The Double
Chapter 323 - 120 Gentle

Chapter 323: Chapter 120 Gentle

"Ah Li?"

Ah Shun shuddered with surprise, looking at the person in amazement. How come, this County Magistrate Xue, why did he know the visitor was Miss Biao? And why did he call her so affectionately?

Jiang Li was also taken aback. She slowly lowered her head, her breathing became fainter as she looked at the person she was holding. Father... had he not lost his mind? A surge of ecstasy flooded her heart.

But the ecstasy faded quickly.

Xue Huaiyuan opened his eyes, but he did not look at her, rather he stared at the stone wall, or perhaps at the stains splattered upon it. He struggled out of Jiang Li’s grasp and quickly shrank back to his previous corner, picking up a handful of straw from the ground and clutching it tightly in his arms as if afraid someone might steal it, muttering, "Ah Li... Ah Li..."

Jiang Li felt a sting at her nose and tears were about to fall again. Father had not regained his senses; the reason he was mumbling the name "Ah Li" was only because this name held a significant part in his life. Even after he’d lost his mind, he still chewed over the name.

It was just as well, she thought mockingly, even if her father was sound of mind at this moment, standing in front of him, he might still not recognize her. She wasn’t "Ah Li" anymore; she had become "Jiang Li".

"Miss Biao?" Ah Shun was somewhat worried.

Jiang Li turned her head back and said, "I’m fine." Looking at Xue Huaiyuan, who continued to mutter in the corner, her heart twisted in pain. She knew she shouldn’t expect too much. At least her father was still alive, and there was the fortunate possibility of reunions within their lifetimes amidst the misfortune. But seeing her father like this, Jiang Li wished she could flay Shen Yurong and Yongning a thousand times over, yet even that would hardly ease the pain in her heart.

She said, "I will take County Magistrate Xue out, he’s too frail. Please, Uncle Zhang, go find the best doctor in Tongxiang to see to County Magistrate Xue for the time being."

Butcher Zhang, seeing his lifesaver in such a state, was extremely hateful toward Feng Yutang. Upon hearing Jiang Li’s orders, he immediately went out the door to find a doctor.

Ah Shun initially wanted to help support Xue Huaiyuan, but Jiang Li was already assisting him by herself. She did not mind the dirt and stench on Xue Huaiyuan’s body, carefully supporting his shoulders and holding his arms. The current Xue Huaiyuan was like a two- or three-year-old child, waving his hands and feet about, and accidentally slapped Jiang Li’s face, leaving a dirty handprint on her fair skin.

Ah Shun couldn’t bear it and said, "Miss Biao, let me do it."

"I will." With just two words, Jiang Li spoke with an undeniable tone, and Ah Shun retracted his hand. This Miss Biao always had a lot of patience, and whether with the Ye Family or strangers, she was always gentle. But this was the first time Ah Shun saw Jiang Li being so patient as if Xue Huaiyuan was the most precious person in the world to her, and she was willing to spend all her energy caring for him.

Jiang Li helped Xue Huaiyuan walk out of the jail.

"Miss Biao, the rest of these people..." Ah Shun asked.

Feng Yutang, who could not tell good from evil and was only interested in profit, the prisoners in this cell might not all be like Xue Huaiyuan, innocently jailed and made scapegoats. Xue Huaiyuan had been released, but what about the others?

"No worries," Jiang Li said. "I will have someone bring the case files later. For those that have doubts, I will pull them out. Feng Yutang’s time as the Tongxiang County Magistrate is over. After this case, the imperial court will soon send a new county magistrate. By then, these cases will be reevaluated, and no one will be wrongfully accused."

Ah Shun felt relieved.

When they reached the entrance of the county government office, Xue Huaiyuan seemed to see something terrifying and suddenly refused to move forward, even started to scream and struggle. Jiang Li watched this with great heartache. Ah Shun quickly asked people to grab Xue Huaiyuan, yet they dared not use too much force—Xue Huaiyuan was too thin, they were afraid that a rough move would break his bones.

Ye Mingyu saw Jiang Li from a distance and came over, saying, "Jiang Li, you’re back so soon? Feng Yutang was beaten half to death, if not because I saw he was still of use and had people stop it, he would have had to give up his life here today. Ah, you brought County Magistrate Xue back..." Ye Mingyu suddenly paused, as he too saw Xue Huaiyuan’s unkempt appearance.

Anyone who knew Xue Huaiyuan before would have been speechless upon seeing him like this. The official who had always been upright and incorruptible was now in such a state.

Ye Mingyu was stunned for a moment, then said, "County Magistrate Xue is so pitiful..."

"Uncle," Jiang Li said, "I had Uncle Zhang call for a doctor to have a look at County Magistrate Xue first. Currently, he is probably very weak. He has to return to Xiangyang and go to Yanjing, and without some restorative care, it might be difficult. Then looking at another side of the room she said," There are many prison carts in the dungeon, find one to transport Lord Feng. There’s no need to wait for the order from Tong Zhiyang in Xiangyang; we should send him straight back to Xiangyang."