The Double-Chapter 663 - 205: Marriage Matters

Every person who sees Jih Heng for the first time is likely captivated by his appearance. Men are affected, and women even more so.

The unfamiliar woman stared at Jih Heng, unable to shift her gaze away for quite some time. Jiang Li’s heart skipped a beat. Jih Heng wasn’t one to seek out excitement, nor had he shown any particular fondness for Lin Yao. Given the situation and his usual demeanor, he wouldn’t normally disembark from his carriage. Yet now, he had come forward of his own volition. Of course, Jiang Li wouldn’t think that Jih Heng had done this to protect her, as there wasn’t any danger here—only a strikingly beautiful young lady.

Wen Renyao also dashed out from the carriage and seeing Lin Yao unharmed, he finally relaxed, muttering, "My dear apprentice, you almost scared your master to death." He turned his head and noticed the unknown woman, initially stunned, then immediately delighted, grinning as he approached her, "What a lovely girl you are, with such a kind heart—truly rare. May I ask from which family’s household you hail, miss? I’ll bring a gift to pay a visit another day, to thank you for saving my disciple’s life."

Here he goes again.

Only then did the woman’s gaze shift from Jih Heng’s face to Wen Renyao’s, as she said, "No need." However, for some reason, she hesitated and then abruptly asked, "Who are you people?"

As she pronounced "you people," her eyes drifted back to Jih Heng—clearly, the wine wasn’t what interested the winebibber. Jiang Li had seen this sort of scenario many times, and she should have been indifferent to it, but for some reason, today she began to feel uncomfortable.

Yet no one answered her question. Jih Heng wouldn’t volunteer his identity, Wen Renyao wanted to avoid trouble, naturally, he wouldn’t say much, and Jiang Li was a daughter of the Jiang Family who had recently disappeared. Should she divulge her whereabouts now, it might stir unneeded rumors in Yanjing City. Thus, all three remained silent, which must have seemed odd to the woman.

Just then, another person arrived and Jiang Li could finally understand why their carriage had jolted so violently: it was because another carriage was coming head-on, and its sudden stop was likely because the way was too narrow for both to pass. That carriage was very luxurious, far surpassing the one she and her companions were in. It seemed that the two carriages traveling in opposite directions had made an abrupt stop because there was no way forward.

Someone alighted from that carriage, walked up to the woman, and asked, "Zhiqing, what’s wrong?"

The woman addressed as "Zhiqing" shook her head.

Jiang Li turned her gaze toward the new arrival. Curiously, he bore some resemblance to the woman, perhaps implying a kinship, yet their demeanors were entirely different. He was dressed in white; Jiang Li had seen many men with gentle and courteous exteriors, like Shen Yurong was one, and previously Zhou Yanbang, Li Xian, and others. However, the gentleness exhibited by this man seemed to emanate from within, and amidst his handsome features, there was a sense of integrity that made one feel an instant fondness for him.

Both this man and woman were stunning, and their attire seemed overly lavish for ordinary people. Jiang Li rummaged through her memory but couldn’t recall anyone in Yanjing City matching these figures. Such individuals should have been the talk of the city, not nameless.

The man also noticed Jih Heng and was taken aback by his appearance, then turned to look at Jiang Li. She curved her lips into a smile, which he returned immediately—a comforting smile that put people at ease. He told the woman next to him, "If there’s nothing wrong, then let’s leave first."

The pair turned and headed toward their carriage. After a few steps, the woman suddenly turned back, approached Wen Renyao, and said, "My name is Yin Zhiqing. If you wish to thank me... come to the Yin Household."

She was talking to Wen Renyao, yet her gaze was still locked on Jih Heng. Jih Heng smiled warmly, prompting the woman to bite her lip before finally turning away.

After she left, Jih Heng didn’t say anything and climbed back into the carriage. Jiang Li, after thinking it over, followed him inside. On the carriage, Wen Renyao relayed what had just happened to Lu Jiu, bursting with excitement, "The girl took the initiative to tell me her name. She must have also found me appealing to provide her name voluntarily!"

Lu Jiu glanced at him disapprovingly. freewebnσvel.cøm

Without Lu Jiu uttering a word, Wen Renyao understood. He deflated almost immediately and said, "I know, she came for Ah Heng..."

Jiang Li felt somewhat stifled.

This young woman named "Zhiqing," to be fair, looked about as beautiful as Xue Fangfei once did. There are many beautiful people, but they each have their own unique charm. Xue Fangfei was gentle and demure; Jiang Li was vibrant and endearing. That was the feeling their appearances gave. But this woman gave off a dazzling brilliance, standing out in any crowd and drawing eyes to her.

She was so much like Jih Heng; standing together, they shared an inexplicable harmony.

"The woman claims to be named Yin Zhiqing," said Lu Jiu, "Is there a prominent Yin family in Yanjing City?"

Jiang Li had just started to think about it, too. Such distinguished individuals, yet she hadn’t heard of any notable family named Yin in Yanjing City. The Yin name... the Yin name... Suddenly, something dawned on her, and she turned around just in time to catch Wen Renyao’s astonished gaze.

It seemed they had both arrived at the same thought.

"Could it be..." Jiang Li was stunned.

Jih Heng slowly curled his lips into a smile, stating, "Yin Zhan’s children must have arrived in Yanjing City."

In the streets of Yanjing City, a magnificent carriage was racing in the opposite direction of Jiang Li’s carriage.

Inside the carriage, the couple who had just been talking maintained an unsettled demeanor, lost in thought. After a while, she finally asked, "Zhili, those people we just saw... who do you think they were?"

Yin Zhili shook his head gently and spoke calmly, "That man in red just now carried an aura unlike ordinary people. He doesn’t look like just anyone. No one like him was mentioned among the people Father told us about. I don’t know his background either."

"They must be out of the ordinary anyway," murmured Yin Zhiqing. "I’ve never seen such people in Yunzhong."

Yin Zhili looked at her with a smile but said nothing. Yin Zhiqing suddenly snapped back to her senses and, noticing the smile on Yin Zhili’s face, gave him a shove, asking, "What are you laughing at?"

"Indeed, that man is a rare figure in this world."

"Nonsense," scolded Yin Zhiqing. "I’m merely curious, and besides, I’ve never seen a man with such handsome features before. I used to think you were the best-looking man in the world."

Yin Zhili was indeed very handsome; his innate composure and gentleness shone through his bones. Anyone who saw him wouldn’t doubt that he was a good man, radiating gentle righteousness. In contrast, the man in red’s features were too dazzlingly handsome, and his languid, breezy smile seemed to carry an air of casual roguishness that was both proper and improper.

This was a man entirely different from Yin Zhili, but perhaps it was exactly because of this drastic contrast that Yin Zhiqing paid him special attention.

"Appearance is just a shell," said Yin Zhili. "But that man doesn’t seem to be an ordinary person... You should be more careful."

Yin Zhiqing gave him a sidelong glance. When she did, her eyes sparkled, her look was anything but fearsome, and instead, it revealed an indescribable charm. She said, "I know that, I don’t have any ulterior motives—it’s just curiosity. Didn’t you see? There were other women beside that man who don’t seem like siblings. Maybe she’s actually his... lover."

She originally intended to say "wife," but at the last moment switched to "lover." She was referring to Jiang Li.

"That woman is not ordinary either," said Yin Zhili.

"She doesn’t seem that special to me—what’s so unusual about her?"

"The fact that she walks with that man as an equal and does not look like a subordinate indicates a profound connection with him. Even if she’s not his lover, she’s clearly someone he trusts. She doesn’t seem nervous or uncomfortable, indicating that they stand on equal ground. How could she be ordinary?" said Yin Zhili with a smile.

He remembered the girl standing next to the man in red. Such a striking man by default made everyone else nearly invisible, but this girl wasn’t overshadowed at all. Her clean, fresh air was so remarkable—it was her pure and vibrant spirit that made her pretty face so lively and eye-catching.

Yin Zhili was taken aback, realizing that he had suddenly started smiling without knowing it, and shook his head. The girl looked unremarkable, yet she left a deep impression. Perhaps the very things one lacks are what one yearns for. The man had a strong presence of violence about him, which he subdued in the presence of the girl, showing how much he valued her. And now, as Yin Zhili thought of her smile, he found it exceptionally bright—precisely because it was what he lacked, a natural clarity and warmth from within.

He indeed lacked those things.

Yin Zhiqing looked at him and asked, "You don’t...?"

Yin Zhili laughed, "How could I?"

"Then why did you smile just now?" asked Yin Zhiqing, but she soon put the matter out of her mind, continuing, "Anyway, you’ve always been decisive. I won’t say anything. Speaking of which..." She hesitated for a moment, "We’ve visited the Jiang Family several times, so why does Jiang Yuanbai always make excuses, not letting us see Miss Jiang the Second?"

The smile on Yin Zhili’s face paused for a second, "Perhaps she’s not in the residence."

"Didn’t they say they had found her? If she hadn’t been found, Jiang Yuanbai wouldn’t deceive us with such a lie. This might be an excuse of his, perhaps he actually doesn’t want to agree to this marriage."

"Jiang Yuanbai is cunning and suspicious by nature, of course, he wouldn’t agree outright. But to meet once should be no problem. I just feel that maybe Miss Jiang the Second indeed has been found but is not in the residence, so Jiang Yuanbai can’t let us meet her."

Yin Zhiqing said, "No matter what he’s planning, we have to meet at some point. Remember, no matter what, your marriage to Miss Jiang the Second must happen—it’s Father’s decree."

"I understand."