The Double

Xue Huaiyuan watched her, and after a long while, he softly said, "So it is."

Jiang Li knew he hadn’t believed a word she said. Her father was not someone who easily trusted others, especially after what they had been through. Besides, her explanation was far from perfect.

"Let’s do this, County Magistrate Xue," Jiang Li said, "Give me two months. In two months, there will be some leads regarding Fangfei’s case. Once Fangfei’s case is settled and the truth is out, with the criminal brought to justice, I will tell you everything I know. But you must promise me, do not act rashly."

She thought that in two months, Princess Yongning’s "pregnant likeness" would disappear, and everything would change. After this matter was resolved, if Jih Heng spared her life, she would reveal to Xue Huaiyuan that she was Xue Fangfei, and they would recognize each other as father and daughter. If Jih Heng was set on taking her life, she would vanish from the world with her secret. As long as Xue Huaiyuan lived well, that was all that mattered.

Xue Huaiyuan nodded, "Okay." After a pause, he added softly, "I have to rely on others to avenge my own daughter."

Jiang Li had never seen Xue Huaiyuan like this; he was always full of vigor, never backing down from any difficulty. He wouldn’t feel so helpless and resigned, speaking with self-mockery as he was now.

"That’s not it," Jiang Li said, "It’s not a matter of revenge, it’s a matter of ’justice’. There is still ’justice’ in this world, and County Magistrate Xue should realize that. When you helped the citizens of Tongxiang County, did you expect any reward? In helping those people, just as what I am doing now, you asked for nothing in return. Perhaps heaven is fair after all. The good karma you’ve sown has borne me as its good fruit."

She hoped Xue Huaiyuan would be cheerful and not dwell on these things, not torture himself.