The Double
Chapter 227 - 227 100 Outer Room_5

227: Chapter 100: Outer Room_5 227: Chapter 100: Outer Room_5 Jiang Li’s revelation would surely shock anyone who heard it, and some might even think she was lying.

Ye Mingyu didn’t think Jiang Li was lying, but he was at a loss to explain how she could be so well-informed about the matters concerning Tong Zhiyang, especially since she wasn’t from Xiangyang.

Moreover, she also knew about Tong Zhiyang’s brother-in-law serving as Official Zhong in Yanjing City.

Ye Mingyu believed that Jiang Yuanbai would have no reason to pay attention to a magistrate from Xiangyang, so this information couldn’t have come from him.

How did Jiang Li come to know about it?

“The guards I brought back from Yanjing City,” Jiang Li said with a smile.

“They could be considered carefully selected by my father.

I had one of them go to Tong Residence to inquire and, coincidentally, Tong Zhiyang was instructing someone to deliver silver to the mother and child.

I had someone follow them and discovered that it was indeed true, and thus I learned this secret.”

Naturally, she couldn’t tell Ye Mingyu that she knew this because of Xue Zhao.

This explanation was reasonable enough, and besides, Ye Mingyu couldn’t think of any other way Jiang Li could have obtained this information, so he took it as a coincidence.

“Alright, Jiang Li, you told me about Tong Zhiyang’s concubine, but what is your purpose?”

“As we observed, Tong Zhiyang is very fond of the mother and child.

I suspect he is involved with the Ancient Fragrance Satin incident concerning the Ye Family, and there might be someone behind him instructing him.

To avoid any mishap, I need him to be wary.

At the very least, he mustn’t tamper with anything until the Head of the Weaving Department sends someone to Xiangyang.”

Ye Mingyu looked at her, not quite understanding what she meant.

“Since Uncle Mingyu is from the martial arts world, abducting a mother and child shouldn’t be difficult,” Jiang Li continued.

“I hope Uncle Mingyu or one of his friends can abduct Tong Zhiyang’s concubine and son.

Upon suddenly receiving the news, Tong Zhiyang’s entire focus will be on finding the mother and child, leaving him no energy to deal with the Ye Family.

When necessary, we can also use them to threaten him—” Jiang Li said with a smile.

“You should know that Tong Zhiyang dares not let his wife learn of the existence of this mother and child.

Once exposed, his position as the Magistrate of Xiangyang would be jeopardized.

To protect this secret, Tong Zhiyang would certainly be willing to make all kinds of deals with you, as he’s known to be extremely afraid of his wife.”

Ye Mingyu finally understood: Jiang Li wanted him to abduct Tong Zhiyang’s concubine and son and hide them away, whether as a bargaining chip or a tool to distract Tong Zhiyang.

Knowing that Tong Zhiyang would hesitate to cause trouble for the Ye Family, ye would not dare to act recklessly.

He said, “Jiang Li, you want me to abduct a mother and child…” They, as people of the martial arts world, despised such despicable acts and were unwilling to bully women and children.

Jiang Li looked at him calmly, as if she could read his mind, and said, “Uncle Mingyu, when Tong Zhiyang attacked the Ye Family, inciting the public to vandalize Lizheng Hall, he didn’t spare a thought for the weak and sick within the Ye household.

Not to mention Cousin Ye is now serving as an official in Yanjing City, and my maternal grandmother’s health is poor; if she learns of any trouble in the Ye Family, how can she remain at peace?”

“Moreover, taking the mother and child doesn’t mean harming them.

They can eat and drink well; it’s just a matter of frightening them a little.

Once everything is over, we’ll send them back, and they will have lost nothing.” Jiang Li said with a smile.

“We’re at a point of life or death, Uncle Mingyu; you can’t afford to be too benevolent.”

That last line, though spoken gently, carried an inexplicable sternness.

Ye Mingyu felt a chill in his heart and, after careful thought, expressed his shame to Jiang Li: “I have been naive.

You have seen what I failed to see, despite my years.

I’ve been too simple-minded.” He spoke earnestly, “Leave this to me.

Tomorrow, I’ll find a few trustworthy friends and look for a place nobody can find.

Since Tong Zhiyang is so afraid of his wife and wouldn’t blatantly seek out the mother and child, this is our opportunity.”

Jiang Li nodded: “Once the deed is done and Tong Zhiyang receives the news, it will already be too late.

Searching for them then will be extremely difficult.”

“However,” Ye Mingyu said, “what you mentioned about Tong Zhiyang being related to the Ancient Fragrance Satin incident and having someone instructing him from behind, is that true?”

The Ye Family had been unable to find the cause of the Ancient Fragrance Satin’s issues, let alone blame Tong Zhiyang.

If what Jiang Li said was true, the matter was of grave importance.

“I only suspect as much,” Jiang Li replied.

“There’s no solid evidence.

However, once the Head of the Weaving Department arrives in Xiangyang, everything will become clear.” Jiang Li said with a light smile, “Even if Tong Zhiyang is audacious, he wouldn’t dare to act openly under the nose of the officials sent by the Weaving Department.

Besides, having his favorite concubine and son as leverage, Magistrate Tong will weigh his options thoroughly.”

Even if someone from Yanjing City truly was protecting Tong Zhiyang, and that person happened to be the powerful Right Chancellor, Jiang Li guessed that the Right Chancellor, valuing his reputation, would never let his name be exposed, to avoid getting implicated should anything go awry.

Not knowing how stable his backing was, Tong Zhiyang wouldn’t be bold enough.

Furthermore, with the whereabouts of Tong Zhiyang’s son and concubine unknown, Tong Zhiyang would naturally be wary.

He would understand that distant help is not as good as close at hand; he would recognize the wisdom in adapting to circumstances.