The Double

Chapter 137: The Divine Physician

Ji Shuran looked up at Jiang Yuanbai.

Her mind was in a daze, caught between clarity and confusion. Fear mingled with resentment drove her to speak recklessly, and only when she regained her senses did she realize she had uttered words that should never have been spoken.

Once spoken, there was no taking them back. Moreover, words blurted out in such a state seemed all the more like heartfelt truths. A sudden wave of despair washed over her.

How had things come to this? Today’s events were originally a play—a play she had even orchestrated herself. As for how it should conclude and what the outcome should be, she should have been the one in control. Yet now, everything lay in ruins, beyond salvage, far exceeding her expectations.

She didn’t even know how to make amends.

She had never put much stock in ghosts or gods. From the moment she had bribed Ye Zhenzhen’s maid and caused Ye Zhenzhen’s death, even before she was married, she had lost all reverence for the supernatural. In this world, no matter the means, one could only rely on oneself to attain what one desired. If one was weak, they would be trampled upon.

She had never been one of those pious, kind-hearted souls, and hadn’t she thrived all these years? Those so-called weak and virtuous people—whether Ye Zhenzhen, Jiang Yue’er, or even her former lover, her own flesh and blood—had long turned to dust. Only she remained, living a life of splendor and happiness.

Was all of this… about to come to an end?

“You killed my Yue’er…” Hu Yiniang’s voice was especially piercing, “You killed my Yue’er! You also killed the mistress! How can your heart be so vicious!”

Ji Shuran turned to look at Hu Yiniang.

The once beautiful woman had now become a madwoman afflicted with hysteria. If Jiang Yue’er had any spirit in the afterlife, why hadn’t she sought justice earlier? Now, Hu Yiniang had nothing—wasn’t she even worse off than Ji Shuran herself?

A malicious smile crept onto Ji Shuran’s face as she said, “How can you blame me? Blame Jiang Yue’er for her short life! Even if I hadn’t killed her, she wouldn’t have lived many more years! What good is it to be born a concubine’s daughter? Better to depart early and be reborn, to be a legitimate daughter in the next life and enjoy endless wealth and honor. You should be thanking me instead!”

“Outrageous! Outrageous!” Old Madam Jiang trembled with rage, pointing at Jiang Yuanbai, “This is the wife you brought home!”

Jiang Yuanbai was speechless.

What could he say? As Old Madam Jiang had pointed out, Ji Shuran was the wife he had chosen himself. He had seen her as clever and graceful, a kindred spirit unlike Ye Zhenzhen’s delicate beauty. This wife, who had fulfilled all his desires, turned out to be such a vile person. In the name of love, she was tainted with filth.

Because of this woman, he had lost his first wife, his eldest daughter, and been separated from his second daughter for years. Jiang Yuanbai felt like a fool, manipulated by Ji Shuran for so long. He let out a cold laugh, “Good, very good!”

“Master,” Ji Shuran looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes instantly, “This humble wife has wronged you, but I truly adore you. All these years, couldn’t you feel my devotion?”"Indeed, after all these years, even a stone should have been warmed. But," Jiang Yuanbai looked at her expressionlessly, "you disgust me."

Ji Shuran then turned to Jiang Youyao, pleading, "Youyao, speak up for your mother, please speak up for me!"

Jiang Youyao glanced at Ji Shuran and couldn't help but take a step back, pulling her sleeve free from Ji Shuran's grasp. It wasn't that she didn't want to help her mother, but the past Ji Shuran spoke of was truly horrifying. Jiang Youyao knew all too well that after this incident, her mother would likely face severe consequences. She couldn't afford to get involved at this critical moment, at least not now. Ji Shuran was already guilty of adultery with another man and had even borne an illegitimate child. If her father were to suspect that she, too, was the offspring of that illicit affair, and she were to be implicated, she would likely find it impossible to maintain her standing in the Jiang household.

Ji Shuran had always felt that Jiang Youyao was too impulsive and unable to fully weigh the pros and cons of a situation. This time, however, Jiang Youyao quickly assessed the situation and made a decision. Yet, her growth did not bring Ji Shuran any comfort; instead, it chilled her to the bone.

Was this the daughter she had cradled in her palms?

Jiang Bingji had long been wailing loudly, frightened by the sudden turn of events. But this time, Old Madam Jiang, who had always doted on him, did not immediately scoop him into her arms to comfort him. Instead, with a cold expression, she instructed the nursemaid to take Jiang Bingji back to his room.

Jiang Li stood up.

She had been speaking with her head bowed all this time, but now she suddenly lifted her gaze, her face expressionless, like a vengeful ghost, step by step advancing toward Chongxu Daoren. Chongxu Daoren was so terrified that he stumbled backward, tripped, and fell to the ground. He propped himself up with his hands and slowly scrambled backward.

Jiang Li continued her approach, step by step. Chongxu Daoren seemed to see a ghost coming to claim his life, scared to the point of tears streaming down his face, utterly disheveled. He cried out, "I was just trying to make a living... It was... it was Li Pin who sent me to the estate to drive out evil spirits. I never meant to offend you, sir. Please, brothers and sisters, have mercy and spare me..."

Everyone stared at him in astonishment.

What was going on? Why did this Taoist priest sound like a fraud?

The Jiang family suddenly understood. Chongxu Daoren's words implied that Li Pin's sending him to exorcise evil spirits was no coincidence. The reason for the exorcism was likely targeted at Jiang Li from the very beginning. This priest was nothing but a fake, yet today he had encountered a genuine evil spirit. Though it seemed this evil spirit was someone originally from the Jiang household—or perhaps someone whom Ji Shuran had harmed to death.

Suddenly, Jiang Li stopped in her tracks and collapsed limply to the ground. Tong'er screamed in alarm and hurriedly rushed forward with Bai Xue to help Jiang Li up, only to find her eyes tightly shut, as if she had lost consciousness.

"Master, the young lady has fainted. Please send for a physician to examine her," Tong'er wept. "We cannot let anything else happen to her."

Jiang Yuanbai snapped out of his daze and said, "Fetch my name card, quickly go and summon a physician!" He had already lost one daughter; he could not bear to lose another. Moreover, regarding the events of the past, he felt deeply ashamed toward Jiang Li. Now that the truth had come to light, he could no longer face her with dignity. How could he allow anything else to happen to her?

As the dark clouds dispersed, the incense and candle flames in the courtyard were scattered by the wind. The wind blew away the clouds and ushered in the light, illuminating the courtyard brightly. The eerie, ghostly atmosphere from before vanished completely, replaced by a sense of vitality. The strange and sinister mood was swept away. With the brightness, there seemed to be nothing left to fear.Only there were more people weeping incessantly.

Hu Yiniang was crying, Baoqin was also crying. Jiang Bingji's wails drifted faintly from his room, and Ji Shuran was weeping too. The entire courtyard was filled with mournful howls, creating quite a lively scene. Yet no one took any pleasure in it.

Chongxu Daoren hid behind a tree, his heart pounding with terror. He never imagined this household held so many dark secrets. When he performed exorcisms for wealthy families, what he truly banished were the demons in people's hearts. As long as they believed Chongxu Daoren had driven away the vengeful spirits—that those they had wronged could no longer come back to haunt them—the ritual was considered successful. Even so, Chongxu Daoren never actively pried into others' secrets.

The more one knows, the quicker one dies. Today, however, he had overheard so many secrets of the Grand Secretary's household. Even if he repeatedly swore not to reveal them, he feared his life would still be in danger. And then... there was his crime of deceiving the emperor.

He had to flee Yanjing City immediately, to escape the Jiang family, if he wanted to save his own life.

For now, no one paid any attention to Chongxu Daoren. Jiang Yuanbai, his face cold and stern, ordered Ji Shuran to be taken away and confined to her room, forbidden to take a single step outside. He then followed others to see the physician, instructing them to examine Jiang Li and determine what was wrong with her. Since Jiang Li had already collapsed limply on the ground and the strange voice had ceased, it seemed the entity had departed. Though it was unclear whether it had left the Jiang residence entirely, they could always summon another exorcist later if needed.

There had simply been too many events today.

Hu Yiniang, supported by Baoqin, returned to her courtyard. As she walked, she clutched the small trinket of Jiang Yue'er that Jiang Li had dug out from the flowerbed, her steps unsteady. Jiang Yuanbai watched her retreating figure, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he sighed and withdrew the words he had meant to call out.

He had truly failed her. As both a husband and a father, he had been utterly inadequate.

The physician summoned to examine Jiang Li was startled when he saw her—blood trickled from her nose and mouth, a frightening sight. But after taking her pulse, he found it strange; there was nothing particularly wrong with Jiang Li. She was merely weak and seemed to have suffered a fright. The cause of the bleeding remained unknown. In any case, it had stopped now, and brewing some restorative tonic for her to drink would suffice.

Yet Jiang Li slept for a full day and night.

When she finally awoke, only Bai Xue was by her side.

The room was filled with the sweet aroma of medicine—both nourishing and pleasantly mild, not bitter at all. Jiang Li sat up. Bai Xue, who had been dozing at the table, immediately shook off her drowsiness upon seeing Jiang Li awake. "Young Lady! You're awake!" she exclaimed.

Jiang Li glanced outside; it was already dusk. "How long have I been asleep?" she asked.

"A full day and night," Bai Xue replied anxiously. "This servant thought you would sleep even longer and was terribly worried. The master summoned several physicians to examine you, and they all said you were fine. Thankfully, you've woken up now, and my heart can finally settle."

For the usually reserved Bai Xue to speak so much was rare, evidence of how truly frightened she had been. Jiang Li smiled. "It's alright." She had previously hidden a wax pill in her teeth containing a drug that induced deep sleep. Though she could have feigned fainting, she found such acting too tiresome and preferred this lazier, more genuine approach.

She looked around. "Where's Tong'er?""She went to fetch some things from Old Madam Jiang's place. While you were asleep, Old Madam Jiang and the master sent over many items—fabrics, tonics, food, and such. The master even sent a box of silver notes," Bai Xue said. "I was utterly stunned."

After Ji Shuran's past crimes were exposed, Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai must have felt guilty toward her. These gifts were merely their way of making amends. Thinking of this, Jiang Li felt a pang of regret. If the real Second Miss Jiang could have witnessed this scene, she would have been overjoyed. Unfortunately, Second Miss Jiang never had the chance to voice her grievances to the Jiang family before her death.

Perhaps she had tried, but no one believed her.

The truth had come too late; sometimes, missing the moment meant missing a lifetime. Jiang Yuanbai wanted to make up for it, but he would never get the chance again. This was heaven's punishment for him.

Just as Jiang Li was about to ask what else had happened in the past few days, she noticed a white flower pinned in Bai Xue's hair. She paused, reached out to touch it, and asked, "Why are you wearing this?"

Bai Xue lowered her head under Jiang Li's gaze, hesitating as if she wanted to speak but held back. Jiang Li's brow gradually furrowed. "What happened?"

"Hu Yiniang..." Bai Xue said, "Hu Yiniang is gone."

Jiang Li's eyes widened in shock. Before she fainted, Hu Yiniang had been perfectly fine. Now that the truth about what Ji Shuran had done to Jiang Yue'er had come to light, how could she be gone?

"Hu Yiniang returned to her courtyard that night, and the next morning, Baoqin found that she had hanged herself from the beam. Before she left, she left a letter for the master," Bai Xue explained, sighing. "After reading it, the master said nothing, locked himself in his room, and refused to let anyone in." She continued with another sigh, "After enduring so much and finally uncovering the truth about the young lady's murder, why couldn't she see things through?"

"She wasn't unable to see things through," Jiang Li said. "She was cutting off all of Ji Shuran's escape routes."

Hu Yiniang had probably waited in fear for too long. Ever since Jiang Yue'er's death, she had been waiting for an opportunity to seek revenge. Over the years, she had become a madwoman plagued by delusions, incapable of accomplishing anything, while Ji Shuran enjoyed a complete family and firmly held her position as the matriarch of the main household. If this continued, it would seem as though good people never lasted, while villains thrived for a thousand years.

Ji Shuran was cunning, and the Ji family still had Ji Yanlin. If Li Pin intervened to save her, it wasn't impossible for Ji Shuran to find a sliver of hope. So, Hu Yiniang decided that her death would be the final blow to crush Ji Shuran. The deaths of Hu Yiniang and Jiang Yue'er made it impossible for Jiang Yuanbai to ever forgive Ji Shuran. And the last letter she wrote to Jiang Yuanbai was nothing more than a way to hasten Ji Shuran's downfall.

This woman, who had spent her life as a concubine without any of the cunning tactics of the inner household, only to have her daughter become a sacrifice, had likely used her first and last scheme and strategy to complete this final act in the rear courtyard.

Jiang Li couldn't quite put her feelings into words. Hu Yiniang had clearly known early on that Ye Zhenzhen was harmed by Ji Shuran, yet she had chosen to protect herself and said nothing. If she had spoken up sooner, if Ji Shuran's true nature had been exposed earlier, Jiang Yue'er would never have been placed in such danger.

But then, what use was regret in this world?"Bao Qin from Hu Yiniang's side said that on the night before she left, Hu Yiniang told Bao Qin to properly thank the young lady. She said she would repay the young lady's great kindness in her next life," Bai Xue reported.

"People often push what they cannot accomplish onto the next life," Jiang Li smiled bitterly. "To carry the debts of this life into the next—how exhausting."

She thought of how she had similarly promised Ji Heng repayment in the next life. How similar she was to Hu Yiniang?

Yet thinking of Hu Yiniang still left Jiang Li feeling somewhat unsettled.

She sighed. Just then, the door was pushed open, and Tong'er entered from outside.

Seeing Jiang Li sitting up and speaking with Bai Xue, Tong'er nearly jumped for joy. She scurried to Jiang Li's side and said, "Young lady, you're finally awake! You scared me to death... In the future, whatever you plan to do, you must tell us first. I didn't sleep at all last night, worrying that something might happen to you..."

Jiang Li smiled and patted her head. "It's alright. Besides, I'm someone who's been possessed by a ghost. Aren't you afraid?"

"Not at all," Tong'er declared confidently. "Even if there are ghosts, they would come to claim the lives of those who harmed them. The young lady is so kind—if a ghost possessed you, it must have been to seek justice through you. What you did is a virtuous deed."

What should have been an ominous matter was made to sound like a good thing by this young maid. Jiang Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "You certainly have a way with words."

"It's true," Tong'er insisted. "As the saying goes, retribution may be delayed, but it never fails. Hasn't Ji Shi's time to repay her debts finally come? I heard the Old Madam is determined to punish Ji Shi severely. The Ji family came to take her back, but the Old Madam refused to release her. She even exposed all the shameful things Ji Shi had done right in front of the Ji family. At first, the Ji family refused to accept it, but the Master said he would investigate thoroughly and, if necessary, report it to the authorities. He even declared he would not hesitate to uphold justice at the expense of family ties today. When the Ji family heard the Master mention reporting to the authorities, they immediately dropped the matter of taking Ji Shi home and slunk away." Tong'er patted her chest. "You were asleep and didn't see it, young lady, but I witnessed it with my own eyes. It was so satisfying!"

"How dare the Ji family have the nerve to do such a thing," Bai Xue said disdainfully. "After causing so many deaths, they still want to take Ji Shi home as if nothing happened? Even among commoners, such crimes would demand a life for a life."

"Exactly," Tong'er agreed. "Do they really think that just because they have someone in the palace, the Ji family is untouchable?"

Jiang Li looked at Tong'er, finding her words rather intriguing, and asked, "What do you mean?"

"Even if they have a lady in the palace, she might not be able to save herself now," Tong'er said. "That so-called Chongxu Daoren admitted in front of everyone that he was a fraud. He tried to run away afterward, but our people found him hiding in an inn in Yanjing City before he could leave the city. The Master had him tied up and hasn't sent him to the Magistrate of the Capital yet. Today, the Master had an audience with the Emperor—who knows what he said. I suspect that with such a major scandal, Chongxu Daoren has committed the crime of deceiving the Emperor, and the Master certainly won't cover for him. If the Emperor finds out he's been deceived, how furious would he be? Li Pin will likely be implicated too, since he 'saved' her life twice."Tong'er's teasing tone was evident to everyone in the room, her words laced with sarcasm. Jiang Li tapped her head lightly. "You little mischief-maker."

"Anyway, they tried to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice. Old Madam Jiang hasn't decided how to deal with Ji Shi yet, but do you know, Miss, Jiang Youyao is truly disgusting. While Jiang Bingji at least pleaded for Ji Shi, the Third Young Lady hasn't even glanced in Ji Shi's direction—not even a mention, as if uttering Ji Shi's name would dirty her mouth. Though Ji Shi is vicious, she treated the Third Young Lady quite well. They're biological mother and daughter, yet their bond is weaker than that of strangers."

Jiang Li's smile was faint. "Ji Shuran has always been cold and indifferent to others. Jiang Youyao, having grown up under her influence, naturally developed a selfish and self-serving disposition. Everything Jiang Youyao does is a product of Ji Shuran's upbringing. It's no surprise."

Tong'er pursed her lips, then asked Jiang Li, "What do you think, Miss? How will they deal with Ji Shi this time?"

"Adultery, harming women of the household, harming descendants, framing the legitimate daughter—any one of these charges leaves Ji Shuran with no way out. So," Jiang Li lowered her gaze, "it's time for her to pay with her life."

Tong'er and Bai Xue fell silent.

After a long pause, Bai Xue asked, "Will the Master execute Ji Shi?"

"Yes. But he'll cover it up somewhat. He'll find another charge to make it easier on the Ji family's reputation."

"Then can the blame for causing her miscarriage be cleared from you, Miss?" Tong'er asked. "Back then, it was clearly Ji Shi who schemed against you, yet you ended up bearing the unjust blame for so many years."

"Tong'er, some things have no resolution," Jiang Li said. "If they were to clear my name, Ji Shuran's adultery and even her pregnancy would be exposed. That's the Jiang family's disgrace, and family shame must not be publicized. For the sake of the greater good, the Jiang family won't go that far for me. They'll only compensate me privately."

"Miss, you've suffered too much injustice," Bai Xue shook her head. She knew Jiang Li spoke the truth, but her heart still cried out against the unfairness.

"There are many helpless things in this world," Jiang Li said. "Some can be fought for, others must be swallowed like blood with broken teeth. At least now, we can make Ji Shuran pay with her life—that's already good enough. And there's more to come."

"What do you mean?" Tong'er asked.

"Jiang Youyao and Jiang Bingji will likely struggle to win Jiang Yuanbai's favor for a long time." Whenever Jiang Yuanbai saw Jiang Youyao and Jiang Bingji, he would be reminded of Ji Shuran, that illegitimate child, and even the innocent Jiang Yue'er who died tragically. Though one shouldn't transfer blame, Jiang Yuanbai was an ordinary man, not a saint. After being deceived and kept in the dark by Ji Shuran for so long in the inner household, his self-respect had been utterly shattered.

Jiang Bingji aside, given Jiang Youyao's nature—lacking patience and restraint—she would soon grow resentful toward Jiang Yuanbai. Without Ji Shuran guiding her from behind, Jiang Li suspected that the path ahead for Jiang Youyao would lead nowhere good.

Not that she felt charitable enough to warn her, though.

After chatting with Tong'er and Bai Xue for a while, they worried about disturbing Jiang Li's rest and said they would first report to Old Madam Jiang and arrange a meeting with her and the others tomorrow.After Tong'er left, Jiang Li sat leaning against the couch, reflecting on the events of the past few days and confirming that nothing had gone wrong.

However, the vocal mimicry expert Zhao Ke found had indeed performed better than she had imagined. As for the magic trick-like black mist, the inexplicable gusts of wind, and the dancing paper figures—these were not the work of Chongxu Daoren but likely the handiwork of that same master, done as an afterthought. It was precisely these tricks that instilled fear in people, making them firmly believe in the presence of "ghosts" under those circumstances.

In truth, this approach was quite risky, as Jiang Li herself would henceforth bear the stigma of having been "possessed by a ghost." If word got out, people would avoid her. However, for now, aside from the Jiang household, no one else knew about it. Presumably, Old Madam Jiang would ensure everything was handled discreetly to prevent any leaks.

Jiang Li had no choice but to resort to this. Ji Shuran had committed far too many wrongs. To address each one individually would waste too much time, and she didn’t have much time to spare on the internal conflicts of the Jiang residence. Princess Yongning could strike at her at any moment, Shen Yurong was steadily climbing the ranks, and Prince Cheng was watching like a tiger eyeing its prey.

She needed to focus her energy on more formidable adversaries.

Just as she was lost in thought, a tapping sound came from outside the window.

Jiang Li walked over and opened it to find Zhao Ke standing outside.

"I didn’t blow the whistle," Jiang Li said.

Zhao Ke seemed momentarily taken aback by her words before replying, "My lord has ordered me to deliver a message to Second Miss Jiang."

Ji Heng? Jiang Li asked, "What is it?"

"Tomorrow afternoon, at the Ye family residence. My lord is waiting for you."

Jiang Li was surprised. "The Ye family?" The Ye family was where Ye Shijie lived. Why would Ji Heng go to Ye Shijie’s place? Could it be that he had also dragged Ye Shijie onto his "pirate ship"? At this thought, her expression turned serious. "Why is Ye Shijie with your lord?"

Zhao Ke: "…" Why did Second Miss Jiang look so disdainful, as if his lord were some kind of sticky, unavoidable nuisance? Even if Ye Shijie were truly serving his lord, he should consider it an honor. What was with this reaction?

He replied, "No, it’s probably just for convenience at the Ye residence."

Jiang Li: "Does he treat the Ye family like the Jiang family?"

Zhao Ke: "…Perhaps."

Jiang Li felt frustrated. Ji Heng was truly a lawless and capricious person. If he could come and go as he pleased in the Jiang residence, naturally he could do the same at the Ye residence. But she wondered how Ye Shijie and Ye Mingyu would feel about it.

"What exactly does your lord want with me?" Jiang Li asked. "If it’s important, you could have relayed the message to me. Right now, I’m entangled in many disputes, and many people are watching me closely. I don’t want to cause any trouble for your lord."

Zhao Ke: "…" Although Second Miss Jiang spoke with such earnestness, as if it were entirely true, he could clearly sense the underlying meaning in her words—if it wasn’t important, he shouldn’t bother her.

"Regarding the matter of Chongxu Daoren, please convey my thanks to your lord," Jiang Li said, feeling that her earlier words might have been too harsh. After a pause, she added, "When I have some free time, I will personally visit your lord to express my gratitude with a generous gift."

"My lord did not invite Second Miss to the Ye residence to hear your thanks," Zhao Ke felt it necessary to explain on his lord’s behalf. "My lord wishes for you to meet someone."

Jiang Li was taken aback. "Who?""The foremost divine physician of Northern Yan," Zhao Ke said, "might be able to cure County Magistrate Xue."

(End of Chapter)