SWHCBB 39

Chapter 39: The Green Tea Little Husband Who’s Very Good at Playing the Victim

Chen Lin stepped out of the bathhouse, towel-drying his hair. As Jiang Chuang’s trusted aide, he lived long-term in the general’s residence and naturally had his own side courtyard.

Just as he reached the doorway, a live chicken was suddenly thrown at his feet. Its wings were tied behind its back, leaving it unable to move.

He stopped in his tracks and turned to look, Changning.

Changning jerked his chin at the chicken on the ground. “There. That’s the one that pooped on your head just now. So? How do you want to kill it? How should we eat it?”

But Chen Lin’s focus was elsewhere. “Your qinggong skill is impressive. You were right here, and I didn’t sense a thing.”

Just like many times before, when he’d snuck into the prince’s room in the dead of night to help with makeup. If General Jiang hadn’t mentioned it, he would never have known.

Changning urged impatiently, “Why do you care about that? Just say how we’re dealing with it!”

The chicken clucked at just the right moment.

Chen Lin glanced at it. “Forget it. It’s innocent.”

“That won’t do! What, do you want me to kill myself to make it up to you?” Changning shot back in annoyance.

Chen Lin opened the door. “I’m not angry at you. Send it back to the chicken supervisor, have them make some broth for His Highness.”

With that, he stepped inside and shut the door.

“Well, that’s best!” Changning lifted the chicken, grinning as he turned to leave. Before he walked off, he paused and shouted, “Whether you’re angry or not, what’s that got to do with me?”

____

In the general’s residence, in the garden pavilion.

Zhuge Qing glanced at Jiang Chuang, who was sitting beside Wen Jue, carefully brushing the strands of hair tousled by the wind. His gaze never left Zhiyu, like a protective beast.

Great. As if he were afraid Zhuge Qing might devour Prince Jin on the spot.

Zhuge Qing drained his cup of tea and chuckled. “Didn’t expect His Highness to spare Yuan Xiang’s life. I thought after she dug that thing up, she’d be discarded.”

Zhiyu knew that from the moment he used Yuan Xiang, he hadn’t considered her life, she had merely been a piece to test his own reactions.

“She was innocent and harbored no evil intent. If there’s no need for her to die, why not let her live?” Zhiyu replied calmly.

Zhuge Qing gave a small laugh and lightly tapped his cup down on the table with a crisp clink, a hint of mockery in his voice. “Your Highness is truly compassionate, a Bodhisattva’s heart.”

Jiang Chuang snapped, “So what, you came all this way just to say this? Don’t speak in riddles in front of me!”

Zhuge Qing leaned back in his chair and chuckled as he looked out over the garden. Compared to other high-ranking officials’ homes, this residence really was rather humble and modest.

“Not long ago, those civil officials were sent to Jizhou to pacify the bandits. Who would’ve thought that on their first night, someone set fire to the bandits’ den, burned most of it down. A few people died too. The bandits believed it was the court’s doing. Enraged, they figured they might as well go all the way and killed all the officials. Oh, except they left one hostage. But really, what’s one hostage to the court? They think they can use a mere hostage to negotiate? Idiots.”

Jiang Chuang frowned. “How dare they act so brazenly?”

Zhuge Qing glanced at Zhiyu, who didn’t react, and smirked. “It gets worse. The bandits aren’t just robbing travelers on the main road to Jizhou, they’re poisoning refugees too. Different poisons on each body. Probably using live people to test drugs. All thanks to that female physician among them!”

Zhiyu could tell he was probing again and countered, “It hasn’t even been five days since the officials left. The court hasn’t received any reports yet. How did you find out?”

“I have my ways,” Zhuge Qing said lazily. “General, it’s inevitable that the court will send troops to eliminate the bandits. Technically, it’s too minor a matter for someone like you, but the court’s full of incompetents, no real skills but always wanting the most delicate tasks.”

He acted nonchalant. “Why don’t you take this on yourself? It’s an easy job and a chance to earn favor with Prince Yi. And besides… among those bandits is an old acquaintance. It’s best if you handle this, or it might look suspicious.”

Though he addressed Jiang Chuang, his eyes were locked on Zhiyu.

Jiang Chuang was still confused, old acquaintance? But just then, Zhiyu suddenly squeezed his hand.

He looked down, Zhiyu’s expression was blank, facing right in Zhuge Qing’s direction. Though blind, he seemed to be looking straight at him.

Sensing something was off, Jiang Chuang was about to speak when Zhiyu suddenly started coughing violently.

Alarmed, Jiang Chuang hurriedly patted his back and offered tea to soothe him.

After drinking, Zhiyu finally calmed down, his face flushed from the fit, tears at the corners of his eyes. He clutched his chest and leaned into Jiang Chuang’s arms, whispering, “Husband… I feel awful.”

Jiang Chuang’s heart ached. Even his embrace became gentler.

“Let me take you to Physician Bai right now, okay?”

Wen Jue shook his head and leaned against Jiang Chuang’s chest, pitifully saying, “I don’t want to trouble the divine physician. If only you could stay with me every day… not seeing you makes me feel even worse~”

Zhuge Qing couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle at the scene.

Jiang Chuang tenderly stroked his hair, gently wiping away the tears at the corners of his eyes. “Alright, alright, I’ll stay with you. I’ll be with you every day. I’ll come home to be with you right after court! I won’t go anywhere.”

“But… is that really okay?” Wen Jue said, guilty. “Strategist Zhuge just said they wanted you to go subdue the bandits. It’s all my fault for being unwell.”

Jiang Chuang scowled. “If someone wants to go, let them go. I’m not going! This matter wasn’t even meant for me in the first place.”

Zhuge Qing snorted, “His Highness may be weak in body, but his mind is quite agile. From what I’ve heard, a wealthy merchant in Jizhou was recently robbed by those bandits on his way back to the city. All the treasures he toiled to acquire were taken, and they even cut off a certain part of him. Now his dozen concubines are all left to live as widows. Was that merchant not innocent?”

He talked so long his mouth went dry, and poured himself a cup of tea, blowing on it as he continued.

Wen Jue remained silent. Jiang Chuang frowned. “And what does that have to do with us? What, have you become a Bodhisattva now?”

Zhuge Qing, invigorated after sipping his tea, went on enthusiastically, “But here’s the strange thing, those treasures weren’t taken back to the bandits’ lair. They just disappeared on the way! I wonder if His Highness knows where they went?”

“Maybe they’ve got another hideout. Wouldn’t be strange, bandits don’t just stick to one place,” Wen Jue answered calmly, the flush in his face had faded completely.

Zhuge Qing nodded, smiling. “That’s what I thought too. But then I wondered, if they really have another lair, why are they still lingering in Jizhou? They’re already being watched by the court. It doesn’t make sense, unless someone is using their name to stir up trouble!”

“You’re getting more long-winded by the second,” Jiang Chuang snapped. “If you have something to say, just say it. Stop beating around the bush. There are no outsiders here. If I can hear it, so can Zhiyu. If you keep rambling, go find Chen Lin instead.”

Zhuge Qing looked conflicted. “Then I’ll speak plainly.”

Wen Jue’s fingers slowly loosened from their grip on his robe. He suddenly smiled and sat more casually. “Go ahead. I’m very curious to hear Strategist Zhuge’s brilliant insights.”

Zhuge Qing was slightly surprised by his change in tone, pausing before he continued, “General, do you know who the female physician those bandits revere is? Why, on the very first day the court officials arrived, was the bandits’ hideout set ablaze? Why, after stealing the gold and silver, didn’t the bandits dare bring it back to their base?”

Jiang Chuang asked, “Why?”

Zhuge Qing stared intently at Wen Jue and dodged the question. “You’ll have to ask Prince Jin at your side! But here’s what I do know. If you don’t personally lead the troops to eliminate the bandits, then the crimes of arson, pillage, and murder may all be pinned on you. Even conspiracy to assassinate court officials to clear the way for Prince Yi, that’ll be one of the charges too.”

He then put on a mock realization and said, “Oh~ I get it now. That merchant’s treasure will probably turn up in your estate soon, what a perfect piece of evidence! Your Highness, tell me: am I right, or wrong?”

Even if Jiang Chuang wasn’t cunning, he could see Zhuge Qing was pressing and accusing Zhiyu, implying that he was behind it all.

Impossible!

Jiang Chuang’s expression darkened. “You’re being ridiculous and far too arrogant! Zhiyu would never do such a thing, and he’d never hurt me. If you keep going like this, don’t blame me for throwing you out myself!”

“General!” Zhuge Qing’s tone turned cold. “I once thought that since he married you, you two were in the same boat. I didn’t want you to guard against him, that was my mistake. But do you really think the person beside you is some kind soul? Behind that delicate and gentle appearance…”

Wen Jue said nothing, his figure in Jiang Chuang’s embrace looking especially frail, as if he might shatter at a touch.

“Shut up!” Jiang Chuang stood up, marched around the table, and yanked Zhuge Qing up by the collar. “Say one more word and I’ll cut ties with you right here!”

Jiang Chuang glared at him. “He shares my bed, don’t you think I know what kind of person he is? He’s not in good health. If you keep provoking him and make him sick, we’re done as brothers!”

Zhuge Qing’s face changed dramatically. He stared at Jiang Chuang in disbelief.

Through clenched teeth, Zhuge Qing cursed, “Idiot!… Forget it, I’m the fool. I rushed over to stop you from jumping into the fire pit, only to pick the worst possible time!”

“Then let me be the fool!” Jiang Chuang yelled. “But I won’t let you slander him! You don’t know a damn thing. He would never hurt me!”

He shoved Zhuge Qing away and returned to Wen Jue’s side.

Zhuge Qing slammed the table, glaring at the seemingly delicate and unmoved Wen Jue. “If I can produce evidence, what then? Prince Jin, does it feel good, having the mighty General Jiang wrapped around your little finger? Do you think General Jiang is a fool, and all of us who serve beside him are fools too?”

Jiang Chuang, furious, began to retort. Only for Wen Jue to gently take his hand.

“It’s alright, Yunchuan,” he said softly. “Let him speak. I don’t mind.”

Jiang Chuang’s eyes were brimming with pain. “Don’t take it to heart.”

Zhuge Qing: … Truly beauty leads men astray! A red-faced calamity! Even heroes fall before a pretty face!

Wen Jue gave a faint smile.

“I don’t mind… because everything he said is true. I did it all.”