The Double-Chapter 399 - 135 Method_2

Jiang Li said, "There is no rush. Slapping faces should, of course, be done in front of a big crowd. But you are right, Chongxu Daoist Master was indeed a charlatan from the martial arts world."

Zhao Ke was quick and efficient in gathering information. Although Chongxu Daoist Master had some fame in Yanjing City, years ago, he actually came to Yanjing because of a murder charge he was fleeing from. Back in his hometown, he was involved with a married woman, and when her husband discovered them, a dispute arose during which he killed the man. He and the woman buried the husband and fled overnight. He changed his name and laid low on the road until he came across the wandering Daoist Chongxu, under whose tutelage he pretended to pursue the way of Daoism.

The Daoist eventually died in a skirmish, and Chongxu Daoist Master took up his master’s name, adopted the identity of Chongxu, and arrived at Yanjing City, where he began to swindle and strut about. He was quite convincing, seeming every inch the embodiment of an immortal with his Daoist charm, and many people truly believed he was an eminent figure. After gaining some notoriety, he then became entangled in the matter involving Consort Li.

Although the affair with Consort Li is now difficult to investigate, Jiang Li speculated that perhaps Consort Li was pulling the strings behind it. At that time, the concubine who plotted against Consort Li was fiercely competing with her and enjoyed considerable imperial favor. Had it not been due to the Warding Technique incident, it’s uncertain how far she could have climbed by now. But because of Chongxu Daoist Master’s appearance, Consort Li’s greatest enemy in the harem just disappeared.

This could very well be a scheme carried out in silent agreement between Chongxu Daoist Master and Consort Li, yet even involving himself in palace intrigues, Chongxu Daoist Master’s audacity was indeed too great.

"Since Consort Li places such trust in Chongxu Daoist Master, having twice owed her life to him, everyone in the palace knows it. Thus, when Chongxu Daoist Master’s identity is discovered, Consort Li will be even more humiliated. She will also need to explain to the Emperor – why is this?"

"The most important thing is that I need to make Ji Shuran regret," Jiang Li said gently, "Ji Shuran didn’t just ask for help, but invited the wolf into her house. I want her to get burned by playing with fire, to reveal her true colors because of this ’eminent figure’, and then, let her find out that this ’eminent figure’ is a fake."

Zhao Ke felt a chill in his heart, realizing that Miss Jiang the Second, despite her seemingly gentle and harmless appearance, had a way of tormenting people that was not as kind-hearted as she looked.

Better to provoke her less.

...

The next day arrived quickly.

On this day, Jiang Li got up not too early but at a just right time. However, unfortunately, the weather was exceptionally terrible. Winter days in Yanjing City were known for heavy snow, and although there was no snowfall today, from early morning, the skies were extremely gloomy; dark clouds pressed so low they seemed to almost touch the rooftops, creating an oppressive atmosphere. Although it was morning, it looked as gloomy as dusk.

Tonger huddled inside the room and said softly while looking outside, "The weather is rather strange today." She felt somewhat uneasy, as it was the day Chongxu Daoist Master was due to perform an "Exorcism" at the Jiang Residence. While they had prepared for it, Tonger still couldn’t fully relax, feeling a lingering fear.

Compared to her, Jiang Li appeared much more composed. She even had Bai Xue style her hair into twin buns. With her naturally pretty and ethereal looks, the new hairstyle made her seem even more like a Lotus Flower fairy child from the mountain provinces, untainted by worldly dust. Tonger pondered over her for a long while before shaking her head and sighing, "If Lady Ji and that worthless Daoist dare to accuse our young miss of being a Demon, I fear it won’t be convincing. Is there such a transcendent-looking demon? Aren’t the demons depicted in stories always dressed in bright colors, appearing to instantly captivate and disorient people with their charm?"

Hearing this, Bai Xue solemnly replied, "What you’re describing is Duke Su."

Zhao Ke, lurking in the shadows, was idly listening to the movements in the room and nearly fell on his face when he heard these words. Staring incredulously, he thought about his supremely self-important master. To hear him discussed like this by a young maidservant! If word of this reached the Duke Residence, he wondered if his lord would want to wring the neck of the speaker.

Jiang Li, hearing Bai Xue’s words, was initially taken aback but couldn’t help laughing and said, "You do make a good point."

Jih Heng was, after all, adept at beguiling people’s hearts. Recalling the first time they saw Jih Heng sitting on the roof of the Nunnery during the peach blossom season, shrouded in the rosy mist of blooming flowers, he sat there carelessly, his beauty bordering on spiteful, almost mistaken by Tonger for a Flower Demon.