The Double

Chapter 132: Night Investigation

Hu Yiniang sat for a while longer before finally taking her leave.

As she departed, Jiang Li instructed Tong'er to deliver some charcoal briquettes to Hu Yiniang's courtyard. Otherwise, before Jiang Li could expose Ji Shuran's true nature, Hu Yiniang and her maid might freeze to death first.

Hu Yiniang declared that whatever Jiang Li asked of her, she would willingly do it, as long as it could avenge the Eldest Young Lady of the Jiang family.

After Hu Yiniang left, Tong'er closed the door to the room and, ensuring no one else was present, said, "Miss, although what Hu Yiniang said may not necessarily be true... this matter is of great importance. You must investigate it thoroughly."

"That's right," Bai Xue added, "If Hu Yiniang is telling the truth, then Ji Shi would be guilty of murder. To have someone harm the lady of the household before even marrying into the family—if this were brought before the capital's magistrate, even as an official's family member, she would have to pay with her life."

Jiang Li waved her hand dismissively. "Hu Yiniang's words are just one side of the story. Until this matter is resolved, it must not be spread outside."

Tong'er and Bai Xue, understanding the gravity of the situation, immediately vowed not to utter a single word about it to anyone.

Jiang Li's gaze deepened.

Initially, she had only suspected that the death of the Jiang family's Eldest Young Lady was not accidental. A bolder speculation was that the miscarriage incident involving Ji Shuran back then wasn't entirely as it appeared on the surface—her own actions likely had deeper implications. But from Hu Yiniang's account, she had learned this shocking revelation: Ye Zhenzhen's death was actually connected to Ji Shuran.

Although Jiang Li claimed this was merely Hu Yiniang's one-sided statement, her intuition told her that what Hu Yiniang said was probably true. However, one thing still puzzled Jiang Li: at that time, Ye Zhenzhen was still alive, and Ji Shuran hadn't even married yet. How could she have been willing to scheme to become Jiang Yuanbai's second wife, even to the extent of causing Ye Zhenzhen's death?

Before this, Jiang Yuanbai and Ji Shuran had no contact with each other. According to the information Jiang Li had gathered, Ji Shuran was chosen by Jiang Yuanbai after Ye Zhenzhen's passing. It was impossible for them to have had an affair before that, leading to the murder of his first wife.

If this were true... Jiang Li felt a chill in her heart. Wouldn't Ji Shuran and Jiang Yuanbai be another Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong? And poor Ye Zhenzhen—hadn't she walked the same path as herself?

Jiang Li's mind wandered through these chaotic thoughts, unable to find any clarity. To uncover the truth of what really happened, she would have to start with Ji Shuran. But she had no reliable people to send to investigate the Ji family. Moreover, the events of that year were long past. If she were to trace back to the years before Ji Shuran's marriage, investigating would be as difficult as climbing to the heavens.

Preoccupied with these thoughts, Jiang Li unusually didn't go to the Ye family today. Instead, she shut herself in her room in the courtyard, pondering deeply throughout the night.

Tong'er and Bai Xue thought Jiang Li was overwhelmed with shock and grief upon suddenly learning that her mother's death might have been murder, hence her seclusion. They took turns comforting her, but Jiang Li listened absentmindedly, only instructing them to keep close watch on Ji Shuran and Jiang Youyao's movements.

When night fell and darkness descended, Jiang Li sent Tong'er and Bai Xue away as usual, remaining alone in her room.She wasn't sure how Zhao Ke was progressing with the tasks she had assigned him. But Jiang Li thought that starting today, she needed to add a fourth matter: investigating whether Ji Shuran and Jiang Yuanbai had any contact before her marriage. If they had, she needed to know whether there were any private entanglements between them.

Investigating her father and stepmother's past was truly an act of defiance. Yet Jiang Li felt little hesitation. For one, she wasn't truly the Second Miss Jiang and found it difficult to develop any filial dependence on Jiang Yuanbai. For another, Jiang Yuanbai might very well be a murderer. Since she had taken over Second Miss Jiang's body, she had to take responsibility for her life. She couldn't do much else, but at the very least, if Second Miss Jiang were still alive, she would have tried to uncover the truth behind her mother's death.

Jiang Li tightened her grip on the whistle, hesitated for a moment, then blew it softly.

The Jiang residence was silent. It was late at night, and everyone had retired. The wind and snow howled outside, and her courtyard was far from the main compound. Though it was named Fragrant Garden Courtyard, only sparse tree shadows stood in the night. Far from being lush and vibrant, it felt desolate. The lonely night and cold stars offered not even the chirp of an insect.

Zhao Ke did not come.

Frowning, Jiang Li brought the porcelain whistle to her lips and blew it again, softly. The sound was clear but not loud, resembling the murmur of some bird, unlikely to draw attention in the night. She wondered how the Duke's men distinguished it.

Still, there was no sign of Zhao Ke.

Jiang Li was deeply puzzled. This shouldn't be happening. Zhao Ke returned to the Jiang residence every night. The two previous times she had blown the whistle, he had appeared quickly. Had her frequent demands displeased him so much that Ji Heng had replaced him? But even if that were the case, his replacement should have shown up. Or perhaps he was on a mission tonight and not in the residence?

After waiting a while longer with no response, Jiang Li glanced outside. The snowstorm was so heavy it nearly blinded her. Certain that Zhao Ke wouldn't come, she sighed, closed the window, and turned around.

The moment she turned, she nearly screamed.

Under the flickering lamplight, a man sat at the small table, using a folding fan to brush snow from his robes. He must have just come in from outside, carrying the chill of the wind and snow with him. Yet he wore deep red robes, lending color to the cold night and filling the room with an elusive fragrance.

He looked up, revealing a devastatingly handsome face. A faint, mesmerizing smile played on his lips, and his long eyes held the depth of the night. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Jiang Li lowered the hand she had clasped over her mouth and stepped forward. "Duke."

Ji Heng rested his chin on the handle of his fan, smiling as he watched her.

"Why have you come?"

"I heard you blow the whistle twice," Ji Heng said. "What did you need Zhao Ke for?"

"It's about some matters in the residence." Jiang Li was momentarily unsure of Ji Heng's intentions and how to deflect. Thinking that Zhao Ke must have already reported everything to him, she decided not to hide anything.

"I heard you asked my subordinate about the details of when you pushed Ji Shuran, causing her miscarriage?"

"That's correct," Jiang Li replied. "But Zhao Ke doesn't know the hidden details."

"Of course Zhao Ke wouldn't know," he said, glancing at her, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I know."

Jiang Li was stunned.Ji Heng toyed with his folding fan, speaking carelessly, "Whether it's major or minor affairs within the noble households of Yanjing City, I'm aware of nearly all—those I wish to know and those I don't. As for the Jiang family's matter that year, I happen to know a bit about it as well."

"Duke," Jiang Li said, "Could you enlighten me?"

"Certainly," Ji Heng replied readily, but his next words made Jiang Li frown. "Little one, this is your own affair. Why come to ask me?"

His gaze was captivating, layered with deep and shallow affection. His amber eyes under the lamplight resembled gently swaying wine in a cup—intoxicating with just one more glance. Yet this wine seemed laced with a delicious poison, intoxicating others while remaining terrifyingly sober at its core.

"I only know the outcome, not the cause," Jiang Li said. "After all, I was still young back then and knew too little about Ji Shuran."

"Is that the excuse you've found for yourself?" Ji Heng asked.

"Consider it so," Jiang Li replied. "Is this reason sufficient to convince you, Duke?"

Ji Heng shook his head regretfully. "Of course not." But soon, he smiled again. "However, since you've blown the whistle, I'll tell you everything I know about your questions today. So this doesn't prevent me from revealing Ji Shuran's secrets. You may ask."

Jiang Li watched him. This man could captivate with every gesture; even in this back-and-forth ordinary conversation, he could stir one's heart. Elusive and unpredictable—if it were someone else, they might have fallen for him already.

"Did Ji Shuran have an affair with my father before my mother's death?" Jiang Li asked.

Ji Heng's expression paused momentarily. He looked at Jiang Li with great interest. "It seems you've uncovered quite a bit?"

"Just a little."

Ji Heng said, "No." Seeing Jiang Li staring at him, he added, "Before Ji Shi married Jiang Yuanbai, she had no contact with him."

Jiang Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief in her heart. She didn't want the truth to be that way. If Jiang Yuanbai had truly conspired with Ji Shi to harm his lawful wife, it would have been too cruel for Ye Zhenzhen, and the real Second Miss Jiang would have been truly pitiful. One Xue Fangfei in this world was enough—there was no need for more tragic women.

"You seem pleased with this outcome," Ji Heng remarked.

"At least it proves my father isn't a murderer, and the Jiang family I'm in has become somewhat safer. Isn't that worth being happy about?"

Ji Heng neither agreed nor disagreed. "Jiang Yuanbai isn't that bold. Ji Shuran had no affair with your father because the one she was involved with was someone else."

This time, Jiang Li was genuinely surprised.

She had always been gentle and composed, rarely showing such astonishment. In this moment, she appeared somewhat childish, unlike her usual self. Ji Heng was amused by her expression and, propping his chin, said, "What, don't believe me?"

"I just... find it quite peculiar," Jiang Li said. "I observed that Ji Shi seems quite devoted to my father. Over all these years, she has put considerable effort into him, which is why, apart from a concubine with hysteria who's almost forgotten, there are no other women in the main household. Given her behavior, I thought she had feelings for my father, hence such possessiveness. I never expected her heart belonged to another."After all, she was a young maiden in her early teens, yet when discussing such matters, she showed no trace of embarrassment, speaking with calm rationality as if she had already weathered the storms of love and could see things so clearly. Ji Heng's gaze flickered briefly before quickly vanishing as he said, "Ji Shuran loves your father now, but back then... she and her cousin were deeply attached to each other."

Jiang Li widened her eyes: "Cousin?"

She had never heard of any cousin in the Ji family.

"This cousin of the Ji family is named Liu Wencai. Well, he was more handsome than Jiang Yuanbai, and in those days, he and Ji Shuran were quite unrestrained in their romantic affairs."

It turned out that many years ago, Ji Shuran and Liu Wencai had shared a romance. Liu Wencai was exceptionally handsome and understood women's hearts well. Ji Shuran, who was just beginning to understand love, was no match for him. She secretly became involved with Liu Wencai behind her family's back, almost reaching the point of pledging their lives to each other. Liu Wencai was originally a suitable match for Ji Shuran, but his family had already arranged another marriage for him. While Ji Shuran was still dreaming of Liu Wencai coming to marry her, he had already married someone else.

Filled with resentment, Ji Shuran resolved to take revenge on Liu Wencai by marrying herself off—not only that, but to marry a man better and of higher status than Liu Wencai. However, although there were many suitable gentlemen in Yanjing City, finding one better than Liu Wencai in a short time was even more difficult. Ji Yanlin had the idea of marrying Ji Shuran to the son of a colleague to strengthen their relationship, but that son was extremely obese and had countless concubines in his household. How could Ji Shuran possibly be satisfied with that? This made her even more anxious.

It was at this time that Ji Shuran accidentally saw Jiang Yuanbai at a banquet. Jiang Yuanbai was younger then, and although not as handsome as Liu Wencai, he had his own elegant demeanor. Upon learning of Jiang Yuanbai's status in the court, Ji Shuran weighed the options and found him to be of higher standing than the colleague Ji Yanlin wanted her to marry.

If she could marry Jiang Yuanbai, she could escape the nightmare of living with an obese man daily and also get revenge on Liu Wencai. Ji Shuran firmly decided that marrying Jiang Yuanbai was the best choice. The only problem was that Jiang Yuanbai already had a wife.

At that time, Jiang Yuanbai had just welcomed Jiang Li, and it was said that his wife, Ye Zhenzhen, had suffered fundamental damage during childbirth. A bold idea emerged in Ji Shuran's mind: if Ye Zhenzhen were to fall gravely ill and not recover, Jiang Yuanbai would have to remarry. Ji Shuran didn't mind being a second wife; to her, even being Jiang Yuanbai's second wife was more glorious than being the primary wife of Ji Yanlin's colleague's son.

So, Ji Shuran bribed the physician who examined Ye Zhenzhen and offered heavy rewards to Ye Zhenzhen's maids. Since no one expected Ye Zhenzhen to have enemies, let alone someone who would commit such a heinous act just to marry into the Jiang family, Ji Shuran waited patiently and actually succeeded in her plan. Ye Zhenzhen died.

After Ye Zhenzhen's death, Ji Shuran revealed to Madame Ji that she would rather be Jiang Yuanbai's second wife than the wife of the colleague's son. The Jiang family held a prominent position in the court and could also help promote the Ji family. When Madame Ji discussed this with Ji Yanlin, he also thought it was a good idea. Later, they arranged the banquet where Jiang Yuanbai took a liking to Ji Shuran.At that banquet, Ji Shuran naturally put in great effort. She had long sent people to inquire about Jiang Yuanbai's favorite melodies and preferred styles of dressing, which led to his love at first sight for her.

After Ji Shuran entered the Jiang household, all of Ye Zhenzhen's former servants either died or scattered—of course, they were all silenced one by one by Ji Shuran. Except for Ji Shuran's trusted confidants, no one knew about this matter. As Ji Shuran gave birth to two children and solidified her position in the Jiang family, it became even less likely to be discovered.

Ji Heng said, "Before Zhao Ke came to the Jiang family, I had him investigate everything that happened there. Wen Ji also uncovered some information. The fact that all of Lady Jiang's servants met with misfortune within six months, without exception, is indeed puzzling. I never expected to uncover such a hidden secret."

Jiang Li was too shocked to speak.

She did not doubt Ji Heng's words. He was naturally proud and had no reason to lie about such matters. But she was appalled by Ji Shuran's shamelessness and audacity. If there was any difference between Ji Shuran and Princess Yongning, it was that Ji Shuran's ruthlessness was concealed beneath a gentle exterior, while Princess Yongning made no effort to hide it.

Yet what they both did was equally vile—eliminating wives and destroying heirs.

"Liu Wencai..." Jiang Li murmured, "Where is that person now?"

"The Liu family later fell into misfortune. Old Master Liu was demoted and left Yanjing City for Yuzhou, unable to compare with the Ji family. However..." Ji Heng looked at her, "Eight years ago, Liu Wencai came to Yanjing City."

Eight years ago—the year Jiang Li pushed Ji Shuran causing her miscarriage, the year she was sent to Qingcheng Mountain?

"Did he come to find Ji Shuran?" Jiang Li asked.

"Probably," Ji Heng said casually. "Many people in this world quite enjoy reliving old dreams."

Jiang Li felt nauseated, but she had to continue asking, "Did Ji Shuran relive old dreams with him?"

"More than that," Ji Heng smiled, "They even produced an illegitimate child."

Jiang Li's mind went blank, then suddenly everything became clear. She understood everything. Her voice carried urgency, "Was this illegitimate child the one I pushed causing the miscarriage?"

"Yes," Ji Heng sighed, as if pitying her, his voice softening, "For the sake of an illegitimate child, Jiang Yuanbai sent you to Qingcheng Mountain for eight years. It must have been very hard for you."

Jiang Li bit her lip, "No, Ji Shuran and Liu Wencai had an illegitimate child, and no one has discovered it to this day. At that time, it should have remained undiscovered too. In that case, as long as she didn't reveal it voluntarily, who would know the child wasn't a Jiang? Ji Shuran would rather sacrifice the child, would rather get rid of it, just to frame me and have me sent away. Unless... she was afraid someone would find out the child was Liu Wencai's. Out of fear, she didn't hesitate to abort it, but she pinned it on me... Was she afraid I knew about this? What did I see?"

It was as if a divine light had suddenly appeared, bringing clarity to everything. Before Jiang Li could analyze further, she heard Ji Heng's voice close by, saying, "That's what I thought too. But Ali, why are you speaking of your own affairs as if you were an observer?"

Jiang Li shuddered, meeting Ji Heng's amused, knowing gaze.Just now, in her shock, she had forgotten to conceal her reaction. The words "What did I know?" revealed an incongruity. Though she asked herself this, ordinary people wouldn't typically question themselves in such a manner.

"I..." Jiang Li's mind raced for a plausible explanation. She said, "I don't know any of this. I don't recall ever witnessing anything between Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran, which is why I reflexively questioned myself."

After speaking, she grew puzzled. If Second Miss Jiang had truly seen Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran in an illicit relationship, why hadn't she spoken up at the time? And why remain silent all these years? Could it be that Second Miss Jiang hadn't actually seen or heard anything, but Ji Shuran assumed she knew the truth? Preferring to kill mistakenly rather than let anyone escape, Ji Shuran used Jiang Li's hand to eliminate the illegitimate child in her womb while simultaneously turning the Jiang family against Jiang Li—killing two birds with one stone?

She looked at Ji Heng, who clearly didn't believe this answer. His nod was perfunctory, like an adult humoring a child's clumsy lie without bothering to probe further.

But Jiang Li couldn't afford to dwell on that. Ji Heng seemed like a treasure trove of knowledge, while she knew nothing about the Jiang family. Her greatest deficiency could just be supplemented by Ji Heng, making her wish he would tell her everything.

"Where is Liu Wencai now?" Jiang Li asked. If possible, finding Liu Wencai could serve as evidence.

Ji Heng replied, "Dead."

"Dead?" Jiang Li was astonished.

"Ji Shuran personally ordered his death," Ji Heng said as casually as discussing daily matters, yet his words sent chills down Jiang Li's spine. "He was killed before the miscarriage. Rumor has it," he added with a mocking smile, "Liu Wencai was still dreaming of relying on Ji Shuran to regain his wealthy young master's lifestyle in Yanjing. Ji Shuran promised him silver to open a gambling den in the best part of Yanjing, but he was found dead in his room the next day—drunk to death."

Jiang Li was speechless.

Even a day as husband and wife warrants a hundred days of affection. Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran had shared years of sentiment. Though Liu Wencai later married someone else, when he returned to Yanjing years later, Ji Shuran conceived a child with him—suggesting she might have retained some feelings for him.

Yet she could kill him without looking back?

As if reading her confusion, Ji Heng said, "Ji Shuran never loved him."

"Never loved him?"

"Liu Wencai had fallen into destitution," Ji Heng stated flatly. "He had nothing left. Ji Shuran is the Grand Secretary's wife—how could she still regard Liu Wencai favorably? She was with him to take revenge for his abandonment years ago. From the start, she intended to discard him, and more than that, take his life. No wonder people say," he remarked with feigned emotion, "'The bamboo snake's bite, the wasp's sharp sting—neither is as venomous as a woman's heart.Though his words carried a sigh, his tone held the casual mockery of a spectator watching a play.

"Initially, I didn't think so," Jiang Li said. "I didn't believe I stood in Ji Shuran's way, and even if I did, it shouldn't warrant taking a life. But hearing you explain it, I understand now. Someone like Ji Shuran is inherently vicious to the bone. Even if I didn't provoke her, she would eliminate me simply because she is malicious."

"Did you only realize this now?" Ji Heng said. "You've crossed paths with her. I thought you'd have known long ago."A faint smile graced his lips, his tone casual as if speaking of trivial matters, yet Jiang Li knew that every word Ji Heng uttered deserved careful consideration. Today, he had taken the initiative to visit, openly sharing the secrets and information he possessed. On the surface, it seemed he had gained nothing. But in reality, Ji Heng had harvested quite a bit from this trip.

He had likely already begun to suspect that something was amiss with this Second Miss Jiang.

Jiang Li wasn't surprised. No matter what Ji Heng had guessed, what she intended to do would never change.

Jiang Li looked at Ji Heng: "Regardless, thank you for telling me these things, Duke."

"Actually, I initially didn't want to tell you any of this." Ji Heng stared at her with playful amusement. "You appear so kind and naive, and the truth is often cruel. But... Ali," when he called "Ali," these two ordinary characters seemed infused with the warmth of spring, tender and lingering, "if you want to survive and go further, you must see the facts clearly sooner. And you can handle it, right?"

Jiang Li also smiled and said, "Good medicine tastes bitter, honest advice is hard to accept. The words spoken to His Majesty hold the same truth for me. I am more than grateful that you've told me the facts, Duke."

"But knowing the truth and living too clearly can be a very difficult thing."

"Is that so?" Jiang Li met his gaze. "Haven't you lived that way yourself, Duke?"

For a moment, Jiang Li felt that even the tear mole beneath his eye seemed to grow more vivid. The smile at the corner of his lips stiffened, or rather, vanished. He simply looked at Jiang Li, his expression devoid of teasing, provocation, scrutiny, or inquiry—only a flicker of something deeply complex passed through.

After a long pause, he smiled again and said, "Being seen through by a young girl—sounds quite embarrassing if word got out."

"No one in this world would dare think you embarrassing," Jiang Li replied with a laugh.

Suddenly, Ji Heng reached out and grasped her chin.

His fingertips were slightly cool—it was hard to imagine that someone with such striking, vivid features could have fingers devoid of warmth, as if touched by the chill of the morning dew outside. He leaned in, closing the distance, and stared down at Jiang Li from above, the smile on his lips deepening as he murmured, "Your words are far too sweet—it makes one want to taste them."

Jiang Li's body froze.

She wasn't afraid of Ji Heng. Whether he was moody or ambitious, the Ji Heng she had glimpsed within was not without traces to follow. But when he acted intimately toward her, she felt at a loss. She couldn't just push him away—in fact, she couldn't even manage it. She knew Ji Heng was doing it for amusement, a malicious tease, but as his presence drew nearer, she could clearly see the shadows cast by his long lashes, and her own reflection sharp in his eyes. She saw his amused gaze, his slightly upturned, rosy lips... Jiang Li abruptly lowered her eyes, avoiding Ji Heng's meaningful stare, refusing to reveal any more of her vulnerability to him.

His lips stopped just a hair's breadth from hers.

Instead, his voice, laced with amusement, came: "So you are still afraid of me. I thought you had reached the point of having no fear toward me."

Seizing the moment, Jiang Li breathed a silent sigh of relief in her heart.

The next moment, Ji Heng released her and settled back into his original position, giving her a lazy smile.

Under the lamplight, his features were flawless, and his somewhat bewitching smile made him look like a deadly enchantment.

Jiang Li averted her gaze again—it was simply... too dazzling."Already too scared to look at me? I thought you were quite bold." He retracted his fan and stood up, saying, "Let's end here for today—it's getting late. If you need anything in the future, feel free to blow your whistle again. Zhao Ke will answer your questions, and sometimes," he smiled brightly, "I might come too."

Jiang Li said, "That won't be necessary."

"This isn't for you to decide." He pushed open the window, leaving behind the words "Farewell, little one," and in the next moment, the man's figure vanished from the room.

Only the flickering lamp remained, as if a faint fragrance still lingered.

(End of Chapter)