SWHCBB 102

Chapter 102: As Long as It Eases Your Anger, Let Me Hurt a Little More

Bai Yuan had been annoyed when summoned out by servants on Zhuge Qing’s orders, until Zhuge Qing dangled a mouse in front of his face. Bai Yuan froze, then instinctively clenched his hands, his gaze shifting sharply to Zhuge Qing.

Zhuge Qing poked his head around with a teasing smile, eyes full of knowing mischief. “Divine Physician, what do you think? I found these medicinal leads just for you.”

Bai Yuan suppressed the predatory instinct buried deep in his bones and asked coldly, “What are you up to now?”

“Why so cold?” Zhuge Qing tossed the mouse into a cloth bag and tied it tightly. The squirming inside made it obvious what was in there. He held the bag out to Bai Yuan, who eyed it warily and didn’t take it.

“Go on, take it. They’re all for you. I heard these things are useful in medicine. And seeing you all battered and bruised from treating Prince Jin’s illness, my heart just ached for you~”

Bai Yuan was a little moved by the words, he finally reached out and took the bag. Seeing his guard lowered, Zhuge Qing smirked and stepped closer, arms crossed lazily. “You’re making me jealous, Divine Physician. You didn’t treat me with this level of devotion.”

Bai Yuan shot him a cold glance. “Were you blind? Were you on death’s door? Was it because your ancestors had accumulated virtue?”

Zhuge Qing’s smile deepened as he noticed Bai Yuan’s twitching ears, he was listening to the scratching and squeaking all around. Clearly, the hunt instinct had kicked in.

“I noticed you used the fur of these little creatures in your past medicines, so I figured you needed them. I brought a bunch for you. But the little steward didn’t trust me, she insisted on opening the bag. Now look, they’ve scattered everywhere.”

Bai Yuan’s brow twitched as he idly rubbed his fingers together.

Zhuge Qing added dramatically, “Haa, who knew we’d scare Prince Jin? If we don’t catch all these mice soon, the General might skin me alive. Bai Yuan, lend me a hand?”

Bai Yuan always had the sense that Zhuge Qing saw through too much. He hated how the man always acted like everything was in his grasp. Still… trapped in this human residence for so long, Bai Yuan had grown quite bored.

“Annoying.” He turned to leave but paused after just a few steps, tilting his head.

Zhuge Qing was now certain of his guess but was already planning the next step. Bai Yuan’s power couldn’t be wasted. Jiang Chuang wouldn’t remain long, he’d soon return to the frontier. It would be best if Bai Yuan went with him, not just for his medical skills, but in case something unexpected occurred, his powers could be of use.

But for that, Prince Jin would have to choose to leave with Jiang Chuang of his own accord, which, for Zhuge Qing, was easy. Prince Jin was smart, sometimes too smart, to his own detriment.

His biggest flaw? Jiang Chuang. That made him easily controllable in Zhuge Qing’s eyes. He clicked his tongue in mild disappointment.

____

Once Jiang Chuang had ensured the entire general’s estate was mouse-free, Bai Yuan squatted and caught the last mouse, dropped it into the sack, stood, and clapped his hands. “Boring.”

Seeing Jiang Chuang approach, he tightened the sack. No matter how much the creatures struggled inside, his expression didn’t change.

Jiang Chuang glanced at his hands and said awkwardly, “Divine Physician, maybe you should… wash your hands first? Zhiyu is really afraid of mice.”

“Oh.” Bai Yuan looked down. His hands weren’t dirty. Though he retained his primitive ​unauthorized copy​hunting instincts as a fox, he was a very clean fox. “Got it. How is he?”

When Jiang Chuang explained that Wen Jue’s sight had fully recovered, he noticed a subtle flicker of resentment on Bai Yuan’s otherwise calm face.

Tentatively, Jiang Chuang asked, “Divine Physician? Is something wrong?”

“…Nothing. It was the ancestor who healed him. Nothing to do with me. Bring him to me later.”

“Yes!”

Bai Yuan left without looking back, he was puzzled. What did the ancestor mean by this? She clearly still had the spiritual power to heal Zhiyu’s eyes, yet refused to share even a sliver of fox clan secrets with him.

But… was it that she wouldn’t tell him, or that she couldn’t?

His resentment faded a bit. He had to admit, the ancestor’s power was astounding. Just a trace of divine energy had achieved something he couldn’t even dream of.

Before going to see Bai Yuan, Wen ju first met with Zhuge Qing.

Zhuge Qing had brought crucial intelligence: “Last night, two people fled the Fourth Prince’s residence, a woman and a child.”

“Fled?” Wen Jue caught on to the wording. The Fourth Prince had not yet been convicted, why call it ‘fleeing’?

Zhuge Qing got to the point. “Exactly. The two disguised themselves as servants, pretending to be from Minister He’s household, claiming [unauthorized copy]they were returning home due to illness. They’ve already left the city and vanished without a trace.”

“They were the Fourth Princess and her son?”

“Correct.” Zhuge Qing nodded. Just as he was about to elaborate, he saw Wen Jue fall into deep thought, then suddenly sigh.

“My fourth brother truly is loyal to the third prince. Loyal enough to give up his own life to protect him. He could’ve vied for the throne himself, yet never once entertained the thought.”

Zhuge Qing raised an eyebrow. “You figured that out fast. Truly worthy of the title Prince Jin.”

Though the evidence they’d manufactured wasn’t watertight, it was enough to frame the third prince. The emperor was furious, this was the best time to strike.

It was obvious the Fourth Prince wouldn’t stand by. Wen Jue had suspected he was planning something but didn’t expect he’d send his wife and child away, choosing to take the fall alone. Would he fake a suicide or genuinely die to protect his brother’s innocence?

Either way, he would silence all witnesses, take all the blame, and offer his life as a plea for the emperor’s mercy, buying the third prince a chance at survival.

Wen Jue disliked the Fourth Prince but still admired his courage. If the third prince did ascend the throne, he’d certainly search for the wife and child and treat them well.

Jiang Chuang, sitting beside him, pinched his cheek with a smile. “You’re the same. For your sister, you were willing to sacrifice everything, even your life. And you didn’t even care how I felt about it.”

As he spoke, he gave a slightly annoyed tug, squishing Wen Jue cheek out of shape, only to be charmed by how cute he looked and quickly let go.

Wen Jue rubbed his cheek. It didn’t really hurt, but he knew that when Yun Chuan got worked up, the rstolen contentesentment would linger unless soothed.

So he gave him a pitiful, innocent look and said gently, “I know I was wrong. If you’re still upset, you can pinch the other side too.” He turned his face to show the other cheek.

His skin flushed pink under the pressure, soft, tender, and contrasting vividly with the other side.

“It hurts a little… but as long as it helps you feel better, I’ll let it hurt more…”

His voice was gentle. Jiang Chuang felt nothing but guilt, how could he hold a grudge after that?

Zhuge Qing watched the whole scene unfold and couldn’t help thinking, What a masterful tactic, retreating to advance. No wonder Jiang Chuang is so hopelessly under his thumb. Who could resist this kind of combo attack?

Damn! Jiang Chuang cursed himself inwardly. What kind of person am I, hurting someone like him?

He cupped Wen Jue’s face and gently massaged it with his thumbs. “It’s my fault. Don’t mind me. I’m just too fond of you, so much that I get reckless. Are you still hurting?”

He blew softly on Zhiyu’s cheek. “Let me kiss it better.”

Wen Jue’s face finally really turned red. He cast a glance at Zhuge Qing, who was still watching, and quickly pushed Jiang Chuang away. “Not hurting anymore, thank you, my dear~”

Zhuge Qing had gotten used to their constant flirting, even in front of him. But when he looked into Wen Jue’s bright, crystalline eyes, he was surprised.

“Prince Jin’s vision has recovered? Divine Physician Bai’s skills are indeed miraculous!”

Wen Jue smiled, not hiding it. “I must thank you for recommending him. I never dared hope to see again. Without you and the Divine Physician, I would’ve remained blind. In the future, no matter what you ask of me, as long as it’s within my power, I will do it.”

He bowed deeply, genuinely grateful. Jiang Chuang immediately followed suit.

Zhuge Qing chuckled and returned the gesture. “I’m not dead yet. What’s with the bowing? And anyway, I was just treating a dead horse like a live one.”

After the formalities, Zhuge Qing got to business. “Your recovery was too fast. You’ll need to keep pretending for now. There are dozens of eyes watching in the capital. If the third prince survives, he won’t spare you.”

“Since you’re not after the throne,” he continued, “why not leave with the general? That way you two won’t suffer separation. It’ll ease the general’s mind, and I’m sure Her Highness the Princess will agree.”

Wen Jue paused and met Zhuge Qing’s gaze. Both wore faint, unreadable smiles, but neither revealed what lay beneath.

He hadn’t expected Zhuge Qing to deduce that it was his sister who aimed for the throne, not himself. But it wasn’t shocking. He wouldn’t be able to hide it for long.

What did surprise him was Zhuge Qing’s acceptance of a woman ascending to the throne.

“Alright.” Before Jiang Chuang could speak, Wen Jue agreed. Then he turned to him gently, “I won’t feel at ease unless I go with you. Don’t worry, I won’t cause any more trouble this time.”