At that moment, as Jiang Xuan laid eyes on Murong Ying, his immediate instinct was to run away like there was no tomorrow.
But he quickly composed himself. After all, this was his original face, and Murong Ying had never seen him before.
So, with proper maneuvering, he could still bluff his way through.
Regarding what Murong Ying said when they first met, Jiang Xuan believed that she was just trying to trick him into admitting his identity.
So, Jiang Xuan greeted her friendly-like:
“Um… you seem to have mistaken me for someone else; right, you have this unique aura – surely you must be Big Brother Murong?”
Jiang Xuan altered his voice, different from the previous “Lin Xuan.”
However, the moment he stopped talking, Murong Ying’s wine glass in her hand immediately shattered into pieces.
Then, Murong Ying smiled and spoke with a blossoming smile:
“What did you call me? I didn’t quite catch it. Why don’t you say it again?”
Seeing Murong Ying’s violent tendencies and her rapidly plummeting favorability points to -6666, Jiang Xuan who usually went with his heart quickly changed his tune:
“Well… although we have different ranks, and you’re so young and beautiful, I think calling you Big Sister Murong would be better. We should all stick to our own terms.”
“Oh? Seems like you’re quite a respectful and understanding junior. How about you join me for a few drinks in place of your mother?”
Before Jiang Xuan could reject her request, Murong Ying directed Jiang’s guards to help Jiang Yu Yan, who was now incapacitated with drunkenness, rest. She also dismissed all those serving them.
This smooth operation made it seem as though Murong Ying was the real master of the household.
Now, it was only Jiang Xuan and Murong Ying remaining in the main hall.
Noticing Murong Ying’s constant appraising stares, Jiang Xuan felt slightly tense. He feared she might recognize him as connected to the “previous Lin Xuan.”
Good thing he’d recently returned to the Jiang Family and changed his clothes and appearance since his previous disguise.
He thought to himself: “They won’t recognize me now.”
Besides, taking into account Murong Ying’s personality, if she realized who he really was, she would have attacked him directly, not calmly engage in conversation like she was doing now.
Unbeknownst to Jiang Xuan, Murong Ying’s gaze became gloomy as it rested on a mark on his neck.
Across the other side, Jiang Xuan politely declined but couldn’t refuse to entertain Murong Ying:
“That’s fine, I’m not much of a drinker…”
“No problem, sit by my side and we can talk more. Actually, I still have many things about you that I don’t know.”
“You look so good, I want to get to know you properly.”
Jiang Xuan: “…”
Jiang Xuan refused to drink but couldn’t avoid entertaining Murong Ying.
After all, she was an esteemed guest and couldn’t be neglected. Plus, the gap in strength left him nowhere to escape—no choice then.
Thus, he stepped forward, grabbed a new glass, poured wine for Murong Ying, and slowly served her.
“Big Sister Murong, please enjoy.”
Then, he sat obediently by the side.
Murong Ying gently swirled her wine glass and asked casually:
“Xuan, I heard you already have a fiancée. How’s your relationship?”
Jiang Xuan: “????”
Murong Ying’s words caught Jiang Xuan off guard.
What was going on?
He suspected she was still testing if he was truly Lin Xuan.
If a woman mentions another woman to a man, no answer feels just right!
But after thinking for a while, Jiang Xuan replied slowly:
“It’s all great, Empress personally blessed our union, so it’s meant to be.”
“That won’t do, Xuan, it is your lifetime commitment.”
“How about this – I’ll decide for you. Just tell me if you like your fiancée.”
“If you don’t, I’ll step in and break off the marriage.”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan instinctively rejected: “No, we can’t cancel the marriage.”
Later, Jiang Xuan realized he was too kind-hearted.
If he didn’t stop Murong Ying, she could easily disrupt the marriage, and perhaps with Nan Gong Liu Yun’s help, take care of her.
But his natural kindness was thoroughly misinterpreted by Murong Ying.
Murong Ying lightly squeezed, instantly shattering the glass, her tone turning cold.
“So, that’s why you ran from me without a second thought?”
“Xuan, you even lied to me endlessly about that girl. Yet, I naively trusted every word. Now, I suspect none of what you’ve told me is true.”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!”
Faced with Murong Ying’s words, Jiang Xuan quickly denied: “Big Sister, did you confuse me with someone else?”
“Confuse? Ridiculous! Xuan, you still think you can keep fooling me.”
Before Jiang Xuan’s stunned expression, Murong Ying grabbed him and cupped his face.
“This is your true appearance? You look much better than I expected.”
“But why…you smell of something else, and you have a mark here.”
While saying this, Murong Ying slowly traced her fingers down to Jiang Xuan’s neck.
Hearing this, Jiang Xuan turned his face, feeling guilty.
Mainly because Murong Ying was too close during this test for a passionate, kindhearted youth—it was overkill.
“Big Sister, you might have misunderstood me deeply. You’ve been a senior to me, maybe let go of me first…”
“Misunderstood? Fine then, I’ll let you understand completely! Tell me, how did the mark I left on Lin Xuan before end up on you Jiang Xuan?”
Jiang Xuan: “!!!!!”
At this moment, Jiang Xuan was completely dumbfounded.
[This woman actually operated in secret? That’s overboard! Where’s basic trust?
We were just a previous client, yet with all these intricate operations—this is truly a mess]
Seeing Jiang Xuan remain silent, Murong Ying held his face and continued:
“Stopping the lies now? Accepting the consequences? You’ve deceived me for so long, have you thought about what will happen when I unveil the truth?”
“Also, I just tested you and found out you’re merely a low-level martial novice.”
“I don’t know how you figured out my strength previously, but now, you’re stuck within my reach.”
Jiang Xuan: “…”
At this point, Murong Ying waited for Jiang Xuan’s reply, hoping for signs of fear or regret.
Even though she despised Jiang Xuan for his deceit and prolonged concealment, she strangely didn’t want to k*ll him.
She wanted Jiang Xuan to submit entirely to her, hoping to see him grovel for forgiveness, bow to her, apologize, and yield to her whims.
Only if Jiang Xuan showed enough remorse and apology would she accept that he truly meant what he said.
And this acceptance hinged on Jiang Xuan’s response.
Realizing her sick thoughts, Murong Ying blushed slightly, her eyes gleaming greedily.
But right then, Jiang Xuan, after a mental battle with System, found out a crucial piece of information—if he chose any course of action, he wouldn’t face life-threatening danger under full charisma’s protection, except if the System intervened.
Originally, Jiang Xuan planned to sacrifice some charm to apologize to Murong Ying if he received no help.
But given the System’s reassurance, he decided to test his luck.
Thus, Jiang Xuan calmly said:
“Yes, Big Sister everything you pointed out is correct. I have deceived you, and if killing me appeases you, I have no objections.”
While Jiang Xuan spoke, Murong Ying closely observed his expressions.
From Jiang Xuan’s eyes, Murong Ying saw mockery and tragedy, but notably, no guilt or repentance.
This furrowed her brow slightly.
“Xuan, haven’t you still kept something hidden from me? Deceiving me so long, no apology?”
“No. For Big Sister, I am completely honest!”
Hearing this, Murong Ying’s anger peaked, and she clasped Jiang Xuan’s throat.
“Tell me! Why did you deceive me?”
“Deceive? Hardly,” Jiang Xuan countered, “It was a well-meant lie from the start.”
“But I didn’t expect that it would require a string of lies to cover it up.”
Initially, upon learning about you returning from the battlefield, confused and supposedly in a continuous combat-ready state without lifting the condition, no one could approach or serve you due to your aggressive and bloodthirsty demeanor.
Although back then, I hadn’t ever met you,
I’d often hear tales about your awe-inspiring deeds on the battlefield through my mother.
She’s proud that you were her greatest accomplishment. She mentioned countless times how you shined in battles.
Mother originally wished you and I could be together, saying that among all the ladies of the imperial dynasty, you were the one she valued the most.
Despite your repeated refusals, there wasn’t anything I took issue with. Instead, I admired you even more.
Knowing your condition, I thought since no one else dared to serve you, it was my chance to meet you.
Hence, I fabricated my background to get closer to you.
After spending days with you, you improved slightly, becoming fond of me. But instead of accepting this, you sent everyone else away, afraid of exposing my true identity.
I was genuinely scared that you would realize I was the man you repeatedly refused. That you assumed my interest was ulterior.
But it wasn’t, regardless of whatever stones were thrown at me. All I felt was admiration toward the warrior who defended the country. I sincerely aimed to help you with whatever power I had.
Later, I used a minor ploy to heal your war wounds while you were unconscious.
Though I could have simply left without a trace, I left a letter hoping to plant a seed within you, urging you to find resilience and strength.
But now you ask what transgressions against you I’ve committed. Post your refusal of marriage, we were merely strangers, weren’t we?”
Hearing this, Murong Ying’s hands trembled in release.
In tears, she now acknowledged her guilt.
“Xuan… What have I done? Forgive me… It’s not supposed to be this way… We’re not strangers…”
Recalling their interactions earlier, Murong Ying knew every word Jiang Xuan uttered was genuine!
That a boy heartbroken and rejected by her would risk caring for her, healing her wounds, motivating himself to grow stronger, fabricating a good lie.
A truly kind-hearted boy, yet what he had endured at her hands?
Forcing him to apologize, striving to dismantle his marriage, attempting to vent her frustrations, resorting to dirty tricks to compel him to submit.
Who was she to do such things? The marriage was hers to renounce, and she had no grounds to demand anything from him.
Upon comparing her actions, Murong Ying pleaded frenetically, apologizing incessantly.
Perplexed, Jiang Xuan inwardly rejoiced:
“Twisting my story, and now it works so brilliantly?
Alright, alright, now’s a great opportunity to get rid of this overlord.”
She clung to him as she apologized, dampening his clothes.
This trial was too hard to endure!
So, Jiang Xuan embraced Murong Ying, speaking softly by her ear:
“Big Sister, telling you these secrets isn’t to make you feel weak.”
“You’ll ruin your makeup if you cry. Let’s leave the past behind.”
“Right, I’m a bit tired today. Big Sister, how about coming back another day?”
“Alright, Xuan, whatever you need, I will comply. I… I will make it up to you…”
“You don’t have to, Big Sister. I’ve never been owed anything.”
Murong Ying tightened her embrace further.
She wanted to give Jiang Xuan everything as compensation, her love boundless.
Indeed, her beloved man remained as kind as ever.
Of course, while feeling remorse, she wasn’t foolish. This handsome teenager was precious, and she didn’t plan to let go.
But currently torn inside, she couldn’t act immediately on Jiang Xuan, requiring time to reconcile.
After a moment, Murong Ying rose reluctantly, her cheeks tinged red from both tears and realization.
Her keen observation revealed Jiang Xuan’s attraction to her.
“Xuan, you rest now. I’ll return early tomorrow to officially apologize and bring a gift.”
With her words, Murong Ying vanished, leaving Jiang Xuan perplexed alone in the hall.
