SWHCBB 95

Chapter 95: Zhiyu’s Past Life Journey (Part 2)

Wen Jue’s vision remained engulfed in darkness. Beside his ear, Changning’s voice sounded again.

“Your Highness, it’s time for your medicine.”

A breeze stirred. Wen Jue rubbed what was in his hand and realized it was a chess piece. This scene felt familiar, as if he had dreamt it before.

Suddenly, an image flashed in his mind: he was seated in a pavilion, his eyes veiled with gauze, playing chess. Changning brought over a bowl of medicine. He was gaunt, skin and bones, looking like a man with little time left.

He raised a hand to touch, and sure enough, there was gauze over his eyes. Even the lightest touch sent searing pain through his eyes. He quickly pulled his hand back. Breathing was labored and heavy.

But each breath only made the soreness in his nose and throat worse, his eyes welling with tears from the sting. The gauze soaked with tears made his eye sockets throb, as if countless threads were pulling from his eyes to his skull, sending waves of pain through his head.

It had been a long time since Wen Jue had felt such torment. He couldn’t endure it, his hand jolted, knocking over the bowl of medicine Changning had brought.

Changning thought he was simply refusing to drink and hurried to persuade him. “Your Highness, please drink your medicine! Without it, your body won’t hold up. I heard… the war at the border is about to end. General Jiang has achieved a great victory. You must get better so you’ll have the strength to stand before him and clear up the misunderstanding.”

Jiang Chuang… Yunchuan…

Memories flashed in Wen Jue’s mind. He remembered their opposing positions. His royal sister now held control of everything, while Yunchuan had hurried back, for Prince Yi’s sake, no doubt. Prince Yi was lying low for now, and his sister couldn’t act against him yet. The fourth and sixth princes were both dead.

If they killed Prince Yi now, it would arouse suspicion. The old ministers at court would use it as an excuse to stir trouble.

Though the Emperor was barely hanging on, if those old men turned him against the princess, their entire plan might fall apart.

Prince Yi knew he couldn’t be touched for now, that’s why he sent Yunchuan back to tip the scales in his favor.

If Prince Yi gained power, Wen Jue and his sister wouldn’t survive. If his sister succeeded, Yunchuan might at least survive as a decorated general.

If Wen Jue were still healthy, he could wait for his sister to triumph and then slowly explain things to Yunchuan, making peace. But he… was already dying.

Nearly three years had passed. Yunchuan might still resent him, or maybe he had already let go of the brief entanglement between them.

Maybe someday in the future, Yunchuan would hear of his death, pause for a moment, sigh, maybe even light a stick of incense for him, that would be enough.

With that thought, Wen Jue said hoarsely, “What’s there left to say between us? He probably doesn’t want to see me. Just as well, I don’t want to see him either.”

Too ugly, he was too ugly like this. How could he bear to face him?

A sudden tickle rose in his throat, and he coughed up mouthful after mouthful of blood, collapsing into Changning’s arms. For a moment, Wen Jue thought he was about to die.

In agony, he left his final wishes with Changning, told him to enjoy life in his place, to go see the world.

And… “After I’m gone, don’t tell Jiang Chuang about my illness. Don’t tell him anything. Let him forget me peacefully with my death.”

The last thing he heard was Changning sobbing, cradling him, rushing to find Imperial Physician Li. Then he lost consciousness.

When awareness returned, Wen Jue thought he’d been reincarnated. But no, he hadn’t.

He seemed to be sitting at a desk, with one of Yunchuan’s old, well-read books in front of him.

He could feel his body growing weaker and weaker. He might only have a month or two left. No, he couldn’t go yet, he still had unfinished business.

Prince Yi hadn’t been completely subdued yet. Yunchuan remained a variable in his sister’s plans.

At that thought, he called for Changning. “I remember… Yun–Jiang Chuang returned victorious from the western front and is due back in the capital. Where is his army now?”

Changning hesitated for a long time before answering.

Wen Jue frowned. “What is it?”

Changning said, “The army… arrived in the capital half a month ago. A few days ago, His Majesty held a banquet in the palace for the generals. The Princess, knowing you were unwell, forbade anyone from disturbing you and just sent some gifts.”

He had already returned. He just didn’t come home…

Wen Jue bit his lip. Compared to the physical pain, the ache in his heart was far worse.

Changning tried to change the subject in a light tone, but Wen Jue’s thoughts were all on one person.

“So… he’s been back all this time, and he doesn’t even want to step foot in this house again? Seems he really doesn’t want to see me.”

Changning responded with a quiet “mm.”

No, he had to see him, willing or not. This wasn’t the time to be ruled by emotions. Wen Jue had to confirm something. He needed to use the leverage he had to bargain with Yunchuan, for a chance to delay his allegiance to Prince Yi.

After a moment’s thought, Wen Jue closed the book and stood up. “Go to the study. Prepare paper and brush. I need to write him a letter.”

“What should I write?”

He didn’t want to see Wen Jue. Bringing up their past would only make a joke of himself.

“Write this: If you don’t return home soon, the ‘General’s Manor’ plaque will turn into‘Prince’s Manor.’ Thank you, General Jiang, for graciously handing it over. If you still want to save Prince Yi, then come home, there’s an important matter to discuss.”

Changning hesitated. “This…”

“Go.” Wen Jue voice was calm. He hoped it would provoke Yunchuan into returning. And if it worked, it would at least fulfill his selfish wish, to see him one last time.

He still wanted to hear Yunchuan’s voice one more time, to touch him, to feel his warmth.

Those sweet first two years of marriage had been enough to sustain him for a lifetime.

Days passed. Eventually, Changning came to him excitedly. “The general replied! He said he understands. But he wants to pick the meeting place himself… said who knows if there’s a trap waiting here.”

Wen Jue smiled bitterly and nodded. “Alright.”

A trap… Prince Yi’s trap.

Watching all of this, Jiang Chuang felt a storm surge in his heart. He wanted to scream: Zhiyu, don’t go! Don’t go! I never received your letter!

But he couldn’t say a word. Couldn’t move. No matter how much he wanted to stop it, he was powerless, only able to watch helplessly as Wen Jue walked step by step into the trap that would lead to his death.

In the present, tears streamed endlessly down Jiang Chuang’s face, soaking into his hair and vanishing.