Capítulo 831: Grand Finale (Part 8)

“Let it be,” Jiang Yuanbai began, his voice slow, “Since you wish to stay in Yanjing City, then stay here. Jiang Li, you are a clever girl; the old madam’s words, you must have foreseen. Yet you still choose this path, which shows your mind is made up, and neither I nor the old madam can persuade you otherwise. I owed you and your mother in the past, now, whatever you wish to do, go ahead freely. However, if one day you change your mind, if you can’t persist any longer, you are more than welcome to come to Yongzhou; you will always be the Jiang family’s daughter.”

Perhaps when the time for departure comes, everything seems trivial, and it was rare for Jiang Yuanbai to speak so much. Jiang Li smiled and said, “I understand, Father. I also hope that all is well for Father in Yongzhou, and that the Jiang family prospers.”

On Jiang Yuanbai’s face, there was no sign of happiness, only a touch of melancholy. He had three daughters; now, one was dead, another had left, and the only one left by his side was Jiang Youyao, who had lost her mind. He once thought he was on top of the world, his career flourishing, believing his life would continue in glory, but in the end, he was left with nothing.

For a moment, he truly believed in the phrase “karmic retribution.” The way he treated Ye Zhenzhen and Jiang Li back then had now come back to him. Even if he wanted to make amends, what was done was done, and you can’t relive the past. Some things can’t simply be worn away in a day or two.

They were bitter fruits of his own sowing.

Jiang Yuanbai said no more, only adding, “We will be leaving in half a month. The Jiang Residence will likely be sold. If you wish to move to the Ye Family or the Duke Residence, you should start preparing these days.”

Jiang Li nodded, “Alright, Father.”

…

From the day Jiang Yuanbai spoke of leaving, Jiang Li truly began to plan her “move.” But once she started packing, she realized how little she had in the Jiang Residence. Aside from some clothing and jewelry, there were only books. After moving to Fangfei Garden, unlike Jiang Youyao and Ji Shuran before, who liked to furnish their yards and rooms with vases and ornaments, Jiang Li had very little to pack—only a few simple boxes. Bai Xue and Tonger, Qingfeng and Ming Yue followed Jiang Li, and apart from them, there were no other Jiang family members willing to stay by Jiang Li’s side. Jiang Yuanbai had mostly sent the servants back to their own homes, except for those who had served him for many years. When Jiang Jingrui learned that Jiang Li would not be joining them, he felt regretful and unreconciled, telling Jiang Li that she would surely regret it one day and that she shouldn’t come crying to Yongzhou to find them.

Jiang Li just smiled and did not reply.

However, the news of the Jiang family leaving Yanjing City truly caused a stir. Many wanted to see Jiang Li’s reaction; if Jiang Li left with the Jiang family, it would seem ungrateful and immoral. But when the news spread that Jiang Li would stay, some thought her truly a daughter of the Jiang family, showing backbone, while others saw her as pretentious, seeking fame. Many felt sorrow for Jiang Li, feeling sympathy for her future; a young woman living alone, widowed at such a young age—it would be lamented as a hard fate even for an ordinary person, let alone the daughter of the Chief Minister’s Family.

No matter what Jiang Li chose to do, there was never a shortage of gossipers. Tonger would get angry and argue with people whenever she heard these rumors while going out. Jiang Li herself didn’t care much. Since one cannot control everyone’s opinion, one might as well mind oneself.

In half a month, the Jiang family would be gone.

Early that morning, Jiang Li got up early. Since it was her last day in Yanjing, the Jiang family members had breakfast together for the first time since her return to the Jiang Residence. The maids helped Jiang Youyao sit aside to be fed, and she still stared blankly, swallowing the food in her mouth strangely—she now appeared tamer than when she used to be haughty and imperious.

It was supposed to be the last family meal, yet everyone ate in silence. For the Jiang family members, leaving here was tantamount to leaving their homeland. To depart at such an old age, not forced by life but also not by their own initiative. Who would want to leave if so many things hadn’t happened?