Chapter 130 - 129: Why Don’t You Just Remarry

Chapter 130: Chapter 129: Why Don’t You Just Remarry

The anger of Xu Jing was so palpable that even the men standing further away could feel it. They exchanged silent glances, choosing unanimously to stay out of it and politely watch the show.

Xiao Yi remained silent for a moment, then sighed inwardly, saying, "I’m sorry, I didn’t expect things to turn out this way. I had everything set up before; as long as you stayed in Anping County, you wouldn’t be in any danger. Once I closed the net and sent someone to investigate those weapon depots, they would naturally understand that you had nothing to do with this. Other than our brief encounter in Anping County, there would be no further connections between us."

Even if they discovered that he had stationed people in Anping County to protect Xu Jing, they would only assume he was using Xu Jing as bait to lure them out. Such a move would make them believe he didn’t care about the woman at all.

Anyone getting involved in this mess had to be smart and wouldn’t waste energy on irrelevant matters.

Once they confirmed that Xu Jing had nothing to do with their business, they would naturally disregard her, allowing her to live a normal life.

What he never expected was that Xu Jing would leave Anping County so quickly.

And he certainly never anticipated that he had come to care for her so deeply.

Xu Jing was momentarily stunned, as if realizing something, her eyes widening slightly, "The day before yesterday, when those people attacked me, did you send someone to protect me? Later, when you hurriedly came to rescue me, they saw it too..."

Xiao Yi nodded as she pinpointed the crux of the matter, his voice hoarse, "That’s right. I’m afraid you’ve unknowingly entered the fray now. If before, when they sent people to follow and attack you, it was merely to suspect you of being involved with us; now, after seeing me rescue you, they’re sure to believe you know something, at least that there’s still some connection between you and me."

Not just that brief meeting in Anping County.

Once they know he cares about her, with their conflict with the other faction intensifying, she is bound to be swept into it.

Of course, if he chose to distance himself from her from this moment on, creating the illusion that they were merely former spouses without any feelings, perhaps it could allow her to return to a normal life.

However, whether that would fool those sharper than foxes and with noses keener than hounds, he couldn’t be sure. After all, the other evening, when he galloped all the way from the Western Capital to save Xu Jing, many observant people must have taken notice.

He dared not gamble, nor could he afford to.

Moreover, he didn’t want to take that gamble.

Though Xu Jing had never participated in such power struggles, she had watched many dramas and read novels, not to mention, as a forensic expert, she understood human nature very well. Many things didn’t need Xiao Yi to say out loud; she knew their significance.

She couldn’t help but knit her brows; her mood was inexplicably heavy.

Her initial, optimistic thought was that she had unintentionally been dragged into some scheme. As long as it was handled properly, she could withdraw unscathed, without her life being affected.

But now, it seemed she had drawn the worst card.

Xiao Yi, seeing her expression, couldn’t help but twitch his right hand, wanting to do something to comfort her, but ultimately held back.

After a long while, Xu Jing lifted her eyes, slightly pursing her lips, "So, I can’t disentangle myself from this matter in a short time, can I?"

Beside her, Zhao Jingming couldn’t help but interject, "What are you afraid of? Yanci will surely protect you, and if worse comes to worst, there’s me and Jingchen. Now, there’s even the Emperor. Don’t tell me you don’t even trust the Emperor?"

Xu Jing couldn’t help but cast a languid glance at them.

Of course, she wouldn’t dare to say she didn’t trust them, but even a ruler of a nation can’t always protect the ones they wish to in critical times, let alone a woman like her, who was nothing special.

Xiao He understood the look in her eyes and couldn’t help but chuckle softly, "Even if you don’t trust us, you should trust Yanci. Yanci will undoubtedly protect you with his life, after all..."

He paused, speaking with profound meaning, "It’s because of his involvement that you got dragged into this."

However, Xu Jing, now feeling vexed, had no time to delve into his words and expressions, saying, "But I can’t just keep relying on your protection. If I return to Anping County, it’s neither too far nor too close to the Western Capital. If something like what happened the other day happens again, it would be difficult for you to intervene even if you wanted to."

Those ambitious individuals aiming to overthrow the kingdom, no matter how she strengthened herself, she could never rival them.

"Then why go back at all? As I recall, your home is here, isn’t it?"

Wei Yu, who hadn’t spoken before, suddenly chuckled, his dark eyes glinting with a hint of cunning, "Come to think of it, you and Yanci were once husband and wife, with a child no less. Why don’t you two just remarry? That way, Yanci has a valid reason to protect you..."

"Cough! Cough, cough, cough!"

Before Wei Yu could finish his sentence, Xu Jing was so shocked that she coughed, covering her mouth as she struggled to stop.

The group of men was startled, and Xiao Yi’s heart clenched. He instinctively ground out, "Your Majesty, please don’t joke!"

He was about to go over and help Xu Jing.

Xu Jing hurriedly waved her hand, forcing herself to calm down, and after composing her emotions for a while, she looked up at Wei Yu, "Pardon me, Your Majesty, your words were just... too frightening."

Xu Jing finally found a word to describe her feelings, clutching at her heart, a little residual dread in her voice, "There’s no affinity of a married couple between Vice Minister Xiao and me, and we have no such intentions. We can’t jump back into this abyss again because of this."

No affinity of a married couple...

No such intentions...

An abyss...

Xiao Yi felt as if each of Xu Jing’s words was like an arrow, piercing deeply into his heart, leaving him frozen in place, a stark contrast to his usual sharp and decisive demeanor in court.

Xiao He couldn’t bear to look, thinking that his cousin’s mind always seemed to rust when it came to Xu Siniang. He put down his cup and said, "I actually think His Majesty’s suggestion isn’t bad. Regardless of the reason, you’re entangled in our affairs; that’s already a done deal. With this awkward relationship between you and Yanci, it’s hard for Yanci to protect you, let alone the rest of us."

After all, struggles for imperial power are never things that can be discussed openly.

"But if you and Yanci were to remarry, not only is it natural for a husband to protect his wife, but it also gives us and His Majesty a reason to intervene. Xu Siniang, don’t look at me like that. By remarriage, I don’t mean a true one."

Seeing the astonishment and resistance in Xu Jing’s eyes, Xiao He gave a faint smile, saying, "Circumstances force us right now; you and Yanci can pretend to remarry. Although we can’t move against Prince Xing now, that doesn’t mean we’ll never move against him. Once the matter with Prince Xing is resolved, you and Yanci can find an excuse to separate again.

By then, you can return to your own life, and you’ll have us and His Majesty backing you up. Even if you live alone, you won’t have to drift aimlessly and live without support like before; what’s not to love about that?"