Chapter 764 - 227: Silence a Witness by Killing
Yanjing finally entered the depths of winter.
Snowflakes flying in the sky had transformed from grains of salt to the size of goose feathers. From the head of the street to the end of the alley, a thick blanket of snow had accumulated overnight. A thousand miles encased in ice, ten thousand drifting with snow, the world had turned silver-white. Occasionally, a yellow dog not securely tethered would run across the snowy field, leaving behind deep plum blossom-shaped footprints.
Jiang Li stood in the courtyard, with icicles hanging from the eaves like the beaded curtains in a beauty’s chamber deep within the palace, glistening. Early in the morning, as the snow had yet to stop, she wrapped herself in a snow-white cloak, nearly blending in with the color of the snow.
"It’s way too cold." Tonger got up early to sweep the snow in the courtyard. The iron bucket left in the yard had turned into a lump of ice overnight, sticking up in the middle of the courtyard.
Jiang Li looked toward the horizon, a wave of worry welling up in her heart. In winter, there weren’t many flowers left in the flower garden of the Jiang Family, and even the gardener was absent. However, Jiang Li knew that Zhao Ke had gone to do something with Jih Heng. She did not know what the matter was, as Jih Heng had not informed her when he left Yanjing City. Instead, it was Zhao Ke who reminded Jiang Li when he left the Jiang Residence, signaling her to be more cautious about her safety during these days he would be absent.
If Jih Heng had not told Jiang Li, it was either truly trivial or of significant importance, and he did not want Jiang Li to worry unnecessarily. Although for Jih Heng, most things in this world were probably considered trivial, this time, Jiang Li sensed something different from Zhao Ke’s usual demeanor.
The matter might be more important than she thought, and over ten days had passed without any sign of Zhao Ke at the Jiang Residence or any news of Jih Heng.
Inside, Jiang Li felt a growing unease. After thinking it over, she decided to take the initiative and visit the Duke Residence. At the very least, Old General Jih was still there, and she could inquire about the situation from him. If not, perhaps Situ Jiuyue, Wen Renyao, or Lu Jiu might know a thing or two.
"Let’s go to the Duke Residence," Jiang Li said.
Tonger and Bai Xue did not understand and thought Jiang Li had something to discuss with Jih Heng. Now that Jiang Li’s marriage to Jih Heng was personally decreed by the emperor, it was not inappropriate for her to do so. Unlike the previous dynasty, where a girl could not meet her husband before marriage, Jiang Li’s actions were perfectly acceptable. Madam Jiang the Elder, when informed, did not say much, only telling Jiang Li to go early and return early.