The Double

Chapter 181: True Name

The lanterns at the entrance of the Duke's residence were dampened by the rain. Zhao Ke parked the carriage, while Tong'er opened an oil-paper umbrella and assisted Jiang Li as she alighted. Together, they made their way into the Duke's residence.

The vibrant and colorful Duke's residence was adorned with flower beds, where blossoms, nourished by the drizzling rain, appeared even more delicate and radiant. It seemed as though the layer of frost from winter had been washed away, revealing the originally brilliant hues. Walking through it felt like stepping into a realm beyond the mortal world.

In the birdcage by the entrance, Little Red perched on a branch, eyes closed, head tucked into its feathers, sound asleep. Because of this, it did not burst into its usual noisy chirping at the sight of Jiang Li.

Wen Ji stood guard outside Ji Heng's study. Seeing Zhao Ke escort Jiang Li over, he said to her, "The Duke is inside the study."

Jiang Li nodded. Bai Xue and Tong'er remained outside as she pushed the door open and entered.

Inside the study, the windows were closed, and lamps were lit. The faint sound of pattering rain echoed outside, while the flickering lamplight cast shifting shadows within. Jiang Li closed the door behind her, and with that, the last trace of cool breeze vanished entirely from the room.

Ji Heng sat lazily at the desk, his crimson robe pooling on the floor, revealing an edge embroidered with intricate patterns. Under the lamplight, it shimmered like flowing jewels, while his eyes, more captivating than gems, narrowed slightly, exuding a languid charm.

As Jiang Li entered the room, his gaze drifted toward her, and he paused in mild surprise.

Today, Jiang Li's attire and appearance were strikingly different from her usual style. She had always been a simple, ethereal young woman, but now she radiated a bright and alluring charm. The unfamiliar clothing and makeup transformed her into an entirely different person.

It was as if she were no longer the pristine pear blossom that blooms in early March, carrying a hint of delicate sweetness, but rather the hidden peach blossoms deep in the mountains of April, exuding an enchanting allure.

Yet the clarity and stubbornness in her eyes seemed unchanged from beginning to end.

He rose to his feet, raising an eyebrow as he remarked, "You're dressed very differently today."

Jiang Li smiled. "Is that so?"

She had deliberately chosen this attire. To meet Princess Yongning and settle this old grievance, she could not go as Second Miss Jiang. She had to become Xue Fangfei. The mistakes of the past were made by Xue Fangfei, and it was only fitting that Xue Fangfei should be the one to make amends. She would confront Princess Yongning with Xue Fangfei's soul. As for the shock, fear, and nightmarish turmoil the princess would experience after her departure—that had nothing to do with Jiang Li.

"You had Zhao Ke summon me here, Duke. Is there something you need?" Jiang Li inquired.

Ji Heng had called for her so late at night, perhaps to fulfill their agreement, but Jiang Li had a vague feeling that he was not the type to rush such matters. At the very least, he would wait until after Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong had been executed before bringing it up.

Ji Heng stepped closer to her. He was tall, and his shadow enveloped Jiang Li. From the silhouette cast by the window, it almost looked as though the two were locked in an intimate embrace.

He asked, "You just came from the Ministry of Justice's prison, where you visited Princess Yongning?"

Jiang Li replied, "Yes." Since Zhao Ke had been waiting for her outside, he must have known about it all along and had come specifically to escort her. Therefore, it did not surprise her that Ji Heng was aware of her visit.

Ji Heng nodded. His hands, with their distinct knuckles, were slender and pale as he toyed with a folding fan. He looked down at Jiang Li, his gaze shimmering with allure, a captivating smile playing on his lips, yet his voice remained perfectly clear and composed.He asked, "Why does she call you 'Xue Fangfei'?"

Jiang Li jolted, sharply lifting her head—he had heard everything!

Could Ji Heng’s people have been hidden in the prison, listening to the conversation between Princess Yongning and her?

The girl’s eyes widened slightly. Her gaze was so clear that even a fleeting moment of panic and confusion was unmistakably visible. The young man was as beautiful as a seductive spirit from an opera, his every movement exuding an enchanting elegance. He gently pressed his fan beneath her chin, forcing her to raise her head and meet his penetrating amber eyes.

He looked at Jiang Li, smiled, and let out a soft sigh, his tone intoxicatingly eerie.

Ji Heng said, "You really aren’t Jiang Li."

You really aren’t Jiang Li.

As the final words of his sentence faded into the air, he advanced step by step, and Jiang Li slowly retreated until her back touched the desk behind her, leaving her with no escape. Her body instinctively leaned backward, but Ji Heng’s hand reached out to support her waist, preventing her from falling.

He had found out after all. Even though he had indulged her, helped her, and even shown her the kind of care and consideration one might give a friend during this time, his suspicion of her had never ceased for a moment. Others might think he was immersed in the act, and perhaps he had been for a brief period, but he could always withdraw at will—calm, sharp, and shrewd.

Perhaps, from beginning to end, he had never trusted anyone, nor had he ever placed his trust in others.

Just like his ambiguous and intimate posture at this moment, his lips curved in a gentle smile, yet his eyes were chillingly indifferent.

Jiang Li closed her eyes. She heard her own calm and gentle voice resound in the room: "The Duke once made an agreement with me. Now that the matter is completed, you may fulfill the agreement. It is time to return this life to the Duke."

She did not answer Ji Heng’s question. Instead, she urged him to fulfill the agreement, making her words sound like a challenge—an unmistakably blatant one.

The light in Ji Heng’s eyes dimmed. The smile on his lips grew even more captivating as the handle of his fan shifted gently from Jiang Li’s chin to her throat.

She was delicate and fragile, with a slender throat like that of a white crane whose neck was being gripped, evoking a tragically beautiful vulnerability. Yet, she showed no fear. Her expression remained serene, without a trace of panic, as if she were resolved to face death.

Ji Heng was not one to ask "why." For most matters, he had already discerned the answers from the start. He disliked surprises beyond his control. If something remained unresolved in the end, he would not obsess over it but would discard it entirely.

As the saying goes, if you cannot find the answer to a problem, eliminate the problem itself.

Thus, the hand holding the fan—pale, slender, the kind that ought to hold chess pieces or teacups, meant for romantic pursuits—slowly tightened.

Jiang Li felt the coldness at her neck and seemed to catch the scent of death. The aura of death was likely akin to the fragrance that clung to Ji Heng—a cool, faintly bitter fragrance.

Ji Heng’s gaze fell upon the tassel dangling from the fan’s handle.

The tassel was as crimson as blood, with a butterfly poised as if ready to take flight. The red butterfly against her fair skin created an inexplicable harmony. As Ji Heng watched, a subtle shift flickered in his eyes.Then Jiang Li felt the ice-cold fan handle still pressed against her throat, but suddenly a low, hoarse voice sounded in her ear, "I won't take your life."

A faint, ticklish sensation brushed her ear, his breath close enough to hear. In her surprise, Jiang Li hurriedly opened her eyes and saw his slightly turned face.

The man's profile was flawless, breathtakingly beautiful every time she saw it. After speaking, he didn't pull away from Jiang Li but continued smiling, looking down at her from his superior position. Just a little more, perhaps merely a millimeter, and Jiang Li's lips would touch his face, or perhaps his lips.

She was utterly shocked, not daring to move a muscle. In this state, she resembled a startled deer in the deep mountains, standing frozen in place, bewildered and tense, all her usual wit gone.

"In exchange," he said with keen interest, "tell me the truth, no lies. How about it, hmm?"

He stared intently at Jiang Li, who could barely withstand his gaze. Under such a look, even the most hard-hearted person would feel stirred. Though she knew full well that danger radiated from his entire being, she was still tempted by his momentary gentleness, like a moth drawn to flame, recklessly plunging into the ashes.

"I..."

"I'll take that as a yes." Smiling, he withdrew the fan handle and casually reached out to tuck a stray lock of Jiang Li's hair behind her ear.

Jiang Li felt extremely uncomfortable, her cheeks burning. She could only focus intently on the golden button on Ji Heng's robe, its edges carved with intricate patterns—ornate and cold.

"I can tell the Duke everything he wants to know, but I'm afraid he won't believe me and will think I'm lying instead," Jiang Li said, lifting her eyes to meet his.

He looked at her with a gaze so earnest it seemed almost naive, so tender it felt as though he would believe anything she said without hesitation. With that profound look, he slowly said, "No. I'll believe everything you say."

Jiang Li was slightly taken aback.

His eyes were so sincere, his proximity so close that she could see his long eyelashes and the small red mole at the corner of his eye. She even felt an impulse to reach out and touch it. But she quickly suppressed the urge. She didn't know if this moment's flutter was due to Ji Heng's extreme beauty and his display of tenderness that briefly bewildered her, but she understood that once she left this room, the little deer in her heart would stop leaping and become rational and calm again.

"If you believe me, then I'll tell you," she said, striving to keep her tone neutral.

Ji Heng watched her for a moment before slowly releasing his hold. Jiang Li let out a sigh of relief and straightened up. Ji Heng pointed with his fan toward the desk, where a pot of tea and two cups sat. "Sit," he said.

He had returned to his earlier casual composure.

He always withdrew so quickly.

Jiang Li steadied herself, walked over to the table with her head down, and sat. Perhaps due to some nervousness, this time she didn't wait for Ji Heng to act but poured herself a cup of tea first. She lifted the cup and took a sip.

In the rainy night, the hot tea quickly soothed the panic, discomfort, excitement, and hesitation she had felt since entering the room, allowing her to calm down once more.Ji Heng smiled as he looked at her and sat down opposite her. Jiang Li stared at his crimson robe, her eyes nearly dazzled by the golden threads embroidered on it.

He asked, "What is your name?"

Jiang Li: "Xue Fangfei."

(End of Chapter)