The Double

The back door of Cherish Flower Tower greeted by the same girl Jiang Li had seen last time. Seeing Jiang Li, she, too, was taken aback for a moment, but then she smiled and said, "Miss, have you come to see Qiongzhi again?"

Jiang Li replied, "Indeed." She handed over a silver note from her sleeve.

The girl didn’t refuse, gracefully accepting the silver note, and told Jiang Li, "Please follow me." She then personally led Jiang Li to Qiongzhi’s room.

The girls at Cherish Flower Tower were all astute, knowing what should and shouldn’t be asked. Although they didn’t understand the relationship between Jiang Li and Qiongzhi, they hadn’t seen any trouble during the last visit, and Jiang Li had been generous, so they wouldn’t actively refuse to lend a helping hand.

Jiang Li was thus led to the door of Qiongzhi’s room.

The girl smiled and said, "Qiongzhi has been waiting for you here. If you need anything else, just call for me." She then withdrew.

Jiang Li pushed open the door and entered Qiongzhi’s room.

Whether it was just Jiang Li’s imagination or not, Qiongzhi seemed much thinner than she had been in the days they had not seen each other. Yet a beauty would always remain a beauty; even in her frail state, she only seemed more sorrowfully enchanting—a kind of beauty not seen before. It was as if a flower nearing the end of its bloom became even more eye-catching.

Jiang Li assumed that perhaps Qiongzhi had learned of Xue Zhao’s death, which was why she seemed so thin these past days.

"You’ve come." Qiongzhi sat at a table, idly arranging a chaotic chess set. Hearing movement, she did not get up but looked towards Jiang Li.