Chapter 32 The two illusory bodies clearly told him to look at her, so why...?

Jiang Geyun originally thought that Su Heng and Cheng Xi looked somewhat alike, without any particular reason.

The villain's dazzling appearance on the day the list was revealed not only captivated her but also made her feel a sense of familiarity. Upon closer reflection, she realized that she was thinking of Cheng Xi.

Su Heng liked to disguise herself with a gentle demeanor, and Cheng Xi's most impressive trait to her was her gentleness.

Like cutting and polishing jade, like carving and grinding stone, it makes one feel as if they are immersed in warm water, and only after leaving do they realize how lonely and cold they are all around.

Therefore, upon seeing Su Heng for the first time, Jiang Geyun couldn't help but sigh in her heart: How could it be him?

As they continued to interact, Jiang Geyun gradually realized that this person was essentially the same villain the system had described, just like now—sharp, suspicious, and unabashedly shrewd.

His plans were a completely blurry picture in her eyes.

What she saw most clearly was that she couldn't afford to make the wrong choice.

A momentary lapse in concentration is acceptable, but she cannot afford to actually make a mistake. The cost of her mistakes is never high; once she falls into ruin, there is no turning back…

Jiang Geyun lowered her eyes; she didn't even dare to imagine it.

How to avoid mistakes?

If the system is undoubtedly a bad thing, then she should avoid what it points to.

Jiang Geyun turned around, bowed, and said, "Your Highness is too kind. This is indeed my destination."

"Is that so? That's good then," Su Heng said noncommittally, his emotions unreadable. He propped one hand on his forehead and waved the other casually. "Road Supervisor."

Lu Jianzheng immediately perked up and said to Jiang Geyun, "I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you, Lord Jiang, with the mission's case."

I don't know what the main villain said, but it seems there's no room for negotiation now.

Jiang Geyun pretended to be familiar with the posture, recalling Pei Xuexiao's posture. She cupped her hands to Supervisor Lu and said, "Supervisor Lu, there is no need to talk about hardship. It is my honor."

Lu Jianzheng pretended to be familiar with her. He smiled with relief and said, "It's hard for you to go on a mission right after you come back from outside. Don't worry, I will prepare everything for you."

What should be prepared? Jiang Geyun's heart stirred.

It should be the official robes, jade plaques, and other items from the Xuandujian (a bureau of imperial guards).

Jiang Geyun readily agreed, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Supervisor."

"No, no!" Seeing that Jiang Geyun had subtly understood his meaning, the skinny old fox smiled even more relaxedly.

Pei Xueyi watched the two go back and forth, still bewildered. She pointed to herself and said, "Supervisor, since this matter has been given to the Zhenyi Division, then I'll go with A-Yun too?"

Lu Jianzheng twitched the corner of his mouth.

He said, "No, Lord Pei is going to Jingzhou."

Jingzhou?

The letter that Hua Biezhi gave to Jiang Geyun was also destined for Jingzhou.

Pei Xueyi asked in confusion, "Jingzhou?"

Lu Jianzheng stroked his beard, glanced at Su Heng subtly, and then calmly said, "Indeed, Lord Pei should know that he died in Jingzhou."

Pei Xueyi's eyes looked even more blank. Jiang Geyun was worried for her. This kind of knowledge didn't seem like something Pei Xueyi would care about.

Fortunately, Pei Xueyi remembered it after a short while.

She feigned realization and said, "Is it the work of an evil spirit?"

"Cough—cough cough!"

As soon as Pei Xueyi uttered her first word, Lu Jianzheng immediately coughed, trying to cover her words with his own cough.

After things calmed down, he glanced at Su Heng again.

Su Heng lowered his head and slowly turned the jade thumb ring, his emotions unreadable.

Lu Jianzheng said, "...It is the aftermath of that person. Many years have passed and it is no longer of great importance. However, since there is such news, Xuandujian cannot ignore it."

Using the word "薨" to refer to someone's death suggests they were of the rank of a prince or princess. Pei Xueyi's direct use of the term "evil ghost" was somewhat impolite, which explains Lu Jianzheng's reaction.

Pei Xueyi let out an "Ah—" sound, her lips drooping. She glanced at the two people seated and mumbled, "This subordinate obeys."

Jiang Geyun wondered if the "evil spirits" in Jingzhou were within Hua Biezhi's expectations.

Hua Biezhi is a member of the Hua family in Jingzhou, so it's only natural that she knows about the so-called "that person." Thinking further, perhaps the Hua family has a close relationship with "that person."

Given this, Hua Biezhi should have anticipated that the Xuandu Supervisory Committee would send someone over, which explains why Hua Biezhi handed the letter to her with such certainty.

Now, Jiang Geyun needs to consider whether or not to give this letter to Pei Xueyi and ask her to take this opportunity to deliver it to the Hua family.

In any case, Hua Biezhi had no objection to this.

This is a hassle-free and convenient approach.

But if this continues, will it lead to some other unforeseen consequences?

Although she had the memories of Jiang Geyun, a native of this place, she had never been involved in such matters before, and had no way of knowing many secrets. Sometimes she felt a lack of freedom, as if she was being led around, which really bothered her.

The capital city is truly terrifying. After resolving the system issue, she's going back to Lianzhou!

...Why does this give me the feeling of "going back to my hometown to get married after the war"?

Returning to her senses after a flash of thought, Jiang Geyun asked aptly, "I will certainly follow the Supervisor's arrangements, but I wonder if the production progress of the Mirage Compass will be delayed?"

“A compass,” Lu Jianzheng stroked his gray-black beard and said, “There are people more suited to answer this question than I am.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Geyun subconsciously looked at Su Heng.

He didn't say much, but everyone present paid close attention to his reactions.

Su Heng, who hadn't reacted much, felt Jiang Geyun's gaze and looked back with a slight smile.

The main villain remained completely composed, making the person in front of him seem like he was putting on a clumsy act...

Jiang Geyun subtly withdrew her gaze.

After Lu Jianzheng finished speaking, he tapped the Lingxi (a type of ancient Chinese talisman) beside him.

Soon, the young man who had brought Jiang Geyun and Pei Xueyi here and then retreated reappeared from somewhere.

Lu Jianzheng said calmly, "Bring him here."

The young man accepted the order, asked no questions, and left the room.

A short while later, he returned with another young man.

Coincidentally, the person he brought with him looked somewhat familiar to Jiang Geyun.

Jiang Geyun's eyes were complicated as she observed the young man for a while.

The young man had a pale, almost bluish complexion, a thin build, and unremarkable features. However, he had a small beauty mark under his left eye and looked somewhat sickly. Standing alone among the crowd, he possessed a very unique air about him.

Jiang Geyun thought to herself, "How strange! Everyone looks so familiar. Is she some kind of lecherous woman?"

Su Heng, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly broke the silence. His gaze was deep as he said, "Qi Qing has come from afar, and I have not yet had the chance to greet you."

Ji Songci's distant and indifferent expression changed. He forced a smile that showed respect and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Highness's kindness is too much for this humble subject to accept."

In the time it took to say just a few words, Jiang Geyun remembered why this person looked familiar to her.

Yesterday, on the top floor of Yingguang Tower, when she went to see Zhengyi, she passed by a room where an elderly man and a young man were playing chess.

She suddenly realized that it must be Lu Jianzheng and Ji Songci.

Lu Jianzheng introduced, "This is Ji Songci, the guest minister of the Tu Lan delegation. I invited him to be a guest yesterday, but I never expected the delegation to suffer such a calamity..."

Ji Songci cupped his hands again, his tone devoid of emotion, showing neither anger or helplessness at the calamity suffered by the mission, nor any sense of relief at his own narrow escape.

He said, "It is my honor to accept the invitation from the Director of the Lower Circuit."

Having finished the pleasantries, Ji Songci looked at Jiang Geyun and Pei Xueyi.

Pei Xueyi smiled brightly at him, and Jiang Geyun nodded in return.

Based on the conversation between the three, Jiang Geyun roughly deduced Ji Songci's identity. He was probably a naturalized Zhou person who had been assimilated into Tulan, a classic "Han Chinese strategist from a foreign land".

This person clearly observed everyone in the room as soon as they entered, yet now they're pretending to ask for introductions.

The ecological environment of Xuandujian is quite good; there are three foxes in a small room.

Since Ji Songci had already expressed such a view, Lu Jianzheng naturally couldn't remain silent.

Lu Jianzheng began to fondle his beard again. He said, "I have already met His Highness the Crown Prince of my Great Zhou, and this is my two officials from the Supervisory Office, Lord Pei and Lord Jiang."

Ji Songci bowed to Pei Xueyi and Jiang Geyun again.

After offering his greetings, Ji Songci asked in a weak, sickly voice, "Your Highness, Supervisor, and the two gentlemen, I, your humble servant, have traveled thousands of miles to the Celestial Empire on the orders of my Lord, intending to serve with utmost loyalty. However, yesterday's events resulted in the deaths of all 142 members of the delegation, including the Crown Prince. Apart from myself, who was fortunate enough to survive, the rest perished. I humbly beseech Your Highness to investigate this matter thoroughly, to comfort the departed souls, and to consider the hardships faced by our small nation. I hope Your Highness will take into account the difficulties of the world and the perilous state of our nation, and investigate this matter to allow me to return home and report back. Then, even in the afterlife, I will be grateful for Your Highness's grace!"

...

What?

Starting from zero frames, and it's such a long string of frames!

Jiang Geyun was shocked. After processing it, she looked up to see how Su Heng would respond.

The villain made no attempt to respond, leisurely twirling his ring as if he hadn't heard a thing.

Su Heng didn't respond because someone else would automatically respond for him.

Lu Jianzheng immediately stepped forward to help Ji Songci up, his voice filled with grief, saying, "Guest Ji, please calm your anger. His Highness was furious when he first heard of this matter. The laws of the Great Zhou are glorious and will not tolerate any villains causing trouble, let alone harming envoys! His Highness has already ordered people to guard the scene and has even come to our Xuandujian to seek help, which shows how concerned he is about this matter. I have ordered the Chenwei Division to choose an auspicious day to write a eulogy, which will be burned before the Jiutianyi to comfort the souls of the deceased envoys. Lord Jiang of the Zhenyi Division will thoroughly investigate this matter within ten days. If there is any further mishap, I will offer my head in return. The Si Shen compass will also be made by the three divisions of our Xuandujian. We will not let you leave empty-handed. I only hope that this will dispel your concerns!"

The two supported each other, their affection evident.

As for Jiang Geyun...

Jiang Geyun only wanted to ask: Within ten days? A thorough investigation? Me?

She met the gaze of Ji Songci, who was looking over.

Ji Songci's eyes were icy cold, but his words were weak and yielding: "Then I'll have to rely on you all."

A gentle breeze blew by, causing the copper bells hanging in the room to tinkle faintly, their tone heavy, unlike the clear and melodious sound of the silver bells on the carriage earlier.

*

A silver bell tinkled softly, and the curtains rolled up on their own.

Su Heng stood in front of the exquisitely crafted carriage, motionless, gazing intently at Jiang Geyun.

Jiang Geyun understood, gritted her teeth, got into the carriage, and sat back in the spot where she had come from.

Su Heng then lifted his robe and boarded the carriage.

Before sitting down, he paused for a moment, and Jiang Geyun almost thought he was going to lean down to her side. For a moment, she had the illusion that their breaths were mingling.

Fortunately, Su Heng returned to the spot he came from.

Jiang Geyun broke the silence and said with a smile, "This time we will have to rely on Your Highness."

Flattery will get you everywhere.

Su Heng, however, did not take the bait. He did not respond to Jiang Geyun's overtures, and suddenly said, "Lord Jiang is very good at escaping."

Yes, run away.

It wasn't about escaping, but rather, after careful consideration, sometimes going with the flow, sometimes using others' strength against them, breaking free from the situation she didn't want to stay in, and using something else to conceal her presence.

She always has a backup plan, always a place to escape to, to recuperate and rebuild her strength. That's good.

Before, he was the direction she was facing, so it was only natural that he could embrace her and walk beside her.

This time is different; now, she sees him as someone she wants to escape from.

She clearly told him to look at her, so why did he turn away?

Wasn't that voice, which came from an unknown source, also urging her to walk towards him?

"Since you are by my side, then look at me, look at me until the very end."

--"good."

He never jokes.

Once I've agreed, I'll see it through to the end.

No matter what form she takes, he will recognize her and gaze at her.

No matter what form he takes, he will recognize her and gaze at her.

...

When Jiang Geyun met Su Heng's gaze, she felt a chill run down her spine, realizing how terrifying the relentlessly pursuing villain was.

She roused herself and said, "Your Highness, what makes you say such a thing?"

On the other end, she said to the system: "[...Why don't you check the favorability again? No offense, just that it might be negative.]"

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Author's Note: The thought that everything I'm going through will become material for Yun to complain about in front of the disguised Heng makes me want to laugh...

Yunbelike: That Su San Taizi (pointing and gesturing.jpg)

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