SWHCBB 68

Chapter 68: He Said He Wants to Die with Me!

Jiang Chuang’s shock was so obvious that Wen Jue felt a little miffed. He muttered softly, “What? You don’t like me being by your side? Or… am I getting in the way of you picking up some pretty female physician?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Jiang Chuang pulled him close so they were face to face.

Wen Jue’s jealousy had no basis, and he knew it. Feeling guilty, he lowered his eyes in embarrassment.

Jiang Chuang propped himself up slightly and slowly leaned in, staring at him silently.

As his breath drew closer and closer, Wen Jue shrank back, but Jiang Chuang wouldn’t stop. Their eyes met, and it was only at this distance that Wen Jue could barely make out Jiang Chuang’s features.

But right now, he wasn’t in the mood to admire anything. He reached out to press against Jiang Chuang’s chest to stop him. “What are you doing? Aren’t you hot?”

“I just want to see… has my husband been possessed by a fox spirit tonight?” Jiang Chuang said with a straight face, eyes narrowed.

Wen Jue continued his blatant denial and gave Jiang Chuang’s chest a pinch, muttering, “Then go fetch Physician Bai. Maybe he knows how to summon lost souls.”

“Haha…” Jiang Chuang’s broad chest rumbled with a deep laugh. He pulled Wen Jue into his arms. “If it’s summoning souls, you should be the one doing it, Prince Jin, you’re the expert. Otherwise, how do you explain how a few words from you can make my soul float away?”

Lately he’d been reading too many storybooks, he could now spew these sappy lines effortlessly. Wen Jue’s ears were practically aching from the sweetness.

Suppressing a smile, Wen Jue replied seriously, “Looks like I need to go buy some proper books tomorrow, before your brain rots from all this fluff.”

Jiang Chuang snorted, “This is just how I am, no book can save me. Prince Jin, don’t waste your effort.”

Back to the point, he asked, “Why the sudden change of heart about going to the battlefield with me? You always said you’d stay in the capital. Blades don’t have eyes out there. If something happens to you… I can’t take that gamble.”

Jiang Chuang didn’t want to bring Zhiyu to the frontlines. Maybe it was the shadow left from their past life, when he had to flee with Zhiyu. That had been the only time he almost lost him forever.

Even now, the memory still haunted him.

Though the capital wasn’t exactly safe either, this life he hadn’t sided with Prince Yi, and Prince Yi didn’t have the power to take control of the army. With the Eldest Princess and Huang Guang watching over him, Zhiyu should’ve been safe.

Originally, it had been about following his sister’s wishes and weighing the risks. Concern for Yunchuan had swayed him. But that dream, vague though it was, had imprinted the pain of losing Yunchuan so deeply in Wen Jue’s heart that he could no longer ignore it.

Nestled in Jiang Chuang’s arms, Wen Jue spoke his true feelings without thinking, “I’d rather we die together than live apart, safe and well, in different worlds.”

Jiang Chuang trembled. His embrace tightened. He couldn’t believe such words had come from Zhiyu.

In their past life, Zhiyu would never have said such a thing. He wasn’t someone who acted on emotion. Everything he schemed, even his own death, was for paving the way for Wen Yan. Where he died didn’t matter, only that his death had value.

But this life, Zhiyu had changed. Or rather, he hadn’t. He’d simply learned to love, and slowly learned to show it.

If it were the Jiang Chuang of the past, he wouldn’t have believed a single word from Zhiyu, always suspecting ulterior motives. But now, everything was different. This was Zhiyu, changed by his presence, step by step.

And maybe… this meant that in Zhiyu’s heart, he was finally starting to matter more than the Eldest Princess.

When no reply came, Wen Jue tilted his head to look up at him. “Hm?”

Then Jiang Chuang kissed him, fierce, overwhelming, breath-stealing.

“Alright! Then we’ll die together!”

It wouldn’t even be the first time. Dying together was a luxury countless others could only dream of.

Wen Jue laughed, “Idiot.”

Two fools curled up under one blanket, laughing together like children in the dark.

Once again, he woke up in a room filled with the scent of medicine. As the days passed, Wen Jue’s health steadily improved.

In contrast, the smell of blood around Bai Yuan grew heavier. He was often too weak to help Wen Jue stand, instead, Wen Jue had to support him. But any time Wen Jue suggested he rest, Bai Yuan would coldly send him away.

Just like now, Wen Jue woke, sat up, and vaguely heard Bai Yuan’s ragged, uneven breathing. Turning toward the sound, he caught a glimpse of blood on Bai Yuan’s arm, soon hidden by black robes.

Seeing Wen Jue about to speak, Bai Yuan cut him off coldly, “Don’t ask.”

Wen Jue could only swallow his worries and speak cautiously. “The divine physician has done us a great service. If there’s anything troubling you, please don’t hesitate to tell us. We’ll help however we can. If you don’t wish to speak, writing is fine too. Please don’t force yourself.”

Bai Yuan glanced at him. His pale face betrayed no emotion, but he didn’t seem displeased. He just nodded.

Just as Wen Jue was about to leave, Bai Yuan called him back. “Wait.”

He stopped at the door, hadn’t opened it yet. “Divine Physician?”

Bai Yuan tidied the jars on the table and asked, “You’re leaving the capital?”

Wen Jue was surprised, then smiled. “I didn’t expect someone who keeps their door shut all day to be so well informed.”

“Zhuge Qing told me.” Bai Yuan took a letter from his medical box and placed it on the table. “He left this for you after his last visit. Told me to give it to you next time you came for treatment.”

Zhuge Qing? A letter?

Wen Jue walked over. In just a few steps, he had guessed Zhuge Qing’s intent.

He asked, “Did the strategist say anything else?”

Bai Yuan coughed lightly and raised his arm. Wen Jue saw faint scars on it, some crusted over, others still bleeding. No wonder the scent of blood never faded…

But he said nothing. He couldn’t ask.

“He said the capital is surrounded by wolves, all waiting to strike. Not ideal for your recovery. If you’re smart, you’ll know it’s time to leave and avoid the storm. The best place besides your fief in Raocgeng is the Li family in Beijun.”

Bai Yuan tapped the envelope. “He said if you’re going to leave, make it count. This is a plan he’s offering. If it’s not necessary, don’t use it. If you do, don’t tell General Jiang. But if you must… don’t sell him out.”

Wen Jue: …

He picked up the envelope helplessly. Never mind whether he could see the words clearly. “Divine Physician, I lost my sight young. I know how to pronounce words but not how to write them. I’m basically illiterate. Now that I can barely see anything, could I trouble you to read it aloud?”

“Sit. I’ll read it.” Bai Yuan agreed easily. Seeing Wen Jue confused, he added, “Don’t worry. He lost a bet with me and paid up with a bunch of good stuff. That’s the only reason I’m doing this small favor.”

It was rare to see Bai Yuan look so pleased. Wen Jue smiled and sat opposite him. “Looks like you don’t dislike him as much as you pretend to.”

Bai Yuan answered blandly, “I don’t dislike anyone. To me, people are either annoying or not annoying, tolerable or intolerable.”

Later, Wen Jue would finally understand what that meant. In Bai Yuan’s eyes, no human was worth the effort. Life and death were but the flick of a finger.

Zhuge Qing’s letter was short, just a few vague lines. Bai Yuan read it quickly. Nothing was explained clearly. Jiang Chuang wouldn’t understand it even if he read it, but Zhuge Qing was sure Wen Jue would.

Maybe he’d even planned it that way: if Wen Jue couldn’t understand, then this plan wasn’t worth doing.

Wen Jue listened quietly, thought for a moment, then smiled. “Thank you, Divine Physician.”

Then he stood and left, not disturbing Bai Yuan any longer.

No wonder Zhuge Qing warned him not to tell Yunchuan. If Jiang Chuang knew, he’d never agree to it. But only Zhuge Qing would dare offer a scheme like this, one that involved calculating even himself into the plan.

If it worked… no matter the cost, it would be worth it.