The Double-Chapter 53 - 51 The Complaint

53: Chapter 51 The Complaint

53 -51 The Complaint

The onlookers who loved a spectacle were eagerly waiting to see what kind of inextricable lawsuit would follow, but they didn’t expect Jiang Li to suddenly throw out such a statement.

“Fine,” Liu Zimin agreed without hesitation, for fear that Jiang Li would change her mind.

Although he consented, he still wanted to salvage some face, so he turned to Ye Shijie and said, “Young Master Ye, I too was deceived which led to this misunderstanding.

Though you have torn up my painting, let’s be forgiving where we can.

I won’t hold it against you.

Forget about the twenty taels of silver.

Today, for the sake of Miss Jiang the Second, let this matter rest.

You can have this painting, I no longer want it.”

Hearing the sighs from the crowd, Liu Zimin suppressed the shame and indignation in his heart, bowed to Jiang Li with his hands clasped, and left pretending to be composed.

The two attendants who followed him also slinked away without a fuss.

Ye Shijie did not stop them, probably aware that insisting on arguing would not bring any benefits.

As Ye Shijie was about to speak, Jiang Li slightly nodded at him, then turned to Bai Xue and said, “Bai Xue, give the painting back to Young Master Ye.

Let’s go home.”

Bai Xue solemnly acknowledged the request, loosely rolling up the forged “Sparrow Drinking Spring” into a scroll and handed it to Ye Shijie.

Then she turned around to assist Jiang Li towards the carriage at the other end, showing no intention of engaging further with Ye Shijie.

Ye Shijie stood there, stunned, as he watched the master and servant board the carriage and depart into the distance.

Gradually, the crowd of onlookers dispersed, and he shook his head, casting aside the multitude of thoughts in his mind, and walked away towards the other end of the street.

However, no one noticed that not far from the street where the incident had taken place, there was a black phoenix litter parked in an alley.

Outside the litter, a guard was speaking.

If someone passed by at that moment, they would have heard him recounting the incident that had just unfolded between Ye Shijie and Liu Zimin.

After the conversation, some time passed before a voice came from inside the litter.

“Understood.”

The young man inside the litter was leaning by the window, looking languid and carefree, with red garments spread across the soft seat.

His expression was subtly enigmatic: “The Jiang Family.”

Opposite him, a scholar in green robes stroked his goatee and smiled, “I had intended to use Liu Zimin to trap Ye Shijie, forcing the Ye Family to intervene.

I did not expect Miss Jiang the Second to inadvertently resolve Ye Shijie’s predicament, thus throwing our plans into disarray.”

Although his words reflected regret, his expression showed none of it, seeming rather relaxed.

“Ye Shijie is but a small player,” Jih Heng flicked off a speck of dust from his sleeve, saying, “He can’t cause much trouble.

If we lose him, so be it, no rush.” His appearance was strikingly handsome, yet his voice carried a strange huskiness, like a muffled seduction that was hard to resist.

“Besides, compared to Liu Zimin,” his lips slowly curved, “Miss Jiang the Second is far more interesting.”

…

Bai Xue and Jiang Li returned to the Jiang Residence.

In Fangfei Garden, Tonger had been waiting anxiously in the courtyard.

With Jiang Li absent, Tonger felt listless doing anything.

Seeing them return, she jumped three feet high, bombarding Jiang Li with questions, concerned whether she had a good time or encountered any trouble.

Bai Xue was straightforward and sincere—not as lively as Tonger.

For instance, regarding the incident with Ye Shijie, she simply followed Jiang Li’s orders without saying a word more.

Tonger heard about the turmoil Jiang Li faced after school from Bai Xue and nearly dropped her cup in shock, exclaiming with phrases like, “Good heavens!” “That’s despicable!” “How could they bully someone like that,” and “Thankfully the young lady is unharmed.”

Not until Bai Xue had finished recounting the events did Tonger finally stop cleaning her ears, seemingly unsatisfied, when she suddenly remembered something and said, “Miss, that was too risky this time.

Though you are kind-hearted, it’s best not to expose yourself so casually next time.

Today, you didn’t even bring a single escort from the residence.

If Young Master Liu had truly become violent, it would have been you who suffered.”

Jiang Li smiled without a word, just listening as Tonger continued, “But Bai Xue said that Young Master Ye is from the Ye Family of Xiangyang, isn’t that related to the young lady’s maternal family?

What a pity that the young lady didn’t talk to him at the time.

It really wasn’t the place for a conversation, or else she might have found out which branch of the Ye Family he belongs to.

Having been helped by the young lady this time, he will surely be grateful.”

“I didn’t save him because I wanted something in return,” Jiang Li said with a smile.

“If I wanted a reward, I might as well not have saved him.” Intervening to right a wrong was always Xue Zhao’s principle.

The children of the Xue Family all have a sense of chivalry, always wanting to lend a hand whenever they encounter injustice in the world.

Although she had died once, when she stepped in today, she found many excuses for herself, but Jiang Li knew clearly in her heart that were it not for those reasons, she probably would have intervened all the same.

It’s human nature.

As they were speaking, Qingfeng lifted the curtain and entered.

“Miss, Sister Feicui of Night Wind Hall just sent word that the old madam has asked for you to come over.”

“Now?” Jiang Li was surprised.

This wasn’t the time for formal greetings.

“The third miss and a few others are in Phoenix Hall too,” Qingfeng said anxiously.

“They said that you had an argument with someone after school today.”

“Ha, they sure are quick to tattle!” Tonger said indignantly.

“Our miss was doing a good deed, not arguing with someone.

She sure has the nerve to say that!”

Since returning to the Jiang Residence, Tonger had become increasingly bold, but Jiang Li actually quite liked this trait in her.

The position of the people from Fangfei Garden in the Jiang Residence was quite delicate.

If no one spoke out, without someone bold to hold the fort, others really might start to trample over them.

Jiang Li stood up.

“It’s fine.

She took it upon herself to tell the old madam, saving me the trouble.”

Bai Xue rubbed her fists and wiped her palms, ready to fight, and said fiercely, “Miss, I will accompany you.”

“That’s fine,” Jiang Li replied with a smile.

“But no fighting, we are going there to reason.”

All was quiet in Night Wind Hall at that moment.

Jiang Bingji sat on Madam Jiang the Elder’s couch, picking at the plate of wattle seed candy. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

However, Madam Jiang the Elder wasn’t coddling him with laughter as usual, but seemed to be lost in thought.

Jiang Yuyan sat to one side, cautiously not unlocking her jaws.

Jiang Yue and Jiang Youyao sat together, with Youyao looking somewhat smug, while Yuer’s eyes kept darting around.

Ji Shuran was also present.

She sat on the right side of the old madam, her face adorned with a gentle smile, seeming a bit worried as her gaze constantly shifted toward the door, as if waiting for someone.

Before long, the person she was waiting for arrived.

When Jiang Li and Tonger got to Phoenix Hall, Jiang Bingji caught sight of her and seemed about to burst out with a loud insult.

But suddenly, as if remembering something, he forcefully swallowed his words.

Jiang Li pretended not to notice this scene and continued smiling as she walked in, stood in the center of the hall, and looked up at the old madam on the couch, saying warmly, “Grandmother asked for Jiang Li to come.

May I know what the matter is?”

Madam Jiang the Elder lifted her eyelids to look at her.