Chapter 139: Meeting

Early the next morning, before Jiang Li had even made her way to the Wanfeng Hall to pay her respects to Old Madam Jiang, the Fangfei Courtyard welcomed an unexpected guest.

Jiang Yuanbai had arrived.

Qingfeng and Mingyue were busy sweeping the courtyard. They were utterly startled upon seeing Jiang Yuanbai and were about to rush inside to announce him when he gestured for them to stop. Jiang Li had woken up slightly later than usual, yet he did not disturb her. Instead, he simply sat at the stone table in the courtyard outside Fangfei Courtyard, gazing blankly at the frost-covered tree branches.

When Jiang Li finished washing and dressing, stepping out to see Jiang Yuanbai sitting there in solitude was the very sight that greeted her.

Tong'er and Bai雪 offered their bows first. Jiang Yuanbai looked at Jiang Li, the corners of his mouth twitching as if he wanted to smile, yet he was at a loss for how to make that smile look natural. "Xiao Li," he said.

Jiang Li nodded. "Father."

Her attitude was polite yet distant, bearing no resemblance to how one would treat a father, feeling instead as though she were addressing an acquaintance's elder. A flicker of disappointment crossed Jiang Yuanbai's eyes, followed instantly by a wave of self-mockery.

Things had already reached this point; he was in no position to demand much of Jiang Li. Back then, when Jiang Li had been framed by Ji Shuran and sent away to Mount Qingcheng, he—as her father—had failed to discern the truth, acting as an accomplice to evil and personally pushing this daughter away from his side. Now, any attempt at compensation was entirely futile.

Jiang Li had already grown up, and her estrangement was entirely of his own making. Jiang Yuanbai did not even possess the qualification to feel aggrieved.

Yet, he still wished to do something. "You haven't eaten yet, have you? Shall we share a meal?" he asked.

Jiang Li glanced at him. Within Jiang Yuanbai's gaze, a trace of nervous anticipation was faintly revealed. Jiang Li's heart softened slightly, and she replied, "Very well."

Jiang Yuanbai was overjoyed.

The surrounding serving maids watched this scene with sheer disbelief. Jiang Li had once been the abandoned young miss of the Jiang family, ignored and neglected for years, yet now Jiang Yuanbai valued her to this extent.

To Jiang Li, however, it was merely cause and effect. What had been done in the past would ultimately have its price quietly marked by fate. Now had arrived the time for Jiang Yuanbai to repay his debts.

During the meal, Jiang Yuanbai observed Jiang Li's preferences. Jiang Li was indeed entirely different from before; her dietary and daily habits bore no resemblance whatsoever to the young Jiang Li of her childhood. Jiang Yuanbai recalled the words Jiang Li had spoken before Daoist Priest Chongxu regarding how she had spent those eight years on Mount Qingcheng, and the sumptuous dishes before him suddenly became difficult to swallow.

"About the events of the day before..." Jiang Yuanbai began, "You..."

"Ever since the Daoist priest performed the exorcism, I lost consciousness. I vaguely heard people talking, but I knew nothing for certain. When I woke up, Bai Xue told me what had happened afterward," Jiang Li's voice remained calm and gentle. "I was very surprised. It turns out that what Daoist Priest Chongxu said was true—I really had been possessed by evil spirits."

"What Daoist priest?" Jiang Yuanbai sneered. "He is nothing more than a charlatan playing at ghosts and gods. Once trouble strikes, he shows his true colors out of fright!"

Jiang Li looked at Jiang Yuanbai in astonishment. "A charlatan? Father, this was personally acknowledged by His Majesty."

"Even His Majesty can be mistaken."

Jiang Li asked hesitantly, "Will Father report this matter to His Majesty?"

"Of course," Jiang Yuanbai replied. "The crime of deceiving the sovereign is not something I can share in by colluding with a fraud."

"But this is, after all, a private royal affair. If Father involves himself... are you not afraid of incurring His Majesty's displeasure?" Jiang Li asked.

Even Daoist Priest Chongxu understood the principle that the more secrets one knew, the harder life became; Jiang Yuanbai could not possibly be ignorant of it. If Jiang Yuanbai were to reveal this matter to Emperor Hongxiao, it would amount to nothing less than causing the emperor to lose face. The fact that a subject had discovered how Emperor Hongxiao had been credulously duped by divine frauds would, no matter the circumstances, become a thorn piercing the imperial heart.

"This is the way of a subject and sovereign," Jiang Yuanbai said. "Even if His Majesty feels displeased, I must still speak."

Jiang Yuanbai's words compelled Jiang Li to view him in a slightly different light. She knew Jiang Yuanbai was an old fox—thoroughly shrewd. At least he had not pledged allegiance to the Prince of Cheng; regardless of how Emperor Hongxiao treated him or how deep his loyalty truly was, he had fulfilled the basic duties of a subject. Even when his sphere of influence was at its widest, he harbored no intent of rebellion.

Of course, even if the Jiang family truly harbored rebellious intentions, it would merely result in a swifter death. What had once been unclear to Jiang Li was now crystal clear to her. Ji Heng would never allow the Jiang family to disrupt the balance; he required a stable situation to plot his own affairs.

"Then... what does Father intend to do with Madam?" Jiang Li finally asked.

Jiang Yuanbai shuddered slightly. In truth, he had long been waiting for Jiang Li to ask this question, but now that she had actually voiced it, a whirlwind of complex emotions surged within his chest. After a moment of silence, he said, "She committed an unforgivable act and rightfully deserves punishment."

Jiang Li smiled faintly. "What kind of punishment?"

"A life for a life," he answered.

Jiang Li's expression remained largely unchanged, while Jiang Yuanbai sighed silently in his heart. He knew that merely this was insufficient to compensate for the grievances Jiang Li had suffered. Yet, at the same time, he remained the head of the Jiang family; he could not disregard the family's reputation.

"I did not know... I did not know the Ji family woman possessed such a venomous heart. Putting everything else aside, when your mother's illness grew heavier day by day, I merely assumed her constitution was weak, never imagining she was being harmed by a malicious person. Had I known... had I known, I would never have allowed the Ji woman to cross the threshold of the Jiang family."

In this regard, Jiang Yuanbai could hardly be blamed. Who could have imagined that someone would want to poison Ye Zhenzhen back then? Concubine Hu lacked the courage, and Jiang Yuanbai had no other women. Yet unexpectedly, even before stepping foot into the Jiang family, Ji Shuran had planned everything step by step.

The entire Jiang family had been played in the palm of Ji Shuran's hand, and the very first step of her manipulation had relied upon Jiang Yuanbai's "love at first sight."

Jiang Yuanbai shook his head. "I didn't know Yue'er was harmed by her either. Yue'er was only four years old... yet she could be so cruel. Even more, I never expected she would commit adultery and use that to frame you, forcing you to leave the Jiang family... The Ji woman was at fault, and I was at fault too. I nearly brought a catastrophe upon the Jiang family." He laughed self-deprecatingly. "Xiao Li, you must resent me deeply, right?"

"Not particularly," Jiang Li replied. "In truth, ever since that incident, I stopped harboring any expectations that someone would resolutely stand on my side and unconditionally trust me. Therefore, I am never surprised by whatever happens. Doesn't Father find it strange why I care so deeply for County Magistrate Xue? It is simply because I truly believe County Magistrate Xue and I share the same miseries. No one believes him, and no one is willing to speak up for him. Seeing County Magistrate Xue is like seeing my former self. The past cannot be undone, but at least now I can help clear County Magistrate Xue's name." Jiang Li smiled. "That is already quite satisfying, Father."

Jiang Yuanbai understood the meaning behind her words: she did not resent Jiang Yuanbai, but neither did she hold any further respect or filial reverence for him.

Jiang Yuanbai closed his eyes.

Jiang Li set down her chopsticks and said, "Does Father have anything else to say? If not, I shall take my leave."

"Where are you going?"

"To the Ye residence, to see my uncle and cousin." Jiang Li paused before adding, "Father, rest assured. I will not utter a single word about what happened the day before to my uncle and the others. The reputation of the Jiang family must not be tarnished; I know this."

She was sensible, knowing how to consider the interests of the Jiang family. Yet to Jiang Yuanbai in the present moment, the more sensible she was, the more heartbreaking it felt.

He waved his hand listlessly. "Go ahead."

"Yes, Father."

...

After tidying up briefly, Jiang Li boarded a carriage bound for the Ye residence.

Whether as a form of compensation or otherwise, Jiang Yuanbai no longer uttered a single word of objection whenever she went to the Ye residence, and the doormen asked no questions. Compared to the past, Jiang Li was remarkably free.

Inside the carriage, Tong'er remarked, "Master finally knows how to show affection for the Young Miss. The Young Miss's hardships have finally come to an end now that the Ji woman's true nature has been exposed. In the future, no one else in the manor will dare to scheme against the Young Miss."

Jiang Li smiled. "Let us hope so."

In truth, aside from wanting to secure justice for the second Miss Jiang, she could not muster much personal interest in the power struggles of the Jiang family. On the contrary, going to the Ye residence next made her far more nervous than facing Daoist Priest Chongxu the day before.

Zhao Ke had said that Ji Heng wanted her to meet someone—the foremost divine healer of Northern Yan, who might be able to cure her father's illness. Jiang Li dreamed of restoring Xue Huaiyuan's sanity. To her, reuniting and recognizing Xue Huaiyuan was the thing she felt most grateful for in this world. At least it made her understand that as Xue Fangfei, she was not entirely alone in this world.

The closer the carriage drew to the Ye residence, the more nervous Jiang Li's heart became, fluttering as though it might leap right out of her chest. Tong'er and Bai Xue looked at her with odd expressions, unaware of what was wrong with her.

...

When they arrived at the Ye residence and the doorman saw the Jiang family carriage, he immediately hurried forward to guide the horse. The servant smiled and said, "Second Miss has finally come. You haven't been here for three whole days, and Third Master thought something had happened to you. If Young Master hadn't held him back, Third Master would have gone to the Jiang residence himself."

Jiang Li smiled. "I am fine."

No matter how good the Jiang family might appear, in Ye Mingyu's eyes, it was no different from a dragon's pool or a tiger's lair; whenever Jiang Li stepped foot in there, she was suffering rather than enjoying herself.

"Third Master truly treats the Young Miss well," Bai Xue sighed.

Upon entering the Ye courtyard, they saw Ye Mingyu walking out with a saber strapped to his back. The doorman probably hadn't had time to announce her arrival yet, but the moment Ye Mingyu caught sight of Jiang Li, he nearly jumped in surprise. "A-Li, you've come!" he cried.

"Uncle," Jiang Li stepped forward to greet him.

"Why haven't you come to the Ye residence these past two days? I originally wanted to go check on you at the Jiang residence, but Shijie that brat insisted I shouldn't, saying you must have your own matters to attend to. What is wrong? Are you alright? Did your father beat you?"

Jiang Li shook her head. "I am fine, Uncle. These past few days I merely caught a slight cold and didn't leave my room."

"A cold?" Ye Mingyu's eyes widened. "Then why are you out now? If you've caught a cold, you shouldn't be leaving the house!"

"I've already recovered. Is Cousin Shijie not here?" Jiang Li looked around, failing to see Ye Shijie's figure anywhere.

"He has business at the Ministry of Revenue, so he went to attend to it," Ye Mingyu flopped down onto a chair. "Anyone would think he'd been appointed to some grand office, keeping his lamps lit until the middle of the night. Several times when I woke up at night, that boy was still reading memorials, god knows what he's fussing over."

"Cousin Shijie has just assumed office, so naturally he is busy," Jiang Li smiled. "How is County Magistrate Xue these days?"

"He's doing well," Ye Mingyu said with a disgruntled huff. "With your uncle here playing games with him every day, how could he not be well? Because of this, I've even been mocked by the men under my command," he muttered in dissatisfaction.

"It was all because I asked Uncle to take care of County Magistrate Xue that you've had to work so hard," Jiang Li said apologetically.

Seeing Jiang Li look this way, Ye Mingyu quickly waved his hand. "It's no trouble, ah, no trouble at all. We are all family anyway, and since I have nothing to do in Yanjing, I might as well keep him company. A-Li, you don't need to thank me. It's too formal!" Ye Mingyu had never considered himself someone tender toward jade or sympathetic to fragrant blooms, but when a delicate young maiden looked at him with such a pleading and guilt-ridden gaze, he simply couldn't muster any sternness.

It felt almost as if half the fault still lay with him.

"Right, A-Li," Ye Mingyu hesitated for a moment before suddenly blurting out, "Well... the Duke is currently at our residence."

Jiang Li had been pondering how to tactfully ask Ye Mingyu about Ji Heng—wondering if Ji Heng hadn't even notified Ye Mingyu, planning to appear when she wandered off into a quiet corner alone. She had never expected Ye Mingyu to state it so bluntly.

It startled Jiang Li.

"He said you would come this afternoon, though I thought he was just making things up," Ye Mingyu said. "I didn't expect it to be true."

"He... is he in the residence right now?" Jiang Li asked.

"Yes," Ye Mingyu replied. "He arrived right after midday." He looked as though he wanted to complain, yet perhaps fearing that Ji Heng was a formidable person capable of stirring up trouble, he lowered his voice to grumble, "Nobody invited him here. When he first arrived, I wanted to kick him out. But he said he had an appointment to meet you here, so I had no choice but to let him in. I figured since you two are close, perhaps you had important matters to discuss and I shouldn't delay your business."

Jiang Li: "..." In Ye Mingyu's eyes, could she and Ji Heng already be considered close?

Jiang Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Upon second thought, however, during their several encounters in Tongxiang, Ji Heng had met with her alone, had never harmed her, and had even offered assistance. In the eyes of others, this was certainly sufficient reason to assume the two of them were in cahoots.

"Where are they right now? I'd like to go see them," Jiang Li said.

"How did you know he didn't come alone?" Ye Mingyu asked curiously.

Jiang Li replied, "We discussed it beforehand."

"That's true," Ye Mingyu nodded. "If he hadn't brought others with him, I wouldn't have been comfortable letting the two of you meet alone. You're a young lady, after all, and he's a man. What if he harbors improper intentions toward you...? I wouldn't rest easy. A-Li, let your uncle tell you, for a man, the most important thing is a sense of responsibility, not a pretty face. His looks are decent, but good looks won't last a lifetime. Once he gets old, he'll still have wrinkles all over his face, no better than a twenty-year-old beggar on the street."

Jiang Li: "..."

At times, she truly didn't know whether to blame this uncle of hers for worrying needlessly, so she could only say, "I know, Uncle. He won't harbor improper intentions toward me, and I have no interest in him either. I am seeing him for proper business. Uncle, let's go see him first."

Seeing how truly anxious Jiang Li appeared, Ye Mingyu finally nodded reluctantly. "Very well."

...

The furnishings within the Ye residence were sparse and simple.

Perhaps because only two grown men, Ye Shijie and Ye Mingyu, lived there, even the servant looking after Xue Huaiyuan was a young lad. Fearing that someone in Yanjing might still try to secretly harm Xue Huaiyuan—especially Princess Yongning—Ye Mingyu personally handled every single matter, ensuring not even a fly could slip through the gates of the Ye residence.

In the side room of the back courtyard, three people were seated around a small table.

Hearing movement outside, the three of them turned around.

"A-Li is here," Ye Mingyu announced.

Jiang Li looked into the room.

Ji Heng smiled as he looked toward her. No matter when she saw him, he was always so flamboyant and dazzling. Sitting in this barren side room of the Ye residence, he somehow made the room seem a few shades brighter.

"Uncle, please go back first. I have a few words to speak with the Duke," Jiang Li smiled.

Ye Mingyu looked at Jiang Li, then at Ji Heng, and after exercising immense self-restraint, he finally stepped outside. "I'll be right outside the courtyard," he said. "If you need anything, just call for me."

He still didn't trust Ji Heng.

After Ye Mingyu departed, the three people inside the room also stood up.

Behind Ji Heng stood a youth in his late teens, dressed entirely in white. He cut the figure of an elegant young gentleman, extraordinarily handsome and refined, with a warm, pleasant smile hanging on his face. He took a couple of steps forward, curiously sizing up Jiang Li before speaking. "So this is the Second Miss Jiang. Truly, hearing about her a hundred times is not as good as seeing her once."

Jiang Li had never encountered someone so brazenly familiar, leaving her with no choice but to remain silent and offer a polite smile. Seeing that smile, the young man became even more unrestrained. "Second Miss is truly too adorable."

Jiang Li: "..."

"Wenren Yao, if you keep talking like that, I'm going to vomit," a female voice came from behind Ji Heng. Jiang Li glanced over and saw a young maiden in black clothing walking out.

This maiden did not appear to be a native of Yanjing; her attire and ornamentation were entirely alien. All her hair was braided into fine little tresses, decorated with tiny black bells. Though she possessed sweet features, her limpid eyes held a hint of detached cunning. Jiang Li noticed that the back of her hand bore the tattoo of a tiny scorpion.

Jiang Li still remembered her primary purpose in coming to see Ji Heng today, yet she could not simply blurt it out directly. She looked instead at Ji Heng and said, "Regarding the matter of Daoist Priest Chongxu, I must thank the Duke for providing the personnel."

Even though Zhao Ke had been the one to find the people, it must have been with Ji Heng's tacit approval. Moreover, without the whistle Ji Heng had given her, she would never have been able to command Zhao Ke.

Ji Heng smiled with a hint of tartness. "I was merely surprised that you would resort to such an unsightly method, even stooping to play the ghost."

Jiang Li: "..."

She knew her method could hardly be considered brilliant strategy, differing very little from the tricks of a roadside charlatan. Daoist Priest Chongxu's exorcisms relied entirely on people harboring guilty consciences, and her own ghost act a couple of days prior had similarly relied upon the ghost in Ji Shuran's heart. Compared to the other schemes she had carried out, this lacked any solid foundation or backing, resembling little more than children playing house.

The youth called Wenren Yao chuckled aloud upon hearing this. "I don't think the Second Miss's method was unsightly at all. I think it was... rather cute." He stared sincerely into Jiang Li's eyes, looking exceedingly friendly.

Jiang Li simply had no idea how someone so friendly and utterly lacking in tact managed to survive under Ji Heng's very nose.

"However, if Second Miss ever needs help with deception in the future, you can come find me," Wenren Yao leaned closer to her, saying, "I am most skilled at deception. And what I excel at deceiving the most... is a woman's heart."

Jiang Li choked, breaking into a fit of violent coughing.

Wenren Yao looked concerned. "Is Second Miss alright? Did you catch a chill outside? Yanjing has been quite cold these past few days..."

Ji Heng unfurled his folding fan, blocking Wenren Yao's face from leaning any closer to Jiang Li, and cast a cold glance at him. "Have you said enough? If you've said enough, get lost."

"A-Heng... you've changed..." Wenren Yao put on a piteous expression.

Ignoring him, Ji Heng turned his gaze to Jiang Li. "Zhao Ke should have told you. Coming here today is to introduce you to the person capable of curing your father's illness."

Jiang Li looked at Wenren Yao. Could it be this person? Such a person seemed far too unreliable.

The next moment, the maiden in black stepped forward, studying her with a rather hair-raising smile. "Situ Jiuyue."

"Lady Jiuyue," Jiang Li responded smoothly. "As Zhao Ke mentioned, you are the foremost divine healer of Northern Yan." Although they were roughly the same age, Jiang Li showed no trace of condescension, treating her with due respect.

Situ Jiuyue gave a light laugh. "Zhao Ke was mistaken. I am not the foremost divine healer of Northern Yan; I am the foremost venom-wielder of Northern Yan. I create poisons, not save lives. To me, saving people is nowhere near as amusing as crafting venom."

Ji Heng spoke up: "Situ Jiuyue."

Without a change in her expression, the maiden continued, "However, having accepted someone's commission, I am faithful to their trust, so I occasionally deign to help save someone. Although I am not particularly adept at saving lives, at least compared to most doctors in this world—especially those old trash in the Imperial Medical Academy—I am vastly superior."

This maiden acted without restraint and spoke in a rough-hewn manner. Judging by her demeanor, she resembled the likes of Ye Mingyu and likely rarely mingled in the whirlpools of power. Though young, she possessed strong convictions. Jiang Li searched her memory through both her past and present lives, yet she had never heard of such a figure.

"Will County Magistrate Xue be able to recover his sanity in the future?" Pulling back her wandering thoughts, Jiang Li asked the question she had been longing to ask.

"Hard to say. Perhaps he will, perhaps he won't. When many people collapse and lose their sanity, it is because they have suffered a tremendous blow. Most people are unwilling to recall those painful memories and actively avoid them, which makes it impossible for them to regain clarity," Situ Jiuyue said. "I suspect County Magistrate Xue is precisely in that state. I hear both his children have passed away, leaving him utterly alone in this world, completely unattached, with no absolute necessity to recall the past." She stared directly into Jiang Li's eyes. "Pardon my bluntness, Second Miss Jiang, but since Xue Huaiyuan is already suffering so deeply, why must you force him to remember the past again?"

Jiang Li shook her head. "No, County Magistrate Xue himself wishes to wake up."

Situ Jiuyue froze, and Wenren Yao looked equally surprised. Only Ji Heng remained unsurprised.

"I know County Magistrate Xue wishes to wake up. Even though his children are gone, their deaths were shrouded in obscurity. If I were County Magistrate Xue, I would undoubtedly want to clear my children's names and uncover the truth. Therefore, he wishes to regain his clarity. He is a father with a sense of responsibility and accountability," Jiang Li said.

Perhaps her tone was too resolute for anyone to doubt her sincerity. Situ Jiuyue shrugged. "Very well, then I shall give it a try. I will come to administer treatments to Xue Huaiyuan every day."

Jiang Li bowed deeply in gratitude. "Then I thank Lady Jiuyue."

"Don't thank me; if you want to thank someone, thank him." Situ Jiuyue glanced at Ji Heng. "It seems the Duke has something private to discuss with you, so we'll take our leave." With that, she firmly dragged the still-curious Wenren Yao out of the room, pulling the door shut behind them.

Only Jiang Li and Ji Heng remained in the room.

After a long silence, Jiang Li spoke. "I owe you another favor."

"Strange. I've helped you so many times, yet it seems only this once makes you feel the most grateful," Ji Heng said with an amused smile. "It appears Xue Huaiyuan's matters matter far more to you than your own."

Jiang Li smiled as well. "Perhaps so." To her, restoring Xue Huaiyuan was her most extravagant wish in this lifetime. Ji Heng had made the realization of this wish possible; how could she not be grateful?

"Lady Jiuyue doesn't seem to be a native of Yanjing?" Jiang Li inquired.

"She is a princess of Molan," Ji Heng said. "Her father and brothers died when her uncle usurped the throne, and she managed to escape."

Jiang Li was startled. She had heard a little about the turmoil in Molan, though it felt like a distant tale to her. She had not expected to encounter a genuine princess of Molan here. Yet, since people of Molan were universally skilled in formulating and utilizing poisons, Situ Jiuyue's background made perfect sense.

"The Ji woman has already been dealt with by you," Ji Heng smiled faintly. "What do you plan to do next?"

"I don't need to plan anything; trouble is already staring me in the face," Jiang Li sighed. "Princess Yongning will find a way to deal with me."

Ji Heng cast a sidelong glance at her. "Judging by your tone, you actually seem quite expectant?"

"If I said yes, would the Duke believe me?"

"I believe you," Ji Heng said leisurely. "Whatever you say, I believe." As his words trailed off, they curved into an ambiguous hook, his amber eyes brimming with seductive amusement.

Wenren Yao claimed to be skilled in seducing women's hearts, but that was likely no lie; youths like Wenren Yao were like sweet honey placed upon pastries garnished with flower petals, whose sweet allure constantly tempted young maidens to take a taste.

Ji Heng was no honey—he was a cup of poison. Amidst the clinking of wine goblets and exchanging of toasts at a banquet, that bright, luminous chalice exuding a faint, eerie toxicity sat quietly upon the table. People passed by, involuntarily drawn toward it, knowing full well it was a venom guaranteed to tear through their bowels, yet still tumbling headlong into its fleeting dream, intoxicated unto death.

"For the Duke to trust me to such an extent is Jiang Li's honor," she smiled.

Ji Heng withdrew his gaze, straightened up, and said lazily, "As far as I know, Zhou Yanbang still seems to harbor lingering affections for you."

"Jiang Yu'e sent me a post," Jiang Li replied, "but I didn't go; I tossed it to Jiang Youyao instead."

Since Zhao Ke undoubtedly reported such matters to Ji Heng if he truly wished to know, Jiang Li saw no need for concealment.

"You have truly so many enemies," Ji Heng remarked. "One wave has barely subsided before another rises." Having dealt with one batch, a fresh batch immediately rushed in. To be a fifteen-year-old girl and yet be hated to this degree—Jiang Li could truly be considered quite accomplished.

"I wouldn't want this either," Jiang Li said. "They are simply far too obstructive."

"Do you need my help?" Ji Heng raised an eyebrow.

"How would you help?" Jiang Li asked.

"I dislike meddling in such affairs, but if I were to act, it would be quite terrifying," he said, sounding like a malicious adult trying to scare a child. "Jiang Yu'e, Jiang Youyao, Zhou Yanbang, plus a Shen Tuyun," he smiled warmly as he stared at Jiang Li. "Whose death do you desire? Or perhaps, which of them do you wish to remain alive?"

"...Or perhaps, not sparing a single one?"

---

Author's Note:
I am truly sorry, everyone! Recently I've been sick and my head was in a fog, so I accidentally uploaded this chapter to another story! I am coughing blood in rage!