The Double-Chapter 371 - 129: Possessed_4

Princess Yongning abruptly stood up, her brows and eyes brimming with impatience. She had dealt with everyone in the know regarding the matter of Xue Fangfei, and she believed she had done everything perfectly, leaving no room for others to discover the truth. But for some reason, the appearance of Jiang Li sparked within her an uneasy feeling, as if the case involving Xue Fangfei wasn’t as ironclad as she thought.

"No," a hint of ferocity flashed through her eyes, "Jiang Li cannot continue to live in this world."

Xue Fangfei was already dead, and everything related to her, to the Xue Family, should be buried deep underground, mentioned by no one, their traces erased from the world over time. Since Jiang Li had touched upon the Xue Family’s secrets, even if only potentially, she had no reason to keep living.

To eliminate a problem, one must eradicate it at the roots. It was Jiang Li’s own folly to eagerly associate with the Xue Family.

"Princess, you mustn’t," Mei Xiang, the palace maid who attended to Princess Yongning, said: "The case against the Xue Family has just concluded, and His Highness Prince Cheng mentioned that the emperor may be plotting something in secret. If Miss Jiang the Second encounters trouble at this critical juncture, wouldn’t it provide the emperor with an opportunity to act against our Princess’s Mansion? Moreover, Miss Jiang the Second is not an ordinary person; she is surrounded by many guards. To take action within Yanjing City... it is inevitably going to leave traces. Princess, it’s far too risky."

Mei Xiang was a confidante of Princess Yongning, who trusted her deeply. Princess Yongning furrowed her brow in impatience, "If this won’t do, and that won’t do, then Jiang Li truly doesn’t take me seriously. If it weren’t for her, why would I and Mr. Shen have fallen out to this extent? I suffered a loss at her hands; am I to swallow this silently and do nothing? Impossible!"

Princess Yongning, accustomed to being domineering, had certainly never been in a position where one suffers in silence. Mei Xiang approached, helped Princess Yongning to sit down again, gently kneading her shoulders, and said, "Princess, it’s not about not dealing with Miss Jiang the Second, but about not acting at this time. Once the situation cools down a bit, it won’t be too late for you to make your move."

"Easy for you to say," Princess Yongning scoffed, "Just thinking about this matter has me wanting to flay that vile woman alive. You expect me to endure, which is easier said than done."

"Actually, Princess, it’s not about enduring," Mei Xiang explained patiently, "For some matters, the Princess herself need not take action. Although Miss Jiang the Second seems gentle, she has made quite a few enemies within the Jiang Family. If someone else acts on behalf of the Princess, you need not lift a finger and merely await to reap the benefits, wouldn’t that be delightful?"

Princess Yongning picked up on the implication in her words and asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"Your servant has heard that Miss Jiang the Second was sent to Green City Mountain seven years ago because she had gained the reputation for matricide and fratricide. Think about it, Your Highness, with her own child perishing at the hands of this young lady, how could Madam Jiang possibly be content? There are two legitimate daughters in the main branch of the Jiang Family. Miss Jiang the Third, Youyao, was renowned throughout Yanjing City and envied by everyone. But since Miss Jiang the Second returned to the capital merely half a year ago, not only did she score top marks in the examination, she also received gifts bestowed by the emperor, and now even the hearts of the citizenry are hers. When the people of the capital hear Miss Jiang the Second’s name, it’s all praise."

"In comparison, Miss Jiang the Third fades considerably. People are judged in relation to others. The more glorious Miss Jiang the Second becomes, who feels the resentment? It’s Miss Jiang the Third who suffers, and her mother, Lady Ji, harboring old grievances against Miss Jiang the Second, assuredly cannot be at peace. So, Princess, who would you say right now hates Miss Jiang the Second the most, viewing her as a thorn in their side?"

"Lady Ji," Princess Yongning’s gaze flickered. Yet, she soon cast a suspicious look at her maid: "How do you know these things so clearly, and what evidence do you have? Lady Ji may hate Jiang Li, that’s true, but Lady Ji has always had a reputation for virtue. Even if she temporarily tolerates for the sake of preserving Madam Jiang’s reputation, so what? Besides, given how cunning and treacherous Jiang Li is, Lady Ji might not be able to outwit her."

Mei Xiang whispered, "Princess, my cousin works in the yard of Miss Jiang the Third. It was my cousin who told me all this. She also heard that Lady Ji hated Jiang Li to the point of grinding her teeth. When Jiang Li visited Tongxiang, Lady Ji even bribed an assassin to end Miss Jiang the Second’s life on route. But somehow, it failed, and Miss Jiang the Second returned to Yanjing City safe and sound."

Upon hearing this, Princess Yongning clenched her teeth, "She really does have nine lives."

"Thus, Your Highness need not be troubled. Miss Jiang the Second has done so much, and countless people want her dead. Now that Miss Jiang the Second won the case against the Xue Family, in Lady Ji’s eyes, that’s far too much. To eliminate future troubles, Lady Ji will surely take ruthless actions. The Princess might as well just watch. If Lady Ji succeeds and Miss Jiang the Second falls, all will rejoice. But if Lady Ji fails, then the Princess must be even more vigilant against Miss Jiang the Second, signifying that Miss Jiang the Second is not to be underestimated."