Chapter 157: Jiang Canxing's Disbelief

"Jiang Canxing? Why are you here?" Shen Hezhi asked.

Jiang Canxing looked at Shen Hezhi with a hint of dissatisfaction and said, "From the look in the Prince's eyes, it seems you really want to be rid of me!"

Although Jiang Canxing was not truly blaming the Ninth Prince—the bond he shared with the Ninth Prince was quite different from the one he had with Cen Changxiao—how could he possibly grow angry with the Ninth Prince over such a trivial matter?

Moreover, the words the Ninth Prince had just spoken did not stem from any genuine annoyance toward Jiang Canxing. It was precisely because of their close relationship that he could speak so freely.

"I came here naturally because I have something very important to tell the Prince, and this matter happens to concern Changxiao. I was originally planning to go look for you, but since you are already here, it is just as well that I can tell you both at the same time," Jiang Canxing replied.

Cen Changxiao looked at Jiang Canxing with a blank expression, one that even carried a trace of displeasure. Back when the two of them were still sworn brothers, their bond had indeed been quite strong. Yet no matter how deep a friendship once was, it could never outweigh one's own younger sister.

Now that he had openly broken ties with the Ninth Prince, his attitude toward his former brother naturally could not remain as it once was.

Cen Changxiao knew all too well that Jiang Canxing's heart lay with the Ninth Prince. No matter what happened, Jiang Canxing would always stand by the Ninth Prince's side. Therefore, there was no longer any need for him to put on a pleasant face toward them.

Jiang Canxing, however, did not see it that way. Feeling somewhat heartbroken by Cen Changxiao's cold and distant demeanor, he asked, "Why do I feel like Changxiao isn't all that happy to see me? It seems you truly don't care for me as a brother anymore. How heartbreaking for me!"

As he spoke, Jiang Canxing deliberately put on a crying expression, hoping to lift the mood, yet Cen Changxiao did not smile at his antics, nor did the expression on his face soften by even the slightest fraction.

Instead, seeing Jiang Canxing's every move only made Cen Changxiao's complexion grow even gloomier.

"Jiang Canxing, do you take me for some childish fool? Putting on such an act here—is it your intention to humiliate me?" Cen Changxiao said.

Hearing these words, Jiang Canxing froze mid-gesture, the playful act dying instantly on his lips. He had never expected that his former close brother would ever speak to him in such a manner.

For a moment, Jiang Canxing was stunned into silence, staring blankly at Cen Changxiao until Shen Hezhi stepped in to rescue him from the awkwardness.

The Ninth Prince stepped up before him and asked, "Didn't you say you had something very important to tell me? Why come all the way here and then keep it from me? It seems you merely wished to tease me."

Pulled back to his senses by the Ninth Prince's words, the awkward atmosphere evaporated, and Jiang Canxing replied, "It is indeed a matter of great importance, though upon reflection, I feel it would be more appropriate to discuss it with the Prince in private."

Shen Hezhi nodded and continued, "Then let us go discuss it now. Master Cen, our business has not yet concluded, so please wait here for the time being. Once I have finished discussing this important matter, I shall return for you."

With those words, the Ninth Prince pulled Jiang Canxing away, leaving Cen Changxiao no chance to react, let alone refuse.

After all, this was the Ninth Prince's Manor, and its master was the Ninth Prince, not Cen Changxiao; there was no need for Cen Changxiao's approval.

Following Shen Hezhi to the main hall, Jiang Canxing still found it hard to believe that a friend with whom he had once shared such deep, brotherly bonds had now become like a stranger—even worse than a stranger.

Why would a former brother look at him with such utter revulsion upon seeing him now?

Knowing what was weighing on Jiang Canxing's mind, Shen Hezhi let out a helpless sigh and patted him on the shoulder. "In truth, you should have foreseen this long ago. It is simply that your heart refused to admit it."

Jiang Canxing looked up at Shen Hezhi, his lips parting as if he wanted to offer some explanation, but once the words reached his tongue, he no longer knew how best to voice them.

In the end, he simply pressed his lips together and remained silent.

"Put him out of your mind. Tell me, what is it you truly wished to say to me today? You mentioned earlier that this matter involves Cen Changxiao. Yet seeing his attitude, you immediately decided against speaking of it in his presence. What is the meaning of this?" Shen Hezhi asked.

Prompted to return to the matter at hand, Jiang Canxing finally gathered his thoughts and said, "It concerns Changxiao. His Dark Gate was recently ambushed and was subsequently rescued by people from the Hua Estate. Because I suspect the person behind this incident is the Sixth Prince, I came to report it to the Ninth Prince. At the same time, since the Hua Estate rescued the Dark Gate, I intended to extract a small toll from Cen Changxiao on their behalf, only to be met with that kind of attitude from him."

Jiang Canxing still could not shake off the memory of Cen Changxiao's cold hostility toward him. Why had things deteriorated to this extent?

Watching Jiang Canxing drift off into a daze, Shen Hezhi shook his head helplessly. He chose not to disturb him, letting him work through it on his own; only by figuring it out for himself could he ever truly find release.

No matter what anyone else might say, it would be of no use.

Others might assume their friendship was built solely on their mutual ties to the Ninth Prince, but the reality was far different. Aside from Jiang Canxing himself, the Ninth Prince was the only one who truly understood the nature of their bond.

Even Cen Changxiao failed to realize how devastating a blow this was to Jiang Canxing.

Cen Changxiao had once inadvertently saved Jiang Canxing's life. Although the times Jiang Canxing had saved him in return were by no means few, they could never quite outweigh that original debt of saving his life.

Consequently, while the two of them appeared to be the closest of friends, a deeper layer underpinned their relationship—the profound weight of a life-saving grace.

Furthermore, Jiang Canxing had very few friends in this lifetime. Shen Hezhi was counted among them, but Shen Hezhi was also his master. Although he was never treated merely as a servant, an unbridgeable chasm still lay between them.

Try as they might to forget it, that gap remained, impossible to erase.

Cen Changxiao was different. He stood on equal footing with Jiang Canxing, both serving the Ninth Prince, bound by a life-saving debt and years of seamless coordination through countless missions. In Jiang Canxing's heart, Cen Changxiao was his dearest and most cherished friend.

Yet no matter what, Jiang Canxing would pledge his allegiance to only one person in this lifetime—Shen Hezhi. Cen Changxiao might be his dearest friend, but Shen Hezhi was not only his dearest friend; he was the one for whom Jiang Canxing would gladly lay down his life, the one he was bound to protect and serve with his dying breath.