SWHCBB 2
by LiliumChapter 2 – Tearing the Skin Off the One Who Drugged Him?
“Zhiyu!” Jiang Chuang called out in surprise and joy.
“Ah…” Wen Jue let out a soft breath. Only then did Jiang Chuang realize how tightly he’d been gripping his hand.
“Sorry, sorry—it’s my fault, I was too anxious!” Jiang Chuang quickly loosened his hold and helped him sit up against the headboard. Just as he stood to leave, Wen Jue tugged at the corner of his robe.
Looking down, he met Wen Jue’s lightless, hollow eyes, full of unease. “Husband? Where are you going?”
Jiang Chuang’s heart softened. He sat back down beside him and gently took his hand again. “Getting you some water. Look at you—your lips are peeling.”
Wen Jue let out a breath of relief. “Alright. Thank you.”
“I’m your consort now. We’re a family. Why are you still being so polite?” Jiang Chuang raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Wen Jue seemed a bit unaccustomed to this change in attitude, even a little flustered and uneasy, and fell silent.
After all, Jiang Chuang had been strongly opposed to the imperial marriage decree at the start.
He had returned victorious from war, having earned military merit, only to be rewarded with… a marriage?
An imperial marriage might look glorious on the surface, but whether marrying a princess or being wed to a prince, it was all just a way for the royal family to exert control. It left him with no real power. What difference did it make whether he married a princess or a prince?
In fact, marrying a prince was worse—he couldn’t even take a concubine into the family register without the main spouse’s approval. If the prince disagreed, Jiang Chuang would have no heirs at all.
Even Jiang Chuang couldn’t help but believe the rumors: the Emperor was wary of him.
A reward in name—punishment in truth. Jiang Chuang had felt deeply stifled.
Everyone knew the Fifth Prince was the least favored among the Emperor’s sons. Aside from his full-blooded sister, Princess Chenyu, and his striking appearance, he had absolutely nothing going for him.
A blind burden who made people sigh just at the mention of his name—who would dare marry their daughter to someone like that? Wouldn’t that be dragging their family down?
So when Jiang Chuang first received the decree, he hadn’t felt the slightest bit of joy.
But later… everything changed.
Yet the current Wen Jue still knew nothing of that. Jiang Chuang didn’t want to bring up those unhappy memories anymore.
This life, he was going to avoid every pitfall he’d fallen into before—and grow old in peace with Wen Jue.
He brought the teacup to Wen Jue’s lips and fed him sip by sip. A knock sounded at the door—one of the servants had brought the brewed medicine.
“Come in.”
The servant obeyed and pushed open the door. Wen Jue drank his water quietly, one hand holding the teacup to keep it steady, afraid it might spill.
After the servant left, Wen Jue softly said, “Thank you.”
Jiang Chuang brought the medicine over. “Time to take your medicine. After that, sleep for a bit. In two hours, it’ll be time to return to the palace.”
Before Wen Jue could respond, Jiang Chuang asked, “Does your body… still hurt?”
Wen Jue nodded. “It hurts… a lot.”
As he said this, his eyelids drooped slightly, half-hiding his empty gaze. The tips of his ears reddened. “At first, I was really scared. Then… now, there’s only the pain left. How did it feel for you, husband?”
Did he even need to ask? Of course it was… amazing!
Absolutely amazing!
Better than drinking wine or feasting on meat!
That was also a major reason why, in his past life, Jiang Chuang had so quickly accepted Wen Jue—and gradually fallen for him.
After their wedding in that life, they had shared an unexpectedly affectionate time together.
“It felt incredible. I really liked it,” Jiang Chuang replied sincerely.
Hearing this, a smile bloomed at the corners of Wen Jue’s lips. In a low, teasing voice, he said, “Then let me hurt a little. Even if it hurts more, it’s alright…”
Suddenly, Jiang Chuang remembered how, in their previous life while on the run, Wen Jue had injured his leg. Jiang Chuang had had to cut away the rotting flesh from his calf. The wound wasn’t large, yet Wen Jue had turned pale from the pain, biting his lip until it bled.
Jiang Chuang had tried to comfort him, and Wen Jue had suddenly burst into tears and whispered:
“It hurts so much.”
Even Jiang Chuang, who had long been used to pain, was moved by Wen Jue’s suffering. While wiping away his tears, he said with deep pity, “If it hurts again, just bite my hand—don’t bite yourself anymore.”
“So afraid of pain? Sigh, the circumstances right now are too special. There’s no mafeisan1an ancient Chinese herbal anesthetic, so you’ll just have to endure it a little.” Jiang Chuang draped his cloak over him, wrapping him up tightly, not letting even the slightest breeze get through.
Wen Jue’s tears kept falling. He reached out, searching for Jiang Chuang’s arm, and in a hoarse voice said, “Kiss me. If General Jiang kisses me, I won’t hurt anymore.”
It was the first time in three years, after their falling-out, that Wen Jue had crossed a line and made such a request.
In Jiang Chuang’s memory, Wen Jue had always been gentle, cunning in a roundabout way, deeply scheming, willing to do anything to achieve his goals. He was adept at using his blind eyes to feign innocence and deceive others.
He rarely looked like this—so direct in his pleading.
So, Jiang Chuang kissed him. Just like now.
It was a brief touch—but Jiang Chuang couldn’t help stealing another kiss at the corner of his lips. Who told Wen Jue to be so kissable?
As expected, Wen Jue’s smile froze, and he stiffened completely, clenching his palms helplessly like he’d turned to stone.
Jiang Chuang tapped his nose teasingly and chuckled. “How could I bear to let you be in pain?”
Then he leaned in and whispered something in Wen Jue’s ear, making his face flush even redder.
Wen Jue gave a light cough, trying to cover his flustered nerves. Everything was moving too quickly—beyond his calculations.
Jiang Chuang’s warmth was unusually intense, completely different from his earlier rejection. It was like he’d become a whole new person.
Wen Jue suppressed the doubts in his heart and showed no sign of them on his face.
Then, as Jiang Chuang was feeding him medicine, he suddenly said, “My cup of wedding wine was definitely drugged! Someone wanted me to wear you out until you passed out, so you’d miss the date to return to the palace and express gratitude—and take the blame for disobeying the imperial decree and defying royal orders! If I had truly lost control and hurt you, or worse… that person would’ve achieved two goals with one move!”
At that, Jiang Chuang snarled with anger: “That bastard! If I find out who set me up like this, I’ll skin them alive and tear out their tendons!”
Wen Jue froze completely, saying nothing, unable to drink another drop of medicine.
Jiang Chuang softened his tone to comfort him. “Don’t be afraid. I’ve already ordered the cup taken to the manor physician to be examined. I also had someone guard and interrogate the servant in charge of the wine, and we’re quietly searching the residence to see if we can find any suspicious medicine packets. If someone really did this, they’re bound to have left traces! Once I find out who it is, I’ll drag them to you and make them kneel down to apologize.”
Wen Jue trembled all over. He suddenly reached out to grasp Jiang Chuang’s hand and shook his head. “Better… not to investigate.”
“Why not?!” Jiang Chuang had suffered a great deal because of this in his past life—how could he just let it go now?
Wen Jue said, “Not everyone among the palace attendants I brought is truly loyal. If we start digging into this, it’ll alert certain people in the palace. I’m afraid… it’ll leave a bad impression. And it’ll easily stir up gossip… saying things like the newlyweds didn’t get along, so excuses are being made to create trouble. But this marriage was decreed by the Emperor.”
Jiang Chuang still couldn’t swallow the anger. “I believe His Majesty is a wise ruler. Why don’t I report it directly to him? He’ll surely understand!”
“You mustn’t!” Wen Jue instantly vetoed it. Then he realized he’d spoken too urgently and eased his tone. “Father… may not be unaware. There are many things he doesn’t ignore—they’re just things he chooses not to interfere with.”
Wen Jue couldn’t see Jiang Chuang’s face, nor his expression. He only gave a helpless smile and said, “In any case, we didn’t lose anything. Their scheme failed—maybe that’s even a blessing in disguise. Because… the way you are now, I’m very happy.”
What he didn’t know was that Jiang Chuang’s expression had turned very strange.
The Wen Jue of his past life was not someone who would swallow injustice. His gentleness and timidity were just a façade.
He was a viper hidden in the shadows—once given the chance, he would strike his enemy’s vital spot and never let go.
There was no way he’d let his attacker go unpunished. Unless… unless he had allowed it to happen.
Seeing Jiang Chuang remain silent for a long time, Wen Jue uneasily called out, “Husband?”
Jiang Chuang smiled. “Alright, we’ll do as you say. My husband is my sky, my husband is my earth—whatever you say goes.”
What to do with a husband full of schemes?
Just go along with him.
No matter how much he calculated, all he wanted was that position, and a place in Jiang Chuang’s heart.
So what? After dying once, Jiang Chuang had seen through everyone around him—and the people he once followed.
This life, he would choose Wen Jue without hesitation, and stay by his side for the rest of their days.
Wen Jue finally breathed a sigh of relief.
0 Comments