The Double

On the night of the Spring Lantern Festival, Jiang Li saw Ji Heng at the entrance of Qinglian Workshop in Tongxiang after a long separation.

A full year had passed, through spring, autumn, winter, and summer—a year filled with tears and laughter, and moments of heartache. She had thought it impossible to ever meet again in this lifetime, yet by heaven’s mercy, the lovers were granted another chance.

The phrase "lost and found" alone evoked a profound sense of relief, as if surviving a great calamity.

But once the initial tenderness and excitement faded, it was time for reckoning.

Back at the Xue residence, in Jiang Li’s bedchamber, she unceremoniously shooed away the crowd that had gathered to gawk. She pulled Ji Heng into her room.

Ji Heng didn’t mind. He leisurely smoothed the wrinkles from his sleeves before calmly taking in the room’s furnishings and sighing, "Ali, your bedchamber really doesn’t seem like a place where a young lady lives."

Though Jiang Li couldn’t be called a martial family’s daughter with a love for swords and spears, she also had none of the typical feminine trinkets or embroidery. It wasn’t that Xue Huaiyuan refused to buy them for her—it was just that Jiang Li preferred the novelties Xue Zhao showed her. Accumulating pretty objects around herself wasn’t her habit, a trait that stood in stark contrast to Ji Heng.

"Enough nonsense," Jiang Li said irritably. She sat down at the table, not even offering him tea, and went straight to the point. "In the past year, if you weren’t dead, why didn’t you show yourself? Where exactly have you been all this time? Even if you couldn’t appear in person, you could have at least sent someone to inform me. Staying silent like this—everyone thought you were truly dead. I…" She couldn’t continue.

Outwardly calm and composed, the fear inside her had no outlet. Though a sliver of hope remained, it was so faint she hardly dared to believe it could come true. Those days had been unbearably difficult to endure.

"I’m sorry, Ali," he sighed, reaching out to wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes. Only then did Jiang Li realize she had been crying without noticing. How frustrating—nowadays, it seemed only Ji Heng could make her shed tears so easily. What was worse, his actions weren’t despicable like Shen Yurong’s, making it impossible to hate him, only twisting her heart even more.

"I didn’t mean to hide it from you. In fact, after I woke up, I tried to return to Yanjing City and intended to see you. But…" He paused, lowering his voice. "The Emperor made a bet with me about you. I didn’t want you to lose, so I had to stay away for a while."

Jiang Li was astonished. "The Emperor?"

Ji Heng stroked her hair. "That’s right."

It turned out that back on Qimin Mountain, Ji Heng had truly suffered a relapse of his old illness. The arrow wound from Yin Zhili’s ambush had been deep all along. In those days, he had been forcing himself to endure, until he could no longer hold on and was ambushed by Yin Zhili’s deputy, falling from his horse. Pursued by enemies, he stumbled into a hunter’s trap on the mountain. Using his last strength to kill the wolves waiting outside the trap, he lost consciousness and fell into a deathlike slumber.At that moment, Ji Heng truly believed he would not make it back alive. His heart was filled with reluctance and longing—not for this world, but for his girl. In this mortal realm, his loved ones had departed one by one, leaving only Jiang Li as the one he couldn't let go of. If Jiang Li learned of his death, that foolish girl would surely be devastated.

Perhaps it was this attachment that drove Ji Heng to fight desperately to survive, until a hunter searching for prey in the mountains found him.

The hunter was a local of Qimin, living alone in the mountains as a middle-aged man whom no one around knew. Startled by Ji Heng, he hesitated briefly before carrying him back, casually applying some medicinal herbs to his wounds. He was no real physician, unaware even of the conflict between the two armies on Qimin Mountain—a man seemingly detached from the world. Ji Heng's survival hinged on his tenacious will and a sliver of luck.

In any case, during that harsh winter, in a mountain cave, he awoke after days and nights of unconsciousness—only to find himself blind.

He could see nothing: not the man who saved him, nor the world outside. The hunter never initiated conversation with Ji Heng, whether born a mute or rendered so by years of solitude. Through careful exploration, Ji Heng pieced together his circumstances. But with his blindness, he dared not trust the hunter lightly or wander recklessly, lest he stumble upon remnants of the Yin family's forces and invite greater trouble.

He had no choice but to remain in the cave for the time being.

The cave was inherently well-concealed; Lu Ji's men searched repeatedly yet failed to locate it. This was partly because the area was a perilous, uninhabited deep mountain region where no one would expect survivors. By the time Ji Heng could grope his way out, the war between the Imperial Guards and the Yin family's army had completely concluded.

The journey from Qimin to Yanjing was long, and Ji Heng, stripped of sight, was no different from any ordinary person. The terrifying reality was that the world believed him dead and gone forever. He could not reveal his identity—to proclaim himself Ji Heng without means of self-protection was tantamount to inviting his enemies to strike.

The hardships Ji Heng endured on his return from Qimin to Yanjing were unimaginable. He even learned to appear as a sighted person: handling objects naturally, engaging in flawless conversation. This performance was arduous, a level of awkwardness he had seldom experienced since adulthood. Yet he persisted, despite the dangers, driven by the imperative to return safely to Jiang Li.

Unlike the tropes in operas, Ji Heng never thought his blindness made him unworthy of his beloved or compelled him to distance himself. His love, like his striking appearance, was absolute and intense—once he set his heart on someone, it was through heaven and hell, forever. No matter how he changed, no matter how Jiang Li changed, they would remain together, inseparable.When he returned to Yanjing, the Imperial Guard had long since withdrawn and returned to court. The covert guards Hongxiao Emperor had stationed in Yanjing City discovered Ji Heng, and thus he entered the palace to meet the emperor.

The relationship between Hongxiao Emperor and Ji Heng was rather complex. On one hand, due to the young emperor's past experiences, he harbored suspicion toward everyone, even his most important and trusted ministers. On the other hand, Hongxiao Emperor always felt that Ji Heng shared his plight, and they happened to have common enemies. Because of this, he treated Ji Heng with more sincerity than he did his loyal ministers.

It was this complexity that made Ji Heng realize early on that he could not remain in the court after his vengeance was fulfilled. Of course, he could have done so—and if he had ambitions for the throne, he could have even continued. In the past, Ji Heng had entertained such thoughts, but now, with Jiang Li in his life, the idea held no meaning for him. Jiang Li would not enjoy life in the palace, and Ji Heng had long abandoned that distant notion.

Hongxiao Emperor told Ji Heng that he would arrange for someone to try to cure his blindness, but Ji Heng must not reveal that he was still alive, especially not to Jiang Li.

"Why?" Jiang Li couldn't help but ask when she heard this.

"If I were dead, the remnants of the rebel faction would believe the emperor had lost his support and would grow restless. For the emperor, this is a perfect opportunity to distinguish friend from foe, to thoroughly purge the court and eliminate those with ulterior motives, ushering in a clean and upright government."

Jiang Li understood this reasoning. The mere phrase "Ji Heng is dead" could lure out hidden demons. She had already witnessed how some had tried to use it to strip the Ji family of their noble title.

"But why couldn't you tell me?" Jiang Li asked. "I wouldn't have told anyone else. The emperor's intention didn't seem to be distrust of me, but deliberate?"

Ji Heng smiled faintly and said, "Perhaps he distrusted me."

At the time, Hongxiao Emperor had told Ji Heng not to inform Jiang Li of the matter because she knew too much from beginning to end. She was aware of the affairs concerning Lin Roujia and Yin Zhan, the royal scandals, and the true causes of Yu Hongye and Ji Mínghán's deaths. This was because Ji Heng had kept nothing from her. Hongxiao Emperor likely feared Jiang Li would become a second Lin Roujia—a femme fatale. He distrusted Jiang Li and had even once contemplated killing her because she knew too much.

"I'll make a bet with you: do not tell Jiang Li that you are still alive. See if she can remain faithful to you for a year. If you win the bet, I promise to never interfere in your affairs again. If you lose, I will take Jiang Li's life, and you shall act as if she never existed." Hongxiao Emperor's words echoed once more in Ji Heng's ears.

"He distrusted me? Thought I would remarry? Take these secrets and marry someone else?" Jiang Li exclaimed in surprise. "But I said I would never marry in my lifetime."

"That was merely a verbal promise," Ji Heng said with a slight smile. "Many people in this world can't even remember what they've said. The emperor believed you were no different.""I didn't want to make that bet with him—it was a waste of time. I already knew the outcome. Someone as stubborn and foolish as you would never manage something as difficult as trimming your sails to the wind." Ji Heng laughed. "But I agreed anyway, because only then would things be settled. He wouldn't interfere anymore, and all it required was a little patience."

Jiang Li fell silent. So that was the truth. She truly couldn't find any reason to blame Ji Heng. While he could have defied the imperial decree, doing so would have brought endless trouble to the Xue family, the Ye family, and even the Jiang family. After all, the Hongxiao Emperor was the Son of Heaven—his word was final and unchangeable. Ji Heng's decision was indeed the safest choice.

"Later, the imperial physician cured my eyes. It wasn't a serious illness to begin with, so I could see people again." Ji Heng continued, "Actually, I've been following you in secret, worried that you might be too grief-stricken and do something reckless. On New Year's Eve, I came to your door but was nearly discovered by Zhao Ke."

New Year's Eve? Jiang Li recalled that night when she thought she heard someone knocking at her door. But when she rushed out, there was no one there. Later, while crouching on the ground crying bitterly, she encountered Ye Shijie. She had assumed it was just a hallucination born of her longing for Ji Heng, but it turned out he had really been there.

Jiang Li's face flushed instantly, and a wave of irritation washed over her. So Ji Heng had witnessed her pitiful state in its entirety. She said indignantly, "You just stood there watching me cry? How impressive!"

Ji Heng raised an eyebrow. "You're the one getting close to that Ye Shijie, and I haven't said a word about it. Yet here you are, turning the tables on me." The corner of his mouth twitched, as if in displeasure or mockery. "Our little girl certainly has no shortage of admirers. One leaves, another comes—you've really grown quite capable." He pinched Jiang Li's chin, his movements fierce in appearance but gentle in execution.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Jiang Li said awkwardly. "What does this have to do with Cousin Ye?"

"I don't care about any 'cousin,'" Ji Heng snorted lightly. "You are my wife. In life, you belong to me; in death, you are my ghost. And I belong to you too. If you try to abandon me, even Heaven won't allow it."

Jiang Li nearly laughed in exasperation. She had never realized Ji Heng could be so childish. She asked, "Then what about Ah Zhao and Cousin? What's their story?"

After reuniting with Ji Heng, Ye Rufeng and Ye Jia'er, who had suddenly disappeared, as well as Xue Zhao and Situ Jiuyue, had all reappeared. Jiang Li finally understood—she was the only one kept in the dark while everyone else had known all along.

"The time of my agreement with the emperor was up, and I learned you were planning to return to Tongxiang, so I followed along. That night, I intended to come see you but was spotted by Xue Zhao." Ji Heng seemed somewhat embarrassed as he said this. Given his usual caution, being caught by Xue Zhao suggested he must have been distracted at the time.

When Xue Zhao discovered Ji Heng, he was first shocked that Ji Heng was still alive, then overjoyed and excited. Ji Heng had planned to find Jiang Li and tell her he was alive, but Xue Zhao stopped him. Xue Zhao suggested that since the Spring Lantern Festival was the next day, they should give Jiang Li a surprise. He arranged for Ji Heng to pretend to watch a play, for Ye Rufeng to pick a fight with Ji Heng, and for Ye Jia'er to lead Jiang Li to the scene.After learning the whole story, Jiang Li was utterly speechless. She said, "What kind of messy plan was Xue Zhao's? And you actually agreed to it?"

"I thought since he's your brother, he must know you well. Xue Zhao said if I appeared directly, you'd definitely be angry. But if I followed his suggestion, you'd be too preoccupied to stay angry. However, looking at it now," he mused, "had I known you'd be upset either way, I should have come to see you last night. There was no need to endure an extra day."

Jiang Li had no retort. Xue Zhao must have been up to mischief again, growing bolder by the day—daring to play tricks on Ji Heng. Yet she suspected Xue Zhao might have intended to vent her grievances, though his method was hardly brilliant.

"So you went along with it? Did my father and the others know in advance?" Jiang Li pressed on relentlessly, "You kept me as the only one in the dark?"

She wasn't usually one to nitpick like this and understood Ji Heng had his reasons, but she couldn't help feeling a bit indignant. Strangely enough, she could be tolerant with anyone, even at her own slight expense. Yet in front of Ji Heng, she could always act like a carefree girl, saying whatever she wanted and doing as she pleased.

Because she knew, no matter what, Ji Heng would always indulge her.

"I'm sorry," he leaned in slightly, pecking her lips, "From now on, I won't keep anything from you. The Duke's residence is yours, and as for me," he smiled enticingly, "I'm yours too."

"From now on?" Jiang Li raised an eyebrow, "Who can say for sure about the future?"

"What do you intend to do?"

"I'll treat you the way you treat me," Jiang Li teased him deliberately, "Don't follow me wherever I go."

"Little Jiang Li," he called her name, lowering his head to kiss her, "You can't just love and leave."

...

In the April of Tongxiang, Jiang Li and Ji Heng reunited. Xue Zhao and Xue Huaiyuan had already met Ji Heng, so that went without saying. But for the Ye family, it was their first time seeing him. They marveled at Ji Heng's stunning beauty and elegance, yet also knew it was he who led the Imperial Guards to crush the Yin family's army—a stark contrast to his appearance in both tactics and temperament. Although Ye Minghui and Ye Mingxuan thought Ji Heng's background was too complicated and might not be ideal for Jiang Li, Old Madam Ye was thoroughly pleased with him. Back when Jiang Li returned to Xiangyang, Old Madam Ye had sensed that beneath her calm exterior, Jiang Li was deeply heartbroken. She had prayed to the Ye ancestors time and again, hoping for a miracle—that Ji Heng might still be alive and would one day reappear, allowing her granddaughter to live happily.

Now that her wish had come true, she saw everything about Ji Heng in a positive light. Moreover, even without deliberately trying to please anyone, Ji Heng merely standing there with a gentle smile would naturally draw people's gazes toward him. Good looks certainly had their advantages, earning him leniency from everyone.

Holding Jiang Li's hand, Old Madam Ye asked Ji Heng, "Ah Heng, you two were already betrothed by the emperor before. Now that you're back, have you thought about when you'll get married?"Jiang Li was taken aback, her cheeks flushing slightly. Old Madam Ye was straightforward by nature, unlike those from prominent families who put on airs and acted reserved. Moreover, in Old Madam Ye's view, Jiang Li had previously declared she would never marry just to protect Ji Heng, which clearly showed she had no other plans in mind. Since that was the case, the marriage would have to happen sooner or later, so it was better to make preparations early.

"If Ali is willing," Ji Heng said, "anytime is fine. But I don’t want to let Ali suffer any grievances, so after we return to Yanjing City, I will come to marry her. I wonder if Ali is willing?"

He deliberately asked Jiang Li in front of others, his eyes filled with laughter and his tone carrying a faint hint of teasing. Jiang Li turned her head away and saw Xue Zhao trying hard not to laugh. She shot him a glare and said, "Why ask me?"

Xue Huaiyuan seemed to sense her embarrassment and said, "It’s fine, let’s do as A Heng suggested. The weather happens to be nice too, and we’ll need to write to Grand Secretary Jiang."

Jiang Yuanbai had already arrived in Yongzhou and settled there. If Jiang Li were to marry, perhaps the Jiang family would come. They had never expected Ji Heng to still be alive.

"If Minister Jiang cannot make it, it’s not a problem," Xue Zhao said. "Father and I are also Sister’s family, along with Old Madam Ye and Master Ye. Although Sister is no longer the daughter of a Grand Secretary, she is still a young lady cherished by everyone. Isn’t that right, Brother-in-law?" He affectionately addressed Ji Heng.

Ji Heng curved his lips into a smile. "Of course."

Knowing they were teasing her, Jiang Li said nothing more, lest Ji Heng find another excuse to tease her further. This man had grown increasingly bold lately, almost as if he had nothing to fear, relying on his handsome looks to get away with anything.

In the evening, Ji Heng was drinking tea in Jiang Li’s room. He didn’t seem to care whether it was good or bad tea—when he drank it, it somehow looked exquisite. Jiang Li brought up what he had said earlier and asked, "What you told Grandmother this morning about getting married as soon as we return to Yanjing City—was that true or not?"

"Have I ever lied to you?" Ji Heng chuckled. "What, are you afraid I won’t marry you?"

Jiang Li scoffed. "Who’s afraid? It’s not like you’re the only man in the world."

She was truly provoking him. Ji Heng glanced at her, grabbed her, and pulled her onto his lap. Seated on his legs and nestled in his embrace, the position was far too intimate. She struggled a couple of times, but Ji Heng shushed her, whispering close to her ear in a seductively intimate tone, "Be good, Ali, don’t move."

Jiang Li vaguely sensed something and didn’t dare move. Satisfied, he reached out and gently stroked her long hair, saying leisurely, "When you’re like this, I can’t help but want to marry you as soon as possible."

"Even if we return to Yanjing City, there’s still so much to prepare," Jiang Li said. "My wedding dress isn’t ready, the dowry isn’t prepared, nothing is ready. How could we possibly get married right after returning?"

When Ji Heng left, they were at war, and no one knew how it would end. After the war, news came that Ji Heng had died on the battlefield. Marriage was the last thing on her mind—she didn’t even know if the engagement would hold. Jiang Li had prepared nothing. How could she possibly arrange a wedding with him in such a short time?

"Don’t worry," he said gently. "I’ve already prepared everything long ago."Jiang Li looked at him in astonishment. His amber eyes held a drunken amusement, as if slightly intoxicated yet unmistakably clear-headed. He said, "It was your request earlier—that I marry you upon my return to Yanjing. I thought the same way. Before leaving, I had everything prepared."

Jiang Li frowned. When they had bid farewell with a kiss at Qingzhou's dock, she had indeed told Ji Heng to marry her after he returned to the capital. But "before leaving"... Could it be that he had arranged everything before taking the Imperial Guards to Qingzhou?

"Your wedding dress, your dowry, your betrothal gifts—I've prepared them all. Everything for this marriage is ready, all that's missing is you. You may enter my household anytime, I'll always be waiting." His voice was deep and captivating, his words capable of making any woman drown in them unwilling to wake. "Whatever you desire, I can help you obtain it. Little girl, you can't escape my grasp anymore."

This was truly a domineering declaration of ownership, yet to Jiang Li's ears, it held no discomfort. Instead, she felt overwhelming joy bubbling up from the depths of her heart. She chuckled and said, "What if I refuse to marry? Wouldn't all these preparations go to waste?"

"You'd give up marrying me?" He raised an eyebrow. "I recall someone saying that even if I died, she would remain a widow for me and never marry anyone else."

Jiang Li pretended not to know. "I never said that. You must have misheard. Don't you dare pin it on me."

Ji Heng smiled without replying, simply holding Jiang Li close. He still remembered watching the young woman stand before others, speaking those words with resounding conviction. Seeing her navigate the Duke's mansion, dealing with those with ulterior motives while exhausting all her strength to protect what was his—in that moment, he suddenly understood that all the past suffering was worthwhile because he had met her. This sincerity had even put Hongxiao Emperor's mind at ease, let alone his own. He was originally a heartless, unfeeling person, but she had pulled him out of darkness with her own hands, bringing him vitality and warmth.

She was the redemption of his lifetime, so he would never let go, never.

"Let's stay together forever, Ali," he whispered softly.

Jiang Li paused briefly before blooming into a smile. "Alright."

...

When they went to Xiangyang, they were one group, but when returning to Yanjing City, their company had grown considerably.

The Ye family had settled all their business affairs in Xiangyang, though in the end, they didn't sell the Xue and Ye residences. After all, they had lived there for many years and were somewhat reluctant to part with them. Keeping them served as a memento. Perhaps someday, if they wished to return to their hometown for another look, they wouldn't be left with nowhere to go.

But this return to the capital brought an additional matter for everyone—preparing for Jiang Li's wedding.

After staying in Xiangyang for some time, everyone set off back to Yanjing City. On the return journey, they didn't rush, traveling leisurely and enjoying the landscapes and scenery along the way, having a thoroughly delightful time. Old Madam Ye's health had improved significantly, and when she was with Jiang Li and the others, she was full of energy. Traveling and playing like this, by the time they returned to Yanjing City, it was already August.

Since August was the height of summer, everyone agreed to set the wedding date for the eighth day of the ninth month, when the autumn weather would be clear, crisp, and pleasant. However, this meant Jiang Li had less than a month to prepare.

The Duke's household wasn't anxious at all, as there was truly nothing left to prepare. Ji Heng had long since arranged everything, even to the extent that Jiang Li didn't need to make her own phoenix crown and ceremonial robes herself. Although young women often sew their own wedding dresses, Ji Heng's reasoning was that needlework was truly exhausting, and Jiang Li didn't seem particularly fond of such tasks, so he would handle finding everything for her.The Jiang residence no longer existed, and an unmarried bride could not directly reside in the Duke's estate. During these days, Jiang Li had been staying at the Ye family residence. Early one morning, Zhao Ke arrived at the doorstep, startling the servants at the entrance. Behind him was a procession of carriages and horses, pulling large red wooden chests that appeared exceptionally heavy.

Ye Mingyu hurried over upon hearing the commotion and asked, "What is this…"

"This is the dowry and wedding dress prepared by my lord for the young lady," Zhao Ke replied, holding one of the chests. "He ordered me to deliver it personally to the Second Young Lady."

Ye Mingyu was somewhat displeased. "Ali is a daughter of our family. How can someone else prepare her dowry? That’s not how it’s done. Does your lord think the Ye family lacks silver? The Ye family has money!" His tone was brash, making him seem like a nouveau riche. Zhao Ke was momentarily speechless before responding, "This is my lord’s gesture of goodwill. Master Ye, please allow the Second Young Lady to inspect it."

"Third Uncle, let Cousin decide for herself. Perhaps she has already agreed to this," Ye Jia'er chimed in supportively.

"Fine," Ye Mingyu relented. "A Shun, go inform the young lady that Duke Su has sent gifts."

By the time Jiang Li emerged, the red wooden chests had already been moved into the courtyard. The Ye family’s courtyard was spacious, but it was now filled to the brim with chests, some even spilling into the rooms. Jiang Li asked in astonishment, "What is all this…"

Zhao Ke handed her a list. "This is the dowry inventory. Please take a look, young lady."

Jiang Li unfolded the list, feeling somewhat uneasy. She had never heard of a groom’s family preparing the dowry for a bride. Yet, when Ji Heng did it, it felt entirely natural, as if it were meant to be. She couldn’t tell if she was simply confused. The wealth listed was enough to astonish even the Ye family. But upon further reflection, she understood. Before Ji Heng left, he had instructed Wen Ji that if he did not return, everything he owned should be given to Jiang Li. Now, it seemed that even though he had returned, he was still giving her all he possessed.

Jiang Li then opened the chest containing the wedding dress. Inside lay a vibrant red bridal gown, adorned with a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, breathtakingly beautiful. Even touching it felt like a desecration. Zhao Ke explained, "In truth, the materials and jewelry for this wedding dress were prepared back when the old general was still alive. He hoped that one day, my lord would marry and have children, living an ordinary life. After my lord requested the Emperor’s permission for the marriage, he commissioned embroiderers to tailor the wedding dress. As for the jewelry, he crafted it himself."

"Crafted it himself?" Xue Zhao exclaimed in surprise. "By his own hands?"

"Indeed," Zhao Ke confirmed.

Jiang Li couldn’t articulate the emotions stirring within her. She found it hard to imagine someone as proud as Ji Heng sitting under a lamp, meticulously carving jewelry for her, all in the hope that her wedding would be a grand and glorious affair, with a procession spanning ten miles.In truth, Jiang Li was never one to care much about formalities. When Shen Yurong married her back then, there was no grand procession stretching for miles, and after the wedding, she still had to return to Yanjing City, enduring a long and arduous journey. At the time, she saw nothing amiss in this—youth often leads one to believe that love alone can sustain life, and even now, Jiang Li still holds this view. But in Ji Heng's eyes, such an arrangement would be utterly unforgivable and absolutely unacceptable. He intended to proclaim to the world that Jiang Li was his wife, and he would spend his life cherishing her with utmost devotion. His love was as fierce and brilliant as it was extravagant.

Xue Huaiyuan watched Jiang Li with a beaming smile. As a father, what more could he ask for than to see his beloved daughter treated with such reverence and care?

And so, Jiang Li could simply rest assured and await her wedding day at home.

Time flew by swiftly, and Jiang Yuanbai and the others found themselves unable to return to Yanjing City immediately. It was likely that Jiang Yuanbai would not even be present on her wedding day. However, Ye Mingyu thumped his chest and vowed that even in Jiang Yuanbai's absence, Jiang Li's joyous occasion would not be overlooked in the slightest. The Ye family would ensure that Jiang Li became the most splendidly married noble lady in all of Yanjing City.

Over the past month, Jiang Li had almost nothing to do. Every day, she wandered around Yanjing City with Ye Jia'er and Ye Rufeng, feeling more carefree than ever before. Reflecting on her two lives, she had been married twice. The first time, to Shen Yurong, she was filled with anticipation but also burdened with busyness. Shen Yurong's family was poor, and the Xue family was not wealthy either, so Jiang Li had to constantly think about how to economize. Now, in this life, marrying Ji Heng was a completely different kind of extravagance. She didn't have to worry about being looked down upon for having a meager dowry, nor did she need to fret that the groom's family might struggle financially due to an overly generous betrothal gift. Love, to her, was pure and untainted by any external concerns.

The news that Ji Heng was still alive and had returned to Yanjing City immediately stirred up a storm. Many who had initially relished the thought of Jiang Li's misfortune, believing her life would be utterly miserable, now burned with envy. Some officials even began to entertain ideas, deliberately cozying up to Ji Heng in hopes of marrying their own daughters into the Duke's residence. In their eyes, Ji Heng was already powerful and influential, and now, with his recent great achievements, he had played an indispensable role in securing Hongxiao Emperor's stable reign. Among the officials in Yanjing, there was no one else as young and promising as Ji Heng. Even if their daughters could only enter his household as concubines, as long as they could forge a connection with the Duke's residence, it would be a worthwhile endeavor.

When Tong'er recounted these matters to Jiang Li, she spoke with utter disdain, "Those people are truly shameless. And they call themselves high-ranking officials! Back when our young master was missing, every one of them urged our young lady to give up. Now they're shamelessly trying to force their way in, without even bothering to look at themselves in the mirror."

Jiang Li shook her head with a faint smile, offering no comment. In truth, there were even more unpleasant remarks, but Tong'er had kept them from Jiang Li. Those people believed that since Jiang Yuanbai was no longer the Grand Secretary, Jiang Li could no longer be considered a daughter of a prestigious family—at best, she had an official for a cousin. And the Ye family, after all, originated from merchant backgrounds. Moreover, Jiang Li was no peerless beauty. Sooner or later, Ji Heng would grow tired of her, and opportunities would arise for others.

"Aren't you worried at all, young lady?" Tong'er asked.Jiang Li raised an eyebrow: "Worry about what? If he truly develops disloyal intentions, no amount of guarding against it would prevent it." The incident with Shen Yurong in her past life taught her that human hearts are fickle—one can sacrifice for someone they love, but must not lose themselves. She couldn't possibly torment herself now over something that might happen in the future.

Just as they were speaking, Xue Zhao wheeled himself in from outside, and Tong'er withdrew from the room.

"Sister," Xue Zhao looked at her and asked, "You're getting married tomorrow. Are you afraid?"

Jiang Li replied, "What is there to fear?"

"It seems you really do like him," Xue Zhao remarked with a sigh.

Over the past month, Jiang Li hadn't seen Ji Heng at all. Surprisingly, someone as unrestrained and carefree as Ji Heng strictly adhered to the custom of not seeing the bride before the wedding. When Xue Zhao asked why Ji Heng was so particular about it, his answer was unexpectedly thoughtful: "It's the tradition. If we break it, what if our marriage faces obstacles?"

Seeing how seriously he took this union, Xue Zhao felt completely reassured. Unlike Xue Huaiyuan and the Ye family, Xue Zhao had full confidence in Ji Heng. He always felt that Ji Heng was different from Shen Yurong—ruthless and fierce to outsiders, but once he had someone to cherish, he would protect that person for life. Precisely because he had so few to guard, those he did protect were exceptionally fortunate, receiving all of his devotion.

"Sister," Xue Zhao said earnestly, "We'll always be by your side. I hope you find happiness."

"Alright." Jiang Li smiled at him. "I wonder when I'll hear good news from you."

"Me?" Xue Zhao was taken aback for a moment, then scratched his head and said, "Don't worry about me. Maybe in eight or ten years." Without waiting for her reaction, he wheeled himself away in a hurry.

Jiang Li shook her head helplessly.

...

The wedding day arrived with perfect weather—under autumn skies, the sun turned golden. Jiang Li sat before the mirror, gazing at her reflection: a young woman with gentle, captivating features, her eyes flowing like a babbling brook, brimming with happiness. Old Madam Ye stood behind her, gently combing her long, waterfall-like black hair and styling it into a bride's chignon. Adorned with glittering jewels, a phoenix crown, and ceremonial robes, her lips tinted with rouge, she looked exquisitely radiant.

As Old Madam Ye watched, her eyes grew moist, perhaps reminded of the late Ye Zhenzhen. She murmured, "Our little Li has truly grown up."

Ye Rufeng poked his head in from outside and called out, "Grandmother, are you ready? The groom's procession is almost here!"

Old Madam Ye quickly responded, summoning the wedding attendant to place the bridal veil over Jiang Li's head before leading her out.

Jiang Li stumbled along, guided by others, the veil covering her head so she could see nothing. She could only hear the clamor outside and laughter drawing nearer. It seemed many people surrounded her. The wedding attendant brought her to the doorway and released her hand, leaving Jiang Li standing quietly as the sounds of gongs and drums grew clearer.

It was a grand, perfect, unforgettable wedding procession. Though she couldn't see it, the noise alone conveyed the vibrant celebration. It was a wonder she had never experienced before.She heard someone rein in their horse before her, then footsteps approaching. Jiang Li felt an inexplicable tension rising within her. The surrounding jeers and laughter faded into nothingness; all she could hear was the powerful thumping of her own heartbeat, one beat after another, like a mischievous fawn recklessly charging about, nearly leaping out of her chest.

Her palms grew clammy with sweat. Just as she felt bewildered and struggled to maintain her composure, someone gently took her hand. His hand was slender and warm, perfectly enveloping hers in his palm.

Then, the bridal veil before her eyes was suddenly lifted. She fell into a pair of beautiful phoenix-like eyes. Stunned, Jiang Li looked at him—this unconventional gesture he performed with unparalleled natural grace, elegance, and tenderness.

The beauty in red stood before her, a captivating smile gracing his lips as he spoke a lifelong promise: "Come with me, little girl."

And so, without hesitation, she resolutely followed his lead.

"Alright."

(End of Chapter)