The Double

Chapter 216 Reunion

"Father, I am Ali."

This single sentence spoken in the room left Xue Huaiyuan stunned.

He rarely experienced such astonishment, yet today he had been struck speechless twice in succession—first by Xue Zhao, and now by Jiang Li.

Jiang Li had so much to say. She wanted to slowly recount past events bit by bit, to make Xue Huaiyuan believe that she was indeed Xue Fangfei. But the moment she called out "Father," tears began streaming down her face, unstoppable.

This young lady was unrelated to him by blood. Even though she had helped the Xue family numerous times, Xue Huaiyuan knew she was Jiang Yuanbai's daughter. His own Ali had long been killed by Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning. Jiang Li and Xue Fangfei were completely different individuals. Yet when the girl before him looked at him through tear-blurred eyes, he suddenly saw Ali as a child. The little girl had such a gentle nature. Back when he first arrived in Tongxiang and was busy handling official affairs, returning home late every day, Xue Zhao, being a boy, was naturally rough around the edges. But Ali, though a girl, would sit obediently in the courtyard waiting for him until dark. Whenever Xue Huaiyuan returned, the little girl would jump up and softly call him "Father," her voice filled with both grievance and joy, melting his heart completely.

As he watched Jiang Li weeping before him, Xue Huaiyuan instinctively reached out to pat her head. He actually did so, murmuring dazedly, "Ali..."

Jiang Li was also stunned.

She hadn't expected Xue Huaiyuan to believe her so easily, or rather, she hadn't anticipated he would recognize her so readily. Perhaps this was the bond of blood—unbreakable, easily recognizable even with a changed identity and different face. There was none of the entanglement or suspicion she had imagined. Everything happened so naturally.

Xue Zhao had been watching them nervously, afraid that Xue Huaiyuan wouldn't believe Jiang Li and would break his sister's heart. He had been prepared to help his sister prove her identity, but never expected Xue Huaiyuan to call out "Ali."

Jiang Li could be certain he said "Ali" and not "A Li" because Xue Huaiyuan always addressed Second Miss Jiang as "Miss Jiang."

"Father, you believe Sister!" Xue Zhao exclaimed. "That's wonderful!"

"Ali..." Xue Huaiyuan also began weeping, his aged tears flowing freely. Once quite a dignified middle-aged man, he now appeared as old as Old General Ji. Reaching out to grasp Jiang Li's hands, as if uncertain whether he was in a hazy dream or awake, he asked, "Ali... Father's Ali is still alive..."

Jiang Li immediately rose from her chair and knelt before Xue Huaiyuan: "Father, your daughter is unfilial. If I hadn't married Shen Yurong back then, how could such disaster have befallen the Xue family? I've implicated you and Ah Zhao, subjected you to endless suffering—it's all my fault!"

"No, no, no," Xue Huaiyuan frantically tried to help her up, his tone completely devoid of blame. "How could this be Ali's fault? It's all Father's failure—constantly busy with official duties, never properly caring for you... never thoroughly investigating what kind of person Shen Yurong was before marrying you off. You must have suffered greatly in the Shen family, and Father knew nothing of it...""Stop blaming each other," Xue Zhao said. "This matter isn't Father's fault, nor is it Sister's. Who could have known Shen Yurong would turn out to be such a person? You can know a person's face but not their heart. Back in Tongxiang, Shen Yurong appeared perfectly respectable. Even if someone tried to investigate him then, they wouldn't have discovered anything. A person's true nature only reveals itself when faced with major choices. Before, when Shen Yurong had no alternatives, he seemed fine. It was only after he gained wealth and status that his heart changed."

Xue Zhao's words seemed to gradually bring Xue Huaiyuan back to his senses. He pulled Jiang Li to sit beside him, gazing at her face - so completely different from Xue Fangfei's, yet her expressions and mannerisms made Xue Huaiyuan feel as if Xue Fangfei were right before him. Confused, he asked, "Ali... your face... how did you become... become Jiang Yuanbai's daughter?"

Exchanging a look with Xue Zhao, Jiang Li knew this explanation was inevitable. She repeated what she had previously told Xue Zhao. After hearing her story, Xue Huaiyuan looked astonished. Xue Zhao chimed in, "Sister, this is like those stories of souls occupying new bodies that we only heard from storytellers in tea houses! I never thought it would happen to you. But Heaven has treated you fairly - becoming the Jiang family's second young mistress, at least you're from an official's family. Thankfully you didn't become a man. Otherwise, even if you found Father and told him you were our sister, he wouldn't believe you and would think you were mad."

Since reuniting with Jiang Li and learning that Xue Huaiyuan was also in Yanjing City, Xue Zhao had gradually regained his former lively disposition, taking everything in stride. Jiang Li had worried he might become depressed over being unable to walk, but now she could rest easy seeing he could even joke about such matters, showing he remained essentially unchanged.

"So although you're Ali, you now hold the identity of the Jiang family's second young mistress?" Xue Huaiyuan asked, a sour feeling rising in his heart. This was clearly his daughter, yet now she had to call another man father, and they couldn't openly acknowledge each other.

"It's alright, Father. I've already thought this through," Jiang Li said. "Later I'll find a way to have you acknowledge me as your adopted daughter. If Grand Secretary Jiang agrees, I can still call you father. Others will only think we have an adoptive father-daughter relationship, but we'll know the truth."

"It's not that simple," Xue Zhao interjected. "Official families have many rules. Acknowledging an adoptive father isn't as straightforward as it was in Tongxiang. Sister, if you're going to acknowledge someone as an adoptive father, it should be some high official or powerful noble. Acknowledging Father... I'm afraid that Grand Secretary would think you're being frivolous."

Jiang Li replied, "I have my ways."

"What ways?" Xue Zhao pressed immediately. "Does it involve getting help from that lord?"

Jiang Li paused, then understood that "that lord" referred to Ji Heng. When she had reunited with Xue Zhao that night, she hadn't avoided Ji Heng's presence. Ji Heng had even held her hand - Xue Zhao must have seen this, and even a fool could guess they weren't ordinary acquaintances.

"Which lord?" Xue Huaiyuan asked in confusion."Nothing, nothing." Jiang Li smiled evasively, like a child caught doing something wrong. "It's just someone who once helped us." She shot Xue Zhao a glare, but he turned his head away, pretending not to see her expression.

"No wonder," Xue Huaiyuan said, not noticing the exchange between them. "You've always been helping the Xue family..."

Jiang Li indeed had deep ties to the Xue family—because she was originally Xue Fangfei, the daughter of the Xue household!

"What about Ah Zhao?" Xue Huaiyuan turned to Xue Zhao. "How did you rescue him?"

Before Xue Zhao could speak, Jiang Li quickly interjected, "It was a friend of mine. I asked him to help rescue Jiang Youyao, the third young lady of the Jiang family, from the private prison. While there, he saw Ah Zhao, who pleaded for help. My friend didn't know Ah Zhao was my brother, but he saved him anyway. Later, when I visited my friend's residence, I happened to see Ah Zhao and realized he was still alive—we had all been deceived by Princess Yongning. After Ah Zhao and I recognized each other, I decided to bring him to see you."

Xue Zhao blinked at Jiang Li, signaling that her explanation had omitted far too much. He found it unbelievable. Back when Xue Fangfei and Shen Yurong had developed feelings for each other, she had never hidden it from Xue Huaiyuan or him. Though she had been shy, she had been honest. So why was she going to such lengths to conceal things when it came to Duke Su?

Xue Huaiyuan, unsuspecting, sighed and said, "What a remarkable coincidence. Ali, you must properly thank your friend. He saved Ah Zhao's life."

"I know," Jiang Li replied.

"That brother didn't just save my life," Xue Zhao added, raising his eyebrows. "He also helped with Sister's matters and Father's affairs. I heard from the physician treating my wounds at his residence that he assisted a great deal with Father's case in Tongxiang. He can truly be called the benefactor of our Xue family."

Surprised, Xue Huaiyuan asked, "Ali, is this friend of yours a young man?"

Jiang Li awkwardly confirmed it and added, "I met him because he knows Grand Secretary Jiang..."

"That brother is a good person," Xue Zhao continued. "Father, do you remember Physician Situ, who treated your illness? He was entrusted by that brother to help. Physician Situ later saved me too. On the day Prince Cheng made his move, they protected me very well. I think, since he helped me so much, he must have done even more for Sister's sake."

Xue Huaiyuan was no fool. With Xue Zhao's not-so-subtle hints, he quickly caught on and looked at Jiang Li in astonishment. She was frantically signaling Xue Zhao to stop talking nonsense. This only deepened Xue Huaiyuan's surprise. He knew the daughter he had raised better than anyone. If there were truly nothing between her and the "brother" Xue Zhao mentioned, she would have denied it outright. Yet, she only told Xue Zhao to be quiet without refuting the claims—which spoke volumes.

"Ali..." Xue Huaiyuan began.

"Father, Ah Zhao is talking nonsense. My friend has indeed helped me a lot, and I will thank him properly in the future."Xue Huaiyuan looked at Jiang Li and sighed inwardly. When she was still Xue Fangfei, she had been exceptionally beautiful, with families from nearby villages coming to inquire, hoping to marry Ali into their households. However, Xue Huaiyuan felt none of them were truly worthy, and since Ali was a girl with her own ideas, he eventually noticed that she had fallen for Shen Yurong. When the Shen family came to propose marriage, he agreed. Regarding Shen Yurong, Xue Huaiyuan was relatively satisfied—the young man was talented, bound to rise in the world sooner or later, and seemed to treat Ali well. The only thing that troubled Xue Huaiyuan was that the Shen family resided in Yanjing City. In a place like Yanjing, without any official position, the Shen family might struggle to protect Ali, whose striking beauty could attract ill intentions.

However, when Shen Yurong stood before Xue Huaiyuan, earnestly vowing to pass the imperial examinations, become an official, and protect Ali for life, Xue Huaiyuan, moved by his sincerity, agreed. After all, if Ali loved him, he must be a good man.

When news of Shen Yurong’s success in the exams and appointment as an official reached Tongxiang, the local villagers came to congratulate Xue Huaiyuan, praising Ali’s good fortune and foresight, saying she would now live a life of luxury as an official’s wife. Xue Huaiyuan smiled on the surface, but deep down, he remained uneasy. In the end, his worries proved justified—Shen Yurong had used Xue Fangfei to advance his career, but he was also willing to sacrifice her to climb even higher.

Though Ali never spoke of it, Xue Huaiyuan could well imagine the hardships she had endured in the Shen family. Now, while her appearance was still lovely, it was no longer as dazzling as when she was Xue Fangfei. Moreover, as the daughter of an official family, ordinary people likely wouldn’t dare to set their sights on Jiang Li.

Xue Huaiyuan knew that becoming Jiang Li had its advantages within the Jiang family, but it also came with drawbacks. Setting aside the scheming and power struggles of noble households, even Ali’s marriage was no longer in his hands. The more prominent the family, the less likely they were to allow their children to marry based on personal feelings. Considerations like social status and political alliances turned marriage into more than just a union. In the Jiang family, for Ali to marry someone she loved would be incredibly difficult, and Xue Huaiyuan understood this all too well.

Now, Xue Zhao’s hints and Ali’s reactions suggested that she might have feelings for someone—the "brother" who had saved Xue Zhao.

Xue Huaiyuan didn’t know whether to feel happy or worried. He was glad that Ali hadn’t lost faith in people or trust in others because of Shen Yurong. Yet, he feared that her current love interest might not be able to stay with her. Regardless, the fact that Ali had someone she liked brought him no displeasure whatsoever.

His daughter was, after all, a rare and wonderful girl in this world—it was only natural for worthy young men to admire and seek her hand. Even if she had misjudged someone before, it wasn’t her fault. If she had found love again, Xue Huaiyuan would only feel joy for her.

He was even proud of her. This was the kind of girl the Xue family raised—one who dared to love and hate, always courageous and hopeful.

Though his mind was filled with countless thoughts, a kind and gentle smile spread across his face. He said, "I understand. One day, when the opportunity arises, Ali, let me meet your friend. I’d like to thank him in person for taking care of you."Jiang Li was momentarily stunned, her cheeks warming while her heart felt comforted. This was her father—he would always stand behind her. No matter what decisions she made, she had her family's support. All the anxieties, worries, and entanglements would dissipate in the warmth of family.

Because there was nothing to fear.

Xue Zhao asked Jiang Li, "Sister, what are your plans now?"

The reunion of the Xue family was an unexpected joy for Jiang Li. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'm currently with the Jiang family and can't leave Yanjing. I'm afraid I won't be able to return to Tongxiang. Ah Zhao, Father, do you want to stay in Yanjing or go back to Tongxiang?"

"Why go back to Tongxiang?" Xue Zhao said. "Father is no longer the county magistrate. And how could we let you stay alone in Yanjing City? It was because we left you alone in Yanjing City back then that you fell victim to that beast Shen Yurong. If we stay in Yanjing City, at least we can protect you."

"That's right, Ali," Xue Huaiyuan added. "Your father can't rest easy leaving you here."

Tears that Jiang Li had barely managed to hold back threatened to fall again. She said, "Alright then, let's all stay. We'll remain in Yanjing City."

"I want to live with Father," Xue Zhao said. "Sister, that Third Master Ye seems to be Second Miss Jiang's maternal uncle. Could you speak with him about letting me stay at the Ye residence? Or we could move out together instead. At least Father and I can look after each other."

"That should be easy to arrange," Jiang Li replied. "The Ye mansion is so large, with only Cousin Shijie and Uncle living there. Uncle is very straightforward—I don't think he would mind you staying here."

"Ali," Xue Huaiyuan said hesitantly, "Your brother and I have been staying at the Ye residence, and I haven't had the chance to tell you this before. Now that I'm no longer a county magistrate without a salary, and your brother can't stand up... The savings we had before were all taken by Feng Yutang. It's really... really uncomfortable for us to impose on Third Master Ye like this without contributing anything."

Xue Huaiyuan was inherently proud and definitely not the type to freeload. Taking advantage of others already made him deeply uneasy, though their current circumstances left them no immediate alternative. Previously, not knowing Jiang Li was Xue Fangfei, he couldn't discuss this with her. Now that he knew, he spoke frankly.

"Father, don't worry," Jiang Li said with a smile. "After becoming Second Miss Jiang, I've accumulated quite some savings. Old Madam Jiang and Grand Secretary Jiang have been very generous to me. I haven't spent much on jewelry or silver, so I can convert those into silver notes. If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll give the silver notes to you, and you can pass them to Uncle."

Xue Huaiyuan felt deeply ashamed. "Ali, how can we let you support us..."

A shadow of gloom flashed in Xue Zhao's eyes. Providing for the family should have been his responsibility. As the man of the Xue family, he ought to support the entire household and protect his family. But now, with his martial arts completely lost and him becoming a cripple who could never stand again, such matters were naturally out of the question.

"I've always been part of the Xue family," Jiang Li said softly. "If Father wants to calculate everything so clearly, is it because I now carry the Jiang surname that you feel distant?"

Xue Huaiyuan immediately responded, "Of course not! In your father's heart, you will always be my Ali."

Jiang Li smiled.Xue Zhao looked at Jiang Li, then at Xue Huaiyuan, shook his head and smiled. Never mind—no matter what, everything that had happened now, the fact that the three of them could still reunite as a family, was already like a great gift from heaven. Greed knows no bounds, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. If they grew too greedy, what if heaven took it all back? They ought to be content.

Jiang Li stayed with Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao, talking for a long while. After the three of them recognized each other, they recounted the events of the years the others hadn’t known about. Jiang Li also told them how she had been harmed by Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning back then. She glossed over the cruel details, speaking lightly, yet even so, Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao were deeply saddened and pained by what they heard.

Their conversation lasted until the afternoon.

Ye Mingyu knocked on the door outside and said, "Mr. Xue, Young Master Xue, A Li, when are you coming out? You’ve been talking for so long—why not take a break, have something to eat, and continue later?"

Only then did they remember that they hadn’t eaten lunch yet. Reminded by Ye Mingyu, they finally felt their hunger.

Jiang Li opened the door and apologized to Ye Mingyu, then invited Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao to come out for a meal. Since none of the three had eaten, Ye Mingyu had no choice but to endure the hunger along with them. Ye Shijie had also returned from court early and was greatly surprised to learn that Xue Huaiyuan’s son, Xue Zhao, was still alive and currently in their residence.

At the dining table, Ye Mingyu congratulated Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao on their reunion. Unaware that Jiang Li was actually Xue Fangfei, he simply assumed the Xue family was grateful to Jiang Li for her repeated assistance. During the meal, Jiang Li brought up the possibility of letting Xue Zhao continue staying there in the future.

Without hesitation, Ye Mingyu agreed, saying, "Stay, by all means! It’s great for Ah Zhao to stay here. This household only has me and Shijie, and Shijie is often away. With you all here, I won’t have to worry about County Magistrate Xue feeling lonely all the time."

"About the expenses..." Before Jiang Li could finish, Ye Mingyu interrupted, "A Li, have you forgotten? The one thing our family isn’t short of is money. For Mr. Xue and Ah Zhao to stay with our Ye family, why even mention money? Don’t bring that up—it only hurts the rapport!"

With him putting it so plainly, insisting further would seem odd. Jiang Li had no choice but to hold back her words. However, judging by the expressions of Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan, they seemed somewhat relieved.

Xue Zhao enjoyed talking with Ye Mingyu very much. Knowing that Ye Mingyu had traveled extensively, he asked him many questions. When Ye Mingyu learned that Xue Zhao’s excellent martial arts skills had been ruined by Princess Yongning’s people and his legs broken, he felt deeply sorry. But he offered to teach Xue Zhao sword techniques that could be practiced while seated in a chair, without needing to move around. Xue Zhao happily agreed at once.

Ye Shijie found it somewhat strange. He felt that between Jiang Li and Xue Zhao, there was an intangible, natural ease. Moreover, Jiang Li’s smile when facing Xue Zhao was tolerant, as if it were a habitual expression, yet also genuinely heartfelt. He kept watching Jiang Li, several times on the verge of saying something but ultimately holding back.Until the sky grew dark that day, Jiang Li had no choice but to return to the residence. Ye Mingyu and Ye Shijie offered to escort her to the gate, but she declined. Instead, Xue Zhao mentioned he had something to discuss with her, and Jiang Li agreed.

Ye Shijie watched them depart with a peculiar expression.

On the way out of the residence, Jiang Li pushed Xue Zhao's wheelchair while Zhao Ke followed at a distance. Seated in his wheelchair, Xue Zhao idly plucked a blade of grass from the roadside and toyed with it. He said softly, "Sister, that Young Master Ye kept watching us during the meal."

"They’re probably just surprised by our relationship," Jiang Li replied without much thought. "After all, from their perspective, you and I seem far too familiar—it’s a bit odd."

"Tch—" Xue Zhao chuckled. "He’s clearly got ulterior motives. What does our relationship have to do with him? Judging by his attitude, he’s definitely hostile toward me."

"Nonsense," Jiang Li retorted. "Why would he have any reason to be hostile toward you?"

"Well, that depends on what you’ve been up to, sister," Xue Zhao teased mischievously. "Back in Tongxiang, there were plenty of young masters who’d climb our walls just to catch a glimpse of you. If Young Master Ye Da were in Tongxiang, he’d probably be the one scaling the highest."

Annoyed, Jiang Li rapped him lightly on the head. "Seems like your injuries have healed completely, and you’ve forgotten what pain feels like. You’ll say anything now."

"It seems the flower has intentions, but the flowing stream is unmoved—" Xue Zhao deliberately drew out his words. This was nothing new. Back then, many young men, including his own friends in Tongxiang, often asked Xue Zhao to pass things to Xue Fangfei—sometimes cosmetics, sometimes kites. Every time he brought something home, Xue Huaiyuan would give him a beating. Eventually, Xue Zhao stopped delivering anything. Anyone who coveted his sister was essentially asking for him to get punished, so he ignored them all.

Now, it felt just like those days again.

His sister, even with a changed appearance, never lacked admirers.

"Sister, let me ask you something. It seems you don’t have feelings for Young Master Ye Da, right?"

Jiang Li was both exasperated and amused. Xue Zhao was as unpredictable as ever. "Cousin Ye is just a cousin. Stop using him as an excuse."

Unswayed, Xue Zhao suddenly asked, "What’s your relationship with Duke Su?"

Jiang Li froze, her hands slowing on the wheelchair she was pushing. She knew this question would come eventually. The things Xue Zhao had said in front of Xue Huaiyuan made it clear he’d noticed her closeness with Ji Heng that night.

But she had no idea how to explain it to him.

She had been married before, betrayed and wounded deeply by Shen Yurong. To turn around and fall for someone else—others might call her fickle. That, she could bear. Jiang Li knew Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan would never judge her; they’d only want what was best for her and rejoice if she found someone she loved.

What troubled her was that this person was Ji Heng.

Just as the Jiang family viewed her marriage prospects, Yin Zhili was considered an excellent choice—flawless in looks and talent, gentle in temperament, and kind-hearted. Anyone seeking a son-in-law would see Yin Zhili as ideal. Ji Heng, however, was different. Though strikingly handsome, his beauty was almost too vivid. His temperament was unpredictable, and rumors painted him as ruthless and bloodthirsty. To most, he seemed utterly dangerous. The Jiang family had warned her to keep her distance from Ji Heng, and even Ye Mingyu had advised the same.

She was truly afraid—afraid that Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan would offer the same counsel.

After all, he was far from what others would consider a good man. But matters of the heart defy reason.

"Sister, you like Duke Su, don’t you?" Xue Zhao pressed.

Jiang Li’s footsteps came to a complete halt. She heard her own voice, soft and uncertain, as she asked, "If I said yes, Ah Zhao, would you try to stop me?""Stop you?" Xue Zhao was taken aback, unable to resist turning his head.

In the summer evening, as the sunset glow faded, her features grew indistinct, much like her voice—or perhaps her mood—apprehensive, cautious, and careful.

Xue Zhao turned back again, facing away from Jiang Li, and laughed lightly, speaking candidly, "Why would I stop him? It's not like he doesn't like you; he even wants to be my brother-in-law."

(End of Chapter)