The Double
Chapter 276 - 110: Rescue_4

Chapter 276: Chapter 110: Rescue_4

"The things I do are never simple," Jiang Li smiled.

"Thinking you can save Xue Huaiyuan, that’s a fool’s dream," he said.

Jiang Li’s fingertips touched the rim of the teacup as if idly, "As long as Your Excellence does not intervene, it isn’t a fool’s dream."

"Oh?" Jih Heng laughed, "Is this a request from you?"

"If requests were useful," Jiang Li looked at him, "I would sincerely request Your Excellence to do so."

Jih Heng watched her for a while, "I had thought Miss Jiang the Second would never lower her head to anyone."

Jiang Li smiled: "Then Your Excellence has misjudged me, my spine is quite flexible."

Jih Heng choked.

Yet Jiang Li seemed determined to seek an answer, asking, "I wonder if Your Excellence could grant my request."

Without answering Jiang Li’s words, Jih Heng in turn inquired, "Miss Jiang the Second may not know what kind of people one encounters when meddling in the Xue Family’s affairs."

"I know," Jiang Li interrupted him gently.

Jih Heng was slightly startled, looking at Jiang Li with a probing gaze. To outsiders, Jiang Li and the Xue Family appeared to have no connection, not even a loose one. It was likely that even Jiang Yuanbai had no idea about Jiang Li’s involvement in Tongxiang. As for the secrets behind Xue Huaiyuan’s case, there were very few in Northern Yan who knew. Jiang Li had no ties with the Xue Family, nor with that person, so how could she know?

Suddenly Jih Heng remembered that previously, at the verification at Mingyi Hall, Jiang Li had taken advantage of Meng Hongjin to shoot a cold arrow at Princess Yongning, seemingly having quite a grudge against the princess. With that in mind, her claim of knowledge was indeed true.

A flicker of interest passed through Jih Heng’s eyes.

He could not find a connection between Jiang Li and Yongning, nor between Jiang Li and Xue Huaiyuan, or even any link between Jiang Li and all of them. In fact, due to the simplicity of Jiang Li’s experiences, her past could easily be inquired about. But peculiarly, everything she did seemed targeted towards Yongning and the Xue Family.

This was very strange indeed.

"Knowing this yet still doing so, why bother?" Jih Heng said with a faint smile, "It’s not worth getting into big trouble over unrelated people, or perhaps," he hinted, "they are not unrelated?"

"Your Excellence needn’t test me," Jiang Li said, "The things you want to know, Your Excellence will find out without asking me. My performance may not be brilliant, but if Your Excellence wishes to watch the play, I must give it my all."

"I’m afraid that disaster will strike before the play even finishes."

Jiang Li chuckled, "His Grace the Duke kindly reminds me, surely not out of concern for me?"

Wen Ji watched in amazement from the side. There were few women in the world who could resist His Excellence’s allure. Even those without love for him occasionally became infatuated, especially younger girls who were even more likely to fall into his trap. But Miss Jiang the Second was always clear-headed, as if her heart were shielded by a fortress of bronze and iron, steadfastly resisting His Excellence’s tenderness.

"Initially, it was not so," Jih Heng’s lips curled, "but after speaking more, I indeed am a bit worried about Miss Jiang the Second."

"Then there’s no need," Jiang Li also said, "I won’t come to harm."

"You say that with such certainty, are you without worries for the future?" Jih Heng shook his head, "You don’t know what you’re facing."

"I’m aware. They’ll send someone to kill me, even though I’m a daughter of the Jiang Family." Yongning wouldn’t hesitate out of fear just because she was Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter. That woman was mad, hellbent on tormenting members of the Xue Family. As long as I stand in Yongning’s way, she would eradicate me without hesitation. And at most, she would just have Feng Yutang bear all the blame.

Jiang Li’s tone was so calm, as if she was discussing not a matter of life and death but rather what to eat for dinner, prompting even Wen Ji to glance at her.

Jih Heng sighed, "In that case, why be so persistent?"

"Persistent?" Jiang Li softly asked, as if questioning herself or someone else, then she chuckled softly, "Perhaps, but sometimes, life is meaningless without persistence. I didn’t become Miss Jiang the Second to enjoy a life of luxury or to feel the prestige of being the Grand Secretary’s daughter, but to personally send old enemies to the guillotine, to appease the spirits of my kin in heaven."

Jih Heng observed Jiang Li’s expression, a hint of unusual color flashing in his eyes.

The young girl was in the bloom of youth, bright and endearing, with eyes that were lively and clear. Unlike other noble daughters, she was always calm, always composed, even her surprises seemed as slight as a pebble thrown into a deep abyss, causing but a small ripple that quickly vanished.