The Double

Chapter 203: Marriage Proposal

Anyone seeing Ji Heng for the first time would inevitably be captivated by his appearance. This held true for men, and even more so for women.

This unfamiliar young woman stared at Ji Heng, unable to tear her eyes away. Jiang Li’s heart sank. Ji Heng was not one to enjoy crowds, nor had he shown any particular fondness for Lin Yao. Given his usual temperament, he would never have stepped out of the carriage in such a situation. Yet now, he had voluntarily approached her. Jiang Li certainly didn’t think Ji Heng was doing this to protect her—there was no danger here, only a stunningly beautiful young woman.

Wenren Yao also hurried out of the carriage. Seeing that Lin Yao was safe and sound, he breathed a sigh of relief and muttered, "My dear apprentice, you nearly scared your master to death." When he turned and noticed the unfamiliar woman, he was momentarily stunned, then immediately brightened up. Smiling, he stepped closer and said, "This young lady is not only beautiful but also possesses such a chivalrous heart—truly rare. May I ask which household you belong to? One of these days, I’ll bring gifts to your residence to thank you for saving my apprentice’s life."

There he goes again.

The woman finally shifted her gaze from Ji Heng’s face to Wenren Yao’s. "No need," she said. Yet, for some reason, she paused and suddenly added, "Who are you people?"

Though she said "you people," her eyes drifted back toward Ji Heng, clearly revealing her true intentions. Jiang Li had witnessed such scenes many times before and should have been indifferent, but for some reason, today, she felt a growing discomfort.

Still, no one answered her question. Ji Heng would never volunteer his identity, and Wenren Yao, wary of causing trouble, naturally wouldn’t say much either. As for Jiang Li, she was the daughter of the Jiang family, who had only recently reappeared after a period of absence. If she revealed her whereabouts now, it would likely spark baseless rumors again in Yanjing City. Thus, all three remained silent, which struck the woman as rather odd.

Just then, another person arrived. Jiang Li finally realized that the carriage’s sudden jolt earlier had been caused by another carriage approaching from the opposite direction. That carriage was exceptionally luxurious, even more so than the one Jiang Li and the others were riding in. It seemed both carriages had stopped abruptly because they couldn’t pass each other.

Someone stepped down from that carriage and walked over to the woman, asking, "Zhiqing, what’s wrong?"

The woman named "Zhiqing" shook her head.

Jiang Li then turned her attention to the newcomer. Strangely, his features bore some resemblance to the woman’s, suggesting a possible familial connection, yet his demeanor was entirely different. Dressed in white, he exuded a gentleness and refinement that seemed innate. Jiang Li had encountered many men who appeared courteous and mild-mannered—Shen Yurong was one, as were Zhou Yanbang and Li Xian from the past. But this man’s warmth felt as though it emanated from his very bones. His handsome features carried an air of righteousness, making it easy for anyone to feel an immediate fondness for him.

Both this man and woman were strikingly beautiful, and their attire suggested they were anything but ordinary—their elegance was almost excessive. Jiang Li searched her memory but couldn’t recall any such figures in Yanjing City. If people like them existed, they would have long been the talk of the town, not remaining unknown.The man also noticed Ji Heng, momentarily stunned by his striking appearance, before turning his gaze to Jiang Li. Jiang Li curved her lips into a slight smile at him. The man promptly returned a warm, comforting smile and said to the woman beside him, "Since nothing is amiss, let us take our leave."

The two turned and walked toward their carriage. After a few steps, the woman suddenly glanced back, approached Wenren Yao, and said, "My name is Yin Zhiqing. If you wish to express your gratitude... you may find me at the Yin residence."

Though she addressed Wenren Yao, her eyes remained fixed on Ji Heng. Ji Heng smiled faintly, and the woman bit her lip before finally turning away.

After she left, Ji Heng said nothing and boarded the carriage alone. Jiang Li thought for a moment and followed him inside. In the carriage, Wenren Yao animatedly recounted the events to Lu Ji, gesturing excitedly as he spoke, "That young lady voluntarily told me her name. She must think well of me to share it so readily!"

Lu Ji shot him a disdainful look.

Without a word from Lu Ji, Wenren Yao understood his meaning. His enthusiasm deflated almost instantly, and he sighed, "I know... she was only interested in A-Heng..."

Jiang Li felt a pang of irritation.

The young woman named "Zhiqing," to be fair, possessed a beauty that could rival Xue Fangfei's in her prime. There were many beautiful people, but each carried a distinct aura. Xue Fangfei was gentle and graceful, Jiang Li ethereal and charming—these were the impressions their looks conveyed. Yet this woman radiated a dazzling brilliance; when she stood in a crowd, people’s eyes were inevitably drawn to her.

How strikingly similar she was to Ji Heng. Standing beside him, they shared an inexplicable harmony.

"That woman called herself Yin Zhiqing," Lu Ji remarked. "Are there any prominent families named Yin in Yanjing City?"

Jiang Li then recalled—such exceptional individuals, yet she had never heard of a distinguished Yin family in Yanjing. Yin... Yin... Suddenly, a thought struck her, and she turned in surprise to meet Wenren Yao’s equally astonished gaze.

Clearly, they had both arrived at the same realization.

"Could it be..." Jiang Li murmured in disbelief.

Ji Heng slowly curved his lips into a smile. "Yin Zhan’s children have arrived in Yanjing."

...

On the streets of Yanjing City, in the opposite direction of Jiang Li’s carriage, another ornate carriage sped along.

Inside, the pair from earlier sat in silence. Yin Zhiqing seemed lost in thought, her expression unsettled. After a while, she asked, "Zhi Li, who do you think those people were?"

Yin Zhili shook his head gently and replied, "That man in red had an extraordinary presence—he is no ordinary figure. Before we left, Father made no mention of such a person. I have no idea of his origins."

"Regardless, he is no common man," Yin Zhiqing murmured. "I’ve never encountered anyone like him in Yunzhong."

Yin Zhili smiled at her without speaking. Yin Zhiqing suddenly snapped out of her reverie, noticed his amused expression, and gave him a light shove. "What are you smiling at?"

"That man is indeed a rare sight in this world.""Nonsense," Yin Zhiqing chided him. "I was merely curious, and besides, I've never seen a man with such striking looks. I used to think you were the most handsome man in the world."

Yin Zhili was indeed exceptionally good-looking, exuding an innate composure and gentleness. Anyone who saw him would never doubt that he was a kind and upright man. In contrast, the man in red they had just encountered possessed an almost dazzling beauty, and his lazy, faint smile carried an ambiguous, roguish charm that seemed neither wholly good nor entirely wicked.

He was a man entirely different from Yin Zhili, and perhaps it was precisely this stark contrast that had captured Yin Zhiqing's attention so intensely.

"Appearance is merely a superficial shell," Yin Zhili said. "But that man doesn't seem ordinary. You... should be more cautious."

Yin Zhiqing shot him a sidelong glance. Her gaze, fluid and shifting, was far from intimidating—instead, it revealed an indescribable allure. "Of course I know that. I don't have any other thoughts; I was just curious. Didn't you see? There was another woman by his side. They didn't look like siblings—perhaps she's his... beloved."

She had almost said "wife" but changed it to "beloved" at the last moment. She was referring to Jiang Li.

"That woman is no ordinary person either," Yin Zhili remarked.

"She didn't seem particularly special. Why do you say she's not ordinary?"

"The fact that she walks beside him so naturally, and clearly isn't one of his subordinates, shows she shares a deep connection with him. Even if she isn't his beloved, she's someone he trusts. She neither appears tense nor uneasy, indicating she stands on equal footing with him. Don't you think that makes her extraordinary?" Yin Zhili replied with a smile.

He recalled the young woman standing beside the man in red. The man's appearance was so radiant that those around him tended to fade into obscurity. Yet, this young woman remained entirely unaffected. She was strikingly pure and clear, and it was this ethereal quality that made her delicate features remarkably vivid and captivating.

Yin Zhili paused, suddenly realizing he had unconsciously begun to smile, and shook his head slightly. The young woman seemed unremarkable at first glance, yet she left a deep impression. Perhaps it is precisely what we lack that we yearn for the most. The man carried a heavy aura of ruthlessness, yet he softened in her presence, clearly holding her in high regard. And now, thinking of her smile, it seemed exceptionally bright and warm—precisely because it embodied the genuine clarity and warmth he himself lacked.

He truly was devoid of such qualities.

Yin Zhiqing studied him and said, "You're not also..."

Yin Zhili laughed. "How could that be?"

"Then why were you smiling just now?" Yin Zhiqing asked, though she quickly dismissed the matter. "But you've always had your own judgment, so I won't say more. Speaking of which..." She hesitated. "We've visited the Jiang residence several times. Why does Jiang Yuanbai keep making excuses to prevent us from meeting Second Miss Jiang?"

Yin Zhili's smile faltered slightly. "Perhaps she isn't at home."

"Wasn't it said that she had been found? If she hadn't been, Jiang Yuanbai wouldn't deceive us like this. Could it be that he's just making excuses because he doesn't want to agree to this marriage?""Jiang Yuanbai is cunning and suspicious by nature, so he naturally wouldn't agree outright. However, meeting once shouldn't be a problem. I just think Second Miss Jiang might indeed have been found, but she's not in the residence, which is why Jiang Yuanbai can't let us see her."

Yin Zhiqing said, "No matter what scheme he's plotting, we must meet her eventually. Remember, no matter what happens, your marriage with Second Miss Jiang must proceed. That's Father's instruction."

"I know."

(End of Chapter)