The Double
Chapter 242 - 103: Grandparents and Grandchildren_5

Chapter 242: Chapter 103: Grandparents and Grandchildren_5

Old Madam Ye looked at Jiang Li with a mix of relief and heartache, saying, "Girl, for someone as young as you to think of such things, it’s evident that life in the Jiang Family must have been very difficult. It’s our Ye Family who has let you down. If only I had been more insistent back then, and taken you back to Xiangyang, you wouldn’t have had to suffer these grievances."

Jiang Li’s intelligence was acknowledged by everyone, but her capricious and willful nature in those years was also well known. The transition from a spoilt young lady to a skilled and strategic one could only be attributed to the demands of life. Jiang Li also had her stepmother and stepsisters and now even Jiang Bingji to contend with, so her days were certainly not easy. Intelligence, too, came at a price.

Jiang Li smiled and held Old Madam Ye’s hand, saying, "I haven’t been wronged, and my life with the Jiang family was not too bad."

Old Madam Ye simply held her hand, seeming to want to say more but ultimately only said, "No matter what, it’s good that you’ve returned."

Despite everything, she genuinely rejoiced at Jiang Li’s return. In Old Madam Ye’s eyes, Jiang Li was merely a mischievous child. She had never truly been angry with Jiang Li, and would welcome her back with a smile, just as she was doing now, whenever Jiang Li returned.

This is what family is.

Jiang Li’s eyes involuntarily moistened, uncertain if it was Old Madam Ye’s forgiveness that moved her, or her own thoughts on the matter.

If Xue Huaiyuan were still alive, Xue Fangfei, who made the mistake of misjudging people, would have likely been forgiven as well.

Alas, Xue Fangfei’s family, the people in the world who could forgive her, were no longer around. She could not find a reason to forgive herself, so she had to walk the path alone, punishing her enemies as well as herself.

"Hmm," Jiang Li hid the faint traces of tears in her eyes, and in a moment replaced them with a gentle, beaming smile, saying, "I have returned."

...

The years-long rift with the Ye Family seemed to have thawed, and the family was merrily united, a fact that did not escape the notice of the neighbors.

In the sizeable compound of black and white tiles not far from the Ye Family’s, guards squatted on the eaves, watching the servants in the flower beds diligently digging up the soil, planting one sapling after another.

Duke Su Jih Heng loved exotic flowers, and even upon arriving in Xiangyang, even though it was just a resting place, the servants never dared to neglect their duties. Xiangyang City did not have as abundant resources as Yanjing City, so the young lads who did the purchasing left early and returned late, searching for unusual and beautiful flowers to plant in the courtyard.

And indeed, after seeing the blooming wealth of the Duke Residence, the bareness of this estate felt wrong to the guards. Now as they planted the flowers, they felt much more at ease, as if a sigh of relief released the pent up frustration in their chests.

"Old Madam Ye and Miss Jiang the Second have already met," Wen Ji said, "Nothing particularly eventful happened."

Nothing particularly eventful, meaning everything went smoothly.

Next to Jih Heng, Lu Jiu inquired, "Did they get along well with each other?"

"Very well," Wen Ji replied. "Just like family."

Lu Jiu sighed and commented, "Miss Jiang the Second is no simple character. In such a short time, she has managed to make the Ye Family treat her without any barriers."

The past misunderstandings between Jiang Li and the Ye Family appeared trivial, but in reality, overcoming them was not so easy. Especially after more than a decade, misunderstandings don’t vanish with time. On the contrary, those that had not been resolved would snowball, becoming an insurmountable rock that was difficult to even shake, let alone break.

But Jiang Li had done just that.

"A person who shares in adversity is naturally more endearing," Jih Heng commented with a dismissive smile at the window. Although it was a compliment, coming from his lips, it sounded almost mocking.

"Indeed, that is Miss Jiang the Second’s cleverness," Lu Jiu nodded. "It would have been difficult for the Ye Family to untie their knot with her, but faced with adversity, they were lucky that she solved a pressing crisis. By taking a stand at such a crucial moment and sharing in their multiple hardships, it’s impossible for the Ye Family to be indifferent to her. Plus, Miss Jiang the Second knows how to deal with people very well. She appears so sincere that probably the Ye Family has long been won over by her."

He sighed again, "How did she manage to encounter such an opportunity? It must be attributed to luck, after all."

"What luck," Jih Heng shook his folding fan, "She knew this was coming all along, and had been waiting for the show to begin. Nowadays, there are plenty of people who can touch their own hearts."

Lu Jiu was silent for a moment, before saying, "My lord, the Head of the Weaving Department has arrived. Regarding the matter in Xiangyang, should we intervene? At the moment, it seems Tong Zhiyang is not up to the task, and his mistress is in Ye Mingyu’s grasp. The Ye Family may be safe for now, but the situation could change."

"No need," Jih Heng replied.

On the overcast day, the peony on the folding fan also seemed affected by the gloomy weather, looking somewhat dull, except for his red robe, which stood out as a bright spot in the world, resplendent and unyielding.

"Li Lian from the Li Family is of little use," Jih Heng slowly said. "Not as capable as a young lady. There’s no longer a way for Li Lian to meddle in the Ye Family’s affairs. As to whether he stumbles or not, let him pray for his own fortune." A strange glint flashed in his eyes, "As for that Miss from the Jiang Family... if only she didn’t bear the Jiang surname, that would be better."