From the past to the present, Jiang Li has always disliked parting; back in Tongxiang when she got married and bid farewell to her father and brothers, it made her very sad. Today was even more heartbreaking, for she knew the dangers Jih Heng faced. This was not going to be an easy battle; Yin Zhan was ready to fight to the death, years of solitary effort had been for this day’s arrival.
The Empress Dowager even let Prince Cheng confront Emperor Hongxiao, allowing Prince Cheng and Emperor Hongxiao to test their strengths against each other. Had Jih Heng not intervened, it would have been an easy task for the Yin Household to reap the benefits of the fishern.
Jiang Li was also worried about the injuries on Jih Heng, saying, "Can’t you leave a bit later?"
"Yin Zhili will make a move very soon," Jih Heng said with a smile, "I can’t let others take the lead."
Jiang Li fell silent. Yin Zhili had beco a different person. The death of Yin Zhan, his own background, the death of Yin Zhiqing—it was an enormous shock that could have made anyone collapse. Jiang Li thought that Yin Zhili wouldn’t collapse, but he was definitely not the sa person as before. When he decided to use himself to threaten Jih Heng, the Yin Zhili who couldn’t bear to see the war hurt the common people had vanished.
She thought again of Yin Zhiqing. Yin Zhiqing had taken a strike from Yin Zhili to protect Jih Heng. Jiang Li didn’t know whether Yin Zhiqing was still alive. She hoped that Yin Zhiqing would recover. Yin Zhiqing hadn’t done anything wrong—being born into the Yin Household was perhaps her biggest mistake.
Jih Heng had already donned his armor, a stark contrast to his usual indolent and graceful appearance. Perhaps Jih Heng bore a strong resemblance to Yu Hongye, but deep inside, he was exactly like Jih Minghan. Jiang Li had never t Jih Minghan, but by looking at Jih Heng now, she could roughly imagine what the Jinwu General must have looked like in his day.
He patted Jiang Li’s shoulder, saying, "Why are you standing there in a daze? Let’s go."
Jih Heng seed to be completely recovered, but Jiang Li had wrapped his wounds the night before, and those scars were too deep to heal in such a short ti.
"If you can’t hold on, don’t force yourself," Jiang Li said earnestly, "Jih Heng, there’s no greater hope than being alive. Only by surviving can everything beco possible."
"Ah Li," he narrowed his eyes, "haven’t you always been selfless? Why have you beco so selfish today?"
Jiang Li reached out and hugged him, whispering, "I am just afraid of losing you, that’s all."
In her life, she had lost loved ones, but fortunately, she got them back. But Heaven wouldn’t always look after her again and again. Many people, once lost, are forever lost and can never return. Like Jih Minghan, like Yu Hongye, and like Old General Jih.
One can be strong, one can be composed, but as long as one is human, no one can be so calm as to face the possibility of losing a loved one without being moved.
The smile faded from Jih Heng’s face; enveloped by Jiang Li’s embrace, he seed to feel her unease and sighed, saying, "Trust , Ah Li."
Zhao Ke stood outside the cave, coming in and saying, "My lord, the carriage and horses are ready."
Jiang Li let go, and Jih Heng said, "Let’s go, I’ll take you."
Jih Heng was to stay in Qingzhou, whereas Jiang Li had to return to Yanjing City. Yin Zhili had kidnapped Jiang Li once and could certainly do it again. On the battlefield, Jih Heng might not always be able to protect Jiang Li, and since she didn’t know martial arts, any injuries would only be a burden to Jih Heng.
Jiang Li understood this well and, despite her worries and reluctance, agreed to Jih Heng’s decision. Jih Heng chose dozens of n to escort Jiang Li back to the capital, taking the water route which was less likely to be noticed.
Yet, the road of farewell seed exceedingly short, as if not much ti had passed before they reached the dock.
The ship was anchored to the shore. The waters of the Yangtze River were frozen, but the Yongding River’s were not. The passenger ships floated on the mighty river, the sky and earth nearly rging into one, especially formidable. Jiang Li, wearing the fox fur overcoat Jih Heng had given her, raised her eyes to look at him.
She was hesitant to take the step onto the ship, making Jih Heng laugh. He said, "I never noticed before how clingy you are."
His words were teasing, as if in jest, but Jiang Li just couldn’t laugh. She was accustod to smiling as a guise, often using it to mask her emotions. But today, she couldn’t muster even a forced smile.
Jiang Li stood on tiptoes, her hands caressing Jih Heng’s face, closed her eyes, and lightly kissed his lips.
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