The Double
Chapter 357 - 126: Relief_5

Chapter 357: Chapter 126: Relief_5

"His Highness Prince Cheng," just then, a voice suddenly came from not far away.

Jiang Li and Prince Cheng both looked toward the source of the voice and saw a young man approaching quickly, respectfully bowing again to Prince Cheng: "This official pays respect to His Highness Prince Cheng."

Jiang Li was taken aback; the person wasn’t anyone else, it was Ye Shijie.

Ye Shijie was the newly appointed Assistant Minister of Revenue. Thanks to the emperor’s personal selection and his relation by marriage to Chief Minister Jiang’s Family, coupled with his own abilities, he was doing quite well. Among the rising stars in the court, everyone was willing to give him face, and Emperor Hongxiao also held him in high regard.

Jiang Li frowned slightly; she hadn’t expected Ye Shijie to step forward at this moment. Ye Shijie had only recently entered the court. If Prince Cheng made things difficult for him over this matter, it would be terrible. As a mere daughter of the family, if Prince Cheng truly caught her in a trap, he could only start from within the inner palace, and Jiang Li, being cautious, could cope with that as well. But Ye Shijie, a greenhorn in office, how could he compare with those experienced individuals? With just a little obstruction in official business by Prince Cheng’s subordinates, it might be possible to cause trouble for Ye Shijie out of the blue.

This young man was very good, but still young and somewhat impulsive, much like the former Xue Zhao.

"Oh? Reinforcements have arrived," Prince Cheng glanced at Jiang Li, then at Ye Shijie, and said, "Miss Jiang the Second’s cousin and she seem to have a good relationship. Official Ye," his sinister gaze firmly fixed on Ye Shijie, "If you had been smarter, you wouldn’t have jumped out so hastily today. What a pity," he said as if regretful, "such a talent like you, I really cannot bear to lose."

Upon hearing these words, Jiang Li’s heart tightened; Prince Cheng was clearly targeting Ye Shijie!

Regardless of what he felt inside, Ye Shijie’s face remained respectful: "Your Highness jests, receiving Your Highness’s favor is this official’s fortune."

Though he was young, he was no longer the kind of person who would stubbornly argue over a painting in the street, and facing provocation, he knew to avoid its sharpness, feigning foolishness.

Prince Cheng, not angry but amused, said, "You two hardly fear me, I will certainly make you regret...."

He hadn’t finished speaking when he was interrupted by a light laugh, with a person’s voice drifting in from behind the garden, bearing a carefree laziness and a hint of amusement, saying, "Yo, if it isn’t Prince Cheng?"

Another person had arrived.

Jiang Li, hearing this voice, felt a surge of joy, and looking up, in the world of ice and snow, that person’s red figure, even in the heavily walled deep palace, did not lose a hint of brilliance.

His clothes were dazzlingly bright, his appearance soul-stirring, and his guards held an umbrella for him, so no snowflakes would float onto him. His voice was low and husky, enchanting and mellow, yet held a schadenfreude tone, saying, "What’s all the noise about, so early in the morning?"

It was Duke Su, Jih Heng.

Prince Cheng was also startled. After a long while, he finally acknowledged Jih Heng: "Duke Su."

According to propriety, Jih Heng should also have saluted him, but Jih Heng never saluted him, and Prince Cheng did not dare to force him. In Prince Cheng’s heart, he was more wary of Jih Heng than of Emperor Hongxiao. He had wanted to pull Jih Heng into his camp at all costs and had failed. But Jih Heng had also not taken part in Emperor Hongxiao and the Jiang Family’s camp. Because Jih Heng had always maintained a neutral stance, Prince Cheng was extra cautious and would not take initiative against him.

He wasn’t willing to bring an unexpected trouble upon himself.

"I heard you two talking about life and death from quite a distance, what’s going on, is someone in trouble?" His hands nestled in his sleeves, his expression entirely nonchalant as he asked with a smile brimming with mirth.

Jiang Li saluted him and said, "It’s your servant and her cousin who have angered His Highness Prince Cheng. His Highness is indeed furious."

At this, both Prince Cheng and Ye Shijie turned their gaze to Jiang Li.

What was this? Was Jiang Li actually sowing discord in front of Prince Cheng? And the object of her discord was none other than Jih Heng! That Duke who only knew how to enjoy the show. The implication of her words even held a nearly imperceptible, soft complaint, as if Jih Heng was the mediating elder who could take a stand for Jiang Li, like a righteous judge who could right her wrongs.

Had she lost her mind?

Prince Cheng scoffed coldly: "Miss Jiang the Second is quite capable of passing blame, but I fear you haven’t merely angered me, you’ve offended me. In this world, those who offend me have never met with a good end."

He didn’t avoid saying this in front of Jih Heng; even though Jih Heng’s moods were unpredictable, he wouldn’t dare do anything to a prince. Speaking these words in front of Jih Heng seemed as if he was also trying to gauge Jih Heng’s reaction, to see what Jih Heng’s relationship with Jiang Li truly was.

Jih Heng’s beautiful phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and a faint smile curled his lips. He spoke dismissively: "Kids don’t know better, why should Prince Cheng quibble over such trifles, just let it go."

He... was advocating peace?

Both Ye Shijie and Prince Cheng stared at Jih Heng incredulously; Jih Heng’s apology, devoid of any regret, clearly stated his stance—he was defending Jiang Li!

Jiang Li’s eyes also widened. She had deliberately dragged Jih Heng into this, hoping to use him to make Prince Cheng cautious, but she had never expected Jih Heng to actually speak up for her in front of Prince Cheng!

This man was accustomed to playing to the gallery, and even the rare true feelings in their interactions were fleeting, a glimpse of a startled swan; once the moonlit night passed, it was daytime again, each donning their own disguise.

But now, he had actually taken a genuine stand.