SWHCBB 53

Chapter 53: First Snow / Brewing Tea by the Fire

Chen Lin and Changning had already separated and now stood off to the side. Changning touched the injury on his face and grimaced in pain. He ran to Wen Jue’s side and whined, “Your Highness, he hit me so hard, it really hurts. Don’t you feel bad for me~?”

Zhiyu glanced at his face. It did look different from before. He deliberately put on a stern face. “You look like you’re enjoying it. No need for me to pity you.”

Changning lowered his head sheepishly. “It’s just that it’s rare to find someone evenly matched!”

Recently, the court had been quite peaceful. The Third Prince had been stripped of his title and confined to his residence, while the Sixth Prince, though released from his restrictions, didn’t dare stir trouble. With the two behaving themselves, their minions had also tucked their tails between their legs.

Changning no longer had to pass on messages or gather information, and he couldn’t get involved in Wen Jue’s affairs anymore, so he spent his days idly pestering Chen Lin.

It was rare for him to find someone who could match him in a fight, so he grudgingly considered Chen Lin a friend.

Zhuge Qing smiled and shook his fan. “General, Your Highness. The residence is quite lively. Next year, once Prince Jin’s residence begins construction next door and the two residences are connected, it’s bound to get even livelier!”

Choosing a location for Prince Jin’s residence had been troublesome. He and Jiang Chuang were never satisfied with any of the proposed sites, they all seemed too far from the General’s residence.

It was Zhuge Qing who came up with the idea. There were two long-abandoned estates next door to the General’s residence. They picked one to be refurbished as Prince Jin’s Residence.

Though it was smaller, connecting it to the General’s residence meant they wouldn’t have to live apart, and would be much more comfortable.

Thus, the site was decided. As for his fiefdom, the Princess chose a remote and barren place, Raocheng. The Emperor reviewed it and readily agreed.

Raocheng just happened to be near the border, right next to the city where Jiang Chuang had once camped during wartime.

Wen Jue naturally understood what his royal sister was thinking and had no objections. If he had picked a wealthy territory, the Emperor might not have approved so easily.

Wen Jue said, “A little liveliness brings life to this icy world. If Strategist Zhuge likes, you may stay here for a time.”

Jiang Chuang added, “You’re inviting him? Better not, what if he drives away Physician Bai?”

Zhuge Qing hadn’t really planned on staying, but Jiang Chuang’s comment sparked his interest. He was the kind of person who could never sit still, always stirring up trouble for amusement. So wherever he went, he was bound to irritate someone.

Wen Jue smiled. “Then let’s invite Deputy General Huang to stay as well. Didn’t you say he’s good at settling households? With him around, no one would dare cause trouble.”

The tall, broad-shouldered man beside Zhuge Qing was likely Deputy General Huang. Wen Jue had glimpsed him once after regaining some of his sight, but now, with the man dressed oddly, he couldn’t be sure.

Zhuge Qing’s expression stiffened, and Chen Lin’s was not much better.

Huang Guang had just picked up the fish basket when he heard Wen Jue mention him. He set it down again and bowed deeply. “Huang Guang pays respects to His Highness Prince Jin and General Jiang.”

“No need for formalities. It’s a rare gathering, let’s not bother with such decorum today.” It had been Wen Jue who proposed the small get-together.

First, because Jiang Chuang, aside from attending court, spent every moment by his side, and Wen Jue worried he might grow distant from his old friends.

Second, and more importantly, it was a way to draw them closer. Jiang Chuang was Jiang Chuang, but they were still themselves. Only when they all stood firmly on the same side could Wen Jue truly feel at ease.

Jiang Chuang released his hand and walked over to Huang Guang, thumping his chest.

“Out ice fishing again so early in the morning? Good thing you never married, who could put up with you?”

Zhuge Qing tapped Jiang Chuang’s arm with his folding fan.

“You don’t get it. Old Guang’s planning to spend his whole life with fish. Isn’t that his real wife?”

Huang Guang ignored him, picked up the fish basket on the ground, opened it, and handed it to Jiang Chuang.

“General, I caught big fish, three of them! Where’s the kitchen? Tell the cook to get started fast. If the fish sit too long, they won’t be fresh anymore!”

Jiang Chuang laughed.

“Zhuge Qing wasn’t wrong, you really only have fish on the brain. Might as well marry one already!”

Huang Guang grew anxious.

“If we don’t cook them soon, the fish will have died for nothing!”

At his words, everyone around burst out laughing.

Jiang Chuang laughed heartily.

“Alright, alright! I’ll take you now. Look how worked up you are!”

Wen Jue stepped forward, trying not to laugh, and tugged Jiang Chuang’s hand.

“Changning, take Deputy General Huang’s fish to the kitchen.”

Changning: “Yes.”

“Let’s head to the pavilion. The attendants have already set up the brazier, fruits, and tea leaves. No need to stand here and freeze,” said Wen Jue.

Jiang Chuang chuckled.

“Let’s go, let’s go!”

Zhuge Qing took in the scene with a knowing smile. The general was still brash and unruly, lacking any sense of decorum. Even after marrying a royal prince, his behavior hadn’t changed one bit.

Yet Prince Jin never scolded him or showed a trace of displeasure. Instead, he discreetly shifted everyone’s attention away, preserving manners without creating distance, avoiding awkward politeness.

It was clear the two had a harmonious relationship, complementing each other perfectly. Zhuge Qing smiled and let go of his worries about future power struggles. For now, he would simply enjoy this moment of peace.

____

In the pavilion, the light snow had just stopped falling. Cracks appeared in the thin ice on the lake’s surface. The fish recently stocked in the water were now surfacing one after another for fresh air.

A group gathered around the small brazier, its warmth driving off the winter chill.

Changning and Chen Lin had changed into clean clothes and sat off to the side. Changning was warming his hands by the fire.

Yuan Xiang stood nearby, smiling as she placed tangerines around the brazier, forming a ring around the teapot.

“When you roast tangerines over open flame until the peel is charred and fragrant, then eat them skin and all, it strengthens the spleen, stimulates appetite, and soothes coughs!” she explained softly, though her palms were already sweaty with nerves.

With a loud snap, Zhuge Qing smacked Changning’s hand with his fan.

“Hands off, you’re getting in Yuan Xiang’s way.”

Changning pouted and pulled his hand back.

Yuan Xiang glanced at Zhuge Qing, who was putting on a face that clearly said ‘Look, I did something nice. Let’s not dwell on the past anymore.’

Wen Jue sniffed the air.

“Smells wonderful, Yuan Xiang. Is this how it’s done in the palace?”

Yuanxiang kept her joy in check and answered,

“When it got cold, the madam I served in the palace would invite the other ladies to brew tea around a fire. They’d chat and laugh, it was quite fun!”

Jiang Chuang didn’t get it.

“What’s so fun about that? Wouldn’t it be better to have a few dishes, drink a little wine, warm up, play some drinking games? Way more fun!”

Yuan Xiang’s smile froze. This General Jiang is definitely her natural nemesis…

Wen Jue withdrew his hand from Jiang Chuang’s grip.

“If you drink, don’t come back to the room. Go wherever you want, just don’t let me smell it.”

Jiang Chuang’s posture collapsed. Ignoring the others present, he wrapped his arms around Zhiyu’s waist and pleaded,

“No, Zhiyu! I was just saying. I won’t drink! Not even a drop!”

Wen Jue ignored him and said to Yuan Xiang,

“Please continue. I really like this kind of activity.”

Yuan Xiang beamed, she’d guessed right; His Highness really liked it!

She continued roasting tea and fruits for everyone, but the calm didn’t last long.

Zhuge Qing, ever the instigator, stirred things up again. No one knew who threw the first sunflower seed, but soon Changning was gleefully using seeds as ammo, flinging them at Chen Lin, who retaliated with just as much energy.

“Hey! I can do that too!”

“Zhuge Qing! Put that tangerine down!”

“Who was that?! Who hit me?!”

“Agh! My hair’s full of seeds!”

The pavilion descended into chaos. Yuan Xiang pitifully hid behind a pillar to avoid stray fire, while Jiang Chuang shielded Wen Jue from projectiles.

Still, a handful of seeds landed on Wen Jue’s head.

Expressionless, Wen Jue stood up. Everyone froze and looked at him guiltily.

Just as Jiang Chuang was about to explode with anger, Wen Jue plucked the seeds from his hair and stuffed them into Jiang Chuang’s clothes.

“Zhiyu?!”

Wen Jue smiled, eyes crinkling.

“Sorry, Yunchuan. I want to play too~”

He wasn’t some fragile blind boy anymore, he didn’t need to be coddled so carefully!

And with that, the pavilion erupted into chaos all over again!