The Double

Jiang Li said, "Auntie, do you not know, or are you unwilling to speak?"

Chunfang lifted her head to look at Jiang Li, and mustered her courage, "Why do you want to inquire about Lord Xue’s affairs? Who are you?"

Pressured by Jiang Li’s questioning, nobody would believe that she was merely asking out of curiosity anymore. But Chunfang’s reluctance to discuss it was inadvertently revealing. Jiang Li smiled and said, "Who I am is not important; what matters is that I want to inquire about the Xue Family’s affairs. Auntie, are you willing to talk or not?"

Chunfang knew Jiang Li, their many years as neighbors made clear she was a warm and kind-hearted person. Jiang Li believed that if it weren’t for immense fear, Chunfang would never stand by and watch her own father fall into prison. The people of Tongxiang felt the same, but what kind of threat could make these common folks too scared to stand up?

Just then, the gate to Chunfang’s courtyard creaked open again, and her husband’s voice floated over from a distance: "Chunfang, aren’t you leaving yet? What are you doing?"

"I’m going to sell the embroidery." Chunfang suddenly pushed Jiang Li away as if she had found an excuse, and hurriedly tried to flee. But halfway through, she hesitated, turned back, and said, "Miss, seeing as you are newcomers, let me give you a word of advice. Don’t mention the Xue Family’s matters in front of others, to avoid bringing trouble upon yourself. You... don’t be too conspicuous." With that, she slung her bamboo basket over her arm and, without giving Jiang Li another glance, quickly disappeared as if something terrifying were chasing her.

Ye Mingyu stepped forward, standing beside Jiang Li, who was staring at Chunfang’s retreating figure, and complained, "Really, Jiang Li was so polite and gentle, yet she ran off as if she saw a ghost, scared to death." He then looked at Jiang Li, "I heard you talking about the Xue Family just now. What does it mean? Jiang Li, what are you planning to do?"