Chapter 96: I Will Forever Clear Obstacles for You

Wang Xian listened to her words and shook his head with a smile. Young people still had the energy to make such a fuss.

He inserted a silver needle into Cui Wangshu’s head and said, “Her main issue is a heart demon. When you planted the Love Gu in her before, I told you she wasn’t suited for love—she lacked the ability to handle it.”

Wang Xian looked at Jiang Chenbi and chuckled. “You must have thought I was defending her back then. In truth, I just didn’t want you to end up in this situation today. It’s hard for you, and it’s hard for her too.”

Jiang Chenbi pressed her lips together. Back then, she had indeed felt that Wang Xian was exaggerating, even threatening him with the Leaf Snake.

Now, it seemed Wang Xian had actually understated it. Cui Wangshu’s problem went far beyond mere possessiveness.

Ever since that incident five years ago had stimulated her, Cui Wangshu had become even more extreme in her emotions. Even the “solve the problem” principle that Jiang Chenbi had taught her back then was completely useless.

Jiang Chenbi asked, “Will stopping the Illusion Pill help?”

Wang Xian shook his head. “She’s already addicted. Abruptly stopping would make her condition worse. We can only gradually reduce the dosage.”

Wang Xian looked at Jiang Chenbi. “The main issue is that she keeps confusing you with the person in her illusions. I don’t know what that version of you in her illusions is like, but for it to fool her to this extent, it must be very similar to you in personality and temper.”

Jiang Chenbi lowered her gaze, recalling Cui Wangshu’s attitude toward her during this time. There were moments of inexplicable enthusiasm and gentleness that even made Jiang Chenbi momentarily dazed, thinking Cui Wangshu no longer cared at all.

But other times, she deliberately kept her distance, neither cold nor warm. Jiang Chenbi had recently been quite depressed by her unpredictable moods.

Now, thinking about it, perhaps Cui Wangshu couldn’t distinguish whether she was in an illusion or reality. So, was she warmer toward the illusory version of herself and colder toward the real one?

Though it was still her, Jiang Chenbi felt a strange discomfort in her heart.

But she was more curious about how Cui Wangshu had suddenly realized it wasn’t an illusion.

Looking at Cui Wangshu’s face, Jiang Chenbi thought she might need to vary her own attitude more to test the boundaries of Cui Wangshu’s distinctions, so she could better help her separate them.

After hesitating, Jiang Chenbi said, “Can you give me some of the Illusion Pills she was taking before?”

Surprise flashed in Wang Xian’s eyes. “You…”

Jiang Chenbi averted her gaze and said softly, “Not many. Three pills will do.”

She had said there were still many things she would do for Cui Wangshu, and Cui Wangshu didn’t need to know about them.

Five years ago, Jiang Chenbi had decided to shoulder all the blame, and now was no different.

After returning, she hadn’t explained the matter of “abandoning her” that Cui Wangshu mentioned, nor had she spoken of the torment she endured five years ago, which forced her to lie in an ice coffin for two years, inevitably “abandoning her.”

He Yin was already dead. She only hoped Cui Wangshu could move forward. Neither she nor Cui Wangshu needed to remain trapped in those memories, living in anxiety.

She knew these five years hadn’t been painful only for her. She could see Cui Wangshu’s suffering and ached for the torment she had endured.

So if someone had to bear it, she hoped it would be her.

Jiang Chenbi wouldn’t grandly declare afterward that she was willing to take those pains in Cui Wangshu’s place. She could see how disheveled Cui Wangshu had been these years and had no right to use “what ifs” to whitewash her guilt.

What she could do was shoulder the burdens now weighing on Cui Wangshu, respect the wounds she had suffered, and accompany her out of it.

As for Cui Wangshu’s mistakes, Jiang Chenbi had never blamed her for those words. She only hoped to teach her how to move forward.

Looking at Wang Xian, Jiang Chenbi curved her lips, determination and gentleness flashing in her eyes. “You don’t need to tell her anything. I just want to understand her illusions. Nothing will happen.”

Wang Xian looked at the gentleness in her eyes and sighed inwardly. How could he not know what Jiang Chenbi intended? He sighed. “I’ll give them to you, but remember: one pill every seven days.”

Jiang Chenbi curved her lips in a faint, gentle smile.

After administering the needles to Cui Wangshu, it would still take some time for her to wake. Wang Xian and Xun An left the space for the two of them and exited.

Before closing the door, Xun An’s complex gaze fell on Jiang Chenbi.

Now, only Jiang Chenbi and Cui Wangshu remained in the room. Jiang Chenbi curved her lips, gently tucking the stray hairs by Cui Wangshu’s ear behind it. Her fingertip brushed over her cold brows and eyes, filled with tenderness. She leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead.

Cui Wangshu, I will forever clear obstacles for you…

You just need to sit high on the throne and pursue your ideals. As for everything else, I’ll give you what I can, even if it takes my all.

Back then, she had no choice but to break her promise. In the ice coffin, through those six hundred-plus unconscious days and nights, she never forgot the vow she had made.

Even if she had to crawl out from hell, she would crawl back to Cui Wangshu.

Seizing the opportunity Liu Xuan provided, even after long years, she had to return.

Upon returning, she thought Cui Wangshu had forgotten her and started a new life, so she chose not to disturb her.

But later, learning that Cui Wangshu had waited for her all these years, Jiang Chenbi still rushed to her side without hesitation.

Even if Cui Wangshu harbored reservations, even if she snubbed or avoided her, Jiang Chenbi never thought of leaving.

Even when Cui Wangshu said “What does it have to do with you,” leaving her heart dead, upon seeing her breakdown, Jiang Chenbi still couldn’t stop loving her.

Loving Cui Wangshu had fused deeply into her bones and blood. From eleven years ago, she had loved her—this had become her habit, inseparable and unchangeable…

So Cui Wangshu, you never need to worry that I’ll leave you or stop loving you…

The night was as dark as ink, and Xiaoyun Pavilion was utterly quiet. Jiang Chenbi sat by the bed, quietly waiting for Cui Wangshu to wake.

Just like back then, quietly waiting for Cui Wangshu to love her.

Cui Wangshu jolted awake from the illusion and immediately saw Jiang Chenbi by the bed. After a daze, she looked around and realized she was in Xiaoyun Pavilion.

Jiang Chenbi had neatly concealed the emotions in her eyes, staring coldly at Cui Wangshu as if waiting for an explanation.

Cui Wangshu’s throat bobbed. Seeing Jiang Chenbi’s distant expression, she couldn’t help grabbing her hand.

Jiang Chenbi glanced down but didn’t pull away.

Cui Wangshu scrutinized the emotions in her eyes, confirming no disgust, then hesitantly rasped, “Can I… have a hug?”

Jiang Chenbi bit her teeth, suppressing the heartache nearly spilling from her eyes, lowered her gaze, and nodded.

Cui Wangshu pressed her lips together and carefully pulled her into her arms. Inhaling the familiar scent on her, Cui Wangshu couldn’t stop her eyes from heating up.

Her grip tightened more and more. Cui Wangshu clutched Jiang Chenbi tightly, unable to resist pressing her face to the side of her neck.

Feeling the warm skin touch, the fear in Cui Wangshu’s heart eased a little.

“Can you… not leave me?” This was the first time since returning that Cui Wangshu said this while fully sober.

Jiang Chenbi’s hand on her knee clenched tightly, her voice somewhat hoarse. “Why?”

She hoped Cui Wangshu would say it. As long as she did, she would make her understand that she would respond to all her emotions—she didn’t need to trap herself in illusions chasing false responses.

Cui Wangshu tightened her embrace, bit her lip without speaking. Hot tears fell on her neck, and Jiang Chenbi suddenly clenched her fist.

“What is it that you can’t tell me?” Jiang Chenbi closed her eyes and asked hoarsely.

Cui Wangshu bit her lower lip hard to stifle her sobs. After a long while, her voice trembled. “I missed you… these five years, I missed you so much.”

She couldn’t let go of Jiang Chenbi’s departure. She felt that even loving her so much back then couldn’t keep her, and using “love” now still wouldn’t.

So she didn’t dare say it. She feared Jiang Chenbi would do something for her again and leave once more. She’d rather Jiang Chenbi not love her that much, rather she not adventure for her anymore.

But today, seeing the look in Jiang Chenbi’s eyes that no longer loved her, she was truly afraid. She didn’t want to lose Jiang Chenbi or her love.

She had seen everything Jiang Chenbi had done lately to mend their relationship, and the more she knew, the less Cui Wangshu dared respond.

She feared that if she did, she’d uncontrollably express her love again, and Jiang Chenbi would do something for that love.

Now, she wanted nothing—just for Jiang Chenbi to stay safely by her side.

She never wanted to taste that loss again.

She’d rather vent her love into the illusions, even without response, than expose a shred in reality.

Jiang Chenbi raised her hand to stroke Cui Wangshu’s back, gently responding, “I missed you too, so much. I never stopped.”

“But why won’t you say it?” Jiang Chenbi pressed.

Cui Wangshu fell silent again, just holding her tightly, feeling her body heat.

Jiang Chenbi lowered her gaze, her eyes dimming.

Every action brimmed with love—why wouldn’t she say it?

“Cui Wangshu, you know this is reality, so you don’t dare say it, right?”

Jiang Chenbi’s question pierced her heart like a sharp sword. Cui Wangshu’s face suddenly paled.

She knew…

Jiang Chenbi tried to pull out of her embrace to look into her eyes. Cui Wangshu thought she was leaving and held her even tighter, refusing to let go.

Her strength was much greater than before. Jiang Chenbi was squeezed until breathing was difficult and hurriedly patted her back. “Cough… let go…”

Hearing her labored breathing, Cui Wangshu snapped out of it and quickly loosened, but didn’t fully release, gripping her arm tightly to help her catch her breath.

Jiang Chenbi: “…”

It took half a day of coughing for her to recover. Jiang Chenbi didn’t know what to say for a moment, as it was clear Cui Wangshu wasn’t fully clear-headed now.

Though no longer trapped in the illusion, her emotions were obviously off.

Jiang Chenbi stared at Cui Wangshu’s face, her gaze darkening slightly as she recalled times when she had been more “normal.”

She raised her hand to press against Cui Wangshu’s lips and asked, “Do you want to do it?”

Cui Wangshu’s pupils shrank, obvious fear flashing across her face as she shook her head frantically. “No!”

The memory of Jiang Chenbi’s deadened eyes in the carriage was too profound. She didn’t want Jiang Chenbi thinking she only wanted her body.

Even if she couldn’t resist Jiang Chenbi’s closeness, she would endure it.

Jiang Chenbi saw her frightened expression and couldn’t help laughing. It seemed she had learned her lesson.