The carriage traveled through the night—a familiar route, familiar night breeze. Jiang Li sat in the carriage with an unfamiliar mood.

Fate in this mortal world was probably very strange. From Tongxiang to Yanjing City, separated by thousands of miles, she hadn’t expected that marrying from Tongxiang to Yanjing would lead to such entanglements with the Shen family in her previous life. And the grievances between her and Shen Yurun and Princess Yongning had caused her to become Jiang Li. After becoming Jiang Li, the many people she met inexplicably led to her intersection with Ji Heng.

This road between the Duke’s Manor and the Jiang Manor—actually, it had only been a year and a half, yet she already felt very familiar with it. So much so that at the time of parting, she felt reluctant to leave. From the initial surprise, feeling that going out at night was truly improper and unthinkable, to later becoming accustomed to it and even proactively going—when had this change happened? No one had noticed.

In the future, such actions wouldn’t happen anymore. Such feelings wouldn’t exist anymore. That kind of anxiety and trepidation, yet also containing anticipation and security—those complexly interwoven emotions would probably no longer exist. Jiang Li didn’t know if she would be sad in the future. Perhaps when thinking back she would feel a bit sorrowful, but she truly had no regrets. Although leaving Yanjing meant leaving a stable life, she could bring Father with her, take Xue Zhao’s remains back to their hometown, or even travel the four seas with Xue Zhao’s ashes—that would fulfill Xue Zhao’s old dreams.

The first half of her life had always been confined within mansion walls—it was time to fly out. In this life, freedom was ultimately precious.

Thus the corners of her mouth gently curved upward. The earlier sadness vanished without a trace. Even if saying farewell, she should bid farewell with a smile. Compared to when she first became Second Miss Jiang, everything now was already much better than what she’d initially imagined. The great revenge against Princess Yongning and Shen Yurun had been accomplished. Father was still alive. She could still have a future. After all, it wasn’t bad.

The carriage stopped at the Duke’s Manor entrance. Jiang Li jumped down from the carriage and walked into the Duke’s Manor together with Zhao Ke.

Every time she came to the Duke’s Manor, there were various matters. Jiang Li had never seriously, carefully examined the Duke’s Manor. But today she looked especially carefully, as if wanting to engrave every plant and tree here into her mind, remembering clearly. That way, when recalling it in the future, it could be preserved for years rather than after many years passing, with memories gradually blurring until she forgot what the place she’d once visited looked like.

Zhao Ke saw her unusual behavior and felt increasingly puzzled. Upon reaching the courtyard, Zhao Ke first had Jiang Li wait here while he went to report. After a while, Zhao Ke said, “The master is in the study. Second Miss, please follow me.”

Jiang Li followed Zhao Ke to Ji Heng’s study. The study door was ajar. Jiang Li pushed it open and walked in. Zhao Ke closed the door behind her.

Ji Heng sat at the desk. He was reading something like memorials—stacked high on the table. Seeing Jiang Li arrive, he stood up, no longer bothering with those memorials. He walked to the small table and sat down, saying, “Why did you come?”

On the table were still two teacups and one pot. He also naturally poured Jiang Li a cup of tea, just as he’d done countless times before. To him, this had almost become habit. For Jiang Li, it too had nearly become natural. Jiang Li followed and sat down. Ji Heng pushed the teacup before her, methodically pouring tea for himself. While pouring, he said, “Why aren’t you speaking? What trouble happened?”

Jiang Li suddenly laughed. Ji Heng saying this made it seem like every time she came it wasn’t anything good—as if she brought a pile of troubles seeking help. But thinking again, Ji Heng wasn’t wrong. Moreover, though he spoke harshly, in truth every time he handled things properly for her.

Jiang Li picked up the teacup from the table. Tea drunk in summer was cooled in advance, carrying the faint coolness of the evening breeze—slightly bitter yet fragrant. Jiang Li smiled. “Actually, I came today to bid farewell to Your Grace.”

Ji Heng’s motion of drinking tea paused. He set down the teacup and looked at Jiang Li. In his amber eyes was an ambiguous expression. He asked, “Farewell?”

“This past year, thank you for Your Grace’s care. Although I always said that if Your Grace needed anything in the future, I would definitely use all my strength to help, Your Grace always said I was lying. Now it seems Your Grace was probably right—I’m likely going to break my word.” She smiled gently. “I’m leaving Yanjing City. Very likely I won’t return in the future. Before leaving, I hope to bid farewell to Your Grace. Otherwise, leaving without saying goodbye would make me seem too heartless.”

Ji Heng raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by this—not returning in the future? Does Jiang Yuanbai know about this?”

Jiang Li hesitated, then shook her head. “I’m hiding it from him. Or rather, I’m leaving the Jiang family, leaving Yanjing.”

“This isn’t leaving—it’s fleeing.” Ji Heng asked, “What did the Jiang family force you to do?”

Jiang Li smiled and shook her head. “It’s my own decision.”

“It’s about Yin Zhili, isn’t it?”

Jiang Li froze.

The young man held his teacup—the teacup only made his hands look especially beautiful. His expression was casual, yet his tone was certain. “The Yin family is forcing a marriage?”

He’d actually guessed?

Thinking about it, Jiang Li realized it made sense. Since Ji Heng was constantly paying attention to the Yin family, he naturally knew what schemes Yin Zhan had been plotting before. That she was so urgently leaving—the reason wasn’t hard to guess.

Ji Heng frowned. “How dare they force a marriage?”

“It’s an arranged marriage.” Since Ji Heng already knew, Jiang Li didn’t plan to hide it. She said, “My maid overheard Father and Old Madam’s conversation. Yin Zhan plans at the merit celebration banquet, when His Majesty rewards achievements, to trade military merit for an arranged marriage decree—arranging my marriage to Yin Zhili.”

After saying this, Jiang Li felt the room grow colder. Because it was blazing summer, this cooling sensation was especially strong.

Jiang Li looked at Ji Heng. He still wore a smile, only that smile looked somewhat murderous no matter how one looked at it. He leaned back in his chair. Perhaps because it was evening, his outer robe was only draped over him, revealing the inner garment inside. The inner garment was also casually open, exposing his collarbone. His skin was pale, making his entire person especially alluring—even more bewitching in the night.

Jiang Li looked away. “If he truly arranges the marriage, I have no other recourse. Father and Old Madam seem to like Yin Zhili very much.”

“You don’t want to marry Yin Zhili, so you’re fleeing the marriage?” He stared at Jiang Li and asked.

“Yes.” Jiang Li answered very readily. “But I have no other options for now. I’ve also advised the Jiang family not to get too close to the Yin family, but Father won’t listen. There’s something I also want to ask you—if in the future you confront the Yin family, I believe the Yin family is no match for you. Could you spare the Jiang family? At least preserve their lives?”

Ji Heng raised an eyebrow. “No.”

Jiang Li asked, “Why?”

“They’re not your real family. Why should you protect the Jiang family? Jiang Yuanbai is now treating you as a bargaining chip. If I were you, I’d kill them all.” He spoke lightly, yet murderous intent filled his eyes. Jiang Li knew Ji Heng wasn’t lying.

“Regardless, after I became Second Miss Jiang, the Jiang family also gave me a place to belong. I’m not threatening Your Grace—I only hope to have a clear conscience. As for whether Your Grace is willing or not, whether you do it or not, it has nothing to do with me. Before leaving, I’ll leave a letter reminding Father.” Jiang Li said, “Similarly, whether he’s willing to listen also depends on the Jiang family’s fate.”

“You really are kind.” His tone carried slight mockery—unclear whether he disapproved of Jiang Li’s actions. He suddenly leaned closer and asked, “Why don’t you want to marry Yin Zhili?”

Why?

The evening breeze made the tree shadows outside sway and rustle. Jiang Li felt Ji Heng’s question was very strange. She said, “Naturally it’s because I don’t like Young Master Yin and don’t plan to marry, so I won’t marry Young Master Yin. Your Grace also knows—I’ve been married before, been deceived and hurt. Marriage, for me in this lifetime, is no longer something I must accomplish.”

“What if you encounter someone you truly love?” He leaned forward, pressing close. “Would you also not plan to marry?”

He was too close to her. Jiang Li nearly held her breath. She wanted to turn her head away, but then fell into Ji Heng’s gaze. When they first met, she’d been amazed by this young man’s beauty—phoenix eyes narrow and amorous. Now falling into his amber eyes, it was difficult to climb back out.

“That won’t happen,” she forced herself to remain calm, only smiling. “For now I haven’t encountered anyone I fancy, so I needn’t consider these nonexistent questions. When I truly encounter such a day, I’ll think about what to do then.”

The girl’s posture was evasive, yet she insisted on putting on a proper appearance. She was truly adorable. Having already married once and been hurt once, she still seemed not to know how to protect herself. Or perhaps she was fearless—whether called brave or reckless, she could still love people and wouldn’t be influenced by external matters to become another person.

Perhaps the current Jiang Li, the Jiang Li stripped of hatred, was actually no different from the young girl Xue Fangfei of the past.

Ji Heng couldn’t help but lean even closer. He tilted his head, carefully examining her. His gaze was sharp yet tender—enough to make even the clearheaded fall into enchantment. He said, “You’re lying.”

Jiang Li looked up at him. “How so?”

“The reason you’re unwilling to marry Yin Zhili—I know it.” His voice was low and mellow, crawling across one’s heart, tingling—as if acupoints had been sealed, unable to move. One could only watch him smile bewitchingly, drawing ever closer. He said, “That you like me—I’ve known for a long time.”

With a “boom,” something seemed to explode in Jiang Li’s mind. In her panic, her instinct was to deny. “No, I didn’t…”

The next moment, her lips were sealed by someone.

The young man’s face was right before her eyes. Jiang Li’s eyes widened in shock—she could see even his eyelashes clearly. His lips were soft and warm, lingering between her lips and teeth. One hand supported the back of Jiang Li’s head, pulling her toward him, deepening the kiss.

No one kissed by Ji Heng could maintain composure and not sink into enchantment—Jiang Li was no exception. His expression was tender, his movements firm. Jiang Li struggled several times before pushing him away.

She covered her own lips, looking at the young man opposite her. “Ji Heng, you!”

“Angry?” he said. “You’re even calling me by name directly.” Ji Heng smiled, his voice hoarse as he leaned close again. He looked down at Jiang Li, his gaze doting and gentle. He said, “That you like me—I know this. So that I like you—do you know this?”

Jiang Li was stunned.

He looked at her leisurely. His delighted smile couldn’t be concealed no matter how he tried. Jiang Li felt somewhat embarrassed under his gaze. She stammered, “What are you saying…”

“I originally didn’t want to involve you so quickly, little girl.” He touched Jiang Li’s hair, tucking the fallen strands behind her ear. “But you seem somewhat impatient. I can’t let you run away.”

His movements were natural, as if he’d done this countless times, yet it left Jiang Li somewhat at a loss. Regarding Ji Heng, she’d thought he truly did treat her as a friend. Regardless of whether this care and concern stemmed from sympathy or a momentary whim, it had nothing to do with liking. Someone like him probably wouldn’t fall for anyone. But his words just now made Jiang Li have to doubt herself.

“Do you like me?” she asked softly.

The girl’s gaze was pure, carrying genuine puzzlement—truly endearing. Ji Heng couldn’t help but lower his head and kiss her forehead. “Of course.”

Jiang Li said, “You’re not lying to me, are you?”

Ji Heng raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like someone who would lie to women?”

Jiang Li thought about it. “No.”

Ji Heng would never lie to women—not because he was particularly upright or honorable, but truly because he couldn’t be bothered. For him, many things could be accomplished easily. Of course, he also needn’t bother lying. Probably as long as he was slightly gentle, people would naturally fall for him, one after another.

“So you don’t need to leave Yanjing City.” Ji Heng said, “I’ll think of a solution.”

Jiang Li was puzzled. “What solution do you have? Yin Zhan is aiming for an imperial marriage arrangement. Having just won a great victory, His Majesty trusts him. If he wants to trade military merit for an arranged marriage, His Majesty won’t refuse. One can’t openly defy an imperial decree.”

“You needn’t worry.” He smiled. “He won’t have this opportunity. He’s not the only one who can request arranged marriages.”

Jiang Li froze. “You…”

“Little girl, are you willing to marry me?” He raised an eyebrow.

He called her so naturally. Clearly he knew she’d been married, been a wife, yet always used such an intimate form of address. It also made Jiang Li have a momentary illusion that everything in her previous life was all just a dream, long since passed without trace. She was still a carefree young maiden who could be cherished and protected in someone’s palm, treasured and valued.

“If you’re unwilling, you can refuse me for now.” Ji Heng said lightly, “We’ll talk when you agree. But I think, since you like me so much, sooner or later you’ll be willing, right?”

Jiang Li said, “That’s not true.”

Ji Heng said, “You’re lying.”

“I don’t know if you’ll become a second Shen Yurun.” Jiang Li smiled openly. “I can go like someone, can go trust someone, but now I won’t do anything for the other person without limits. Once bitten, twice shy. Ji Heng, I must love myself first before loving others.”

She’d thought Ji Heng would be angry hearing this, might even think her selfish. However, he only smiled and patted her head. “That’s good. Then you won’t get hurt, and I can rest easy.”

Jiang Li looked at him. His gaze was more serious than any previous time. He wasn’t lying—what he said was true.

“I’ve never thought selflessness was anything good.” Ji Heng said softly, “But I think if you can’t learn to be selfish, that’s also fine. I’ll do those things. You only do what you want to do.”

Jiang Li lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously gripping the fan in her hand. It was still the fan Yin Zhiqing had given her. Yanjing City’s summer was very hot. This fan was useful, so Jiang Li carried it with her. Ji Heng saw her movement. His gaze fell on her fan, pausing slightly. The next moment, he took the fan from her hand.

“A fan Yin Zhili gave you?” he asked.

Jiang Li nodded, then shook her head. “It’s from Yin Zhiqing.”

Ji Heng’s lips held a smile. He slowly opened the fan. On the fan surface was a pear blossom. On the handle was carved a small lotus flower. It was made of white jade—the jade quality was excellent, pure white throughout. This carved lotus flower was truly exquisite and adorable, every detail visible.

Ji Heng said calmly, “Yin Zhili truly spared no expense, though his judgment is somewhat problematic. What white lotus flower? Clearly it’s a man-eating flower that devours without leaving bones.”

Jiang Li was first stunned, then understood what Ji Heng meant. She immediately came to her senses. “How do you know what Yin Zhili said to me? Is Zhao Ke still at the Jiang Manor?”

“I’m not comfortable leaving my little girl alone in a place like the Jiang family.” He said, “Of course I had to have someone watch over you.”

If he wanted to coax someone, probably no one could avoid falling for it. Jiang Li had just started to feel moved when she saw him holding that fan and saying to her, “I’m confiscating this fan.”

“But that’s my belonging,” Jiang Li said.

“Your belonging?” The corner of his lips curved up. He suddenly reached out to grasp Jiang Li’s chin. His other hand extended a finger to caress her lips, his tone warning, “Little girl, try accepting things from other men in the future and see what happens.”

Jiang Li fell silent.

His fingertips were slightly cool. Caressing one’s lips, yet that place seemed about to be burned. Jiang Li again recalled that sudden kiss from earlier. Her face grew even more unusually hot.

In a daze, she only heard Ji Heng chuckle softly. He said, “Originally I thought you were bold. How is it that now you’re afraid of me to death?”

“I’m not afraid of you.” Jiang Li broke free from his hand. “I’m just somewhat unaccustomed.”

“No matter. In the future you’ll slowly grow accustomed.”

Jiang Li looked at him and fell silent. Ji Heng only waited patiently. After a while, she finally asked, “Will I cause your plans to go awry? If you step forward to block the Yin family’s marriage, it will inevitably make the Yin family notice you. At that time, will it disrupt your affairs?”

“Yin Zhan has long since noticed me. Whether or not there’s your marriage makes no difference.” Ji Heng smiled slightly, comforting her. “You needn’t worry about it.”

“I still don’t understand what the grievance between Yin Zhan and you is. If you don’t want to say now, I won’t ask. But what is his purpose in returning to Yanjing City? Forming a marriage alliance with the Jiang family is probably not just Yin Zhili’s own idea. I’m not a peerless beauty—Yin Zhili wouldn’t fall for me after seeing me once. What is it for?”

Jiang Li still felt it was very strange. If she didn’t figure out Yin Zhan’s purpose, Jiang Li wouldn’t know how to guide the Jiang family.

“Li Zhongnan is already finished. The head of civil officials is Jiang Yuanbai.” Ji Heng said lightly, “Win over Jiang Yuanbai and half the court’s power is won over.”

Jiang Li heard him use the words “win over” and her heart jumped. She blurted out, “He wants to become a second Prince Cheng?”

Ji Heng smiled slightly. “Is there a better reason?”

“Why?” Jiang Li grew more confused. “If he wants to usurp the throne, all these years in Yunzhong he’s been silent. Why wait until now? Couldn’t he have done this when His Majesty was young?”

“His Majesty needed to mature. Prince Cheng needed to mature. The Xia Commandery Prince naturally needed to mature even more. Otherwise, why do you think back then the late Emperor drove the Xia Commandery Prince to Yunzhong? It was only because the late Emperor discovered a few traces of evidence but had no more proof. Suspicious in his heart, he could only banish him. After all, the late Emperor was sentimental about the past. If it were me…” Ji Heng said casually, “I would never nurture a threat.”

“He and you…”

“Shh.” Ji Heng made a silencing gesture and smiled at Jiang Li. “Many things you needn’t know. The more you know, the more dangerous it becomes. I like you so much—I certainly don’t want anything to happen to you.”

He spoke words of affection so readily, yet it didn’t make one feel cloying or false. Jiang Li also naturally accepted it. The relationship between them two—from the initial mutual probing and calculations, accidentally intersecting, slowly becoming friends, confidants, even becoming what they were now.

This didn’t seem wrong at all.

What Ji Heng was unwilling to say couldn’t be asked out no matter what. Jiang Li let it go. If it really didn’t work, she’d find her own way to investigate. Only hearing about Yin Zhan’s treasonous heart still greatly shocked her.

“Father… the Jiang family won’t be implicated, will they?”

“As long as the marriage between you and Yin Zhili doesn’t happen, there’s nothing to worry about.” Ji Heng spoke lightly. “Jiang Yuanbai is someone with ambition but no courage. Treason is something he absolutely wouldn’t dare do. The Yin family’s previous schemes—the Jiang family may not know. Once Yin Zhan reveals his ambition, Jiang Yuanbai will naturally keep his distance.”

“I just feel that if His Majesty misunderstands that the Jiang family, like the Yin family, has become greedy and disloyal…” She suddenly thought of something and asked, “Does His Majesty know about this?”

Ji Heng only smiled without speaking.

Jiang Li immediately understood Ji Heng’s meaning. Emperor Hongxiao actually knew. Emperor Hongxiao truly hid deeper than anyone imagined. She didn’t know if Yin Zhan knew this, but perhaps even if Yin Zhan knew, he wouldn’t care. To Yin Zhan, his troops were powerful—Yanjing City’s Imperial Guards were no match for him either.

But Ji Heng didn’t seem to fear Yin Zhan.

Could it be that missing military command token…

“Little girl, don’t think wild thoughts.” He said, “You only need to stay obediently at the manor. Everything will be resolved.”

“Ji Heng.” Jiang Li looked into his eyes. “Don’t let anything happen to you.”

Ji Heng paused, then smiled. When he smiled, he was especially bewitching. The teardrop mole at the corner of his eye was blood-red. His voice was tender. “All right.”

The night was perfect. The moonlight was neither too dense nor too faint—as if it too knew this night was worth remembering, so it became madly beautiful.

After finishing her talk with Ji Heng, Jiang Li also prepared to return. She had originally come today to bid farewell to Ji Heng. Who knew how, in her confusion, she instead opened her heart to him. She was originally a candid person. Before avenging the Xue family, she’d still kept some reserve. After the great revenge was accomplished, all past events turned to smoke—she became as open-minded as before.

But fortunately, he also liked her.

Thinking of this, Jiang Li couldn’t help but smile.

She’d thought that after loving someone once, she wouldn’t easily love another person again, trust another person. But liking—this matter probably had no logic. That she could still fearlessly continue loving people was also a good thing. If Father and Ah Zhao knew, they would also be happy for her.

Of course, this time she wouldn’t blindly lose herself for the other person, becoming someone else. Love was never sustained by one person’s compromise.

Thinking these thoughts, she walked out with Ji Heng. Ji Heng held her hand. This time, he no longer held Jiang Li’s sleeve. His palm was long and broad, holding Jiang Li’s hand in his palm as if he would never let go for a lifetime.

“Smiling so happily,” Ji Heng said. “It seems you like me very much.”

“Holding so tightly,” Jiang Li immediately countered. “It seems you’re very afraid I’ll run away.”

“What’s there to fear?” He snorted lightly. “Even if you run to the ends of the earth, I’ll have ways to catch you back.”

Jiang Li scoffed, too lazy to talk with him. Ji Heng was going to see her off to the carriage at the manor entrance. When the two passed by the flower garden, they discovered someone sitting beside the courtyard. That person was laboriously gripping the chair with both hands—the posture was strange.

Seeing that back, Jiang Li felt her heart jump. Inexplicably she asked, “That is…”

Ji Heng also looked in that direction.

“That’s the fellow we rescued before,” Zhao Ke explained. “His legs are broken. Doctor Situ won’t let him walk. During the day he sits in a wheelchair. This fellow has a stubborn streak in his heart—always refusing to accept fate. At night he secretly runs out to practice walking.” He sighed. “He is indeed tough, only it’s a pity. His martial arts are all destroyed. Doctor Situ also said he can’t possibly stand up again. Why so stubborn?”

Jiang Li looked at that back. That person, just as Zhao Ke said, found standing up extremely difficult. The chair was leaning against the room’s window. He braced both hands on the window sill, attempting to prop up his body. However, despite great effort, he only managed to prop up slightly. Moreover, very quickly, with a “thud” he fell down. The sound was so loud even Jiang Li felt the pain for him.

Ji Heng said, “Tell him to go back.”

Under the moon’s shadow, this figure was truly heart-wrenching to see. Even with only a blurred back, strangely it suddenly made Jiang Li feel heartache. She didn’t know why, but stopped walking and stared straight at the person by the chair. Yet she didn’t know why she was doing this.

Having received Ji Heng’s instruction, Zhao Ke walked straight toward that person. While walking, he called out, “Ah Zhao, stop practicing. It’s so late—others need to sleep. The master told you to go back and rest.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li’s whole body trembled. She asked back, “Ah… Zhao?”