The Double
Chapter 562 - 166 Awakening_5

Chapter 562: Chapter 166 Awakening_5

Xue Huaiyuan watched her, and after a long while, he softly said, "So it is."

Jiang Li knew he hadn’t believed a word she said. Her father was not someone who easily trusted others, especially after what they had been through. Besides, her explanation was far from perfect.

"Let’s do this, County Magistrate Xue," Jiang Li said, "Give me two months. In two months, there will be some leads regarding Fangfei’s case. Once Fangfei’s case is settled and the truth is out, with the criminal brought to justice, I will tell you everything I know. But you must promise me, do not act rashly."

She thought that in two months, Princess Yongning’s "pregnant likeness" would disappear, and everything would change. After this matter was resolved, if Jih Heng spared her life, she would reveal to Xue Huaiyuan that she was Xue Fangfei, and they would recognize each other as father and daughter. If Jih Heng was set on taking her life, she would vanish from the world with her secret. As long as Xue Huaiyuan lived well, that was all that mattered.

Xue Huaiyuan nodded, "Okay." After a pause, he added softly, "I have to rely on others to avenge my own daughter."

Jiang Li had never seen Xue Huaiyuan like this; he was always full of vigor, never backing down from any difficulty. He wouldn’t feel so helpless and resigned, speaking with self-mockery as he was now.

"That’s not it," Jiang Li said, "It’s not a matter of revenge, it’s a matter of ’justice’. There is still ’justice’ in this world, and County Magistrate Xue should realize that. When you helped the citizens of Tongxiang County, did you expect any reward? In helping those people, just as what I am doing now, you asked for nothing in return. Perhaps heaven is fair after all. The good karma you’ve sown has borne me as its good fruit."

She hoped Xue Huaiyuan would be cheerful and not dwell on these things, not torture himself.

Xue Huaiyuan looked at her and said, "Miss Jiang, pardon my frankness, but the way you speak really reminds me of my daughter."

There was something moving about a father speaking of his daughter, a tender yet grievous tone that tugged at one’s heartstrings.

Seated before him, Jiang Li inwardly screamed a million times, "I am Fangfei," yet she couldn’t say it out loud. The agonizing pain of seeing each other but not recognizing one another was deeply felt by her today like never before.

She smiled, her unseen tears hidden within, and said, "To be likened to Miss Xue is an honor for me."

Xue Huaiyuan was stunned, then looked deeply into her eyes and said, "Thank you."

Over the past year, Xue Fangfei had been regarded as the most shameless woman in Yanjing City, loathed by all. Jiang Li’s willingness to call it an honor was perhaps a great comfort to Xue Huaiyuan.

"I heard Old Master Ye the Third call you Ah Li," Xue Huaiyuan said.

"Yes."

"Fangfei’s nickname is also Ah Li," Xue Huaiyuan looked outside, "the Li for a civet cat."

Holding back tears, Jiang Li said, "If County Magistrate Xue doesn’t mind, you can call me Ah Li. No one else would notice the difference anyway."

Xue Huaiyuan looked at her, and as Jiang Li smiled back, after a while he turned away and said, "I’d rather not."

"Ah Li is dead, Miss Jiang; you are not her."

...

Jiang Li exited the room. After speaking with her for a while, Xue Huaiyuan felt somewhat fatigued. Situ Jiuyue had said that Xue Huaiyuan, having just woken up, needed more rest. Hai Tang came in to care for him, and it wouldn’t be right for Jiang Li to intrude further.

As she stepped outside, Ye Mingyu and Ye Shijie approached her.

Ye Shijie asked, "What were you discussing with him just now?"

"Nothing much, just that he is grateful for what I did in Tongxiang," Jiang Li laughed, "It’s no big deal."

"Ah Li, do you feel that Old Master Xue is not an ordinary man?" Ye Mingyu rubbed his hands together, "Ever since he woke up this morning, I’ve been feeling uneasy. When he was incoherent before, I could stay with him every day without feeling anything. But now that he’s lucid, it’s like he’s a different person. I’m even a bit afraid of him, not used to him yet; I always feel short of breath around him. Why is that? He’s eating and living at my expense, so why do I feel guilty?"

"Uncle, you might be mistaken," Jiang Li smiled, "County Magistrate Xue is a good person. You’re probably just not used to him yet."

"Maybe," Ye Mingyu looked at Jiang Li, "Still, you are good, able to stay calm in front of him."

"Mr. Xue is quite remarkable," Ye Shijie looked at Jiang Li, "Now I believe that he is Minister of Works Xue Lingyun."

"If he could truly become your teacher, cousin, you would benefit a lot," Jiang Li said seriously, "County Magistrate Xue is now staying at Ye Residence, so if you have time, you should ask him to teach you. He has much to offer."

"Ho, your own father is the Grand Secretary; why don’t you praise him as much?" Ye Mingyu teased.

Jiang Li shook her head. In her view, Jiang Yuanbai knew the ways of serving as an official, focusing on ’serving.’ Xue Huaiyuan understood the ways of being an official, focusing on ’official.’

Who might be more astute, they each had their strength, but Jiang Li still preferred the latter.

"You know, I didn’t think much of it before Old Master Xue recovered," Ye Mingyu spoke with interest, gazing at Jiang Li, "But now that he has, I find that he resembles you somehow, especially when he smiles."

"He’s much more agreeable to look at than Jiang Yuanbai."