The Double

Xue Zhao, ever since he met Jiang Li and learned that Xue Huaiyuan was also in Yanjing City, had gradually regained his formerly ebullient nature, not taking anything too seriously. Jiang Li had previously worried that he would be heartbroken about being unable to stand and fall into depression, but now it appeared she could rest easy. He could even joke about it, which showed he hadn’t changed much from before.

"So you’re saying that although you’re Ah Li, you now have the identity of the Jiang Family’s Second Miss?" Xue Huaiyuan asked. A sour feeling emerged in his heart; she was clearly his daughter, yet she had to call someone else father and couldn’t openly acknowledge their relationship.

"It’s all right, Father, I’ve thought it through," Jiang Li said, "In the future, I’ll find a way to acknowledge you as my godfather. If Prime Minister Jiang agrees, then I can call you Father. Others will only think we have the relationship of godfather and goddaughter, but as long as we ourselves know, that’s enough."

"That won’t be so easy," Xue Zhao interjected. "There are many rules within the official family; acknowledging a godfather isn’t as simple as it is in Tongxiang. Sister, if you’re to acknowledge a godfather, choosing a high official or noble would be one thing, but acknowledging a father... I’m afraid the Chief Minister will think you’re being ridiculous."

Jiang Li said, "I have my ways."

"What ways?" Xue Zhao probed, "Are you planning to ask that person for help?"

Jiang Li was taken aback but quickly realized "that person" referred to Jih Heng. That night when she recognized Xue Zhao, she had not avoided Jih Heng, and he had even held her hand; Xue Zhao must have noticed that and could guess their relationship wasn’t ordinary.

"Who is that person?" Xue Huaiyuan asked, puzzled.

"It’s... it’s nothing," Jiang Li deflected with a laugh like a child caught doing something wrong. "Just someone who once helped us." She glared at Xue Zhao, who turned away, pretending not to see Jiang Li’s look.