SWHCBB 64

Chapter 64: The Playful and Indulgent Couple!

When Jiang Chuang and Wen Jue entered the front hall, they found Han Sheng calmly instructing the steward on how to store a series of chests, each packed with gifts. The steward was so overwhelmed by the list, his head was spinning.

“These two chests of medicinal herbs, place the ones in red boxes near the storeroom entrance, so they’re easy to access. They’re all for tonics to nourish the body. Each set is pre-measured, mild in nature, with no risk of conflicting properties. They should last about a month. They’re to help Prince Jin and General Jiang restore their health.

In a month, I’ll prepare another batch to be delivered. Her Highness the Eldest Princess instructed that the Prince and General must finish it. After a month, she will personally visit with the imperial physician to check their pulses. If anything is amiss, she’ll be quite upset.”

Of course, Wen Yan wouldn’t have phrased it so gently. She likely said: If Prince Jin and the General’s health shows even the slightest problem, it’s because the servants have been negligent, they’ll be replaced.

She knew Wen Jue hated troubling others, so he would obediently drink all the tonics.

Still, with Han Sheng relaying the message, it was worded tactfully and pleasantly. He cared more about Her Highness’s reputation than she did herself.

Han Sheng added, “Prince Jin is extremely important to Her Highness, and since General Jiang is the Prince’s husband, his health concerns her as well. That’s why she’s also worried about the General. Steward, please do encourage the two masters to take care of themselves.”

These two had no self-restraint. Always playing around, their health would break down sooner or later!

That was the conclusion after several visits from the Eldest Princess, either Wen Jue was sick in bed, or too exhausted from Jiang Chuang’s “attention” to get out of bed. Then Jiang Chuang would be half-asleep in morning court, and it didn’t take a genius to piece it all together.

The steward quickly nodded. “Understood!”

Han Sheng remained smiling and mild-mannered, never giving off the air of superiority. “The checklist also includes preparation instructions, how to pair herbs with meals. If anything is missing, I can arrange for the Princess’s kitchen workers to supply more.”

“Thank you, Assistant Minister Han, but we wouldn’t trouble the Princess’s cooks.” Jiang Chuang and Wen Jue had been quietly observing from a distance before finally stepping forward.

Han Sheng acted as if he’d just noticed them. He bowed low. “I am Han Sheng, greetings to Prince Jin and General Jiang. Wishing you both health and joy this Lantern Festival. Forgive the intrusion during the holiday.”

Jiang Chuang and Wen Jue bowed in return. This was Wen Jue’s first time seeing Han Sheng. Though they had interacted while he was still blind, now he could finally see the man’s figure and general features.

He wasn’t as tall as Yunchuan, and his temperament was completely different, his presence was calm and refined, gentle and courteous, softening the innate chill of his demeanor. A truly graceful gentleman.

So this was the kind of man his royal sister liked, completely unlike the one he liked.

Wen Jue glanced up at Jiang Chuang, finding it a little funny. He wasn’t even sure what he was amused about. Jiang Chuang pinched his waist, bringing him back to attention to deal with Han Sheng!

In the back of his mind, though, he couldn’t help feeling a flicker of pride.

Wen Jue quickly composed himself and turned to Han Sheng. “You’ve worked hard, Assistant Minister Han. And where is my royal sister?”

Han Sheng handed the remaining lists to the steward. “If there’s anything unclear, feel free to ask me directly.”

Only after settling that did he turn to Wen Jue, subtly observing his eyes as he replied, “Her Highness is currently praying at the ancestral temple. A few days before she left, she was already thinking of Your Highness, so she sent me to the General’s residence in her stead.”

At those words, Wen Jue immediately felt something was off. Even if she were at the ancestral temple, she would have taken Han Sheng with her.

He knew his royal sister was busy. If she merely wanted to show care, she could have sent a steward from her residence. Sending Han Sheng himself… something important must be going on, and she couldn’t come personally.

“I see,” Wen Jue nodded, then instructed a servant nearby, “Bring out the imperial tribute Longjing tea. Assistant Minister Han is a distinguished guest, do not be neglectful.”

The three of them moved to the inner hall and sat. Jiang Chuang, unfamiliar with etiquette, stayed quiet to avoid saying or doing anything wrong. He simply observed Han Sheng in secret. In the past, they were only nodding acquaintances, he’d never looked closely.

Now, on closer inspection, Han Sheng really was the perfect candidate for imperial son-in-law. If that became reality, what would that make him and Han Sheng? Brothers-in-law?

What Jiang Chuang didn’t know was that as he was silently assessing Han Sheng, Han Sheng was also quietly observing the two of them.

He saw Jiang Chuang holding Wen Jue’s hand, glancing down every few steps to watch where he walked. Before Wen Jue sat, Jiang Chuang pulled out his chair. He naturally sat on the outside to block the breeze.

And Wen Jue, when Jiang Chuang let go of his hand, would briefly look lost. His hand would instinctively reach out for him. Only when Jiang Chuang resumed touching him, an arm around the waist, a hand to the shoulder, a pat on the head, would Wen Jue lower his hand and smile with contentment.

Their bodies never strayed far from one another. Whenever they had nothing to do, they would stay close, even just holding hands. It was unconscious, instinctive, true affection that couldn’t be faked.

Han Sheng lowered his gaze, choosing not to probe further. Back when the Eldest Princess heard Prince Jin had rashly married the tiger, she had been furious. Who would have expected the two to become like this?

After some small talk, Han Sheng took a sip of tea with a faint smile. “This Longjing tea is indeed excellent. Even the Han household rarely sees it. I only knew it was good before, but now I understand just how good.”

The remark was odd. Jiang Chuang asked, “The Princess’s estate has more than enough resources, why haven’t you had this tea there?”

Han Sheng paused slightly as he put down his cup. His expression dimmed a little as he replied with a smile, “Young Master Song in the estate is fond of this tea. Her Highness gave it all to him. He’s quite sensible. When she went to the ancestral temple, she brought him along.”

Jiang Chuang looked awkward. “Ah…” He glanced helplessly at Wen Jue. He hadn’t meant anything by it, he just spoke without thinking.

Weren’t people saying the Eldest Princess favored Han Sheng the most? Who knew someone else had risen above the old favorite?

Wen Jue cleared his throat and said, “Yunchuan, go find Strategist Zhuge. He’s been in the side courtyard too long, it’s not right to keep our guest waiting.”

“Alright.” Jiang Chuang stood, smiled apologetically at Han Sheng, then leaned in to hug Wen Jue. “You stay here and chat with Assistant Minister Han. If anything comes up, send Chen Lin to get me.”

Wen Jue nodded and, out of Han Sheng’s sight, kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Go on, then.”

Once Jiang Chuang had left and shut the door behind him, Han Sheng chuckled and complimented, “Sometimes I wonder, Your Highness must be a fox spirit in disguise. How else could you know exactly what I’m thinking from just a few words or a sigh?”

He was clearly cooperating to send Jiang Chuang away, yet Jiang Chuang didn’t suspect a thing.

Wen Jue lifted the corners of his mouth, took a slow sip of tea, and replied, “Someone as learned as Assistant Minister Han, how could you believe such nonsense? I only deduced it based on logic and my understanding of you and my royal sister.”

Han Sheng nodded, he wasn’t surprised Wen Jue had figured out there was another purpose to this visit.

However, “Your Highness, when did you recover your vision? And why have you kept it from Her Highness?”

At that, Wen Jue stopped pretending and looked up directly at him. Though his sight was still unclear, his presence was no less commanding than his sister’s.

Han Sheng wasn’t trying to test him or trick him. Wen Jue raised an eyebrow. “How did you know?”

Han Sheng replied, “You hid it well, ordinary people wouldn’t notice. But I tend to observe the details. Perhaps next time you look at General Jiang, try checking a mirror. That expression isn’t one a blind man could make.”

Seeing Wen Jue’s face freeze, Han Sheng smiled teasingly. “The affection between you and the General, it makes others envious.”

Wen Jue lowered his eyes. He hadn’t expected his gaze to give him away. He replied helplessly, “It’s true, I’ve been able to see for some time now. But it’s very blurry, as if countless layers of mist cover my eyes. I don’t know if it will fade again, or if I’ll be stuck like this forever. If I go blind again, telling my royal sister would only bring her joy followed by disappointment. Better not to say anything. Besides, with how tense things are now, I can’t distract her. So I ask Assistant Minister Han to keep this secret for now.”

Han Sheng thought for a moment, it made sense. “Alright.”

Wen Jue: “Please speak plainly. What does my royal sister want?”

Han Sheng no longer circled around the matter. “Within three months, Daling will surely go to war again with Xige. Xige doesn’t have much chance of winning, but they’ll still send troops. We don’t yet know their objective. Her Highness wants you to accompany General Jiang to the frontier, she doesn’t want you staying in the capital.”

“What?”