The Double
Chapter 271 - 109: Seven Days_4

Chapter 271: Chapter 109: Seven Days_4

Jiang Li? Feng Yutang mulled over the name in his mind. Tongxiang wasn’t large, and he could name most of the people of Tongxiang. Even those whose names he couldn’t recall were familiar faces. And Jiang Li was definitely not from Tongxiang because he would not have missed noticing such a striking woman if she were a local.

At this moment, Feng Yutang actually felt relieved. Although the tall fellow looked fierce, two fists can’t contend with four hands, and he wouldn’t be able to leave the county government office eventually. As for this little beauty, she seemed quite interesting; perhaps he should keep her to savor slowly. For now, though, she could be a bit of amusement, playing along with her wasn’t a bad idea.

He spoke deliberately, "What? Does the young lady tell this official her name so that I shall remember you and call you by it?" There was a hint of suggestiveness in his tone.

The entire room of government officers burst into laughter. This was nothing like a county government office, it seemed more like a gathering place for ruffians, filled with a rabble.

Upon hearing this, Ye Mingyu became even more furious and cursed, "You disgraceful cur!" At this moment, he also began to regret it inwardly. He had confidently brought Jiang Li here, thinking after all it was the county office; no matter how excessive things got, at least a show of propriety was expected. It was the same with Tong Zhiyang from Xiangyang who still considered the public opinion. He hadn’t expected that the magistrate of Tongxiang would be so disgraceful, no better than a street thug. To even dare to publicly harass Jiang Li in the courthouse was audacious!

Jiang Li looked at Feng Yutang with a cold eye, who had replaced all the officers that followed Xue Huaiyuan with his own men. Like master, like servant – the brutal and vicious Yongning had dogs like Feng Yutang, a sly cur, and Feng Yutang, being greedy and lecherous, surrounded himself with a bunch of nauseating ’officials.’

And they had turned this clear and bright court into a filthy and vile place.

Jiang Li said, "Lord Feng is the ruler of this Tongxiang, knowing every citizen’s name – indeed, a good official, always busy with official duties. It’s natural not to recognize me, after all, this isn’t Yanjing."

Feng Yutang was initially listening to Jiang Li with a somewhat proud smile, but as she reached the last few words, his smile gradually faded, and he asked, "Yanjing."

Jiang Li looked at him with a faint smile.

Feng Yutang’s heart skipped a beat, he obviously knew of Yanjing – the patron who had promoted him was from the nobility of Yanjing. Could it be, the fine-looking young lady before him was also a noble from Yanjing, possibly sent here by that master of his? No, no, impossible, that master wouldn’t need to inquire about the Xue Family through her, and this beauty didn’t seem like she was here to kick Xue Huaiyuan while he was down.

With his heart filled with alarm and doubt, he asked, "Who are you in Yanjing?"

Ye Mingyu, seeing how things were playing out, casually folded his arms and stood next to Jiang Li, watching the commotion. Although he had no love for the rigid formalities of the officialdom, he had to admit that sometimes, a title could be quite useful, especially when dealing with those who judged people by their status, using it then was always effective.

Jiang Li laughed, "Though Lord Feng may not have seen me, he should have heard of the reputation of the current Prime Minister Jiang. Unfortunately for you, I am the legitimate daughter of Prime Minister Jiang, Miss Jiang the Second of the Jiang Family. Lord Feng ought to address me as Miss Jiang the Second."

Her tone was just right, neither light nor heavy, neither warm nor cold, yet suffused with a hint of sarcasm. Though she was smiling, it was with an air of condescension.

Feng Yutang was shocked, and the officers surrounding Ye Mingyu were startled as well. They might be bullies in Tongxiang, but they also knew who Jiang Yuanbai was. At the height of his influence, nearly half of the imperial court’s officials were his students. In a place like Tongxiang, Jiang Yuanbai was akin to a legendary figure, and now Jiang Li was claiming to be his daughter, which means she was truly the Chief Minister’s Daughter. The thought of offending the daughter of the Chief Minister was too terrifying for them to even consider.

"You, you, you..." Feng Yutang stuttered several times, unable to finish his sentence.

Jiang Li’s disdain grew deeper – even if Feng Yutang was made the magistrate, his nature of bullying the weak and fearing the strong couldn’t change. As soon as he met someone of higher status than himself, he lost his nerve.

Perhaps she should thank Jiang Yuanbai – at least this identity as the Second Miss had saved her from a lot of trouble.

"Miss Jiang, Miss Jiang the Second," Feng Yutang’s forehead broke out in sweat as he awkwardly addressed her, then asked, "What brings you to visit this humble official?"

Ye Mingyu couldn’t help but laugh out loud. From "this official" to "this humble official," Feng Yutang’s complexion sure changed quickly. That such a person could become the magistrate – he felt sympathy for the people of Tongxiang.