The Double-Chapter 655 - 201 Hide and Seek

At night, Jiang Li couldn’t sleep. During the day, Little Yao was delighted by the treat Jiang Li had bought him, and his mood improved greatly. It’s always easy to please children, so tonight, Wen Renyao finally didn’t have to console a crying Little Yao and went to bed early.

In the room across from Jiang Li’s, if she opened the window, she could see that the light was still on in Jih Heng’s room—he hadn’t gone to sleep either.

Seated at her desk, Jiang Li stared at the slowly burning candle, lost in thought. She didn’t go to talk to Jih Heng because her heart was anything but calm. Or rather, when she had realized what her feelings were, she became unsure of how to act, not understanding why she couldn’t carry on as before.

In her friendship-based interactions with Jih Heng, her feelings had deepened over time. She had been in love before and knew what it was to have her heart stir. Even if it was just for an instant, it was not an illusion.

This was an unfortunate development, not to mention that she had planned to live her life unmarried, alone. Currently, she was still Miss Jiang the Second of the Jiang Family, with no connections to the Duke Residence or Jiang Yuanbai whatsoever. Of course, more importantly, Jiang Li knew of Jih Heng’s indifference. He was a decent person, extraordinarily handsome, and had always lent a hand when she was in trouble, helping her out a great deal. Although initially he was just a spectator, watching the drama unfold, after the incident in Tongxiang, he honored his promises, even going beyond what was expected. He did not seek any reward—a simple fan pendant would satisfy him.

When in dire straits, one is likely to feel immense gratitude towards those who offer help. But she didn’t know when that gratitude turned into a little fondness. Jiang Li knew she couldn’t blame herself, for if Jih Heng truly treated someone well, no one would remain unmoved.

But treating someone well doesn’t necessarily mean liking them.

Someone like him probably wouldn’t fall for anyone. As he himself said, he didn’t need sincerity and naturally wouldn’t give his own. To like Jih Heng was destined to be a hopeless and protracted wait. Jiang Li understood this better than anyone. She still possessed the lonely courage and hope reminiscent of her Xue Fangfei days, yet she was far more rational and composed than Xue Fangfei had been. She knew what she should and shouldn’t do, and cutting her losses in time was more critical than anything.

Jih Heng was not Shen Yurong, but liking Jih Heng may not be any better than liking Shen Yurong.

She needed to sever her misguided attachments.

As Jiang Li thought this, she blew out the candle in her room. The room plunged into darkness, and everything returned to silence.

Everything was the same as it had always been.

...

In the following days, even Wen Renyao and Lu Jiu noticed something amiss. Wen Ji, who was always silent, said nothing, but Zhao Ke, squatting at the doorway, frequently cast glances between Jiang Li and Jih Heng.

Wen Renyao quietly asked Jiang Li, "Miss Jiang the Second, did you have a fight with Ah Heng?"

Jiang Li replied with surprise, "No. Why do you ask?"

"There’s something strange between you and Ah Heng," Wen Renyao thought for a moment. "I can’t put my finger on it, but something’s off."

Jiang Li said, "Young Master Wen Ren might be mistaken. Little Yao is calling for you."

Wen Renyao hurried off to take care of Little Yao.

On the roof, Wen Ji and Zhao Ke were chewing on grass roots. Zhao Ke asked Wen Ji, "Brother, do you think the adult said something harsh to Miss Jiang the Second?"

Wen Ji: "..."

Zhao Ke: "Miss Jiang the Second seems different than before. The last time I saw them together, they seemed fine, but now suddenly things have changed. They still talk as usual, but it feels less intimate, and Miss Jiang the Second doesn’t seek the adult out for a chat anymore."

Wen Ji: "..."

Zhao Ke: "Are you going to say something or what? What’s going on?"

Wen Ji: "..."

Zhao Ke spat out the grass root in disgust, glared at Wen Ji, and said, "You’re really a blockhead!" And then he jumped off the roof.

Inside, after discussing matters with Lu Jiu, Jih Heng asked, "Adult, is there something wrong between you and Miss Jiang the Second?"

Jih Heng raised an eyebrow: "I don’t understand."

Lu Jiu spoke with deep implication: "Miss the Second seems to be avoiding you."

Jih Heng smiled and said nothing, stood up, and walked out the door. Outside, Jiang Li was wiping down a table. Without any maids here, and with nothing much to do, she cleaned up a little and didn’t think much of it. The first time Wen Renyao saw her doing these menial tasks, he made a huge fuss as if Jiang Li had done something extraordinary, even urging Jih Heng to come watch, as if it were a big event. Later, as the situation in the city became chaotic, there was no time to care about such things, especially since Wen Renyao had to look after his young apprentice, Little Yao.

Seeing Jih Heng and Lu Jiu coming out of the house, Jiang Li greeted them with a smile, "Duke, Mr. Lu."

Her tone was gentle, and her smile courteous, everything was just right. Jih Heng couldn’t help but glance at her, Jiang Li was so impeccably poised that not a single flaw could be picked out, but anyone could feel that Miss Jiang the Second was different from when she first arrived in Huangzhou City.

It seemed she was deliberately maintaining the distance between them as it had been before.

Jiang Li sighed softly in her heart, unsure of what to do, she resorted to a clumsy method. Now that she was in Huangzhou, she had to see Jih Heng every day. Once back in Yanjing City, if there was no important matter, she would try her best to not see Jih Heng. Eventually, with the passage of time, the fondness in her heart would slowly fade away, dissipating with the wind.

Yet, she still seemed to be a bit too obvious about it.

"You should pack," Jih Heng said, "we are returning to Yanjing City tomorrow."

Jiang Li was startled for a moment and asked, "Tomorrow?"

"The Military Defense General has already arrived at Huangzhou and joined the City Defense Army. Prince Cheng’s troops have already withdrawn fifty li from the city and will retreat overnight." Jih Heng said, "There’s nothing left to worry about in Huangzhou."

Jiang Li asked, "Am I going back alone?"

Jih Heng looked at her strangely, as if he didn’t understand why she would say that, and replied, "I am also returning to the capital."

That meant they would be together, and a trace of disappointment flickered in Jiang Li’s eyes. Jih Heng caught that hint of disappointment, his gaze flickered, but he managed a smile and said, "Do you wish to go back alone?"

"Of course not," Jiang Li had already organized her thoughts and replied, "Traveling with the Duke, naturally, I’ll be much safer. Along the way, we may still have to contend with Prince Cheng’s ambushed troops, which could be very dangerous if encountered."

"It is indeed dangerous," Wen Renyao stepped forward and said, "Ah Heng, are you sure about returning now? Couldn’t you wait a bit longer, until the matter with Prince Cheng is resolved before heading back? Staying in Huangzhou would definitely be safe, especially since Prince Cheng might be setting his sights on Yanjing."

"We leave tomorrow," Jih Heng’s voice was faint, "Yin Zhan will soon be returning."

Yin Zhan, Jiang Li was taken aback, the Zhaode General? So Jih Heng was indeed acting because of the Zhaode General. However, the General’s fast pace was truly unexpected. After all, Yunzhong is a considerable distance from Yanjing. And it had been decades since the Zhaode General had appeared before others.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Wen Renyao did not press further.

"I’ve already discussed with the lord, when we leave, we should still disguise ourselves," Mr. Lu said, "to avoid Prince Cheng’s soldiers. We will be half a day slower in our departure, but the danger is still present, especially for the Second Miss. Prince Cheng has already harbored intentions to kill you once; if he discovers your whereabouts, he will not be merciful."

Jiang Li replied, "I understand."

At the same time, she felt very strange in her heart. She had presumed that, aside from Wen Ji and Zhao Ke, Jih Heng should have arranged for his own people when he came to Huangzhou. But now it seemed there weren’t any. In other words, they were now deeply ensconced behind enemy lines, with Jih Heng acting recklessly. Although Jiang Li had long known that he was audacious, he seemed a bit too brazen now, not even caring for his own life.

After all, they were such a small group that, if they were to truly face Prince Cheng’s soldiers, they would be outnumbered.

Jiang Li’s concern must have been too obvious because Jih Heng noticed and said with a light laugh, "Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you."

His smiling tone sent a shiver through Jiang Li’s heart, as if he were offering poison wine that looked delicious and intoxicating but could not be indulged in. She smiled back and said, "Thank you, Duke."

Even though she had uttered many thanks before, subtle differences in tone and voice could reveal different emotions. For instance, this instance sounded polite, unlike the familiarity shared between acquaintances.

Neither Wen Renyao nor Mr. Lu noticed anything amiss, but Jih Heng’s brow furrowed ever so slightly. He always smiled, especially in Jiang Li’s presence, which made Wen Renyao and Mr. Lu somewhat puzzled.

Jiang Li just smiled at him, feigning ignorance. She knew her reaction and the forced distance were clumsy and obvious, and Jih Heng surely noticed, but she had no better solution and just had to grit her teeth and persevere. If Jih Heng asked why she was suddenly avoiding him, Jiang Li could come up with countless excuses, though she doubted if any of them could deceive Jih Heng.

Because she couldn’t even deceive herself.

Fortunately, Jih Heng did not dwell on the matter and after giving a few more instructions about the departure the next day, he left.

Once Jih Heng was gone, Jiang Li returned to her room. She actually didn’t have much to pack as she had been abducted to Huangzhou City with nothing on her. She only had a few clothes bought later, amounting to just a small bundle.

She didn’t want to think about matters related to Jih Heng, as it would leave her feeling helpless, so she turned her thoughts to other things.

Once back in Yanjing City, she would come clean to Xue Huaiyuan. That day, she was supposed to have revealed the truth to her father already, had she not been kidnapped along the way, she might have already recognized her father. She wondered how her father would react upon seeing her.

And then there was Jiang Yuanbai; the fact that she stayed with Jih Heng in Huangzhou, something she had discussed with Wen Renyao, both Jiang Family and Ye Family were already aware. Jiang Yuanbai would definitely be suspicious, wondering why Jih Heng would save her, and why she stayed in Huangzhou with him. Jiang Yuanbai was also a sly fox; the fact that the matter with the Xue Family managed to pass without incident was because he turned a blind eye. But when it came to matters involving the Jiang Family, especially those concerning the imperial court and the sensitive standing of Duke Su, Jiang Yuanbai would surely not take lightly.

She still needed to find an excellent reason to fend off Jiang Yuanbai’s suspicions.