The Double
Chapter 230 - 230 101 Blooming_3

230: Chapter 101 Blooming_3 230: Chapter 101 Blooming_3 Upon entering, another pretty maid came to guide the way.

Jiang Li saw that within the estate, there was no decoration, just black bricks and white stones, stern to the extreme.

It was hard to imagine that someone as bewitching and vibrant as Jih Heng would live here, but on second thought, it seemed quite fitting.

His appearance and complexion could make poppies bloom amidst the severity.

If it were ostentatious upon ostentatious, it would be like ten miles of red dust, somewhat frivolous.

As they approached the courtyard, from a distance they could see a high stage erected in the square courtyard, where a person with flowing eyes and splendid clothes was singing opera in a high-pitched voice.

However, underneath the stage, there was only one audience member, a young person in red, leaning on a bench, isolated and leisurely sipping tea.

The maid smiled and said, “My lord, Miss Jiang the Second has arrived.”

Jiang Li stepped forward slowly.

Jih Heng did not turn around, as if he was immersed in the opera, waiting until Jiang Li had come before him.

“Duke seems to have been drawn to the opera all the way to Xiangyang,” Jiang Li said with a smile, her words perhaps containing a hint of sarcasm.

“They came on their own,” Jih Heng replied with a carefree smile.

Jiang Li looked towards the stage and saw that even though the Dan’s face was covered in paint, making it difficult to discern her features, her slender figure and soft singing voice gave her away; it was none other than Little Peach Red, who had performed the case of Jiuer at Golden Mansion.

How did Golden Mansion come to Xiangyang?

Jiang Li glanced at Little Peach Red on stage, who was singing ceaselessly with the young male actors around her, yet the affection at the corner of her eyes was undoubtedly directed at Jih Heng.

Jiang Li suddenly understood.

If Jih Heng could let Golden Mansion hold a performance at a place like Wangxian Tower, he could also make Golden Mansion, the opera troupe newly established in Yanjing, famous.

For the people of Golden Mansion, clinging firmly to Jih Heng’s powerful legs was much faster than painstakingly striving for a good performance.

As for Little Peach Red, it’s easy for a girl to fall for such a powerful and young patron.

However…

Jiang Li sneered inwardly; before deciding to rely on the tall tree that was Jih Heng, they probably forgot what kind of person he was.

If they had inquired into how the once famed Lovesick Class in Yanjing had fallen into destitution, they wouldn’t have made such a hasty decision.

Jih Heng was not kind-hearted; he was ruthless, enigmatic, and heavy-handed.

Anyone who harbored thoughts of plotting against him might end up with nowhere to even cry when they’re ultimately outmaneuvered by him.

On stage, Little Peach Red was singing “Bells on the Edge of the Sword,” just reaching the part: “It is the heartbroken who listen to heart-rending sounds!

With such unpleasant bells, such unpleasant rain.

How can it bear my undying yearning, my enduring love.

Raindrops knock on window bars and shatter one’s heart, falling leaves sound off and disrupt my dreams.

Its clang clang startles the soul, rising from the eaves, icy coldness penetrates bones from beneath the covers…”

Jiang Li looked at Jih Heng and remarked, “Duke seems to really enjoy tragedies.”

First was the case of Jiuer, and now “Bells on the Edge of the Sword,” all such sorrowful plays.

It seemed Jih Heng couldn’t stand the sight of others being well-off, to the point not even listening to joyous operas.

“I don’t like comedies,” Jih Heng said as he toyed with his folding fan, smiling, “They’re too fake.”

Jiang Li stared at him, momentarily unsure of what to say.

The fact that Jih Heng found comedies too fake revealed something substantial about him.

What kind of person was he?

Pushing all these whirlwind thoughts from her mind, Jiang Li added, “I just didn’t expect the Duke would reside near the Ye Family,” she said with a bit of jest, “If one didn’t know better, they’d think you came for me.”

“What if I said I did come for you?” Jih Heng countered.

Jiang Li was taken aback.

There was still an easy-going smile on his lips, his eyes like layers of deep and shallow amber, affectionate yet indifferent, more captivating than gold, jade, and gemstones, irresistibly drawing one’s gaze.

“Then I can only respectfully keep my distance,” Jiang Li stated flatly.

Jih Heng quietly laughed; resting his chin on the handle of his fan, his gaze held a wicked innocence as he said, “Miss Jiang the Second seems to understand the importance of staying wise to protect oneself.”

“The weak must always be on guard,” she replied.

“A second miss should not underestimate herself,” he narrowed his eyes, “The weak do not set traps to lure one into the urn.”

Every interaction with Jih Heng was a game of wits, which was far from relaxing for Jiang Li; she was also perplexed.

He was clearly irrelevant to her life, yet due to a series of bizarre events, they kept ending up entangled.

Now, avoiding him was impossible—she had begun to doubt herself.

She had to continue taking things step by step.

Jiang Li smiled and said, “We’ve talked for so long; aren’t you tired, Duke?

Little Peach Red’s voice is worth a fortune, don’t let it go to waste.”