The Double
Chapter 263 - 108 Tyranny

Chapter 263: Chapter 108 Tyranny

Jiang Li had never seen the Xue Family like this before.

When Xue Huaiyuan served as the County Magistrate, his salary was not substantial; he did not, unlike his predecessors, renovate the mansion to be tall and imposing, living just like any ordinary citizen. This triple-sectioned courtyard had been owned by a master eager to travel far and in his haste, he sold it cheaply to Xue Huaiyuan.

Although the courtyard was dilapidated, it was clean and tidy, and still a home. Xue Zhao and Xue Fangfei grew up here from naive children to teenagers.

In her memory, the Xue Family’s residence was always brimming with the smoke of cooking fires, vibrant with life. The worthless flowers and plants at the entrance added color to the residence.

However, the Xue Family before her eyes now lay in ruins, the official seal glaringly conspicuous, and even the seal was layered with dust, indicating that it had been a long time since anyone had visited this place.

A good home, scattered to the winds just like that.

Ye Mingyu, seeing Jiang Li suddenly shed tears, was startled and asked, "Jiang Li, what’s wrong with you?"

Jiang Li came back to her senses, smiled, and said, "There’s too much dust here, and sand got into my eyes." She took out a handkerchief, and as she wiped her eyes, she said, "A rub, and it’ll be fine."

Ye Mingyu was not suspicious, for in his view, Jiang Li was visiting Tongxiang for the first time, and this strange residence couldn’t possibly make her cry. He said, "Whose home is this? Why has it been sealed by the officials?"

"The Xue Family," Jiang Li said.

Ye Mingyu was greatly surprised: "How do you know?"

Jiang Li pointed towards the seal: "It’s written on it. I suppose it’s the home of your Uncle Mingyu you just mentioned, the magistrate who devoted himself to the people."

Bai Xue and Tonger were both very confused, and Ye Mingyu was so shocked he was at a loss for words. After a long pause, he said, "Which magistrate? How could County Magistrate Xue’s home be sealed? Is there some mistake? What... what happened?" He had spent years away from Xiangyang, let alone Tongxiang, and the matter of Xue Huaiyuan had not been widely publicized. Even Qiongzhi had to inquire to find out, so it was even less likely for Ye Mingyu to know.

Jiang Li smiled, her tone slightly cold: "Fate is unpredictable, as is human fortune. Who knows what happened to County Magistrate Xue that even his home has been raided."

Ye Mingyu felt Jiang Li’s words to be somewhat strange but could not pinpoint where. While they were in silence, they heard a "creak" from the neighboring yard next to the Xue’s, as someone pushed the door open and walked out.

It was a woman with a flowered cloth wrapped around her head, her skin slightly tanned, clad in a blue cloth skirt, with a bamboo basket hanging from her elbow, emerging from the courtyard. She clearly had not expected to suddenly find a group of strangers at the entrance to the sealed Xue Family home, and they looked very unfamiliar. She did not dare to approach and instead stood in place, looking at them with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

Ye Mingyu was helpless: "Oh, have we been mistaken for the bad guys?"

Seeing this woman, Jiang Li instantly felt a surge of familiarity.

The woman in the blue skirt was the neighbor’s aunt Chun Fang. She had watched her and Xue Zhao grow up from when they were little, and it had been many years since they last met. Jiang Li couldn’t help but step forward and walked towards aunt Chun Fang.

Ye Mingyu called out quietly from behind, "Hey, Jiang Li, what are you doing?"

Jiang Li approached Chun Fang.

Chun Fang hesitantly held her hands as she looked at Jiang Li. These people were obviously not from Tongxiang. Still, the young lady before her was clearly from a family of high status, beautiful and with a gentle smile. Where in Tongxiang could they find such a noble lady? No, there had been one before, Fangfei from the Xue Family had been recognized as the great beauty of Tongxiang, but alas, she had married away to Yanjing City. Fortunately, she had moved to Yanjing; otherwise, if she had stayed in Tongxiang, she would have been implicated...

As Chun Fang was lost in her thoughts, she saw the young lady before her looking at her, speaking softly: "Auntie, may I ask if the sealed residence here is the home of County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan?"

Chun Fang was startled, sizing up Jiang Li before replying: "Indeed, do you know the Xue Family?"

"Not personally," Jiang Li shook her head, "I am just curious, may I know why the magistrate’s home has been sealed off?"

Chun Fang hesitated and then shook her head, "Don’t... don’t know..."

"He was a local official, your county magistrate, there must be a reason why a good official’s residence has been sealed. How could you not know, auntie?"

Maybe it was Jiang Li’s piercing gaze, or perhaps her pressing tone that made Chun Fang involuntarily take a step back. She was somewhat inarticulate as she said, "I don’t know, I really don’t know... You should ask others."