Marriage of the Di Daughter

Zhao Ke came very quickly.

Probably unexpectedly, Jiang Li blew the whistle before it was late at night. He should still be doing other things, with snowflakes and grass dregs outside on his body. Standing in front of the window, said: "Second Miss."

"Zhao Ke, there is something I want to ask you to do." Jiang Li looked at him.

Zhao Ke couldn't help being taken aback, Jiang Li always put on a reasonable and confident look when ordering him. Zhao Ke was also reluctant at the beginning, but later became numb. The adults have ordered him to just obey, what else can he say?

But today's Second Miss Jiang almost had a sincere tone in her tone. Her expression was not as natural as before, but a little anxious and begging.

Although the hearts of the people who came out of the Duke's Mansion were as hard as iron, Zhao Ke still sighed in his heart when he saw Jiang Li's eyes. When the look of praying, it will give people an illusion, as if as long as they refuse her, it is a heinous sin.

"Your Excellency has given your orders, and the subordinates will just do what the Second Miss asks." Zhao Ke replied dully. No matter what he thinks in his heart, he can't show it.

"My maid Baixue, her hometown is Zaohua Village. Can you go...or can you find someone to go to Zaohua Village and pick up a girl named Haitang back to Yanjing City for me?"

Zhao Ke looked at Jiang Li suspiciously. Where is Zaohua Village? He has never been to such a strange place to perform a mission, and Jiang Li's request is even more unbelievable, to pick up a girl? He is not a coachman! Now Miss Jiang Er also asked him to do the coachman? But the monthly silver in the Duke's Mansion has not increased!

"This matter... I have to ask my lord." Zhao Ke said.

Jiang Li understood, she knew that Zhao Ke would definitely tell Ji Heng about this matter, in fact, everything she asked Zhao Ke to do would eventually reach Ji Heng's ears, after all Ji Heng was Zhao Ke's master. But this time, once Ji Heng found out about Haitang, with that man's wisdom, he might not be able to find some clues.

At least she and the Xue family are not completely unconnected on the surface, perhaps Ji Heng has long known about the deep relationship.

If there are too many lice, it will not itch, and if there are too many debts, it will not worry. At this time, Jiang Li developed a kind of courage to break the jar, and she said: "Anything you want."

Zhao Ke was surprised again. Since Second Miss Jiang didn't let other people do it, but let people from the Duke's Mansion do it, it must be a very confidential matter. But he is not afraid of being known by Ji Heng. Could it be that the Lord and the Second Miss Jiang are already so familiar? Wait, is it possible that the Second Miss Jiang has also become the Lord's subordinate? Between the subordinates and the master, there is naturally no need to hide anything.

Jiang Li didn't know that the guard in front of her had so many tricks in her mind, she just said: "No matter how you tell your master, once your master agrees, please bring her back in the shortest possible time. Along the way, you may encounter enemies chasing and killing, maybe the opponent's forces are not small, please be careful and protect Haitang's safety."

What she said was serious, and Zhao Ke, who didn't take it seriously at first, also felt Jiang Li's nervousness. He realized that this matter was probably very important to Jiang Li, and he didn't dare to underestimate it right now, so he said: "This subordinate knows, report to your lord tonight, and report to Second Miss Jiang tomorrow morning."

Jiang Li nodded.

Zhao Ke disappeared out of the window, Bai Xue and Tong'er didn't know what happened, they just tried their best to watch the wind and guard the doors and windows, a strange man appeared in the young lady's yard, it was rumored that something was going to happen.

Jiang Li closed the window and also covered the wind and snow outside the window, her heart was beating fast.

If everything goes well, if Zhao Ke can leave, she will be able to see Haitang very soon, at most ten days later.

Her former sister.

...

In the Duke's mansion, Wen Ji soon got the news from Zhao Ke, and told Ji Heng about the matter verbatim.

Lu Ji was in Ji Heng's study, discussing matters with Ji Heng, and said after hearing the words: "Why does Second Miss Jiang not mention it here during the day, but blows the whistle when she returns at night?"

"It's said that I got the letter at night and made a temporary decision." Wen Ji replied.

"Begonia..." Ji Heng sat on the chair, his scarlet robe reached the floor, and the dim light illuminated the golden thread at the corner of the robe, like overflowing brilliance. He put his finger on the letter paper, seemingly unconsciously Tap lightly, and after a while, he said: "Zhao Ke stays at Jiang's house, Wen Ji, you choose a few people, and let people go to Zaohua Village."

Wen Ji took the order and left.

After Wen Ji left, Lu Ji stroked his beard and wondered: "What does this Haitang have to do with Miss Jiang Er? If Tongxiang is still in Xiangyang, and the Ye family is also in Xiangyang, if you say it hard, Miss Jiang Er can also be with Miss Jiang." Tongxiang has something to do with it, but Zaohua Village... has nothing to do with it."

What's more, hearing this name, Lu Ji searched in his mind, but he had never heard of it. He thought it was a farm in a small town. And Jiang Li's request so solemnly is definitely not that simple. Speaking of which, it was the same in Tongxiang last time, and Qiong Zhi in Xihualou seemed to have nothing to do with Jiang Li, but Jiang Li only learned about Xue Huaiyuan's situation based on Qiong Zhi's message.

She seems to always know something that others don't. In this case, this Haitang, who is put in Jiang Li's heart, may also have something to do with something important.

"I'll find out when people arrive." Ji Heng said casually, then suddenly remembered something, and asked again: "Is there any movement at King Cheng's side?"

"In recent days, courtiers have been frequently interviewed, spies come to report, and discuss the matter of conspiracy. It's just that there are two factions internally, one group advocates forcing the palace, and the other group advocates taking it slowly. There is a stalemate for a while."

"The stalemate won't last long." Ji Heng chuckled, "He's not that patient."

"If after the New Year's Eve, next year, or at most one more year, King Cheng raises an issue, will your lord intervene..." Lu Ji asked. What he asked was not very clear. In fact, he followed Ji Heng for a long time, but sometimes Lu Ji could see what Ji Heng was thinking and the next layout.

"No, he can't win." The young man lazily played with the folding fan in his hand. As the fan opened and closed, layers of gorgeous peonies bloomed, reflecting his face more and more colorful. He smiled playfully: "The little emperor has been waiting for so many years, just waiting for that day."

"I'm also waiting for that day." He looked out of the window. The window was thick with ink, and he could hear the wind blowing. His amber eyes were also darkened by the night, or maybe it was the dark emotion in his eyes. down.

His voice was still gentle, but amidst the gentleness, there was also a kind of deep-seated cruelty.

"Wait for the snake to come out of the hole."

...

On the second day, Jiang Li, who got the news from Zhao Ke, finally felt relieved. Ji Heng agreed to send someone to pick up Haitang for her.

After tossing and turning last night and staying up all night, today, I finally feel a sense of unloading the burden. Jiang Li sat down at the stone table in the yard, watching Qingfengmingyue and the two little maids sweeping the snow.

She realized that since she went to Tongxiang, her relationship with Ji Heng had become neither an enemy nor a friend. He kept saying that he wanted his own life, so Jiang Li didn't have too many worries when facing him. Now that I think about it, many things were done so smoothly because of Ji Heng's help.

Whether it's about Jiang Yu'e or Xue Huaiyuan, Daoist Chongxu and Haitang right now, Ji Heng is involved in every case. People who didn't get into the play originally, but stayed with her in the play from beginning to end. Jiang Li is not a hard-hearted person. On the contrary, Xue Huaiyuan taught her to repay kindness since she was a child. She saw everything Ji Heng did, her attitude was lukewarm, she just wanted to protect herself, after all, the situation is too complicated now, and Ji Heng is not simple.

If you owe a favor, you must pay it back. For the time being, she doesn't know how much she can help Ji Heng with her meager strength. But thinking about it, if Ji Heng really has difficulties in the future, she will definitely not hide it. This has nothing to do with her life being in Ji Heng's hands, it's just a simple thank you.

If Yongning and Shen Yurong were punished, apart from Xue Huaiyuan, she would really have no regrets.

In the Jiang Mansion, while Jiang Li was relaxed, there was one person who was not so relaxed, and this person was Jiang Youyao from Yaoguang Zhuli.

Since Ji Shuran's death, Jiang Youyao's life was like falling to the ground from birth. Not to mention whether the servants of the Jiang family acted according to the wind, but the servants in the entire mansion knew what Ji Shuran did that day, so naturally they would not have a good look at Ji Shuran's daughter. Although she never neglected etiquette on weekdays, Jiang Youyao clearly saw them looking at her with meaningful eyes several times. She knew what that look was, it was a look of contempt and contempt.

Jiang Youyao was so angry that she was about to go crazy, she was as willful as before, and a few servants who didn't like her, but she was severely reprimanded by Mrs. Jiang and Jiang Yuanbai. In the past, Jiang Youyao was arrogant and willful, and she was only regarded as a young girl who was innocent and innocent. Now that Ji Shuran has learned from the past, everyone will inevitably combine Jiang Youyao's behavior with Ji Shuran's vicious heart. If Jiang Youyao had also learned Ji Shuran's vicious nature, then her actions would definitely not be willful.

For Jiang Youyao, it turned out that Jiang Yuanbai and Mrs. Jiang no longer loved her because of Ji Shuran's relationship, and even despised her. Everyone in the entire Jiang family looked down on her. In fact, let alone her, even Mrs. Jiang’s treatment of Jiang Bingji was no longer the same as before, and she became stricter—children cannot grow crooked from the root. Yes, Ji Shi is the best example.

Under such circumstances, Jiang Youyao lived like a year.

She once wrote a letter to Ji's family, hoping that Ji Yanlin would let someone take her back to Ji's family. Since the Jiang family doesn't want to see her, the Ji family can naturally help her. But there was no reply for a long time, Jiang Youyao suspected that the letter was stopped by the old lady. She can't do anything, there are rumors everywhere outside, and there are rumors that she is not Jiang Yuanbai's daughter, but Ji Shuran and Liu Wencai's illegitimate child. The piles of piles made Jiang Youyao almost suffocate.

At this time, she even envied Jiang Yu'e, who was a concubine for Zhou Yanbang in Ningyuanhoufu. Even if you are a concubine, you can marry your sweetheart. Zhou Yanbang is so gentle, he will definitely understand and comfort himself. Thinking of this, Jiang Youyao couldn't help but hate Jiang Li again. If it wasn't for Jiang Li and Jiang Yu'e's collusion, how could Jiang Yu'e snatch her marriage, it would have been her own! Jiang Li snatched her favor from the Jiang family, killed her mother, and let Jiang Yu'e dove into the magpie's nest, she deserves to die!

Seeing the changing expression on Jiang Youyao's face, the maid beside Jiang Youyao was also a little scared. There have been great changes in these days, and Jiang Youyao's temperament has also changed greatly. She often beats and scolds her servants. Although the old lady and the elder have ordered her, in her own yard, Jiang Youyao can still punish her servants at will.

"I want to go out." The servant girl who was doing things carefully suddenly saw Jiang Youyao stand up from her chair and said such a sentence.

"Miss, it's not easy to go out of the mansion now." Yinhua reminded.

Especially Jiang Youyao, who was grounded before. Because there are rumors about Jiang Youyao and Ji Shuran outside, if Jiang Youyao goes out, it will inevitably cause a storm of tongues. If she couldn't provoke her, she could still hide her, so Jiang's family asked Jiang Youyao not to go out for the time being, but to stay in the mansion.

But in Jiang Youyao's eyes, the Jiang family's actions were nothing more than taking their anger out on Ji Shuran.

"I don't know if I will be alive if I stay in this mansion any longer." Jiang Youyao sneered, and said, "Everyone doesn't pay attention to me now, how can I remember that I am the third lady of the Jiang family. If I stay here, I will be like Aunt Hu back then, forgotten by others, and become a waste in the future!"

Jin Hua moved her lips. In fact, she thought it was only temporary, as long as Jiang Youyao behaved better, the master would still love this daughter. After all, those who have been raised by my side for so many years will not say that there is no emotion if there is no emotion, and the master is soft-hearted. As long as this period of time passes, Jiang Youyao will soon return to the old days if she acts like a baby or plays tricks.

But she didn't dare to say that, Jiang Youyao already had her own ideas, and everything she said was useless. Maybe it will touch Jiang Youyao's sore spot, so she just asked: "Where does Miss want to go out of the house?"

"Naturally it's Ji's." Jiang Youyao frowned, "Now my letters have been blocked, and my grandfather doesn't know that I'm suffering in Jiang's house. As long as I escape from the house and go to Ji's house, I will never come back again." After all, the Ji family is no worse than the Jiang family, and my aunt is the empress in the palace. With my aunt as the master, no one dares to bully me. Why are you still here!"

Jinhua and Yinhua looked at each other, Jiang Youyao was spoiled by Ji Shuran, she didn't know anything about the outside world, and always thought that people in the world would always circle around her. Little did they know that after this incident, the Ji family didn't even dare to enter the Jiang family's door, so how could Jiang Youyao be allowed to stay in Ji's house forever.

"Miss, I'd better wait a few more days, the concierge in the mansion is too strict these days, I'm afraid I won't find a chance." Jin Hua persuaded.

"It won't be long before the New Year's Eve. There will always be shopping in the New Year's Eve mansion, and there are many things to do. Then it will be my chance." She glanced at her two maids coldly again: "You two, don't worry about it. I have other thoughts, your contract of selling your life is still in my hands, if this matter is not successful and someone leaks the secret..." The sternness that flashed in her eyes was exactly the same as Ji Shuran's.

The two servant girls couldn't help but shuddered in their hearts, they hurriedly knelt down to show their loyalty, and dared not say anything.

...

After the winter solstice, less than a month later, it will be the end of the new year.

Even though too many things happened to the Jiang family in the past six months, and even people were killed, and the official careers of the two brothers Jiang Yuanbai were not very smooth, and the Jiang family was treated as a joke outside, but this year is still to be passed.

Up and down the mansion, unknowingly began to get busy. Pearl and Jade from Wanfengtang came several times and asked Jiang Li when she would go out to pick out jewelry in the jewelry store. Jiang Li doesn't have a special liking for jewelry, and after going there once, she doesn't want to go again. Mrs. Jiang asked another tailor to come to Fangfeiyuan to make new clothes for Jiang Li. Jiang Li knew that this was to compensate her.

Speaking of tailoring clothes, there was another time during this period, Mrs. Jiang took her to a banquet, a family banquet of an official. Jiang Li wore the clothes made of Taoshui Wen that came out of the Ye family, which attracted the attention of all the ladies and wives at that time, and they all pulled her to ask where to buy the clothes. Jiang Li took advantage of the opportunity to say the name of the Ye family in Xiangyang. Not long after that, Ye Mingyu received a letter from Xiangyang, saying that the supply of the Ye family's Taoshuiwen was in short supply, and many garment shops in Yanjing City came to order materials. The Ye family's textile factory is rushing to work almost day and night these days.

When hearing Ye Mingyu talk about this matter, Jiang Li was very relieved. At any rate, the Ye family's ancient fragrance satin has not declined, and the water pattern has risen, so the Ye family's difficulties are over. Mrs. Ye's health is also getting better gradually, and everything is developing in a good way. Even Xue Huaiyuan became more energetic every day under Situ Jiuyue's diagnosis and treatment, and now he can even recognize people and call people by their names.

This year's end does not seem difficult, as if many things can be solved without any difficulties.

On the fifteenth day after the winter solstice, Begonia returned.

Zhao Ke stood in front of Jiang Li's window and said, "Now I'm in the Duke's mansion. I'm afraid I'll attract attention in Jiang's house. There are people watching at the door of Ye's house. The second lady wants to see Haitang. My lord has said that I can go to the Duke's mansion." .”

Jiang Li: "...I'm afraid it will attract attention."

"It's okay, my lord said, the second lady wants to go, and if she goes late at night, no one will find out." Zhao Ke said it simply, but Jiang Li felt a headache when he heard it.

"How do I get out late at night?" Jiang Li asked, hoping that the person in front of her could consider some practical issues. She is the young lady of the chief assistant's family, how to go out in the middle of the night, she still goes to the Duke's mansion. Unless she has lightness skills like Ye Mingyu, and she is masked and her whereabouts are uncertain, then that's fine.

"Don't worry, the second lady, everything will be arranged by my subordinates." Zhao Ke said very confidently.

Jiang Li looked at Zhao Ke carefully for a while, and Zhao Ke lowered his head in embarrassment, only to be sure that the guard in front of him was not joking, but really proposed such a solution. She still wanted to struggle, so she asked, "Is there any other way? Actually, we can meet at the restaurant on the street."

"The person Second Miss is looking for is very distrustful of others. Even now, she is still wary of us." Zhao Ke replied, "If we hadn't subdued her, she would have run away."

"You subdued her?" Jiang Li was surprised, "Didn't you tell her that the person looking for her will not hurt her, but come to help her?"

"I said it." Zhao Ke shrugged, "But she doesn't believe it."

Jiang Li's heart sank gradually, Haitang was so wary of others, she refused to believe anything, it was clear that something really happened, at least something happened to make it happen. Now that things were going on, she didn't care about anything else. The most urgent thing was to see Haitang first, comfort her, and figure out what happened after she died and after she and Du Juan ran out.

Jiang Li said: "Okay, I'm going to the Duke's mansion tonight, I wonder if it's convenient for the Duke?"

Zhao Ke raised his head in surprise, agreed so quickly? He thought that Miss Jiang would have to struggle for a while before agreeing. After all, it was still late at night when a young lady went to a strange man's mansion.

all at once. But it's not right to think about it. After all, the lord is Su Guogong. Which woman in Beiyan doesn't like Su Guogong? If something happens, Miss Jiang will not lose money, and even make a lot of money. .

Thinking about it this way, the surprise in Zhao Ke's eyes faded in an instant, and he said with a clear face, "Okay, this subordinate will report back to your lord."

Jiang Li nodded.

Zhao Ke left, Jiang Li saw him leave, did not close the window, just looked at the white expanse outside the window, didn't know whether it was joy or sadness in her heart.

The joy is that Haitang is still there, and now she is about to meet her old friend for the first time. The sad thing is that times have changed, people have changed, Haitang can't recognize her, and she can't rashly recognize Haitang. Both of them have suffered a huge blow, and they are no longer the carefree girls of the past.

Tong'er stood beside Jiang Li and asked in a low voice: "Miss, are you going to the Duke's Mansion tonight?"

Jiang Li looked at Tong'er, and she said: "I went to the Duke's Mansion and walked very close to Jiheng, what do you think? Or," she looked at Bai Xue again: "What do you think?"

This was the first time she spoke to the two servant girls so seriously. For Tong'er and Baixue, they often didn't understand why Jiang Li did what she did. Even Tong'er, who grew up with Jiang Li, was at a loss for the many related people who appeared inexplicably in Jiang Li.

Tong'er stammered: "What, how about it? The girl doesn't want the slaves, does she?" Her eyes turned red, as if she was about to cry in the next moment.

Jiang Li was taken aback for a moment, but Tong'er made her laugh and cry, so she stretched out her hand to close the window, Qingfeng Mingyue was guarding the door outside, she sat down on the chair, sighed, and said: "I think you can see it too , These days with me, my side is not peaceful, even full of danger. And what I want to do may offend the powerful and powerful in Yanjing City, and maybe I will not be able to protect myself." After a pause, she said: "You are by my side The closest person, I don't want to deceive you, I can only tell you that what I am going to do in the future may be even more shocking to the world. Compared with it, going to the Duke's Mansion late at night can be said to be a trivial matter. In this way, Can you accept it too?"

Bai Xue thought for a while, then asked seriously: "So what if you don't accept it?"

Tong'er hastily tugged on Bai Xue's sleeve, but Bai Xue was unmoved. She was such a straight-hearted person, she said one thing and said another, it seemed that she was really puzzled by Jiang Li's answer.

"If you don't accept it, you can't stay by my side, not only because you are afraid of hurting you, but also because you can't help much." Jiang Li said very calmly, but her calmness did not make people feel uncomfortable Or selfishness, on the contrary, she felt that what she said was from the bottom of her heart, she said: "I hope that the people around me can help, even if it is just a small favor. After all, there are too many dangers to face in the future, and I I don't want to lose right now. As for what I can give you in return..." She thought for a while and said, "Money and property are naturally not a problem, but for important things, I will treat you sincerely."

The most rare thing in the world is sincerity.

Tong'er bit her lip, her voice was full of tears, she took a step forward and said: "Girl, no matter what you want to do, the slave has been with you since childhood, if you don't want the slave, the slave will have nowhere to go. The girl will be in danger in the future, Tong'er will save her master even if she sacrifices her life, this is the way of master and servant... slaves will always follow you!"

Before Jiang Li had time to speak, Bai Xue also said: "Slave maid too." She was clumsy and not good at words, and she didn't talk much, but the four words were sonorous and powerful, and she could hear the determination in them.

Jiang Li looked at the two girls, feeling distressed and touched in her heart. What happened to Haitang reminded her that because what she did was dangerous, she would hurt the people around her at any time. Without the knowledge of those around her, just like Xue Fangfei back then, Princess Yongning seized the opportunity to harm Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan. Although Tong'er and Baixue couldn't understand why she did this, they must know what they were facing.

If they can't bear such consequences, they should leave as soon as possible, and don't get involved in the vortex of right and wrong.

And they all chose to stay.

"Girl, no matter what you are facing, you will never be alone." Bai Xue said.

Jiang Li smiled slightly: "Yes." She had two loyal servant girls, and she was also loved by the Ye family. Although Jiang Yuanbai and Mrs. Jiang were selfish, they still felt guilty towards her. Now the traces belonging to Xue Fangfei have been erased, but those belonging to Jiang Li are being recovered one by one.

After talking with Tonger Baixue, she finally calmed down Tonger. Next, Jiang Li didn't do much, just like usual, she read and wrote in the yard, or drank tea and listened to the chatting of the maids, and waited intently for the night to fall.

At night, no noisy voices could be heard anywhere in Yanjing City, and when even the wind died down, a lamp in Jiang Li’s yard was still burning weakly. The lights in the house were also extinguished, so the owner should have gone to sleep.

But in fact, Jiang Li was not asleep. She was sitting in front of the desk. There was no moon in the sky, only thick clouds, and the only light was a lantern hanging on a tree in the yard. The lantern shone on the ground, making the snow white and shiny. Everything was quiet and silent, and the entire Jiang family was silent.

After an unknown amount of time, when Jiang Li was about to doze off, there was a sudden movement outside the window.

Someone is tapping on the window.

Jiang Li was startled, thinking that Zhao Ke should be here, and subconsciously opened the window, not expecting that someone was looking this way, so Jiang Li crossed the desk and opened the window, and all she saw was a beautiful face.

Ji Heng is here.