The Double
Chapter 373 - 130 The Sage

Chapter 373: Chapter 130 The Sage

"I think she is bewitched, otherwise mother, why has she become a different person since returning from Green City Mountain? Can Green City Mountain turn a fool into a wise person? Are those nuns and monks all immortals? Could she be possessed by some fox spirit, bringing calamity upon our house?"

Jiang Youyao’s casual remark actually made Ji Shuran deep in thought.

In fact, her doubts about Jiang Li weren’t new. When Ji Shuran entered the house, she could tell that Jiang Li was a fool. Ye Zhenzhen died early, leaving no one to teach her anything. After marrying in, Ji Shuran had Jiang Li completely under her control.

Jiang Li was impulsive and thoughtless. Such a person being raised in the house was no big deal, but later, Ji Shuran took a fancy to the match with Zhou Yanbang for Jiang Youyao, intending to clear the path for her. By that time, Ji Shuran was also thinking of ways to ruin Jiang Li’s affairs.

Who would have known that Jiang Li might be aware of that secret? This made Ji Shuran anxious. She did not hesitate to use the flesh of her own belly, just to make Jiang Yuanbai disgusted with Jiang Li and disbelieve her words.

Jiang Yuanbai did just that, sending Jiang Li to Green City Mountain. For eight years, the entire Jiang Family ignored Jiang Li’s existence, letting her survive or perish on her own. Ji Shuran was surprised by Jiang Li’s tenacity to live under such conditions. However, as the marriage between Jiang Youyao and Zhou Yanbang drew close, she feared Jiang Yuanbai would remember this daughter, so she secretly made her move.

The informer reported that Jiang Li had thrown herself into the lake. No one could tell there had been foul play, and now she was breathing her last, unlikely to survive the summer. Ji Shuran was finally at ease, but her peace of mind didn’t last long. After a brush with death, Jiang Li incredibly returned alive. Not only that, the scandal of Venerable Master Liaowu and Madam Jing’an at Helin Temple broke, Madam Liu, wife of Gentleman Chengde, suddenly went there, and Emperor Hongxiao personally reprimanded Jiang Yuanbai... One thing after another, unexpected and disruptive, threw off all her plans, and Jiang Li entered Yanjing City unscathed.

It all started to spiral out of control from that moment onwards. At the Inspection Field, she stole the limelight from Jiang Youyao. Zhou Yanbang suddenly became involved with Jiang Yue. The young master from the Ye Family inexplicably became an official, and now the entire Yanjing City was singing praises... Jiang Li seemed to have become a different person. Before this fifteen-year-old girl, Ji Shuran gained no advantages and suffered frequent losses.

It wasn’t that she had become dumber, but that Jiang Li had become smarter. She had become crafty and calculated, yet outwardly she remained gentle and kind. Whenever she looked into her eyes, Ji Shuran would feel a chill throughout her body.

How could there be such a girl so skilled in deception?

Aside from feeling unjust for Jiang Youyao, Ji Shuran had her own considerations. After Jiang Li returned to Yanjing City, she never mentioned that matter. Ji Shuran thought perhaps Jiang Li hadn’t heard her words back then. But... she couldn’t afford to take that risk. The secret was like a constant threat to her, and she couldn’t take any chances. Jiang Li was becoming increasingly harder to deal with, and if she wasn’t eliminated soon, it might become even more difficult to take action later on.

Jiang Youyao’s words reminded Ji Shuran.

Jiang Li had changed remarkably since returning from Green City Mountain and excelled in everything. She was so cautiously attentive to Tongxiang County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan, there must be something going on between them. Even if it could not be proven, just pointing out the suspicions on her would be enough to ensure Jiang Li could not live in peace.

But how to point it out, and how to achieve the best outcome, would have to be as she planned.

"I need to go to the palace," Ji Shuran stood up.

"To do what?" Jiang Youyao asked.

Ji Shuran smiled, "Of course, to see your aunt, Consort Li."

When it came to ruthless and bloodless murder, Consort Li was always amongst the best. If she was planning something, she would need Consort Li’s help.

...

Inside the palace, Consort Li was sitting in the hall watching someone play the zither.

The person sitting opposite her was none other than the female scholar from Mingyi Hall, now the number one female zither master of Yanjing City, Xiao Deyin.

Although Xiao Deyin refused to enter the palace, she was good friends with Consort Li and would occasionally visit her for a casual chat. This was also the reason why, even though Xiao Deyin was not a palace musician, people in the palace would greet her with great respect.

After the music ended, Consort Li applauded and smilingly said, "You had the leisure to come to me today, why not go and see Princess Yongning?"

Princess Yongning also enjoyed Xiao Deyin’s zither playing, often inviting her to play at the mansion.