SWHCBB 105

Chapter 105: Departure

This time, their departure was far less grand than the last. There were only a few attendants and soldiers traveling with them. Still, Wen Yan put aside all state affairs to come to the city walls to see them off.

With the political situation still unsettled and Wen Yan not yet crowned, Wen Jue couldn’t reveal that his vision had returned. Fearing that sharp-eyed onlookers might notice something, he had no choice but to cover his eyes with a piece of pale green gauze. From the general’s estate to outside the city gates, he never stepped out of the carriage.

He deliberately put on the appearance of someone gravely ill, just to make the Third Prince’s people lower their guard and believe he was no longer a threat.

When Wen Yan arrived at the carriage, Jiang Chuang lifted the curtain and called out, “Zhiyu, Royal Sister is here.”

Jiang Chuang carried Wen Jue down from the carriage with care, not letting him bump into anything or get even a speck of dust on his robe. Wen Jue was slender as a willow; he seemed to need Jiang Chuang’s support just to stand upright.

Wen Yan took all this in silently. Her heart clenched the moment she saw the gauze covering his eyes. She glanced at Imperial Physician Li, who immediately stepped forward to take Wen Jue’s pulse, but Wen Yan lifted her hand, stopping him.

“Zhiyu, I’ve brought Imperial Physician Li. How’s your health? Would you let him check your pulse?”

Wen Jue shook his head. “No need to worry, Sister. I’ve brought a physician with me. I’ll be fine.”

Wen Yan lowered her eyes, suppressing her disappointment, then took his hand and patted it. “Take care on your journey. I’ve already arranged everything. As for Raocheng I’ve heard the governor there is useless, a man wearing a monkey crown.”

“If anything displeases you when you arrive, don’t hesitate to act. Just remember, your sister will always back you up. There’s nothing to fear.”

Wen Jue’s heart ached. He longed to remove the gauze and look upon his royal sister’s face, but with the political situation as unstable as it was, he couldn’t risk it.

“I understand. Please take care as well. If you ever need me, I’ll be there at any time. Don’t shoulder everything alone.” He added solemnly, “Aside from Yunchuan, you’re the most important family I have.”

That last line made Jiang Chuang, standing off to the side, so giddy he nearly lost control of his expression. He had to cough discreetly into his hand and pretend to be nonchalant.

Wen Yan cast him a sidelong glance but had already accepted that someone had surpassed her in her younger brother’s heart.

“I know,” she said, patting Wen Jue’s head. Then she looked to Jiang Chuang. “Jiang Chuang, Xige has been stirring up trouble unusually often. You must stay vigilant, especially around anyone outside your closest confidants.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Jiang Chuang cupped his fist in a formal salute, not daring to be the least bit careless.

Wen Yan tossed him a jade pendant. “This is my token. Keep it with you. If anyone dares obstruct you, I permit you to strike first and report later!”

Jiang Chuang looked up in shock, then immediately bowed low. “Your servant… obeys!”

Even through the gauze, Wen Jue could see the longing and sorrow in his sister’s eyes. In the next moment, he stepped forward and hugged her.

Wen Yan was startled but quickly softened, smiling indulgently as she embraced him in return. “You’re a grown man now, still clinging to your sister like this? I really don’t know what to do with you.”

Wen Jue closed his eyes and whispered at her ear, “Sister, my eyes have completely recovered. It won’t be long before my body is fully healed too.”

He hadn’t been able to hold it in and had confessed. He’d expected her to demand answers, to scold him for keeping it from her all this time.

But to his surprise, Wen Yan didn’t look shocked at all. She simply smiled. “Really? That’s wonderful. I knew my Xiao Zhiyu would live a long, healthy life.”

Seeing the confusion on his face, she shook her head with a sigh. “Did you really think your royal sister couldn’t tell?”

Only foolish Zhiyu would still be feeling guilty for keeping it from her.

Just as Wen Jue was about to say more, Wen Yan let go and took a step back. “Alright, you need to go. I’ve still have much to do. We part ways here, let’s hope that by next spring, we can sit down together for a proper New Year’s Eve dinner.”

They said their goodbyes. The carriage began moving forward. Wen Jue wanted to lift the curtain and look back at his sister’s departing figure, but in the end, he didn’t. All the longing in his heart turned into hope that they meet again.

___

Less than an hour after they left the city, an arrow came flying from who-knew-where, aimed straight for the carriage. Jiang Chuang’s eyes narrowed, he raised his sword and struck the arrow down. The nearby guards instantly surrounded the carriage. “On alert!”

They remained vigilant for a long time, but no sign of an enemy ever appeared. The surroundings remained calm. Only then did Jiang Chuang pick up the arrow and examine it closely, he saw that a piece of paper had been tied to the arrowhead.

That, it seemed, was the attacker’s true purpose.

Jiang Chuang unfolded the note. After reading its contents, he immediately lifted the curtain and handed it to Wen Jue.