The Double-Chapter 649 - 198 Guard_2

He rambled on at length, leaving Jiang Li dumbfounded. She recalled how Wen Renyao had been constantly staring at Lin Yao and had thought Wen Renyao was just a curious child. But she hadn’t expected that this was his intention. Jiang Li said, "Regardless, even if Young Master Wen Ren wishes to take on a disciple, it would be best to ask for Lin Yao’s opinion. After all, this is about him."

"Of course, of course," Wen Renyao replied while answering, yet he didn’t seem to take Jiang Li’s words to heart. Jiang Li sighed and didn’t continue the conversation. At that moment, she really had no energy to deal with these matters. It was better to first calm young Lin Yao down, and as for the rest, they would be discussed later.

Lu Jiu said to Jiang Li, "The adult is inside the room."

As Jiang Li looked at him, Lu Jiu replied, "If Second Miss has something to say, she can go inside to find the adult." He stood up, "I’m going to rest for two shichen. Wen Ren, make sure the door is well-guarded. Zhao Ke and Wen Ji are also tired after a night’s vigil, they should rest soon as well." With that, he turned and went to another room, closing the door behind him.

Wen Renyao shrugged and said to Jiang Li, "I’ll take this little guy back to the room first."

Jiang Li stood in front of Jih Heng’s room, hesitated for a moment, and then pushed the door open.

The person inside was sitting at the table.

After the night raid the previous evening, it started raining in the morning. The continuous drizzle was relentless, darkening the sky, making the room, although it was morning, appear as though it was evening. When Jiang Li walked in, all she could see was a silhouette. But as she drew closer, she saw Jih Heng leaning against a wooden chair with his eyes slightly closed.

She sat down in the chair beside him.

Upon hearing Jiang Li’s movements, he opened his eyes and looked at her.

"Sorry," Jiang Li said, "I didn’t mean to wake you up."

Jih Heng smiled lazily. Although he didn’t say anything, there was a sense that guarding the city that day hadn’t been easy. Though Jiang Li hadn’t witnessed it herself, the crazed Prince Cheng had long been preparing for last night’s event, and those who defended the city must have made tremendous sacrifices.

Jiang Li’s gaze fell back on Jih Heng. Perhaps for convenience, he hadn’t worn red attire but was in black armored clothing. This made his usually captivating aura subdued for a moment, becoming stern and severe. However, when he smiled, it was the familiar carefree expression, as if he was an outsider to the play.

In his black attire, one couldn’t see if he was hurt, and even if there were bloodstains, they would not show. Jiang Li asked, "Are you... okay?"

"Of course," Jih Heng replied, "I heard you saved a child?"

"Yes, the child’s family is all dead."

"Jiang Yuanbai would die of anger," Jih Heng raised an eyebrow, "He’s as cunning as a fox, yet he raised a daughter who pities all under heaven."

"It’s not about pitying all under heaven," Jiang Li said indifferently, "It just reminded me of Ah Zhao. Ah Zhao was like that when he was young."

Jih Heng fell silent. He knew that Jiang Li was also Xue Fangfei, and of course, he knew that Xue Fangfei had a younger brother, Xue Zhao, who was later killed by Princess Yongning. The Xue Family had only this pair of siblings apart from Xue Huaiyuan. One could imagine how close the siblings were and the immense blow Xue Fangfei suffered after Xue Zhao’s death.

"Then keep him," Jih Heng said, "let him follow Xue Huaiyuan, it’s fine."

Lin Yao was left an orphan, and Xue Huaiyuan had lost his son; they could keep each other company.

Jiang Li smiled faintly, Jih Heng was thinking ahead. She looked again at Jih Heng and asked, "Prince Cheng won’t continue the siege, will he? Once he receives the message from the Military Defense General, he will head straight for Yanjing."

"Of course," Jih Heng said, "all the way from Huangzhou to Yanjing, it’s Prince Cheng’s troops that are in hiding. By the time he gets to Yanjing, with his strong army, he will be unstoppable. Even just standing there, he would be enough to cause great panic among the Yanjing people."

"But isn’t the Prince of Xia County coming?" Jiang Li said, "His Majesty, having no choice, had to call back the Prince of Xia County. Before His Majesty ascended to the throne, the Prince of Xia County had gone to the Northwest, and after all these years, His Majesty likely harbors no other thoughts about him and won’t be guarded."

Jih Heng turned his head and looked quietly at Jiang Li. His amber eyes, in the alternating light and darkness, were obscure yet bright, devoid of the flirtatiousness of someone playing to the gallery, now filled with something Jiang Li could not quite understand.

"Duke," Jiang Li fell silent for a while before speaking, "is it actually the Prince of Xia County that you truly want to deal with?"

Jih Heng did not answer.

Jiang Li went on to speak for herself, "I don’t know why The Late Emperor had once exiled the Prince of Xia County to the Northwest, but the Prince stayed there for many years. His Majesty had no reason to call him back, unless Prince Cheng caused trouble. Once Prince Cheng stirred up trouble, the Prince of Xia County would return to the capital. All of this is because, back then, you, Duke, meticulously engineered a split in the court. Otherwise, if any side fell first, it would disrupt the timing of the Prince of Xia County’s return. Perhaps the Prince of Xia County was destined to return to the capital eventually, if not now, then in the future. The reason you chose this moment is simply because this timing is not perfect for the Prince of Xia County."

"But there’s something I don’t understand," Jiang Li said, "If you wanted to deal with Yin Zhan, you could have used other methods. Why did you opt for this way and even recall Yin Zhan to Yanjing openly? I don’t understand why..." she lowered her head and said, "it reminds me of the Xue Family and Princess Yongning. I racked my brains to avenge the Xue Family and exposed Princess Yongning to the public eye because only then could Xue Fangfei’s death see the light of day. I did it for the sake of redressing the case for Xue Fangfei. You, on the other hand, what are you doing it for?"

Her voice was clear and gentle, measured and calmly told, as if narrating a tender story. The dim light from outside cast upon her profile, blurring the blemishes on the girl’s face, revealing her refined features.

The young man chuckled softly. His voice was still as nonchalant as ever when he said, "Just by what you said just now, you could have died."

Jiang Li said, "I am well aware."

"Then why ask?"

"I hope to be of help."

Jih Heng wasn’t aggressive, either tired or unwilling to discuss the matter further; he merely said, "You can’t help; don’t waste your effort."

Jiang Li frowned, and he shut his eyes again, seemingly utterly exhausted.

He still hadn’t answered Jiang Li’s question, yet neither had he denied her speculation. Jiang Li had already taken a nap and wasn’t sleepy; she simply sat beside Jih Heng, daydreaming.

From afar, it looked as if she were keeping watch over him.