Chapter 133: Night Intrusion

Aunt Hu sat for a little while longer before finally leaving.

Before she departed, Jiang Li instructed Tong'er to have a few lumps of charcoal delivered to Aunt Hu's courtyard. Otherwise, she feared that even before she could unmask Ji Shuran, Aunt Hu and her maid would have frozen to death.

Aunt Hu declared that no matter what Jiang Li required of her, as long as it could avenge the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, she was willing to do anything.

After Aunt Hu left, Tong'er bolted the door and, making sure no one else was around, said, "Mistress, what Aunt Hu said may not necessarily be the truth, but... given the gravity of the matter, Mistress must investigate it thoroughly."

"Indeed," Xuexue chimed in. "If Aunt Hu is telling the truth, then the current Madame Ji bears the guilt of murder. To have plotted against the household's mistress even before marrying into the family—if this were taken to the Capital Magistrate's Office, she would have to pay with her life, even as a woman of noble birth."

Jiang Li waved her hand dismissively and said, "Aunt Hu's words are merely one side of the story. Until there is a definite outcome, this matter must not be spoken of outside."

Realizing the weight of the situation, Tong'er and Xuexue immediately vowed not to breathe a single word of it to anyone.

Jiang Li's gaze deepened.

Initially, she had merely suspected that the death of the eldest daughter of the Jiang family was no accident, and she had dared to speculate more boldly that Madame Ji's miscarriage back then was not entirely as it appeared on the surface, and that her own involvement likely held deeper secrets. But from Aunt Hu's lips, she had learned of yet another startling affair: the death of Ye Zhenzhen was also inextricably linked to Ji Shuran.

Although Jiang Li claimed the matter was only Aunt Hu's one-sided testimony, her own intuition told her that Aunt Hu was likely telling the truth. Yet one thing remained unclear to Jiang Li: back then, when Ye Zhenzhen was still alive and Ji Shuran had not yet married, how could Ji Shuran have willingly schemed to become Jiang Yuanbai's second wife, to the extent of murdering Ye Zhenzhen?

Prior to this, Jiang Yuanbai and Ji Shuran had had no contact. According to the information Jiang Li had gathered, Jiang Yuanbai had only set his sights on Ji Shuran after Ye Zhenzhen's passing. It was impossible for them to have harbored a secret romance before that and murdered the legitimate wife as a result.

If it were true... Jiang Li felt a chill run through her heart. Were Ji Shuran and Jiang Yuanbai not simply another Yongning Princess and Shen Yurong? And poor Ye Zhenzhen, had she not walked the exact same path as she had?

Lost in a flurry of unsettling thoughts, Jiang Li could find no thread to untangle the knot. To discover what truly happened, she would still have to start with Ji Shuran. Yet she had no reliable manpower to send to the Ji family for inquiries. Moreover, the events of the past were too distant, and attempting to investigate from the years before Ji Shuran's marriage would be as difficult as ascending to the heavens.

Preoccupied with these thoughts, defying all routine, Jiang Li did not go to the Ye family that day. Instead, she locked herself in her room within the courtyard and spent the entire night deep in contemplation.

Tong'er and Xuexue assumed that Jiang Li had been struck by sudden rage and grief upon learning that her mother's death might have been a murder, rendering her unable to control her emotions and driving her to shut herself away. They took turns coming forward to offer comfort, while Jiang Li listened distractedly, instructing them only to keep a close eye on the movements of Ji Shuran and Jiang Yaoyao.

As night fell and the sky darkened, Jiang Li dismissed Tong'er and Xuexue as usual and remained alone in her room.

She wondered how the task assigned to Zhao Ke was progressing. Yet Jiang Li realized that starting today, a fourth task must be added: investigating whether Ji Shuran had any contact with Jiang Yuanbai prior to her marriage, and whether there had been any private entanglements between them if such contact existed.

Investigating the past of her own father and stepmother was truly an act of gross impiety. Yet Jiang Li harbored few reservations. For one thing, she was not the real Second Miss Jiang, and it was hard for her to feel the natural attachment of a daughter toward Jiang Yuanbai. For another, since Jiang Yuanbai might now potentially be a murderer, she had taken over the body of the Second Miss Jiang and therefore bore the responsibility for her life. If she could do nothing else, she had to at least uncover the true cause of her mother's death—something the real Second Miss Jiang would have done had she still been alive.

Jiang Li clutched the whistle in her palm tightly, hesitated for a moment, and then softly blew it.

The Jiang residence was quiet and still; it was already late into the night, and everyone had fallen asleep. Outside, the wind and snow howled. Her courtyard was situated far away from the main residence, and though named Fangfei Courtyard, at night it held only lonely tree shadows. Far from overflowing with blossoms and fragrance, it was utterly desolate. The cold night and chilly stars felt isolated, devoid even of the sound of insects.

Zhao Ke did not come.

Jiang Li frowned, placed the white porcelain whistle to her lips, and blew it softly once more. The sound was crisp yet low, resembling the murmurs of a certain bird, unobtrusive in the night. She wondered how the people of the Duke's estate managed to distinguish it.

Still, there was no sign of Zhao Ke.

Jiang Li was extremely perplexed. Logically speaking, this shouldn't happen; Zhao Ke was supposed to return to the Jiang residence every night. At least both times she had blown the whistle previously, Zhao Ke had appeared very quickly. Could it be that he was truly dissatisfied with her constant ordering him around, causing Ji Heng to send someone else in his place? But even if someone else was sent, they should have appeared. Or perhaps he was on a mission tonight and not at the estate?

Jiang Li waited for a while, but there was no movement at all. She looked outside; the wind and snow were fierce, almost blinding. Certain that Zhao Ke was unlikely to come, she sighed, reached out to close the window, and turned back.

Upon turning around, Jiang Li was so startled she almost let out a scream.

Beneath the flickering lamplight, a figure was already seated before the small tea table, using a folding fan to brush away the snowflakes clinging to robes. He must have just come in from outside, bringing the chill of the wind and snow all over his body. Yet he wore a deep crimson robe, lending color to the cold night and filling the room with an elusive fragrance.

He raised his head, revealing a breathtakingly handsome face with a light, bewitching smile. His long eyes, brimming with the night's shadows, asked, "What is it?"

Jiang Li lowered her hand from her mouth, stepped forward, and said, "Lord Duke."

Ji Heng propped his head with the handle of his fan, looking at her with an amused smile.

"Why have you come?"

"I saw you blow the whistle twice," Ji Heng said. "Is there something you need Zhao Ke for?"

"It concerns some matters within the estate." Jiang Li was momentarily unsure of Ji Heng's intentions and had no idea how to conceal it. Figuring that Zhao Ke had likely reported everything from her end, she did not hide the truth.

"I heard you were looking for my subordinate to ask about the inside story of how you pushed Ji Shuran and caused her miscarriage?"

Jiang Li replied, "That is indeed the case, though Zhao Ke knows nothing of the inner details."

"It's only natural that Zhao Ke doesn't know." He glanced at Jiang Li, the corners of his lips curling up. "I know."

Jiang Li froze.

Ji Heng twirled his folding fan, speaking with casual nonchalance, "Major and minor events in the noble mansions of Yanjing—those I care to know and those I care not to know—I know almost all of them. As for the events of the Jiang family that year, I happen to know a little bit."

"Lord Duke," Jiang Li asked, "could you tell me?"

"I can." Ji Heng answered readily, but his next words caused Jiang Li to knit her brows. He said, "Little one, this is your own affair. Why come asking me?"

His gaze was captivating, steeped in affection. His amber eyes under the lamplight resembled swaying wine in a cup; one glance too many, and a person would be intoxicated. Yet the wine seemed laced with a delicious poison—intoxicating others while holding an alarming, profound clarity deep within.

"I only know the result, not the reason," Jiang Li said. "After all, I was still young back then, and I knew far too little about Ji Shuran."

"Is this the reason you've found for yourself?" Ji Heng asked.

"You could say that." Jiang Li replied. "Is this reason sufficient to convince the Lord Duke?"

Ji Heng shook his head with a trace of regret. "Of course not." But soon, he smiled again. "However, since you have blown the whistle, whatever I know of your questions today, I will tell you. So this does not prevent me from telling you the inside story of Ji Shuran. You may ask."

Jiang Li looked at him. Every gesture of this man could capture souls and seize spirits. Even in such a back-and-forth, ordinary conversation could be manipulated by him to flutter one's heartstrings. Seeming near yet far, entirely unfathomable—if it were anyone else, they would surely have fallen for him.

"Before my mother died, did Ji Shuran and my father have a secret romance?" Jiang Li asked.

Ji Heng's expression paused slightly. He looked at Jiang Li with keen interest and said, "It seems you've uncovered quite a bit more?"

"Just a little bit."

Ji Heng said, "No." Seeing Jiang Li stare at him, he added, "Before Madame Ji married Jiang Yuanbai, she had no dealings with him."

Jiang Li felt a quiet sense of relief wash over her. She truly did not want the truth to be such. If Jiang Yuanbai had indeed colluded with Madame Ji to murder his legitimate wife, it would have been far too cruel to Ye Zhenzhen, and the real Second Miss Jiang would have been utterly pitiful. The world already had one Xue Fangfei; it did not need another tragic woman.

"You seem pleased to see it turn out this way," Ji Heng remarked.

"At least it proves my father is not a murderer, and the Jiang family I live in is somewhat safer after all. Isn't that something worth being happy about?"

Ji Heng gave a noncommittal hum. "Jiang Yuanbai isn't that bold, and Ji Shuran had no secret romance with your father. Because the one she had a secret romance with was someone else."

At this, Jiang Li was genuinely surprised.

Always gentle and composed, it was rare for her to display such a startled expression. In this moment, she appeared somewhat childlike, yet it made her seem even less like her usual self. Amused by her reaction, Ji Heng propped his chin on his hand and asked, "What, you don't believe it?"

"I'm simply... finding it rather bizarre," Jiang Li said. "I always thought Madame Ji cared deeply for my father. Over the years, she put a great deal of effort into him, so much so that in the main courtyard, aside from an afflicted concubine whom almost everyone forgot, there were no other women. Seeing her like this, I assumed she held my father in her heart and possessed such a strong sense of possession. I never imagined she had someone else in her heart all along."

Though she was but a budding young maiden, she spoke of these matters without the slightest hint of shyness, sounding calm and rational as if she had already weathered the storms of the sea of love and could see through it all. A fleeting flash crossed Ji Heng's eyes before he quickly concealed it. "Ji Shuran loves your father now, but back then... her relationship with her cousin was as thick as glue and lacquer."

Jiang Li's eyes widened. "A cousin?"

She had never heard of Madame Ji having any cousin.

"That cousin of Madame Ji's was named Liu Wencai. Hm, he was more handsome than Jiang Yuanbai, and back then, he and Madame Ji could be said to have been quite dissolute together."

Years ago, Ji Shuran and Liu Wencai had indeed shared a romance. Liu Wencai was remarkably handsome and well-versed in the minds of women. Ji Shuran, whose heart was just awakening to love, was no match for him. She had secretly taken up with Liu Wencai behind her family's back, reaching the point of promising themselves to one another for life. Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran were initially considered a well-matched match in terms of social standing, but his family had already arranged another marriage for him elsewhere. While Ji Shuran foolishly dreamed of Liu Wencai coming to marry her, Liu Wencai had already married someone else.

Filled with resentment, Ji Shuran resolved to take revenge on Liu Wencai by marrying someone else—and not just anyone, but a man superior to Liu Wencai in status and standing. Yet in Yanjing, while eligible bachelors were numerous, finding one superior to Liu Wencai on short notice proved extremely difficult. Ji Yanlin had intended to marry Ji Shuran off to the son of a colleague in order to strengthen political ties, but that colleague's son was enormously fat and obese, with a courtyard full of concubines. How could Madame Ji ever look upon such a man with favor? This only made her all the more anxious.

It was then that, by chance, Madame Ji caught sight of Jiang Yuanbai at a banquet. The Jiang Yuanbai of that time was younger and, although less handsome than Liu Wencai, possessed a refined and elegant demeanor of his own. Upon learning of Jiang Yuanbai's standing in the imperial court, Ji Shuran weighed her options: his position was higher than that of the colleague's son her father had chosen.

If she could marry Jiang Yuanbai, she could escape the nightmare of spending her days with an obese man while simultaneously taking revenge on Liu Wencai. Ji Shuran made up her mind that marrying Jiang Yuanbai was her best choice. The only problem was that Jiang Yuanbai already had a wife.

At that time, Jiang Yuanbai had just welcomed Jiang Li, and it was rumored that Ye Zhenzhen had suffered permanent damage to her constitution while giving birth. A bold idea sparked in Ji Shuran's mind: if Ye Zhenzhen were to fall gravely ill and never recover, Jiang Yuanbai would be forced to take a second wife. Ji Shuran cared little for becoming a second wife; to her, even serving as Jiang Yuanbai's second wife was far more glorious than being the primary wife of a colleague's son.

Ji Shuran bribed the physician who took Ye Zhenzhen's pulse and offered heavy rewards to Ye Zhenzhen's personal maids. Because no one suspected that Ye Zhenzhen had enemies, let alone that someone would commit such a heinous crime merely to marry into the Jiang family, Ji Shuran waited patiently, and the plan actually succeeded. Ye Zhenzhen died.

After Ye Zhenzhen's death, Ji Shuran confessed to Madame Ji that rather than becoming the wife of a colleague's son, she would prefer to be Jiang Yuanbai's second wife. The Jiang family held a prominent position in the court, which would also strengthen ties with the Ji family. When Madame Ji discussed the matter with Ji Yanlin, he agreed it was a fine idea. Soon after, they arranged the banquet where Jiang Yuanbai caught sight of Ji Shuran.

At that banquet, Ji Shuran naturally spared no effort. She had long since sent people to inquire about Jiang Yuanbai's favorite melodies and attire, leading directly to Jiang Yuanbai falling in love with her at first sight.

After Ji Shuran entered the Jiang household, the old servants of Ye Zhenzhen were either killed or scattered—all of them, of course, silenced permanently by Ji Shuran. Aside from Ji Shuran's most trusted confidants, no one knew the truth. As Ji Shuran secured her footing in the Jiang family by giving birth to two children, the secret became even less likely to ever see the light of day.

Ji Heng said, "Before Zhao Ke came to the Jiang family, I had him investigate everything that happened in the Jiang family. Wenji also uncovered some things: Madame Ji's servants all met with misfortune within half a year, without a single survivor, which was certainly suspicious. I didn't expect such a deeply hidden secret to be uncovered."

Jiang Li was too stunned to speak.

She had no reason to doubt Ji Heng's words. Naturally proud, he would not stoop to fabricating falsehoods about such matters. Yet she was astounded by Ji Shuran's shamelessness and audacity. If there was any difference between Ji Shuran and the Yongning Princess, it was that Ji Shuran's ruthlessness was hidden beneath a gentle exterior, whereas the Yongning Princess did not care to conceal her viciousness.

Yet both of them engaged in the exact same atrocious deeds of murdering wives and eliminating heirs.

"Liu Wencai..." Jiang Li murmured. "Where is that man now?"

"The Liu family later fell from grace; Elder Liu was demoted and left Yanjing for Yuzhou, rendering them incomparable to the Ji family. However..." Ji Heng looked at her, "Eight years ago, Liu Wencai came to Yanjing."

Eight years ago—that was the year Jiang Li pushed Ji Shuran and caused her miscarriage, the year she was sent away to Qingcheng Mountain?

"Did he come to find Ji Shuran?" Jiang Li asked.

"Most likely," Ji Heng said nonchalantly. "In this world, quite a few people rather enjoy the taste of reliving old dreams."

A wave of disgust washed over Jiang Li, but she pressed on with the questions that needed asking. "Did Ji Shuran relive old dreams with him?"

"More than that," Ji Heng smiled. "They even produced a bastard child."

Jiang Li's mind went blank. Then, as if everything suddenly cleared up, she understood everything. Her voice was laced with urgency: "Was this illicit child the very one who miscarried because I pushed her?"

"Correct," Ji Heng sighed, his voice softening as if out of deep pity. "For the sake of an illicit child, Jiang Yuanbai sent you off to Qingcheng Mountain to languish for eight whole years. It must feel terribly unjust, doesn't it?"

Jiang Li bit her lip. "No, that's not it. Ji Shuran and Liu Wencai had an illicit child, yet no one discovered it until now, which means no one knew back then either. Since that was the case, as long as she didn't reveal it herself, who would know the child wasn't of the Jiang bloodline? For her to be willing to give up that child—to eliminate that child and force me to leave home—unless... she was afraid someone would find out the child belonged to Liu Wencai. Driven by panic, she didn't hesitate to induce a miscarriage, yet she targeted me... Was she afraid I knew about it? What did I see?"

It was as if a sudden ray of dawn had pierced the dark, bringing every detail into focus. Before Jiang Li could analyze it further, she heard Ji Heng's voice close beside her. He asked, "I thought the same thing, A-Li, but why are you speaking of your own affairs from the perspective of an outsider?"

Jiang Li gave a start. Caught off guard in her shock, she had dropped her guard, and her phrasing—"What did I see?"—had revealed an incongruity. Anyone speaking of themselves would not pose such a question in that manner.

"I..." Jiang Li's mind raced for a plausible explanation. "I don't remember these things; I don't recall ever witnessing the relationship between Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran, which is why I questioned it like that."

Having said this, even she herself felt a sense of doubt. If the real Second Miss Jiang had truly witnessed Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran's illicit affair, why hadn't she spoken of it back then? Why remain silent all these years? Could it be that the Second Miss Jiang hadn't actually seen or heard anything at all, but Ji Shuran merely suspected that she knew the truth? Preferring to kill an innocent rather than let a guilty person slip through the net, Ji Shuran had used Jiang Li's hands to get rid of the illicit fetus in her womb, while simultaneously turning the Jiang family against Jiang Li in a single stroke of two birds with one stone?

She looked at Ji Heng. Clearly, he did not believe this explanation. The way he nodded appeared thoroughly perfunctory—like an adult seeing through a child's clumsy lie yet unwilling to press the matter further, choosing instead to nod feignedly in agreement.

Yet Jiang Li could no longer afford to care. Ji Heng was like an all-knowing repository of treasures, whereas she remained utterly ignorant regarding the Jiang family. Her greatest weakness happened to be something Ji Heng could remedy, leaving her longing for him to tell her everything.

"Where is Liu Wencai now?" Jiang Li asked. If possible, finding Liu Wencai could serve as a piece of evidence.

Ji Heng replied, "Dead."

"Dead?" Jiang Li was startled.

"Ji Shuran personally ordered someone to finish him off." Ji Heng spoke as casually as if discussing household trivia, yet it sent a chill down Jiang Li's spine. "Before the miscarriage, she had already sent people to do away with him. It is said," a mocking smile touched his lips, "Liu Wencai was still entertaining foolish dreams of relying on Ji Shuran to return to his former life of wealth and luxury in Yanjing. Ji Shuran promised him silver to open a gambling den in Yanjing's finest district, only for him to be found dead in his room the very next day. They claimed he died of alcohol poisoning."

Jiang Li was speechless.

They say that even a single day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of grace; Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran had shared a deep affection for years. Even though Liu Wencai had eventually married another, his return to Yanjing years later—and the conception of a child between them—implied that Ji Shuran still harbored lingering feelings for him.

Yet despite these lingering feelings, she could execute him without a backward glance?

As if reading her incomprehension, Ji Heng remarked, "Ji Shuran never loved him."

"Not loved?"

"Liu Wencai had fallen from grace," Ji Heng said coldly. "He was left with nothing. As the First Wife of the Prime Minister, how could Ji Shuran ever look upon Liu Wencai with favor again? Her association with him was merely to exact revenge for his abandonment years ago. From the very beginning, she intended to discard Liu Wencai—and more than that, she intended to take his life. No wonder people say," he sighed, "'The mouth of a green bamboo viper, the sting of a wasp's tail; neither is truly venomous, for the most venomous of all is a woman's heart.'"

Though he sighed, his tone carried the detached amusement and mockery typical of a spectator watching a play.

"I didn't think so at first," Jiang Li said. "I didn't believe I stood in Ji Shuran's way, and even if I did, there was no need to take my life. But after hearing what you've said, I understand. A person like Ji Shuran is venomous to the bone; even if I had never provoked her, she would have eliminated me anyway. Because she is wicked."

"Did you only realize that now?" Ji Heng asked. "You've crossed swords with her; I assumed you would have known long ago."

Though the corners of his lips held a smile and his tone was breezy, as if he cared nothing at all, Jiang Li knew that every word from Ji Heng deserved careful scrutiny. Today, he had taken the initiative to visit, generously sharing the secrets he possessed. On the surface, it seemed he was at a disadvantage; yet in reality, Ji Heng's harvest on this trip was by no means small.

He likely already suspected that something was amiss with her identity as the Second Miss Jiang.

Jiang Li felt no surprise. Regardless of what Ji Heng had guessed, her objective would never change.

Jiang Li looked at Ji Heng and said, "Regardless, thank you, Lord Duke, for telling me all this."

"Actually, I originally didn't intend to tell you any of this." Ji Heng stared at her, a playful gleam in his eye. "You look so kind and innocent, and the truth is always cruel. But... A-Li," when he uttered the name "A-Li," those two ordinary syllables seemed infused with spring romance and lingering tenderness as he continued, "if you wish to survive and walk further down this path, you must see the reality clearly sooner rather than later. Besides, you can accept it, can't you?"

Jiang Li smiled as well. "Good medicine tastes bitter, and honest advice grates on the ear. What applies to the Emperor applies just as well to me. The Lord Duke has told me the truth, and I haven't even had time to thank you."

"But knowing the truth and living with such absolute clarity can be a very exhausting endeavor."

"Is that so?" Jiang Li fixed her gaze on his eyes. "Hasn't the Lord Duke come through it the very same way?"

For a fleeting second, Jiang Li felt as though even the tear mole beneath his eye grew slightly more vivid. The smile on his lips stiffened, or rather, vanished entirely. He merely looked at Jiang Li—without teasing, without flirtation, without scrutiny or probing—while a very complex emotion flickered through his gaze.

After a moment, he smiled once more and said, "To be seen through by a little girl—saying it aloud seems rather disgraceful."

"No one in this world would dare deem you disgraceful," Jiang Li smiled.

Suddenly, Ji Heng reached out and caught her chin.

His fingertips were faintly chilled. It was hard to imagine that someone with features so striking and vivid could have fingertips devoid of warmth, as if touched by the morning frost from outside. He leaned sideways, pressing closer to tower over Jiang Li from above. The smile at the corner of his mouth deepened as he murmured, "Your mouth is truly far too sweet; it makes one quite eager to taste it."

Jiang Li's body stiffened.

She did not fear Ji Heng. Whether he was fickle by nature or harbored soaring ambitions, the inner workings of Ji Heng that she had glimpsed were not entirely unpredictable. Yet when Ji Heng displayed such ambiguous intimacy toward her, she found herself at a loss. She could neither shove him away nor, in truth, was she capable of doing so. She knew Ji Heng was merely playing a game, indulging in a malicious form of teasing. Yet as his presence drew closer—close enough to see the shadows cast by his long eyelashes, to clearly mirror herself within his eyes, to observe his amused gaze, and his slightly upturned, rosy lips—Jiang Li instinctively lowered her gaze, avoiding Ji Heng's profound stare and refusing to let him see any further vulnerability.

His lips halted a mere hair's breadth away from hers.

In place of a kiss came his amused voice. "So you do still fear me after all. I thought you had reached the point of complete lawlessness where I'm concerned."

Given a moment of reprieve, Jiang Li let out a massive sigh of relief inwardly.

The next instant, Ji Heng released his hold, settled back into his original posture, and smiled lazily at her.

Under the lamplight, his appearance lacked a single flaw. Accompanied by that brilliant, radiant smile, he looked dangerously mesmerizing.

Jiang Li averted her eyes once more. He was simply... far too dazzling.

"Frightened to the point of not daring to look at me? And here I thought your courage was quite large." He retrieved his folding fan, stood up, and said, "We'll leave it at that for today. It's getting late. Whenever you have need in the future, feel free to blow your whistle. Zhao Ke will answer your questions, and sometimes," his smile was overflowing with merriment, "I will come as well."

Jiang Li said, "There's no need for that."

"That is not for you to decide." He pushed open the window, tossed back a final "Until next time, little one," and vanished into thin air.

Only the flickering lamplight remained, accompanied by a lingering trace of fragrance.