The Double
Chapter 221 - 221 99 Dissolution_4

221: Chapter 99 Dissolution_4 221: Chapter 99 Dissolution_4 Jiang Li instructed Tonger and Bai Xue a few words, then headed towards the teahouse alone.

“Here she comes,” Lu Jiu stroked his beard, “My lord, to be frank, I am somewhat afraid of Miss Jiang the Second.”

“Afraid of what?” Jih Heng fiddled with his folding fan, “Just a young girl.”

“Miss Jiang the Second is no ordinary young girl,” Lu Jiu too laughed, “She administers both grace and authority.

She has mastered the art of politics, just like Jiang Yuanbai.

But what I don’t understand is, she hasn’t been by Jiang Yuanbai’s side for eight years, so how could she be so acquainted with the ways of bureaucracy?

It’s as if Jiang Yuanbai himself had taught her hand-in-hand.

Could it be that natural inheritance comes with being one’s own flesh and blood?”

Jih Heng glanced at him: “That’s something not just anyone can inherit.”

To outsiders, Jiang Li’s capabilities seemed incredibly unbelievable.

But although she hadn’t been by Jiang Yuanbai’s side for eight years, she had truly been with Xue Huaiyuan for several decades.

Xue Huaiyuan was a clean official, a good official, but that didn’t mean there weren’t any sycophantic or bootlicking bad officials in Tongxiang.

Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao had seen more of the bureaucratic tricks than most people, and because their positions weren’t high, they felt these tricks more profoundly.

While they were speaking, a young boy who showed the way knocked on the door, and Jiang Li entered.

Upon entering, Jiang Li saw Jih Heng and the scholar in the blue shirt she had seen last time at the Golden Mansion.

“What a coincidence,” Jih Heng spoke pretentiously, “to encounter Miss Jiang the Second here.”

At this moment, this man acted as if he was extremely surprised, leaving Jiang Li ambivalent.

Given Jih Heng’s habit of planting informants all over the palace, he probably knew about the happenings in Xiangyang from the very first day he arrived.

Her every move must be under the watchful eyes of this beautiful yet dangerous person.

However, if the other party wanted to play a part, she too would have to pretend ignorance and play along, and she said with a smile, “I’m equally surprised to encounter Duke here.” She asked with curiosity, “May I know what brings Duke to Xiangyang?”

Jih Heng looked at her with a smile brimming in his eyes, and after a long while, he uttered two words: “Official business.”

He said nothing, yet he said everything – at least, he wasn’t here for her.

Jih Heng had a trait: if he didn’t speak the truth, his words were like his charming eyes, lacking sincerity.

But he also didn’t lie; he simply chose to remain silent when necessary.

Jiang Li’s heart settled.

She didn’t want the Duke to focus on her.

The things she had to do could not be known by others, and she didn’t wish them to be known.

Especially not by the Duke, who might have quite a few connections with Prince Cheng.

The siblings of Prince Cheng were her enemies, and she would never join forces with her foes.

She could only patiently maneuver through the situation.

“The Ye Family seems to be in trouble,” Jih Heng looked towards the Lizheng Hall, not far from the window, “Had it not been for you, Lizheng Hall would be in ruins by now.”

He said this, yet his tone carried a hint of regret.

Jiang Li couldn’t hold back and blurted out, “It seems as if Duke actually wishes to see Lizheng Hall reduced to ruins, doesn’t he?”

“I can’t help it,” Jih Heng replied as if it were quite bothersome, “I love a good drama.”

Saying such a thing made it hard not to be irritated.

Jiang Li gave a response with a forced smile, “Duke really knows how to enjoy himself, treating everything as if it’s a play.”

“But it’s rare to come across performances as remarkable as the ones Second Miss puts on,” Jih Heng said earnestly.

“I’m like Duke,” Jiang Li said through gritted teeth with a smile, “not an actor.”

“That’s truly a pity,” Jih Heng expressed his regret, “I was hoping to come across a good show in Xiangyang.”

“What?” Jiang Li looked at him.

The glimmer in his beautiful eyes swirled tantalizingly, as if inviting one to fall and become immersed.

He spoke with a teasing smile, “I have a feeling, Miss Jiang the Second will put on quite a few good plays in Xiangyang.”

“Didn’t Duke come here for official matters?” Jiang Li replied with a smile, “How can you afford to be distracted by pleasures?”

“When the play is too fascinating, I can’t bear to miss it.” He stared at Jiang Li, his eyes unwavering, each word laced with provocation.

Jiang Li inwardly cursed Jih Heng for his shamelessness.

While he was now in his twenties, Miss Jiang the Second was only a green young girl, yet he could entice without hesitation using his beauty.

When Xue Fangfei faced disaster, everyone in Yanjing condemned Xue Fangfei for her wanton ways, but why did no one rebuke Jih Heng for using his beauty to commit misdeeds!

After staring at Jih Heng for a while, Jiang Li suddenly said, “Duke must have heard it, I just scolded Tong Zhiyang at the entrance of Lizheng Hall.”

“I heard,” Jih Heng nodded.

“What does Duke think, did I scold rightly?” Jiang Li attempted to draw out Jih Heng’s stance.

Currently, Jiang Li suspected that Tong Zhiyang was acting on the Li Family’s instructions.

Jih Heng recognized Li Lian, the young master of the Li Family.

Jiang Li wanted to find out if Jih Heng was aware that this matter was related to the Li Family, and whether he would intervene in Xiangyang.

If Jih Heng got involved, the matter would become far more complicated.

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