The Double-Chapter 457 - 147: Master and Servant_2

The bearers outside carrying the sedan chair moved very steadily; it seemed that the chair bearers of the Duke Residence were all carefully selected, as not a single bump could be felt. Therefore, it could not have been the jostling of the chair that caused the tea to spill; it had to be because of her words.

Jih Heng set down her teacup, took out a white silk kerchief, and deliberately wiped the tea off her hand. Only after she finished did she look towards Jiang Li, "No."

Jiang Li: "..."

If it wasn’t, it wasn’t. To say ’no’ with such murderous intent, only Jih Heng could do that. Jiang Li suddenly understood why outsiders rumored Jih Heng to be fickle in temper—because he was indeed so.

"Who is Hai Tang to you?" Jih Heng suddenly asked.

The subject changed so abruptly, Jiang Li didn’t react at once, only to hear Jih Heng say, "You were so worried about finding her whereabouts that you sought my help without fearing that I might uncover your secrets. It seems she’s very important to you."

"Indeed, very important," Jiang Li smiled and said, "Also, I never thought of hiding it from Duke."

"Don’t make it sound so nice; you’re the most cunning," Jih Heng said nonchalantly with a laugh, "You’re acquainted with this woman called Hai Tang, just as you knew Qiongzhi of Cherish Flower Tower, Tongxiang’s Xue Huaiyuan early on."

"I know her," Jiang Li said, "She is someone capable of helping me overthrow Princess Yongning."

"What I have always been puzzled by," Jih Heng said softly, "is why you are so insistent on leading Yongning to her death?"

"Duke only sees that I want to lead Princess Yongning to her death but fails to see how Princess Yongning has repeatedly tried to harm me," Jiang Li’s smile was faint, "Only the officials are allowed to set fires, and the common people are not allowed to light lamps—that is unfair."

When she spoke the words "that is unfair," although she could suppress her emotions, a hint of resentful anger could still be heard. She truly felt it was unfair.

Supporting his head with his hand, Jih Heng looked at her and said, "You are the daughter of the Grand Secretary, not a commoner."

"So the daughter of the Grand Secretary has privileges?" Jiang Li questioned back, "But in my view, perhaps compared to Yongning or even higher-ranking individuals, it’s utterly worthless."

Yongning looked down on her as the daughter of a minor official and could oppress the Lady of Xue Family at will. But even when she was the daughter of an even higher-ranking official, if she stood in Yongning’s way and was of a lower status, Yongning would still do as she pleased. This was the harsh reality of the world today; commoners were oppressed by minor officials, minor officials were bullied by senior officials, senior officials feared the princely nobles, and the princely nobles bowed and paid homage to the emperor.

Every layer was exploited, and at the very bottom were tears and blood. The daughter of the Grand Secretary, oblivious to the suffering of the world, could not empathize, but Xue Fangfei, who had lived as a commoner, had personally experienced what it was like to be tyrannized by power.

"You seem very angry." A voice with a hint of laughter reached her ears, and Jiang Li realized that without her noticing, Jih Heng had already straightened up, so, in the not-so-spacious sedan chair, the distance between Jih Heng and her had become exceedingly close. By her ear, she felt as though she could sense the warm breath exhaled by Jih Heng.

It was ticklish, carrying an inexplicable warmth, causing the hostility she felt in her heart to dissipate quite a bit.

Jiang Li deliberately moved back a bit but unexpectedly reached the edge, her head almost knocking against the beam of the sedan chair—fortunately, Jih Heng’s quick reflexes allowed him to extend his hand beneath her head in time, so what Jiang Li’s back of the head touched was the palm of Jih Heng’s hand.

His hands, however, were always cold, wearing fiery red clothes yet chilling as ice.

Jiang Li was taken aback for a moment and then whispered her thanks.

Jih Heng withdrew his hand, saying lazily, "You need not see the Official Family with such enmity, Jiang Yuanbai is Grand Secretary, and what you say already places you on the opposing side of the Official Family. Miss Jiang the Second," he reminded her with uncertain intention, "will be exposed."

Will be exposed.

What will be exposed? Jiang Li suddenly became nervous. Were they going to expose that she was not truly Miss Jiang the Second? While there were many mysteries about her and from another’s perspective, many incredulities, as long as she did not speak of them herself, no one would think that within the shell driven by Jiang Li, hides another soul

But that was with ordinary people. If it were Jih Heng... Jiang Li looked up at him.

The young man’s eyes were deep and smiling, his phoenix eyes narrow and lifting at the ends, slightly heavy in color, thus emphasizing a beautiful shape, his nose high, and his lips a lovely red like a cup of intoxicating, mysterious poison. You could not peer into his heart, yet felt that your innermost secrets could hardly be hidden from his gaze. ƒгeewebnovёl.com

He was too dangerous, too clear-headed, too rational, and too easy to get lost in.

He was not an average person; if it were him, perhaps he might discover the secrets she bore. Jiang Li thought without reason.

Jiang Li fell silent, not knowing what to say, as every word she spoke could serve as a clue for Jih Heng. The more she said, the more she erred, thus she could only remain silent.