The Double

Chapter 202: Distrust

Jiang Li stared blankly at his hand.

The jade pendant remained perfectly intact. Moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating both the pendant and his hand with a soft, pearly glow. The carved lynx seemed almost alive, and he appeared like a captivating spirit emerging from a shadowy realm, holding out a token meant to bewitch the heart as he offered it to her.

"This..." Jiang Li gazed at him in disbelief.

"You dropped this during the day," Ji Heng said, leaning back casually. "I forgot to return it to you." Seeing her hesitate to take it, he simply placed the jade pendant on the table.

Jiang Li slowly closed her fingers around the pendant, feeling a surge of joy at its recovery mixed with a thread of doubt. But her uncertainty was quickly overshadowed by the scent of blood emanating from Ji Heng. He wore red robes, and in the moonlight, it was impossible to tell whether the blood was someone else's or his own.

He hadn't answered her earlier question, so she still had no idea where he had been or what he had done. The only thing she could ask was, "Are you hurt?"

Ji Heng smiled faintly but said nothing.

Jiang Li retrieved the scissors from her sleeve and placed them on the table. Like a child who had done something wrong, she felt uneasy but was more eager to make amends. She said, "...Later, I noticed bloodstains on these scissors. I clearly stabbed that person earlier... It was you, wasn't it? You..."

Ji Heng looked at her with a smile and said, "You still don't trust me, Ali."

Jiang Li froze, and in that instant, she understood what Ji Heng meant.

At that moment, Ji Heng had been right beside her. Deep down, she knew he would intervene, yet she had still drawn the scissors. She hadn't fully exposed her vulnerabilities to him, keeping a retreat for herself. She still didn't completely trust Ji Heng, even though she had some affection for him.

All of this had not escaped Ji Heng's notice.

"I'm sorry..." she murmured.

"It's not your fault," Ji Heng interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "After all, you've died once before."

Jiang Li fell silent. Ji Heng assumed her reluctance to trust others stemmed from the harm Shen Yurong had caused her—a way to ease her embarrassment. But Jiang Li knew it wasn't just about Shen Yurong; it was also her inherent distrust of Ji Heng himself. Perhaps because Ji Heng had first appeared to her as enigmatic and calculating, even though she had gradually come to realize he wasn't that kind of person, her instinct for self-preservation kicked in whenever she faced danger, even with him nearby.

If Ji Heng were sensitive, he might have been disappointed by this. But if he weren't sensitive... he was no fool, and he understood perfectly well.

A wave of dejection washed over Jiang Li, but she mustered her spirits and forced a smile. "So, are you hurt? If..."

"No," Ji Heng stood up. "I'm fine. You should rest early." He moved to leave the room.

"Where will you sleep like this?" Jiang Li asked.

"Don't worry about me," was all he said before walking out.Jiang Li wanted to follow them out, but found her feet rooted to the spot. After a long while, the moonlight faded behind the clouds, plunging the room into complete darkness. Faint sounds drifted in from outside—likely the voices of Zhao Ke and Wen Ji. She sat on the edge of the bed, which was covered with thin bedding, her mind a blank haze.

Perhaps this was for the best. If Ji Heng believed her to be a selfish, fickle person unworthy of trust, the ties between them would gradually sever.

In the end, someone’s wish had been fulfilled.

...

Outside, Zhao Ke lit a tinder while Wen Ji fetched water and began cleaning the wound on Ji Heng, who was seated on a stone stool.

His sleeve was rolled up, revealing a gash on his arm. The wound appeared to have been made by something sharp—not very long, but rather deep. Wen Ji carefully cleaned it as Zhao Ke retrieved a palm-sized medicine bottle from his pack. Wen Ji took it and sprinkled some powder over Ji Heng’s injury.

Ji Heng remained motionless and expressionless, as if completely impervious to the pain. Zhao Ke asked, “My lord, did you get this injury from a fight outside?”

He didn’t know that the wound wasn’t from a confrontation but had been accidentally inflicted by Jiang Li. Still, the injury seemed odd—it didn’t resemble a blade or a hidden weapon, appearing instead haphazard, as if dealt by someone without martial skills. Yet the force behind it was considerable, though if a man had struck with full strength, it wouldn’t have been so shallow. Could it be that the one who fought his lord was a woman? Zhao Ke’s mind wandered. There were no women among Prince Cheng’s troops, were there? But if not Prince Cheng’s men, what other enemies were nearby?

Wen Ji bandaged Ji Heng’s wound with practiced ease. Though a tall and sturdy man, his work was meticulous. Ji Heng removed his outer robe; even though the red fabric hid bloodstains, traces were still visible upon closer inspection.

“My lord…” Wen Ji hesitated before asking, “Why did you go back?”

While Wenren Yao and Lu Ji hadn’t noticed, both Zhao Ke and Ji Heng were aware that Ji Heng had abruptly left the carriage during the day and turned back in the direction they had come from.

Zhao Ke inwardly marveled. He, too, was curious, but he didn’t dare ask—Wen Ji was bolder to voice the question. Ji Heng didn’t answer, instead gazing at his bandaged hand, which Wen Ji had neatly tended to. “Attend to your duties,” he said.

He wasn’t smiling anymore. Both Wen Ji and Zhao Ke tensed, recognizing this as a sign of Ji Heng’s displeasure, and fell silent. They went to keep watch by the entrance where the bedding was laid out.

Ji Heng remained seated on the stone stool, his gaze profound and distant.

He had, after all, done something he shouldn’t have.

...

The next morning, when Jiang Li awoke, Wenren Yao was outside talking with Ji Heng.

Lu Ji and Wenren Yao had been delighted to find Ji Heng there upon waking. After confirming he was unharmed, they pestered him about what he had done the previous day, but Ji Heng, of course, gave no reply. After several rounds of their clamoring, Wenren Yao finally quieted down.Jiang Li greeted Lu Ji and Wenren Yao, and also exchanged greetings with Ji Heng. They all maintained an unspoken understanding, as if nothing had happened the previous night. Everyone was busy preparing for the journey and boarded the carriage. Throughout the trip, Jiang Li was even more silent than before. If not for Wenren Yao constantly trying to engage her in conversation, she might not have spoken a single word the entire way. Her silence did not go unnoticed by Wenren Yao, and even Lu Ji expressed concern, asking Jiang Li what was wrong.

Jiang Li had no choice but to brush it off, explaining that she was preoccupied with how to handle her father’s questions upon returning to Yanjing.

“What’s so difficult about that?” Wenren Yao said. “Just shift all the blame onto us. You were abducted by Prince Cheng’s men and taken to Huangzhou, but fortunately, A-Heng rescued you. You wanted to return to Yanjing, but A-Heng was too busy to arrange an escort, so you had no choice but to wait until now. Even if Grand Secretary Jiang has anything to say, it’s not your fault. Tell him to go to the Duke’s residence and speak with A-Heng directly.”

Jiang Li: “…”

Wenren Yao truly understood the art of redirecting trouble.

“I wonder how things are in Yanjing now,” Lu Ji sighed.

“What is Yanjing City like?” Lin Yao asked. “Brother, is Yanjing City very crowded?”

“Of course,” Wenren Yao replied. “Yanjing City is much larger than Huangzhou. The Emperor resides there, and the young ladies there are very beautiful. For example, your Sister Jiang is from Yanjing City. Don’t you think she’s lovely?”

Lin Yao was still young and likely couldn’t fully grasp Wenren Yao’s idea of “beauty,” but he was both excited and a little nervous. He asked, “Will we be staying in Yanjing City from now on?”

“Uh…” Wenren Yao hesitated. Having heard that he often traveled around, much like Ye Mingyu, he didn’t know how to respond to Lin Yao’s question. He finally said, “We’ll stay there for now, and later I’ll take you out to see more places. Actually, Yanjing City isn’t all that great…”

He alternated between praising and criticizing the city, leaving Lin Yao thoroughly confused. Jiang Li watched as Wenren Yao rambled on and suddenly remembered something. She asked, “Given our current pace, Prince Cheng’s troops are moving faster than us. When we arrive at Yanjing City, might we encounter his men outside the city? Or what if we reach the gates just as Prince Cheng’s forces are entering? It would be chaotic, and the city gates might not open. How will we get in?”

Ji Heng did not answer, but Lu Ji patiently explained, “Second Miss Jiang, the path we’re taking is a shortcut and will save us some time. Moreover, we are traveling at a faster pace and will reach Yanjing City ahead of Prince Cheng’s troops. As for the city gates, you need not worry about that.”

Hearing this, Jiang Li felt reassured.

After that, everything unfolded exactly as Lu Ji had predicted—the journey proceeded smoothly. Once they passed the most difficult mountain roads, even the narrow paths allowed them to pick up speed. They encountered no further uninvited guests.

By the morning of the seventh day, Yanjing City was already within sight.Back in Huangzhou City, it hadn't felt particularly significant, but as they truly approached Yanjing City, Jiang Li couldn't help but feel a sense of lightness. It seemed Yanjing hadn't yet been affected by Prince Cheng's troops—at least, there were no strange figures in sight. However, the flow of people in and out of the city gates had noticeably dwindled, likely because the common folk were still somewhat fearful. The young officers at the city gates were far more cautious than before, meticulously checking everyone who passed through.

Wenren Yao glanced outside and remarked, "It seems Prince Cheng hasn't reached here yet."

"But it won't be long now," Lu Ji said as he jumped off the carriage, holding travel permits in hand. He went to speak with the two young officers guarding the gate. Instead of thoroughly inspecting the carriage as they usually would, the officers respectfully stepped aside. Jiang Li guessed that Lu Ji hadn't concealed Ji Heng's identity, which was why they passed through so smoothly.

The carriage entered the city gates.

Outside, the familiar hustle and bustle greeted them. Wenren Yao lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, letting Lin Yao peer out, and said, "Look, this is Yanjing City."

Being just a child, Lin Yao was immediately dazzled by the city's prosperity. He murmured, "Brother, the streets of Yanjing are so wide! Wider than both roads in our hometown combined!"

"Of course," Wenren Yao, though not a native of Yanjing, wore a proud expression as if he shared in its glory. "Otherwise, how could it be called Yanjing City?"

Jiang Li couldn't help but smile at their exchange. Her gaze inadvertently met Ji Heng's—his lips still curved in a faint smile, as if he were merely watching her calmly. She turned her head away, avoiding his eyes, and followed Lin Yao's gaze outside.

The streets were filled with vendors selling sugar figurines and dough sculptures, street performers, and the voices of storytellers. The clamor of the crowd was everywhere. Compared to the devastation and scorched earth of Huangzhou, Yanjing felt like a paradise—far removed from the wars, corpses, fires, and fears, as if they were two entirely different worlds.

Jiang Li couldn't help but feel somewhat dazed.

She wondered whether she should bid farewell to Ji Heng and the others here and return directly to her residence. But doing so might only arouse Jiang Yuanbai's suspicions, making it seem like she was overcompensating. Yet, having them accompany her to the Jiang family felt strangely awkward.

If she returned to the Jiang residence first, Ye Mingyu would surely hear the news and rush over. After the previous incident, Jiang Yuanbai would likely not let her leave the residence easily.

As she pondered this, she noticed Lin Yao leaning out of the carriage window, reaching his hand outside. Fascinated by the street performances, he stood up, swaying unsteadily, with half his body hanging out the window. Jiang Li was startled and cried out, "Xiao Yao, come down! It's too dangerous like this!"

No sooner had she spoken than the carriage suddenly jolted—something had startled the horses up ahead. The entire carriage shook violently before coming to an abrupt halt. Lin Yao lost his balance and tumbled out of the carriage.

Jiang Li gasped in alarm.

He was just a child—a fall like that could easily be fatal!

Without a second thought, she rushed out of the carriage. A crowd of onlookers had already gathered outside, but she heard no sound from the child. Her heart tightened, almost too afraid to look. Zhao Ke and Wen Ji were just managing to calm the frightened horses.Just then, a soft female voice suddenly spoke, asking, "Whose child is this?"

Jiang Li looked up.

Before her stood a young woman of extraordinary beauty—so stunning it could almost be called excessive. Yet within that radiance lay a touch of heroic boldness. She wore vibrant red riding attire, striking and passionate, her style of dress unlike that of Yanjing locals. In one hand she held a horsewhip, while the other gripped Lin Yao, who stared at Jiang Li with lingering fear before suddenly bursting into loud sobs.

He reached out toward Jiang Li: "Sister!"

"Is this your brother?" the woman asked, releasing her grip as Lin Yao stumbled toward Jiang Li and threw himself into her arms, trembling and sniffling, clearly badly frightened.

Jiang Li said, "Thank you for saving him, miss."

The woman raised an eyebrow, about to speak when her gaze suddenly shifted past Jiang Li and froze.

Jiang Li seemed to understand and turned around.

Behind her, Ji Heng emerged.

(End of Chapter)