The Double
Chapter 278 - 111 Mute Granny

Chapter 278: Chapter 111 Mute Granny

Jiang Li walked out of the tavern.

Ye Mingyu had been squatting by the street for quite a while. Seeing Jiang Li coming over, he spat out the root he had been chewing and asked, "What’s the result? Are you done?" He didn’t ask whom Jiang Li had met or what she had done. If it had been Ye Jiaer, he might have asked, but with Jiang Li, he sometimes felt that, as a junior, she displayed more decisiveness than his peers, so there was no need to worry. More importantly, Ye Mingyu believed that even if he asked Jiang Li, she wouldn’t tell him anyway.

Why waste time on it? Better not ask then.

Jiang Li nodded, "It’s done, uncle; let’s head back."

The encounter with Jih Heng, even the conversation with him, didn’t weigh heavily on Jiang Li’s mind. Although Jih Heng was rumored to be capricious, Jiang Li considered it just a facade. His actions were calculated. After several confrontations and thorough contemplation, she thought the likelihood of Jih Heng disrupting her plan was minimal. Even if she really did interfere with Jih Heng’s affairs, it would be insignificant to him. He wouldn’t make a move personally. The reason he had followed her from Xiangyang to Tongxiang was because her behavior was peculiar, and he wanted to watch the drama unfold.

So be it; let him watch the play. She had never minded being an actor, but she must control the flow of this drama: the introduction, development, turn, and conclusion.

Jih Heng wasn’t important; what was critical was that her father was to be executed in seven days. If she couldn’t find evidence to exonerate him, she would have to prepare for the worst-case scenario, breaking him out during the execution. However, the success of such an act, and the wide implications it might have thereafter, required serious consideration. Therefore, the most comprehensive approach was still to start with the evidence.

Seeing Jiang Li expressing a desire to return, Ye Mingyu readily agreed. Their temporary residence was also in Green Stone Lane, not far from the sealed Xue Family home. Feng Yutang’s people would likely keep an eye on where they settled, choosing Green Stone Lane was indeed too conspicuous. But Jiang Li wanted to be openly defiant to let Feng Yutang know she had come for an autumn reckoning.

Once back at the inn, Ye Mingyu sent someone to get some food and also inquire about the local terrain from the guards. Jiang Li stayed in her room. Ye Mingyu gave her the Xue Family case files without daring to disturb her, leaving Tonger and Bai Xue at the door to attend to her, ready to assist if Jiang Li wanted tea or food.

Jiang Li was intently examining the case files.

If possible, she needed to find the doubts and loopholes in the case files concerning the Xue Family and cling to them, to investigate step by step. Even if it didn’t work out, she could still intentionally magnify these aspects to confuse and deceive, buying time for Xue Huaiyuan.

The case files must have been prepared under Feng Yutang’s directive. Perhaps due to Princess Yongning’s involvement, this particular set of documents made Xue Huaiyuan out to be an utterly corrupt official with innumerable crimes. As Jiang Li read on, she increasingly wanted to scoff.

None of the things listed had been done by Xue Huaiyuan, whereas the current Tongxiang County Magistrate, Feng Yutang, had committed acts not dissimilar in every respect. Yet Xue Huaiyuan had confessed to them. Jiang Li could imagine what they must have done to force Xue Huaiyuan to admit to these crimes, perhaps that was why he was tortured into insanity.

In some respects, the case files were indeed flawless. Feng Yutang must have invested significant effort to attribute these crimes to Xue Huaiyuan. But the people of Tongxiang knew exactly what kind of person Xue Huaiyuan was, making these accusations laughably improbable.

Jiang Li quickly finished reading the files.

It was possible to identify some minor discrepancies in the files. For example, the relief silver Xue Huaiyuan was accused of embezzling was dug up in the Xue Family’s backyard. But the relief silver from that year had indeed been distributed clearly to every citizen. The "silver" that recently surfaced was probably added by Yongning’s people.

Feng Yutang could fabricate false charges against Xue Huaiyuan, but he couldn’t erase the kindness and accomplishments Xue Huaiyuan had once achieved. Just on this point alone, Jiang Li could seize the opportunity to win a slim chance for Xue Huaiyuan.

"It’s still not enough," Jiang Li muttered to herself; it was far from enough. The slight chance added for Xue Huaiyuan was barely worth mentioning. Should Yongning and her cohorts realize it, by using Feng Yutang’s current position to fabricate and exaggerate, this piece of evidence would become useless.

Feng Yutang must be made irrelevant, and even with his position as the magistrate of Tongxiang, he could no longer interfere in the Xue Family’s case. How to achieve this... Jiang Li pondered deeply.