The Paranoid Male Lead’s "White Moonlight" Has Reborn - Chapter 17

After Jiang Chaoyun finished his sentence, Han Jiangmu gave no immediate reaction. This made Jiang Chaoyun feel a bit awkward, so he buried his head under the covers and stopped talking.

Only then did Han Jiangmu speak: “Sleep now, Young Master.”

Jiang Chaoyun was suddenly startled. He felt that Han Jiangmu’s tone was different from before; it seemed… to carry a hint of desolation?

…Desolation was only natural. What Han Jiangmu had spoken of wasn’t just a simple rumor, but his own life experience. A complex swirl of emotions rose in Jiang Chaoyun’s heart. At this moment, saying anything too harsh seemed a bit too heartless.

Thinking of this, Jiang Chaoyun hesitated before saying, “You should sleep too. See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow, Young Master,” Han Jiangmu replied. His tone had returned to normal, as if the desolation from a moment ago was merely Jiang Chaoyun’s imagination.

The next day, Jiang Zuoling came to visit him again, bringing a “Nine Linked Rings” puzzle from the Jiang family workshop.

Jiang Chaoyun played with it for only a short while before getting tired. Seeing him set the puzzle aside, Jiang Zuoling asked with a smile, “Tired?”

Jiang Chaoyun nodded. Jiang Zuoling asked, “Have you felt unwell lately?”

Jiang Chaoyun answered a bit dejectedly, “Just the same as before. Nothing particularly uncomfortable, but nothing particularly comfortable either.” He then asked, “Father, how is your leg?”

Jiang Zuoling’s smile faded slightly. He let out a sigh and said, “Perhaps due to my age, the wound is healing slowly. The doctor said it’ll be at least three months before I can stand.”

His movements had been extremely inconvenient lately, but fortunately, the workshop had many skilled craftsmen. Before long, they had designed a wooden chair for him. Sitting in it, he could push himself along for quite a distance without needing anyone to wheel him. Jiang Zuoling realized this was a business opportunity and immediately had it marketed. They had already earned a good amount of silver during this period, but since such a thing wasn’t difficult to imitate, once others started selling them at lower prices, the Jiang family’s profits as the first sellers would quickly dwindle.

The reason the Jiang family reached the status of the wealthiest in Jiangnan was partly due to the Lin family’s support, but also because Jiang Zuoling’s mind was truly sharp.

Jiang Chaoyun told him to rest well and not worry about the shops. But Jiang Zuoling furrowed his brows in worry. “Chaoyun, you don’t understand. After spring, the candidates for the Imperial Merchant status will be finalized. Although the Jiang family has been wealthy for years, we are still far behind those established clans. If we can secure the Imperial Merchant status, our family won’t just ‘leap over the dragon gate,’ but will soar to the heavens.”

“But Father, your leg is in this state; do you still want to fight for that status? Money is good, but you can’t disregard your health for it.” Jiang Chaoyun’s tone was exceptionally earnest. “Besides, money is endless, but you only have one life. Father, you must take care of yourself.”

The words Jiang Zuoling was about to say were instantly choked back. Only after a long while did he continue to smile and say, “Chaoyun is right. However, if I don’t do more while I’m young, how can I secure a ‘bright future’ (splendid prospects) for all of you?”

“I think our family is already very good,” Jiang Chaoyun said. “Why not let someone else have the opportunity? They say blessings and misfortunes are intertwined; perhaps your injury this time is the will of heaven.”

Jiang Zuoling: “…”

Jiang Zuoling’s lip twitched, and his tone turned cool. “You have a point.”

Jiang Chaoyun didn’t notice the coldness in his tone and continued seriously, “Father, just rest well. Healing your leg is the most important priority; everything else can take a back seat.”

Jiang Zuoling couldn’t sit there any longer and soon found an excuse to leave.

Bixin entered from outside with a look of worry. “Oh, that leg of the Master’s… who knows when it will get better.”

Jiang Chaoyun let out a sigh, feeling a bit complicated. “My father works too hard. Even with such a heavy injury, he’s still trying to win a splendid future for us. Truly, he has put in much heart.”

Bixin wanted to roll her eyes but restrained herself. She whispered, “Master coming here to say all that… couldn’t he be wanting the Young Master to help?”

Jiang Chaoyun was surprised. “How could I help?”

Bixin thought to herself: Didn’t you have a very pleasant conversation with that Prefect Han? This matter was hidden from other guests but not from the Jiang household. If she wasn’t mistaken, Jiang Zuoling wanted to have Jiang Chaoyun accompany him to visit the Prefect.

But the Prefect’s residence was ten li away. While not far, it wasn’t exactly close, and the road would inevitably be bumpy. For Jiang Chaoyun to go out would be pure suffering.

And Jiang Zuoling brought nothing but a Nine Linked Rings puzzle??

Naturally, calculating these things between father and son seemed distant, but if one was seeking a favor, why couldn’t they send something better? Bixin was close with Jingrou from Madam’s room and knew what Jiang Zuoling had sent to the second branch. The birthday gift Jiang Yulong presented was from the Jiang workshop, meaning it was Jiang Zuoling’s idea. Why hadn’t he thought to send such good things here?

Bixin was full of silent criticism, but she said with a smile, “I must have overthought it. I thought Master came specifically to ask for help—like asking the Young Master to visit the Prefect with him to get the Prefect to relent.”

Jiang Chaoyun immediately put on a stern face and said seriously, “Don’t talk nonsense. Are you saying my father wants to bribe the Prefect? The Prefect is upright and honest; how could he be bribed?”

“Yes, yes, I was wrong,” Bixin said.

Although Jiang Chaoyun felt the girl’s words were baseless, as he reflected on Jiang Zuoling’s words and expressions, he sensed a different flavor to them. He suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.

If his father wanted to ask for help, why didn’t he just say it directly? Because he knew nothing, he said words of concern that seemed to be the “wrong” thing to say. No, he wasn’t wrong. He genuinely felt Jiang Zuoling didn’t need to work so hard; compared to endless money and a more glittering future, a healthy body was the most important thing.

A few days passed. Ma Wenfeng came to take his pulse and said with a joyful voice, “Young Master’s cold illness has stabilized; it won’t flare up again for the time being.”

After saying this, he found that Jiang Chaoyun’s face showed no surprise. He couldn’t help but be startled and asked, “Why does the Young Master seem unhappy?”

Jiang Chaoyun smiled and said, “I am happy.”

That smile is too fake, Ma Wenfeng thought. Perhaps he knew something? Ma Wenfeng wasn’t sure. After leaving the room, he went back to report to Han Jiangmu.

Han Jiangmu said nothing upon hearing the news. It was a long time before he spoke: “Investigate who is administering the poison.”

Ma Wenfeng hesitated before saying, “I have been watching the meals in the Young Master’s courtyard these past few days and found no traces of poison. But today, during the pulse reading, I found the cold energy in his body has become even more concentrated.”

“Meaning?”

“The person poisoning him isn’t doing it through his food,” Ma Wenfeng said.

Han Jiangmu fell silent. After a while, he said, “Continue the investigation.”

Because so much time had passed, it was difficult to get results quickly. Han Jiangmu understood this, but his attitude toward Jiang Chaoyun changed.

Jiang Chaoyun didn’t notice at first, but soon he felt something was off about Han Jiangmu. For instance, the man began sending a hoard of curious trinkets bought from the markets into his room. Jiang Chaoyun was dumbfounded looking at the table full of novelties. Bixin even brought over a “Beautiful Lady” kite, saying Guard Han had sent it.

Jiang Chaoyun was in disbelief. “Where is he? He sends things but doesn’t show up himself?”

Bixin said innocently, “I don’t know, but honestly, these are quite fun.” As she spoke, she picked up a wooden figure toy. She turned the handle behind the figure, and it began to raise its wooden pestle to pound away incessantly. Because of the fine craftsmanship, the figure even made “he-he” sounds, as if it were panting.

Jiang Chaoyun was dazed, but once he snapped out of it, he took the toy and started playing with it too. After the wooden figure, there was a mechanism box. One had to solve the puzzle path on the box to open it. Jiang Chaoyun played for a while and soon got it open. Inside was a stone in the shape of a rabbit; because it was painted greyish-white, it actually looked like a rabbit at first glance.

Jiang Chaoyun lost himself in playing with these trinkets. By the time he regained his senses, it was already evening. Bixin couldn’t help but say, “Guard Han truly goes all out for the Young Master.”

Jiang Chaoyun’s cheeks were flushed, his eyes sparkling with light. His breathing was warm. Hearing Bixin, he tilted his brow and said with dignified restraint, “…It’s alright. This is what he should do.”

Bixin laughed. “There’s no such thing as ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t.’ Guard Han isn’t a servant of our house; he’s a guard. If he doesn’t want to do it anymore, he could just dissolve the contract and leave.”

“He wouldn’t leave that easily,” Jiang Chaoyun huffed.

Bixin asked curiously, “Why is Young Master so certain?”

Jiang Chaoyun said mysteriously, “It’s a secret. I actually want him to leave soon, but he won’t.”

When Han Jiangmu came for the night watch, Jiang Chaoyun took the initiative to talk to him. “What are you trying to do, sending me so many things?”

Han Jiangmu walked to his side. Jiang Chaoyun instinctively pulled the quilt up, covering most of his face and leaving only a pair of very beautiful eyes.

Looking at those eyes watching him quietly, Han Jiangmu’s original intent to blow out the lamp vanished. He withdrew his hand and stood before Jiang Chaoyun, saying in a low voice, “I am currying favor with the Young Master.”

Jiang Chaoyun felt his ears itch. For some reason, his heart began to pound fiercely, and his voice carried a hint of a stammer. “W-why are you currying favor with me? I won’t give you a reward!”

“I don’t want a reward,” Han Jiangmu said.

Jiang Chaoyun pulled the quilt down, furrowed his brows, and said, “Then why are you currying favor with me? You are just a guard; I can’t give you anything.”

“I want the Young Master to be happy. That is enough.”

Jiang Chaoyun: “…”

“Just like that?” Jiang Chaoyun asked in disbelief.

Han Jiangmu looked down at him, his lips curling slightly. “Just like that.”

Jiang Chaoyun didn’t know what to say for a moment. Why was he suddenly like this? Had he done something to make him happy? Or was it yesterday? But regarding those major issues of right and wrong, he really didn’t want to say anything against his own heart.

Jiang Chaoyun’s eyes flickered. He let out a cold snort and said with feigned indifference, “Whether I’m happy or not is none of your business.”

However, under the bright light, the expression on Jiang Chaoyun’s face was fully visible. Han Jiangmu watched him, his fingers at his side rubbing together slightly before he let go. He said softly, “Young Master is right. I shouldn’t meddle in your affairs.”

He paused, then added: “But I feel that Young Master is a precious gem, and should be pampered and loved.”