After listening to Jiang Li’s words, Tong’er nodded in agreement. Then, as if remembering something, she said, “But that Madam Liu truly is a good person.” She smiled at Jiang Li and continued, “Actually, after all these years, this servant had forgotten about it. I never expected Miss to still remember what Madam Liu looked like. Among all those madams present, only Madam Liu was willing to speak up for justice.”

Jiang Li smiled. When she was Xue Fangfei and married into Yanjing, she often exchanged gossip with various madams and young ladies. What set her apart from others was her exceptionally good memory since childhood. The relationship between Madam Liu from the Chengde Lang’s household and Ye Zhenzhen of the former Xiangyang Ye family had been mentioned by others before.

She herself had briefly interacted with Madam Liu and knew that Madam Liu was kind-hearted, with quite a bit of chivalrous spirit in despising evil. Today, by first introducing herself as the daughter of an old friend to gain Madam Liu’s sympathy, then hinting that there were suspicious circumstances surrounding her being sent to the nunnery, both emotionally and logically, Madam Liu would absolutely not stand by idly.

“But Miss,” Tong’er hesitantly began, “even if Madam Liu returns to the capital and mentions you to the Master, will the Master really immediately send someone to bring you back to the capital? Why don’t we… why don’t we just leave with Madam Liu together tomorrow morning?”

Although Tong’er usually spoke with certainty, firmly believing that Jiang Yuanbai would one day come to take Jiang Li home, over these years, Jiang Yuanbai’s complete indifference to this daughter had been witnessed by everyone. Now that this day had truly arrived, even Tong’er herself couldn’t quite believe it.

“Don’t worry, Father will definitely send someone,” Jiang Li said.

Three years ago, the Chengde Lang had a disagreement with the Deputy Censor-in-Chief—or rather, with a protégé recommended by Ji Shuran’s father, Ji Yanlin. The Chengde Lang could have been promoted further, but the protégé recommended by Ji Yanlin, because of his connection to Ji Yanlin, had stolen the Chengde Lang’s lucrative position.

Stealing credit and blocking career advancement—the relationship between Lord Liu and Ji Yanlin had never been calm to begin with. As long as Madam Liu returned to Yanjing and told the Chengde Lang about this matter, that clever man would naturally not pass up the opportunity to make Ji Yanlin suffer.

This matter was the Ji family’s fault to begin with. Moreover, her benevolent and magnanimous biological father, the Chief Minister, was a good person who greatly valued his reputation. How could he leave his political enemy with the leverage of him treating his own daughter harshly?

“I’m not just going back—I’m going back in grand style,” Jiang Li said, tapping the table. “Returning together with Madam Liu would be inferior, and it wouldn’t cause any waves in Yanjing City. But if someone is sent to fetch me, that’s different. All of Yanjing City will know that the Second Miss of the Jiang family is about to return to the capital. The aristocratic circles in the capital will learn of this news. Only then can I be considered to have officially and gloriously returned to the capital.”

Tong’er blinked. For some reason, these past days, she sometimes felt that Second Miss had become extremely unfamiliar. The former Second Miss Jiang had been impulsive, stubborn, reckless, and fragile. But the current Second Miss Jiang was extraordinarily gentle, extraordinarily calm, and extraordinarily formidable.

“Just wait,” Jiang Li said, her eyes curving into a smile. “It will be soon.”

…

Early the next morning, Madam Liu set off to return to Yanjing.

Departing with her were those madams and young ladies, whose eager-to-leave appearance seemed as if they were avoiding something. This made sense—with such a scandal occurring in this Buddhist sanctuary, the female guests would naturally avoid it at all costs.

Helin Temple didn’t know about it, but in the nunnery where Jiang Li stayed, all the nuns had left completely, not a single one remaining. It was said that the neighboring yamen had been notified, and they had taken away all the nuns here overnight to be detained and interrogated.

Before leaving, Madam Liu left behind several young servants and guards here to ensure Jiang Li’s safety while staying here. Madam Liu’s personal maid, Yuxiang, also remained by Jiang Li’s side.

As the carriage was about to depart, Madam Liu lifted the carriage curtain and looked at Jiang Li with concern. “Is Second Miss Jiang really going to stay here? I’ve thought it over and over and still feel uneasy. Why not come back to the capital with us instead?”

Jiang Li gently but firmly refused her, smiling as she said, “Thank you for your kind intentions, Madam, but since I promised Father, I will certainly keep my word.”

At the mention of Jiang Yuanbai, Madam Liu thought of her departed good friend Ye Zhenzhen, and her expression darkened somewhat. Suddenly coming back to herself, she looked at Jiang Li and sighed, saying, “Very well. Since you’re so determined, I won’t try to persuade you. Rest assured, I will definitely convince your father to send someone to fetch you as soon as possible.” Then to Yuxiang she said, “Yuxiang, take good care of Second Miss Jiang.”

Yuxiang nodded in acknowledgment.

The line of carriages gradually disappeared into the billowing dust. Tong’er gazed at the departing horses and carriages, her eyes involuntarily filling with some melancholy. With this departure, who knew when someone would come again…

Tong’er couldn’t help but ask, “Miss, can we really return in grand style?”

“We will,” Jiang Li smiled.

Of course she had to return gloriously and conspicuously. She needed all the aristocratic circles of Yanjing to know of the existence of this Second Miss who had vanished from sight. Only this way could she restore her former life. The identity of Second Miss Jiang would bring her countless conveniences, and the greatest convenience was being able to legitimately approach Princess Yongning.

Princess Yongning, Shen Yurong, even the Capital Magistrate, and all those who aided and abetted evil—Father, the mortal enemy who caused Xue Zhao’s death—she kept them in her heart every moment, never daring to forget for even a second.

Yanjing was a prosperous and wonderful place.

Yanjing was also a wonderful place for revenge to begin.

The smile at the corner of Jiang Li’s mouth gradually deepened. Standing beside her, Yuxiang noticed and couldn’t help but feel a trace of surprise in her eyes. Second Miss Jiang was gentle and uncontentious, and when she smiled, she was as pure and clear as a flower.

Yet inexplicably, there was a faint hint of something fierce beneath it.