SWHCBB 9

Chapter 9: Secretly Applying Medicine to Husband’s Daisy

After some fooling around in the room, Wen Jue could no longer stay awake and drifted off to sleep in Jiang Chuang’s arms.

He had spent all of last night tossing and turning on their wedding night, then risen early to enter the palace and deal with everything there. Now, once he relaxed, the sleepiness came crashing down like a tide.

Knowing how much he loved cleanliness, Jiang Chuang carefully removed both of their dirty outer robes, leaving only their inner clothes, then climbed into bed to hold him.

His movements were a bit loud, making Wen Jue frown slightly in his sleep. Jiang Chuang hurriedly patted his back and coaxed him in a low voice, “Be good, Zhiyu, sleep well, your husband’s right here.”

Wen Jue seemed to be dreaming about something and murmured, “Royal Sister… don’t cry…”

Jiang Chuang pinched his nose lightly. “Little heartless thing. How dare you leave me out of your dreams?”

The two of them fell into a deep sleep in each other’s arms. It was all so beautiful it felt unreal. If he could, Jiang Chuang would’ve stayed like this forever.

When Wen Jue woke, it was already deep into the night. The general’s residence was quiet. He stirred, confused, and moved his arm slightly.

His hand brushed the jade tassel at the edge of the bed, and the bamboo chime gave a gentle sound. Only then did he remember he wasn’t in the palace anymore. He was in the general’s estate, lying on a soft bed that still carried someone else’s scent.

Changning knocked on the door. “Your Highness, are you awake?”

Wen Jue pushed himself up, his long unbound hair cascading behind him. A few strands brushed across his face, annoying him, so he gave his head a little shake and replied softly, “Come in.”

There was no second breathing sound in the room—Jiang Chuang wasn’t there. Wen Jue didn’t know where he’d gone.

The door creaked open and closed again. Changning entered with a basin of warm water and a towel, placing them on the table. He wetted the towel and gently wiped Wen Jue’s face, removing the last traces of makeup.

Afterward, his skin appeared even more delicate and fair. Wen Jue stared ahead with sightless eyes. His once dazzlingly beautiful face, now bare, looked unexpectedly gentle and obedient.

Changning couldn’t help but sigh. “Your Highness, you’re already as beautiful as a celestial being. Why go through so much effort to dress up? The powder’s harmless to your skin, but it’s not good to sleep in it.”

Wen Jue let him ramble without objecting. “Where’s the general?”

“He woke about an hour ago. Didn’t wash up. Just told me to stay here and watch for when you woke, then went off somewhere. I’m not sure what he’s doing.”

Wen Jue touched his hair. “What time is it now? Don’t tell me you’ve been standing by the door all this time.”

Changning replied, “It’s midnight. Don’t worry, Your Highness—I sleep when you do. That way I have the energy to care for you. Since you can’t do without me, how could I dare neglect myself?”

Wen Jue smiled faintly. “You’ve finally got some sense. That’s rare.”

Changning always treated him like a precious gem, staying close at all times, even sleeping lightly so he’d be alert at any moment.

Changning pouted—All because of that person! He even complained my breathing outside the door was too loud and woke His Highness. Ridiculous! Absolutely outrageous!

“It’s only midnight. Forget tying up my hair,” Wen Jue murmured as he ran a hand through it—only to feel sticky and uncomfortable all over. He frowned immediately.

Changning noticed and quickly asked, “Would Your Highness like a bath? That guy has had hot water kept warm the whole time, just in case you woke.”

Wen Jue nodded. Changning left to order the servants to bring in the water.

The pain in his lower body had eased somewhat. When he moved slightly, his body tensed—he could smell the strong scent of medicine.

That place had been treated with ointment.

And he hadn’t even noticed.

It couldn’t have been Changning. That meant… it could only have been Jiang Chuang!

Wen Jue clenched the bedding in his hands, biting his lip so hard he could hardly breathe.

When Changning returned from giving orders, he let out a soft gasp. “Your Highness, what’s wrong? Your face is so red it looks like it’s bleeding!”

Through gritted teeth, Wen Jue forced out two words: “I’m fine!”

What he really wanted to do was bury himself in the covers and curl up, not hearing a single sound!

Even though he had studied same sex intimacy before marriage, the idea that someone had touched him while he was asleep… left him so humiliated he couldn’t speak.

Wen Jue calmed himself with effort and reached out to the bed edge to sit up. Changning helped him into his shoes.

Changning asked, “What do you want to do?”

Wen Jue thought for a moment. “Go fetch my scented balm. When I’m almost done bathing, call the general in.”

Changning looked worried. “Ah… will your body be able to handle it?”

“I’ll manage.”

Changning rummaged through the cabinet and soon found the balm. As he handed it over, he suddenly remembered something and lowered his voice.

“Your Highness, when the general woke up, he ordered Chen Lin to do something.”

Wen Jue paused. “What was it? Did he make sure you couldn’t hear?”

Changning replied, “It’s hard to say. They stood far off—maybe they thought I didn’t catch it. He told Chen Lin to arrange for Madam Chen and Miss Su to be sent out of the estate within two days. He didn’t say where to, but he kept repeating that they mustn’t run into you.”

Madam Chen? Miss Su?

Before marrying into the general’s estate, Wen Jue had already gathered all the information on its entanglements.

Madam Chen was an elder from Jiang Chuang’s clan, closely connected to his mother. Widowed for years, she’d stayed at the estate under the pretense of helping manage affairs, citing her old bond with the family.

Miss Su—everyone knew she wanted to marry Jiang Chuang. After saving his life, she had used that debt as leverage to stay in the general’s residence for three whole years. Everyone assumed she would be the future lady of the house. Madam Chen adored her, and together they saw Jiang Chuang as their rightful claim.

Wen Jue had anticipated that he would have to face both women eventually. He had even planned how to turn their hostility into tools to further win Jiang Chuang’s heart.

But now, before anything even started, it was over?

Jiang Chuang treated him very well. In fact, it seemed like he was wholeheartedly leaning toward him. Madam Chen and Miss Su were being sent away immediately—without even a chance to meet face to face.

They claimed it was to keep them from offending Wen Jue, but it felt more like Jiang Chuang was protecting them.

Something’s wrong. Seriously wrong. None of this adds up.

Wen Jue appeared to stay silent for a long time, but a thousand thoughts flashed through his mind. Finally, he came to a single conclusion—

Jiang Chuang was terrifying. With just a few sweet words, he had almost made Wen Jue lose his head.

Could it be that he had already guessed Wen Jue’s true intentions? But how could that be possible?

Wen Jue’s heart turned cold again. The bashfulness and warmth from earlier disappeared, leaving only his original, cautious plan.

Changning, confused by his silence, softly called out, “Your Highness?”

Wen Jue shook his head and replied calmly, “Find an opportunity to place our people among the guards escorting Madam Chen and Miss Su. Win their trust. No matter what, stay by their side—especially that medical woman.”

“Understood! Should we report this to the Princess?”

“Not for now. My sister has enough on her mind. Let’s not trouble her with this.” Wen Jue sighed lightly, raising his guard even higher than on the first day.

“Understood.”