The Double

Chapter 15 Confrontation

The sun hung high in the sky like a golden platter. The summer day was windless, filled only with the chirping of cicadas.

A young maid in a brown short-cloth dress, her hair styled in double buns and looking quite adorable, helped another person alight from the carriage.

The girl appeared to be only fourteen or fifteen, right at the budding age of youth, yet she wore a faded gray Buddhist robe. The loose robe made her seem even more delicate and frail. Her jet-black hair was half tied up with a wooden hairpin, the rest cascading freely down her back like a waterfall. With rosy lips, pearly teeth, and eyes as gentle and innocent as a young deer in the forest, she looked exceptionally pure and refined.

Around her wrist was a simple wooden prayer bead bracelet, and on her feet were the plainest gray cloth shoes. With her palms pressed together and her eyes slightly lowered, her long eyelashes, snow-white skin, and dark hair made one hold their breath for a moment upon seeing her.

Like a mayfly born at dawn—beautiful, fragile, and so docile as to be unaware of the world’s dangers. She resembled a child attendant under Guanyin, pure and untainted as a blank sheet of paper.

Though there was no wind in June, the moment this girl stepped out of the carriage, the surroundings seemed to grow cool and comfortable. Her features were not as exquisite and striking as Jiang Youyao’s, but she possessed a natural, ethereal beauty. Perhaps it was due to growing up in a remote mountain temple, nurtured by the essence of nature, free from desires and wants. With each step she took, she was as clear and refreshing as the evening breeze.

The little maid supported the girl as they walked to the entrance of the Jiang residence. The girl stopped, bowed slightly, and spoke in a voice as gentle and meek as her appearance: "Jiang Li is unfilial. I pay my respects to Father and Mother."

Her words seemed to jolt the surrounding commoners out of their daze. They stared at her blankly until suddenly, someone exclaimed, "Second Miss Jiang looks just like the Grand Secretary!"

Jiang Li’s eyelashes trembled slightly, and she pursed her lips, her posture growing even more submissive.

Jiang Yuanbai gazed at this daughter of his with complex emotions. Seven years apart had changed Jiang Li so much that he could hardly recognize her as the fiery-tempered girl she once was. He had always felt that Jiang Li’s temperament was more like Ye Zhenzhen’s—simple, blunt, inflexible, and unwilling to yield. But now, hearing the commoners’ remarks, Jiang Yuanbai suddenly realized that the grown-up Jiang Li resembled him even more in appearance, surpassing Jiang Youyao.

Jiang Youyao had inherited Ji Shuran’s beauty, delicate and exquisite like porcelain, while Jiang Li was like a pear tree nurtured in the deep mountains—elegant, lofty, and pure, with a distinguished aura that resonated more with the integrity of scholars.

Even if that scholarly integrity was merely a facade.

Perhaps it was the sudden reappearance of his long-lost daughter that stirred Jiang Yuanbai’s paternal instincts, or maybe it was Jiang Li’s resemblance to him that made him feel closer to her. Whatever the reason, Jiang Yuanbai’s heart softened. He reached out to support Jiang Li’s bowed waist and said gently, "It’s good that you’re back. Let’s go inside. Your grandmother and the others are still waiting for you."

As Jiang Yuanbai spoke, Ji Shuran, standing beside him, stiffened for a moment before her smile became even more sincere. She too took Jiang Li’s hand and said with a laugh, "You’ve finally returned."

Jiang Youyao blinked her eyes and suddenly remarked, "Second Sister, why are you still wearing clothes from the nunnery? Didn’t Mother have Sun Momo make new clothes for you? Why dress so plainly? People who don’t know might think Mother has been mistreating you."

The surroundings fell silent. Ji Shuran chided, "Youyao, don’t talk nonsense!" Then, turning to Jiang Li, she patted her hand reassuringly and said with a smile, "Your sister speaks without thinking. Don’t take it to heart."The crowd lingering at the gate stared intently at Jiang Li. Ji Shuran’s apologetic reassurances, Jiang Youyao’s barely concealed smugness, and Jiang Yuanbai’s subtly shifting expression—all were clearly noted by Jiang Li.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. What a grand performance. She had merely returned to Yanjing, not even stepped past the threshold, and already they greeted her with such a calculated blow. How should she respond? Jiang Li’s return to the residence—why would she wear a Buddhist robe when newly made clothes were prepared? What did this imply? Was it dissatisfaction with Ji Shuran, hence refusing the garments she provided? Or was it a deliberate move to make the common folk believe the Grand Secretary’s household had mistreated her? In Jiang Yuanbai’s eyes, Jiang Li’s actions undoubtedly showed disregard for the Jiang family and harbored resentment toward it.

Jiang Li smiled faintly, her gaze even more guileless than Ji Shuran’s. “Mother’s kind intentions are deeply appreciated by Jiang Li,” she said cheerfully. “The clothes sent by Sun Momo were made of the finest silk, adorned with intricate embroidery, and embellished with jewels and jade—truly a delight to behold.”

Seeing Jiang Li’s smiling eyes, Ji Shuran felt an inexplicable unease, an instinctive urge to stop her from continuing. But before she could speak, Jiang Youyao interjected, “If that’s the case, why didn’t you wear them?”

“It must be that Li’er has grown accustomed to simple attire and plain meals and isn’t used to such finery yet,” Ji Shuran quickly added, sensing she must preempt Jiang Li’s words.

Jiang Li shook her head. “How could that be? After all, Jiang Li is a woman—what woman doesn’t love beautiful clothes? It’s just…” She sighed regretfully. “Jiang Li hasn’t returned home in seven years, nor seen Mother in all that time. We’ve exchanged very few letters over these years. Mother doesn’t know my measurements, so none of those exquisite garments actually fit me.”

Not a single one fit!

The surrounding crowd erupted in murmurs. Jiang Li’s words—not having returned for seven years was one thing, but “very few letters” likely meant none at all! Otherwise, how could a mother preparing clothes for her daughter not know her measurements? It could only mean that over seven years, she had no idea about Jiang Li’s circumstances or how much she had grown.

How heartless! No matter how great the fault, she was still her own flesh and blood!

The crowd’s accusatory glances fell upon Jiang Yuanbai, who seethed inwardly but maintained a calm facade. Ji Shuran, however, knew he was displeased. In her panic, she turned to Sun Momo—how could such a critical detail have gone unmentioned during Sun Momo’s return? Otherwise, with her lifelong shrewdness, how could she have let a young girl like Jiang Li gain the upper hand?

Sun Momo inwardly lamented her misfortune. When she had presented the clothes to Jiang Li earlier, Jiang Li refused to wear them. When Sun Momo asked why, Jiang Li had merely said she didn’t like such attire. Sun Momo didn’t press further, assuming Jiang Li was being willful—even thinking this stubbornness would work in Ji Shuran’s favor, providing leverage to make Jiang Li suffer a silent defeat.

Back then, Jiang Li had only claimed she didn’t like the clothes, not that they didn’t fit! Reflecting on Jiang Li’s behavior throughout the journey, Sun Momo suddenly realized—Jiang Li had been setting a trap from the very beginning, waiting for the Lady and Third Young Miss to step right into it!Jiang Li inwardly laughed at the absurdity. She hadn't intentionally set traps for anyone—she'd merely acted as the situation demanded. This was also a test: if Third Miss Jiang and Ji Shuran were truly troublesome, they would inevitably reveal themselves. If they remained prudent, peace would prevail. Yet scarcely had she returned to the residence when everyone's true nature became apparent. Ji Shuran was not as kind and gentle as she appeared, and Third Miss Jiang harbored clear hostility toward her.

As for this nominal father, Jiang Li was not his biological daughter, so his actions brought her no disappointment. Had it been the original Second Miss Jiang in her place, the poor girl would likely have been heartbroken.

No matter—the Jiang family ranked among Yanjing City's most prominent official households. Such lofty mansions were never tranquil. Since that was the case, she would meet soldiers with generals and floodwaters with earthworks.

But the present her was neither the incompetent Second Miss Jiang who had drowned and forgotten, nor the meek Xue Fangfei who had succumbed to victimization. The current Jiang Li feared nothing.

You harm me—but who's to say I cannot harm you?

Jiang Li smiled at Ji Shuran and said, "Although Mother's garments were ill-fitting, they were made with sincere affection, and I dare not forget that. However, seven years in the nunnery taught me the value of thrift. Since the clothes have been made, it would be wasteful to leave them unused with me." She suddenly turned her gaze to Jiang Youyao beside her.

Ji Shuran's heart skipped a beat as Jiang Li continued cheerfully, "I notice Third Sister matches the measurements of Mother's garments perfectly. Why not gift all the clothes Mother made to Third Sister? Thinking back, the styles and colors would suit her far better—she would look absolutely stunning in them."

Ji Shuran's face paled.

The final straw that broke the camel's back! By tomorrow, all of Yanjing City would be buzzing about how the Jiang family's new mistress treated her stepdaughter versus her own daughter. The distinction was glaringly obvious. Jiang Li, having just returned, had shattered the virtuous reputation Ji Shuran had painstakingly cultivated for years.

What a formidable Second Miss Jiang!

First showdown for Li Zi—hahahahaha!

(End of Chapter)