The Double
Chapter 333 - 122: Prince Consort

Chapter 333: Chapter 122: Prince Consort

The second day, Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu’s entourage, along with the people of Tongxiang, embarked on the grand journey to Yanjing.

Thanks to the spoils Feng Yutang had gathered from the people, the travel expenses for carriages and horses were not a concern. However, with so many people, the journey naturally slowed down. But since they started early, it was of no hindrance.

The members of the Ye Family reluctantly bade farewell to Jiang Li, especially Old Madam Ye, who stood at the city gate and watched until Jiang Li’s figure was no longer visible, before leaving with the Ye Family.

In the carriage, Xue Huaiyuan sat with Jiang Li. Over the past few days, everyone had become accustomed to Jiang Li’s affectionate treatment of Huaiyuan. The clean Xue Huaiyuan, though thin, had somewhat regained his former handsome appearance. In fact, Xue Huaiyuan was not lacking in looks at all; otherwise, the appearances of Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao would not be so outstanding.

Jiang Li took many clean clothes from the Ye Family and had them changed for Xue Huaiyuan. If not for his constant self-absorbed childlike playfulness, one could vaguely make out some of his former bearing.

Whenever Ye Mingyu found the time, he would enter the carriage too. Jiang Li was patiently wiping the crumbs of sweets off Xue Huaiyuan’s body with a handkerchief, and as Ye Mingyu watched, a weird illusion suddenly occurred to him. There was clearly no relation or kinship between Jiang Li and Xue Huaiyuan, and in terms of looks, they bore no resemblance. Yet, perhaps it was their expressions or something in their eyes; they seemed to share a slight likeness.

They looked, somehow, like father and daughter.

Realizing his own thought, Ye Mingyu shuddered inwardly and cursed himself for overthinking. How could Jiang Li be the daughter of Xue Huaiyuan when her father was the Grand Secretary of Yanjing City? Such a suggestion was not only an insult to Jiang Yuanbai but also to Ye Zhenzhen.

Setting aside these chaotic thoughts, Ye Mingyu asked, "Jiang Li, we still have some days ahead on our journey. Right now, your father is unaware of the affairs you’ve been handling here. Once we return to Yanjing, it will certainly be accomplished. By then, he will surely prevent you from showing your face. You might as well instruct me on what to do next, or write down your orders for me to follow."

Ye Mingyu could discern that although Jiang Li had been acting in the name of Jiang Yuanbai in Tongxiang, Jiang Yuanbai was likely oblivious. Jiang Yuanbai would surely not allow his daughter, especially one who is both a noble lady and the Grand Secretary’s child, to come forward anymore so as to avoid further issues. No matter how assertive Ye Mingyu was, he could not prevent Jiang Li from returning home.

But once Jiang Li returned home, she might not be able to leave for some time.

Yanjing was not like the martial arts world, and the Jiang Family was not like the Ye Family. If Ye Mingyu wanted to extricate Jiang Li from there, he did not know if he would succeed. In that case, it would be better to prepare for both possibilities. As long as Jiang Li could not emerge temporarily, Ye Mingyu, holding her instructions, would not need her to show up in person to settle matters properly.

Jiang Li smiled and shook her head, saying, "That won’t do. In Yanjing City, the relationships between the Government Households are very complex. Since the Ye Family are merchants, if someone wanted to suppress this matter, it could be suppressed. But it’s different when I am involved. With an Official Family behind me, it will naturally draw attention. The case of the Xue Family must indeed be blown up to have a chance. The bigger the uproar, the more impatient the other party becomes. When they become impatient, they make mistakes, and that’s when our opportunity arrives."

"But..." Ye Mingyu hesitated, "what about your father..."

"Don’t worry, I will persuade him," Jiang Li said with a smile. Jiang Yuanbai was a smart man. Her actions in Tongxiang had already offended the Right Chancellor and the Princess Yongning on behalf of the Ye Family. Once people they had offended were involved, the previous facade of peace would be broken. Once this started, it would be difficult to stop.

Jiang Yuanbai understood this and was in a dilemma where he had to act whether he wanted to or not. So this matter either had to be carried through to deliver a heavy blow to the opposition or halted midway to let them seize the initiative. In his official career, Jiang Yuanbai was not as muddled as he was at home; he was very shrewd, and Jiang Li believed he would make the same choice as herself.

However... she wondered what expression Princess Yongning of Yanjing City would have when she found out what Jiang Li had done?

She must be furious.

...

Yanjing City was located in the North where, in winter, snow flurried every day.

In the snow like goose feathers, poor families still had to face the cold wind to sell their labor, wearing thin single-layered clothes, earning a few copper coins for daily expenses on the icy streets.