The Double

What brings joy is that Hai Tang still exists, and now she was about to suddenly see an old acquaintance. What brings sorrow is that times have changed, things are no longer the same; Hai Tang could not recognize her, and she couldn’t rashly reveal herself to Hai Tang either. Both had suffered immense blow, they were no longer the carefree young girls of the past.

Tonger stood beside Jiang Li, asking in a low voice, "Miss, are you going to the Duke Residence tonight?"

Jiang Li looked at Tonger and said, "I am going to the Duke Residence, which means I will be closely involved with Jih Heng. What do you think? Or rather," she turned toward Bai Xue, "what do you all think?"

This was the first time she spoke so seriously with the two maidservants. For Tonger and Bai Xue, they often did not understand why Jiang Li did what she did. Even Tonger, who had grown up with Jiang Li since childhood, was befuddled by the sudden emergence of many people related to Jiang Li.

Tonger stammered, "What, what do you mean? Miss, you aren’t going to dismiss us, are you?" Her eyes reddened as if she were about to cry at any moment.

Jiang Li was startled and couldn’t help but feel amused and touched by Tonger’s reaction. She closed the window as Qingfeng and Ming Yue stood guard outside. Sitting down in a chair, she sighed and said, "I think you have also noticed that ever since you have been with me, my surroundings have been far from peaceful, and even fraught with danger. What I am going to do may offend the powerful in Yanjing City, and I might not even be able to protect myself." She paused and continued, "You are the closest people to me, and I do not wish to deceive you. I can only tell you that what I will do in the future may be even more shocking. Compared to that, going to the Duke Residence late at night is a trivial matter. Can you accept that?"

Bai Xue pondered for a moment before asking earnestly, "If we don’t accept it, what then?"

Tonger hurriedly pulled Bai Xue’s sleeve, but Bai Xue remained unmoved. She was always straightforward and direct, speaking frankly what was on her mind. It seemed she really wanted to know Jiang Li’s answer.

"If you cannot accept it, you cannot stay by my side. Not only because I fear involving you, but also because you would not be able to help. I am very honest about this." Jiang Li’s candidness did not make her appear inappropriate or selfish. On the contrary, it seemed she was speaking heartfelt truths. She continued, "I hope those around me can be of help, even if it’s just in small ways. After all, I will face many dangers in the future, and I do not wish to fall now. As for what I can give back to you..." She thought for a moment and added, "Silver and wealth are naturally no issue, but what’s important is that I will truly care for you."

The most precious thing in the world is sincerity.

Tonger bit her lip, her voice quivering as if she were about to cry, and she stepped forward, "Miss, no matter what you plan to do, I have been with you since childhood. If you dismiss me, I have nowhere else to go. If you are in danger one day, Tonger will risk her life to save you. It’s the servant’s duty... I will always follow you!"