SWHCBB 20

Chapter 20: My Little Husband Called Me a Perfect Seedling!

Even though he had lived five years longer than everyone else and knew what would happen in the next five years, Jiang Chuang didn’t dare take advantage of his “foresight” to offer Zhiyu advice.

He was never someone with a deep mind for schemes—he couldn’t remember the tangled webs of the previous life, and he feared that by interfering, he might alter the course of events entirely. That was the one thing Jiang Chuang most wanted to avoid.

The only outcome he wished to change was Zhiyu’s tragic death five years later. Therefore, he did all he could to eliminate any person or threat that might harm Zhiyu. But even so, the progression of this life had already begun to diverge, gradually drifting from the path of the previous life.

In the General’s manor, Wen Jue sat in the pavilion at the center of the garden. Before him was a jade chessboard carved with raised and recessed patterns. On the board were white and black jade pieces, though unlike ordinary pieces, these had extra markings.

This chessboard was specially commissioned by Wen Yan for Wen Jue, designed so he could distinguish the sides by touch.

After Wen Jue lost his sight, Wen Yan worried he’d become too withdrawn or lonely, and tried everything she could to amuse him.

Listening to stories, playing the flute, strumming the zither—she changed it up constantly to coax joy out of him.

The only thing Wen Yan would never let him touch was medicine-making or fragrance-blending. Wen Jue had once been obsessed with them, but the long exposure to various herbs had poisoned his body and further weakened his health.

Unable to resist his pleas, Wen Yan had fretted over how to find him a new pastime. In the end, it was one of her male favorites who came up with the idea of the jade chessboard.

And it truly worked. Wen Jue became obsessed with the game, constantly looking for people to play with. When no one was available, he’d dive into ancient manuals and study endgame puzzles.

He loved the feeling of immersing himself alone, battling an unseen opponent across the board—guessing at their moves, struggling against death, and breaking through with life. Just like now.

Changning had arranged the pieces for him according to an old endgame scenario found in one of the manuals. Jiang Chuang had won that rare book from a civil official in a bet, essentially swindled it from him.

In a lowered voice, Changning carefully spoke: “Your Highness, there’s been news. Madam Chen and Miss Su really did run away.”

Wen Jue wasn’t surprised. He’d had people shadowing them for a while, subtly feeding them ideas, letting them believe Jiang Chuang had no intention of giving them a future. Once they got to Qizhou, they’d be abandoned to fend for themselves.

In truth, Jiang Chuang had only wanted to send them to an estate in Qizhou. If they could be content, it wouldn’t be a bad life. The money he gave them—if not squandered—was more than enough for a lifetime.

But the two women had caused constant trouble on the road, bickering and acting as if they still held the same authority they did in the household.

Sure enough, a few instigating words were enough to make them gather up funds and flee.

Wen Jue asked, “Which way did they go?”

Changning replied, “As of now, they appear to be headed toward Jizhou.”

That did surprise Wen Jue a little. “They ran the wrong way?”

Changning said, “Unknown. Our people are still tailing them, awaiting your instructions.”

Wen Jue paused to think. “Don’t interfere yet. Keep watching.”

For now, another matter required attention. “Is everything prepared?”

Changning nodded. “It’s all buried. As of today, at least five storytellers are at taverns, tea houses, and bookstores. Gossip is slowly starting to circulate among the people. And for the past two days, there’ve been people stationed at the manor gates.”

He glanced at a servant pretending to sweep nearby, a spy planted by the Empress to keep tabs on Wen Jue.

“They’re growing anxious. They wouldn’t be so blatant otherwise.”

Wen Jue sneered. “The stage is set. In a few days, they’ll come ‘invite’ me to step in. They’re waiting for me to walk into the trap.”

Changning asked, “Will you walk into it?”

The pieces were arranged. Wen Jue reached out to feel them one by one, constructing the scene in his mind and calculating how to break the deadlock.

“No. It’s not like I’ve got nothing better to do.” He still had to spend time teasing his general at home.

With a mocking smile, Wen Jue raised an eyebrow. “Let them grow desperate. Maybe they’ll panic and make even more foolish moves.”

However… Wen Jue’s hand paused as he touched a piece. “The family banquet is imminent—this trap will be unavoidable.”

But when that time came, it wouldn’t be them dragging him into it anymore.

Changning poured him tea, then quietly mentioned, “Chen Lin is starting to suspect me. He’s been testing me. I’m not sure what he’s planning. Your Highness, you should be careful. General Jiang… may not be as harmless as he claims.”

Wen Jue replied, “Have you tested his skill? If he could spot something off about you, his abilities shouldn’t be weak.”

Changning shook his head. “Nope, how would I dare? I’m just a delicate little servant boy who can’t even truss a chicken~ If Your Highness so much as lifts a finger, I’ll be lying half-dead on the floor~”

He pitched his voice high and drawled it out coquettishly beside Wen Jue, making Wen Jue laugh. “You’d better keep that act up in front of Chen Lin, put on a good show, make him think he seriously injured you, so he won’t dare mess with you again.”

Changning had no interest. What’s the point of acting for that debt-faced idiot?

“Your Highness, how about this? I disguise myself, throw a sack over his head, and beat him up a bit. Let’s see if he dares fight back after that!”

Wen Jue played along jokingly, “Better not. If you end up hurting him too badly, Yunchuan won’t have anyone left to use.”

A strong gust of wind swept through, blowing the gauzy sunshade onto the table, nearly knocking over the chessboard, and catching on the jade hairpin in Wen Jue’s hair, yanking it loose. The hairpin hit the ground with a clear, brittle sound.

Changning rushed to tie up the canopy curtains, revealing the entire interior of the pavilion.

The pavilion stood over a small lake, its rippling waters reflecting the figures inside. The young man in green before the jade chessboard had a face like carved jade.

A few strands of black hair danced in the breeze. He raised his hand to brush them aside, tilting his face slightly into the wind. His brows faintly furrowed, seemingly annoyed by the windblown strands brushing against his cheeks. The whole scene, mirrored in the water, looked like a painting come to life.

Jiang Chuang stood frozen in place, entranced.

But the scene inside the pavilion was far less poetic. Changning was crouched on the ground chasing after pieces of the shattered jade hairpin. Wen Jue’s hair was flying into his face, and he didn’t even know whether it was messy or not.

Thankfully, the wind died down soon enough. Changning stood before Wen Jue holding the broken remains of the hairpin like a withered eggplant. “Your Highness, the jade hairpin Her Highness the Princess gave you… it broke. It’s my fault. I didn’t protect it in time.”

Wen Jue let out a quiet sigh and reached out to feel the broken hairpin. “It’s fine. My sister’s given me many jade hairpins. If this one’s broken, then it’s broken.”

Changning carefully tucked away the fragments. “But this one was special. It was your favorite!”

This hairpin had been gifted to him by Wen Yan in their mother’s name. In a sense, it had come from Concubine Chen.

But now that it was broken, it was broken. Their connection had simply run its course. Wen Jue wasn’t one to dwell on grief or regret.

Steady footsteps approached from behind Changning. Jiang Chuang’s low, gentle voice followed. “Leave it to me. I’ll find the best craftsman in the capital. Maybe they can repair it—or even rework it into something new.”

Changning froze, and when he saw that Wen Jue didn’t object or look as upset as before, he carefully handed the wrapped remains to Jiang Chuang.

Jiang Chuang accepted it, giving Changning a subtle look. Understanding, Changning retreated, casting a sharp glance at the spies nearby. His killing intent almost couldn’t be masked.

Wen Jue heard Jiang Chuang come up behind him and silently begin combing his windblown hair with his fingertips. His heart slowly warmed.

Jiang Chuang looked at his long, pale neck, barely resisting the urge to kiss it. “Even though the hairpin broke, it can still stay with you in another form. Don’t be sad.”

Then, like offering a treasure, Jiang Chuang pulled a luxurious brocade gift box from his robe and placed it in front of Wen Jue, guiding his hand to it.

“Open it! I passed by Jubao Zhai after court today and picked it out just for you!”

He stared expectantly at Wen Jue’s face, eager to see his joy.

Wen Jue smiled faintly before even opening it. “The palace is north, Jubao Zhai is southwest. No matter which way you take back to the manor, you wouldn’t pass by it. So how exactly did you ‘happen to pass by’?”

Jiang Chuang cleared his throat. “Well, um… during court, some old official from the Ministry of Personnel got impeached for wasteful extravagance. His wife had been flaunting some fancy hair ornaments she bought at Jubao Zhai. That’s how I heard about it. They say every item there is one-of-a-kind and extremely rare.”

“So I thought I’d stop by and see if I could find something that suits you. Come on, open it! See if you like it! I’m useless except for fighting, but I asked a bunch of noble ladies for recommendations. They all said only someone as refined as jade and orchid would deserve this, so I felt confident in buying it!”

As Jiang Chuang wished, Wen Jue slowly opened the box. His fingers brushed against the cool, smooth surface of the item inside. It was cold like jade, with intricate patterns and exquisite craftsmanship.

“It’s carved with bamboo motifs, but I don’t know the rest. See? Your hairpin broke, and I just happened to buy a new one. Isn’t that fate?”

Jiang Chuang pressed him for a response. If Wen Jue could see, he would’ve noticed how Jiang Chuang’s eyes sparkled like a hopeful puppy, his invisible tail practically wagging behind him.

Wen Jue nodded with a smile, humoring him. “It is. If not for this new hairpin, I might’ve been sad for a long time. But now I won’t. This one carries a new meaning for me. I really like it. Thank you, my husband~”

Jiang Chuang blushed with joy, his heart brimming with happiness. “Then—then let me put it on for you!”

He carefully tucked the hairpin into Wen Jue’s hair, then circled around to admire it. Squatting beside him, he kissed the back of his hand again and again. “Gorgeous. Especially on you—absolutely stunning! Looks like I have good taste after all. I can shop for you with confidence from now on!”

Wen Jue asked, “And what about you?”

“Me? What about me?” Jiang Chuang blinked.

“You buy all these things for me, but nothing for yourself?”

Jiang Chuang chuckled and gazed up at him. From this angle, Wen Jue looked even more perfect. “I’ve saved up for a bride for years—I’m spending it all on you. I don’t need anything else. Just seeing you happy makes me happy.”

Wen Jue cupped his face, smiling helplessly. “Idiot.”

Jiang Chuang beamed. “You’re so smart, and I’m a little dumb—perfect match, aren’t we?”

Then he suddenly changed the subject. “Zhiyu, I’ve found a miracle doctor from the martial world. His name is Yuan or something. They say he can bring the dead back to life, regenerate flesh from bone—super mysterious and hard to find. Maybe he can cure your eyes!”

Wen Jue frowned slightly. “If he’s so mysterious and hard to find, how did you find him?”

Jiang Chuang clapped his hands. “Great question! My strategist, Zhuge Qing, heard I was searching for miracle doctors to cure you. He immediately mentioned a divine physician who owes him a favor. If he calls in that debt, the doctor won’t refuse—he won’t leave until your eyes are healed. Otherwise, it’d disgrace his name!”

After he finished, he thought Wen Jue would be excited—or at least skeptical but hopeful. But none of that happened. Wen Jue simply went quiet, lost in thought.

Jiang Chuang gently said, “Zhiyu, maybe this time really will be different. Maybe you really can be cured. I’ll be with you every step of the way, no matter how long it takes.”

Wen Jue touched his nose, lips, and chin with his fingertips, then softly nodded. “Alright.”

Jiang Chuang assumed he was just afraid to hope after too many disappointments. It never occurred to him that Wen Jue didn’t want to be cured at all.