The Double

From Green City Mountain to Yanjing City, the journey was not too long. At a steady pace, it took about ten days to arrive.

Descending the mountain, it was not just the weather that changed but also the scenery along the way.

As the temperature rose steadily, even such hot weather could not deter Tonger's curious and excited heart. The closer she got to Yanjing City, the more she cautiously lifted a corner of the carriage curtain from time to time, peeking at the landscape outside the window.

Sitting beside Jiang Li, Yu Xiang had joined the journey, as Granny Sun had come to fetch them but, intentionally or unintentionally, had not brought along any maids to serve Jiang Li. Thus, all the way, it was Yu Xiang and Tonger who stayed by Jiang Li's side.

The carriage itself was a fine one, with soft cushions lining the interior. Tonger had just let down the curtain she was holding when she turned her head towards Yu Xiang and said, "Sister Yu Xiang, we will soon enter the capital. I haven't returned to the capital with miss for many years, and I don't know what is fashionable there now, or what the scene will be like. Could you teach me, so I don't make a fool of myself when we get back?"

Tonger was about the same age as Jiang Li. When Jiang Li had been sent to Green City Mountain, Tonger was at most a little girl who knew nothing. Her impression of the capital was very vague.

Yu Xiang couldn't help but laugh, saying, "You've said this at least ten times along the way, if not eight, and I've told you all that I could. Besides, it's just a return to the capital, why be so nervous? Look at the Second Miss; she doesn't seem worried at all."

Tonger glanced at Jiang Li, who was reading, and thought of something that suddenly made her laugh, "Of course, our miss is not like those ordinary young ladies. Naturally, she has no reason to be nervous."

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiang also laughed but couldn't help taking another look at Jiang Li. Throughout the journey, Jiang Li either read books or rested with her eyes closed. Unlike Tonger, who was full of curiosity, Jiang Li seemed extremely calm and indifferent about the return to the capital. Yet there was a gentleness and calmness in her demeanor that sometimes came across as indifferent.

Yu Xiang did not understand. No matter what the reason was that Miss Jiang the Second had been sent to Green City Mountain, whether it was because her stepmother had schemed against her, or she really had plotted against her stepmother, having left the Jiang Residence for so many years and now returning to the capital, one would think she would show some kind of emotion. Excitement, nervousness, curiosity, or even anger, resentment, perhaps homesickness?

However, there was nothing. Miss Jiang the Second just sat quietly in the carriage, composedly making her way. For the returning capital and the long-separated relatives she was about to face, she seemed unconcerned. Only the submissive and serene expression in her eyes seemed more indifferent the more Tonger looked.

The carriage wheels were rolling "rumble rumble," and by the time they reached the city gates, it was nearly noon.

The City Garrison, after scrutinizing Granny Sun and her company's travel permit, allowed them to pass. As soon as they entered Yanjing City, it seemed as though the noise by their ears intensified.

Granny Sun's voice came from outside, laughing as she said, "Second Miss, we have entered the city now."

Jiang Li opened the carriage curtain, and as soon as she lifted the curtain, she met the curious gaze of the people outside. Tonger too, had not expected so many people out there, and she was momentarily taken aback.

Yu Xiang smiled and explained, "The carriage from the Chief Minister's Residence is luxurious and exquisite, attracting the commoners' interest. It seems the news of the Second Miss returning to the residence is already out, hence these commoners are so agitated upon receiving the message."

Jiang Li smiled, "Thank you for the tip, Sister Yu Xiang."

Yu Xiang modestly claimed no credit.

The sunlight outside was truly blinding, so Jiang Li only glanced quickly before dropping the carriage curtain again. Tonger still wanted to look outside, but had to give up, feeling somewhat uneasy inside. She wanted to comfort Jiang Li with a few words, but Jiang Li was simply leaning against the cushion of the carriage, sipping tea leisurely.

As if she was not worried at all.

Tonger tugged at Jiang Li's sleeve and whispered, "Miss, once we return to the residence, I will surely protect you well."

These dry vows pleased Jiang Li, who shook her head and said, "There's nothing to fear." The carriage curtain cut off the curious gazes from outside, but it made Jiang Li's heart even clearer, like a polished mirror.

After the incident at Green City Mountain, the fact that the Second Miss of the Jiang Family had been sent to the Demoness Nunnery was known to all. Liu Yuanfeng most likely did not miss this opportunity to implicate the Ji family, and it naturally also involved Madam Liu's assistance. If Ji Shuran wanted to prove herself a virtuous stepmother, she would have to silence the wagging tongues. She needed to not only take herself back but also make sure the entire Yanjing knew she was being brought back.

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The display of opulence was unavoidable; whether it was the carriages or the guards, they all were part of the face that Ji Shuran had to maintain. In doing so, however, she inadvertently raised Jiang Li's status, allowing the people of Yanjing City to realize that even though Miss Jiang the Second was a poisonous serpent who harmed her stepmother and biological brother, and despite being sent to the temple to disappear for seven years, she was still a legitimate daughter of the nobility from the Chief Minister's Residence and could not be slighted.

One just didn't know whether Madam of the Minister Yuan, Jiang Li's stepmother Ji Shuran, felt disrupted while arranging these things.

A slight smile played on the corners of Jiang Li's lips. She was not afraid of the future that awaited her in the Chief Minister's Residence, even if it were a road through hell or a den of wolves and tigers. A person who had died once had their courage cast in iron. As she became the Jiang family's Second Miss, from that moment on, she would shoulder both the future and the past of Miss Jiang the Second.

The path she ultimately had to take was to use the power of the Jiang family to approach that person, to embark on a journey of revenge for a pair of people.

The carriage continued on its way, and after an indeterminate amount of time, it finally came to a stop.

The hustle and bustle outside seemed to quiet down.

Granny Sun's voice arose from outside, saying, "Second Miss, we've arrived home."

We've arrived home.

This was Jiang Li's home now.

Outside the carriage, at the gates of the residence, crowds of onlookers were everywhere. The news that Miss Jiang the Second was to return to the residence had spread throughout Yanjing City days before. The incident of Miss Jiang the Second poisoning her stepmother had caused quite a stir seven years ago, and with Jiang Yuan Bai now serving as a pillar of the imperial court, the affairs of the Jiang family naturally attracted the attention of countless people.

Including that of Miss Jiang the Second, who hadn't returned to the residence in seven years.

At the gates of the Jiang Residence, a large group of people were standing. The woman at the forefront was gentle and beautiful, with considerable charm, and the young girl beside her was even more attractively delicate, her facial features as exquisite as a lady in a painting. Standing next to the two women was a man, tall and with a clear-cut appearance, very refined and cultured.

This was Jiang Yuan Bai, along with his wife Ji Shuran and daughter Jiang Youyao.

The whispered conversations of the onlookers reached her ears.

"Miss Jiang the Third is indeed exceptionally beautiful. I wonder what Miss Jiang the Second looks like?"

Another person spat out, "Miss Jiang the Third takes after Mrs. Xiao, and doesn't resemble Madam Jiang who is so ethereal and delicate. I've heard that the biological mother of Miss Jiang the Second, the former Madam Jiang, was quite ordinary-looking. If Miss Jiang the Second takes after her mother, then goodness, what a difference."

"You can't say that, you haven't seen her."

"What if I haven't seen her? Not to mention her looks, Miss Jiang the Second has been in the temple for seven years, ignorant of all rules and etiquette. How could she compare to the eloquence and refinement of Miss Jiang the Third? Besides, that temple is unclean, who knows what poor influences she may have acquired, that certainly won't endear her to anyone..." The voice trailed off, seemingly cautious of speaking recklessly.

Jiang Youyao almost couldn't help but smirk upon hearing these comments, but seeing Ji Shuran maintaining her dignified composure, she suppressed her inner thoughts.

Granny Sun had been calling for a while, but there was no movement in the carriage. At this point, Jiang Yuan Bai slightly furrowed his brows and the onlookers grew somewhat impatient. Suddenly, a crisp voice resonated from inside the carriage.

"Miss, allow me to assist you in alighting."

The carriage curtain was lifted, and someone helped Miss Jiang the Second out.

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