The Double-Chapter 464 - 148 True Heart_4

"Why pray to the heavens?" Jiang Li spoke indifferently, "If the heavens had eyes, they wouldn’t let such tragedies happen on earth. It’s better to rely on oneself." freewebnøvel.coɱ

Hai Tang looked at her, puzzled, and asked, "Miss Jiang the Second, although I don’t know who entrusted you, I want to ask you, do you intend to help our Miss seek justice?"

"Yes," Jiang Li answered.

Hai Tang gazed at her for a moment, suddenly got up, knelt down, and kowtowed twice to Jiang Li, saying, "Hai Tang has nothing of value to offer in return for your kindness. If you can help our Miss seek justice, I am willing to pay any price you ask!"

Xue Fangfei had already died, and in theory, Hai Tang was now free. She could go elsewhere and lead the life she wanted. But she stayed for the sake of the Xue Family.

Jiang Li helped her up, saying, "I don’t want you to pay any price; all you need to do is live well. As long as you are alive, you are the evidence of Shen Yurong and Princess Yongning’s crimes. With you here, on the day the truth comes out, you will be the living witness." She smiled, "I will do all in my power to protect you, to ensure they cannot find you, so you can live in peace. Just wait for the day, for the day when the Xue Family’s case sees the light again, and you will have your wish fulfilled."

Those words brought Hai Tang to the brink of tears. She had lived in darkness for so long that she had ceased to expect what light was like, knowing she couldn’t touch it, so she stopped thinking about it altogether. Suddenly, someone told her that the darkness was about to end, and as she walked on, she would see the daylight.

Finding a glimmer of hope amidst sorrow is like a drowning person clinging to a straw, never wanting to let go.

Jiang Li spoke with Hai Tang for a while longer, asking in detail about the events she and Du Juan had encountered while evading the soldiers. Hai Tang also learned from Jiang Li about Xue Huaiyuan’s imprisonment and subsequent rescue, which surprised her deeply, as she had been hiding in Zao Hua Village unaware of such changes in the Xue Family. Jiang Li promised her that in a few days, she would take her to the Ye Family to meet Xue Huaiyuan personally.

It wasn’t until the oil in the lamp had been exhausted that Jiang Li left the room. The Duke Residence had assigned several people to take care of Hai Tang. She was always on guard and easily agitated, and it had taken a great deal of effort to finally settle her down to rest.

By the stone table in the courtyard, Jih Heng sat quietly, while Wen Ji held an umbrella behind him, blocking the swirling snowflakes.

When Jiang Li came out, Jih Heng had Wen Ji move the umbrella over to her.

The snowflakes fell thickly on his bright red robe, adorning it with spectacular color. He asked, "Have you finished?"

"I have finished."

Jih Heng raised an eyebrow, "You don’t seem very excited."

Jiang Li forced a smile. Anyone who knew about this matter wouldn’t be in high spirits. She moved her lips, hesitated for a moment, then said nothing. Seeing this, Jih Heng just smiled and said, "If you need something from me, feel free to speak up directly, no need to hesitate."

"Miss Jiuyue..." Jiang Li spoke, "Duke, may I ask Miss Jiuyue to look at Hai Tang’s facial injury? I know this might be asking too much, as the scar is deep, but I still hope Miss Jiuyue could take a look at it, even if just to lighten the scar a bit."

In order to evade the soldiers, Hai Tang did not hesitate to mar her own face, yet she was originally a pretty and lovely girl. Now with her disfigured appearance, ghostly rather than human, Hai Tang might not say so herself, but Jiang Li could feel her inner despair. Since Situ Jiuyue is a divine healer, she might have her own way to help.

"I can do that," Jih Heng said. "I will have her come tomorrow."

"Thank you," Jiang Li pursed her lips, "These days, I am deeply grateful for the Duke’s care. I don’t know how I can ever repay your kindness... but I am truly grateful to you, sincerely so."

"Sincerity is the cheapest; I don’t fancy it," Jih Heng said with an amused look, "Rather, you could bring this drama to a successful conclusion. That’d make all my efforts worthwhile."

Jiang Li smiled, "I will do my best to try."

"What have you found out from her?" Jih Heng asked.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Li spoke without concealing anything, "The details of how Yongning and Shen Yurong initially framed Xue Fangfei for having an illicit affair."

A flicker of surprise passed through Jih Heng’s eyes, apparently not expecting such a straightforward answer. He thought for a moment before asking, "What’s your plan?"

"To follow the vine to the melon," said Jiang Li. "In this frame-up, there’s another character involved, the current Master of Zither, Xiao Deyin. According to Hai Tang, Xiao Deyin might have been the one who drugged Xue Fangfei at Mother Shen’s birthday. I think if we find Xiao Deyin and sentence him, either he will incriminate Princess Yongning or Yongning will fall into disarray and expose her own mistakes."