The Double
Chapter 319 - 119 Father_2

Chapter 319: Chapter 119 Father_2

As Feng Yutang was mulling over these thoughts, he suddenly heard some noise from outside. His spirits lifted, and he immediately stood up from his stool and ordered his trusted aides to quickly carry out the chests filled with silver notes and antiques. He led the way to the door, grumbling, "I said to keep it down. What if someone discovers us?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than he reached the grand entrance of the county government office. His voice quickly faded as he froze on the spot.

Standing before him were none other than Ye Mingyu and Jiang Li.

"Lord Feng," Jiang Li greeted him with a smile.

Ye Mingyu managed a smile in return, feeling a sudden unease in his heart. Jiang Li’s smile was gentle, and even Ye Mingyu showed him a smile filled with profound meanings. Since when had the man who usually gave him nothing but stern looks been so amiable?

"Miss Jiang the Second," Ye Mingyu put aside his inner scrutiny and asked Jiang Li, "You two have come so early. Is there something you need from me?"

This attitude was worlds apart from the unyielding manner he had first confronted Jiang Li with. A flicker of contempt flashed in Ye Mingyu’s eyes. Such a sycophant, not worth a second glance, he thought disdainfully.

Jiang Li didn’t reply to Feng Yutang but instead looked past him toward the chests behind him and wondered aloud, "Lord Feng, why are you moving so many chests? Are you planning a long journey?"

Feng Yutang’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly turned around and signaled with his eyes for his men to move the chests back while laughing awkwardly, "How could that be? These are items taken out earlier, and I was just about to bring them back in."

"I see," Jiang Li smiled, "That’s good. I was worried that if you were going on a long trip, it would be troublesome later. There are matters ahead for which I was hoping to ask for your assistance."

Despite Jiang Li’s seemingly gentle and soft demeanor, Feng Yutang knew too well that this beautiful young lady was not as kind-hearted as she appeared. When he heard that she had a favor to ask of him, he didn’t feel relieved but broke out in a cold sweat and tentatively asked, "What matter does the Second Miss wish to seek my help with?"

"A very simple matter," said Jiang Li nonchalantly, "It’s just to accompany me back to Yanjing and testify at Dali Temple for County Magistrate Xue’s case."

Feng Yutang stood rooted to the spot.

Jiang Li watched him quietly. Her eyes were so calm it was excessive, but Feng Yutang could see the mockery hidden within them.

"What kind of joke is the Second Miss making..." he said.

"I am not fond of jokes," Jiang Li shook her head.

A sense of humiliation surged in Feng Yutang’s heart. Jiang Li’s petite figure standing before him felt like an obstruction to his path of survival. He longed to rush forward, strangle her, and carve a bloody path to freedom. But he dared not, for Ye Mingyu stood beside her, and the broadsword at his waist still emanated a chilling aura.

"Does the Second Miss insist that I must do this?"

Jiang Li nodded with a smile.

The gentler she was, the more infuriated Feng Yutang became. Anger rose from his heart, and upon impulse, he blurted out, "What if I refuse?"

"Refuse?" Jiang Li’s smile slowly faded, and she looked at him expressionlessly, her voice growing cold. "I’m afraid Lord Feng has no room for refusal."

Feng Yutang refused to show weakness: "Is Miss Jiang the Second pushing too hard, intending to take my life?"

"That’s not up to me," Jiang Li shook her head, "The ones not sparing you are them." She slightly stepped aside.

Feng Yutang saw it.

Behind Jiang Li, blocking the entrance of the county government office, stood a dense crowd of Tongxiang’s common people. They had been standing there silently, just watching Feng Yutang. Their eyes were filled with anger and passion, as if they were ready to rush in and kill Feng Yutang to vent their rage if it weren’t for Jiang Li’s presence.

"Look," Jiang Li smiled.

Feng Yutang wavered, involuntarily stepping back. He shook his head, muttering to himself, "Impossible..."

The messengers said that for several days, Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu had been asking around every household in Tongxiang and found only three willing to testify. With over five hundred households in Tongxiang, three was hardly a significant number. Feng Yutang had been proud, believing he held high prestige among the people of Tongxiang, and even the Chief Minister’s Daughter couldn’t incite them to speak out. It was also for this reason Feng Yutang believed that Jiang Li would need several more days to gather enough testimonies.