SWHCBB 72

Chapter 72: Flying Into a Rage for His Beloved

The Sixth Prince was enjoying himself in Huazhou when he suddenly received word that Jiang Chuang and his group had arrived, bringing none other than Prince Jin with them. His first thought was: Don’t let them in!

But such a move would be improper and only invite suspicion. If Prince Jin caught hold of anything, the loss would far outweigh the gain.

After thinking for a moment, the Sixth Prince waved his hand. “Find some excuse to keep them waiting for an hour. Let me enjoy a few more drinks before going out to deal with them.”

The guard hesitated but withdrew. The Sixth Prince turned to the governor and others. “Come, come, drink up! And have someone clean the place up. My Fifth Brother may be blind, but he’s the most troublesome of all!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

___

But before he’d had even two drinks, a guard burst in, panic-stricken. “Your Highness! Jiang General… he launched fire arrows onto the city walls! It almost started a fire! He said that Prince Jin is gravely ill, if we don’t open the gates and delay treatment, he’ll return to the capital at once and report to His Majesty. He said…”

The Sixth Prince snapped, “What did he say?”

The guard clenched his jaw and relayed the full message. “He said, ‘The Sixth Prince, in a bid for the throne, colluded with the Huazhou governor to murder his own elder brother.’”

The words sent the Sixth Prince into rage. He slammed the table, grabbing a wine cup and hurling it at the guard’s face. The guard didn’t dare dodge. The cup struck him, splitting his forehead open, but he remained kneeling, trembling on the ground.

“Impudence!” the Sixth Prince roared.

The governor leapt up, startled. “Has the general gone mad? How could he say such things?”

The Sixth Prince’s chest heaved violently. “Ha, no doubt this came from my seemingly fragile but venomous Fifth Brother! Why didn’t he just die from his illness? Mother was too soft on him!”

But he himself had skeletons in his closet, he couldn’t afford to have this reach the emperor. Who knew what kind of traps lay in wait?

Then his eyes flickered with an idea, and he suddenly laughed aloud. The governor, seeing him switch from rage to laughter, shrank into silence, afraid he’d become a punching bag.

But the Sixth Prince waved his hand, smiling. “Let them in. I hear Jiang General and my dear Fifth Brother are very close. Maybe his panic means my Fifth Brother’s on his deathbed and can’t afford a moment’s delay!”

With his permission, the gates were opened. The delay had already cost them about half an hour.

As the city gates swung open, the Sixth Prince stood atop the wall, looking down at the group below, trying to make out the figure leaning in Jiang Chuang’s arms, was he really near death?

But just as Jiang Chuang placed the man back into the carriage and stepped out, he looked straight up, right toward him. The Sixth Prince couldn’t see Jiang Chuang’s face clearly in the dark, but he suddenly felt a chill rush down his spine. Goosebumps covered his skin. It was like being stared at by a wild beast.

The Sixth Prince gritted his teeth. Damn Jiang Chuang, when I ascend the throne, after dealing with Wen Jue, you’ll be the first to die!

They had entered the city late, and it was dark and windy. In the shadows, they couldn’t see Huazhou’s dilapidated state. Doors were shut tight, the streets deserted. Vendors who once sold wares at their doorsteps had long been buried under layers of dust.

All that could be heard were the stinking winds wafting through trash-strewn alleys. No one had cleaned anything.

Jiang Chuang was too consumed by worry to notice. Zhuge Qing, sitting at the front of the carriage, silently observed everything with a grim expression. Things were even worse than his intel had suggested.

Damn Xiang clan… damn Sixth Prince… If that man really became emperor, Daling might not last ten years.

The governor initially tried to assign them to a damp, abandoned residence, claiming it would be “beneficial” for Prince Jin’s health. Zhuge Qing immediately shot that idea down, accusing him of disrespecting the royal family and undermining imperial authority.

The governor, terrified, tried to deny and explain, only for the sound of a sword unsheathing to slice through the air. A gleaming blade cut so close that half the hair near his temple was shaved clean off.

When he realized what happened, a cold sword was already resting at his neck.

Jiang Chuang stared at him like a dead man walking, his voice icy. “Take us to your residence.”

The governor, stunned, tried to bluff. “I-I’m an official of the court! Even flying the Prince Jin’s banner, you can’t just abuse and kill an imperial official!”

Jiang Chuang’s face remained emotionless, but his voice turned cold with irritation. “And if I do? You’re just a minor governor. Take us to your residence, don’t make me say it again.”

As he spoke, the sword pressed deeper, leaving a bloody scratch on the governor’s neck. The pain pushed his survival instincts to the brink.

One look at Jiang Chuang’s unwavering killing intent, and the governor’s heart trembled. He really meant to kill him!

And what was a governor’s life worth, really? Jiang Chuang was a general headed to war, indispensable to the emperor. Even if he killed a governor, or a regional administrator, he’d be punished at most with a pay cut. Once he returned victorious, who would remember what he did? The Sixth Prince certainly wouldn’t lift a finger for him!

Once he realized this, the governor dared not resist any longer. Terrified, he gently pushed the sword away and plastered a flattering smile on his face. “Yes, yes! General, don’t take it to heart. I was being foolish and offended you!”

Jiang Chuang sheathed his sword, glanced at Changning, who was acting as coach, and signaled him to change direction. Then he mounted his horse and looked down. “Lead the way!”

This time, the governor dared not slack off. He not only let them stay at his own residence, but even gave them the best guest rooms.

The Sixth Prince also resided at the governor’s estate, so naturally they crossed paths. But Jiang Chuang didn’t spare him a single glance, carrying Wen Jue straight into the guest room prepared for them.

The Sixth Prince’s face darkened. Zhuge Qing, however, made a proper salute. The prince sneered, “Ah, finally someone with eyes. Everyone else acts blind, have you all caught sudden eye disease?”

Zhuge Qing straightened, fanned himself, and smiled. “Of course not. With Your Highness’s divine bearing and majestic presence, who could possibly not see you?”

That roundabout compliment, while stepping on his own allies, left the Sixth Prince momentarily stunned. He tilted his head, bemused. “You’re… surprisingly honest.”

Zhuge Qing smiled wider. “Just stating the truth. With Your Highness’s kindness and wisdom, perhaps you’d be willing to take me in?”

The Sixth Prince glanced toward the direction Jiang Chuang had disappeared in, then asked warily, “Aren’t you one of Jiang Chuang’s men? Why suddenly throw yourself at me?”

Zhuge Qing feigned grievance, sighing. “Your Highness doesn’t know! Living with the general, constantly in the army… it’s hard! So hard!”

Naturally, the Sixth Prince wasn’t that easy to fool. And this wasn’t the time or place for a proper talk, so he humored him vaguely. “Well, if there’s a chance in the future, I’ll ask the general to let you go. If not, I suppose it just wasn’t meant to be.”

Zhuge Qing nodded with great emotion. “Truly, Your Highness is different from the rest. I’ll remember this. Thank you, Your Highness, now I’ll take my leave!”

He turned and walked away without hesitation, leaving the Sixth Prince standing there, confused.

This man is really weird.