The Double

Jih Heng’s carriage went directly to the Duke Residence, and upon arrival, Jih Heng, Lu Jiu, and Wen Renyao all alighted. Lin Yao was also taken away by Wen Renyao, whereas Wen Ji and Zhao Ke continued driving the carriage towards the Jiang Residence.

This did indeed relieve Jiang Li, as it would at least make facing Jiang Yuanbai a bit easier.

When the carriage reached the entrance of the Jiang Residence, Jiang Li stepped down. The gatekeeper at first looked somewhat confused, but as he recognized Jiang Li’s face, he stuttered in surprise, "Mi-Miss the Second!"

Jiang Li nodded at him with a smile, "Yes, I’ve returned."

The news of Jiang Li’s return spread immediately throughout the Jiang Residence. In Night Wind Hall, Madam Jiang the Elder along with people from the second branch had all gathered. As soon as Lady Lu saw Jiang Li, she took her hand and said, "Jiang Li, you’re finally back. These past days, your second aunt has been so worried she couldn’t sleep peacefully!"

Her words were indeed dramatized, but they carried a grain of truth. Jiang Li patted her hand with a smile, "I’m fine, Second Aunt."

Jiang Jingrui asked, "I heard you went to Huangzhou, how did you get to Huangzhou? Who saved you? I asked Father and Uncle, but they wouldn’t tell me. Jiang Li, what exactly happened?"

Jiang Li knew well enough that Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Yuanping really hadn’t told anyone else. However, Madam Jiang the Elder probably knew the inside story, for she did not show the same curiosity as Jiang Jingrui, but only asked, "Huangzhou City is amidst war chaos; Second Miss, were you injured? Did those bandits hurt you?"

"No," Jiang Li said. "The City Defense Army of Huangzhou has been confronting Prince Cheng’s troops. The soldiers couldn’t enter the city, so it was actually quite safe."

"But I heard," this time it was Jiang Jingyou speaking, he looked at Jiang Li, "Prince Cheng’s men set fire to and looted inside Huangzhou City, and many people died."