The Double
Chapter 302 - 115 My _5

Chapter 302: Chapter 115 My _5

The fan moved on her neck as white as jade, seemingly a lethal weapon set to harvest lives. Her features were distinct, her appearance as clean and lovely as a fairy child from the mountains. Her small, rosy lips, when pursed, displayed a hint of obstinacy, and her long eyelashes, like a layer of morning dew barely hanging on, trembled ever so slightly—pitifully beautiful.

Jih Heng’s fan roamed, growing increasingly intense—it was no fancy folding fan, rather fiercer than the edge of a blade.

The venomous snake coiled itself around its prey, baring its fangs as the venom slowly dropped. The white rabbit huddled in fear, delicate and careful, clinging to a sliver of hope for survival.

It drew closer; the snake’s tongue was cold, its gaze frigid. It needed only to bite down lightly, and the rabbit would be rendered motionless forever.

But suddenly, it flung its tail, turned its head away, and slithered off.

Jiang Li felt the fan lift from her neck; in an instant, all sensations were gone. She lifted her head and saw Jih Heng’s indifferent profile.

Jih Heng said, "You’re the first to thank me for trying to kill you."

Jiang Li replied, "Is that so? That’s an honor then."

"You have a sweet tongue," Jih Heng’s lip curled, "Is this how you usually speak?"

"No, I speak like this only to the Duke." Jiang Li nodded, a long sigh of relief in her heart. After all, her gamble had paid off. She thought Jih Heng was a tough nut to crack, but not a lunatic who killed at sight. Although others said he was erratic, in truth, he only took lives when provoked.

Once she showed she was completely harmless and submissive, with no influence on Jih Heng, he couldn’t be bothered to hurt her.

"I know you’re not as harmless and docile as you appear," Jih Heng suddenly spoke, as if anticipating her thoughts, "You’ve also inadvertently foiled many of my plans. I don’t like to show mercy. However," his gaze suddenly met hers, eyes clear yet profound, "you’ve drawn me into this game."

"I want to see this play through to its climax; you can’t die before that," Jih Heng continued, "So your life, I’ll leave it with you for now; once you’re done, I’ll come to claim it."

Jiang Li asked, "What if the task I have takes a very long time to complete?"

"Then I’ll wait," Jih Heng said. "As you know, I have patience."

Jiang Li fell silent; indeed, Jih Heng had immense patience. Long before Prince Cheng’s ascent to power, Jih Heng had started his schemes. Back then, no one paid attention to these affairs, but he had methodically supported Prince Cheng to a status now revered by all. It was due to this man that the Jiang Family had to act so cautiously.

His patience surpassed others; there seemed to be nothing he wanted to do that he couldn’t accomplish.

But for Jiang Li, this was already satisfactory. Her life was spared for now, which was a relief, even if Jih Heng would claim it someday. She needed to live, to rescue Xue Huaiyuan from prison, to unveil the true faces of Yongning and Shen Yurong, to avenge Xue Zhao.

All these things could only be accomplished by staying alive. Since Jih Heng granted her the life needed to exact her vengeance, she had no reason to resent him.

With a long road ahead, as long as she lived, there would be hope of reaching an end.

"As for these people..." Jiang Li looked down at the corpses on the ground.

"No need to bother." Jih Heng looked at her, "Perhaps you were hoping to package them and send them back to Shuran in Yanjing as a surprise?"

Jiang Li pondered it seriously, "No need. If I send them back, she’ll know her plan has failed and will likely think of other methods. I simply can’t handle it all. Better to let her believe she has succeeded. When I return to Yanjing and she’s taken by surprise, it’ll also be a delight."

Jih Heng nodded in approval, "That’s sensible."

"What now, Duke?" Jiang Li asked. "I need to go back; my uncle’s safety is uncertain, and Feng Yutang’s men are out for my blood; I fear for his safety."

"Ye Mingyu is fine," Jih Heng said. "The three best assassins from Yongning who came after you got tricked into the marshland. The rest are inconsequential; Ye Mingyu can handle them." He cast a meaningful glance at Jiang Li, then continued, "He’ll manage."

Hearing Jih Heng say this, Jiang Li felt somewhat relieved. If Ye Mingyu came to harm because of her, Jiang Li would have been extremely guilt-ridden. Jih Heng was unlikely to lie about such matters; Jiang Li chose to trust him.

"Let’s go," Jih Heng said, signaling her to mount the horse.

Jiang Li paused, as her ankle was sprained in the haste of her escape, making it difficult to walk. She had planned to endure the pain, but Jih Heng had noticed. Now was not the time for pretense, so without further thought, she braced herself and climbed onto the horse.

Jih Heng walked at a leisurely pace beside her. Jiang Li held the reins, sitting atop the horseback, and for the first time, the two of them shared a moment of harmony.

"Duke, there’s something I want to ask you," Jiang Li said softly. "This life is borrowed, but what if I were to die before returning it to you?"

"That’s impossible," Jih Heng said without turning back, his red robe trailing a vivid streak through the night. "What’s mine can’t be taken by anyone else. That includes your life."