SWHCBB 32

Chapter 32: The Little husband’s Roundabout Confession

Wen Jue gently patted the back of Jiang Chuang’s hand, signaling him to quiet down.

He slowly began to speak, his tone light and indifferent, making it impossible for Yuan Xiang to read his emotions. That only made her more uneasy.

Wen Jue said, “Someone like me, disabled as I am, am I really worth so much elaborate scheming? I suspect this is a mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.” ¹

Jiang Chuang frowned and muttered in discontent, “You’re not disabled.”

Wen Jue gave squeezed his palm softly, then turned back to Yuan Xiang. “You were just used by others. Your nature is kind, you meant well but ended up doing wrong. It’s fine. I don’t blame you. Get up now.”

Yuan Xiang stared in disbelief, her grievances caught in her throat. She couldn’t speak, dumbfounded as she looked at Wen Jue.

“Y-Your Highness?”

Wen Jue said, “Yunchuan, have the physician check Yuan Xiang’s forehead later. She’s been kowtowing for quite a while, make sure it’s not badly hurt. Don’t be afraid. Just don’t place your trust in others so easily again.”

All of Yuan Xiang’s fear melted away. Her mind was filled with nothing but the Fifth Prince’s gentle voice. She didn’t know what to say beyond murmuring thanks.

“You’re a good girl. The role of Chicken Supervisor is a light and simple task. You won’t need to deal with others. In the future, please help me and the General look after the chickens.”

As she walked back to the servant quarters, Yuan Xiang still looked dazed, her mind echoing with the voice of the Fifth Prince.

Before long, the steward arrived with attendants. “Yuan Xiang, this is a gift from His Highness. He knows you were frightened and wants us to take good care of you. Don’t be afraid, you’re granted two days off before returning to work.”

The servants behind the steward bowed deeply. “Greetings, Chicken Supervisor.”

The other three who had come from the palace with her gathered around, exchanging glances, some confused, some jealous, others scrutinizing her with suspicion.

But Yuan Xiang wasn’t paying them any attention. Her eyes were fixed on the generous gifts. Her trembling fingers touched the fine embroidered fabric, how expensive must this be? There were also several pairs of earrings, clearly of exquisite quality.

The Fifth Prince actually treats me this well?

And yet she had been tricked into harming him. Guilt welled up in Yuan Xiang’s heart.

Whether servants or court physicians, everyone treated her with such respect. It made her head spin. As she caressed the fine cloth, a bold thought crossed her mind.

Could it be… His Highness likes me?

Blushing furiously, Yuan Xiang thought of Wen Jue.

He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. If he weren’t blind, who could possibly resist him? And he was so gentle, thoughtful, kind, and approachable, he is perfect.

Perhaps the heavens couldn’t bear to let him be too perfect, so they took his sight. Compared to him, what was General Jiang, really?

Though Jiang Chuang had sharp brows, bright eyes, a tall and graceful figure like a jade tree… he was clearly a scheming man underneath! Poor Fifth Prince, still fooled by him! How hateful!

Meanwhile, Jiang Chuang, wrongfully cast as the villain, nearly yawned. He sulkily grumbled to Wen Jue, “You were way too gentle with her. You’ve never been that nice to me… She made a mistake, and not only did you not punish her, you even rewarded her! Don’t tell me you… you…”

The more he spoke, the more convinced he became. Could Zhiyu really like that maid?

Wen Jue couldn’t help laughing. “Where’s your head at?” He reached out and flicked Jiang Chuang on the forehead. “Talking nonsense. That’s your punishment.”

Jiang Chuang caught his hand and kissed it. “I’ve got thick skin, don’t hurt your hand. So long as you don’t like her, it’s all good. Besides, you don’t even know if she’s round or square, fat or thin, you definitely wouldn’t go for that.”

Wen Jue withdrew his hand, then lightly hooked his finger under Jiang Chuang’s chin with a smile in his voice. “I’m blind. I wouldn’t know if you’re round or square either. But not knowing doesn’t mean I wouldn’t fall for someone.”

Jiang Chuang’s eyes lit up, catching the hidden meaning. “Zhiyu… are you trying to confess to me in a roundabout way?”

Wen Jue turned his head, refusing to answer. But Jiang Chuang noticed the blush spreading all the way to his ears.

Heavens, Jade Emperor, Guanyin Bodhisattva above, past and present– Zhiyu has never once said ‘I like you’ or ‘I’m fond of you.’ And now, finally, he’s hinted at it. How could he not be overjoyed?

Wen Jue had only wanted to tease him, to make him jealous. Who knew he’d end up flustered himself? Quickly changing the subject:

“In any case, she’s innocent. She had nothing to do with this matter. If it weren’t for Strategist Zhuge, she wouldn’t have been dragged into it. She did nothing wrong. If I punished her, would I also have to punish Zhuge Qing? And you?”

Jiang Chuang suddenly understood. If Zhuge Qing had orchestrated this, then he’d done it to help them, and had merely used Yuan Xiang. She was indeed blameless.

He didn’t care for political matters and believed Zhiyu could handle it all. He’d step in only when needed.

Besides, if he probed too much, it might make Zhiyu suspicious. Better to act like he knew nothing, then Zhiyu could stay at ease.

Still, he couldn’t ignore a lesson from Zhiyu. Grinning foolishly, he said, “I understand! I was too shallow. Zhiyu is the best, sharp-eyed and fair in reward and punishment!”

But that wasn’t all.

Yuan Xiang might be innocent, but she didn’t deserve a reward, certainly not such a grand one. Yet she was not only rewarded, but rewarded publicly and generously. That was for show.

Everyone who’d come from the palace, how many weren’t the Empress’s people? Yuan Xiang included. None of them were truly good, just some were clever, some foolish.

To dig up the past, to stir up wild rumors and twist the stars to claim that he and the princess were demons plotting to destroy Daling, only the Empress could have devised that.

Wen Jue, the Princess, even the Emperor, they all knew how much the Empress hated Consort Chen.

Sowing fear, spreading superstition, manipulating the people with talk of spirits, she’d used that tactic before, more than a decade ago. And now she was doing it again, even dragging the Sixth Prince in. How long could the Emperor tolerate her?

Yuan Xiang had unearthed something vital, and she was one of the Empress’s people. Once this came to light, it would only serve as damning evidence.

The fact that someone from the Empress’s faction had dug up something unknown to her, which ended up aiding Wen Jue’s own plan. Would the Empress be delighted? Or terrified?

Wen Jue couldn’t stand to see her happy, even for a moment. So he went with the flow: not only would he not punish Yuan Xiang, he’d reward her lavishly and win her over. Whether the Empress believed it or not, it would plant a seed of doubt in her heart: Was Yuan Xiang acting on someone else’s orders?

The answer was obvious, Prince Yi.

The Empress already believed Jiang Chuang to be Prince Yi’s man. What she hadn’t expected was that Wen Jue and Wen Yan might also support Prince Yi’s ascension.

Once she realized that, she’d assume Yuan Xiang had been turned by Jiang Chuang and that all of them had pledged loyalty to Prince Yi. That would deal a major blow to the Sixth Prince’s chances. Who knows if the Empress would still sleep well at night?

This was the other bird Wen Jue had snared in his net, Prince Yi.

He hid behind the Sixth Prince, borrowing his knife to slay Wen Jue and entangle the Sixth Prince in his own trap. Could anything be so convenient? Only a full-scale bloodbath would be interesting enough.

When it reached the Emperor’s ears, it would be chaos, a dog-eat-dog affair. And the most innocent of all would be Wen Yan and Wen Jue.

Wen Jue hadn’t originally planned to use Yuan Xiang for this, but she turned out to be the perfect piece. And it was Zhuge Qing who pushed her into place, helping him complete the game.

Zhuge Qing had never hinted anything to him directly, yet Wen Jue understood his intention. They had cooperated without a single word, each grasping what the other wanted. It was a strange and marvelous feeling, one that made Wen Jue all the more intrigued by Zhuge Qing.

______

Just then, Changning came up carrying a guqin, and saw His Highness gently tapping General Jiang’s head with a cool fan, smiling as he said “Dummy,” while his face overflowed with indulgence and affection.

Changning lowered his eyes, saying nothing.

He didn’t know whether His Highness realized it, but he was already drifting further and further away from his original plan.

1. a person who thinks they are being clever is actually walking into a trap or being watched by someone even more cunning ↩︎