SWHCBB 42

Chapter 42: I Know How Much He Loves Me! I Understand!

This was the first time Jiang Chuang showed his claws in front of him, openly declaring his possessiveness. There was no escape, Wen Jue would have to die with him, even in death they could not be separated!

To want to completely make someone your own, to be unable to live without them, to wish their bones and blood could fuse with yours but still fear hurting them. Such twisted desire, hidden by Jiang Chuang beneath layers of daily gentleness, fiery devotion, and tender care.

Wen Jue had only intended to pull a trick to win his sympathy, to make him feel sorry and guilty so he could no longer blame him. He never expected it would push Jiang Chuang to say such things.

Every word Jiang Chuang spoke struck Wen Jue like a hammer to the heart. The sly smile on his face, resting against Jiang Chuang’s shoulder, froze in place.

When had Jiang Chuang’s feelings for him become so deep? Wen Jue’s lips drooped, and guilt and panic began to creep in.

He was a despicable liar, a master of deceit. He used his blindness to draw pity and seduced Jiang Chuang with his body to steal his love.

If Jiang Chuang ever saw through his true self, he might only feel disgusted.

He stayed silent for a long time. Jiang Chuang, worried he’d truly frightened him, said, “Wen Jue, don’t be afraid. Even if those desires are strong, the moment I think they might hurt you, I wouldn’t dare act on them.”

Wen Jue collected himself, forcing a smile as he pulled away from the embrace. “You sounded a bit fierce just now…”

Jiang Chuang thought he’d really scared him and was just about to explain when he heard him say, “It was different from usual, but… it sounded really imposing and handsome!”

He curved his eyes with a smile, as if picturing Jiang Chuang’s earlier expression, and muttered softly, “You’re always so gentle with me that I almost forget, General Jiang is actually a mighty and majestic tiger, isn’t he?”

He said the word “tiger” with a teasing smile, then softened his tone like coaxing a child when he asked, “Isn’t that right?”

Jiang Chuang blushed immediately, completely dazzled, though Wen Jue couldn’t see it. He looked away, stood up, and walked a few steps to cool off. “N-not really… It’s just–ah, I couldn’t hold it in. I wasn’t trying to scare you! I just… like you too much, and I have to hold it in.”

As he spoke, Jiang Chuang began pouring out the words he had buried for so long. “If only your body would recover faster! Then I could mess you up however I want, like on our wedding night!”

Wen Jue coughed twice, caught off guard by the sudden shift. Jiang Chuang quickly shut up and tried to change the subject, only for Wen Jue to kick him with one leg and wrinkle his delicate nose. “If you’d said that earlier, I would’ve crawled to Physician Bai every day even if I had to drag myself there.”

The meaning couldn’t have been clearer.

Jiang Chuang’s smile widened even more. He scooped Wen Jue up in his arms, and the sudden lift made Wen Jue instinctively cling to him.

“What are you saying? You think I’d let you crawl? Even if my legs were broken, I’d carry you on my back!” Jiang Chuang bounced him a little, riding high on Wen Jue’s words.

Wen Jue quickly covered his mouth, serious. “Don’t say such unlucky things. You have to avoid bad omens! Quick, spit three times!”

Jiang Chuang obeyed immediately, and only then did Wen Jue let it go. Jiang Chuang laughed, “You little superstitious thing! Come on, I’m taking you back to our room. It’s chilly out here.”

Wen Jue replied calmly, “Better to believe it than not… You might have to go to war again in the future. If it can help keep you safe and unhurt, then I’ll take superstition any day.”

Just thinking about Jiang Chuang on the battlefield made his heart clench. The danger, the possibility of injury or death, he couldn’t even bear to imagine it.

Not to mention, once war began, they’d be separated for months or even years. He might not even know whether Jiang Chuang was safe for the longest time.

Wen Jue’s mind grew heavy again. His smiling face darkened.

Even his once-determined decision to stay in the imperial capital began to waver.

Jiang Chuang nuzzled the top of his head, walking quickly and steadily, teasing, “You’re that afraid something might happen to me?”

“I am,” Wen Jue clung to him tightly, only feeling secure that way. “If something happened to you, who would give me back my husband? I only have one husband. You have to stay safe.”

“You say things like that… How could I dare–” Jiang Chuang stopped mid-sentence. “Forget it. Avoid bad omens, avoid bad omens!”

Wen Jue asked tentatively, “Yunchuan, when Strategist Zhuge said I might harm you just now, did you believe it even a little? Or… were you afraid of me?”

He couldn’t see Jiang Chuang’s face, but from the pauses, breaths, and tone, he could tell if there was any guilt.

Jiang Chuang answered firmly, “Not even a little. And I’d never be afraid. I know how much Wen Jue loves me. Everything Zhuge Qing said was nonsense. He’s a single old man, what does he know?”

In their past life, even when things between them were at their worst, later, when he went to war, someone secretly sent him a map of the enemy’s military camp. He never found out how it was obtained.

Did he not know? It was obvious, Wen Jue loved him to death and just couldn’t bring himself to admit it!

Jiang Chuang understood. He was generous, he wouldn’t hold it against his prickly, prideful little blind man.

Wen Jue laughed again. “Strategist Zhuge’s voice sounds pretty young. He’s probably even younger than you. How could you talk about him like that?” He didn’t deny the earlier “love,” but he didn’t directly affirm it either.

Jiang Chuang: “Fine, then he’s a single young man!”

Wen Jue nodded, resting against his shoulder with a smile. “I thought I had everything under control. Thought I could keep you in the dark, thinking that was the best way to protect you. Thought no one would know, never imagined I’d be exposed…I was wrong. From now on, whatever I need to do, I’ll tell you. I’ll explain everything Strategist Zhuge mentioned to you in a bit.”

“So sensible now?” Jiang Chuang couldn’t stop smiling. He thought to himself, it really took Zhuge Qing stirring things up for his little husband to finally come to his senses!

Wen Jue nodded. “Because I don’t want you learning about me through others and growing distant from me because of it.”

“It should’ve been like this from the start!” Jiang Chuang kissed his hair and chuckled softly. “You think I don’t know about all your tricks? I know way more than you think! Wen Xiao Yu, better confess everything now!”

Wen Jue frowned and grabbed his chin, then tugged on his ear, pretending to be annoyed. “Are you interrogating a criminal?”

“I wouldn’t dare! Spare me, Your Highness Prince Jin!” Jiang Chuang cried out for mercy while hugging him tighter, full of laughter. “I beg Your Highness to interrogate me, punish me, do whatever you want…”

As they passed through the corridor, Changning happened to come out of the back garden carrying another chicken. Just as he was about to greet them, he saw Jiang Chuang, without so much as a glance, carry His Highness away around a corner. The love between the two was so thick even a blind man could see it.

Changning wasn’t surprised, just a little jealous, filled with a bittersweet mix of emotions. It was good for His Highness to be loved by more people…

But in His Highness’s heart, he was no longer the most considerate, most obedient, most cherished one!

It was like a dog losing its master! Changning knew Wen Jue didn’t allow him to think that way, but the thought still bubbled up.

He tossed the chicken back to Yuan Xiang and asked her to pick the biggest, fattest one to make soup for His Highness. As soon as Yuan Xiang heard it was to nourish His Highness’s body, she immediately took the job seriously and began carefully inspecting the coop. She had even given every chicken a name.

Finally, she picked one up and muttered, “Little Fatty, you’ve pecked me so many times. Now I’ll send you into reincarnation. Being used to nourish His Highness’s health is your good karma. May our debts be cleared, and may you never be reborn a chicken again!”

Like a ritual. Changning had found it funny, until the chicken actually stopped struggling after she said that and let itself be caught.

Yuan Xiang earnestly said, “Go now. Let’s make it quick and painless.”

Changning laughed, “Why is this chicken so obedient with you? Did you drug it?”

“Don’t talk nonsense! How could His Highness eat a drugged chicken?” Yuanxiang scolded first, then proudly lifted her head. “You don’t get it! I’m the kind of person who can even make chickens listen. How else would I be worthy of His Highness’s trust? I’m the Chief Chicken Supervisor!

Just then, the chickens in the coop started fighting again, almost like they were slapping her in the face. Yuan Xiang turned right back to settle the chaos.

Changning clicked his tongue and shook his head. He vaguely remembered she was originally a little palace maid sent by the Empress. Now she was absolutely loyal to His Highness.

Sigh, he thought. Everyone coveted the position beside His Highness.