Chapter 125 Fury

After Jiang Li left Jiang Yuanbai's study, Jiang Yuanbai did not look for her again.

It's calmed down for now.

Ye Mingyu also lived in the guest yard, not far from Jiang Li's yard. Although Xue Huaiyuan is now an old man, in the Jiang family, Jiang Li can't live with Xue Huaiyuan, so Ye Mingyu can only live with Xue Huaiyuan. Fortunately, they are close and can visit him at any time.

Jiang Jingrui rushed over upon hearing the news. As soon as they met, he couldn't wait to say, "Jiang Li, I know everything you did in front of Chang'an Gate. I should have gone to join in the fun! There were so many people. Your father was furious before, but I didn't expect that he would be convinced by you in just a few words. Great! I really underestimated you in the past. You are becoming more and more capable."

Jiang Jingrui has not made any progress in these days. Jiang Li asked him about some recent happenings in the Jiang family and found that apart from Jiang Yu'e entering the Ningyuan Marquis Mansion, there was nothing special. She felt relieved and sent him away.

Tong'er walked in from the yard and said angrily as soon as she entered the house: "Miss, just now at the gate of the yard, I saw a few people looking in suspiciously. Mingyue and Qingfeng also said that from afternoon to evening, there were a lot of strange people outside our yard. Ji is here to cause trouble again. She is really restless. We just returned home. What does she want to do?"

In the entire Jiang Mansion, only Ji Shuran could do such inexplicable surveillance. Jiang Li smiled and said, "Let her be. I don't have time to deal with her now. Besides, if she wants to find out something, everything that can be found out has been spread out. If she can't find out, she can't find out from me. Forget it. It's better to rest early. I'm exhausted from traveling all this time."

She got on the bed and soon the lights in the room went out.

The lights in Fangfei Garden went out early and Jiang Li went to bed quickly, but some people in Jiang Mansion couldn't sleep.

While Ji Shuran was massaging Jiang Yuanbo's back, she said worriedly, "Master, what happened to Li'er this time? No matter what she did before, she always made trouble in the mansion, but now she has gone outside the mansion to make trouble. Others may blame you for it."

Jiang Yuanbai frowned. He had also heard what Jiang Li said today. If there was anything that could really persuade him, it was because the matter involved the Li family. The Li family had actually taken action so early. If it was really the Li family that was interfering, Jiang Li's approach was the best choice at the moment. And if Jiang Li came forward, it would look better in public anyway.

Thinking of this, he waved his hand and said, "Don't worry about these things. I have my own ideas."

Ji Shuran's hand that was hammering his shoulder tightened slightly. She could hear Jiang Yuanbai's tone, and his attitude had softened. What did Jiang Li say to him that made him change his mind so quickly? You know, Jiang Yuanbai was furious because of this matter before in Wanfeng Hall.

But she never asked about things that Jiang Yuanbai didn't want to talk about. This was her cleverness. Therefore, Ji Shuran didn't continue with this sentence, but changed the topic: "Master, in fact, the other concubines are fine. This time Li'er brought the crazy county magistrate back to the mansion, which is fine, but I heard some rumors today. I heard that Li'er treated the crazy county magistrate like a family member, taking care of him meticulously, and personally served him water and food. Some people said that she cared more about him than taking care of you."

"Nonsense!" Jiang Yuanbai slammed the table and stood up after hearing the last sentence. "What nonsense!"

Ji Shuran said quickly, "Master, calm down. I heard others say this. Li'er has always been gentle and kind. Seeing that the county magistrate is pitiful, it is natural for her to care about him. But I don't understand. A maid can do these things. Why does Li'er, as a young lady of the Jiang family, have to do these things in person? Did this crazy county magistrate know Li'er before? Li'er was fine, but she was involved in this Tongxiang case. Is there any other hidden story?"

Jiang Yuanbai's chest heaved violently, and it took him a while to calm down. His eyes were uncertain and he seemed to be lost in thought.

Seeing this, Ji Shuran stopped talking and a hint of pride flashed through her heart.

As early as when she knew about this, she herself had doubts in her heart. Although Jiang Li always behaves gentle, generous, honest and kind, she has lived so long that it can be seen that Jiang Li is cold and distant in her heart. Even towards the Jiang family, the reason why she can always take it or leave it and seems to be indifferent is because she always treats the Jiang family as a "guest". Therefore, Jiang Li will not have too many complaints about all the unfair treatment given to her by the Jiang family.

Jiang Li was a polite and distant person by nature, and would not cause trouble for herself. She only maintained superficial respect for her biological father Jiang Yuanbo, let alone treating a stranger. But according to the news she got back, Jiang Li seemed to have infinite patience with Xue Huaiyuan, never asking anyone else to help her with her food, clothing, and daily life. She took care of everything, no matter how big or small, and was even more kind than her biological father.

This is too suspicious. Unfortunately, no matter how much Ji Shuran investigated, she could not find any other reasons. But there was no need to rush. This alone would allow her to make a big fuss about it. For example, if she told Jiang Yuanbai about this, wouldn't Jiang Yuanbai become suspicious?
Besides, Jiang Li has been busy with the Tongxiang case recently, so she must have no time to deal with her. She must be so close to Xue Huaiyuan, there must be some hidden reason, and she will definitely find it out.

By then, Jiang Li will die.

……

The next morning, Jiang Li got up very early.

After breakfast, she wanted to go to Ye Mingyu's yard to see Xue Huaiyuan. Before she could go out, Bai Xue came in and said, "Miss, someone outside reported that Master Ye is here to see you."

Ye Shijie? Jiang Li hadn't had time to look for him, but he came to Jiang's house first. Jiang Li said, "Okay. I'll go see him."

When they arrived at Wanfeng Hall, only Madam Jiang was talking to Ye Shijie. Jiang Yuanbo and Ji Shuran were not there. When Ye Shijie saw her, he called out, "Cousin."

Jiang Li returned the greeting: "Cousin Ye."

Madam Jiang understood and said, "Second girl, your cousin came to the mansion to talk to you. You two brothers and sisters should go and talk first. I am tired, so I will go back to my room first."

I don't know if it was because of the Xue family case that Mrs. Jiang finally had some complaints about Jiang Li. Her attitude towards Jiang Li was also lukewarm. Ye Shijie saw it and said nothing.

Jiang Li didn't care. After Madam Jiang left, Jiang Li said, "Cousin, Uncle Mingyu is also at the mansion. I was just about to go there. Since you are here, let's go see him together."

"Okay." Ye Shijie said.

The two walked towards Ye Mingyu's yard together.

"I've heard about what happened in Xiangyang, including the matter of the ancient fragrant satin. Thank you for your help." Ye Shijie said as he walked.

"Nothing," Jiang Li smiled. "Although my last name is Jiang, my mother's last name is Ye, so it's my duty to help the Ye family. Besides, if you hadn't gone to Yanjing City to find the weaving room leader, this matter wouldn't have gone so smoothly. You shouldn't thank me, you should thank yourself."

Ye Shijie shook his head: "If it weren't for Lord Jiang's name, the weaving room order wouldn't have acted so quickly."

"You shouldn't thank me then," Jiang Li said, "I'm just a fox taking advantage of the tiger's might."

Ye Shijie turned his head to look at her. After not seeing her for so many days, she seemed to have grown taller and looked more like a young girl. Many years ago, he would never have thought that one day he would have such a calm conversation with Jiang Li. It was as if all the barriers and misunderstandings in the past had disappeared.

Of course, now the estrangement and misunderstanding between her and the Ye family have really disappeared. The Ye family has completely accepted her, but it is not known whether she has completely accepted the Ye family.

"Cousin Ye, you will also be present at the interrogation in two days, right?" Jiang Li asked.

Ye Shijie nodded: "Yes." After a pause, he said: "I don't know what the situation is."

Jiang Li looked at him with a smile: "How is it, how do you feel about being an official these days? Is it still working?"

Ye Shijie smiled bitterly.

Being an official is like being a businessman, and it requires social skills, but being an official is more difficult than being a businessman. Not to mention how many truly good officials cannot be promoted, in the officialdom, if you want to climb up, you have to flatter and get along well with your superiors. You have to do what others do, and if you don't, you will be firmly separated from your own camp.

Over time, Ye Shijie became a person without a camp, because he refused to go along with the crowd, and he could only see no end in sight for his life. Is he going to be a member of the Ministry of Revenue for the rest of his life? But if he wants to go further, he will have to do things against his own will.

Ye Shijie felt very troubled.

Jiang Li patted his shoulder, as if she could hear his thoughts, and said, "Don't worry, cousin. If you don't want to go against your will to get something, then stick to what you have. One day someone will see you, just like when you won the first place in the Imperial College entrance examination. All you need is an opportunity. If you don't have an opportunity, then we can create one."

Ye Shijie was stunned and couldn't help looking at Jiang Li. The smile on Jiang Li's lips remained the same, but Ye Shijie felt that it was different from before. After returning from Xiangyang, Jiang Li seemed to have let go of something and seemed to have gained confidence. The mask she had worn before was gently torn off, and she was less cautious.

She became even less like the "Second Miss Jiang" she used to be, not even like the gentle and generous Jiang Li she later became. She began to show some aggressive edges.

What changed her?
Just as he was thinking about it, Jiang Li pointed ahead and said, "We're here."

Tong'er and Bai Xue went to report first.

Soon, Ye Mingyu's loud voice rang out from inside: "Ali, Shijie, you guys came quite early!"

Jiang Liye and Ye Shijie entered Ye Mingyu's yard.

As soon as I entered the yard, I saw Ye Mingyu wiping Xue Huaiyuan's mouth. Two guards were holding Xue Huaiyuan down. Xue Huaiyuan was struggling violently, making Ye Mingyu panic.

Jiang Li stepped forward and said, "Let me do it." She took the handkerchief, asked the two guards to let go, and slowly comforted Xue Huaiyuan.

Xue Huaiyuan looked at her, gradually stopped, and sat obediently. Jiang Li took a handkerchief and wiped his mouth carefully.

Ye Mingyu breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Ali, you are the one who found a way. I am so exhausted."

Ye Shijie was stunned and asked: "This is..."

"This is the former county magistrate of Tongxiang, Xue Huaiyuan. He has gone crazy now. Ah Li was afraid that he would be killed outside, so she brought him back to the mansion."

Ye Shijie turned to look at Jiang Li again, slightly stunned.

Jiang Li likes to laugh, and there is always a gentle smile on the corner of her lips, but whether that smile is from the heart or not, others cannot guess clearly. Ye Shijie sometimes feels that he can't understand Jiang Li. Everything she does has its own reason, but when you put them together, he feels that he can't understand it.

But now Jiang Li's smile in front of Xue Huaiyuan, Ye Shijie can be sure that it is sincere. After seeing the sincere Jiang Li, you can understand how fake Jiang Li's smile was in the past. When she carefully wiped the corners of Xue Huaiyuan's mouth with a handkerchief, the winter sunlight climbed up her profile, making her appear pure and beautiful like never before.

"Boy," Ye Mingyu's voice suddenly sounded in his ear, scaring Ye Shijie. Ye Mingyu whispered to him slyly: "How is it, my little cousin is pretty, right? Are you stunned by her? Do you want to marry her?" "Third uncle!" Ye Mingyu said sternly, his face flushed. I knew that this third uncle was outspoken and unreliable, but I didn't expect him to dare to make such a joke.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything." Although Ye Mingyu said this, he had an understanding smile on his face, which made Ye Shijie even more embarrassed and angry.

Jiang Li took care of Xue Huaiyuan and asked Tong'er and Bai Xue to play with Xue Huaiyuan before walking over and asking, "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing." Ye Shijie said hurriedly.

"I'm saying, I haven't seen my nephew Shijie for a long time. He has grown so tall." Ye Mingyu stroked his chin and spoke seriously, "Look at him now, he is also a handsome man, young, and has become a Beijing official with his own ability. This is a good family that is hard to find even with a lantern. It's time to find a good wife for him. I wonder which girl is so lucky to find my nephew Shijie? Don't you think so, Ali?"

Ye Shijie said in shame and anger: "Third Uncle!"

"Yes." Jiang Li also smiled, "If I meet a suitable lady from a noble family, I will definitely help Cousin Ye keep an eye out for her."

Ye Shijie and Ye Mingyu were both stunned. Ye Mingyu glanced at Ye Shijie, then suddenly laughed out loud, scratched his head and said, "Well, there's no rush. First get married and then start a career. Don't rush. Take your time."

Ye Shijie didn't say anything.

"Uncle Mingyu, was there any problem at the inn last night?" Jiang Li asked. She was worried that someone would attack the people of Tongxiang. Although ordinary people would not cause trouble at this critical moment, it would be a case of trying to cover up one's own faults. But Princess Yongning was different from ordinary people. She was domineering and bold. She always thought that she was protected by Concubine Liu and King Cheng, and she was safe. Who knows what she might do.

"It's okay. The person who came to report the incident today said that there was some commotion outside last night, but nothing happened when I went out to check. I think you are worrying too much, A-li. This is under the feet of the emperor. Who dares to kill people under the feet of the emperor, and there are so many people? How big a commotion would that be? Are you going to kill yourself?"

Jiang Li said, "That's good." But she was thinking in her heart. Maybe Ji Heng's people were helping out, so there was a movement. Jiang Li was confident in Ji Heng's manpower. Although trading with Ji Heng was like seeking the skin of a tiger, being able to take advantage of the tiger's power was also a good thing.

Ye Shijie said: "The emperor has asked the Ministry of Justice to bring the case to trial. To be honest, I was surprised that the Drum of Injustice could achieve such success and that His Majesty personally supervised it."

"What's the big deal?" Ye Mingyu said nonchalantly, "Shijie, you didn't see it. The people of Tongxiang are so miserable. Feng Yutang is really a piece of shit. The emperor has to make decisions for the people. We have risked being flogged 50 times to protest our grievances. The emperor has heard it, so of course he has to stand up for the people, right?"

"Uncle San, you think too simply." Ye Shijie said in a deep voice: "Many things cannot be done just because they are reasonable. If this case is not handled carefully, even the emperor will lose the support of the people. It is very tricky. I think it is not because of the case, but because of the people involved in the case, right?" He looked at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li smiled. Ye Shijie was growing up very fast. She felt from the beginning that this young man was extraordinary. Although he had been an official for a short time, he had also understood some of the rules of officialdom.

She said, "Yes."

"What exactly was written in that memorial?" Ye Shijie asked, "You said there was a mastermind behind the Xue family case. This person... must be the key to having the emperor personally supervise the case. Who is that person?"

The memorial to the emperor was not written by Ye Shijie, but by Jiang Li, and Ye Shijie helped to present it. Ye Shijie had not read the memorial, and did not know who else was involved in the Xue family case. But he could feel that the key to this matter lay with this person.

"Yes, Ah Li," Ye Shijie said, and Ye Mingyu also remembered: "Didn't you tell me before that there was a powerful person behind the Xue family case, and this person was the mastermind. I naturally knew it when you mentioned Yanjing City. Now can you tell me who this person is? I want to see which powerful person is so shameless, and what deep hatred he has with the Xue family that he has to do this to them?"

Jiang Li looked at the two of them, sighed softly, and uttered a name.

"Princess Yongning."

……

At the princess's mansion, Princess Yongning smashed the cup in her hand with a "bang".

She was probably very angry and her hand was cut by the fragments from the cup. The servants around her were immediately horrified when they saw this. Princess Yongning was in trouble and they, the servants, were the unlucky ones.

Shen Yurong waved her hand and said, "Go get the medicine for bandaging the wound."

The servants breathed a sigh of relief and went to look for medicine with gratitude. Princess Yongning had a bad temper and no one could control her. Only when Princess Yongning faced Lord Shen, the secretary, Princess Yongning would restrain herself and the lives of the servants would be much better. Lord Shen was gentle and kind-hearted, and never made things difficult for the servants. Occasionally, when the servants made mistakes, Lord Shen would help persuade Princess Yongning not to make things difficult for them. The servants in the princess's mansion felt that if Princess Yongning's future husband was really Lord Shen, it would be a happy event for the people in the princess's mansion.

The wound medicine was soon found. Shen Yurong signaled the servants to leave, took Princess Yongning's hand and placed it on her leg, and applied the wound medicine to her carefully.

Princess Yongning was touched by his gentleness. He was always like this, sometimes cold and sometimes considerate, which made her unable to see clearly. But she still held back anger in her heart, and said hatefully: "Jiang Li!"

Now the whole Yanjing City is saying that the second daughter of the Jiang family is bringing a group of Tongxiang County people to redress Xue Huaiyuan. Yongning didn't know this before, and she wanted Concubine Liu to help her get married to Shen Yurong. Concubine Liu didn't like Shen Yurong very much, because Shen Yurong had a wife, and although Shen Yurong was thriving now, she had no family support. Concubine Liu still hoped that Princess Yongning could marry a family of noble status and be well matched.

Fortunately, Prince Cheng also spoke up for Shen Yurong, and Concubine Liu finally agreed. She was thinking about bringing this up with Emperor Hong Xiao in a few days. Although Emperor Hong Xiao hated Prince Cheng and his mother, he would not openly break up with them. In addition, Emperor Hong Xiao had long known that Princess Yongning was acting recklessly. As long as he insisted that Princess Yongning had taken a fancy to Shen Yurong, it would be difficult for him to stop her.

Princess Yongning thought that this matter was foolproof and was happily preparing her wedding dress, so she had no time to inquire about what was happening in Tongxiang. It was not until Jiang Li returned to the capital yesterday and beat the stone lion drum in front of Chang'an that the Ministry of Justice decided to bring him to trial. After the news reached the princess's mansion, Princess Yongning learned about this matter.

Princess Yongning was furious, she thought Jiang Li had died in Tongxiang a long time ago. When Feng Yutang said that Jiang Yuanbo's daughter came to Tongxiang to investigate the Xue family case and wanted to redress the Xue family case, she ordered Feng Yutang to kill Jiang Li.

No matter what Jiang Li's identity was, even if she was Jiang Yuanbo's daughter, she was not afraid at all. Firstly, the Jiang family was not as good as before, and secondly, Jiang Li was not particularly favored in the Jiang family. Tongxiang was so far away, who knew what happened? Even if Feng Yutang was caught, she sent people to kill him, and others still couldn't find any handle.

But Princess Yongning didn't expect Feng Yutang to be so useless. Not only did he fail to kill Jiang Li, but he was also caught by Jiang Li. She also didn't expect Jiang Li to be so outrageous that she actually took the people of Tongxiang County to Beijing to appeal for justice.

Originally, when Princess Yongning heard the news, she immediately sent people to Chang'an Gate to assassinate Feng Yutang and silence him, but Jiang Li's men were so powerful that the assassins she sent out failed to succeed.

Then at night, Princess Yongning sent out people again, but the inn where the people of Tongxiang County lived was completely sealed, and this time she still failed. Princess Yongning was not a fool, and she didn't know how Jiang Li could find such a powerful person. Her big uncle was at most a wanderer, and he couldn't possibly fight against her. This time, Princess Yongning vaguely realized that there might be someone helping Jiang Li behind the scenes.

But she still had no clue after thinking about it. But the continuous setbacks had already made Princess Yongning very angry. She was not afraid that Feng Yutang would reveal her name. Feng Yutang did not have the courage, and there was no evidence to implicate her. But what annoyed her was that Jiang Li actually rescued Xue Huaiyuan.

That was Xue Huaiyuan, Xue Fangfei's father! She wanted to kill all of the Xue family. If any member of the Xue family escaped, she would be unhappy!
Princess Yongning hated Jiang Li. Xue Fangfei played the zither very well, and Jiang Li also played the zither very well. Xue Fangfei was very talented, and Jiang Li won the first place in the Mingyi Hall school examination. Jiang Li and Xue Fangfei had too many things in common, and Princess Yongning hated Jiang Li whenever she saw her.

Now, Jiang Li has ruined her plan and rescued Xue Huaiyuan! How abominable!
"Yongning, let's forget about this matter." Shen Yurong said.

Princess Yongning raised her head, looked at him and asked, "Shen Lang, what do you mean by that?"

"Don't interfere in Xue Huaiyuan's case. Even if Jiang Li leads the people of Tongxiang County to file a complaint, you won't be implicated. If you cause trouble again, it's hard to say for sure."

Yongning's heart skipped a beat and he looked at Shen Yurong without saying anything.

She did not tell Shen Yurong about the Xue family and instructed Feng Yutang to put Xue Huaiyuan in jail. Yongning was not sure whether Shen Yurong knew about it privately. However, Yongning guessed that Shen Yurong did not know about it, because with Shen Yurong's temperament, if he knew about it, he would not stand idly by. He still had feelings for Xue Fangfei, so how could he watch Xue Fangfei's father suffer?

Jiang Li brought Xue Huaiyuan to Beijing, and Yongning couldn't wait to kill someone to silence him. In addition to not wanting to implicate himself, he also didn't want Shen Yurong to know. Of course, this was impossible. Shen Yurong would know about this matter anyway.

But he stated the matter so calmly and gently that for some reason, Princess Yongning actually got goose bumps all over her body.

He had known it for a long time. He even knew that he had secretly instructed Feng Yutang to do things to Xue Huaiyuan. But for some unknown reason, he did not stop her and just watched everything she did quietly.

Princess Yongning was also a little confused. Did this man really love Xue Fangfei? If he did, could he be so ruthless? Did he love her? Would he be so cruel to her?
"Yongning," his voice contained a kind of rational tenderness, "I don't want anything to happen to you."

He rarely said such nice words, although Princess Yongning knew that he was well-read and could write well, so it shouldn't be difficult for him to say one or two nice words. But he always seemed very stingy, not to mention love words, even gentle and caring words were not heard every day.

But today he said it, looking at Yongning, and said it sincerely.

Then Yongning's confusion and uneasiness were immediately swept away, and he was immersed in his affectionate eyes again.

"I just feel strange," Princess Yongning said, "This is just a small land case. Even if Jiang Li took people to Changmen'an to complain, the Ministry of Justice would not immediately bring him to trial. Even if he did, my brother would not personally supervise it. There are countless things happening in Yanjing City every day, and my brother can't be asked to take care of everything. But the emperor not only asked about it, but it seems that he is very serious about it."

"Shen Lang, you are smart. Can you think of why the emperor would do this?"

Shen Yurong shook her head.

He really didn't know, because the emperor's behavior was indeed abnormal. He couldn't help but think that if Xue Fangfei was still alive, it would be great. She was very smart, and if he talked to her for a few words, he might be able to get the truth.

Unfortunately, there is only one Xue Fangfei, and that one is dead.

He watched her die.

　Ye San: I don’t know which girl is lucky enough to find our nephew.

　　Ali: If I meet a suitable lady from a noble family, I will definitely help cousin Ye keep an eye out for her.

　　Cousin Ye: It hurts...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)