The Double

Chapter 179 Visiting the Prison

"Shen Lang, what should we do now?" Princess Yongning said.

By now, neither Prince Cheng nor Consort Liu had sent anyone to contact her—not even to speak a few words of comfort, to tell her to wait patiently. Just one sentence would have been enough to calm Princess Yongning's heart. But there was nothing. From beginning to end, after the joint trial by the three judicial departments concluded, she hadn't seen a single ally. Even when she invoked the status of Prince Cheng and Consort Liu, these people paid her no attention. The way they looked at her was as if she were already a dead woman.

Princess Yongning finally felt fear, a sense of uncertainty about the future. In her entire life, she had never imagined that one day she would find herself in such a helpless situation within a prison. In her princess residence, she had set up a private prison, using all sorts of bizarre methods to torture those people, listening to their screams, watching them trapped between life and death. The more terrified they sounded, the more pleased she became, reveling in the thrill of controlling life and death.

Yet now, she was the fish on the chopping block, the prisoner awaiting others to decide her fate. How absurd it all was, making her feel as if this were almost a dream.

Without Prince Cheng, without Consort Liu, and without her status as a princess, she could only cling to her last lifeline—Shen Yurong. She pushed him through the bars: "Shen Lang, say something!"

Shen Yurong turned his head and looked at her indifferently. For some reason, his ashen, emotionless eyes suddenly made Princess Yongning feel afraid. Unconsciously, she released her grip on his sleeve.

"There's no way," Shen Yurong said. "I have no way out."

Princess Yongning froze for a moment, as if only just processing his words. She shrieked, "How can there be no way? How can you say there's no way when things have come to this? You're lying to me, aren't you? You still have a plan, we won't die, right Shen Lang?!"

Her expression—urgent, pleading, fearful, and frantic—fell upon Shen Yurong's eyes. For some reason, a flicker of satisfaction passed through his heart.

As if deliberately trying to crush her, Shen Yurong added, "I'm not lying to you. There really is no way. Accept your fate, Yongning. This is retribution."

...

Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong were imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's dungeon. Death row prisoners were not allowed visitors.

In Fragrant Garden Courtyard, Jiang Li sat at the table, gazing out the window in a daze.

A light rain began to fall. February was coming to an end, and by early March, the rains in Yanjing City became more frequent. The pitter-patter of raindrops hit the windowsill, and some fine droplets brushed against people, cold yet soft. The land, dried out over the winter, grew moist again, already sprouting new greenery.

No further news came from the palace. It seemed Consort Liu and Prince Cheng had exhausted their tricks. Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong could not escape this calamity. What she had initially set out to do seemed accomplished: clearing herself of the trumped-up charges, uncovering the true culprit behind Xue Zhao's murder, exposing the evil deeds of the perpetrators, and avenging the Xue family. She had achieved all of this and had even saved her father's life. Yet, when everything was done, she did not feel the relief or satisfaction she had expected. Instead, she felt a profound sorrow.She had no idea how much longer her life would last, now facing her father as strangers. The past could never be reclaimed, and there truly was no Xue Fangfei left in this world. In this lifetime, she had no desire to marry again or bear children. The dreams of her youth—to travel across famous mountains and great rivers—were now impossible to fulfill as the daughter of the Grand Secretary. Living felt meaningless when it wasn't on her own terms.

"Miss," Tong'er approached to close the window, asking, "Have you decided what to send to the Duke's residence?"

Previously, when Jiang Li visited the Duke's residence to see Ji Heng, she had asked him to rescue Jiang Youyao from Princess Yongning's private prison. Though the outcome differed from what she had imagined, it was accomplished in the end. Jiang Li pondered but found herself at a loss for what to give Ji Heng in return. The man lacked neither gold nor jewels, and Jiang Li had no access to peerless beauties to offer him.

Along the way, her initial hostility, wariness, and suspicion toward Ji Heng had long since vanished without her realizing when. In their place was a trust she hadn't even noticed herself, and perhaps even a hint of reliance.

"I'll think about it later," Jiang Li said. "I'm going to Yaoguang Residence first. I have something to discuss with Father."

Since the conclusion of the triple judicial review at the Ministry of Justice, Jiang Yuanbai had stopped attending court, spending his days at home with Jiang Youyao. He was consumed by guilt, convinced that if he hadn't been so distant with Jiang Youyao initially, she wouldn't have stormed out of the residence in a fit of pique and encountered such misfortune. Now that she had lost her mind, Jiang Yuanbai often stayed by her side, as if making amends.

Arriving at Yaoguang Residence, she spotted Jiang Yuanbai in the courtyard at once.

Jiang Yuanbai sat at the edge of the courtyard, gazing intently at Jiang Youyao. Surrounded by maids, Jiang Youyao sat on a soft stool, staring blankly at the sky. The eye from which her eyeball had been gouged out was thickly bandaged, leaving only her other eye, whose gaze was dull and confused. She seemed unaware of the present, recognizing no one.

Jiang Li paused at the courtyard's edge and said, "Father."

Jiang Yuanbai turned at the sound and, upon seeing Jiang Li, asked, "A Li, what brings you here?"

"I came to see Third Sister, and to see you as well," Jiang Li replied, stepping forward. Jiang Youyao showed no reaction to Jiang Li's presence, lost in her own world, undisturbed by anyone—a far cry from her former willful and spoiled self.

Jiang Yuanbai let out a long sigh. The Jiang family had grown accustomed to smooth sailing over the years, yet in just one short year, it had fallen into disarray. Ji Shuran was dead, and of his two remaining daughters, Jiang Li had become distant and formal, while Jiang Youyao had gone mad. He suddenly felt a wave of helplessness; even his official career now seemed bleak and uncertain.

Jiang Li said softly, "There's something I'd like to ask for your help with, Father."

"What is it?" Jiang Yuanbai asked.

"Condemned prisoners in the Ministry of Justice's dungeon are not permitted visitors," Jiang Li explained. "I wish to see Princess Yongning. I hope you can speak to the officials at the Ministry and make an exception."

Frowning at her words, Jiang Yuanbai asked, "Why do you want to visit Princess Yongning in the dungeon?""Some answers can only be revealed by Princess Yongning. Consider this inquiry made on behalf of County Magistrate Xue." Jiang Li said, "I don't need to enter the cell, just looking at her through the bars will suffice. Can Father grant me this? If not, I'll find another way."

Her tone remained gentle, yet she said "I'll find another way" rather than "if not, then forget it."

Jiang Yuanbai stared at Jiang Li. The stubbornness in this daughter's heart surprised even him - it was remarkably rare. Moreover, she had strong opinions of her own and wasn't completely transparent with him, her father.

She guarded her secrets but wouldn't share them with her father. Jiang Yuanbai felt utterly helpless, yet he couldn't demand anything from Jiang Li. When Jiang Li was young, his mistaken accusations had caused her suffering and estrangement from him. Due to his negligence, Jiang Li's birth mother had been murdered. Anyone in her position would never restore their former closeness with such a father. He had pushed Jiang Li out of his life with his own hands, and now he had to swallow this bitter fruit that had long been ripening.

Thus, he could only say: "Very well, I'll make the arrangements. You may go as you wish."

Given Jiang Yuanbai's status, notifying the Ministry of Justice to allow his daughter to visit a death row prisoner wasn't particularly difficult. Especially since everyone knew Princess Yongning had caused Third Miss Jiang's death, and Jiang Li wouldn't attempt anything under these circumstances.

Jiang Li smiled: "Thank you, Father." Then she glanced at Jiang Youyao, "Since Father needs to care for Third Sister, I won't disturb you further." With that, she turned and left.

Watching Jiang Li's retreating figure, Jiang Yuanbai smiled wryly. So much for specifically visiting him or Jiang Youyao - clearly, she only came to discuss this matter. This daughter of his... truly resembled the Ye family - business was business, grievances clearly distinguished.

But perhaps it was better to be clever, so she wouldn't be deceived. Jiang Yuanbai sighed deeply.

...

That evening, when Jiang Yuanbai's messenger came to say that arrangements had been made with the Ministry of Justice and Jiang Li could visit the prison anytime, she decided to set out immediately.

Bai Xue looked outside: "Miss, it's still raining. Perhaps we should postpone?"

"Her execution is tomorrow," Jiang Li said, "If we don't go today, there won't be another chance."

Her certainty silenced both maids' objections. Yet they wondered privately: why insist on visiting Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning in the imperial prison? Though Princess Yongning had harmed Jiang Youyao, Jiang Li wasn't close with her half-sister - there was no need to seek justice on her behalf. As for Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao, Jiang Li didn't even know them, nor had she confronted Princess Yongning about their affairs.

But their mistress must have her reasons. Tong'er, lost in thought, suddenly noticed Jiang Li doing her own hair and exclaimed in surprise: "Why is Miss doing her hair herself? Let this servant help."

"No need." Jiang Li had already inserted the final hairpin, saying: "I've finished."

As she stood up, both Tong'er and Bai Xue couldn't help but stare in astonishment.Jiang Li had always favored shades of cyan and green, dressing simply with understated elegance and wearing no makeup. Yet tonight, she seemed like a different person. She had traced her brows with delicate strokes, dusted her face with a light layer of powder, making her skin appear as smooth as congealed fat, and touched her lips with a faint red hue. Her eyes remained clear as water, yet now held an elusive depth. Dressed in a moon-white embroidered jacket and a rose-pink brocade skirt, her hair styled in a soft cloud bun adorned with an agate hairpin, and wearing two tiny ruby earrings like grains of rice, she looked radiant and unfamiliar.

Though her features were still recognizable, it was as if she had overnight acquired the perfect grace of a young maiden, possessing the peerless elegance of a true beauty. Standing there, even the night rain seemed to fade into a misty backdrop, making it impossible for onlookers to tear their eyes away.

Tong'er murmured, "This servant almost couldn't recognize you, Miss."

Although Jiang Li had long displayed traits different from her past self, Tong'er had grown accustomed to them over time. But today, the feeling was particularly intense—it seemed the person before her was not Second Miss Jiang, but some other woman, a beauty the Jiang family had never known.

"Let's go," Jiang Li smiled. "We shouldn't keep them waiting too long." She pushed the door open and stepped out.

The rain had not ceased. Jiang Li walked slowly to avoid splashing mud onto her skirt. In her past life as Xue Fangfei, she had loved dressing like this—a woman adorns herself for those who appreciate her, and she had delighted in embellishing herself to see the admiration in Shen Yurong's eyes. But tonight, she resumed this familiar attire not to please others, but to remind them.

Xue Fangfei could live well, in another way, not as they had imagined. The moment before Princess Yongning ordered her strangled, she had still advised her to be reborn into a wealthy family. Tonight, she would show Princess Yongning that she had gotten her wish—but she wondered what expression the current Princess Yongning would wear?

The grudges of her past life deserved a final reckoning.

(End of Chapter)