Chapter 59 Pawn

Chapter 59: The Pawn

Xiao Yan's handsome face suddenly appeared before Jiang Wang's eyes, stunning him.

Dust motes danced in the gentle forest sunlight. It was clearly reality, yet Jiang Wang felt it was an illusion.

So, in the midst of all his bad luck—getting lost in the woods, taking the wrong path, and twisting his ankle—someone had actually come looking for him, and not some unknown beast coming to eat him.

The next moment, Jiang Wang dropped the wooden stick in his hand and threw himself into Xiao Yan's embrace.

He couldn't stop the tears from flowing, his choked voice full of blame.

"Why did it take you so long to find me? There are wolves in the mountains."

Jiang Wang wailed in Xiao Yan's arms, as if trying to sob out all the grievances he had suffered throughout the night.

Xiao Yan didn't argue back at all. His hand gently stroked Jiang Wang's back, silently soothing his fragile state.

After who knows how long, Jiang Wang finally cried himself out and he'd calmed down. Only then did he belatedly realize he had soaked Xiao Yan's collar with his tears.

Was this... improper?

"Um, Your Majesty," Jiang Wang said sheepishly, pulling himself away from Xiao Yan's embrace, "I'm fine now."

But Xiao Yan didn't speak. Not caring about his tear-dampened clothes, he simply reached out and wiped the lingering tear tracks from Jiang Wang's face.

Jiang Wang was startled by this action. The warmth of Xiao Yan's fingertip felt burning hot.

He instinctively glanced around to see if anyone was watching, only to find that Fang Fengshi had long since led the imperial guards to hide at a distance.

Only he and Xiao Yan remained here.

Xiao Yan looked Jiang Wang over carefully.

The red-rimmed eyes, the pink-tinted nose tip—everything showed just how distressed and pitiful he had been moments ago.

Apart from his clothes being torn by branches, Jiang Wang had no wounds on his body.

Finally, Xiao Yan's gaze settled on Jiang Wang's swollen, red ankle.

"Can you still walk? Let me carry you."

"No... Ah?!"

Before Jiang Wang could finish his refusal, he felt himself being pulled up. By the time he reacted, he was already on Xiao Yan's back.

"Your Majesty, put me down right now!"

What would people think if they saw this?

The Son of Heaven, carrying a mere sixth-rank minor official on his back—it was completely improper!

Moreover, was Xiao Yan planning to carry him all the way down the mountain? How long would that take?

Xiao Yan didn't listen, continuing to walk downhill regardless.

Jiang Wang had been found. Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief, and so did Fang Fengshi.

Fang Fengshi and his men followed at a respectful distance behind, giving the two enough space.

If Jiang Wang hadn't been found in the end, he couldn't say for sure what Xiao Yan might have done.

Fortunately, they found him.

Seeing that no matter what he said, Xiao Yan wouldn't put him down, Jiang Wang gradually stopped resisting and instead began to relax into it.

Why would he complain about saving the effort and having someone else carry him?

Yesterday, he hadn't had the chance to appreciate the forest scenery. Now, he was in the mood to take a good look.

The gurgling stream, the cheerful birdsong, coupled with the gentle breeze—it was really quite pleasant.

He swayed from side to side on Xiao Yan's back, admiring the scenery, when he heard Xiao Yan ask out of the blue,

"Where did you hide last night?"

Jiang Wang knew Xiao Yan was concerned about him, but a strange sense of guilt welled up in his heart.

"I hid in a cave."

To be more precise, it was a cave that was warm, safe, and complete with a sleeping bag, a campfire, and good food.

Of course, to avoid letting others detect the system's existence, Jiang Wang only dared to finish the thought to himself.

Clearly, Xiao Yan was not thinking along the same lines.

He imagined that last night, the vulnerable Jiang Wang had huddled alone and helpless in a drafty, broken cave, frightened and unable to rest properly.

How pitiful.

"Why did you enter the mountains yesterday?"

"Because..."

After all, he had been foolish at the time, following that woman without thinking. He felt a bit embarrassed to say it out loud.

But if he didn't say it, wouldn't they never find out who had tried to harm him?

"Because a woman dressed as a maidservant came running urgently and told your subject that Your Majesty was in danger while out, so I followed her."

"Because of me?"

"Yes."

Xiao Yan's steps faltered slightly, a subtle feeling stirring in his heart.

"After luring you into the mountains, that person disappeared?"

"Not exactly. It was when I realized something was wrong and started pressing her for answers. She seemed to know some martial arts. In the end, she threw a handful of dirt at me and escaped while I couldn't see clearly."

"Alright, I understand."

Previously, Jiang Wang hadn't had time to think this matter through carefully. Now, as he reviewed it like this, he easily caught some loopholes.

He hadn't offended anyone recently. If Chang Wenji wanted to target him, this indirect way of going about it didn't match the latter's style at all.

So, during this period, only one person's reputation had been damaged, and it could indeed be linked to him.

Chang Wenji's daughter, Chang Ying, was the only person affected in this whole mess.

Besides, with her spoiled, show-off personality, it's totally possible she'd go after him, and a scheme like "using a maid to lure him into the mountains" is indeed something she could pull off.

In that case, first surround the camp and see if anyone is missing—that will make everything clear.

"Commander Fang."

"Your Majesty."

"Go back to the camp first, secretly investigate who went out this afternoon, and prohibit anyone from entering or leaving."

"Yes."

Jiang Wang widened his eyes, draped over Xiao Yan's shoulder as he stared at Xiao Yan's face in surprise.

They actually thought exactly the same thing!

Was this their tacit understanding?

Xiao Yan didn't turn around, but he could already feel Jiang Wang's burning, astonished gaze.

"What? Do you think I'm not as clever as you?"

"Not at all, Your Majesty. I was just amazed at how in sync we are!"

*

When going up the mountain, they had to search everywhere, which took a long time. But going down, they had a clear goal, so naturally, their speed increased significantly.

In less than two hours, Xiao Yan had already carried Jiang Wang on his back to the camp halfway up the mountain.

As soon as they returned to the camp, naturally, everyone gathered around.

Of course, most were concerned about Xiao Yan, and then incidentally about him as well.

At first, Jiang Wang felt a bit awkward lying on Xiao Yan's back, but he adapted quickly and even began to relax and enjoy himself.

After all, this perspective was truly rare—he might only experience it once in his lifetime.

But it wasn't all awkwardness; there were benefits too.

Xiao Yan was already tall, and on his back, Jiang Wang was even higher. From this height, he could clearly see everyone's expressions.

Naturally, he could also see Chang Ying standing to the side.

He clearly saw everything Chang Ying did from the moment she showed up.

From the joy and delight when she first heard the news that "the Emperor has returned" and emerged from the tent, to the dissatisfaction and anger when she saw Xiao Yan surrounded by other ministers and couldn't get close, to the jealousy and resentment upon seeing him on Xiao Yan's back, and the faint murderous intent that emanated from her.

Jiang Wang felt that there was no need for evidence anymore; just that one look was enough to confirm that the person who lured him into the mountains was Chang Ying.

Since he already knew who had shown him no mercy, he couldn't be blamed for being unkind in return.

At that moment, just as Xiao Yan finished exchanging pleasantries with the ministers and was about to carry him on his back into the tent, Jiang Wang stopped him.

"Your Majesty, I feel a bit stifled. I'd like to sit outside for a while and breathe some fresh air."

Xiao Yan had originally grown impatient from being delayed by the ministers and wanted to send them away quickly to call the imperial physician to examine Jiang Wang's ankle.

However, Jiang Wang's words not only disrupted his plan but also piqued his curiosity.

What exactly was Jiang Wang up to?

Moreover, the tone Jiang Wang used just now was slightly different from usual—a bit finer and even carrying a hint of gentleness.

Xiao Yan turned his head and met Jiang Wang's bright, affectionate eyes.

"Alright."

With such a different Jiang Wang, Xiao Yan truly couldn't refuse.

If Jiang Wang didn't want to be inside the tent, having the imperial physician examine him outside was just the same.

Xiao Yan gently placed Jiang Wang on a low stool outside and then summoned the waiting imperial physician.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Jiang Wang spoke again in that affected voice, the sweet and cloying tone giving even himself goosebumps.

To be honest, he had almost cracked and given himself away just now.

But seeing Chang Ying nearby, furious yet helpless, was truly satisfying.

Did Chang Ying think he couldn't see her hiding behind the tree?

The reality was, with the ministers dispersed, Chang Ying was quite obvious even behind the tree.

Judging by her actions, she seemed about to claw the bark off the tree.

But it wasn't enough; he needed to "torment" Chang Ying a bit more.

Jiang Wang's eyes darted around, and when they glanced at his own palm, a new idea popped into his head.

First, he took advantage of no one paying attention to pinch his thigh hard, using the pain to conjure up two tears, then put on an innocent expression.

Afterward, he raised his palm to Xiao Yan.

"Your Majesty, it hurts. Blow on it."

This was a line he had dug up from his memory—part of the "innocent flower" repertoire.

Playing pitiful and weak to gain sympathy—he was good at that.

After all, when he was young and wanted his indifferent father to like him a bit more, he had used this trick before, though it failed back then.

Now, it was just... "returning to an old trade." Even though he hadn't used it in a long time, after a quick review, it came back quite naturally.

Jiang Wang held up his hand, but his attention remained on the tree behind.

This time, he clearly saw Chang Ying's face instantly turn ashen and her fists clench tightly at her sides.

If it weren't for her maid Xiao Tao holding her back, Chang Ying would probably have rushed over to hit him right then.

How do you frustrate a young lady who has always had everything go her way since childhood?

Make it so she can't voice her grievances and can't vent her anger.

Just like now.

If Jiang Wang were to confront Chang Ying head-on, with the advantage of her influential father, he might not necessarily win against her.

But in this indirect situation, deliberately being intimate with Xiao Yan precisely hit Chang Ying's sore spot.

He just loved seeing that look on Chang Ying's face—the one where she couldn't stand him but couldn't do a thing about it either.

He did feel a slight twinge of guilt toward Xiao Yan, though.

In this "silent war," Xiao Yan had been completely reduced to a pawn in his game.

He'd definitely make it up to Xiao Yan properly later.

As he watched Chang Ying storm off, Jiang Wang knew he'd won this round.

At this point, half of the resentment in his heart had been vented, while the other half, of course, was to find the missing maid and punish Chang Ying as she deserved—with solid reason and evidence.

Jiang Wang's elation hadn't even faded when he was suddenly jolted by a warm stream of air, sending goosebumps all over his body.

He looked up to find Xiao Yan actually blowing on his palm.

But the wound on his palm wasn't all that serious.

It was just a few scratches from climbing the boulder. Though there were quite a few, each was small and shallow—the kind that would "heal on their own if left untreated for a moment longer."

Jiang Wang tried to pull his hand back but found it held firmly by Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's deep eyes were locked on his, unwavering.

"Blown on it. Does it still hurt?"

Author's Note:

Jiang?Drama Queen?Wang is online, but it seems... Xiao Yan is serious?