The Double
Chapter 261 - 107 Homecoming_4

Chapter 261: Chapter 107 Homecoming_4

Wen Ji said, "Yes."

Ji Heng laughed lightly, "He really couldn’t wait a moment longer."

Lu Jiu stood in the shadows, unable to help but ask, "Sir, Jiang Li’s return to Tongxiang must be related to the matter she plotted at Cherish Flower Tower with Qiongzhi."

Ever since Jiang Li had met Qiongzhi at Cherish Flower Tower, she had become dispirited and distracted, and soon after, she left for Tongxiang with Ye Mingyu. No matter how you looked at it, there was a connection.

"Her visit to Xiangyang was for the trip to Tongxiang," said Ji Heng with a smile. "Guarding against the Jiang Family and deceiving the Ye Family, her ultimate goal will soon become clear, just wait and see."

Lu Jiu shook his head, "But Miss Jiang the Second’s actions are truly inscrutable. Even if we knew what she did, we might still not understand why she did it."

While they were speaking, a handsome servant came from outside and respectfully said, "Sir, the carriage is ready."

Lu Jiu was startled, looking at Ji Heng, "Sir, are you leaving?"

Ji Heng glanced at the blooming flowers in the flowerbed and smiled, "Yes."

"Where to?"

"Tongxiang."

"Tongxiang?" Lu Jiu was even more puzzled, "Sir, do you wish to observe Jiang Li?"

"No," Ji Heng said softly. "It’s to watch a play."

...

The next morning, the Ye Family’s carriage set off bright and early.

Ye Mingyu seemed to be aware of Jiang Li’s eagerness and urged the travel on urgently. Tonger and Bai Xue were puzzled, asking Jiang Li if Ye Mingyu actually had something especially urgent to attend to, otherwise why he would push so hard.

Jiang Li knew that Ye Mingyu was doing this for her and was very grateful. No matter what, Ye Mingyu was putting his heart and soul into helping her. She hoped that the Ye Family would grow stronger, to become a solid and powerful support for her, but she also did not want to involve the Ye Family in irrelevant wars.

There was no doubt that Xue Huaiyuan’s imprisonment was Yongning’s doing. Now, the people of Tongxiang were deeply reticent about Xue Huaiyuan’s case, and surely it was also due to the interferences of others. Her rash entry would disrupt the other party’s arrangements, who, after receiving Yongning’s instructions, would outwardly pretend to respect her, the Chief Minister’s Daughter, but in reality, would not take her seriously.

If she dredged up the old affairs and traced them back along the line, it would inevitably involve Yongning. Sooner or later, Yongning would find out that she was investigating Xue Huaiyuan’s case. Having dealt with Yongning before, Jiang Li knew her nature. She would not hesitate because Jiang Li was Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter; she would instead resort to any vile and despicable means to achieve her goals.

Her journey to Tongxiang was fraught with difficulties. In some sense, she was alone and had to fight the battle on her own.

But she would not back down, not ever.

Thanks to Ye Mingyu’s urgency, they nearly reached Tongxiang by just past noon.

In the winter sun, Ye Mingyu broke out in sweat. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and had Jiang Li open the curtain to look out, saying, "Jiang Li, look, that’s Tongxiang ahead."

Tonger and Bai Xue looked outside, and upon seeing the scene before them, Tonger could not help but say, "So this is Tongxiang, it’s not as bustling as Xiangyang."

In the distance was the main street of Tongxiang. The street was not as spacious as Xiangyang’s, let alone Yanjing City’s. On both sides, there were various shops, and many peddlers set up stalls by the street, selling things like candied hawthorns and other trinkets.

Hearing Tonger’s remarks, Ye Mingyu said, "It’s much better now! In the past, Tongxiang was one of the poorest counties in Xiangyang, where a single pair of shoes had to be shared among siblings in the households. Not to mention shops, a peddler visiting once a month was considered trade. Later, a county magistrate came to Tongxiang who was a capable and good official. After staying here for over a decade, Tongxiang gradually prospered. Although it can’t compare with Xiangyang, if you had seen Tongxiang before, you would surely be amazed."

Jiang Li was startled, hearing of Xue Huaiyuan from Ye Mingyu’s mouth for the first time, she didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. A surge of emotion rose in her throat, forcing her to lower her head to avoid letting others see the redness in her eyes.

After composing herself, Jiang Li gently asked, "What happened to that county magistrate now?"

"What happened to him?" Ye Mingyu scratched his head, "What do you mean? Just so, I suppose. I’ve never met the county magistrate, only heard about him from others. And it’s been many years since I last came to Tongxiang, plus I’ve been out of Xiangyang for long periods, so I don’t know about these things! But I guess, since he was such a good official, maybe he got promoted and went off to be some high-ranking official!"