The Double
Chapter 173 - 173 89 Watching a Play_5

173: Chapter 89 Watching a Play_5 173: Chapter 89 Watching a Play_5 “There’s nothing much to see,” said Jiang Li with a gentle and modest smile which betrayed no hint of her recent face-off with Jih Heng.

She said, “I have seen this story many times, and it’s too tragic.

It’s Mid-Autumn Festival today; I don’t wish to be saddened.”

Kong Liu suddenly understood and nodded repeatedly, “Right, right, indeed.”

Jih Heng stood with his arms folded at the carved balustrade, amusedly watching Jiang Li skillfully handle Kong Liu’s banter.

She was a young lady capable of changing her face, and she did it quite well.

His gaze then swept over Little Peach Red, who was still ceaselessly singing on the stage, pondering to himself which one she truly loved or hated.

It probably wasn’t Zhou Yanbang.

…

Dealing with someone straightforward like Kong Liu was much more relaxing than engaging with Jih Heng.

Even that smiling, bearded goat trying to tease words out of Jiang Li seemed easier to handle than Jih Heng.

In dealing with Jih Heng, he never skimped on showing people the side of him drastically different from his affectionate and handsome exterior, like his cruelty and coldness.

Kong Liu even suggested that Jiang Li could join the Light Chariots Army as an archer or even as part of the Cavalry Troop.

Her archery and horsemanship were impeccable, on par with or even better than many men.

Without formal training, she was already so skilled; with military training, she would no doubt excel even further.

Although there were no women in their Cavalry Troop, she could set the precedent.

Jiang Li was quite troubled by this.

It seemed that Kong Liu’s aspirations were far too great; he appeared to have forgotten that Jiang Li was the daughter of Jiang Yuanbai, the current Chief Minister’s Daughter.

What kind of daughter of the Jiang Family would abandon her status to become a soldier?

Even if Jiang Li were willing, Jiang Yuanbai would never agree, and he would probably send a letter of complaint right up to the Emperor, accusing Kong Liu of trying to entice away the Grand Secretary’s daughter.

Jiang Li courteously declined.

Kong Liu was very disappointed.

Lu Jiu, however, continued to engage Jiang Li in friendly chatter with a smile, occasionally inquiring about things at the Jiang Residence.

Although he only asked about trivial matters, Jiang Li was sensitive enough to notice that Lu Jiu was trying to fish for information.

She didn’t know Lu Jiu or his intentions, and even if he was with Jih Heng, Jiang Li wouldn’t let her guard down.

After all, Jih Heng wasn’t a good person; what if he intended to harm the Jiang Family from behind?

As a daughter of the Jiang Family, if the Jiang Family fell, she would inevitably have few options left.

Laughing, Jiang Li replied to Lu Jiu while skillfully avoiding any significant topics.

After a few exchanges, even Lu Jiu realized that Jiang Li was onto him, and he stopped asking, just smiling and continuing to banter with Kong Liu.

Jih Heng didn’t do anything, merely leaning against the carved balustrade watching the case of Jiuer, his gaze so casual that one might wonder if he was really watching.

One could not help but be baffled; perhaps this was just another act of his.

Not knowing how long it had been, and feeling like about the time it takes an incense stick to burn had passed, Jiang Li stood up and said, “Gentlemen, I should return now.

If they don’t find me, my uncle and the others will worry.

It’s getting late…”

“Then we shall escort you back!” said Kong Liu with a grand gesture.

“Wait,” Lu Jiu interrupted, “Being men of the Duke, escorting Miss Jiang the Second back, although explainable, might inadvertently cause misunderstandings.

We ourselves are not concerned, but Miss Jiang the Second is a young lady; to avoid causing her any trouble, we should better deliver Miss Jiang the Second to her brother.

That will certainly be easier to explain.”

Jiang Li understood his meaning: fooling Jiang Jingrui would be much easier than dealing with Lady Lu and the others.

Jih Heng said, “Wen Ji.”

Wen Ji, who had been surrounded and scrutinized by Bai Xue and Tonger as if he were some sort of spectacle—after all, such a distinctive guard was not to be found in Jiang Jingrui’s entourage—Tonger had been comparing Wen Ji and Jiang Jingrui, trying to decide who was better looking, starting from their eyebrows to their eyes, and noses to their mouths.

In the end, they could not reach a conclusion.

This comparison left Wen Ji blushing, embarrassed and at a loss.

Now hearing Jih Heng’s command, Wen Ji finally found his escape from the two maids and promptly said, “At your service.”

“Escort Miss Jiang the Second back,” Jih Heng said.

Wen Ji nodded, and Jiang Li bowed to Jih Heng, “Thank you for your hospitality, Duke.”

“You’re welcome,” Jih Heng chuckled lightly, “Until we meet again.”

Jiang Li: “….”

She truly hoped that “until we meet again” would be in a hundred years, no, a thousand years from now would be even better.

Finally escaping from Wangxian Tower, Jiang Li let out a small sigh of relief.

Looking back, she could see Wangxian Tower standing amidst the bustling, brightly lit streets of Yanjing City, like an unrealized beautiful dream.

Suddenly, she realized that the initial purpose of her Mid-Autumn outing to reminisce had been entirely disrupted by Jih Heng.

Indeed, she had started the day with contemplations, but her tussle and squabble with Jih Heng had unexpectedly kept the bitterness and pain at bay for the moment.

Now, she felt a lightness washing over her.

It was a lucky stroke of misfortune, one could say.

“Let’s go,” she said.

After finding Jiang Jingrui, Wen Ji swiftly disappeared into the crowd.

As soon as Jiang Jingrui saw her, he immediately said, “Where did you go just now?

I’ve been looking everywhere for you and couldn’t find you.

I almost had to tell Mother to come up with a plan!”

“I got swept away to a secluded place by the crowd; it took me a while to get back,” Jiang Li lied without changing her expression, “But I’m fine now.”

“Really?” Jiang Jingrui looked at her skeptically, “Why were you gone so long?

Your makeup seems smudged…”

“It’s too hot, the sweat did it,” Jiang Li said, “We should find my aunt now; it’s about time to head back.”

Jiang Jingrui was somewhat disappointed; he hadn’t managed to get the rabbit lantern he wanted and had no choice but to give up.

Jiang Li sighed inwardly; no wonder Lu Jiu had said what he said.

Jiang Jingrui really was easy to fool.