The Double
Chapter 180 - 180 91 Return to Hometown_2

180: Chapter 91 Return to Hometown_2 180: Chapter 91 Return to Hometown_2 “One generation replaces the old, we only see the young ones smiling, never hearing the cries of the old.”

This Uncle Ming Xuan seems to be a wise man, he should understand the meaning behind her words.

“Besides, my eldest cousin has become an Assistant Minister of Revenue,” Jiang Li said with a smile, “Father will definitely agree that our two families should interact more.”

Everyone says that merchants prioritize profit over saying farewells, but can the self-proclaimed noble Official Families truly be so noble?

The human relationships in the political arena, where people become indifferent once you lose your status, can sometimes be even more fierce and ugly than those in the business world.

Such is the human heart, and such are their desires.

Ye Mingxuan looked at her meaningfully: “Jiang Li seems to understand quite well.”

Jiang Li’s transparency surprised Ye Mingxuan, but what was more surprising was her forthrightness.

Jiang Li hid nothing, which only made it more baffling what she truly intended to do.

For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Just then, Ye Shijie suddenly spoke up.

Looking at Jiang Li, he asked deliberately, “Do you really wish to return to Xiangyang to see your grandmother?”

“Absolutely,” Jiang Li said, feeling a bit helpless.

It should be a natural request, yet due to the long-standing estrangement between the Ye and Jiang Families, even such a request became quite bizarre and suspicious.

Ye Shijie watched Jiang Li intently.

A serious expression appeared on the young man’s face, and after examining her for a moment, he turned to Ye Mingxuan and said, “Since she wishes to go, Uncle, you should take her back.”

Ye Mingxuan looked at him in surprise.

But Ye Shijie just gazed at Jiang Li, with an implication in his words: “Since my cousin is so intent, it’s just the matter of an extra pair of chopsticks.

Let her go back to see her grandmother and fulfill her filial duties.”

Jiang Li gave Ye Shijie a slight smile: “Thank you, cousin.”

Ye Shijie still had his doubts about her, but he was finally beginning to believe her.

After a long silence, Ye Mingxuan lifted his head and said to Jiang Li, “Then I’ll discuss this with your father first.”

“Alright,” Jiang Li replied.

…

“You wish to make a trip back to Xiangyang?” In the Night Wind Hall, Jiang Yuanbai, fresh from court and yet to shed his official robes, frowned and asked Jiang Li.

Jiang Li nodded: “Uncle Ming Xuan mentioned that grandmother has not been well recently, and it’s been many years since I last saw her.

I truly miss her,” Jiang Li said.

“Besides, I have never been to Xiangyang, and after much thought, I should go visit.”

Jiang Yuanbai looked toward Ye Mingxuan, who was smiling politely and elegantly.

As for Ye Mingxuan, Jiang Yuanbai did not have a strong aversion.

Although the Ye Family was a family of merchants, Ye Mingxuan, the second old master of the Ye Family, was the least like a merchant among them—well-read and not exuding the merchant stench of copper.

For this reason, Jiang Yuanbai was willing to engage more with Ye Mingxuan.

But even if willing, there was some awkwardness in suddenly interacting after so many years of no contact.

“Since Jiang Li is willing, it would be good to take her to see the place where Zhenzhen once lived,” Ye Mingxuan said with a smile.

“Lord Jiang, rest assured, we will take good care of Jiang Li.”

“How could that be possible?” Ji Shuran, standing by Jiang Yuanbai’s side, interjected with concern, “The journey is arduous, and Jiang Li has never been to Xiangyang.

How could she get used to the food and lodging there?”

Ye Shijie was rather caught off guard—Ji Shuran’s words made it sound as though the Ye Family would treat Jiang Li poorly.

Frankly speaking, without even considering the difference between officials and merchants, the members of the Ye Family’s standard of living may not be worse than that of those in the Chief Minister’s Residence.

Jiang Li calmly responded, “Mother worries too much.

I lived in a temple on Green City Mountain for eight years and fared just fine.

I’m well accustomed to it.

Xiangyang is surely more bustling than Green City Mountain.”

Ji Shuran was left speechless by Jiang Li’s retort.

What should have been a lifelong shame for Jiang Li now seemed like her achievement, a shield she readily employed whenever necessary.

What was frustrating was how effectively she used it, judging by Jiang Yuanbai’s softened demeanor towards Jiang Li.

Ji Shuran had a forced smile on her face, angry.

These days, she had been busy comforting the distraught Jiang Youyao and trying to win affection from Jiang Yuanbai, staying cautious and not having time to pay attention to Jiang Li.

She was unaware of how Jiang Li had gotten involved with the Ye Family; a girl who could stir up so much trouble without the backing of the Ye Family could, with their support, potentially cause even greater concerns.

“It’s not that it’s a bad idea…” Jiang Yuanbai muttered thoughtfully.

Watching the silent battle between Ji Shuran and Jiang Li, Ye Mingxuan’s eyes deepened with contemplation.

It seemed there was indeed bad blood between Ji Shuran and Jiang Li.

Considering the incident where Jiang Li caused Ji Shuran’s miscarriage, it was expected that their relationship would be strained; what was unexpected, however, was Jiang Yuanbai’s stance— he did not seem to be completely biased towards Ji Shuran.