The Double

Chapter 167: Good News

Jiang Li remained unaware of the recent events unfolding in the Li family these past days. Yet she paid little attention, likely because she knew everything was proceeding according to her plan—unhurried and steady. Princess Yongning would inevitably arrive at the fate meticulously arranged for her from the very beginning. Thus, there was no need to rush what came before.

She found herself increasingly drawn to visiting the Ye family.

Perhaps because Jiang Yuanbai had his own affairs to attend to lately, he turned a blind eye to Jiang Li’s near-daily trips to the Ye residence. Jiang Li went there primarily to see Xue Huaiyuan. Each day, she would visit him without any particular agenda—sometimes engaging in light conversation, but more often simply keeping him silent company. When Xue Huaiyuan read, Jiang Li would also hold a book, reading quietly nearby. In Xue Huaiyuan’s eyes, Jiang Li was the Second Miss of the Jiang family. But in Jiang Li’s eyes, Xue Huaiyuan would always be her father. As long as her father was by her side, he provided her with boundless strength and courage.

Xue Huaiyuan occasionally inquired about the details of the Tongxiang case and the evidence related to Xue Fangfei. Haitang mentioned to Jiang Li that Xue Huaiyuan often asked about what kind of life Xue Fangfei had led in the Shen family and what had happened to her before Haitang left the residence. After hearing these accounts, Xue Huaiyuan would hunch over alone, silently shedding tears as he stared at the ground—a heartbreaking sight.

The mere thought of this scene twisted Jiang Li’s heart with agony. Moreover, although Xue Huaiyuan had ostensibly been persuaded by Jiang Li to abandon the spring examinations, he had secretly begun investigating the case of Xue Zhao’s encounter with bandits. Unable to leave the residence for fear of being spotted by Princess Yongning or Shen Yurong’s men, he relied on Ye Mingyu’s connections to gather information or picked up clues from servants’ idle chatter. Jiang Li had instructed Ye Mingyu to ensure Xue Huaiyuan never ventured out alone—she knew all too well how many in Yanjing City sought Xue Huaiyuan’s life.

Princess Yongning alone was threat enough. Having harmed Xue Huaiyuan once, Jiang Li would never allow her to harm him a second time.

Ye Mingyu remarked to Jiang Li, “This Master Xue’s temperament is truly stubborn. The Xue Zhao case was scarcely known to begin with, and it’s been so long, yet he remains unyielding. Don’t be fooled by the old gentleman’s usual gentle smile and refined demeanor—deep down, he’s fiercely opinionated, and no one can sway him.” He glanced at Jiang Li and added, “If I didn’t know better, I’d think your stubbornness was learned from him.”

Jiang Li smiled. “Is that so?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Ye Mingyu grumbled. “Now I hardly dare raise my voice around the old gentleman, afraid he’ll lecture me with a flood of principles. It’s strange—your father is a scholar too, so why don’t I fear him?”

Jiang Li merely smiled without replying. When she returned to the Jiang residence that evening and stepped into the Fragrant Garden Courtyard, Bai Xue, who had stayed behind, hurried up to her and said, “Miss, there’s movement at the Right Prime Minister’s residence.”

“Oh? What happened?” Jiang Li asked.

“A physician entered the Right Prime Minister’s gate,” Bai Xue replied.

A physician? Jiang Li understood immediately. It seemed Princess Yongning had lost her composure or grown too impatient to continue the charade with the Li family. She was now hastily laying the groundwork to legitimize her claim of pregnancy.

This was just as well. With such a beginning, the real drama would soon unfold.

…At the residence of the Right Prime Minister, the physician was taking Princess Yongning's pulse.

It was evening, and Princess Yongning had deliberately chosen a time when all three men of the Li family were present at the residence to suddenly fall "gravely ill," claiming she felt extremely nauseous and couldn't keep anything down.

The new bride had been brought to the residence for less than two months and was still in the phase where she needed to be carefully attended to. Moreover, since Princess Yongning had entered the household, her health had been consistently poor. She had been recuperating with medication without any issues, but today she had suddenly taken a severe turn. Li Zhongnan didn't dare neglect the matter. Seeing Princess Yongning's maid take a formal request to summon the imperial physician to the residence, he personally came to see what was happening.

Li Xian and Li Lian, the two brothers, also waited at the door. If anything were to happen to Princess Yongning in the Li household, they would have a hard time explaining themselves to Prince Cheng. Besides, during this time, although Princess Yongning was a bit spoiled, she hadn't caused any trouble and had maintained a superficially harmonious relationship with the Li family. Therefore, there was no reason not to treat her well.

After taking Princess Yongning's pulse, the imperial physician paused in surprise, then suddenly stood up and bowed to her, saying, "Congratulations, Your Highness, and congratulations to Lord Li!"

Both Li Xian and Li Zhongnan were taken aback. Princess Yongning frowned and asked, "What is there to congratulate?"

The physician smiled and said, "Your Highness is with child!"

"With child?" Li Xian's expression turned peculiar, and Li Zhongnan was also stunned.

"Indeed, judging by Your Highness's pulse, it appears the pregnancy is less than a month along." The physician turned to Li Zhongnan and said with a smile, "Congratulations, Lord Li, on the joyous news of a grandchild!"

Princess Yongning was both shocked and delighted, exclaiming, "I am with child?"

The physician replied, "Exactly!"

All the maids in the room knelt down, offering their congratulations. From this alone, it seemed like a truly momentous occasion. Princess Yongning glanced at Li Xian, only to see his expression strangely devoid of any joy. Her heart sank, wondering if Li Xian suspected the child wasn't his. But then she thought, to make Li Xian believe the child was indeed of the Li bloodline, she hadn't stepped outside the residence once in the over month since her marriage, so it was impossible for her to have been involved with another man. Moreover, she had already bribed the physician to say it was one month—meaning the child was conceived on their wedding night. There shouldn't be any issue, right?

Surely Li Xian couldn't tell?

"Husband?" Princess Yongning called out to him, her tone tinged with unease and testing.

Li Xian seemed to snap out of his thoughts at her call. He said, "Good," and walked over to Princess Yongning's side in a few steps. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he smiled and said, "I never expected that so soon after Your Highness's arrival, we would receive such joyful news. This is a blessing for the Li family and for me as well." He ordered a reward for the physician, who left happily with the silver. Only then did Princess Yongning breathe a deep sigh of relief.

Li Lian asked, "Sister-in-law, are you still feeling unwell?"

"No," Yongning replied with a smile, shaking her head. "I couldn't figure out why I was so uncomfortable earlier, but it turns out it was because I'm with child. Speaking of which, a few days ago, I caught a chill, but fortunately, it didn't harm the child. The physician says my child is very healthy, which is a relief.""Your Highness should focus on recuperating and ensuring the child's health and safety—that is what truly matters now." Li Xian said with a gentle smile, "I will have someone prepare the fetus-protecting medicine later. From now on, we must pay closer attention to Your Highness's daily needs."

His words carried warmth, yet for some reason, Princess Yongning felt they lacked any genuine affection, as if spoken to a stranger. There was no anticipation for the child's arrival in his tone, only a hollow pretense.

Princess Yongning disliked this sensation. She could detect no excitement on the faces of Li Zhongnan or Li Lian either. Apart from a brief surprise when the imperial physician announced her pregnancy, they had shown little reaction. Are all members of the Li family like this? Or do they simply not desire their own descendants? Don't noble families usually hope to expand their lineage early?

Princess Yongning found herself perplexed by the Li family.

Using fatigue as an excuse to rest, she dismissed the other Li family members, keeping only Meixiang by her side. Once certain they had left the courtyard, Princess Yongning asked Meixiang, "Why do I feel they show no enthusiasm for this child? They say blood relatives share an instinctive bond—could Li Xian’s indifference mean he senses this isn’t his own flesh and blood? If this continues, might they discover I was already pregnant when I married into the Li family?"

Fear crept into her heart. Since becoming pregnant, her courage had waned, as if she had acquired a vulnerability. She could not bear the thought of anything happening to this child.

Meixiang reassured her, "No, Your Highness is overthinking it. The circumstances of your pregnancy were flawlessly arranged, and the imperial physician would never leak a word. Even if the Li family sought evidence, they would find nothing. This servant believes they may simply need time to adjust, given that you conceived so soon after the marriage. In due course, their attitudes will soften."

"Moreover, Eldest Son Li is right—Your Highness’s foremost duty now is to nurture your health and the little one in your womb," Meixiang added.

Princess Yongning slowly touched her abdomen. "What else can I do? Here in the Li household, I stand alone, with only this child to protect. I must tread carefully."

A trace of melancholy settled over her.

...

After Li Zhongnan and his sons left Princess Yongning’s chambers, the three proceeded directly to Li Zhongnan’s study. Dismissing all attendants and posting trusted guards at the door, Li Zhongnan turned to Li Xian the moment it closed and demanded sharply, "What is the meaning of this? How could she be pregnant?!"

"Exactly, Elder Brother," Li Lian chimed in, "Didn’t you claim you never touched her? Unless..." He smirked suggestively.

Li Xian recognized that look and replied with disgust, "I truly did not lay a hand on her. On our wedding night, I had someone else take my place."

Li Xian felt no attraction toward women—even a celestial beauty would repulse him if intimacy were required, let alone Princess Yongning. Both Li Zhongnan and Li Lian were aware of this, which was why the Li family had been no more pleased about the marriage than Princess Yongning herself.

On the wedding night, Li Xian had arranged for another to consummate the marriage in his stead. The servant who fulfilled this duty had, naturally, been executed afterward."How could you have gotten her pregnant?" Li Zhongnan fumed, his feelings toward this son a tangled mix of affection and frustration. Unlike Li Lian, who was capable and talented—a source of great pride for Li Zhongnan—Li Xian had no interest in women, destined never to carry on the family line. Li Zhongnan had once tried to change this, but every attempt ended in failure. Over time, he had resigned himself to it. At least he had another son, Li Lian, who certainly had no shortage of women.

"After entering the household, it was impossible for her to become pregnant," Li Xian stated. "The person who went in had taken medicine beforehand—it was impossible for him to impregnate her."

"Then where did the mistake occur?" Li Lian asked. "Was there an issue with the medicine?"

Li Xian smiled meaningfully. "Father, Second Brother, don't you find it strange? I heard this marriage was granted because Consort Liu pleaded with the Empress Dowager, who then spoke to the Emperor. Even if Consort Liu wanted to find an Imperial Son-in-Law for Princess Yongning, completing the marriage just one month after the decree—isn't that a bit too rushed? Ordinary girls wait at least half a year to marry, let alone a royal princess? Shouldn't her status be elevated further?"

"Then…" Li Zhongnan was taken aback.

"I think we need to question the imperial physician who examined her clearly," Li Xian continued. "For instance… is the child in this princess’s belly really less than a month old? Or has it been several months already?"

At these words, both Li Zhongnan and Li Lian were startled. Li Lian said, "You mean she was already pregnant beforehand and deliberately married into our Li family, using you as a cover!"

"That vile woman!" Li Zhongnan couldn’t help but curse in anger. "She actually dares to cuckold the Li family! Once I find out who the adulterer is, I’ll skin him alive!"

"The 'adulterer' who could catch the eye of someone as haughty as Princess Yongning is certainly no ordinary man. Moreover, she could have easily gotten rid of the bastard child, waited half a year, and then married into the Li family—no one would have been the wiser. Yet she insisted on rushing into the marriage, clearly wanting to keep the child. It shows her deep affection for this 'adulterer,'" Li Xian remarked. His tone held none of the frantic rage of a cuckolded man; instead, he was chillingly rational.

"What’s most important now isn’t finding out who the 'adulterer' is. Princess Yongning is so deeply attached—if we harm her 'adulterer,' who knows what desperate measures she might take. The priority is that this bastard child cannot be allowed to remain. If it stays, the Li family will become a laughingstock," Li Xian concluded.

"Right! This bastard cannot stay! The Li family will not raise another man’s child!" Li Zhongnan raged. "If it’s born a son, he would inherit the Li family estate—what a windfall for an outsider! That wanton Yongning, scheming to seize another family’s property—how shameless!"

"Thinking back now, it really does seem strange," Li Lian added. "The moment this princess entered the household, she claimed to be ill and refused to share a room with Eldest Brother. When Eldest Brother stayed in the outer courtyard, she didn’t even bother to ask. What other woman would act like this? So she was hiding something in her belly, afraid Eldest Brother would find out. She probably wished he’d stay far away so her secret would remain safe!"Li Xian shook his head without speaking. If this had happened in any other family, Princess Yongning would have likely succeeded in her deception nine times out of ten. The joy over new life often makes people overlook such details. Especially since who would think—or dare to think—that a dignified princess would marry someone else while already pregnant?

But the Li family was different. Both father and son knew that Li Xian would not touch a woman, and they were aware that Yongning could not possibly have conceived on their wedding night. Thus, Yongning's scheme was exposed from the very beginning.

"But how should we deal with this child?" Li Lian asked. "As you said, since she remains deeply devoted to that 'adulterer,' she must also care deeply for this child. Removing this illegitimate child might drive her to madness."

"Of course, we cannot act now," Li Xian replied. "Otherwise, if she suddenly miscarries right after the joyful news, even without her, Prince Cheng would blame us. Let's wait a while longer. For now, we'll pretend we know nothing and ensure she receives all the necessary nourishment and medicine for her pregnancy. When the time is right, we'll make it look like she accidentally miscarried, and no one can blame us."

"Even so, are we just going to let her deceive us like this?" Li Lian said indignantly. "Those who dare to pull such tricks on the Li family have long lost their lives. This woman is treating our family as a joke."

"What can we do?" Li Xian smiled bitterly. "She is Prince Cheng's sister, after all."

"Speaking of which, does Prince Cheng know about this? If he does, isn't this repaying kindness with enmity? We've been loyal followers, and yet he secretly lets his sister make us take the blame. It's truly unkind."

"Prince Cheng..." Before Li Xian could finish, Li Zhongnan interjected sternly, his eyes burning with fury. "This is utterly outrageous!"

...

The news of Princess Yongning's pregnancy spread throughout Yanjing City overnight.

When Jiang Li learned of it, she found it particularly amusing.

"Isn't it still less than a month?" Bai Xue wondered. "In my hometown, there's a saying that noble families shouldn't announce a pregnancy until after the first three months. Only then can they publicize it widely; otherwise, the child might be taken by the King of Hell."

"That's right, that's right," Tong'er chimed in. "I've heard that too. This Princess Yongning really isn't afraid of endangering her child, announcing it to the world so eagerly. She couldn't even wait a month or two."

"Of course, she couldn't wait," Jiang Li said with a faint smile. "She wants everyone to know her joyful news—that she entered the Li family and immediately conceived a Li heir."

The more one lacks something, the more urgently one seeks to prove it—human nature has always been this way. Princess Yongning, terrified that others might discover the child was the illegitimate fruit of her affair with Shen Yurong, proclaimed to the world that the child was undoubtedly a member of the Li family. In reality, this was a case of "protesting too much," making those who knew the truth find it utterly ridiculous.

Jiang Li was one who knew the truth, and so was Li Xian. The more Princess Yongning publicized and proclaimed her news to the world, the more the Li family felt the weight of humiliation and frustration, as if a dark cloud hung over them.However, Princess Yongning's motives might not have been solely to prove the child belonged to the Li family—perhaps she also intended to provoke Shen Yurong. Making Shen Yurong feel unsettled, watching his own child call another man father and bear another's surname, would surely discomfort him. This was Princess Yongning's retaliation.

Yet Jiang Li understood better than Princess Yongning that Shen Yurong would remain utterly indifferent. Even during their most intimate moments, he had been coldly detached toward the child she lost. As for Princess Yongning, whom he had always intended to use, he would care even less about her child.

Perhaps if Princess Yongning's child were to disappear one day, Shen Yurong would even clap his hands in relief, thinking that the threat to him had vanished. There would be no more leverage against him.

Jiang Li walked to her dressing table, picked up a pair of pearl earrings from the box, and carefully put them on. Tong'er, belatedly peeking over, asked, "Is the young lady planning to go to the Ye family? Wasn't it supposed to be after noon?"

"No," Jiang Li said. "We're going somewhere else."

Last night, she had told Zhao Ke that she wanted to visit the Duke's residence today. There were matters she needed to discuss with Ji Heng—about the drama between Princess Yongning and Li Xian, and a hope that Ji Heng might lend his assistance. Yet she truly didn't know how to repay him. Ji Heng could cook for himself, so pastries and such were unnecessary. Thus, she selected an irregularly shaped piece of jade from the trinkets Ye Mingyu had given her. The jade was oddly formed, unremarkable except for its color—a translucent red that deepened at the center and faded toward the edges, with the most vivid hue concentrated in the middle.

Over the past few days, Jiang Li had worked from dawn till dusk with small tweezers and a fine brush, carving it into the shape of a butterfly.

He owned a golden-threaded folding fan, a lethal weapon adorned with blooming peonies. When not used for killing, the fan was exceptionally beautiful, yet it seemed to lack something. Jiang Li crafted a butterfly fan pendant, thinking it would make a lovely addition to his fan. A butterfly fluttering around peonies would resemble the elegant yet terrifying swirl of his robes during his killings.

Jiang Li placed the butterfly pendant in a small box, instructing Bai Xue to carry it carefully. Still, she felt uncertain—would Ji Heng actually use it? Perhaps not, but it represented her gratitude. She couldn't bear to keep accepting his help without offering something in return.

Zhao Ke had directed her not along the main road but a smaller path. Jiang Li didn't take the Jiang family carriage, instead hiring one outside. No one noticed them along the way. When they arrived at the Duke's residence, Jiang Li and her maids alighted, and the gatekeeper opened the door for them.

They were indeed familiar here.

As they walked through the main gate into the garden, they were met with a cacophony of "Stinky horse! Stinky horse!" interspersed with the neighing of a horse. Approaching, Jiang Li saw Little Red perched happily on Xiao Lan's back, pecking at its mane. Spotting Jiang Li, the dark mass spread its wings and flew straight toward her, startling Tong'er into a scream. Little Red landed on Tong'er's head, tilted its head, and squawked at Jiang Li, "Fangfei! Fangfei!"

Jiang Li: "...Shut up."This mynah is quite the chatterbox. Fortunately, when I was at the Shen residence, I didn't keep it inside my room—otherwise, all my secrets would have been exposed by this bird! Jiang Li then thought, if back then at the Shen household, the mynah hadn't been kept in a cage, it might have witnessed Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong's illicit affair. With its loud squawking, Jiang Li would have discovered it sooner—what a pity indeed.

Lost in these wild thoughts, Jiang Li suddenly snapped back to reality. What was wrong with her? How could she pin her hopes on a bird? And even feel regret over it? She shook her head, thinking she must have been too engrossed in making the fan pendant, to the point of becoming muddleheaded.

"You're here." Just as she was thinking, she heard someone speak ahead. Jiang Li followed the voice and saw Ji Heng had approached unnoticed, stroking Little Blue's head. The horse stood docilely under his touch, yet Jiang Li suspected it might be her imagination—was Little Blue trembling slightly?

She eyed Ji Heng suspiciously. Had he been mistreating Little Blue behind her back? Or had she been mistaken from the start—was this not a prized steed at all, but merely an ordinary, timid colt?

After finishing his strokes, Ji Heng took out a handkerchief, meticulously wiped his hands clean, handed the cloth to Wen Ji, and walked over to Jiang Li.

"Duke."

"What do you want now?" he asked.

Jiang Li signaled Bai Xue to take out a small box and pass it to Ji Heng. "Earlier, I came across a beautiful piece of jade that seemed perfect for a fan pendant. Your golden-threaded folding fan is exquisite, and I thought it might be enhanced with a pendant. So I made this—I hope you won't find it unworthy." She smiled warmly at Ji Heng.

Wen Ji and Zhao Ke stood like wooden statues behind Ji Heng, their inner thoughts, if any, carefully concealed behind impassive faces.

Ji Heng took the box, opened it for a brief glance, then closed it and handed it back to Wen Ji, who stored it away. Turning his gaze to Jiang Li, Ji Heng said, "Thank you. So, what is it you need?"

Jiang Li deflated. His tone implied she was the type who only showed up when she needed something, relying on him to clean up her messes. It made the carefully rehearsed request she had prepared in her mind suddenly feel impossible to voice.

She looked at him dejectedly, just as Ji Heng regarded her with leisurely amusement, a faint smile playing on his lips.

A jolt of realization struck Jiang Li. "I do have a favor to ask of you, Duke."

"Alright," Ji Heng drawled lazily. "Go on."

Suppressing her embarrassment, Jiang Li feigned calm. "The news of Princess Yongning's pregnancy has spread like wildfire throughout Yanjing City. I suspect Li Xian has guessed that the child in Yongning's womb isn't from the Li family. He will surely find a way to make the princess 'accidentally' miscarry."

Ji Heng replied, "So what?"

"If Yongning truly has an 'accidental' miscarriage, the matter will be easily resolved. But if she discovers the truth—that the miscarriage was orchestrated by the Li family—she won't let it go. Given her temperament, she would relentlessly seek revenge against the Lis."

"I've thought it over, and the only thing about the Li family worth exploiting for revenge is Li Xian's peculiar and repulsive preferences."

"If Li Xian's preferences become public knowledge, the Li family will become a laughingstock. They aren't the type to endure humiliation quietly. No matter how much Li Zhongnan depends on Prince Cheng, he won't take this lying down—he'll surely reveal the truth about Yongning's pregnancy."

Ji Heng: "And?"

"So, of course, we need to find the real father of the child. Shen Yurong has been hiding in the shadows all this time. It's time for him to step forward."

"So, you want to trade a fan pendant for the key to winning this entire drama?" Ji Heng laughed. "You really know how to drive a hard bargain, Ali."Jiang Li was momentarily stunned by his calling of "Ali." Ji Heng's voice was inherently clear and mellow, captivating like fine wine that intoxicates the senses. When he gently called your name, even the most ordinary name would become vivid and charming.

Jiang Li snapped back to reality, her eyes curving into a smile as she said, "Then, is the Duke willing to make this deal?"

"Alright." Ji Heng agreed with remarkable ease. Gazing at Jiang Li, his smile was captivating as he replied, "I promise you."

Does anyone else think the line, "What is it now?" is incredibly doting and heart-fluttering!

(End of Chapter)