SWHCBB 104

Chapter 104: They Finally Tasted The Wine Missed in a Past Life.

“Mother Consort and Royal Sister… brewed it by hand?” Jiang Chuang repeated those words, staring at the wine jar on the table as a buzzing filled his mind. His whole body froze.

Wen Jue knew exactly what he was thinking. Though he hadn’t seen that past life in a dream, everything he knew had come from Yunchuan’s retellings.

Back then, Yunchuan had spoken with overwhelming regret and anguish. He still remembered those small, trivial details after all those years. Just how long had those memories tormented him?

It had marked the beginning of their estrangement, also the first time Jiang Chuang had been so harsh toward him.

Wen Jue had never drunk alcohol. He had already been a blind man who relied on others for so much; drinking would only make him more of a burden. Besides, his body had never tolerated alcohol.

So, that so-called “wine jar” could only mean one thing…

To Wen Jue, this particular jar of wine was precious, it was one of the few keepsakes his mother had left behind. He only knew it was buried beneath a withered peach tree inside Guanju Palace. He had never seen it and couldn’t bear to dig it up.

His sister had said that it should only be unearthed when he married, to serve at the wedding banquet, as if their mother could witness the ceremony alongside them.

But he hadn’t married a wife, he had become the one who married instead. His sister had never mentioned the wine again. Wen Jue didn’t know what the future held for this union, forged with calculation and self-interest. He didn’t feel worthy to tarnish their mother’s intentions, so he deliberately chose not to bring it up.

Jiang Chuang dared not even touch the wine jar. His fingertips curled slightly, drawing back as if afraid he might knock it over again.

Wen Jue reached out and wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes, smiling helplessly. “What are you crying for? I had my royal sister help me dig this up first thing this morning, not to make you cry.”

Only then did Jiang Chuang realize he was crying. He remembered back then, when the wine had splashed on Zhiyu’s robe. He hadn’t known where to hide, only able to stand there, pale-faced, with those dull and lifeless eyes, completely at a loss.

“I…” Jiang Chuang lowered his eyes, silent tears falling as he bit hard on his lip to keep from sobbing out loud. “I’m… sorry.”

“Don’t!” Wen Jue covered his mouth, affectionately smiling. “You know I don’t want to hear that!”

“Yes, yes, I know, you feel guilty because you smashed my wine jar, lost your temper at me… mm, and pointed your sword at me, said you’d never speak to me again. That’s why you’re still upset, right?”

Jiang Chuang looked at him and nodded.

“It’s alright. I forgive you.” Wen Jue wiped his tears with both amusement and aching tenderness. “So from now on, don’t torment yourself over it anymore. I don’t need that kind of guilt from you.”

That only made Jiang Chuang feel worse. All he could think was, how could someone be this good? So good he wanted to give him everything he possibly could. He just wanted to treat him a little better, then better still. And no matter how well he treated him, it would never be enough.

To others, he was a terrifying brute. But in front of Wen Jue, he was crying with red eyes and a runny nose, nodding miserably and muttering, “Mm…” head hung low.

Wen Jue tried his hardest not to laugh. Now that he could see, he realized, so this is what Yunchuan looked like when he cried.

“How can you be this adorable?” he teased, pinching his face in an attempt to cheer him up.

If Zhuge Qing heard him describe Jiang Chuang like that, he’d probably be disgusted enough to get facial spasms and go ask Bai Yuan if Zhiyu’s eyes had been installed backward.

Still sullen, Jiang Chuang mumbled, “I know you’re trying to comfort me… but I just can’t forgive myself.”

“Ah…” Wen Jue feigned disappointment. “Then should I start calculating all the things I’ve done wrong too? How deeply I hurt you? And then wallow in guilt and self-punishment too?”

Jiang Chuang shook his head. “Of course not!”

“Exactly.” Wen Jue smiled faintly. “If you keep punishing yourself for the past, or for things that, strictly speaking, haven’t even happened yet. If you keep drowning in guilt and sorrow, how can we move forward? I don’t want your love for me to always carry a burden of guilt.”

What he didn’t say aloud was, if, one day, Jiang Chuang began to associate his love with nothing but pain, then he might grow tired. And if he grew tired and wanted to leave… what then?

A soft breeze wafted through the pavilion, bringing a refreshing coolness that also seemed to clear Jiang Chuang’s mind. He looked at the Zhiyu before him, reflecting on his words. The heaviness in his chest gradually lifted.

Yes, wallowing in guilt would only make things harder for Zhiyu.

He wiped away his tears and forced a relaxed smile. “You’re ri–” He paused, hesitant.

“Hmm?” Wen Jue tilted his head with a gentle smile, waiting for him to speak.

Jiang Chuang broke into a smile through the tears, bending to hug him. “Zhiyu, I always end up showing you the ugliest, most embarrassing sides of me. Aren’t you afraid I’m not manly or heroic enough for you?”

Wen Jue chuckled and gently stroked his back. “Why would I be? I love how you’re all fierce and imposing in front of others, but when you come home, you throw your arms around me and cry if you want to. This side of you, only I get to see it. And I love it.”

He was good at comforting and coaxing. Jiang Chuang beamed, nuzzling into him like a giant puppy. He looked so happy he could fly, as if he had an invisible tail wagging behind him.

“Alright, let’s try this aged peach blossom brew.” Wen Jue patted the wine jar on the table and they both sat down.

The dirt had already been washed from the jar. Even with the seal intact, the aroma of peach blossoms wafted through the air.

Jiang Chuang picked up the tool on the table and carefully pried open the seal. A rich, floral fragrance of peach blossom and wine instantly burst forth.

“It smells amazing!” Wen Jue’s eyes sparkled. “Later, I want to have a jug sent to the palace for my sister. It’s been so many years, I wonder if she still remembers this wine?”

Jiang Chuang took a deep sniff. “You can tell just from the scent, this is a rare and exquisite wine. After being buried underground for so long, each sip is precious.”

Wen Jue chuckled at his reluctance. “If it’s that good, we should drink it. Leaving it untouched would only waste it. Only if we drink it together will it truly honor my mother and sister’s intentions. Come on, pour us a cup, I’ve never had alcohol before!”

“You little glutton,” Jiang Chuang teased, but his hands moved quickly, filling their cups as the fragrance lingered between them.

He took a small sip. The taste was as fragrant as the scent. Spicy, yes, but also sweet and mellow.

The wine he missed in his past life, he was finally tasting it now. Jiang Chuang treasured every drop, savoring each sip with care.

Just as he turned to share it with Zhiyu, he saw him scrunching up his bright red face, eyes brimming with tears, it was clearly too strong for him. His cup was already empty.

Seeing Jiang Chuang looking at him, Wen Jue immediately frowned. “It’s so spicy–cough, cough…I’m not drinking anymore!”

Jiang Chuang burst into laughter and leaned in to kiss him. Wen Jue blinked in surprise, then obediently parted his lips. Jiang Chuang deepened the kiss, stealing away the spicy burn lingering on his tongue.

Outside the pavilion, the servants quietly lowered their heads, pretending not to see anything.

The kiss ended, and Jiang Chuang wiped the corner of Zhiyu’s mouth. “Still spicy?”

Wen Jue shook his head, his face even redder. “Not spicy… just a little dizzy.”

“Drunk already?” Jiang Chuang touched his face, it was warm. He hadn’t drunk much before, and downing a cup all at once would definitely hit hard.

Wen Jue rested his cheek against the table. “I’m not drunk.” He gazed at Jiang Chuang with a faint smile, and for a moment, Jiang Chuang could hear nothing but the pounding of his own heart.

“My sister said… this wine, Mother brewed it before I was born. She had a jar too, brewed together with Father. But she couldn’t resist and pestered him until he dug it up and drank it with her before five years had passed.” He chuckled softly.

“My jar was kept until now. Mother said it was for the day I got married, so she could be part of the ceremony. I hope… it’s not too late.”

Jiang Chuang held his hand gently. “It’s not. It’s just right.”

Wen Jue’s smile softened further. “Back then, I must’ve dug up this jar to let you be the one to drink it. That wish… must be the same as the one I hold now.”

Jiang Chuang’s voice turned slightly bitter. “But I…”

“Don’t think too much.” Wen Jue cut him off, propping himself up and sliding into Jiang Chuang’s lap. He leaned close and whispered by his ear, “Back then, I probably wanted to say… Yunchuan…”

“Mm.” Jiang Chuang gazed at him. He didn’t dare to say another word of apology, but his guilt and remorse were still there.

Wen Jue gave a cryptic smile. “Ever consider switching teams? Stop working for Prince Yi, hmm?”

Jiang Chuang froze. “Huh?”

Wen Jue tapped his forehead lazily. “Use your brain, General. Back then, even if I had started with false feelings that turned real, I would never have bared my heart without some hidden motives. There were always selfish desires mixed in.”

“At most, I was gambling. Gambling that you might be moved by my sincerity, that when you fell deeply enough, you’d abandon your master for me.”

But he hadn’t even gotten the chance to make the bet, because Jiang Chuang had shattered everything first.

Wen Jue had never made a losing trade. If he wagered his heart and vulnerability, it was always in pursuit of something greater.

Yet no matter how many times he fell to Jiang Chuang, he always did so willingly.

Trying to earn some points, Jiang Chuang hurriedly added, “I already did! I abandoned him before!”

Seeing this, Wen Jue smiled and kissed his ear. “I know. Actually, this jar of wine… carries one more meaning you’ll like.”

“What is it?”

“Yunchuan, I love you.”