The Double
Chapter 277 - 110 Rescue_5

Chapter 277: Chapter 110 Rescue_5

She was an anomaly in Yanjing City, fundamentally different from the other girls there. It was as if in a flowerbed filled with precious plants, there bloomed an unusual species. Its appearance was gentle and harmless. It stood quietly, eliciting sympathy from those who passed by. But once its prey drew near, it would stretch out its tendrils, ensnaring the victim with no chance of escape, devouring it whole with an absolutely ferocious demeanor.

Under her seemingly gentle exterior, she concealed a cold and ferocious nature. The greatest danger of this plant was that it didn’t fear who its opponent might be, whether it was a sharp tongue or a fierce beast; its manner of devouring was merciless and fearless.

She was the most unique presence in the garden, and having such a fierce and lethal plant in the house would ensure peace for the entire family. This bizarre thought suddenly emerged in Jih Heng’s mind.

And Jiang Li, who now had her eyes cast down, actually looked a bit pitiable. The fierce plant showed a sorrowful side, surprising and bewildering to one who couldn’t tell if it was camouflage to lure prey or a genuine moment of vulnerability.

Seeing Jih Heng staring at her thoughtfully, Jiang Li masked the emotion in her eyes and smiled, "It’s an honor to see you here, sir. Every time I perform on stage, you’re in the audience, perhaps it really is fate."

Jih Heng almost laughed out loud. How interesting, the girl clearly loathed him to the bones, yet still kept up a sincere façade.

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll mess up this act of yours?" Jih Heng asked languidly.

Jiang Li looked at him and replied, "Is that so? But I thought about it, and I can’t see why the Duke would do so."

"You can’t think of a reason?" Jih Heng asked with a smile, "It seems the Second Miss thinks too highly of me, or perhaps you’ve forgotten the relationship between the Li Family and me." He seemed to remind her intentionally, "At the palace garden banquet, didn’t you see me with people from the Li Family?"

Jiang Li’s heart skipped a beat for a moment. She had indeed recognized Li Jing’s subordinate speaking with Jih Heng, but she hadn’t shown it. Besides, with the animosity between the Jiang Family and the Li Family, she, a cloistered daughter who was seldom in Yanjing, would not likely recognize Li Jing’s men, and nobody should suspect her.

But unexpectedly, Jih Heng already knew she recognized the other party. Perhaps her fleeting astonishment was caught by his eyes at that moment, at that time, he had known she was acquainted, and had been watching her play her part with a cold eye.

"So?" asked Jiang Li.

"So?" Jih Heng echoed her question.

"Being with people from the Li Family means I’m taking their side?" Jiang Li said with a smile, "On the contrary, I think that I and the Duke may well end up on the same ’grasshopper string’ in the future."

Wen Ji struggled to maintain his usual calm expression; did Miss Jiang the Second really dare to speak such words to the sir? Even Prince Cheng, who wanted to win over Jih Heng in the past, didn’t dare to be so bold.

Jih Heng looked at Jiang Li quietly, her smile at the corners of her mouth unwavering, gentle and fitting, as if a breeze in spring facing him.

"Are you truly clever, or just pretending to be?" he asked softly.

"Who knows," Jiang Li smiled and said.

The room fell silent, as no one spoke.

Jiang Li glanced at the tea in front of her, the piping hot Bai Hao Yin Zhen Tea had quickly cooled in the cold weather, and much time had passed.

"Let’s end the pleasantries here for today," Jiang Li smiled, "My uncle is waiting for me outside, I have to go. Thank you for your reminder, Duke," she continued with a smile, "I hope I can perform my best in this act to fully engage your attention."

In her words, she seemed like an actor there for one’s amusement, not mentioning self-respect at all. Yet to those who saw her, she commanded much more respect than the preening and self-entitled young ladies of Yanjing City.

Jiang Li was not a lightweight; her backbone was not just heavy but also unyielding. Perhaps her bending was in preparation to rise higher later on.

Jih Heng watched her with a meaningful gaze, "Until next time."

Jiang Li bowed to Jih Heng and left the tavern.

She hurried away, but this haste did not seem to be from an urge to avoid Jih Heng. She moved quickly as if there was something more important and urgent to attend to, fearing even a moment’s waste, she nearly ran out.

From the window, Jih Heng watched as Jiang Li crossed the street and stood up, Ye Mingyu who had been squatting opposite the window glanced in this direction and walked away with Jiang Li.

"It seems she really is in a hurry," Jih Heng laughed softly.

"It’s because Xue Huaiyuan is to be executed in seven days," Wen Ji said, "It’s a pity, we can’t find any connection between Miss Jiang the Second and Xue Huaiyuan."

"It’s not about Xue Huaiyuan, it’s about the Xue Family," Jih Heng said.

"Shen Ruyun is Xue Fangfei’s aunt, Jiang Li plotted against Shen Ruyun; Xue Zhao is Fangfei’s brother, Jiang Li paid her respects to Xue Zhao. Xue Huaiyuan is Fangfei’s biological father, and now Jiang Li seeks to exonerate him," Jih Heng’s voice was calm, "Don’t you think it’s too coincidental? All of them are related to the Xue Family."

Wen Ji said, "The case of the Xue Family involves Her Highness the Princess." Others might not know the depth of it, but they could not be deceived.

"Haven’t you figured it out yet?" Jih Heng said, "She has known all along. And she is not afraid."