The Double

Chapter 136: Unmasking

A child's sudden wailing erupted in the courtyard, startling everyone. Some of the more timid maids began crying outright.

Jiang Li, however, hung her head as if drained of all strength, yet somehow maintained her upright posture.

The commotion also startled Chongxu Daoren, for this scene wasn't part of his script. The glutinous rice mixed with drugs was supposed to temporarily deprive one of reason. As long as Jiang Li maintained this terrifying appearance, all her inexplicable actions could be explained as "ghost possession."

Chongxu Daoren had employed this trick countless times, succeeding every single instance without fail. He had long memorized what should follow. Yet Jiang Li's subsequent actions today fell outside his plans.

Before he could react, the child's cries intensified, becoming almost piercing.

"Wuuu—wu wuuu," the weeping harmonized eerily with the dark clouds overhead and the incense-burning altar.

Ji Shuran held Jiang Youyao tighter as the younger girl buried herself in her mother's embrace. Though initially frightened, Ji Shuran now felt no fear—instead, she could hardly contain her delight at the thought of Jiang Li being condemned as an evil entity and cast aside like garbage. She marveled inwardly at Chongxu Daoren's skill in deception, thinking it no wonder he dared perform before the Emperor without stage fright. Having such a capable person connected to her elder sister was truly remarkable.

With this thought, she glanced at Chongxu Daoren, only to find him frozen in place, staring fixedly at Jiang Li while even taking a step backward.

Ji Shuran frowned. Though authenticity was important, shouldn't a revered master now stand forthright with righteous dignity to demonstrate his bearing? Chongxu Daoren was mishandling this moment.

Meanwhile, Jiang Li stumbled forward with her head bowed, staggering aimlessly. None of the Jiang family dared approach—only the maids from Fragrant Garden Courtyard remained nearby. Qingfeng and Mingyue were panicking helplessly, but Tong'er rushed after her, urgently calling out with Bai Xue, "Miss!"

Jiang Li hadn't revealed the full plan to them. Though Bai Xue and the others had prepared according to Jiang Li's instructions, they didn't know how events would unfold. Seeing Jiang Li in this state, they immediately lost composure. Bai Xue cried, "Our miss isn't a ghost, absolutely not! You couldn't find another person in the whole world with a kinder heart than our miss—how could she be an evil entity?"

"Exactly! This Taoist must have tampered with something!" Tong'er's heart stirred with realization, "How did you make our miss end up like this?"

Ji Shuran said to Old Madam Jiang, "Mother, Li'er's gentle nature has spoiled the maids of Fragrant Garden Courtyard into forgetting their place. Chongxu Daoren is a Taoist recognized by the Emperor himself. Not even servants—let alone us masters—should dare make rash judgments. If these maids' words spread, people might say our Jiang family disregards imperial dignity..."

Old Madam Jiang shook her head, "The second child has indeed been too indulgent with her servants, letting them act recklessly before their masters.""No, Old Madam!" Tong'er cried as she knelt before Old Madam Jiang. "It doesn't matter what happens to this servant, but the young lady is truly wronged. You must believe her!"

"This is truly beyond improper," Ji Shuran said with disappointment. "Nanny, take these two maids away. Since Li'er cannot bear to discipline them, I, as her mother, shall have to do it for her."

Qingfeng and Mingyue's eyelids twitched violently. Their young lady had just encountered trouble, and Ji Shuran was already eager to target her close attendants? This was too much!

Old Madam Jiang also glanced subtly at Ji Shuran. Somehow, before Jiang Li returned to the residence, this wife of the eldest branch rarely made mistakes and appeared virtuous. But since Jiang Li's return, she had become increasingly impatient, to the point where even Old Madam Jiang found it hard to tolerate.

"Enough," Old Madam Jiang said. "Disciplining maids can wait. Let's first settle the matter with the second young lady."

Lu Shi pleaded, "Daoren, please make her... make her stop crying!" Her voice trembled with genuine fear.

The young girl's voice, however, grew increasingly clear. At first, it was just indistinct sobbing, but gradually, words seemed to mix with the cries. Then, like dust being brushed away to reveal brick beneath, the voice began to resonate clearly.

"Father!"

The young girl was calling for her father.

Jiang Yuanbai froze. Upon hearing this cry of "father," a strange sense of familiarity rose in his heart. This familiarity made him lose his wary expression toward Jiang Li, and he even took two steps toward her.

Jiang Li kept her head bowed. The young girl's cries seemed to come from her mouth, yet also sounded close to one's ear. But one thing was certain: this was definitely not Jiang Li's voice. Whether as a child or now, this wasn't Jiang Li's voice—it clearly belonged to someone else.

Chongxu Daoren couldn't help but retreat two more steps. The pride he felt during the ritual had completely vanished. He had never encountered such a situation before, and now his heart was filled with indescribable panic, though he forced himself to remain calm.

Suddenly, Hu Yiniang in the crowd screamed. Standing in the corner, her cry drew several people's attention. When they looked again, they saw Hu Yiniang stumbling toward Jiang Li. When she reached Jiang Li, she seemed afraid to get closer, yet she was both crying and laughing. "Yue'er, my Yue'er..."

Yue'er? Who was Yue'er?

The name was too unfamiliar, and those who heard it were puzzled.

Ji Shuran's heart, however, sank. She couldn't help but say, "Why has Hu Yiniang been brought out? Has she fallen into a fit of madness? Quickly take her back to her room. Don't let her disrupt Daoren's exorcism."

But Hu Yiniang didn't give Ji Shuran a chance to call for anyone. She had already turned to Jiang Yuanbai, tears streaming down her face. "Master, don't you remember? This is Yue'er's voice, Yue'er's voice! Your eldest daughter, Yue'er!"

Jiang Yuanbai froze, his mind suddenly clearing.

That's right! He had found the voice so familiar—it was his eldest daughter, the long-departed Jiang Yue'er!Ji Shuran was stunned. She hadn't expected Hu Yiniang to suddenly rush out at this critical moment. When she first entered the Jiang residence years ago, she had viewed Hu Yiniang as a thorn in her side no matter how she looked at her, wanting to send her away. Later, after Jiang Yue'er died and Hu Yiniang developed a mental disorder, with the old madam protecting her, Ji Shuran had let her be. After all, she couldn't cause any trouble, and the master would never favor Hu Yiniang again.

Over so many years, Hu Yiniang rarely left her courtyard. If not for festivals and holidays, Ji Shuran would have forgotten there was such a person in the residence.

This person, long forgotten by her, had suddenly appeared before her today, repeatedly mentioning her short-lived daughter. Though unsure what madness had taken hold of her, Ji Shuran believed she couldn't let Hu Yiniang continue making a scene. Moreover, this was clearly a setup by Chongxu Daoren—she didn't know why this madwoman was so agitated.

Ji Shuran said, "Hu Yiniang must be thinking of Yue'er again. Master, let's send her back to her room."

"Madam," Hu Yiniang turned her head, smiling bitterly, "This humble one is not mad. How could I not recognize my own daughter's voice? Master," she called out obsessively, "Listen, the eldest young miss is calling for her father." Her tone when speaking these last words was gentle, her lips curved in a smile, yet there was a chilling madness about her.

Ji Shuran suddenly broke out in a fine cold sweat.

The little girl's voice continued calling "Father," sometimes near, sometimes far, as if coming from Jiang Li's mouth, yet not quite.

Suppressing her unease, Ji Shuran said, "Master, I think Hu Yiniang must be having an episode..."

"She's not having an episode..." Jiang Yuanbai interrupted her, "This is indeed Yue'er's voice."

Ji Shuran was left speechless.

Jiang Yuanbai stared blankly at Jiang Li, a small figure emerging in his mind.

He actually had three daughters. Back when Ye Zhenzhen had married into the Jiang family but bore no children after three years, Hu Yiniang had become pregnant first. Ye Zhenzhen, being soft-hearted, allowed Hu Yiniang to give birth. Jiang Yuanbai, then a first-time father, had actually been quite fond of Jiang Yue'er.

While it seemed he doted on Jiang Youyao now, the truth was he hadn't treated Jiang Yue'er any worse before. Jiang Yue'er fulfilled his fantasies of becoming a father, and as a child, she had indeed been clever and adorable.

Ye Zhenzhen got along well with Hu Yiniang and saw no issue with it. While Jiang Li was spoiled as a child and Jiang Youyao was naive, when it came to wit and sweet talk, this eldest daughter born of a concubine surpassed them all. So despite her being a concubine's child, Jiang Yuanbai hadn't treated her poorly. He even taught Jiang Yue'er to read at a young age, intending to educate her into a top scholar among women.

Who could have known that Jiang Yue'er would fall from a rockery at four years old? He lost his daughter that day.

During that period, with Ye Zhenzhen's passing, Ji Shuran's entry into the household, and Jiang Youyao's recent birth, so many events had occurred in succession that he had been distracted and less attentive than before. But he never expected Jiang Yue'er would die just like that.

He had flown into a rage, severely punishing everyone who had cared for Jiang Yue'er at the time. For a long while afterward, no one in the residence was allowed to mention the words "eldest young miss."

So many years had passed since then. That clever voice had long faded from his memory, leaving only a vague shadow. From deliberately avoiding the memory to gradually forgetting over time, even Jiang Yuanbai himself couldn't clearly recall it anymore.But no one expected to hear the little girl's voice again at this moment.

Hu Yiniang was right—it was Jiang Yue'er's voice.

Jiang Yuanbai's expression was so grave that Ji Shuran couldn't help but take a step back.

"Forget it," she forced a smile, "How could this be possible..."

Her smile froze when she saw Chongxu Daoren had already retreated far from Jiang Li, the panic in his eyes unmistakably genuine.

How... wasn't this... just an act?

As Jiang Yuanbai approached, the childish voice coming from Jiang Li's lowered head suddenly stopped. Then she said, "Father, Yue'er hurts so much. Yue'er was murdered. Yue'er hurts..."

Ji Shuran felt her soul flee in terror.

Lu Shi had long hidden behind her son in fear, but even then, her mind raced. Jiang Li was clearly possessed by the ghost of the deceased Eldest Young Miss. How unlucky for Jiang Li to encounter such a haunted affair. But... murdered? What murder? Didn't the Eldest Young Miss accidentally fall from the rockery back then?

"Yue'er, who harmed you?" Jiang Yuanbai's voice seemed to come from somewhere far away.

"Mother harmed me." The childish voice remained young but carried a trace of resentment. "Mother harmed Yue'er, killed Yue'er, then pretended Yue'er fell to her death." She repeated, "Mother harmed me!"

"Nonsense!" Jiang Youyao, already terrified and flustered, couldn't help retorting, "This is clearly an evil spirit's trick to deceive people! Daoist Priest, quickly eliminate this evil spirit!"

"Chongxu Daoren, why are you still standing there?" Ji Shuran spoke incoherently, "Hurry and perform the exorcism! Drive her away!" Unconsciously, Ji Shuran—who had known this was all an act and had merely been playing along—found herself genuinely frightened.

Chongxu Daoren braced himself and raised his peachwood sword. The young acolyte had long since vanished without a trace. He was a fake master—how could he possibly slay demons and monsters? Today was supposed to be a pretense, but who knew they'd actually summon an evil spirit? This made Chongxu Daoren bitterly regretful. Gripping the peachwood sword, he dared not approach no matter what, only saying, "This evil entity is far too powerful. This humble Daoist... may not be able to subdue it."

"But she's here spreading wicked lies!" Ji Shuran couldn't help but scream! Her palms were drenched in cold sweat. She was terrified—no one could possibly know about what happened back then. Those who knew were already dead. This couldn't be... Someone must have found out and was using this method to harm her!

The girl's voice suddenly changed, transforming into that of a young woman, much older than Jiang Yue'er's childish tone. She said, "How cruel you are, Madam. Back then, you had the Eldest Young Miss accompany the Third Young Miss to play, but just because the Third Young Miss cried once, you took your anger out on the Eldest Young Miss and kicked her brutally. The Eldest Young Miss hit her head on the threshold and died, yet you had people pretend she fell from the rockery... Siqi tried to rush back and report to the Master, but you silenced her by killing her!"

"Siqi..." A maid standing beside Hu Yiniang suddenly murmured blankly, "That's Siqi's voice..."

Truthfully, after so many years, who would remember exactly what a maid and a deceased young lady sounded like? Even fewer could recognize them. But Hu Yiniang and Baoqin were the ones closest to Jiang Yue'er and Siqi, so if they said it was them, no one doubted it wasn't.Jiang Yuanbai turned to look at Ji Shuran.

"No," Ji Shuran shook her head, tears suddenly falling as she clutched at Jiang Yuanbai's sleeve. "Master... it wasn't me, truly it wasn't me. I would never do such a thing..."

Jiang Youyao also cried out, "Father, would you rather believe the words of an evil spirit than trust Mother?"

"One can never be sure," Lu Shi interjected, forgetting her fear upon hearing of Ji Shuran's misfortune and seizing the opportunity to kick someone who was down. "A dying man speaks from his heart, let alone one already dead. In this world, human hearts are far more terrifying than ghosts. Those who appear kind and gentle on the surface—who knows what malicious intentions they harbor?"

Old Madam Jiang's expression shifted dramatically. For her, ensuring the Jiang family's prosperity and the growth of its descendants was her responsibility. That was why she had been so enraged years ago when Jiang Li pushed Ji Shuran, causing her to miscarry and lose her son. While she had turned a blind eye to some of Ji Shuran's actions in the Jiang residence, it did not mean she would tolerate anyone harming the Jiang family's heirs within these walls!

Seeing the cold stares from Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang, Ji Shuran felt her heart sinking endlessly. She was terrified, though she didn't know whether she feared the vengeful ghost come to claim her life or how she would face the judgment of Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai next.

She could only shake her head desperately, saying, "It's not true. These are the evil spirit's lies—how can you believe them? Master, for no reason at all, why would I harm the eldest young lady?"

Just then, Jiang Li staggered forward two more steps. As she advanced, all the servants of the Jiang residence sidestepped to keep their distance, for Jiang Li resembled a fierce ghost, and now, possessed by a spirit, she was truly terrifying. Her walking posture was extremely peculiar, and black smoke seemed to rise from beneath her feet, making her appear as if she weren't stepping on solid ground.

Jiang Li walked to the locust tree in the garden, crouched down, and began to dig. The buried items were shallow, and she soon unearthed them.

"Heavens," Hu Yiniang covered her mouth, tears streaming down like rain. "These... these are Yue'er's belongings..."

Yue'er's possessions had long been buried deep in the ground with her coffin after the incident back then. Fearing that Jiang Yuanbai would be overcome with grief at the sight, the residence had kept none of Yue'er's things. Thus, over the years, she had remained like a stranger, leaving no trace in the Jiang family.

Yet what Jiang Li dug up—the rattle-drum, the cloth tiger, and even a swaddling cloth—were all items Yue'er had once played with. Hu Yiniang knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, crying out, "Yue'er, Yue'er..." each cry filled with anguish.

In this eerie and terrifying moment, only this woman showed no fear, only sorrow, casting a mournful hue over the dark courtyard. Her wails were loud and heart-wrenching, moving all who heard them to tears.

No one would believe Hu Yiniang's grief was feigned.

Seeing this scene, Ji Shuran grew even more fearful. She knelt down, clutching Jiang Yuanbai's sleeve, and pleaded, "Master, this evil spirit is truly powerful, skilled at deceiving hearts. Can't you see that even Chongxu Daoren can no longer subdue her? Master... Master, you must not believe what it says. Daoren, what are you still doing?"Chongxu Daoren jolted, looking at Jiang Li, not daring to use the demon-binding rope in his hand. He inwardly lamented, what was going on with the Jiang family? It was supposed to be just an act, so why hadn’t Li Pin told him in advance that there really was a ghost in this mansion?

What should he do now?

Immediately after, Ji Shuran saw Jiang Li lift her head.

Her features grew even more delicate, but because of the blood, they appeared increasingly ferocious. She stared at Ji Shuran with a ghastly expression and suddenly let out a strange laugh. After laughing, she lowered her head again.

"Yueru, how cruel you are!"

This sentence stunned Ji Shuran and everyone else in the courtyard.

The voice was unmistakably that of a man!

Jiang Yuanbai couldn’t help but take two steps forward to see if the words had come from Jiang Li’s mouth, but after advancing, he halted, unsure if it was because he was still wary deep down.

"Yueru... Yueru, in all these years since I died, have you missed me?" His tone was so gentle it sent shivers down one’s spine, as if it came from the depths of hell.

"Who is Yueru?" Jiang Jingrui asked.

Jiang Yuanbai cast a cold glance at Ji Shuran, who was already staring blankly at Jiang Li. If the voices of Jiang Yue’er and Siqi had still left Ji Shuran suspicious, the emergence of this unfamiliar male voice left her utterly speechless. Her mind buzzed, and she felt all strength drain from her body.

"Yueru" was Ji Shuran’s childhood name.

Only her parents, close relatives, and her husband could call her by that name. This voice did not belong to Jiang Yuanbai; in fact, it sounded very much like someone else.

Liu Wencai, who had long been dead.

"Yueru, when I came to Yanjing City to find you back then, we agreed to elope together. You promised with your lips, but then you turned around and had me killed in the inn. A day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of affection, Yueru, how cruel you are!"

One stone stirred up a thousand waves!

Lu Shi’s eyes widened. Though she enjoyed watching Ji Shuran’s troubles and knew Ji Shuran was no saint, she never expected Ji Shuran to have such audacity—she had actually cuckolded Jiang Yuanbai.

"You vowed you would marry no one but me, yet you married Jiang Yuanbai... and even bore him children. Yueru, you betrayed me!"

Ji Shuran took a step back, shaking her head. "No, who are you... I don’t know you..."

"I am Liu Wencai, your cousin, your lover, the man you killed with your own hands, the father of your child!" the voice cackled.

"Father?" Old Madam Jiang clutched her chest as if unable to accept this fact. Jiang Youyao, who had been standing in a daze, loosened her grip and stared at Ji Shuran, her eyes filled with doubt.

Ji Shuran seemed stung by Jiang Youyao’s gaze and cried, "Youyao!" She reached out to grab Jiang Youyao’s hand, but Jiang Youyao avoided her, evading her gaze.

She was afraid she might be a child of adultery—if so, she would no longer be the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family.

Jiang Yuanbai, however, turned his gaze to Jiang Bingji.

"It’s not true," Ji Shuran’s heart ached. "Master, Bingji is your own flesh and blood. Don’t listen to his demonic lies.""Heh heh heh heh," the strange man's voice also rang out as he said, "Yueru, do you still remember that our flesh and blood was killed by your own hands? You suspected Jiang Li had witnessed our secret rendezvous, provoked Jiang Li, and then fell down the stairs yourself. You sent Jiang Li away and also eliminated the illegitimate child. You rested easy, killing two birds with one stone, but have you ever considered my feelings?"

"That was your own flesh and blood, Yueru!"

Everyone in the courtyard turned to look at Jiang Li.

Back then, Jiang Li had been sent to Qingcheng Mountain bearing the reputation of having killed her mother and younger brother. How could it be that Ji Shuran had planned it all from the very beginning? Was Ji Shuran afraid of being discovered with the bastard child in her womb, and to eliminate the evidence, she set up such a scheme? If so, Jiang Li had done nothing wrong back then, yet she was unjustly sent to Qingcheng Mountain, left neglected for eight years without any care or inquiry!

Jiang Yuanbai staggered back two steps, only steadying himself with the support of a servant. His face was as dark as stormy waters, momentarily unable to form any expression. He felt as though everyone in the courtyard was mocking his ignorance and foolishness!

"No," Ji Shuran struggled briefly, saying, "It's not..."

"Yue Ru, dare you swear upon the lives of your two children that you did none of these things? If you lie, may your son and daughter die within three days and descend to hell, never to be reincarnated!"

This oath was vicious. Had it not been for today's events, Ji Shuran might have dared to swear it. But oaths concerning one's children were never to be taken lightly, especially after witnessing proof that ghosts and deities exist. How could she risk Jiang Youyao and Jiang Bingji's lives?

Ji Shuran remained silent.

The expressions of those in the courtyard already conveyed understanding.

Under their collective gaze, Ji Shuran suddenly let out a cold laugh, her eyes sprouting traces of madness. She addressed Jiang Li—or rather, the deceased Liu Wencai—saying, "Liu Wencai, I did not betray you! You were the one who betrayed me! You promised to marry me back then, but you turned around and married someone else! You were the first to show no loyalty, so don't blame me for being unjust!"

"Oh?" Liu Wencai replied, "So you killed Ye Zhenzhen?"

Jiang Yuanbai's lips trembled as he asked, "What did you say?"

Ji Shuran's heart tightened at first, then she seemed to grasp something. Today's events felt like heaven's will to destroy her, leaving her no way out. In a tone of vengeful release, she declared, "Yes! I wanted to marry someone better than you, but my father only wished for me to wed a wastrel. Ye Zhenzhen had just given birth to Jiang Li and was in poor health. I bribed a maid in the Jiang residence to omit several key ingredients from Ye Zhenzhen's medicine. She died soon after, and I became Madame Jiang. Liu Wencai, in the end, I surpassed you by far!"

"Whatever I desire, I obtain. But what are you, Liu Wencai? You deceived me, abandoned me. After the Liu family fell into decline, did you think I would still regard you highly? When you came to me, groveling and flattering, it pleased me, but I no longer loved you. Your existence only reminded me of my wretched past, so you had to die—because I detested you!"

Tears slowly welled in her eyes, yet her expression grew increasingly ferocious, sharpened by bitter hatred. "Liu Wencai, if not for you, I would not have become what I am today! Everything about me is your doing! Since you had already left, why did you return? Since you were dead, you should not have come back!"

Her demeanor was as deranged as a vengeful ghost. Though the courtyard might harbor unseen spirits and Jiang Li's bleeding appearance was most terrifying, those standing there felt the most frightening presence was not Jiang Li, nor the hidden ghosts, but Ji Shuran.

How venomous must a person be to reach such depths? Outwardly gentle and kind, yet her hands stained with so many lives. Worse still, after harming so many, she could carry on as if nothing had happened, sleeping soundly. Calculating carefully, back when Ye Zhenzhen was alive, Ji Shuran was merely an unmarried young girl. Even then, for her own gain, she had unhesitatingly harmed a woman who had done her no wrong.

"The heart of a woman is most poisonous"—at least in Ji Shuran's case, this saying was perfectly exemplified.

Jiang Yuanbai suddenly began to laugh.His laughter was mocking, though it was unclear whether he mocked others or himself. The sound echoed through the courtyard, bleak and heart-wrenching.

He said, "I actually... have been deceived by you to this extent, Ji Shuran!"

The last three words were ground out through clenched teeth, each syllable infused with all the strength in his body, as if he wished he could drink her blood and devour her flesh.

The closest yet the most distant.

Zhao Ke: Camera crew in position, sound engineers ready to record, lighting crew—blast it to the extreme! Extras, take your places! Props team, check the microphone. Here, pass the mic to this comrade. Please, begin your performance!

(End of Chapter)