The Double
Chapter 377 - 130: A Superior Person_5

Chapter 377: Chapter 130: A Superior Person_5

Even though he was young, appearing to be only around sixteen or seventeen, he was tender and handsome. It was said that his skill in tending to flowers and plants was quite remarkable, and he was even able to revive Lady Ji Shuran’s favorite orchid that was nearly dead.

Initially, Jiang Li found this to be unbelievable. She hadn’t expected that someone would infiltrate the Jiang Family under such a guise, but then again, upon reflection, it seemed quite natural. After all, Jih Heng loved admiring flowers, and his residence boasted a collection of rare and exotic plants from all over the world. All his servants were skilled gardeners, and each of them was good-looking. Since this person both excelled in gardening and was handsome, he truly belonged in Jih Heng’s household. It was just that no one had anticipated that one of Jih Heng’s people would have the audacity to openly work as a gardener in the Jiang Residence.

"What is your name?" Jiang Li asked.

"This servant goes by Zhao Ke," the gardener replied.

"Zhao Ke," Jiang Li pondered for a moment, "how long have you been at the Jiang Residence?"

Zhao Ke hadn’t expected Jiang Li to ask this question. After glancing at her, he didn’t respond. Jiang Li said, "Since your master has disclosed your presence to me, for the time being, you and I likely don’t have opposing purposes. I surmise Jih Heng is also aware that I would ask you this question, and since he hasn’t objected, it implies his tacit consent. You may speak freely, I assure you he won’t punish you for it."

Zhao Ke had been with Jih Heng from a young age, and the way Jiang Li kept referring directly to Jih Heng by his full name was astonishing to him. He didn’t know whether Jiang Li was overly bold or if her relationship with Jih Heng was closer than he had imagined. After hesitating briefly, Zhao Ke answered, "Seven years ago."

Seven years ago, by that time Jiang Li had already left the Jiang Family and at that time, Jih Heng was just a boy of fourteen. Despite his young age, he had managed to plant someone inside the Jiang Family. However, considering that the Jiang Family hadn’t collapsed over those years, it seemed that his intention wasn’t to destroy them.

"What do you normally do?" Jiang Li inquired.

"I work as a gardener in the Jiang Family, report significant matters to my master, and tend to the flowers and plants when there’s nothing major." Zhao Ke replied.

He was quite straightforward, but Jiang Li knew this was as far as he would go. He wouldn’t reveal anything deeper, possibly because he didn’t know anything else.

Jiang Li nodded, "You are aware that Ji Shuran went to the palace to see Consort Li today, aren’t you?"

Zhao Ke nodded.

"What was her purpose in seeing Consort Li? And what actions did she take after returning to the residence?" Jiang Li asked.

Zhao Ke said, "This servant did not follow into the palace, so I don’t know what Lady Ji and Consort Li were plotting. However, today I heard from a maid in Shuxiu Garden that Jiang Youyao suspects you..." He hesitated as if finding the next words difficult to express, then cautiously continued, "to be possessed by spirits or demons, causing a radical change in your temperament since returning from Green City Mountain. It was upon hearing this that Lady Ji suddenly decided to visit the palace."

Jiang Li glanced at him, "You seem very well-informed about the matters of Shuxiu Garden. Could it be that even the smallest actions within my courtyard don’t escape your notice?"

Zhao Ke did not respond.

"I’m not blaming you," Jiang Li said, "I know it’s your master’s command, and it has nothing to do with you. No matter, if you wish to observe, then watch. As for Lady Ji’s visit to the palace, I think I already have a good idea of her intentions."

Zhao Ke looked at Jiang Li, surprised at how quickly she had guessed. Her confidence and lack of hesitation suggested to him that Wen Ji was right; the Second Miss Jiang had her own plans and was very daring.

Jiang Li lowered her gaze. The tactics of Lady Ji were all too familiar to her. When she first married Shen Yurong and arrived in Yanjing, during Shen Yurong’s triumphant days, she, as Madam Shen, was privy to many high-society secrets while socializing. It wasn’t unusual for the principal wife to seek the help of a Daoist priest or a shaman in scheming against the favored consort.

Of course, Jiang Li was not just any favored consort; she was the daughter of Jiang Yuanbai, and it would not be easy for Ji Shuran to entrap her. Ordinary priests or shamans wouldn’t be convincing enough to others. That’s why Ji Shuran must have thought of Consort Li, who, with her extensive connections in the palace, could find a highly reputable figure whose words would have absolute influence.

"Chongxu Daoist Master," Jiang Li stated.

Zhao Ke looked up, his expression one of surprise.

"Three years ago, Consort Li fell victim to witchcraft employed by the Favored Consort, and her life hung by a thread. Fortunately, Chongxu Daoist Master appeared and saved Consort Li’s life. Gradually, Consort Li began to recover. Consort Li wanted to reward him handsomely, but this master declined to accept any money and went on to travel, disappearing without a trace."

Zhao Ke was puzzled. Though these events weren’t considered top-secret in the palace, they weren’t common knowledge either. Furthermore, how could Jiang Li have known about them as she had been on Green City Mountain three years ago? At the time, the Empress Dowager considered such incidents a scandal, unfit to be disclosed, and thus a gag order was placed upon the palace staff.

Yet Jiang Li still knew about it.

With a faint smile, Jiang Li could see Zhao Ke’s bewilderment but indeed, she was aware of the incident. Later, it was Shen Yurong who informed her about it, though she didn’t know where he had heard it from. By that time, he was an official and naturally had access to such insider information.

"Lady Ji’s visit to Consort Li is surely to seek the aid of a renowned figure. No one is more suitable for this than Chongxu Daoist Master. I believe," her eyes turned coldly sharp, "this mysterious Chongxu Daoist Master is going to make an appearance once again very soon."