CHAPTER 815: CHAPTER 238 DISTORTION

Two days later, Jiang Yuanbai took Jiang Li to the palace.

Originally, Jiang Li had planned to accompany Jiang Yuanbai when he resigned from his official post at Emperor Hongxiao’s court, but Jiang Yuanbai insisted she handle the matters related to the Duke Residence first. Jiang Li did not know how Jiang Yuanbai had managed things, nor what he had said to Emperor Hongxiao. When they set out, Jiang Yuanbai only told her that Eunuch Su would take her to see Emperor Hongxiao, as for what to say and do after meeting with the Emperor, that would be up to Jiang Li herself.

All the way there, Jiang Yuanbai was very silent, and Jiang Li did not speak either. Her heart was occupied with thoughts of what to say when facing Emperor Hongxiao, leaving her no room to feel at ease. That day she told Jiang Yuanbai she wished to deal with matters of the Duke Residence, and while this was true, it wasn’t a task entrusted by Jih Heng but something Jiang Li wanted clarity on herself. During Jih Heng’s absence from Yanjing City, she often pondered the past events that had befallen him. In those years, Jih Heng had borne many burdens not his to bear. While the past was irredeemable, Jiang Li still hoped to understand more about Jih Heng’s history. She had gathered bits of Jih Heng’s past from Situ Jiuyue and Wen Renyao, and sometimes her thoughts drifted to the tragic, accidental tale of Yu Hongye and the Jinwu General; the more she thought, the more discrepancies she discovered.

This was the Duke Residence’s guarded secret; she couldn’t tell anyone, and with Jih Heng not present, she had to seek answers herself. However, in the process of seeking answers, she also needed Emperor Hongxiao’s endorsement. Jiang Li knew that Emperor Hongxiao was a restrained and ambitious emperor with great composure and skill. She dared not take him lightly, for even though Jih Heng appeared to be a close confidante of Emperor Hongxiao, being close to a monarch was like accompanying a tiger. Additionally, the past involving Yu Hongye and Jih Minghan implicated an Imperial Family scandal, and Jiang Li was uncertain about Emperor Hongxiao’s stance on the matter. Consequently, she had to meet with the Emperor in person to decide on her next move.

Once inside the palace, a person arranged by Eunuch Su came to fetch Jiang Li. Jiang Yuanbai did not accompany her, asking Jiang Li to go on her own while he waited outside. Without objection, Jiang Li followed Eunuch Su inside; along the way, palace maids and eunuchs couldn’t help but cast glances at Jiang Li, their eyes filled with silent sighs.

Who would have thought that the once-disgraced legitimate daughter of the Jiang Family, almost forgotten at the back of people’s minds, would leap to become the prospective lady of the Duke Residence. Especially now when the Jiang Family was not what it once was, it was Jiang Li who shone the brightest. No wonder people often say that fortunes turn; but this Miss Jiang the Second, looking so gentle and soft, was able to tame Jih Heng of the Duke Su, clearly indicating she was formidable and not to be underestimated.

Eunuch Su treated Jiang Li with great respect, and she in turn did not dare to take him lightly. Standing at the entrance to the Yangxin Hall, he said, "Miss Jiang the Second, the Emperor is in the Yangxin Hall, please enter."

The Little Eunuch announced her arrival, and Eunuch Su led Jiang Li inside. In the hall, Emperor Hongxiao sat at a table, practicing calligraphy. As Jiang Li approached, she noticed his writing exuded a regal aura—wild and unbounded, as if the many years of enforced restraint had finally ended, revealing the domineering presence befitting of his imperial authority.

Jiang Li performed a curtsy: "This female servant pays respects to Your Majesty."

Emperor Hongxiao put down his brush, saying, "Rise." He then looked at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li stood up, likewise looking at the Emperor.

Her expression, as always, was calm and collected, which reminded Emperor Hongxiao of the time at the Mingyi Hall examinations when Jiang Li had topped the ranking, and he had personally presented her award. The Jiang Li who was rumored to be vicious and unruly was starkly different from what others described. After such a long time, she seemed to have not changed at all, still as gentle and tranquil as the one in his memory, even in the presence of the Emperor.

He knew that Jiang Li always had courage; this was evident from the time she, along with the people of Tongxiang, had beaten the Stone Lion’s Drum of Grievance in front of Changan Gate. No wonder Jih Heng held her in special regard. Emperor Hongxiao’s thoughts then turned to the matter of Jiang Li’s stepmother, and his gaze towards her finally softened.

He said, "The Grand Secretary told me you wished to see me regarding matters of the Duke Residence, and had something to say to me. Speak now, whatever it is you wish to convey."

Emperor Hongxiao, in fact, was also very young, yet his tone was that of an elder addressing a junior. In a way, Emperor Hongxiao and Jih Heng were similar, both forced to mature at a very young age, and hence they lacked the innocence of a child or the vigor of a youth—what they possessed was maturity that burgeoned rapidly amid the ruthless political struggles. To outsiders, this might seem cunning and tricky, but only those who knew the truth understood the pain and tears represented by these four words.