SWHCBB 16

Chapter 16: Pouring His Heart Out, But the Little Husband Doesn’t Believe Him!

“Whether it’s the Sixth Prince or Prince Yi, what’s the difference?” Jiang Chuang asked.

Wen Jue was briefly stunned. He hadn’t expected a counter-question. What’s the difference? To Wen Jue, there was no difference.

But for Jiang Chuang, wasn’t the difference huge? The Third Prince was his close confidant. They’d once drunk till dawn together, talking about the world’s hardships and their grand ambitions.

They admired each other, shared the same ideals, they were famous in the capital for their bond.

Surely the Third Prince held a significant place in Jiang Chuang’s heart. How could he be compared with the Sixth Prince?

That counter-question left Wen Jue at a loss for words. He couldn’t exactly ask: Aren’t you one of the Third Prince’s people?

Seeing his silence, Jiang Chuang smiled to himself and cheerfully explained, “Whoever it is, as long as they’re harming you, they’re my enemy! Even if that person were the Emperor, I would—”

Before he could finish, Wen Jue covered his mouth, frowning slightly as he sighed, “Why are you still so reckless with your words?”

Jiang Chuang took the chance to kiss his palm and nuzzle it like a clingy puppy. “Then punish me, Zhiyu! Punish me hard, so I’ll never dare again.”

Wen Jue narrowed his eyes slightly, lightly fanned Jiang Chuang’s cheek with his hand, then brushed the back of his hand across Jiang Chuang’s face. “Punish you? I can’t bear to.”

Zhiyu always used the softest tone, barely a whisper, to say the most seductive words. Jiang Chuang swallowed hard, grabbed his mischievous hand, and said in a low voice:

“Everything I just said is true. Zhiyu, right now, you’re more important to me than anyone. Who cares if it’s the Sixth Prince or Prince Yi? If you don’t like them, I’ll stay away. Whatever you want me to do—I’ll do it, alright?”

“If the Emperor tries to hurt you, I’d defy an imperial edict, rebel, and turn against my lord, just to save you! In this life, we’re already bound together, live together, die together!”

What Wen Jue didn’t know was that Jiang Chuang had actually done that in their past life. To save him, he had betrayed his lord, stabbed Prince Yi, and died alongside him.

Setting aside the pain of all he’d suffered, the fact that they died together had, in truth, made Jiang Chuang deeply happy.

Jiang Chuang spoke with utmost sincerity. His words landed heavy in Wen Jue’s heart, striking him speechless, his hand trembling slightly in Jiang Chuang’s grip—he felt as if it were burning.

It had only been a small test, yet Jiang Chuang had eagerly poured out everything, laying his heart bare.

But Wen Jue wouldn’t believe it. He couldn’t.

Jiang Chuang was still waiting for a response when the coachman’s voice called from outside: “General, Your Highness, we’ve arrived.”

Wen Jue gently pushed Jiang Chuang away. “We should get out.”

He stood and lifted the curtain. Changning was already waiting at the carriage to help him down.

Jiang Chuang froze in place, still in the posture of having been pushed away. The coachman cautiously spoke again, “General? I’m taking the horse to the back courtyard for feeding.”

Jiang Chuang lowered his gaze, buried his disappointment deep down, and told himself: Don’t rush. Take it slow.

He got down and ordered coldly, “Ready the horse!”

“Yes, sir!”

Wen Jue leaned on Changning and walked into the inner courtyard, uncharacteristically dazed and unfocused, simply following Changning’s lead.

Jiang Chuang’s words had completely unsettled him. He could no longer tell himself that Jiang Chuang was just acting.

Perhaps the Third Prince had already seen through his schemes and had told Jiang Chuang to play along. There was no need to take it seriously.

But Wen Jue couldn’t not take it seriously. Or rather, he wanted to take it seriously.

No one had ever said such things to him before, “Zhiyu, you’re more important to me than anyone.”

It was the first time in his life he’d been someone’s most important person. Even to his royal sister, he didn’t believe he was number one.

His sister had her own ambitions and pursuits. Wen Jue never strove to be her top priority. He was happy to see her soar.

But when Jiang Chuang said those words… Wen Jue suddenly wondered: What if everything he said was true?

It was a terrifying thought. His heart had begun to tilt toward Jiang Chuang, and if he made one wrong move in the future, both he and his sister would be doomed beyond redemption.

But then again, it was Jiang Chuang. He already had selfish thoughts about him. It was only natural to be unable to resist…

While Wen Jue was secretly trying to excuse himself, he missed the threshold and tripped forward. His eyes widened, but all he saw was blackness.

Fortunately, Changning reacted swiftly and caught him.

“Your Highness! Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself?” Changning panicked. “It’s all my fault for not paying attention! If anything happened to you, not even a thousand cuts from the Princess would be enough punishment!”

Wen Jue shook his head and forced a smile. “I’m fine. It’s not your fault, I was distracted.”

His heart sank. He was blind. A cripple. Sickly and frail. Without Changning, he couldn’t even walk without falling, couldn’t avoid a wall. He couldn’t survive alone.

Who would ever love someone like him? Wen Jue gave a soundless, bitter laugh, shattering every sweet thought and swallowing it down.

Changning was still chattering beside him, trying to comfort him. Wen Jue replied halfheartedly—he had no idea what Changning was even saying.

Seeing his pale face, Changning didn’t know what exactly had happened between him and the general in that carriage, but he couldn’t help secretly cursing Jiang Chuang. Did he bully His Highness or what?

They hadn’t taken more than a few steps into the courtyard when they heard fast footsteps from behind. Changning turned just in time to see Jiang Chuang rushing over and shoving him aside.

Changning: …?

General Jiang swept up his Highness into a bridal carry and said, “Zhiyu, let’s go. I’m taking you somewhere.”

Neither Changning nor Wen Jue had time to react.

And just like that, the general dashed off with His Highness in his arms. Changning stood frozen and shouted, “Hey! Be careful! His Highness is in poor health!”

Whether Jiang Chuang heard or not, who knew. Changning stood there, rubbing his arm. “Was this general a bull in his past life? He loves ramming into people! That hurt! I’m totally tattling to His Highness later!”

“Why get hit when you could’ve dodged?”

A cold male voice came from above. Changning looked up and saw a black figure perched in a tree, making him stumble back in fright.

It was Chen Lin, Jiang Chuang’s shadow guard.

Chen Lin leapt down, silently locking eyes on him.

Changning glared. “Jump-scaring people like that, are you trying to kill someone? What are you, a raccoon? Why do you like hiding in trees so much?”

Chen Lin stepped closer and stated, “You noticed me earlier. Why pretend to be scared?”

Changning looked baffled. “What are you talking about? How could I notice you when you’re hiding tighter than a thief?”

He walked past Chen Lin and suddenly kicked him hard. Chen Lin only furrowed his brow slightly, not even flinching.

Changning grinned maliciously. “That kick was payback for scaring me!”

He waved as he walked off. “Bye now!”

Chen Lin remained rooted, watching his retreating figure, eyes filled with deep scrutiny.

After turning away, the smile vanished from Changning’s face, replaced by a shadowy expression.

Was Chen Lin testing him of his own accord, or was it under the General’s orders?