The Double

Chapter 141: Rumors Spread

Ji Shi's death should have been a major event, but within the Jiang residence, it was treated with less importance than even a concubine like Hu Yiniang. Regardless, within just a few days, two people had died in the Jiang household, and the bloody truths of the past had been laid bare before everyone. The atmosphere in the Jiang residence was far from lighthearted. This winter felt colder than previous years.

Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai seemed intent on compensating for Jiang Li's past grievances, indulging her every whim and attending to even the smallest details. Zhenzhu and other maids from the old madam’s side had already made several trips to deliver clothes and silver. Jiang Li accepted everything gently and graciously, appearing as though there were no barriers between them. However, when Old Madam Jiang learned of Jiang Li’s reactions, she let out a deep sigh.

Ji Shi was to be buried, but the official explanation given to the public was that she had succumbed to a sudden illness overnight. No matter how much outsiders pointed fingers or expressed confusion and doubt, the Ji family—Ji Shuran’s maternal relatives—remained silent, tacitly accepting this version of events.

Thus, although the people of Yanjing City occasionally gossiped about whether Ji Shuran’s death held some hidden truth, the lack of evidence meant such conversations quickly shifted to other topics.

Ji Shuran’s coffin was only buried after seven days. During those seven days, only Jiang Youyao kept vigil for Ji Shuran. Jiang Bingji was too young, and Jiang Li, though nominally Ji Shuran’s daughter, would never keep vigil for the woman who had murdered her birth mother. As for the rest of the Jiang family, given that Ji Shuran bore responsibility for multiple deaths, including that of the previous madam, anyone who dared keep vigil for such a murderer would be openly defying Old Madam Jiang.

Jiang Youyao endured the humiliation and kept vigil alone for Ji Shuran. When she first learned of her mother’s death, she had been desperate to confront Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai, but neither would see her. It was only when Jinhua, her maid, reminded her that this was Old Madam Jiang’s doing that Jiang Youyao finally faced the truth. At the same time, a deep fear began to rise within her.

If the Jiang family could kill her mother without hesitation, they could just as easily kill her! Fear overpowered her grief, leaving Jiang Youyao with no energy to plead her mother’s innocence. Initially, she had pinned all her hopes on the Ji family, waiting for them to come to the Jiang residence and take her away. But after Ji Shuran’s death, the Ji family never appeared.

They did not even come to offer condolences.

At that moment, Jiang Youyao truly understood: both she and her mother had been abandoned by the Ji family. From then on, in the Jiang residence, she could only rely on herself.

All of this reached Jiang Li’s ears through Tong’er. Jiang Li was not surprised by Jiang Youyao’s actions. Ji Shuran had always planned everything for Jiang Youyao, fostering in her a habit of relying on others in times of trouble. But this time, the Ji family would surely disappoint her. To maintain relations with the Jiang family—or at least avoid an open rift—the Ji family would not make any move to protest Ji Shuran’s treatment.

With Ji Shuran buried and Jiang Youyao lying low for the time being, no further disturbances arose in the residence. Jiang Li continued her daily visits to the Ye residence to check on Xue Huaiyuan, whom Situ Jiuyue treated with acupuncture. Though there was still no improvement, at least she had something to hold onto in her heart.

But on this day, the rare peace was shattered.Jiang Li had just risen and was having Tong'er style her hair, planning to visit the Ye residence. Suddenly, Qingfeng rushed into the inner room in a fluster, exclaiming, "Miss, something terrible has happened!"

Tong'er's hand trembled, causing the hairpin to slip from her nearly finished hairstyle, and her dark hair cascaded down her back once more. Jiang Li paid it no mind, turning to Qingfeng instead. "What is it?" she asked.

"This servant went out today to purchase supplies, and the streets are abuzz with talk of Ji Shi's death!"

"What of it?" Tong'er said, puzzled. "Haven't people been discussing it for a while now?"

"No, it's different," Qingfeng stammered urgently. "They're saying Ji Shi died because she was involved in an illicit affair and bore a bastard child. Now that the scandal has come to light, our master personally dealt with her!"

"What?" Jiang Li frowned and stood up.

"Isn't that just the truth?" Bai Xue, who had been carrying a tray of hot tea, froze in astonishment. "The household forbade anyone from spreading this outside—how did it leak?"

"Regardless of how it got out, it should be good for us," Tong'er said with satisfaction. "Our young lady has suffered unjustly all along. Even though Ji Shi is dead, the trumped-up charges against our young lady remain. Now, with the truth revealed, everyone will know she was falsely accused of killing her mother and brother. Our young lady is finally cleared of blame."

"Cleared, yes," Bai Xue shook her head, "but this way, everyone in the household will assume our young lady was the one who spread the word."

Tong'er was taken aback, and Qingfeng added, "Exactly!"

"This is an injustice!" Tong'er cried out. "We truly haven't uttered a single word about it!"

Jiang Li fell into deep thought.

Although she very much wanted to clear Second Miss Jiang's name, she knew that one must consider the bigger picture. Family scandals should not be aired in public; if this matter spread through the streets and alleys, it would not bode well for Second Miss Jiang's reputation and could even harm Jiang Yuanbai's official career. If Jiang Yuanbai fell, the Jiang family would inevitably be devoured by others. Thus, she had never intended to reveal Ji Shuran's affairs to the outside world.

If she didn't say it, who did? The servants' contracts were all in the hands of their masters. Although the old madam was aged, she would undoubtedly use threats or incentives to keep the servants in line when it came to such matters. Moreover, for the servants, preserving their lives was paramount; everyone knew that speaking out would cost them their lives.

So who was it?

Before she could reach any conclusion, she suddenly heard Mingyue's startled cry from outside: "Third Miss, you cannot enter!"

Immediately after, Jiang Youyao's furious voice rang out: "Get out of my way!" It sounded as if she had pushed Mingyue aside.

Jiang Youyao stormed in aggressively.

Jiang Li stood up and looked at her.

Seeing Jiang Li, Jiang Youyao felt a sting in her eyes. Jiang Li was dressed in a plain blue silk embroidered jacket and skirt, her long hair half-styled, with two lustrous pearls adorning her ears, accentuating her fair, delicate features and radiant beauty.

Instantly, the gossip that Yin Hua had relayed to her surfaced in her mind—the mocking talk from outsiders: "Could Third Miss Jiang also be the illegitimate child of Ji Shi? Then wouldn't Second Miss Jiang be the only legitimate daughter of the Jiang family's main branch? I always said that during the Six Arts at the training ground, Second Miss Jiang seemed far more outstanding than Third Miss!"If these words had been spoken in the past, Jiang Youyao would have scoffed at them. But now, she sadly realized she couldn't refute them. Unconsciously, Jiang Li had surpassed her, seizing Jiang Yuanbai's attention and their grandmother's favor. She had outshone Jiang Youyao, and now Jiang Li was the Grand Secretary's legitimate daughter, while Jiang Youyao was scorned as a child of adultery outside!

How unjust!

"Third Sister, charging in like this—do you have urgent business?" Jiang Li asked.

"Stop with your hypocritical, disgusting act," Jiang Youyao sneered. "You're the one who spread those rumors outside, aren't you? Father and Grandmother clearly said this matter shouldn't be disclosed, yet you made it known to everyone, turning the Jiang family into a laughingstock. Jiang Li, what are your intentions?!"

Jiang Li shook her head. "It wasn't me."

The mockery on Jiang Youyao's face deepened. "Not you? Then who else could it be? In the entire Jiang family, only you hate me and my mother the most! You want to cut off all my paths to survival, so you spread this to ruin me! You've ruined me!"

"I've said it wasn't me. If I were going to say it, I would have done so that day, not waited until after the burial," Jiang Li replied. "Moreover, it wasn't me who turned the Jiang family into a laughingstock—it was Ji Shuran. And it wasn't me who ruined you—it was Ji Shuran. To lay all the blame on me? Sorry, but I don't have that much power."

When it came to wounding with words, Jiang Youyao was no match for Jiang Li. With just a few sentences, Jiang Li had provoked Jiang Youyao into a rage. Staring at Jiang Li, Jiang Youyao muttered, "I'll kill you..." and lunged forward!

But in the room was Bai Xue, who possessed extraordinary strength. As Jiang Youyao charged, Bai Xue set down her teacup and rushed to block Jiang Li. Taller than Jiang Youyao, she grabbed Jiang Youyao's hand and twisted it. Struggling against Bai Xue's grip, Jiang Youyao shouted furiously at Jinhua and Yinhua, "What are you standing there for? Seize this wretched maid!"

Only then did Jinhua and Yinhua snap out of their daze and swarm forward. But Tong'er was no pushover either. She called for Qingfeng and Mingyue, and the group tangled into a chaotic mess. Jiang Li, caught between amusement and exasperation, quickly stepped out of the room and summoned two matrons to separate them, then sent someone to fetch Old Madam Jiang.

Old Madam Jiang's people arrived swiftly. Seeing Jiang Youyao disheveled while Jiang Li remained composed, they couldn't help but feel a chill. They informed Jiang Li that Old Madam Jiang requested both of them to come to the Evening Phoenix Hall.

Jiang Youyao, now deflated, didn't dare act out in front of Old Madam Jiang's attendants. Though resentful, she had no choice but to suppress her anger. When they arrived at the Evening Phoenix Hall, they found Jiang Yuanbai there as well.

"Father," Jiang Youyao called timidly.

Jiang Yuanbai looked at Jiang Youyao, his emotions in turmoil.

He was no saint—his hatred for Ji Shuran inevitably spilled over to Jiang Youyao. But seeing her so frightened and timid, he found it hard to remain stern. Jiang Youyao had been pampered and cherished in the Jiang family—when had she ever been so cowed and fearful? Were both his daughters destined to walk the same path, disappointed in their father and drifting away from the Jiang family?

Old Madam Jiang had already learned the details from the matrons. Glaring at Jiang Youyao, she scolded, "Third Girl, you've gone too far! Is this how you've learned to behave, plotting against your own sister?""Grandmother." Jiang Youyao's knees buckled as she knelt decisively, saying, "Youyao acted impulsively. But... now everyone outside is discussing Mother's... Mother's death. The matter has been spread far and wide. As a daughter, Youyao knows Mother committed an unforgivable wrong, so I did not plead for her. But Mother has already passed, paying the price she deserved—why can't we let the dead rest? How should her children feel about this? Father, please try to understand our position!"

Jiang Li observed Jiang Youyao, thinking that after Ji Shuran's death, Jiang Youyao had indeed matured somewhat—at least she now knew how to use emotional manipulation to gain sympathy.

"Moreover, the spread of Mother's affairs harms the Jiang family as well. How will others view us? Everyone now says Father fails to maintain household discipline, that the Jiang family is in disarray. Second Sister," she turned to Jiang Li, tears streaming as she kowtowed several times, "Youyao knows I cannot undo the harm done to you, but I beg you to show mercy and stop tarnishing the Jiang family's name. If you can spare the Jiang family, Youyao will do anything!"

Tong'er, listening nearby, grew furious. She had initially thought the Third Young Miss foolish, but now saw she was not to be underestimated. At the very least, her theatrical skills were identical to Ji Shuran's. No wonder they say like mother, like daughter—her pitiful act could move anyone. In this scene, Jiang Li appeared aggressive while Jiang Youyao played the innocent victim.

Jiang Li said, "Third Sister, I did not do this."

"If not you, then who?" Jiang Youyao sobbed. "You're the one who hated Mother most. You wanted to clear your name, and you're the only one who leaves the residence freely every day..."

Jiang Li visited the Ye family daily, and Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang, burdened by past guilt, had not restricted her movements. Unexpectedly, this now became Jiang Youyao's "evidence."

"Though I bear resentment toward Father and the Jiang family," Jiang Li said calmly, "I would not drag the entire family down with me. While revealing this matter might ease my grievances, it would place the Jiang family in a precarious position. That would bring me no benefit." Jiang Li smiled faintly. "I understand Third Sister's sorrow well, but even in grief, one must weigh pros and cons and avoid impulsive actions."

Her candid admission of resentment toward the Jiang family startled Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai. Yet her subsequent words left them with mixed feelings. Weighing pros and cons for the Jiang family's benefit was commendable, but Jiang Li's tone was too rational, too cold, too devoid of familial warmth.

Yet the more she spoke this way, the more Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang felt guilty toward her.

Jiang Li approached Jiang Youyao and personally reached out to help her up. Jiang Youyao instinctively flinched, trying to avoid Jiang Li's hand. Jiang Yuanbai noticed this and frowned slightly. Seeing his reaction, Jiang Youyao gritted her teeth and placed her hand in Jiang Li's palm."Third Sister," Jiang Li helped her up, saying, "Your mother has already paid the price for the mistakes she made back then. Whether the price was sufficient or not, she has passed away, and there's no point in discussing it further. Let's consider this matter closed. I never intended to pursue it relentlessly. Moreover, the pain of losing a mother as a daughter—though others may not understand it—how could you claim before me that I don't know?" She spoke lightly, "Of course I know."

Of course she knew, because Ye Zhenzhen had been killed by Ji Shuran.

With just that one sentence, Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang could no longer harbor any other thoughts about Jiang Li. Jiang Yuanbai only asked, "A Li, was it really not you who spread this?"

"Father can investigate thoroughly. It was not my doing."

Jiang Yuanbai nodded. "Good. Let today's matter be treated as a misunderstanding. I will also find out who is behind it." He looked at Jiang Li. "If there's nothing else, you may return to your courtyard to rest." His tone even carried a cautious attempt to please.

Jiang Youyao stared blankly at the scene before her. She suddenly realized that both Old Madam Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai were now completely powerless against Jiang Li. It seemed that no matter what Jiang Li did, they would compromise.

Yes, compromise. Because Jiang Li could always effortlessly evoke their guilt while understanding their bottom line perfectly, thus making the maximum demands within those limits.

Jiang Youyao was unwilling to accept this and wanted to say more. But Old Madam Jiang had already coldly ordered her attendants to escort Jiang Youyao back to Yaoguang Residence.

This meant she was to be placed under house arrest.

Jiang Youyao was shocked, unable to comprehend why she—the victim—was being punished like this. She wanted to appeal to Jiang Yuanbai, to stir his sympathy for her, but Jiang Yuanbai only looked at Jiang Li with complex emotions. As Jiang Youyao watched, the fire in her eyes gradually extinguished.

Without a word, she allowed Old Madam Jiang's people to "escort" her back to her courtyard.

In her heart, she understood clearly: she could no longer stay in the Jiang family. No one would stand by her side anymore. She and Jiang Li were mortal enemies, destined to fight to the death. Yet now, whenever she clashed with Jiang Li, there was no doubt that everyone in the mansion would take Jiang Li's side.

The position of the Grand Secretary's precious daughter had vanished along with the deceased Ji Shuran, never to be recovered.

She had to find another way to survive.

...

Meanwhile, Jiang Li, who had returned to Fragrant Garden Courtyard, sat down in her study.

Qingfeng and Mingyue were busy cleaning up the mess from the fight with Jiang Youyao's maids. Bai Xue and Tong'er were bustling about helping, but Jiang Li's heart was not as calm as her appearance suggested.

Judging by Jiang Youyao's reaction, she clearly hadn't known about this matter either. It wasn't Jiang Youyao who spread it, nor was it herself. Besides the Jiang family members, only the Jiang mansion servants had been present that day. Now that Ji Shuran's affair had been exposed, there was no turning back. The Jiang family's reputation would suffer damage, and it was inevitable that Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Yuanping's official careers would be affected too. No matter how one looked at it, this matter brought nothing but harm to the Jiang family.

Within the entire Jiang household, Jiang Li appeared to be the most suspicious, given her motive to clear her name. But ruling that out, could it be someone wanting to target the Jiang family, deliberately leaking this matter through Ji Shuran's scandal?Who could it be? The Right Prime Minister's Li family? Princess Yongning? Prince Cheng? Or some other hidden figures lurking in the shadows? If it were these people, there might be spies among the Jiang family's servants. From now on, she would have to be more cautious about her every move within the Jiang residence.

If it wasn't these external forces but an internal traitor from the Jiang family itself, that would be even more concerning. Since ancient times, thieves within the household were the hardest to guard against. If problems arose from inside the residence, and there was collusion between internal and external forces, the Jiang family would likely face grave difficulties.

Jiang Li felt her thoughts growing tangled and unconsciously pressed her temples. Tong'er, noticing this, assumed she was worried about the matter and came over to comfort her: "Miss, there's no need to worry too much. With a clear conscience, we need not fear false accusations. Even if the master orders an investigation, it won't point to you. Although this matter is baffling, you've actually benefited from misfortune—now everyone in Yanjing City knows you were wrongly accused back then. No matter what happens, no one can blame you anymore."

"Besides," Tong'er added with some schadenfreude, "it's the Ji family who should be having headaches now. With their young lady involved in such a scandal, all women from the Ji family will suffer damaged reputations. This affects not just unmarried women but even married Ji women—they'll all face pointing fingers. Isn't Li Pin the elder sister of Ji Shi? If His Majesty hears about this, who knows what he might think of Li Pin."

Li Pin?!

Jiang Li suddenly stood up, startling Tong'er, who asked: "Miss, what's wrong?"

Jiang Li remained silent, her expression shifting unpredictably. She had always felt she was overlooking something, though she hadn't paid it much mind these past days. Only when Tong'er mentioned it did she suddenly remember—regarding the Chongxu Daoren affair, there was another key figure: Li Pin! Jiang Yuanbai had captured Chongxu Daoren and said he would report the matter directly to the Hongxiao Emperor.

If nothing had gone wrong, the Hongxiao Emperor should know by now that Chongxu Daoren was a fraud and that the case of Li Pin's witchcraft from years ago was fabricated. Yet currently, there was no news from the palace. Could it be that the Emperor still didn't know Chongxu Daoren was a fraud? Or had the palace suppressed the information? But if it were suppressed, at least the Ji family would have approached Jiang Yuanbai to plead their case. However, since Ji Shuran's death, not a single member of the Ji family had visited—clearly they wanted nothing more to do with this matter.

The truth suddenly became shrouded in mystery. Jiang Li couldn't make sense of it either. Being confined to the Jiang residence, learning about palace affairs would be difficult. Unconsciously, her hand drifted toward the whistle in her sleeve—there was a shortcut before her... But would Ji Heng allow Zhao Ke to tell her?

After all, this was no trivial matter.

...

Just as Jiang Li thought of Li Pin, the palace consort herself had been living uneasily these past few days.

Ji Shuran had died suddenly.

The last time Li Pin saw Ji Shuran, they had been discussing how to use Chongxu Daoren against Jiang Li. After leaving that day, she never heard from Ji Shuran again. Not only that, but Chongxu Daoren had also disappeared. Li Pin vaguely sensed something was wrong, yet her dispatched agents returned with no results. The Jiang residence was guarded as tightly as an iron barrel—no information could leak out.After waiting two more days, news arrived of Ji Shuran's sudden death from a critical illness. Li Pin was startled, suspecting something unusual had occurred, and wrote to the Ji family. However, Ji Yanlin's reply said nothing and forbade Li Pin from attending the Jiang family's memorial service. This convinced Li Pin that something must have happened, though what puzzled her was the Ji family's attitude. She heard the Ji family hadn't attended the Jiang family's memorial either, which made her even more uneasy.

Troubled by these thoughts, Li Pin claimed illness these past few days, rarely leaving her side hall, insisting she hadn't fully recovered. Her maid Hongzhu entered from outside, hurried to Li Pin, and said, "Your Highness, something has happened out there."

"What is it?" Li Pin sat up.

"They say there's more to Lady Ji's death than meets the eye." Hongzhu relayed everything she had heard outside to Li Pin, then added, "Now the whole city is talking about it. I'm afraid... I'm afraid His Majesty knows too."

Upon suddenly hearing this news, Li Pin was momentarily stunned. It took her a long while to gather her thoughts.

How could she not know about Ji Shuran's affairs? Chen Jishi would often visit the palace and speak of them. Li Pin had never thought much of this younger sister—Ji Shuran lacked Chen Jishi's assertiveness, yet the incident involving Ye Zhenzhen and Liu Wencai had made Li Pin see her in a new light. There was a ruthless streak in her after all.

But this admiration had now turned to disgust, as it implicated her as well.

"How could this have gotten out?" Li Pin fumed.

If Ji Shuran fell from grace, the reputations of all the women in the Ji family would suffer, including hers. People would point and say, "Look, she's Ji Shuran's sister, sharing the same blood. Who knows if she'll turn out just as vicious and promiscuous?" In the palace, where covert and overt struggles never ceased, countless would seize this chance to bring her down.

Wait—how could Ji Shuran have died? Was she executed by Jiang Yuanbai after her scandal came to light? But why did the scandal surface? Timing-wise, it happened shortly after the exorcism at Chongxu Daoren's residence.

Could it be that Chongxu Daoren's deception had been exposed? Li Pin twisted her handker anxiously. If this were true, she would be the first to face consequences! The Emperor would never tolerate anyone who deceived him!

As these thoughts raced through her mind, a palace maid announced the Emperor's arrival.

Li Pin hurriedly rose from her couch to greet him.

Lowering her head, she caught a glimpse of the bright yellow hem of the Dragon Robe. It halted before her. In the past, Li Pin had been bold, unlike other concubines who treated the Hongxiao Emperor with excessive reverence. She could banter with him, and thus the Dragon Robe held little fear for her. It was this very fearlessness that made her the most unique in the Emperor's eyes.

But today, the bright yellow hue felt like a death warrant. For the first time, she felt the terror of imperial power—how humble and fragile she was. As she bowed, time seemed to stretch endlessly, her fate hanging in the balance.

After what felt like an eternity.

Just as cold sweat began to bead on Li Pin's forehead, a familiar voice spoke: "Rise." A pair of hands helped her up.

The Hongxiao Emperor looked at her with the same fondness and handsomeness as before, and Li Pin's heart gradually settled—his attitude suggested the rumors hadn't affected his regard for her.

He likely didn't know about Chongxu Daoren either.

The Emperor tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing against her damp, cold forehead. Frowning, he asked, "Why are you sweating so much, Li Pin? On such a chilly day?"

Li Pin smiled sweetly. "Perhaps my health is still weak, not fully recovered yet."

The Hongxiao Emperor nodded and ordered attendants to summon the imperial physician to check her pulse. Seeing his unchanged demeanor, Li Pin relaxed completely.

In truth, as long as the matter of Chongxu Daoren remained hidden from the Emperor, Ji Shuran's scandal alone couldn't truly threaten her position. Li Pin could easily employ other methods to feign ignorance, even resorting to a "bitter flesh" stratagem.

All she needed was to sever all ties to the incident and portray herself as a victim of deception.Fortunately, fortunately. As if having narrowly escaped death, Li Pin revealed a genuine smile and gently rested her head on the emperor's shoulder.

Hongxiao Emperor patted her hand reassuringly, yet the look in his eyes was utterly chilling.

(End of Chapter)