Chapter 133 Night Detective
Aunt Hu sat for a while before leaving.

When leaving, Jiang Li asked Tong'er to take some charcoal to Aunt Hu's yard. Otherwise, Aunt Hu and her servant would have frozen to death before Jiang Li could reveal Ji Shuran's identity.

Aunt Hu said that no matter what Jiang Li asked her to do, she would be willing to do it as long as she could avenge the eldest daughter of the Jiang family.

After Aunt Hu left, Tong'er closed the door and made sure that there was no one else in the room before saying, "Miss, although what Aunt Hu said may not be true, it is a serious matter, so you must investigate it carefully."

"Yes," Bai Xue also said, "If Aunt Hu is telling the truth, then Ji Shi is now charged with murder. Before she even married into the mansion, she had someone murder the mansion's lady and took her to Jingzhao Prefecture. Even if she is an official's wife, she must pay with her life."

Jiang Li waved her hand and said, "Mrs. Hu's words are only one-sided. This matter must not be spread before the result is reached."

Tong'er and Baixue knew the importance of the matter and immediately said that they would not reveal a single word to anyone.

Jiang Li's gaze deepened.

At first, she only guessed that the death of the eldest daughter of the Jiang family was not accidental, and she even more boldly guessed that Ji Shuran's miscarriage was not entirely what it seemed on the surface, and that her actions might have more hidden secrets. But from Aunt Hu, she also learned such a shocking thing that Ye Zhenzhen's death was actually related to Ji Shuran.

Although Jiang Li said that this was only one-sided from Aunt Hu, Jiang Li's intuition told her that Aunt Hu was probably telling the truth. But there was one thing Jiang Li didn't understand, that is, Ye Zhenzhen was still alive at that time, and Ji Shuran had not yet married, so how could she be willing to plan to be Jiang Yuanbo's second wife, and even kill Ye Zhenzhen.

Before this, Jiang Yuanbai and Ji Shuran had no contact. According to the information Jiang Li had found out, Jiang Yuanbai fell in love with Ji Shuran when Ye Zhenzhen was out of date. It was impossible for them to have developed an affair before that and thus killed his wife.

If it was true... Jiang Li felt a chill in her heart. Aren't Ji Shuran and Jiang Yuanbai another Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong? Poor Ye Zhenzhen, wasn't she following the same path as her?
Jiang Li was thinking wildly, but she couldn't find any clues. If she wanted to find out what was going on, she had to start with Ji Shuran. But she didn't have anyone to go to the Ji family to inquire, and what happened was a long time ago. If she wanted to start from the years before Ji Shuran got married, it would be even more difficult to investigate.

Because she had something on her mind, Jiang Li did not go to Ye's house today, for the first time ever. She locked herself in her room in the yard, thinking hard all night.

Tong'er and Bai Xue thought that Jiang Li had suddenly learned that her mother had died and might have been murdered. She was so angry and sad that she could not control herself, so she locked herself in the room. The two of them came forward to comfort her one by one. Jiang Li listened absent-mindedly, just asking them not to relax and pay attention to Ji Shuran and Jiang Youyao's movements.

At night, when it got dark, Jiang Li sent Tong'er and Baixue away as usual and stayed in the house herself.

I don't know how the matter of explaining to Zhao Ke has been handled. But Jiang Li thought that from today on, she had to add a fourth matter, which was to investigate whether Ji Shuran had any contact with Jiang Yuanbo before she got married. If there was any contact, was there any other entanglement in private.

Investigating the past of her father and stepmother was really a bit of a rebellion. But Jiang Li didn't have too many concerns in her heart. First, she was not the real Second Miss Jiang, and it was difficult for her to rely on Jiang Yuanbai like her father. Second, Jiang Yuanbai might be the murderer. Since she had taken over the body of Second Miss Jiang, she had to be responsible for her life. She couldn't do anything else, but at least if Second Miss Jiang was still alive, she would find a way to find out the real cause of her mother's death.

Jiang Li clenched the whistle in her hand, hesitated for a moment, and then blew it gently.

The Jiang residence was quiet. It was late at night and everyone had gone to bed. Outside, there was a roar of wind and snow. Her courtyard was far from the main courtyard. Although it was called Fangfei Garden, there were only lonely tree shadows at night. It was not only fragrant but also very desolate. It felt like a lonely night with cold stars and not even the sound of insects.

Zhao Ke did not come.

Jiang Li frowned, put the white porcelain whistle to her lips, and blew it again. The whistle was crisp but not loud, and sounded like the murmur of some birds, which was not noticeable at night. I don't know how the people in the Duke's Mansion distinguished it.

There was still no sign of Zhao Ke.

Jiang Li was very confused. It shouldn't happen that Zhao Ke should go back to Jiang's house every night. At least she blew the whistle twice, and Zhao Ke showed up quickly both times. Could it be that he was really dissatisfied with her ordering him around too much, so he asked Ji Heng to replace him? But at least the replacement person should show up. Or maybe he had a mission tonight and was not at home?

Jiang Li waited for a while, but there was no movement. She looked outside and saw that the snow was so strong that it almost blinded her eyes. She was sure that Zhao Ke would not come, so she sighed, reached out to close the window, and turned back.

This turn around made Jiang Li almost scream out in surprise.

Under the flickering lights, someone had been sitting in front of the small table. He was using a folding fan to brush off the snowflakes that had fallen on his robe. He must have just come in from outside, and he was chilled by the wind and snow. But he was wearing a deep red robe, so the cold night seemed to have color, and the room seemed to be filled with the fragrance of love.

He raised his head, revealing a handsome face that could captivate everyone. His smile was light and seductive, his long eyes filled with the night, and he asked, "What's the matter?"

Jiang Li put down the hand covering her mouth, took a step forward, and said, "Duke."

Ji Heng propped up his head with the handle of his fan and looked at her with a smile.

"Why are you here?"

"I saw you blow the whistle twice," Ji Heng said, "What do you want to see Zhao Ke about?"

"It's about some things in the mansion." Jiang Li was a little confused about Ji Heng's purpose and didn't know how to cover it up. Thinking that Zhao Ke should tell everyone about everything on her side, she did not hide anything.

"I heard that you went to my men to ask about the inside story of how you pushed Ji Shuran into miscarriage?"

Jiang Li said: "That's true, but Zhao Ke doesn't know the hidden truth."

"It's natural that Zhao Ke doesn't know," he glanced at Jiang Li and raised the corners of his lips, "I know."

Jiang Li was stunned.

Ji Heng played with her folding fan and said nonchalantly, "I know almost everything about the big and small things in the mansions of the noble families in Yanjing City, whether I want to know or not. I also happen to know a little about what happened in the Jiang family that year."

"Duke," Jiang Li said, "Can you tell me?"

"Sure." Ji Heng answered readily, but the next sentence made Jiang Li frown again. She only heard him say: "But this is your own business, why are you asking me?"

His eyes were moving, full of affection, and under the light, his amber eyes were like wine in a glass swaying slightly, and one more glance would make people intoxicated. However, this wine was like a delicious poison, which made others drunk, but from a deeper perspective, it was shockingly sober.

"I only know the result, not the reason." Jiang Li said: "After all, I was still young at that time, and I knew too little about Ji Shuran."

"Is this the reason you found for yourself?" Ji Heng asked.

"I guess so." Jiang Li said, "Is this reason enough to convince the Duke?"

Ji Heng shook his head regretfully: "Of course not." But soon, he smiled again, "But since you blew the whistle, I will tell you everything I know about your questions today. So this does not prevent me from telling you the inside story of Ji Shuran. You can ask now."

Jiang Li looked at him. This man's every move was so charming that even in such a back-and-forth conversation, he could make people's hearts flutter. He seemed far away and yet so close, and it was hard to figure out. If someone else came, I'm afraid they would be trapped.

"Did Ji Shuran have an affair with my father before my mother died?" Jiang Li asked.

Ji Heng's expression paused slightly. He looked at Jiang Li and asked with interest, "It seems that you have found a lot of things?"

"Just a little bit."

Ji Heng said, "No." Seeing Jiang Li staring at him, he added, "Before Ji married Jiang Yuanbai, she had no contact with Jiang Yuanbai."

Jiang Li secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't want the truth to be like this. If Jiang Yuanbo really joined forces with Ji Shi to kill his first wife, it would be too cruel for Ye Zhenzhen. The real Second Miss Jiang was really pitiful. There was already one Xue Fangfei in the world, and there was no need for more miserable women.

"You seem to be happy to see it happen." Ji Heng said.

"At least it can be proved that my father is not a murderer. The Jiang family I live in is safer. Isn't it worth being happy?"

Ji Heng did not comment. He said, "Jiang Yuanbai is not that bold. Ji Shuran and your father did not have an affair, because the one who had an affair with her was someone else."

This time, Jiang Li was truly surprised.

She was always gentle and calm, and it was rare for her to show such a surprised expression. This made her look a bit childish, but it was even less like her. Ji Heng was amused by her expression, propped up her chin, and said, "Why, you don't believe it?"

"I just... find it very strange." Jiang Li said, "I think Ji Shi must be very concerned about my father. Over the years, she has also put a lot of effort into my father, so there are no women in the first room except for a concubine who has hysteria and is almost unremembered. She is like this, I thought she has my father in her heart, which is why she has such a possessive desire, but I didn't expect that she has someone else in her heart."

After all, she was a young girl, and when she talked about these things, she was not ashamed at all, and spoke calmly and rationally, as if she had experienced the ups and downs of love, so she could see it so clearly. Ji Heng's eyes flickered slightly, and then disappeared quickly, and said: "Ji Shuran loves your father now, but back then... she and her cousin were in love."

Jiang Li widened her eyes: "Cousin?"

She had never heard that Ji had any cousin.

"Ji's cousin is called Liu Wencai. Well, he is more handsome than Jiang Yuanbai. He and Ji were also very romantic back then."

It turns out that many years ago, Ji Shuran and Liu Wencai had a love affair. Liu Wencai was handsome and knew women's minds. Ji Shuran, who was just beginning to fall in love, was no match for Liu Wencai. She even got together with Liu Wencai without telling Ji's family, and almost decided to spend her life together. Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran were originally a good match, but his family had already found another marriage for him. While Ji was still dreaming that Liu Wencai would marry her, Liu Wencai had already married someone else.

Ji Shi was angry and determined to take revenge on Liu Wencai and marry herself off. Not only that, she wanted to marry a man who was better than Liu Wencai and had a higher status. However, although there were many suitable men in Yanjing City, it was difficult to find one in a short time, and it was even harder to find one who was better than Liu Wencai. Ji Yanlin wanted to marry Ji Shuran to the son of a colleague to get closer to him. The colleague's son was obese and had countless concubines in his mansion. How could Ji Shi look down on him? This made Ji Shi even more anxious.

At this time, by chance, Ji saw Jiang Yuanbo at a banquet. Jiang Yuanbo was younger at the time, and although he was not as handsome as Liu Wencai, he had his own elegant demeanor. Ji Shuran learned that Jiang Yuanbo's position in the court was higher than that of the colleague that Ji Yanlin wanted her to marry.

If she could marry Jiang Yuanbo, she could get rid of the nightmare of living with an obese man all day long, and she could also take revenge on Liu Wencai. Ji Shuran decided that marrying Jiang Yuanbo was the best choice. But the only problem was that Jiang Yuanbo already had a wife.

At that time, Jiang Yuanbai had just had Jiang Li, and heard that Jiang Yuanbai's wife Ye Zhenzhen had injured her foundation when giving birth. Ji Shuran had a bold idea in her mind. If Ye Zhenzhen became seriously ill and died, Jiang Yuanbai would have to remarry. Ji Shuran didn't care about being a remarriage. For her, even if she was Jiang Yuanbai's remarriage, it would be more glorious than being the legal wife of Ji Yanlin's colleague's son. Ji Shuran bribed the doctor who diagnosed Ye Zhenzhen's pulse, and promised a huge profit to the maid around Ye Zhenzhen, because no one expected Ye Zhenzhen to have an enemy, and even more did not expect that someone would do such a crazy thing to marry into the Jiang family. Ji Shuran waited patiently, and she actually did it. Ye Zhenzhen died.

After Ye Zhenzhen's death, Ji Shuran told Mrs. Ji that it would be better to be Jiang Yuanbo's second wife than to be the wife of a colleague's son. The Jiang family has a prominent position in the court, and can also improve the relationship with the Ji family. Mrs. Ji told Ji Yanlin about this, and Ji Yanlin also thought it was a good idea. Later, the banquet where Jiang Yuanbo took a fancy to Ji Shuran was arranged.

At that banquet, Ji Shuran naturally put in a lot of effort. She asked people early on what kind of music Jiang Yuanbo liked and what kind of dress he liked. This led to Jiang Yuanbo falling in love with Ji Shuran at first sight.

After Ji Shuran entered the Jiang family, Ye Zhenzhen's servants died or dispersed. Of course, they were all killed by Ji Shuran. No one knew about this except Ji Shuran's confidants. As Ji Shuran gave birth to two children and established herself in the Jiang family, it would be even less known to others.

Ji Heng said, "Before Zhao Ke came to the Jiang family, I asked him to find out everything that happened in the Jiang family. Wen Ji also found out some things. All of Madam Jiang's servants had accidents within half a year, and no one was spared. It was really puzzling. I didn't expect to find out such a secret."

Jiang Li was so shocked that she couldn't speak.

She did not doubt Ji Heng's words. He was naturally proud and did not need to lie about such things. But she was shocked by Ji Shuran's shamelessness and audacity. If there was any difference between Ji Shuran and Princess Yongning, it was that Ji Shuran's cruelty was hidden under a gentle appearance, while Princess Yongning was not afraid to show it at all.

But what they did was the same thing: killing their wives and destroying their heirs.

"Liu Wencai..." Jiang Li murmured, "Where is that person now?"

"The Liu family got into trouble later, and Master Liu was demoted and left Yanjing City to Yuzhou. He can't be compared with the Ji family. But..." Ji Heng looked at her: "Eight years ago, Liu Wencai came to Yanjing City."

Eight years ago, was that the year Jiang Li pushed Ji Shuran into miscarriage and she was sent to Qingcheng Mountain?
"He came to see Ji Shuran?" Jiang Li asked.

"That should be the case." Ji Heng said nonchalantly, "Many people in this world enjoy reliving old memories."

Jiang Li felt sick, but she still had to ask, "Did Ji Shuran rekindle his past with him?"

"Not only that," Ji Heng smiled, "but also gave birth to an evil child."

Jiang Li's mind was confused for a moment, and then, as if everything suddenly became clear, she understood everything. Her voice was filled with anxiety: "Is this adulterer the one who was pushed down and had a miscarriage by me?"

"Yes," Ji Heng sighed, as if she felt pity for her, her voice was gentle, "For the sake of an illicit child, Jiang Yuanbai made you go to Qingcheng Mountain and stay there for eight years. You must have felt very wronged."

Jiang Li bit her lip and said, "No, Ji Shuran and Liu Wencai had an affair and no one has discovered it until now. No one should have discovered it at that time. In this case, as long as she doesn't take the initiative to say it, who knows that the child is not from the Jiang family. Ji Shuran would rather not have this child, would rather get rid of this child, and force me to leave home, unless... she is afraid that someone will know that the child is Liu Wencai's. Out of fear, she is willing to have an abortion, but she came to me... Is she afraid that I will know about this? What did I see?"

It was as if a ray of light suddenly appeared in the sky, and everything became clear. Before Jiang Li had time to analyze further, she heard Ji Heng's voice coming from nearby. He said, "I think so too, but Ah Li, why do you want to talk about your own affairs as a bystander?"

Jiang Li shuddered, and met Ji Heng's half-smiley gaze.

She was so shocked that she forgot to hide it, and the words "I know something" seemed out of place. She asked herself this question, but how would an ordinary person ask themselves this question?

"I..." Jiang Li's mind was racing as she thought of a response. She said, "I don't know about this. I don't remember seeing the relationship between Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran. That's why I asked myself this question."

After saying this, she herself became confused. If Miss Jiang really saw Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran having an affair, why didn't she say anything at the time? Why didn't she say anything after all these years? Could it be that Miss Jiang didn't see or hear anything, but Ji Shuran thought that Miss Jiang knew the inside story and would rather kill her by mistake than let her go, so she used Jiang Li's hand to get rid of the evil seed in her belly, and also let the Jiang family dislike Jiang Li, killing two birds with one stone?
She looked at Ji Heng. Ji Heng obviously didn't believe this answer. Because he nodded in a perfunctory manner. It was as if the adult had already seen through the child's clumsy lies, but didn't want to delve into it with the child, so he pretended to nod to show that he believed.

But Jiang Li couldn't care less. Ji Heng seemed like a treasure trove of knowledge, and she knew nothing about the Jiang family. Her biggest flaw could be made up by Ji Heng, so she wished that Ji Heng could tell her everything.

"Where is Liu Wencai now?" Jiang Li asked. If possible, finding Liu Wencai would also be considered as evidence.

Ji Heng said: "Dead."

"Dead?" Jiang Li was surprised.

"Ji Shuran personally ordered someone to kill her." Ji Heng said it casually as if it was a daily routine, but it made Jiang Li feel creepy. He said, "Before the miscarriage, someone was sent to kill her. It is said," he smiled with a hint of sarcasm, "Liu Wencai was still dreaming of living the life of a rich young man in Yanjing again with the help of Ji Shuran. Ji Shuran promised to give him money and let him open a casino in the best area of ​​Yanjing, but he died in the house the next day. He died of drunkenness."

Jiang Li was speechless.

As the saying goes, a husband and wife are bound by a hundred days of grace. Liu Wencai and Ji Shuran had been in love for many years. Even though Liu Wencai later married someone else, when Liu Wencai returned to Yanjing many years later, Ji Shuran had a child with him. This shows that Ji Shuran still had feelings for him.

You still have feelings for him, but you can kill him without even looking back?

Ji Heng seemed to see that she was confused and said, "Ji Shuran doesn't love him."

"Not in love?"

"Liu Wencai has fallen on hard times." Ji Heng said calmly, "He has nothing. Ji Shuran is the wife of the Prime Minister, how could she still be interested in Liu Wencai? She is with Liu Wencai to avenge Liu Wencai's abandonment. From the beginning, she wanted to abandon Liu Wencai, not only that, but she also wanted his life. No wonder people say," he sighed, "The mouth of a bamboo snake and the sting of a wasp are not poisonous, but the heart of a woman is the most poisonous."

His sigh was filled with the casualness and sarcasm typical of a spectator.

"I didn't think so at first," Jiang Li said, "I didn't think I was blocking Ji Shuran's path. Even if I was, I didn't have to take her life. But after hearing what you said, I understand. People like Ji Shuran are vicious in their bones. Even if I didn't provoke her, she would get rid of me. Because she is vicious."

"You just found out now?" Ji Heng said, "You've fought with her before, I thought you knew it a long time ago."

He smiled and spoke in a calm tone, as if he didn't care at all, but Jiang Li knew that every word Ji Heng said was worth pondering. Today, he took the initiative to come to her house and openly shared with her the secrets he knew. On the surface, he was at a disadvantage. But in fact, Ji Heng also gained a lot from this trip.

He was probably already suspecting that something was wrong with himself, the Second Miss Jiang.

Jiang Li was not surprised. No matter what Ji Heng guessed, what she was going to do would never change.

Jiang Li looked at Ji Heng: "Anyway, thank you, Duke, for telling me this."

"I didn't want to tell you this." Ji Heng stared at her and said playfully, "You look kind and innocent, but the truth is always cruel. But...Ahli," when he called "Ahli", the two plain words seemed to contain a spring feeling, and he said, "If you want to survive and go further, you must see the truth earlier. And you can accept it, right?"

Jiang Li also smiled and said, "Good medicine tastes bitter, and honest advice is unpleasant to the ears. The same is true for what you said to your majesty and to me. The Duke told me the truth, and I can't thank you enough."

"But knowing the truth and living too clearly is a very difficult thing."

"Really?" Jiang Li stared into his eyes. "Didn't the Duke come here in the same way?"

For a moment, Jiang Li felt that even the teardrop mole under his eyes became brighter. The smile on his lips froze, or disappeared. He just looked at Jiang Li, his expression was not teasing, nor provocative, not scrutinizing or exploring, but just a trace of something very complicated.

After a while, he laughed again and said, "It's embarrassing to tell others that you saw through me."

"No one in the world dares to think you are shameful." Jiang Li smiled.

Ji Heng suddenly reached out and grabbed her chin.

His fingertips were slightly cold. It was hard to imagine that someone with such a deep and beautiful appearance had no warmth on her fingertips, as if she also carried the cold dew from outside. He turned sideways, approached, stared at Jiang Li from top to bottom, and the smile on his lips deepened. He murmured, "Your mouth is so sweet that I really want to taste it."

Jiang Li's body froze.

She was not afraid of Ji Heng. Even if Ji Heng was moody or ambitious, she could see into Ji Heng's heart. But when Ji Heng made an ambiguous move towards her, she was a little overwhelmed. She couldn't push her away. In fact, she couldn't do it. She knew that Ji Heng thought it was fun and was teasing her with malicious intent, but when the other person's breath got closer and closer, she could see the shadow cast by his long eyelashes and herself clearly in his eyes. Seeing his interesting eyes, seeing his slightly upturned, rosy mouth... Jiang Li suddenly lowered her eyes, avoiding Ji Heng's meaningful eyes, and refused to show her vulnerability to Ji Heng again.

His lips stopped just a millimeter away from hers.

Instead, he said in a funny voice, "So you are still afraid of me. I thought you were already unscrupulous towards me."

Jiang Li finally had some free time and felt greatly relieved.

The next moment, Ji Heng let go of her hand, sat back in her original position, and smiled lazily at her.

Under the light, there was not a single flaw on his face, and with that gorgeous smile, he looked like a deadly charmer.

Jiang Li looked away again. It was really... too dazzling.

"Are you too scared to look at me? Aren't you very brave?" He put away the fan, stood up again, and said, "Let's stop here today. It's getting late. If you need it in the future, you can continue to blow your whistle. Zhao Ke will answer your questions, and sometimes," he smiled, "I will come too."

Jiang Li said: "That's not necessary."

"It's not up to you to decide." He opened the window and said "Goodbye, Ali". The next moment, there was no trace of this man in the room.

Only the lights flicker, and there seems to be a lingering fragrance.

(End of this chapter)