The Double

Chapter 128: Possessed

“But you’ve surprised me. After all this circling, you’ve finally brought up the matter of Xue Fangfei.”

With just that one sentence, Jiang Li couldn’t help but look up at Ji Heng. After a moment, she smiled and said, “What do you mean, Duke? What does this have to do with Xue Fangfei?”

“Oh?” Ji Heng chuckled. “Weren’t you in a hurry to clear Xue Fangfei’s name, which is why you mentioned her during the Imperial Council? Acting like this won’t make Princess Yongning happy.”

He was as cunning as a demon, and nothing escaped his notice. But even so, Jiang Li hadn’t expected him to connect Xue Fangfei to the Xue family case—and so quickly at that.

“Why would I want to clear Xue Fangfei’s name?” Jiang Li replied calmly. “Wasn’t she an unchaste woman who engaged in an affair? Imperial Secretariat Writer Shen Yurong, out of sentiment for their past, couldn’t bring himself to divorce her. But as fate would have it, heaven soon took her—a fitting end for her own misdeeds. Why would anyone want to clear the name of someone like that?” She spoke of herself without batting an eye. An ordinary person would never imagine she could speak of herself in such a way.

Ji Heng let out a low laugh, leaning forward slightly as he studied Jiang Li’s expression meaningfully. Suddenly, he said in a hushed tone, “Why clear her name? Don’t you know best?”

Jiang Li was taken aback. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, Duke.”

“You’re a person with clear likes and dislikes,” Ji Heng remarked coolly. “Haven’t you noticed? When you speak of Shen Yurong, you don’t even refer to him as ‘Lord Shen.’ You hold a grudge against him.” He fiddled idly with his folding fan. “And you hold a grudge against Princess Yongning as well.”

His tone was declarative, not questioning. He had already figured it out and trusted his judgment.

Jiang Li pondered for a moment before saying, “Duke…”

“You know about their relationship,” Ji Heng stated, watching her.

Jiang Li took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure how much Ji Heng actually knew, but one thing was certain: he knew far more than she had imagined. Continuing to play dumb would only displease this ally. It was better to be honest, keeping her ultimate secret while mixing truth and falsehood, laying it all out—perhaps she could gain some unexpected advantages.

“What do you mean, Duke? That Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong are deeply attached, inseparable as glue and lacquer?” Her tone was mocking, prompting a smirk from Ji Heng.

“From your tone, it sounds rather bitter. Could it be that you also admired the young Lord Shen?” Ji Heng said. “Is that why you’re so full of jealousy and resentment?”

“Bitter? You must be joking, Duke. I don’t think Shen Yurong is worthy of admiration.”

“How strange,” Ji Heng remarked with interest, his gaze fixed on her. “The young Lord Shen is handsome, refined, and elegant. Countless noble ladies in Yanjing City adore him. You’re at an age when feelings first stir—how could you not be drawn to such a dashing man?”

How absurd that he would choose this moment to discuss such trivial matters with her. Jiang Li sneered. “Shen Yurong is, after all, just an Imperial Secretariat Writer with no family backing. To me, he’s merely one of those lowborn commoners who will stop at nothing to climb the social ladder. I am a daughter of the Jiang family. When it comes to matching status, Shen Yurong isn’t even qualified.”These words were spoken with the utmost sarcasm. Jiang Li herself never expected that one day such cutting remarks would come from her own mouth. If the Shen family were here, they would likely be driven mad with rage. But she had to say it. Back then, Princess Yongning had claimed her family background was too humble, unworthy of the now-successful Shen Yurong. Now, as the esteemed daughter of the Grand Secretary, even the accomplished Shen Yurong was nothing in her eyes—merely a man who relied on others for his success.

"You work tirelessly for the people of Tongxiang, sharing food and drink with them, never minding their lowly status. Yet when it comes to Young Master Shen, you disdain his impoverished background. It seems you hold quite a prejudice against him. Could it be there’s some deep-seated enmity between you?" He replied with a smile, every word laced with probing.

Jiang Li laughed lightly. "I was merely stating the truth. Moreover, although you, Duke, repeatedly praise Shen Yurong, in my opinion, he is not worth even a single strand of your hair. Whether in appearance, demeanor, family status, literary or military prowess, wisdom, or strategy, Shen Yurong falls far short of you, Duke. Rather than being captivated by an ordinary man like Shen Yurong, it would be far better to admire a celestial being like you. Don’t you agree?"

Ji Heng watched her quietly for a moment before suddenly breaking into a laugh. "You certainly know how to speak well," he said. "Jiang Yuanbai prides himself on being a refined scholar, yet his daughter has a tongue as sweet as honey. If I weren’t a man with a heart of iron, I might truly find it hard to let you go."

Jiang Li smiled. She was not foolish enough to believe her flattery could truly delight Ji Heng. In his position, he likely heard such praises countless times. If he were so easily swayed, there wouldn’t be rumors of his "unpredictable temperament." Still, one does not strike a smiling face, and she was more than willing to belittle Shen Yurong while elevating Ji Heng.

"However, your actions have already drawn the attention of Shen Yurong and Yongning," Ji Heng remarked. "Next, they will come after you."

"Thank you for the warning, Duke," Jiang Li said, looking at him earnestly. "But you once said my life belongs to you. No one can take what is yours—including my life. So I am not worried, because I trust you, Duke."

"Little one, are you trying to entangle me?" His long, captivating eyes were filled with a cold clarity. "I said I would protect your life, but that doesn’t mean I’ll act as your personal guard. In the Northern Yan court, those who seek my protection must pay a price—one you likely cannot afford."

His words were utterly arrogant, yet Jiang Li knew Ji Heng was not lying. Even Prince Cheng had sought his protection, and though openly rejected, he dared not entertain the thought of "eliminating what cannot be used." Such was Ji Heng’s power.

Jiang Li replied, "Precisely because you are the one in Northern Yan most capable of protecting me, I hope to earn your shelter. What I seek to accomplish is both treasonous and fraught with difficulty. A single misstep could implicate those around me, so there are things I must do alone. No matter how challenging, I will see it through. Duke, fortunes change like the turning of a river—thirty years on one bank, thirty on the other. Though I may be insignificant now, a seemingly useless daughter of a noble house, given time, I may yet prove capable of lending you a hand.""You're so small, yet your words are so grand. Want to help me?" He fanned himself lightly. "You're still a bit too young for that."

"At the very least, I believe I am more worthy of your trust than Prince Cheng."

Ji Heng supported Prince Cheng to create a tripartite balance in the current court, yet he still needed the Hongxiao Emperor to rely on him. All Prince Cheng could achieve was a state of equilibrium. But Jiang Li believed that Prince Cheng's contentment with this balance would not last long. The conflict between the Hongxiao Emperor and Prince Cheng had not formed overnight; their back-and-forth exchanges during the Imperial Council were already thought-provoking. She feared that a bloody struggle for the throne would arrive soon.

When that time came, it was unclear which faction the Jiang family would side with. The Jiang family was also caught in the middle, and if they were not careful, they could become casualties of this conflict. Throughout history, such outcomes had been countless.

Ji Heng looked at her for a moment and said, "Enough, go and attend to your own affairs. I cannot interfere too much in the internal matters of the Jiang family. If you need my rescue for everything, you would not be worthy of my protection. The flowers cultivated in our Duke's estate garden are not just beautiful—each one has unique properties. Ali," he called her name gently, but his words seemed to peel back the cruelest truths of the world for her to see, "in Yanjing, it is easy to survive, but difficult to live well. Especially for someone like you, who wishes to rely on herself. I cannot call you foolish, only naive, but you should be glad that I do not dislike your naivety. So, regarding the matters you hold dear—about Shen Yurong and Yongning—I will not intervene."

"That is your affair," he said.

Jiang Li slowly smiled.

She said, "Thank you, Duke."

Ji Heng said nothing more. He stepped down from the carriage and, as if suddenly remembering something, pulled an object from his sleeve and tossed it to Jiang Li. "If you ever need anything, blow this whistle. There are people of mine in your Jiang residence who will come to your aid. Consider it a gift." He did not look back, his voice carrying a faint trace of laughter, like a sigh or a gentle blessing.

"May you achieve your heart's desire."

After Ji Heng left, Bai Xue and Tong'er were startled to see a man step down from the carriage. Once they recognized it was Ji Heng, they relaxed slightly. Jiang Li's relationship with Ji Heng seemed amicable; at the very least, she never showed any displeasure after meeting with him.

Neither Tong'er nor Bai Xue were Jiang Yuanbai's people, so they naturally did not need to report this to him. Moreover, neither of them had lived long in the residence and were not as rigid as other maids, who might consider a private meeting with an unfamiliar man to be a grave offense.

Once they were back in the carriage, Tong'er asked Jiang Li cautiously, "Miss, why did the Duke come to the carriage just now? Was there something important?"

"Nothing," Jiang Li replied, gazing at the whistle in her palm. Bai Xue followed her gaze and noticed the whistle as well, remarking, "This whistle is exquisitely made."

At the top of the snow-white porcelain whistle bloomed a black peony. Even on such a small object, the peony was depicted in intricate detail, vivid and lifelike. Jiang Li tucked the whistle away safely and said, "Yes."

Ji Heng had given her the whistle, tacitly acknowledging a truth: although he might not have guessed that she was Xue Fangfei, he was fully aware of her intentions—to confront Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning in the future and clear the names of Xue Fangfei and her brother Xue Zhao.He knew, he wouldn't interfere, he tacitly consented, and at critical moments, he would even lend a hand.

Thus, she gained another bargaining chip—the most powerful one in the Northern Yan court. Though this chip came at a cost, and the exact nature of that cost remained unclear for now.

But Jiang Li considered it a worthwhile deal, one that would grant her near-fearlessness in the future.

She only needed to plan carefully; as for whether it could be done or if she dared to do it—with Ji Heng by her side, she had nothing to fear.

...

Just as Ji Heng had said, in the princess's residence, Princess Yongning was in a furious rage.

Feng Yutang had been executed by hanging, and until his death, he never revealed Princess Yongning's name. But Prince Cheng informed Yongning that while this was the surface appearance, no one knew what else Zhou Dezhao from the Ministry of Justice had managed to extract from Feng Yutang later. Though the Hongxiao Emperor appeared not to pursue the matter deeply, allowing Jiang Li to exonerate Xue Huaiyuan at the Imperial Council had already made his stance clear. The Hongxiao Emperor's intention to deal with Prince Cheng was no longer a secret.

The Xue family case had exposed the undercurrents surging within the Northern Yan court. Prince Cheng had already returned to discuss matters concerning the Hongxiao Emperor with Consort Liu. The less the Hongxiao Emperor concealed his intent to kill Prince Cheng, the closer that day drew near—they needed to begin preparations for their uprising.

As for Princess Yongning, she cared little for the turmoil in the court. In her view, the world would eventually belong to Prince Cheng, and when that day came, her status would only rise higher, with nothing beyond her reach. What vexed her most urgently now was Jiang Li.

Jiang Li had implicated her in the Xue family case during the Imperial Council, which was bad enough, though there was no concrete evidence. But at this critical juncture, she had finally persuaded Consort Liu to soon propose to the Hongxiao Emperor her intention to have Shen Yurong as her Imperial Son-in-Law, and Shen Yurong had agreed. Yet, at this very moment, the Xue family case resurfaced, and Xue Fangfei—who had gradually faded from Yanjing City's memory—was brought up again.

Under these circumstances, forget about marrying Shen Yurong; even if she were merely associated with him or seen getting close, those who grasped at shadows would say: Princess Yongning had Feng Yutang frame Xue Huaiyuan and imprison him just to be with Shen Yurong! Such methods—who could say if there wasn't more to the story of Xue Fangfei's alleged affair?

To clear the stain from Xue Fangfei's name and restore her as Yanjing City's peerlessly talented and beautiful top beauty? Yongning would never allow it!

What tormented her most was that because of this case, Shen Yurong asked her to postpone their marriage plans.

Having been intimate with Shen Yurong for so long, Princess Yongning had long understood his temperament. Shen Yurong was extremely cautious in his actions and adept at weighing pros and cons. This matter brought him harm with no benefit, so he would certainly reconsider marrying her. At the very least, he wouldn't marry her now. Shen Yurong could afford to wait, but Princess Yongning could not. What if something went wrong in the meantime? She was desperate to possess him.

But now Shen Yurong had retreated, and Princess Yongning nearly turned against him over it. Yet Shen Yurong was stubborn, leaving even Yongning feeling helpless. Unable to sway Shen Yurong, she transferred all her hatred onto Jiang Li. If not for Jiang Li meddling and insisting on investigating the Xue family case, how could things have reached such a state!Princess Yongning suspected Jiang Li was doing this deliberately. Back when she had ordered Feng Yutang to assassinate Jiang Li, for some unknown reason, the attempt had failed. Instead, Jiang Li led the people of Tongxiang to the capital, catching her completely off guard. Bringing up her name at the Imperial Council was clearly intentional. Jiang Li had long known about the assassination attempt and had turned the tables on her. Princess Yongning even speculated that Jiang Li might have known all along that she was the master behind Feng Yutang, not just stumbling upon the letters by chance. The name Xue Fangfei wasn’t mentioned casually either. Perhaps Jiang Li even knew the cause of Xue Fangfei’s death… Just how much did she know?

Princess Yongning shot to her feet, her expression filled with agitation. Regarding Xue Fangfei’s matter, she had disposed of everyone who knew about it. She believed she had covered all her tracks, leaving no room for others to find out. Yet, for some reason, Jiang Li’s appearance gave her an uneasy feeling, as if the handling of Xue Fangfei’s case hadn’t been as foolproof as she thought.

“No,” a flash of ruthlessness crossed her eyes, “Jiang Li cannot be allowed to live in this world.”

Xue Fangfei was already dead. Everything related to Xue Fangfei and the Xue family should be buried deep underground, just like her, never to be mentioned again. With time, all traces of their existence would vanish from the world. Since Jiang Li had touched upon the secrets of the Xue family, even if only possibly, she no longer had any reason to remain alive.

To eliminate a problem, one must pull it up by the roots. Who asked her to meddle and insist on involving herself with the Xue family?

“Your Highness, you must not,” Meixiang, Princess Yongning’s personal maid, interjected. “The Xue family’s case has just concluded. Prince Cheng mentioned that the Emperor is secretly plotting something. If something were to happen to Second Miss Jiang at this critical moment, wouldn’t it give the Emperor an opportunity to target our princess’s residence? Moreover, Second Miss Jiang is no ordinary person. She has numerous guards around her. Attempting anything in Yanjing City would inevitably leave traces. Your Highness, it’s far too risky.”

Meixiang was Princess Yongning’s most trusted confidante. Frowning impatiently, the princess retorted, “This won’t do, that won’t do. Jiang Li clearly has no respect for me. Am I to let her act so arrogantly? If it weren’t for her, how could things between me and Shen Lang have come to this? I’ve suffered a loss at her hands—am I supposed to swallow it silently? How could I possibly?”

Princess Yongning, accustomed to getting her way, had never been in a situation where she had to suffer in silence like a mute tasting bitter herbs. Meixiang approached, gently guiding the princess back to her seat and massaging her shoulders. “Your Highness, it’s not that we shouldn’t deal with Second Miss Jiang, but now is not the right time. Once the situation calms down, you can make your move. It won’t be too late then.”

“Easier said than done,” Princess Yongning sneered. “Every time I think of this, I wish I could skin that wretched woman alive. How can you expect me to endure this?”

“Actually, Your Highness, you don’t have to endure it,” Meixiang said patiently. “Some things don’t require your personal involvement. Although Second Miss Jiang appears gentle, she has made many enemies within the Jiang family. If someone else were to act on your behalf, you wouldn’t have to lift a finger. You could simply reap the rewards. Wouldn’t that be ideal?”

Princess Yongning caught the implication in her words and asked, “What do you mean by that?”"I heard that the reason Second Miss Jiang was sent to Qingcheng Mountain seven years ago was because she gained the reputation of killing her own mother and brother. Think about it, how could the current Madame Jiang be willing to accept that her own son was lost at the hands of this young lady? The main branch of the Jiang family has two legitimate daughters. Originally, Third Miss Jiang, Jiang Youyao, was renowned throughout the capital, admired by everyone. Who would have thought that within just half a year of Second Miss Jiang's return to the capital, she not only took the top spot in the palace examination and received honors from His Majesty, but has now even won the hearts of the people. When the common folk of the entire capital hear the name Second Miss Jiang, they all speak of her with praise."

"In comparison, Third Miss Jiang has faded into the background. People always make comparisons. The more glorious Second Miss Jiang becomes, who suffers? It's Third Miss Jiang who suffers. As Third Miss Jiang's birth mother, and with past grievances against Second Miss Jiang, how could Ji Shi possibly be at ease? So, Your Highness, tell me, who currently hates Second Miss Jiang the most and views her as a thorn in their side?"

"It's... Ji Shi." Princess Yongning's eyes flashed, but soon she cast a suspicious glance at her maid. "How do you know all these details so clearly? What evidence do you have? It's true that Ji Shi hates Jiang Li, but Ji Shi has always been known for her virtue. To preserve her reputation as Madame Jiang, what's wrong with enduring for a while? Besides, Jiang Li is so cunning and sinister—Ji Shi might not be able to outmaneuver her."

Meixiang whispered, "Your Highness, my cousin works in Third Miss Jiang's courtyard. It was my cousin who told me. I also heard that this Ji Shi hates Jiang Li to the bone. When Jiang Li went to Tongxiang previously, Ji Shi even hired assassins to have Second Miss Jiang killed along the way. But for some reason it didn't succeed, and Second Miss Jiang returned safely to Yanjing City."

Upon hearing this, Princess Yongning gritted her teeth. "She's truly fortunate to be alive."

"So Your Highness need not worry. Second Miss Jiang has done so many things that countless people want her dead. This time, with Second Miss Jiang winning the case against the Xue family, it appears even more outrageous in Ji Shi's eyes. To eliminate future troubles, Ji Shi will definitely resort to ruthless measures. Your Highness might as well just watch. If Ji Shi wins and Second Miss Jiang falls, naturally everyone will be happy. If Ji Shi loses, then Your Highness must be even more cautious of Second Miss Jiang, as it shows she's not simple."

"You mean Ji Shi?" Yongning said disdainfully. "She's just a woman. If she really had capability, how could she tolerate Jiang Li climbing over her head to reach this point? It's clear she's incompetent. Asking her to deal with Jiang Li—I don't think she can handle it."

"Ji Shi may not be much, but behind her is the Deputy Censor Ji family. Your Highness, don't forget that Consort Li is from the Ji family. Being able to gain His Majesty's exclusive favor in the palace, Consort Li is no fool either. If Ji Shi truly has no methods, she just needs to ask Consort Li for a solution. Consort Li won't sit idly by. This way... who ultimately wins or loses is still hard to say."

Princess Yongning nodded and said, "What you say makes sense. Consort Li does have some cleverness. In that case..." She looked at Meixiang. "Since you're clever, in this matter, you should find a way to stir the pot. Whether through your cousin or by devising your own methods, within one month, I want Ji Shi to make a move against Jiang Li. Regardless of the outcome... between the two of them, there must be casualties!"

Meixiang hurriedly complied.Princess Yongning finally seemed somewhat appeased. She looked at Meixiang and said, "You are loyal. Rest assured, if this matter succeeds, you shall be credited with the greatest contribution and richly rewarded."

Meixiang joyfully expressed her gratitude, and as she lowered her head, no one noticed the peculiar glint that flashed in her eyes.

...

In the Jiang residence, Ji Shuran was speaking with Jiang Youyao.

Jiang Youyao leaned against Ji Shuran's knees. Ever since the incident with Zhou Yanbang had passed, Ji Shuran had been searching for suitable young talents for Jiang Youyao. There were indeed some good candidates, but Jiang Youyao seemed distracted. Ji Shuran noticed that she still harbored lingering feelings for Zhou Yanbang and feared she might do something reckless. Thus, she had Jiang Youyao closely watched at all times, either by servants or by herself, preventing her from going out and making another mistake.

Whether out of despair or other reasons, Jiang Youyao had grown increasingly listless. It was only after Jiang Li's recent return that Jiang Youyao reignited her competitive spirit, wishing nothing but misfortune upon Jiang Li.

Unfortunately, her wishes went unfulfilled. Jiang Li, with the support of the people of Tongxiang County, had successfully overturned the unjust case against the Xue family, further enhancing her reputation among the common folk. Moreover, her articulate and measured arguments during the Imperial Council had earned praise from several court officials.

By all appearances, Jiang Li was gradually surpassing her.

Ji Shuran's maid, Xiahan, entered and reported, "Madam, the Second Young Lady is not in the residence. She has gone to the Ye family to visit Xue Huaiyuan."

"Xue Huaiyuan," Jiang Youyao snorted coldly upon hearing this. "Isn't he just a madman? She visits him every day—what a hypocrite, putting on a show to gain a reputation for kindness."

Ji Shuran ignored Jiang Youyao's remark and asked instead, "Have you uncovered any prior connection between Jiang Li and the Xue family?"

Xiahan shook her head. "The Second Young Lady has lived in Yanjing since childhood. The only time she left was eight years ago when she went to Qingcheng Mountain. But the Xue family never visited Qingcheng Mountain, so there is indeed no trace of any connection."

"That is strange," Ji Shuran murmured, her eyes flickering. "If there is no connection, why is she so devoted to Xue Huaiyuan?"

"Mother, I told you—she's putting on an act for others to see, pretending to be compassionate. It's disgusting."

Ji Shuran shook her head. "It is not an act."

Indeed, Jiang Li was a shrewd young woman. For someone her age, it was rare to conceal one's emotions so well. Precisely because of this, her occasional displays of genuine affection seemed particularly unusual. Her care and warmth toward Xue Huaiyuan were not feigned.

Jiang Yuanbai had sensed this as well. Lately, Ji Shuran had been subtly influencing him, suggesting that Jiang Li treated an outsider with more intimacy than her own father.

Although Jiang Yuanbai never voiced it, he seemed to mind. These days, his attitude toward Jiang Li had grown distant.

For Ji Shuran, this was not enough. She needed to uncover the hidden truth and grasp Jiang Li's weakness to strike a decisive blow.

Xunchun, standing nearby, remarked, "This servant observes that the Second Young Lady treats Xue Huaiyuan as if he were family, attending to every detail. Could it be that she is possessed?"

"Possessed?" The thought stirred something in Ji Shuran.

She chided, "Nonsense! How can you speak so carelessly of possession?"Upon hearing this, Jiang Youyao said dismissively, "I think she's possessed by evil spirits. Otherwise, mother, why has she become a completely different person since returning from Mount Qingcheng? Could Mount Qingcheng turn fools into wise people? Are those nuns and monks all immortals? Perhaps she's been possessed by some fox spirit that's come to bring disaster upon our family."

(End of Chapter)