Chapter 107 Homecoming
"I want to go to Tongxiang."

Ye Mingyu was stunned.

Jiang Li's eyes were firm. She had thought about it. No matter what, she couldn't bear to rescue her father a moment later after knowing that he was suffering in prison. And now she was in the Ye family. She couldn't disappear for no reason. She had to tell the Ye family. Otherwise, Old Madam Ye would be worried.

It was too much of a stretch to find a perfect excuse. As the second Miss Jiang, this should be her first time in Xiangyang, not to mention Tongxiang. Tongxiang was just a strange place to her, she had never even heard of it, not to mention any relatives or friends there. No matter how you looked at it, the lie was full of holes.

Sure enough, Ye Mingyu immediately asked curiously after hearing this: "What are you doing in Tongxiang?"

"To be honest, uncle, this is a long story. An old friend asked me to help her solve a problem. She has a lover in Tongxiang. Knowing that I came to Xiangyang, she asked me to help her pass on a message. The Ye family had something to do a few days ago, so I forgot about it. Now that the matter is probably over, I think of it and plan to go to Tongxiang to look for my old friend's lover."

After saying this, Jiang Li felt embarrassed. She had never told such a lame lie in her life, but she really couldn't think of any other good ideas.

Ye Mingyu looked at Jiang Li for a while, then sighed and said, "Ah Li, if you have something to hide, just don't say it. Why rack your brains to find such an excuse? Even I can hear it."

Jiang Li's cheeks were slightly red. Although Ye Mingyu acted roughly, he was not a fool. If he was really slow and stupid, how could he survive in the fighting arena until now? He would have been tripped by someone and fell down without knowing where to get up.

"Ali, I know sometimes some things are hard to say to others, even to relatives. It's okay, I won't force you to say it. I'm different from my elder brother and the second brother. We are people of the underworld, and we won't force others to do things. When you want to say it, you will say it naturally. If you can't say it, there must be a reason why you can't say it. Although I don't know what you are doing in Tongxiang, I think you are a girl with your own ideas and you won't do anything reckless."

Ye Mingyu paused, and then said: "But the reason you just gave will never work in front of my elder brother and second brother. Especially my second brother, he is no less cunning than you. You don't even believe me, so how can you fool him?"

What Ye Mingyu said was true. Ye Minghui and Ye Mingxuan of the Ye family were not easily deceived, perhaps because they were doing business.

Jiang Li sighed slightly in her heart.

She really didn't want to deceive others, but some things really couldn't be said.

Seeing Jiang Li's embarrassment, Ye Mingyu suddenly patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I'm your uncle, and of course I won't sit idly by and watch your affairs. Leave this matter to me, you go to Tongxiang, I'll find a way to convince mother and brothers, you just come with me!"

"Go with you?" Jiang Li was surprised.

"Of course! How can you, a little girl, go to a strange place alone? Even if you are brave, our family will not be at ease! Otherwise, you can choose between your eldest brother, the second brother and me, who will go with you!"

Jiang Li: "..." If she really had to choose, she would have to go with Ye Mingyu. Ye Mingxuan and Ye Minghui were too smart, so they would inevitably suspect the truth. Ye Mingyu was a man of great temperament, and he didn't like to pry into other people's minds. Besides... she didn't know what kind of danger she would encounter on this trip. It would be better to have Ye Mingyu by her side than to be alone.

She said, "Thank you very much, Uncle Mingyu."

Ye Mingyu was so happy that his eyebrows were about to fly up. He said, "Hey, don't worry! Ah Li, when you came to Xiangyang, you encountered trouble in our family, and you have always been the one helping our family. I am an old man, and I still need help from a little girl. If I tell others, my brothers will laugh at me. If you can be of use, your uncle Mingyu will naturally help you."

Jiang Li hesitated for a moment before saying, "I know this is a little out of line, but Uncle Mingyu, I think if possible, we should hurry as fast as possible, and it would be good to arrive in Tongxiang a moment earlier."

She couldn't wait any longer.

A trace of doubt flashed across Ye Mingyu's face, but he quickly scratched his head and said, "Well, you've never asked for anything before. This is just a small request... Uncle will do it for you right away!" He stood up suddenly and said, "Go pack your things first and wait for me." Then he went out.

Jiang Li didn't expect Ye Mingyu to be so swift and decisive, but this was a good thing for her, so she stood up and told Tong'er and Bai Xue outside the door, "Let's pack up."

Jiang Li didn't bring much luggage with her before she came to the Ye family. Since the Ye family had everything they needed, she packed up very quickly.

After Tong'er and Bai Xue finished packing, they were both confused. Tong'er asked, "Girl, are we really going to Tongxiang? Is Tongxiang fun?"

Tong'er and Jiang Li have been together for so many years, but this is the first time they have heard of Tongxiang. They don't know what Jiang Li is going to do, and they thought Tongxiang was fun, and Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu were going there for fun.

Jiang Li smiled and said, "How should I put it? It's quite fun, but we're not going there to play."

"Aren't you going there for fun?" Bai Xue was surprised. Just as she was about to ask again, she saw Ah Fu beside Ye Mingxuan saying outside, "Miss cousin, the old lady and the master invite you to the hall."

Jiang Li smiled. Ye Mingyu's actions were faster than she had imagined. He immediately said to Tong'er and Bai Xue, "Take up your bags, and let's go."

Tong'er and Bai Xue hurriedly followed. When they arrived outside the hall of the Ye family, they saw from a distance that Ye Mingyu was arguing with Ye Mingxuan and Ye Minghui, and was occasionally scolded by Old Madam Ye who was sitting on the couch. Seeing Jiang Li coming, Ye Mingyu's eyes lit up and he hurriedly said, "A Li? You're here! Good to come. Come and tell mother, are you willing to go to Tongxiang with me?"

Seeing Ye Mingyu making a move towards her, Jiang Li understood what he meant and said with a smile, "Yes, I'd love to go to Tongxiang with Uncle Mingyu."

"Nannan," Old Madam Ye seemed a little anxious, "Why are you following him and making trouble? Your third uncle is a scoundrel who rides horses all day long. If you follow him, who knows what he will do in Tongxiang? He even brought you with him. Don't let you suffer or be wronged."

In a few words, Jiang Li immediately understood what Ye Mingyu's idea was. Ye Mingyu probably really felt that Jiang Li's lame lie was very bad, so he just made up one himself. He said that he was going to Tongxiang to do something and needed Jiang Li's help, so he offered to take Jiang Li with him to Tongxiang. Ye Mingyu didn't do any real work in the Ye family, so no one would ask him specifically what he was going to do. Even if they did, Ye Mingyu could make up a lot of reasons, and no matter what kind of lies he said, it would not be surprising. But other people would point their spearheads at Ye Mingyu, but no one would think that Jiang Li was wrong.

Because Jiang Li was "taken away" by Ye Mingyu.

Thinking this through, Jiang Li gave Ye Mingyu a grateful look. Ye Mingyu considered everything and protected her, which made her very grateful.

Probably stimulated by Jiang Li's grateful look, Ye Mingyu immediately replied loudly: "Mom, it's not fair for you to say that! I'm A-li's uncle, can I harm A-li? That's not possible! And with me around, who dares to bully A-li!"

"It's more worrying when you're around." Ye Mingxuan said unhappily, "No, why do you want Ah Li to help you? Ah Li is just a little girl. You're so old, and you still ask a little girl for help. Aren't you ashamed?!"

"Second brother, please stop stirring up trouble here," Ye Mingyu was dissatisfied. "What's wrong with the little girl? Apart from anything else, this time the matter of Guxiangduan still depends on A Li to solve the problem. Little girl, humph, A Li is not an ordinary little girl, she is very capable. I am so happy to have A Li's help, why should I be embarrassed!"

Ye Mingxuan was stunned by Ye Mingyu's shamelessness and couldn't say a word. Ye Minghui said in a deep voice: "Nonsense! No matter what, just fool around by yourself, don't bring Ah Li in! Otherwise, just tell me what you are going to do?"

Ye Jiaer and Ye Rufeng looked at this and that. Although what Ye Mingyu said was a bit excessive, the younger generations of their Ye family liked to play with Ye Mingyu on weekdays, and they really couldn't do anything to take advantage of Ye Mingyu's misfortune.

"Uncle Minghui, Uncle Mingxuan," Jiang Li said, "I have indeed discussed this matter with Uncle Mingyu. As for what to do, please don't force Uncle Mingyu. It's okay with me. This time I came to Xiangyang, I also want to walk around and see more. I have never been to Tongxiang, and this time I can follow Uncle Mingyu to broaden my horizons. Besides, we are all family, so there is no question of whether to help or not. I am not afraid of trouble. If I have trouble in the future, I may have to rely on Uncle Mingyu and you to help me."

Ye Mingyu looked at Jiang Li from the side, and was amazed in his heart. People who have studied in rich families are different. They can be so reasonable and polite when they are unreasonable. Look at the most difficult eldest and second eldest, aren't they speechless now?

Guan couldn't help but said, "But we are worried about you..."

Ye Mingyu rolled his eyes up. He was worried about Jiang Li but not him. Was he picked up by Old Madam Ye? Was he a fake member of the Ye family?

"Don't worry about me," Jiang Li smiled softly, "I swear to my grandmother and my uncles and aunts that Uncle Mingyu is not going to fool around, but to do serious things. There will be no danger."

Her gentle expression and sincere words always made people believe what she said. If Ye Mingyu said the same thing, I'm afraid no one would believe it.

Madam Ye sighed and spoke first. She said, "Since you have an idea, Ah Li, just do it." She looked at Jiang Li and said lovingly, "Don't blame your uncles and aunts for talking too much. They are really worried that you, a little girl, can't handle it."

Jiang Li took Madam Ye's hand and said with a smile, "I know. Grandma, I'm grown up now and I can protect myself."

Madam Ye was in a trance when she heard this. She seemed to see the beautiful young Ye Zhenzhen again. When she was going to marry Jiang Yuanbo, Madam Ye was worried that she would be wronged after marrying him. Ye Zhenzhen said in a coquettish voice with a frown on her face, "Zhenzhen has grown up and will protect herself."

After all, I failed to protect myself.

Old Madam Ye felt a pang of pain in her heart and almost shed tears. She patted Jiang Li's hand and said, "In that case, you should go and come back quickly." She asked the maid to come over and help her walk to the inner room.

Jiang Li was silent.

She felt it, and Mrs. Ye must have remembered the past. In fact, the Ye family should have felt it. Ye Mingyu broke the low atmosphere and shouted, "You all agree, right? If you all agree, then we won't stay any longer. We are in a hurry. Ah Li, let's go, listen to mother, and come back quickly!"

Ye Minghui rolled his eyes at him and said, "Take good care of Ah Li!"

……

The idea of ​​leaving Xiangyang and going to Tongxiang was realized so easily.

When sitting in the carriage, Jiang Li felt a little unreal.

She returned to Xiangyang from Yanjing City, and ultimately went back to Tongxiang in person just to get news about her father. It would be nice to burn incense for her father, but she never thought that she could see her father again, and she was so excited that she couldn't control herself.

It takes about a day to get from Xiangyang to Tongxiang. We will set off this afternoon, stay at a roadside inn, and arrive tomorrow afternoon. There are not many people on the way. Jiang Li is unwilling to bring the Jiang family's guards, because these guards may not be loyal to her. Although they will protect her, she will inevitably be restrained. So Ye Minghui picked a few of the best guards from the Ye family to accompany him, as well as Jiang Li's maid and Ye Mingyu's servant A Shun.

At night, they rested in an inn by the roadside.

Although the Ye family's action was quiet and secretive, it did not escape the attention of their neighbors next door.

In the courtyard, Ji Heng was watering the flowers in front of the flower bed.

He held the thin-necked brass flower pot in his hand. The flowerbed was full of colorful flowers, but he didn't know what kind they were. He rarely had the leisure and elegance to stand in the night and gently pour the teapot. The crystal water droplets in the pot were like transparent gems and a bead curtain, falling on the petals, rolling down the flower stems, and disappearing into the soil.

There is only a faint fragrance left in the air.

Lu Ji stood behind Ji Heng, his blue shirt fluttering slightly in the wind. The black-clad guard said in a calm voice, "Master Ye San has left for Tongxiang with Miss Jiang Er."

What he said was that Master Ye San followed Miss Jiang Er, not Miss Jiang Er following Master Ye San. In other words, the person who took the lead in setting off for Tongxiang was Jiang Li, not Ye Mingyu.

Ji Heng said “hmm”.

He was still watering the flowers very seriously, as if this was the only thing in the world that deserved his careful treatment and he couldn't be distracted for even a quarter of an hour.

The flowers in winter are particularly gorgeous, with a kind of incongruous surprise and sad beauty. He carefully watered each plant one by one, which took him half an hour. He stretched out his hand, and a servant took the brass flower pot from his hand. Ji Heng took out a silk handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped his fingers carefully.

He turned around and looked at Wen Ji: "Leaving overnight?" Wen Ji said: "Yes."

Ji Heng laughed: "I really can't wait even a moment."

Lu Ji stood in the shadows and couldn't help asking, "Sir, Jiang Li's return to Tongxiang this time should be the one that Xihua Tower and Qiongzhi planned."

Jiang Li became distraught after meeting Qiongzhi at Xihua Tower, and then went to Tongxiang with Ye Mingyu. No matter how you look at it, they are connected.

"She came to Xiangyang just for the trip to Tongxiang." Ji Heng said with a smile: "She is on guard against the Jiang family and hiding it from the Ye family. Her ultimate goal will soon be revealed. Just wait and see."

Lu Ji shook his head: "But the way this Second Miss Jiang acts is really hard to figure out. Even if we know what she did, we may not know why she did it."

As he was speaking, a handsome servant came in from outside and said respectfully, "Sir, the carriage and horses are ready."

Lu Ji was stunned and looked at Ji Heng: "Are you leaving, sir?"

Ji Heng glanced at the flowers blooming in the flowerbed and said with a smile, "Yes."

"Where to go?"

"Tongxiang."

"Tongxiang?" Lu Ji was even more confused. "My Lord, you want to observe Jiang Li?"

"No." Ji Heng said softly, "It's to watch a show."

……

Early the next morning, the Ye family's carriage set off again.

Ye Mingyu seemed to know how anxious Jiang Li was, and he hurried on. Tong'er and Bai Xue were still surprised, and asked Jiang Li if Ye Mingyu really had something very urgent, otherwise why would he work so hard.

Jiang Li knew that Ye Mingyu did this for her, and she was very grateful. In any case, Ye Mingyu was doing his best to help her. She hoped that the Ye family would become stronger and stronger and become her solid and powerful backing, but she also did not want to involve the Ye family in an insignificant war.

There is no doubt that Xue Huaiyuan's imprisonment was Yongning's doing. Now the people of Tongxiang are keeping a secret about Xue Huaiyuan's affairs, and there must be someone else involved. She barged in so rashly, breaking the other party's rules. The other party got Yongning's explanation and pretended to respect her as the daughter of the Prime Minister, but in fact, she didn't take her seriously at all.

Once the old accounts are brought up and the clues are followed, it will always be related to Yongning. Sooner or later, Yongning will find out that she is investigating Xue Huaiyuan. Jiang Li knows Yongning's character after dealing with her. She will not hesitate just because she is Jiang Yuanbo's daughter. She will use any means, even the most sinister and dirty methods, to achieve her goals.

The journey to Tongxiang was full of difficulties. In a sense, she was alone and had to fight alone.

But she won't back down, ever.

Because Ye Mingyu was in a hurry, it was just past noon when he was about to reach Tongxiang.

It was a winter day, and Ye Mingyu was sweating. He wiped the sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief, asked Jiang Li to lift the curtain and said, "A Li, look, Tongxiang is in front."

Tong'er and Bai Xue looked outside. When they saw the situation clearly, Tong'er couldn't help but say, "So this is Tongxiang. It's not as prosperous as Xiangyang."

In the distance, it was the main street of Tongxiang. The street was not as spacious as Xiangyang, let alone Yanjing City. There were all kinds of shops on both sides, and many vendors set up stalls on the street, selling small things like candied haws.

Hearing Tong'er's words, Ye Mingyu said, "Now it's much better! Tongxiang used to be the poorest county in Xiangyang. People had to share a pair of shoes with their brothers and sisters. Not to mention shops, peddlers came in once a month, which was considered an exchange. Later, a county magistrate came to Tongxiang. He was a good official who could do things. He stayed here for more than ten years, and Tongxiang gradually became wealthy. Although it is not as good as Xiangyang, if you have seen the previous Tongxiang, you will be amazed."

Jiang Li was stunned. When she suddenly heard the name Xue Huaiyuan from Ye Mingyu's mouth, she didn't know whether to cry or laugh. A wave of emotion surged from her throat, forcing her to lower her head to avoid letting others notice her red eyes.

After calming down for a while, Jiang Li gently asked, "How is the county magistrate now?"

"What happened?" Ye Mingyu scratched his head. "What do you mean? It's just like that. I haven't seen the county magistrate. I've heard about him from other people. Besides, I haven't been to Tongxiang for many years. I haven't been in Xiangyang for many years. I don't know these things! But I guess, he is such a good official, he might have been promoted to a high-ranking official long ago!"

A bitter smile appeared on Jiang Li's lips.

The fact is just the opposite. Instead of rising to prominence, Xue Huaiyuan became a prisoner. This is really ridiculous.

"Let's go." Ye Mingyu urged the carriage team to continue moving forward.

Tongxiang is not like Yanjing or Xiangyang, where there are soldiers guarding the city gate. Perhaps there are not many people entering and leaving Tongxiang, and there is even a layer of dust on the stone statues at the city gate. There are no soldiers guarding the city, but occasionally a few herbalists carrying baskets on their backs, probably coming back from collecting herbs in the mountains, pass by the city gate. Occasionally, they cast a surprised look at Ye Mingyu and his group, probably because they look unfamiliar.

Tongxiang is very small, and the locals are almost all familiar with each other. Even if you can't call out their names, you can still get to know them. As soon as they entered, Tong'er and Bai Xue felt that it was not as lively as Xiangyang and Yanjing, but the folk customs were still simple and there was a special sense of simplicity.

Ye Mingyu walked to the side of the carriage and asked Jiang Li: "Ali, where do you want to go?" But he gave the power to make the decision to Jiang Li, probably letting Jiang Li go and do her own thing.

Jiang Li thought for a moment and said, "With so many of us, it's inconvenient to move around. Let's find a place to stay first."

"Okay, let's stay at an inn..." Ye Mingyu hadn't finished speaking when Jiang Li interrupted him, "It's not convenient to stay at an inn here. It's better to find a B&B and rent it for a while."

Ye Mingyu frowned: "Rent? Ah Li, are you going to stay here for a long time?"

"I don't know either." Jiang Li's tone was somewhat disappointed, "Let's wait and see." Xue Huaiyuan's matter was indeed not something that could be resolved in a few days. It was impossible to judge how long it would last. She couldn't give up, so she had to be prepared to stay here forever.

Hearing this, Ye Mingyu said: "In that case, let's rent it."

Jiang Li said: "I heard there is a place called Qingshi Lane in Tongxiang. The B&B there is pretty good. Let's go there."

"No problem." Ye Mingyu instructed one of the carriage team: "Go find someone and ask which direction Qingshi Lane is. Let's go to Qingshi Lane now."

Jiang Li sat back in the carriage.

Tong'er and Bai Xue looked out of the carriage curiously. Tongxiang was a small county, and here, Jiang Li didn't have to hide her identity. Except for Ye Mingyu and his party, almost no one could recognize her. She didn't have to wear a fence, so she didn't organize Tong'er and Bai Xue's behavior.

Bai Xue was fine, after all, she was from a farming family. But it was Tong'er's first time to come to such a countryside. At first, he felt that it was not as prosperous as Yanjing. But after watching for a long time, he was dazzled by the people selling sugar figurines and performing juggling on the street, and he also found Tongxiang interesting.

The wheels of the carriage rumbled as it headed towards the bluestone lane.

That was the road Jiang Li was most familiar with. Xue Mansion, where she and her father Xue Zhao once lived, was right there. She had walked the road from Tongxiang City Gate to Qingshi Lane countless times. Later, she walked out of Qingshi Lane again, but she never came back. When she came back, she became Jiang Li, not Ali anymore.

Jiang Li seemed unusually silent.

Tong'er and Bai Xue, who were in high spirits, also noticed something was wrong with Jiang Li, and gradually lowered their voices, wanting to ask Jiang Li what was wrong. But seeing that Jiang Li seemed to be immersed in her own emotions, they could not ask, so they could only sit beside Jiang Li carefully, worrying about her.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage stopped.

Ye Mingyu's voice rang out from outside the carriage: "Ali, we're here!"

Tong'er and Baixue jumped off the carriage first, opened the curtain, and reached out to help Jiang Li get off the carriage.

For a moment, Jiang Li felt her hands trembling, along with her heart. She took a deep breath, took Tong'er's hand, and jumped off the carriage.

Even the air is familiar.

The goldenrod in front of the door gave off a familiar fragrance. There were small holes on the bluestone slabs at the entrance of the alley caused by falls from the eaves. In the distance there were sounds of children playing and laughing. Some were looking towards them curiously, hiding behind stone lions with timid attempts.

Jiang Li forced herself into a smile, but Ye Mingyu felt inexplicably sad when he saw it.

Everything was familiar, everything was the same as in her memory, except herself, which had never changed.

"Let's go forward." Jiang Li said. Although she said this to Ye Mingyu, she couldn't help but go forward before Ye Mingyu replied.

It’s almost there, it’s almost there, they’ll be at the Xue family’s house soon. She didn’t know what the Xue family looked like now, she couldn’t even imagine it. She thought she would be homesick, but when the moment came, she realized she couldn’t care less about anything, there was no point in hesitating, she just followed her instinct and walked forward.

That's home.

Ye Mingyu and his group hurriedly followed.

Suddenly, Jiang Li stopped.

Five or six steps in front of her, there was a gate to a house. It looked like the house was not big, and even compared to the Jiang and Ye families, it was quite low. Some of the bluestone tiles on the eaves had fallen off, perhaps due to wind and rain or years of disrepair. There was nothing on top, and there was a broken branch.

Although there is sunlight, it gives people a feeling of desolation, with the family being penniless and separated from their wives and children.

Ye Mingyu and his group followed closely and saw Jiang Li standing in front of the house without moving. They were all a little puzzled. Ye Mingyu whispered, "A Li?"

"Yeah." Jiang Li raised the corners of her mouth, and tears fell in an instant.

The door of the Xue family’s house was sealed by the government, and the Xue family no longer existed in the world.

(End of this chapter)