Reborn Spoiled Girl Tames the Regent

Chapter 43 Investigate the Origins

His gaze swept lightly over Jiang Mian's trembling eyelashes, and then he couldn't help but take half a step closer. Jiang Mian had nowhere to retreat and was almost locked between the alley walls by him.

"You, you stay away, stand back a bit..."

Jiang Wan covered her chest with both hands, afraid that he would hear her heartbeat.

But this action, when seen by Xiao Hengzhi, made him feel as if his heart had been clenched.

Jiang Mian rejected him.

Even though she had just shown some concern for him.

But the events of her past life still made her subconsciously resist him.

So he stepped back and said, "Excuse me, Miss."

A hint of melancholy flickered in his eyes, as if he had made a great decision before asking, "What did the Second Miss say in response to His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Jiang Wan kept her head down and stammered, "I haven't answered yet..."

"What is the second young lady thinking?"

Xiao Hengzhi clenched his fist, his gaze fixed on her lips, waiting for her answer.

Jiang Mian opened her lips, about to speak.

Xiao Hengzhi suddenly interrupted again: "The palace is dangerous. Does the Second Miss really want to take such a risk?"

He suddenly felt a little afraid to hear her answer.

If she said she wanted to enter the palace, he couldn't imagine what he would do.

"I don't want to force the second young lady to make a choice, but... if she doesn't want to marry me, at least she shouldn't choose him..."

Xiao Hengzhi frowned, his eyes filled with pleading, as if begging her not to leave.

Jiang Wan had never seen him with such an expression before. Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, she turned her back and stammered, "You, you shouldn't, don't always look at me like that..."

Xiao Hengzhi's heart skipped a beat. He took a step back and said, "Alright. I have been a bit presumptuous lately, causing Second Miss discomfort. I will be more careful in the future, but please don't avoid me like this."

After he finished speaking, the alley fell silent for a moment.

Jiang Mian felt a momentary emptiness behind her. When she turned around, she saw Xiao Hengzhi walking out of the alley.

As she watched his retreating figure, a complex mix of emotions welled up within her.

For some reason, I felt that Xiao Hengzhi was different today than usual; he seemed to have a sense of defeat.

......

Jiang Mian stared for a long time, then turned around absentmindedly and walked alone out of the alley.

The fire has been extinguished, but the ground is wet and damp, mixed with soot. The smell of burning still lingers in the air, and street vendors are gathered together discussing the losses caused by the fire.

She rubbed her sleeves, walking slowly and absentmindedly, her mind a jumble of thoughts.

One moment it's Ning Zhi speaking, the next it's Xiao Hengzhi's face.

Today should have been a happy day, but she didn't know what was bothering her.

She walked aimlessly forward, completely unaware of the banner pole that was about to fall ahead. (Definition: a pole used to hang advertising signs).

"Beware!"

Suddenly, a hurried shout came from ahead.

Jiang Mian looked up at the sound and saw a charred flagpole break off from a height and fall straight down on her.

She felt a chill run down her spine, instinctively closed her eyes, covered her head with her hands, and silently resigned herself to her fate.

At the same time, Ning Zhi pushed aside the people around him and rushed towards her, reaching out to grab her, his fingertips already touching her sleeve.

However, in that split second, she was suddenly pulled aside by another hand.

Jiang Mian felt her feet sway and was pulled into a warm embrace by a strong force.

Immediately afterwards, there was a muffled "bang".

The swaying pole crashed down with a deafening sound, but it didn't hit her.

Ning Zhi stood to one side, with a pole blocking his way between him and Jiang Mian.

He was just one step away from catching her.

He withdrew his hand from the air, staring blankly at the person rushing towards him, who then stood in front of Jiang Mian, completely shielding her.

"Second miss."

Hearing the familiar voice, Jiang Mian slowly opened her eyes.

But what first catches the eye is a pair of hands, with long, strong fingers and slightly white fingertips, tightly clutching a paper bag.

Looking up, Xiao Hengzhi was frowning slightly, his teeth clenched, as he pushed the barricade off his shoulder to the ground.

Another muffled sound.

He spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse: "Why didn't you wait for me where you were?"

He spoke casually, but she could clearly see the thin layer of sweat on his forehead and his rapid, uneven breathing.

Jiang Wan froze, then replied in a low voice, "I...I thought you were gone."

“I was going to leave, but when I saw the sugar cake vendor was still there, and remembering that you love it, I went and bought some.”

He handed her the paper bag in his hand.

Jiang Wan took it and felt his hand trembling.

She looked at his shoulder and asked, "Should we see a doctor? Is the bone broken?"

Seeing her concern, Xiao Hengzhi's eyes flashed with joy. He shook his head and said, "No need, I'll just go back and rest for a couple of days."

......

As the two were talking, Ning Zhi silently took two steps back.

I blended into the crowd and watched quietly.

"Lu Fang, did you see which direction Xiao Hengzhi came from?" Ning Zhi asked in a low voice.

"Your Highness, I did not see clearly, but it should be about the same distance between Your Highness and Miss Jiang."

"Almost the same..."

Ning Zhi murmured to himself, recalling the scene that had just unfolded in his mind.

As the pole fell, he rushed forward with all his might, getting only a step away from Jiang Mian. However, Xiao Hengzhi appeared out of nowhere, his movements surprisingly swift.

The pole was heavy, and when it fell from such a height, he managed to block it with just one shoulder and didn't fall.

It's impossible to have such agility without training.

Ning Zhi felt a sense of doubt and said calmly, "Go and investigate carefully again to find out what Xiao Hengzhi's background is and what his identity was before he entered the Jiang family."

"Yes." Lu Fang accepted the instruction.

......

On the way back to the Jiang residence, Xiao Heng would occasionally glance at Jiang Mian.

She held the paper bag but didn't open it to eat the sweet cakes inside, looking around as if searching for something.

"Why isn't the Second Miss eating?"

There's a clinic up ahead!

The two spoke in unison, then looked at each other in bewilderment.

Then Xiao Hengzhi smiled and said, "So, Miss Second was looking for a clinic for me?"

Jiang Wan sensed the teasing in his words, pursed her lips, and said, "I'm worried that if you break your hand, you'll have to find someone to take care of you."

The atmosphere was no longer as awkward as before, and Xiao Hengzhi asked jokingly, "Second Miss, were you worried about me?"

Seeing that he was taking his jokes too far, Jiang Wan became anxious and said, "Xiao Hengzhi, it's been a while since I've hit you, and you're getting more and more outrageous, aren't you?"

"I do miss the way the Second Miss used to hit people."

"You!" Jiang Wan pointed at him, then took a deep breath and said as if admonishing him, "Hitting people won't solve anything. I was just joking with you. Don't develop a habit of using violence to fight violence."

Seeing that she had started her lecturing mode again, Xiao Hengzhi obediently replied, "Yes, I will listen to what you say, Second Miss."

Jiang Wan wasn't sure if he had really listened to her, so she shook her head helplessly and led him toward the clinic.