The Double
Chapter 354 - 126 Rescue_2

Chapter 354: Chapter 126 Rescue_2

Jiang Li replied with a smile, "Uncle."

Ye Mingyu and Xue Huaiyuan were in a carriage together. Today, Xue Huaiyuan had to attend court as well. Worried that something unpredictable might happen on the way, Jiang Li was reluctant to let Xue Huaiyuan appear before Princess Yongning, the murderous culprit. Fearing Yongning might resort to some trick, and now knowing Princess Yongning was the mastermind, Ye Mingyu, too, realized the gravity of the situation and agreed to stay by Xue Huaiyuan’s side every step of the way to not give Princess Yongning any chance to harm him.

Jiang Li boarded the carriage.

Tonger lifted the carriage curtain and almost couldn’t open her eyes due to the blowing snow outside, saying, "Miss, the snow outside is very heavy."

Jiang Li looked outside and indeed, Northern Yan was known for its fierce snowstorms during winter. Today was particularly harsh, with large snowflakes falling at an angle, nearly blending the sky and land into one.

"It will be better when the wind comes," Jiang Li said with a smile.

When the wind comes, it will blow away the chaos, and all the truths will be laid bare.

...

The journey to the palace was not particularly long, but Jiang Li felt that this day was endlessly dragging.

Perhaps it was because she had waited for this moment for far too long—while she was Xue Fangfei, she waited until her death without seeing it come to pass. Now, the grievances of the Xue Family were finally being dredged up from the abyss, catching a glimpse of daylight, about to tear through the facade and reveal the truth. Jiang Li felt her blood boiling even in the frigid winter.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the carriage came to a halt.

A voice outside announced, "Master, we’ve arrived."

Jiang Li stepped down from the carriage to find Jiang Yuanbai standing outside. His expression complex, he looked at his daughter—a mix of guilt, anger, and now, mostly confusion and estrangement, along with a sense of powerlessness. He could not sway Jiang Li’s thinking and often couldn’t even control her actions—Jiang Li always found a way to achieve her goals.

"I need to see His Majesty first," Jiang Yuanbai told her. "You and your Third Uncle must meet with the official from the Ministry of Punishment. The servants will guide you there." Pausing, he added, "You... be very careful."

Jiang Yuanbai too was aware of the complexities behind the Xue Family case that would put Jiang Li in danger. As Jiang Li had said, if the perpetrator behind it all was indeed the Right Chancellor Li Zhongnan, he would surely vent his spite on Jiang Li. Among the many souls that died innocently in the palace, Jiang Li was, after all, his flesh and blood.

"I understand, thank you, Father," Jiang Li replied with a smile. "Don’t worry, Father, with Uncle Mingyu accompanying me, nothing will go wrong."

She seemed to have a great deal of trust in the members of the Ye Family, which left Jiang Yuanbai feeling vaguely uncomfortable. Without saying more, he left first.

Ye Mingyu, assisting Xue Huaiyuan, stepped off the carriage and asked, "What did your father say?" Jiang Yuanbai disapproved of Ye Mingyu, and Ye Mingyu felt the same about Jiang Yuanbai, hence he kept their interactions to a minimum, avoiding speech unless necessary. On most days, Ye Mingyu would even avoid crossing paths with Jiang Yuanbai.

"Nothing much, just told us to be very careful."

"Is someone in the palace really going to strike at us?" Ye Mingyu became anxious. "Can’t be, right? Who would dare such audacity under the emperor’s nose?"

"One must always be prepared against potential threats," Jiang Li replied. "But there probably won’t be any danger. Let’s go." Though she wasn’t unguarded, upon further thought, she realized the palace must also have people loyal to Jih Heng. Since Jih Heng had promised her life would be taken by his hand, he wouldn’t let anyone else kill her. In a way, he was the most reliable bodyguard.

Should any real danger arise, Jih Heng would appear.

Hearing this, Ye Mingyu said nothing more and proceeded inside with Jiang Li, following the attending palace servant.

With the mentality of a child of five or six years old, Xue Huaiyuan felt a sense of novelty in the surroundings as they made their way through the palace, looking around curiously. With Jiang Li present, he wasn’t overly frightened. Ye Mingyu was entering the palace for the first time and tried his best to appear unconcerned and composed.

The case was in the hands of Lord Zhou Dezhao from the Ministry of Punishment; Jiang Li was to testify along with Ye Mingyu in a first meeting with Lord Zhou.

The guiding servant was tight-lipped, leaving Ye Mingyu unable to glean any information despite trying, until he gave up. When they arrived outside a particular palace, the servant halted. An attendant with the demeanor of a guard came out, looked at Jiang Li, and said, "Miss Jiang the Second, Lord Zhou is waiting for you inside."

Jiang Li exchanged a glance with Ye Mingyu and entered.

Zhou Dezhao was about the same age as Jiang Yuanbai, lean and with a square face, his chin firm, appearing to be a resolute man. He looked Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu over and glanced at Xue Huaiyuan, who was playing with a rattle-drum, then cut straight to the point without any unnecessary words: "Miss Jiang the Second, His Majesty has shown this official the petition regarding the Xue Family case. Are you aware of who is implicated in this matter?"