The Salted Fish Has Gotten Over It Chapter 83

Chapter 83

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>

“What’s wrong?”

A hoarse voice whispered in his ear. Jiang Juan snapped back to reality and quietly asked, “Your Highness, are you injured?”

Xue Fangli: “The bite you just gave?”

Jiang Juan: “No.”

“The smell on you seems to be blood.”

Xue Fangli raised an eyebrow and asked calmly, “Didn’t I keep a cat? How did it become a dog?”

Jiang Juan was puzzled, “What dog?”

Xue Fangli gently exerted pressure, and Jiang Juan found himself in His Highness’s embrace, lying on his chest. His long, pale fingers slowly caressed the bare skin on Jiang Juan’s back. Xue Fangli’s voice was low, “You’ve been sniffing nonstop since I returned.”

“What? Afraid I was hugging someone else?”

Jiang Juan: “… Not at all.”

It was His Highness who insisted on hugging him, which made Jiang Juan notice the strange smell. He was familiar with His Highness’s scent, so when an unfamiliar odor appeared, he naturally became cautious.

“You’re the dog here.”

Jiang Juan muttered under his breath. Xue Fangli just smiled, wrapping his arms around Jiang Juan’s shoulders and reaching toward his chest. Jiang Juan quickly pressed down on the restless hand, “What are you doing?”

Xue Fangli: “You always complain about your chest hurting and want it rubbed.”

Jiang Juan: “It doesn’t hurt now, so I don’t need you to rub it.”

He finally reacted and stopped giving His Highness a chance to take advantage. However, Jiang Juan was distracted, remembering not to let His Highness massage his chest but forgetting to investigate

“Don’t move.”

Jiang Juan held the hand resting on his chest and played with Xue Fangli’s fingers absentmindedly. He said slowly, “I want to get my revenge.”

As for how to get it, Jiang Juan thought for a moment, then looked up at Xue Fangli and asked for a kiss. “Your Highness, kiss me again.”

Indeed, Xue Fangli kissed him. However, Jiang Juan quickly raised his palm to block the kiss. “I’m not finished.”

“You mustn’t touch me randomly, and you’re not allowed to undress me.”

Xue Fangli grunted in acknowledgment and casually held Jiang Juan’s chin. As for whether he touched him indiscriminately or undressed him, Jiang Juan was unaware by the end of the kiss. When Xue Fangli embraced him, he was nearly bare.

The next morning.

Having lost his sight, Jiang Juan’s other senses seemed extraordinarily acute.

First, his hand was released, and then the familiar embrace was gone. Jiang Juan woke up shortly after.

“…Your Highness?”

“There are visitors in the palace. His Highness has gone to meet them.”

Steward Gao, standing by, answered respectfully. Lan Ting also came over, lifting the curtain. “Young Master, you’re awake?”

Jiang Juan nodded slowly. Lan Ting asked, “Would you like breakfast?”

Jiang Juan was actually still feeling sleepy, but without Xue Fangli to hold him, he felt a bit scared. He decided to wait for the prince to return before continuing his rest and said, “Alright.”

Lan Ting immediately went to prepare breakfast. Steward Gao stood by, having been instructed by Xue Fangli to keep an eye on Jiang Juan. Seeing him sit up slowly, Steward Gao couldn’t help but comment, “Your—— Crown Prince Consort, fortunately, you weren’t seriously harmed. Everyone in the residence has been on edge these past few days.”

The sudden mention startled Jiang Juan. “Steward Gao, it’s you?”

“Yes, it’s me.”

Jiang Juan responded with an “oh” and then asked, “Why has everyone been so anxious?”

“That day, His Highness brought you back covered in blood, unconscious…”

The appointment of the Crown Prince was initially a joyous occasion. Who would have thought that within a few hours, the prince would return not only as the Crown Prince but also carrying an injured Crown Prince Consort.

Jiang Juan had been unconscious for three days, during which Xue Fangli had stayed by his side. Throughout those days, everyone in the residence was on high alert. Xue Fangli was radiating coldness and seemed to be in a state of intense agitation, almost as if he had relapsed into his previous bouts of madness. This time, however, it was a prolonged madness.

—As long as Jiang Juan remained unconscious, Xue Fangli would remain mad.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the culprit was brought into the residence.

Steward Gao gave a wry smile. “Crown Prince’s anger finally had an outlet.”

Hearing this, Jiang Juan finally asked, “Who pushed me?”

Steward Gao answered, “It was Minister Li from the Ministry of Justice.”

Jiang Juan: “That Minister Li ?”

He wasn’t sure, as he couldn’t match the title with the person. Steward Gao thought for a moment and said, “Crown Prince Consort, do you remember that time you and His Highness went to a bookstore and encountered a man named Li Ming causing a commotion?”

Jiang Juan: “Yes, I remember him.”

Steward Gao explained, “Minister Li is his father. Li Ming caused a disturbance in the bookstore and spoke disrespectfully to you. His Majesty ordered his execution. Minister Li has harbored resentment toward you and His Highness ever since.”

“At the ceremony to appoint His Highness as the Crown Prince, Minister Li criticized your background and character, saying you were unworthy of being the Crown Prince Consort. After His Majesty clarified your standing, he privately summoned Minister Li and demanded his resignation. Minister Li then…”

“He followed you all the way and was the one who pushed you.”

In fact, it was more than that.

Pushing Jiang Juan was indeed the act of a furious Minister Li, but the words spoken during the sealing ceremony were actually prompted by someone else. After all, even the incense had been tampered with. Steward Gao heard that many people were investigated, all high-ranking individuals—such as the Eldest Prince, Imperial Consort Mei, and Deputy Prime Minister Li.

However, regardless of their status, His Highness would certainly not spare any of them.

This was a first for Steward Gao, who felt relieved that His Highness’s methods were so ruthless. After all, the Crown Prince Consort had truly suffered. Steward Gao comforted Jiang Juan, saying, “Crown Prince Consort, don’t worry. His Highness will avenge the suffering you’ve endured, one by one.”

Aside from the others, Minister Li, who had taken action, was truly tortured to the point of being neither man nor ghost. His teeth were pulled out, his hands were severed, and he yearned for death. Yet, His Highness refused to let him die, keeping him alive day after day, forcing him to watch as he was flayed alive until there was not a single piece of good flesh left.

Steward Gao intended to discuss a few things with Jiang Juan, but when he saw Jiang Juan turn his head, the young man’s eyes were dim, yet his demeanor was pure to an extreme, as if even mentioning such worldly filth would be a desecration.

Jiang Juan asked, “What happened to him?”

Steward Gao was startled and quickly regained his composure. He knew he couldn’t speak freely. Although His Highness was supporting the Crown Prince Consort, the methods were too cruel for her to hear.

“His Highness is interrogating him,” Steward Gao said vaguely.

Jiang Juan responded with an “Oh,” “Was His Highness busy yesterday because he was interrogating him?”

Steward Gao: “That should be the case.”

Jiang Juan frowned.

It was strange.

Why did His Highness lie about being in the study while interrogating Minister Li? Was the smell of blood on His Highness from the interrogation?

Jiang Juan couldn’t make sense of it. He pressed his lips together and said, “His Highness doesn’t tell me anything.”

Steward Gao could only give a forced smile. “Crown Prince Consort is recovering from your injuries, and His Highness probably doesn’t want you to worry.”

Jiang Juan wasn’t comforted and instead became even more concerned about the matter. He thought His Highness was afraid he would soften. His Highness often joked about his kind-hearted nature, and Jiang Juan suspected he was afraid that if he knew, he would stop the interrogation.

He wasn’t the type to be easily swayed. Jiang Juan decided to clear his name and resolved that next time His Highness mentioned being busy, he would insist on going along.

As soon as he made his decision, Lan Ting brought in a meal. Before Jiang Juan had settled, a maid hurried over, saying, “Your——Crown Prince Consort, the Sixth Prince, Young Master Jiang, and Young Master Gu have arrived.”

Why were they here?

Steward Gao asked Jiang Juan, “Would you like to see them?”

Since he had nothing else to do, Jiang Juan said, “Yes, let them in.”

Usually, when Jiang Juan ate, it was Xue Fangli who fed him. If Xue Fangli wasn’t present, Jiang Juan rarely asked Lan Ting for help. But now, he couldn’t see anything, so he had to trouble Lan Ting.

When Xue Congyun and the others arrived, they saw Jiang Juan being fed. The young man sat quietly, his fair fingers gripping the armrest of the soft couch. Lan Ting fed him a spoonful, and he ate a bite, appearing incredibly obedient.

“Brother Juan.”

Xue Congyun called out, and Jiang Qingliang, being more direct, ran up to Jiang Juan and waved his hand. Jiang Juan didn’t respond at all. Jiang Qingliang, surprised, said, “You really can’t see, huh?”

“Yes, I can’t see.”

Jiang Juan replied calmly, “But it should be fine in a few days; it’s just temporary.”

“That’s good then.”

Jiang Qingliang said, glancing at Lan Ting, his hand itching to help, though he tried to restrain himself.

Soon, Jiang Juan’s lips were smeared with rice porridge. Lan Ting got up to fetch a cloth, and as soon as she set the bowl down, two hands reached out.

Not only Jiang Qingliang’s hands were itching, but Xue Congyun was also eager to help.

“Brother Juan eats so obediently; I really want to try feeding him.”

The two of them each grabbed a side, with Xue Congyun trying to pull the bowl towards himself, speaking first, “Why are you grabbing Brother Juan’s bowl? Are you sick?”

Jiang Qingliang rolled his eyes, “You’re the one who’s sick. His maid went off to do something. I thought I’d help out so the porridge wouldn’t get cold.”

Xue Congyun retorted, “You’re so troublesome. Does Brother Juan need your help?”

Jiang Qingliang saw through him, “If he doesn’t need my help, does he need yours?”

Xue Congyun, “Whether he needs my help or not, he certainly doesn’t need you to feed him if the porridge gets cold!”

Jiang Juan: “……”

This can turn into an argument? It’s really hard to understand. Jiang Juan said slowly, “Can you leave my porridge alone? It’s innocent.”

Jiang Qingliang glared at Xue Congyun, “Didn’t you hear? Brother Juan said to let go.”

Xue Congyun angrily said, “Why don’t you let go?”

Jiang Qingliang, “Brother Juan can’t see. He’s someone I’ve called ‘Father’. Isn’t it right for me to show a bit of filial piety?”

Xue Congyun was stunned, “Damn it—can’t you have some decency?”

Jiang Juan had no choice but to use his trump card, “If you don’t let go, I’ll tell His Highness.”

With a thud, the bowl was set down. Both Xue Congyun and Jiang Qingliang released their grips, no longer daring to be so reckless. Jiang Juan managed to touch the bowl and muttered, “His Highness is truly effective.”

Xue Congyun’s face turned ashen upon hearing this, and Jiang Qingliang could only seethe in silence, as they had both been victims of His Highness’s methods.

Lan Ting had not yet returned, and the porridge was indeed getting cold. Jiang Juan had to eat by himself, though he had to try several times before getting the spoon into the bowl.

After another miss, the spoon clanged against the bowl. Gu Puwang, who had been watching the commotion, reached out to help Jiang Juan place the spoon back in the bowl, “Eat.”

Jiang Juan felt quite embarrassed, “Thank you.”

Xue Congyun and Jiang Qingliang exchanged glances, realizing something was wrong. As expected, after Gu Puwang helped Jiang Juan with the spoon a few times, he calmly said, “I’ll help you.”

Jiang Juan hesitated a bit, but after Gu Puwang took over, he didn’t feed him spoon by spoon—though he found Jiang Juan’s careful eating adorable, he still held the bowl in a way that allowed Jiang Juan to drink by himself.

This was much better. Jiang Juan gladly accepted his help and expressed his thanks, “Thank you.”

Gu Puwang smiled, “No need to thank me.”

Xue Congyun, “…”

Jiang Qingliang, “…”

What was this?

The clashing of the snipe and the clam, with the fisherman gaining.

Xue Congyun and Jiang Qingliang glared at Gu Puwang and silently cursed him, “Gu Puwang, you’re really… too scheming!”

Gu Puwang, unconcerned about being called scheming, leisurely chatted with Jiang Juan about recent events, “In a few days, I’ll be entering officialdom.”

Jiang Juan exclaimed, “So soon?”

Gu Puwang said, “Not really. My father had already submitted the application at the beginning of the year during the annual ritual.”

Jiang Qingliang, not wanting to be outdone, added, “Brother Juan, I’m also joining the military.”

He couldn’t make much progress with his studies, so it was better to go to the military for training. After much effort, his father finally relented.

The plot was indeed reaching its latter stages.

Jiang Juan remembered that in the novel, the Eldest Princess and the Prince Consort, dissatisfied with the protagonist shou, also had grievances against Marquis Anping. As for General Jiang and Minister Gu, they were indifferent to the protagonist shou and Marquis Anping’s attitude. But later, after Gu Puwang entered officialdom and Jiang Qingliang joined the military, their assistance allowed the protagonist shou and Marquis Anping to be grudgingly accepted by General Jiang and Minister Gu.

With some entering officialdom and others joining the military, Xue Congyun thought for a moment and felt he couldn’t fall behind, so he said slowly, “Brother Juan, do you lack treasures? I noticed that my mother has some good items again. I can steal them for you another day.”

Jiang Juan responded, “…Thank you, but that’s not necessary.”

As they were talking, Lan Ting finally returned. She remembered Xue Congyun, as he had visited a few times before, but it was the first time for Jiang Juan and Gu Puwang. Lan Ting took the opportunity to look at them and was surprised when her gaze fell upon Gu Puwang’s face.

“You…”

Gu Puwang looked over, and Lan Ting murmured, “Young Master, you seem familiar.”

“Did you come to the Luofeng Mountain area five years ago?”

Gu Puwang was startled and nodded, “Yes.”

Lan Ting, uncertain, asked, “Did you encounter kidnappers and were later rescued by our master—the local villagers?”

Gu Puwang had indeed been kidnapped, but he had a high fever at the time and his memory was hazy. The only impression he had was waking up in a deserted temple, where a kind-faced young man tested his temperature with the back of his hand and gently said, “You’re awake?”

“I am Jiang Nian. It looks like you were kidnapped, and I had someone rescue you.”

If you love what Ciacia is doing, then consider showing your support by supporting a cup of tea for her at Kofi. If you can’t wait for the next release chapter, subscribe to advanced chapters membership on her Kofi to get access to up to 10 chapters!

<Previous Chapter<Table of Contents>Next Chapter>