SWHCBB 13

Chapter 13: The Poor Blind Consort Moves the General to Tears

On the way back to the residence, Jiang Chuang remained silent for a long while, weighed down with heavy thoughts. The words Wen Yan had spoken echoed repeatedly in his heart.

“Zhiyu’s health is very poor. It’s a condition he’s had since the womb. Back then, Consort Mother gave birth prematurely and could only deliver him with the help of ginseng decoction.”

“He’s been sickly since childhood. His body should have been delicately cared for, but after Consort Mother passed away, Father Emperor resented him. No one cared for him except me. His health steadily declined, and the damage could never be undone.”

Wen Yan paused slightly, then continued, “After Consort Mother died, we relied on each other for many years. Later, I regained Father Emperor’s favor and thought Zhiyu could finally nurse his body back to health. But because of that bowl of soup… he went blind…”

Jiang Chuang had thought she was about to cry. Just hearing it, just imagining it, was enough to make his heart ache unbearably.

But Wen Yan didn’t cry. Her expression was calm, only her eyes betraying a faint trace of sorrow.

“At the time, he nearly didn’t survive. I remember him lying half-dead in my lap, whispering, ‘Imperial Sister, it’s so dark… so dark… I’m afraid I won’t be able to find Mother in the afterlife.’”

A teardrop fell onto his hand. The warm, wet sensation snapped Jiang Chuang out of his daze, only for him to realize he had started crying.

Wen Yan glanced at him and went on, “He also said, ‘Imperial Sister, I heard the dead can protect the living. I’ll protect you for a lifetime. Being able to protect you makes me happy.’”

In two lifetimes, this was the first time Jiang Chuang learned that the poisonous soup not only took Zhiyu’s sight, but had nearly taken his life as well.

How dangerous things had been back then, Wen Jue never breathed a word of it. Jiang Chuang never asked either. Only now did he realize how much pain he had endured.

In all those years Wen Yan hadn’t mentioned, the Emperor despised him, he lost his right to inherit—how had Wen Jue struggled to grow up in the depths of the palace?

All of his schemes, all of his hard choices, had only ever been for himself and his sister to survive. Yet Jiang Chuang always doubted his sincerity, and Wen Jue never tried to explain.

If not for that moment when he was on the brink of death, Jiang Chuang might never have known what he truly thought.

In the end, Wen Yan warned Jiang Chuang, “My brother is the best in this world and deserves the best. I won’t force you to love him, but you must treat him kindly. If he’s unhappy, don’t think you can stop me from finding someone else to bring him joy.”

Back to the general’s manor.

Only when Jiang Chuang stood at the gate did he remember he’d forgotten to buy something tasty for Zhiyu. Oh well—he’d take him out for a stroll instead.

With that thought, he quickened his pace, eager to see him.

But as soon as he stepped into the manor, he learned that Wen Jue had already left earlier.

Jiang Chuang asked, “Where did His Highness go?”

The maid shook her head. “This servant doesn’t know. Though I was part of His Highness’s dowry, he doesn’t like me following him.”

Hearing this, Jiang Chuang turned to find the steward, but the maid called him back.

“My lord~”

Jiang Chuang turned to see her lifting her head. With almond eyes and rosy cheeks, her gaze was coy and seductive. She lowered her lashes in a show of bashfulness. “The kitchen has prepared soup. Since His Highness isn’t around, allow this servant to attend to your meal?”

Jiang Chuang frowned, suddenly recalling that when he first got married, Wen Jue’s four dowry maids clearly had designs on him.

These palace-born girls might have been spies planted by the Emperor. Jiang Chuang couldn’t act rashly, so he kept his distance.

Later, the four maids somehow turned on one another and caused a scandal. Jiang Chuang used the incident as an excuse to kick them out and took the chance to replace all disloyal servants.

He stared at her for a moment. Yuanxiang beamed, fluttering her lashes with another coy smile.

“What’s your name?” Jiang Chuang asked.

“Replying to my lord, this servant is called Yuan Xiang~” she answered, suppressing her joy and deliberately making her voice sound sweeter.

Jiang Chuang replied, “Alright. You don’t need to serve in the front courtyard anymore. The kitchen in the back courtyard is short-handed—there’s a cook raising chickens all alone. Go help take care of them. Remember, the chickens mustn’t be too fat or too thin. You have to make them run more or the meat won’t be tender.”

The once-flirtatious beauty froze, eyes wide. “Huh?… Hehe, my lord, you must be joking? This servant only knows how to serve people—I’ve never raised chickens!”

“You can learn!” Jiang Chuang said righteously. “I believe you have a rare talent for chicken-raising. I’m sure within three months, the number of chickens will double!”

Yuan Xiang was on the verge of tears and tried to deny it, begging Jiang Chuang not to believe in her so much. “My lord, this servant truly…”

Seeing her so flustered, Jiang Chuang suddenly looked enlightened. “Don’t worry. If you’re afraid of gossip, how about this—I hereby appoint you the Head Chicken Supervisor. Second only to the steward. How about that?”

“I… I…” Yuan Xiang dropped to her knees, hoping he’d take back the order.

But Jiang Chuang waved his hand. “That’s enough. Just accept the appointment. No need for formal bows—we don’t have so many rules in this manor.”

Yuan Xiang lifted her face, her once-beautiful expression now contorted by the ‘joy’ of becoming the Chicken Supervisor.

Then Jiang Chuang’s face darkened. “These chickens are very important to me. If even one dies, I’ll hold you solely responsible!”

The sudden change in Jiang Chuang’s expression was so fierce it frightened Yuan Xiang into bowing her head. “This servant understands! I will do my utmost to care for them!”

Jiang Chuang stifled a laugh and strode away. Want to climb into his bed? Then he’d make sure they stayed too busy for such nonsense!

After he left, Yuan Xiang slowly got up, wiped the sweat from her brow, and stomped her foot in frustration. She hadn’t even become a concubine and was already made Chicken Supervisor. What kind of fate was this?

From her perspective, the blind one wasn’t the Fifth Prince, it was clearly the General! She, a delicate beauty, reduced to raising chickens?

She grumbled bitterly to herself, comforting herself that at least among the other dowry maids, she had a title now, even if it was ridiculous.

At last, Jiang Chuang learned from the steward that Wen Jue had gone to the largest teahouse in the capital—a gathering place for scholars and poets, lively and bustling.

Jiang Chuang rushed there without delay.

At that moment, in a private room of the teahouse—

Two men sat on either side of a square tea table, a chessboard between them.

One wore white robes, with plain features and a gentle demeanor. After studying the board, he cautiously placed a piece.

Opposite him was a man in blue robes, with half-tied black hair held by a simple wooden hairpin—yet the pin looked anything but ordinary on him.

Strands of hair framed his pale, jade-like face. His lowered lashes couldn’t conceal his bewitching features, and the small mole at the corner of his eye was as captivating as a fox’s tail.

He was unforgettable at first glance. His striking features were like heavy ink strokes, yet his aura was as ethereal as a banished immortal.

A handsome page stood beside him, wearing clothes too fine for an ordinary commoner.

The page addressed him as “Your Highness” and informed him of the opponent’s latest move.

Wen Jue lifted his eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

If one didn’t see his vacant, unfocused gaze, it would be hard to believe such a radiant man was blind.

After a moment, Wen Jue said, “East five, south thirteen.”

“Yes!” Changning picked up a white piece and placed it accordingly.

Wei Xiuzhu raised his brows, then smiled helplessly. “Your Highness, why spare me? One move to east five, south twelve would have killed off all my black stones.”

Wen Jue smiled. “A clean kill is too boring. I prefer watching prey struggle again and again.”

“My apologies,” Wei Xiuzhu chuckled. “My skills are lacking. I couldn’t give Your Highness a proper challenge.”

Suddenly, Changning stood up, pushed open the window, and looked downstairs, then returned to Wen Jue’s side.

“Your Highness, the General is here.”

Wen Jue’s lips curled slightly, clearly in a good mood.

Wei Xiuzhu said, “Looks like it’s time to end the game. My piece is doomed. Even though it looks like you’ve left me a way out, it’s actually a trap. I can’t escape—this was a fated death trap.”

“There’s no such thing as a fated death trap,” Wen Jue warned. “Even if I laid the trap, there are always flaws. Every move must be careful, if favorable, pursue and encircle; if dangerous, withdraw.”

Wei Xiuzhu cupped his hands, the smile gone. “Understood… But I fear the Grand Princess won’t agree. This matter involves Your Highness. She was already angry when the marriage edict came.”

Wen Jue shook his head calmly. “She knows how to weigh present versus future. She wouldn’t abandon long-term gain for momentary grievances. Besides, it’s three birds with one stone—worth it.”

Wei Xiuzhu quickly apologized, “Forgive my shortsightedness!”

Hearing footsteps outside, Wen Jue knew Jiang Chuang had arrived. He took Changning’s hand and stood up.

Jiang Chuang’s footsteps halted—he must’ve seen him. Wen Jue pulled away from Changning, determined to walk to him on his own.

Changning was about to help, but Wen Jue shook his head, so he withdrew his hand.

Wen Jue walked step by step with steady confidence—no cane, no aid. Jiang Chuang remained silent, seemingly knowing exactly what he intended, and waited in place.

Wen Jue reached him, tilted his head up, and softened his voice. “Husband…”

As the words left his mouth, silence fell. No one made a sound, as if even the air had stilled.

Wen Jue was confused, wasn’t this the moment Jiang Chuang should take his hand? He called again, “Yunchuan?”

But Jiang Chuang’s voice came from his right. “Your husband is over here.”

Wen Jue froze. The burly man before him scratched his head, blushing. “Uh, I was just passing by…”

All the tenderness Jiang Chuang had brought with him turned into grievance. He stepped forward, took Wen Jue’s hand, and said, “Let’s go home.”

He can’t even recognize his own husband, does he even like me?

Jiang Chuang looked at the man beside him with a sullen expression, sulking silently.