Chapter 110 Rescue
"Master Feng, whether you are a god or a ghost, you should know yourself."

As soon as Jiang Li finished speaking, Feng Yutang's face turned very ugly. He could naturally hear the implication of Jiang Li's words. Jiang Li was the daughter of the Prime Minister, and his master was Princess Yongning. When Jiang Li and Yongning confronted each other, they both had powerful families as backing, and he was just a small county magistrate. This was an unchangeable fact. In any case, if he was sacrificed, it would be just a trivial matter.

Feng Yutang felt very awkward. Jiang Li came suddenly and did not give him any time to respond. However, after a few words, it was clear that Jiang Li was not someone who could be easily dismissed. She was very opinionated and did not have the scheming of a 15 or 16-year-old girl.

She even seemed a little scary.

"Miss Jiang Er, your humble servant," Feng Yutang said with an apologetic smile, "Your humble servant is only following orders, please don't embarrass me."

"Orders?" Jiang Li smiled. "You, Lord Feng, have the final say in Tongxiang, and no one dares to disobey your orders. The case of County Magistrate Xue was also decided by you. You are the God of Tongxiang. Whose orders are you following? Why don't you tell me, maybe I know someone in Yanjing City."

Feng Yutang was sweating profusely. Of course, he couldn't say Princess Yongning's name. He smiled bitterly and said, "I am only following the rules. Miss Jiang Er, I don't understand what you want to do. You wanted to inquire about the Xue family, and I told you the truth. What else do you want now?"

Feng Yutang was originally a rogue. Now he put on a rogue face, and no one could do anything to him. Yes, there are many people here, and Jiang Li has no manpower. He can't just let someone rob the prison. Even if he robs the prison, it will implicate the Ye family and the Jiang family. He Feng Yutang made it clear that I recognize your identity and respect you, but I can't disobey orders. What can you do to me?

Ye Mingyu frowned. This was the first time he had seen a county magistrate who acted like a rogue. Wasn't he afraid that Jiang Yuanbai would vent his anger on him later?
Only Jiang Li understood why Feng Yutang dared to act like a rogue. He relied on Princess Yongning's support behind him and all he had to do was to do what Princess Yongning asked him to do.

Although she came here to see her father in prison, Jiang Li had guessed that it would not be so smooth before she came to the county government. No problem, at least she met the newly appointed Feng Yutang. She had dealt with Feng Yutang before and knew what kind of person he was. Knowing yourself and the enemy will ensure victory in a hundred battles, and it is not without gain.

Feng Yutang looked at Jiang Li leisurely. He was confident now and felt that Jiang Li could not do anything to him. He would not let anyone arrest him, the county magistrate. If the daughter of the prime minister acted like this, it would be strange if the imperial censors did not report Jiang Yuanbai.

"I don't want to do anything," Jiang Li smiled and said to him kindly, "I said, I came here to ask why the Xue family was sealed up. As for the case files, as long as there is a transfer order from the superior, you can check it. Tongxiang is under the jurisdiction of Xiangyang. I have already filed a lawsuit with Xiangyang, so you can see the Xue family's case files." Jiang Li pulled out a warrant from his sleeve and motioned Tong'er to hand it over, smiling and saying, "Sir Feng, the transfer order is here. Can I take a look at the Xue family's case files?"

Feng Yutang was stunned.

This county magistrate was awarded to him by Princess Yongning. Feng Yutang was as happy as if he had found a great bargain to be an official, even if it was an official in a small county in Tongxiang. You know, being in this position can make a lot of money. When he was the county magistrate, he would never be as stupid as Xue Huaiyuan, and he would really work for the people. And because he was arranged by Yongning, he had never experienced the assessment of officials, and he knew nothing about the big and small matters of the official orders. What transfer order was, he had no idea at all, and subconsciously saw the transfer order handed over by Tong'er. Seeing the seal of the prefect of Xiangyang on it, he hesitated for a moment, nodded, and asked the people around him to find the case file and give it to Jiang Li.

Ye Mingyu couldn't remember when Jiang Li went to Tong Zhiyang to ask for this thing, and how could Tong Zhiyang give Jiang Li a transfer order so easily when there was such a mess between him and the Ye family.

Jiang Li smiled. This transfer order was not a transfer order, as it was not approved by Tong Zhiyang himself. He borrowed Tang Fan's hand to obtain Feng Yutang's seal by using the case of the Yanjing Weaving Room Order. Tang Fan also wanted Jiang Yuanbo's connections in Yanjing, so of course he would help him. Jiang Li knew the shortcomings of the official system of Northern Yan very well, and could take advantage of this loophole to achieve her goal of reviewing the case files of the Xue family.

Qiongzhi had heard that Xue Huaiyuan was in prison, so Jiang Li had to see Xue Huaiyuan's files and find out what was wrong. In order to prepare early, Jiang Li made this transfer order. But now that she saw Feng Yutang, she realized that she didn't need to spend so much time thinking about it. Feng Yutang was just a hooligan who knew nothing and only cared about eating, drinking and having fun. As long as she made up a decent excuse, Feng Yutang would believe it.

Tong'er took the file and handed it to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li glanced at the file and confirmed that it was indeed true. She smiled at Feng Yutang and said, "Thank you, Lord Feng. I'm fine now."

Feng Yutang was already having a headache dealing with Jiang Li, and when he heard Jiang Li say that, he wished that Jiang Li would leave quickly. He could send a pigeon to Princess Yongning to tell her what to do next. The second young lady of the Jiang family clearly wanted to re-investigate Xue Huaiyuan's case. Although he didn't understand how Xue Huaiyuan was related to the daughter of the prime minister, Feng Yutang didn't want to make any mistakes at the last juncture, which would make Princess Yongning angry, and he would be in big trouble.

"Okay, okay." Feng Yutang narrowed his eyes and smiled, and said, "Miss Jiang Er is leaving..."

"I'm not leaving." Jiang Li said, "I want to stay in Tongxiang for a while."

"Stay for a while?"

"Yes." Jiang Li looked at him, "Master Feng seems very unhappy?"

"No...no..." Feng Yutang said with a smile, "How could that be? Has Miss Jiang arranged a place to stay? If not, I can do it for you."

"That's not necessary. We are many people, so we won't disturb Lord Feng from doing his work." Jiang Li said with a half-smile, "I think Lord Feng must be very busy too, so there's no need to see us off. We'll leave now."

Feng Yutang had no choice but to smile apologetically. It was terrible. This Miss Jiang seemed to have a pair of eyes that could see through people's hearts. How did she know that he was in a hurry to write to Princess Yongning?

"Then I... won't see you off." Feng Yutang said.

Jiang Li glanced at him and said a few words to Ye Mingyu. Ye Mingyu put away the sword at his waist, led Jiang Li, and walked away from Feng Yutang in a swagger.

Feng Yutang looked at the backs of Jiang Li and his group, and for some reason, he suddenly felt uneasy. He sat for a while, then suddenly came to his senses, kicked his attendant, and said, "Quick! Find me some paper, pen, and ink!"

……

Jiang Li and Ye Mingyu walked out of the county government office.

When they reached the door, a hunchbacked old woman carrying a night-scented incense bucket passed by Jiang Li. She raised her eyelids to look at them, then quickly lowered her eyes and hobbled away without looking back.

Jiang Li's heart was moved, but Ye Mingyu spoke up. He said, "What about trusting the county magistrate? I have never seen such a county magistrate before? This is called a county magistrate? Can such a person be a county magistrate?"

He was still upset about Feng Yutang's rude look towards Jiang Li.

"It's okay, Uncle Mingyu. A man like him won't be able to be the county magistrate for long." Jiang Li comforted him, but she couldn't feel happy at all.

Feng Yutang actually said that Xue Huaiyuan would be executed in seven days? It was so soon! They were going to kill a father who had already lost his mind. Jiang Li clenched her fists in hatred.

Seven days, she didn't have much time left. In seven days, she had to overturn Xue Huaiyuan's verdict and prevent the execution at Wumen. But now she had nothing except a tampered file. Her father was already crazy, and if what they said was true, he would have no way to defend himself. To overturn her father's verdict, she had to rely on herself.

The people of Tongxiang were frightened by Feng Yutang's tyranny and dared not speak out. All of her father's former subordinates were replaced, and no one knew whether they were alive or dead. She returned to Tongxiang, but she was faced with the most unfamiliar environment, which was not in her favor no matter how she looked at it.

But she still had to move forward.

Ye Mingyu asked: "Ali, what should we do now?"

"Let's go back first," Jiang Li said, "Let me think about it."

She hadn't thought about the next step yet, but time was running out, and she had to make a decision in the shortest possible time. But one thing was for sure, she would not watch Xue Huaiyuan being executed, even if it meant robbing the execution ground, she would save her father's life.

Just as she was thinking about it, a child of five or six years old suddenly came over from a distance and timidly tugged at the corner of her clothes. Jiang Li looked down and saw that the child stuffed a note into her hand and turned and ran away.

Ye Mingyu was curious: "What's wrong?"

Jiang Li unfolded the note, read it quickly, tore it into pieces, and looked upstairs at a pub not far away. She saw a bright red color spreading out, which was particularly eye-catching in the wind.

Jiang Li said to Ye Mingyu: "Uncle Mingyu, you guys go back first. I have something else to do and will be back soon."

"What are you going to do?" Ye Mingyu refused, "It's too dangerous for you to go alone. I'll go with you."

"It's not dangerous," Jiang Li said, "Uncle Mingyu, you guys go back first. I know the way and will come back with Tong'er and the others later."

Seeing Jiang Li's insistent look, Ye Mingyu was helpless and said, "How about this, I won't go back, I'll stay here. You just looked at the tavern next door, right? Are you going to meet someone? Don't worry, I won't follow you. I'll wait for you outside and won't come in."

Jiang Li had no choice but to give up after talking about this. Besides, Ye Mingyu was only outside, so Ji Heng probably wouldn't care. She said, "Okay, uncle, wait for me here for a while, I'll be back soon."

As expected, Ye Mingyu and his men were squatting on the street waiting for Jiang Li. Jiang Li and Tong'er and Baixue walked towards the tavern together, with many doubts in their hearts.

Why did Ji Heng come here? Now, no one would believe him if he said he didn't come with me.

When enemies come, we will fight them; when water comes, we will block it with earth. We can only take one step at a time.

She walked into the pub.

The entire tavern was empty. The previous tavern owner had a waiter to look after the store, but this store didn't even have a waiter. The guard named Wen Ji stood at the door and watched Jiang Li go in.

I guess this tavern has been temporarily "taken over" by this Duke. He is really arrogant. He wants to drive everyone else out of the tavern when he is in the tavern. He is really overbearing.

Jiang Li went upstairs.

On the second floor, near the window, a young man in red was pouring tea. His movements were very skillful and not awkward at all. His movements were so smooth that it was pleasing to the eye just by looking at them.

He poured two cups of tea.

When Jiang Li walked up to him, Ji Heng pushed the cup of tea he had just poured next to her and made a "please" gesture.

Jiang Li sat down opposite him without touching the cup of tea.

"Miss Jiang, please try the Baihao Silver Needle." He said with a smile, as if he was welcoming an old friend.

"Thank you, sir. I'm not thirsty." Jiang Li said.

"Second Miss, are you afraid that I might poison it?" Ji Heng asked with a smile.

Jiang Li smiled and replied, "How could that be? If the Duke really wanted to kill me, it would only take a moment. He would not waste good tea."

Ji Heng smiled: "You know me well."

Jiang Li: "I don't dare."

Ji Heng is a man with deep thoughts and cunning minds. Who dares to say that he understands him? The four words "moody" are not just words. Besides, a few days ago, he was in a play, and he resolved an assassination while chatting and laughing, and dealt with a group of assassins calmly. He was so ruthless without blinking an eye. Jiang Li saw it all. How could she take this person lightly?

But Ji Heng finally noticed her and followed her to Tongxiang.

Jiang Li didn't want to beat around the bush with Ji Heng. She had too little time now. If she wasted a moment, Xue Huaiyuan's chance of survival would be reduced. She asked, "Duke, did you come to Tongxiang to watch a play this time?"

"No." Ji Heng whispered, "I came to see you."

His eyes were sparkling, his lips were rosy, and he looked amorous, as if he was really a handsome man, but Jiang Li would never believe such nonsense. She smiled and said, "So you came to see my show."

"No way, because Second Miss Jiang is so special that it's hard not to notice her." Ji Heng held the teacup in one hand, blew gently on the floating leaves on the water, and said casually: "Second Miss came to Xiangyang this time for the trip to Tongxiang, right? As for the purpose of the trip to Tongxiang, it is for the Xue family case, right?" Jiang Li paused, looked up at him, and smiled: "The Duke knows everything, why ask me?" In such a short time, Ji Heng knew it again. But she couldn't avoid this kind of thing from happening.

"I don't understand, so I asked the Second Miss." Ji Heng raised the corner of her mouth, "What is the relationship between the Second Miss and the Xue family?"

His amber eyes were filled with serious doubts for a moment, as if he was really waiting for Jiang Li's answer. He looked like an evil boy with malicious innocence.

"The Duke has great powers. If he really wants to know, he will know without me saying anything." Jiang Li said.

"It seems that the Second Miss is unwilling to speak."

"Didn't the Duke guess it a long time ago?"

Neither of them gave in, they were all smiling and whispering softly, but it seemed like sparks were flying and blood was splashing. Bai Xue and Tong Er stood aside, watching without daring to breathe, extremely nervous.

Ji Heng took a sip of tea slowly and said, "The Second Miss has always been invincible, but this time, things are not so simple."

"What I do is never easy." Jiang Li smiled.

"It's wishful thinking to save Xue Huaiyuan," he said.

Jiang Li placed her fingertips on the edge of the teacup and said casually, "As long as adults don't interfere, it's not just a foolish dream."

"Oh?" Ji Heng smiled, "Are you begging me?"

"If requesting is helpful," Jiang Li looked at him, "I sincerely request you, sir."

Ji Heng looked at her for a while and said, "I thought the Second Miss would never bow her head to others."

Jiang Li smiled: "Then the master misjudged me, my bones are very light."

Ji Heng choked.

Jiang Li seemed to be seeking an answer stubbornly, and asked: "I wonder if the master can agree to my request."

Ji Heng did not answer Jiang Li's question, but asked: "Second Miss may not know who she will meet if she intervenes in the Xue family's case."

"I know." Jiang Li interrupted him gently.

Ji Heng was slightly startled, and looked at Jiang Li inquiringly. At least from the perspective of others, Jiang Li and the Xue family were not related at all. Jiang Yuanbai himself was afraid that he did not know that Jiang Li had done such a thing in Tongxiang. And the secret behind the Xue Huaiyuan case was known by very few people in the whole Beiyan. Jiang Li had nothing to do with the Xue family, and had nothing to do with that person either, so how could she know?
Ji Heng suddenly remembered that during the Mingyi Hall inspection, Jiang Li had used Meng Hongjin to shoot cold arrows at Princess Yongning, and it seemed that she had a big grudge against Princess Yongning. In this case, what she said she knew was true.

A hint of interest suddenly flashed in Ji Heng's eyes.

He could not find any intersection between Jiang Li and Yong Ning, nor could he find any intersection between Jiang Li and Xue Huaiyuan, and he could not even find any connection between Jiang Li and them. In fact, because Jiang Li's experience was simple, her past was easy to find out. But everything she did was aimed at Yong Ning and the Xue family.

This is very strange.

"You know this, but you still do this, why do you do this, Miss?" Ji Heng smiled faintly: "It's not worth it to get into big trouble for an irrelevant person, or should I say," he said meaningfully: "Isn't it irrelevant?"

"Your Excellency does not need to test me." Jiang Li said, "You will know what you want to know without asking me. My play may not be wonderful, but if you want to watch the play, I have to do my best to perform it well."

"I'm afraid that the disaster will happen before the show is over."

Jiang Li laughed: "My Lord, you are kindly reminding me, you are not worried about me, right?"

Wen Ji was shocked watching from the side. There were almost no women in the world who could resist the temptation of adults. Even if they had no love for adults, they would occasionally indulge in them. Especially for young girls like this, it was easier to fall into the trap of adults. But Miss Jiang Er was always sober. Her heart was like a copper wall and iron wall. She was determined to resist the gentleness of adults.

"That wasn't the case originally," Ji Heng curled her lips, "You've said too much. I'm really a little worried about the Second Miss."

"That's not necessary," Jiang Li also said, "I'll be fine."

"You are so sure, do you have nothing to worry about?" Ji Heng shook his head, "You don't know what you are facing."

"I know, they will send someone to kill me, even though I am a daughter of the Jiang family." Yongning would not be afraid of her just because she was Jiang Yuanbo's daughter. That woman was already crazy, and she wanted to torture the Xue family. As long as she stood in Yongning's way, Yongning would eliminate her without hesitation. At most, she would let Feng Yutang take all the blame.

Jiang Li's tone was so calm, as if she was not talking about a matter of life and death, but a trivial matter of what to eat tonight. Even Wen Ji couldn't help but look at her.

Ji Heng sighed: "If that's the case, why are you so persistent?"

"Are you persistent?" Jiang Li asked softly, as if she was asking herself, but also as if she didn't know who to ask. She laughed softly: "Maybe, but sometimes, without persistence, there is no meaning in living." She became the Second Miss Jiang, not to enjoy a life of luxury, nor to feel the dignity of being the daughter of the Prime Minister, but to personally send her past enemies to the guillotine and to pay tribute to the spirits of her relatives in heaven.

Ji Heng noticed Jiang Li's expression, and a strange look flashed in his eyes.

The girl was in the prime of her life, bright and lovely, with a pair of lively and clear eyes. Unlike the daughters of wealthy families, she was always calm and composed. Even when she was surprised, it was just like a tiny stone thrown into a deep abyss, which would only cause a tiny splash of water but would soon disappear.

She was an outlier in Yanjing City, very different from other girls in Yanjing City. It was like a strange plant growing in a flowerbed full of precious flowers and plants. It looked docile and harmless, standing there quietly, lovable. But when prey approached, she would stretch out her branches, grab the prey tightly, and never let go, devouring it clean with an absolutely ferocious attitude.

Under her seemingly gentle appearance, she hides a calm ferocity. The greatest danger of this plant is that it is not afraid of who its opponent is, whether it is a venomous tongue or a ferocious beast, her devouring posture is merciless and fearless.

She is the most special existence in the flower garden. If such a fierce and lethal plant is raised in the mansion, the whole house will be peaceful. This thought inexplicably emerged in Ji Heng's mind.

The Jiang Li in front of him looked a little pitiful with her eyes downcast. This fierce plant also looked sad, which was surprising and confusing. I didn't know whether it was a camouflage used to lure prey or a momentary revelation of true feelings.

Seeing Ji Heng staring at her thoughtfully, Jiang Li put away the emotion in her eyes and said with a smile: "It is my honor to see you here. Every time I perform on stage, you are also there. Maybe we are really destined to meet."

Ji Heng almost laughed out loud, it was so funny, this girl was clearly gritting her teeth in hatred, yet she still managed to keep a straight face and look sincere.

"Aren't you afraid that I'll ruin your show?" Ji Heng said slowly.

Jiang Li looked at him and said, "Really? But after thinking about it, the Duke has no reason to do this."

"Can't you think of a reason?" Ji Heng asked with a smile, "It seems that the second young lady thinks I am too kind, or has forgotten the relationship between the Li family and me." He seemed to deliberately remind Jiang Li, "Didn't you see me and the people from the Li family in the palace banquet garden?"

Jiang Li was surprised for a moment. At that time, she did recognize that the person who was talking to Ji Heng was Li Jing's subordinate, but she did not show it. Besides, the Jiang family and the Li family were not on good terms. She was a girl who stayed in the boudoir and was not in Yanjing for many years. It was impossible for her to know Li Jing's subordinates. No one should suspect it.

But unexpectedly, Ji Heng already knew, she recognized the other person. Perhaps at that time, her brief surprise had been seen by Ji Heng, and at that time, Ji Heng already knew that she knew him, and at that time, Ji Heng watched her acting with cold eyes.

Jiang Li asked: "So?"

"So?" Ji Heng asked back.

"Being with the Li family does that mean I'm definitely on their side?" Jiang Li said with a smile, "I think the Duke and I might end up being on the same side in the future."

Wen Ji was so shocked that his usually calm face could no longer hold back. How dare Second Miss Jiang say such words to the adults? When King Cheng wanted to win over Ji Heng, he didn't even have the guts to say such words.

Ji Heng looked at Jiang Li quietly. The smile on Jiang Li's lips never wavered. She looked at him softly and appropriately, like a gentle spring breeze.

"Are you really smart, or just pretending to be smart?" he asked softly.

Jiang Li smiled: "Who knows."

The people in the room fell silent and no one spoke.

Jiang Li looked at the tea in front of her, the boiling hot Baihao Yinzhen tea. The weather was cold, but it instantly became warm, and a lot of time had passed.

"Let's stop here for today." Jiang Li said with a smile: "My uncle is still waiting for me outside, I have to go back. Thank you for reminding me, Duke." She smiled and said: "I hope I can sing this play to the best of my ability and let the Duke watch it with all his heart."

She spoke as if she were an entertainer, without mentioning her self-respect. But in the eyes of others, she was much more respected than those young ladies in Yanjing who pretended to be noble.

Jiang Li's bones were not light at all, they were heavy and hard. Perhaps she bent down so that she could stand taller in the future.

Ji Heng looked at her meaningfully: "Goodbye."

Jiang Li bowed to Ji Heng, then stood up and left the tavern.

She walked in a hurry, but it was not because she was in a hurry to avoid Ji Heng. She walked in a hurry, as if she had something more important and urgent to do, and she was afraid of wasting even a little time, so she almost trotted out.

In front of the window, Ji Heng watched Jiang Li walk across the street. Ye Mingyu, who was squatting, stood up, glanced over here, and walked out with Jiang Li.

"It seems like you're really anxious." Ji Heng laughed.

"It's because Xue Huaiyuan will be executed in seven days." Wen Ji said, "It's a pity that we can't find any connection between Miss Jiang Er and Xue Huaiyuan."

"It's not Xue Huaiyuan, it's the Xue family." Ji Heng said.

"Shen Ruyun is Xue Fangfei's aunt, Jiang Li plotted against Shen Ruyun, Xue Zhao is Xue Fangfei's brother, Jiang Li paid tribute to Xue Zhao. Xue Huaiyuan is Xue Fangfei's biological father, and now Jiang Li is going to vindicate Xue Huaiyuan." Ji Heng's voice was very calm, "Don't you think it's too coincidental? They are all Xue family members."

Wen Ji said: "The Xue family case concerns Her Royal Highness the Princess." Others did not know the origin of the case, but they could not hide it from them.

"Haven't you figured it out yet?" Ji Heng said, "She knew it a long time ago. She knows, and she's not afraid."

　Ahri: Don’t be afraid, just do it!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)