The Double

Chapter 175 Confrontation in Court

Xiao Deyin arrived at the Jiang residence in the afternoon.

The Jiang household was in complete chaos at the time, making Xiao Deyin's sudden visit quite surprising. Xiao Deyin explained that she had received news about Jiang Youyao and, feeling deeply concerned, had come specifically to see her. The Jiang family considered that Xiao Deyin was, after all, Jiang Youyao's guqin teacher, and the bond between teacher and student justified her visit. Thus, they were quite grateful for Xiao Deyin's concern.

Xiao Deyin went to see Jiang Youyao briefly and soon emerged, her expression filled with sorrow. She then asked to visit Jiang Li, who had also been her student, and no one found this request suspicious.

Jiang Li was painting in her room when she heard of Xiao Deyin's arrival. Setting down her brush and paper, she stepped outside to find Xiao Deyin anxiously peering in from the doorway.

Jiang Li instructed Bai Xue to invite her in.

As soon as Xiao Deyin entered and saw Jiang Li, she hurried forward and said urgently, "Xiao Li, when I heard about Youyao today, I came immediately to see her. It breaks my heart to see her in such a state."

Jiang Li replied, "Thank you for your concern, Teacher. I, too, am deeply saddened by what has happened to my third sister."

"Princess Yongning is truly despicable," Xiao Deyin said with a shudder. "To use such methods against a young woman is utterly appalling." For once, her words carried genuine emotion. The mere thought of nearly falling into Princess Yongning's hands herself filled Xiao Deyin with dread—had she ended up like Jiang Youyao, life would have been worse than death.

This was precisely why she had rushed here: to ask Jiang Li one pressing question. "Xiao Li," she said, "Xue Huaiyuan, Fangfei's biological father, has suddenly accused Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong of murdering Fangfei... What is going on?"

Jiang Li looked at her in surprise. "Teacher, aren't you the one who knows this best? Didn't you already say that Miss Xue was killed through the conspiracy of Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning? Why are you asking me now?"

Xiao Deyin answered awkwardly, "Of course I know the details. I'm just puzzled... Why is it Xue Huaiyuan bringing the accusation, and not you, Xiao Li?"

Jiang Li looked even more perplexed. "Miss Xue was County Magistrate Xue's daughter. With two lives at stake—Miss Xue and her brother—it's only right for their father, County Magistrate Xue, to seek justice for his children. I am, after all, an outsider."

This made sense. During the Tongxiang case, Xue Huaiyuan had been the one framed, and at the time, he was mentally incapacitated, leaving Jiang Li to take charge. Now that Xue Huaiyuan had regained his sanity and cleared his name, the responsibility of uncovering the truth for his children naturally fell to him, the true head of the Xue family.

Xiao Deyin understood Jiang Li's reasoning but still felt uneasy.

Jiang Li asked, "I recall you once said, Teacher Xiao, that if I ever wanted to clear Miss Xue's name, you would testify."

"...Yes," Xiao Deyin replied.

"Then now is the time for you to testify," Jiang Li said with a faint smile.Xiao Deyin frowned. "But the one bringing the case forward now is County Magistrate Xue. Although he is Fangfei's biological father, his influence in Yanjing City is limited. If he takes the lead, it's easy for him to be suppressed. Even though Princess Yongning has been demoted to commoner status, Consort Liu and Prince Cheng are still around and will inevitably try to rescue her."

Jiang Li looked at her and smiled.

"Xiao Li, what are you laughing at?" Xiao Deyin asked somewhat uneasily. Whenever she faced this student, she always felt somewhat uncomfortable. It wasn't because the other party was the daughter of the Grand Secretary's family - even when facing Jiang Youyao before, Xiao Deyin hadn't felt this way. Although this Second Miss Jiang was gentle and amiable, without any airs of a noble young lady, people easily became nervous around her.

Xiao Deyin couldn't explain why this was.

"I was just thinking of something," Jiang Li said. "Could it be that Teacher Xiao is afraid of implicating herself and thus dares not step forward?"

"How could that be?" Xiao Deyin was startled, feeling as if her secret thoughts had been exposed, and immediately denied it. "I'm just worried about County Magistrate Xue. Since we want to clear Fangfei and her younger brother's names, it's best to succeed in one attempt. Otherwise, if we fail, it might invite retaliation."

"So that's it. Teacher is considering County Magistrate Xue's situation. I thought Teacher felt that having County Magistrate Xue take the lead wasn't secure enough, which is why you're unwilling to testify." Jiang Li said jokingly.

This joke wasn't funny at all; instead, it made fine sweat seep from Xiao Deyin's palms. She said, "How could that be?"

"Alright, I won't hide it from you, Teacher. Although I'm not personally involved in this matter and it has nothing to do with the Grand Secretary's residence, this case is almost certainly decided."

Xiao Deyin's eyes lit up as she inquired, "Why?"

"With witnesses and material evidence, the proof is irrefutable. This time, Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong won't be able to escape. Although the Xue family's case has nothing to do with our Jiang family, my third sister was indeed imprisoned by Princess Yongning in a private prison. My father certainly won't let this rest easily. Just based on this alone, our Jiang family won't give Princess Yongning any opportunity to escape." She looked at Xiao Deyin and smiled. "However, having Teacher's testimony would of course be better. Although County Magistrate Xue also has evidence, there's still something missing regarding how Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning plotted to harm Xue Fangfei. If Teacher can step forward, I can guarantee in the name of the Jiang family that Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong will pay with their lives in this joint trial by the three judicial departments."

These last four words stirred Xiao Deyin's heart. She had always believed that when cutting weeds, one must remove the roots, just as after all this time, Princess Yongning was anxiously trying to have her killed. Regarding the threats she might face, Xiao Deyin also wished she could eliminate them sooner. If this time she could make both Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning lose their lives, then everything about Xue Fangfei would truly be in the past.

Regardless of whether Xue Fangfei's injustice could be cleared, the dead cannot be brought back to life - she would never revive. The events of that year would never be known to anyone.

"Teacher can rest assured and step forward. Our Jiang family will protect you from harm, and no one would dare harm you. After this matter, I'm afraid everyone in Yanjing City will praise Teacher's great righteousness - after so many years, still remembering your friend and keeping in mind clearing your friend's name, truly a person of noble character."Xiao Deyin felt deeply convinced. The picture Jiang Li painted for her completely erased the unsavory aspects of her involvement in the matter, leaving only the beautiful parts. She thought to herself, Forget it, even if it’s the last thing I do for Xue Fangfei. Although I was the one who harmed Xue Fangfei back then, if I can make some sacrifice now to help clear her name, it counts as helping her.

With debts and grievances settled, she no longer had to bear the burden of guilt.

"Alright," Xiao Deyin looked at Jiang Li. "I’ll step forward as a witness, but how should I go about it?"

"That’s simple," Jiang Li replied, as if she had long anticipated this answer, and smiled. "On the day of the joint trial by the three judicial bodies, you just need to appear as a witness and speak the truth you know." She bowed to Xiao Deyin. "On behalf of Miss Xue, I thank you for your great kindness."

"I dare not accept such gratitude," Xiao Deyin quickly stepped aside to avoid the bow. "Fangfei was my good friend. It’s only right that I do this."

Jiang Li smiled faintly.

She would "thank" Xiao Deyin properly.

…

On the day of the joint trial by the three judicial bodies, Yanjing City was practically deserted as crowds gathered.

The common people had long been paying close attention to the truth of this case. The streets outside the Ministry of Justice’s courtroom were almost completely blocked by crowds. Soldiers continuously tried to disperse the people, but some simply climbed onto their own rooftops to watch from afar, hoping to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside the courtroom.

He Qin, the Minister of Justice; Wei Mingyan, the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review; and Hou Yan, the Chief Censor of the Censorate—all three had been personally ordered by the Hongxiao Emperor to thoroughly investigate this case. Moreover, since the case involved the Magistrate of the Capital of Yanjing City, they dared not be negligent. However, all three were well aware that, based on the evidence submitted by Xue Huaiyuan and the newly uncovered crimes, the charges against Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong were practically indisputable.

During the joint trial, Jiang Yuanbai had specifically requested permission from the Hongxiao Emperor to observe from the side. As Jiang Youyao’s father, his daughter had been unlawfully imprisoned and harmed by the current princess, and his paternal feelings were understandable. The Hongxiao Emperor granted his request.

When Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong were brought into the courtroom, both looked utterly disheveled.

Princess Yongning angrily shouted, "What are you doing? Release me at once!"

Over the past few days, she had been forced to stay in prison, but thanks to Prince Cheng’s assistance, her conditions there were not too harsh. The food and clothing were passable, so Princess Yongning began to feel that everything was temporary. As long as Prince Cheng remained Prince Cheng and her mother, Consort Liu, remained Consort Liu, they would find a way to protect her. And when Princess Yongning regained her footing, none of those who had harmed her would escape unscathed.

But today, these people showed her no respect whatsoever. He Qin repeatedly referred to her as "the criminal woman," infuriating Princess Yongning to the point of rage. Whenever she made a loud commotion, someone would even slap her face.

Princess Yongning was furious, but in this courtroom, there was not a single person she recognized. The atmosphere of the joint trial suddenly made her realize that something had changed. She even noticed Jiang Yuanbai sitting to the side, staring at her with a gaze full of hatred, as if he wished to cut her into pieces.She had already learned in prison that her private prison had been discovered, and presumably Jiang Youyao had been found as well. The torment she had inflicted upon Jiang Youyao was indeed severe. Firstly, because she had never intended to leave Jiang Youyao with a way out from the start, and secondly, because Jiang Youyao happened to cross her path during a period when she was in a foul mood, so Princess Yongning had ordered her eyes gouged out. Never did she expect that Jiang Youyao would one day return to the Jiang family. Princess Yongning understood clearly that Jiang Yuanbai was now seeking revenge for Jiang Youyao.

In the end, Princess Yongning felt a trace of fear.

Xue Huaiyuan's indictment was held in someone's hands, read word by word, filled with blood and tears. Shen Yurong's gaze, however, fell upon Xue Huaiyuan, who stood to the side.

As the one accusing them, Xue Huaiyuan stood quietly in the courtroom, staring intently at him. Listening to the tragic past of Xue Fangfei described in the indictment, Xue Huaiyuan showed no change in expression. Yet, as he looked at Shen Yurong, Shen Yurong suddenly felt an unbearable pain surge within him, reminding him of the day Xue Fangfei had married.

Back then, the people of Tongxiang had all heard about the event and came to see her off, bringing many gifts. They were not valuable items—a bolt of patterned cloth, a basket of eggs, a cotton quilt, or even other simple things. Xue Huaiyuan stood among them and said to him, "Ali is entrusted to you now."

He had always held great respect for this father-in-law, knowing full well that he was a man of talent. Although he served as a county magistrate far away in Tongxiang, if he had wished, he could have achieved great things even in Yanjing City. Only such a father could raise such an intelligent and courageous daughter.

Xue Huaiyuan had also liked him very much, praising him endlessly, aside from feeling that their home in Yanjing was too far away. At that time, both sides believed it was an excellent match—Xue Fangfei had found the right person, and they would live in harmony and affection, growing old together.

Who could have predicted what would happen later...

When Princess Yongning tormented Xue Huaiyuan, Shen Yurong did not intervene. He knew that even if he tried to stop her, it might not have worked. The more he resisted, the more jealous Princess Yongning would become. Even if she appeared to spare Xue Huaiyuan on the surface, she would surely resort to even more terrifying means of torture in private.

So Shen Yurong pretended not to know.

But he also wondered if this was merely an excuse he had crafted for himself. Because Shen Yurong understood that once Xue Huaiyuan learned what had happened to Xue Fangfei in Yanjing City, he would travel thousands of miles to uncover the truth behind his daughter's death. And given Xue Huaiyuan's capabilities, it was not impossible for him to find out.

Perhaps it was his own desire for peace of mind. Perhaps he and Princess Yongning were cut from the same cloth—the reason he turned a blind eye and feigned ignorance of everything that happened to the Xue family afterward was simply because he, too, believed that to eliminate a threat, one must pull it up by the roots.

And what he feared had finally come to pass.

Xue Huaiyuan was rescued by the second young lady of the Jiang family, saw the light of day again, and regained his senses. The first thing he did upon recovering his sanity was to seek out the true culprit behind the deaths of the Xue siblings. It felt like retribution, like a terrible curse, as if Xue Fangfei's spirit in heaven knew everything.

If she were still alive, she would surely be standing here, coldly watching his wretched state. Shen Yurong thought.Xue Huaiyuan's face was the picture of perfect calm. He was like another Xue Fangfei—one who had understood everything and come to terms with it all. He had cast aside the emotions he ought to have felt—joy, anger, sorrow, or delight—and was merely recounting the truth in a placid tone, quietly doing what he could for his children.

Haitang appeared as a witness.

At the first glimpse of Haitang, Princess Yongning froze momentarily, then shrieked, "How are you still alive?"

"Didn't expect that, did you, Princess Yongning?" Haitang's face no longer held any trace of fear or apprehension. Instead, it bore the same composed indifference as the Xue family. She said, "Back then, your people silenced everyone close to the girls to cover up the truth. Dujuan and I managed to escape, surviving countless near-death experiences. In the end, Dujuan died, and I didn't even dare to collect her body. I clung to life, dragging myself through each day, just for this moment." She lifted her head high. "To expose the atrocities committed by you and that heartless scoundrel to the world!"

A 100,000-word update—considering the need for bookstore recommendations, the chapters are a bit shorter than before. It's best not to skip any chapters, as you might miss crucial details later on. Plus, what if you accidentally skip the sweet moments? (The sweetness in these 100,000 words is quite dense and delightful, by the way.) After today, the chapter lengths will return to the usual 7,000 words per update.

Hope you enjoy the read!

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