Meeting Old Madam Ye went even more smoothly than Jiang Li had imagined. Though she had consciously used the Ye family’s troubles to draw closer to them, in her heart Jiang Li believed that even without this incident, there would be no barriers between Old Madam Ye and Second Miss Jiang. As long as Second Miss Jiang turned back, Old Madam Ye would forever be her support.

Nevertheless, this was one matter off her mind.

What came next was patiently waiting for results from Tang Fan. Only no one expected the results would come so unexpectedly soon.

Three days later, Tang Fan called at the Ye family. Upon entering, he said, “We’ve found the person who brought tuoluo flowers to Xiangyang.”

Ye Minghui asked, “Who is it?”

Tang Fan shook his head. “These past days, Prefect Tong and I jointly sent people to investigate the case. Following the trail, we found Dafeng Pharmacy in Xiangyang City. The manager of this pharmacy sends people every six months to collect rare medicinal herbs. He has a clever assistant who returned from the Western Regions two months ago. People say he brought back many medicinal herbs. According to others’ accounts, there seem to be traces of tuoluo flowers.”

“Dafeng Pharmacy?” Ye Mingxuan pondered. “The Xiangyang people all get medicine from Dafeng Pharmacy. But there’s no grudge between them and our Ye family.”

“We wanted to make arrests quickly, but this morning, the Dafeng Pharmacy manager’s entire family of seven, including the assistant who returned from the Western Regions, were all silenced.”

“Silenced?” Ye Jia’er cried out in alarm.

“Correct. It shouldn’t be a vendetta killing. I actually think,” Tang Fan looked at Jiang Li, “it’s very likely the person behind this learned we were investigating and sacrificed pawns to protect the king.”

“You’re saying there’s someone else behind this?” Ye Mingyu asked.

“If it were just Dafeng Pharmacy people acting on their own, there would be no need to massacre them. Now it appears these people in the know are all dead—clearly someone else was directing from behind.” Tang Fan answered. He originally wasn’t very certain, but seeing the suspected Dafeng Pharmacy wiped out overnight, he could be almost certain that the Ye family’s Guxiang silk incident indeed had someone scheming and framing them from behind. However, with such brutal methods and no fear of consequences, clearly the opposing force wasn’t small.

Only since he had already sided with the Jiang family, it was too late to reconsider now. He could only steel himself and continue.

“Lord Tang’s suspicion of Dafeng Pharmacy shouldn’t have leaked out yet.” Jiang Li smiled faintly. “In such a short time, yet the Dafeng Pharmacy people were silenced—could someone have learned the news in advance and struck at Dafeng Pharmacy? In that case, there must be an informant…”

“Absolutely impossible!” Tang Fan urgently assured. “We were dispatched to Xiangyang by the Weaving Bureau specifically to thoroughly investigate this matter. We have no connection to Dafeng Pharmacy whatsoever. There’s no way information leaked.” He feared Jiang Li suspected his people had tipped off the other side, leading to the silencing of Dafeng Pharmacy’s witnesses.

“Lord Tang needn’t be anxious. Since I’ve entrusted this entire matter to you, naturally I trust you’ll give us an explanation. Only this matter is truly unexpected. Just as we focused on Dafeng Pharmacy, Dafeng Pharmacy left not a single survivor. Doesn’t that seem too coincidental? Prefect Tong has many subordinates. Could it be that Prefect Tong’s people accidentally leaked information, giving someone an opportunity?” Jiang Li smiled.

Tang Fan’s gaze toward Jiang Li changed slightly. He sighed inwardly—Tong Zhiyang had thoroughly and completely offended this Second Miss of the Jiang family. The implication in Jiang Li’s words was suspecting Tong Zhiyang was in league with those framing the Ye family. Upon receiving the news, he informed the other side, who then sent people to massacre everyone at Dafeng Pharmacy. Though this was possible, Jiang Li raising it now was clearly and plainly suppressing Tong Zhiyang. When Jiang Li returned to the capital and told Jiang Yuanbai about this, Jiang Yuanbai could find any excuse and Tong Zhiyang would be scrutinized thoroughly, and some clues would always be uncovered.

Second Miss Jiang was not to be trifled with—best not offend her. Tang Fan gained this understanding and spoke even more courteously to Jiang Li. “In the courtyard behind the Dafeng Pharmacy assistant’s room, we discovered some scattered tuoluo flower powder. Although Dafeng Pharmacy was massacred, we can probably determine this matter was the assistant’s doing. We just need to collect sufficient evidence to clear the Ye family’s name.”

“But the person behind it hasn’t been found, has he?” Ye Minghui said gravely. “If it doesn’t work this time, what if those people scheme against us again next time? Right now we finally found a clue, and Dafeng Pharmacy was silenced. How will the common people believe the Ye family’s account? They might even think our Ye family colluded with officials, that it’s a fabricated excuse. The Ye family’s reputation is already ruined. Setting aside everything else, the Guxiang silk business probably won’t continue in the future. What do we do about that?”

Ye Minghui spoke painfully, yet not without reason. Tang Fan said, “Our Weaving Bureau will find ways to inform the people of the truth…” He himself felt his words were very forced. Even if the Weaving Bureau people spoke, the Ye family’s Guxiang silk business couldn’t continue in the future. The Ye family’s main business was Guxiang silk—with this incident, the Ye family could be considered severely damaged.

“Uncle Minghui,” Jiang Li spoke. “Investigating cases isn’t what the Weaving Bureau should do. To know the mastermind’s clues, we must rely on Prefect Tong. We’ll entrust this entire matter to Prefect Tong to investigate. If Prefect Tong also can’t investigate it, we continue reporting up—one level reporting to the next. If even the capital’s Chief Judge can’t investigate it, I’ll find a way to have Father enter the palace for an imperial audience. There will always be a way out.”

She spoke casually, but Tang Fan listening from the side felt his heart leap with fear. He thought to himself that Tong Zhiyang’s position as prefect seemed to have reached its end. Fortunately, he had sided with the Jiang family from the start. Otherwise, with Second Miss Jiang’s calculating nature, who knew what she would do when settling accounts afterward?

Thinking this, Tang Fan didn’t dare be negligent. He carefully explained to Jiang Li what would happen next before departing.

After Tang Fan left, Ye Rufeng couldn’t help saying, “The Dafeng Pharmacy people had no grudge against us. How could they be used as weapons to trip up our Ye family?”

“People die for wealth, birds die for food,” Ye Mingxuan instructed his son. “Since they were willing to be weapons, either they received benefits or threats. If the Weaving Bureau people hadn’t acted this time, the Ye family would be doomed. Living well by stepping on others’ blood will always have a price. Look—a perfectly good pharmacy now has nothing left.”

Since everyone was dead, further investigation was futile. Ye Mingxuan sighed deeply.

“But at least it gave us a warning, didn’t it?” Jiang Li smiled.

“But the Guxiang silk business is cut off,” Guan Shi sighed. “Mother will learn of this sooner or later. The Ye family estate was built by Father and Mother with their own hands. Especially Guxiang silk—now ruined in our hands…” She couldn’t continue.

Old Madam Ye’s health wasn’t good. She couldn’t stay outside for long and needed bed rest. Apart from meeting and chatting with Jiang Li, they usually didn’t trouble Old Madam Ye with these trivial matters. But whether the bedridden Old Madam Ye would hear of these things from the servants was unclear.

Thinking of the Ye family’s difficult future, everyone was heavy-hearted. When dispersing, Jiang Li tugged at Ye Mingyu’s sleeve. Seeing this, Ye Mingyu understood and went with Jiang Li to a room to talk.

“Uncle Mingyu, are Suqin and Tong Yu still well?” Jiang Li asked. Suqin and Tong Yu were Tong Zhiyang’s mistress and son.

“Don’t worry, I’ve settled them well. These days Tong Zhiyang has been like a mad dog, sending people everywhere to investigate the mother and son’s whereabouts. If not for fearing He Shi, I think he’d mobilize all his magistrate office personnel to search!”

Jiang Li said, “No matter. Have someone deliver a message to Tong Zhiyang today.”

“What message?” Ye Mingyu was puzzled. “I was just worrying about how to deal with this mother and son. Now that the Guxiang silk matter is settled, having these two in my hands is useless. I was even thinking of just telling He Shi directly and letting her deal with Tong Zhiyang.”

“We’ll definitely tell He Shi eventually,” Jiang Li smiled. “But before that, we need to make Tong Zhiyang reveal who is really behind harming the Ye family.”

“He knows?” Ye Mingyu was shocked.

“I think with his status as just a prefect, he probably doesn’t know the other party’s identity. But he can always reveal some clues. With those clues, once I return to the capital, I won’t fear being unable to find the person.” She looked at Ye Mingyu. “Uncle Mingyu, threaten Tong Zhiyang with Tong Yu’s personal belongings. For the sake of his only male heir, Tong Zhiyang will speak without reservation.”

Ye Mingyu said, “I’ll go right away!”

“Be careful.” Jiang Li said. “Don’t let anyone catch you.”

Ye Mingyu smiled. “Don’t worry!”

…

Tong Zhiyang had been having a very difficult time these days.

First, the matter with the Ye family that was in the bag suddenly had Jiang Li appear to disrupt everything, and he could only watch helplessly as the Ye family escaped disaster. Then came Tang Fan, who used the capital’s Weaving Bureau name to pressure him in Xiangyang City, leaving him without dignity.

Most importantly, his most beloved mistress Suqin and son Tong Yu had been missing until now without being found.

Whenever he thought of this, Tong Zhiyang’s heart felt stabbed. Suqin didn’t matter as much—though beautiful and considerate, she was ultimately just a woman. If she was gone, he could keep another. Tong Yu was different. He only had this one son. Looking at He Shi, she clearly couldn’t bear sons. If he lost Tong Yu, the Tong family line would end with him. How could he not be anxious?

Tong Zhiyang most suspected He Shi had learned of the mother and son’s existence and taken them away. But thinking carefully, with He Shi’s nature, if she knew of Suqin and Tong Yu’s existence, she definitely wouldn’t play deaf and dumb, scheming in secret. Most likely she would confront him directly. And even if it really was He Shi, Tong Zhiyang didn’t have the courage to question her. He could only hold it in, sitting uneasily.

The Weaving Bureau acted too quickly. Fortunately, he promptly revealed that Tang Fan suspected Dafeng Pharmacy, preventing problems there. Though he couldn’t complete his brother-in-law’s plan, at least he didn’t cause a major incident.

Just as he was thinking, his servant suddenly rushed in from outside, calling, “Master!”

Tong Zhiyang turned back impatiently. “Why are you making such a fuss!”

The servant closed the door, gasping, “Young master… young master…”

“There’s news of the young master?” Hearing about Tong Yu, Tong Zhiyang immediately stood up excitedly.

The servant handed a letter to Tong Zhiyang along with a longevity lock. “This was found at the gate—don’t know how long it’s been there. I recognized this as the young master’s button, guessing it concerned him.” He handed both the letter and silver lock to Tong Zhiyang.

Looking at the silver lock, Tong Zhiyang’s excitement immediately overflowed. “It’s Yu’er’s!”

Tong Zhiyang doted on Tong Yu. When Tong Yu was born, he specifically had a longevity lock made. The one in his hand was clearly Tong Yu’s. He impatiently opened the letter. The more he read, the worse his expression became.

The servant didn’t know what happened. He only saw Tong Zhiyang finish reading, then viciously fling the letter to the ground and say through gritted teeth, “How outrageous!”

“Master, what happened?” the servant asked.

“Someone kidnapped Yu’er and Suqin,” Tong Zhiyang took a deep breath. “This letter is threatening me!”

“They want silver?” the servant asked. Threats usually had some purpose.

“If only they wanted silver!” Tong Zhiyang was very angry. The letter stated clearly that Tong Yu and Suqin were in their hands. They didn’t seek money. They just wanted him to explain clearly the full story behind the Ye family’s troubles this time. If they were satisfied, they would naturally release the captives. If not satisfied, they would wait until Tong Zhiyang spoke to their satisfaction.

This was demanding Tong Zhiyang betray his own brother-in-law!

Tong Zhiyang was unwilling, but looking at Tong Yu’s longevity lock, his heart was also very reluctant. Without Tong Yu, no matter how high his official position or how wealthy he became, he would have no heir. Could he just watch his only male line end like this?

After much thought, Tong Zhiyang gritted his teeth and made his decision. People are selfish. Besides, he had done his utmost for his brother-in-law. If blame were to be assigned, blame the sudden appearance of Second Miss Jiang that reversed everything. He couldn’t joke with his own flesh and blood for others’ sake.

“Bring paper and brush!” Tong Zhiyang said.

The servant hurriedly ran to get things. Tong Zhiyang looked at the letter on the ground and gritted his teeth again.

They told him to deliver the written letter to the back courtyard of the He residence. Tong Zhiyang had wanted to send people to follow the letter, tracing it back to discover who they were. But delivering to the He residence—He Shi’s natal family—no matter how bold he was, he didn’t dare act under the He family’s nose, and feared the He family would discover Suqin and her son’s existence because of him.

The other side had calculated everything thoroughly, leaving no openings. It made one hate them to the bone…

…

Jiang Li stood at the Ye residence gate.

She was waiting for news of Ye Mingyu’s return. Ye Mingyu went to get the reply Tong Zhiyang gave. Though Jiang Li could roughly guess the result, she still needed Tong Zhiyang’s letter to confirm some things.

Sunlight lazily fell. Winter was approaching. Xiangyang City’s winter was warm—unlike the northern capital. Even when it snowed, it wasn’t very cold, more like white pear blossoms drifting in the wind.

The neighboring estate’s gate opened. Jiang Li glanced that way and saw Ji Heng and the guard called Wen Ji walk out from inside.

They also saw Jiang Li. Ji Heng looked at her and revealed a smile, walking unhurriedly toward her.

There weren’t many pedestrians at the Ye residence gate. Those living here were all high officials and nobles. But Ji Heng’s appearance was too striking, immediately attracting everyone’s gaze. Jiang Li even saw young ladies at distant gates leaning against doorways, frequently glancing toward Ji Heng.

They didn’t know Ji Heng’s identity. Even so, Ji Heng could become the most eye-catching one here.

“Duke.” Jiang Li greeted Ji Heng with a bow.

“Rare to see Second Miss Jiang come out to sun herself.” Ji Heng smiled cheerfully, holding his folding fan.

In the depths of winter, folding fans were no longer needed. If others carried one, they’d probably be called affected. But with him holding it, it seemed perfectly fitting. As if that gold-thread fan was born to be held in the palm of such a beautiful person. Of course, Jiang Li knew very clearly in her heart—having seen that moment when the peony on the gold-thread fan blocked the blade tip, Jiang Li knew this fan wasn’t merely a fan. It was also the most dangerous weapon, just hidden in such a casual manner.

Just like its master.

Jiang Li smiled. “The Duke also has fine leisure.”

To others, they would only think these two were quite familiar, like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time. But Jiang Li wouldn’t truly think Ji Heng considered her a friend. Beneath his gentle smile hid the coldest heart. As for what he wanted to do, Jiang Li didn’t understand and didn’t want to understand.

“What is Second Miss waiting for?” Ji Heng said. “Waiting for Tong Zhiyang to inform?”

Jiang Li looked up at him. As expected, even the movements on her side, no matter how small, couldn’t escape Ji Heng’s eyes.

She acknowledged it openly. “Nothing can escape your eyes.”

“Xiangyang City is this small after all.” Ji Heng was modest. “No secret can be kept.”

“That is indeed true.”

Wen Ji stood to the side, watching these two, one tall and one small, conversing as if no one else was present, unable to hide his amazement. Ji Heng appeared gentle and affectionate but actually wasn’t easy to get along with, especially arrogant and cold toward strangers. He rarely spoke so much with anyone. Second Miss Jiang left Qingcheng Mountain less than half a year ago. In that half year, besides stirring up huge waves in the capital, she had also established considerable contact with Ji Heng.

Wen Ji couldn’t tell what his master was thinking. Saying Jiang Li would eventually become a sacrificed chess piece, yet Ji Heng hadn’t touched her from beginning to end. Saying Ji Heng planned to support Jiang Li, yet regarding the conspiracies and dangers targeting Jiang Li, Ji Heng never intervened to help either.

He just pleasantly watched the play from the side, neither planning to help nor planning to add insult to injury.

And Second Miss Jiang was also a remarkable person. Facing the temperamental Duke, she never showed a trace of fear. Forget that she was a young girl—even someone older wouldn’t be able to converse with Ji Heng so calmly.

“Second Miss seems to have already guessed who it is.” Ji Heng smiled at her.

“I guess it’s the Li family.” Jiang Li said directly.

Probably not expecting Jiang Li would suddenly say it without any concealment, Ji Heng was slightly surprised and didn’t speak. The next moment, he heard Jiang Li say, “The Duke knew long ago, didn’t you?”

She tossed the question back to him.

She truly wasn’t afraid of him at all.

Ji Heng said, “Why ask me?”

“Because Xiangyang is too small. No secret can escape the Duke’s eyes.” Jiang Li answered matter-of-factly. She smiled with curved eyes, appearing guileless and purely lovely, yet her words were sharp as needles.

Ji Heng also smiled and asked, “Want to know?”

Jiang Li just looked at him smiling. Ji Heng waved his fan. “Cannot say.”

Saying he couldn’t say was actually saying it. Jiang Li nodded. In truth, until now, she still couldn’t see through which side Ji Heng stood on. Not to mention his relationship with Prince Cheng and Emperor Hongxiao, even his connection with the Right Chancellor’s family was confusing. He seemed to know Li Jing, the Li family’s eldest young master, but regarding Li family matters, watching the Li family’s plan fail, he didn’t extend a helping hand either. If they were allies, he was truly a very annoying ally.

As they spoke, a date-red steed galloped from distance. The rider didn’t even pull the reins, just whistled, and the great horse suddenly stopped at the gate.

Ye Mingyu had returned.

Ye Mingyu dismounted and saw Jiang Li standing with an impossibly handsome man. This man wore red robes, excessively beautiful yet not at all effeminate. Though smiling, his long narrow phoenix eyes seemed completely mirthless. Having lived through knife-edge days, Ye Mingyu instinctively sensed danger and subconsciously wanted to pull Jiang Li behind him, away from this man.

“Uncle Mingyu.” Jiang Li called.

“Ah Li, who is this…?” Ye Mingyu looked at Ji Heng. He didn’t remember Xiangyang City having such a figure.

Jiang Li hesitated for a moment, then said, “A young master living in the neighboring estate. We’ve met a few times.”

In the end, she didn’t reveal Ji Heng’s identity.

Ji Heng smiled and said to Jiang Li, “The secret has returned. Second Miss, hurry back.” Very meaningfully.

With Ye Mingyu present, Jiang Li couldn’t say more. She nodded to Ji Heng and followed Ye Mingyu into the Ye residence.

After the two left, Wen Ji asked, “My lord, should I…?”

Ji Heng blocked with his fan. “No need.” He glanced at the tightly closed Ye residence gate and smiled. “No need to watch—I know what she’ll do. Xiangyang is about to be turned upside down.”

…

Ye Mingyu and Jiang Li returned to Jiang Li’s courtyard.

Tong’er and Bai Xue quickly made tea for Ye Mingyu. Seeing no one else here, Ye Mingyu immediately asked impatiently, “Ah Li, who was that man just now? Though you didn’t say explicitly, I could see he’s no ordinary person. You two also seemed to have prior acquaintance.”

Seeing she couldn’t hide it from him, Jiang Li said, “He is the current Duke, Ji Heng.”

“Duke?” Ye Mingyu gasped. He had heard the Duke’s name, but for Xiangyang residents like them, the Duke was too distant, like a legend. Seeing a legend in person always felt unreal.

“Why is the Duke here?” Ye Mingyu said.

Jiang Li shook her head. “I don’t know either. I met him once when accompanying Father to the palace banquet. Because of Father’s relationship, we spoke a few times—just a few encounters. This time unexpectedly meeting in Xiangyang was truly surprising, so we exchanged a few words. However,” she paused, then continued, “please don’t tell others about this, Uncle Mingyu. The Duke’s identity is special. I don’t know what business brought him to Xiangyang. To avoid trouble, better not to speak of it.”

“I understand.” Ye Mingyu patted his chest. Though he didn’t understand court matters, he knew these high officials and nobles had many private movements. Best not to get swept into others’ troubles and become scapegoats for no reason.

He pulled a letter from his chest. “This is the reply found at the He residence.” He turned to praise Jiang Li. “You’re truly amazing, knowing Tong Zhiyang fears his wife like a tiger, placing the reply location at the He residence. Tong Zhiyang indeed didn’t dare send people to follow. Getting this letter was very easy. Just don’t know if what Tong Zhiyang wrote is true or false.”

As Jiang Li opened the letter, she said, “True. Tong Zhiyang won’t gamble with his son’s life.”

She unfolded the letter and carefully read through it. After a moment, she handed it to Ye Mingyu, indicating he should read.

Ye Mingyu picked it up to read. Jiang Li fell into contemplation.

Tong Zhiyang must have been extremely concerned about Tong Yu’s life. This letter conveyed considerable information. As for who specifically was behind the Ye family’s Guxiang silk incident, Tong Zhiyang himself wasn’t very clear. Only his brother-in-law, an Imperial Bell Official, wrote to instruct that regarding the Ye family’s Guxiang silk matter, Tong Zhiyang must make the Ye family suffer. When the Ye family reached desperation, Tong Zhiyang would give them a way out. The Ye family would have to pay a certain price, but Tong Zhiyang would be the Ye family’s only lifeline.

Looking at it this way, it seemed someone used the Guxiang silk incident to force the Ye family into desperation, to make a deal with them and become their weapon. But who exactly was behind it, Tong Zhiyang also didn’t know clearly. Though this matter came through his brother-in-law, his brother-in-law was also just a messenger. Because his brother-in-law had promised that if this matter succeeded, Tong Zhiyang’s official career would certainly rise another level.

And that Imperial Bell Official had vaguely revealed one thing—behind this entire matter was a huge power, involving a quite powerful noble in the capital. They were all working for this noble.

Originally a foolproof matter, who knew Jiang Li would suddenly appear? And from the first moment Jiang Li arrived in Xiangyang and learned of the Guxiang silk incident, she wrote back to the capital to have the Weaving Bureau people come, disrupting Tong Zhiyang’s entire plan. He had no choice but to write to his Bell Official brother-in-law, but the Weaving Bureau people came too quickly. Before receiving a reply with instructions for the next step, matters were already beyond Tong Zhiyang’s control. Not only was the Ye family not forced to desperation, they survived the crisis.

This was all the facts Tong Zhiyang knew. Beyond this, he knew nothing more. Jiang Li believed Tong Zhiyang didn’t reveal everything—he still concealed a portion. For instance, the massacre of Dafeng Pharmacy. But these weren’t most important. What was important was that in the portion Tong Zhiyang revealed, that powerful and influential noble—if she hadn’t guessed wrong—should undoubtedly be someone from Right Chancellor Li Zhongnan’s family.

From the beginning when Li Lian targeted Ye Shijie, to later Li Jing’s conversation with Ji Heng, to now the conspiracy against the Ye family—this entire matter was confusing, seemingly endless.

“Ah Li,” after Ye Mingyu finished reading, he said, “I recognize all these characters individually. How is it that when put together, I can’t understand what they mean?”

“Uncle Mingyu, simply put, a noble in the capital took a liking to the Ye family’s estate and Cousin Shijie’s official career, deliberately staging a play to lure the prey into the trap. However,” she smiled, “the play went wrong.”

Author’s Notes:

Today is 520! Sending love to everyone, lots of kisses!