The Double-Chapter 643 - 195: Stay Behind

"Why are you avoiding me?" Jih Heng raised an eyebrow, "Don’t dare to look at me?"

Jiang Li was startled, lifted her eyes, and collided with the laughter brimming in his eyes.

His eyes held layers of mirth, as if he found her disheveled state amusing. But there was no mockery or malice in his laughter, Jiang Li could see that clearly and understand.

The young man’s fingers were ice cold as they touched Jiang Li’s brow and eyes. He leaned in very close, looking at her face which was a complete mess, and yet he could bear to look. He said, "They really went hard on you, Miss Jiang the Second, your face is ruined."

Jiang Li glared at him. Her previous anxiety vanished in an instant. Who does that? Someone’s face is ruined and he still finds the mind to laugh it off as if it’s none of his business!

She rarely got this angry, and Jih Heng said with a laugh, "It’s fine. After all, you’re no longer Yanjing’s number one beauty, whether your face is ruined or not doesn’t matter much."

Jiang Li was taken aback. What Jih Heng said made sense. After all, she was no longer Xue Fangfei. Having lost that exceptionally beautiful face, how she looked now didn’t really matter.

At this moment, she suddenly remembered Jih Heng knew the truth that she was Xue Fangfei. After he knew the truth, and their agreement was fulfilled, Jih Heng had stopped associating with her. Jiang Li felt a sense of loss, but also thought this was the best outcome. Otherwise, if they met again, she wouldn’t know how to act around him.

After all, she was not a genuine sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, and his occasional care and tenderness were clearly special treatment for a young lady.

But the Jih Heng of now seemed completely unaffected by that layer of truth. He still had his wicked teasing and schadenfreude, yet would appear like a godsend at critical moments, rescuing people from dire straits.

She knew all along, especially after dying once, that one should not rely on anyone. The only one who can save you in this world is yourself. But when such a person appears, it’s like adding significance, making everything special.

"Don’t worry about your face." Jih Heng said, "These red spots will gradually fade. Give it a few days, and you’ll naturally heal."

Jiang Li replied, "I’m not worried about that. You’re also not wrong, this skin of mine now might be a good thing for me."

This response surprised Jih Heng, who asked, "Why?"

"At least I can use it as an excuse to call off any marriage proposals, no need to marry anyone."

Jih Heng raised an eyebrow, "You don’t want to marry now?"

"The Duke knows about my past. There’s no need for you to ask like that," Jiang Li said softly, "Once bitten, twice shy. Anyone who went through what I did would feel the same."

"You just had the misfortune of meeting the wrong person," Jih Heng said, "In the future, if you consider marrying, you can certainly come to me. I can help you clear things up with anyone in Yanjing City."

"I can’t do that," Jiang Li joked, "I don’t have anything left to trade with the Duke. Our agreement has already been carried out. Plus, now that my father has revived, I don’t wish to give my life away. I can’t bear to die again."

"Is it also from your father that you learned to forget one’s benefactors as soon as you are across the river?" he asked.

Jiang Li said, "That’s not the case."

The two fell silent for a while before Jiang Li asked, "Did the Duke come to Huangzhou because of Prince Cheng’s matter?"

"You could say that."

"When will Prince Cheng make his move?" Jiang Li asked.

"In the next couple of days."

Jiang Li lifted her gaze, "Will it start from Huangzhou?"

"More or less."

"Then Huangzhou is in danger?"

Jih Heng’s gaze shifted to Jiang Li’s face, and with a low chuckle, he said, "I can have someone send you back to Yanjing."

"I’d rather stay here," Jiang Li said.

Jih Heng raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"I’m afraid by the time I get back to Yanjing City, Prince Cheng will have already made his move. In such chaos, who knows what could happen. It’s better to follow you. It’s surely safer to be by your side than out there on my own."

Jih Heng stared at Jiang Li for a while, then suddenly smiled and said, "You’re not concerned about me and staying behind especially for me, are you?"

Jiang Li’s heartbeat quickened. She wanted to turn her head away, but couldn’t move. She avoided Jih Heng’s gaze and said evenly, "How could I? But if the Duke would like to think that way, you’re not wrong. After all, you are my lifesaver, I ought to repay you."

Jih Heng didn’t dwell on the issue any longer. He laughed and said, "If you want to stay here, of course, that’s fine. However, Huangzhou is very dangerous, and I can’t guarantee what might happen next. If you decide to follow me, it might not be as safe as in Yanjing."

"I am someone who has died once before," Jiang Li said softly, "There’s nothing for me to fear."