The Double
Chapter 228 - 228 101 Blossoming

228: Chapter 101 Blossoming 228: Chapter 101 Blossoming Xiangyang City had temporarily calmed down.

Lizheng Hall closed its doors, and whether by coincidence or because the silver from the Ye Family had taken effect, in the following two or three days, no commoners came to Lizheng Hall or the Ye Family’s entrance to cause trouble.

The Ye Family, for their part, had settled down; however, at this moment, Tong Zhiyang, the Magistrate of Xiangyang, encountered trouble.

“What, Madam and the young master have disappeared?” Tong Zhiyang slammed his fist on the table and stood up.

He and his wife from his household, Madam Tong, appeared to “respect each other like guests,” but everyone in Xiangyang knew he was henpecked.

Tong Zhiyang was more aware that without his wife’s maternal family’s promotion, he likely wouldn’t have become the magistrate.

Thus, for many years, Tong Zhiyang dared not disobey his wife’s orders.

Nevertheless, he couldn’t suppress his loneliness.

Although he didn’t frequent the pleasure houses, he maintained a concubine in the outskirts of Xiangyang City.

The concubine was sweet and gentle, far more endearing than the tigress at home.

Tong Zhiyang even allowed the servants to privately call the concubine “Madam.” He did truly care for this concubine, keeping her by his side for many years, risking so much, especially since the main house had not given him a son, and the concubine bore him an heir; Tong Zhiyang was even less willing to leave them mother and son behind.

He had always concealed the existence of this mother and son extremely well, only letting his confidants know about them.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have remained a secret from the world for so many years.

Suddenly hearing the news of their disappearance, he was nearly shocked enough to cry out loud.

“What happened?

Has Lady He found out?” Lady He was the Magistrate’s wife, and thinking of this, Tong Zhiyang was covered in a cold sweat.

If that viperous woman learned of this mother and son, not only the concubine, but even his own son could be harmed to death.

That was his only heir!

The confidant hastily shook his head to deny it: “No!

My lord, we don’t know who the other party is, but they left behind a letter, saying they are ‘borrowing’ the lady and young master for a few days and will return them after a while.”

“Absurd!” Tong Zhiyang flew into a rage, “Does he think my people are possessions to be taken at will?” Tong Zhiyang then pressed harshly, “What is their aim?

For wealth?

Or do they hold a grudge?”

“This…” The confidant was at a loss as well, if it was for money, but the letter did not mention silver at all.

If it was for revenge, they could have killed them on the spot, so why keep them alive?

It seemed like blackmail, but there was no indication of what it was for.

Most important of all, how did they find out about this secretive mother and son—could there be a traitor among us?

“To kidnap on my territory, I think they’re tired of living!” Tong Zhiyang snorted coldly, instructing: “Search!

Dig three feet into the ground if you have to, but find the lady and young master for me!”

The confidant accepted the order, and then noticed Tong Zhiyang hesitated before continuing: “Keep it quiet, don’t let Lady He find out.”

After all, he was still wary of his wife.

…

Jiang Li learned that Tong Zhiyang’s concubine, Ruan Suqin, and her child were well settled, from what Ye Mingyu told her.

Ye Mingxuan and Ye Minghui still hadn’t been able to return to the residence.

However, whether it was because Jiang Li had used Jiang Yuanbai’s name or not, Tong Zhiyang didn’t dare to treat her anything but courteously.

When Lady Guan and Lady Zhuo went again, the gatekeepers no longer treated them with contempt but allowed them to meet with Ye Mingxuan and Ye Minghui.

Although Ye Minghui and his brother were in a cell, they were at least clean and unharmed.

Upon inquiring about the events of the past few days, and learning that everything now depended on Jiang Li, they were surprised, and couldn’t help but feel touched.

They had thought that an official family’s delicate young lady would be oblivious to world affairs, but in a critical moment, it was Jiang Li who had saved the Ye Family members.

Their previous guard and distance towards Jiang Li were mostly gone in an instant.

The two brothers instructed that in the coming days, the Ye Family should not make any rash moves, but rather watch quietly for changes, waiting for the Head of the Weaving Department to come to Xiangyang.

However, they should beware of anyone plotting from behind.

If the Ye Family had indeed been schemed against this time, the perpetrator would not just leave things be and would surely look for another opportunity.

After returning, Lady Guan and Lady Zhuo relayed these events and also passed on Ye Minghui brothers’ gratitude to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li accepted with a smile, perhaps adversity truly revealed true feelings.

Having shared the burden of a crisis, the Ye Family members’ attitudes towards Jiang Li warmed significantly.

Even Ye Rufeng no longer gave Jiang Li the cold shoulder, though he was not as friendly as Ye Jiaer.

But because the Ye brothers were no longer present, the matter of Jiang Li meeting with Old Madam Ye was also put aside for the time being.

If Old Madam Ye knew that the Ye Family was currently in such peril, the anxiety would be even worse, so everyone tacitly kept this secret.