The Double

Chapter 235: Request

Life in Yanjing City remained relatively peaceful. The rebellion led by the Prince of Xia County had stirred up quite a commotion in the city. The common people were merely astonished that such a valiant and courageous general could turn out to be a treacherous rebel, sighing inwardly, but after a few days of discussion, the matter faded from their minds. Some astute individuals, however, were deeply concerned, worrying about when the war would finally end. Most, though, remained indifferent—after all, Qingzhou was far from Yanjing City. They heard that Yin Zhili was primarily leading his troops south of Qingzhou, while Yanjing City lay in the north. With the emperor far away and the heavens high above, the people felt no sense of crisis. Some even believed that Yin Zhili posed less of a threat than Prince Cheng had in the past.

Those in the know, however, understood that this was far from the truth. Yin Zhan had been scheming for this day for many years. In some ways, he held far more advantages than Prince Cheng ever had. His soldiers and horses had never slackened for a single day over the decades. Once unleashed, they were like ferocious beasts breaking free from their cages, unstoppable in their momentum. Yin Zhili, trained by Yin Zhan since childhood, appeared as a harmless, elegant young gentleman when he was gentle and refined. But as a general, his tactics were masterful, and he possessed a sharp mind. He began by encircling the area south of Qingzhou. The people of Northern Yan, having enjoyed peace for so many years, had long grown unaccustomed to warfare. They were swiftly defeated by Yin Zhili, who captured several cities in succession, leaving them in disarray. Moreover, after taking these cities, Yin Zhili did not allow his soldiers to pillage or harm the civilians. Instead, he governed with reason, seemingly intent on demonstrating benevolent rule. As a result, the people in the cities he subdued did not put up fierce resistance.

Had the Hongxiao Emperor been a tyrant, it might have been as depicted in those operas—the people throwing open the city gates to welcome the rebel army. Fortunately, the Hongxiao Emperor was a relatively wise ruler. Otherwise, given Yin Zhili's methods, victory without a fight might have been possible.

South of Qingzhou had already undergone a change of dynasty, a fact unknown to most commoners but all too clear to the court officials. Many ministers began to entertain other considerations. Although the young emperor had prevailed in his confrontation with Prince Cheng, Yin Zhili was no Prince Cheng. Yin Zhili's greatest asset was his undefeated Yin family army, while the Hongxiao Emperor's new generals were still inexperienced. There was, of course, the Golden Crow Army, but it had long been inactive, and its former general was dead. Although Duke Su had taken command and led the campaign, he had never set foot on a battlefield before. The chances of victory remained uncertain.

The court officials were also suffering. Throughout history, changes in dynasty often meant changes in ministers. No one wanted to become a sacrificial pawn. No sooner had Prince Cheng been dealt with than Yin Zhili emerged, causing endless headaches.

Ye Shijie recounted the court affairs to Jiang Li. At such a critical juncture, capable individuals were in high demand. Some mediocre officials chose the path of self-preservation, timidly avoiding any prominent roles. But Ye Shijie, in the prime of his youth, was filled with fervor and spoke candidly. Consequently, he gained increasing reliance from the Hongxiao Emperor. Of course, his rapid rise to favor was also closely tied to the guidance Xue Huaiyuan provided behind the scenes.

Ye Shijie said to Jiang Li, "Your father... recently introduced me to several ministers he is on good terms with. From his demeanor, it seems he intends to step back."

Jiang Li smiled and replied, "At a time like this, being able to withdraw unscathed is the best option for the Jiang family, isn't it?"

Ye Shijie nodded in agreement. "Indeed."After Jiang Yuanbai last expressed his intention to resign from office to Jiang Li, he truly began taking steps to withdraw. However, he had many close associates among the court officials and numerous disciples in the government, so there were quite a few matters to handle. Nevertheless, he was steadily addressing them one by one. In particular, Jiang Li noticed that Jiang Yuanbai seemed intent on leaving some connections for Ye Shijie. Once Jiang Yuanbai and his brother officially resigned, Ye Shijie might secure a position in the court many years later. And after several more years, when the Jiang family’s descendants entered officialdom again, they might also receive Ye Shijie’s support.

Such is the nature of officialdom: one generation plants trees for the next to enjoy the shade. Jiang Yuanbai’s actions weren’t necessarily out of fondness for Ye Shijie but to secure an additional safeguard for the Jiang family. For Ye Shijie, however, this was not a bad arrangement. These connections, which were a liability in Jiang Yuanbai’s hands, could enhance Ye Shijie’s standing—a win-win situation that was hardly unfavorable.

"If your father resigns..." Ye Shijie said, "the Jiang family probably won’t stay in Yanjing City. Where do you plan to go?"

During his years as Grand Secretary, Jiang Yuanbai had obstructed many people’s paths. Although most of Prince Cheng and the Right Prime Minister’s followers had been eliminated, some might have slipped through the net. Remaining in Yanjing City after resigning would be unwise. Jiang Li shook her head, "Father hasn’t told me his plans."

"From what you’re saying," Ye Shijie looked at her, "you don’t plan to follow them?"

"His Majesty has already granted the marriage," Jiang Li smiled faintly. "Sooner or later, I’ll be part of the Duke’s household. Where else could I go?"

Ye Shijie stared at Jiang Li, "Haven’t you considered any other options?"

"I haven’t considered any other options," Jiang Li replied with a laugh.

She seemed to speak earnestly, without a hint of jest, but Ye Shijie understood. He smiled softly and murmured, "Sometimes, I really envy him."

His voice was too low for Jiang Li to catch clearly. By the time she wanted to ask, Ye Shijie had already changed the subject. After conversing with him a while longer, Jiang Li took her leave. Little Red perched on a lantern, watching Jiang Li. With Ji Heng absent, the once-chattering mynah seemed much lonelier, no longer eagerly greeting everyone but quieter than before.

In the vast Duke’s residence, the sound of Old General Ji practicing his sword was gone. As Jiang Li walked into the flower garden, she wondered if it was her imagination, but the vibrant flowers seemed to have lost their luster. Whether it was due to this year’s harsh winds and snow or her own sentimental reflections, she couldn’t tell. She only felt that the memory of roasting venison with Old General Ji, Ji Heng, Wenren Yao, and the others on New Year’s Eve was still vivid, as if it were just yesterday. Now, everything had changed, and this year’s New Year’s Eve would likely be far less lively.

Xue Zhao was in the flower garden, speaking with Situ Jiuyue.

Since returning to Yanjing City, Xue Zhao seemed to have realized that he no longer had the ability to protect those around him. He had been training diligently with Ye Mingyu in whip techniques. Situ Jiuyue had given him some poisons to apply to his whip—though not lethal enough to kill instantly, they could cause considerable suffering. Xue Zhao’s whip skills were still not refined, and during practice, he might injure himself. Using deadly poisons would pose too great a risk to his own safety.Situ Jiuyue and Xue Zhao actually got along quite well. Ye Shijie didn’t practice martial arts and had no interest in killing, while Xue Zhao couldn’t make much sense of court affairs. So even though they were about the same age, they really couldn’t find common ground. Jiang Li walked to the edge of the flowerbed and saw the figures of Xue Zhao and Situ Jiuyue. Just as she was about to greet them, she heard Xue Zhao say, “Miss Jiuyue, do you think… will brother-in-law be in danger over in Qingzhou?”

Situ Jiuyue’s voice was flat and emotionless: “There’s no place on the battlefield that isn’t dangerous.”

“I’m really worried,” Xue Zhao’s voice was somewhat muffled. “If only my leg hadn’t been injured, I could have gone to Qingzhou with him.”

“You?” Situ Jiuyue said, “The enemies on the battlefield aren’t just one or two—you’d be facing thousands. If not forced by circumstances, no one would willingly go to war. Don’t make it sound so easy.”

Xue Zhao looked at her: “Miss Jiuyue, when Molan was in turmoil, the war must have been brutal too, right?”

Situ Jiuyue froze, remaining silent for a long while. Even though every time she spoke of her past, she did so with an air of indifference, as if those events had long passed and she no longer cared—the truth was, whenever she remembered, her heart still raced. She could only try hard not to think about it to maintain her composed appearance. Witnessing everyone she knew, from the nursemaids and maids who had served her since childhood to her parents, siblings, and relatives, all perish without exception—how devastating that must have been.

“Of course,” Situ Jiuyue finally replied after a long pause. “You simply can’t imagine it.”

“Then… have you never thought about revenge?” Xue Zhao asked.

Outside, Jiang Li was also slightly taken aback by this question. Just as the first thing she had contemplated since becoming Second Miss Jiang was how to take revenge on Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong, what about Situ Jiuyue? Having witnessed her entire family being killed, could she truly have never thought of revenge?

“How could I not?” Situ Jiuyue’s voice turned cold and grim. She said, “One day, I will return to Molan and reclaim what rightfully belongs to me. It’s just that for now, I’m alone and weak, still relying on others. But I can endure ten, twenty, even thirty years—as long as I live, my desire for revenge will never die. When I came to the Duke’s residence back then and agreed to work for Ji Heng, it was only because he made a deal with me: once the matters at hand are settled, he would help me fight my way back to Molan.”

Jiang Li was startled, now truly understanding the connection between Situ Jiuyue and Ji Heng. However, Jiang Li always felt that Ji Heng’s willingness to agree to Situ Jiuyue’s terms wasn’t entirely for the sake of the transaction or to exploit her skills as the Poisonous Consort. Rather, he saw a reflection of himself in Situ Jiuyue—perhaps a sense of shared suffering. Ji Heng was a man whose tenderness seemed like indifference, yet to say he was heartless wouldn’t be entirely accurate, as there were times when he was willing to lend a helping hand.

“What’s that expression on your face?” Just as Jiang Li was lost in thought, Situ Jiuyue’s voice came through. She said, “Do you think I’m ruthless and cruel, or do you look down on me for being obsessed with revenge?”"How could that be?" Xue Zhao said. "If someone hurt me or those close to me, I would also spare no effort to avenge them. Those who do wrong must pay the price. I believe Miss Jiuyue did the right thing. If I were in her position, I would do the same. Moreover, Miss Jiuyue clearly understands the stakes and assesses the situation wisely. Rather than acting rashly, she chose to bide her time for years, planning carefully before taking action—this is something I deeply admire. By the time Miss Jiuyue returns to Molan to reclaim what is hers, I expect my whip techniques will have improved enough to accompany her back."

"You?" Situ Jiuyue scoffed. "What does my family's vengeance have to do with you? Why would you go?"

"Miss Jiuyue is my friend," Xue Zhao said earnestly. "When a friend needs help, I naturally must step in."

After a moment, Situ Jiuyue's voice came again, tinged with amusement. "Just focus on yourself. I don’t want to bring you along and worry about you getting into danger."

Though she couldn’t see Situ Jiuyue’s face, Jiang Li could hear the laughter in her voice. Turning slightly, Jiang Li smiled to herself. After all, amidst everything, something good had finally happened in the Duke’s residence, hadn’t it? As a fellow young woman, she could clearly see Situ Jiuyue’s feelings—it was just a matter of when that clueless Ah Zhao would notice. But never mind; though the process of deciphering emotions was tedious, it might one day become a fond memory. Let them figure it out on their own.

Jiang Li turned and walked away.

...

The war dragged on relentlessly. One month passed, then two; the New Year came and went, and even spring was nearly over. The people of Northern Yan finally began to realize something was amiss, as if only then grasping the true strength of the Prince of Xia. Several cities south of Qingzhou had been lost, and Yin Zhili had proclaimed himself the King of Xia there. The Yin family’s troops were fierce and valiant, yet no matter how fiercely they fought, they could not cross the Yongding River on the other side of Qingzhou—the Jinwu Army stood equally formidable and unyielding.

Ji Heng was skilled in political strategy, not in leading troops into battle, yet the Jinwu Army under his command performed remarkably well. Unlike the disciplined Yin army, it was said the Jinwu soldiers of old were all tough and unyielding. Years had passed, and even the greenest recruits from back then had aged, while new soldiers struggled to integrate quickly. In theory, such an army might only retain its name without matching its former glory. Under these inherently disadvantageous conditions, Ji Heng’s ability to hold the Yin troops at bay, preventing any further advances, was nothing short of astonishing.

Yet, precisely because of this, pushing the Jinwu Army forward to completely subdue the Yin forces remained an exceedingly difficult task.

Daily battle reports were delivered to Jiang Li. Sometimes the Yin troops won; other times, Ji Heng prevailed. The dispatches were brief, offering no insight into Ji Heng’s circumstances. She could only picture him in her mind—sometimes pacing, other times sipping tea in his tent. As the days wore on, Jiang Yuanbai resolved many court affairs and prepared to resign from his official post in a few days.

On the day he intended to resign, Jiang Li asked Jiang Yuanbai to take her into the palace with him."Why are you going to the palace?" Jiang Yuanbai frowned. Jiang Li wasn't someone who enjoyed entering the palace, and she no longer had any acquaintances there these days.

"I wish to see His Majesty," Jiang Li replied.

"You..."

"Father need not worry. My meeting with His Majesty isn't about the Jiang family's affairs, but rather matters concerning the Duke's residence. Ji Heng once entrusted me with a task that requires me to personally explain it to His Majesty. I believe the time is now appropriate... Father, I won't cause any trouble for the Jiang family."

Jiang Yuanbai studied Jiang Li for a moment, feeling increasingly powerless. As someone about to resign from his official post, while Ji Heng remained the Hongxiao Emperor's most trusted minister, that imperial marriage decree had essentially been the Emperor's warning to him. Jiang Yuanbai could neither control Jiang Li's marriage nor Jiang Li herself. In some respects, Jiang Li already belonged to the Duke's household—even members of the Ye family had moved into the Duke's residence. What could he possibly do? He couldn't interfere, nor dared he interfere with the Duke's affairs.

Thus, Jiang Yuanbai waved his hand in resignation and said, "Very well, go if you must."

Jiang Li smiled. "Thank you, Father."

Seeing Jiang Li smile so suddenly made Jiang Yuanbai pause. Since Ji Heng had been ordered to depart for battle, Jiang Yuanbai had rarely seen Jiang Li smile so lightly. Most of the time, she would gaze absently at the sky in the courtyard, and without even thinking, he knew she was thinking of Ji Heng. This daughter of his appeared independent and magnanimous, but when in love, she was just like any other girl with someone in her heart.

Jiang Yuanbai couldn't help testing the waters. "Xiao Li, if we leave Yanjing after I resign..."

"Father, then let me stay here to guard the Jiang family," Jiang Li replied.

Her eyes remained as clear and pure as they had always been, yet from her gentle words, Jiang Yuanbai glimpsed her unshakable resolve. After a moment of silence, he said, "You must think this through carefully."

"I've long since made up my mind."

Jiang Yuanbai stared fixedly at Jiang Li, suddenly feeling perplexed. Her temperament reminded him fleetingly of Ye Zhenzhen, who had passed away early. After Ye Zhenzhen's untimely death, he had married Ji Shuran, believing himself content, and seldom thought of Ye Zhenzhen anymore. But looking at Jiang Li now, he recalled that many years ago, Ye Zhenzhen had been similarly stubborn.

Back then, when Old Madam Jiang had gone to the Ye family to propose marriage, although the Jiang family were officials, the Ye family had initially been somewhat reluctant. They feared Ye Zhenzhen would be mistreated for marrying into an official family due to her merchant background. But after catching sight of Jiang Yuanbai in the rear courtyard, Ye Zhenzhen had immediately told Old Madam Ye that she wanted to marry him.

After Ye Zhenzhen entered the Jiang household, she voluntarily shared this story with Jiang Yuanbai, who had privately laughed at her foolishness. Women in this world all put on airs, afraid others would look down on them. Even if they liked a man ten parts, they would only admit to three. But Ye Zhenzhen never lied—she straightforwardly told Jiang Yuanbai that she liked him immensely.

Jiang Li and Ye Zhenzhen were nothing alike; Jiang Li was far more rational and cunning. Yet now, she closely resembled Ye Zhenzhen—both equally candid, equally unreserved in expressing their feelings, saying exactly what they meant.Was this truly a good thing? Jiang Yuanbai thought hazily. Ye Zhenzhen had met such a tragic end because she had been schemed against by Ji Shuran, and in the end, it all traced back to him. Yet deep down, Jiang Yuanbai also admitted that precisely because of Ye Zhenzhen's unreserved affection, he had somewhat looked down on her.

And what about Ji Heng? Seeing Jiang Li express her feelings so openly, how would he react? Would he, like Jiang Yuanbai himself, belittle Jiang Li for it, or even betray her trust?

He looked at his daughter standing before him—graceful, gentle, and captivating, yet with a resolute determination in her eyes that could not be shaken in the slightest.

Enough, Jiang Yuanbai sighed inwardly. This was fate. How could a mere mortal like him ever fully comprehend the workings of destiny?

His back slightly hunched, he said, "Then do as your heart desires."

Jiang Li smiled. "Thank you, Father."

(End of Chapter)