SWHCBB 65

Chapter 65: Yunchuan, Don’t Leave Me

Wen Jue had never once thought about leaving the capital before the greater plan was fulfilled, leaving his sister to fight alone.

So when he realized that Yunchuan would be returning to the battlefield, and that they would be separated for an unknown length of time, with Yunchuan possibly facing danger, he had been gloomy for many days, his heart weighed down by sorrow.

And now, his royal sister was actually sending him to the border along with Yunchuan. For a moment, he felt a storm of emotion, he couldn’t tell if it was joy or worry. But in the end, worry won out.

Wen Jue was at a complete loss. Han Sheng’s words had disrupted all his plans, leaving his thoughts in chaos.

“How could this be? Why would Sister say such a thing? Could it be that she wants me to monitor the Xige people at the border? Is she suspicious of them? Or is she using them as a cover for some greater move?”

Han Sheng shook his head. “None of that. Your Highness, you’re intelligent, and the person most important to Her Highness. I don’t need to spell it out. You can already guess what she truly wants. All she desires… is your safety and well-being.”

Wen Jue fell silent. His shock faded, and as he calmed down, he could indeed deduce his sister’s intentions with ease.

The Third Prince had already sensed what they were planning. They had aligned with no one, supporting neither side. On the surface, they appeared neutral, but in reality, their ambition was clear. Either he sought the throne, or his royal sister did.

Unable to decipher their true aim, the Third Prince would rather kill by mistake than miss a threat. Wen Jue’s health was poor, and with Jiang Chuang absent from the capital, even if his royal sister arranged protection at the General’s residence, she couldn’t exactly turn it into a fortress.

Open attacks could be guarded against, but hidden ones, arrows in the dark, were impossible to stop. It would be better to send Wen Jue away from the capital altogether. To his fief, Raocheng.

Raocheng was barren, yes, but it was still his own land. And with Jiang Chuang by his side, it would be far safer than the capital.

Even in the worst-case scenario, if everything failed, Wen Jue would remain untouched. On his fief, he could still live securely. And if Jiang Chuang earned military merit, the new emperor wouldn’t be able to punish them, instead, they’d have to reward them.

This had always been the plan when Wen Yan chose Raocheng for his fief. It was never just a political arrangement, it was a carefully laid retreat route.

Han Sheng said no more, but Wen Jue’s mind was already racing, his thoughts turning over and over. He clenched his fists tightly to keep tears from falling as his eyes turned red.

“I… I can’t leave Royal Sister behind.”

Han Sheng offered a gentle smile to comfort him. “Her Highness will write you letters. You don’t need to worry about Raocheng, she’s already sent people to make preparations. The living conditions won’t compare to the capital, but it won’t be so rough as to wrong you either.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about! I’ve lived through worse!” Wen Jue said, frustrated. He and his royal sister had supported each other through so much. Now, to leave her alone to face it all, how could he bear that?

Han Sheng understood what was in his heart. “The border is dangerous. No matter how brave General Jiang is, no matter how clever his strategist, there’s no guarantee he’ll always escape unharmed. Xige’s purpose is still unclear. Her Highness also hopes you can help investigate while you’re at the frontier. Besides…”

Han Sheng smiled knowingly. “Even if you stayed in the capital, your heart would fly to General Jiang anyway. You can’t bear to leave your royal sister, do you think you can bear to leave your general?”

That struck Wen Jue’s softest spot. He couldn’t bear it. He bit his lip and said softly, “I understand. I’ll go.”

Seeing he was still holding back, Han Sheng added, “On your way to the border, you’ll pass through Beijun, the birthplace of Consort Chen.”

Wen Jue looked up, his heart instantly seized by hope. “You mean–?”

“Her Highness has already planned the route. Your Highness can stop for three days in Beijun. The Li family has been merchants for generations and holds great influence there. Consort Chen’s parents are still alive. They’ve long wished to meet their daughter’s children, but have never had the chance.”

That single sentence was enough to dispel Wen Jue’s hesitation, and even spark anticipation. Those were his mother’s parents. Besides his sister and the emperor, they were the people closest to her. They were Wen Jue’s maternal grandparents, the long-lost family he had always yearned for.

“Royal Sister really picked the right person to send as a messenger,” Wen Jue said admiringly. “If she’d come herself, even if I agreed, I would’ve felt heavy-hearted.”

Han Sheng didn’t act proud. “Your Highness and Her Highness are the closest of kin. There are some things too hard to say directly between loved ones. It’s easier coming from an outsider like me. If Your Highness doesn’t feel sorrow, Her Highness won’t either. I don’t want to see her sad.”

An outsider, he defined himself so clearly. As if he’d never once aspired to become imperial son-in-law.

After Jiang Chuang returned, Han Sheng gave his farewells before leaving. His courtesy was impeccable, there was not a single flaw to be found.

Jiang Chuang had just opened his mouth to ask what they had talked about, and why Han Sheng had left so quickly, when he suddenly felt his little husband wrap both arms around his waist, leaning into his chest.

Wen Jue, eyes shining with a mix of joy and melancholy, whispered, “Yunchuan, don’t leave me!”

Jiang Chuang responded by giving him a firm kiss on the cheek. “What nonsense are you saying? I’m the one who can’t leave you!”