CHAPTER 723: CHAPTER 218 REUNION_5

Having said so much, it would seem odd to insist on speaking further. Jiang Li reluctantly restrained her own words but, observing Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan’s expressions, she felt somewhat relieved.

Xue Zhao very much enjoyed talking with Ye Mingyu, knowing that he had traveled extensively to many places in the south, so she asked him about many things. Understanding that Xue Zhao’s martial arts skills had been ruined by Princess Yongning’s people, who had also broken his legs, Ye Mingyu felt very sorry. However, he offered to teach Xue Zhao a new way of swordsmanship, one that could be practiced while sitting in a chair without moving. Xue Zhao immediately agreed with great joy.

Ye Shijie found it strange. He felt there was an invisible, natural bond between Jiang Li and Xue Zhao. The smile Jiang Li wore when facing Xue Zhao was one of tolerance, as if it were a smile she was accustomed to, and it was genuine. He had been watching Jiang Li closely, often seemed as though he wanted to speak, yet in the end, he said nothing.

When night fell and it was dark, Jiang Li had to return home. Ye Mingyu and Ye Shijie offered to escort her to the gate, but she declined. However, Xue Zhao mentioned he had something to say to Jiang Li, to which she agreed.

Ye Shijie watched them leave with a strange expression.

On the road out of the residence, Jiang Li pushed Xue Zhao’s wheelchair all the way, with Zhao Ke following at a distance. Sitting in the wheelchair, Xue Zhao casually picked a blade of grass from the road to play with in his hand and said softly, "Sister, that Eldest Young Master Ye kept watching us during the meal."

"Perhaps he finds our relationship surprising," Jiang Li replied without much thought, "After all, in their eyes, you and I seem overly familiar with each other, a bit odd."

"Tsk," Xue Zhao chuckled, "He’s not really interested in the wine but rather the intention behind it. What’s our relationship to him? From his demeanor, it’s clear he’s hostile toward me."

"Nonsense," Jiang Li retorted, "Why would he harbor hostility toward you without reason?"

"It all depends on what Sister has done," Xue Zhao said mischievously, "Back in Tongxiang, there were so many young masters constantly climbing over our wall. If Eldest Young Master Ye had been in Tongxiang, he probably would have been the one climbing the highest."

Jiang Li, annoyed, knocked on his head, "It seems your injuries have completely healed, you don’t know pain, and dare to say anything."

"It appears to be a case of the flowers are willing but the water flows indifferently—" Xue Zhao drawled. It was nothing new. Many young masters in the past, including his friends in Tongxiang, often asked Xue Zhao to bring items to Xue Fangfei. Sometimes it was cosmetics, sometimes it was a kite. Every time Xue Zhao brought something back, Xue Huaiyuan would beat him up. Afterward, Xue Zhao stopped accepting such errands. Whoever coveted his sister was simply asking for a beating, and Xue Zhao paid them no attention.

Now, it truly felt as though he had returned to those bygone days.

His sister, even with a changed appearance, truly never lacked those who adored her.

"Sister, I want to ask you something. It seems like you don’t like Eldest Young Master Ye anymore?"

Jiang Li was both annoyed and amused. Xue Zhao was as irreverent as ever, and she replied, "Cousin Ye is Cousin Ye. You shouldn’t use him as a raft."

Xue Zhao was unmoved by her words, suddenly asking, "What is your relationship with Duke Su?"

Jiang Li was taken aback and slowed down while pushing Xue Zhao’s wheelchair. She knew this question would come sooner or later. The words Xue Zhao had said in front of Xue Huaiyuan meant he had long noticed the closeness between her and Jih Heng that night.

But she really didn’t know how to explain it to Xue Zhao.

She had been married before and grievously injured because of Shen Yurong’s malicious actions. Then, as she took a liking to someone else, others might call her fickle, but that was the least of her concerns. Jiang Li knew that Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan would never think so; they would instead be happy for her finding someone she liked.

Jiang Li’s worry was that this person was Jih Heng.

Just as the Jiang family members viewed her marital prospects, Yin Zhili was an excellent choice—flawless in looks and learning, gentle in temperament, and kind-hearted. Anyone seeking a son-in-law would find Yin Zhili to be a superb choice. Jih Heng, on the other hand, was different—with his striking appearance, he was overly glamorous. His temperament was often volatile, and rumors spoke of his ruthlessness and cold-blooded killings. Such a person seemed full of danger from every angle, and the Jiang family members and Ye Mingyu had both advised her to keep her distance from Jih Heng.

She was truly afraid that Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan would give her the same advice.

After all, he was not deemed a good person in the eyes of others, but affection is not driven by cause and effect.

"Sister, do you like Duke Su or not?" Xue Zhao pressed.

Jiang Li’s steps came to a complete halt. She heard her own voice, light and somewhat uncertain, asking, "If I say I do, will Ah Zhao try to stop me?"

"Try to stop you?" Xue Zhao was startled and couldn’t help but turn his head.

In the early evening of summer, as the sunset faded, her features blurred, just like her voice, or perhaps her emotions—nervous, cautious, and wary.

Xue Zhao turned his head back again, away from Jiang Li, and chuckled, then said briskly, "Why would I stop you? He’s not disliking you after all, even wants to be my brother-in-law."