Chapter 102 The End of the Play
The guards dragged them all away. The actors, who were dressed in fancy clothes, were stripped of their gorgeous costumes and could not move. They collapsed to the ground and were dragged away. They looked extremely embarrassed. The once famous Jin Mantang became a prisoner in an instant.

What awaits them is an ending even more tragic than that of "Hearing the Bell in Jiange".

Jiang Li looked at Xiao Taohong's back.

Seeing such a charming and beautiful actress, even as a woman, Ji Heng couldn't help but feel pity for her, but she was not moved at all.

Jiang Li turned back and looked at Ji Heng again.

His red clothes looked particularly gorgeous in the solemn black and white courtyard. On the scattered stage, there was no more graceful singing. Only the blood and swords scattered on the ground reminded that a fight had just taken place here. But the beautiful young man gently waved his folding fan, his eyebrows and eyes were full of romance, and there was no trace of the coldness and ruthlessness just now.

His heart was as hard as steel, but his face was full of tenderness. Jiang Li had never seen such a person before. He killed people while chatting and laughing, without showing any emotion.

"Why is Miss Jiang looking at me like that?" he said with a smile.

"The show just now was very exciting," Jiang Li said, "I admire the Duke very much."

Ji Heng closed the fan and said, "I don't want to act."

"Yes," Jiang Li said, "The Duke didn't get into the role, so the Duke won."

Ji Heng was too clear-headed. Jiang Li had seen it long ago. He could tell everything clearly in his heart. He wore bright red clothes, but his heart was like the black and white courtyard in front of him. He could see everything clearly. Therefore, when Xiao Taohong on the stage was flirting with him and the opera moved the audience, he had a smile on his face, but his heart was full of ridicule.

Just like he knew that Jin Mantang had come to Xiangyang, ostensibly to curry favor with him, but in reality to assassinate him, he had understood this play long ago. He could have made preparations earlier, but he had to wait until this moment to let Jin Mantang perform the whole play.

He just wanted to watch the show.

Jiang Li thought, maybe she, the Jiang family, and the Ye family were just a play in Ji Heng's eyes. The reason why he paid attention to it was just because he was a little interested. As for how much he would really invest, it was just a play, why would he spend too much time and energy? Don't take it seriously.

Ji Heng asked, "Second Miss seems to be very touched?"

Jiang Li smiled and said, "I just feel that things in the world are unpredictable."

"Miss Jiang Er, are you satisfied with this play?"

"I dare not be dissatisfied." Jiang Li smiled.

"Don't make me sound scary," Ji Heng raised the corners of her lips and lowered her voice in an ambiguous tone, "Just now, when the Second Miss was in danger, wasn't she scared and crawled into my arms?"

Jiang Li almost coughed.

At that time, when the situation was critical, if she didn't find a shield, she would be wronged if she died under the sword of an accidental murderer. Naturally, she had to let Ji Heng stand in front of her. When Ji Heng said this, and looked at her with interest, her action just now had some special meaning.

"We have to make decisions in an emergency," Jiang Li said with a fake smile, "I'm really sorry for offending you, Duke."

She was a woman, yet she said such "rude" words to a man. If this got to the city of Yanjing, I'm afraid others would laugh their heads off.

"Nothing." Ji Heng said, his eyes fell to the ground, he suddenly bent down and picked up something.

When Jiang Li saw it, she realized it was the jade pendant she had redeemed before. Xue Huaiyuan had personally carved it with a knife when she was born.

She was startled and touched her neck, only to find that the rope was broken. She thought it must have been broken by the struggle during the chaos.

Jiang Li said: "That's my jade pendant."

Ji Heng stroked the jade pendant in his hand, his eyes lingering on it, and saw the lifelike civet cat. Jiang Li was anxious, and didn't care about anything else, so she reached out to grab it, but Ji Heng didn't do as she wished, and leaned back slightly, raised his hand and held the jade pendant high.

Jiang Li couldn't get it, so she said, "Duke, that's my jade pendant, please give it back to me."

"I heard that Miss Jiang's first name is just the character 'Pear'." He said with a smile.

Jiang Li was upset. Everyone in Yanjing City knew her name was Jiang Li. Ji Heng had clearly said this on purpose.

"Everyone in the Ye family calls you A Li, but I wonder which pear it is. The pear in pear blossom, or the li in raccoon cat?" He lowered his head, the smile on his lips deepened, his eyes contained a hint of coldness, but also seemed to be affectionate, which made people confused.

For a moment, Jiang Li felt as if all the blood in her body had frozen.

She forced a smile and said, "Of course it's the pear of Lihua."

"Really?" Ji Heng stared at her without blinking, her voice was particularly gentle, "I think it's the raccoon cat."

Jiang Li looked up at him.

The man was incredibly handsome, and the bright red teardrop mole under his eye was even brighter at this moment, making his features look even more charming.

Jiang Li asked: "Why do you say that?"

Ji Heng didn't say anything. After a while, he smiled and said, "Because you are not as cute as Lihua, but as cunning as a raccoon cat. Isn't that right, Ali?"

The word "Ali" sounded sweet on Jiang Li's lips, but she felt cold all over.

Ji Heng couldn't possibly know her background, but he should have discovered something wrong. He was testing her, and whoever wavered would lose.

Jiang Li raised her head and smiled, without any flaws. She said, "You can call me whatever you want, Duke. It's just a name anyway. But if others hear it, they might misunderstand our relationship."

Ji Heng smiled: "Second Miss always speaks in such a sad and unexpected way."

Jiang Li looked at him, and heard Ji Heng say again: "But there is more than one unexpected thing. For example, the fact that Miss Jiang Er was able to find Tong Zhiyang's mistress is very surprising to me."

Jiang Li sighed inwardly.

Tong Zhiyang couldn't find out the whereabouts of his concubine and her son who were taken away by Ye Mingyu's men, but Jiang Li knew that Ji Heng must have known about it. How could someone who had the guts to assassinate people in the palace not plant people in Xiangyang?

With Ji Heng's ability, it would not be difficult for him to send someone to keep an eye on him anytime and anywhere.

"I really want to know how Miss Jiang Er knew the whereabouts of Tong Zhiyang's mistress." He spoke gently and considerately, but in an aggressive manner.

"There is no such thing as a wall that is impenetrable." Jiang Li looked at him calmly. "Since Tong Zhiyang has done it, he will reveal his true colors. It is not difficult to find the truth by following the clues. I am also surprised that the Duke would care about such a trivial matter as someone else's family affairs."

"It's related to you, so there's no such thing as a small matter." Ji Heng said with a smile, "Everything that Second Miss Jiang did was a big deal." After a pause, he continued, "There is indeed no impenetrable wall in the world. Since you've done it, it will always be exposed. Follow the clues and you'll find out the truth sooner or later." He looked at Jiang Li with a smile: "Isn't that right?"

Jiang Li nodded: "Yes."

She understood what Ji Heng meant. There were many suspicious points about her. Even if she concealed them well, they would inevitably be exposed. As long as she caught these clues, one day, her secrets would be revealed.

Maybe Ji Heng can really do it, but she is not afraid. She just wants to avenge the Xue family. Other than that, she doesn't care about the future.

Ji Heng seemed to have noticed her indifference and said nonchalantly, "Second Miss Jiang is not afraid of anything because she has nothing to fear. You should make careful plans for everything. Now that Tong Zhiyang is watching you, no one dares to touch you."

Jiang Li suddenly looked at him.

Ji Heng also noticed this.

Indeed, before coming to Xiangyang, Jiang Li thought that Ji Shuran and her daughter had suffered such a big loss in the palace banquet. Looking back, she would always suspect herself. Even if there was no palace banquet, this mother and daughter would not tolerate herself. This return to Xiangyang gave them a great opportunity to get rid of herself.

Ji Shuran and her daughter must have hired someone to spy on them secretly, and if there was any problem, they would definitely kill them. Announcing his identity at the entrance of Lizheng Hall not only frightened Tong Zhiyang and made him polite to the Ye family, but also gave him a talisman of peace.

Tong Zhiyang would have someone secretly watch his movements because of his special identity. And now everyone in Xiangyang knew that Tong Zhiyang had offended Jiang Li. If something happened to Jiang Li in Xiangyang, no matter what the truth was, Tong Zhiyang would have to take the blame. Others would only think that it was because Jiang Li and Tong Zhiyang had a grudge that Tong Zhiyang secretly killed her. Jiang Yuanbo would not let Tong Zhiyang go. So in order to avoid being infamous for nothing, Tong Zhiyang's people had to protect Jiang Li.

This is also to borrow Tong Zhiyang's troops to deal with Ji Shuran's men. At least in Xiangyang where Tong Zhiyang is, Jiang Li is safe.

This was Jiang Li's secret plan, but she didn't expect that Ji Heng had seen through it.

Jiang Li smiled and said, "Is there anything in the world that the Duke doesn't know?"

"Yes." Ji Heng looked at her with a moving gaze, "That's you."

"I?"

"I have never seen anyone in my life," Ji Heng said, "who is your age, whether male or female, in Beiyan, who has such a scheming mind. You are the first one."

"Thank you for the compliment, Duke." Jiang Li said, "Jiang Li doesn't deserve it."

"You deserve it. I just wonder, since you are so smart, why were you driven to Qingcheng Mountain by your stepmother eight years ago?" he asked with a smile.

"Man proposes, God disposes. I just have bad luck." Jiang Li smiled, "Besides, I was only seven years old eight years ago. It was really harsh for the Duke to compare the seven-year-old me with me now. God will not always favor someone. I had bad luck eight years ago, but there is a saying that fortune comes and goes, and today it's my turn." She smiled faintly.

"Then I'll wait and see."

Jiang Li smiled and nodded at him. At this moment, Ji Heng finally returned her jade pendant to her. Jiang Li bowed back to him again: "Today's play is very exciting, and I should go back. Thank you for your help just now, Duke. Jiang Li is very grateful."

"No need to thank me," Ji Heng smiled, "In fact, even without me, Miss Jiang Er can still escape unscathed, right?"

Jiang Li's eyes shone, then she smiled and said, "Thank you very much." She said goodbye to Ji Heng again, and then turned around and left calmly. After Jiang Li's figure disappeared outside the courtyard, Wen Ji appeared behind Ji Heng and said, "Sir, the people from Jin Mantang..."

"Don't let anyone die." Ji Heng waved her fan and said, "After the interrogation, send her to her master."

Wen Ji responded and asked, "What about Miss Jiang Er..."

"Keep watching." Ji Heng said, "The people from the Weaving Room will be here soon. I want to see how she finishes this show."

Wen Ji stopped talking, thinking deeply in his heart. He had seen everything that happened today from beginning to end. Jiang Li was a 15-year-old girl. Facing Jin Mantang's assassination, although she was panicked for a moment, she calmed down in a moment, as if she was not afraid at all. Wen Ji and his group also noticed that Jiang Li repeatedly reached into her sleeves. Even in the critical moment of life and death, she did not think of sitting there helplessly and waiting to die. She was used to hiding her tricks and making all preparations. As Ji Heng said, even if Ji Heng did not take action today, Jiang Li might not be able to escape unscathed.

Wen Ji looked at Ji Heng. The smile on Ji Heng's face had disappeared. When he put away his smile, all the tenderness and compassion disappeared, and there was only indifference and coldness, which was frightening.

Miss Jiang Er was not afraid of him, and she fought with him step by step. She was really not simple...

……

When Jiang Li returned to the Ye family's courtyard, Tong'er and Bai Xue were both shocked. There was some fine blood on the corner of her skirt, probably splashed on by the assassin.

"What's wrong with you, girl? Where are you injured?" Tong'er was so anxious that she was about to check on Jiang Li's injuries.

"It's not my blood." Jiang Li comforted her, "I'll go change my clothes. Don't mention this to anyone else."

Tong'er and Bai Xue were worried, but seeing Jiang Li's serious expression, they could only nod.

Jiang Li breathed a sigh of relief, changed her clothes, and sat down on the chair. Bai Xue brought her a cup of hot tea. The two maids didn't know what had happened. They were talking to Ye Mingyu at the gate of the mansion, and it was only an hour. How could something so extraordinary happen?

Jiang Li drank some hot tea and her heart gradually calmed down.

I wanted to talk about Ji Heng today, but who knew I would run into Jin Mantang's assassination of Ji Heng. It seems that Xiangyang is not peaceful either. Those people are clearly coming for Ji Heng. She and Ji Heng have nothing to do with each other, but in the eyes of those people, they think they have a close relationship. If they turn their spearheads against her, it would be an unprovoked disaster. The Ye family's affairs have not been resolved yet, and she still bears the blood debt of the Xue family. She doesn't want to cause trouble for herself.

Better to stay away from him.

Once the matter in Xiangyang is resolved and I return to Yanjing City, I will not have any dealings with Ji Heng. This person is too deep-minded and seems to be carrying a lot of secrets. I should not let him get involved.

"Today is already the seventh day..." she murmured.

Seven days had passed since she had announced the news at the gate of Lizheng Hall. In addition, she had already written a letter to Ye Shijie before that. So, the people from the Weaving Room should have arrived in the next two days.

With the help of the weaving room commander and the concubine in someone else's hands, Tong Zhiyang did not dare to interfere. At least the affairs of the Ye family would not get worse and worse. Even if the right prime minister was behind it, the Ye family was safe for the time being because of the relationship with the Jiang family.

Apart from the Ye family's affairs, the most important reason for her to come to Xiangyang was for Xue Huaiyuan. She didn't know how Qiongzhi of Xihua Tower had found out. Time was running out, so she had to find a chance to go back to Xiangyang in person.

……

Two days later, the people sent by the Weaving Room arrived in Xiangyang.

The weaving room commander went to see Tong Zhiyang first. After Ye Shijie reported the ancient fragrant satin incident in Xiangyang to the weaving room commander in the name of the Jiang family, the weaving room commander of Yanjing immediately realized that the matter was serious. The Ye family was the family of the newly appointed member of the Ministry of Revenue and the former in-laws of the current Prime Minister Jiang Yuanbo. They could not be underestimated. He immediately sent people to rush to Xiangyang day and night to investigate the matter.

Tong Zhiyang had not expected that the people from Yanjing would come so quickly. He had been worried about the mother and son he had raised outside these days, and he almost searched all over Xiangyang City, but he couldn't find anyone. When he was distracted, he became lax about the affairs of the Ye family. He didn't think about it carefully, and just thought about writing a letter to his brother-in-law about the changes in the situation in Xiangyang City to see if his brother-in-law had any way to deal with it.

But before the letter came from his brother-in-law, the people sent by the weaving room commander arrived first. Tong Zhiyang didn't know what to do, so he had to cheer up and deal with it, thinking that he would delay it for a few days, and when he received a letter from Yanjing, he would know what to do next.

"Master Tang," Tong Zhiyang said with a smile on his face, "someone died in the ancient fragrant satin of the Ye family. Now the person in charge of the Ye family is still in our yamen. You are responsible for the weaving, but we are responsible for the death. So the two masters of the Ye family cannot be released."

Tang Fan, the man sent by the Weaving Room Commander to investigate the case, was not sure what to say after hearing what Tong Zhiyang said. Tong Zhiyang was right. The Weaving Room Commander was only responsible for weaving, not killing people. Since someone had died because of the Ye family's fabric, the government should investigate.

"It's okay." Jiang Li, who came with Ye Mingyu to discuss, smiled and said, "We didn't ask Uncle Minghui and Uncle Mingxuan to come out now."

Tang Fan was relieved. Before he came, his boss had clearly told him that this case was related to the Prime Minister Jiang family and the Ye family, and the most important one was the Prime Minister Jiang family. They were the top scholars in Yanjing City, so they must not offend them. In Yanjing City, in recent months, the story of Jiang Li has been spreading like wildfire. Everyone knows that the second young lady of the Jiang family is a powerful person. If the second young lady of the Jiang family wants to protect the Ye family, they have no choice but to follow her. If the second young lady of the Jiang family insists on releasing the two masters of the Ye family now, they, the weaving room commander, can only confront the government.

Tong Zhiyang was stunned.

At the entrance of Lizheng Hall, Miss Jiang's words were really impolite. Tong Zhiyang knew in his heart that this daughter of the Prime Minister must be a domineering person. Since she wanted to stand up for the Ye family, she would definitely protect Ye Minghui and Ye Mingxuan. If he refused on the grounds that it was unreasonable, he would be entangled with the people of the Weaving Room Order. This entanglement would definitely not end quickly, and he could buy himself some time to wait for the reply from Yanjing City.

Unexpectedly, Miss Jiang Er was so easy to talk to and agreed so readily.

Tong Zhiyang thought this was Jiang Li's trick, and couldn't help but look at Jiang Li suspiciously, but he saw that the girl had pretty eyebrows and a gentle smile, but she had no scheming and looked pure and clear.

Maybe it was just a bluff, and she was just a little girl who knew nothing? Tong Zhiyang was puzzled, but then he thought, it’s okay for Jiang Li to be so easy to talk to, although it can’t buy time. But Ye Minghui and Ye Mingxuan, the heads of the Ye family, were imprisoned, and the Ye family had no one in charge. That Ye Mingyu knew nothing about the Ye family’s business, so it was not enough evidence. Ye Jiaer and Ye Rufeng were just two children, and the Ye family was a mess. Even if the people from the weaving room came, it was expected that they would not be able to find anything. After a few days of negotiation without any results, it was time for a new order from Yanjing.

Thinking of this, Tong Zhiyang suddenly felt relieved and said with a smile: "In this case, our government will no longer be involved in the matter of the ancient fragrant satin. Lord Tang, please investigate this case thoroughly and give an explanation to the people of Xiangyang."

Tang Fan said: "It's my duty."

Ye Mingyu also said: "I'll leave everything to Lord Tang."

Tong Zhiyang felt that even if the Ye family invited the weaving room master, there would be no other way for the time being. Just when he was feeling proud, he heard Jiang Li say, "Lord Tang, we have collected all the clothes made of ancient fragrant satin that caused rashes on the people before. Now the servants in the mansion have packed the ancient fragrant satin into boxes and sent them to the weaving field at the foot of the mountain."

Tong Zhiyang was stunned. Tang Fan looked at Jiang Li in surprise and said with a smile, "Second Miss Jiang has thought very carefully."

"Lord Tang should have someone check what went wrong with the ancient fragrant satin. Other than that, nothing in the Ye family's weaving factory has been moved, which is convenient for Lord Tang's people to investigate." Jiang Li smiled and said, "Whatever the Ye family needs to do, the Ye family will do their best to help. Once Lord Tang finds out something, he can report it back to the weaving room commander. The weaving room commander will get the news in Yanjing City. If it is the Ye family's fault, the Ye family's weaving business will be closed down. If it is not the Ye family's fault, the matter will be complicated. I am afraid there is another conspiracy in the middle. It has to be handed over to Lord Zhizhou to investigate."

She spoke slowly and steadily. Ye Mingyu didn't know much about officialdom and was confused. Tong Zhiyang frowned and vaguely realized that Jiang Li was not the innocent and ignorant lady he imagined. Tang Fan was most surprised. Everything Jiang Li said was indeed the official procedure in Yanjing City. Could it be that Jiang Yuanbai was still teaching his daughter these official affairs in the mansion? Otherwise, why did she talk about these things so clearly and so familiarly, as if she had memorized them by heart long ago?

Of course, they didn't know that the girl in front of them had already read the official procedures when she married Shen Yurong. At that time, Xue Fangfei didn't know how to help Shen Yurong, but she had a photographic memory, so she simply read all the official books in Yanjing City, including the official procedures. She knew the Weaving Room Order and what the Weaving Room Order would do when he came. She told Tang Fan just to make him understand that at least in the matter of the Ye family, she couldn't fool him, so Tang Fan had to take it seriously.

If Tang Fan had to be polite to the Ye family because of Jiang Yuanbo, Jiang Li's words now made Tang Fan feel a little respect for them. When the second Miss Jiang, who killed her mother and brother, returned to Beijing, everyone despised her, but she became famous in the Mingyi Hall exam and was personally awarded by the emperor. Therefore, capable people can do well anywhere, and even in difficult situations, they can fight their way out.

Tang Fan said respectfully: "Then, there is no time to waste, let's go to the weaving factory now."

Jiang Li and her group left with Tang Fan. Tong Zhiyang watched them leave, and a trace of uneasiness flashed through his heart. He paused, and asked the people around him in a somewhat irritable manner: "Has Yanjing not replied yet?"

"Sir, no."

"What a bunch of rubbish!" Tong Zhiyang cursed, "Go and ask again. Also," he lowered his voice, "if there's still no trace of the Madam and the Young Master, don't blame me for being rude!"

His mistress and son are still missing. Tong Zhiyang suspects that they were abducted out of Xiangyang City, but it has been too long and it is very difficult to investigate now.

Everything is going wrong! He angrily threw the cup on the table.

……

The Ye family's weaving mill is located on an open space at the foot of a mountain in Xiangyang.

There was no one in the weaving mill. Ever since the incident with the ancient fragrant satin, the Ye family's weaving mill had stopped weaving fabrics. The original ancient fragrant satin had flowed into the entire Northern Yan. The news of the Ye family's affairs in Xiangyang City was abuzz, but no one knew what was happening in other parts of Northern Yan.

The loom was covered with a layer of light gray. Walking in from the door, the huge weaving factory seemed particularly deserted. Ye Jiaer and Ye Rufeng were waiting in the weaving factory. When they saw Jiang Li and the others coming, they hurried to greet them.

"Cousin, you are finally here." Ye Jiaer said. She had waited so long for the people from the Weaving Room to finally come. You know, the people in the Ye family have not been able to sleep well these days. The brothers Ye Minghui are still detained in the government office, and the Lizheng Hall is also closed. The whole Xiangyang City is saying that the ancient fragrant satin of their Ye family has killed people. If it were someone else, they would not be able to eat or sleep well, and would be worried all day long.

Now that the Weaving Room Order has arrived, we will be able to find out where the problem lies. Even if there is a problem, we will know where to correct it, instead of running around like a headless fly, sitting there helplessly not knowing what to do, and watching the situation get worse and worse.

"Cousin, where is the ancient satin?" Jiang Li asked.

Ye Jiaer hurriedly said, "Here." She moved aside, revealing a neat row of wooden boxes on the terrace behind her.

The servants opened the wooden box, and Tang Fan and his men walked to the box.

The pattern of the ancient fragrant satin is very simple and dark, and what is rare is the light fragrance that naturally emanates from the fabric. This is a fabric that only the Ye family can make, and no one else can make it. In the first two years when the ancient fragrant satin came out, it was hard to get a piece, and those nobles even had to argue endlessly to get a piece.

Today, Gu Xiangduan has become a rat crossing the street, and everyone is shouting and beating her. There is a trace of sadness in the eyes of Ye Jiaer and Ye Rufeng.

"We haven't touched these ancient scented satins since they were taken off by the guests." Jiang Li said with a smile, "If there is something that can cause disease on the ancient scented satin, it should still be on it now."

Tang Fan stretched out his hand and picked up a piece of cloth, rubbing it a few times, probably trying to identify it. After a while, he moved closer and sniffed it gently.

Ye Jiaer nervously held Jiang Li's hand. Jiang Li smiled at her comfortingly, and she felt a little relieved.

Tang Fan pondered for a while, then asked his men to come closer and repeat his previous actions, as if he was confirming something.

Seeing that he seemed to have noticed something, Jiang Li asked, "Did Lord Tang discover anything?"

Tang Fan did not dare to neglect Jiang Li and said hurriedly: "I can't say I discovered it, but it's a little strange."

"What's strange?" Ye Jiaer asked anxiously.

"Why are there vines on this ancient satin?"

(End of this chapter)