SWHCBB 33

Chapter 33: The Little Husband Is Now a Prince!

Two more days passed before Wen Jue was carried out of Bai Yuan’s room in Jiang Chuang’s arms.

Looking at the unconscious and pale Wen Jue, Bai Yuan, for the first time after finishing a treatment, took the initiative to speak to Jiang Chuang. “Let him rest properly for half a month. He mustn’t engage in that kind of activity. No need to come back here, either, just focus on building up his strength. I’ve almost finished clearing the internal blockages. Next, I need to increase the medication to draw out the deep toxins. If his body’s too weak to handle it… he’ll die.”

The word “die” pricked straight into Jiang Chuang’s heart. He tightened his hold around Wen Jue and didn’t dare let go. Taking a deep breath, he solemnly said, “Understood! Thank you, Divine Physician! I will follow your instructions strictly. Is there anything else we should do or avoid?”

Bai Yuan began packing up his medicine kit. He didn’t have much, only two sets of clothes, and aside from the jars and bottles on the table and the wall, there was nothing else.

When Jiang Chuang saw him gathering even those jars, his heart clenched, thinking Bai Yuan might be leaving. He hesitated but didn’t dare to ask.

Luckily, Bai Yuan spoke first, answering the question on his mind. “Give me some money. I need to go out for half a month to look for some rare herbs. Only I know where to find them. Don’t worry, I’ll be back when the time’s up.”

Jiang Chuang let out a breath of relief. This was the first time the Divine Physician had asked him for money, so he eagerly offered, “How much do you need? I’ll have the steward prepare silver notes! One hundred taels? Is that enough? Maybe too little? How about five hundred? Divine Physician, please don’t be shy.”

But before he could finish, Bai Yuan gave him a look as if he were an idiot, then calmly held up one finger. “One tael. If there’s extra, I’ll return it.”

“That little…” Jiang Chuang started, but when he caught the growing impatience in Bai Yuan’s expression, he shut up. “Alright! One tael it is! But if you ever need–”

“Enough. You should leave now,” Bai Yuan interrupted coldly. This guy talked as much as that Zhuge Qing fellow, no wonder they got along.

Only then did Jiang Chuang carefully carry Wen Jue out.

Once Bai Yuan finished packing and received the tael from the steward, he left on foot without even asking for a carriage.

Originally, he hadn’t planned to leave, but the next phase of treatment would be excruciatingly painful, and regular numbing powder would be useless.

Pain was one thing, it wouldn’t kill him, but the Fifth Prince was actually not a bad person. Quiet, smart, handsome, polite, and genuinely kind.

So Bai Yuan thought he might as well go out and look for some pain-relieving herbs.

Only those herbs could ease Wen Jue’s pain, and only his fox tribe knew where to find them.

Bai Yuan didn’t look back. Once he reached a deserted spot in the outskirts, his figure dissolved into a wisp of green smoke and vanished.

_____

The imperial eunuch arrived at the General’s estate to deliver the imperial edict. When he heard the Fifth Prince was bedridden, he had his doubts. But once he followed Jiang Chuang inside and saw the Prince from afar, he realized Wen Jue truly was gravely ill, it wasn’t an act.

After inquiring about Wen Jue’s condition, the eunuch secretly noted that the Fifth Prince didn’t seem likely to live long. He’d have to report that to His Majesty.

Jiang Chuang received the imperial decree on Zhiyu’s behalf, along with a command token engraved with the character “Jin” (瑾). It was hastily made by the Ministry of Rites, the carving was rough and prickly to the touch, like something made by an amateur troupe. It had none of the dignity befitting an imperial token.

The prince’s ceremonial robes hadn’t been finished, his coronet wasn’t made, the prince’s estate had no location, the fief hadn’t been drawn up, and the formal investiture date was still undecided. But at least the title of Prince Jin was officially confirmed and irreversible.

Zhiyu had been asleep for two days now and still didn’t know he’d been made a prince.

Jiang Chuang sat beside him, gently coaxing, “Zhiyu, wake up. It’s scary when you’re silent like this. Come on, wake up. There’s a big surprise waiting for you when you do.”

Since returning to life, so many things had changed.

Zhiyu had been granted a princely title. His treatment had begun. The people who came to provoke him had all been sent away.

Jiang Chuang had drifted further from Prince Yi. After Prince Yi’s attempts to sabotage him in secret while pretending to be friendly had stopped working, his desperation had become obvious.

But after yesterday’s morning court session, he’d likely behave for a while.

Everything was moving in a better direction.

But Zhiyu still wouldn’t wake up, just like in the previous life…

Jiang Chuang knew he shouldn’t be so flustered and rash. He ought to trust Bai Yuan, but he just couldn’t do it.

Zhiyu had only been asleep for two days, and he had already lost his composure, wandering around like a lost soul every day. He wanted to run out to search for Bai Yuan, but he didn’t dare leave Zhiyu’s side.

He didn’t know whether it was due to his constant calling, but Wen Jue actually woke up.

“Mm… what time is it?” Wen Jue raised his hand and touched Jiang Chuang’s, allowing himself to be helped up. One hand held his forehead. “My head hurts. How long was I asleep?”

“Two days.” Jiang Chuang stared intently at his slightly furrowed brows.

Wen Jue was surprised, his voice hoarse. “Two days?”

Before he could say more, Jiang Chuang wrapped him tightly in a hug. “Yunchuan?”

“You slept a bit long this time, I was scared…”

So that was it. Wen Jue gave a helpless smile and reached out to gently stroke his back. “Don’t be afraid. As long as you’re still here, how could I bear not to wake up?”

Jiang Chuang nodded. After explaining Bai Yuan’s departure, he asked, “You must be hungry. What do you want to eat? I’ll have the kitchen cook right away. If it takes too long, I’ll go buy it on the street!”

“Something simple is fine.” Wen Jue noticed the heat radiating from Jiang Chuang as he leaned in, and lifted a hand to block his face, awkwardly saying, “Don’t kiss me, I haven’t rinsed my mouth after two days. I smell awful.”

Jiang Chuang blinked, desperate: “You smell great! Sweet! You’re fragrant everywhere!”

“Still no! I find it gross myself!” Wen Jue protested.

Jiang Chuang sighed. “Fine…”

After washing and rinsing, Jiang Chuang finally got his fill of kisses.

While the cook was preparing food, Jiang Chuang brought out the imperial edict and the command token, then even knelt with a flourish: “This subject, Jiang Chuang, greets Prince Jin!”

After his initial surprise, Wen Jue burst into laughter. “Rise.”

He took the decree and token, feeling the embroidery with his fingers. The decree had been stitched by court seamstresses, and Zhiyu could feel the details with his hands. It was real, he had truly been title “Prince Jin.”

He knew this wasn’t just the result of his schemes; it was also due to his royal sister’s efforts. She must’ve stepped in, or else the conferment wouldn’t have happened so quickly.

Jiang Chuang, thrilled, began recounting the dramatic events of yesterday’s court session.

It had started with ministers aligned with the Sixth Prince, who raised the recent rumors and presented the object Yuan Xiang had dug up. They claimed it was solid evidence, public sentiment was in chaos, and everyone believed that as long as Princess Chenyu and Fifth Prince remained, Daling’s downfall was imminent.

They bluntly labeled Consort Chen as a “demonic consort,” and said that both the Princess and the Fifth Prince, being her children, must also be monsters. They even implied the Emperor had been bewitched by the Fifth Prince, how else could he have been granted a princely title despite accomplishing nothing? It must be witchcraft!

Jiang Chuang, standing in the last row, saw everything clearly. “That idiot didn’t even notice the Sixth Prince glaring at him, signaling to stop talking, but he just kept going! How strange, they didn’t want to stir things up yet, and no one else knew?”

Wen Jue smiled without replying. With his sister present, he could’ve slept three days and nights in peace. Of course, he wouldn’t dare say that to Yunchuan.

Jiang Chuang was ecstatic, continuing: “The Emperor’s face turned pitch black. He demanded to see this so-called evidence. After looking at it, he smashed it and scolded them harshly, saying the rumors were absurd and questioning if they had any brains at all.”

Still unwilling to give up, the Sixth Prince’s faction submitted more “proof” of how so-called “demonic forces” had caused heavenly anomalies and national disasters, like a Buddha statue struck by lightning, a Bodhisattva statue suddenly shedding golden tears, a century-old bridge collapsing without warning. Things that could be seen as coincidence, but happening together? The Emperor started to waver.

Then a minister knelt and loudly demanded that the Princess and Fifth Prince be banished to Qingshan Temple in Fengcheng to live out their days chanting sutras and repenting.

More ministers began joining in. The Emperor, sitting high on the throne, looked on coldly. He couldn’t make a decision right away, but clearly, his heart had started to waver.

Jiang Chuang said angrily, “The Emperor actually started believing that slander! How ridiculous! He’s the ruler of the realm and yet is so easily deceived by rumors and a few random disasters that have nothing to do with you!” Dog emperor.

This was no surprise to Wen Jue. His father was always selfish and paranoid.

“But! Just then, the Princess barged into the Jinluan Hall! Guess what happened?” Jiang Chuang lowered his voice, drawing Zhiyu in with suspense.

Wen Jue was genuinely curious. He hadn’t expected his sister to act personally, let alone storm into the hall.

“What happened?” Zhiyu couldn’t resist and set aside the decree and token, shifting closer on the bed.

Jiang Chuang cleared his throat. “Let me think… my memory’s a bit fuzzy~”

He couldn’t help but lower his eyes to look at Wen Jue, his inner robe loose and disheveled, and as he leaned forward curiously, the sash slipped slightly, half-revealing pale skin, his slender neck, delicate collarbones, and even two faint red marks.

It had been a long time since they had been intimate. Jiang Chuang had also promised not to relieve himself secretly. After holding back for so long, even a glance at Wen Jue had him nearly losing control.

Sometimes, even just a tilt of the head, a hand squeeze, or Zhiyu acting a little clingy was enough to drive him crazy.

Wen Jue grabbed his arm and shook it. “Come on~ don’t leave me hanging!”

Jiang Chuang jolted, quickly wrapped Zhiyu’s robe up tight, and bolted to his feet. “Ahem! I’ll go out for a bit, I’ll be right back to tell you.”

Wen Jue, sitting on the bed, looked unusually confused. “When did he learn how to keep someone in suspense?”

Meanwhile, Jiang Chuang was internally chanting ‘fuck’, wiping his nose as the blood wouldn’t stop.