Chapter 198

Chapter 198

Watching Jiang Wencheng finally lose consciousness after getting his last words out, Han Zhang's previously sorrowful expression instantly shifted to one of smug satisfaction.

He knew that although Jiang Wencheng also valued the family name, what he truly cared about most was always his husband and his mother.

After all, as a man of old with a feudal mindset, Jiang Wencheng chose to remain devoted solely to An Ge'er—even when An Ge'er failed to conceive for so long, and despite facing countless criticisms from both inside and outside the family—never once considering taking a concubine to carry on the family line.

This alone showed that in Jiang Wencheng's heart, his husband An Ge'er mattered far more than family legacy—or even his mother.

Putting himself in the other man's shoes—if he were facing death with his last breath, what would he do?

Han Zhang answered without hesitation: he would use every precious moment to secure his husband and children's future, or he'd never rest easy.

And sure enough, his gamble paid off.

In Jiang Wencheng's heart, An Ge'er and his mother mattered more than the survival of his entire clan.

"Brother Jiang, you better think long and hard about how you're going to explain yourself to me!"

After healing Jiang Wencheng with his powers and confirming that his injuries were no longer life-threatening, Han Zhang smiled and took him to a nearby village to recuperate.

...

Three days later.

Jiang Wencheng finally drifted back to consciousness.

Before his mind was fully clear, he caught a faint whiff of medicinal herbs, mingled with the smell of earth and dry hay.

He struggled to open his eyes and saw a slightly worn wooden ceiling beam, along with bright sunlight pouring in through the window.

"Awake?" A voice tinged with mockery came from beside him.

Jiang Wencheng turned his head and saw Han Zhang leaning against the table, pounding herbs. Seeing him awake, Han Zhang raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint, knowing smirk curling at the corner of his lips.

In an instant, Jiang Wencheng remembered what he'd said before blacking out—confessing he was a spy and begging Han Zhang to look after his family—and his face went from pale to beet red.

The good news: he was still alive.

The bad news: Brother Han knew he was a spy.

At that moment, Jiang Wencheng didn't know whether he should be grateful to be alive or wish he'd actually died!

"Brother Han, I..." he began with difficulty, his throat as dry as if he'd swallowed a mouthful of sand, stammering guiltily: "I... earlier... I-I..."

"Brother Jiang, no need to explain. I get it. When the sovereign commands, a subject must obey—even if it means death. Brother Jiang was under imperial orders, caught in circumstances beyond his control. To act as a spy in order to protect one's parents and clan is just human nature."

Han Zhang set down the pestle, brushed the herb dust off his hands, and cut off Jiang Wencheng's incoherent attempts at explanation. His words were perfectly reasonable and understanding.

But his tone was dripping with self-mockery: "Besides, Brother Jiang and I have known each other for barely a year. No matter how deep our bond, how could it compare to Brother Jiang's flesh and blood and centuries-old family? You were ordered to spy on me. I... do not blame you."

"Only..."

Han Zhang raised his eyes, his gaze landing on Jiang Wencheng's face like a physical weight. Gone was the former warmth and trust—all that was left was a faint disappointment and distance.

"I had thought Brother Jiang and I were kindred spirits—men of real character, passion, and guts. But now it seems I was just fooling myself."

"So Brother Jiang is really that loyal and righteous, huh? For a single imperial decree, you would willingly go to your death—and not only that, you would abandon your husband, your children, and your own mother?"

"Brother Jiang's noble righteousness... is way beyond a petty man like me who only cares about his own people and holds grudges. I was too narrow-minded. You're a real saint, Brother Jiang."

These words were spoken calmly, even "politely," yet every syllable was like a needle dipped in poison—pure sarcasm far more humiliating than outright rebuke.

Jiang Wencheng's face burned crimson. He was so consumed with shame he wished he could just die right there. Guilt and anguish churned in his chest like boiling water, threatening to swallow him whole.

He wanted to shout back—to say he wasn't like that!

To say that he too hated being treated as a pawn to be used and tossed aside by the imperial family! To say that he never wanted to spy on his closest friend!

But the truth was, no matter what he felt inside, his actions were nothing but blind loyalty and cowardice!

He was willing to die for the sovereign's command, and worse, he'd drag his husband and mother down with him!

The brutal, bloody reality was staring him in the face, and the inner conflict that had been suppressed for days finally erupted.

Jiang Wencheng closed his eyes, but tears still leaked from the corners, streaking his flushed, sickly face, making him look utterly pathetic.

His voice shook with sobs:

"I'm sorry, Brother Han... You're right. I'm nothing but a sanctimonious hypocrite! I kept saying I would protect An Ge'er, that I would be filial to my mother, but all I did was abandon them."

"Brother Han, I hate it! I hate my own incompetence! I hate being stuck in this mess I can't control! But I don't know what to do... He's the emperor and I'm his subject—I can't defy his orders..."

"If I refuse the decree, it's a crime that gets my whole family executed! My mother would die, An Ge'er would die, the entire Jiang family—hundreds of people—would die because of me!"

"Brother Han... I'm sorry. I was selfish and cowardly... But I just wanted my mother and An Ge'er... to live. To live a good life..."

Everyone has people who matter most to them. He deeply admired Brother Han, and he'd truly enjoyed his time with him. He treasured this friendship deeply.

But An Ge'er and his mother were the most important people in his life.

"Yes, you're not just selfish—you're flat-out stupid!"

There was not a trace of sympathy on Han Zhang's face, only icy disappointment and contempt.

He stepped forward, his gaze piercing like a dagger: "Since you're so unwilling, since you're so reluctant, why don't you fight back? Why don't you even struggle?"

"Don't give me that 'I can't fight back' crap! When you're already at death's door, whether you stick your neck out or hide it, the blade's coming down either way—so why choose to bow your head and accept your fate?"

"Even a fish on the cutting board flops and struggles! Brother Jiang, who prides himself on being educated and reasonable—can't you muster up even that much spine? Are you really that ready to just give up?"

"Do you really think once you're dead, everything's solved? That An Ge'er and your mother will live in peace from then on?"

"Brother Jiang, who's spent years buried in history books—surely you know what kind of miserable fate awaits a widowed husband and a widowed mother who have lost their son?"

"Do you truly believe that after your death, your family will look after your husband and mother? Brother Jiang, if I remember correctly, your mother was promoted from a maidservant to a concubine, wasn't she?"

In ancient times, a concubine's status was basically just "a baby-making tool" and "disposable property." Especially a "lowly concubine" of servant origin—she could be sold or given away at will, without a shred of dignity.

Even if the family, out of respect for Jiang Wencheng's "sacrifice," was willing to give his mother a meal and a roof, the most they'd do is pack her off to some remote estate and leave her to fend for herself.

And a lowly concubine who had lost her only son, with no natal family to rely on, left alone in a desolate estate—you can guess how that ends!

Jiang Wencheng's face went white as a sheet, his lips trembling:

"No, that can't be... My stepmother and eldest brother have always been generous and never mistreated the concubines' children or the concubines themselves... I-I gave myself up for the family, my mother... she..."

He tried to defend himself, but his words trailed off into weak, hollow excuses until even he couldn't believe them.

His voice grew softer and softer, until it finally faded away completely.

Madam Jiang indeed never openly mistreated the concubines' children, but she wasn't exactly kind-hearted or compassionate either.

Keeping up appearances was already the best she could do—how could she possibly go out of her way to care for her husband's lowly concubine?

There's an old saying: out of sight, out of mind!

He had spent so many years reading the sages' books and observing the fickleness of people within the deep mansions, yet when it came down to it, he had forgotten the most basic rules of survival.

"But... but what else can I do... Brother Han, tell me, what the hell am I supposed to do?"

Jiang Wencheng's last defense completely crumbled.

He looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, gazing at Han Zhang with despair and pleading, his voice breaking, as if it might fall apart at any moment.

"All protection is nothing but a fleeting dream! True support never comes from others' charity or pity—it comes from ourselves."

"Yes, the king's orders can't be disobeyed, but is the Crown Prince really the 'ruler' right now? His Majesty the Emperor is still in good health and in his prime! And His Majesty has more than one son; the position of Crown Prince is far from decided. Brother Jiang, what makes you so certain that the Crown Prince will definitely take the throne?"

"Since the Crown Prince gives you no way out and is willing to use you as a stepping stone and toss you aside, why can't you seek another worthy master and fight for your own survival?"

"Since your family has already abandoned you and thrown you to the wolves, why cling to that foolish loyalty and family sentiment, holding onto a lost cause?"

Han Zhang finally showed his cards, no longer hiding anything. He stared directly at Jiang Wencheng with an intense gaze, his words dripping with blatant provocation.

Jiang Wencheng's pupils suddenly contracted, as if hit by a bolt of lightning. He suddenly came to his senses and said in a trembling voice, "You... you've already thrown in your lot with another prince?"

"If I don't seek another worthy master, am I supposed to sit here and wait for the Crown Prince to come after me later? Oh no—he hasn't even come after me yet, and he's already sent you to wipe out my entire clan!"

Han Zhang sneered, without a trace of fear. "Brother Jiang, I don't have your 'death before dishonor' backbone, nor do I have blind loyalty to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince owes me no kindness whatsoever, so why shouldn't I find a better master to serve?"

"Since kneeling gets me nowhere and standing means death anyway, what's there to hesitate about? I, Han Zhang, won't accept this fate!"

Han Zhang did not deny it in the slightest. He admitted it openly, his expression one of grim determination and unyielding resolve.

"Whether to kneel and take the executioner's blade, or stand and die like a man—Brother Jiang, don't make me lose respect for you!"

Such contemptuous and inflammatory words struck Jiang Wencheng like a heavy hammer, making his head spin and his heart pound wildly.

The two men locked eyes for a long moment.

Finally, Jiang Wencheng said hoarsely: "In the court right now, the only ones who can rival the Crown Prince are the Fifth Prince and the Seventh Prince."

"The Fifth Prince is ruthless and cold-hearted; the Seventh Prince is a puppet of the powerful families. Following them is no different from throwing in with the Crown Prince."

"The other princes are still young, their personalities not yet set. Who knows if they'll be kind or cruel in the future?"

"Brother Han, choosing the right master is wise, but a servant can't serve two masters. When the young emperor grows up, who's to say he won't discard us once we've outlived our usefulness?"

To the imperial family, they were nothing but servants—and what right did a servant have to talk about fairness with their master?

"If you're worried about the eagle turning on you when it grows up, then just don't let it grow. Why not just keep a young emperor on the throne forever?"

Han Zhang smiled knowingly: "Since ancient times, it's always been a power struggle between ruler and minister—one side has to dominate the other. Brother Jiang, do you want to be the one in control or the one being controlled?"

Jiang Wencheng's pupils narrowed as he sucked in a sharp breath.

What the hell was Brother Han planning?

Was he planning to pull a classic power move—using the emperor as a puppet to control the realm?

Jiang Wencheng's heart pounded like a war drum, a mix of fear, excitement, and a strange restlessness he couldn't put into words, making him unconsciously clutch his sleeve, his fingertips trembling slightly.

It took him a long while before he managed to choke out a few words: "Brother Han... how confident are you about this?"

Han Zhang answered honestly: "I don't know. We do our best, and let fate do the rest."

"But like I said—doing this might get us killed, but not doing it definitely will. So why not roll the dice? You want to be a coward?"

Jiang Wencheng was speechless.

He felt something was wrong, but Brother Han's words did make a lot of sense.

After agonizing over it for a while.

Jiang Wencheng finally gritted his teeth and nodded. "Fine, I'm with you, Brother Han!"

If we win, everyone's happy;

If we lose, we die—that's it;

He had no way out anyway, so what did it matter if he followed Brother Han into a dead end?