The Double

Chapter 230: The Lone Army

In Qingzhou, the red mansion by the river was reduced to ashes overnight. Fortunately, there were no casualties among the guests. The madam of the red mansion also vanished without a trace, disappearing from the city overnight along with the courtesans, as if they had never existed. Some curious guests recalled passing by the red mansion that evening and catching a glimpse of a strikingly handsome man in red robes, so ethereal he seemed like a captivating spirit emerging from the depths of the mountains and forests to wander the mortal realm. Fearing his traces would be discovered, he allegedly set the red mansion ablaze, leaving no clues behind.

The rumors lent the fire an air of mystery and allure.

The beautiful pavilions and towers turned to ashes, obliterating the love and hatred that had unfolded within. No one would ever know what dramas had been performed or what partings had been witnessed that night. Deep into the night, at the city gate of Qingzhou, someone watched as the carriage carrying a coffin disappeared into the distance.

"My lord," Wen Ji said, "Are you truly going to meet Yin Zhili?"

Both Old General Ji and Yin Zhan were gone. Ji Heng intended to escort Old General Ji back to Yanjing but could not do so immediately, for Jiang Li remained in their hands. It was only after Situ Jiuyue sent a message from Yanjing City that he learned of all that had transpired.

As expected, Yin Zhili had not harmed Situ Jiuyue, except for Haitang, who had lost a pinky finger—a punishment ordered by Yin Zhan. In fact, Yin Zhan had also instructed that as long as Jiang Li remained in their custody, the Ye family should be eliminated to avoid complications. But Yin Zhili vehemently opposed this, threatening to sacrifice his own life, and eventually ensured the Ye family was safely returned.

It was then that Ji Heng understood why Yin Zhan had worn that strange smile at the moment of his death. He had long prepared an escape route for Yin Zhili: whether Yin Zhan died in the red mansion or not, Yin Zhili could always use Jiang Li’s life as leverage against Ji Heng.

"My lord, that scoundrel Yin Zhili has surely set a trap. Knowing you would come for Second Miss Jiang, he intends to take your life. You must not act rashly!" Zhao Ke added.

"Sooner or later, Yin Zhili and I will have to face off," Ji Heng chuckled coldly. "I promised Xue Huaiyuan that I would protect Ali."

Zhao Ke and Wen Ji were both puzzled. Why was protecting Jiang Li a promise made to Xue Huaiyuan? Did Xue Huaiyuan care so deeply for Jiang Li? And why would Ji Heng heed Xue Huaiyuan’s words? Was Xue Huaiyuan that important to Ji Heng?

"But Yin Zhili has set up camp a hundred li away in Luye, with hundreds of soldiers under his command. Our forces number only... How can we break through? The Yin family troops are nowhere to be seen—they’re likely lying in ambush, waiting for you to walk right into their trap," Zhao Ke still objected.

"He has the Yin family troops, but the Imperial Guards haven’t all perished over the years," Ji Heng said calmly. He gazed into the distance, where the carriage had completely vanished from sight. His grandfather had bid him farewell this winter, and from then on, there was no one left in the world bound to him by blood.

How could he afford to lose Jiang Li? In this life, when it came down to it, he had failed to protect anyone.

He turned around, his crimson robes blazing like blood against the wind and snow. The whiter the snow, the redder his garments, accentuating his ruby lips, pearly teeth, and his striking, elegant demeanor.

"Let’s go," he said.

Zhao Ke and Wen Ji fell silent. Ji Heng’s resolve was unshakable, and they could not change his mind. As subordinates, their duty was to stand by their master through thick and thin.Jiang Li was no Consort Yu, and Ji Heng was no Conqueror. The tragedy of "The Conqueror Bids Farewell to His Consort" was far too sorrowful. Having witnessed countless tragedies, he had never before hoped so fervently that she would accompany him to the very end of this story—a story that concluded with reunion and joyous harmony.

The wind and snow buried his traces.

...

On the plains of Luye, outside the tent, Yin Zhiqing's face was pale with terror. Tears welled in her eyes as if she had suffered a tremendous blow. She darted back and forth in front of the tents, yet none of the soldiers stopped her. Finally, she found Yin Zhili hiding behind a tent, slumped drunkenly beside a fire.

"Yin Zhili!" she cried out, her voice trembling. "They... they say Father is dead. What is going on?"

Yin Zhili drowsily opened his eyes to glance at her, still clutching a wine jar, reeking of alcohol. He had never liked drinking, but Yin Zhan had always insisted he drink, claiming that a true man must hold his liquor. He still disliked it, yet now that Yin Zhan was dead, he was fulfilling his father's wish—drowning his sorrows in wine, though Yin Zhan would never see it.

"Father's dead," he said to Yin Zhiqing with a strange smile, his voice soft. "Father was killed by Ji Heng—with a single sword thrust—" He pointed to his own throat. "Right through here!" He let out an eerie laugh.

"Impossible!" Yin Zhiqing grabbed his collar. "This is all lies, isn't it? Just rumors? Why would Duke Su kill Father? We haven't even seen Father's body..."

"But he's dead," Yin Zhili replied, taking another fierce gulp from the wine jar. "Father's subordinates saw it with their own eyes. Probably soon, Yanjing will announce it to the world."

"Why? Why?"

"Because Father killed Ji Heng's parents, so Ji Heng sought revenge for them. Hehehe, every debt has its debtor, Zhiqing. Remember that." Yin Zhili chuckled foolishly.

He seemed deranged, his clothes soaked with spilled wine, his hair disheveled, his smile bizarre—a far cry from the refined young master he once was. Yin Zhiqing was both grief-stricken and furious at his state. "Brother! What is wrong with you? Ever since that day Father spoke with you, you've been acting strange. You told me to return to Yunzhong—what did Father say to you? What grudge does our family hold against Duke Su? Tell me!"

That day, Yin Zhili had arranged for Yin Zhiqing and their mother to return to Yunzhong, but Yin Zhiqing had refused. Then, suddenly one day, Yin Zhili had taken them out of the city. He had left in such a hurry, as if fleeing a disaster. Yin Zhiqing had thought they were heading back to Yunzhong, but instead, they ended up in Qingzhou. Since then, everything had become incomprehensible to her. She and her brother had once shared everything, but now, Yin Zhili refused to speak. He offered no explanations for his actions, not even for abducting Jiang Li and bringing her here—something Yin Zhiqing had known nothing about. She had no idea what was happening, only that her life had been turned upside down. Each day, she lived in unease, sensing that what the Yin family was about to do would be something she could never accept.

And this brother, Yin Zhili, had become a stranger.Yin Zhili looked at Yin Zhiqing's anxious expression before him and suddenly laughed. "Zhiqing," he said, "don't call me brother. Who knows if we're even related by blood?"

At these words, Yin Zhiqing's face changed. "What... what do you mean?" she asked.

"Father would harm even his own son and wife for the sake of the one in the palace," Yin Zhili said. "He's ignored Mother all these years. Perhaps you're not even Father's daughter."

"Yin Zhili!" Yin Zhiqing screamed, her voice drawing the attention of soldiers in the distance. Trembling with rage, she cried, "How dare you say that! You're slandering my mother, you bastard!"

"So eager to be Father's daughter?" Yin Zhili lay on the ground like a pile of mud, drunk and indifferent. "What's so good about being Father's son? Look at me—neither human nor ghost, forced to accept a fate I despise. Damn this fate!" Growing agitated, his voice turned bitter. "You want to know what I really intend to do? Fine, I'll tell you. I'm going to kill Ji Heng, raise an army in rebellion, establish my own kingdom with the river as the border, seize half the empire, or force my way into the palace to claim the throne—I'll do it all! Do you think I want this? Why must I do it? Because I'm Yin Zhan's son, and my birth mother is the one in the palace!"

After this outburst, Yin Zhiqing stood dumbfounded, even forgetting to cry. Trembling, she asked, "You're saying..."

"I am the Empress Dowager's son," Yin Zhili replied, looking at her with a bitter smile. "Now you understand why Father is returning to the capital to do all this? Because he's long planned for the throne to belong to our Yin family. Zhiqing, how much better it would have been if you were the daughter of an ordinary family. Unlike now, where just bearing the surname Yin marks you as a traitor, a stain you can never wash away."

Yin Zhiqing covered her mouth, recalling what Jiang Li had told her that day. Jiang Li had said that Duke Su and the Yin family were mortal enemies, and she had thought Jiang Li was lying to seek revenge. But now it seemed Jiang Li had spoken the truth... yet this truth was too difficult to accept.

She didn't know what to say, nor could she face Yin Zhili like this. Turning around, she ran out.

Yin Zhili didn't even glance after her, continuing to drink alone. Yin Zhiqing fled in tears, thinking of her mother. She couldn't let Lady Yin see her like this—if Lady Yin learned everything, how heartbroken she would be. All these years, Lady Yin had blamed herself for Yin Zhan's sudden coldness, not knowing it had nothing to do with her. She was merely a cover for Yin Zhan's ambitions, and even Yin Zhiqing herself... was just a pawn.

Overwhelmed with grief but with no one to confide in, Yin Zhiqing found herself outside Jiang Li's tent without realizing it.

A figure sat quietly inside the tent. Yin Zhiqing entered, and the guards outside did not stop her.

Jiang Li sat at a table with a lamp lit, resting her head on one hand, lost in thought. Hearing the movement, she turned and her gaze fixed on Yin Zhiqing's tear-streaked face.

Yin Zhiqing's cheeks were wet with tears.

Jiang Li frowned. "Princess Pingyang? What's happened to you?"It was just an ordinary question, but all the panic, confusion, grievance, and resentment Yin Zhiqing had felt over the past few days surged forth. She took a few quick steps forward, looking at Jiang Li, and demanded, "Did you know all along?"

"Know what?" Jiang Li looked at her, puzzled.

A wave of immense sorrow suddenly erupted in Yin Zhiqing's heart. She said, "That my father killed Duke Su's parents, and now it's Duke Su's turn to avenge them."

Jiang Li was taken aback. She knew there was enmity between the Ji and Yin families, but Ji Heng had never told her the details. She hadn't known that Ji Heng's parents were killed by Yin Zhan. It seemed Yin Zhiqing had already found out.

"How did you know?" Jiang Li asked.

"Yin Zhili told me," Yin Zhiqing replied, collapsing into a chair as if all her strength had drained away.

"Why would Yin Zhili tell you this?" Jiang Li asked. "Could it be that Yin Zhan...?"

Yin Zhiqing burst into tears. Seeing her like this, Jiang Li guessed she was probably right. Had Yin Zhan died? That meant Ji Heng was safe. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled. Being confined here these days, she had no way of knowing what was happening outside. The news Yin Zhiqing brought could, for now, be considered good news.

But for Yin Zhiqing, it was likely not the same. She wept bitterly, murmuring over and over, "Why... why did it have to come to this?"

It wasn't really Yin Zhiqing's fault. Yin Zhan's decision had ruined both Yin Zhili and Yin Zhiqing. From their reactions, it was clear they hadn't known. Yet, because of Yin Zhan's ambition, they now had to bear immense pain.

Jiang Li said softly, "It's not your fault. You don't need to blame yourself."

Yin Zhiqing didn't stop crying because of this. Jiang Li added, "Can you help me leave this place?"

Yin Zhiqing's sobbing suddenly ceased. She looked at Jiang Li in confusion.

"Yin Zhili plans to use me to threaten Ji Heng. You know that. I know you care for Ji Heng and don't want him to get hurt. If he were harmed because of me, I would suffer, and you wouldn't be unaffected either. I know you're unhappy staying here. If you save me, we can leave together. You don't have to fulfill a fate that was never meant to be yours."

Yin Zhiqing stared blankly at Jiang Li. Jiang Li had pointed out a completely different path for her—a path so clear, so bright, and so alluring amid the current chaos and turmoil that she almost couldn't resist nodding immediately and escaping with Jiang Li.

Yet she didn't answer. Only after a long while did she say, "I can't do it."

Jiang Li watched her quietly.

"These soldiers don't take orders from me. Although I have martial skills, I can't fight off so many people. You're under close surveillance, and I can't take you away right under their noses. Besides, there's my mother. I can't take two people at once. If I escape with you, they'll take their anger out on my mother. Yin Zhili might not do it, but others who suffer because of this will direct all their rage at her."She spoke with clear enunciation, tear stains still fresh on her face, but she had stopped crying. Instead, as if having resolved something in her mind, she said, "Moreover, I cannot leave. My surname is Yin—I cannot escape this fate. Where could you possibly send me? Aside from the Yin family, no one would protect me. The world would only see me as a traitor and rebel, eager to eliminate me at the first opportunity."

Jiang Li sighed softly. Everyone had their own standpoint, and Yin Zhiqing’s words were not entirely wrong. If Jiang Li were in Yin Zhiqing’s position, she would likely feel just as lost and conflicted. Besides, the one who had committed the wrongdoing was Yin Zhiqing’s father, Yin Zhan. By reason or emotion, Yin Zhiqing would find it impossible to accept.

However, there was one thing Jiang Li still did not understand. She asked, "Do you know what exactly the grudge between Ji Heng and the Yin family is? If your father killed Ji Heng’s parents back then, why did he resort to such an extreme measure?"

Yin Zhiqing took a deep breath and shook her head. "I don’t know, and I don’t want to know anymore." She stood up, looking at Jiang Li with sorrowful eyes. "I once heard about what you went through at Qingcheng Mountain and felt great sympathy for you. But now it seems you are far better off than I am. The accusations against you are false—one day they will be cleared, and you will have a clear conscience. But the burden I carry is real, and it can never be shed."

"You are you, and Yin Zhan is Yin Zhan," Jiang Li reminded her.

"If only I could, I wish I didn’t bear the surname Yin. I’m sorry, Jiang Li," Yin Zhiqing said. "I cannot help you, nor can I take you away from here. But do you truly believe Duke Su would charge into enemy lines alone for you? The entire Deer Field is swarming with Yin family soldiers. If he comes, he will surely die."

Jiang Li’s heart clenched violently. She had an intuition that Ji Heng would definitely come, yet she said, "If wishes could come true, I hope he never comes."

Yin Zhiqing stared at her intently and, after a long pause, replied, "I hope so too."

Jiang Li did not know what Yin Zhiqing meant by "I hope so too." Was she hoping that Ji Heng was not so deeply in love with Jiang Li as to exchange his life for hers? Or was she hoping that Ji Heng would remain unharmed?

"There’s one more thing I’d like to ask of Princess Pingyang," Jiang Li said.

"I can’t help you with anything."

"Not for me, but for Ji Heng."

Yin Zhiqing frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I don’t know how your brother plans to deal with Ji Heng, but I imagine he won’t hold back. If Ji Heng ends up imprisoned because of me, that is the last thing I want. You care for Ji Heng—surely you don’t wish for his death. If possible, when the time comes, please do what you can to help him. As for me, you need not concern yourself. Whether I live or die makes no difference. If I were to die without implicating anyone else, that would be just fine."

Yin Zhiqing said nothing more. She stood in place, as if quietly contemplating for a while, before finally saying, "I understand." Then she walked out of the tent.

Jiang Li did not follow. The tent seemed to echo with the despairing sobs Yin Zhiqing had left behind. Jiang Li knew there was no time left. With Yin Zhan dead, Yin Zhili would immediately proceed with his next plan—using her as bait to lure Ji Heng into a trap.

Silently, Jiang Li prayed in her heart: Mother, if your spirit watches over me from above, please protect Ji Heng and keep him safe.

…That night, a fierce snowstorm raged. By the next morning, the snow had not ceased. The previous night's accumulation remained unmelted, and fresh snow piled atop it, forming layers so deep that stepping into them would submerge a person up to their knees. The world stretched out in an endless expanse of white.

Jiang Li stood inside the tent, guarded by soldiers at the entrance. Gazing outward, her eyes met only the vast, distant plains and the far-off forest now blanketed in white.

It was said that many years ago, Luye was a dense forest near the Long River, inhabited by numerous white deer. The deer drank from the river, hence the name "Luye" (Deer Field). Centuries later, the forest vanished completely, transforming into a plain with no trace of the white deer, yet the name Luye endured.

The Long River flowed not far away, its endless stretch usually unseen, but now entirely frozen over. People could walk upon it without breaking the ice. As thick snowflakes drifted down, the plain seemed dominated solely by the colors of white and the black of armor—nothing else.

Someone approached, and the soldiers stepped aside. Jiang Li saw Yin Zhili.

Yin Zhili was vastly different from before. He had always worn white robes, appearing gentle and refined like jade. One might say he resembled a graceful young master from a noble household more than the son of a general. Jiang Li had never seen him in armor, but today he was clad in it, his long hair tied back, his face expressionless and cold. He entered the tent.

Jiang Li turned to face him.

"I have some good news for you. Ji Heng killed my father, and he survived."

Jiang Li did not cheer at this. Yin Zhili likely did not know that Yin Zhiqing had already informed her of this the previous night. Unfazed, he continued, "With my father dead, I must carry out the task he entrusted to me. Do you understand what I mean, Second Miss Jiang?"

"I understand," Jiang Li replied. "You intend to use me to ambush and kill Ji Heng."

Yin Zhili's hand, hanging at his side, clenched slightly. "I had hoped that if my father lived and Ji Heng died first, this outcome could be avoided. Though you would still resent me, at least I wouldn't have to kill him in front of you or exploit you like this. For me, this is the worst choice. But it seems Heaven is not on my side. I must take this path—struggling is futile. This is our fate."

Jiang Li remained silent. The expression on Yin Zhili's face was truly terrifying now. Gone was his gentleness; even his past indecisiveness seemed kind in comparison. He looked as if he were about to commit a horrifying act, filled with sharp resolve and desperation.

"People say Duke Su is unpredictable, shrewd, and ruthless. I suspect he may not come to rescue you. While it's a pity not to kill him, it might be for the best if you see his true nature. Since I am already the villain in your eyes, Second Miss Jiang, it would be better if he isn't much better in your heart either."

His words were petulant. Had she not seen his expression, Jiang Li might have found them laughably childish. But unfortunately, Yin Zhili had grown deeply obsessive, stubbornly believing that everything was others' fault and that he had no choice but to follow this path—unyielding to any persuasion."Why must you kill Ji Heng?" Jiang Li said. "The grievances of the previous generation have already been settled."

"They are not settled!" Yin Zhili interrupted her, saying, "My father killed his parents, and he in turn killed my parents. To avenge my father, I must kill him. The Yin and Ji families are destined to be mortal enemies—either I die, or he dies, until one side is completely wiped out with no descendants left. The reason my father left behind a calamity was because he spared survivors when killing the Ji family. I will not make that same mistake."

Jiang Li stared coldly at Yin Zhili. The last shred of sympathy she held for him had vanished without a trace. Hatred could blind a person, turning them into someone else entirely. And the present Yin Zhili was completely different from the one she had known before. He was single-mindedly determined to kill Ji Heng, regardless of whether Yin Zhan had been at fault back then, and heedless of the countless lives that would be lost once the rebellion began.

"You will regret this," Jiang Li said.

"My only regret is not having killed him sooner," Yin Zhili laughed heartily. "I even let him obtain the imperial decree and win you over! But," he chuckled again, "once he is dead, you will still be mine."

"But I could never love you."

"Then why do you love Ji Heng?" Yin Zhili stopped laughing, his gaze fixed on her as he pressed closer step by step. "How many lives has he taken? He kills without batting an eye! Just because you love him, his sins are no longer sins? Just because you don’t love me, I am the villain in your eyes? The biggest difference between Ji Heng and me is that his father did not burden him with infamy, while I, born into the Yin family, am destined to sacrifice for it!"

"That’s not true," Jiang Li replied coldly, her eyes unwavering. "Ji Heng is the villain feared by all under heaven, but he has never harmed me. You are the hero praised by the world, yet you have used me. Of course, you and he are different, but it has nothing to do with your parents."

Yin Zhili fell silent, his gaze dark and venomous, as if he wished he could kill her but could not bring himself to do it. He abruptly turned away and snorted coldly. "Say whatever you want. In any case, if Ji Heng dares to come today, he will not leave alive!"

"What are you planning?" Jiang Li demanded sharply.

"Nothing much," Yin Zhili said casually. "The entire Lu Ye area is under my control. The archers outside have long been prepared. Lu Ye is a plain with nowhere to take cover. If Ji Heng dares to come, he must be ready to be pierced by ten thousand arrows. Of course, he could bring his troops, but with you in my hands, he will have to be cautious. I’ve heard that when my father ambushed Ji Mínghán back then, it was at Red Mountain Temple with a hundred archers lying in wait. Ji Mínghán had no chance of escape. Second Miss Jiang, by letting Ji Heng die the same way as his father, I am paying him the highest respect."

"Despicable!" Jiang Li spat angrily.

"He is no righteous man either!" Yin Zhili seemed provoked by her words, roaring in fury. "I, too, can be despicable!"

Jiang Li was seething with rage. This version of Yin Zhili was nothing short of a madman, impossible to reason with. As they stood locked in their stalemate, a sudden, sharp whistle pierced the air—urgent and piercing. Yin Zhili froze, then shoved Jiang Li aside and rushed out.

Jiang Li tried to follow but was blocked by soldiers, forced to stand at the entrance of the tent. All she could see was a vast expanse of whiteness across the plains, and between the sky and the earth, a figure in red emerged. The red figure rode a horse, its body also clad in crimson armor. A single rider and his steed, braving the wind and snow, stood out like a traveler returning home—vivid and striking, undimmed by the snow.

Jiang Li’s eyes grew hot, tears nearly falling as she cried out, "Ji Heng!"Yin Zhili outside was also stunned. After a long pause, he sneered, "It seems he is quite bold and deeply devoted to you. Unfortunately, extreme intelligence invites harm, and profound love is short-lived." He shouted, "Archers, ready!"

The armored archers uniformly aimed at that figure. Jiang Li wanted to rush out but found herself utterly unable to move, forced to watch helplessly as that flash of red grew increasingly brilliant.

Only he stood alone.

Brother Ji single-handedly carried the entire scene!

(End of Chapter)