SWHCBB 103

Chapter 103: His Eyes Held Only Jiang Chuang

In just three or four days, news came that the Fourth Prince had taken his own life in his residence.

The Emperor had awakened, but he was still in a dazed stupor, unable to make decisions. With matters as serious as those concerning the Third and Fourth Princes, Wen Yan couldn’t act on her own judgment either and could only let them sit unresolved.

Wen Yan had been overwhelmingly busy in recent days, yet still forced herself to appear relaxed, she didn’t want Wen Jue to worry about her.

But Wen Jue had sent her letter after letter, trying to see her, all of which she turned down with various excuses, wasn’t it clear how busy she truly was? Wen Jue wished he could share her burden, but he was powerless to do more. He had already done everything he could.

In the future, once she ascended the throne, she would only have more to shoulder.

All Wen Jue wanted was to surprise her in person, to tell her that he was healed, that he could see again, but the opportunity never seemed to come.

The day of departure for the frontier was drawing nearer, and Jiang Chuang had begun to get busy as well. First returning to the palace to report, then making preparations for the road ahead.

Huang Guang had already led his team to the frontier. Chen Lin, after finishing his business, was also already there. Only he and Zhuge Qing remained.

In contrast, Wen Jue finally had some free time. After regaining his sight, he found himself less anxious than before.

Jiang Chuang had just returned to the estate. He remembered what he and Zhiyu had planned to do before leaving the capital, he quickened his steps eagerly. As he lifted his eyes, he saw Wen Jue and Changning seated together in the lakeside pavilion. Excited, he rushed over.

“Zhi–!”

But before the name had fully left his lips, what he saw brought him to a halt.

Wen Jue was sitting at the table in his pale blue robe, with Changning standing beside him. A wine jar sat on the table before them.

Jiang Chuang approached. As he drew near, he saw Wen Jue lean in and sniff the air slightly, his expression blossoming into a bright smile before looking up at Changning. His lips moved, he was probably saying, “It smells amazing.”

Changning was drooling over the wine jar, bending to open the lid but then quickly pulling his hand back, grumbling in frustration.

Wen Jue reached out and patted his head. Ever since regaining his sight, he’d taken a liking to this gesture, as if treating Changning like a younger brother.

This peaceful scene made Jiang Chuang’s steps slow. His heart thudded. His footfalls grew quieter. He couldn’t tell anymore, was this the past or the present?

The moment was all too familiar, etched deeply into the bones of his former self. In his past life, Jiang Chuang had spent countless sleepless nights haunted by questions:

What kind of wine was in that jar I smashed? What had he planned to do with it? Was he hurt by the shards when the jar shattered? Had he ever truly cared?

He’d found no answers. And eventually, even seeking them had lost its meaning. He buried it all in his heart forever.

He thought he’d moved on. But now that the scene was playing out again before him, all the guilt and pain he thought long buried surged back to the surface.

As he approached, Wen Jue heard his footsteps and turned toward the sound. Upon seeing Jiang Chuang, his eyes softened even more, glowing with light, and in those eyes, there was no one but Jiang Chuang.

Changning, tactful as ever, slipped away. His Highness would surely leave some wine for him and Yuan Xiang anyway!

Seeing Jiang Chuang slowing down, Wen Jue finally couldn’t wait any longer. He rose and walked toward him, tilting his head with a smile.

“What’s wrong? What are you dazing off about?”

That was when he saw Jiang Chuang’s eyes redden.

Jiang Chuang stared into his eyes, dazed for a moment, before murmuring, “You were waiting for me.” It wasn’t a question.

Wen Jue blinked. “Who else would I be waiting for?” He reached out, took Jiang Chuang’s hand, and led him into the pavilion. “Today’s wine was personally brewed for me by my mother and sister. Well? Want to have a taste?”