The Double

"I did think about getting rid of her, but when the incident happened suddenly," Ji Shuran said, "my husband sent her to Green City Mountain. I thought she was just a little girl who couldn’t amount to much. Once she was older, finding someone to send her away would pave the way for Bingji. Who knew that upon her return, Jiang Li’s temperament had drastically changed, becoming incredibly cunning, even I struggle to deal with her."

Consort Li looked at her and said, "You’re coming to me now because you want my help in getting rid of her. But let’s not forget that even here in the palace, there are eyes everywhere watching, and if I were to lend a hand, I could bring trouble upon myself. Besides, with the case of the Xue Family having just passed, if Jiang Li were to run into trouble right after, His Majesty would surely have the Official’s Residence conduct a thorough investigation. Making a move against her now would not be a wise action."

"You misunderstand me, Sister," Ji Shuran said. "I’m well aware that it’s not the right time for Jiang Li to face a life-threatening danger, but if it’s a domestic issue, outsiders surely can’t interfere, can they?"

Consort Li asked, "What are you thinking?"

"Sister, you must know many an esteemed person in the palace. Ever since Jiang Li returned to Yanjing City, everywhere she goes is suspicious. There are no teachers on Green City Mountain, so how did she acquire such skills? And sometimes, I feel... I feel as if she has become a completely different person, with none of the traces of her past. You’ve also heard of the recent Tongxiang case; previously, Jiang Li took Xue Huaiyuan into the Jiang Residence, tended to every little thing carefully, and even now, she visits the Ye Family every day to see Xue Huaiyuan. Her demeanor is more like that of a daughter to him than with our father. There are rumors in the household that Jiang Li is under some evil influence. Green City Mountain is known for fox spirits and Spirit Demons, perhaps she’s been possessed by something, which is why she’s become so strange... I want Sister to help me find someone, preferably a renowned adept, to come to our residence for an Exorcism..."

Both being clever people, they understood each other without the need for explicit explanation, especially being sisters, a hint was all that was needed.

Consort Li had already understood, and with a faint smile she said, "That is indeed a plan, but if it’s not well executed, I’m afraid it won’t convince anyone."

"Indeed," Ji Shuran said. "That’s why the ’adept’ is crucial. Whatever this ’adept’ says, it must be convincing, preferably someone with prestige."

"I understand," Consort Li said. "I will arrange this matter. But little sister, if you pursue this course of action, you must succeed. There are many in the harem eyeing my position, and if you fail and implicate me..."

"That won’t happen." Ji Shuran’s heart chilled at the thought; if Consort Li got involved, not to mention what Consort Li would do, even Ji Yanlin would not spare her. With this thought in mind, her eyes drifted to Consort Li’s belly: "Actually... as long as Sister conceives the imperial heir, what’s a mere Jiang Li worth? Even if our father wishes to protect her, he won’t be able to, and Youyao wouldn’t need to be so troubled about her marriage matters either."