The Double

On the night Xue Huaiyuan brought charges against Princess Yongning, a major incident occurred in Yanjing City. Early the next morning, the princess's residence was once again tightly surrounded by government troops. Although this had been the case before, during the day, all the property and servants in the residence had been inventoried and removed, leaving nothing inside. However, the commotion during the night still drew the attention of nearby residents.

Even the morning sunlight could not mask the stench of blood at the entrance of the princess's residence. Soldiers continuously carried out bodies—some long dead, their corpses already beginning to rot, and others still alive but battered beyond recognition, with not a patch of unbroken skin left on their bodies.

The crowd of onlookers grew larger and larger, and the soldiers could not disperse them no matter how hard they tried. As a result, by noon, the news had spread throughout Yanjing City. Princess Yongning, the sister of Prince Cheng, had actually set up a private prison in her own residence, filled with people who had displeased her. She imprisoned these individuals in her mansion and subjected them to every imaginable cruel torture. The storytellers vividly recounted the details, even describing the instruments of torture that had been brought out, sending chills down the spines of their listeners.

It was said that among those imprisoned by Princess Yongning were even some court officials. Of course, their ranks were not high enough to draw much attention. Most shockingly, among the prisoners was the daughter of the Grand Secretary, Third Miss Jiang.

As soon as this rumor emerged, the incident escalated dramatically, spreading almost instantly and becoming impossible to contain. Although Third Miss Jiang's birth mother, Ji Shuran, might have conceived Jiang Youyao through an illicit affair, Jiang Yuanbai himself had never acknowledged this. Regardless, Jiang Youyao was still recognized as Third Miss Jiang. The daughter of the Grand Secretary was no ordinary commoner. No matter how bold Princess Yongning was, she should have shown some restraint toward the Grand Secretary. Yet, it was said that when Third Miss Jiang was rescued, she had already gone mad, with one of her eyes gouged out, leaving her in a horrifying state.

People widely discussed the matter, on one hand condemning Princess Yongning's extreme cruelty and her disregard for the emperor. During the previous emperor's reign, no official had been permitted to establish private prisons. As a princess, her actions showed blatant disrespect for the Hongxiao Emperor. On the other hand, they wondered how Third Miss Jiang had provoked Princess Yongning to warrant such brutal treatment. For ordinary disputes, a minor punishment would have sufficed. Gouging out a woman's eye clearly indicated an intent to destroy her.

It was said that upon learning of the incident, Grand Secretary Jiang Yuanbai personally rushed to the princess's residence, retrieved Jiang Youyao, and brought her back home. He then immediately went to the palace to seek an audience with the emperor.

Grand Secretary Jiang was no ordinary man. With his daughter harmed to such an extent, he would inevitably demand justice. Even if the perpetrator were a prince, let alone Princess Yongning, Jiang Yuanbai would still insist on an explanation.First, there was Xue Huaiyuan accusing Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong of conspiring to murder his wife and exterminate his lineage. Later, Jiang Yuanbai pleaded with the emperor to uphold justice and avenge his daughter. One was a princess demoted to commoner status, the other a former top scholar who had long lost his official position. The common people buzzed with discussions, all believing that this time, the two would not escape unscathed. Of course, having committed such heinous crimes, too numerous to record, if they truly managed to evade punishment, even heaven would not stand for it.

Regardless of the rumors outside, within the Jiang residence, Jiang Li remained calm and unhurried.

Last night, it seemed someone from the Duke's estate had placed a smoke bamboo in the room of Princess Yongning's mansion where the private prison was hidden, alarming the night watch guards. The guards, thinking assassins were present, rushed over and were immediately shocked to find the private prison's door wide open. They reported it to the court overnight. This morning, the court sent officials to investigate, where they discovered various instruments of torture and prisoners on the brink of death from torment.

Among these prisoners, one stood out conspicuously because of the gleaming jewelry around her neck—clearly not something an ordinary family could afford, resembling tribute from the palace. The investigating official was startled, assuming she was someone important, and promptly rescued her separately. After cleaning her face, an accompanying guard recognized her: though one eye had been gouged out, the rescued woman was none other than the former cherished daughter of Grand Secretary Jiang, Third Miss Jiang Youyao!

Government officials privately knew about Jiang Youyao's recent disappearance. Jiang Yuanbai had never given up searching for her, but all efforts had been in vain. Those aware of the details believed she was either in grave danger or had long left Yanjing City. No one expected to find her in the private prison of Princess Yongning's mansion. Recognizing the gravity of the matter, they did not delay and immediately informed the Grand Secretary's residence.

Upon receiving the news, Jiang Yuanbai hurried over. When he saw Jiang Youyao, he wept openly in front of everyone. After taking her back to the residence, he summoned physicians, and soon after, it was heard that he had entered the palace with a grim expression, likely to seek an explanation from the Hongxiao Emperor.

Heaven have mercy—even if Third Miss Jiang recovers, her life is likely ruined forever.

"Let's go see her," Jiang Li said, rising.

"But the Old Lady forbade you from going," Tong'er said. "She said Third Miss isn't well and might frighten you."

"It's fine," Jiang Li replied. "If I don't go, it will only invite gossip."

Jiang Li had heard from Zhao Ke that on the very first day Jiang Youyao was thrown into the private prison by Princess Yongning, her eye was gouged out. Initially, Jiang Li wondered if she had been too harsh—if she had informed Jiang Yuanbai earlier, Jiang Youyao might not have ended up in such a state. But after hearing Zhao Ke's account, she understood that even if she had told Jiang Yuanbai the moment she learned of it, she could not have saved Jiang Youyao.

Princess Yongning wanted Jiang Youyao to despair, which was why she had her eye gouged out from the start. What could one do after losing an eye? That despair alone was enough to utterly destroy Jiang Youyao. Having experienced Princess Yongning's malice firsthand, Jiang Li could almost feel Jiang Youyao's agony. Yet, if Jiang Youyao had not followed Li Lian back to the Li family from the beginning, or had she thought more clearly and taken the initiative to contact the Jiang family, she might not have fallen into such dire straits.Who could have known that after all the twists and turns, things would end up like this.

Jiang Li and Tong'er went to Yaoguang Residence.

Yaoguang Residence had been unoccupied for a long time. Although maids swept the courtyard daily, the flowers in the garden had withered. Even with the arrival of spring, there was not a trace of vitality here—it seemed as though all hope had been exhausted, with signs of decay everywhere.

Jiang Li couldn't help but recall the time when she had just returned to Yanjing City as the Second Miss Jiang. Back then, when she arrived at the Jiang residence, Yaoguang Residence was the most coveted piece of land in the main branch of the Jiang family. Even the maids in Jiang Li's courtyard would speak of Yaoguang Residence with longing, each wishing they could serve Jiang Youyao.

Who could have foreseen the present situation?

As they approached the courtyard, Old Madam Jiang, Lu Shi, and Yang Shi were all in the main hall. Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou stood at the other end, while Jiang Bingji cried incessantly, comforted by a nanny. The entire room was filled with sorrow.

"A Li, why have you come?" Lu Shi asked upon seeing her.

"I came to see Third Sister."

"Better not," Lu Shi glanced toward the inner room. "Youyao isn't doing well right now. Even I feel uncomfortable looking at her—you shouldn't go in."

Jiang Li turned her gaze to Old Madam Jiang, who was staring blankly outside. With one misfortune after another befalling the Jiang residence, this shrewd and stern old madam had begun to age rapidly, showing signs of helplessness. She didn't notice Jiang Li's arrival, likely lost in thought. It made sense—though Old Madam Jiang's affection for Jiang Youyao had waned due to Ji Shuran's affairs, and Jiang Youyao's subsequent actions had been consistently disappointing, Jiang Youyao was still a granddaughter who had grown up before Old Madam Jiang's eyes. Perhaps she no longer loved Jiang Youyao, but seeing her own family member in such a miserable state pained her as an elder and relative.

"Second Aunt, what did the physician say?" Jiang Li asked softly.

Lu Shi shook her head: "There's no cure." Then, a flicker of pity appeared in her eyes. "It's too tragic."

Lu Shi had never liked Ji Shuran and her daughter, but faced with Jiang Youyao in this state, it seemed difficult to maintain her former animosity, replaced instead by profound sorrow. Jiang Jingrui and Jiang Jingyou were unusually silent as well. Only Yang Shi—Jiang Li noticed—remained as quiet as ever, like a backdrop in the Jiang family. Her eyes held no trace of grief, only indifference, as if she had detached herself from the Jiang family entirely.

Even Jiang Li, though she couldn't muster sympathy for Jiang Youyao, didn't take pleasure in her suffering. Yet Yang Shi appeared somewhat pleased, though well-concealed. Her attire was exquisitely refined.

Compared to Old Madam Jiang and Lu Shi, who had rushed over in haste, she stood out conspicuously.

Noticing Jiang Li's gaze, Yang Shi looked up in puzzlement. Jiang Li averted her eyes and said, "I'll go in and see her anyway."

Unable to stop her, Lu Shi watched as Jiang Li entered the inner room. Two maids were attending to Jiang Youyao but could only stand by helplessly, unable to do anything.Jiang Youyao sat in a corner of the bed, still wearing her shoes and socks, staring blankly without uttering a word—a rare moment of quiet. Whip marks covered her face and hands, but the most horrifying was her left eye socket, hollow and empty, a sight that struck fear into anyone who saw it.

The two maids were somewhat frightened by Jiang Youyao’s appearance, keeping their heads bowed and not daring to look directly at her eyes. When Jiang Li walked over to her, Jiang Youyao remained motionless, her gaze fixed on the floral patterns embroidered on the quilt.

"Has she spoken at all?" Jiang Li asked the two maids in the room.

One of them replied, "No, the physician said she was given a mute drug."

"Has she just been sitting like this?"

The maid nodded. "Yes, she doesn’t speak or cause any trouble. She’s very quiet, just sitting there in a daze."

Jiang Li sighed silently. Looking into Jiang Youyao’s eyes, she knew that Jiang Youyao had truly lost her mind—it wasn’t an act. Princess Yongning had utterly destroyed her, but even if Jiang Youyao had been rescued without going mad, she would have lost her sanity sooner or later. Back when the scandal involving Ji Shuran had spread, the rumors alone had driven Jiang Youyao to the brink, even prompting her to flee the residence. If she were to realize she had lost an eye, how could she possibly endure it?

Evil people are tormented by even greater evils. Jiang Youyao was no saint, but compared to Princess Yongning, the princess’s methods were a hundred times more vicious and cruel.

Since Jiang Youyao had gone mad, she could no longer reveal why Princess Yongning had imprisoned her in the private prison. As for the princess’s version of events, it was unlikely to be believed. In the end, no one seemed to care about the truth anymore.

Jiang Li couldn’t quite describe the emotions in her heart. Ji Shuran probably never imagined, before her departure, that her daughter would end up in such a state. Yet, although Jiang Youyao had been brought back to the Jiang residence for half a day, and rumors were swirling through Yanjing City, the Ji family undoubtedly knew about it. Still, no one from the Ji family had come to see her, which was undeniably chilling. Even Chen Jishi, who had always fought fiercely for Jiang Youyao in the past, remained silent, as if the Ji family had never had this granddaughter.

Jiang Li stepped out of the room.

Old Madam Jiang was still there, seemingly having finally regained her senses as she looked at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li approached her. Old Madam Jiang appeared utterly exhausted and murmured, "Second girl, do you think this is retribution?"

Was it retribution? Jiang Li didn’t know. She took Old Madam Jiang’s hand and said, "If there is such a thing as retribution, then the one who most deserves it in this world is Princess Yongning. Don’t worry, Grandmother," she spoke as if to Old Madam Jiang, yet also to herself, "Father will demand justice for Third Sister."

…

When Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong were cornered by officers at the Shen residence, Princess Yongning could hardly believe her eyes.

She and Shen Yurong had not left the Shen residence, largely because the rumors outside had grown too rampant. Thus, they were unaware that the gossip had shifted—no longer focused on the relationship between her and Shen Yurong, but now centered on Xue Huaiyuan’s accusation that she had conspired with Shen Yurong to murder Xue Fangfei, and Jiang Yuanbai’s charge that she had imprisoned and tortured his legitimate daughter.

As the officers moved to bind her, Princess Yongning shouted loudly, "What are you doing? How dare you treat this princess like this! Don’t think that just because I’ve lost influence now, you can do as you please. Wait until later, just wait until later..."The leading officer impatiently cut her off: "Stop talking about later! Just focus on keeping your life for now!"

Shen Yurong keenly detected something unusual in the officer's tone and asked, "May I ask what has happened?"

Even now, he remained impeccably dressed, speaking gently with a composed smile on his face. Had they not known what kind of person he truly was—consorting with such a vicious woman—the officers might have found it difficult to dislike him. One of them replied, "Xue Huaiyuan and Grand Secretary Jiang have jointly accused both of you."

"Accused?" Princess Yongning sneered. "Of what?"

"Naturally, they accuse you two of colluding to murder Xue Fangfei and her brother Xue Zhao, and of imprisoning Third Miss Jiang in a private prison where you gouged out her eyes. Now Grand Secretary Jiang has had enough and is demanding justice from His Majesty. As the saying goes, blood debts must be paid in blood..."

The officers spoke bluntly. In truth, Shen Yurong had an excellent reputation in Yanjing City—few officials were unfamiliar with him. That such a refined and kind-hearted man could suddenly be accused of such horrific crimes was shocking in itself. Coupled with the incident involving Jiang Youyao this morning, the public was utterly horrified. "The sting of a wasp, the venom of a woman's heart"—Princess Yongning's methods were indeed shockingly cruel. That Shen Yurong had secretly been involved with such a woman and even killed his own wife and children for her made them birds of a feather, deserving universal condemnation.

Princess Yongning said, "...You said private prison?" Her heart sank as she immediately realized the gravity of the situation. The private prison in her residence was unknown to Shen Yurong—even Prince Cheng was unaware of its existence. Over the years, many who had crossed her had paid the price. At first, it was just a few individuals, but over time, the number of prisoners grew. Establishing private prisons was strictly forbidden by the court, and discovery meant execution. Worse still, among those imprisoned were several court officials—even minor officials—and with two or three of them, her fate would be sealed.

Seeing Princess Yongning's sudden change in expression, Shen Yurong felt a foreboding unease and asked her, "What private prison?"

"Nothing, it's nothing." Princess Yongning forced a smile, steadying herself. "My dear Shen, it's fine. Xue Huaiyuan's accusations are pure nonsense. I know nothing about any Xue Fangfei or Xue Zhao. They're trying to frame us, but it won't be that easy! What can Jiang Yuanbai do? My elder brother and mother will find a way to rescue us. My dear Shen, you must believe me!"

She rambled on, but a flicker of disgust passed through Shen Yurong's eyes, and he had no desire to engage further. As the officers pushed them toward the exit, Shen's mother, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, wailed, "What are you doing? Why are you taking my son? This is trespassing—I can sue you!"The officer, suddenly confronted by a shrewish woman blocking his path, grew impatient and shoved Shen's mother aside. Stumbling from the push, she fell to the ground and, disregarding all decorum, pointed at Princess Yongning and wailed, "It's her! This woman is to blame for everything! She seduced Yurong, used her status as a princess to threaten my son! Yurong knew nothing—it was all this woman's doing. How cruel you are! You've ruined our Shen family! With such a black heart, you'll burn in hell after you die..."

Every word of her cursing reached Princess Yongning's ears. The princess stared at her in shock, hardly able to believe that this woman—who had always been amiable, cheerful, affectionate, and even fawningly obsequious toward her—would one day hurl such vulgar and venomous insults. Before she could respond, the officers shoved her forward, and the woman's curses gradually faded into the distance. Suddenly, Princess Yongning came to her senses: she had been so insulted, yet Shen Yurong had not uttered a single word in her defense? He didn't need to scold his mother for her sake, but why had he withheld even a word of comfort?

She turned to look at Shen Yurong.

But Shen Yurong walked on in a daze, his expression numb, as if he neither saw her anger nor heard his mother's curses and weeping behind him—as though he had already detached himself from it all.

Indeed, Shen Yurong was detached.

He had single-mindedly pursued wealth and status, clawing his way upward. He had lost his son, watched helplessly as his wife was imprisoned on false charges, struggled in agony, and ultimately met her demise. He had believed it was all worth it—that one day, when he attained everything, it would all be justified.

But at this moment, Shen Yurong knew in his heart that there was no turning back. Starting over, making a comeback—even if Princess Yongning was Prince Cheng's sister and Consort Liu's daughter, they were doomed. The Hongxiao Emperor had finally seized this leverage and would never let it go.

All he had done had come to nothing in the end.

Staggering along, Shen Yurong paid no heed to the crowd that had gathered outside the mansion gate, pointing and staring at him with disgust and contempt.

In his haze, he seemed to see Xue Fangfei standing among the crowd, breathtakingly beautiful but no longer the gentle, familiar figure he knew. She gazed coldly at him, as if he were a stranger, as if mocking his wretched state.

And indeed, he was utterly wretched.

...

In the Ye residence, Ye Shijie was speaking with Xue Huaiyuan.

Regarding the Xue family's case, since Xue Huaiyuan's daughter was now staying with the Ye family, Ye Mingyu—though loyal and righteous—lacked understanding of the intricacies of officialdom and could offer little assistance in the matter. Ye Shijie, however, happened to have some insight.

Ye Shijie summarized the significant recent developments in the imperial court of Yanjing City for Xue Huaiyuan. Through their conversation, Ye Shijie also gained much, and he greatly enjoyed speaking with Xue Huaiyuan. The more he interacted with him, the more Ye Shijie admired Xue Huaiyuan, and thus he spared no effort in assisting with the Xue family's case."Please rest assured, Mr. Xue," Ye Shijie said. "Regarding the Xue family's case, it appears to be quite certain at the moment. The truth behind the deaths of Xue Fangfei and her younger brother Xue Zhao will soon come to light, and those trumped-up charges will be cleared."

Xue Huaiyuan replied, "That is naturally good, but she was once a princess after all. Even if she is no longer a princess now, Prince Cheng and Consort Liu will not easily admit defeat."

Ye Shijie fell silent. He had heard that upon receiving the news, Consort Liu had gone to the Golden Luan Hall early in the morning to see the Hongxiao Emperor, and Prince Cheng was there as well. This case had far-reaching implications, and both Prince Cheng and Consort Liu had realized its significance. Precisely because of this, Jiang Yuanbai had even dispatched some guards to the Ye residence to fully protect the entire estate. If Prince Cheng intended to silence witnesses by killing them, he might very well break into the Ye family to harm Xue Huaiyuan.

"It's alright, Mr. Xue," Ye Shijie said. "My cousin mentioned that with Miss Haitang as a witness, and considering that Princess Yongning's crimes are not limited to this one alone, even the Jiang family will not let this matter end easily."

"What worries me are the charges against Fangfei," Xue Huaiyuan said with sorrow. "Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning will not easily confess."

Ye Shijie smiled faintly: "My cousin had already anticipated this point, so besides Haitang, she also arranged for another witness."

"Who?"

"Xiao Deyin, the qin instructor of Mingyi Hall."

(End of Chapter)