Chapter 100: The Mistress Outside

After Jiang Li left, she returned to Lizheng Hall. She did not tell Ye Jia'er that she had met the Duke of Su. For the people of Xiangyang, the name "Duke of Su" was too distant, and very few had seen him in person. If Ji Heng were to walk down the street, others would only be astonished that such a beautiful man existed in the world, never suspecting his true status.

Moreover, Ji Heng’s appearance made the whole situation more complicated. Before figuring out the ins and outs, Jiang Li did not intend to tell the Ye family. Even if she were to tell them, it would have to wait until the brothers Ye Mingxuan and Ye Minghui returned so they could discuss it carefully.

By the time the commoners who had come with their ancient silk to demand silver were settled, evening was approaching. When Jiang Li’s party returned to the Ye residence, Guan Shi had already returned. Upon hearing from Zhuo Shi that Lizheng Hall was safe, they both breathed a sigh of relief. However, Ye Mingyu had not returned with them.

"The third brother has a hot temper. By the time I arrived, he had already stormed into the magistrate's hall. I heard he was shouting to see Prefect Tong and was apprehended by the yamen runners. Those runners were numerous, and the third brother was outnumbered. I wanted to see Prefect Tong to plead with him, but I couldn't even get an audience. The guards at the gate told me that to see him, I would need to bring silver. I had come in such a rush, how could I have brought bank notes? I had no choice but to go get some and return tomorrow morning. I only hope the third brother hasn't suffered too much."

"They want silver?" Ye Rufeng said bitterly, "Those corrupt officials!"

Jiang Li was already accustomed to this. Not everyone was as incorruptible as Xue Huaiyuan. The smaller the official, the more they enjoyed the benefits brought by their power; otherwise, there wouldn't be the saying, "A clean magistrate for three years yields a hundred thousand pieces of silver."

"That is how the world is," Zhuo Shi sighed. "Let's pool our resources. We cannot just abandon the third brother."

"Indeed," Ye Jia'er added. "Fortunately, what they want is silver; that makes things easier."

"Jia'er, you don't understand," Guan Shi sighed. "The Ye family has already lost a lot of silver due to the ancient silk incident. The clothing shops have stopped doing business with us, which is another immeasurable loss. Human greed is the problem; what I fear is that these people will be insatiable, demanding without limit, treating our Ye family like a treasure vault. Once we open this door... it will take a great deal of effort to get your uncle and father out."

The Ye family were experts at business and saw the greed in people clearly. As long as Tong Zhiyang tasted sweetness from the Ye family, and one Ye Mingyu could be ransomed with a large amount of silver, he would likely not rest until he had drained the Ye family's vitality to get to Ye Mingxuan and Ye Minghui.

The Ye family was like a piece of fat meat. Tong Zhiyang had been eyeing them for so long and had finally found an opportunity; how could he let the duck slip away?

Jiang Li smiled, "Actually, there is no need to worry."

Everyone in the room looked at her.

They all knew that Lizheng Hall had remained unharmed today largely because Jiang Li had stepped forward and spoken. Although she was younger than Ye Jia'er and had never managed a business, the way she handled things was more thorough than anyone else present.

"No need to pool silver. I believe Tong Zhiyang will release Uncle Mingyu very soon."

"Why?" Ye Rufeng asked, frowning.

"Because my father is Jiang Yuanbai," Jiang Li replied. "He is afraid."

...

In the study of the Tong residence, Tong Zhiyang threw the book in his hand down and asked loudly, "Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter? How could she be in Xiangyang?"

Tong Zhiyang was short, plump, and round, with small eyes and a garlic-shaped nose. Even within his residence, he wore his gleaming official robes. At this moment, however, he looked furious, venting his anger at his subordinate.

"I don't know either," the subordinate replied timidly. "I thought perhaps it was someone from the Ye family posing as her, but the guards from the Prime Minister's residence cannot be faked. Someone in Xiangyang who has been to Yanjing saw her personally and confirmed it is indeed the second miss of the Jiang family. She is indeed in Xiangyang, staying at the Ye residence."

Tong Zhiyang was stunned. He asked, "What is going on? Didn't they say the Ye family and the Jiang family cut ties over a decade ago? Jiang Li doesn't even acknowledge the Ye family; why would she suddenly come to Xiangyang?"

"I heard it's because the old Madam Ye is seriously ill, and the second miss came to visit."

Tong Zhiyang kicked a stool across the floor. "Are they trying to fool a ghost? No news for so many years, how could she suddenly become so sentimental?"

"That’s not all... Master, the second miss stood at the entrance of Lizheng Hall and said, said..." The subordinate stammered.

"Said what?"

The man hesitated for a moment before repeating, word for word, what Jiang Li had said in front of Lizheng Hall. His memory was quite good; he didn't miss a single word, including the mention of the Weaving Office and the mocking words Jiang Li had used against Tong Zhiyang.

After listening, Tong Zhiyang’s face turned pale and then blue. After holding it in for a long time, he spat out two words: "Bastard!"

Being mocked so mercilessly by a junior was, for a pretentious and vain man like Tong Zhiyang, equivalent to being stripped naked and paraded through the streets. He had to admit that Jiang Li's irony, while devoid of any vulgar language, was piercingly sharp. What was even more infuriating was that he couldn't say anything in response because Jiang Li was the daughter of Jiang Yuanbai, and Jiang Yuanbai was the current Chief Minister. Compared to him, his position as a prefect was mere dust. Not only could he not refute her, but he also had to appease this noble young lady, even if only on the surface.

"Master, dealing with the Ye family was a sure thing, but who knew a Jiang second miss would interfere? She is a member of the Jiang family... should we rethink our plans?"

The subordinate’s words made Tong Zhiyang think. His brother-in-law had recently asked him to find an opportunity to deal with the Ye family, promising that if it were done well, he might have a chance at promotion. Tong Zhiyang owed his position as Prefect entirely to this brother-in-law, who worked for high-ranking officials in Yanjing and had plenty of connections. Tong Zhiyang had agreed without hesitation, planning to act according to his brother-in-law’s scheme. He was waiting for the Ye family to reach a desperate, miserable state before offering them a pre-planned "lifeline."

Of course, Tong Zhiyang himself coveted the Ye family’s massive wealth. He didn't dare dream of taking it all for himself, and the Ye family’s business was famous throughout Northern Yan, not so easily devoured. But now, with a brother-in-law and high-ranking officials in Yanjing backing him, Tong Zhiyang’s courage had grown. By seizing this opportunity, he could get a promotion and make a fortune from the Ye family's silver—why not?

Everything had been going perfectly until Jiang Li suddenly appeared.

Tong Zhiyang guessed that in his brother-in-law’s original plan, they hadn't anticipated that the Jiang second miss, who had no ties with the Ye family, would suddenly appear in Xiangyang to stand up for them. She had even invoked the Weaving Office. Tong Zhiyang naturally knew what the Weaving Office was. Heaven was high and the Emperor was far away; he could rule as a king in Xiangyang, but before the officials of Yanjing, he was nothing.

"This won't do." Tong Zhiyang paced the room twice. "Get pen and paper."

The subordinate hurried to fetch them. Tong Zhiyang wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at the paper, still thinking about how to write.

Jiang Li’s appearance had exceeded the plan. Since she dared to speak of writing to Jiang Yuanbai in front of Lizheng Hall, it showed that Jiang Yuanbai’s attitude toward the Ye family was not entirely devoid of affection. If Jiang Yuanbai were to hold him accountable, let alone his brother-in-law, he, a mere prefect, would likely lose his position. Wealth and status were desirable, but it wasn't worth losing everything. Tong Zhiyang decided to write to his brother-in-law, or have him ask the noble official for instructions on how to proceed. Otherwise, if he acted alone and took a wrong step, it would be too late to regret.

Just as he was writing hurriedly, the subordinate remembered something. "Master, the third master of the Ye family is still locked up. Should we release him or not?"

In the original plan, Ye Mingyu was an insignificant person. He wasn't involved in the Ye family business and knew nothing about it, so no specific instructions had been given regarding him. Tong Zhiyang hadn't minded grabbing him when he showed up, thinking the panicked Ye family would bring a large sum of silver to ransom him—an unexpected bonus. But now the situation was different. It was better to avoid trouble. Giving that Jiang second miss more reason to hate him was not a good thing.

"What do you mean, 'keep him locked up'? Release him immediately! Say it was a misunderstanding, that the subordinates acted on their own initiative, and it has nothing to do with me!" Tong Zhiyang cursed.

...

Ye Mingyu returned to the Ye residence an hour later.

The Ye family was overjoyed to see him return unharmed. Guan Shi asked if he had been hurt, but Ye Mingyu shook his head. Although the runners had captured him, he wasn't someone to be trifled with, and he hadn't let them have the upper hand. As for what they wanted to do to him, he was the third master of the Ye family, and he had quite a few friends in the pugilistic world; if anything happened, it was hard to say who would be in trouble.

"I thought I would have to bring silver to ransom you tomorrow," Zhuo Shi breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that you're back."

"I don't know what happened either," Ye Mingyu scratched his head. "The runners were harsh at first, saying they would make me suffer, but in the evening they suddenly became respectful, apologized saying it was a misunderstanding, and let me go. I thought the ancient silk matter had been cleared up, but it seems the eldest and second brothers haven't returned yet."

Everyone in the room looked at Jiang Li.

"Why are you looking at Ah Li?" Ye Mingyu asked. "Does this have anything to do with her?"

"It is indeed thanks to our cousin," Ye Jia'er said, recounting what Jiang Li had done in front of Lizheng Hall. "Prefect Tong must have been wary of the Jiang family’s connections, which is why he released Third Uncle so quickly."

Ye Mingyu hadn't realized there was such a connection, and he didn't know what to say as he looked at Jiang Li. Although he didn't hate Jiang Li, he had never felt any affection for the Jiang family. The way Jiang Yuanbai had remarried so quickly, and how the Jiang and Ji families were of equal status—deep down, Ye Mingyu despised the Jiang family’s selfishness and coldness. Yet, if not for the Jiang family's name today, Lizheng Hall might have been destroyed. To be saved by those he despised was truly a speechless situation.

In the past, the Ye family had always said they shouldn't have married Ye Zhenzhen to Jiang Yuanbai; perhaps her fate would have been different if she had married an ordinary man. But if she had really married an ordinary man, without the reputation of the Jiang family, how long could the Ye family have stood? For all those years, if not for the fact that Ye Zhenzhen was the Lady of Jiang, the Ye family might not have been so peaceful. Now that over a decade had passed and the families seemed to have no ties, these people had become restless.

In the end, a tall tree attracts the wind.

Jiang Li noticed Ye Mingyu’s discomfort and smiled, "It’s nothing. People are bullies who fear the strong and despise the weak. Tong Zhiyang is timid as a mouse, yet greedy and indecisive. Naturally, he would be shaken by the Jiang name. In fact, if he were a ruthless person, the result might not have been the same."

"You seem to know Tong Zhiyang quite well," Ye Rufeng couldn't help but say.

"Tong Zhiyang never showed his face from beginning to end, letting others do the work. It shows he is a timid person. He is so cautious that he probably only waits until victory is certain and the dust has settled before appearing."

Ye Mingyu nodded and suddenly asked, "Ah Li, did you really write to your father?"

Jiang Li had said in front of Lizheng Hall that she had informed Jiang Yuanbai of the Xiangyang situation and asked him to report it to the Weaving Office to send officials. Ye Mingyu hesitated before asking, "Your father... will he really step in for this matter?"

To the Ye family, Jiang Yuanbai wouldn't step in for such a trivial matter. To Jiang Li, the reason Jiang Yuanbai might not act wasn't because it was trivial, but because of the involvement of the Right Prime Minister. Although the Jiang and Li families were rivals, they had carefully maintained a balance for years. In the past, Jiang Yuanbai wouldn't have feared a direct confrontation, but now that the Right Prime Minister was backed by Prince Cheng, the Jiang family had to be more cautious.

If it meant offending Prince Cheng for the sake of the Ye family, Jiang Yuanbai certainly wouldn't act.

Jiang Li shook her head, "No."

The Ye family looked at her in surprise. Ye Jia'er asked, "So, cousin, you were bluffing Prefect Tong?"

"Not exactly," Jiang Li said. "While I didn't write to my father, I wrote to Cousin Ye. Cousin Ye is now the newly appointed Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue, and the Weaving Office would not dare to treat him lightly. Moreover, I told Cousin Ye to use my father’s name; the Weaving Office will take it even more seriously. I believe that as soon as the Weaving Office receives the report, they will immediately send someone to Xiangyang."

Everyone was stunned. Ye Rufeng asked uncomfortably, "How could you let Big Brother use your father’s name?"

"At the imperial banquet, Cousin Ye and I received the Emperor's honors together; everyone knows our relationship. I’ve noticed my father also appreciates Cousin Ye, so when his colleagues ask, my father won't deny it. Since everyone in Yanjing already assumes Cousin and my father are on the same side, why not let them misunderstand to the end? If you have a name to use, why waste it?"

Her matter-of-fact attitude made people feel as if Jiang Li weren't using her own father, but a complete stranger.

"Aren't you afraid of bringing trouble to your father?" Ye Rufeng asked. "If you act on your own and return to Yanjing, your father won't spare you."

"So what?" Jiang Li smiled slightly. "The wood is already carved into a boat; can he kill me?"

This "dead pigs aren't afraid of boiling water" attitude left the Ye family speechless.

Jiang Li knew clearly that, besides wanting to help the Ye family, she wanted to break any possible alliance between Prince Cheng and the Jiang family. She wanted to make the rift between Jiang Yuanbai and the Right Prime Minister irreparable. Only then would she have a chance to exploit the situation.

As for how Jiang Yuanbai would retaliate when she returned to Yanjing, that was a problem for later. To deal with Yongning and Shen Yurong, she was willing to pay any price.

Even her life.

If there truly was someone behind Tong Zhiyang, her appearance should have disrupted his plan. He would inevitably write to ask for help, but before that happened, Jiang Li’s letter to Ye Shijie had already been sent. Before Tong Zhiyang received specific instructions, the people from the Weaving Office would likely have arrived in Xiangyang. Then, it would no longer be up to Tong Zhiyang to decide.

This timing was the key.

"So don't worry," Jiang Li smiled. "I think Tong Zhiyang won't act rashly recently. However, the ancient silk that has been returned must be kept well. The ancient silk I am wearing is fine, which shows that the problematic silk is recent, or perhaps only exists in Xiangyang. Thinking about it, it doesn't feel like a coincidence. Once the people from the Weaving Office arrive, we should be able to find out."

Ye Jia'er nodded, "That’s what I think too."

After discussing further arrangements for the coming days, the Ye family dispersed to rest. Jiang Li walked behind and called out to Ye Mingyu, "Uncle Mingyu."

Ye Mingyu stopped, "What is it, Ah Li?"

"Let's speak in private."

Ye Mingyu followed Jiang Li to Ye Minghui’s study. Jiang Li had Tong'er keep watch outside and said, "Uncle Mingyu, you’ve traveled far and wide; you must have some friends."

Ye Mingyu laughed upon hearing this, "That’s right, I do have many friends."

"These people should be the kind who would risk their lives for friends. Uncle Mingyu, there is something that must be done by you, or your friends."

Seeing Jiang Li’s serious expression, Ye Mingyu involuntarily stopped smiling, "What is it? Tell me, Ah Li."

"Everyone in Xiangyang knows that Tong Zhiyang is henpecked. Although he is greedy, he is very clean when it comes to women, not even stepping foot in a brothel. It is precisely because of this that his wife is willing to let her family support him and keep him as the Prefect of Xiangyang."

Speaking of women, even Ye Mingyu felt a bit uncomfortable, but seeing Jiang Li’s calm demeanor, as if she were talking about the most ordinary thing, he tried to justify it to himself: Jiang Li had spent eight years in a nunnery, living a life of purity and understanding the emptiness of desire, so it was natural for her to see these things so plainly.

This must be what it means to be detached from the world!

His thoughts drifted, and he heard Jiang Li continue: "However, Tong Zhiyang is not as disciplined in private as he appears. He has a mistress kept on the outskirts of Xiangyang. He bought her a house, and she even bore him a son."

"What?" Ye Mingyu was shocked. He had never heard of such a secret. Knowing that Tong Zhiyang feared his wife like a tiger, how could he have such courage?

"Uncle, don't be surprised," Jiang Li said. Seeing Ye Mingyu’s shock, she continued, "The mistress is young and beautiful, and Tong Zhiyang is very fond of her. Since his wife in the residence only bore him daughters, and he is obsessed with having a son, the fact that the mistress bore him a boy made her the apple of his eye. Every so often, he goes to visit them."

Ye Mingyu’s jaw dropped, "You, you are telling the truth?"

"Absolutely." Xue Zhao had once used this leverage to keep Tong Zhiyang from continuing to trouble Xue Huaiyuan. At that time, Tong Zhiyang had just had the son; now, five or six years had passed. Jiang Li had checked, and there were no rumors of his mistress, so he had hidden her well. She had even specially sent someone to the outskirts to check, and the mother and son were still there.

In his devotion to this mother and son, Tong Zhiyang was ridiculously sentimental.

"Even if what you say is true," Ye Mingyu asked, "how do you know these things? Ah Li, you’ve been in Xiangyang for less than a month. My eldest brother and the others have been here for decades and never heard of this."

The secret Jiang Li revealed would certainly shock others, and they might even think she was lying. Ye Mingyu didn't think she was lying, but he was utterly puzzled. Jiang Li wasn't from Xiangyang; how could she know so much about Tong Zhiyang? Not only that, but she also knew about his brother-in-law in Yanjing. Ye Mingyu was certain Jiang Yuanbai wouldn't pay attention to a minor prefect in Xiangyang.

"My guards brought from Yanjing," Jiang Li smiled. "They were carefully selected by my father. I sent one to investigate the Tong residence, and as luck would have it, Tong Zhiyang was sending silver to that mother and son. I had someone follow them and found it to be true. That’s how I discovered the secret."

She couldn't tell him it was because of Xue Zhao. The explanation was reasonable enough; at least, Ye Mingyu couldn't think of any other way she would know.

"Alright, Ah Li, what is your intention in telling me this?"

"As we can see, Tong Zhiyang is very fond of them. I suspect he is involved in the ancient silk incident, perhaps with someone guiding him from behind. To avoid any trouble, I need him to be fearful. At least until the Weaving Office arrives, he must not be allowed to act."

Ye Mingyu looked at her, not quite understanding.

"Since you are a man of the pugilistic world, taking a mother and son shouldn't be difficult, right?" Jiang Li said. "I want you or your friends to abduct Tong Zhiyang’s mistress and son. Once Tong Zhiyang hears the news, all his energy will be spent on finding them, and he won't have the capacity to deal with the Ye family. If necessary, we can use them as leverage—" Jiang Li smiled, "Tong Zhiyang doesn't dare let his wife know of their existence. Once the secret is out, his position as Prefect will be gone. To protect this secret, he will surely make any deal with you."

Ye Mingyu finally understood. Jiang Li wanted him to abduct the mistress and son and hide them. Whether as a bargaining chip or a distraction, Tong Zhiyang would be afraid of the consequences and wouldn't dare move against the Ye family.

He said, "Ah Li, you want me to abduct a woman and a child..." Professionals in the pugilistic world disdained such despicable acts and didn't like to bully women and children.

Jiang Li seemed to guess his thoughts, looking at him calmly, "Uncle Mingyu, when Tong Zhiyang targeted the Ye family and incited the crowd to smash Lizheng Hall, he didn't care about the elderly, weak, and disabled in the Ye family. Not to mention that Cousin Ye is still an official in Yanjing, and Grandmother is in poor health—if she found out about the Ye family’s trouble, how could she be safe?"

"Besides, I'm not asking you to harm them. They can be well-fed and cared for, just a bit frightened. Once the matter is over, we send them back, and they will lose nothing." Jiang Li smiled, "We are at a life-and-death juncture; Uncle Mingyu cannot be soft-hearted."

The last sentence, though spoken gently, had an inexplicable severity.

Ye Mingyu felt a chill in his heart. Upon reflection, he felt ashamed before Jiang Li, "I thought too simply. You saw what I couldn't, and I’ve lived all these years in vain." He said seriously, "Leave this to me. Tomorrow I will find some trusted friends and a place no one can find. Since Tong Zhiyang fears his wife like a tiger, he won't dare to look for them openly; this is our opportunity."

Jiang Li nodded, "Once it’s done, by the time Tong Zhiyang hears the news, it will be too late. Trying to find them will be harder than ascending to heaven."

"However," Ye Mingyu said, "you said Tong Zhiyang is involved in the ancient silk incident and there is someone behind him. Is that true?"

They hadn't been able to find the cause of the issue, let alone blame Tong Zhiyang. If Jiang Li was right, this was a serious matter.

"I am only suspicious," Jiang Li said. "There is no concrete evidence. But once the Weaving Office arrives in Xiangyang, everything will come to light." Jiang Li smiled faintly, "I think even if Tong Zhiyang had the courage of the heavens, he wouldn't dare act under the eyes of the Weaving Office. Moreover, with his most beloved mistress and son as leverage, he will weigh the pros and cons."

Even if there was a high-ranking official in Yanjing protecting Tong Zhiyang, and that official happened to be the powerful Right Prime Minister, Jiang Li guessed that the Right Prime Minister valued his own reputation too much to let his name be leaked, lest he be implicated. Tong Zhiyang didn't know how stable his backing was, so he wouldn't be bold enough.

And with his son and mistress missing, Tong Zhiyang would be fearful. He would understand that a distant fire cannot be put out by water, and he would choose to be a wise man who knows his circumstances.