SWHCBB 36

Chapter 36: The Loyal Servant-General of the Little Husband

The two had just finished a cozy meal together when yet another entourage arrived from the palace, carrying chest after chest of imperial rewards. It was a grand display, conspicuous even within the imperial city.

These were gifts for the title conferral, a king’s¹ investiture, from the emperor, and far more abundant than the first batch.

This time, it was Eunuch Tan, one of the emperor’s closest attendants, who had come. He looked at Wen Zhiyu with a kind gaze and said, “No need to kneel, Your Highness the Fifth Prince. His Majesty says, whenever you’re free, feel free to go and pick your residence. As for the fief, His Majesty is still considering, rest assured, he won’t let you suffer any injustice. His Majesty is heartbroken over your hardships these years. The more he thought about it, the more he felt he ought to add to your rewards.”

Wen Zhiyu didn’t seem moved by these words. His expression of joy and gratitude was only for Eunuch Tan’s sake. “Please trouble Eunuch Tan to tell Father Emperor on my behalf that after falling ill these past days, I’ve come to realize that wealth and fame are but fleeting things, health is what truly matters. I hope Father Emperor takes great care of his own health. This son… cough, cough, cough…”

He lifted a sleeve to cover his lips, coughing lightly. Jiang Chuang immediately supported him, worried he might lose his footing. Wen Zhiyu coughed until his face turned red before it finally subsided. Eunuch Tan looked at his thin body, he looked like a single gust of wind could knock him over. He seemed… terminally ill.

Wen Zhiyu said, “Once I’m better, I’ll enter the palace to express my thanks in person.”

Eunuch Tan nodded, full of pity. “Your Highness, please take good care of your health. Consort Chen is surely watching over you from heaven! Don’t worry, this time, I truly believe His Majesty wants to make it up to you. Knowing your health is poor, he specially had the treasury pick out three trunks of rare medicinal herbs for you!”

Seeing that Wen Zhiyu looked too frail to speak again, Jiang Chuang stepped in, “His Majesty is most thoughtful. His Highness has a weak constitution, it’ll take time and care to nurse him back. I… would like to request leave from court to stay by his side during his recovery.”

Wen Zhiyu jabbed Jiang Chuang with his elbow in silence, just trying to be lazy and using him as an excuse!

Eunuch Tan nodded. “Very well, I’ll report this to His Majesty. Just be sure to submit a formal leave request.”

Jiang Chuang nodded energetically, inwardly delighted, he could now extend his leave until Bai Yuan returned.

After seeing Eunuch Tan off, Wen Zhiyu helplessly tapped Jiang Chuang on the head with a flute the emperor had bestowed. “No sense of propriety. Always thinking about how to slack off, and using me as an excuse!”

The imperial jade flute, a rare treasure in the world, had become a teacher’s disciplinary ruler in Wen Zhiyu’s hand.

Jiang Chuang scooped him up into a bridal carry and told the steward to catalog the rewards and send them to the storage hall. Then he complained to Wen Zhiyu, “I’m innocent! I’m just following medical advice. Divine Physician Bai said I must care for you well during his absence, and stay with you at all times, how could I leave you alone?”

He carried Wen Zhiyu back to the room in full view, unbothered by the eyes and ears around them.

The emperor had rewarded them again, and so lavishly. He had begun to feel guilt toward Zhiyu. Once Eunuch Tan returned and dramatized the prince’s condition, the emperor’s sympathy and guilt would only deepen. He would no longer target Zhiyu.

As for the empress, she was still scrambling to protect herself.

Wen Zhiyu was already rejoicing inwardly, barely suppressing a triumphant grin. He pinched Jiang Chuang’s ear while nestled in his arms. “Indulging in beauty all day with no mind for court affairs, careful someone submits a memorial accusing you!”

Jiang Chuang raised a brow and nodded with conviction. “Indulging in beauty, you’re right! The greatest beauty in the capital, His Highness the Fifth Prince, is in my arms. Who wouldn’t lose their head over such beauty?”

Wen Zhiyu huffed, “What nonsense!” But he still smiled, looping his arms around Jiang Chuang’s neck and planting a kiss on his lips. “Then stay home and spend more time with me. If only you never had to go to the borderlands again, it would mean peace for the country, which is a good thing.”

Jiang Chuang’s eyes darkened, but he soothed him, “I’ll stay with you. I’m yours, whatever you want me to do, I’ll do.”

In their past life, the year after one of their arguments, war broke out at the border. Jiang Chuang hadn’t even had the chance to reconcile or say goodbye before he was forced to leave the capital with the army.

By the time he returned, it was during a rebellion, Prince Yi had launched a coup and taken the Fifth Prince hostage…

For years stationed at the border, Jiang Chuang had constantly thought of those lifeless, tearful eyes. He wondered how Wen Zhiyu’s health was, whether he ate well, whether he thought of him.

The more he thought, the angrier he grew. Maybe Wen Zhiyu had already forgotten about him, just like his royal sister. Another kept man, easily replaced. Even if Wen Zhiyu missed him, it was probably just regret over not squeezing every drop of value from him.

Jiang Chuang had gotten so angry he couldn’t sleep, often rising at night to train with his spear. Once, he happened to catch a spy trying to burn the grain stores, pure luck.

This time around, he hoped the war at the border would come much later. Hopefully after Wen Zhiyu had fully recovered. If possible, he didn’t want to leave the capital at all.

He didn’t want to leave Zhiyu’s side.

With Jiang Chuang on leave, Prince Yi found it even harder to contact him. He vaguely sensed that Jiang Chuang was distancing himself but couldn’t figure out why.

Surely he hadn’t taken sides with the Sixth Prince?

That couldn’t be possible…

Perhaps he only wanted to remain neutral. Recently, Prince Yi had been feeling stifled. He had no idea what the emperor had uncovered, but the emperor had begun to ignore him more and more in court. There were several state matters for which he volunteered, but the emperor rejected his proposals and even demoted a minister close to him.

Now that the Sixth Prince had fallen from favor, Prince Yi had no choice but to keep his head down and bide his time.

About half a month passed in this way before he finally seized an opportunity. In Jizhou, a group of roaming bandits had begun looting, burning, and killing. They had taken over a mountain and blocked the only road out of the city to rob passersby.

The people were suffering immensely. The governor of Jizhou could not defeat them and had struggled mightily just to get a plea for help through to the court. But bandit suppression meant spending money.

Moreover, they were mere bandits, if the court dispatched too many troops, it would seem like the empire was afraid of them. But deciding who to send was tricky; no one knew how many bandits there were or how strong they might be.

Prince Yi immediately stepped forward and bowed. “Father Emperor, your son believes we could first dispatch two ministers to negotiate a surrender. Offer them generous incentives. If they are willing to lay down their weapons, the court could pardon them. If they truly repent, we could reward them with money and work. After all, if they can eat their fill and live in peace, why would they continue such a life? If negotiations fail, it won’t be too late to send troops.”

The emperor considered it for a moment. Several other ministers stepped forward to support Prince Yi’s plan and even praised his compassion.

Prince Yi sighed and shook his head. “Who would choose a life of bloodshed if they had another option? I believe most would choose stability. Besides, these men are mostly able-bodied young men. If we can bring them over, it could benefit the court as well.”

The emperor nodded, a look of approval in his eyes. “Very well, we’ll do as Prince Yi suggests.”

Before hearing this intelligence from Changning, Wen Zhiyu had deliberately sent Jiang Chuang out to buy him pastries. With Changning present, Jiang Chuang didn’t ask too many questions. After memorizing the treats Zhiyu wanted, he gave him a quick hug and left.

After he was gone, Changning pouted sourly. “Your Highness hardly needs this servant anymore. The general steals all the work, I don’t even know which one of us is the servant now.”

Wen Zhiyu laughed. “Shouldn’t you be happy to have less to do? Just don’t say that in front of him!”

Changning huffed, “He’s already taken over all my tasks, can’t I at least complain a little?”

Wen Zhiyu shook his head with a smile. “Not because I’m forbidding you, but if he hears that, he might really start calling himself a servant in front of me.”

Changning was speechless, so it was for Jiang Chuang’s own gratification after all.

“Your Highness, I don’t think the general’s feelings for you are fake. What about you?”

Changning didn’t know whether he should feel happy for him, but at least right now, His Highness seemed genuinely content.

Wen Zhiyu didn’t answer directly. “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten the important matters. Besides, he really has started to distance himself from Prince Yi.”

At the mention of Prince Yi, Changning recalled the main purpose of the meeting and began reading the intelligence report aloud.

Wen Zhiyu asked, “Any news from Jizhou?”

“Yes!” Changning lowered his voice. “This servant was just about to report, Madam Chen is dead. Likely killed by the bandits.”

Dead?! Wen Zhiyu immediately thought of Jiang Chuang. Did he know about this?

“And what about Miss Su?”

Changning shook his head. “No word. But there is something strange, a new figure seems to have emerged among the bandits. A female physician surnamed Cao. They praise her highly, saying she’s not only a skilled healer but also a master of poison. They even went out of their way to Qizhou, over ten li away, to procure medicinal herbs. Our agents confirmed it, they’re clearly making poison.”

A breeze blew in from outside, flipping pages on the desk and sending a chill through Wen Zhiyu. He shivered. “It’s her. Su Zhi.”

“We can’t be sure. This Physician Cao has never shown her face, keeps herself well hidden.”

But Wen Zhiyu was certain. “It’s her. Female physicians are rare in that region. And since Madam Chen was killed by the bandits, there’s no way Su Zhi didn’t cross paths with them. She’s a physician, that’s her ticket to survival.”

Bandits often got injured, if Su Zhi could treat them, it made sense that she’d survive. And using poison for self-defense was reasonable. But why were they gathering materials for her to make poison? Wen Zhiyu fell into deep thought.

Changning couldn’t help but ask, “So why did the general insist on sending those two away in the first place? And in such a hurry? Now that they’ve run off, the escorts are too scared of being blamed to even mention it to the general.”

Wen Zhiyu had felt something was off back then, which was why he had sent someone to disrupt Jiang Chuang’s plans, just to see how those two would react. They ended up in Jizhou and got tangled with the bandits.

Now the bandits were stirring trouble, and Prince Yi had seized the chance to offer his plan. Was it… really a coincidence?

Wen Zhiyu unconsciously rubbed his teacup. But his body was worsening. Too much thinking made his head spin. He had to press his hand to his forehead and empty his mind to ease the dizzy spells.

Changning grew concerned. “Your Highness, are you feeling unwell? Should I call for the manor physician?”

Wen Zhiyu shook his head. “No need. Whatever game they’re playing, we cannot let Prince Yi have his way. Watch for the right time, ruin this surrender plan.”

“Yes!” Changning agreed. In his opinion, the bandits shouldn’t be pardoned in the first place. After all the evil they’d done, they could simply be forgiven? What message would that send, that if you’re desperate, you might as well become a thief?

Wen Zhiyu could hold on no longer. He spoke with difficulty, “Changning, go call the physician.”

Changning leapt to his feet and ran out, only to find Jiang Chuang standing at the doorway tossing pebbles, pastry box in hand. When he saw Changning rushing out, he frowned. “What’s wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?”

Changning’s voice trembled. “His Highness isn’t feeling well. I’m going to get the physician.”

Jiang Chuang’s expression changed. He tossed the pastries to Changning. “Go take care of him. I’ll go.” He would go find Divine Physician Bai, who had just recently returned to the manor.

“All right!”

1. “王” (wáng ), which literally means “king”, but this doesn’t mean they are ruling monarchs. ↩︎