The Double

Old Madam Ye looked at Jiang Li with a mix of relief and heartache, saying, "Girl, for someone as young as you to think of such things, it’s evident that life in the Jiang Family must have been very difficult. It’s our Ye Family who has let you down. If only I had been more insistent back then, and taken you back to Xiangyang, you wouldn’t have had to suffer these grievances."

Jiang Li’s intelligence was acknowledged by everyone, but her capricious and willful nature in those years was also well known. The transition from a spoilt young lady to a skilled and strategic one could only be attributed to the demands of life. Jiang Li also had her stepmother and stepsisters and now even Jiang Bingji to contend with, so her days were certainly not easy. Intelligence, too, came at a price.

Jiang Li smiled and held Old Madam Ye’s hand, saying, "I haven’t been wronged, and my life with the Jiang family was not too bad."

Old Madam Ye simply held her hand, seeming to want to say more but ultimately only said, "No matter what, it’s good that you’ve returned."

Despite everything, she genuinely rejoiced at Jiang Li’s return. In Old Madam Ye’s eyes, Jiang Li was merely a mischievous child. She had never truly been angry with Jiang Li, and would welcome her back with a smile, just as she was doing now, whenever Jiang Li returned.

This is what family is.

Jiang Li’s eyes involuntarily moistened, uncertain if it was Old Madam Ye’s forgiveness that moved her, or her own thoughts on the matter.

If Xue Huaiyuan were still alive, Xue Fangfei, who made the mistake of misjudging people, would have likely been forgiven as well.