SWHCBB 4

Chapter 4 – My Husband Is a Fox Spirit

Jiang Chuang got ready quickly, outright refusing the ornate ceremonial garments the servants brought him.

That damn Emperor had known full well how unwilling he was to accept this marriage, yet still forced it through. He must have assumed Jiang Chuang was simmering with resentment.

In his previous life, Jiang Chuang had been blindly loyal to that dog of an Emperor. Though full of frustration, he never dared show it. Add to that Wen Jue’s illness and missing the proper time to return to the palace…

When he finally did return, he wore all the Emperor’s bestowed finery, knelt respectfully, and gave thanks with the utmost sincerity—displaying what looked like heartfelt devotion.

But still, the Emperor suspected him. Anyone who could swallow such humiliation must be harboring treacherous intentions!

When one wants to condemn, any excuse will do.

And after everything that happened afterward, Jiang Chuang’s blind loyalty was dead for good.

To hell with deference. To hell with loyalty. Jiang Chuang had made up his mind—he wasn’t pretending anymore. That damn Emperor couldn’t afford to lose him anyway. Without Jiang Chuang, he could forget about holding onto his throne.

While Changning helped Wen Jue do his hair, Jiang Chuang stood nearby watching the entire time—so intently that Changning’s hands trembled from nerves, though Jiang Chuang himself seemed unaware.

Wen Jue noticed. He raised his hand to still Changning’s, asking gently, “What’s wrong?”

Changning whispered, “General Jiang is watching… I’m nervous.”

Even though he whispered, Jiang Chuang heard him clearly.

Jiang Chuang replied matter-of-factly, “Just keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t mind me. I just want to learn the technique so I can do Zhiyu’s hair myself in the future.”

Changning’s hands paused. He looked into the mirror at Wen Jue’s calm expression, then nodded stiffly. “Understood.”

Wen Jue reached up to touch his hair. “Then I’ll be relying on you from now on, husband.”

Jiang Chuang stepped forward and held his hand. “As long as you don’t mind if I’m clumsy and pull your hair.”

Wen Jue let him hold on and replied, “And if it does hurt… what then?” His tone was perfectly serious, but the words were laced with a hidden hook.

This kind of Wen Jue—no matter the lifetime—Jiang Chuang could never resist. Especially now, when all the barriers in his heart had been swept away, leaving only tenderness and affection.

Jiang Chuang gave his palm a squeeze. “I’ll tell you what to do—once Changning isn’t around.”

Wen Jue gave a small smile, and the two of them fell into a comfortable silence.

Jiang Chuang looked at the man in the mirror. Smiling, with features like a painting—but those eyes, dull and lifeless, like stagnant water.

Suddenly, Jiang Chuang’s heart stirred. If something as bizarre as being reborn a few years back could happen, then maybe—just maybe—Wen Jue’s eyes could be healed too.

In this strange and unpredictable world, there was always a sliver of hope.

That hope quietly took root in Jiang Chuang’s heart, sprouting rapidly.

When they left the house, Jiang Chuang naturally took over Changning’s role, holding Wen Jue’s hand and guiding him.

For the return to the palace to offer thanks and receive rewards, Wen Jue couldn’t use a guiding staff. In such a formal occasion, he needed someone to lead him—normally, that person was Changning. He was Wen Jue’s eyes.

How could Changning be at ease letting someone else take over?

Especially a big general—what if he slipped up and made His Highness fall? Wouldn’t Wen Jue be the one to suffer?

Changning was full of unspoken complaints, frowning as he stared resentfully at Jiang Chuang’s back.

But then Wen Jue paused… and actually followed Jiang Chuang without hesitation.

A wave of crisis surged in Changning’s chest. It’s over. His position was in danger!

This General Jiang—what the hell? Just yesterday he was cold as ice to His Highness, and now he was this affectionate?!

He’d been trying to steal his job all morning, and His Highness clearly liked him! From now on, Changning would no longer be the second-favorite in his master’s heart!

Just thinking about it made Changning feel like the sky was falling.

Wen Jue, of course, had no idea what kind of theatrical nonsense was going on in Changning’s head. His attention had been completely drawn to Jiang Chuang.

Sure, Jiang Chuang was a rough military man, but when it came to taking care of someone—he was careful, thorough, and surprisingly considerate.

He lowered his voice. “There are three steps—careful now. Mm, just like that. Good.”

The general’s manor was unfamiliar to Wen Jue, and it left him faintly uneasy, though none of it showed on his face. Still, he unconsciously gripped Jiang Chuang’s hand tighter, passing those emotions straight to him.

But with Jiang Chuang’s quiet guidance, he gradually relaxed. Jiang Chuang didn’t let him stumble, nor did he drag him along in long strides. He matched Wen Jue’s pace in every way.

When they reached the carriage, Wen Jue had just opened his mouth to say thank you when Jiang Chuang suddenly let go and muttered low enough for only the two of them to hear, “Zhiyu, it’s time to start the act.”

Before Wen Jue could respond, Jiang Chuang clicked his tongue impatiently, bent down, and scooped him into his arms, his voice filled with annoyance.

“So troublesome.”

He carried him into the carriage with exaggerated reluctance and quickly let go, as if he couldn’t bear even a moment of extra contact.

Changning’s face turned red with anger. “You—!”

But he remembered his place and forced the fire back down.

Wen Jue could already guess what Jiang Chuang was doing. His expression remained as gentle as always as he calmly said, “Thank you, General.”

In public, he always called Jiang Chuang General. In private, he would call him husband, but that was only to lower himself on purpose—to confuse and entice.

Once, Jiang Chuang had gripped Wen Jue’s wrist so hard his eyes turned red with fury. He had gritted his teeth and asked whether any of those sweet cries of husband had ever come from the heart.

Wen Jue had said nothing.

Jiang Chuang had stared at his bewitching face, furious that he’d truly been ensnared by such a beauty trap.

And then… he had vented on Wen Jue, forcing him to cry out husband in bed.

But when Wen Jue actually said it, Jiang Chuang had been too shaken to listen. He’d kissed him fiercely to shut him up, afraid that if he kept hearing it, he’d lose control again.

But now, Jiang Chuang only grew more delighted the more he heard it—whether General or Husband.

Let Wen Jue call him whatever he liked. As long as he didn’t wear that dying expression again, Jiang Chuang was content.

This little fox spirit, no matter how he bewitched him, only wanted that one thing—and Jiang Chuang was even glad for it. At least there was something Zhiyu desired that only he could give.

If someone else had been the target of that scheme, Jiang Chuang would’ve regretted it forever.

He was the first to enter the carriage with a cold face, saying nothing. Wen Jue reached for the curtain, felt his way in slowly.

The moment the curtain fell and the carriage began to move, Jiang Chuang spun around, pulled him into his arms, and lowered his voice in apology.

“That act just now—it was for the spies around that dog Emperor! Don’t be mad, Zhiyu, please don’t be mad!”

Wen Jue was caught off guard by the embrace, but what truly startled him was hearing Jiang Chuang say dog Emperor. His expression turned stern, and he quickly reached out, blindly grabbing Jiang Chuang’s collar as he scolded in a low voice, “Walls have ears! You can’t speak so recklessly!”

Jiang Chuang gave an awkward laugh. “My fault, your husband’s fault.” He was just eager to prove his loyalty!

Wen Jue fell silent for a few seconds, listening carefully. Only when he was sure no one had overheard did he let out a soft breath.

“You… why…” He wanted to ask, but quickly realized it wasn’t the right time.

Jiang Chuang hurried to soothe him. “Once we’re back and behind closed doors, you can ask me anything—I’ll tell you everything, alright?”

Wen Jue looked half doubtful, half indulgent, but maintained his understanding tone. “Forget it. If it’s something difficult for you, I’d rather not hear it.”

He lifted him up only to let him down again—classic bait and retreat. Jiang Chuang saw right through him and chuckled. “Alright then, I won’t say a word.”

Wen Jue: …

Jiang Chuang pretended not to notice how that shut him up, and changed the subject. “So… are you still hurting?”

Let him circle around before talking to him. Let him stew a bit.

Wen Jue was clearly caught off guard. It took him a moment to understand what Jiang Chuang was referring to—and no matter how well the little fox spirit could act, his face still turned red.