SWHCBB 17

Chapter 17: Once Again, He Coaxes the Little Husband Into Smiling

Wen Jue was jostled dizzy in Jiang Chuang’s arms. Only after being lifted onto horseback did he find the strength to speak again.

“Why so sudden? Where are we going?”

Jiang Chuang didn’t answer directly. He sat behind Wen Jue, wrapping him in his arms, and whispered against his ear, “Zhiyu, hold onto the reins—or hold onto me. We’re setting off!”

Wen Jue obeyed, and in the next instant, he heard Jiang Chuang snap the reins and shout, “Hyah!”

The horse started into a trot, then picked up speed until it broke into a gallop.

Wen Jue had never ridden a horse before. With his condition, no one would ever have allowed it. This was his first time in the saddle. As the horse surged beneath him, the lack of vision intensified the sensation of weightlessness—it felt like he might be flung off at any moment.

Instinctively, he clung tightly to Jiang Chuang’s arm. Jiang Chuang noticed his fear and freed one hand to wrap around his waist, soothing him softly, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

Together they galloped through the city streets, heading straight toward the countryside outside the capital. Cold wind whipped against Wen Jue’s face. As he gradually got used to riding, he tilted his face up to feel the wind rush past.

The breeze carried the scent of meat pies from roadside stalls, the mellow aroma of rice wine from a brewing booth, the dry fragrance of ink and paper from a bookhouse, and the rich scent of oil from a vendor showing off his product. Nearing the city gate, even the earthy smell of freshly tilled farmland lingered in the air…

All these scents felt like a second pair of eyes to Wen Jue. He could almost “see” the everyday lives of the people in the capital, rising at dawn, resting at dusk. Such a life brought contentment. His heart gradually opened up, no longer mired in self-pity.

Jiang Chuang had taken him horseback through the long streets, through the hustle and bustle of the people, then on toward the freedom of the open wilds.

The whole way, Jiang Chuang said nothing, occasionally glancing down at the person in his arms. When he saw Wen Jue’s brows relaxed, his blind eyes open wide as if to take it all in, lips curled faintly, he knew he was happy.

And so Jiang Chuang felt happy too. Because this joy Wen Jue showed was real. In this moment, he was being himself, no disguises.

Just seeing him happy made Jiang Chuang’s heart swell. His Zhiyu had suffered so much, for so long, he hadn’t even dared hope for a bit of sweetness in life.

Jiang Chuang had always wanted to take him away from the capital, away from all the turmoil. They could travel together, admire the landscapes of the realm, and seek out healers to treat his eyes.

But it was just a dream. Not only could Wen Jue not leave, even Jiang Chuang himself wasn’t free to go.

Still, a brief “escape”, that much they could do!

Only when Wen Jue heard the sound of water did the horse begin to slow and come to a walk.

He took a deep breath, the soft fragrance of flowers and grasses filling his nose. With a light smile, he said, “I think I smell the scent of freedom.”

“This is Xiang Lake, just a li outside the capital. Have you ever been here, Zhiyu?” Jiang Chuang looked at the blue sky and clear waters, at the gentle waterfall flowing between the mountains, and the distant smoke from someone’s chimney curling into the sky.

Today’s weather was perfect. The scene before them was rare, but only he could see it…

Wen Jue murmured, “So this is Xiang Lake… it’s my first time. Is it beautiful?”

Jiang Chuang nodded, “Very. Right now, we’re on horseback beside the lake. The water nearby is crystal-clear, and further out it turns jade-green, winding around the mountains with no end in sight. There’s a small waterfall in the distance, flowing gently. Along the cracks in the mountain it runs over, all kinds of flowers are blooming—white and yellow mostly, though I don’t know what kind.”

He tried hard to describe everything in detail so Wen Jue could “see” it too.

Wen Jue was indeed painting the scene in his mind based on Jiang Chuang’s words. But he didn’t tell Jiang Chuang the truth: he had gone blind so young, he didn’t even know what a lake looked like, only that it held a lot of water.

As for mountains, he’d only seen the little hills in the imperial gardens. Real mountains must be much larger.

And the smoke rising through mist, was it like the smoke from firecrackers during the New Year?

Even so, Wen Jue still sighed, “It must be beautiful.”

Jiang Chuang dismounted and lifted him down. “Come, let’s walk a bit. It’s all grassy here. Don’t worry, I’ll guide you. You won’t fall or step into a puddle.”

With his hand in Jiang Chuang’s, Wen Jue felt reassured. As long as Jiang Chuang was there, he wouldn’t get hurt.

The two walked hand in hand. Jiang Chuang led him to the lakeside and had him crouch down and reach out. Cold lake water covered his wrist. Wen Jue shivered but reached back into it again.

“How does it feel?”

“It’s cold, much colder than I expected.”

Jiang Chuang laughed, “This water’s clean and clear, so I let you touch it. In about two hours, the sun will start setting. The crimson sunset will reflect across the lake like a long trail of fire. I’ll find a little boat, and we can drift on the lake, it’s a whole different kind of beauty.”

Wen Jue tried hard to imagine the scene. After a while, he said quietly, a bit dejected, “It sounds beautiful… but I can’t picture it. I guess I can’t share the moment with you.”

Jiang Chuang held his hand and used his sleeve to gently dry it, then cupped both hands around it for warmth. “It is beautiful. But even the most beautiful scene can’t compare to you. It’s alright if you can’t picture it. Once your eyes are healed, we’ll come back again, then you’ll see for yourself.”

“Healed?” Wen Jue pulled his hand back. “Since I was young, the court physicians said my eyes were beyond help. This is just how it’ll be in this life…”

Jiang Chuang spoke with surprising conviction. “If I say they can be healed, they will be! Don’t worry, I’ve already sent people out secretly to search the whole land for miracle doctors. I won’t believe it’s impossible. At worst, I’ll resign and take you far from the capital. I’ve fought for years, I’ve saved enough to travel and take care of you for a lifetime. We can search for a cure while seeing the world.”

Wen Jue frowned. “No. I… can’t leave the capital.”

Just the mention of it brought rejection. Jiang Chuang sighed inwardly, but quickly rallied. Five years from now, when everything had settled, Zhiyu would be able to go with him.

He coaxed him gently, “Then we won’t talk about that for now. Just for today, pretend we’ve escaped the capital. I’m not a general, and you’re not a prince. We’re just ordinary people, a loving couple out to enjoy the day. Doesn’t that sound nice?”

“Ordinary… loving couple…” Wen Jue echoed the words, slowly starting to believe it.

A couple closing up their little stall for the day, walking hand in hand outside the city after a hearty meal, chatting about life, whispering sweet nothings—and when passion peaked, tumbling into love’s embrace.

It was such a beautiful thought that just imagining it made Wen Jue’s eyes curve in a smile. He tiptoed up and kissed Jiang Chuang on the chin. “Okay. Husband, take me to play.”