The Double
Chapter 272 - 109 Seven Days_5

Chapter 272: Chapter 109 Seven Days_5

"I’ve already told you," Jiang Li said, "I came to see Lord Feng because I wanted to ask why the Xue Family was sealed off, and why the County Magistrate Xue was imprisoned?"

Feng Yutang looked at Jiang Li, his mind rapidly calculating. From this one sentence, he could be certain that she was definitely not one of Princess Yongning’s people. How could someone from Princess Yongning not be aware of the Xue Family’s current predicament? However, Miss Jiang the Second’s sudden inquiry into the matter raised the question of whether it was a spur of the moment or if she had another motive.

But he absolutely couldn’t botch the task assigned by Princess Yongning.

Feng Yutang said gravely, "The Xue Family was sealed off because the criminal Xue Huaiyuan embezzled the fun of disaster aid. The evidence is conclusive. The imperial court strictly punishes corrupt officials, and that was why he was thrown into prison."

"Oh?" This was the answer Jiang Li had anticipated. She asked, "The evidence is conclusive, you say?"

"Indeed."

"I see," Jiang Li nodded somewhat helplessly and said, "Then there’s nothing that can be done."

Feng Yutang’s heart leapt with joy. But before he could speak, he saw Jiang Li raise her head again, her eyes brimming with laughter as she looked at him: "Then, Lord Feng, may I meet with this criminal, Xue Huaiyuan?"

Feng Yutang froze, and Ye Mingyu also glanced at Jiang Li in astonishment.

"Miss Jiang the Second, how come..." Feng Yutang was mid-sentence when he saw Jiang Li’s composed expression and had a realization. Miss Jiang the Second wouldn’t just be acting on a whim. How could the Chief Minister’s Daughter take such an interest in a prisoner? Although she didn’t press further about Xue Huaiyuan’s case, she requested to see him, intending to cause trouble!

Remembering the commands of his master, Feng Yutang said, "Miss Jiang the Second, according to the laws of Northern Yan, death row prisoners cannot be visited by outsiders."

"A death row prisoner?" Jiang Li’s smile vanished in an instant.

"Yes," Feng Yutang said, "According to the case file, the criminal Xue Huaiyuan should have been executed half a year ago, but his execution was delayed because he suddenly lost his sanity. Now, seven days from now, he is to be beheaded at the Meridian Gate."

Ye Mingyu, Tonger, and Bai Xue all looked at Jiang Li together.

Although they did not quite understand what Jiang Li intended to do, one thing they could all see was that Jiang Li wanted to exonerate County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan and rescue him from prison. But now Feng Yutang was saying that Xue Huaiyuan would be executed in seven days? Wouldn’t Jiang Li’s efforts be in vain?

Jiang Li sneered inwardly. ’Delayed for a period of time?’ It seems Princess Yongning wanted to torment Xue Huaiyuan a bit longer. Enough time has passed, Xue Fangfei was already dead, and tormented Xue Huaiyuan no longer interested Princess Yongning, which is why she so readily decided on the "execution."

"Could it be that Lord Feng is trying to deceive me?" Jiang Li said with a light smile, "Perhaps you are worried that I might do something to County Magistrate Xue, creating complications, and so you hastily made this decision, with the supposed execution in seven days being decided upon only just now, in this moment?"

Feng Yutang was at a loss for words. Suddenly having an idea, his eyes shifted, and with a smile that did not reach his eyes, he said, "This is true. If Miss Jiang the Second does not believe it, you may write a letter back to Yanjing City to inquire of your superiors. But... there is something I do not understand. You say you are Miss Jiang the Second, but do you have evidence? If you have no evidence and are impersonating a relative of an imperial court official, do you know what the crime is?"

"Of course, I know what the crime is. However, can’t Lord Feng see whether I am truly Miss Jiang the Second or not?" Jiang Li countered.

Feng Yutang, sweat forming in his palms, looked at Jiang Li.

His intuition told him that this clear-headed beauty was indeed the true Miss Jiang the Second. Not to mention anything else, just the confidence she exuded left no room for doubt. However, he couldn’t just admit it. Miss Jiang the Second clearly came for the Xue Family, seemingly to protect them. Bound by Princess Yongning’s orders, he couldn’t allow this to happen. He could only pretend not to believe, act first and report later. At worst, he would later apologize to Miss Jiang the Second, at most receiving a rebuke for mistakenly identifying someone. But if he let Xue Huaiyuan escape, Princess Yongning’s blame would come down on him, and he wouldn’t have enough heads to lose.

Besides, behind him stood Princess Yongning, sister to Prince Cheng who might ascend the throne in the future. No matter Grand Secretary Jiang Yuanbai’s status, he was still a minister. Even before Prince Cheng, Grand Secretary Jiang would have to yield three points. If Miss Jiang the Second became unrelentingly difficult, he would invoke Princess Yongning’s name. Who would have more to fear then?

Thinking this through, Feng Yutang regained his composure, about to speak, when he heard Jiang Li call out "Lord Feng."

"Lord Feng," Jiang Li said in an indifferent tone, "I advise you not to entertain the idea of pretending not to recognize my identity, planning to apologize later. In fact, to prevent such an event, I have specially brought my father’s Hand Token." She slowly took out a hand token from her sleeve, casually twirling it in her hand, yet allowing a clear view of the writing on the token, which was unmistakably Grand Secretary Jiang Yuanbai’s official seal.

Feng Yutang’s heart sank.

With such evidence, he could no longer blatantly lie; he had to acknowledge Jiang Li as the Chief Minister’s Daughter. With that identity, her words and actions would no longer be limited; she would be even more free to act.

This was not good news.

As he contemplated his next move, he heard Jiang Li’s calm voice once more.

Jiang Li said, "I know that Lord Feng’s master is quite influential, and with that, you can act with impunity. But there’s a saying you should have heard, ’When immortals fight, the mortals suffer.’"

"Whether Lord Feng is an immortal or a mortal should be something you are well aware of," she said.