Chapter 833: Grand Finale (Part 2)

After the Jiang Family moved away from Yanjing City, Jiang Li truly settled into the Duke Residence.

The attitude of Jiang Li was noted by many in Yanjing City. Over the past few months, Emperor Hongxiao dealt with previously disloyal ministers one after another and replaced them with trusted new nobility. The political landscape of the court had been completely overturned, and a new era for the empire of Northern Yan had begun.

However, just as Jiang Li had initially predicted, the death of Jih Heng in battle caused some of his old enemies to become restless. At this point, those who had been waiting to see if Jih Heng would make a surprise comeback finally felt relieved and began making moves against him.

Jiang Li stayed within the Duke Residence, constantly guarding it. Some ministers petitioned Emperor Hongxiao to strip the Jih family of their noble rank, arguing that if Jiang Li were to remarry, the title would fall into the hands of another. Jiang Li then entered the palace to petition, stating she would remain unmarried for life. At the same time, Xue Huaiyuan also offered guidance to Ye Shijie, urging him to exert his influence in court to protect the Duke Residence.

In the ensuing months, multiple threats loomed, but each time they passed without incident. Later, when those people saw Jiang Li’s unyielding stance and Ye Shijie steadily climbing the ranks, and most importantly, when Emperor Hongxiao’s stance appeared clear that he had no intention of revoking the noble rank of the Duke Residence, they backed down. Many others simply enjoyed the spectacle, wondering if the young lady who vowed to remain unmarried for life would change her mind in a few years and possibly renege on her word. If she could not stomach the bitter fruits of her vows, she might even stir up romantic incidents, becoming the talk of the town.

Jiang Li was aware of those who watched for entertainment, and she paid them no mind. She spent her days practicing whip technique with Xue Zhao. Lacking a foundation in martial arts, she decided to focus on learning to use various poisoned hidden weapons. Now in Yanjing City, where one could never be too safe and danger lurked at every corner, no Jih Heng would emerge again. She had to find a way to protect the others.

There was another thought in Jiang Li’s heart, one she didn’t know how to express to Xue Huaiyuan. She planned to visit Qimin by herself after some time. Currently, heavy snow sealed off the mountains, preventing entry. But when spring arrived and the mountain paths became accessible, she was determined to make the journey no matter what. To this day, no corpse of Jih Heng had been found, and everyone said he was devoured by wild beasts. It seemed to fulfill the prophecy, yet Jiang Li always felt that he couldn’t be so heartless. Even if he truly couldn’t return, she wanted to verify this herself, rather than waiting for news from others in Yanjing City.

Time seemed to pass slowly, yet it also flew by swiftly, and before long, the New Year arrived.

The New Year was still celebrated in Yanjing City. Before the end of the year, in the presence of Ye Mingyu, Jiang Li recognized Xue Huaiyuan as her adoptive father and started calling him “Dad.” Ye Mingyu thought little of it; in his eyes, Xue Huaiyuan was much better than Jiang Yuanbai. At least it was Xue Huaiyuan and Xue Zhao who were now by Jiang Li’s side. Ye Mingyu also liked Xue Zhao’s free-spirited and loyal nature so much that he would have pledged sworn brotherhood if it weren’t for the difference in their ages.

This year, the New Year’s celebration in the Duke Residence went on without Kong Liu and Lu Jiu. After the Jinwu Army returned to court, Lu Jiu reportedly went back to his home village. Wen Renyao said that Lu Jiu had followed Jih Heng because Jih Heng had shown him kindness when Lu Jiu’s family was exterminated by their enemies. It was Jih Heng who took Lu Jiu to seek out those enemies, executing them in front of him. From that day on, Lu Jiu resolved to follow Jih Heng. Known as a “Prodigy” since his childhood, he didn’t fade into mediocrity with age. Perhaps initially motivated by gratitude, he had genuinely wished to follow Jih Heng. Now that Jih Heng was no longer there, staying in Yanjing City held no meaning for Lu Jiu. Having no need for an official position to shield his descendants, he decided to return home and farm.

Kong Liu was still in Yanjing City, just too busy with the end-of-year affairs to make an appearance. Wen Renyao, as usual, was left behind, and with Situ Jiuyue also present, it was fortunate that for this reason, the Duke Residence didn’t become a desolate estate, devoid of people.

During the festival, Jiang Li replaced Jih Heng in paying respects to his parents, Jih Minghan and Yu Hongye. Thinking back on the astonishing talents of those two, now gone and unable to be seen again, she felt some regret. Jiang Li carried out these duties with meticulous care.