The Double

Chapter 35: Discussion

Jiang Li looked at the two people opposite her.

Jiang Youyao and Zhou Yanbang were sitting very close together. Their engagement was known throughout Yanjing City, so it wasn't inappropriate for the betrothed couple to be intimate. However, Zhou Yanbang's expression currently appeared somewhat uncomfortable.

Jiang Youyao spoke again with naive innocence: "Second Sister, what were you discussing so earnestly earlier? Why did you stop talking when I arrived?"

"We weren't discussing anything important," Jiang Li said. "I just happened to run into the Heir and had just greeted him when you arrived." Jiang Li smiled: "Since Third Sister is here now, you should spend time with the Heir properly. I'll take my leave first." Without waiting for Zhou Yanbang and Jiang Youyao to respond, she left directly with Tong'er.

Zhou Yanbang couldn't help but watch Jiang Li's retreating figure, and seeing this, Jiang Youyao secretly gritted her teeth.

On the way back, Tong'er quietly asked Jiang Li: "Miss, it would be better if you didn't pay attention to Heir Zhou anymore."

"What do you mean?"

Seeing that Jiang Li wasn't angry, Tong'er grew bolder: "Although you and Heir Zhou were previously engaged, Third Miss is now the one betrothed to him. Now that you've returned, the Master won't change the engagement back. Marriage isn't a joke - changing it back and forth would make our Jiang family the laughingstock of Yanjing City. The Master would definitely never allow such a thing to happen."

"Furthermore," Tong'er continued while observing Jiang Li's expression, "the way Heir Zhou looked at you just now was too enthusiastic. He's now Third Miss's fiancé, yet he doesn't mind his position and behaves like this. This shows he's not a good match, Miss..."

"I know," Jiang Li smiled. "I'm well aware he's not a good match. But I'm impressed that our Tong'er can think of so many things."

Tong'er was usually a straightforward girl who, aside from her loyalty, didn't show any particular insight. Unexpectedly, beneath her rough exterior lay careful consideration, and she wasn't blinded by immediate gains. Jiang Li felt quite fond of this.

Hearing Jiang Li's praise, Tong'er also smiled: "Miss, you don't need to worry. Our Miss is the legitimate daughter of the Jiang family. Not to mention the Heir of Marquis Ningyuan, you could even become a princess consort. You can take your time to find a good husband and suitable match later."

Jiang Li couldn't help but laugh at this. Tong'er was still too naive and didn't understand how damaging gossip could be. The mere accusation of attempting to murder her stepmother from before was enough to make her undesirable throughout Yanjing City. Otherwise, Jiang Yuanbai wouldn't have sent her to the nunnery back then - he knew that Second Miss Jiang wouldn't have a better life in Yanjing City anyway.

But then again, she didn't plan to marry anyone in this lifetime.

...

Meanwhile, in the Elegant Beauty Garden, Ji Shi and Ji Chen Shi were talking.

All the guests had dispersed. Today's hair-pinning ceremony for Jiang Youyao had been completely chaotic and messy. Others who saw this would only say that she, as the mistress of the household, managed poorly and failed to maintain order in the inner quarters.

The look Jiang Yuanbai gave her before leaving made Ji Shi quite angry. He was clearly blaming her.

She had originally planned to properly deal with Jiang Li, but unexpectedly Jiang Li had extricated herself and even cost her one of her maids, Xiang Qiao. That would have been bad enough, but today's events were clearly full of twists and turns that perceptive people could see through. Those ladies and young misses loved discussing others' household affairs, and the clever ones would definitely be able to discern the peculiarities in what happened.Ji Shuran wasn't afraid of others noticing something amiss. As the mistress of the household, whose hands were completely clean without some tactics? But employing schemes only to end up defeated, suffering a double loss—this would surely make people laugh their heads off if word got out. It would be admitting her own incompetence, losing to a mere slip of a girl.

Proud and arrogant, Ji Shuran returned home seething with hatred, smashing vases and pottery until the room was in shambles.

Ji Chen Shi comforted her, "What kind of behavior is this? If others see you, they'll say you lack composure. Is this how a Grand Secretary's wife should act?"

"Sister, I just can't swallow this anger," Ji Shuran said bitterly. "That little slut Jiang Li is truly sinister! She's about the same age as Youyao, yet so cunning. You saw what happened this time—how could she be so scheming?"

"She is indeed not simple, but don't lose your composure," Ji Chen Shi replied. She instructed the maid to close the door and said, "Currently, you're in charge of the main household of the Jiang residence. Don't forget, you've borne Jiang Yuanbai a son and daughter, and his heart leans toward you. Jiang Li is a neglected daughter—has anyone in the Jiang family ever truly treated her as a young lady? Dealing with her should be as easy as turning over your hand. Remember to proceed gradually and don't give others any leverage. Look at Xiang Qiao this time—she nearly caused trouble."

Ji Shuran gradually calmed down. "I understand."

Yun Shuang had already been taken away. Jiang Li's words had ultimately made Ji Shuran suspicious, even though Yun Shuang had explained that it was due to jealousy and rivalry with Xiang Qiao that things had come to this. But whether it was true or false, Yun Shuang had caused Ji Shuran's plan to fail at the last moment. Such a grave mistake could not be tolerated. As for the methods used, if anyone asked, it would simply be said that Yun Shuang couldn't bear Xiang Qiao's death and had packed up to return to her hometown.

"As for that Madam Liu," Ji Chen Shi's expression darkened, "she's repeatedly opposed our Ji family. Father told me last time that Liu Yuanfeng had impeached him again. This Liu Yuanfeng doesn't know his place, and now that Madam Liu keeps opposing us, it's truly infuriating."

"She is indeed detestable," Ji Shuran agreed. "If it weren't for her meddling back then, how could Jiang Li have had the chance to return to Yanjing!"

"It's fine," Ji Chen Shi said coldly. "If the Liu family dares to oppose our Ji family, they'll get what's coming to them. The urgent matter now is you." Ji Chen Shi admonished Ji Shuran, "You've angered Jiang Yuanbai this time, so you must appease him properly. As for Jiang Li, there's no hurry. Just find some method—after all, she's under your watch. Don't forget, her future marriage is in your hands. If you want to trip her up, isn't it easy?"

Ji Shuran nodded. "You're right."

As they were speaking, someone suddenly rushed in—it was Jiang Youyao, her face contorted with rage. Seeing Ji Chen Shi and Ji Shuran together, she blurted out without preamble, "Mother, Aunt, that little vixen Jiang Li actually flirted with Zhou Shizi right in front of me! She has no shame! You must teach her a lesson for me!"

"How dare she?" Ji Shuran shot to her feet.

"She dares," Jiang Youyao said, extremely aggrieved. "Mother, she looks down on us so much—how can we tolerate it? Mother, you must vent this anger for me!"

(End of Chapter)