The Double

Chapter 237: Disappearance

Since Jiang Li last saw the Empress Dowager in the palace, the days had passed at a leisurely pace. The Hongxiao Emperor did not ask what she had discussed with the Empress Dowager, nor did Jiang Li volunteer the information. Jiang Yuanbai also refrained from inquiring. However, Old Madam Jiang, upon hearing that a miraculous doctor in Yongzhou could cure dementia, planned to take Jiang Youyao there after Jiang Yuanbai resigned from his official post, hoping to restore Jiang Youyao’s sanity.

The Jiang family reacted with unexpected calmness to the impending resignation. Aside from Jiang Jingrui’s confusion, the others said little. The principle of "what rises must fall" held true, and the fact that the Jiang family could still withdraw unscathed was no small feat. Freed from the burdens of power, people often grew more attached to familial bonds. Thus, Jiang Youyao’s condition became the family’s primary concern.

Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang subtly probed Jiang Li about whether she would be willing to go to Yongzhou, which lay north of Qingzhou and was quite safe. Jiang Li could stay there for a while and return to Yanjing after Ji Heng’s comeback. Yet, Jiang Li declined as resolutely as ever, insisting that no matter what, she would wait in Yanjing City for Ji Heng’s return.

Her unwavering stance eventually silenced further inquiries from Jiang Yuanbai and Old Madam Jiang. During this time, Jiang Yuanbai had largely dismantled his network of connections and submitted his resignation memorial. The Hongxiao Emperor, true to form, did not obstruct or even feign reluctance, promptly granting approval. Relieved, Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Yuanping broke into a cold sweat, their previous regrets vanishing entirely. Had they not chosen to step down willingly, they might have faced an unforeseeable and grim fate. Once one incurred the emperor’s displeasure, no one in the world could expect a peaceful end.

Spring passed quietly, giving way to summer. In the sweltering heat, frequent reports of victory arrived from Qingzhou. Ji Heng, leading the Imperial Guards, recaptured several cities, forcing Yin Zhili to retreat southward. The prolonged conflict had depleted both sides’ forces. Yin Zhili excelled in tactics, but Ji Heng’s Imperial Guards, reminiscent of the former Flying Cavalry, adopted unorthodox strategies, striking with relentless ferocity and unstoppable momentum. Under these circumstances, Ji Heng gradually gained the upper hand, seemingly adapting to the battlefield and breaking the earlier stalemate to open a new phase in the war.

The people of Yanjing, initially anxious about the war, found their worries eased by the constant stream of good news. The capital remained a scene of revelry and peace, as if untouched by the conflict. When Ye Shijie discussed this with Jiang Li, he remarked that although the Yin family’s troops were formidable and Yin Zhili’s tactics masterful, Yin Zhili, being young, often lacked the decisive ruthlessness essential for a commander. In contrast, the Imperial Guards were like unsheathed swords, each step fraught with peril, and Ji Heng showed no mercy, having personally beheaded several of Yin Zhili’s top generals and displayed their heads as trophies tied to his horse’s tail.

Ye Shijie found it puzzling. Though Yin Zhili and Ji Heng were similar in age, the aura of lethality surrounding Ji Heng was something Yin Zhili could never emulate. Even though Yin Zhili had been raised in Yunzhong and groomed from childhood, the gap between individuals could be so vast.Upon hearing this, Jiang Li smiled without speaking, yet she felt deeply sorrowful for Ji Heng. Although Yin Zhili had been personally instructed by Yin Zhan in the art of warfare, he had lived a relatively carefree childhood and youth, unaware of the truth. His past life had been free of burdens and darkness, without the need to face bloody realities or disguise himself for survival. But Ji Heng was different—from birth until now, not a single day of his life had been as effortless as Yin Zhili's.

Thus, although they were similar in age, their temperaments had developed in entirely different ways. If she could return to Ji Heng's childhood, Jiang Li truly wished to hug that pitiful young Ji Heng and tell him, "You've already done very well, and things will get better in the future."

Yanjing City was thousands of miles away from Qingzhou. Ji Heng, busy with military affairs, couldn't send letters home to Jiang Li. As the war intensified day by day, by late autumn, Ji Heng had recaptured all the cities occupied by the Yin family's troops. Both sides suffered casualties, but the Yin family's forces bore the heavier losses. Ji Heng drove them into the mountainous forests of Qimin. Of a hundred thousand elite soldiers, only about ten thousand remained.

Yin Zhili, the self-proclaimed Summer King, hadn't lasted long after all.

That morning, Jiang Li woke up feeling her right eyelid twitching incessantly, as if something were about to happen. She had a vague sense of foreboding but couldn't pinpoint the reason. When Bai Xue brought breakfast, Jiang Li ate absentmindedly.

Tong'er noticed her unease and couldn't help saying, "Miss, are you feeling unwell? You seem a bit off today."

Jiang Li touched her face and realized her hands were unusually cold, causing her to shiver. Seeing this, Tong'er exclaimed anxiously, "Has Miss caught a chill? The weather is getting colder—we should brew some pomegranate syrup. This servant will fetch a light cloak."

Even with the cloak, Jiang Li didn't feel much warmer; instead, her discomfort grew. She didn't know why, but her thoughts kept drifting to Ji Heng. She admonished herself not to overthink—Ji Heng was in Qimin, and the battle was progressing smoothly. Once Yin Zhili's remaining troops were defeated, the war would be over. After that, Ji Heng would return to the capital, and everything would go as they had planned.

"Enough of this, let's go to the Duke's residence," Jiang Li stood up. Unable to suppress her inexplicable thoughts, she decided to visit Xue Zhao and the others at the Duke's residence to distract herself. Moreover, since Jiang Yuanbai had resigned from his official post, he was no longer well-informed about the war. If Jiang Li wanted updates, she had to ask Ye Shijie and Situ Jiuyue at the Duke's residence.

Bai Xue remarked, "So Miss is missing the Duke."

Jiang Li forced a faint smile, neither confirming nor denying it, and had Bai Xue inform Old Madam Jiang. The three of them then boarded a carriage and left the Jiang residence.

In the depths of autumn, there was a certain desolation in the air, but it couldn't dampen the bustle of Yanjing City. The streets were still crowded, with no sense of wartime tension. Jiang Li lifted the carriage curtain to look out, half-expecting to see a smiling beauty in red watching a play from a high tavern window. But her gaze met only emptiness—there was nothing there.It wasn't apparent when he was here, but after he left, it felt as though Yanjing City had come alive because of him. In Ji Heng's absence, the capital remained prosperous, yet it seemed to have lost its luster, and everything felt unfamiliar.

On the way to the Duke's residence, they had to pass by the Ye family mansion. The gates of the Ye mansion were tightly shut. Since the Ye family had already moved into the Duke's residence, the mansion was left unattended, with even the servants having moved away. The ground in front of the gate had gone unswept for a long time, covered in dust and overgrown with weeds. The sight evoked a sense of desolation.

Jiang Li stopped looking outside. When the carriage arrived at the entrance of the Duke's residence, the coachman halted, and Bai Xue helped Jiang Li step down. The guards at the gate bowed and said, "Second Miss," then opened the side door for them to enter.

As soon as they entered, the sound of hoofbeats reached them. Jiang Li followed the sound and saw Lin Yao sitting on Xiao Lan's back, with Wenren Yao directing him nearby, looking unusually delighted. This startled Jiang Li. Xiao Lan was no ordinary horse—his temperament was fierce, and Lin Yao might not be able to tame him. It was too dangerous.

Jiang Li called out, "Young Master Wenren," and only then did Wenren Yao turn and notice her. Lin Yao, still on the horse, happily shouted, "Sister Jiang!"

Wenren Yao lifted Lin Yao down from the horse.

Lin Yao had grown much taller and was beginning to resemble a young adult. Fortunately, despite having witnessed his family's tragic deaths in Huangzhou, the boy had not become withdrawn. Under Wenren Yao's guidance, he remained lively. Jiang Li then turned her gaze to Xiao Lan. The young horse seemed to sense her watching and pranced even more spiritedly. In less than a year, the horse had grown rapidly, now much larger than when Jiang Li had first bought him. His coat was a beautiful golden color, and if Old General Ji were here, he would surely have praised him endlessly.

At this thought, Jiang Li felt a pang of sorrow. When she had gifted Xiao Lan to Old General Ji as a birthday present, the old general had been overjoyed, dreaming of riding him across the lands once he grew up. Now Xiao Lan had grown, but Old General Ji was no longer here. Fate was indeed cruel, often leaving people with regrets.

"Second Miss, what brings you here so suddenly?" Wenren Yao asked. "Are you looking for Situ?"

Jiang Li usually sought out Situ Jiuyue to inquire about Ji Heng. Situ's contacts would be the first to know about developments at the front.

Jiang Li smiled and replied, "No, I just had nothing to do at home, so I came for a walk."

"Oh... well, it's quite lively here," Wenren Yao said, patting Lin Yao's head while addressing Jiang Li. "A-Heng has been quite busy these days, but Kong Liu might bring back some news today. It seems A-Heng's battle is nearly over. Honestly, it's neither too fast nor too slow—much better than expected. Yin Zhili simply isn't ruthless enough and has never played a game with human lives as pawns. He can't compare to our A-Heng." He spoke with smug pride, as if sharing in the glory.

Listening to him, the unease that had been lingering in Jiang Li's heart eased slightly. She said, "But the battlefield is dangerous after all. Didn't you and Ji Heng perform planchette writing earlier, saying he was destined to face a calamity?"That prophecy had been weighing on Jiang Li's mind, to the point where when Yin Zhili ambushed Ji Heng and Ji Heng was injured, her guilt reached its peak. After all, the prophecy sounded truly horrifying and was difficult to accept all at once.

"That prophecy," Wenren Yao thought for a long time before seeming to recall what Jiang Li was referring to. He said, "Actually, I only told you half of that prophecy. There's another half."

Jiang Li was taken aback: "Another half... What is it?"

"It's: 'If he passes this calamity, his fortunes will turn, and his life will be smooth and successful.'"

The complete prophecy originally was: "Born in the winter month, with the bearing of a noble, he will encounter calamity due to a woman's misfortune, his corpse exposed in the wilderness, devoured by eagles and dogs. If he passes this calamity, his fortunes will turn, and his life will be smooth and successful."

"Is that really true?" Jiang Li felt a great sense of relief in her heart, and her expression brightened considerably.

"It's really true. Although my master said I'm not good at divination, it seems now that my calculation wasn't bad—this prophecy is quite accurate. You see, when you were in Qingzhou, that little brat Yin Zhili set up an ambush, and Ji Heng nearly lost his life. Isn't that encountering calamity? Yin Zhili kidnapped you to threaten Ji Heng, so reluctantly, you could be considered the 'woman's misfortune.' Most importantly, this calamity has already passed. From now on, Ah Heng will escape dangers unscathed, his fortunes will turn, everything will go as he wishes, and all his dreams will come true. So," Wenren Yao said with concern, "Second Young Lady, you don't need to worry about Ah Heng. He will definitely return safely. This time in Qimin, everything will surely go smoothly. Second Young Lady, why not start preparing your wedding dress? I estimate that once Ah Heng returns, it will be time for your grand wedding."

Grand wedding... He had inexplicably brought up something so far in the future, making Jiang Li somewhat embarrassed. Yet unconsciously, she felt a flicker of anticipation. Lin Yao tugged at Wenren Yao's sleeve, looking at him eagerly. Wenren Yao waved his hand and said, "Second Young Lady, Situ and the others are inside. You should go talk with them first. I'll accompany my disciple for a horseback ride and join you shortly."

Jiang Li agreed and carefully reminded Wenren Yao to be careful not to let Lin Yao get injured. After Wenren Yao acknowledged, Jiang Li headed into the Duke's residence.

Ye Mingyu was not at the residence today, probably out visiting pleasure quarters with friends. He was indeed living joyfully every day. It was said that Old Madam Ye had sent several messages urging him to return to Xiangyang to meet potential brides, but Ye Mingyu simply used the excuse of staying in Yanjing City to protect Ye Shijie to avoid returning and dealing with his family's pressure to marry.

Ye Shijie was also not at the residence. He was increasingly favored by the Hongxiao Emperor, and his official duties had grown busier. When Jiang Li reached the garden, she saw Situ Jiuyue picking flowers, with Xue Zhao sitting nearby in his wheelchair, watching her. Perhaps to keep Situ Jiuyue from feeling lonely, he was keeping her company and chatting.

Jiang Li stood at a distance, silently watching, until a familiar voice came from behind: "Ali."

Jiang Li turned around and immediately smiled. "Father."

Xue Huaiyuan walked over. Seeing Jiang Li, he was also very happy and asked, "Why aren't you talking with Ah Zhao?"

"I see Ah Zhao is quite busy at the moment," Jiang Li said with a mischievous blink. "It's better not to disturb him."Xue Huaiyuan laughed heartily, his gaze resting fondly on the scene in the flowerbed. Jiang Li watched him and felt a sudden impulse. She asked, "Father... Miss Jiuyue seems very fond of Ah Zhao, and Ah Zhao clearly likes her too. Regardless of whether they're aware of each other's feelings, do you have any thoughts about Miss Jiuyue?"

Xue Huaiyuan was upright and honorable in character, always acting with integrity. As for Situ Jiuyue—setting aside her background—she had taken many lives over the years. Though Jiang Li admired Situ Jiuyue, she worried Xue Huaiyuan might disapprove of her. Hoping to secretly gather information for Xue Zhao, she wanted him to be prepared early.

Xue Huaiyuan glanced at Jiang Li and said understandingly, "Ali, I know what you mean. I'm old now. Whether it's you or Ah Zhao, I won't interfere in your marriages. I trust your judgment. Ah Zhao isn't a child anymore—he has his own reasons for his decisions. Miss Jiuyue is a good girl. If that day ever comes, I'll treat her as my own daughter."

Jiang Li smiled, linking her arm with his. "Father, you're as reasonable as ever."

Xue Huaiyuan beamed at her, then suddenly remembered something. "Ali, I nearly forgot to tell you something."

"What is it?" Jiang Li asked.

"With the Yin family's troops suffering repeated defeats, it seems Yin Zhili is destined to lose. Once this war ends and Ji Heng returns to the capital, I think we should discuss setting a date for your wedding. After that's settled, I'd like to take you and Ah Zhao back to Tongxiang first. Ali," Xue Huaiyuan continued, "this will be our last visit to Tongxiang. I've thought it over—I can't rest easy leaving you alone in Yanjing. Though my influence is limited and I can't do much, if you ever face injustice, I'll stand by you and fight with my last breath to see justice done."

Jiang Li was momentarily stunned, then deeply moved. The matter of Shen Yurong was in the past, but the wounds it inflicted on the Xue family lingered. Though Xue Huaiyuan trusted Ji Heng, he feared a repeat of past events. That was why he intended to stay with Jiang Li in Yanjing City. This trip to Tongxiang would be a farewell—a chance to settle all the property deeds there.

"That sounds wonderful," she replied with a radiant smile. "Nothing would make me happier than having you by my side. I've never liked being apart from you. In the future, we'll buy a house in Yanjing City. Ah Zhao can pursue whatever he wishes, and we'll hire some maids and servants for you both. We'll make our life here in Yanjing."

The vision she painted was so warm that Xue Huaiyuan couldn't help but smile.

As they shared this joyful moment, someone entered from outside. Situ Jiuyue rose from the flowerbed and called out, "Kong Liu."

Kong Liu strode in, his face etched with anxiety, brows tightly furrowed. His eyes skipped over Jiang Li, zeroing in on Situ Jiuyue as he hurried toward her. Startled, Jiang Li overheard fragments of his urgent words to Situ Jiuyue—including the term "My Lord"—and watched as Situ Jiuyue's expression shifted dramatically.

Jiang Li's heart sank. She quickly turned to Xue Huaiyuan and said, "Father, I'll go see what brings Lord Kong here in such haste," before striding briskly toward the flowerbed.As they approached the flower garden before even getting close, they heard Kong Liu's voice saying, "We still haven't found any trace of him yet."

"Who hasn't been found?" Jiang Li asked.

The people in the flower garden were startled by Jiang Li's sudden appearance. Xue Zhao looked at her in surprise and said, "Sister, what brings you here?"

But Jiang Li had no mind to catch up with Xue Zhao. She asked, "What exactly is going on? Official Kong, what you were talking about—does it have something to do with Ji Heng?"

Kong Liu looked troubled, as if he wanted to gloss over the matter, but being clumsy with words, he couldn't come up with a good excuse right away. Xue Zhao also fell silent. Jiang Li turned to Situ Jiuyue and asked, "Miss Jiuyue... has something happened to Ji Heng?"

Though Situ Jiuyue was usually stern and unsmiling, it was rare to see her with such a grim expression. When Jiang Li questioned her, Situ Jiuyue seemed somewhat irritated, but under Jiang Li's persistent gaze, she let out a sigh and said, "Since you'll find out sooner or later anyway, I might as well not hide it from you. Ji Heng has gone missing."

"Missing?" Jiang Li gasped. "How could he suddenly disappear?"

Situ Jiuyue gestured toward Kong Liu with her chin. "I'm not very clear on the specifics. Kong Liu, you should explain."

Kong Liu scratched his head and said, "I received a report from Lu Ji early this morning. Three days ago, Yin Zhili led an elite night raid with the Yin family troops. The Imperial Guards had surrounded Yin Zhili's forces, and Lord Ji severed Yin Zhili's mount with a single strike, killing Yin Zhili. But after killing Yin Zhili, Lord Ji suddenly fell from his horse. Yin Zhili's deputy took advantage of the chaos and slashed Lord Ji. The Yin family troops captured him, but Lord Ji resisted desperately. By the time Lu Ji and the others arrived... Lord Ji was gone."

"Was he taken away by the Yin family troops?" Jiang Li pressed urgently, her heart pounding. Even if he was captured, at least he would still be alive.

"No... The Yin family soldiers present at the scene were all subdued or killed. The captives we took said that Lord Ji escaped. Lu Ji is leading a team to track down Lord Ji's whereabouts, but the terrain in the Qimin mountains is complex, filled with snakes, insects, rats, ants, and wild beasts roaming the forests. They haven't been able to find him yet... They still haven't found him..."

Xue Zhao couldn't help but interject, "No news might be good news. It means Brother-in-law is at least still alive for now. Sister, Brother-in-law will surely return safely."

"What I find strange is why Ji Heng would suddenly fall from his horse," Situ Jiuyue wondered. "That's not like him."

"It's his injuries..." Jiang Li murmured. "Back when Yin Zhili set up an ambush with archers and used me as bait to lure him into a trap, he was wounded... Those injuries were severe. He said they weren't important, but how could they not be? He must have had a relapse of his old injuries on horseback. Perhaps his old injuries had already flared up, but he kept enduring it. He's always been good at hiding things. At that moment, he must have... must have been unable to conceal it any longer."

Tears fell from Jiang Li's eyes in large drops.

In an instant, her heart felt as if it were being torn apart. Ji Heng was someone who loved to act tough. Though others saw him as inherently strong, at critical moments of life and death, he would still smile with an air of nonchalance. No one noticed the scars beneath that red armor. He was always alone... and in the end, she was the one who had dragged him into this."What should I do?" she said, "I'll go to Qimin, I'll find him."

Kong Liu was startled and said, "Absolutely not. Although Yin Zhili is dead and the Yin family's troops are leaderless, there are still some remaining stragglers that haven't been completely cleared out. Lu Ji has already sent people to search for His Lordship's whereabouts. Even if Second Miss Jiang goes, it won't help. It's better to stay in Yanjing City. This way, when His Lordship returns to the capital, he can see Second Miss Jiang immediately."

"That's right," Situ Jiuyue also added in a stiff, comforting tone, "Don't worry, Ji Heng won't die. He's tough as nails and will definitely come back."

Would he return? Jiang Li couldn't help but recall Wenren Yao's prophecy once more. Everyone believed the calamity foretold referred to the time when Yin Zhili surrounded and attacked Ji Heng, so they thought that calamity had already passed.

But what if they were all mistaken? What if the calamity hadn't passed yet and instead referred to Ji Heng's current disappearance?

"Exposed corpse lies, eagles and hounds pecking at the remains." Jiang Li closed her eyes and clenched her fists tightly.

The mere thought sent chills down her spine.

(End of Chapter)