The Double
Chapter 558 - 166 Awake

Chapter 558: Chapter 166 Awake

On Yongning’s and Li Xian’s big wedding day, Jiang Li hadn’t stayed until the end after all. Since Jiang Yuanbai and the Li Family had always been on bad terms, it was already gracious of him to attend the wedding at the Li Residence, and it was naturally impossible for him to stay till the very end. Once the banquet was over, he took the Jiang family members back to their residence.

Therefore, Jiang Li hadn’t had the chance to speak more with Jih Heng. Strangely, when Jih Heng brought up the matter of taking her life, Jiang Li felt very calm, even without a trace of fluke. She probably felt that for Jih Heng, taking her life was only a matter of a single thought. Even if she were clever and resorted to schemes, under Jih Heng’s power, it would only be a futile resistance, like an insect shaking a tree.

One must keep a promise, she had told Jih Heng before, and now she had to abide by it. Being able to let go was the virtue of a good husband.

Jiang Li wasn’t overly troubled.

The next day, after having breakfast and changing her clothes early in the morning, Jiang Li prepared to visit Xue Huaiyuan at the Ye Residence. She had initially planned to go yesterday, but because of the need to attend the event at Li’s, now that she was free, visiting today wasn’t too late.

She had just reached the main entrance of the Jiang Residence when she suddenly saw a familiar figure. It was Ah Shun, who served with Ye Mingyu. Upon seeing Jiang Li and the others, Ah Shun paused and said, "Miss Biao, are you heading out?"

Tonger answered, "The young lady was just about to go to the Ye family. It’s unexpected that you would come."

"Ah Shun, has something happened?" Jiang Li asked.

Ah Shun scratched his head: "Miss Biao, County Magistrate Xue has awakened, and Doctor Situ sent me to inform you."

Jiang Li stood shocked for a moment, as if it took her a while to process the news, before she quickly hurried towards the carriage, saying, "Then what are we waiting for, let’s set off at once."

...

Tonger and Bai Xue exchanged looks, and in the carriage, Jiang Li gripped the Jade Pendant in her hand tightly. Tonger and Bai Xue spoke to her, but Jiang Li was obviously distracted, evidently preoccupied with other thoughts. She wondered how Xue Huaiyuan was now that he had awoken, whether he was in severe pain or felt like his heart was dead. Would he cry, or would he blame his daughter? The more she thought, the more at a loss she felt, and Jiang Li found that even her once so familiar father had become a stranger. It felt like a long time since she had a proper conversation with her father.

The last time she saw her father conscious was before her marriage, and since then, they had only corresponded through letters and hadn’t seen each other again.

Time passed so swiftly that Jiang Li’s carriage had already arrived at the entrance of the Ye Residence, yet, for a moment, she suddenly lacked the courage to alight from the carriage.

Bai Xue got down first, reaching out a hand from below to help Jiang Li, saying, "Aren’t you coming down, young lady?"

Jiang Li steadied her nerves, "I’m coming," and reached out her hand toward Bai Xue.

No matter what, that man was her father. Even if there were great hardships, in this world, only her father was Xue Fangfei’s family, the only tie Xue Fangfei had left in this world.

The porter at the Ye Residence warmly welcomed her: "Miss Biao has arrived."

Jiang Li nodded and, followed by Bai Xue and Tonger, walked inside. Even though it was early spring and typically brisk, she felt heat emanating, with sweat on her palms and forehead that seemed ready to drip as she walked.

Outside Xue Huaiyuan’s room, several people were standing. As Jiang Li approached, she saw Ye Shijie. Ye Shijie must have just left court; he hadn’t even had the time to change out of his official robes. Perhaps it had been a long time since he’d seen Jiang Li, and he called out her name. Jiang Li said, "Cousin Ye," her eyes involuntarily drifting inside.

Knowing of her concern for Xue Huaiyuan, Ye Shijie stepped aside to let her in, "County Magistrate Xue is inside; he has awoken."

Jiang Li took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Doctor Situ Jiuyue was packing up her medicine box, and Ye Mingyu sat to one side, seemingly at a loss while drinking tea. Hai Tang was standing beside a man, who was sitting at the edge of the bed. Just that seated figure was enough to almost bring Jiang Li to tears.

He sat straight like a pine tree, though no longer towering and sturdy, appearing somewhat aged. But it was still her father, Xue Huaiyuan.

Upon seeing Jiang Li enter, Situ Jiuyue said, "You’ve come at the right time; I’ve finished checking on him. His body is fully recovered. From now on, I won’t be coming here anymore, and he no longer needs me. The rest is for you to deal with among yourselves." Her attitude suggested she was ready to wash her hands of the matter, but Jiang Li felt deeply grateful toward her. Thus, she performed a deep bow of thanks and said, "I will keep the kindness of Miss Jiuyue in my heart. Without you, County Magistrate Xue would not be as he is today. Should the opportunity arise, I will surely repay this immense kindness."