Chapter 107

“Why did you risk your life to save me?”
“Because I made a promise to someone.”
“To whom?”
“Lord Jiang Yi.”
Nan Gongxuan remembered how he had scoffed in disbelief back then, convinced that Yan Yiming was making up excuses to avoid admitting her feelings for him. He never imagined there could be any connection between Jiang Yi and Princess Ming.
But now, hearing Jiang Yi speak to Yan Yiming with a tenderness he had never witnessed before, and seeing Yan Yiming’s unconcealed delight, Nan Gongxuan suddenly realized that he might have been overestimating his own importance all along.
This realization left him momentarily stunned, filled with an indescribable ache in his heart and an inexplicable jealousy.
Shao Jingyu’s smile vanished completely the moment Jiang Yi spoke to Yan Yiming. His handsome face showed no expression, but his eyes, fixed on Yan Yiming, held a dangerous, stormy intensity.
Meeting Shao Jingyu’s gaze, Yan Yiming suddenly sensed that he might already suspect her, causing a flicker of panic. But Jiang Yi’s timely arrival came as a relief. She quickly composed herself.
Even if Shao Jingyu were to act rashly, it wouldn’t affect her much. At worst, he might imprison her, making the remaining six months before her departure somewhat unbearable, but once the time came, she could still return to the present world.
Now that Jiang Yi was here, Yan Yiming felt even more secure. With him around, even if Shao Jingyu intended to do something, he would have to consider whether Jiang Yi would allow it.
With her mind clear and someone to back her up, Yan Yiming straightened her posture confidently. This time, she did not avoid Shao Jingyu’s gaze. Instead, she offered him a polite smile and played along with Jiang Yi’s act.
Though she knew Jiang Yi’s words, “I’m late,” might actually refer to her earlier escape and his delayed reckoning, in this context, it could easily be misinterpreted by others as Jiang Yi expressing concern for her safety.
Now that all four of them were gathered, Yan Yiming quickly assessed the situation. Though Jiang Yi was also dangerous, he already knew many of her secrets. Unconsciously, she had begun to lean toward him.
Hearing Jiang Yi’s “I’m late,” Yan Yiming put on a convincing act, pursing her lips and looking at him with joyful relief. “You’re not late,” she said softly, then added, “I’m just glad you’re here.”
Jiang Yi smiled at her response. In front of the others, he carefully looked her over, his expression darkening when his eyes fell on her heavily bandaged leg. “You’re injured?”
Yan Yiming coughed lightly and whispered, “It’s nothing.”
Jiang Yi seemed about to say more but glanced at the three silent observers. He leaned closer, speaking loud enough for all to hear, “We’ll talk later.”
Yan Yiming had no objections and naturally held onto his arm as she sat back down.
Jiang Yi had never cared about the Crown Prince. As for Jian Yuyan, he had once shown jealousy and drunkenly confronted her, but she had already explained that situation. So, logically, Jiang Yi shouldn’t hold any grudge against Jian Yuyan either. As for Shao Jingyu, Jiang Yi didn’t know about him yet. And since she was cooperating so well, Jiang Yi should, in theory, remain safe and trustworthy for now.
Yan Yiming inwardly praised her and Jiang Yi's acting skills, which were worthy of an Oscar. After Jiang Yi arrived, she began playing dumb, acting like the perfect little wife who gives her boyfriend plenty of face in public. Shao Jingyu fell silent the moment Jiang Yi appeared, while Nan Gongxuan and Jian Yuyan occasionally asked probing questions. With each question, Yan Yiming would glance at Jiang Yi, signaling for him to answer.
Jiang Yi found it amusing to watch Yan Yiming putting on such a serious act. She had run off without a word this time, and he hadn’t even settled the score with her yet. And here she was, completely unbothered, bossing him around as if nothing had happened.
But since they were deliberately showing off their affection in front of Nan Gongxuan and Jian Yuyan, Jiang Yi was more than willing to play along, even if it meant being ordered around.
As for settling the score, there would be plenty of time for that once the outsiders were gone.
Yan Yiming stayed with the group for nearly another hour before excusing herself, citing leg pain and the need to return to her room to change her bandages. Jiang Yi had important matters to attend to, and after the group finished discussing political affairs, only Nan Gongxuan and Jiang Yi remained. It was then that Nan Gongxuan hesitantly asked,
“My rescue this time was entirely thanks to Princess Ming.” Nan Gongxuan paused, struggling to find the right words. “However, the princess said she was acting on your behalf to ensure my safety.”
With that one sentence, Jiang Yi had already gleaned a great deal of information.
Yan Yiming had risked her life to save the Crown Prince. Jiang Yi knew it was because she needed to keep the Crown Prince alive to achieve her own goals. However, such a self-sacrificing act was bound to make the Crown Prince overthink things, especially since Yan Yiming had previously expressed a desire to marry him in an attempt to push him away.
So, Yan Yiming had come up with an excuse to placate the Crown Prince. What Jiang Yi hadn’t expected was that she would use him as her excuse.
A feeling akin to a feather gently brushing against his heart swept over Jiang Yi, itchy, yet sweet.
Yan Yiming had used changing her bandages as an excuse to leave, but in reality, she had no intention of doing so. With Little A around, she could control when her wounds healed. She had kept the injury only to avoid arousing suspicion.
Her maids, worried about her injury, were extra cautious while helping her bathe. After her bath, as she was drying her hair, she heard a maid at the door speak urgently, “My lord, the princess has already retired, “
Then came Jiang Yi's clear, crisp voice, “Go ask the princess if she will allow me to enter.”
If she didn’t let him in now, Jiang Yi would surely sneak in late at night anyway. After a moment’s consideration, Yan Yiming ordered the maid to let him in and then dismissed all the maids with a wave of her hand.
The maid hesitated briefly before finally withdrawing. Jiang Yi smiled and asked, “One of the Crown Prince’s people?”
In truth, the maid was likely sent by Shao Jingyu, but to avoid raising Jiang Yi’s suspicions, Yan Yiming nodded and said, “Probably.” With that, she prepared to put on an outer robe and get out of bed.
Jiang Yi strode over and pressed her back down. “Don't move. I heard from His Highness that you injured your leg.” His slightly cool fingers rested on her slender ankle, making Yan Yiming jolt and try to pull away. “It's actually not that serious...”
Yan Yiming had just finished bathing and was wearing only thin undergarments. Without even needing to roll up the loose trouser leg, Jiang Yi could already see a corner of a distinct scar. When he lifted the hem further, he saw a two-finger-long wound on her fair calf, and the smile froze on his face.
He had thought it was fake, but it turned out to be even more shocking than he had imagined.
Yan Yiming inexplicably felt a bit guilty and retracted her leg slightly. “It just looks scary, but it doesn't hurt...”
Perhaps it really didn't hurt, there wasn't a trace of pain on Yan Yiming's face. After all, she was a fox spirit, wasn't she? If she wanted, these wounds could probably vanish without a trace in an instant.
But seeing it with his own eyes, Jiang Yi felt a faint ache in his chest.
His fingertip gently brushed over the scar, the rough texture was unmistakably real. Yan Yiming wanted to pull away again, but seeing Jiang Yi's expression, she didn't dare move. She let him hold her ankle as he took ointment from the bedside cabinet and applied it evenly.
Unable to feel any pain, she could only sense the touch of Jiang Yi's fingers on her skin. Suddenly feeling uneasy, Yan Yiming distractedly changed the subject. “What were you talking about earlier?”
As if reminded of something, Jiang Yi, sitting on a small stool by the bed, looked up at her and chuckled. “Are you sure you want to know?”
At that, Yan Yiming suddenly didn't want to hear it anymore.
But Jiang Yi deliberately pretended not to notice her expression at this crucial moment. He rolled up her trouser leg to keep it from getting stained with the ointment and said with a teasing smile, “I heard that someone, in order to fulfill my request, didn't hesitate to risk her own life to protect the Crown Prince.”
Jiang Yi was astute. Even though the Crown Prince hadn't explicitly said it, he could sense the Crown Prince's concern for Princess Ming in his words. Although the Crown Prince claimed to only love the Crown Princess, he couldn't hide his fondness for Princess Ming.
Even though he hadn't recognized Princess Ming as the Crown Princess he longed for, he still held a soft spot for her now. So when the Crown Prince hesitantly asked, Jiang Yi answered with unusual decisiveness.
She had done it all for him.
Anything he said, she took to heart.
She loved him to such an extent.
Watching the Crown Prince's unconcealed disappointment and hearing such words, Jiang Yi felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. Now, looking at Yan Yiming with a playful glint in his eyes, he teased, “Tell me, how should I repay such a moving and tragic affection?”
Yan Yiming averted her gaze, slightly exasperated. “I think she neither needs nor wants any repayment.”
“How can that be?” Jiang Yi chuckled softly. “My betrothed has taught me since childhood to repay kindness. What do you think, Princess?”
Yan Yiming covered her face and collapsed onto the bed, groaning in frustration. Your betrothed begs you to stop talking.
Jiang Yi laughed heartily for a while before gently stroking her smooth hair. “Back then, when you deliberately avoided my men and fled the capital, I was truly angry.”
Yan Yiming stiffened, burying her face in the bed without making a sound.
Jiang Yi didn't expect her to respond and continued, “But later, when I heard you were still alive, and now that you've chosen me in front of the Crown Prince and Jian Yuyan, I'm no longer angry.”
Yan Yiming: “...”
Jiang Yi sighed, put the medicine away properly, and straightened her disheveled clothes. “Alright, it's late. Rest early. I'll come see you again tomorrow.”
Yan Yiming turned her face in surprise. She had thought Jiang Yi would take the opportunity to stay the night, but he truly only helped apply the medicine before turning to leave. Watching his retreating figure, Yan Yiming recalled his earlier words.
Just because she was still here, just because she had chosen him in that moment, he had let go of everything. So easily satisfied, Yan Yiming suddenly felt an indescribable emotion.
Not long after, a maid quietly entered, caught sight of Yan Yiming sitting on the bed in only her inner garments, lost in thought, bit her lip, and retreated.
That night, Nan Gongxuan, Shao Jingyu, and others learned that Jiang Yi had gone to Yan Yiming's courtyard. The only relief was that Jiang Yi left after staying for nearly half an hour.
However, Shao Jingyu listened to the maid's hesitant voice.
“The princess sent all of us out, leaving only Lord Jiang alone. I couldn't hear clearly, but it seemed like I heard...”
Shao Jingyu's face darkened. “Heard what?”
“I heard Lord Jiang personally applying medicine for the princess. When I finally went in, the princess was only in her inner garments...”
With a crash, Shao Jingyu overturned the bookshelf beside him. The maid trembled and hid to the side, nearly crying. Only after a long while did Shao Jingyu's voice, tightly suppressing his anger, come through. “Get out.”
The maid bowed her head and hurriedly retreated. Shao Jingyu sat at the table, staring at the flickering candle flame, and slowly closed his eyes.
The candle in Shao Jingyu's room burned until the fourth watch of the night.