The Double
Chapter 202 - 202 95 Qiongzhi_5

202: Chapter 95 Qiongzhi_5 202: Chapter 95 Qiongzhi_5 The three of them walked out the same way they had come in.

Tonger had thought about finding someone to lead the way to avoid getting lost, but noticed that Jiang Li didn’t hesitate at all, as if she knew the way very well and was quite familiar with it.

So Tonger gave up the idea, thinking that her young lady was truly skilled at remembering routes and could find her way after just one walk-through.

They had just reached the back entrance when they didn’t find the women who had welcomed the guests before, but unexpectedly came across a man instead.

Since those who came to the backdoor were usually women seeking their husbands, men generally entered from the front door.

Therefore, Jiang Li couldn’t help but take a few more glances at the man.

He was a sturdily built middle-aged man, wearing clothes that were slightly peculiar – not resembling the attire of Xiangyang’s inhabitants, but more like a stout costume with armor, though this sounded a bit odd.

The man had a scar about an inch long on his left face, which gave him a somewhat bandit-like air, making him stand out against others from Xiangyang.

The man had probably not expected a young girl to suddenly come out from inside, and, at the sight of Jiang Li, whom he could tell was not one of Cherish Flower Tower’s girls, he couldn’t help but take an extra look at her as well.

As their eyes met, there was an odd feeling, as if they recognized each other, yet Jiang Li was certain she had never seen this man before.

She pondered for only a moment before the man brushed past her and walked inside.

Jiang Li stopped in her tracks and turned to look back – the man had already gone upstairs and his figure had vanished, perhaps he was just another patron seeking pleasure here.

“Miss, did you feel something was not right?” Bai Xue asked when she saw Jiang Li looking back at the man.

“Nothing,” Jiang Li said.

She couldn’t figure out where she might have seen the man before.

The unusual feeling didn’t bother her, but standing here would attract unwanted attention, so she said, “Let’s go.”

Leading the two maidservants, she left Cherish Flower Tower without looking back.

…

No sooner had Jiang Li stepped out of Cherish Flower Tower than Wen Ji reported the matter back to Jih Heng in the tower.

“Miss Jiang the Second went into Cherish Flower Tower and met with Qiongzhi, the top courtesan of the establishment,” Wen Ji announced.

“Qiongzhi…” Lu Jiu mused, “Did she go specifically to find Qiongzhi?”

“It should be so.

As Qiongzhi is the top courtesan of Cherish Flower Tower, her residence is guarded by a Hidden Guard, and the people we sent out couldn’t hear what they talked about.

Miss Jiang the Second stayed in Qiongzhi’s room for over half an hour before leaving, so it wasn’t just a short visit.

After she left, Qiongzhi seemed quite agitated; she stayed alone in her room and closed her doors to all visitors today.”

Jih Heng raised an eyebrow: “Is that so.”

“My lord, why don’t we find this Miss Qiongzhi and see what Miss Jiang the Second actually said to her,” Lu Jiu suggested.

“That’s impossible,” Jih Heng said with a light smile.

“Why is that?”

Wen Ji took the initiative to explain: “This Miss Qiongzhi is a tough character, impervious to persuasion whether by soft or hard approach.

Since childhood, she was groomed by the matriarch of Cherish Flower Tower, naturally bewitching.

Many patrons have wished to redeem her, even sons from well-off families wanted to marry her, but she has refused them all.

Unlike other top courtesans who sell themselves to gather enough silver to redeem themselves, Qiongzhi does not lack silver nor wants redemption.

Neither riches and glory nor the position of the chief housewife can tempt her.”

Lu Jiu was taken aback; Qiongzhi was such a tough nut to crack, something he had not expected.

“Furthermore, Qiongzhi has connections with many prominent figures in Xiangyang, all willing to protect her, just like the Immortal Jing Hong of Yanjing City in the past.

Therefore, it isn’t easy to use force.

Besides—given Qiongzhi’s personality, force might not even be effective.”

Jih Heng, indolently closing his fan, said, “Did you see?

Miss Jiang the Second came prepared, with a dagger that had no sheath.”

“So, it appears Miss Jiang the Second’s scheming runs much deeper than we had estimated,” Lu Jiu said grimly.

Choosing Qiongzhi, no matter what transaction they had, meant Qiongzhi was an unmovable stone.

From the outset, Jiang Li anticipated that someone might try to pry her mouth open, which is why she chose the safest bet with Qiongzhi.

She had considered all possibilities and escape routes, which left others at a loss for what to do.

“Have someone keep an eye on Qiongzhi,” Jih Heng said with a beaming smile.

“Let’s see what she’s up to next.”

Wen Ji acknowledged the order.

Lu Jiu then turned back to Jih Heng, “Speaking of which, the people arranged by the Li Family have also arrived.

This time, the son of the Right Chancellor’s family has decided to make a move against the Ye Family.

Ye Shijie is not following the path laid out for him, and this time, setting a trap for the Ye Family—I wonder if it will work.”

“Why wouldn’t it?” Jih Heng countered.

Lu Jiu hesitated for a moment, stroked his goatee, and then said, “My lord, your previous plans have been thwarted by Miss Jiang the Second, and now that Miss Jiang the Second is also in Xiangyang, I always feel that this Miss Jiang the Second is not simple.

If she sought out Qiongzhi in connection with this matter, and if she interferes and muddles your plan again, that would be problematic.”

Time and again, Jiang Li had disrupted the course Jih Heng had plotted, and every time it seemed unintentional.

Lu Jiu wondered if Miss Jiang the Second was Jih Heng’s nemesis in a past life, continuing the same pattern in this one, always causing trouble for Jih Heng.

Wherever Jiang Li was involved, “accidents” happened.

“If she’s capable, let her come and stir things up,” Jih Heng said, slightly narrowing her eyes.

“I’ll be waiting.”

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