The Double
Chapter 234 - 234 102 The Play Ends_2

234: Chapter 102 The Play Ends_2 234: Chapter 102 The Play Ends_2 She forced a smile and said, “Of course, it’s the pear of pear blossoms.”

“Is that so?” Jih Heng stared at her unwaveringly, his voice exceptionally gentle, “I, on the other hand, think it’s the ‘civet’ of civet cats.”

Jiang Li looked up at him.

The man was distractingly handsome, the teardrop beauty mark beneath his eye now even more lustrous, making his features appear all the more strikingly vivid.

Jiang Li said, “Why do you say that?”

Jih Heng did not speak at first, but after a while, he smiled and said, “Because you don’t seem as lovely as pear blossoms, but as cunning as a civet cat.

Isn’t that right, Ah Li?”

That mention of “Ah Li” was enticingly sweet, yet Jiang Li felt a chilling spread throughout her body.

Jih Heng could not possibly know her true identity, but he must have sensed something was amiss.

He was probing, and whoever wavered first would lose.

Jiang Li looked up, her smile revealing no cracks as she said, “The Duke may call me whatever he likes; it is, after all, just a name.

It’s just that others might misunderstand our relationship upon overhearing.”

Jih Heng smiled, “Miss Jiang the Second always speaks so dishearteningly, unpredictably.”

Jiang Li watched him, only to hear Jih Heng continue, “But what’s unexpected is not limited to one thing.

For instance, it surprised me how Miss Jiang the Second could find Tong Zhiyang’s concubine.”

Jiang Li sighed inwardly.

Ye Mingyu’s men taking away Tong Zhiyang’s concubine and her son was something Tong Zhiyang couldn’t trace, but Jiang Li knew that this could not have been concealed from Jih Heng.

Someone who dared assassinate in the palace would undoubtedly have his own agents in Xiangyang.

With Jih Heng’s skills, having someone watch her every move would not be difficult.

“I am very curious as to how Miss Jiang the Second learned of the whereabouts of Tong Zhiyang’s concubine,” he said, gentle yet forceful in his query.

“There are no walls in the world that do not leak.” Jiang Li calmly met his gaze, “Since Tong Zhiyang did it, flaws would inevitably appear.

Following these flaws to discover the truth is not difficult.

I am also surprised that the Duke is so concerned with such a trivial matter of another’s household.”

“When it involves you, there are no trivial matters,” Jih Heng said with a smile, “Everything Miss Jiang the Second does is a major issue.” He paused, then continued, “Indeed, there are no walls that do not leak.

Since it was done, flaws will show, and sooner or later, the truth will be revealed,” he said, smiling at Jiang Li, “isn’t that so?”

Jiang Li nodded, “Yes.”

She understood the implication of Jih Heng’s words – she was brimming with suspicious aspects, and no matter how well she covered them, the flaws would inevitably be exposed.

If one were to seize these flaws, one day her secrets would be unveiled.

Perhaps Jih Heng could indeed accomplish this, but she was not afraid.

She wished only to avenge the Xue Family; beyond that, she did not care about the future.

Jih Heng seemed to notice her indifference and said nonchalantly, “Miss Jiang the Second fears nothing because she has protection.

With careful planning in everything, now that Tong Zhiyang is watching over you, no one dares to touch you.”

Jiang Li abruptly looked toward him.

Jih Heng had discerned this too.

Indeed, before coming to Xiangyang, Jiang Li had anticipated that after being embarrassed at the palace banquet, Ji Shuran and her daughter would become suspicious of her.

Even if there had been no palace banquet incident, this mother and daughter would not tolerate her.

Coming back to Xiangyang had presented them with a perfect opportunity to get rid of her.

Ji Shuran and her daughter must have arranged for someone to secretly watch her, ready to strike at any sign of trouble.

Declaring her identity at the entrance of Lizheng Hall had not only made Tong Zhiyang wary, making the members of the Ye Family treat her with courtesy, but also served as a peace charm for herself.

Given her special status, Tong Zhiyang would surely have people secretly monitoring her movements.

Additionally, everyone in Xiangyang knew that Tong Zhiyang had offended Jiang Li; if anything were to happen to her within Xiangyang, regardless of the truth, Tong Zhiyang would be held responsible.

People would assume it was because she had crossed Tong Zhiyang, prompting him to conspire against her.

Jiang Yuan Bai would not let Tong Zhiyang off the hook.

Therefore, to avoid bearing false blame, Tong Zhiyang’s men would also have to ensure Jiang Li’s safety.

This was also a way of using Tong Zhiyang’s forces to deal with Ji Shuran’s, ensuring that in Tong Zhiyang’s Xiangyang, Jiang Li was safe.

These thoughts had been Jiang Li’s secret plan, but she hadn’t expected Jih Heng to have already figured it out.

Jiang Li said with a smile, “In this world, what could possibly be unknown to the Duke?”

“There is,” Jih Heng gazed at her, his look captivating, “and that would be you, wouldn’t it?”

“Me?”

“Of all the people I’ve met,” Jih Heng said, “at your age, among the men and women of Northern Yan, none had such strategic depth as you.

You are the first.”

“Thank you for your compliments, Duke,” said Jiang Li, “I dare not accept such praise.”