The Double
Chapter 148 - 148 84

148: Chapter 84 Chaos_5 148: Chapter 84 Chaos_5 Shen Yurong arrived.

The Heir of Marquis Ningyuan was anxiously considering what to do next, and seeing Shen Yurong arrive, felt as if he was caught between a rock and a hard place.

The Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion was a prominent household with considerable wealth, but the Assistant Head Writer was currently favored by the Emperor.

Shen Yurong had only one sister, Shen Ruyun, and how could he not seek justice for his sister when she had been bullied.

The Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion was stuck in a difficult situation.

Setting aside Jiang Yue’s status for the moment, Zhou Yanbang and Jiang Youyao already had a betrothal agreement.

One was the Chief Minister’s daughter, and the other was the sister of the Assistant Head Writer; neither could be offended, but it looked as though they had managed to offend both sides.

“Yurong, why have you only just arrived,” Mother Shen cried out, “Your sister has been bullied!”

Jiang Li sneered inwardly.

Why did he just arrive?

Naturally, he had spent such precious time meeting with Princess Yongning.

Indeed, shortly after Shen Yurong appeared, Jiang Li saw, from the darkness of the night, the graceful figure of a woman approaching at an unhurried pace—who else could it be but Princess Yongning?

Truly, not a moment was wasted, the wife following the lead of her husband.

Jiang Li watched Princess Yongning, struggling to hide the chill in her expression, but Jih Heng saw it all, his hand on the fan handle and a strange light flickering in his eyes.

Princess Yongning also arrived at a leisurely pace to join the excitement, her face filled with surprise as she asked what had happened.

Shen Yurong hurriedly comforted Shen Ruyun for a few words, then stood up and walked toward Zhou Yanbang, who was standing with Jiang Yue and seemed at a loss what to do.

Zhou Yanbang himself, perhaps because of the drug, had not completely sobered up.

He seemed not to know fear, oblivious to the severity of the situation, and was still somewhat dazed.

Seeing him like this, Shen Yurong went straight to the Marquis of Ningyuan and said, “Lord Zhou, this matter demands an explanation for my sister.”

Before his colleagues’ eyes, to be addressed in such a forceful manner by a younger person made the Marquis of Ningyuan somewhat angry and humiliated.

However, he was also aware that, given the circumstances, Zhou Yanbang was in the wrong that day.

Although annoyed inside, his face carried a timely look of remorse, and he said, “It is all due to my poor parenting that this worthless son has caused such a catastrophe.

Young Master Shen need not say more; I will certainly make this son give your sister an account!”

Seeing Shen Yurong standing up for his sister like this, the ladies around them were filled with envy.

Furthermore, since Shen Yurong was handsome, many looked at him with a touch of admiration.

Jiang Li, however, sneered at this display of righteous indignation.

Who knew of his deeds of murdering his wife and eradicating his heirs, all to climb higher?

How shameless!

Indeed, with a born deceiver’s handsome exterior, he attracted the affection of women.

Jih Heng said, “Lord Xiao Shen is quite responsible.”

Jiang Li was initially going to ignore this, but upon hearing others praising Shen Yurong, she couldn’t help but retort, replying indifferently, “The Duke sets quite low standards for people.”

“Does Second Miss not like Young Master Shen?” Jih Heng countered, “Strange, with Young Master Shen’s handsome appearance and gentle demeanor, why not like him?”

Jiang Li scoffed, “Dead or alive, we’re all a pile of bones, what’s there to like?”

“Second Miss is indeed detached and devout,” Jih Heng said.

“It turns out you don’t judge by appearances.”

Then Jiang Li remembered, this Duke right in front of her was someone who favored the beautiful and spurned the ugly, judging people by their appearances.

She didn’t understand why she was confronting Jih Heng and said, “Since Lord Shen is so beautiful, the Duke might consider taking him to his mansion as a delicate flower to cherish.”

She made Shen Yurong sound like a little male favorite.

There was no immediate reply from Jih Heng, and Jiang Li didn’t know if her words had choked him.

Just as she was about to look at him, she heard Jih Heng’s voice, and he sighed, “I never expected the Second Miss to be so well-informed, quite astonishing.”

That meant she had seen all such things and was not a proper sheltered young lady!

Jiang Li couldn’t be bothered to speak.

She was not a noble lady born and raised in Yanjing City, nor from a prominent family.

She hated restraints and loved freedom, so she let others think what they would.

Currently, she just wanted to see what Zhou Yanbang’s end would be.

She saw Princess Yongning, having finally heard the whole story from a palace maid, casting her gaze about, beaming as she stepped forward.

This sister of Prince Cheng, Empress Dowager Liu’s most beloved daughter, commanded the respect of everyone present.

Princess Yongning spoke with a smiling face, “How else to handle this?

Reputation is most important to a lady.

Miss Shen is a proper young lady, how can she be debased without consequence?

How would she marry in the future?” Her gaze swept over the somewhat stunned Zhou Yanbang, and she chuckled lightly, “Luckily, your two families are well-matched.

This isn’t difficult at all—simply let the Princely Heir of Marquis Ningyuan marry Miss Zhou, wouldn’t that be a joy for everyone?”

Jiang Youyao stiffened, disbelievingly looking at Princess Yongning.

Shen Ruyun nestled in Mother Shen’s arms, struggling to conceal the elation in her eyes.

But Jiang Yue was uneasy.

Princess Yongning’s solution only accounted for Shen Ruyun and did not mention her.

Could it be that because she was the daughter of an illegitimate son, she wasn’t worthy to be discussed alongside Shen Ruyun?

Jiang Yue felt humiliated and could only bow her head, bitterly looking at her skirt.

Jiang Li’s hand, tucked in her sleeve, unconsciously clenched into a fist, the smile on her lips tinged with sarcasm.

Princess Yongning had played her hand well, clearly discerning Shen Ruyun’s desires.

She had come to push an open door to curry favor with her future sister-in-law.

Or perhaps not just to curry favor; with Princess Yongning’s character, she wouldn’t bother giving Shen Ruyun a second glance.

It was merely that by helping Shen Ruyun, Shen Yurong would be grateful to her.

If there was any doubt before, now Jiang Li could be sure.

They indeed knew all along.