Chapter 15: Chapter 11: The Male Lead Cried Too

He approached Wen Ranchen, his gaze solely on his son, ignoring Aunt Qiao beside him. His words carried authority and a palpable threat, enough to instill fear for no reason, “Ran’er, I’ve taught you that no matter the situation, you must not show your emotions on your face. Your quick temper will only harm you.”

Wen Ranchen lowered his head, unconsciously clenching his hands. He remembered how things were when his mother was still alive; his father was not like this. But he said nothing, only admitted his mistake, “Father, I was wrong.”

“Go apologize to your aunt. As a leader, you must not only lead and train troops but also win their support. Your heart is not broad enough yet.”

Apologize?

Wen Ranchen found it ridiculous. Why should he apologize to Aunt Qiao when clearly she was in the wrong first?

Wen Ranchen stood there for a while, several times wanting to speak, but thinking of what Aunt Qiao had just done, he resisted.

He silently took the gift for Shen Jingxian from Lv Yang’s hands. It was the first day meeting Shen Jingxian; she had said she wanted fabric of the same material as a handkerchief, invaluable and costing all his savings.

“Father, Aunt Qiao disregards hierarchy, humiliates my subordinate, and taints the gift for the Princess. I will not apologize to her.”

After saying this, Wen Ranchen left Aunt Qiao’s courtyard with the fabric.

Wen Jingming watched this unfold without following. He was satisfied with Wen Ranchen’s defiance; this was a child of the Wen family, with a clear sense of right and wrong.

Aunt Qiao saw Wen Jingming standing by her side and felt very pleased. She twisted her slender waist and leaned against Wen Jingming, softly saying, “Thank you, General, for standing up for Qiao Qiao~”

Such a scene would already stir passion in an ordinary man, but Wen Jingming was no ordinary person; he’d seen everything in battle, and Aunt Qiao’s tactics were not high-level.

He unceremoniously pushed Aunt Qiao away, coldly stating, “If you dare provoke Ran’er again, I will make you and your son leave the General Mansion.”

Wen Jingming left, leaving Aunt Qiao alone to stew in her courtyard.

What do you mean by “my son”? Isn’t he your son too? Or is it that in your heart only Wen Ranchen is your son?

Aunt Qiao’s gaze gradually turned crazy.

Initially, only the heir of a Prince could be called Princely Heir and enjoy special privileges. But the National Guardian General has served the country for generations, so when the previous Emperor was still reigning, he granted the General Mansion a hereditary Duke title.

The sons of the General Mansion and the Princely Heir who inherited the General Mansion’s title, though of the same bloodline, had completely different statuses.

Aunt Qiao only didn’t want her son to always bear the name of a concubine’s son, so she took a gamble for her son’s future.

But now, Wen Jingming, you were the one who showed my son and me no mercy first.

Wen Ranchen thought he could leave after picking up the fabric but was delayed for quite a while. He wondered if the Princess was still waiting for him.

Along the way, he kept urging the carriage to go faster, and finally, he saw Shen Jingxian in the quickest possible time.

When Shen Jingxian’s slightly confused eyes looked over, Wen Ranchen felt as though the hole in his heart was filled.

“Your Highness…” Wen Ranchen had just started to call out when he immediately stopped.

Why was his voice trembling so much?

Wen Ranchen incredulously wiped his face.

He… was crying.

The palace maid beside saw this and could only pretend not to see it. Their low status meant that even if the master cried, they had to act as if they hadn’t seen it; comforting on their own accord would be looking for trouble.

Even though Wen Ranchen was still a child at this moment, his status wasn’t one that just any ordinary person could step forward to comfort.

Shen Jingxian had been waiting for Wen Ranchen, and now, hearing something wrong with his voice, she said to the palace attendant beside her, “Sister Xiao Ming, please take me to Brother Chen’s side.”

This Xiao Ming isn’t the same as the other Xiao Ming, though it took Shen Jingxian a long time to accept this name. Every time she called it, she couldn’t help but think of that classmate Xiao Ming who bullied her throughout her textbooks.

In primary school, Xiao Ming couldn’t do math and asked her for help. In middle school, Xiao Ming couldn’t write essays and asked her for help, even in college. During the CET-4 and CET-6 exams, Xiao Ming’s shadow lingered!

Fortunately, this Xiao Ming was a palace maid sister, otherwise, Shen Jingxian would have insisted he change his name.

And, of course, such a stunning name was naturally given by the Empress, as Xiao Ming was trusted by the Empress.

Shen Jingxian’s eyes still saw things very vaguely, but she could make out some shapes now.

After reaching Wen Ranchen, she dismissed all the attendants and asked Wen Ranchen in a soft, child-like voice, “Brother Chen, what’s wrong? Are you upset because I called you back?”

Shen Jingxian fumbled to hold Wen Ranchen’s hand, but as he was holding the fabric in front of his chest, she couldn’t find his hand and settled for shaking his clothes, “Do you dislike me…”

Wen Ranchen shook his head, then realized Shen Jingxian couldn’t see his actions, so he had to speak up, “No.”

Once he spoke, Wen Ranchen couldn’t hide his emotions.

Shen Jingxian felt a bit troubled. Did she have some magical buff on her that made people want to cry?

Since she lost her sight, how many people had cried in front of her?

Shen Jingxian counted on her fingers, shocked! Two hands weren’t enough to count!

Shen Jingxian sighed. Everyone’s a pitiful creature.

She couldn’t see well, so she felt along Wen Ranchen’s clothes upwards. What she discovered was alarming; his hand was wet, not like water but sticky. Realizing something, she brought it to her nose to smell; it was a bloody scent. Shen Jingxian’s expression darkened.

Wen Ranchen only then snapped out of it. Earlier, in a daze, he had stumbled on the way and, preoccupied with other thoughts, didn’t notice. Now, seeing blood on Shen Jingxian’s hand, he panicked.

Would he frighten the Princess? Would the Princess stop speaking to him afterward?

“Your Highness…” Wen Ranchen collected himself to speak but was interrupted by Shen Jingxian.

“Brother Chen, why didn’t you tell me you were hurt? Were you crying because it hurt so much?”

“Did I hurt you just now?”

“Brother Chen, don’t cry. Quickly come and sit down!”

Wen Ranchen dazedly allowed Shen Jingxian to lead him to sit on a bench. Then she called someone to bring bandaging medicine.

Since Shen Jingxian couldn’t see, she didn’t attempt to gain his favor by bandaging him herself. Instead, she let the palace maid do it and comforted Wen Ranchen by gently patting his head, “Brother Chen, don’t be afraid. Once the medicine is applied, it won’t hurt anymore, and the wound will heal quickly.”

“I’ll be here with you.”

Shen Jingxian’s little hands petted Wen Ranchen’s head tentatively. She was too short and had to stand on tiptoe to reach him.

Seeing this, Wen Ranchen voluntarily lowered his head to better fit Shen Jingxian’s little hand.

Wen Ranchen: So warm.

Shen Jingxian: Feels like a puppy.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep