Chapter 5 Mind reading
Jiang Youning arrived at the entrance of the Flower Hall with curiosity. Even before approaching, she heard Jiang Xubai's flattering laughter.
"General Xie, this is my own daughter, Yanran. She excels in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and she's even more sensible than Ning'er."
"General Xie."
Su Yanran's voice was so gentle and soft that it felt like it could drip water, something that men both liked and couldn't resist.
Jiang Xubai, just like in her dream, is eager to introduce Su Yanran to Xie Jing."
Jiang Youning walked in, holding the hem of her skirt, and with one glance, she saw the man sitting in the first seat. He was dressed in a blue, narrow-sleeved brocade robe with cloud patterns, tied at the waist with a black and gold embroidered belt, and his ink-black hair was bound by a black and gold jade crown.
Unlike Xue Yi's slender figure, he had a tall figure and a well-proportioned physique with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, making him very handsome.
After many days, she still remembered how solid the chest muscles beneath the blue clothes were, and it hurt her head a lot when she bumped into it~
She glanced at Su Yanran, who was standing obediently beside Jiang Xubai, and those shear-water autumn eyes drifted towards Xie Jing from time to time~
Jiang Youning withdrew her gaze and took small, cautious steps forward to salute, saying, "General."
Xie Jing asked, "Is the injury getting better?"
His voice remained cold and distant, just as it had been that night.
Jiang Youning was somewhat puzzled. How did Xie Jing know that she had been injured?
"It's much better now, General. I apologize for causing you concern."
She raised her head and stole a glance at Xie Jing, [In the dream, it seemed like locking eyes with him could reveal one's true thoughts. Should I try his mind-reading abilities to find out?]
Jiang Youning raised her head, scanned Xie Jing from top to bottom, and then locked eyes with him. She thought [Huh, General's pants seem to have a loose thread? I think I can see his shorts inside...]
Xie Jing instinctively glanced down, but by the time he realized that this might be Jiang Youning's deliberate test, it was already too late.
Jiang Youning kept her eyes on Xie Jing, and his subtle movement clearly indicated that he had heard her mind.
When Xie Jing raised his head and looked over, Jiang Youning still stared at him without blinking.
[Oops! It turns out I was mistaken. General, with his wisdom and martial prowess, why would he wear torn pants and become the subject of laughter?]
Xie Jing: "..."
Then he heard Jiang Youning exclaim in her mind, [Ah!!! So, everything that happened in the dream is real! I can tolerate being a fake daughter, but with a mind-reading fiancé under contract, how can a powerless woman like me survive? Fortunately, there are limitations to his mind-reading ability. As long as I avoid eye contact with Xie Jing, he can't read my mind. Otherwise, I have to constantly suppress my true thoughts when I'm around him, and I might actually go crazy.]
Jiang Youning had already averted her gaze, staring at her own toes, deeply shocked by the situation.
Xie Jing scrutinized Jiang Youning before him, a trace of doubt flashing in his deep black eyes.
"Today, I came because there's something I need to discuss with Miss Jiang."
"General, please feel free to speak your mind. I wouldn't dare presume it's a discussion." Jiang Xubai replied with a smile, [Jiang Youning has always been dull and ignorant, ever since she was a child. I don't know what the general sees in her. If he had met Yanran earlier, she wouldn't be of any importance.]
Xie Jing: "..." It didn't seem like an auditory hallucination...
Jiang Xubai felt a chill run down his spine and was so frightened that he lowered his head, too afraid to speak further.
"General, please speak. I'm all ears," Jiang Youning replied with a gentle tone, but inside, she was extremely excited.
[Xie Jing is going to bring up the matter of breaking off the engagement, just like in the dream. I can't miss this chance. I must stay composed and not panic! I can't let my excitement show too much in front of Xie Jing.]
Xie Jing glanced at Jiang Youning. Did she already know that he was here to discuss breaking off the engagement?
He stood up and stopped next to her as he said, "Miss Jiang, step outside with me, please."
He just dropped a sentence and walked straight out.
Jiang Youning watched Xie Jing's tall figure for a moment, then, realizing what was happening, she hurriedly followed after him.
In the backyard, the rich scent of osmanthus wafted through the air, carried by a gentle breeze, as the two of them stood in the corridor.
Jiang Youning stood about a meter away from Xie Jing. His tall figure blocked the warm sunlight, shrouding her in a shadow.
That night, he, with 'to be in a high position and look down¹' appearance, also looked down at her like this.
Due to the height difference, when she looked straight ahead, all she could see were the subtle patterns on Xie Jing's chest and the blue satin that accentuated his noble and coldly handsome appearance.
Xie Jing straightforwardly stated, "I came today with the intention of canceling the engagement."
Jiang Youning managed to calm her racing heart, and when she looked up, her eyes were filled with astonishment. She asked, "General, do you want to reconsider this decision?"
Her mind felt a deep sense of reluctance, [Does the general really have no feelings for me after all this time? I was still hoping to become the general's wife!]
After she averted her gaze, she couldn't contain her excitement any longer, [General Xie is wise and formidable. Breaking off the engagement is the wisest decision. With money and a house, who needs a man? Ha, can feelings put food on the table?]
Little did she know that her excited outburst was crystal clear to Xie Jing, and it made him aware that he could hear her genuine thoughts, essentially the mind-reading ability she had mentioned earlier.
"I did have that intention initially, but now I feel it's not the right time."
Jiang Youning: "..." Happy for nothing?
[Why is Xie Jing's reaction different from what happened in the dream? Could it be that she's acting too reluctant to give up this time?]
If Xie Jing doesn't break off the engagement, she won't get the money and house, and according to their initial agreement, it has to be him who initiates it.
As Xie Jing left, Jiang Youning accompanied her family to see him off. After all, he was a general, and there was no other choice.
At the entrance of the Jiang residence, there was a carriage parked. Just by its appearance, it was clear that the carriage had plenty of space inside.
As Xie Jing's foot just stepped onto the carriage, he heard Jiang Youning's inner thoughts, [Everything from the dream has matched up. Does that mean Xie Jing's early demise is real? He looks so strong and healthy. I've heard he can punch a cow to death. Who would have thought he wouldn't live past twenty-four?]
This was the fourth time he had heard Jiang Youning mention what happened in her dream. What kind of dream did she have?
Even about hearing her thoughts as well?
He won't live past twenty-four?
Xie Jing naturally didn't believe it. How could one determine that he would die young based solely on a dream?
Jiang Youning stood on the stone steps, hesitating as she watched Xie Jing about to board the carriage.
[Xie Jing is about to leave. Should I remind him to be cautious during this trip, especially around Qiyan Mountain, where there might be an ambush? Ah! Even if I say it, Xie Jing probably won't believe me. He might even think I'm a crazy person talking nonsense.]
Xie Jing had just entered the carriage when he heard this. An ambush? This trip was kept confidential. How could anyone else know?
After Xue Yi entered the carriage, he instructed the coachman that they could depart.
Xie Jing's ears caught another of Jiang Youning's thoughts, [Xie Jing's injuries aren't too severe, but still...]
This time, the words were obviously not as clear as before, nor were they finished.
Xue Yi lifted a corner of the curtain with his folding fan and observed Jiang Youning not far away. Her skin was as smooth as cream, her eyebrows delicate as wisps of smoke, her almond-shaped eyes gleamed with flowing light, and her complexion was like rippling water.
He couldn't resist making a joke and said, "Master, this subordinate sees that Miss Jiang is as beautiful as a flower and as precious as jade. Even in Jinling, it's hard to find someone more beautiful than her. How about we make this play a reality, and there is no need to break off the engagement?"
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1. "居高临下" is a Chinese idiom that literally means "to be in a high position and look down." Figuratively, it describes someone who is in a superior or dominant position, both physically and metaphorically, and who looks down or condescends upon others. It implies a sense of superiority or arrogance. (From asking ChatGPT)
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