fifteen or sixteen years old, yet her attire was exquisitely refined. Her delicate features carried an innate elegance, the kind nurtured in wealthy, influential households. Even walking down the streets of Tongxiang, she would stand out strikingly. And the tall man beside her, whom she called "uncle," though rough in appearance, wielded a long sword with a hilt adorned by a pigeon-egg-sized ruby.

This group was clearly out of the ordinary—at the very least, they were not common folk. The officer's confidence wavered, and when he looked at Jiang Li again, he felt uncertain.

But with so many people watching, especially his subordinates, backing down now would be a blow to his pride. Weighing his options quickly, the officer decided to double down with more threats. Before he could speak, however, the girl glanced casually at her fingertips and said with an air of nonchalance, "If I were you, I'd take us to see the official while I'm still being polite. Otherwise..." She lifted her head and smiled sweetly at him. "...it certainly won't be us who ends up in trouble."

Her expression was gentle and harmless, yet in that instant, the officer glimpsed a hint of malice in her smile. An intuition told him that if he didn't comply with Jiang Li's request, the outcome would likely be just as she predicted.

He had no desire to face misfortune.

After scrutinizing Jiang Li and her companions for a moment, he stiffened his face and spat out gruffly, "Take them to see the official!" Perhaps feeling humiliated, he quickly strode to the front of the procession, unwilling to look at Jiang Li again.

Maybe he also sensed that continuing to engage with her would only leave him at a disadvantage. No matter what, he couldn't shake the imposing aura of this seemingly delicate girl.

Ye Mingyu shot Jiang Li a meaningful look and whispered, "Not bad, A Li! Your composure in the face of danger really reminds me of your uncle in his younger days. Well done!"

Tong'er patted her chest, exhaling in relief. "Miss, you scared me to death! Those officers were so fierce... I can't believe you dared to confront them head-on."

Jiang Li smiled faintly. "They're nothing but paper tigers." Having grown up following Xue Huaiyuan, she was accustomed to officers. Those uncles or elder brothers, once they shed their official uniforms, were just ordinary folks—they would buy her sweets and even confront bullies who picked on her.

To Jiang Li, people in official uniforms were the most familiar of all.But the soldiers who came today were not the familiar uncles and brothers she knew—every face was completely unfamiliar. Without a doubt, Xue Huaiyuan's troops had all been purged and replaced. Those who remained now obeyed the current "Lord."

She was determined to see exactly who this "Lord" was—a tyrant who dared to act like a king in Tongxiang, creating an atmosphere where "people dared only glare on the roads," yet eagerly served as Yongning's watchdog.

(End of Chapter)