The Paranoid Male Lead’s "White Moonlight" Has Reborn - Chapter 9

Inside the water basin were indeed five pieces of warm jade. Their quality seemed much better than his original small jade carp, and the texture was finer and softer. After lying in his palm for a while, they became warm.

Although Jiang Chaoyun still possessed some childlike innocence, he wasn’t so naive as to believe that jade could actually “grow.” This was clearly something Han Jiangmu had newly placed inside.

Of course, if he didn’t know Han Jiangmu’s true identity, he might have actually believed his nonsense. After all, warm jade was a priceless treasure. Despite being in the Jiang family for many years, if Jiang Yulong hadn’t shown him his own piece, Jiang Chaoyun would have thought such jade only existed in legends.

And yet, Han Jiangmu could just give him such valuable things so casually… Jiang Chaoyun suddenly felt a bit complicated.

The Study

Jiang Yulong was practicing his calligraphy. He was indeed very talented; at a young age, his writing was already powerful and vigorous. His brushstrokes unreservedly displayed the spirit of a youth—vibrant and elegant. He was frequently praised by his teachers, and his classmates viewed him as a role model.

His elder brother, Jiang Shujin, was watching him write, not stingy with his praise. Jiang Shujin was a man of no great ambition. In his early twenties, he had no proper occupation and spent his days fooling around outside. He frequently spoke of Jiang Yulong, because his younger brother was already a Xiucai (scholar) at a young age and bore the heavy responsibility of bringing glory to the family. As the biological brother, Jiang Shujin felt his own status rose accordingly, so he felt he didn’t need to amount to much himself.

As Jiang Shujin praised him, he couldn’t help but ask Jiang Yulong to see that piece of warm jade.

Jiang Yulong was reluctant to take it out, but he couldn’t withstand Jiang Shujin’s pestering. As he handed the warm jade to Jiang Shujin, he nervously exhorted, “Be careful, don’t drop it.”

Jiang Shujin naturally agreed with a smile. As he caressed the jade, he complained slightly, “Your eldest uncle is good to you, but only average to me. Truly, one must know how to study.”

Jiang Yulong’s lips curled into a smug smile. “Studying isn’t something just anyone can do.”

Jiang Shujin said, “Looking at Jiang Chaoyun’s constitution, I don’t think he’ll last a few more years. He had another attack the day before yesterday; the doctor said if it had been any later, he would have lost his life.”

Jiang Yulong didn’t speak.

Jiang Shujin said mysteriously, “Eldest uncle has no other sons. Yulong, if you show some ambition in the future, it’s hard to say who the family business will belong to.”

Jiang Yulong let out a cold snort. “It’s hard to say if eldest uncle has other sons elsewhere.”

Jiang Shujin laughed. “Even if he does, they won’t be able to enter our family gate. Eldest aunt is no simple character.”

Jiang Yulong smiled slightly but remained silent. Jiang Shujin said, “Keep practicing your calligraphy, I’m leaving.” He returned the warm jade and left.

Jiang Yulong suppressed his wandering thoughts and calmed his mind to continue writing. He practiced all day, and by the time he stepped out of the study, it was nearly dark.

Just as Jiang Yulong was about to step onto the winding corridor, his leg suddenly went numb. He lurched forward and, as luck would have it, his face slammed directly into a red lacquered pillar. This collision was disastrous—his entire front tooth was knocked out, leaving him bloodied. He screamed a few times, catching the attention of a passing servant who rushed over to help him up.

Jiang Yulong’s nasal bone was also broken, and blood flowed from his nose. Combined with the blood from his mouth, it was a terrifying sight. The servant helped him up to take him back, but in the confusion, a piece of jade fell from Jiang Yulong’s neck. Because of its rounded shape, it rolled on the ground and fell directly into the pond.

Due to the intense pain in his face, Jiang Yulong couldn’t react in time. He watched helplessly as that priceless warm jade fell into the pond.

“Aaaah!!” Jiang Yulong let out a few roars of anger and frustration, even venting his rage on the servant. He kicked the servant hard toward the pond and shouted angrily, “Quick, find that jade back!” Because he was missing a front tooth, his speech was “leaky,” making it almost comical.

But the servant didn’t dare laugh. He took a quick look at Jiang Yulong’s fallen tooth and obediently jumped into the pond to search for the jade pendant.

Standing on the shore, Jiang Yulong’s face was flushed and his breathing was rapid. He slowly withdrew his attention from the warm jade and began to think of a more severe problem: missing a front tooth was a disaster for a Xiucai. Having regular features and clear, articulate speech were standards for officials in this dynasty.

He wasn’t a child anymore; he wouldn’t grow another tooth. Even if he could get a dental implant, it wouldn’t compare to the original. His appearance would be affected. It was fine now, but once he reached the Palace Examination… appearing before the Emperor looking like this…

Jiang Yulong’s heart beat rapidly; he felt a sense of dizziness.

Jiang Chaoyun didn’t know about Jiang Yulong’s misfortune. After finishing his dinner, he took a rare bath.

With a body like his, he couldn’t even bathe frequently. Getting to soak once was an indescribable luxury. He had to have hot water added constantly so the water wouldn’t cool even slightly. By the time he finished, his skin had become very soft.

Finally lying in bed, his whole body felt limp, and even his voice seemed to have been softened by the soak.

When Han Jiangmu entered his room again, he heard that softened voice. Jiang Chaoyun said, “This morning, the warm jade in the basin really grew larger.”

Han Jiangmu said with feigned surprise, “Truly?”

Jiang Chaoyun: “…”

Jiang Chaoyun suppressed the urge to expose him and said, “But, why did one carp become five?”

Han Jiangmu said in a steady voice, “Perhaps your carp was pregnant.”

Jiang Chaoyun: “…” Does he really take me for a fool??

Jiang Chaoyun didn’t speak, and Han Jiangmu sat on the chaise longue holding his sword, also falling silent. After a while, Bixin came over and stood at the door, whispering, “Young master, are you asleep?”

Jiang Chaoyun said, “No.”

Bixin entered the inner chamber with a look of worry on her face. “Young master, Mao’er just told me that Young Master Long took a fall and bled a lot.”

Jiang Chaoyun froze and instinctively asked with concern, “Is it serious?”

Bixin said, “It seems very serious. I heard he knocked out a front tooth.” At this point, she couldn’t help but let out a “honk” of a laugh.

Jiang Chaoyun: “…”

He suspected he had misheard and looked closely at Bixin. She still looked “worried.” “Young master, this is truly tragic. Should we send some tonics over tomorrow?”

Jiang Chaoyun was about to agree, but then remembered Han Jiangmu was there. He remained silent for a moment; he couldn’t act “too good” in front of Han Jiangmu.

Bixin asked, “Young master?”

Jiang Chaoyun pretended to be calm and said, “Forget the tonics, they are very expensive and I need to eat them myself. Just send him some pastries from our kitchen. Make sure they are soft so they’re easy for him to eat.”

Bixin almost honked again but held it back. She said movingly, “Young master is truly considerate.” With that, she left.

Jiang Chaoyun said to Han Jiangmu, “I’m so happy.”

Han Jiangmu watched him quietly, the corners of his lips curling slightly. “What is young master happy about?”

Jiang Chaoyun said, “Have you ever heard of Schadenfreude? I am experiencing Schadenfreude right now.”

Sorry, Yulong. At most, I’ll send you some tonics later.

However, after Jiang Chaoyun said this, Han Jiangmu still didn’t react. Jiang Chaoyun was a bit puzzled and explained seriously, “Schadenfreude means not only having no sympathy for someone’s tragic encounter, but feeling joy from the bottom of one’s heart. Do you understand?”

Han Jiangmu said, “Young master, I attended a private school. I am literate.”

Jiang Chaoyun’s eyebrows shot up. “Then why did you have no reaction?”

Han Jiangmu asked in return, “What reaction does young master want me to have?”

Jiang Chaoyun was stumped. After a while, he grumbled, “Forget it, I can’t talk sense into a commoner like you. You don’t understand.” After saying that, he tilted his chin to show his disdain for Han Jiangmu.

However, Han Jiangmu had a very good temper. He looked at Jiang Chaoyun’s face, which seemed even more radiant due to his emotions. His dark eyes flickered slightly; under the candlelight, it seemed as if a spark was jumping in his pupils.

Because Han Jiangmu was still very young, his voice possessed a clean, refreshing quality of a youth. However, unlike Jiang Chaoyun’s voice which easily became soft and waxy, his was more powerful and decisive, a steady voice that seemed capable of brewing a storm. Just like now, even a simple sentence felt like an undercurrent beneath a calm river: “If young master doesn’t speak, how am I to understand?”

Jiang Chaoyun, of course, couldn’t tell Han Jiangmu the truth. He had acted so “villainous,” Han Jiangmu should hate him. But with Han Jiangmu’s steady expression, Jiang Chaoyun couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

What was his view of him now? Could it be that after seeing him a few times, he was truly set on him?

Jiang Chaoyun was a bit lost. Until his death in his previous life, he had never tasted love. Because his body was too weak and he had cold energy in his system, the doctors made it clear it would be hard for him to have descendants; he likely couldn’t even perform “conjugal duties.” His mother gave up on the idea, and he did too. How could a body like his burden some other girl?

But just because he didn’t have those thoughts didn’t mean he was a “cut sleeve” (gay). He overflowed with a non-gay aura; how could Han Jiangmu fall for him at first sight? Han Jiangmu was a prince; his vision should be as broad as the rivers and seas. How could a random person fascinate him so much?

If it were anyone else, they might be smug about such partiality. But Jiang Chaoyun, thinking of his life force which was like a candle in the wind, couldn’t muster any pride.

Jiang Chaoyun pushed his messy thoughts to the back of his mind and said huffily, “I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

Han Jiangmu fell silent.

Jiang Chaoyun touched the palm-sized jade carp on his chest. This warm jade was indeed miraculous. Normally, even with silver-charcoal burning in the room, his hands and feet would be icy in bed. But with this jade, his limbs were nice and warm.

Indeed, those five pieces of carp warm jade—aside from the one worn around his neck, the other four were worn on his wrists and ankles. Aside from the largest one, the other four were in pairs; the larger pair were bracelets, and the smaller pair were anklets.

Jiang Chaoyun originally wanted to return the jade, but Han Jiangmu’s move was clever; by using that fabricated legend, he forced the jade on him, leaving him no excuse to return it. Having accepted Han Jiangmu’s intention like this, Jiang Chaoyun almost couldn’t bring himself to be mean to him anymore.

So far, Han Jiangmu hadn’t done anything wrong. Jiang Chaoyun let out a breath under the covers, feeling a mess inside. He stopped thinking and quickly closed his eyes to sleep. His spirit was easily fatigued, and his sleep was exceptionally deep.

Han Jiangmu waited until his breathing was steady before walking over with large strides. He carefully pulled out Jiang Chaoyun’s hand and held it gently in his own.

This time, it was finally warm.

At that moment, there was a bird cry outside the window. Han Jiangmu put the hand back, walked to the window, and pushed it open. Outside was a steady, tall youth. He lowered his voice and said to Han Jiangmu, “Reporting to Master, I have ‘crippled’ Jiang Yulong.”

Han Jiangmu said indifferently, “Just making him lose a front tooth?”

The youth choked and whispered, “If we do too much, it might arouse suspicion.”

Han Jiangmu didn’t speak.

The youth asked, “Master, should we take back the warm jade in Jiang Yulong’s hands?”

Han Jiangmu gave an “mhm” and then said, “Jiang Zuoling.”

The youth understood, bowed his head and said, “I will handle it immediately.”

Han Jiangmu closed the window. Through a crack, the youth could see him sitting by Jiang Chaoyun’s bed. The youth felt a bit of pity for the boy, then thought of Jiang Zuoling and shook his head.

The piece of warm jade Jiang Zuoling had acquired was something Han Jiangmu had intentionally sold to him. Otherwise, how could a mere wealthy merchant deserve such a rare treasure? It was hateful that the fool had given this treasure to Jiang Yulong of the second branch; truly didn’t know how to be a father.

However, the youth soon became worried. Han Jiangmu hadn’t specified; how should he “teach a lesson” to Jiang Zuoling? How should he handle the severity?

The youth fretted back and forth and finally decided to break one of Jiang Zuoling’s legs first.