The Double-Chapter 430 - 141 Conclusion_3

"Ji Shuran," Jiang Li said calmly, "your claim that retribution is helpless against you is impossible. The sins you’ve committed will, of course, need to be repaid slowly. If I let you off lightly, your children would have to bear the consequences. How you treated me in the past is how others will treat your flesh and blood in the future." She smiled, "That seems fair."

Ji Shuran’s tears and snot mixed together in a mess, thoroughly wretched.

She wasn’t afraid of anything, and though she feared death, her greatest concern was for her two children. Ji Shuran had prepared for the worst, which was to trade her own death for Jiang Yuanbai’s guilt and extra love for her children. But now, Jiang Li was mercilessly shattering even this last wish.Indeed, she had paved the way for her son and daughter by killing other children, snatching away others’ marriage prospects, and secretly hiring assassins. Whenever someone might block their path, Ji Shuran wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate them. What her own children coveted, she snatched from the hands of others. Hence, Jiang Youyao developed such an ignorant and impetuous nature; she couldn’t withstand Jiang Li, nor could Ji herself.

Ji Shuran despaired, and from her despair sprung hatred. She looked at Jiang Li and said, "Even if Chongxu Daoist Master is a fraud, you are a devil." Then she accused, "You’re not Ye Zhenzhen’s daughter! You’re not Jiang Li!"

Ji Shuran was venting her unwillingness to accept defeat.

She had schemed her whole life and lost to a whelp, utterly defeated. How could she be content with that! Jiang Li was so young, yet so scheming. Since her return, in all their conflicts, Ji Shuran had never gained an advantage. She kept losing ground step by step: the affiliation with Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion, Jiang Youyao’s fame... And this time, if it wasn’t for dealing with Jiang Li, she wouldn’t have invited Chongxu Daoist Master to the mansion, leading to this ultimate outcome!

Although intending to lash out, she saw Jiang Li cock her head to the side to look at her for a while before standing up.

Ji Shuran instinctively backed away, but found herself against a wall. Her hands and feet were bound; she could not move, only watch helplessly as the young girl slowly approached.

Though she seemed an elegant and youthful girl, Ji Shuran felt as if facing a fierce ghost. Jiang Li stepped forward until she was in front of her and crouched down.

The girl’s eyes were black and bright, impossibly clear and distinct. But Ji Shuran knew that the eyes were not innocent or ignorant; she knew everything.

Jiang Li looked at her, then suddenly revealed a mischievous smile and said softly, "You’ve discovered it, haven’t you."

Ji Shuran was momentarily puzzled, discovered what?

Before she could understand what exactly Jiang Li meant, a chill ran down her spine.

—You’re not Ye Zhenzhen’s daughter! You’re not Jiang Li!

—You’ve discovered it, haven’t you.

Ji Shuran’s body shrank back in fear as Jiang Li observed her with a smile, her voice as soft as a lover’s whisper. Speaking so close to Ji’s ear that if there was a third person in the room, they wouldn’t be able to hear clearly what she was saying.

The touch in her ear sent a shiver down her spine as the young girl smiled and said, "Unfortunately, no one will believe your words."

Ji Shuran suddenly saw the light.

Why had Jiang Li’s personality changed so drastically? How did Six Arts take the top spot? Why was she so cunning at such a young age, and how did she know everything?

It seemed everything had one answer.

"You... you’re not her..." Ji Shuran’s voice trembled, "Why are you harming me?"

"For Ye Zhenzhen, Jiang Yueer, Maternal Aunt Hu, Si Qi, and Jiang Li. For everyone you’ve wronged," Jiang Li smiled and said, "So guess, how will I treat Jiang Youyao and Jiang Bingji?"

Ji Shuran let out a scream of despair. As Jiang Li stood up, Ji Shuran trembled and cursed, "You devil! You are not Jiang Li! I want to see the master, you demon!"

Jiang Li, looking down at her, said with a smile, "Farewell, Lady Ji."

She left the room without looking back.

The moment Jiang Li left, two burly maids walked in, one carrying a tray with a porcelain jug on it.

Ji Shuran realized something, her voice filled with terror, "What are you going to do? What are you doing? Somebody help me, save me!"

The struggle within the room gradually weakened, and soon, there was no movement at all.

After walking for a while, Jiang Li stopped, turned her head back, and looked in the direction of the side chamber.

Tonger and Bai Xue silently stood beside Jiang Li.

Jiang Li stood in the snowy field, as snowflakes began to flutter down from the sky.

Ji Shuran would die no matter what, and because of the Jiang Family’s involvement, they wouldn’t let her die an ugly death.

But, having committed crimes, she had to pay the price. Letting her die easily would be letting her off too lightly. She deserved to die with unwillingness, unease, fear, worry, despair, and terror in her heart, her death as dreadful as to not close her eyes in peace, to make it just for those who had fallen before her.

Miss Jiang the Second, Jiang Li thought silently in her heart, you can rest easy now.

...

The snow stopped on the following day, yielding a rare sunny day.

That night, Jiang Li slept especially soundly. In her dreams was a girl with fine eyebrows and bright eyes, standing in the snowy field, bowing deeply to her, and saying, "Thank you." Her voice was unfamiliar, but she bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Li herself.

No, that was not Jiang Li, that was the real Miss Jiang the Second.

When Jiang Li awoke, she looked at her palm, lost in thought. She had encountered Miss Jiang the Second in her dreams, unsure whether it was a mere coincidence of dreaming her thoughts from the day or if the pitiful miss had really come to express her gratitude.

She believed in the cycle of karma, so her surprise faded quickly. Whether or not Miss Jiang the Second had come to express gratitude, at least she hadn’t stood by idly.

Tonger came in from outside, and upon entering, she looked around. Seeing her act this way, Jiang Li smiled and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Tonger was startled and said, "Miss, you are awake. I thought you were still sleeping." She came over to help Jiang Li out of bed, adding, "This morning, seeing Miss sleep so soundly, I didn’t wake you. You’ve been through a lot these past few days; it’s good to get more rest."

Jiang Li hadn’t forgotten the look on Tonger’s face just before, and she asked, "Has something happened?"

Tonger hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Jiang Li and said, "Miss, Lady Ji has died."

Jiang Li showed no surprise.

Tonger immediately understood. Early in the morning, when she heard the news, Tonger had also been puzzled. The old madam had specifically asked Jiang Li to see Lady Ji last night, and Tonger had a premonition about what might happen but dared not speculate. Now it seemed her hunch was correct, but seeing Jiang Li’s expression, it was clear she had anticipated this.

After all, if even she could sense it, the young lady could definitely have guessed it even better.

Still, the old madam had dealt with Lady Ji so decisively. Originally, Tonger thought that, out of respect for the Ji family, there would be some delay. She didn’t expect such a quick decision.

"But... although Lady Ji is dead, the mansion is not widely discussing the matter. It seems like the outside world doesn’t know yet," said Tonger with hesitance.

Jiang Li replied, "Lady Ji’s death was not natural, so making a fuss would actually be strange."

"I’m not worried about anything else, just anxious about Third Miss," Tonger said with concern. "Everyone in the mansion knows her temperament. Now that Lady Ji is dead, Third Miss will definitely blame you, and if she becomes relentless... "

Jiang Youyao could become mad; she might be another Ji Shuran. Although not very bright, she’s vicious.

"There’s no need to worry," said Jiang Li with a slight smile. "With Lady Ji gone, her influence has diminished and she won’t make an impact."

Jiang Youyao was nothing to fear. If all else fails, there was still Zhao Ke watching over things. The most important foes to confront now were Princess Yongning and Shen Yurong.

The enemies of Xue Fangfei.