CHAPTER 708: CHAPTER 215 CONFESSION_5

He spoke of love so naturally that it never seemed cloying or insincere. Jiang Li also accepted this naturally, and their relationship had evolved from the initial mutual testing and calculations, from a chance encounter to becoming friends, confidantes, and even what they were now.

It seemed there was nothing wrong with that.

Jih Heng, unwilling to divulge more no matter how she was questioned, left Jiang Li to her thoughts. If all else failed, she would find her own way to gather the information. However, the news of Yin Zhan’s treasonous intentions had still taken her by surprise.

"Father... the Jiang Family won’t get implicated, will they?"

"As long as your marriage to Yin Zhili doesn’t go through, there’s nothing to worry about," Jih Heng said with a nonchalant air, "Jiang Yuanbai is a man with ambition but no bravery. He would never dare to attempt something as treasonous as this. It’s unlikely that the Jiang Family knew of Yin Zhili’s previous plans. Once Yin Zhan reveals his ambition, Jiang Yuanbai will naturally keep his distance."

"I just feel that if Emperor Hongxiao misunderstands and thinks the Jiang Family is as greedy and treacherous as the Yin Household..." She suddenly thought of something and asked, "Does the Emperor know about this?"

Jih Heng just smiled silently.

Jiang Li immediately understood Jih Heng’s implication—Emperor Hongxiao was aware of it. Emperor Hongxiao was indeed more calculating than anyone had anticipated. She had no idea if Yin Zhan was aware of this, but perhaps even if he was, he wasn’t concerned. To Yin Zhan, his forces were strong, and the Imperial Forest Army of Yanjing City was no match for him.

But it seemed that Jih Heng wasn’t afraid of Yin Zhan either.

Could it be that missing Tiger Talisman...

"Stop letting your imagination run wild, Ah Li," he said, "Just stay safely at home, and everything will be resolved."

"Jih Heng," Jiang Li looked into his eyes, "you must not get into any trouble."

Jih Heng paused, then smiled. His smile was especially charming, and a teardrop-shaped mole under his eye shone crimson like blood. His voice was gentle, "Okay."

The night was just right, the moonlight neither too bright nor too dim, as if aware that this night was one to remember, it shone with an insane beauty.

After speaking with Jih Heng, Jiang Li prepared to leave. She originally came to bid him farewell today, yet somehow, she ended up revealing her heart to him instead. Always straightforward, even before she avenged the Xue Family, she had some reservations, but after her vengeance was complete, all past events dissipated like smoke, and she became as openhearted as before.

But luckily, he liked her back.

Thinking of this, Jiang Li couldn’t help but smile.

She had thought that after loving once, she wouldn’t fall for another so easily, wouldn’t trust so readily, but affection, it turns out, often defies reason. The fact that she could continue to love fearlessly was a good thing. If her father and Ah Zhao knew, they would be happy for her too.

Of course, this time, she wouldn’t lose herself blindly for someone else, and wouldn’t transform into another person. Love never sustains itself on only one person making all the concessions.

With these thoughts in her mind, she walked out with Jih Heng. This time, Jih Heng held her hand instead of her sleeve. His palm was long and wide, holding her hand as if he would never let go for all eternity.

"Smiling so happily," Jih Heng said, "it seems you really like me."

"Holding on so tightly," Jiang Li retorted immediately, "it seems you’re really afraid I’ll run away."

"There’s nothing to be afraid of," he huffed, "Even if you run to the ends of the earth, I will always find a way to bring you back."

Jiang Li scoffed and didn’t bother to argue. Jih Heng was to escort her to the carriage at the mansion’s entrance. As they passed through the garden, at the side of the courtyard, they noticed someone sitting. That person was struggling, supporting themselves with both hands on a chair, in an awkward position.

Seeing that silhouette, Jiang Li’s heart skipped a beat. For some unexplainable reason, she blurted out, "Is that...?"

Jih Heng also looked over.

"That’s the kid we saved earlier," Zhao Ke explained, "his leg is broken, Miss Situ doesn’t allow him to walk. During the day, he sits in the wheelchair, but this kid is so stubborn and won’t admit defeat, sneaking out at night to practice walking." He sighed, "He has a strong spirit alright, but it’s a pity. His martial arts are ruined. Miss Situ has said he’ll likely never stand again. Why is he so obstinate?"

Jiang Li watched the figure. As Zhao Ke had described, it was extremely difficult for him to stand. The chair was by the door of the house, next to a window, and he had his hands on the windowsill, attempting to push himself up. However, with great effort, he could only lift himself a little before falling down with a "thump," a sound that made Jiang Li wince in pain for him.

Jih Heng said, "Have him go back."

Under the moonlight, the silhouette was distressing, and even though it was just a vague figure, it strangely made Jiang Li’s heart ache. She didn’t understand why, but she stopped walking and stared straight at the person in the chair, yet she didn’t know why she was doing so.

Upon receiving Jih Heng’s order, Zhao Ke walked towards the figure while calling out, "Ah Zhao, don’t practice anymore, it’s late, others need to sleep. The master told you to go back to rest."

At that moment, Jiang Li’s body trembled as she repeated, "Ah...Zhao?"