The Double

Chapter 52: Visiting

Jiang Youyao hadn't expected Jiang Li's final remark to target her. She naturally caught the implied meaning and nearly jumped in anger, barely managing to restrain herself.

Unlike Jiang Youyao, Jiang Yu'e lacked composure. Already harboring resentment toward Jiang Li and failing to notice Old Madam Jiang's approval of Jiang Li's words, she declared, "We are young ladies who should be cautious in speech and conduct. While Second Sister acted chivalrously, it's unbecoming for a woman to intervene in men's affairs on the street—it damages virtue."

Ji Shuran inwardly thought, "This is bad." Sure enough, as soon as Jiang Yu'e spoke, Old Madam Jiang's expression darkened. Staring at Jiang Yu'e, she said, "Oh? So ignoring someone in peril and showing cold indifference is virtuous? It seems you've memorized the family precepts for naught!"

Jiang Yu'e was stunned, not expecting Old Madam Jiang to suddenly rebuke her. Shame and grievance filled her heart, but she dared not argue with the old madam. She merely lowered her head in silence, seething with renewed hatred for Jiang Li.

Ji Shuran was also irritated. Though Old Madam Jiang's criticism of callousness was directed at Jiang Yu'e, it implicitly scolded Jiang Youyao as well. Concealing her displeasure, she soothingly said, "Mother, please don't be angry. The children are young—it's normal to be flustered in such situations. Yu'e and Youyao have never experienced this before. It's Li'er who showed courage and wit." She smiled at Jiang Li. "Daring to step forward."

Jiang Li smiled. "I merely followed my conscience."

"What a 'following my conscience'—effortlessly undermining others while making herself appear noble." Ji Shuran's smile stiffened slightly.

Old Madam Jiang added, "Since they're relatives, I didn't know when the Ye family child arrived in Yanjing City. Do you know where he's staying? We should invite him to the manor another day."

Ji Shuran was surprised, then grew even more furious. After all these years since Ye Zhenzhen's death, the Jiang and Ye families had long ceased contact. Now, because of Jiang Li's coincidental encounter, Old Madam Jiang suddenly wanted to reconcile with the Ye family? What was the meaning of this? If the Jiang and Ye families repaired relations, where would that leave the Ji family's dignity?

"It was rushed. After the matter was resolved, I left without speaking further with Cousin Ye, so I don't know," Jiang Li replied.

Hearing this, Old Madam Jiang seemed disappointed, while Ji Shuran breathed a sigh of relief. But then she frowned again—if the Jiang family truly wanted to find someone in Yanjing City, how difficult could it be? If the old madam was determined to meet Ye Shijie, locating him would only be a matter of time.

Just then, Jiang Bingji, who had been playing on the couch, drawled, "Mother, I'm hungry."

Old Madam Jiang snapped back to attention. Glancing at Jiang Bingji, she said to Ji Shuran, "Take Ji Ge'er for dinner." To Jiang Li and the others, she said, "You haven't eaten since returning from school. All of you, go back. Let this matter rest and don't mention it again." With that, she closed her eyes, as if weary and in need of rest.

Feicui and Zhenzhu hurried to see the guests out.

Once they had all left Evening Phoenix Hall, Ji Shuran departed with Jiang Bingji and a resentful Jiang Youyao. As Jiang Li prepared to head toward Fragrant Garden Courtyard, Jiang Yu'e glared at her and sneered, "Second Sister is truly skilled—with just a few words, you've charmed Grandmother into a daze, making her drop everything."Jiang Li's smile remained undiminished. "Thank you for the compliment, Fourth Sister." Her words carried genuine sincerity, and her smile was equally amiable, as if she hadn't heard Jiang Yu'e's sarcasm at all, which only served to infuriate Jiang Yu'e further.

Seeing Jiang Yu'e rendered speechless, Jiang Li leisurely took her leave with Bai Xue. Behind them, Jiang Yuyan timidly tugged at Jiang Yu'e's sleeve and whispered, "You shouldn't always pick on Second Sister."

"Get away from me!" Jiang Yu'e shook off her sleeve, breaking free from Jiang Yuyan's grasp, a trace of contempt flashing in her eyes. "How could I have such a cowardly older sister? Utterly useless!" She stormed off in a huff.

Jiang Yuyan lowered her head and stood silently in place, lost in thought.

...

When Jiang Li and Bai Xue returned to Fragrant Garden Courtyard, Tong'er finally breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing them unharmed. She then vented her frustration by cursing the gossipy, tall, dark, and sturdy Jiang Youyao and her companions in the courtyard before plopping down on a chair. "Miss, why did the Old Madam suddenly bring up the Young Master of the Ye family? Does she intend to reconcile with them?"

Tong'er hadn't been with Jiang Li since birth; in fact, before Jiang Li was sent to the family temple, Tong'er wasn't even considered a second-tier maid. Thus, she knew very little about the Ye family's affairs, including why the relationship between the Ye and Jiang families had soured or why Jiang Li no longer associated with them.

"I don't know either," Jiang Li shook her head. "But I think the Old Madam probably just mentioned it in passing. If she were serious, she would have sent someone to inquire further, but in the end, she clearly had no such intention."

Tong'er pondered for a moment and sighed. "If only the Old Madam truly intended to reconcile with the Ye family, then you would at least have the protection of your maternal relatives. That Ji Shi would have to rein in her behavior too."

Ji Shuran's position in the main household was as solid as a rock, not only because she had given birth to a son and a daughter but also because the Ji family backed her. It wasn't just Ji Shuran's father, Ji Yanlin; even her full sister, the current Li Pin, was the Hongxiao Emperor's beloved.

In contrast, Jiang Li only had a deceased birth mother and maternal relatives with whom she had long severed ties. In the Jiang family, aside from relying on her own strength to fend off attacks, she had no means of external support. This meant her path would be arduous.

The difference between having backing and having none lay precisely in this.

"If only we had asked where the Young Master of the Ye family is living now," Tong'er grumbled, still unwilling to let it go. "Perhaps we could have used him to build a relationship with the Xiangyang branch."

"It's fine," Jiang Li said. "There will be opportunities now."

Bai Xue asked in a muffled voice, "But Miss, didn't you refrain from asking about the Young Master's current situation?"

"There's no need for me to ask," Jiang Li replied with a smile, shaking her head. "He will come to us on his own."

Tong'er and Bai Xue exchanged glances, seemingly unconvinced by Jiang Li's words. Yet, to everyone's surprise, the very next day, Jiang Li's prediction came true.

The Young Master of the Ye family from Xiangyang, Jiang Li's nominal elder cousin, Ye Shijie, took the initiative to seek them out.

(End of Chapter)