The Double

Chapter 118: Father

There seemed to be no need to visit the remaining few hundred households one by one.

The sudden surge of commoners was already sufficient to serve as witnesses for Xue Huaiyuan. Upon hearing Jiang Li's intention to enter Yanjing City to overturn Xue Huaiyuan's wrongful conviction, these people eagerly expressed their willingness to accompany her. Thus, the previous concern about whether there would be enough witnesses was no longer an issue.

Ye Mingyu was overjoyed and thumped his chest, pledging to cover all expenses for transportation, lodging, and meals during the journey to the capital. Tong'er and Bai Xue were equally delighted. Seizing a moment alone with Jiang Li, Ye Mingyu asked, "A Li, have we completed our mission ahead of schedule? What should we do now?"

"With so many people on our side and Feng Yutang's forces mostly depleted, the unarmed commoners who have long harbored grievances against him are ready to vent their anger. Xiangyang's official dismissal order will arrive sooner or later. Since Feng Yutang enjoyed acting like a tyrant in Tongxiang, it's time he experienced what it feels like to be on the receiving end. Uncle, gather these people and head to the county office. We're going to stage a play called 'Dragging the Official to Court.'"

"I've only heard of 'Dragging One's Son to Court,' never 'Dragging the Official to Court,'" Ye Mingyu chuckled.

"Neither have I, so let's witness it firsthand. We must act quickly. I suspect Feng Yutang has already caught wind of this and is planning to flee. We can't let him escape—we need to capture him. Once Tong Zhiyang's transfer order arrives, we can release County Magistrate Xue from prison and escort the official to the capital."

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingyu exclaimed, "Excellent!" He relished such straightforward and decisive actions. Having endured days of frustration, he was finally able to hold his head high and seize the detestable Feng Yutang—a truly satisfying turn of events.

"Let's go, let's go!" Ye Mingyu urged impatiently.

...

The county office was unusually quiet that day.

Feng Yutang sat inside, waiting for his luggage to be delivered.

He dared not leave from his residence, knowing the journey ahead was perilous. He hadn't even brought his most beloved concubine, taking only the gold, silver, and treasures he had extorted during his tenure as the local official in Tongxiang. If his servants or concubines discovered he was absconding, they would surely cause an uproar, alerting Jiang Li and her group and thwarting his escape.

Feng Yutang had realized Jiang Li's plan yesterday when he learned she was going door-to-door in Tongxiang, asking residents if they would testify as witnesses. No wonder her forces had discreetly eliminated Princess Yongning's assassins without harming a hair on her head. Now it made sense: if Jiang Li wasn't afraid of Princess Yongning, why would she fear a minor official like him? She had spared him solely to save Xue Huaiyuan!

Only by keeping him alive could his own crimes be used to exonerate Xue Huaiyuan during the case review!

The moment this dawned on him, Feng Yutang was consumed by panic and resentment. Years ago, Xue Huaiyuan had expelled him from the county office, and he had loathed Xue Huaiyuan's merciless approach. Later, fortunes reversed—Xue Huaiyuan had offended Princess Yongning and ended up in prison. Feng Yutang had taken pleasure in instructing the jailers to "take good care" of him. Just as he was basking in his success, the daughter of the Grand Secretary had abruptly intervened, seeking to clear Xue Huaiyuan's name and nearly succeeding.

Xue Huaiyuan was truly his nemesis from birth!Jiang Li had this plan in mind, but Feng Yutang was unwilling to go along with it. Xue Huaiyuan was now a useless man, having lost his mind. Sacrificing so much for such a wreck was unthinkable. Moreover, if Xue Huaiyuan’s case were to be overturned, he himself would be the one to replace him. Although Princess Yongning was his master, she would never go to great lengths for a minor figure like him.

Jiang Li had put it aptly: when immortals fight, the little ghosts suffer. Feng Yutang knew his place—he was no immortal but a mere ghost liable to be crushed at any moment. Thus, he had to find his own way out. He could no longer stop Jiang Li from seeking to overturn Xue Huaiyuan’s case. Having bungled his task, Princess Yongning could snuff out his life at any time, and now he had offended Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter. If he didn’t leave now, when would he? So, early this morning, Feng Yutang had gone to the county office. The moved chests were all here, and with a few trusted followers, he waited only for the carriage to arrive so he could hurry on his way.

By the time Jiang Li found witnesses willing to testify, seven days later, he would be long gone. As for how Jiang Li and Princess Yongning would spar, let them be—he would have fled far away, and none of it would concern him!

Just as these thoughts crossed his mind, Feng Yutang heard some commotion outside. His spirits lifted, and he immediately rose from his stool, ordering his men to quickly carry the chests filled with silver notes and antiques. He strode toward the door, grumbling, "I told you to keep it quiet. What if someone notices?"

No sooner had he spoken than Feng Yutang reached the main gate of the county office. His voice trailed off abruptly, and he froze in astonishment.

Standing before him were none other than Ye Mingyu and Jiang Li.

"Lord Feng," Jiang Li greeted him with a smile.

Ye Mingyu forced a smile in return, though a sense of unease stirred within him. Jiang Li’s smile was gentle, and even Ye Mingyu wore a meaningful grin. This man, who resembled a bandit, had always treated Feng Yutang with cold disdain—when had he ever been so amiable?

"Second Miss Jiang," Feng Yutang concealed his scrutiny and asked Jiang Li, "What brings you two here so early? Is there something you need from this humble official?"

His attitude was a world apart from when he had first met Jiang Li. A flicker of contempt passed through Ye Mingyu’s eyes—such a sycophantic creature wasn’t worth a second glance.

Instead of answering Feng Yutang’s question, Jiang Li looked past him at the chests behind him and asked curiously, "Lord Feng, why have you moved so many chests? Are you going on a long journey?"

Feng Yutang’s heart sank. He quickly turned and signaled his men with his eyes to move the chests back inside, forcing an ingratiating smile. "How could that be? These are just items we took out earlier and are now putting back."

"Is that so?" Jiang Li smiled. "That’s good. I was worried you were leaving. If you were going away, it would have been troublesome—there’s something I’d like to ask for your help with in the future."

Jiang Li appeared gentle and amiable, but Feng Yutang knew well that this young beauty was not as kind as she seemed. Hearing that she needed his help didn’t put him at ease; instead, it sent a chill down his spine. He cautiously inquired, "What does Second Miss wish this humble official to assist with?""It's quite simple," Jiang Li said nonchalantly. "I just need Lord Feng to accompany me back to Yanjing and testify at the Dali Temple regarding County Magistrate Xue's case."

Feng Yutang stood frozen in place.

Jiang Li watched him calmly. Her eyes were excessively serene, yet Feng Yutang could detect the mockery brimming within them.

He stammered, "Second Miss Jiang, what kind of joke is this..."

"I don't care for jokes," Jiang Li shook her head.

A wave of humiliation surged through Feng Yutang. Jiang Li's petite figure blocking his path felt like an obstruction to his very survival. He desperately wanted to charge forward and wring her neck, carving a bloody path to freedom. But he didn't dare—Ye Mingyu stood beside Jiang Li, the great blade at his waist still radiating a chilling aura.

"Is Second Miss Jiang forcing this official to comply?"

Jiang Li smiled and nodded.

The gentler she appeared, the more furious Feng Yutang became. Rage ignited in his heart and wickedness stirred in his guts. He suddenly asked, "What if this official refuses?"

"Refuses?" Jiang Li's smile slowly faded as she stared at him expressionlessly. "I'm afraid Lord Feng doesn't have that option."

Feng Yutang refused to show weakness: "Second Miss Jiang pushes too far! Do you intend to kill this official?"

"That has nothing to do with me," Jiang Li shook her head. "The ones who won't let you go are them." She slightly shifted her position.

Feng Yutang saw.

Behind Jiang Li, beyond the county office gates guarded by Ye Mingyu, stood dense crowds of Tongxiang commoners. They had been standing there silently for who knows how long, watching Feng Yutang with eyes full of rage and agitation. It seemed that if not for Jiang Li's presence, they would have stormed in and torn Feng Yutang apart to vent their fury.

"See?" Jiang Li smiled.

Feng Yutang staggered, his feet involuntarily retreating a step. He shook his head, muttering, "Impossible..."

When his informants returned yesterday, they reported that over several days, Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu's group had visited households throughout Tongxiang but only found three witnesses. Among Tongxiang's five hundred households, three people amounted to nothing. Feng Yutang had been smug then, confident in his prestige among the commoners—even the Grand Secretary's daughter couldn't make them speak recklessly. That was why he believed it would take Jiang Li at least several more days to gather enough willing witnesses.

How could so many Tongxiang commoners stand behind her after just one night? What had happened? What had she told them?

"Feng Yutang!" a young man cried out bitterly. "You kidnapped my sister to be your concubine, and she died within three days of entering your residence! Give me back my sister!"

"This beast seized our family shop! My mother died of anger in our home!"

"He colluded with local tyrants to steal three antique paintings from our family!"

"Feng Yutang!"

Accusations echoed through the sky above Tongxiang County Office.

During his tenure, Feng Yutang had oppressed men and women, committing every imaginable evil. The people of Tongxiang had endured for too long, and now their pent-up fury erupted, terrifying Feng Yutang into continuous retreat. He tried to summon his former authority, but his confidence failed him. He could only roar with a false show of strength: "What are you doing? Are you rebelling?!"

The response was the people's even more boiling rage.Amid the clamor, Jiang Li's voice rang out with surprising clarity as she declared, "Lord Feng, those who commit many injustices will inevitably meet their end. Retribution may be delayed, but it never fails to arrive. Now, your time has come."

Feng Yutang stared at her for a long moment before suddenly turning to flee!

He knew Jiang Li was right—they outnumbered him, they held the advantage. In the past, he might have ordered his subordinates to fight back, dismissing the commoners as unarmed and powerless. But these days, most of his men sent to hunt Jiang Li had perished, and the remaining few were no longer a threat. With the commoners rising up now, his forces stood no chance!

Escape? But where could he possibly go?

Jiang Li watched coldly as Feng Yutang scrambled away in panic. With a wave of her hand, she commanded, "Lord Feng wishes to run. Please, everyone, help 'invite' him back."

No sooner had she spoken than a roar erupted. The commoners, long harboring deep resentment toward Feng Yutang, surged forward in pursuit. Even Feng Yutang's remaining subordinates were overwhelmed, beaten back by the crowd armed with sticks and baskets, pleading for mercy. Jiang Li had Ye Mingyu's guards keep watch. While she intended to let the people vent their anger, she had to ensure Feng Yutang did not escape.

The county office in Tongxiang had not seen such a crowd of commoners in a long time. Since Feng Yutang took office, the place had become a haunt for bullies and the wealthy—where silver could buy anything. For the commoners, visiting the county office meant suffering and exploitation, drenched in blood and tears. Over time, it became common knowledge in Tongxiang that the county office was a den of monsters.

But just days after Second Miss Jiang arrived in Tongxiang, commoners once again filled the county office. This time, it was not a case of "officials oppressing the people" but "officials driving the people to revolt."

Ye Mingyu watched gleefully as a woman viciously struck Feng Yutang's head with a shoulder pole, laughing heartily and calling out to Jiang Li, "That bastard is finally getting a taste of his own medicine—helpless and at others' mercy."

Jiang Li smiled faintly. "Just karma at work."

Though Feng Yutang was merely Princess Yongning's pawn, acting on her orders, he was undeniably complicit in her father's descent into madness and the inhuman torture he endured in prison. To think Feng Yutang could escape unscathed after all he had done—that was nothing but wishful thinking.

She would make Feng Yutang, and Princess Yongning, regret their actions for the rest of their lives.

Jiang Li turned to Ye Mingyu and said, "Uncle Mingyu, have someone tie Feng Yutang up. Don’t let him slip away. Keep him under close guard."

Ye Mingyu nodded. Seeing Jiang Li about to leave, he asked, "A Li, where are you going?"

Jiang Li replied, "To the prison. With Feng Yutang overthrown, the jailer has already fled. There will be no one to stop us from visiting County Magistrate Xue now." She smiled. "I suspect there are many other wrongly imprisoned individuals in Tongxiang’s prison, just like Magistrate Xue. I intend to release them all. It’s time for a change in Tongxiang."

...

In the end, those accompanying Jiang Li into the prison were Ye Mingyu's servant A Shun and Zhang the Butcher.

Although word had it that the jailer had fled, Ye Mingyu insisted Jiang Li take a few people with her, just in case. He himself stayed behind to keep an eye on Feng Yutang, ensuring he wouldn’t seize any opportunity to escape.At the entrance of the prison, the ground was covered with chaotic footprints. Likely left by the jailers who had hastily departed upon hearing the news of Feng Yutang's downfall. Scattered silver coins littered the floor, but Ye Mingyu had already dispatched men and locals from Tongxiang to block the city gates, ensuring anyone attempting to flee would be intercepted.

A Shun stood at the doorway, lighting a torch with Zhang Tufu as they peered inside. The prison was eerie and dark, all torches extinguished, making it difficult to see. Worried Jiang Li might trip over the steps in the dim light, A Shun was about to caution her when he saw her descend without even taking a torch.

A Shun: "..."

In their childhood, Xue Huaiyuan had forbidden him and Xue Zhao from entering the prison. Yet Xue Zhao often sneaked in with him. The jailer, aware they were Xue Huaiyuan's children and knowing children's playful nature, turned a blind eye, confident they wouldn't cause trouble. Thus, Jiang Li was no stranger to the prison. Some inmates were truly vicious criminals, while others had been driven to crime by desperation. But they all shared one trait: they bore the stigma of guilt.

Xue Huaiyuan always visited in his faded official robes. He had once freed Zhang Tufu, wrongfully imprisoned, and had also sent true criminals who evaded justice behind these bars.

Jiang Li never imagined the day would come when she'd search among the prisoners in shackles for a glimpse of her father.

Thankfully, the prison torches were out, and the light from Zhang Tufu and A Shun's torches wasn't bright enough to reveal her misty eyes. She walked slowly, each step deliberate, appearing cautious to avoid stumbling, but only Jiang Li knew her hands trembled slightly.

She was afraid.

Afraid to see her father—the man who had been her and Xue Zhao's unwavering support, their towering tree—curled up in darkness, stripped of his past clarity and memories.

A Shun's torch illuminated the faces in each cell one by one, stirring a chorus of pleas for justice. The number of wrongful cases Feng Yutang had handled was unknown, but at the sight of strangers, the prisoners' cries erupted in unison. Yet many merely glanced up indifferently, as if all hope for the future had vanished—these were the ones too broken by torment to believe in redemption.

No, no, no. Jiang Li scanned each face, her heart easing slightly upon seeing the maimed and broken weren't her father, only to grow more frantic with each passing cell. Why hadn't she found him yet?

Until the last cell.

A Shun's torch reached the cell door, but the figure inside huddled in the corner, facing away, unwilling to turn—whether asleep or lying down, it was unclear. A Shun instinctively glanced at Jiang Li. He had never seen Xue Huaiyuan and didn't know his appearance; Zhang Tufu did. But each time, before Zhang Tufu could identify anyone, Jiang Li shook her head faster than he could.

No one doubted that Jiang Li also knew Xue Huaiyuan. In fact, she was even more familiar with him than Zhang Tufu, enabling her to instantly discern whether the person inside was him.

A Shun looked at Jiang Li and saw her suddenly grip the cell bars, her expression turning dazed.He perked up, recognizing Jiang Li's expression as confirmation that this person was indeed Xue Huaiyuan. He hurriedly took out the prison cell key—which he had also picked up from the ground at the entrance.

The cell door swung open instantly.

Zhang Tufu was still hesitating. Although he knew Xue Huaiyuan, the man hadn't turned around, making it impossible to verify his identity by his face. Though puzzled by A Shun's immediate unlocking of the door after just one glance at Second Miss Jiang, Zhang Tufu thought to step in first himself to check—lest it not be Xue Huaiyuan and Second Miss Jiang get hurt. But then he saw the girl, as if unable to restrain herself, swiftly dart inside.

Both Zhang Tufu and A Shun were taken aback. A Shun called out, "Ah, Miss Cousin, your torch..."

In the dim torchlight, Jiang Li saw the figure sitting alone in the corner of the cell, head resting against the stone wall, hair disheveled. That once majestic, towering figure had somehow become so hunched and shrunken, curled into a small, frail bundle. Her mind went blank with a "buzz," her knees weakened, and she knelt down.

A Shun was astounded, nearly gasping aloud, but Zhang Tufu beside him tugged his sleeve, forcing him to swallow the exclamation. Still, he couldn't understand: a man's pride lies in his knees, and though Miss Cousin wasn't a man, kneeling shouldn't be taken lightly. Even if Xue Huaiyuan and Miss Cousin were old acquaintances or had some connection, for her to kneel before him like this was truly unbelievable.

What could have made Miss Cousin kneel so suddenly? Or had her knees given way from discomfort during the walk?

But A Shun quickly dismissed that thought as he watched Jiang Li reach out, support the grimy prisoner, and slowly turn him around to reveal his full face.

Both Zhang Tufu and A Shun stared wide-eyed.

It was a gaunt face, barely recognizable as human, with sunken cheeks and sharply protruding cheekbones. The body Jiang Li supported was emaciated, little more than skin and bones. A Shun had seen prisoners before—most fierce and vicious-looking, or wretched and downcast—but none as shocking as the man before him.

His hair had turned completely white, a snowy mass that at first glance seemed like Tongxiang's snow covering a person's head. Yet, the whiter his hair, the darker and thinner his frame appeared, like a candle flame on the verge of extinction, needing only one breath to be snuffed out.

Zhang Tufu murmured, "Lord Xue..."

A Shun instinctively looked at Zhang Tufu. This emaciated, seemingly moribund old man was the widely supported, principled, and dignified County Magistrate Xue he had heard of?

How could Magistrate Xue have fallen into such dire straits? Anyone seeing this prisoner would doubt he had long to live.

Would Miss Cousin be frightened by such a sight? As A Shun wondered, he saw Jiang Li reach out and slowly roll up Xue Huaiyuan's sleeve.

With her back to him, A Shun couldn't see Jiang Li's expression, but her posture seemed deeply pained, like a wounded beast suppressing its agony, whimpering as it licks incessantly flowing blood—drop by drop, never-ending.

The moment the sleeve was rolled up, Zhang Tufu beside him drew a sharp, low breath.

The faint flicker of firelight could not conceal the wounds covering the pitiful old man's body—some appeared to be from whips, others from blades, and still others like burns from red-hot branding irons pressed against human skin. These injuries layered upon one another, old scars not yet healed before new ones were added. Some wounds had festered, emitting a foul stench, with maggots slowly crawling over them. A Shun felt nauseated, his chest tightening with discomfort.

In his heart, he was utterly horrified by Feng Yutang's methods.

Even condemned prisoners, after all, should not be subjected to such torturous punishments. This was meant to make life worse than death, denying the victim a swift end. Jiang Li had only rolled up one sleeve, revealing a single arm, yet if one arm was in such a state, how many more similar wounds must cover Xue Huaiyuan's entire body?

In this pitch-black, bottomless prison, enduring relentless torture day after day, unable to live or die—no wonder Xue Huaiyuan had gone mad. A Shun even thought that if Jiang Li did not come to rescue this official in a few days, perhaps the execution would be a form of release for County Magistrate Xue.

Such days were simply too unbearable, too agonizing.

At the same time, he doubted in his heart: even if County Magistrate Xue were rescued, how long could he possibly survive? Even if he barely clung to life, what meaning was there in existing like a walking corpse, having lost all sanity and everything else?

Just as this thought crossed his mind, a low, mournful cry suddenly echoed through the prison.

Startled, A Shun followed the sound and was astonished to find that the source was none other than the young lady, Jiang Li.

The young lady, who always smiled gently and remained composed—even when facing the frenzied crowd at Lizheng Hall—was now kneeling on the ground, emitting a sound from her throat that seemed both sorrowful and joyous. Slowly, she bent forward, embracing Xue Huaiyuan's shoulders, and burst into loud, unrestrained sobs.

A Shun stared in stunned silence, and Zhang Tufu said nothing. In the prison, the clamor of pleas and grievances from the various cells, which had erupted upon their arrival, had suddenly fallen quiet at some point. Only the sound of the young girl's weeping could be heard.

Her cries seemed infectious, reverberating in the dark prison, swaying in the dim light of the lamps. It was as if she had relived all the joys and sorrows of a lifetime separated by years, suddenly granted a chance to start anew, weeping with overwhelming joy. Yet it also resembled standing before the rolling Yangtze River, mourning the irretrievable past and all the missed opportunities in life.

It was a sound that made one sorrowful, that tugged at the heartstrings.

The young girl showed no fear of the prisoner's foul stench or the maggots. She clung tightly to him, like a small, lost child who had finally spotted her father in a crowd, clutching this lifeline without hesitation, weeping freely and with relief.

Jiang Li's heart was shattered with grief.

Xue Huaiyuan was only a few years older than Jiang Yuanbai. In the past, Xue Huaiyuan had been like a graceful bamboo in a beautiful grove—though not as refined as Jiang Yuanbai, he possessed his own unyielding character. Her once tall and sturdy father had aged so rapidly, so abruptly. Not yet reaching the age of understanding destiny, his hair had turned completely white. If not for suffering immense trauma, how could it have come to this?His body was covered in scars, and whenever Jiang Li recalled those unbearable days, her heart felt as if pierced by a knife. If she had returned to Tongxiang faster after becoming Jiang Li, would her father have suffered less torment? Or if she had never provoked Shen Yurong, if there had been no Princess Yongning, and she had stayed in Tongxiang, could she have lived peacefully to old age with Xue Zhao and her father?

The world plays with people, tossing them about in its palm.

The bones of the man beneath her hands felt painfully sharp, as if he had no flesh left, only bones. Feng Yutang gave Xue Huaiyuan only the barest scraps of food, leaving him to endure hunger and cold.

Suddenly, amid Jiang Li’s cries of anguish, a frail voice emerged, faint as a dream.

“Ali?”

(End of Chapter)