SWHCBB 69

Chapter 69: His Highness and I Are Deeply in Love. We Can’t Bear to Be Apart for Even a Moment

The border situation grew tense. Just as Wen Jue had expected, Xige couldn’t hold back any longer. After repeated probing, they finally provoked conflict by killing several Daling border guards. In less than three months, war was on the verge of breaking out.

Jiang Chuang received an imperial decree in court, regaining military command and being dispatched to the frontier. His return date was uncertain.

The Emperor’s health had declined sharply. Without medicine, he could barely sit upright on the dragon throne. After a bout of heavy coughing, he looked decrepit and ancient, his eyes clouded as if shrouded in fog.

Even in such poor health, he was still reluctant to return military power to Jiang Chuang.

Behind the screen by the throne sat someone else, Princess Chenyu, Wen Yan, who was attending court under the pretext of caring for her ailing father.

Her methods were always bold and domineering. If she wanted a minister dead, she killed them outright, without fear of court historians or civil officials. She claimed she didn’t understand state affairs and was merely acting out of filial piety.

Because the Emperor had once fainted during court sessions, she insisted on staying by his side at all times, even moving back into the palace’s Guanju Palace to care for him.

Now, she blatantly dragged a chair behind the throne screen and sat there. Anyone who questioned her presence would be accused of questioning her filial devotion!

The Emperor, moved, repeatedly exclaimed, “Good child!” Wen Yan seemed to be the only familial bond he could still cling to, and because she posed no threat to the throne, he showered her with favoritism.

The officials had no choice but to gradually accept the Eldest Princess’ presence behind the screen. After a few days, seeing that she didn’t interfere, they slowly let their guard down.

The Third Prince covertly glanced at Jiang Chuang’s back, suppressing the greed and gloom in his eyes. The military power Jiang Chuang had once returned so lightly was now back in his hands, and it was no longer his to claim.

Jiang Chuang himself showed no joy at regaining command. Instead, he solemnly made a request to the Emperor:

“Your Majesty, I go now to the frontier. I know not what year or month I may return. To speak frankly, perhaps I may never return. If I were still unmarried, I’d go wherever Your Majesty commanded without hesitation. But now that I’m married, I can no longer be so carefree!”

The Emperor narrowed his eyes, displeased. “Oh? And what do you mean by that?”

He thought Jiang Chuang meant to defy orders. But then Jiang Chuang said,

“This subject has a presumptuous request: may I bring my husband, Prince Jin, with me to the frontier? It just so happens that His Highness can also take the opportunity to visit his fief! This way, I can still see him from time to time and ease the pain of separation!”

At this, laughter broke out among the ministers. Someone joked, “General Jiang can’t bear to leave his soft little haven behind, eh?”

That line was already an offense to Zhiyu. Jiang Chuang quietly remembered the minister’s name and resolved never to show him a pleasant face again.

Another minister laughed, “We’ve heard that General Jiang and Prince Jin are deeply affectionate. Seeing it today, it’s clearly true!”

“Indeed, His Majesty has sharp eyes to bestow such a marriage, what a perfect match!”

Those words were pleasant to the ear, and even more pleasing to Jiang Chuang’s heart.

He declared loudly, “This subject is thick-skinned and barely literate, so I’ll speak plainly! I’ve finally gotten married, and I just can’t live without my husband! Without him, even eating feels wrong! I beg Your Majesty to grant this!”

His sincere and honest tone made even the Emperor chuckle, his previous doubts fading. He asked, “Have you asked him, though? Life on the frontier is hard. Is he willing to leave behind the wealth and comforts of the capital and follow you into hardship?”

Jiang Chuang’s tone grew even firmer. “Of course he’s willing! Your Majesty, Prince Jin and I are deeply in love. We can’t bear to be apart for even a moment! If Your Majesty refuses, he’ll come with me to beg you himself!”

He proudly and boldly said the words “deeply in love”, they echoed through the hall and drawing more laughter.

The Emperor raised a hand to quiet them and shook his head with a helpless smile. “Fine, fine, granted. Just don’t come pestering me again!”

“Many thanks, Your Majesty!”

In the court, the Third and Fourth Princes exchanged glances, both growing wary. At such a crucial moment, Prince Jin actually requested to leave the capital?

Something felt off, but their own plans weren’t yet in place. Could it be that Prince Jin had discovered something?

Or perhaps he was scheming something else again? No matter how cautious the Third Prince was, he couldn’t think of a reason to stop Zhiyu from leaving. In fact, he was glad to see him go.

He recalled that not long ago, the Sixth Prince had also left the capital to rescue the refugees of Huazhou. Things were clearly not as simple as they seemed, but they could find no clues. All they could do was wait and see.

____

Jiang Chuang’s loud declarations in court, especially the words “deeply in love”, quickly spread through the capital. Soon, everyone knew that General Jiang and Prince Jin were so inseparable they couldn’t stand to be apart for even a moment.

Even when Wen Jue went to browse a bookstore, he heard a storyteller “spinning tales” about him.

With a slap on the table, the storyteller said confidently, “On their wedding night, His Highness Prince Jin sat beneath the red bridal veil, waiting under the glow of red candles. When General Jiang lifted the veil, Prince Jin bashfully raised his eyes, cheeks blushing red, eyes sparkling, smile charming, so beautiful it could topple nations! General Jiang was so smitten he immediately scooped him up…”

At that point, the storyteller deliberately paused and sipped some tea, prompting the teahouse guests to clamor impatiently:

“What happened next?”

“Stop keeping us in suspense, get on with it!”

“Oh come on, you rascal!”

The storyteller shook his head with a sigh. “Ah, now that part I can’t tell. But as for what came after, I can talk a bit more…”

Upstairs in a private room, Wen Jue: …

Changning rubbed his ears in disbelief. “What is this nonsense? What kind of absurdity is this? Is there another Prince Jin in this world?”