“However, you exceeded my expectations. After going in such circles for so long, you finally brought up Xue Fangfei’s matter.”
Just one sentence made Jiang Li involuntarily look up at Ji Heng. After a moment, she smiled: “What is the Duke saying? What does this have to do with Xue Fangfei?”
“Oh?” Ji Heng smiled. “Weren’t you eager to vindicate Xue Fangfei, which is why you mentioned her name at the court deliberation? Acting like this, Princess Yongning won’t be pleased.”
His intelligence bordered on supernatural—nothing could escape his eyes. Yet Jiang Li had not expected that even so, he would connect Xue Fangfei to the Xue family case. And so quickly.
“Why would I vindicate Xue Fangfei?” Jiang Li said impassively. “Didn’t she violate wifely virtue, having illicit affairs with others? Assistant to the Secretariat Shen Yurun, mindful of old affections, couldn’t bring himself to divorce her. Who knew heaven had eyes and soon took her away—that was her just desserts. Why vindicate such a person?” She spoke of herself without changing expression. An ordinary person could never imagine she would speak of herself this way.
Ji Heng laughed, his body suddenly leaning forward, scrutinizing Jiang Li’s expression with meaningful intensity. He suddenly laughed softly: “Why vindicate her? Aren’t you the one who knows best?”
Jiang Li froze: “I don’t understand what the Duke is saying.”
“You are a person with clear likes and dislikes,” Ji Heng said lightly. “Haven’t you noticed? When you speak of Shen Yurun, you don’t even call him Minister Shen. He has a grudge against you.” Ji Heng casually played with his folding fan. “Princess Yongning also has a grudge against you.”
He used a declarative tone, not questioning—he already knew and trusted his judgment.
Jiang Li pondered internally, then said: “Duke…”
“You know about their relationship,” Ji Heng looked at her.
Jiang Li took a deep breath. She didn’t know how much Ji Heng knew, but one thing was certain—Ji Heng knew far more than she imagined. If she kept playing dumb, it would displease this ally. Better to be somewhat frank, preserve the ultimate secret, mix truth and falsehood, and lay everything out—perhaps she could gain some unexpected rewards.
“What is the Duke referring to? That Princess Yongning and Shen Yurun are deeply affectionate, inseparable?” Her mockery made even Ji Heng smirk.
“From your tone, there’s quite a bit of sourness. Could it be you also admire young Minister Shen?” Ji Heng said. “Hence your jealous resentment?”
“Sourness? The Duke must be joking. I don’t find Shen Yurun worthy of admiration at all.”
“Then that’s strange.” Ji Heng stared at her with interest. “Young Minister Shen is handsome and refined. Countless noble ladies in the capital of Yan like him. I see you’re at the age of awakening feelings—yet you don’t like such a handsome minister?”
How nice of him—at this moment, he was actually discussing such irrelevant matters with Jiang Li. Jiang Li sneered: “Shen Yurun is ultimately just an Assistant to the Secretariat with no family support. To me, he’s merely one of many who climbed up from lowly commoners by any means necessary. I am also a Jiang family miss. Speaking of matching social status, Shen Yurun doesn’t qualify.”
These words were extremely sarcastic. Jiang Li herself hadn’t expected that one day such cutting words would come from her mouth. If the Shen family were here, they would probably be furious. But she wanted to say it. Back then, Princess Yongning said she was of lowly birth, unworthy of the successful Shen Yurun. Now she was the prestigious First Counselor’s daughter—even the successful Shen Yurun was insignificant in her eyes, merely a man who lived off women.
“You worked for Tong County people, eating and drinking with them without disdaining their lowly status. Yet with young Minister Shen, you disdain his poor family background. It seems you have deep prejudice against young Minister Shen. Could there be a blood feud?” He replied with a smile, every sentence probing.
Jiang Li smiled: “I’m merely speaking the truth. Moreover, though the Duke verbally praises Shen Yurun, in my view, Shen Yurun isn’t worth a single hair of yours. Whether appearance and bearing, family background and status, or literary and martial talents, wisdom and methods—Shen Yurun falls far short of you, Duke. Rather than being deceived by such a common mortal as Shen Yurun, better to be captivated by a celestial being like you, Duke. Isn’t that so?”
Ji Heng watched her quietly. After a while, he suddenly laughed: “You certainly know how to talk. Jiang Yuanbai prides himself as an upright civil official, yet his daughter has such a honeyed tongue. If not for my heart being hard as iron, I might truly be reluctant to part with you.”
Jiang Li smiled. She naturally wouldn’t be foolish enough to think her flattery could make Ji Heng bloom with joy. In fact, in Ji Heng’s position, he probably heard countless such flattering words daily. If Ji Heng were truly so easily pleased, there wouldn’t be talk of his “capricious temperament.” However, one doesn’t strike a smiling face. Moreover, she was quite happy to demean Shen Yurun while elevating Ji Heng.
“But your actions have already drawn Shen Yurun and Yongning’s attention,” Ji Heng said. “Next, they will move against you.”
“Thank you for the warning, Duke.” Jiang Li looked at him, saying very earnestly: “But the Duke once said my life belongs to you. No one can take anything from your hands, including my life. So I’m not worried, because I trust you, Duke.”
“Little one, are you trying to rope me in?” His long, beautiful eyes held only cool-headed clarity: “I said I’d preserve your life, not serve as your personal bodyguard. In Northern Yan’s court, those seeking my protection—I’m afraid you can’t afford the price.”
These words were utterly arrogant, yet Jiang Li knew Ji Heng wasn’t lying. Even Prince Cheng wanted Ji Heng’s protection. Though openly rejected by Ji Heng, he didn’t even dare think “if you won’t serve me, I’ll eliminate you”—this showed everything.
Jiang Li said: “Precisely because the Duke is the person in Northern Yan most able to protect me, I hope to gain your protection. What I plot is treasonous and fraught with difficulties. One misstep could implicate those around me, so some things I can only do alone. But however difficult, I must accomplish them. Duke, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—fortunes turn. Though now my words carry little weight and to you I’m just a useless young miss, given time, I might not be unable to assist you.”
“You’re so small, yet such grand ambitions. Want to help me?” He waved his fan. “Still too insignificant.”
“At least I believe I’m more worthy of the Duke’s trust than Prince Cheng and the others.”
Ji Heng supported Prince Cheng to create a three-way balance in the current court, while making Emperor Hongxiao rely on him. What Prince Cheng could accomplish was merely a balanced state. But Jiang Li believed Prince Cheng’s contentment with balance couldn’t last long. The conflict between Emperor Hongxiao and Prince Cheng wasn’t formed overnight. Their exchanges at the court deliberation were already intriguing. The bloody battle over that position would probably arrive soon.
At that time, which side would the Jiang family lean toward? The Jiang family was also involved—one misstep, and they could become sacrifices in this struggle. Throughout history, such outcomes were countless.
Ji Heng looked at her for a while, then said: “Forget it, go do what you must. I cannot interfere too much in Jiang family internal affairs. If you need me to rescue you in everything, you have no value worth my protection. The flowers raised in our Duke’s estate garden, besides looking beautiful, all have special properties. A Li,” he called her name gently, but his words seemed to strip away the world’s cruelest truths before her, “in the capital of Yan, surviving is easy, but living well is hard. Especially for someone like you who hopes to rely on herself. I won’t call you foolish, only naive. But you should be glad—I don’t dislike your naivety. So regarding what you’re obsessed with, concerning Shen Yurun and Yongning, I won’t interfere.”
“That’s your matter,” he said.
Jiang Li slowly smiled.
She said: “Thank you, Duke.”
Ji Heng said no more. He stepped down from the carriage, suddenly thought of something, pulled an object from his sleeve, and tossed it to Jiang Li: “If you need anything, blow this whistle. There are my people in your Jiang residence who will come to your aid. Consider it a gift.” He didn’t look back, his voice carrying faint amusement, like a sigh, yet like a gentle blessing.
“May you achieve your wishes.”
Ji Heng left. Bai Xue and Tong’er suddenly saw a man descend from the carriage and were startled. Upon recognizing Ji Heng, they relaxed somewhat. Jiang Li’s relationship with Ji Heng seemed good—at least after each meeting with Ji Heng, Jiang Li showed no displeasure.
Tong’er and Bai Xue weren’t Jiang Yuanbai’s people, so naturally needn’t report this to him. Moreover, having not long resided in the estate, they weren’t as pedantic as other maids, thinking private meetings with strange men constituted grave transgression.
After boarding the carriage, Tong’er asked Jiang Li: “Miss, why did the Duke come to the carriage earlier? Was there something?”
“Nothing.” Jiang Li looked at the whistle in her palm. Bai Xue followed her gaze and also saw the whistle: “This whistle is so exquisite.”
Atop the snow-white porcelain whistle bloomed a black peony. Even on such a small object, the peony was depicted in minute detail, lifelike. Jiang Li put away the whistle: “Yes.”
By giving her the whistle, Ji Heng tacitly acknowledged a fact—though he couldn’t guess she was Xue Fangfei, regarding what she intended to do, her future confrontations with Shen Yurun and Princess Yongning, vindicating the siblings Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao, there was unspoken understanding.
He knew. He wouldn’t interfere. He tacitly approved. At critical moments, he would even help.
Thus she had another bargaining chip—the greatest chip in Northern Yan’s court. Though this chip required her to pay a price, what that price was remained unclear.
But Jiang Li believed this was entirely profitable business. Looking forward, she could be almost fearless.
She only needed to plan well. As for whether she could do it, whether she dared—with Ji Heng, she had nothing to fear.
…
Just as Ji Heng said, in the Princess’s residence, Princess Yongning was in a towering rage.
Feng Yutang had been executed by hanging, dying without revealing Princess Yongning’s name. But Prince Cheng told Yongning that superficially this was so, but what Zhou Dezhao later extracted from Feng Yutang was unknown. Though Emperor Hongxiao ostensibly didn’t pursue the matter deeply, having Jiang Li vindicate Xue Huaiyuan at the court deliberation already revealed his attitude. That Emperor Hongxiao wanted to deal with Prince Cheng was no longer secret.
The Xue family case revealed undercurrents surging through Northern Yan’s court. Prince Cheng had already returned to discuss matters concerning Emperor Hongxiao with Consort Liu. The less Emperor Hongxiao concealed his murderous intent toward Prince Cheng, the more it meant that day wasn’t far—they must begin preparing for action.
For Princess Yongning, court turmoil didn’t concern her. In her view, the realm would eventually belong to Prince Cheng. When that day came, her status would only rise—nothing would be unattainable. Right now, what most worried and infuriated her was surprisingly Jiang Li.
Jiang Li had implicated her in the Xue family case at the court deliberation—that was one thing, since there was no concrete evidence. But at this critical juncture, she had finally persuaded Consort Liu to soon inform Emperor Hongxiao of her intention to make Shen Yurun her prince consort. Shen Yurun had also agreed. Yet precisely at this moment, the Xue family case was exposed, and the gradually forgotten Xue Fangfei was mentioned again.
This way, forget marrying Shen Yurun—as long as she had any connection with Shen Yurun, grew slightly intimate, those gossipmongering people would say: Princess Yongning instructed Feng Yutang to frame Xue Huaiyuan and have him imprisoned precisely to be with Shen Yurun. With such methods, who knows if Xue Fangfei’s adultery also concealed much intrigue!
To wash the filth from Xue Fangfei and make her again the capital’s peerless beauty of talent and looks—Yongning absolutely disagreed!
What most wrung her heart was that because of this case, Shen Yurun asked her to postpone their engagement.
Having been intimate with Shen Yurun so long, Princess Yongning had long understood his temperament. Shen Yurun was most cautious, habitually weighing gains and losses. This matter harmed him without benefit—Shen Yurun would definitely reconsider their engagement. At least now he wouldn’t marry her. Shen Yurun could afford to wait, but Princess Yongning could not. What if some mishap occurred midway? She was desperate to possess him.
But now Shen Yurun retreated. Princess Yongning nearly quarreled with him over this. But Shen Yurun was stubborn—even Yongning felt helpless. Unable to control Shen Yurun, she transferred all hatred to Jiang Li. If not for Jiang Li meddling, investigating the Xue family case, how could things reach such a state!
Princess Yongning suspected Jiang Li was deliberately targeting her. When she ordered Feng Yutang to assassinate Jiang Li, somehow it failed. Jiang Li even led Tong County people to kill their way to the capital, catching her off guard, mentioning her name at the court deliberation—clearly intentional. She already knew Yongning had tried to kill her and counterattacked instead. Princess Yongning even speculated Jiang Li might have long known she was the master behind Feng Yutang, not discovering the letter by chance. The name Xue Fangfei wasn’t casually mentioned either. Perhaps Jiang Li even knew how Xue Fangfei died… How much did she know?
Princess Yongning abruptly stood up, anxiety filling her features. Regarding Xue Fangfei’s matter, everyone who knew had been dealt with. She believed she’d acted flawlessly—no one else should know. Yet somehow, Jiang Li’s appearance gave her a vaguely uneasy feeling, always sensing the Xue Fangfei case wasn’t entirely secure.
“No,” a vicious glint flashed in her eyes, “Jiang Li cannot remain alive in this world.”
Xue Fangfei was already dead. Everything related to Xue Fangfei, the Xue family matters, should be buried underground like Xue Fangfei herself—unmentioned, and with time’s passage, no trace of their existence remaining. Since Jiang Li touched upon the Xue family secret, even if only possibly, she had no reason to continue living.
Eliminate problems at the root. It was her own fault for seeking death, insisting on connecting herself with the Xue family.
“Princess, you mustn’t.” Princess Yongning’s personal maid Meixiang said: “The Xue family case just concluded. Prince Cheng said His Majesty is secretly plotting something. If something happens to Second Miss Jiang at this juncture, wouldn’t that give His Majesty opportunity to move against the Princess’s residence? Moreover, Second Miss Jiang isn’t from an ordinary family—she has many guards. Acting in the capital would inevitably leave traces. Princess, it’s too risky.”
Meixiang was Princess Yongning’s confidant. Princess Yongning trusted her greatly. Yongning frowned impatiently: “This won’t work, that won’t work. Jiang Li clearly doesn’t take this princess seriously. Should I just let her be so arrogant? If not for her, how would Minister Shen and I reach such a state? I suffered losses at her hands—should I silently swallow it? Impossible!”
Princess Yongning was accustomed to tyranny—indeed, she’d never experienced such frustration of having grievances with nowhere to vent. Meixiang came over, helped Princess Yongning sit down again, gently massaging her shoulders: “Princess, it’s not that we won’t deal with Second Miss Jiang, but we can’t act now. Wait until attention dies down—it won’t be too late for the Princess to strike.”
“Easy to say.” Princess Yongning sneered coldly. “Just thinking of this now, I want to flay that bitch alive. You want me to be patient—how is that easy?”
“Actually, Princess, it’s not about enduring.” Meixiang said patiently. “Some things don’t require the Princess to act personally. Though Second Miss Jiang appears gentle, she has many enemies within the Jiang household. If someone acts for the Princess, you need do nothing—just sit back and reap the benefits. Wouldn’t that also be wonderful?”
Princess Yongning heard the implication: “What do you mean?”
“This servant heard that seven years ago, Second Miss Jiang was sent to Mount Qingcheng precisely because she gained notoriety for killing her mother and brother. Think about it—her own son fell into this young lady’s hands. How could the current Madam Jiang accept this? The Jiang family’s main branch has two legitimate daughters. Originally, Third Miss Jiang Youyao was renowned throughout the capital, envied by all. Who knew Second Miss Jiang would return to the capital for just half a year, not only winning first place at the examination, receiving imperial gifts, but now even gaining popular support? When common people throughout the capital hear Second Miss Jiang’s name, they praise her endlessly.”
“By comparison, Third Miss Jiang has dimmed considerably. People are compared. The more splendid Second Miss Jiang is, who suffers? Third Miss Jiang suffers. As Third Miss Jiang’s birth mother with old grudges against Second Miss Jiang, how can Ji Shuran feel comfortable? So Princess, tell me—right now, who most hates Second Miss Jiang, views her as a thorn in the eye?”
“It’s… Ji Shuran.” Princess Yongning’s eyes flashed. However, soon she looked skeptically at her maid: “How do you know all this so clearly? What evidence have you? That Ji Shuran hates Jiang Li is true, but Ji Shuran has always had a virtuous reputation. To preserve the Jiang family madam title, what’s wrong with enduring temporarily? Moreover, Jiang Li is so cunning and sinister—Ji Shuran may not be able to contend with her.”
Meixiang said softly: “Princess, this servant’s cousin works in Third Miss Jiang’s courtyard. My cousin told me. I also heard this Ji Shuran hates Jiang Li so much her teeth itch. Previously when Jiang Li went to Tong County, Ji Shuran even hired assassins to kill Second Miss Jiang on the road. But somehow it failed—Second Miss Jiang still returned safely to the capital.”
Hearing this, Princess Yongning gritted her teeth: “Her life is truly great.”
“So Princess, don’t worry. Second Miss Jiang has done so much—countless people want her dead. This time Second Miss Jiang won the Xue family case. In Ji Shuran’s eyes, this is even more serious. To eliminate future troubles, Ji Shuran will definitely strike ruthlessly. The Princess need only watch. If Ji Shuran wins and Second Miss Jiang falls, naturally everyone rejoices. If Ji Shuran loses, then regarding Second Miss Jiang, the Princess must be more vigilant—clearly Second Miss Jiang is formidable.”
“You speak of Ji Shuran?” Yongning said disdainfully. “Just a common woman. If she were truly capable, how could she tolerate Jiang Li climbing over her to reach this state? Clearly she’s incompetent. Having her deal with Jiang Li—I doubt she can manage.”
“Ji Shuran isn’t much, but behind her stands Vice Censor-in-Chief Ji family. Princess, don’t forget—Noble Consort Li is Ji family. To uniquely gain His Majesty’s favor in the palace, Noble Consort Li isn’t foolish either. If Ji Shuran truly has no methods and asks Noble Consort Li for advice, she won’t stand idle. This way… who ultimately wins or loses is still uncertain.”
Princess Yongning nodded: “You have a point. Noble Consort Li indeed has some brains. Since that’s so…” She looked at Meixiang: “Since you’re clever, think of ways to fan the flames in this matter. Whether using your cousin or devising your own methods, within one month, I want Ji Shuran to move against Jiang Li. Regardless of the outcome… between those two, there must be casualties!”
Meixiang quickly agreed.
Princess Yongning finally seemed more comfortable. Looking at Meixiang, she said: “You are loyal. Rest assured, if this succeeds, credit goes to you—great rewards await.”
Meixiang joyfully expressed gratitude. When she lowered her head, no one saw the strange glint in her eyes.
…
At the Jiang residence, Ji Shuran was speaking with Jiang Youyao.
Jiang Youyao leaned against Ji Shuran’s knee. Since the Zhou Yanbang matter passed, Ji Shuran had been selecting suitable young talents for Jiang Youyao. There were some good ones, but Jiang Youyao seemed distracted. Ji Shuran saw she still pined for Zhou Yanbang, fearing she’d do something inappropriate, so constantly had people watch her or personally accompanied her. She didn’t let Jiang Youyao find opportunities to go out and make more mistakes.
Whether from discouragement or other reasons, Jiang Youyao had become much more listless. Only recently, after Jiang Li returned, did Jiang Youyao rekindle her fighting spirit, wishing Jiang Li would meet a miserable end.
Unfortunately, her wish fell through. Jiang Li led Tong County people to vindicate the Xue family case, even improving Jiang Li’s reputation among common people. Her reasoned and measured arguments at the court deliberation earned praise from some officials.
However one looked, Jiang Li was gradually surpassing her.
Ji Shuran’s maid Xiahan entered: “Madam, Second Miss isn’t at the residence. She said she went to the Ye residence to visit Xue Huaiyuan.”
“Xue Huaiyuan,” Jiang Youyao snorted coldly. “Just a madman. Yet she visits daily, truly putting on airs, seeking fame. Getting a kind-hearted reputation.”
Ji Shuran ignored Jiang Youyao’s words, only asking: “Did you discover any connection between Jiang Li and the Xue family?”
Xiahan shook her head: “Second Miss grew up in the capital. Speaking of going elsewhere, only the trip to Mount Qingcheng eight years ago. But the Xue family never went to Mount Qingcheng—truly no connection found.”
“Then it’s strange.” Ji Shuran’s eyes flashed. “If there’s no relationship, why such concern for Xue Huaiyuan?”
“Mother, I already told you—she’s putting on an act for others to see her compassionate heart. Truly disgusting.”
Ji Shuran shook her head: “She’s not acting.”
Admittedly, Jiang Li was a scheming woman. At her age, those who could remain so composed were rare. But precisely because of this, her occasional emotional revelations seemed particularly abnormal. Her concern and affection toward Xue Huaiyuan weren’t feigned.
Jiang Yuanbai also sensed this. Therefore these past days, Ji Shuran had been subtly influencing Jiang Yuanbai, telling him Jiang Li treated an outsider more intimately than him, her father.
Though Jiang Yuanbai said nothing, he likely minded. Recently, he’d been cool toward Jiang Li.
For Ji Shuran, this wasn’t enough. Only by uncovering the hidden truth, grasping Jiang Li’s weakness, could she strike decisively.
Xunchun said from the side: “This servant sees Second Miss treats Xue Huaiyuan like a relative, attending to everything. Could Second Miss be possessed?”
Possessed? Ji Shuran’s heart stirred.
She said: “Nonsense. Can talk of possession be spoken casually?”
Jiang Youyao, hearing this, said dismissively: “I think she is possessed. Otherwise Mother, why would she seem like a different person after returning from Mount Qingcheng? Could Mount Qingcheng turn fools into geniuses? Are those nuns and monks immortals? Perhaps some fox spirit possessed her body, coming to our household to bring disaster.”