Chapter 132

Chapter 132

Once he had cried his fill and the fear had settled, Shen Qinglan's worry over Han Zhang's hand injury crept back in. He rushed the coachman to hurry back to the residence, called for a doctor to take another look, and it wasn't until the doctor confirmed Han Zhang's injuries were just superficial and nothing serious that he finally let out a breath.

But even if the wounds weren't serious, they looked gnarly as hell. Shen Qinglan's eyes were still watery with heartache. He wouldn't even let Han Zhang feed himself. Instead, he picked up the bowl and spoon, treating Han Zhang like a baby as he fed him the chicken soup that had been simmering on low heat for most of the day.

"Husband, didn't you say this morning you wanted to try my chicken soup? Come on, give it a taste..."

"I didn't half-ass it this time. Except for the chicken killing, which the cook handled, I did everything myself—from prepping the ingredients to watching the stove. You've gotta drink a lot."

He'd put so much work into this pot of soup; his husband had to drink at least two bowls.

Han Zhang watched that eager, proud look on his face, and his heart melted. He couldn't help but laugh: "So you do know you've been slacking off all this time?"

"Huh? Did I say that? What slacking off? Husband, you must've heard wrong."

Realizing he'd slipped up, Shen Qinglan immediately played dumb and scooped up a spoonful of soup to shove into Han Zhang's mouth: "Husband, drink up. It won't taste good once it gets cold."

"Still playing dumb, huh..."

Han Zhang chuckled softly, then leaned down to take the spoon from his hand. He sniffed the soup—rich aroma, nothing off—and nodded: "Alright, you worked hard, dear. Don't worry, I'll drink every last drop. I won't waste your effort."

With that, he opened his mouth expectantly and took a sip—

And then, the very next second.

Han Zhang couldn't hold it in and spat out the salty, bitter soup: "Water! Qiao Dong, Qiao Xi, bring some tea!"

"Coming, coming! Young master, drink up."

Having expected this, Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi each handed over tea and candied fruit.

At that reaction, Shen Qinglan knew without a doubt his cooking had failed again. He asked, looking pitiful: "Husband, is it really that bad?"

Han Zhang chugged most of the tea before the weird salty-bitter taste on his tongue finally faded. He laughed helplessly and shot back, "Dear, after you finished cooking, didn't you taste it yourself?"

He didn't dare flatter this time—if he forced a compliment, he'd have to down the whole pot of poison soup to prove his loyalty.

Shen Qinglan was mortified by the teasing and totally deflated. His shoulders slumped as he said, dejected:

"But I did taste it... It tasted fine then. How was I supposed to know it would change flavor by now..."

"I followed the cook's instructions exactly, not one step wrong. Why does this keep happening, wuwu..."

God knows he followed every step the cook taught him, yet every time he made something, it came out like poison. It was seriously weird.

Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi covered their mouths and giggled: "Young master, you did follow every step right, but who told you to use a big spoon every time you added salt or sugar!"

Talking about steps while ignoring measurements—the young master had some nerve complaining.

Shen Qinglan's face went red as he glared at them: "Then why didn't you remind me?"

"We did tell you, but you said we were being naggy, insisted the big spoon was more convenient, and said we were messing things up and ruining months of your hard work."

Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi felt wronged. The young master was dead set on being stubborn; there was nothing they could do.

Han Zhang burst out laughing: "Hahaha... Yeah, real hardworking. You worked so hard you nearly sent your husband straight to the ninth heaven."

"Husband, you're making fun of me too!"

Shen Qinglan buried his face in Han Zhang's chest, too embarrassed to look up.

"Alright, you two can go now."

Han Zhang smiled and sent the servants off, then gently lifted that ostrich-like head to comfort him: "The soup may not taste good, but this gesture of yours is more precious than any broth."

"Really? Then why were you laughing at me..."

Shen Qinglan whined pitifully.

"How is that making fun of you?" Han Zhang pinched his cheek. "I'm happy. You never used to lift a finger in the kitchen, but now you're willing to cook and watch the fire for me. That means a lot to me."

"So I've decided, once my hand heals, I'll carve you another hairpin myself. What design do you want?"

Shen Qinglan was easy to cheer up. His eyes lit up right away: "I want a silk tree flower. A few days ago, I saw another young lad wearing one on the street, and it looked so pretty."

"The silk tree in the courtyard is blooming just right, twin shadows leaning together through the years... Alright, I'll carve the silk tree flower. May we be as harmonious as the silk tree, together year after year."

Han Zhang nodded with a smile, his eyes full of adoration.

"Husband, you say the sweetest things."

Shen Qinglan beamed, wrapped his arms around Han Zhang's neck, and acted spoiled for a good while before remembering to ask about the cliff incident.

How had his husband, who'd left in good spirits for a literary gathering, ended up caught up in the assassination attempt on Chang Gongjun?

Speaking of that.

Han Zhang's expression also turned serious as he mused:

"This matter is probably no coincidence. The prayer hall and the guest quarters were far apart, yet the assassins came fiercely but allowed Chang Gongjun to flee all the way to me before striking the killing blow, forcing me to take him and jump off the cliff to survive."

"That cliff location was also too coincidental—there happened to be a deep pool below, so falling wouldn't be fatal..."

"If I'm not mistaken, the person behind this likely wants to use me and Chang Gongjun to stir up trouble, to sow discord between me and the Crown Prince."

"After all, everyone knows Chang Gongjun's temperament. If he truly acted rashly against me, the Crown Prince and I would surely become enemies."

He had been thinking about today's events on the way back, and after much deliberation, he felt this guess was the most likely.

The Crown Prince excelled in every aspect and enjoyed Emperor Taixuan's favor. His only weakness was his younger brother, Chang Gongjun, making him the easiest target to strike through.

Shen Qinglan grew worried upon hearing this: "Then what should we do? If Chang Gongjun really sets his sights on you, then, then..." What could they do!

That was the imperial elder brother. If an imperial decree came down, neither he nor his husband could defy it.

"Don't panic." Han Zhang pulled him closer into his arms and said, "Though I have some looks, I'm hardly peerless. Chang Gongjun has seen many people; he may not take a fancy to me."

"Besides, even if he did, for the sake of the Crown Prince's greater cause, he wouldn't truly act against me. Chang Gongjun acts unconventionally, but he's never caused any major trouble. He's not someone who doesn't know his limits."

Though Han Zhang harbored some worry inside, he didn't show it on his face, still smiling easily.

But Shen Qinglan dared not take such matters lightly.

"What if? There's always a chance..."

At the thought of being forced apart from his husband, Shen Qinglan's eyes reddened.

He had been so picky in the past, yet he had fallen for his husband at first sight. It wouldn't be surprising if Chang Gongjun had taken a liking to him too.

Han Zhang gently brushed his fingertips over his moistened eyes and said seriously, "If such a thing happens, I will not bow my head. In this life, I only wish to stay with you, my beloved."

"But Chang Gongjun is deeply favored by the Emperor. If the Emperor forces a marriage, how could you defy the imperial decree?"

Shen Qinglan's eyes were red, and the more he thought, the more desperate he became, his heart aching as if he couldn't breathe.

Han Zhang quickly pulled him closer, gently stroking his chest: "Don't worry, don't be afraid. I will find a way to resolve this. Nothing has happened yet; don't scare yourself."

"Even the royal family must consider their reputation. If the Emperor truly issues a decree to force us, he will be condemned by scholars across the land. The Emperor is not a foolish ruler..."

If the royal family truly bullied them with power, he would not sit idly by.

He was not an ancient man with loyalty ingrained in his bones. When officials push the people to rebellion, who says kings and nobles are born to rule?

Given the current stable foundation of the Zhao State, rebellion would be difficult, but not impossible.

However, such treasonous words were not necessary to share with his husband for now.

Han Zhang rubbed the hair of the person in his arms and said, "If that day truly comes and the imperial decree is hard to defy... I will go to the Yellow Springs with you, and we will be a pair of ghost husbands. Would you be willing?"

"I would! I would!" Shen Qinglan nodded repeatedly, tears not yet dry but a smile already blooming, "If I must be separated from you, I would rather go to the Yellow Springs."

Willingly, without regret.

What a fool. He said it, and he actually believed him.

Han Zhang said with a gentle smile, "Don't worry, that day won't come. I promise."

Having been reborn once, he now had family, a husband, and a happy life.

Whoever dared to force him to death, he would make them die first!

...

On the other side.

After Jiayou Chang Gongjun returned, there was also a flurry of concern.

Emperor Taixuan and the Crown Prince were furious upon hearing of the assassination attempt, immediately issuing orders for a thorough investigation.

The Empress even wanted to have him stay in the palace directly, refusing to let him leave until the culprit was caught and he was safe.

But Jiayou was unwilling.

The palace was too restrictive; his own mansion was much more comfortable.

"Mother Empress, Imperial Brother, it was because I left the city today that I gave the villains an opportunity. No matter how rampant the person behind this is, they would never dare to act rashly in the capital. Besides, the mansion is full of guards; how could petty thieves break in and commit violence?"

"This time, I owe it all to Master Han's self-sacrificing rescue. I... wish to personally go to the Han residence to express my gratitude. Mother Empress, Imperial Brother, please allow me to return to my mansion."

Jiayou pleaded with his mother and brother.

The Empress didn't think much of it, only worrying, "But..."

The Crown Prince, however, looked up sharply with a hint of concern on his brow: "Jiayou, are you really only going to thank him?"

"Of course." Jiayou's hands in his sleeves quietly tightened, but his smile remained light, "Brother, rest assured, I have a sense of measure. Master Han is an important asset to you; I would never make things difficult for him."

—He indeed would not tear apart Master Han and his husband.

If he did, then Master Han would no longer be Master Han.

But if... Shen Qinglan was willing to share his husband with him, wouldn't that be a win-win for everyone?

If it were Master Han, he wouldn't mind condescending to sit on equal footing with a son from a Fifth-Rank Minor Official's family.

Such a good husband, he envied him. He wanted one for himself.