The Double

Chapter 183: Divorce

Time passed quickly. On the day of Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong's execution, Jiang Li finished her meal early and prepared to go out. When Jiang Yuanbai learned she also intended to witness the execution, he hesitated before finally saying, "It's terrifying. You shouldn't go watch."

"It's fine. I won't watch the execution itself, I'll just stand outside and observe," Jiang Li smiled. "I also want to help Third Sister vent her anger."

Jiang Yuanbai felt even more guilty. He had no intention of attending the execution himself. Whether it was because Hongxiao Emperor felt remorseful over the Princess Yongning incident, he had been frequently summoned to court these past few days. Their conversations between ruler and subject even carried echoes of their past candid relationship.

However, whether this was imperial strategy or genuine sincerity, Jiang Yuanbai couldn't tell himself. Serving an emperor was like serving a tiger—he dared not be the slightest bit careless. He still had to perform his duties properly and wouldn't let his guard down just because of Hongxiao Emperor's sudden closeness, allowing himself to make mistakes.

Yet Jiang Youyao had gone mad, and while the mastermind behind it all was being executed today, he wasn't going to watch, while Jiang Li—who had always been bullied by Jiang Youyao—was going to witness it. Jiang Yuanbai couldn't articulate the complex feelings in his heart.

Fortunately, Jiang Li didn't dwell on the matter with him. After bidding Jiang Yuanbai farewell, she went out. Jiang Li knew that Ye Mingyu and the others would be bringing Xue Huaiyuan to watch the execution today, but she hadn't informed them that she would also be attending.

She still hadn't figured out how to face Xue Huaiyuan. The next time she saw him, Jiang Li planned to reveal the truth and tell Xue Huaiyuan that she was Xue Fangfei. She knew it would be difficult for Xue Huaiyuan to accept this suddenly, so she needed to prepare gentle words. But until she was ready, she couldn't see Xue Huaiyuan. She was afraid she might blurt it out in her excitement, either frightening Xue Huaiyuan or having him simply not believe her. These past few days, she had been completely preoccupied with this dilemma.

Bai Xue and Tong'er helped Jiang Li into the carriage.

The streets of Yanjing City were particularly empty today. Most people had gone to the execution grounds to watch the spectacle. One was the once proud and successful top scholar, the young and promising Imperial Secretariat Writer; the other was Prince Cheng's sister, a genuine royal descendant, a current princess. Yet they had collaborated to commit such heinous crimes. Common people always loved spectacles, and everyone wanted to see these two pay the price.

By the time Jiang Li's carriage reached the outskirts of the execution grounds, it could advance no further. The common people and carriages of other spectators had completely blocked the road. Bai Xue and Tong'er had to use silver to clear a path. The people, having received money, naturally became more accommodating, gradually making way until the carriage could move slightly closer, at least allowing a view of the two figures on the execution platform.

Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong wore dirty prisoner uniforms, their hair disheveled, bearing no resemblance to their former refined and elegant selves. They looked no different from other death row inmates. In fact, they appeared even worse, because outraged citizens had spontaneously brought vegetable baskets and were continuously pelting them with eggs and throwing vegetable leaves at their heads and bodies, leaving them in a wretched state.

Probably even Shen Yurong himself had never imagined he would end up like this one day.Jiang Li had expected Princess Yongning to maintain her domineering nature even at this point, cursing and railing. But today, she did not utter a single word, hanging her head low, her expression completely hidden. Shen Yurong, on the other hand, remained gentle—or perhaps numb—facing everything before him. His gaze swept through the crowd as if searching for someone.

Though she knew he couldn’t see her, Jiang Li still took a step back, hiding behind Bai Xue. She suddenly found it bitterly amusing. Back when Xue Fangfei was killed by Princess Yongning, Shen Yurong had stood right outside the door, witnessing it all firsthand, yet he had stood by and done nothing, watching her meet her end. Now that Shen Yurong was about to die, she had become the bystander, here to see him off on his final journey.

Truly, the affairs of this world are a strange cycle of karma.

Suddenly, the sound of a woman wailing and cursing pierced the air. Following the noise, Jiang Li spotted a familiar figure—it was Shen’s mother.

Shen’s mother had collapsed weeping before the execution platform, crying out "My son!" while hurling abuse at Princess Yongning. Jiang Li could hear her curses clearly: Shen’s mother lamented that Shen Yurong had once had a bright future ahead of him but had been dragged down by that wretched Princess Yongning. She even brought up Xue Fangfei, praising her former daughter-in-law for her kindness, virtue, capability, and consideration, only to be maliciously killed by Princess Yongning, who then framed Shen Yurong for the crime.

Shen’s mother’s grief was genuine. Shen Yurong was her only son, raised through hardship and sacrifice, the sole hope of their family. And Shen Yurong had lived up to those expectations, rising to a high official position—only to stumble unexpectedly, as humans are prone to error and horses to missteps. Shen’s mother was accustomed to shifting blame onto others. With Princess Yongning now useless, she naturally directed all her resentment toward her.

Jiang Li sneered inwardly. Shen’s mother was throwing a reckless tantrum, heedless of the consequences. Though Consort Liu and Prince Cheng had been unable to save Princess Yongning for various reasons, it didn’t mean they held no concern for her. In fact, Princess Yongning’s current predicament, from the perspective of Consort Liu and Prince Cheng, was entirely Shen Yurong’s fault. Without him, none of this would have happened. While Shen’s mother blamed Princess Yongning, Consort Liu would in turn blame the Shen family. Shen Yurong might be dead, but Shen’s mother’s reckless cursing would surely provoke Consort Liu’s wrath.

It was likely that Shen’s mother wouldn’t live much longer after the execution. Consort Liu, already furious with Shen Yurong, would never allow a common woman to insult her only daughter.

If Shen Yurong still cared for his mother, he ought to speak up now and caution her. Shen’s mother might not listen to others, but she would almost certainly heed her son’s words.

Yet Shen Yurong did nothing. He merely continued his desperate, hopeless search through the crowd, over and over again. His gaze was so intense that many in the crowd noticed, exchanging puzzled glances, wondering if he was expecting someone to storm the execution ground and rescue him.

But no one came. There was no rescue, and the person Shen Yurong longed to see never appeared.

Until the final moment arrived.The executioner stood behind Shen Yurong, raised his blade and brought it down—a flash of silver light, a spurt of blood splattering on the ground, and a round head tumbled away, covered in mud, unrecognizable.

Beside Shen Yurong, Princess Yongning let out a piercing scream, as if finally comprehending terror, crying out "No!" But before her cry faded, the blade of death followed swiftly.

The crowd suddenly erupted in cheers, as if celebrating a great triumph.

Jiang Li lowered her gaze, turned away expressionlessly—it was all over.

...

No matter how shocking the "Scholar Kills His Wife" case had been, with the execution of Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong, it seemed everything had come to an end.

In teahouses and taverns along the streets, people still occasionally discussed the incident, sighing over the innocence and pitiful fate of Xue Fangfei and her brother, but such conversations gradually dwindled.

The good had been vindicated, the wicked punished—this seemed like a perfect conclusion. With the arrival of spring, everything grew busy again: farmers sowing seeds, children starting school and learning new characters, all thriving with vitality.

Jiang Li’s days passed in tranquil monotony. After resolving the case, she sometimes found herself unsure of what to do next. Like any ordinary young lady, she could embroider and practice calligraphy at home, living peacefully and contentedly, awaiting the day when a suitable marriage would be arranged. Then she would don bridal robes, marry, bear children for her husband, and manage household affairs—this seemed to be the predestined course of her remaining life.

But Jiang Li had no desire for such a fate. During her time as Xue Fangfei, she had already lived through it once, exhausting all her energy and life. She lacked the courage to endure it again. Moreover, she felt resistant to the idea of marriage. As the daughter of the Grand Secretary, she would likely be wed by Jiang Yuanbai to a seemingly promising young talent she had barely met. Back then, she had thought she knew Shen Yurong well, only to realize she had never truly understood him—let alone someone she had scarcely interacted with.

Yet she could not escape this fate. She was now the daughter of the Jiang family, the Grand Secretary’s cherished child. No matter how willful she might be, in matters of marriage, she feared she could not break free from destiny.

Jiang Li still frequently visited the Ye family, where Xue Huaiyuan was staying. Although he had mentioned several times his wish to return to Xiangyang’s Tongxiang, Ye Shijie strongly urged him to stay. On one hand, Ye Shijie benefited greatly from Xue Huaiyuan’s advice on official matters, which would aid his future career. On the other, Prince Cheng likely still harbored resentment toward Xue Huaiyuan, and allowing him to travel alone would be perilous.

Ye Mingyu promised Xue Huaiyuan that when he returned to Xiangyang at year’s end, he would bring Xue Huaiyuan along. For now, Xue Huaiyuan would reside with the Ye family in Yanjing City. Grateful for the Ye family’s immense help in clearing the Xue family’s name, Xue Huaiyuan felt he could not refuse and agreed.

This brought Jiang Li some relief.

Her frequent visits to the Ye family were ostensibly to see Ye Mingyu, but in truth, she sought more time with Xue Huaiyuan. After the case, Xue Huaiyuan had grown calm and gentle, no longer the stern yet affectionate father he once was, but more like an ordinary elderly man. He did not succumb to despair; instead, he spent his days reading and writing at the Ye residence, living a leisurely life, seemingly not tormented by the tragedy that had befallen the Xue family.But Jiang Li knew all too well that true sorrow is never spoken aloud. As she chatted idly with Xue Huaiyuan, the words "I am Xue Fangfei" reached the tip of her tongue several times, yet she could never voice them.

She too had her fears and moments of unease. What if she revealed the truth and Xue Huaiyuan refused to believe her? She truly couldn't bear the thought of being denied by her father.

In that moment, she found herself unexpectedly missing Ji Heng. If only Xue Huaiyuan could be like Ji Heng—someone who deeply believed in supernatural phenomena, or rather, someone who deeply believed in her words—that would be perfect.

Ji Heng... Jiang Li lowered her gaze. With Prince Cheng's uprising imminent, Ji Heng must have been extremely busy these days. But ever since he learned her true identity, they had had no further contact. Not only between her and Ji Heng, but even Zhao Ke had disappeared from the Jiang residence. Jiang Li couldn't very well inquire about a gardener without drawing attention, but Zhao Ke had indeed never reappeared.

This might be evidence that Ji Heng wanted to draw a clear line between them, Jiang Li thought, then couldn't help but laugh bitterly. This man was truly heartless—when helping, he acted like a closest friend, but once the transaction ended, they went their separate ways as if he wanted to sever every last connection completely.

But perhaps this was for the best.

Just as she was thinking this, Tong'er entered from outside and said, "Miss, I just returned from outside the residence and heard something."

"What is it?" Jiang Li asked.

"The heir of Marquis Ningyuan has divorced his wife!"

"Zhou Yanbang divorced his wife? Shen Ruyun?" Jiang Li was taken aback. "Why?"

"Must be because the Shen family has fallen from grace," Tong'er said bluntly. "When the heir of Marquis Ningyuan married the Shen family's young lady back then, wasn't it because her brother was an Imperial Secretariat Writer and he had to take responsibility? Now that Shen Yurong has been beheaded and the Shen family is nothing, of course the Shen young lady has become useless. If she remained in the position of the heir's wife, the Marquis Ningyuan's household would surely become a laughingstock. The Ningyuan侯 household is so selfish—of course they'd quickly divorce her."

Tong'er still harbored resentment toward the Marquis Ningyuan's household for breaking off the engagement back then, which nearly cost Jiang Li her life, so she spared no sarcasm when speaking of them. Jiang Li smiled faintly. "You're right."

The people of the Marquis Ningyuan's household were probably still dreaming of Zhou Yanbang restoring his official career. By doing this, they could conveniently kick Shen Ruyun aside and find another daughter from a prominent family. Jiang Li thought to herself that if Jiang Yu'e hadn't been involved in Zhou Yanbang divorcing so quickly, she wouldn't believe it. Jiang Yu'e must have taken this opportunity to continuously fan the flames, causing Shen Ruyun's downfall to happen so rapidly.

"And then?" Jiang Li asked. "What happened to Shen Ruyun?"

Tong'er shook her head. "The Zhuangyuan residence is gone. I heard Shen Ruyun found Shen's mother, and the two women went to seek help from wealthy families they were formerly close with... but you know how it is, Miss. The Shen family's crimes are too numerous—who would dare help them now? Everyone avoids them. They were completely rejected and no one knows where they are now!"Jiang Li smiled faintly. "So that's how it is." In the end, Shen Ruyun and Shen's mother had been destroyed by their own greed. If they had known when to stop back then, or simply let Shen Yurong climb step by step, albeit slowly, they would still have much to hold onto. Unlike now, where they had fallen into poverty overnight, worse off than before, like rats scurrying across the street, despised by everyone.

This must be retribution.

Not wanting to dwell on it any longer, Jiang Li said, "Forget it. From now on, matters of the Marquis Ningyuan's estate have nothing to do with us."

As for Jiang Yu'e, whether she thrived or suffered in the Marquis Ningyuan's estate, it was all far, far removed from her.

Her own affairs were still far from being sorted out clearly.

(End of Chapter)