The Double

Chapter 204: Returning Home

Ji Heng's carriage went directly to the Duke's residence. After arriving, Ji Heng, Lu Ji, and Wenren Yao all alighted from the carriage. Lin Yao was also taken away by Wenren Yao, while Wen Ji and Zhao Ke continued driving the carriage toward the Jiang residence.

This somewhat relieved Jiang Li, as it would make dealing with Jiang Yuanbai easier.

When the carriage reached the entrance of the Jiang residence, Jiang Li stepped out. The gatekeeper was initially puzzled but stammered in surprise upon recognizing her face: "S-Second Young Lady!"

Jiang Li smiled and nodded at him. "Yes, I'm back."

The news of Jiang Li's return quickly spread throughout the Jiang residence. In the Evening Phoenix Hall, Old Madam Jiang and the members of the second branch had gathered. As soon as Lu Shi saw Jiang Li, she grasped her hand and said, "A Li, you're finally back! These past few days, your second aunt hasn't been able to sleep well at night—I've been so worried!"

Though her words were exaggerated, there was a hint of sincerity in them. Jiang Li smiled and patted her hand. "I'm fine, Second Aunt."

Jiang Jingrui asked, "I heard you went to Huangzhou. How did you get there? Who saved you? I asked Father and Uncle, but they refused to tell me. Jiang Li, what exactly happened?"

Jiang Li understood—Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Yuanping had indeed kept the matter from others. However, Old Madam Jiang likely knew the details, as she showed no confusion like Jiang Jingrui and instead asked, "Huangzhou is in the midst of war, Second Child. Were you injured? Did those bandits harm you?"

"No," Jiang Li replied. "The garrison in Huangzhou has been confronting Prince Cheng's troops. The soldiers never managed to enter the city, so it was quite safe."

"But I heard," Jiang Jingyou interjected, looking at Jiang Li, "that Prince Cheng's men in Huangzhou were burning, killing, and looting, and many people died."

This was something that couldn't be hidden. Jiang Li said, "There were indeed such people, but I suppose I was lucky and didn't encounter them. I managed to stay safe."

"You must have been protected by someone, right?" Jiang Jingrui leaned in closer. "That's why you're unharmed. Who was it? They must be quite capable to rescue you from Prince Cheng's men. Tell us their name so Uncle can properly thank them."

Jiang Li inwardly laughed. If Jiang Yuanbai knew it was Ji Heng who had saved her, his first reaction would likely be suspicion rather than gratitude. The Duke's residence and the Jiang family had never had much interaction. In fact, Ji Heng had grown closer to the Hongxiao Emperor in place of Jiang Yuanbai, who would probably suspect Ji Heng of stirring up trouble between them.

Just as they were speaking, a voice called from outside: "A Li."

Turning around, they saw Jiang Yuanbai hurrying in. He hadn't been in the Evening Phoenix Hall earlier, likely having been outside and rushed back upon hearing the news of Jiang Li's return. Jiang Li called out, "Father." He looked at her, then at the others, and said, "Come with me to the study."

Old Madam Jiang nodded at Jiang Li, who then followed Jiang Yuanbai to the study. Once inside and with the door closed, Jiang Yuanbai examined Jiang Li and asked, "How are you? Were you injured?"

Jiang Li shook her head.Jiang Yuanbai observed for a while, seemingly confirming that Jiang Li showed no signs of injury, and only then did he breathe a slight sigh of relief. Immediately after, he asked, "What exactly happened? How did those people take you out of Yanjing and bring you to Huangzhou? And how did Duke Su know you had been abducted to Huangzhou and came to rescue you?"

Wenren Yao had likely written rather vaguely to Jiang Yuanbai and the Ye family, not detailing Jiang Li's specific circumstances. Judging by Jiang Yuanbai's bewildered expression, he clearly had no idea what had truly transpired. Jiang Li sat down and recounted how she had been separated from Bai Xue on the street that day, and how those people had disguised her to smuggle her out of Yanjing.

"They were clearly well-prepared from the start, intending to take me to Huangzhou, which is why everything was carried out so methodically and caught everyone off guard. By the time people realized I was missing, I had already been taken out of the city. It was too late to chase after them by then."

She then spoke of how they had brought her all the way to Huangzhou. Jiang Li omitted the part about seeing Ji Heng's sedan outside the tavern and seeking his help. This would inevitably raise Jiang Yuanbai's suspicions—first, how Jiang Li was so familiar with Ji Heng that she could recognize his sedan at a glance, and second, because it was widely known that Ji Heng was the least likely to meddle in others' affairs, let alone show chivalry toward women. If Jiang Li sought his help, why would Ji Heng willingly respond?

"Later, at the inn, when that woman tried to assault me, I struggled desperately. Perhaps Duke Su's guards passing by saw it. They had seen me before at the palace banquet and knew my identity. I suppose they reported it to Duke Su, and he rescued me." She smiled at Jiang Yuanbai. "Father, Duke Su is a good person. He saved my life, and we should thank him."

"A good person?" Jiang Yuanbai chuckled, looking at Jiang Li. "You're still young and inexperienced. Ji Heng is no kind-hearted man. I fear he may have other motives, using you as a pretext."

Jiang Li listened quietly. Jiang Yuanbai's reaction was within her expectations. If it were her, had Ji Heng not repeatedly helped her and had she not frequently interacted with him, she too would view Ji Heng as a cunning, ruthless, and merciless person.

"However," Jiang Yuanbai changed his tone, "he did save your life after all. We ought to express our gratitude, but you should not go. Let me handle the thanks."

He was still wary of any unnecessary contact between Jiang Li and Ji Heng. This could stem from Jiang Yuanbai's desire to protect the Jiang family's interests, as well as his concern for his daughter. Though he had not been a good father to the real Second Miss Jiang, he was not entirely cold and indifferent.

Jiang Li nodded.

Jiang Yuanbai looked at Jiang Li. The young girl's appearance was delicate and lovely, growing increasingly exquisite and graceful. Soon, she would celebrate her sixteenth birthday—the prime of a maiden's youth. So much had happened in the past six months, yet Jiang Li's status in the Jiang family had transformed entirely. This was partly due to their discovery of the truth, but also because this daughter was unlike either him or Ye Zhenzhen. She was intelligent, knew when to advance and retreat, carried not a hint of arrogance, and yet, when out in society, she handled everything impeccably without ever breaching etiquette.He recalled how some colleagues had previously made indirect inquiries about this daughter. Although it had temporarily subsided due to the incidents involving Ji Shuran and Jiang Youyao, "fair maiden is what a gentleman seeks." If this fair maiden happened to be the daughter of the Grand Secretary, naturally she would attract even more admiration.

He thought of the gentle and handsome young man he had met a few days ago. The man spoke appropriately, with an air of righteousness in his expression, and interacting with him was extremely comfortable. He seemed like a suitable match, and Jiang Yuanbai himself quite liked him. However, these were troubled times, and with Prince Cheng stirring up trouble, the Jiang family could barely manage their own affairs. Uncertain of what changes lay ahead, Jiang Yuanbai dared not make any hasty decisions.

But that man... was certainly far better than the unpredictable and enigmatic Duke Su.

"A Li..." Jiang Yuanbai couldn't help but say, "Duke Su may be stunningly handsome and hold immense power at court, but he is not a suitable match... You... must not develop any feelings for him."

This was a warning. As a father saying such things to his daughter, Jiang Yuanbai felt extremely awkward. But with no mistress in charge of the main household, there was no one else to advise Jiang Li. Lu Shi was indiscreet, and Old Madam Jiang was too old, so Jiang Yuanbai had to say it himself.

Jiang Li felt a chill in her heart, but a faint smile appeared on her face as she replied, "There's no need for Father to say it—I already know."

Jiang Yuanbai studied her expression and saw that her gaze was sincere, with no sign of deception, which put him at ease.

Jiang Li asked, "Father, why didn’t I see Third Uncle and Third Aunt, or Fourth Sister in the Evening Phoenix Hall today?"

Almost everyone had gathered in the Evening Phoenix Hall, except for the third branch. This was strange. Even though the third branch was not particularly close to the first and second branches, they should still have been present for such an occasion. Yet there was no sign of them, and Lu Shi and Old Madam Jiang seemed to take it for granted, which puzzled Jiang Li.

Jiang Yuanbai paused before answering, "The family has split."

"Split?" Jiang Li was astonished. "How did that happen so suddenly?"

Jiang Yuanbai sneered, "Your sudden abduction was likely orchestrated by the third branch. They found a way to inform Prince Cheng of your whereabouts, allowing him to set a trap on your way to the Ye family. The third branch is full of schemers, and keeping them around would only bring disaster. Your grandmother ordered the family split."

"Was it all settled in such a short time?" Jiang Li asked.

"He’s just an illegitimate child. Splitting the family doesn’t require much trouble, and there’s no need to invite clan elders to oversee it. Over the years, without the Jiang family, they’ve been incapable of achieving anything, so naturally, they couldn’t take much with them."

Jiang Yuanbai’s attitude was more resolute than ever before. Jiang Li remembered how, when she first entered the Jiang household, he had been polite, if not as close to the third branch as he was to Jiang Yuanping. Now, it was clear they had become enemies, showing just how furious Jiang Yuanbai was at Jiang Yuanxing’s actions.

After a moment of thought, Jiang Li added, "This is for the best. Third Uncle and his family have ties to Prince Cheng, which means they’ve aligned themselves with him. Given the critical timing, if the family hadn’t split, we might have been implicated later. A clean break also demonstrates to the Emperor that the Jiang family is unwavering in its loyalty and would never collude with Prince Cheng."Jiang Yuanbai sighed, "That's what I thought as well."

"Speaking of which," Jiang Li remembered something and said, "Uncle doesn't know about my return to the residence yet. Later, I'd like to visit the Ye residence to see Uncle and Cousin, to let them know I'm back."

"No."

The end! Wasn't it satisfying to read in one go?

The author is exhausted!

(End of Chapter)