SWHCBB 21

Chapter 21: If It Can’t Be Cured, He’ll Die Within Five Years

Jiang Chuang acted swiftly, he’d said he was going to invite a divine physician, and sure enough, the very next day, he brought one back.

But along with the divine physician came an uninvited guest, someone who had tagged along without being asked.

Both men were striking in appearance and carried themselves with great presence. To avoid attracting attention, Jiang Chuang had them enter through the back gate. The two of them weren’t sticklers for decorum and didn’t care whether it was the front or back door.

But as soon as the back gate opened, a chicken came flapping straight toward the man in black. A startled feminine cry rang out, and the man in white standing beside him immediately took a step back to hide behind him, yanking on the black-clad man’s sleeve to shield himself.

Jiang Chuang had just reached out to catch the chicken when the man in black beat him to it—he quickly twisted the chicken’s neck and tossed it aside. The poor bird died on the spot.

Still, it left behind a little “legacy” before it expired. The man in black looked at the foul stench coming from his sleeve, his brow twitching as he fought the urge to kill someone. Through clenched teeth, he growled three words: “Zhu! Ge! Qing!”

His sleeve was now spattered with runny, smelly chicken droppings. Jiang Chuang wrinkled his nose and stepped back in distaste, he didn’t want that stench anywhere near him, lest it cling to Zhiyu.

Zhuge Qing stood off to the side, completely shameless. “Ah, you’re so petty! All I did was let you take the chicken poop for me! A lofty, upright man like me—how could you bear to let filth land on my noble head? Many thanks, Brother Bai, for your heroic sacrifice!”

Jiang Chuang suppressed a laugh and cleared his throat. “Our strategist loves teasing people. Divine physician, please don’t take it to heart. I’ll have Deputy Commander Huang give him a proper workout later to help you vent your anger! Come, I’ll have someone escort you to bathe and change.”

At these words, Zhuge Qing, who had just been grinning proudly over his little prank, instantly froze. A chill ran down his spine. “No, wait! General, I was wrong! Aiya–”

Before he could finish, the dirty sleeve came flying at him. He dodged just in time, nearly falling over.

It was Bai Yuan who had sliced off the soiled sleeve and hurled it at Zhuge Qing. He shot him a cold glance and turned to Jiang Chuang. “No need, General. Let’s go see the Fifth Prince directly.”

With that, he strode off ahead.

Jiang Chuang grabbed Zhuge Qing by the collar like a chick and yanked him upright. “Look at you, unsteady on your feet, sluggish. How do you expect to fight like this? Don’t want Huang to drill you? Want me to do it myself?”

Faced with Jiang Chuang, Zhuge Qing dared not protest. He straightened up quickly, everyone knew that General Jiang meant what he said.

Deputy Commander Huang alone was bad enough. If Jiang Chuang personally took the reins, Zhuge Qing wouldn’t survive the day.

Jiang Chuang quickened his pace to catch up with Bai Yuan, treating him far more courteously than he did Zhuge Qing.

Zhuge Qing sniffed his clothes all over, made sure there was no smell, and followed along. But his steps halted in front of a young woman kneeling in fright and kowtowing on the ground.

He squatted down curiously. “Who are you? Why are you kneeling here instead of serving in the front?”

The girl looked up, it was Yuan Xiang. Her face was pale with fear. “Replying to the honored guest… this servant is called Yuan Xiang. I-I’m the chicken supervisor of the estate.”

“You’re what now?” Zhuge Qing’s expression twisted oddly.

Knowing he was about to laugh at her, Yuan Xiang raised her voice in defiance. “I’m the chicken supervisor! I manage all the chickens in the estate! The General himself gave me that title!”

Zhuge Qing didn’t know how he managed not to burst out laughing. He pointed to the chicken with the broken neck. “So would this be considered negligence?”

Yuan Xiang’s expression was collapsed. “It’s my fault, I admit it. I failed to stop two roosters from fighting in time, and they startled the esteemed guests. But… but I wasn’t the one who killed the chicken! That’s not my fault, right?”

Her voice grew softer and softer, turning into mumbled complaints.

The more Zhuge Qing looked at her, the more amused he became. She actually had a bit of a proud air about being the “chicken supervisor”—as if to say, “I may watch chickens, but I’m still a supervisor. Who cares what I supervise?”

She admitted fault when it was hers, and stood her ground when it wasn’t.

Zhuge Qing decided to tease her. “Do you know how much General Jiang loves his chickens? He’s holding back now because guests are present, but once we’re gone, you’ll be in trouble.”

“What should I do?” Yuan Xiang panicked, breaking out in cold sweat. “I-I was just slacking off a bit, not trying to let the chicken run wild!”

Zhuge Qing smiled kindly, but his gaze was like that of a fox about to trap its prey. “It’s simple. If you make up for your mistake, not only will you be off the hook, the General might even see you as a hero!”

“How?” Yuan Xiang’s eyes lit up with hope.

“The Fifth Prince has an old illness. I know of a rare medicinal ingredient that can treat it, but it’s elusive and can only be found by someone with fate on their side…”

Zhuge Qing slowly laid out his plan, thinking to himself, Tsk, tsk. People as helpful as me are truly rare.

____

Bai Yuan sat in the outer hall, expressionless as he examined the furnishings, ignoring the cautious glances of passing servants.

With one arm bare, he naturally drew stares.

The hall was simply decorated, but the steps had been smoothed out, and the floor tiles were etched with special markings to guide the path forward. Every railing had been polished smooth, every corner meticulously cared for, no risk of splinters here.

Just from a casual glance, Bai Yuan could tell that the imperial “mandated match” might very well be a true match of hearts.

From outside the hall, he heard Jiang Chuang’s gentle coaxing—his senses were excellent, so he caught every word.

“Still sore? I know I was wrong—come on, talk to me, please! I didn’t mean to keep going like that. I mean, who could stop at a time like that…”

Before he could finish, a voice interrupted softly, “No more talking!”

“Okay, okay, I won’t say another word! Let’s just go see the divine physician. Even if he can’t cure your eyes, at least he can help your health a bit. There are so many miracle physicians in the world, there’s bound to be one who’s truly capable.”

Bai Yuan, with his exceptional hearing: …

That so-called “divine physician” whom others could only dream of meeting was being talked about like some dime-a-dozen street vendor. If the patient weren’t so special, Bai Yuan would’ve already turned and left in a huff.

Jiang Chuang led Wen Jue into the hall. Bai Yuan stood silently to the side, his cold eyes scrutinizing the man Jiang Chuang held, slender frame, sightless eyes, pallid complexion, lips unnaturally red, fingernails showing a pale white.

Once Wen Jue was seated, Jiang Chuang was about to introduce the divine physician to him when Zhuge Qing’s voice arrived ahead of his person.

“I finally found you! General, your residence may not be big, but how is it still such a maze? So many experts too, I nearly got beaten up for trespassing! What a perilous place!”

Zhuge Qing came running as if something were chasing him, only stopping beside Jiang Chuang, bent over and panting, one hand braced on the table.

But the moment he looked up and saw Wen Jue, he held his breath. It wasn’t until Jiang Chuang shot him a glare that he snapped out of it and hastily cupped his hands in greeting. “Zhuge Qing pays respects to His Highness, the Fifth Prince!”

Wen Jue gave a slight nod. “No need for formalities.”

Jiang Chuang stood beside Wen Jue the entire time, guarding him as if he were his very eyes. He turned to Bai Yuan. “Enough delay. Divine Physician, please take a look at His Highness’s eyes.”

Bai Yuan had just stepped forward when Zhuge Qing wrinkled his nose and took a step back, covering it. Seeing Bai Yuan shoot him a death glare, he muttered, “So stinky…”

That one line made Bai Yuan’s expression darken.

Jiang Chuang couldn’t help but kick Zhuge Qing in the butt. “One more word and I’ll send you to Deputy Commander Huang right now.”

Zhuge Qing stood up straight immediately, eyes darting, not daring to say another word as he sneakily sized up the Fifth Prince, who sat there like a celestial being.

He’d seen the Third and Fourth Princes before, good-looking enough, but in comparison to the Fifth Prince, they were nothing. Same father, yet only the Fifth Prince looked like a god descended to earth.

Even Zhuge Qing couldn’t help but mutter to himself, could the rumors be true? Was Consort Chen really not human?

Wen Jue listened to the movement and chatter, the corners of his lips slightly curled. That divine physician Bai only carried a faint medicinal bitterness, how was that stinky? Clearly the strategist was just provoking him, banking on the man’s inability to retaliate.

Who exactly was this Bai Yuan? And Zhuge Qing, clearly playing dumb, but crafty. Even if Wen Jue himself didn’t want to side with the Third Prince, people like this might not feel the same.

“Zhiyu, look straight ahead, open your eyes wide. Divine Physician Bai is going to check your light response.” Jiang Chuang’s coaxing voice brought him back, and Wen Jue obeyed.

Bai Yuan rotated a bronze mirror under the sunlight, reflecting it onto Wen Jue’s eyes. Wen Jue instinctively blinked, he still had some reaction to light.

But Bai Yuan didn’t look pleased. He put away the mirror and stepped in close, examining Wen Jue’s pupils carefully at eye level.

Jiang Chuang involuntarily tightened his grip on Wen Jue’s hand, eyes locked on Bai Yuan’s every move and expression. On Bai Yuan’s blank face, he imagined ten thousand possibilities.

Wen Jue’s hand hurt from the pressure, but he said nothing, he merely lifted his other hand and patted Jiang Chuang’s. Jiang Chuang instantly understood and loosened his grip, gently rubbing his palm in silent apology.

In return, Wen Jue scratched his hand with his fingertip, quiet reassurance.

Zhuge Qing watched this, raising an eyebrow, muttering in his heart, Oh my eyes, my eyes… how can two grown men be so clingy?

Still, even he had to admit, man or not, they truly were a match. Maybe the emperor should give up ruling and become a matchmaker instead.

Zhuge Qing recalled their private meeting at the training field when the general had solemnly said to Deputy Commander Huang, “Jiang Chuang has a request, more important than his life!”

Huang had been shocked, he’d never seen the general like that before. He immediately downed his wine, face serious, swearing, “General, speak! I will give everything I’ve got!”

The general had not considered it dramatic at all and stated plainly, “The border will be in turmoil. Within three years, I’ll have to return to guard it. You’re my subordinate. His Majesty… will likely keep you in the capital.

When that time comes, Jiang Chuang begs you to take care of his household husband—His Highness the Fifth Prince. If the situation shifts, he may be drawn into the storm.

I ask that you protect him. Do not let him be taken. Keep him safe in the general’s manor. No matter what happens, I will take all responsibility.”

Huang had been deeply moved, immediately pledging, “This life was saved by the general on the battlefield. Since you ask this of me, I will guard His Highness even if it means my life!”

They bowed to each other, downed their wine, and smashed their bowls.

Back then Zhuge Qing had thought the whole thing felt like some strange tale. Jiang Chuang, who had just received the imperial marriage edict not long before, had been moody and sulking at the training field—and now, he cherished the Fifth Prince like a treasure. Was his brain broken?

But now, seeing the Fifth Prince in person, he understood.

With that kind of face, that kind of grace, even blind, it was enough to make a man fall.

Bai Yuan said, “Pulse diagnosis.”

Jiang Chuang guided Wen Jue’s hand onto the table, rolling up his sleeve. Bai Yuan pressed his fingers to Wen Jue’s wrist in silence.

The only sounds in the outer hall were rustling leaves and occasional birdsong.

Jiang Chuang’s heart tightened. It had been the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Why hadn’t the divine physician said anything yet? Did he even know what he was doing? Could he be a fraud?

Then Bai Yuan spoke, and Jiang Chuang nearly died from the shock.

“It’s incurable.” Bai Yuan rose and turned to pack his medicine chest.

Jiang Chuang froze. Then he let go of Wen Jue’s hand and rushed to Bai Yuan. “Wha-what? What do you mean? You haven’t even tried, how can you say it’s incurable?!”

Zhuge Qing had expected this. He’d never heard of anyone blind for years being cured. The Fifth Prince didn’t look surprised either, clearly, he’d anticipated this. Only the general acted like the sky was falling, chasing after Bai Yuan for answers.

Bai Yuan ignored Jiang Chuang and continued packing up. Jiang Chuang slammed his hand on the medicine box, his face darkening like a beast ready to explode. “Explain yourself! What do you mean, ‘incurable’?”

Sensing the storm brewing, Zhuge Qing quickly stepped in. “Hey, Xiao Bai, you’ve got to give a reason. You can’t just toss out a line like that, how’s anyone supposed to accept it? Our general isn’t unreasonable. Just explain, and he won’t press you.”

Bai Yuan coldly glanced at Zhuge Qing, who didn’t dare keep up his usual playful tone.

Bai Yuan paused. Jiang Chuang sneered. “Clearly you just don’t have the skill and are trying to run before your fraud gets exposed! You’ve tricked people for years, I won’t hold that against you. But you crossed a line cursing him! If you can’t treat him, others can!”

By the end, Jiang Chuang was nearly gnashing his teeth.

Wen Jue spoke gently, “Yunchuan, it’s alright. If it can’t be cured, then so be it. With you here, it doesn’t matter if I can see or not.”

Jiang Chuang turned and saw Wen Jue reaching out to him, his heart aching. He walked over, took his hand. “It’s alright. There are many divine physicians in the world, we’ll just find another one!”

Bai Yuan didn’t get angry. He stood like an outsider, watching calmly. “If I say it’s incurable, then no one else can cure it. Everyone in this world better than me at medicine, is already dead.”

Zhuge Qing panicked. “Hey! What the hell is wrong with you?” Did he want to provoke the general to the point of hacking him to pieces? Did he not know the phrase, “Even physicians cannot cure themselves”?

Still pulling tiger whiskers, Bai Yuan said fearlessly, “I wasn’t talking about his eyes. I meant the poison in his body. It’s incurable. He’ll be dead in less than five years.”

Jiang Chuang’s eyes turned red. He reached out, ready to grab Bai Yuan and beat him senseless. Zhuge Qing rushed in front of him and shouted, “Stop! General, calm down!!”