The Double

When Jiang Li was twenty-six, she gave birth to Ji Meng.

Little Ji Meng was showered with boundless affection from the moment she entered the world. Xue Zhao traveled thousands of miles just to catch a glimpse of his niece, while Situ Jiuyue, unable to leave her duties, sent an entire chest of gemstones from the ancient city of Molan as a greeting gift for the little one.

Jingxuan Zhenren bestowed upon the child the pet name Wanwan. Wenren Yao insisted on becoming Wanwan’s godfather, only to be flatly rejected by Ji Heng. Even the usually somewhat stern Xue Huaiyuan underwent a dramatic change in temperament after Wanwan’s arrival. The first time Jiang Li saw Xue Huaiyuan half-crawling on the floor to play a rattle drum with Wanwan, she could hardly believe her eyes.

Yet it was no wonder everyone doted on her so—Wanwan was simply irresistibly endearing. As a child, she was exquisitely lovely, her delicate features mirroring Jiang Li’s, soft and adorable. Ji Heng cherished her as the apple of his eye, indulging her every whim, as if she could command the wind and rain.

If even her grandfather, uncles, and would-be godfather were so devoted, her own father was even more so. Before Wanwan turned five, the most common sight was Ji Heng in his crimson robes, cradling a porcelain-doll-like little girl as they frequented pastry shops, opera troupes, acrobatic stages, and sugar-figure stalls. People remarked that Ji Heng had undergone a transformation. On occasions when someone offended him and he was about to order a beating, all it took was for little Wanwan to tug his sleeve and plead in a soft voice, "Father, could you not resort to violence?"

Ji Heng would then gently pat her head and reply tenderly, "As you wish."

Thus, everyone gradually discerned the pattern. In the Duke’s residence, Duke Su was unpredictable—there was no point in trying to win his favor. The true figures to court were the Duchess and the young lady. In this world, Duke Su would only yield to two people: the Duchess and his daughter.

The Duchess, Jiang Li, was gentle and kind-hearted, yet principled. Though generous by nature, she stood firmly by her husband in times of trouble. The young lady, however, was different—young and easily pleased. A rare trinket from the capital was enough to delight her. And when the young lady was happy, the Duke would reward the giver. For a time, Wanwan was pampered daily, living a life even more joyous than a princess.

Of course, she understood the principle of reciprocity. When pleased, she would generously speak well of others before her father. So, whenever a servant in the Duke’s household erred and angered their master, the first person they sought was not Duke Su, but little Wanwan.

After several visits, Wenren Yao caught on to this dynamic and gloated to Ji Heng, "Mark my words, this Duke’s residence will soon belong to little Wanwan. Your authority means nothing here."

"The Duke’s residence has always been hers," Ji Heng replied, lightly fanning himself. "Besides, what concern is it of yours?"

Wenren Yao left in a huff.

However, the idyllic days for the Duke’s household came to an abrupt end after Wanwan turned ten.

In her childhood, Ji Meng resembled her mother—ethereal and adorable. But as she grew older, especially after her coming-of-age ceremony at fifteen, her features blossomed, bearing a striking resemblance to Ji Heng. Her eyes, in particular, were mesmerizingly captivating when they sparkled, and even the position of the crimson mole beneath her eye was identical to her father’s.Such striking beauty would be eye-catching even on a man, but on a woman, it was truly breathtaking. Jiang Li would occasionally watch with worry, feeling that such overwhelming beauty might not necessarily be a good thing.

"What is there to fear?" Ji Heng said dismissively. "Is there anyone in this world who would dare covet her? Besides," he chuckled lightly, "no one would dare give my daughter a hard time."

This was no exaggeration.

It seemed as though the more obedient a girl was in childhood, the more her temperament would change as she grew older. As Ji Meng grew older, not only did her appearance resemble her father's, but her personality did too. It wasn’t that she was moody, but she was certainly mischievous and eccentric. Everyone in the household had fallen victim to her pranks. She was also skilled in martial arts. Ji Heng had a whip made for her, which she usually kept tucked at her waist. If trouble ever arose, that whip was not to be trifled with. Moreover, Situ Jiuyue generously supplied her with poisons and hidden weapons, ensuring she could protect herself when it came to combat.

The result of all this was that everyone in the capital knew that the young lady of Duke Su's residence, though as beautiful as a celestial being, was also sharp-tongued, cunning, and spoiled. While she was a sight to behold, she was best admired from afar. And with Ji Heng guarding her so fiercely, no one even dared to entertain thoughts of coveting her.

This created an awkward situation. While other girls would have suitors lining up to propose once they turned fifteen, no one dared to step foot over the threshold of Duke Su's residence for Ji Meng’s hand.

Sitting in her room, Jiang Li rested her chin in her hands and sighed, complaining to Ji Heng, "Our Wanwan is so wonderful. Why hasn’t anyone come to propose?"

Ji Heng was taken aback. "Are you that eager to marry her off?"

"Not really," Jiang Li replied. "Wanwan is still young. But lately, whenever I go out, people keep asking me if I have any suitable matches in mind. I..."

When the ladies gathered, those with daughters would quietly ask each other about potential suitors. But when it came to Jiang Li, she couldn’t bring herself to say anything. How could she admit that not only were there no suitable matches, but there weren’t even any options to choose from?

"What does it have to do with them?"

"I don’t mind it for myself," Jiang Li sighed, "but I’m worried Wanwan might have other thoughts. As children grow older, they keep their worries to themselves. I don’t know what’s on her mind."

Without even a single young admirer, would Ji Meng feel disheartened?

"My daughter is not someone just anyone can match," Ji Heng said. "Ali," he asked her, "when you were fourteen, did this kind of thing trouble you?"

Jiang Li shook her head. "When I was fourteen, my father had to chase away the suitors in waves."

Ji Heng: "...So popular, huh?"

Even after all these years of marriage, this man still found time to be jealous. Jiang Li sighed and nudged him. "Next month is Wanwan’s fifteenth birthday. You have to go find some young men to come and show their support for our Wanwan."

Ji Heng’s mouth twitched. "What did you say?"

For once, Jiang Li was being assertive. "I don’t care. You can turn them away afterward. We need to let the capital know that our Wanwan has plenty of admirers—she just doesn’t fancy any of them."

"..." Ji Heng asked, "Are you serious?"

Jiang Li nodded firmly. "Yes."

...No one knew exactly what methods Ji Heng had employed, but on Jiang Li's fifteenth birthday, numerous prominent families from the capital indeed came to propose marriage.

There was the only son of the Grand Secretary of the Zhongji Hall, the young master of the Vice Metropolitan Inspector-General, the brother of the Transmission Office Commissioner, and the eldest grandson of the Imperial College. Scholars, military men, young and old—they were all there. Crowded at the main gate of the Duke's residence, the steward deliberately did not let them all in at once, making them wait outside so that passersby could witness the spectacle.

Most of the visitors understood perfectly well why the others had come. They exchanged awkward smiles, inwardly cursing Duke Su. They had seen people forced into difficult situations before, but never forced to propose marriage.

What kind of absurdity was this!

When Jiang Li heard about it inside, she pushed Ji Heng in frustration. "I asked you to find a few outstanding ones, just for show. Why did you invite so many? This isn't a theatrical performance that needs a lively audience!"

But Ji Heng was quite pleased, smiling as he said, "Since we're doing this, we might as well make it grand. Let others see how beloved Wanwan is."

He had always been ostentatious, but Jiang Li found it exasperating. Still, what was done was done—they couldn't just send everyone away. She had no choice but to brace herself and play along. "Fine, fine. With so many talented young men, perhaps Wanwan might actually take a liking to one."

At this, Ji Heng immediately turned stern. "Absolutely not! This is just an act—it must not be taken seriously."

Jiang Li: "..."

As previously agreed, Ji Heng proceeded to reject each of the "suitors," claiming that Ji Meng was still too young and they had no intention of marrying her off yet.

The visitors were utterly bewildered. It was he who had hinted, both openly and subtly, that they would face consequences if they didn't propose. Yet after they had comforted their tearful sons or grandsons at home and mustered the courage to come forward, he flatly refused them. What was the meaning of this? Was Duke Su toying with them?

How utterly unreasonable!

Regardless, Ji Meng's fifteenth birthday ultimately gained "glamour" because of this. The entire capital learned that the young lady of the Duke's residence was so captivating that talented young men flocked to propose, only to be rejected by her doting parents. This, at least, provided an excuse for when no one came knocking on the Duke's door in the future.

But then, a few days later, something unexpected happened. The sons and brothers of those who had come to propose were assaulted in their homes by masked intruders while sleeping. The attackers struck quickly and vanished just as fast, leaving the authorities unable to catch them.

Jiang Li and Ji Heng were drinking tea indoors.

Jiang Li massaged her temples. "The yamen has been taken care of, right?"

Ji Heng: "Yes."

"This child is far too reckless," Jiang Li said, both angry and amused. "How could she sneak into people's homes at night to beat them up? Those young men are completely innocent! Confining her at home to copy texts is too lenient a punishment—it's all your fault for spoiling her!"

Who would have thought Ji Meng would sneak into the homes of her suitors to assault them? What kind of madness was this!

"My fault, my fault," Ji Heng soothed, seeing his wife's anger. But then, wrapping an arm around Jiang Li's shoulder, he coaxed, "However, Wanwan's fierce resistance to the proposals shows she isn't distressed or insecure about this matter. Let's set it aside for a few years and not repeat such antics in the future."Who would believe that the daughter of Duke Su had to resort to threats just to find someone willing to propose marriage! Ji Heng himself felt humiliated upon reflection, but fortunately, his daughter proved capable by beating those people up. Thinking of this, the stifling frustration in his chest eased slightly.

His daughter hadn’t been raised in vain—she truly took after her father. He was quite pleased. Later, he would have to properly reward Wanwan.

"Let her be," Jiang Li waved her hand weakly. "I won’t interfere anymore."

Ji Heng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Excellent.

Special extra chapter from the Thai physical edition, posted belatedly~

(End of Chapter)