The Double-Chapter 431 - 142: Spread Out

Lady Ji’s death was supposed to be a significant event, yet in the Jiang Residence, it seemed to receive less attention than the arrival of a Maternal Aunt Hu. Nevertheless, in just a few short days, two people had died in the Jiang Residence, exposing the blood-soaked truth of the past for all to see, so naturally, the atmosphere inside could not be described as light-hearted. This winter was also colder than those of years past.

As if to compensate for Jiang Li’s past regrets, Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai catered to her every whim, attending to the smallest details. Just the visits from the elder madam’s servants Zhenzhu and Feicui, bringing clothes and silver, happened several times. Jiang Li accepted their gestures with consistent gentleness, giving the appearance that there were no barriers, but upon witnessing Jiang Li’s reactions, Madam Jiang the Elder let out a deep sigh.

Lady Ji was to be buried, but had officially died of a sudden illness which claimed her life overnight. No matter how much outsiders pointed fingers, whether puzzled or perplexed, the Ji family members, being Lady Ji Shuran’s maternal family, did not speak a word, implicitly acknowledging this as fact.

Thus, the people of Yanjing City, despite speculating over meals about whether there was any hidden story behind Ji Shuran’s death, did not linger on the topic without evidence, quickly moving on to other conversations.

Ji Shuran’s coffin was buried after seven days. During that period, only Jiang Youyao kept vigil for Ji Shuran. Jiang Bingji was too young, and while Jiang Li was Ji Shuran’s daughter in name, how could she hold vigil for the woman who had murdered her birth mother? As for the other Jiang family members, Ji Shuran had too many lives on her conscience and was responsible for the death of the former madam; anyone keeping vigil for such a murderous culprit would be directly opposing Madam Jiang the Elder.

Jiang Youyao, despite the humiliation, stood vigil alone for Ji Shuran. Initially, when she learned of Ji Shuran’s demise, she was tempted to confront Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai, but the pair were completely absent, not even willing to see her. It was Jin Hua, who stayed by Youyao’s side, who reminded her that this was all by Madam Jiang the Elder’s design. Only then did Youyao accept the harsh reality, and at the same time, a deep fear arose within her.

The Jiang family members were capable of killing her mother without hesitation and would undoubtedly do the same to her! Fear overpowered her grief, and Youyao didn’t have the heart to seek justice for Ji Shuran. Initially, she had pinned all her hopes on the Ji family members. She was waiting for them to come to the Jiang Residence, expecting the Ji family to take her away. But ever since Ji Shuran’s death, they had not shown themselves at all.

There wasn’t even a gesture of condolence.

At that moment, Youyao truly understood that she and her mother were abandoned by the Ji family; from that point on, at the Jiang Residence, she could only rely on herself.

All this was conveyed to Jiang Li through Tonger. Regarding Jiang Youyao’s actions, Jiang Li was not surprised. Ji Shuran had always taken care of everything for Youyao, naturally developing her habit of depending on others for help in times of crisis. But this time, the Ji family would likely disappoint her. To maintain, at the very least, an appearance of civility with the Jiang Residence, they would not do anything overt for Ji Shuran.

With Ji Shuran buried, Jiang Youyao temporarily quieted down and no further incidents took place in the residence. Jiang Li also continued her daily visits to the Ye Residence, watching Situ Jiuyue administer acupuncture to Xue Huaiyuan. Although there was no significant improvement, at least she harbored a sense of concern.

But this day, the unusual calm was disrupted.

Jiang Li had just risen and Tonger was combing her hair, preparing to visit the Ye Residence, when Qingfeng suddenly rushed into the inner chamber, exclaiming, "Miss, something has happened!"

Tonger’s hand trembled, and the hairpin didn’t secure the hair properly, letting the nearly-finished coiffure fall apart, with black hair cascading down her back. Jiang Li didn’t attend to it but looked towards Qingfeng and asked, "What’s the matter?"

"The servant went out to make purchases today, and everywhere you go in the streets, they are talking about Lady Ji’s death!"

"Let them talk," Tonger interjected curiously: "Haven’t people already been talking about it?"

"No, it’s not that," Qingfeng hurriedly tried to clarify, her words almost incoherent, "but they’re saying Lady Ji died from having an affair, giving birth to an illegitimate child, and now that the scandal has been exposed, our master himself took action!"

"What?" Jiang Li frowned and stood up.

"Isn’t that speaking the truth?" Bai Xue, who was holding a cup of hot tea, froze, "Wasn’t it forbidden for people in the house to spread this matter? How did it get out?"

"No matter how it got out, it should be a good thing for us," Tonger commented with satisfaction: "Our miss has been wronged all along, and although Lady Ji is dead, the baseless accusations against our miss still persist. Now, the truth has come to light, and everyone knows the charge of our miss killing her mother and brother was a frame-up. Our miss has regained her innocence."