The Double

On the day of Shen Ruyun and Zhou Yanbang’s great joy, the people Jiang Yuanbai sent to search for Jiang Youyao returned disappointed. Around Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion and its vicinity, no one resembling Miss Jiang the Third was found. Thereafter, Jiang Yuanbai seemed even more melancholic. Either the person he yearned for in his heart was unwilling to meet him, or Jiang Youyao was no longer in Yanjing City, or she was still in Yanjing City, yet unable to move about freely.

Either situation appeared to be unfavorable. For Jiang Yuanbai, the second seemed particularly heartbreaking. As time went by, his displeasure and disappointment towards Jiang Youyao had almost dissipated, overwhelmed by the instinctual concern of a father.

On the contrary, Madam Jiang the Elder turned unusually firm. She stated that, since the search had turned up nothing, there was no need to continue looking in the future.

All these matters were of little concern to Jiang Li. Other than visiting Xue Huaiyuan regularly, she was simply waiting for Situ Jiuyue to finish preparing the Fake Pregnancy Medicine so that she could execute the second phase of her plan.

Unexpectedly, one day, an odd invitation arrived at the Jiang Residence.

Feicui came looking for Jiang Li in Fangfei Garden and, upon seeing her, said, "Second Miss, the old madam requests your presence at Night Wind Hall."

Tonger asked, "Sister Feicui, does the old madam suddenly seek the young lady for some important matter?"

Feicui smiled and replied, "As to the specific matter, I am not entirely sure. It seems the old madam received an invitation before sending me to fetch Second Miss." She looked towards Jiang Li; among the current young misses of the Jiang Residence, it was Jiang Li’s words that counted for something. Feicui was also willing to curry favor.