The Double

Chapter 208 Reunion

The banquet hosted by the Jiang family for the Yin siblings was enjoyable for both guests and hosts. This pair of siblings spoke in a manner that was both amusing and courteous, displaying great patience. When the late emperor had sent General Zhaode to the harsh, cold lands of the northwest, it was certainly not considered a favorable assignment. Yet, when Jiang Yuanping asked about their life in Yunzhong during the banquet, the siblings showed not a trace of resentment or discontent in their tone. Instead, they spoke of it with contentment, as if they were entirely satisfied with their circumstances.

People who find contentment in simplicity are rare in this world, and those who can find joy in hardship are even rarer. As Old Madam Jiang and Lu Shi’s expressions of approval grew increasingly evident, Jiang Li, in contrast, grew more and more silent.

Yin Zhili did not deliberately approach her. His attitude toward her was friendly, yet maintained at a polite distance, as if treating a friend, which made it hard for anyone to take offense. Jiang Li recognized this feeling—it was similar to how Ye Shijie and Wenren Yao treated her. In fact, Yin Zhili managed it even better, making others feel more at ease.

Still, Jiang Li understood the difference between a friend and a husband.

As dusk gradually fell, the Yin siblings prepared to take their leave. Jiang Li saw them out, and when she returned to the Evening Phoenix Hall, only Old Madam Jiang and Lu Shi remained.

Old Madam Jiang beckoned to her, saying, "Second girl, come here."

Jiang Li stepped into the room.

She already knew what Old Madam Jiang intended to discuss. The male family members had left precisely because it was inappropriate for them to hear the conversation that was about to take place.

Lu Shi looked at Jiang Li with delight and asked, "Xiao Li, this Commandery Prince’s son truly lives up to his reputation. Not only is he handsome and dignified, but he is also gentle and courteous. He seems like a fine young man. Don’t you agree, Mother?"

"The Prince of Xia certainly knows how to raise his children. Both his son and daughter are outstanding," Old Madam Jiang remarked, turning her gaze to Jiang Li. "Second girl, what do you think of the Commandery Prince’s son?"

Jiang Li replied indifferently, "Grandmother, what kind of person the Commandery Prince’s son is—what does that have to do with me?"

The two women in the room were taken aback, while Bai Xue and Tong’er, standing by the door, exchanged uneasy glances.

Lu Shi cleared her throat lightly and said, "Xiao Li, you’ve always been clever. Why are you acting so obtuse about this matter? How could the Commandery Prince’s son have nothing to do with you? You…" She trailed off, unsure how to continue. After all, nothing had been settled yet. If she spoke too plainly and something went wrong, wouldn’t it needlessly harm Jiang Li’s reputation?

Old Madam Jiang, however, sensed something amiss. Jiang Li was far too intelligent not to grasp the Jiang family’s intentions. Her response was highly unusual. Although Jiang Li was inherently stubborn, she usually maintained an outwardly docile and obedient demeanor, never revealing her emotions openly. Even in the most unfavorable situations, she remained composed and wore a gentle smile. It was precisely this unflappable composure that Old Madam Jiang valued in her.

But today, Jiang Li did not even bother to offer a superficially compliant smile. Her resistance was almost blatantly clear.

Why was that?

Old Madam Jiang asked gently, "Then, Second Girl, what do you find lacking in the Commandery Prince’s son?""Grandmother, I've said it before—whether the Prince's heir is good or bad has nothing to do with me, and I need not judge his character." Jiang Li's tone remained calm, yet carried a barely perceptible chill. "However, from the perspective of the Jiang family, it isn't appropriate to associate too closely with the Yin family. His Majesty's suspicions toward the Jiang family have yet to fade, and no one can clearly discern the Yin family's current momentum. Better safe than sorry—I still believe the Jiang family should avoid bringing trouble upon itself."

These words left Lu Shi dumbfounded. "Oh, Xiao Li, you're exaggerating. It's not that serious..." Jiang Yuanping had never discussed such matters with her, and she felt Jiang Li was being alarmist. Yet, seeing Jiang Li's expression, which showed no sign of deceit, she instinctively felt a flicker of belief and fell silent, casting a helpless glance toward Old Madam Jiang.

Old Madam Jiang studied Jiang Li deeply for a long moment before speaking. "Second child, are you truly saying this for the Jiang family's sake?"

"If Grandmother doesn't believe me, there's nothing I can do."

"I'm only afraid you might harbor inappropriate intentions," Old Madam Jiang said.

Jiang Li smiled faintly but offered no rebuttal, seeing no point in arguing. Even if the Jiang family genuinely hoped she would marry Yin Zhili, Jiang Li believed it was unwise to hastily declare a stance at this juncture. At the very least, they should wait until after the matter of Prince Cheng was resolved and observe Yin Zhan's attitude.

What if... Yin Zhan became the next Prince Cheng?

For some reason, this thought suddenly surfaced in Jiang Li's mind. Startled by her own idea, she quickly suppressed it, relieved that no one had noticed her inner turmoil.

After a moment of silence, Old Madam Jiang said, "You may go back now."

Jiang Li nodded and turned to leave, but Old Madam Jiang's voice followed her. "Remember, you are a daughter of the Jiang family. Your surname is Jiang."

Hearing this, Jiang Li's heart grew colder. It seemed that in prominent families, clan honor always came first, and one's entire life was expected to be sacrificed for it. Regardless of what the real Second Miss Jiang would have chosen, the current Jiang Li was no longer that person. If one were to trace the true daughter of the Jiang family, she had already perished a year ago on the neglected Qingcheng Mountain, succumbing to the chill after that fateful fall into the water.

She had taken over Second Miss Jiang's body, so she would help clear Second Miss Jiang's name of the trumped-up charges, find Ye Zhenzhen's murderer, and assist the Ye family in overcoming their troubles. But she owed the Jiang family nothing and certainly had no obligation to sacrifice her entire life for them.

Jiang Li turned and walked out of Evening Phoenix Hall.

Old Madam Jiang watched her retreating figure and sighed softly.

This granddaughter was more stubborn than she had imagined, likely because Jiang Li had not fully forgiven the Jiang family for their past misunderstandings and neglect. She held no deep affection for the Jiang family. Her apparent concern for the family seemed rooted merely in her inherent kindness, but relying on that kindness alone to expect her to go through fire and water for the Jiang family—this child would never agree. She would simply turn and walk away, just as she had now.Lu Shi cautiously inquired, "Mother, does Xiao Li not like the Commandery Prince's heir? I truly think this young master is quite exceptional—search all of Yanjing City, and you won't find a second youth who surpasses him. Xiao Li has reached marriageable age now, and I've noticed the heir treats her quite well. If she misses this opportunity, I fear someone else might snatch him up. As her aunt, would I ever wish her harm? Mother, and you saw for yourself today, the heir is genuinely good, isn't he? Why doesn't she like him?"

"Indeed," Old Madam Jiang murmured distantly, "why doesn't she like him?"

Outside, Jiang Li walked back to Fragrant Garden Courtyard in silence.

Bai Xue and Tong'er dared not make a sound. Once the door was closed, Tong'er suddenly blurted out without context, "Actually, it's only natural if the young lady doesn't like that heir."

Bai Xue and Jiang Li both turned to look at Tong'er.

Tong'er declared with conviction, "I think the Duke treats our young lady much better. He's more handsome and wealthier than their family. They were previously in Yunzhong, but the Duke is from Yanjing. Comparatively, the Duke is a much better match for our young lady." Seeing that Jiang Li didn't stop her, she grew bolder and stepped closer to Jiang Li, speaking earnestly, "Young lady, even if Old Madam, Second Madam, the master, Second Master, Second Young Master, and Third Young Master all think the Commandery Prince's heir is better, and you feel isolated in preferring the Duke, you still have me. I also think the Duke is better. And Bai Xue—Bai Xue, don't you agree?"

Bai Xue quickly nodded. "This servant also thinks the Duke is very good."

The two maids, likely fearing Jiang Li might feel disheartened and doubt her judgment, were putting all their effort into reassuring her that her perspective wasn't wrong, which drew a wry smile from Jiang Li.

She couldn't hide anything from those close to her. Since Tong'er and Bai Xue held this belief, she saw no point in correcting them.

"It's not for that reason," Jiang Li said.

Tong'er asked, "Then what is the reason?"

"This Yin family..." Jiang Li replied, "I always feel there might be something hidden."

...

In a spacious residence in Yanjing City, a conversation was taking place indoors.

The man seated in the study was past forty, tall and strikingly handsome. His complexion was somewhat dark, giving him a robust appearance, yet there was an unexpected refinement about him that softened his formidable aura. His features were distinct and exceptional, bearing some resemblance to the young man standing before him.

This was the Xia Commandery Prince, the renowned General Zhaode, Yin Zhan.

When he spoke, he always carried a hint of laughter, appearing very genial. Patting Yin Zhili on the shoulder, he asked, "Zhili, you visited the Jiang residence today. Did you happen to meet their Second Miss Jiang?"

"I did," Yin Zhiqing chimed in from the side. "Father, it turns out we actually met Second Miss Jiang a few days ago. At that time, a child fell from their carriage, and I rescued him. She thanked me then. When I went to the Jiang residence today and heard her introduce herself as the second young lady, I was quite surprised."

"Oh?" Yin Zhan expressed surprise. "You've already met? What a coincidence.""Exactly," Yin Zhiqing said. "For someone like my brother to have played an entire game of chess with Second Miss Jiang is truly remarkable. I'd say there's a ninety percent chance this Second Miss Jiang will end up joining our Yin family."

Yin Zhan smiled. "Is that so, Zhili?"

"Miss Jiang's chess skills are excellent. She beat me by one piece," Yin Zhili replied with a laugh.

"She beat you?" Yin Zhan was surprised, then chuckled. "It seems this Second Miss Jiang is indeed quite clever. Since she ranked first in the Six Arts examination, her talent is undeniable. And she was willing to help a stranger beat the grievance drum—that shows courage and a chivalrous spirit. I just wonder about her appearance..."

"Her appearance is quite pleasant," Yin Zhiqing said. "Though not exceptionally stunning, she's certainly good-looking. As long as Brother likes her, that's all that matters, right?"

"Zhiqing," Yin Zhili cut off her thoughtless chatter.

Yin Zhiqing fell silent. Yin Zhan, however, looked at Yin Zhili and smiled, as if he had glimpsed his son's hidden thoughts. Yin Zhili's face flushed slightly. Fortunately, Yin Zhiqing quickly changed the subject, asking, "Father, do you know of Duke Su in Yanjing City?"

"Duke Su?" Yin Zhili was taken aback, then said, "You mean Ji Heng, the son of the Golden Crow General?"

Yin Zhan's expression shifted. "Why are you asking about him?" he questioned Yin Zhiqing.

"I overheard someone mentioning his name at the Jiang residence today and got curious. So Duke Su's name is Ji Heng. Father, what kind of person is he? Since he's a general's son, is he a general too?"

She asked eagerly, but Yin Zhan, usually patient, did not respond kindly this time. Instead, he said, "Don't concern yourself with such matters. More importantly, why would the Jiang family bring up Ji Heng? Do they have some connection with him?"

Yin Zhili asked, "Zhiqing, did you really hear this at the Jiang residence?"

Yin Zhiqing naturally couldn't admit she had seen him on the street that day—actively inquiring about an unfamiliar man would only draw Yin Zhan's suspicion. Besides, she reasoned, since Jiang Li herself had been walking with Ji Heng and claimed not to be too familiar with him, it must be due to the Jiang family's ties that Ji Heng interacted with her. Thus, the Jiangs must indeed have some relationship with Ji Heng, and Yin Zhan's question wasn't unfounded. "It's true," she insisted.

Yin Zhan's expression grew increasingly grave. After a moment, he turned to Yin Zhili and said, "Don't worry about these matters for now, Zhili. Get closer to Second Miss Jiang, and handle the task I previously assigned you as you see fit."

Yin Zhili's gaze flickered before he replied, "Understood, Father."

...

After seeing off the Yin siblings during the day, Jiang Li found herself unable to sleep that night.

The Jiang family's intentions were so blatant that Jiang Li had no choice but to consider the future. If Jiang Yuanbai would listen to her, she would naturally advise the Jiang family to avoid dealings with the Yin family for the time being, lest they fall into a trap. But if the Jiangs insisted on stubbornly pursuing their own course, Jiang Li had no desire to be tied down with them.She knew she wasn't alone now—she still had her father Xue Huaiyuan. If Jiang Li were implicated because of the Jiang family, what would happen to Xue Huaiyuan? It might even implicate Xue Huaiyuan and the Ye family. After much thought, Jiang Li felt this was inappropriate. Perhaps she should find a day to leave the estate, confess everything to Xue Huaiyuan, and explain to Ye Mingyu that Yanjing City was no longer a safe place to stay. They should seek another path sooner and flee far away. Once the matter with Prince Cheng was resolved, they should quickly pack and escape. Let the world turn upside down or floods drown the golden mountains—it would have nothing to do with them.

By then, she could take her father and travel the world with Ye Mingyu, fulfilling Xue Zhao's unfulfilled wish.

Thinking of Xue Zhao, Jiang Li's heart sank again. Even if she were to leave everything behind, she wanted to bring Xue Zhao back to his hometown for a proper burial. Otherwise, once she and Xue Huaiyuan left, Xue Zhao would be truly alone, left behind in Yanjing City.

After much contemplation, Jiang Li felt increasingly troubled. She simply threw on her clothes, stood up, and walked into the courtyard.

The moonlight was like water, and the shadows of trees cast softly on the bluestone ground, blurring and softening the scene. The wind rustled through the leaves, and the spring night breeze still carried a chill, as the harshness of winter had not entirely faded.

As she strolled slowly in the courtyard, she suddenly noticed something rustling in the grass by the flower bed. Jiang Li paused, then moved closer to see a person crouching with their back to her, seemingly pulling weeds or doing something else.

"You..." Jiang Li had barely spoken when the person started and turned around, startling her. "Zhao Ke?"

"Ah? Second Miss," Zhao Ke replied, "long time no see."

"What are you doing here?" Jiang Li found it strange. Zhao Ke had left the Jiang family long ago—perhaps because Ji Heng's tasks for him there were completed, or maybe the Jiang family no longer held any use for Ji Heng, making surveillance unnecessary. So, seeing Zhao Ke appear before her suddenly was a surprise. She asked, "What are you doing here in the middle of the night? Surely not just pulling weeds?"

Zhao Ke coughed lightly and stood up. "Second Miss, His Lordship sent me to check if anything has happened at the Grand Secretary's residence."

"Anything happened?" Jiang Li was puzzled. "Like what?"

Zhao Ke scratched his head. "I'm not sure either. Probably just to see if Second Miss has encountered any trouble."

Jiang Li was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Thank him for his kindness." What was this? Secretly looking out for her? Jiang Li couldn't quite make sense of it. She replied, "But nothing special has happened, and I'm doing fine."

Zhao Ke looked at Jiang Li with a strange expression, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, he sighed abruptly and said, "By the way, His Lordship also said that if Second Miss Jiang isn't asleep, you could visit the Duke's residence."

Jiang Li was astonished.

"Second Miss doesn't seem to be asleep now, so would you like to go to the Duke's residence?"Jiang Li was caught between laughter and tears. Only someone from the Duke's residence would speak of such matters so lightly, as if it were a stroll in their own garden. She did have some questions for Ji Heng regarding the Yin family. Yet, precisely because of the Yin family, she felt a hint of hesitation. Jiang Li said to Zhao Ke, "It's possible, but you should know that General Zhaode has returned to the capital recently and visited the Jiang residence today. I'm not sure about the relationship between General Zhaode and your lord, but it's always wise to be cautious. If we leave the residence now, might we be discovered by Yin Zhan's people?"

Zhao Ke replied, "Second Miss, there's no need to worry about that. Yin Zhan hasn't returned to Yanjing for many years and may not be familiar with all its backstreets. The route we're taking will provide enough cover to ensure you won't be discovered by anyone. However, your caution is indeed prudent—it's best to keep an extra eye on the Yin family."

Zhao Ke usually spoke and acted strictly according to Ji Heng's instructions, rarely voicing his own opinions. Today was the first time he had advised Jiang Li in his own words, which she found quite unusual. It almost confirmed her suspicion that Ji Heng's goal was likely Yin Zhan, since even his subordinate was aware of it.

Sooner or later, Ji Heng and Yin Zhan would find themselves at odds. Jiang Li felt somewhat perplexed. Unable to revisit the past and knowing little about General Zhaode, she couldn't guess what grievances had existed between the Duke's residence and General Zhaode in bygone days.

Perhaps tonight, she could uncover some clues.

With this thought, Jiang Li nodded and said, "In that case, I'd like to visit the Duke's residence. I'll trouble you to arrange it."

Zhao Ke responded, "Second Miss, rest assured. Follow me."

...

Truth be told, it had been a long time since Jiang Li had set foot in the Duke's residence. Both before and after she was abducted to Huangzhou, she hadn't visited voluntarily, nor had Ji Heng invited her. Reflecting on it, the last time she roasted venison in the Duke's residence courtyard with Old General Ji and Wenren Yao felt like a lifetime ago.

Zhao Ke drove the carriage through the night. Whether the horse's hooves were wrapped in cloth or not, they made no sound at all. Jiang Li guessed this was to avoid detection by anyone patrolling at night, but such precautions hadn't been necessary in the past. The only difference now was the presence of General Zhaode.

Jiang Li grew increasingly curious about the enmity between General Zhaode and the Duke's residence. After all, when Yin Zhan left for the northwest, Ji Heng might not have been born yet or was merely a babbling toddler, so it was unlikely there was any conflict between them. Following this line of thought, the issue probably stemmed from Ji Heng's father, the Golden Crow General's generation.

But weren't Ji Mínghán and Yin Zhan rumored to be on good terms?

Carrying these doubts, Jiang Li arrived as the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Duke's residence. The guard at the gate brightened upon seeing her and grinned widely.

The guards at the Duke's residence were all quite handsome but usually taciturn. This guard's grin made him look somewhat foolish. Zhao Ke looked down on it and said, "What are you grinning about?"

"Second Miss Jiang, it's been a long time since you last visited," the guard said as he opened the gate. "Please, come in quickly."

A strange feeling arose in Jiang Li's heart, and Zhao Ke also sensed something amiss, but neither of them dwelled on it as they stepped inside.Along the way, they encountered few servants, as it was late at night and most had already retired. Not every servant had duties like Zhao Ke.

When they reached the edge of the flower garden, Zhao Ke said, "We're here."

Jiang Li remarked, "I don't see the Duke."

"Over there," Zhao Ke gestured for her to look.

At the border of the garden, there was a person whom Jiang Li hadn't noticed immediately because he wasn't standing and the surrounding plants were tall. She took a few steps closer and saw Ji Heng kneeling on the ground, holding a shovel in one hand, digging into the soil.

Jiang Li exclaimed in surprise, "Why is your master acting as a gardener himself?"

Zhao Ke didn't respond, perhaps because he didn't know the reason either. Jiang Li wondered if the man was on a whim, planting flowers in his own courtyard in the middle of the night. As she approached, she noticed that Ji Heng, likely to avoid soiling his clothes with dirt, wasn't wearing an outer robe but only a black inner garment. Seeing Jiang Li, he smiled and said, "You're here."

"What precious flower is this?" Jiang Li asked. "Worthy of the Duke planting it himself."

"It's not a particularly precious flower," he replied, continuing to dig. Jiang Li saw that what lay around him wasn't a flower seedling but clearly a small tree, about the height of a child, though she couldn't tell what kind of tree it was.

When Jiang Li was a child, she had also planted trees with Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao in Tongxiang, so she could tell at a glance that Ji Heng was probably planting a tree for the first time, and his method was completely wrong. The key was that he seemed utterly carefree, as if he didn't mind at all, casually working away, not knowing how long it would take.

People's leisurely moods truly emerge at any time. Jiang Li couldn't stand watching any longer. She rolled up her sleeves and said, "Let go, I'll do it."

Ji Heng released his grip, and Jiang Li took the small shovel. She dug faster than Ji Heng, her movements skilled, and soon she had dug a hole of just the right size, large enough to fit two tree roots. Ji Heng stood by, watching her with a smile, lost in thought.

"Have you planted trees before?"

"Yes," Jiang Li replied. "I planted an apricot tree with my father in the courtyard, but unfortunately, it died within a few months. Later, we planted a grapevine, and it grew very well. In autumn, my father would give the grapes to others."

If the Jiang family were here, they would likely be baffled by her words—when had Jiang Li ever planted trees with Jiang Yuanbai? Moreover, young ladies from wealthy families didn't personally engage in such tasks. But Ji Heng was here, and he knew she had once been Xue Fangfei. There was no need to hide many things; he understood.

Ji Heng indeed smiled and said, "Interesting."I never expected the Duke to be in such high spirits late at night, specially coming to plant flowers," she suddenly thought of something and turned to ask, "You didn't call me here at night just to help you plant trees, did you?""

"Of course not," Ji Heng said lazily. "I originally intended to plant it myself, but you seem quite experienced."

Jiang Li fell silent. After digging a deep hole, she asked Zhao Ke to fetch a pot of cold water, sprinkled some into the hole, and then had Ji Heng help her steady the sapling in the hole before filling it with soil.

Wen Ji had arrived in the courtyard at some point. Watching Ji Heng and Jiang Li, he asked Zhao Ke, "What is the Lord doing?"

"Planting a tree with Second Miss Jiang," Zhao Ke said, crossing his arms. "Second Miss Jiang is truly capable. Look at how skilled she is at planting trees—even more than you or me. And she doesn't seem the least bit uncomfortable. Tell me, are we too incompetent, or is Second Miss Jiang just too unusual?"

Wen Ji remained silent.

In the flowerbed, Ji Heng filled the last bit of soil and asked Jiang Li, "Is that all?"

"Water it once more," Jiang Li said.

She took the watering can and carefully, unhurriedly, watered the sapling again, making sure it was thoroughly soaked before setting the can down. "Now it's done," she said.

Under the night sky, glistening sweat beaded on her forehead. Planting a tree was no easy task, and she wasn't just going through the motions with the shovel—she had truly exerted herself. Unlike those delicate young ladies who pretended to be fragile at the slightest effort, she persisted despite the fatigue, radiating a vitality that surpassed theirs.

Ji Heng smiled faintly. "Perhaps by the time you've grown up, it will have grown up too."

He was referring to the sapling.

Jiang Li turned to look at the young tree. Its leaves and branches were a vibrant green, swaying gently in the breeze as if suddenly infused with life. Amid the dazzling array of colors in the flowerbed, it wasn't the most eye-catching, yet it seemed the most full of vitality.Jiang Li looked at it and said, "I just don't know where I'll be when it grows up."

Ji Heng turned to her. The girl's tone carried genuine melancholy, tinged with reluctance and confusion—as if she had made a decision to depart on a long journey soon, yet felt some lingering attachment before leaving.

She turned her head to face Ji Heng and said, "Now, can we talk about why you called me here tonight?"

(End of Chapter)