The Double-Chapter 423 - 140: Give the Order

He spoke lightly, as if he could easily grasp a person’s life in the palm of his hand with casual talk and laughter. Jiang Li suddenly had an absurd feeling. Was Jih Heng like Princess Yongning, who, just because she held a high position, naturally assumed that she could effortlessly discard anyone who stood in her way?

However, she quickly stopped such wild thoughts. Jih Heng harbored no enmity towards Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion and spoke those words for her sake. If she became choosy and critical, she would truly be ungrateful.

Jiang Li did not wish to be the kind of person who thanks for a meal while eating, then curses the cook once finished.

She said, "Thank you for the Duke’s kind intentions, but causing a death could be difficult to explain to Marquis Ningyuan’s Mansion. Now Yanjing City is in the midst of troubled times, and stirring up more trouble could only invite suspicion."

She tactfully refused Jih Heng’s offer of help.

Jih Heng neither agreed nor disagreed, and said, "Then be extra careful yourself." He paused, then reminded her, "Your life is mine, so be careful not to let someone else take it carelessly."

Jiang Li laughed, "Yes."

After talking with Jih Heng for a while, Jiang Li left the room to check on Xue Huaiyuan. It was Situ Jiuyue’s first day administering acupuncture to Xue Huaiyuan, who was extremely fearful. Jiang Li could only stand by Xue Huaiyuan’s shoulder, gently coaxing him until he gradually calmed down.

"He listens very well to you," Situ Jiuyue observed, "That’s quite rare."

"After I rescued County Magistrate Xue from Tongxiang Prison, I took care of him for a long time. Though he lost his senses, he vaguely knew who was kind to him; he feels more at peace when I’m present."

"It’s not just that simple," Situ Jiuyue inserted a silver needle into one of Xue Huaiyuan’s acupuncture points and continued without looking up, "People who have lost their senses like him view everyone the same. They don’t distinguish much between good and bad people, but his attitude towards you is clearly different. Ye Mingyu has also spent a fair amount of time here with him, yet he feels no affection for Ye Mingyu."

"Did you know him before?" asked Situ Jiuyue.

Jiang Li’s heart skipped a beat, but she firmly denied, "No, I was in Yanjing City, later went to Green City Mountain, and County Magistrate Xue was always in Tongxiang. We had no interaction."

"That’s odd," Situ Jiuyue seemed puzzled, "To make such gestures, he must have lingering memories that make him familiar with you."

Jiang Li could only reply, "I also don’t know why it’s like this."

Situ Jiuyue gave her another look and said, "I’ve heard about you, you’re really bold, no wonder Jih Heng sees you differently."

Seeing that she addressed Jih Heng by his name, Jiang Li grew curious and inquired, "Miss Jiuyue seems quite familiar with the Duke?"

"Somewhat," Situ Jiuyue answered, "We’ve both saved each other’s lives."

Jiang Li was surprised inside. It was not unexpected to her that Jih Heng had saved Situ Jiuyue’s life. She remembered that the Molan unrest happened many years ago, by which time Situ Jiuyue would have been a little girl around five or six with no ability to fend for herself. Located on the eastern edge of Northern Yan, Situ Jiuyue’s arrival in Northern Yan must have involved help from someone from Northern Yan. Whether that person was Jih Heng, Jiang Li did not know.

But had Situ Jiuyue also saved Jih Heng’s life?

"Don’t be fooled by his lively appearance now; he nearly died back then," Situ Jiuyue said, "He barely survived, and now it seems like nobody can kill him."

Jiang Li: "...."

This girl sure had a way with blunt words.

With no one else in the room, Xue Huaiyuan continued making "yah yah" noises. Situ Jiuyue supported the back of his neck with one hand while slowly pressing a silver needle in and said, "But it’s unexpected that he asked me to come help you. You don’t look like a bad person. Lu Jiu said that you were falsely accused of matricide and fratricide... tsk tsk tsk," she added, "Although you were bold enough to act in Tongxiang, you’re ultimately just a kind-hearted rabbit. The people around Jih Heng are not good sorts, how did you end up mixing with them? If you ask me," she continued expertly while Jiang Li watched in amazement, "you’d better distance yourself from Jih Heng sooner rather than later, to avoid getting dragged down by him later. Even if he can’t drag you down, you’ll be scared to death by him one of these days."

Jiang Li smiled, "Thank you for the concern, Miss Jiuyue."

Situ Jiuyue frowned, "I’m not concerned about you."

Jiang Li found it amusing inside. Situ Jiuyue seemed only a year or two older than Miss Jiang the Second, but younger than Jiang Li’s previous life. Yet her manner of speaking and acting had the air of an elder, advising a naive younger sister in a mix of intimidation and guidance.