The guards dragged them all away. Those actors in their bright costumes had their gorgeous opera garments stripped off. Unable to move, paralyzed on the ground and dragged along—they were utterly wretched. The once-famous Jin Mantang troupe had become prisoners in an instant.
What awaited them was an ending even more tragic than “Hearing the Bell at Sword Pass.”
Jiang Li gazed at Little Peach Red’s retreating figure.
Such a charming and captivating female lead—even she, a woman, couldn’t help feeling pity. Yet Ji Heng showed not the slightest emotion.
Jiang Li turned back to look at Ji Heng.
His red robes appeared especially brilliant in the austere black and white courtyard. On the scattered and chaotic stage, the graceful singing voice from before was no more. Only the blood and weapons scattered on the ground reminded one that a fierce battle had just taken place here. But the beautiful young man gently fanned himself, his eyes full of romance and moonlight—where could one see the cold ruthlessness from moments ago?
A heart like steel, yet presenting tender affection on the surface—Jiang Li had never seen such a person. Killing while chatting and laughing, without batting an eye.
“Why does Second Miss Jiang look at me so?” He smiled cheerfully.
“The play just now was very exciting,” Jiang Li said. “I deeply admire the Duke.”
Ji Heng closed his fan. “I don’t perform in plays.”
“Yes,” Jiang Li said. “The Duke doesn’t enter the play, so the Duke won.”
Ji Heng was too clear-minded. Long ago, Jiang Li had discerned that his inner heart distinguished everything very clearly. He wore bright red robes, but his heart was like the black-and-white courtyard before them—he saw everything clearly and plainly. Therefore, when Little Peach Red on stage sent him flirtatious glances, when the opera singing moved the audience’s hearts, though a smile played at his lips, his heart was full of mockery.
Just as he had long known that Jin Mantang followed him to Xiangyang, superficially to curry favor with him but actually to assassinate him—he had understood this play from the very beginning. He could have prepared early, yet he deliberately waited until this moment, letting Jin Mantang finish singing the entire opera.
He simply wanted to watch the play.
Jiang Li thought that perhaps she herself, the Jiang family, and the Ye family were also just a play in Ji Heng’s eyes. The reason he paid attention was merely because he still had some interest. As for how much he would truly invest—it was just watching a play, why expend too much effort? It couldn’t be taken seriously.
Ji Heng said, “Second Miss seems quite moved?”
Jiang Li smiled. “I simply feel that worldly affairs are unpredictable.”
“Is Second Miss Jiang satisfied with this play?”
“I dare not be dissatisfied.” Jiang Li smiled gently.
“Don’t make me sound so frightening,” Ji Heng’s lips curved upward, his voice ambiguously lowering. “Just now, when Second Miss encountered danger, didn’t you burrow into my embrace quite fearfully?”
Jiang Li nearly coughed out loud.
At that moment, in that critical instant, if she hadn’t found a shield, should she die under a blade meant for another, it would truly be too unjust. Naturally, she had to let Ji Heng block the front. Now hearing Ji Heng bring this up, and with him looking at her with such interest, it gave her earlier action a somewhat different meaning.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” Jiang Li said with a forced smile. “I was presumptuous toward the Duke. My sincere apologies.”
For her, a woman, to say she had been “presumptuous” toward a man—if word spread to the capital, it would probably make others laugh their teeth off.
“No matter.” Ji Heng said, his gaze falling to the ground. He suddenly bent down and picked something up.
Upon seeing it, Jiang Li realized it was the jade pendant she had redeemed earlier, the jade pendant Xue Huaiyuan had personally carved with a knife when she was born.
Her heart jolted. She quickly felt for her neck and found the cord had broken—probably torn during the earlier chaos.
Jiang Li said, “That’s my jade pendant.”
Ji Heng stroked the jade pendant in his hand, his gaze lingering on it for a moment as he noticed the lifelike civet cat. Jiang Li’s heart grew anxious. Setting aside everything else, she reached out to grab it. Ji Heng refused to comply, leaning back slightly and raising his hand to hold the pendant high.
Unable to reach it, Jiang Li said, “Duke, that’s my jade pendant. Please return it to me.”
“I heard Second Miss Jiang’s given name is just the character Li.” He smiled.
Jiang Li felt stifled. Everyone in the capital knew she was called Jiang Li. Ji Heng saying this was clearly deliberate.
“The Ye family calls you Ah Li. I wonder which Li it is. The li of pear blossoms, or the li of civet cat?” He lowered his head, the smile deepening at the corners of his mouth. His eyes contained a pale coldness, yet also seemed full of affection, making it impossible to discern clearly.
For an instant, Jiang Li felt as if all the blood in her body had frozen.
She forced a smile. “Naturally, it’s the li of pear blossoms.”
“Is that so?” Ji Heng stared at her unblinkingly, his voice especially gentle. “I think it’s the li of civet cat.”
Jiang Li looked up at him.
The man was impossibly beautiful. The bright red teardrop mole beneath his eyes now seemed even more vivid, making his features even more deeply enchanting.
Jiang Li asked, “Why do you say that?”
Ji Heng didn’t speak. After a while, he smiled. “Because you’re not as lovely as pear blossoms—you’re as cunning as a civet cat. Isn’t that right, Ah Li?”
That utterance of “Ah Li” rolled sweetly off his tongue, yet Jiang Li felt a chill throughout her body.
Ji Heng couldn’t possibly know her background, but he must have discovered something amiss. This was a test—whoever wavered would lose.
Jiang Li looked up, revealing a flawless smile. “The Duke may call me whatever he wishes. It’s just a name, after all. Only, if others hear it, they might misunderstand our relationship.”
Ji Heng smiled. “Second Miss’s words are always so hurtful, so unexpected.”
Jiang Li looked at him, only to hear Ji Heng continue, “However, unexpected things aren’t limited to just one. For instance, that Second Miss Jiang could find Tong Zhiyang’s mistress—that was very surprising to me.”
Jiang Li sighed inwardly.
The matter of Tong Zhiyang’s mistress and son being taken away by Ye Mingyu’s people—while Tong Zhiyang couldn’t discover their whereabouts, Jiang Li knew this certainly couldn’t be hidden from Ji Heng. Someone bold enough to arrange assassins even in the palace would certainly have planted people in Xiangyang.
With Ji Heng’s capabilities, having people monitor her at any time wouldn’t be difficult.
“I’m very curious how Second Miss Jiang knew the whereabouts of Tong Zhiyang’s mistress.” His speech was gentle and considerate, yet aggressively pressing.
“No wall is impenetrable in this world.” Jiang Li looked at him calmly. “Since Tong Zhiyang did it, he would inevitably leave traces. Following those traces to uncover the truth isn’t difficult. I’m also surprised that the Duke would concern himself with other people’s family affairs—such trivial matters.”
“When it concerns you, nothing is trivial.” Ji Heng smiled cheerfully. “Everything Second Miss Jiang does is significant.” He paused, then continued, “Indeed, no wall in the world is impenetrable. Since it was done, traces will inevitably appear. Following those traces, the truth will eventually be uncovered.” He smiled at Jiang Li. “Isn’t that right?”
Jiang Li nodded. “Yes.”
She understood Ji Heng’s implication. She was full of suspicious points. No matter how well she concealed them, traces would inevitably appear. As long as he grasped these traces, one day, the secrets about her would be revealed.
Perhaps Ji Heng really could do it, but she wasn’t afraid. She only wanted revenge for the Xue family. Beyond that, whatever the future held, she didn’t care.
Ji Heng seemed to perceive her indifference and said casually, “Second Miss Jiang fears nothing because you’re confident in your backing. You’ve made thorough plans for everything. Now with Tong Zhiyang watching, no one dares touch you.”
Jiang Li looked at him sharply.
Ji Heng had seen through this too.
Indeed, before coming to Xiangyang, Jiang Li had anticipated that after suffering such a great loss at the palace banquet, Ji Shuran and her daughter would eventually suspect her. Even without the palace banquet incident, this mother and daughter couldn’t tolerate her. This trip to Xiangyang gave them an excellent opportunity to eliminate her.
Ji Shuran and her daughter had certainly sent people to spy in secret. Once there were problems, they would certainly strike ruthlessly. Announcing her identity at Lizheng Hall’s entrance not only made Tong Zhiyang wary and courteous to the Ye family, it also gave herself a talisman of safety.
Her identity was special—Tong Zhiyang would definitely have people secretly monitor her movements. Moreover, everyone in Xiangyang now knew Tong Zhiyang had offended Jiang Li. If anything happened to Jiang Li in Xiangyang, regardless of the truth, Tong Zhiyang would take the blame. Others would only assume it was because Jiang Li and Tong Zhiyang were at odds, that Tong Zhiyang struck in secret. Jiang Yuanbai wouldn’t spare Tong Zhiyang. So to avoid bearing this infamy for nothing, Tong Zhiyang’s people also had to protect Jiang Li well.
This was borrowing Tong Zhiyang’s forces to counter Ji Shuran’s people. At least in Xiangyang where Tong Zhiyang resided, Jiang Li was safe.
This had been Jiang Li’s secret plan, only she hadn’t expected Ji Heng to have already seen through it.
Jiang Li smiled. “Is there anything in this world the Duke doesn’t know?”
“Yes.” Ji Heng looked at her, his gaze captivating. “That would be you.”
“Me?”
“Of all the people I’ve seen in my life,” Ji Heng said, “at your age, in all of Northern Yan, whether male or female, with such strategic planning—you’re the first.”
“Thank you for the Duke’s praise,” Jiang Li said. “Jiang Li doesn’t deserve it.”
“You do deserve it. I’m only puzzled—if you’re so intelligent, eight years ago, how could you have been driven to Qingcheng Mountain by your stepmother?” He asked with a smile.
“Planning is human, success is heaven’s will. I simply had bad luck.” Jiang Li smiled. “Moreover, eight years ago I was only seven years old. For the Duke to compare seven-year-old me with the present me is rather harsh. Heaven won’t always favor one person. Eight years ago my fortune was poor, but there’s a saying—feng shui turns in cycles, today it comes to my house.” She smiled faintly.
“Then I shall wait and see.”
Jiang Li smiled and nodded at him. At this point, Ji Heng finally returned her jade pendant. Jiang Li bowed to him again. “Today’s play was very exciting. I should return now. Thank you very much for the Duke’s assistance in saving me. Jiang Li is deeply grateful.”
“No need to thank me,” Ji Heng smiled slightly. “Actually, even without me, Second Miss Jiang could have escaped unscathed, couldn’t you?”
Jiang Li’s gaze sharpened, then she smiled. “I still must thank you.” She took her leave of Ji Heng again, then unhurriedly turned and departed.
After Jiang Li’s figure disappeared outside the courtyard, Wen Ji appeared behind Ji Heng. “My lord, the Jin Mantang people…”
“Don’t let anyone die.” Ji Heng waved his fan. “After the interrogation is complete, send them to her master.”
Wen Ji acknowledged this, then asked, “As for Second Miss Jiang…”
“Continue monitoring her.” Ji Heng said, “The people from the Weaving Bureau will arrive soon. I want to see how she finishes singing this play.”
Wen Ji said nothing more, his thoughts running deep. He had witnessed today’s events from beginning to end. Jiang Li, a fifteen-year-old young lady, though momentarily panicked when facing Jin Mantang’s assassination attempt, quickly calmed down, as if completely unafraid. Moreover, Wen Ji’s group had noticed that Jiang Li repeatedly reached into her sleeve. Even in that critical life-or-death moment, she never had the thought of sitting helplessly waiting for death. She was accustomed to hiding backup plans, preparing thoroughly for everything. As Ji Heng said, even if Ji Heng hadn’t acted today, Jiang Li might not have been unable to escape unscathed.
Wen Ji looked at Ji Heng. The smile on Ji Heng’s face had already been put away. When he withdrew his smile, gentleness and tenderness disappeared entirely—only coldness and indifference remained, chilling to the bone.
Yet Second Miss Jiang wasn’t afraid of him and engaged with him step by step. She truly was quite remarkable…
…
When Jiang Li returned to the Ye family courtyard, both Tong’er and Bai Xue were startled. The hem of her skirt was stained with fine specks of blood, probably splattered from the assassins.
“Miss, what happened? Where are you injured?” Tong’er spun around anxiously, about to examine Jiang Li’s wounds.
“It’s not my blood.” Jiang Li comforted her. “Let me change clothes. Don’t mention this to anyone else.”
Though Tong’er and Bai Xue were worried, seeing Jiang Li’s serious expression, they could only nod.
Jiang Li breathed a sigh of relief, changed into different clothes, and sat down in a chair. Bai Xue brought her a cup of hot tea. The two maids didn’t know what had happened. They had just been talking with Ye Mingyu at the mansion gate—it was only an hour’s time, yet how did it seem like something momentous had occurred?
After drinking some hot tea, Jiang Li’s heart gradually calmed.
Today she had intended to probe Ji Heng’s depths, but who knew she would stumble upon this play of Jin Mantang assassinating Ji Heng. It seemed Xiangyang wasn’t peaceful either. Those people were clearly targeting Ji Heng. She originally had little relationship with Ji Heng, but in those people’s eyes, they might assume their relationship was close. If they turned their blade toward her, that would be a true undeserved disaster. Right now the Ye family’s matter wasn’t resolved, and she still carried the blood debt of the Xue family—she didn’t want to add more trouble for herself.
She must keep her distance from him.
Once matters in Xiangyang were resolved and she returned to the capital, she shouldn’t have any dealings with Ji Heng. This person’s thoughts were too deeply hidden, and the secrets he carried seemed considerable as well. Best not to entangle herself with him.
“Today is already the seventh day…” she murmured.
Seven days had passed since she made her declaration at Lizheng Hall’s entrance. Adding the letter she had written to Ye Shijie before that, counting the time, in the next day or two, people from the Weaving Bureau should arrive.
Once the Weaving Bureau people arrived, and with the mistress in someone else’s hands, Tong Zhiyang wouldn’t dare obstruct things. At least the Ye family’s situation wouldn’t worsen. Even if the Right Chancellor was behind the scheme, because of the Jiang family connection, the Ye family was temporarily safe.
Beyond the Ye family’s affairs, the most important reason she came to Xiangyang was for Xue Huaiyuan. She wondered how Qiongzhi at Xihua Tower was progressing with her inquiries. Time was pressing—she needed to find an opportunity to personally return to Xiangyang.
…
Two days later, people dispatched by the Weaving Bureau arrived in Xiangyang.
The Weaving Bureau people went directly to see Tong Zhiyang first. After Ye Shijie reported the Guxiang silk incident in Xiangyang to the Weaving Bureau in the Jiang family’s name, the Weaving Bureau in the capital immediately realized this matter was extraordinarily serious. The Ye family was both the family of the newly appointed Vice Minister of Revenue and former in-laws of the current Chief Minister Jiang Yuanbai—they absolutely couldn’t be taken lightly. They immediately dispatched people riding swiftly day and night to Xiangyang to thoroughly investigate this matter.
Tong Zhiyang hadn’t anticipated people from the capital would arrive so quickly. These past days, his heart had been entirely focused on the mother and son he kept outside. He had nearly turned Xiangyang City upside down but couldn’t find them anywhere. With his mind divided, he had slackened somewhat on the Ye family matter and hadn’t pondered it carefully. He only thought about writing to report the changed situation in Xiangyang to his brother-in-law, waiting to see what countermeasures he might have.
But before his brother-in-law’s letter arrived, the Weaving Bureau’s people came first. Tong Zhiyang didn’t know what to do and could only steel himself to deal with them, thinking to delay as long as possible until the letter from the capital arrived, then he would know the next step.
“Lord Tang,” Tong Zhiyang said with a beaming smile, “people died from the Ye family’s Guxiang silk. Right now the Ye family members in charge are still at our magistrate’s office. The weaving matters should be under your jurisdiction, but deaths fall under ours. So the two Ye family masters cannot be released.”
The person the Weaving Bureau dispatched to thoroughly investigate this case was named Tang Fan. Hearing Tong Zhiyang’s words, he couldn’t say much. What Tong Zhiyang said wasn’t wrong—the Weaving Bureau only handled weaving matters, not murders. Since people died from the Ye family’s fabric, the magistrate’s office indeed should investigate.
“It’s fine.” Jiang Li, who had come to discuss matters with Ye Mingyu, smiled. “We’re not demanding that Uncle Minghui and Uncle Mingxuan be released right now.”
Tang Fan breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. Before coming, his superior had explicitly told him this case involved Chief Minister Jiang’s family and the Ye family, but most importantly, Chief Minister Jiang’s family. That was the foremost scholar in the capital—they absolutely mustn’t offend them. And in the capital these past few months, Jiang Li’s affairs had been widely discussed. Everyone knew Second Miss Jiang was formidable. If Second Miss Jiang wanted to protect the Ye family, they could only comply. If Second Miss Jiang was unyielding and insisted on releasing the two Ye family masters now, the Weaving Bureau could only clash with the magistrate’s office.
But Tong Zhiyang was stunned.
At Lizheng Hall’s entrance, Second Miss Jiang’s words had been quite unceremonious. Tong Zhiyang knew in his heart that this Chief Minister’s daughter must be arrogant and domineering. Since she was standing up for the Ye family, she would certainly protect Ye Minghui and Ye Mingxuan. If he used unreasonable grounds to refuse, he could entangle with the Weaving Bureau people. Such entanglement definitely wouldn’t end quickly, buying him time to wait for a reply from the capital.
Who knew Second Miss Jiang would be so reasonable, agreeing so readily and decisively?
Tong Zhiyang thought this was some scheme of Jiang Li’s and couldn’t help looking at her suspiciously. But the young lady had clear features and a gentle smile, appearing completely without guile, pure and clear.
Perhaps she was just bluffing, actually just a naive young girl who understood nothing? Tong Zhiyang wondered. On second thought, Jiang Li being so agreeable was fine too. Though he couldn’t buy time, with the Ye family heads Ye Minghui and Ye Mingxuan detained, the Ye family had no one in charge. That Ye Mingyu knew nothing about the Ye family business and wasn’t worth mentioning. Ye Jia’er and Ye Rufeng were just inexperienced children. The Ye family was scattered and disorganized. Even if the Weaving Bureau people came, they probably couldn’t investigate anything. After wasting a few days without results, the capital should have new orders.
Thinking this, Tong Zhiyang felt completely relaxed and smiled. “In that case, our magistrate’s office will no longer interfere with the Guxiang silk matter. Lord Tang, please thoroughly investigate this case and give the Xiangyang people an explanation.”
Tang Fan said, “It’s my duty.”
Ye Mingyu also said, “We entrust everything to Lord Tang.”
Just as Tong Zhiyang felt complacent, thinking that even with the Weaving Bureau here, the Ye family had no recourse for now, he heard Jiang Li say, “Lord Tang, those garments made from Guxiang silk that caused rashes on the citizens have all been collected by us. Right now, servants from the residence have packed the Guxiang silk in boxes and sent them to the weaving workshop at the foot of the mountain.”
Tong Zhiyang froze. Tang Fan looked at Jiang Li with surprise and smiled. “Second Miss Jiang has thought very thoroughly.”
“Lord Tang should have people examine what exactly went wrong with that Guxiang silk. Beyond that, nothing in the Ye family’s weaving workshop has been touched, making it convenient for Lord Tang’s people to investigate.” Jiang Li smiled. “Whatever the Ye family needs to do, the Ye family will fully cooperate. Once Lord Tang discovers something, he can report back to the Weaving Bureau. When the Weaving Bureau in the capital receives the news, if it’s the Ye family’s fault, they’ll shut down the Ye family’s weaving business. If it’s not the Ye family’s fault, this matter becomes complicated—there may be other conspiracies involved, which would need to be investigated by the prefect.”
She spoke unhurriedly. Ye Mingyu didn’t understand official matters and listened in confusion. Tong Zhiyang frowned, vaguely sensing that Jiang Li wasn’t the naive, unknowing pampered young lady he had imagined. Most surprised was Tang Fan—everything Jiang Li described was indeed the official procedural workflow in the capital. Could it be that Jiang Yuanbai even taught his daughter about these official matters at home? Otherwise, how could she speak so clearly and knowledgeably about these things, as if she had long memorized them?
Of course they didn’t know that the young lady before them, when she married Shen Yurun, had thoroughly studied official procedures. At that time, Xue Fangfei didn’t know how she could help Shen Yurun. She simply possessed a photographic memory, so she read through all the capital’s official documents, including procedural workflows. She knew about the Weaving Bureau and knew what the Weaving Bureau would do upon arrival. Telling Tang Fan was simply to make him understand that at least regarding the Ye family matter, she wasn’t easy to fool—Tang Fan must take it seriously.
If previously Tang Fan had to be courteous to the Ye family for Jiang Yuanbai’s sake, Jiang Li’s words now made Tang Fan develop a small measure of admiration in his heart. When this accused mother-and-brother-killer Second Miss Jiang returned to the capital, everyone had reviled her. Yet she forcefully made a name for herself through Mingyi Hall’s examination and even received a personal audience with His Majesty. So capable people aren’t lacking anywhere—even in dire circumstances, they can carve out a path for themselves.
Tang Fan said respectfully, “Then, time is of the essence. Let’s go to the weaving workshop now.”
Jiang Li’s group departed with Tang Fan. Tong Zhiyang watched their departing figures, a trace of unease flashing through his heart. He paused, then asked his attendant somewhat irritably, “Still no reply from the capital?”
“Reporting to Master, no.”
“What a bunch of useless fools!” Tong Zhiyang cursed. “Go urge them again. Also,” he lowered his voice, “if there’s still no news of Madam and the young master, don’t blame me for being impolite!”
His mistress and son still had no whereabouts. Tong Zhiyang suspected they had been abducted out of Xiangyang City, but too much time had passed. Now wanting to investigate would be extremely difficult.
Everything was going wrong! He angrily slammed his cup on the table.
…
The Ye family’s weaving workshop was located on an empty plot at the foot of a mountain in Xiangyang.
The workshop was already empty. Since the Guxiang silk incident, the Ye family’s weaving workshop had suspended operations and no longer produced fabric. The original Guxiang silk had already spread throughout Northern Yan. Though the Ye family affair was widely discussed in Xiangyang City, who knew what was happening in other parts of Northern Yan?
The weaving looms were covered with a thin layer of dust. Walking in from the entrance, the vast weaving workshop appeared especially desolate. Ye Jia’er and Ye Rufeng waited at the workshop. Seeing Jiang Li’s group arrive, they hurried forward.
“Cousin, you’ve finally come.” Ye Jia’er said. Hoping and waiting, they had finally awaited the Weaving Bureau people. These past days, the Ye family couldn’t sleep well. With the Ye Minghui brothers still detained at the magistrate’s office, Lizheng Hall closed, and all of Xiangyang City saying their Ye family’s Guxiang silk had killed people—anyone else would also eat poorly and sleep poorly, worrying constantly.
Now that the Weaving Bureau had arrived, they could determine what exactly went wrong. Even if there really was a problem, they would know how to correct it, rather than running around blindly like headless flies, helplessly sitting in place not knowing what to do, watching the situation worsen.
“Cousin, where’s the Guxiang silk?” Jiang Li asked.
Ye Jia’er quickly said, “Here.” She stepped aside, revealing a row of neat wooden boxes on the platform behind her.
Servants opened the boxes. Tang Fan walked to them with his people.
The Guxiang silk’s pattern was very simple and understated. What was rare was the faint natural fragrance emanating from the fabric—this was fabric only the Ye family could produce. No one else could do it. When Guxiang silk first appeared those two years, one bolt was hard to obtain. To get a single bolt, those nobles would even quarrel endlessly.
Now Guxiang silk had become like rats crossing the street—everyone wanted to beat them. Tears welled in both Ye Jia’er and Ye Rufeng’s eyes.
“After these Guxiang silk garments were removed from the customers, we haven’t touched them,” Jiang Li smiled. “If there truly is something on the Guxiang silk that can cause illness, it should still be there now.”
Tang Fan reached out to pick up a piece of fabric, rubbing it between his hands several times, apparently trying to discern something. After a while, he leaned close and sniffed it lightly.
Ye Jia’er nervously gripped Jiang Li’s hand. Jiang Li smiled comfortingly at her, and she relaxed a little.
Tang Fan pondered for a while, then had his subordinates come forward and repeat his earlier actions, as if confirming something.
Seeing he seemed to have discovered something, Jiang Li said, “Has Lord Tang found something?”
Facing Jiang Li, Tang Fan didn’t dare be negligent and quickly said, “I wouldn’t say a discovery—just something strange.”
“What’s strange?” Ye Jia’er asked urgently.
“Why would there be tuoluo on this Guxiang silk?”