The Double
Chapter 186 - 186 92 Peers_3

186: Chapter 92: Peers_3 186: Chapter 92: Peers_3 On his way to Yanjing City, Xue Zhao fell victim to bandits and his body was discarded into the river.

That’s what people said at the time, so when Shen Yurong saw Xue Zhao for the last time, his features were beyond recognition.

Had it not been for the birthmark on Xue Zhao’s body, Jiang Li would have hardly believed that the spirited young man had turned into such an icy corpse.

Before his death, he had endured inhuman torture, and the knife wounds on his body still make Jiang Li shudder at the thought.

At that time, she had no doubts, until just before dying, when she learned that everything was thanks to Princess Yongning.

Therefore, those knife wounds were not the work of bandits, but of Princess Yongning’s men.

She had thought that finding an official would help her, but unexpectedly, she had walked into another trap.

Jiang Li couldn’t imagine the despair and anger in Xue Zhao’s heart at his last moments.

And after his death, there was just this solitary, unvisited place.

When it rained, there wasn’t even a place to take shelter.

Jiang Li gently placed her umbrella down, shielding the grave mound above.

It was as if in doing so, she could block the wind and rain from Xue Zhao’s head.

It was as if the mound in front of her was a young man, laughing heartily.

She closed her eyes and silently prayed, “Ah Zhao, your sister is here.”

“Ah Zhao, I’m your sister, you probably don’t recognize me.

I am now the legitimate daughter of the Jiang Family, the daughter of Jiang Yuanbai.

You must find it incredible too.

I felt the same at first, but now I think, perhaps this was another chance given by Heaven.”

“In a little over ten days, I’ll make a trip to Xiangyang.

I will try to find out what happened to Father; the incidents back then were my fault for involving you all.

I know who killed you, and I know whom to seek vengeance from.

Shen Yurong is now climbing the ranks, and Princess Yongning has Prince Cheng behind her; I can’t touch them for now, but that does not mean I’m powerless.”

“I will, in the name of Miss Jiang the Second, try to speak out for the Xue Family’s grievances, expose the true faces of Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong, and vindicate your wronged spirits,” she said.

“Ah Zhao,” she said silently in her heart, “forgive me for taking so long to visit you for the first time.

You must be very upset with your sister.

But not a day in my heart have I forgotten the blood feud of the Xue Family.

Please wait patiently and watch me uphold your honor step by step.”

“Ah Zhao…

I’m sorry…”

She continued her silent prayer, and it seemed as though she could see that boy who played with swords, turning his head to give her a silly smile.

After an unknown length of time, Jiang Li finally opened her eyes.

The rain seemed to have lessened a bit; the grave mound in front of her was still quiet.

Out of nowhere, a red sparrow appeared, perching on a branch, tilting its head to look at her.

Its feathers were dotted with water droplets, which it suddenly shook off vigorously with a flap of its wings, to drop them clean.

It then noticed the umbrella Jiang Li had left on top of the mound, and immediately dived down, stood on the grave, and using the umbrella for shelter, chirped continuously.

Jiang Li smiled faintly and said softly, “You heard that, didn’t you.”

She turned and slowly walked towards Cloudy Pavilion.

Upon returning to Cloudy Pavilion, Tonger and Bai Xue were taken aback by her drenched appearance.

Tonger said, “Miss, where’s your umbrella?

How did your clothes get wet?”

“I saw a red sparrow getting soaked by the rain and felt pity for it, so I used my umbrella to shelter it for a bit.

I left it under that peach tree behind,” Jiang Li said.

Hearing this, Tonger said, “Miss, I know you have a good heart, but you could have told us.

We have other umbrellas here; we could have brought one for you.

Why should you get wet?

What if you catch a cold?”

Jiang Li smiled in apology, “I didn’t think that much at the moment.”

“Miss is kind in every way,” Bai Xue whispered, “just a bit too soft-hearted.”

Soft-hearted?

Jiang Li chuckled inwardly.

Perhaps Xue Fangfei was soft-hearted, but the current Jiang Li had a heart as hard as iron.

…

In Wangxian Tower of Yanjing City, Lu Jiu was talking to Jih Heng.

After a while, Wen Ji, who was beside Jih Heng, approached.

Wen Ji’s face showed a hint of hesitation, “Sir…”

Jih Heng glanced at his expression and said, “Speak.”

“Yes.” Wen Ji immediately replied, “Miss Jiang the Second went out with two maids today.

She bought some things at various shops in Yanjing City, had lunch, and then went to Cloudy Pavilion in Bailu Bay.”

“Cloudy Pavilion?” Jih Heng raised his eyelids slightly and laughed, “She sure knows some obscure places.”

“What?” Wen Ji sensed something and stroked his beard, “Sir, are you still having people keep an eye on Miss Jiang the Second?”

Jih Heng waved his hand dismissively, “It’s not surveillance.

Her behavior is strange; it’s hard not to pay attention.” He casually asked Wen Ji, “What did she go to Cloudy Pavilion for?”