The Double-Chapter 552 - 164: Rift_5

"Miss Jiang the Second, the matter you asked me to investigate has been clarified," Zhao Ke answered.

Jiang Li asked, "What matter?" There were too many things she needed to sort out, and she had no idea which one Zhao Ke was referring to.

"It’s about who exactly spread the news concerning Ji Shuran," Zhao Ke said, "It was Jiang Yuanxing."

"Someone from the third branch," Jiang Li realized. In fact, the last time she encountered the third branch, she had already developed suspicions about them. Jiang Yuyan’s living standards had improved a lot compared to before, and there were also the occasional disdainful attitudes of Lady Yang, subtle yet discernible. In the past, although Lady Yang was not someone who would ingratiate herself with others, she at least would not offend the senior branch and the second branch.

It looked as though she had someone to rely on.

"Furthermore, Jiang Yuanxing has had secret dealings with Li Zhongnan," Zhao Ke said.

"With someone from the Li Family?" Jiang Li was stunned, then laughed, "It seems that the people from the third branch truly loathe the Jiang Family to the bone." The senior branch and the second branch of the Jiang Family were born of the same mother, true brothers, whereas the third branch was made up of illegitimate sons. Madam Jiang the Elder looked down upon them, and naturally, on ordinary days, Jiang Yuanbai and his brother would not be as close to Jiang Yuanxing as they were to each other. Yet, previously, they lived together without major issues. Now, however, they had almost reached the point of a complete fallout. Especially considering Jiang Yuanxing’s dealings with the Jiang Family’s rival, one could guess their purpose.

Unable to rely on the Jiang Family to advance his career, and lacking the personal talent to gain promotion on his own, Jiang Yuanxing, faced with the prospect of Jiang Yue becoming nothing more than a concubine to Zhou Yanbang, might have grown desperate or perhaps finally recognized the importance of power and influence. He took a risk, setting aside the teachings of Lord Jiang the Elder, and found a new path to climb upwards by betraying the Jiang Family.

By revealing the Jiang Family’s secrets and scandals to the archrival Li Family, he sought an opportunity for promotion. Such methods could indeed be considered quite despicable.

Tonger and Bai Xue were silently listening on the side. When they heard that the culprit was from the third branch, they too were surprised. Tonger asked, "Miss, with the Third Master harboring such malice, won’t our Jiang Family be hollowed out by him?"

"That’s unlikely," Jiang Li said indifferently, "The third branch holds little significance in the Jiang Family. Even if Jiang Yuanxing wanted to secretly tell the Li Family our secrets, I’m afraid he wouldn’t know much. Father and my uncle aren’t close to him, let alone share their secrets with him. Even if Jiang Yuanxing racked his brains, what he knows is probably not much different from the servants in the Jiang Family. I think, until now, the most interesting thing he could have mentioned to the Li Family is probably just the matter regarding Ji Shuran."

"Then, Miss, are we keeping the people from the third branch?" Tonger asked, "If the old madam learns of this, she would definitely split with the third branch and force them to leave the Duke Residence and fend for themselves."

Madam Jiang the Elder had never liked the third branch. If she learned about this, Jiang Li could already imagine what she would say—she would surely denounce the third branch as ingrates and disloyal white-eyed wolves, and would immediately expel them from the Duke Residence.

"Let’s not tell the old madam," Jiang Li suggested, "Keeping the third branch is not without its uses. They have dealings with the Right Chancellor, who, upon receiving useful information, will certainly pass it on to Prince Cheng. If we ever need to send some ’useful’ information to Prince Cheng, the third branch would serve as a good conduit."

To have Jiang Yuanxing relay false information to Prince Cheng. frёeωebɳovel.com

Zhao Ke, standing like a block of wood by the window, caught every word spoken inside the room, thinking to himself that Miss Jiang the Second was indeed a ruthless character—as others might end up being sold by her and still diligently count the money for her.

"But this matter must be reported to Father, and remind my uncle as well," Jiang Li continued, "The Jiang Family doesn’t belong to me alone; Father and my uncle are far smarter than I am. They know even better how to use the third branch to achieve their goals. With the day of Prince Cheng’s action drawing near, the existence of the third branch becomes all the more useful at this critical juncture."

"Thank you, Zhao Ke," Jiang Li said, looking towards the guard by the window, "And please extend my thanks to your master as well."

"Miss Jiang the Second, I will certainly convey your words," he said, and then Zhao Ke’s figure vanished from before the window.

His ability to appear and disappear without trace left Tonger pouting, "Miss, you should really speak to the Duke. Never mind the rest, but Zhao Ke at least keeps you safe within the residence. But he always appears so suddenly—after all, you’re a lady. What if you were changing clothes? Wouldn’t that be taking advantage?"

"Weren’t you the one who opened the window?" Jiang Li reminded her, "Besides, he knows that when it’s time to dress, the windows wouldn’t be open."

"It still feels somewhat improper. Maybe next time you should get another lady to accompany you," Tonger suggested, "someone with martial arts skills, just like..." Her eyes lit up as she looked at Bai Xue, who was off to one side, "Just like Bai Xue’s!"

Jiang Li laughed and shook her head, "The Duke Residence itself doesn’t have maids, so how could we find a maid with martial arts skills to wait on me? Moreover, all these guards are handsome and refined. If we were to replace them with maids, don’t you think it’d be a pity?" she teased her.

Tonger blushed, "Miss, you’re using me as a laughingstock. No matter how handsome these guards are, they can’t compare to a single finger of yours. Don’t you also take no special notice of these guards?"

As Bai Xue was tidying up the bedding, she mumbled without looking up, "The Miss has grown accustomed to the Duke’s face. After seeing him, naturally, she feels no admiration for these guards. Unlike you."

Jiang Li: "..."

Well, although it wasn’t very flattering, it made some sense.