The Double Episode 23 Recap
> The Double Recap
An imperial edict from His Majesty declared that Jiang Li's case of freeing a prisoner and Xue Huaiyuan's corruption case would be trialed together at the Court of Judicial Review. Duke Su, Xiao Heng, was appointed as the imperial commissioner to oversee the proceedings on behalf of His Majesty, and the final judgment would be made by the Emperor himself in ten days.
Jiang Yuanbai attempted to meet with the Emperor regarding Jiang Li's imprisonment but was denied an audience, a clear signal from His Majesty to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Back home, Old Madam expressed her deep worry about the rumors circulating about the Jiang family's children being imprisoned and tainted, fearing for the family's reputation and future. Ji Shuran, observing her husband's distress, proposed a solution.
She informed them of an old yamen rule: a woman accused of a crime, as long as it wasn't murder of her husband or children, could be held and supervised by her family at home until her trial. She offered to speak with Mr. Zhou, the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, to arrange for Jiang Li's return. Jiang Yuanbai, recognizing her efforts, entrusted the matter to her.
Meanwhile, Xiao Heng visited Jiang Li in the grimy prison cell. He sat beside her on the ground, seemingly unbothered by the squalor, claiming he was just resting. Jiang Li questioned his inaction as the imperial commissioner, to which Xiao Heng replied that she was pushing their adversaries into a corner by striking the Dengwen Drum and bringing the case to the Emperor. Jiang Li then asked if he knew anyone who had died unjustly.
This question triggered a vivid memory for Xiao Heng: a younger version of himself desperately crying "Father, wake up!" and striking the Dengwen Drum at the Chang'an Gate to seek justice for his own father, General Xiao. Jiang Li intuitively stated she believed he would do the same. Xiao Heng, concluding their conversation, then left, instructing her to rest. Ji Shuran proceeded to the Court of Judicial Review to meet Mr. Zhou.
She asserted her right to be there as the wife of the Secretariat Director, despite her traditionally secluded role, citing her years of managing the Jiang household had familiarized her with such matters. Mr. Zhou initially refused her request to take Jiang Li home, offering only to allow her to see the accused. However, Ji Shuran, demonstrating her knowledge of the law, asked him if he upheld the laws of the Great Yan, which he confirmed.
She then recited the specific statute that allowed a female accused of a non-capital crime (not killing husband or children) to be released into her family's custody pending trial. Faced with the undeniable law, Mr. Zhou had no choice but to comply. He ordered Jiang Li to be released into Ji Shuran's care, warning that the Jiang family would face severe penalties if Jiang Li went missing or was hidden.
As they left, Ji Shuran sternly told Jiang Li to explain her actions to her father and Old Madam, reminding her of the Jiang family's honor. Jiang Li acknowledged her words. Upon returning to the Jiang residence, Jiang Li (Xue Fangfei in disguise) greeted Old Madam. Old Madam questioned why Jiang Yuanbai refused to see her and expressed concern about her involvement in the Xue family case, fearing it would jeopardize the Jiang family's future.
Jiang Li then concocted a story: she claimed Xue Fangfei, Magistrate Xue's daughter, had saved Jiang Li's life when she was being mistreated at Zhennyu Hall. She had traveled to Huaixiang not just to visit relatives but also to find her benefactor, only to discover the new magistrate was corrupt, lawless, and exploiting the people, turning a once prosperous region into a place of fear.
She appealed to her grandfather's family rules of upholding justice and righteousness, stating she could not stand by and watch innocent people suffer. Old Madam, though proud of her integrity, suggested she should have let her father handle the matter to avoid personal danger.
Jiang Li then revealed that the new Huaixiang magistrate was connected to the powerful Li family, linking it to the poisoning case involving the Ye family (the Jiang family's in-laws) in Luyang, a matter she had previously informed her father about by letter. She argued that the Li family was behind it all, and she was intervening to protect the Jiang family.
Old Madam, now convinced of the Li family's machinations, confronted Jiang Yuanbai, pointing out Li Zhongnan's personal involvement in accusing Jiang Li. She argued that the Li family had already made their move against their in-laws, and Jiang Yuanbai could not remain idle. She also highlighted that the Emperor's decision to personally oversee the case indicated his own suspicions, presenting a crucial opportunity for the Jiang family to counterattack.
At the Prince's residence, Princess Wanning showed Shen Yurong a selection of vibrant dresses, including a red one, for her to wear to the upcoming trial to confront Jiang Li. She implied he had been to visit Jiang Li in jail, which he did not confirm. Shen Yurong cautioned Wanning against "playing with fire" and risking self-destruction. Wanning, however, provocatively asked him: given another chance, would he bury Xue Fangfei or kill her?
Shen Yurong embraced her tightly, solemnly declaring that he would rather die by her hands. On the day of the joint trial, Li Zhongnan encountered Jiang Li outside Taiji Hall. He mocked her courage, questioning Jiang Yuanbai's absence and suggesting she had grown overconfident after her time in jail.
He alluded to ancient military strategies like "leaving an opening for a besieged enemy" and the idiom "human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant," implying she was overreaching and would be abandoned by Jiang Yuanbai. Suddenly, Xiao Heng appeared, interrupting Li Zhongnan and advising Jiang Li to be cautious with such aggressive military metaphors, especially in front of seasoned officials.
After Li Zhongnan left, Xiao Heng warned Jiang Li that Li Zhongnan was prepared, but reassured her to relax, as he wouldn't allow her to be a pawn in someone else's game.
Jiang Li then returned his mended handkerchief, remarking on her own embroidery skills compared to the exquisite original, which she feared damaging, and acknowledged her knowledge of his tragic past: General Xiao, his father, a renowned general, and Madam Yu, his mother, a respected woman, who shared deep love. Jiang Li then began to ask about her own father, Jiang Yuanbai, but he arrived, cutting their conversation short.
Jiang Yuanbai tenderly told Jiang Li that he had heard her intentions from Old Madam and would not abandon her. He encouraged her not to be afraid and promised to support her in court. Inside Taiji Hall, His Majesty arrived to preside over the trial. Mr. Zhou announced the reopening of Xue Huaiyuan's corruption case, citing the petition from the Huaixiang villagers and His Majesty's order for a joint trial supervised by the Emperor.
Jiang Li prostrated herself before the Emperor, who bid her rise and speak. She recounted the initial framing of Xue Huaiyuan by Feng Yutang for embezzling five thousand taels of silver, his subsequent death sentence, and her discovery of irregularities during her visit to Huaixiang. She admitted to the grave crime of freeing Xue Huaiyuan, stating it was a desperate act to prevent the truth from being buried and the suffering of Huaixiang from continuing.
She accepted full responsibility for her actions but pleaded for justice for Magistrate Xue before her own sentencing. Wei Qian, the Vice Minister of Justice who had initially handled Xue Huaiyuan's case, affirmed that the original evidence—the five thousand taels, a private ledger, and Feng Yutang's testimony—all pointed to Xue Huaiyuan's guilt, with no suspicious elements. Mr. Zhou then challenged Jiang Li to present new evidence from her visit to Huaixiang.
Jiang Li, to everyone's surprise, declared she had no new evidence. Li Zhongnan immediately seized the opportunity, accusing her of disrespecting the Emperor and inciting the populace to demand a retrial without proper grounds. Jiang Yuanbai interjected, stating his daughter had not finished speaking. Jiang Li then shifted her strategy, dramatically requesting His Majesty to "convict" Xue Huaiyuan.
She argued that if Xue Huaiyuan was indeed guilty of embezzling a mere five thousand taels over ten years, his punishment should be far more severe, like "slashing with a thousand knives," to appease the angry people and align with the Emperor's emphasis on integrity.
Jiang Li sarcastically questioned whether Xue Huaiyuan was an incorruptible official for nine years, or if he was a master of hidden corruption, having funneled vast sums elsewhere before leaving a paltry five thousand taels to be discovered. She hinted at the chilling possibility of treason and criticized the Ministry of Justice for failing to thoroughly investigate. Mr. Zhou raised the point that without new evidence, a re-investigation would yield nothing.
Jiang Li countered by requesting to summon witnesses—the Huaixiang villagers. The Emperor assented. A procession of villagers testified, each recounting how Magistrate Xue had personally helped them: a widow whose family he subsidized with his own salary, a poor student he sponsored to become a scholar, and a pork vendor whose business he saved from bullies. They swore to his integrity and benevolence, asserting that he could not be corrupt.
Wei Qian and other officials dismissed their testimonies as mere emotional appeals from people who had been bribed, citing a past case where a corrupt official had also performed good deeds to gain public support while secretly amassing wealth. Li Zhongnan affirmed this view, adding that such officials often spent a small portion on the people and a large portion on personal assets.
Jiang Li, agreeing that such corrupt officials existed, directly named Feng Yutang as one such example, highlighting his rapid acquisition of over forty houses and extensive farmland, totaling over two hundred thousand taels in just half a year since becoming magistrate. She then requested the censorate to publicly compare the seized assets of Xue Huaiyuan and Feng Yutang.
The censorate confirmed that Xue Huaiyuan, during his ten years in office, possessed no private residences or land, and his total assets amounted to only five thousand taels. In stark contrast, Feng Yutang, in his mere half-year tenure, had accumulated over forty houses and vast, uncounted farmlands, with his total assets exceeding two hundred thousand taels.
Jiang Li used this glaring disparity to expose the absurdity of the charges against Xue Huaiyuan, mockingly portraying him as a "model corrupt official" who meticulously stored his measly ill-gotten gains for the authorities to find, never acquiring a single personal property. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Wei Qian stubbornly maintained Xue Huaiyuan's guilt. Jiang Li then called for another set of witnesses: Xue Huaiyuan's former officers.
They bravely testified that Xue Huaiyuan had been incorruptible for all ten years of his service and revealed that they had been imprisoned in mines after his false accusation. They swore on their lives and the annihilation of their clans that their testimony was true. Wei Qian again pushed for the thousand-slash punishment. Jiang Li, however, halted him.
Jiang Li, continuing her scathing indictment, reiterated Xue Huaiyuan's "crimes": his dedication to building water conservancy, roads, and winning the hearts of the common people. She declared these acts as "shameless" and "arrogant," as they shamed the wealthy, indulgent officials of the capital. She concluded by mockingly stating that Xue Huaiyuan's "crimes" were indeed unforgivable. Recognizing her clever strategy, the Emperor conceded that Xue Huaiyuan was not guilty and had, in fact, contributed significantly.
Jiang Li then made a final request: to bring Xue Huaiyuan himself to the court, as a witness, so His Majesty could see his current state. The Emperor granted it. Xue Huaiyuan was brought in, disoriented and behaving like a child, a tragic consequence of the torture he endured in prison. Jiang Li presented him as a loyal official unjustly ruined, warning that such a sight would surely discourage other honest officials from serving the empire.
Wei Qian attempted to silence her, but Xiao Heng supported Jiang Li, asserting that her unconventional but truthful words were necessary to prevent the nation from being corrupted by wicked officials. His Majesty then publicly praised Jiang Yuanbai for raising such a daughter. The Emperor acknowledged his own failure to protect a loyal official and called it a great loss for the Great Yan.
He ordered Wei Qian to be punished for his misjudgment and commanded Mr. Zhou to thoroughly re-investigate the entire Xue Huaiyuan case, vowing to severely punish all those involved in framing him. The Emperor lauded Jiang Li for her courage and wisdom. Xiao Heng then suggested addressing Jiang Li's case of freeing a prisoner.
Jiang Yuanbai stepped forward, expressing shame for his daughter's reckless actions but passionately defending her, stating that she had, in fact, saved a loyal official whom he himself could not. Other officials in the court echoed his sentiment, expressing their own shame. Mr. Zhou then reasoned that since Xue Huaiyuan was proven not to be a criminal, Jiang Li's act of freeing him was not a crime.
His Majesty, in turn, declared Jiang Li acquitted, allowing her to close her case at the Court of Judicial Review and return home. The Emperor then inquired about Xue Huaiyuan's family, intending to offer compensation. It was revealed that Xue Huaiyuan had a son, Xue Zhao, who was killed by bandits in the capital, and a daughter, Xue Fangfei, who was the deceased wife of Shen Yurong. A gasp of sympathy spread through the court.
Shen Yurong, feigning shock and pain, stepped forward to embrace Xue Huaiyuan, calling him "father-in-law" and lamenting his suffering. However, Xue Huaiyuan, in his confused state, did not recognize him. Jiang Li then discreetly asked Ye Shijie to escort Xue Huaiyuan away, gently telling Shen Yurong that his "father-in-law" might not recognize him after such a long time apart.
Xiao Heng then commented on the tragic, "story-like" fate of the Xue family – a corrupt father, an adulterous daughter, and a murdered son – suggesting it was a cruel tale of framing and murder. He pointedly asked if Shen Yurong's late wife's alleged adultery was also a fabrication.
The Emperor, taking note, then tasked Xiao Heng with fully investigating the truth behind the fates of Xue Huaiyuan, his son, and his daughter, to clear the Xue family's name and bring peace to Shen Yurong. Xiao Heng accepted the command. At that moment, Princess Wanning dramatically entered the hall, proclaiming the trial "interesting" but accusing His Majesty of being "fooled like a donkey." When warned not to speak nonsense, Wanning insisted she had an important matter to report.
She recalled hearing about Shen Yurong's late wife, Xue Fangfei, Huaixiang's most talented lady, and how she was "shocked" upon seeing Jiang Li because Jiang Li looked "exactly the same" as Xue Fangfei.
