The Double
Chapter 260 - 107: Returning Home _3

Chapter 260: Chapter 107: Returning Home _3

Ye Mingyu watched Jiang Li from the side, quietly marvelling to himself. There really was a difference in those who had been educated in a prominent household—she could argue so sensibly and eloquently, even in a dispute. Looking at the usually most difficult to silence, eldest and second brother, were they not speechless now?

Lady Guan couldn’t help but interject, "But we’re worried about you..."

Ye Mingyu rolled his eyes, thinking they only worried about Jiang Li and not him. Did they pick him up off the streets, making him a fake member of the Ye Family?

"There’s no need to worry about me," Jiang Li said with a gentle smile. "I swear to my maternal grandmother and my aunts and uncles, Uncle Mingyu most certainly isn’t causing trouble out of frivolity; he’s on proper business. There won’t be any danger."

Her expression was tender, her words earnest, making it effortless for people to believe her. If the same words had come from Ye Mingyu, they likely wouldn’t be taken as seriously.

Old Madam Ye sighed and spoke first, "Since Ali, you have made up your mind, then go ahead." She gazed at Jiang Li with affection, "Don’t blame your aunts and uncle for being overprotective; they are genuinely worried you, a young girl, might not be able to handle things."

Jiang Li took Old Madam Ye’s hand, smiling as she replied, "I understand, Grandmother. I have grown up and can take care of myself."

Those words plunged Old Madam Ye into a daze as if she saw Ye Zhenzhen from the past, defiantly saying before her marriage to Jiang Yuanbai: "Zhenzhen has grown up and can take care of herself" when Elder Master Ye worried she would be mistreated.

In the end, she couldn’t take care of herself.

Old Madam Ye’s heart sank and she nearly burst into tears. She patted Jiang Li’s hand and said, "Well then, make it a quick trip." She had the maid help her walk towards the inner room.

Jiang Li fell silent.

She felt it—Old Madam Ye must have been reminded of the past. Indeed, everyone at the Ye Family probably felt it. Ye Mingyu broke the somber mood, exclaiming, "Everyone agrees, right? If so, let’s not linger any longer since we’re pressed for time. Ali, let’s go, and heed mother’s words—make it quick!"

Ye Minghui glared at him, admonishing, "Take good care of Ali!"

...

The thought of leaving Xiangyang for Tongxiang materialized with such ease.

Sitting in the carriage, Jiang Li’s heart felt almost surreal.

Her return to Xiangyang from Yanjing City was ultimately to inquire about her father’s whereabouts, to visit Tongxiang in person. Whether to offer incense for her father or the slim hope of seeing him again, her heart was subtly overwhelmed with excitement.

The journey from Xiangyang to Tongxiang was roughly a day’s travel. Departing in the afternoon, they would rest at an inn along the way and arrive by the next afternoon. The traveling party wasn’t large, and Jiang Li preferred not to take the Jiang Family’s guards since they might not be wholly loyal. Although they would protect her, they could impede her actions. Therefore, Ye Minghui selected a few of the Ye Family’s best guards to accompany them, including Jiang Li’s maid and Ye Mingyu’s servant, Ah Shun.

When night fell, they rested at an inn by the roadside.

The Ye Family’s movements, though secretive, did not escape the notice of the neighbors.

In the courtyard, Jih Heng was watering flowers by the flowerbed.

Holding a delicate brass watering can, he stood in the night, gently pouring. The water droplets, clear as gems or like a string of pearls, fell upon the petals, trickling down the stems to disappear into the soil.

Only a faint fragrance lingered in the air.

Lu Jiu stood behind Jih Heng, his blue garments shifting in the breeze. The black-clad guard spoke in an even tone, "Old Master Ye the Third has set out for Tongxiang with Miss Jiang the Second."

He said "Old Master Ye the Third has set out with Miss Jiang the Second," not "Miss Jiang the Second with Old Master Ye the Third." This meant the one leading the trip to Tongxiang was Jiang Li, not Ye Mingyu.

Jih Heng simply hummed in acknowledgment.

He continued to attend to the flowers as if this task alone deserved his utmost care in the world, not allowing for any distraction even for a moment.

Winter flowers bloomed with a startling extravagance, an odd beauty that seemed misplaced, hauntingly beautiful. He watered each plant meticulously, taking nearly an hour. Reaching out, a servant took the brass watering can from him, as Jih Heng took out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve and delicately wiped his fingers.