The Double
Chapter 533 - 161 Recovery

Chapter 533: Chapter 161 Recovery

After the New Year, the snow in Yanjing finally stopped for two days. During these two days, the rare and much-appreciated sun came out.

The New Year washed away the displeasures of the past year, and no matter what, one must continue with a new beginning.

Over the past year, the criticisms suffered by the Jiang Family seemed to have been unanimously and silently agreed upon to be forgotten by the Jiang family members. Suddenly, no one spoke of them anymore, and the household servants no longer went about their days with mournful expressions but instead were cheerful and joyful once again. Everything that had happened was buried, and life went on as usual for everyone.

Jiang Yuanbai also started attending court again and no longer took sick leave.

On this day, with fine weather, Jiang Li was sitting at the courtyard entrance, watching Ming Yue and Qingfeng move books out of the house to air them. The books had gotten damp over the winter and, with the sunlight, it was an excellent opportunity to lay them out and get rid of any insects.

Just as she was squinting and enjoying the warm sunlight, Bai Xue suddenly came in from outside and said, "Miss, Ah Shun from the Ye Residence just came by and said you must hurry over—County Magistrate Xue has had an accident."

The smile vanished from Jiang Li’s face, and she swiftly stood up, asking, "What happened? What happened to County Magistrate Xue?"

"I asked, but Ah Shun said he couldn’t explain it in a short time and asked you to hurry over and see for yourself. Now, Third Master and Miss Situ are at the Ye Residence. Miss, do you want to go now?" Bai Xue knew that Jiang Li was always very anxious about Xue Huaiyuan. If she heard that something had happened to him, she was likely to rush over immediately. Therefore, she had nearly made arrangements for a carriage at the very moment Ah Shun had finished relaying the message.

As expected, Jiang Li said, "Of course, I’m going now." She hurried back to her room and, without taking the time to dress up, just grabbed a cloak and came out, gesturing for Tonger and Bai Xue to follow her, "You both come with me."

She left in haste, instructing Ming Yue and Qingfeng that if anyone asked, she was at the Ye Residence. After all, the old madam and Jiang Yuanbai turned a blind eye to her frequent visits to the Ye Residence, and no one dared to object. Once in the carriage, Jiang Li’s heart pounded fiercely. She had clearly seen Xue Huaiyuan just a few days earlier, and he had been well. Situ Jiuyue had mentioned that he was now able to read and write, and although he spent a lot of time in a daze, it indicated that he was slowly getting better and beginning to actively seek out his memory. How could it be that after only two days, Ah Shun had come running over in such a hurry, claiming that Xue Huaiyuan had an accident?

Jiang Li knew that Ye Mingyu wouldn’t have sent Ah Shun with such urgency unless the situation was critical.

Bai Xue saw how anxious Jiang Li was and reassured her, "Miss, there is no need to worry. With Miss Situ there, I’m sure nothing serious will happen."

"Yes, Miss," Tonger also added, "Perhaps County Magistrate Xue’s memory has returned today, right?"

Jiang Li’s heart skipped a beat. Others might consider regaining memory as something positive, but Jiang Li knew full well that for Xue Huaiyuan, the return of his memory could mean the onset of pain. If Xue Huaiyuan truly recovered his memory and regained his senses, the first truth he would have to face was the loss of his children and the fall of the Xue Family. For a father, there could be no greater agony in this world.

Would he collapse again? Or perhaps be unwilling to remember any of it? Jiang Li felt a pang as if her heart was being cut by a knife.

Amid such frantic thoughts, she quickly arrived at the entrance of the Ye Residence. The gates of the Ye Residence were open, and a young servant was waiting outside. Upon seeing Jiang Li, he said, "Miss Jiang the Second, you’ve finally arrived."

Hearing this, Jiang Li felt even more restless, almost wishing she could fly instantly to Xue Huaiyuan’s side. Without even bothering to greet the gatekeeper, she lifted her skirt and rushed inside.

In front of the room where Xue Huaiyuan often stayed, several people were standing outside. As Jiang Li approached and recognized the person standing at the outermost was Ye Mingyu, she greeted him, "Uncle!"

Ye Mingyu was taken aback and asked, "How did you get here so quickly?"

Although the Ye Residence was not too far from the Jiang Residence, it shouldn’t have been possible to arrive so quickly. Jiang Li said, "I had the coachman hurry." The coachman, following her order, had driven fast, arriving at the entrance of the Ye Residence in the shortest possible time.

"Uncle, what exactly happened? Is County Magistrate Xue inside?" Jiang Li didn’t wait for Ye Mingyu to respond and hurriedly persisted with her questions.

Knowing that she always took matters concerning Xue Huaiyuan very seriously, Ye Mingyu sighed and said, "I really don’t know how to explain this. Early this morning, I just happened to be at the residence and not out. Recently, County Magistrate Xue has taken a liking to reading books. Although he just stares at them blankly, I moved a stool for him to sit outside in the courtyard to bask in the sun and read."