The Double
Chapter 254 - 106 Prison_2

Chapter 254: Chapter 106 Prison_2

Qiongzhi was a clever girl; while her intelligence might not shine through scholarly pursuits, she was thoroughly familiar with worldly affairs. People who make a living in the markets often possess a keen ability to read expressions and understand subtext. A woman like Qiongzhi who grew up in a brothel would naturally be more cautious than the average person, always on her guard.

"Now, can you tell me about Tongxiang?" Jiang Li asked.

"Do you really want to know?" Qiongzhi inquired.

Her hand hidden within her sleeve unconsciously clenched tighter, her heart as if lifted by a thread, swaying precariously in the air.

"Telling you won’t hurt, the Xue Family is pretty much ruined. In these days, every time I entertain numerous clients, I’ve managed to gather some clues." First, she glanced at Jiang Li, her tone growing somber, "Initially, I thought maybe the death of Xue Zhao was some absurd tale you concocted, still harboring a sliver of hope in my heart. That was until I met a noble who had just returned from visiting relatives in Yanjing. She told me, the wife of the Top Scholar, Xue Fangfei, truly dwindled away and died from an illicit affair, and her brother Xue Zhao was murdered by bandits on his way to Yanjing, his corpse discarded in the river, just as you said, not a word different."

"Those are Yanjing matters," Jiang Li said, "What about Xue Huaiyuan of Tongxiang?"

Perhaps it was the urgency in her voice which Qiongzhi caught. Qiongzhi paused before looking inquiringly at Jiang Li, "That’s what I don’t understand. You said Xue Huaiyuan died half a year ago and wanted me to find out why he died and where he was buried, but Xue Huaiyuan isn’t dead."

"What did you say?" Jiang Li exclaimed, unable to contain her shock.

Always calm and composed in front of Qiongzhi, Miss Jiang the Second had never lost her composure, this was the first time Qiongzhi saw Jiang Li visibly disconcerted.

Jiang Li didn’t care how Qiongzhi saw her, at that moment, her heart was overwhelmed with a rush of ecstatic joy, she said, "You’re saying Xue Huaiyuan isn’t dead?! Are you sure, where did you hear this from?!"

Initially, Qiongzhi had suspected Jiang Li’s inquiries into the Xue family’s affairs might be driven by ulterior motives, perhaps intending to use the Xue family for some plot, but seeing Jiang Li’s current expression, all her doubts instantly evaporated. The excitement and surprise that shone in the eyes of the Second Miss upon hearing that Xue Huaiyuan wasn’t dead were clearly genuine.

After calming down slightly, Qiongzhi continued, "It’s true, he’s not dead, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. The lord of the Xue family, the Tongxiang County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan, has gone mad, doesn’t recognize anyone, and is now locked up in the Tongxiang Yamen’s prison."

As if plummeting from the heavens into an abyss, Jiang Li’s palms turned icy in an instant, the ecstatic joy from a moment before evaporated in an instant, as she struggled to believe her ears, she stared at Qiongzhi, saying, "What did you say?"

Qiongzhi found Jiang Li’s gaze somewhat terrifying, almost mad. Like a wild animal suppressing its grief, fighting the urge to tear everything around it to shreds.

Her own voice dropped unconsciously as she said, "All the influential guests who come my way, I’ve questioned them. But for some reason, they’re all very secretive about the matter of Xue Huaiyuan from Tongxiang, reluctant to discuss it with me, or they simply storm off. Only a merchant, with whom I have a good relationship, seeing how earnest I was, whispered the news to me."

"I heard that the Tongxiang County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan was imprisoned half a year ago for embezzling disaster relief funds allocated by the imperial court; now, Tongxiang County has a new magistrate. Xue Huaiyuan has lost his mind, doesn’t recognize his kin in prison, a truly pitiful sight..."

"How could Xue Huaiyuan be corrupt?" Jiang Li protested angrily, "The people of Tongxiang would never believe it!"

Qiongzhi was surprised at how naturally Jiang Li spoke of the people of Tongxiang, and seemed to understand Xue Huaiyuan well, but she continued, "There’s nothing the common folk can do, after all, it’s the will of those above, and besides," Qiongzhi laughed, though it was unclear who she was mocking, "people forget the departed soon enough. Since ancient times, there has been the saying that commoners cannot contend with officials. Even if Xue Huaiyuan was a righteous officer who didn’t embezzle the relief funds, who is there to speak up for him? Everyone is only looking out for themselves."

Jiang Li was stunned.

Xue Huaiyuan was wholeheartedly devoted to serving the people, never expecting anything in return; neither Xue Zhao nor Xue Fangfei had ever thought otherwise but, as it seems now, Qiongzhi wasn’t wrong – people are selfish, who would risk offending the powerful for a madman already imprisoned? But if Xue Huaiyuan was still sane, seeing all of this would probably leave him utterly disheartened.