The Double
Chapter 160 - 160 87 Mid-Autumn_2

160: Chapter 87 Mid-Autumn_2 160: Chapter 87 Mid-Autumn_2 No matter what everyone said, in the end, this captivating tale of romance was resolved through the marriage alliances of Zhou Yanbang from Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion.

Zhou Yanbang would marry Miss Shen from the Shen family, Shen Ruyun, as his wife, and at the same time, take Miss Jiang the Third from the Jiang family as his concubine.

Shen Ruyun was “dishonored” by Zhou Yanbang and, as the sister of the Assistant Head Writer, a woman’s reputation for purity was of utmost importance; therefore, she had to be married into his household.

As for Jiang Yue, most of the gossips within Yanjing City implied that Miss Jiang the Fifth and her future brother-in-law had already engaged in secret relations.

It was only to cover up this scandal that she was reluctantly taken in.

Given the low status of the third branch of the Jiang family, becoming a concubine was deemed acceptable.

Naturally, the third branch of the Jiang family also agreed, which in turn provided even more evidence to the rumors of Jiang Yue’s previous secret affair with Zhou Yanbang.

To outsiders, Zhou Yanbang was in a delightful situation, with a beautiful wife and concubine to embrace and having become the emperor’s favorite—the brother-in-law of the Assistant Head Writer.

It was indeed a matter for general rejoicing.

But the true taste of this affair was only known to Zhou Yanbang himself.

In Fangfei Garden, Tonger sat on a small stool in front of the house, spooling threads with Bai Xue.

“With Miss Third absent, the weather has been much better these days,” Tonger breathed in deeply, her nose twitching as the fragrance of osmanthus was particularly strong in the air.

Bai Xue nodded earnestly, “Right.”

“It’s just unknown how long Miss Third will be grounded,” Ming Yue and Qingfeng laughed after they finished sweeping, “She should be kept in for another three or five days at least.”

Jiang Li smiled as she watched the maids in the courtyard.

In recent days, they had relaxed quite a bit, possibly because Ji Shuran and her daughter had no time to bother with Fangfei Garden.

Jiang Youyao was grounded.

That day in Night Wind Hall, Jiang Youyao and Jiang Yue fought, and it was heard that Jiang Youyao had injured Jiang Yue’s face.

Jiang Li had not witnessed it, but maids who had seen it said that Jiang Yue was bleeding profusely at the time.

With Jiang Yuanxing’s status, he naturally couldn’t demand anything from Jiang Yuanbai, nor could he do much to Jiang Youyao.

But the old madam was angered and ordered Jiang Youyao to be confined.

Jiang Li thought that the old madam’s confinement of Jiang Youyao wasn’t so much to punish her for injuring Jiang Yue, but rather out of fear that Jiang Youyao might still be holding onto hope for Zhou Yanbang and, upon learning about his marriage to Shen Ruyun and Jiang Yue, might do something foolish.

So, it was better to cut her off entirely.

By doing so, the old madam had indeed saved Jiang Li a lot of trouble.

Without Jiang Youyao making a nuisance of herself in the Jiang Residence and with Ji Shuran probably too overwhelmed to bother with her, these days, the Jiang Residence had been exceptionally tranquil.

Jiang Yue, it was heard, had been sent to a village to recover from her injuries, and her marriage to Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion had also been settled.

Jiang Li genuinely admired the decisiveness of Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion; Zhou Yanbang’s wedding was arranged so easily.

Indeed, Zhou Yanbang had been involved in three marriage arrangements now.

But this last one was likely the least satisfying for him.

However unsatisfying it was for Zhou Yanbang, Shen Ruyun and Jiang Yue certainly must have been pleased.

Shen Ruyun had finally achieved her wish to marry the man she had long yearned for, Zhou Yanbang.

Jiang Li thought Shen Ruyun’s future life would not be an easy one.

With a narrow heart and a domineering personality, Shen Ruyun faced a cunning rival in Jiang Yue—a woman adept at flattering and scheming.

Moreover, Zhou Yanbang himself did not truly love Shen Ruyun.

Over time, he was bound to harbor resentment towards her.

The three of them together would ensure that Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion would never be at peace.

The wicked grind the wicked; placing Shen Ruyun and Jiang Yue together was indeed a perfect match.

Thinking about the future dramas of Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion, Jiang Li could hardly suppress a chuckle.

As she was pondering, a young boy’s voice came to her ears, “Are you daydreaming of spring, or maybe yearning for love?”

Looking up, Jiang Li saw Jiang Jingrui looking at her with a mischievous face, as if he had caught onto a little secret and, not content with that, leaned in closer and said, “Out with it, which young master has caught the eye of our estate’s Second Miss?

I’ll help you suss him out.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Tonger stood up abruptly and snapped, “My mistress is pure and innocent, hardly having seen a few men.

What daydreams of spring?

Second Young Master, if you keep talking such rubbish, be careful that Madam the Second disciplines you!”

“And now you threaten to tattle to my mother,” Jiang Jingrui gaped, “Jiang Li, the handmaiden you’ve raised is too vicious.”

Jiang Li couldn’t be bothered with him.

Jiang Jingrui acted as if he had nothing better to do, always ending up here whenever unoccupied.

Lady Lu was indeed strange; while she disciplined very well with Jiang Jingyou, she seemed to be indulgent with Jiang Jingrui.

Could it really be true that a crying child gets the candy?

The more unruly Jiang Jingrui became, the less anyone dared to control him.

But that wasn’t right—if Xue Zhao dared to act this way, he would have long been punished severely by Xue Huaiyuan.