The Double

In truth, she found it difficult to treat Jiang Bingji, whom she had raised herself, the same as before, let alone Jiang Youyao.

"Old madam... Several days have passed, what do you intend to do with Lady Ji?" the old nursemaid asked.

Madam Jiang the Elder paused slightly in her movements.

After a long silence, the old nursemaid almost thought Madam Jiang the Elder had fallen asleep when her calm voice finally said, "Administer the medicine."

The old nursemaid’s hands trembled. It had been many years since the Jiang Family had administered poison to anyone. Although the old madam was strict with people, she seldom resorted to taking lives. Unless it was a servant who had committed a serious offense, they would not be killed outright. It was evident how much she hated Ji Shuran, to the point where she wanted her dead.

"What? You think I’m being too harsh?" Madam Jiang the Elder, noticing the hesitation, didn’t wait for the old nursemaid to respond, and said with self-mockery, "I still think I’m letting her off too easily. Not to mention her affair with the adulterer and conceiving an illegitimate child, our Jiang Family also lost three lives. Three lives." She murmured, "How cruel-hearted must one be to even lay hands on one’s own children."

"I had told Yuan Bai long ago that there was no need to marry an overly intelligent wife. With the Jiang Family’s status, we needn’t seek to cling to others. Lady Ye’s family might be a step lower, but what’s important is that the person is straightforward and gentle. Looking back now, I don’t know whether it is a blessing or a curse. Perhaps it was because Lady Ye was too lenient on a daily basis that her subordinates grew rebellious, and she was deceived by Lady Ji, losing her life. However, this is also a fault of my poor household management. If I had paid more attention back then, Lady Ye might not have fallen for Lady Ji’s traps."

"Old madam, you shouldn’t blame yourself too much." the old nursemaid said, "Who could have known that while Lady Ye was still around, Lady Ji had set her sights on her position and harbored evil intentions? Such an incident is unheard of in Yanjing City."

"I also failed to take good care of her daughter, Second Miss." Madam Jiang the Elder’s laugh was somewhat bitter, "At that time, Second Miss insisted she didn’t push Lady Ji, but I only believed my own eyes and never considered it might have been all an act by Lady Ji. I just never thought that Lady Ji could so readily abandon her own flesh and blood."

When the old nursemaid thought of this, she couldn’t help feeling terrified. That was flesh from one’s own body—even if it were an illegitimate child, one would still be blood-related. Lady Ji actually abandoned the child without hesitation, just to frame Jiang Li. She deceived everyone under their watchful eyes.