The Double
Chapter 274 - 110 Rescue_2

Chapter 274: Chapter 110 Rescue_2

Qiongzhi had managed to find out that Xue Huaiyuan had been imprisoned, and Jiang Li knew she had to see his case file to spot any discrepancies. She had crafted this transfer order early on to prepare, but upon encountering Feng Yutang, she realized she didn’t need to put in so much effort. Feng Yutang was nothing but an ignorant ruffian who only knew about eating, drinking, and playing around; all she needed was to fabricate a plausible excuse, and he would fall for it hook, line, and sinker.

Tonger took the case file that was brought over and handed it to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li glanced at the file, confirmed it was indeed the real deal without a doubt, and then offered Feng Yutang a small smile, saying, "Thank you, Lord Feng, I have nothing else here."

Feng Yutang was already finding it a headache to deal with Jiang Li. Hearing her say this, he couldn’t wait for her to leave. He wanted to send a pigeon-post message to Princess Yongning to find out what to do next. It was clear that Miss Jiang the Second was intent on reopening the Xue Huaiyuan case. Although he didn’t understand how Xue Huaiyuan came to be involved with the Chief Minister’s Daughter, Feng Yutang definitely did not want to mess up at the last minute and upset Princess Yongning—he wouldn’t be able to bear the consequences.

"Sure, sure, sure," Feng Yutang said with squinted eyes, then added, "Miss Second Jiang is leaving...?"

"I am not leaving," replied Jiang Li, "I plan to stay in Tongxiang for a while."

"Stay, stay for a while?"

"Yes," Jiang Li said, looking at him, "Lord Feng seems quite displeased by the idea?"

"No... No..." Feng Yutang chuckled, "Why would I be? Has Miss Second Jiang arranged any accommodations? If not, this humble official can help."

"No need for that; we have many people, and wouldn’t want to trouble Lord Feng with official duties," Jiang Li said with a smile that was not quite a smile. "I believe you must be very busy too, no need to see us out, we will take our leave now."

Feng Yutang could only offer a forced smile. This daughter of the Jiang family was like someone who could see right through people’s hearts—how did she know he was so eager to communicate with Princess Yongning?

"Then this humble official won’t see you out," Feng Yutang said.

Jiang Li gave him a glance, exchanged a few words with Ye Mingyu, who then put away the sword at his waist, and led Jiang Li out, striding past Feng Yutang with an air of confidence.

Watching the backs of Jiang Li and her group as they left, Feng Yutang, for some reason, felt a sudden surge of unease. He sat for a moment before coming back to his senses. Gruffly kicking one of his attendants, he ordered, "Quick! Get me paper, ink, and a brush!"

...

Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu exited the great gate of the county government office.

Approaching the entrance, an old crone hunched over and carrying a night incense bucket passed by Jiang Li, lifting her eyelids to take a quick glance at them before immediately looking down and staggering away without turning back.

Something stirred in Jiang Li’s heart, but Ye Mingyu spoke up, "What’s the deal with that county chief? Damn, I’ve never seen a county chief like that! Can you even call that a county chief? How can someone like that be a county chief?"

He was still upset about Feng Yutang’s disrespectful looks at Jiang Li.

"It’s nothing, Uncle Mingyu. Someone like him won’t last long as a county chief," Jiang Li comforted him, but she could not muster any cheer herself.

Feng Yutang had actually said that Xue Huaiyuan would be executed in seven days? So soon! They were relentless, even towards a father who had lost his sanity, making Jiang Li clench her fists in rage.

Seven days; she didn’t have much time. In those seven days, she must clear Xue Huaiyuan’s name and stop the execution at the Meridian Gate. But now, aside from a tampered case file, she had nothing. Her father had gone insane, and if what they said was true, he would be unable to defend himself. To overturn her father’s case, she only had herself to rely on.

The people of Tongxiang were intimidated by Feng Yutang’s tyranny and dared not speak out. Her father’s former subordinates had all been replaced, their fates unknown. She had returned to Tongxiang only to face the most unfamiliar circumstances; everything seemed to be against her.

But still, she had to keep moving forward.

Ye Mingyu asked, "Jiang Li, what do we do now?"

"Let’s head back first," Jiang Li said, "Let me think."

She hadn’t yet figured out the next step, yet time waited for no one; she had to make a decision in the shortest time possible. However, one thing was certain—no matter what, she wouldn’t stand by and watch Xue Huaiyuan be executed, even if it meant storming the execution grounds. She must save her father’s life.

As she was thinking, suddenly a five- or six-year-old boy approached, timidly tugged at the hem of her clothes, Jiang Li looked down and saw the boy slip a piece of paper into her hand, then turned and ran off.

Ye Mingyu was curious, "What’s that?"

Jiang Li unfolded the note, quickly read it, then tore it to shreds, and looked up towards a tavern upstairs not far from there, where a swath of brilliant red could be seen fluttering in the wind, exceptionally conspicuous.