The Double-Chapter 743 - 222 Visiting_5

"It’s still early," Jiang Li said, "no need to be anxious."

While everyone was chatting and laughing, Ming Yue ran in breathlessly from outside the courtyard and said, "Miss, the, the Duke has arrived!"

Tonger and Bai Xue both paused, then quickly regained their composure, realizing that Ming Yue was referring to Duke Su. Jiang Li stood up and said, "How can it be?"

"It’s true! I just came from Night Wind Hall, the Duke is talking with the old madam, and the old madam even wanted to have Sister Zhenzhu call you to come over, but the Duke said it wasn’t necessary, that he would come to find you himself," Ming Yue said all in one breath.

Jiang Yuanbai and Jiang Yuanping were not in the residence at the moment, so what was Jih Heng doing here?

As Jiang Li was contemplating, she heard Jih Heng’s voice coming from the entrance of the courtyard. He said, "Your maid is indeed clever, managing to send a message so quickly."

Turning around, Jiang Li saw Jih Heng walking in from the outside of the courtyard. His red robe was particularly conspicuous in the elegant Jiang Residence. Ming Yue and the other maids quickly paid their respects, and Jiang Li told them to go about their own business and not to stay around here.

The faces of the young maids from Fangfei Garden blushed so much they looked as if they could drip blood. Jiang Li found it amusing; it seemed to be the first time she had seen them in such a state. However, it was also the first time that Jih Heng had appeared in the Jiang Residence so openly, not counting those uninvited visits during the night. His appearance was indeed flawless, and although Wen Renyao was also gentle and handsome, he was not as provocative as Jih Heng. The young maids, all at a sprightly age, could not withstand his unconscious teasing, and even looking at him made them fearful of harboring desires.

Jiang Li felt annoyed in her heart, knowing this man was doing it on purpose. She grabbed his sleeve, led him into her room, and shut the door. Then she suddenly realized what she had done and that it seemed somewhat inappropriate. She had acted as if it were before, when frequent night visits to the Duke Residence had made their solitude exceedingly natural.

Jiang Li was about to open the door when Jih Heng said, "Why open it? Better to avoid being seen by others."

"Being seen by others?" Jiang Li asked, "Being seen doing what?"

"Being seen as you drool over me with hands all over," he said with a smile.

Jiang Li glared at him and asked, "Why did you come?"

Jih Heng leaned against the edge of Jiang Li’s desk, casually flipping through the book she had been reading, and said offhandedly, "I came to see how you’re doing. Both of us are betrothed, so I came to meet my future father-in-law."

As Jiang Li picked up a cup of tea and took a sip, she almost spit it out upon hearing his words, and said, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I’m not talking nonsense," he replied, setting the book down and raising his eyebrows, "I’ve met this future father-in-law, and although he doesn’t particularly like me, I don’t mind. As for the father-in-law of the Ye Family, Ah Li, when will you take me to meet him?"

Jiang Li was stunned.

She almost suspected that Jih Heng could read her mind. Her father wanted to see Jih Heng, and she had been worrying about how to broach the subject with him, but now he had taken the initiative himself, sparing her the embarrassment. Jiang Li looked toward Jih Heng and asked softly, "Are you willing to meet him?"

"Why wouldn’t I be?" He held his folding fan in one hand, leaned towards her, and with his other hand, caressed her head, saying, "Isn’t it the proper thing to do?"

Jiang Li suddenly burst into laughter.

The girl’s smile was radiant, as if her joy couldn’t be contained. That one sentence seemed to light her up entirely, melting the hearts of all who saw her.

"Thank you," she said.

"If you really want to thank me..." He suddenly sat down next to Jiang Li, the chairs so close her breath was caught off guard when his face came within inches of hers. His voice was gentle, with a seducing enticement, as he said, "sing me a song."

Jiang Li frowned and said, "I can’t."

"I know you can," he replied calmly, "I’ve heard it."

"When have you heard it?" Jiang Li was surprised.

"Hmm, during the exams at Mingyi Hall."

Only then did Jiang Li remember she had sung a song from Tongxiang before "Hu Jia Eighteen Beats", which must have been when Jih Heng heard her. She said, "Wen Renyao also said you can sing opera, why haven’t you sung for me?"

He smiled and replied, "I’ll sing for you in the future."

Jiang Li was about to argue when she turned her head and nearly ran into Jih Heng’s face. His lips were incredibly close, and as their breath mingled, her heartbeat seemed to stop. The young man’s gaze fell on her tender lips; they were full and without any rouge, yet as red as cherries, and he slowly drew closer...

Jiang Li abruptly turned her head away, "Jih Heng!"

He was being far too brazen! Just because he could now freely enter the Jiang Residence under the guise of a "son-in-law," no one dared to say anything, but even with a betrothal, in broad daylight, she had not married yet, and he dared to be so frivolous in the room—what would happen in the future if this went on?

Jih Heng looked at her and started to laugh.

Jiang Li was somewhat flustered, somewhat annoyed, and glared fiercely at him. Jih Heng, however, touched her head as if to soothe her but his words were utterly threatening, "If you don’t sing, I’m going to kiss you."

Jiang Li replied, "Sing!"

She sang with reluctance, her voice tinged with annoyance, but as she continued, her voice softened.

"On the spring river, the moon rises over the embankment, where maids in pairs walk arm in arm, Singing new verses that vanish unseen, amid red dusk and the shadows of trees, the partridges call... The new verses enchantingly exchanged, rustling sleeves before dew-laden breeze, The moon sinks, the crows cry, the clouds and rain disperse, while children on the path pick up fallen hairpins."

Her voice was clear, warm, and uniquely enchanting. At first, she sang with some irritation, but gradually her voice became tender and soft.

Jih Heng reached out and put an arm around her shoulder, his height allowing his chin to rest on her forehead. He closed his eyes, and his long lashes drooped down.

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