183: Chapter 91 Returning Home_5 183: Chapter 91 Returning Home_5 For instance, in the past, if something like Zhou Yanbang’s issue occurred, Jiang Yuanbai would never have let it go so easily; at the very least, he would never have spared both Jiang Yue and Zhou Yanbang.
With Jiang Li leaving Yanjing to return to Xiangyang, it seems she won’t be back for a while.
Indeed, it’s a good opportunity.
Without Jiang Li, Jiang Youyao will not feel any estrangement in her heart, and Jiang Yuanbai will be able to give all his affection solely to Jiang Youyao.
“Besides,” Xun Chun said with another smile, “leaving the Chief Minister’s Residence is easy, but getting back in is far from simple.
When the Second Miss left the Jiang Residence, it took her eight years to return.
She barely secured her position when she hurried back to Xiangyang.
Isn’t that foolish?
Once she leaves, who knows when she’ll come back, or perhaps…” Her voice suddenly lowered, “perhaps she won’t be able to return at all?”
“You mean…” Ji Shuran was taken aback.
Xia Han also stepped forward and said, “Last time Mrs.
Yilang told you, there are many eyes in Yanjing City watchful of every move, and it’s not easy to act recklessly under the Emperor’s nose.
But if the Second Miss goes to Tongxiang, with mountains high and waters long…
an accident occurring is quite natural.
If an accident really happened at that time, it would be the Ye Family’s misfortune.
If the Ye Family can’t provide an explanation, our family and the Ye Family would truly sever ties, increasing the likelihood of reconciliation during the Dragon Boat Festival.”
Ji Shuran said, “What you’re saying, I have pondered as well.”
“My carefully cultivated reputation over the years has been ruined by her overnight.
Since the incident a few days ago, I’ve been trying to act cautiously, but this despicable girl seized the opportunity first.” Ji Shuran took a deep breath, “You’re right, in Yanjing City, I do have some reservations after all, as a beloved daughter of the Grand Secretary’s Family, should any harm come to me, all parties would get involved in the investigation.
But in Tongxiang, or on the road to Tongxiang…” A trace of venom flashed in Ji Shuran’s eyes, “No one would find out, and even if they did, the evidence would have long been cleaned up.
The Ye Family has silver, but attracting thieves with silver is also a common occurrence.”
Xia Han and Xun Chun nodded together.
Ji Shuran’s hand gently touched the leaves of the Persicaria agallocha on the table, the leaves smooth and green.
All this time, within the Jiang Family, in Yanjing City, to maintain a reputation as a loving mother and because Jiang Li’s return and behavior were too high-profile, she had been unable to act.
In such a passive situation, it had been Jiang Li who kept winning.
Now Jiang Li suddenly proposed to return to Xiangyang, probably intending to reconcile with the Ye Family and find a support for herself, but she did not realize that leaving would be like a general abandoning his victorious city on the battlefield to attack a distant highland instead.
It was just like losing a watermelon while picking up a sesame seed.
Since Jiang Li did not wish to stay in the Chief Minister’s Residence, this was also an opportunity—to completely exile her, ensuring she would no longer have a place in the Jiang Residence.
Ji Shuran’s fingers pinched the vein of the Persicaria agallocha’s leaves and suddenly, her hand clenched, crushing the leaves into a pulp, the stems snapping in two, breaking into ragged pieces and scattering messily onto the ground.
She abruptly stood up and said, “Bring me paper and ink; I want to write a letter to father.”
One person alone could not accomplish these things; to take action in Tongxiang discreetly, they would still need to rely on the Ji Family.
…
While Ji Shuran was discussing the matter of Jiang Li leaving the capital at one end, in Fangfei Garden, Tonger and Bai Xue were also frantically packing.
“I need to take this…
the same with this one…
this dress is newly made just a few days ago, it must be taken, and these shoes too…”
Jiang Li said to Tonger with a wry smile, “I’m just going back to Xiangyang, at most for a couple of months, you’re packing so much as if I was to stay there.”
Deflated, Tonger said, “Who knows whether they might lack something in Xiangyang.
Yanjing City has everything, but it might not be the same in Xiangyang.
If my lady doesn’t take enough, and they don’t have it there, how would that work?” She turned her head anxiously, “And we don’t know how the Ye Family people are, whether they are kind to my lady or not, it’s been so many years since we’ve seen them, whether they will treat my lady warmly…”
Jiang Li didn’t have the heart to tell Tonger that not only would the Ye Family not be affectionate, they would probably be cold and stern upon seeing her for the first time.
Jiang Li herself felt somewhat ashamed thinking about how shameless she was for initiating contact.
“Is there anything particular that my lady wishes to take?” Bai Xue asked seriously, “Or something that needs to be done.
It will be some time before we return to Yanjing once we leave.
If there is any pastry you want to eat, I can go buy it now, as Xiangyang might not have them.”
They regarded Xiangyang as some impoverished and remote place, which made Jiang Li smile inwardly; Tongxiang might indeed be quite poor, but Xiangyang was not lacking at all.
Xiangyang had many wealthy merchants, which was enough to show that it lacked nothing.
However, Bai Xue’s words did remind her of something.
She said with a smile, “That’s true, let’s go out tomorrow for a good time, eat something nice, and enjoy ourselves.
After all, we’ll have to stay in Xiangyang for quite a while.”
“Really?” When Tonger heard that, her previous worries were instantly dispelled, and she cheered up immediately.
Bai Xue was also very pleased.
Both of them did not see Jiang Li turn around, her gaze slightly lowered, her expression solemn.
Before returning to her hometown, she had to visit Xue Zhao.
Although she couldn’t take Xue Zhao’s remains back with her now, she couldn’t let him return to their hometown, she needed to see him.
Carrying the blood feud and life of Xue Zhao back to Xiangyang, no matter what, she had to pay her respects.
He was her deceased brother, Xue Zhao.