The Double-Chapter 433 - 142 Spread Out_3

He was no saint, and his hatred for Ji Shuran inevitably spilled over to Jiang Youyao. Yet, seeing Jiang Youyao’s terrified demeanor, he found it difficult to harden his heart. Jiang Youyao had grown up pampered in the Jiang Family, when had she ever become so timid and fearful? Were both his daughters destined to walk the same path, becoming disappointed with their father and growing disillusioned with the Jiang Family?

Madam Jiang the Elder had already learned the full story from her maids, and she looked at Jiang Youyao in anger, saying, "Third girl, you’ve gone too far. Is this how you’ve been taught to behave, scheming against your own sisters!"

"Grandmother," Jiang Youyao’s knees buckled, and she knelt down neatly, saying, "Youyao was also impulsive. But... now everywhere outside they’re talking about mother... my mother’s death, stirring up a huge fuss. As her daughter, Youyao knows that Mother made unforgivable mistakes, which is why I didn’t plead for her. But Mother has already passed away, having paid the price she owed. Why can’t they even spare someone who is already dead? How do you think this makes her children feel? Father, please try to empathize for once!"

Jiang Li looked at Jiang Youyao; it seemed that after Ji Shuran’s death, she had somewhat grown up, at least knowing how to stage self-inflicted wounds to garner the sympathies of others.

"Furthermore, with Mother’s affair being spread around, it’s the Jiang Family that gets hurt. How will others view the Jiang Family? Now, everyone outside is saying that Father is lax in his household management, that the Jiang Family is a mess. Second sister," she turned to Jiang Li, tears streaming down like rain, and kowtowed to Jiang Li several times, saying, "Youyao knows I can’t make up for the hurt I caused to Second Sister, but I beg of you to spare the Jiang Family from further disgrace. As long as you can let the Jiang Family go, Youyao is willing to do anything!"

Tonger listened to this and couldn’t help but be filled with indignation. She had originally thought that this Third Miss was rather thoughtless, but now she realized she should not be underestimated. At the very least, her skill in feigning innocence was on par with Ji Shuran’s. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree; her act of playing the victim was so convincing it almost made everyone admire her. Amidst the current scene, Jiang Li was made to look overbearing, while she appeared entirely innocent. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"Third Sister, this was not my doing," Jiang Li said.

"If it wasn’t you, then who else could it be?" Jiang Youyao choked out, "You’re the one who hates Mother most, you’re the one who wants to clear your own name, and lately you’re the only one who has been free to come and go from the house..."

Jiang Li visited the Ye Family daily, and since Jiang Yuanbai and Madam Jiang the Elder had felt guilty about previous matters regarding Jiang Li, they hadn’t restrained her. This, however, had now become the "evidence" for Jiang Youyao.

"Although I hold resentment towards Father and the Jiang Family, I would never go so far as to drag the Jiang Family down with me," Jiang Li said calmly. "While speaking out would relieve me of my grievances, it would place the Jiang Family in an unfavorable position. That would be of no benefit to me." Jiang Li smiled faintly, "Third Sister’s sadness is clear to me, but even in grief, we must weigh the pros and cons and avoid acting rashly."

Her frank admission of resentment towards the Jiang Family left both Madam Jiang the Elder and Jiang Yuanbai momentarily stunned. However, the complexity of feelings within their hearts increased with what Jiang Li said next. Weighing pros and cons, considering the Jiang Family’s interests, was supposed to be a good thing, but Jiang Li’s words were too rational, too cold and detached, devoid of any feeling of "family."

The more she behaved like this, the more guilt Jiang Yuanbai and Madam Jiang the Elder felt towards her.

Jiang Li approached Jiang Youyao and personally reached out to help her up. Jiang Youyao instinctively shrank back, trying to avoid Jiang Li’s hand. Jiang Yuanbai caught this moment and his brow furrowed slightly. Upon seeing this, Jiang Youyao had no choice but to grit her teeth and place her hand in Jiang Li’s palm.

"Third Sister," Jiang Li helped her up, saying, "Your mother has already paid the price for her past mistakes. Whether it’s enough or not, she has passed on, and it’s pointless to blame her now. Let us consider the matter closed. I never thought to be relentless. Besides, having seen our mother pass away, how can you say that others do not understand the pain of a daughter? In front of me, how can you say I don’t understand?" She said softly, "Of course, I understand."

She certainly understood, because Ye Zhenzhen had been driven to death by Ji Shuran.

With just one remark, Jiang Yuanbai and Madam Jiang the Elder could no longer harbor any other thoughts about Jiang Li. Jiang Yuanbai only asked, "Jiang Li, are you truly not the one who spoke of this matter?"

"Father is welcome to investigate thoroughly; it was not my doing."

Jiang Yuanbai nodded, "Very well. Let today’s incident be regarded as a misunderstanding. Whoever is behind this, I will figure it out." He looked at Jiang Li, "If there is nothing else, you may return to your courtyard to rest." His words even carried a hint of cautious appeasement.