Chapter 1328: Drifting Everywhere Is Also Freedom
The night was deep.
Though it wasn’t yet the end of the first lunar month, the spring breeze carried a biting chill.
The Yizhuang was even colder and more foreboding.
Zhi’er had just arranged matters with the housekeeper overseeing the Yizhuang, and now she and Jiang Ying were alone in the courtyard where Jiang Mian’s coffin was kept.
The night wind brushed against their cloaks. Jiang Ying looked at Jiang Mian in the coffin, tears in her eyes, and a sense of regret.
The Master and Madam Jiang had just been by, with a maid and a forensic doctor helping to dress Jiang Mian in appropriate attire.
The bloodstains on her face had been washed away clean, but her complexion was leaden, and there were small wounds on her face.
Yet ignoring these, Jiang Mian’s expression didn’t seem like she was dead, only as if she were quietly asleep.
Jiang Ying stood by the coffin, sighing with grief, "Mianmian is truly pitiful; she should have had a beautiful life."
Parents who cherished and protected her, a lover who was loyal and steadfast.
She could have been very happy.
But due to fate’s cruel joke, she ended up in this plight.
Thinking of the kindness the Jiang Family had shown her, Jiang Ying’s resolve strengthened.
She turned to Zhi’er, "Zhi’er, I’m ready."
Zhi’er pursed her lips, her dark, shimmering eyes showing a hint of hesitation.
"Sister Jiang Ying... once the two of you are exchanged back, I might not be able to control your soul."
"Because you are from a thousand years in the future, I am uncertain if you have already passed away."
"If you leave this body and I cannot catch your soul, you may truly drift away, and over time, disappear."
Jiang Ying, however, was unfazed, a tearful yet gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Drifting around is also a form of freedom. It’s okay; it will all be worth it."
Zhi’er, unable to bear it, had tears welling in her eyes.
Jiang Ying stepped forward and embraced her.
"Zhi’er, meeting all of you has been the luckiest thing for me."
"Especially you. You must remember, no matter where I am in the future, I will sincerely wish you well, in everything you do!"
Zhi’er choked out, "Sister Jiang Ying, I will do all I can to safeguard your soul."
Jiang Ying released her hold and nodded gently, "Regardless of the outcome, you’ve done your best. Whether you can keep me or not, just see it as me chasing the light."
With that, she lay down beside the coffin on the straw mat Zhi’er had just ordered to be prepared.
Jiang Ying closed her eyes.
Having been here for only a few years, the pleasant memories rushed past her like a montage of film scenes.
Unbeknownst to her, she had already enjoyed so many joyous seasons.
Zhi’er wiped away her tears, forming seals and chanting incantations.
As she murmured, her clothing began to glow.
With her as the center, the light gradually intensified!
Zhi’er flicked her wrist, directing it towards Jiang Ying and Jiang Mian.
"Heaven and earth bear witness, return the souls to their rightful place."
The dense mana, like a river, enveloped their bodies.
In such brilliant light, Jiang Ying felt only warmth surrounding her.
Despite, inside and out, the tearing pain.
Yet, she harbored no fear in her heart.
A tear slipped from the corner of Jiang Ying’s eye.
From within Jiang Ying and Jiang Mian’s bodies, pale souls suddenly emerged.
Jiang Mian’s soul lacked consciousness but knew to fly towards its own body.
In the blink of an eye, it entered Jiang Ying’s body.
Zhi’er hurriedly formed seals to lock Jiang Ying’s soul.
However!
Perhaps because Jiang Ying was not from here, her soul wasn’t complete like Jiang Mian’s, the mana couldn’t trap her.
Instead, it transformed into countless streaming lights, quickly flying towards the distant heavens!
"Sister Jiang Ying!" Zhi’er reached out desperately to grab.
Yet, it was all in vain.