Chapter 106: In Prison

At the back door of the Xihua Pavilion, the same young woman who had greeted Jiang Li last time was there. She was startled to see Jiang Li again, but quickly smiled and asked, "Are you here to see Qiongzhi again, Miss?"

"Indeed," Jiang Li replied, sliding a banknote from her sleeve.

The woman did not decline; she took the money with elegant grace and said, "Please, follow me." She personally escorted Jiang Li to Qiongzhi's room.

The women of Xihua Pavilion were all shrewd; they knew what to ask and what to avoid. Though she did not know the nature of the relationship between Jiang Li and Qiongzhi, their previous meeting had passed without incident, and Jiang Li was generous. Helping with a small favor was no burden.

Jiang Li was led to the door of Qiongzhi's room.

"Qiongzhi has been waiting for you," the woman said with a smile. "Call for me if you need anything." She then retreated.

Jiang Li pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Perhaps it was her imagination, but in the time they had been apart, Qiongzhi seemed to have grown much thinner. Yet, a beauty remained a beauty; even in her emaciation, there was a desolate allure, a new kind of elegance she hadn't possessed before. It was as if a red flower, on the verge of wilting, had become even more striking.

Jiang Li surmised that Qiongzhi must have learned of Xue Zhao’s death, which explained her withered state.

"You've come," Qiongzhi said, sitting before a table, aimlessly shuffling a chaotic chessboard. She did not look up when she heard the door, only glancing toward her.

Jiang Li closed the door behind her. "Yes."

Qiongzhi stared at her for a long moment before suddenly laughing. "They always said Xue Zhao was bold, but it seems there is someone here even bolder than he was. I wonder what Jiang Yuanbai, the Chief Minister in Yanjing, would think if he knew his own daughter was visiting brothels in Xiangyang."

She knew Jiang Li’s identity.

Jiang Li paused, then walked forward and sat across from her. "You know."

"Miss Jiang’s impassioned speech in front of the Lizheng Hall is known throughout Xiangyang City by now. It would be difficult not to know." Qiongzhi sighed. "I just didn’t expect that the person coming to see me would be the young lady of the Jiang family."

"I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing," Jiang Li said with a bitter smile. By using the Jiang family name to help the Ye family counter Tong Zhiyang, she had inadvertently exposed her own identity. It would be difficult to avoid being recognized in the future. Perhaps being like Ji Heng was best—no one knew his true identity, and those who did would never dare cause trouble by speaking of it.

"I only have one thing to ask you," Qiongzhi said, playing with the silver bracelet on her wrist. The tiny bells attached to it jingled with every movement, sounding delicate. "Why do you know the Xue family? I have heard of Miss Jiang’s past; no matter how you look at it, you should have nothing to do with the Xues."

Qiongzhi was a capable woman. Her patrons included knights-errant and court officials; she was not to be underestimated, which was why Jiang Li had asked her to gather information on Tongxiang. However, Miss Jiang was no ordinary person. Her reputation in Yanjing, and even in other parts of Northern Yan, was well known; a little digging was all it took. Given this, Miss Jiang and the Xue family were worlds apart. It was only natural for Qiongzhi to be suspicious.

Jiang Li was silent for a long time. "I knew Xue Zhao’s sister." Before Qiongzhi could question her, she continued, "You don't need to doubt how I know Xue Fangfei. I do intend to avenge her. I cannot tell you more, but for now, you have no choice but to trust me."

Qiongzhi was stunned, looking up at Jiang Li with genuine seriousness.

"As I said, I know your feelings for Xue Zhao. Now that he is dead, you must want revenge, but you are powerless to act. I, however, can." Jiang Li offered a faint smile. "I am the daughter of Jiang Yuanbai, the Chief Minister’s legitimate daughter. If the opponent is powerful, I do not fear them. Only I can avenge Xue Zhao. You have to believe me."

Qiongzhi curled her lips, perhaps intending a sarcastic smile, but ultimately sighed, half-resigned and half-unwilling. "You knew all along that I would have to trust you."

Jiang Li’s heart finally settled, though her expression remained calm. "Actually, you need not worry. Telling me about Tongxiang will not affect you."

Qiongzhi was a clever woman. Her intelligence did not lie in scholarly pursuits, but in the ways of the world. Those who survived on the streets were adept at reading people, and women raised in flower houses were even more guarded.

"Now, can you tell me about Tongxiang?" Jiang Li asked.

"Do you really want to know?"

Jiang Li’s hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched involuntarily. Her heart felt as if it were suspended by a silk thread, swaying in the air.

"There is no harm in telling you. The Xue family has fallen. These days, as I entertain many guests, I have finally caught wind of some clues." She glanced at Jiang Li, her tone dropping. "At first, I thought perhaps your news of Xue Zhao’s death was an absurdity, and I clung to a shred of hope. That was until I met a noblewoman who had just returned from Yanjing. She told me that the top scholar’s wife, Xue Fangfei, had indeed died of a wasting illness after rumors of infidelity, and that her brother, Xue Zhao, had been killed by bandits on his way to Yanjing and his body discarded in the river. It was exactly as you said."

"Those are matters of Yanjing," Jiang Li said. "What of Xue Huaiyuan in Tongxiang?"

Perhaps it was the urgency in her tone that Qiongzhi caught. Qiongzhi paused, then looked at Jiang Li inquisitively. "That is what I don't understand. You said Xue Huaiyuan died half a year ago, and you asked me to find out how he died and where he was buried. But, Xue Huaiyuan is not dead."

"What did you say?" Jiang Li couldn't help but exclaim.

Until now, this young lady had always been composed and open before Qiongzhi. This was the first time Qiongzhi had seen her lose her composure.

Jiang Li didn't care how Qiongzhi viewed her. In that moment, her heart was filled with a sudden, overwhelming joy. "You said Xue Huaiyuan is not dead? Are you certain? Where did you hear this?!"

Initially, Qiongzhi had suspected that Jiang Li had ulterior motives regarding the Xue family, but seeing her current state, those doubts vanished. The excitement and surprise in Miss Jiang’s eyes could not be faked.

After calming down slightly, Qiongzhi continued: "He is indeed alive, but it is not a good situation. The old master of the Xue family, the Tongxiang county magistrate Xue Huaiyuan, has gone mad. He recognizes no one and is currently locked in the Tongxiang jail."

It was as if she had fallen from the heavens into an abyss. Jiang Li’s palms went ice cold. The joy was instantly extinguished. She stared at Qiongzhi, unable to believe her ears. "What did you say?"

Qiongzhi found Jiang Li’s expression terrifying and frantic, like a trapped beast suppressing its grief, struggling to contain the urge to tear everything around it to pieces.

Her voice softened involuntarily. "Any influential guest who visited me, I asked. But for some reason, they were all tight-lipped about Xue Huaiyuan, unwilling to speak, or they simply brushed me off. Only one merchant, who has a good relationship with me, saw how earnest I was and whispered the truth."

"I heard that half a year ago, Tongxiang Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan was imprisoned for embezzling disaster relief funds from the imperial court. There is a new magistrate now. Xue Huaiyuan has gone insane in prison, recognizing no one. It is quite miserable..."

"How could Xue Huaiyuan embezzle funds?" Jiang Li said furiously. "The people of Tongxiang would never believe it!"

Qiongzhi was surprised by Jiang Li’s natural defense of the people of Tongxiang, as if she knew Xue Huaiyuan well, but she continued, "The people are helpless; it is the will of those above. Besides," Qiongzhi gave a laugh, though it was unclear who she was mocking, "when a person leaves, the tea goes cold. Since ancient times, it has been said that the people should not fight the officials. Even if Xue Huaiyuan were a clean official who didn't steal, who would speak up for him? Everyone just wants to protect themselves."

Jiang Li froze.

Xue Huaiyuan had lived for the people, never seeking reward, and neither had Xue Zhao or Xue Fangfei. But it seemed Qiongzhi was right; people were selfish. Who would risk offending powerful figures for a madman in jail? If Xue Huaiyuan were still clear-headed, seeing this apathy would surely break his heart. Perhaps it was seeing the very people he had supported act with such cold indifference, coupled with the loss of his children, that had driven him to madness.

Qiongzhi suddenly paused. "Miss Jiang, you..."

Seeing her strange expression, Jiang Li touched her face and realized she was crying.

She could not remain a cold observer; that was her father. Knowing he was suffering in jail, how could she remain calm?

"So, no one dares to ask about the Xue family now?" Jiang Li wiped the tears from her eyes with a silk handkerchief, her expression turning cold.

Qiongzhi sensed the shift and hesitated. "Exactly. Since everyone is so tight-lipped, I fear this involves other formidable people; it is not as simple as it looks."

Jiang Li sneered inwardly. If it involved others, she knew it was the work of Yongning! When she had been on the verge of death, Yongning had told her Xue Huaiyuan died of illness to break her spirit. But looking back, with three members of the Xue family dying around the same time, it was bound to invite scrutiny. Yongning might not care, but Shen Yulong had to. To avoid trouble, Yongning couldn't kill Xue Huaiyuan, but with her narrow-mindedness, she couldn't tolerate him either. She had simply used a fabricated charge to throw him in prison and subject him to endless torture!

Yongning knew Xue Huaiyuan cared for the people; making him feel abandoned by those he cherished, and leaving a stain on his untarnished record, was far worse than death. Once Xue Huaiyuan learned of Xue Fangfei and Xue Zhao’s deaths, he would naturally fall into despair. To use such despicable tactics against a father—Yongning was truly capable of it!

"That is all I could find out," Qiongzhi said. "I cannot leave the Xihua Pavilion easily, and this matter is far-reaching... You were right, perhaps you are the only one who can avenge Xue Zhao." A glimmer of hope appeared in Qiongzhi’s eyes as she looked at Jiang Li. Jiang Li was a lady of the Jiang family and had dared to confront Tong Zhiyang; she had the backbone. At least, she dared to do what ordinary people would not.

Jiang Li smiled, but the smile was bone-chilling. "I will certainly avenge Xue Zhao. Not only that, but whoever framed the Xue family will pay back a hundredfold."

Such words from a delicate official’s daughter should have been laughable. Yet, for some reason, Qiongzhi shivered. She felt as if the young lady’s clear, distinct eyes had become deep whirlpools, bottomless and hiding raging storms.

"Thank you," Jiang Li said, looking at Qiongzhi. "Thank you for gathering news of the Xue family for me. But as you said, this is a dangerous matter. If it is discovered that you were the one inquiring..."

"Do not worry," Qiongzhi said. "The people I asked are trustworthy, and they are not the type to invite trouble upon themselves." She seemed touched by Jiang Li’s concern and asked softly, "Miss Jiang, since you are determined to handle the Tongxiang affair... what will you do next?"

"I cannot uncover the truth here in Xiangyang," Jiang Li said coldly. "I must go to Tongxiang."

Qiongzhi opened her mouth, but said nothing.

"No matter how powerful those behind this are," Jiang Li lowered her gaze, "even if I must sacrifice my life, I will drag them down to the grave with me."

Her tone was so chilling that Qiongzhi felt the warm, spring-like girl had become a vengeful ghost crawled up from the underworld, burdened by blood debts, screaming for retribution. Qiongzhi was so struck by the sudden malice that she dared not speak again.

***

When she left the Xihua Pavilion, Tong’er and Baixue noticed that something was wrong with Jiang Li.

She was usually prone to smiling, even at strangers. Today had been the same, but after being in the pavilion for only a short while, she seemed like a different person.

There was not a trace of a smile on her face. Her lips were tightly pressed, her brows locked in a deep frown, and her gaze was unfocused.

Tong’er was frightened, fearing she had been bullied inside. "Miss... Miss, what is wrong?"

The call seemed to snap Jiang Li back to reality. She looked at her and said slowly, "It’s nothing. Let’s return to the manor." She took the veil from Baixue, put it on, and walked forward on her own.

Baixue and Tong’er were deeply worried but dared not ask more while they were out. They hurried back to the Ye manor. Although they didn't know what had happened at the Xihua Pavilion, it was clear that Jiang Li had suffered a major blow.

In the neighboring residence, Lu Ji sat in a rattan chair. On the couch across from him, Ji Heng was holding a book, flipping through it listlessly.

Wen Ji entered. "My Lord."

Ji Heng: "Speak."

"Miss Jiang went to the Xihua Pavilion again," Wen Ji reported.

Lu Ji looked at Wen Ji, but Ji Heng’s gaze never left the book. "Did she see that Qiongzhi girl again?"

"Indeed," Wen Ji hesitated. "There is something strange. After Miss Jiang left the pavilion, she seemed soul-lost."

Ji Heng’s hand paused. A flash of surprise appeared on Lu Ji’s face.

"Soul-lost?" Ji Heng asked.

"Yes. After leaving, Miss Jiang returned to the Ye manor with her two maids. She took several wrong turns along the way, clearly distracted. Her maids looked quite anxious," Wen Ji answered carefully.

Lu Ji couldn't help but ask, "What did she and Qiongzhi discuss? Can't you find out?"

"It’s impossible," Wen Ji said helplessly. "That Qiongzhi is very guarded and extremely clever. The people I sent could not pry her mouth open. Since you forbade us from using force, we still don't know what they talked about."

Wen Ji was truly at a loss. Miss Jiang seemed innocent and carefree, but she was always thorough. She had chosen the most difficult person in the Xihua Pavilion to deal with. Qiongzhi had no desires, and as the saying went, "He who has no desires is strong." Without being able to use force, they had no way to make her talk.

Miss Jiang had clearly sought out a hard rock on purpose.

"No need to know what they said," Ji Heng said. "Just watch what she does."

"My Lord, do you know what she intends to do?" Lu Ji asked.

Lu Ji was a very clever man, well-versed in court strategy. But he found Miss Jiang hard to understand. Her actions seemed chaotic, like her sudden kindness to the Ye family. Yet, every act eventually revealed its purpose much later.

Lu Ji felt that Jiang Li’s meeting with Qiongzhi was a crucial step, and the fact that it had left the usually composed Jiang Li "soul-lost" meant it was no small matter. The problem was that they didn't know what she was doing, and even if they did, they might not understand her motive. She was a mystery.

Lu Ji couldn't help but glance at Ji Heng. In terms of being an unsolvable mystery, Miss Jiang and the Duke of Su, Ji Heng, were quite similar.

"I don't know," Ji Heng said. "But I will soon."

"I think the true reason for Jiang Li’s return to Xiangyang is about to emerge. In fact, I am quite curious," Ji Heng smiled, "what exactly she wants to do."

***

Jiang Li did not know she was being watched, but even if she did, she had no heart to deal with Ji Heng. Her mind was filled with the news of Xue Huaiyuan’s madness and imprisonment.

She was torn between joy and sorrow. Joy that he was alive, and sorrow that he might never recognize his own daughter again. Fate was like that—a glimmer of hope followed by deeper despair.

Jiang Li sat blankly at the table.

Tong’er and Baixue asked several times, but Jiang Li told them nothing. Finally, she sent them out and locked the door. The two maids sat outside the door, ears pressed against it, ready to break it down if anything went wrong.

Jiang Li buried her face in her arms.

Whenever she thought of what Yongning and Shen Yulong had done to Xue Huaiyuan, she wanted to tear them to pieces. Xue Huaiyuan was in trouble, and she didn't believe Shen Yulong knew nothing of it! Even if Yongning had acted on her own regarding Xue Zhao, Xue Huaiyuan was still alive, and Shen Yulong was watching him suffer!

When Shen Yulong had visited Tongxiang, Xue Huaiyuan had mentored him. Even if he didn't treat him as a father, he should have had some conscience.

They were two inhuman beasts!

What was more frustrating was that even if she could see Yongning and Shen Yulong now, she couldn't immediately avenge the Xue family. Not only were they guarded, but a life for a life was too easy for them. The Xue family’s grievances had to be cleared, and their ugly faces exposed!

Jiang Li felt intense hatred, but she realized that the most important thing was to save Xue Huaiyuan from prison. If the news was true, he was likely suffering more than just poor living conditions. Yongning would not let him go.

She stood up. There was no time to lose; she had to return to Tongxiang!

Just then, she heard Tong’er and Baixue outside. Baixue said, "Third Master, you are here. Our Miss is inside..."

Ye Mingyu? Jiang Li opened the door. Seeing her, Ye Mingyu walked in and sat down. "Ah Li, you don't know—the textile workshop people saw the peacock feathers and think it’s worth a try! If it works, the Ye family will have a new fabric. You are a hero!"

Jiang Li forced a smile. Had she heard this before visiting the Xihua Pavilion, she would have been happy for the Ye family. But now, her heart was entirely with Xue Huaiyuan.

"Then congratulations, Uncle Mingyu," Jiang Li said. "If it succeeds, you are the greatest contributor."

Ye Mingyu laughed heartily. "I like that about you, Ah Li! Don't worry, my brothers have already praised me. They said if this succeeds, they’ll give me a martial merchant caravan to travel with. I’m thinking of taking Rufeng along. He has a head for business, and it would do him good to see the world."

"That sounds wonderful," Jiang Li said, distracted.

"Ah Li, you’re from Yanjing and have great knowledge. If the fabric succeeds, what should we call it? Something elegant, like 'Ancient Fragrance Satin.' Do you have any suggestions?"

Jiang Li usually enjoyed such trivialities to build rapport with the Ye family, but now, she knew every moment lost was a chance for tragedy.

"Uncle Mingyu, I have a favor to ask," Jiang Li interrupted.

Ye Mingyu saw her rare, serious expression and straightened up. "What is it?"

Jiang Li took a deep breath. "I want to go to Tongxiang."