Jiang Xingyan’s expression darkened.
Just because she hadn’t had time to deal with it these past few days didn’t mean she had forgotten.
The freer and happier her life became now, the deeper her hatred grew for that vile old woman.
She could have lived like this originally without needing to borrow Huo Ci’s body.
“Oh? And what do you intend to do?
Plead for leniency? Or perhaps—”
“Ah Yan, I, Huo Ci, am not that shameless.”
Jiang Xingyan climbed into the carriage and sat opposite Huo Ci.
After a moment’s thought, she realized he indeed hadn’t stopped her from punishing the old woman.
He had merely stood from a son’s perspective, wanting to pull his mother back onto the right path.
But now, it seemed as if his heart had been utterly broken.
“I originally wanted her to pay with her life for Xiao Ya, but in the previous life, Yun Ge’er already avenged that life-and-death grudge for me.
In this life, however, I don’t want her to die.
I want her to live, eating husks and wild herbs every day, washing clothes and cooking, worn down by hardship.
I want her to be pointed at, insulted, and belittled.
I also want her to be betrayed and framed by those closest to her, cast into a hopeless, desperate situation.
And yet, she must still live.”
Jiang Xingyan looked at Huo Ci teasingly, trying to detect even a hint of reluctance on his face.
Yet, he actually nodded: “That is quite fitting.”
Jiang Xingyan furrowed her brow: What trick was this man playing?
“Are you ill?”
Huo Ci slowly shook his head, a bitter smile spilling from the corner of his lips. “The son repays the mother’s debt, I—”
“Stop right there!”
Jiang Xingyan coldly cut him off.
“I knew you, the ever-filial son, were up to no good.
If everything could be substituted by someone else, then what use would the law be?”
Huo Ci offered no argument or rebuttal, still calmly waiting for Jiang Xingyan to vent her anger before he slowly spoke:
“What I mean is, for the sins my mother committed, not only must she bear the consequences herself, but I, as her son, must also bear double.
To atone for my crime of blind filial piety, and to be punished for my error of negligence.”
His tone was so sincere, his attitude so proper.
Jiang Xingyan wanted to suspect he was putting on an act, but she had no evidence.
“What if I change my mind and want her life?”
Huo Ci looked up, his gaze meeting Jiang Xingyan’s directly.
“Once our souls are swapped back, this life of Huo Ci’s will also be repaid to Ah Yan.”
Thud!
Jiang Xingyan’s pupils constricted sharply, while Huo Ci’s face remained composed.
Silence filled the carriage, broken only by the sound of their alternating heartbeats.
“Heh, with Bei Luo not yet destroyed, the esteemed General Huo, responsible for the lives of thousands, is actually willing to die?”
Jiang Xingyan did not avoid Huo Ci’s gaze, meeting it head-on.
“Censor Wang, though a spy, spoke one truth: If one cannot manage the affairs of one’s own household, how can one manage the affairs of the world?
I, Huo Ci, could not even protect the person I love most in my life. What face do I have to pontificate about protecting thousands of common people?”
Jiang Xingyan was momentarily at a loss for words.
“Hypocritical posturing.”
Huo Ci was in no rush to prove himself. He composed his expression and said quietly, “Once we swap back, Ah Yan will know my true heart.”
Jiang Xingyan was utterly dumbfounded.
Had this man lost his mind in just one afternoon apart?
She didn’t want to continue entangled like this with him. “Back to the estate.”
Wang Qi popped out from a corner and silently drove the carriage back the way they came.
Why did he feel a bit like he was betraying the General?
But, the General had said to follow the instructions of Madam and the State Preceptor as the main priority, so he wasn’t doing anything wrong, right?
Wang Qi scratched his head.
This couple was giving him a headache.
To say they were estranged yet harmonious? One still seemed quite concerned about the other.
To say they were inseparable? They had already received their divorce papers.
Truly strange and baffling.
The night journey was smooth, and they soon arrived back at the General’s estate.
Jiang Xingyan didn’t wait for Huo Ci. She jumped off the carriage and strode inside.
This man had issues; she needed to keep her distance.
The estate instantly lit up, all the maids and servants perking up attentively.
“Bring the young mistress’s cousin here.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Soon, the disheveled Li Yishu was brought over.
Following behind her were two grimy-looking young maids.
Thump!
“Cousin, I’ve suffered so much!”
The moment Li Yishu saw Huo Ci, she began pouring out her grievances.
She spoke of how her allowance had been withheld by Jiang Xingyan in the side courtyard, and how she had turned against and even fought with the Dowager Huo.
Her tears fell in torrents. “Auntie orders Baozhu and Yuzhu to beat me every day and steals my food.
Cousin, since you went to Qingzhou, I haven’t had a single full meal.
That night, I originally wanted to escape the estate and find Cousin’s wife to come back and uphold justice, but who would have thought I’d be stopped on the road by that Crown Prince.
He… he’s a beast in human clothing! He said he would help me, but instead, he… he—”
Her words were accompanied by passionate tears, filled with utter agony.
If Jiang Xingyan hadn’t already known the truth, she might have actually believed her.
Huo Ci walked in expressionlessly and sat down beside Jiang Xingyan.
Li Yishu, prostrated on the ground, trembled, fearing “Jiang Xingyan” would expose her.
Unexpectedly, “she” remained completely silent.
This only made Li Yishu feel even more uncertain.
Jiang Xingyan raised an eyebrow, her tone playful. “Oh? So, His Highness the Crown Prince is actually a libertine who takes advantage and then abandons?”
Li Yishu nodded tearfully. “Cousin, Yishu is inexperienced in the world, deceived by someone, and have lost my purity. Death is the only option left.
Please grant me a white silk cord, Cousin, and let me end it!”
Jiang Xingyan frowned, her tone meaningful. “However, just now, His Highness the Crown Prince specifically hosted a banquet for me. He said he fell in love with you at first sight, but alas, he married early and can only welcome you as a concubine.
He was terribly afraid Mother and I would object, so he specifically sounded me out.
Not knowing the whole story, I thought it was a fine match.
Upon returning to the estate, I also intended to ask Cousin if she was willing to become His Highness’s concubine. Who would have thought it was so sordid!
Tomorrow at morning court, I will certainly report this to His Majesty and seek justice for you!”