The Double

Chapter 108: Seven Days

Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu followed the group of officers as they departed.

In the tavern, the commoners who had scattered earlier gradually gathered once more. Though silent, they exchanged meaningful glances as they watched the retreating figures—a sight that would surely startle any historian documenting these events, for it mirrored the ancient phenomenon of "exchanging glances on the road" in modern reality.

Perhaps wary of the words Jiang Li had spoken and fearing unnecessary trouble, the leading officer did not order his subordinates to escort them forcefully. Instead, they positioned themselves on either side of Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu. With Ye Mingyu appearing composed and Jiang Li wearing a faint smile, the officers seemed more like Ye family guards, flanking them as if ensuring their safety.

Jiang Li had walked the path from the tavern to the county office countless times. As she walked, she observed her surroundings. Tongxiang remained the same Tongxiang, seemingly unchanged from before, yet Jiang Li noticed that the people had transformed.

The commoners passing by on the streets avoided the officers, detouring around them with anxious expressions, as if encountering bandits. Some of the familiar small shops along the street had shut down permanently, while others had undergone complete makeovers. Most strikingly, the Tongxiang of the past had been a place where people—young and old—strolled leisurely and contentedly. Now, everyone wore deep exhaustion, and the town felt lifeless.

It seemed the newly appointed magistrate, the one who had replaced Xue Huaiyuan, was no honest official who cared for the people. As the saying goes, "When those above behave unworthily, those below will do the same." Those willing to serve Yongning were likely cut from the same cloth. When Jiang Li first arrived in Tongxiang, she hadn’t known what role the mastermind played, so she had deliberately "stirred the grass to startle the snake." Now that the snake had been startled and come seeking her out, it confirmed her suspicions—Yongning had enlisted someone from the official ranks.

Someone like Yongning, who wielded power and considered herself nobility, would naturally relish controlling others' lives to satisfy her twisted desires. By ousting the former magistrate and installing her own lackey, she ensured the new official would torment Xue Huaiyuan even more vigorously to win her favor.

Jiang Li’s fists clenched tightly.

Noticing her pursed lips and silence, Ye Mingyu leaned in and whispered, "A Li, are you afraid?"

Jiang Li smiled. "No."

"Neither am I," Ye Mingyu snorted softly. "But the current officials in Tongxiang are far too arrogant. They’re clearly taking advantage of being far from the emperor’s reach—like a monkey proclaiming himself king."

"Exactly," Jiang Li murmured. "Petty people grow arrogant when they gain power.""

Ye Mingyu shrugged. "Regardless, stay behind me later. If there’s any danger, the guards will get you out of here."

Jiang Li chuckled. Ye Mingyu, accustomed to the ways of the martial world, adhered to its principles: if you can’t win, run. She replied, "Don’t worry, Uncle. Nothing will happen. I can handle it."

Seeing her genuinely unperturbed, Ye Mingyu relaxed. However, Tong'er and Bai Xue grew uneasy, shielding Jiang Li more closely. Had they been in Yanjing City, there would have been nothing to fear—everyone would have deferred to Jiang Yuanbai’s influence. But in this unfamiliar small county, few might recognize Jiang Li, and if her identity was doubted, what then?Jiang Li, however, did not dwell on it too much. She knew this trip was unavoidable, and their confrontation with the other party had only just begun. She had long been aware of it.

In the time it took for two incense sticks to burn, they arrived at the county office.

As soon as they reached the entrance, Ye Mingyu let out a small exclamation, saying, "This county office is quite large, isn't it?"

Jiang Li observed the entrance, her gaze shifting thoughtfully.

During Xue Huaiyuan's tenure, to cut down on expenses, the county office had been maintained as it was before. Apart from necessary repairs when things became too dilapidated, the office usually appeared rather shabby.

But the county office before them now was entirely different from how it used to be. The entire building was freshly painted in red lacquer, the pillars had been recarved, and even the plaque had been replaced with a gilded one.

This newly appointed county magistrate clearly had ample funds and knew how to enjoy himself. The only question was how he had amassed the wealth used for these renovations.

Even before meeting him, Jiang Li had already formed an opinion about this magistrate.

The leading officer said, "Wait here. I'll go inform the magistrate!"

Jiang Li nodded. She could even guess what the other party intended to do. If the magistrate was clever, he wouldn't underestimate the background of their group. But to assert his authority, he would inevitably make them wait outside for a while, subjecting them to a minor inconvenience.

But none of that mattered.

Bai Xue remarked, "This looks much more impressive than the county office back in our hometown."

"Who knows what ill-gotten gains he used for this," Ye Mingyu said disdainfully. "If he had used the money spent on renovating the office to help the poor, I doubt there would be so many beggars on the streets."

Jiang Li said, "Uncle, you see things clearly."

"Of course," Ye Mingyu replied proudly, nodding.

Just as Jiang Li had anticipated, the other party indeed intended to keep them waiting. For at least the time it took one incense stick to burn, no one emerged from the county office to greet them. The officers assigned to watch over them knew nothing when questioned. After standing for a long time without even a cup of tea, Ye Mingyu grew thirsty and impatient. "What are these people dawdling for?" he grumbled. "Are we going to meet him or not?"

"Those who think highly of themselves always put on a show of importance," Jiang Li said with a smile. "Be patient. I think it won't be long now."

"Why?" Ye Mingyu asked.

"He wants to call us in just when we can't stand waiting any longer. Since you're already impatient, Uncle, and he sees your discomfort, he'll feel satisfied. There's no need to keep us waiting any longer."

Ye Mingyu said irritably, "So he just wants to make us uncomfortable, is that it? What kind of person is he?"

"I'd like to see what kind of person he is too," Jiang Li replied with a faint smile.

After waiting patiently a while longer, someone finally emerged from inside. It wasn't the leading officer from before but a servant-like figure. He walked up to Jiang Li and the others, scrutinized them for a moment, and then said, "The magistrate requests your presence."

Ye Mingyu snorted through his nose. "Enough with this 'magistrate' talk. I'm not from Tongxiang—what do I care about magistrates or nobodies?"

The servant seemed angered but, perhaps intimidated by Ye Mingyu's formidable fists, suppressed his temper and said, "Come in."

Only then did Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu follow him inside.The further Jiang Li ventured into the county government office, the more she realized that everything inside had been completely renewed. Not only were the furnishings brand new, but all the bailiffs, guards, and even the tea servers were unfamiliar faces—not a single familiar figure remained.

It seemed they truly feared leaving any evidence that could be held against them, hence this hasty and thorough purge.

Upon reaching the main hall of the office, they found rows of bailiffs standing on either side, holding batons and wearing fierce expressions. As Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu entered, it felt as though they were criminals being brought before the court during a trial, about to face punishment.

An attendant announced, "Your Honor, the individuals have been brought."

Jiang Li lifted her gaze.

Seated in the high seat at the front of the hall was a gaunt, middle-aged man with a sharp, rat-like face that instantly evoked discomfort. His slanted, triangular eyes roved over people with a lecherous glint, making him appear utterly unworthy of his position. Had it not been pointed out, no one would have believed this man was the county magistrate in daily life. Though one should not judge by appearances alone, there is truth in the saying that the face reflects the heart. This man clearly had ill intentions, resembling a street ruffian more than an official—far from the dignified image of a magistrate.

His posture was equally improper, causing Jiang Li to frown slightly. The seat he occupied was once where Xue Huaiyuan often sat. Her father had presided there to uphold justice for the people, while this man sat there like a monkey dressed in royal robes—an insult to the very office of the county government.

"So, you're the ones seeking an audience with me?" the scrawny magistrate asked arrogantly.

Jiang Li glanced at his face and found it somewhat familiar, prompting her to wonder where she had seen him before. Noticing her gaze, the man turned his attention to her, and upon clearly seeing her features, a flicker of greed flashed in his eyes.

Ye Mingyu caught it immediately and, enraged, stepped in front of Jiang Li protectively, barely restraining himself from cursing aloud.

At that very moment, Jiang Li suddenly recalled the man's identity—Feng Yutang!

She was astounded. She never expected that the newly appointed magistrate replacing Xue Huaiyuan would be Feng Yutang!

Jiang Li had encountered Feng Yutang before. Initially, the former clerk of the county office had resigned to care for his gravely ill mother, and someone had recommended Feng Yutang for the position. Feng Yutang was a scholar from Tongxiang who had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations but was literate and capable of writing essays. Xue Huaiyuan had taken him under his wing, hoping Feng Yutang would perform his duties diligently. However, Feng Yutang ended up embezzling funds, colluding with lawyers, and manipulating cases to influence Xue Huaiyuan's judgments.

When Xue Huaiyuan uncovered the scheme, he was furious. By then, Feng Yutang had already amassed considerable illicit wealth. Xue Huaiyuan had Feng Yutang severely punished with dozens of cane strikes and expelled from the county office. Jiang Li remembered how Feng Yutang had threatened to make Xue Huaiyuan pay, nearly provoking Xue Zhao to chase him down for another beating.

Now, to her disbelief, she was face-to-face with Feng Yutang again. And he had indeed made good on his threat—he had taken Xue Huaiyuan's position and even imprisoned him!

Jiang Li's heart turned icy cold in an instant. No wonder. No wonder it was him. Placing someone who harbored such deep resentment toward Xue Huaiyuan in this role meant that, even without Yongning's warning, Feng Yutang would only intensify his torment, devising every possible method to make Xue Huaiyuan's life a living hell.Feng Yutang saw Ye Mingyu shielding Jiang Li behind him, his gaze tinged with disappointment. He cleared his throat lightly and barked, "Who are you? Why are you causing trouble in Tongxiang?"

Jiang Li stepped sideways, moving past Ye Mingyu, and looked calmly at Feng Yutang.

Xue Huaiyuan had despised Feng Yutang for his greed and lack of propriety. Jiang Li, however, loathed him because back when she was still Xue Fangfei, every time she went to see her father and encountered Feng Yutang, he would fix her with a damp, sticky gaze that clung to her like glue. She detested that look intensely—it made her feel like prey, forcing her to keep her distance.

Years had passed, and Feng Yutang, now a county magistrate relying on his master's influence, remained unchanged in his vile nature. But this time, she would not keep her distance. Instead, she was determined to strip him of a layer of his skin.

"We are not causing trouble," Jiang Li said with a gentle smile. "We merely came to see you, sir."

Her voice was soft, her demeanor far gentler than Ye Mingyu's, and she was an elegant beauty. Feng Yutang's lecherous eyes swept over her. Though his tone softened slightly, it still carried the arrogance of one who borrows authority from others. "Oh? And what business do you have with this official?"

It was clear at a glance that these people were not from Tongxiang, yet they had been inquiring about Xue Huaiyuan's affairs throughout the town. Feng Yutang had been forewarned and dared not let his guard down. To his surprise, his subordinates reported that these individuals seemed unusual and had specifically come to see him. Though Feng Yutang had not been an official for long, he was well-versed in the intricacies of power. The exchange of words was, in fact, a test. But instead of gaining any clarity, he found himself even more bewildered.

Jiang Li looked at him, her red lips parting slightly as she uttered a single sentence: "We came to see you, Magistrate Feng, to understand why the former county magistrate of Tongxiang, Xue Huaiyuan, was imprisoned."

The room fell into silence.

Ye Mingyu and the others were puzzled: no one had mentioned the magistrate's name during their journey, so how did Jiang Li know to address him as "Magistrate Feng"? When had she learned this? Had she known all along?

Feng Yutang, however, was shocked that Jiang Li dared to ask such a question to his face!

No one in Tongxiang dared to broach this subject anymore. Earlier, when Jiang Li was brought in by the soldiers, she claimed she had inquired about the Xue family to see him. But now, faced with him, she stated that she had come to ask about the Xue family.

She was toying with them!

A surge of fury and humiliation at being deceived overwhelmed Feng Yutang. He roared, "How dare you ask about the criminal Xue family in front of this official! I see now that you are accomplices of the Xues. Men, seize all the Xue collaborators!"

The soldiers surrounding them immediately moved to arrest them.

Ye Mingyu drew his long blade in one swift motion and bellowed, "Who the hell dares to move? I'll chop their heads to pieces!"

Ye Mingyu had a talent for intimidation. His thunderous roar nearly made Feng Yutang lose his balance. Steadying his crooked hat, Feng Yutang shouted furiously, "What are you waiting for? Take them!"

At that moment, Jiang Li suddenly let out a soft laugh.

In such a perilous situation, the beauty's light laughter was like a dark Haitang flower blooming in an abyss gleaming with blades—a blend of delicacy and menace, stunning yet cold.

Everyone instinctively turned to look at her.

Feng Yutang stared, utterly captivated, and licked his lips.There were indeed beauties in Tongxiang, but they all possessed a petty charm. There was once Xue Fangfei, who could be considered the rarest of gems, but before he could devise a way to claim her, Xue Huaiyuan had already brought her down. Later, when Xue Fangfei married far away to Yanjing, he regretted it for a long time. If Xue Fangfei were still alive today, he would undoubtedly have taken her into his residence for endless indulgence.

Seeing the smug look in Feng Yutang's eyes, Jiang Li knew exactly what he was scheming. Suppressing her disgust, she instead offered a smile and said, "Lord Feng, I am Jiang Li."

Feng Yutang stared at her: "What Jiang Li?"

"What I mean," Jiang Li enunciated slowly, "is that my name is Jiang Li."

Jiang Li? Feng Yutang searched his mind. Tongxiang was not large, and he could name most of its residents. Even those whose names he couldn't recall, he recognized by sight. But Jiang Li was definitely not from Tongxiang—had she been, he wouldn't have overlooked such a striking woman from the start.

At this point, Feng Yutang relaxed. Though the big fellow looked fierce, two fists were no match for four hands, and sooner or later, he wouldn't leave the county office alive. As for this little beauty, she seemed intriguing; it would be better to keep her and savor her slowly. For now, he could play along with her as a bit of amusement.

He drawled, "Oh? Is the young lady telling me her name so that I'll remember you, perhaps even call out your name?" His words carried a hint of suggestiveness.

The entire hall of officers burst into raucous laughter. This place bore no resemblance to a county office—it was more like a gathering of street thugs, a motley crew of scoundrels.

Ye Mingyu, hearing this, flew into a rage and cursed, "How dare you, you dog official!" At this moment, he secretly began to regret his earlier confidence. He had brought Jiang Li here, thinking that, after all, it was a county office, and no matter how excessive things got, appearances had to be maintained—just like Tong Zhiyang in Xiangyang, who still had to mind the people's opinions. He never expected the county magistrate of Tongxiang to be so brazen, no better than a street ruffian. To even dare to flirt with Jiang Li in the public hall was utterly audacious!

Jiang Li watched Feng Yutang's smug expression coldly. Feng Yutang had replaced all the officers who had followed Xue Huaiyuan with his own men. Like master, like servants—Yongning was cruel and vicious, so Feng Yutang was her treacherous underling; Feng Yutang was greedy and lustful, so he had a gaggle of repulsive "officers."

They had turned this hall of justice into a filthy, vulgar den.

Jiang Li said, "Lord Feng is the master of Tongxiang, familiar with the name of every commoner here. You are a good official, busy with official duties all day, so it's only natural you wouldn't know me. After all, this isn't Yanjing."

Feng Yutang had been listening to Jiang Li with a somewhat smug smile, but when he heard the last few words, his smile gradually faded. He asked, "Yanjing."

Jiang Li looked at him with a faint smile.

Feng Yutang's heart skipped a beat. Of course he knew Yanjing—the noble who had promoted him was from Yanjing. What? Could this delicate little beauty before him also be a noble from Yanjing? Was she sent by that master? No, no, impossible. That master wouldn't need to send anyone to inquire about the Xue family's affairs. This young lady clearly didn't seem to be here to add insult to Xue Huaiyuan's injury.

His mind filled with doubt and alarm, he blurted out, "Who are you from Yanjing?"Ye Mingyu could now see what was happening. He crossed his arms and stood by Jiang Li's side as if watching a show. Although he disliked the rigid formalities and fickleness of officialdom, he had to admit that sometimes an official title was quite useful—especially when dealing with snobbish individuals who judged people by their status. It always hit the mark.

Jiang Li smiled and said, "Even if Lord Feng hasn't met me, you must have heard of the current Grand Secretary, Jiang Yuanbai. Coincidentally, I am his legitimate daughter, the second child of the Jiang family. Lord Feng should address me as Second Miss Jiang."

Her tone was neither heavy nor light, neither overtly hostile nor overly polite, but it carried just the right hint of mockery. Though she was smiling, there was an air of condescending disdain about her.

Feng Yutang was stunned, and the officers surrounding Ye Mingyu were equally startled. They might act like local tyrants in Tongxiang, but they knew exactly who Jiang Yuanbai was. At the peak of his power, nearly half of the court officials had been his protégés. In a place like Tongxiang, Jiang Yuanbai was a legendary figure. Now, Jiang Li was claiming to be his daughter—making her the genuine daughter of the Grand Secretary. The consequences of offending her were too terrifying for them to even contemplate.

"You... you... you..." Feng Yutang stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.

Jiang Li felt even more contemptuous. Even if Feng Yutang had become a county magistrate, his inherently bullying nature—cowering before the strong and preying on the weak—remained unchanged. The moment he encountered someone of higher status, his arrogance deflated like a leaky balloon.

Perhaps she ought to thank Jiang Yuanbai. At least the title of Second Miss Jiang saved her a great deal of trouble.

"Sec—Second Miss Jiang," Feng Yutang stammered, sweat beading on his forehead. He forced out the address stiffly and asked, "What brings you to see this humble official?"

Ye Mingyu couldn't hold back a snort of laughter. The shift from "this official" to "this humble official" was remarkably swift. That such a person could become a county magistrate made him feel sorry for the common people of Tongxiang.

"Haven’t I already said it?" Jiang Li replied. "I came to see Lord Feng to ask why the Xue family was sealed off and why County Magistrate Xue was imprisoned."

Feng Yutang studied Jiang Li carefully, his mind racing. From her question alone, he could deduce that she was definitely not on Princess Yongning's side. Why would someone from Princess Yongning’s faction be unaware of the Xue family’s situation? But whether Second Miss Jiang’s inquiry was a mere whim or had a deeper purpose, he couldn’t be sure.

However, he absolutely could not bungle the task Princess Yongning had entrusted to him.

Feng Yutang straightened his expression and declared solemnly, "The Xue family was sealed because the disgraced official Xue Huaiyuan embezzled disaster relief funds. The evidence is irrefutable. The court strictly punishes corrupt officials, which is why he was imprisoned."

"Oh?" Jiang Li had anticipated this response. She asked, "The evidence is irrefutable, you say?"

"Indeed."

"I see," Jiang Li nodded, feigning resignation. "Then there’s nothing to be done."

Feng Yutang’s heart leapt with relief, but before he could speak, Jiang Li looked up at him again, her smile bright and cheerful. "In that case, Lord Feng, may I pay a visit to this disgraced official Xue Huaiyuan?"

Feng Yutang was dumbstruck. Even Ye Mingyu shot Jiang Li a surprised glance."Second Miss Jiang, how could you..." Feng Yutang's words trailed off as he saw Jiang Li's composed expression. A sudden realization struck him—this was no whim of Second Miss Jiang's. How could the daughter of a Grand Secretary show such concern for a mere prisoner? Though she hadn't pressed about Xue Huaiyuan's case, her request to see him meant she intended to interfere!

Keeping his master's instructions firmly in mind, Feng Yutang said, "Second Miss Jiang, according to Northern Yan law, death row prisoners cannot receive visitors."

"Death row?" Jiang Li's smile vanished instantly.

"Indeed," Feng Yutang said. "According to the case records, the convicted official Xue Huaiyuan should have been executed half a year ago. However, he suddenly lost his sanity, which delayed the matter for some time. Now, in seven days, he is to be beheaded at the Meridian Gate."

Ye Mingyu, Tong'er, and Bai Xue all turned to look at Jiang Li.

Though none of them fully understood what Jiang Li intended to do, one thing was clear to them all: Jiang Li aimed to clear County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan's name and rescue him from prison. But now Feng Yutang claimed that Xue Huaiyuan would be executed in just seven days? Would Jiang Li's efforts be in vain?

Jiang Li sneered inwardly. Delayed for some time? She suspected it was Yongning's doing, wanting to prolong Xue Huaiyuan's suffering. Now that enough time had passed and Xue Fangfei was already dead, tormenting Xue Huaiyuan no longer held much interest for Yongning, hence the swift decision to "execute."

"Are you deceiving me, Lord Feng?" Jiang Li smiled faintly. "Could it be that you fear I might interfere with County Magistrate Xue and complicate matters, so you hastily decided on this execution in seven days just moments ago?"

Feng Yutang was caught off guard and struggled to respond. Suddenly, an idea struck him. His eyes shifted, and he gave a forced smile. "This is the truth, Second Miss Jiang. If you don't believe me, you may write to Yanjing City and inquire with the higher authorities. However... there is one thing I don't understand. You claim to be Second Miss Jiang, but do you have any proof? If not, do you know the penalty for impersonating the family of a court official?"

"Of course I know the penalty. But as for whether I am truly Second Miss Jiang, can't you tell, Lord Feng?" Jiang Li retorted.

Feng Yutang stared at Jiang Li, his palms sweating.

His intuition told him that this sharp-witted young beauty was indeed the real Second Miss Jiang. If nothing else, her unwavering confidence left no room for doubt. Yet, he could not simply acknowledge her. It was clear that Second Miss Jiang had come for the Xue family, seemingly to protect them. Having received orders from Princess Yongning, he absolutely could not allow this to happen. His only option was to pretend disbelief, act first and apologize later. At worst, he would be accused of misjudgment. But if Xue Huaiyuan were to escape, Princess Yongning's wrath would cost him ten heads.

Besides, he had Princess Yongning—the sister of the current Prince Cheng—backing him. So what if Second Miss Jiang's father was the Grand Secretary? He was merely a minister, while Prince Cheng might one day ascend the throne. Even Jiang Yuanbai would have to show deference to Prince Cheng. If Second Miss Jiang persisted, he could always invoke Princess Yongning's name and see who would back down.

With this thought, Feng Yutang felt reassured. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Jiang Li call out, "Lord Feng."

"Lord Feng," Jiang Li said indifferently, "I advise you not to entertain the idea of pretending to doubt my identity and apologizing afterward. In fact, to prevent such a scenario, I specifically brought my father's written order." Slowly, she drew a document from her sleeve, twirling it casually in her hand. The characters on the order were unmistakably stamped with Jiang Yuanbai's seal.

Feng Yutang's heart sank.This way, it would be impossible for him to blatantly lie. With such evidence, he had no choice but to acknowledge Jiang Li's identity as the daughter of the Grand Secretary. With this status, Jiang Li would no longer face restrictions in her words and actions, gaining greater freedom.

This was not a good thing.

While pondering countermeasures, he heard Jiang Li's calm voice again.

Jiang Li said, "I know Lord Feng's master is someone of great influence, and because of this, Lord Feng can act without restraint. But there's a saying Lord Feng must have heard: 'When gods fight, little ghosts suffer.'"

"Lord Feng should have the self-awareness to know whether you are a god or a little ghost," she said.

On a side note, the comments section has been quite lively recently, which is normal—every book goes through controversial phases. Some readers enjoy the romantic subplot, while others prefer the main storyline. Long-time followers of Tea Tea know her style: the focus is on the plot, with romance woven in. The early stages involve a lot of setup and are slow-burn.

As for the requests for more updates, I'm not a full-time writer, and this year I'm also busy with wedding preparations. So, updating 7,000 words daily is my limit. Readers who can't wait are welcome to let the chapters accumulate. Urging me really doesn't help (laughs).

Xiaoxiang has many stories with exciting romantic subplots and fast-paced narratives. Readers who prefer that style can check them out. I'd also like to recommend a story I'm currently following, "West Out of Yumen," on Jinjiang. It's just one chapter away from completion—so good!

Lastly, the character settings and overall plot of "The Legitimate Wife" are set. Those who don't like the Duke's character... might as well drop it now. We've already come this far—the characterizations can't be changed (.

After all, the most important thing about reading is enjoyment. If you're not having fun, why bother? You might as well play a couple rounds of Honor of Kings instead, right? ^_^

(End of Chapter)