The Double-Chapter 448 - 145 Hai Tang_3

"It seems so, but I suspect the person who did this wasn’t merely trying to take umbrage on my behalf. Now that everyone suspects me, the Jiang Family’s reputation has suffered. If this was directed at my father, I fear it would not bode well. It means that someone within the Jiang Family Mansion is collaborating with outsiders to tarnish our family’s name. The Duke knows, inside traitors are hard to guard against."

"You suspect it was aimed at Jiang Yuanbai?"

"To be precise, I suspect it’s connected to Prince Cheng," Jiang Li sighed, "After all, there was already discord between the Jiang Family and Right Chancellor Li’s Family, and now Prince Cheng is targeting me because of the case with the Xue Family."

Jih Heng looked at the girl before her, who seemed deeply troubled, her brows furrowed more tightly, yet the corners of her lips remained relaxed, as if she believed that despite the immediate predicament, it was only a temporary difficulty, one she could resolve, such was her confidence.

"Go ahead and investigate," Jih Heng raised an eyebrow, "No one can take your life while you’re under my protection."

Jiang Li paused for a moment, then smiled slightly, saying, "Thank you."

...

When she left the Duke Residence, Wen Renyao even gave her an entire box of pastries, all hand-made by Jih Heng.

Jiang Li didn’t look at Jih Heng’s expression, guessing it was probably not very pleasant. The idea that the illustrious Duke would personally cook and excel at it—if this news spread, it would cause as much uproar as Consort Li’s collusion with Prince Cheng. Thus, Jiang Li decided it was best to keep the events of the day to herself, telling no one. After all, she was no spirit medium and couldn’t divine her own date of death like Wen Renyao could.

However, the day of the Winter Solstice didn’t pass as coldly and quietly as she had expected. She met with Ah Zhao, visited the Ye Residence, and even had a lively time at the Duke Residence. So much so, that when she returned to the Jiang Family, she found the sudden coldness and quietness difficult to adjust to.

With successive troubles occurring this winter, leading to several deaths, recently both Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Yuanpeng were too preoccupied dealing with malice from their peers in the imperial audience hall to have any inclination to celebrate the Winter Solstice. The mansion was no different than usual, so Jiang Li chose not to make a fuss; after her return, she headed straight to Fangfei Garden.

Once back, Tonger carefully stored the box of pastries brought from the Duke Residence. Jiang Li watched on; had they been jewelry rather than food, Tonger would likely have locked them in the treasury.

Hai Tang even joined in the excitement, saying, "These pastries are truly precious, one mustn’t simply pair them with ordinary tea, they deserve the finest."

"What kind of tea do they have at the Duke Residence?" Tonger deliberately lowered her voice, so as not to let others hear their mistress was close with the Duke Residence.

Jiang Li replied indifferently, "It’s the imperial tribute tea bestowed by the Emperor."

She had expected this remark to quell the girls’ frenzy, but to her surprise, Bai Xue asked seriously, "Should we try to get some from master then? Surely he must receive a share as well."

Jiang Li couldn’t help but smile wryly at this.

Amidst this chaos, Ming Yue walked in, smiling, "Bai Xue, here’s a letter for you."

Bai Xue was overjoyed upon hearing this; letters from home were not frequent, sometimes it took two or three months to receive one. Their family had no one literate, so to write a letter, one had to travel dozens of miles to a village and hire a scribe. And being poor, every letter cost a string of copper coins, which made them all the more cherished.

These days, Bai Xue and Jiang Li had grown closer. Taking the letter, she happily tucked herself in a corner to read it. Tonger watched Bai Xue’s retreating figure and said, "She must be thrilled, just the other day she told me she was worried her family had forgotten about her since it’s almost the end of the year and she hadn’t received any news. Now her mind will be at ease, knowing her family’s thinking of her."

Jiang Li smiled; she naturally felt joy for her servant’s happiness.

After a while, Bai Xue returned from reading her letter with a beaming face, which must mean all was well at home. Tonger teased, "Why are you so happy, as if you’ve found silver?"

"My sister-in-law has given birth to a nephew," Bai Xue laughed, "It’s a happy event."

"Indeed, it is a happy event," Jiang Li said, pleased, then added, "Let me fetch some silver for you later, so you can send it back home as a celebratory gift."

Bai Xue hurriedly waved her hands, saying, "No, Miss, you’ve already been so supportive, besides, my family has enough to eat and drink."

"This is my wish, if you reject it, it would be inappropriate," Jiang Li insisted.