The Double-Chapter 451 - 146 Startling Sight

Zhao Ke arrived very swiftly.

Apparently, he hadn’t expected that, before midnight, Jiang Li would blow the whistle; he must have been in the middle of something else, with snowflakes and grass clippings still clinging to his clothes. Standing by the window, he said, "Second Miss."

"Zhao Ke, there is something I want to ask you to do," Jiang Li looked at him.

Zhao Ke couldn’t help but be startled. When Jiang Li had given him orders in the past, she had always done so with an air of entitlement and righteousness. Zhao Ke went from initial reluctance to numb acceptance over time. The order from his superiors was for him to obey, what else could he say?

But today, Miss Jiang the Second’s tone was almost pleading. Her expression was not as natural as before but rather anxious and beseeching. freёnovelkiss.com

Even though everyone from the Duke Residence was hard-hearted, when Zhao Ke caught Jiang Li’s gaze, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. No wonder even a callous person like his master showed leniency towards Miss Jiang the Second time and again. When the young lady wore such a beseeching look, it created an illusion that to deny her request was an unforgivable sin.

"The master has ordered that I should simply fulfill any request from the Second Miss," Zhao Ke replied mechanically. Regardless of what he thought, he could not show it.

"My maid Bai Xue comes from Zao Hua Village. Could you... or rather, could you find some people to go to Zao Hua Village and fetch a girl named Hai Tang back to Yanjing City for me?"

Zhao Ke looked at Jiang Li, puzzled. Where was Zao Hua Village? He had never heard of such a strange task before, and Jiang Li’s request was quite bizarre – to fetch a girl? He wasn’t a coachman! Now was Miss Jiang the Second asking him to play the role of a coachman as well? Yet the Monthly Silver from the Duke Residence hadn’t increased!

"About this... I will need to ask permission from the master," Zhao Ke said.

Jiang Li understood. She knew that Zhao Ke would definitely inform Jih Heng of this; in fact, everything Zhao Ke did eventually reached Jih Heng’s ears. After all, Jih Heng was Zhao Ke’s true master. However, if Hai Tang’s matter came to Jih Heng’s knowledge, the man’s intelligence might reveal some clues.

Perhaps he already knew that there was more than what met the eye in her relationship with the Xue Family – maybe there was even a deep connection.

When one is covered in lice, one stops itching; when one has a multitude of debts, one stops worrying. At this point, Jiang Li suddenly mustered the courage to act recklessly, saying, "As you please."

Zhao Ke was again taken aback. Since Miss Jiang the Second had not asked others but instead someone from the Duke Residence to carry out such a covert operation, it must be a highly secretive matter. Yet she wasn’t afraid of Jih Heng finding out. Could it be that the master and Miss Jiang the Second had become so well-acquainted? Wait, could it be that Miss Jiang the Second had become one of the master’s subordinates? Between a subordinate and master, there naturally was nothing to hide.

Jiang Li was unaware of the servant’s tumultuous thoughts. She simply said, "No matter how you choose to inform your master, once he agrees, please ensure you bring her back as soon as possible. On the way, there might be enemies seeking vengeance, and the opposition might not be small. I beg you to be very careful and ensure Hai Tang’s safety at all costs."

She spoke with a grave sincerity, and Zhao Ke, who initially did not take the matter seriously, also felt Jiang Li’s tension and recognized how important this matter was to her. He didn’t dare to treat it lightly and responded, "I understand. I will report to the master tonight and return with an answer to Miss Jiang the Second first thing tomorrow morning."

Jiang Li nodded.

Zhao Ke disappeared from the window. Bai Xue and Tonger were unaware of what had happened, only diligently keeping watch and securing the doors and windows. The appearance of a strange man in the young lady’s courtyard could lead to trouble if word got out.

Jiang Li closed the window and also shut out the snowstorm outside, her heart beating fast.

If everything went smoothly, if Zhao Ke could set off quickly, in no more than a couple of weeks, she would be able to see Hai Tang.

Her sister from a previous life.

...

In the Duke Residence, Wen Ji quickly received the message from Zhao Ke and reported it without omission to Jih Heng.

Lu Jiu was in Jih Heng’s study discussing affairs when he heard the news, he asked, "Why did Miss Jiang the Second not mention this during the day but suddenly blew the whistle at night after returning home?"

"It is said that she received a letter in the evening and decided on the spur of the moment," Wen Ji answered.

"Hai Tang..." Jih Heng sat in his chair, his long, crimson robe draped to the floor. The dim lamplight illuminated the golden thread on the hem of his robe as if stirring a river of splendor. His finger rested on the letter, unconsciously tapping it lightly. After a moment, he said, "Zhao Ke is to stay with the Jiang Family. Wen Ji, pick a few men to make a trip to Zao Hua Village."