The Double

"I’ve already told you," Jiang Li said, "I came to see Lord Feng because I wanted to ask why the Xue Family was sealed off, and why the County Magistrate Xue was imprisoned?"

Feng Yutang looked at Jiang Li, his mind rapidly calculating. From this one sentence, he could be certain that she was definitely not one of Princess Yongning’s people. How could someone from Princess Yongning not be aware of the Xue Family’s current predicament? However, Miss Jiang the Second’s sudden inquiry into the matter raised the question of whether it was a spur of the moment or if she had another motive.

But he absolutely couldn’t botch the task assigned by Princess Yongning.

Feng Yutang said gravely, "The Xue Family was sealed off because the criminal Xue Huaiyuan embezzled the fun of disaster aid. The evidence is conclusive. The imperial court strictly punishes corrupt officials, and that was why he was thrown into prison."

"Oh?" This was the answer Jiang Li had anticipated. She asked, "The evidence is conclusive, you say?"

"Indeed."

"I see," Jiang Li nodded somewhat helplessly and said, "Then there’s nothing that can be done."

Feng Yutang’s heart leapt with joy. But before he could speak, he saw Jiang Li raise her head again, her eyes brimming with laughter as she looked at him: "Then, Lord Feng, may I meet with this criminal, Xue Huaiyuan?"