Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Rong Tang felt a moment of panic, then quickly regained his composure.

It wasn’t surprising to Rong Tang that Liuyun found this place, rather it confirmed his suspicion: the achievements attributed to the Second Prince were indeed Su Huaijing's doing.

And if Su Huaijing had encountered the sick person on the bed before, the outcome of the cases regarding the rebels in his past lives would have been different, indicating Su Huaijing was probably not here.

As long as Su Huaijing wasn't present, everything was manageable. Even if he was suspected later, Rong Tang could explain that he was just out for a walk and followed Xiaozhu here out of sympathy after his plea for help.

With this in mind, he felt somewhat relieved, first bowed in gratitude to Liuyun, then turned to the sick person, half exasperated, half amused, “Your brother knelt on the road begging me to save you, and I barely managed to be persuaded. And your first reaction is to try and kill me?”

Shen Feiyi's attention was completely focused on the person who suddenly appeared at the door. Hearing these words, he was taken aback, his expression inexplicably shifting to Xiaozhu.

Xiaozhu, who had been crying foolishly, finally snapped back to reality. He suddenly threw himself onto the bed, clinging to Shen Feiyi's arm, afraid he would attack Rong Tang again, “Brother, don’t kill the kind-hearted big brother... he came to save you, sob, sob, sob.”

Rong Tang stood aside with his arms crossed, watching Shen Feiyi coldly, “Your brother has filial piety, but it seems you don’t appreciate it? Heartless creature, I won’t save you!”

He feigned anger and turned to leave. Xiaozhu hurriedly ran over to hug his waist, burying his face behind him, his body like a small furnace radiating heat continuously, his tears soaking another of Rong Tang's outer robes, “Don't go! Kind-hearted big brother, please don’t leave! Save my brother... he didn’t mean it...”

Unable to bear seeing a child cry, Rong Tang was just putting on a show for Shen Feiyi. Seeing this, his heart softened slightly, and he instinctively patted Xiaozhu's head, turning his cold gaze towards Shen Feiyi, “Do you want me to save you or not?”

Covered by the blanket, Rong Tang couldn't see where Shen Feiyi was injured, but his complexion was visibly poor, his lips pursed as he struggled fiercely.

After a long while, Shen Feiyi finally relaxed, “Thank you, young master. I am ‘Chen Fei’. For today's offense, if I recover, I will serve you like an ox or a horse.”

Rong Tang was slightly surprised but didn't show it on his face, and walked out of the room to instruct Shuangshou to drive into the city to find a doctor.

Shuangfu caught a glimpse of the wound on his neck, his face turning pale for a moment, stumbling over, tremblingly asking, “Young Master...”

“It’s alright,” Rong Tang shook his head and pressed a handkerchief to the wound until the bleeding stopped, then walked to the middle of the courtyard.

Liuyun was still there.

The sudden change in Shen Feiyi's attitude, though abrupt, was not hard to understand. Now, alone with two children in the suburbs, he could die at any moment without a doctor’s care.

But he couldn’t die; he had to avenge his foster father and brothers.

So when Rong Tang offered him a way out, he immediately took it, but Liuyun...

It was strange enough that Liuyun saved him, and even stranger that he didn’t leave afterwards.

After being poisoned by Liuyun in his first life, Rong Tang had spent time investigating him in his second life.

Liuyun was an orphan picked up by Su Huaijing in Shu territory, only seven years old at the time, and now just sixteen. He had a kind of fledgling devotion to Su Huaijing.

Liuyun had experienced tragedy in his family as a child, becoming cold and aloof. For a long time, he couldn’t even speak, only making “ah ah” sounds, until Su Huaijing had someone cure him. Su Huaijing was both a ruler and a brother to him.

Liuyun was a hidden blade by Su Huaijing’s side, its tip always pointed outward. He was indifferent to the whole world, except for his absolute obedience to Su Huaijing.

According to Rong Tang’s understanding, Liuyun being here to watch Shen Feiyi meant that even if Rong Tang had been killed by Shen Feiyi, Liuyun wouldn’t have blinked an eye or left his post.

Unless…

Rong Tang narrowed his eyes.

Unless Liuyun decided that his presence would disrupt Su Huaijing’s plans.

Without revealing his thoughts, Rong Tang approached Liuyun, bowed deeply with a fist in palm gesture, “Thank you for your help, may I ask for your name, young master?”

“Liuyun.” His voice was as cold as always, as if freezing someone to death.

Rong Tang felt goosebumps on his arms and smiled, “I am Ningxuan Wang’s heir, Rong Tang. I owe you my life, Liuyun. If there's anything I can help with in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask. I am at your service.”

Liuyun silently watched him, his gaze cold and distant, yet with a barely noticeable hint of confusion, “Oh.”

After speaking, he turned and found a plum blossom pole in the courtyard to stand on, his cold gaze now openly monitoring the bamboo house with the door open, shifting from covert surveillance to an overt watch.

Shen Feiyi probably knew all along that a master was watching him. After the initial surprise during their first encounter, he closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.

Rong Tang wisely didn't interfere with their business and instead joined Xiaozhu in feeding the chickens, sharing all the preserved fruits with the two children.

The doctor arrived at the third quarter of the shen period, as the sunlight faded. Rong Tang, who hadn’t brought his large cloak or scarf, began to feel cold and sleepy, obediently warming his hands with a hand stove, watching the doctor treat the patient.

Shen Feiyi had numerous knife wounds on his body, new ones layered over old, creating a terrifying sight. The most recent wound stretched diagonally from his left shoulder to his waist. He had attempted to treat it himself, but likely due to exhaustion, the wound was poorly cared for and had become infected, presenting a grim situation.

Xiaozhu and the other child sobbed silently. Unable to bear the sight, Rong Tang left some silver coins before leaving, instructing Xiaozhu to find a doctor in the city every two days for a check-up. In case of emergency, they could seek him at the Ningxuan Wang residence.

Hearing this, Liuyun paused slightly, glancing at Rong Tang with a puzzled look. Rong Tang smiled back at him, then followed the doctor into the carriage to return to the city.

He originally intended to leave Shuangshou behind to care for them, but on second thought, it was too deliberate; furthermore, Shen Feiyi's injuries clearly came from enemy attacks, and Shuangshou, with no martial skills, would be walking into danger.

Besides, with Liuyun there, having encountered Rong Tang today, he would surely report to Su Huaijing. Given Su Huaijing’s suspicious nature, even if he didn’t visit Shen Feiyi this time, he likely wouldn’t hand him over directly to the Second Prince.

Moreover, Rong Tang could accompany the doctor again in two days for the follow-up visit.

Having resolved this matter, Rong Tang felt a great relief. He knocked on the carriage door, “I heard there’s a place outside the city in the western suburbs that makes excellent peach blossom cakes. Let’s buy some on our way back.”

He wasn’t particularly fond of sweet pastries, but Su Huaijing liked them. He could have them sent to him tomorrow.

Rong Tang was used to sharing his thoughts with the system, even if they were disjointed. The system hadn’t been functioning well lately, mostly just accompanying him. Hearing his plan, it asked: [Won’t you go yourself?]

Rong Tang replied, “I have an injury on my neck. If I go, he might notice it.”

[Oh.] said the system.

It was just a single syllable, but Rong Tang felt a sense of foreboding and frowned, “What's the matter?”

[Su Huaijing was just outside the courtyard.] the system informed.

Due to the host not undertaking tasks, his privileges were restricted, and the system's functionalities were largely limited. It generally refrained from using energy to check on people's status, as it was quite draining.

But the Liuyun just now differed so greatly from its previous understanding of him that, before leaving, it decided to scan the surroundings and, sure enough, spotted Su Huaijing outside the courtyard, accompanied by another confidant, Xingfeng.

Rong Tang opened his mouth, seemingly stunned, then sighed lightly with a touch of helplessness: “Trouble.”

【？】

“Can you wake me up early tomorrow morning?”

[For what?]

“To pamper the kiddo,” Rong Tang said with a smile.

After a moment of thought, he lifted the carriage curtain and spoke cheerfully, “Let's buy two portions of peach blossom cakes.”

-

The bamboo forest courtyard.

After Rong Tang left, Liuyun didn’t even glance at Shen Feiyi; he immediately leapt away.

Not far behind him, on a clearing, Xingfeng’s face was taut, his fists clenched tightly.

“Master,” Liuyun said.

The youth's face was as bright as the moon, his eyes faintly colored, appearing incredibly gentle at first glance, yet revealing boundless indifference upon closer inspection.

Su Huaijing nodded, “Has he gone back?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.” Su Huaijing finally moved, stepping towards the bamboo house.

Xingfeng suddenly knelt and kowtowed, “I beg the master to show mercy and spare Feiyi!”

Su Huaijing continued walking without pausing, seemingly chuckling lightly, “What if I don’t?”

“Master!” Xingfeng cried out in anguish, his face stricken as he watched Su Huaijing’s departing figure.

Su Huaijing walked straight to the bamboo house, with the evening glow slowly spreading, casting fragmented gold on the ground. Inside the courtyard, one child was brewing medicine while the other was cooking dinner, and no one noticed Su Huaijing until he reached the room.

It wasn’t until he closed the door, sat on a bamboo chair, and leisurely poured himself a cup of tea that Shen Feiyi opened his eyes, “So, you finally decide to take action?”

The fact that someone was watching outside, he discovered it the night before last. He initially thought they would act quickly, as him being bedridden seemed like a perfect opportunity. However, for some reason, the young man in green remained immobile outside, guarding for another two days.

This made him realize there was someone else behind the scenes, likely the one in the room now.

Shen Feiyi wasn’t afraid of death. He only regretted not killing the emperor and failing to send Xiaozhu and Xiao Ye away in time. He moistened his dry lips and said, “I don’t know which hero you are, but falling into your hands today must be my bad luck. Just one thing, spare the innocent children; the two kids outside are too young and know nothing. I hope you can give them a chance to live.”

Su Huaijing laughed softly, whether in mockery or sarcasm was unclear, “Don’t you know the principle of eradicating the roots to prevent future troubles?”

Shen Feiyi’s eyes hardened, and he prepared an attacking posture under the covers.

He had saved three blade pieces, having used two on that young master earlier. With this last one, if the two experts outside didn’t come in, he was thirty percent confident he could end it all with a single strike…

Su Huaijing suddenly asked a question: "Do you know him?"

Shen Feiyi was momentarily taken aback: "Who?"

“Rong Tang.”

Shen Feiyi paused for a moment, then realized he was referring to the young master who had just left. He shook his head: “I don’t know him.”

“Then never mind.” Su Huaijing spoke softly, losing interest as he set down his teacup and slowly walked towards the bed. Behind him, the porcelain cup suddenly cracked and turned to dust, scattering on the floor, narrowly missing him.

Seeing this, Shen Feiyi’s heart skipped a beat, his grip on the blade tightened.

Su Huaijing looked down at him from above, his expression indifferent but with a slight smirk on his lips: “Shen Feiyi.”

“!” Shen Feiyi’s eyes sharpened. Ignoring his frail condition, he flipped forward, gripping Su Huaijing from behind, the blade pressed tightly against his neck, “Who are you! How do you know my name!”

The name Shen Feiyi was given by his foster father, and over the years, he had used a pseudonym while roaming the martial world, not this one.

Su Huaijing grew more disinterested, glanced at the blade’s tip, and said coldly: “Shen Qing said his foster son was impulsive and unsettled, suggesting that he should spend some time in the military for training before returning... Is this what you've become?”

The last few words, though unchanged in tone, carried a slight heaviness and an air of composed authority, as if naturally endowed with a noble's intimidating presence, chilling to the bone.

Shen Feiyi’s wrist trembled, shocked, looking at Su Huaijing: “How do you... know my foster father’s name?”

Su Huaijing raised his hand, and Shen Feiyi couldn’t even see how he moved, only feeling a numbness in his arm, his strength draining away, the blade rolling to the floor.

Su Huaijing turned to look at him, his expression indiscernible, tinged with regret and a hidden threat: “You were supposed to die tomorrow.”

Shen Feiyi didn’t care whether he was supposed to die today or tomorrow: “Who are you really!”

“My third brother took you to Jiangnan, how did you survive?” Su Huaijing asked softly.

Su Huaijing tilted his head, childishly puzzled, "You're alive, yet you let my third brother be beheaded?"

At that moment, Shen Feiyi finally realized, looking at the face before him that barely resembled the former emperor. He trembled for a long time before asking in a shaky voice, "Seventh Prince…?"

-

That night, at Ningxuan Wang's mansion.

Rong Tang had been bustling about all day, and by evening, he developed a mild fever. Helplessly speaking to the system before sleep, he asked, "How long can peach blossom cakes last?"

The system rolled its eyes at him and went into sleep mode.

It was common for Rong Tang to faint from fever, but he didn't mind much, hoping the fever would subside by tomorrow. He wished not to faint again, fearing the peach blossom cakes might spoil.

In a state of half-dream, he felt an almost suffocating sensation, as if someone was choking him, attempting to silently kill him in his sleep.

Yet, in the end, the person let go. Even in a dream, one could sense the illusion of being watched by a wild beast. Rong Tang struggled to open his eyes but couldn't. After what seemed like an eternity, he heard a resentful whisper, "I give you one chance."

Then there was silence.

The next day was rainy. Rong Tang was pleasantly surprised to wake up and find his fever gone. Joyfully, he grabbed the peach blossom cakes and ran outside, with Shuang Fu chasing after him, holding an umbrella and urging him to slow down.

It was gloomy outside with the rain bringing a chill. Rong Tang wrapped a scarf around his neck, the soft rabbit fur gently resting there, which he couldn't resist pinching again and again.

The royal physician had prescribed an ointment for him, which Rong Tang took along to visit Su Huaijing.

Upon entering, Su Huaijing was playing chess, reclining on the beauty couch where Rong Tang often lay. Seeing him enter, Su Huaijing paused his move, turning to look at the continuous spring rain outside the window, "Why have you come?"

Perhaps due to the gloomy weather or lingering anger, Rong Tang heard a coldness in his voice, more distant than when they first met.

Sensing trouble, Rong Tang obediently approached him, placed the food box on the low table, sat on a stool nearby, and looked up at Su Huaijing, "I heard these peach blossom cakes are exceptionally delicious. They're in season now, so I went out of the city to buy them yesterday afternoon."

Su Huaijing lowered his gaze, quietly observing him for a while before slowly speaking, each word rolling off his tongue, "Specifically?"

Without hesitation, Rong Tang nodded, "Yes! I left for the city right after leaving you yesterday afternoon. There was a bit of a delay on the way, but fortunately, I made it in time. Want to try some?"

Rong Tang actually had a handsome face, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, a high nose bridge, and slightly thin lips - a classic beauty. The illness made him look a bit pale, softening the usual sharpness of his features. His eyes, bright and sparkling, often gave others the impression they were conversing with a small, animated animal.

Su Huaijing's gaze shifted, lingering on the scarf around Rong Tang's neck, and he asked instead of answering, "Are you cold?"

"A bit..." Rong Tang paused before affirming, then, sensing Su Huaijing's lukewarm response, frowned with a shy, slightly annoyed expression, "I got a cut yesterday. I wore this to avoid my mother's scolding."

As he spoke, Rong Tang unwrapped his scarf, complaining in a low, indignant voice, "You wouldn't believe how unreasonable that person was. I kindly helped him find a doctor, and he tried to kill me! Luckily, I dodged quickly, only getting this small cut."

Speaking rapidly, the young man sounded both wronged and aggrieved. The exposed neck was slender and pale, with a delicate Adam's apple and a dried blood mark on the side, giving him a strangely charming, pitiful look.

Below the cut, there were five round pressure marks, traces of being choked by a single hand – vivid, luxurious, yet deathly.

Unaware of the danger, Rong Tang naively exposed his vulnerability again in front of his potential executioner.

As the rain outside grew heavier, the recently planted trees joyously stretched their branches to absorb the water. Su Huaijing looked down, gently placing his hand on Rong Tang's neck, tenderly stroking the cut. His fingers gradually aligned with the pressure marks, asking softly, "Does it hurt?"

Forced to tilt his head back, Rong Tang looked unblinkingly at Su Huaijing, whimpering softly, "It hurts..."

Su Huaijing's thumb gently pressed the wound, then nonchalantly slid to the fragile Adam's apple, asking softly, "Shall I kill him for Tang Tang?"

Rong Tang paused, unsure if he had overacted or if the villain had prematurely turned dark. He masked his trembling pupils with a blink, murmuring, "Maybe not, he's still sick."

"Hmm," Su Huaijing hummed noncommittally, his hand remaining in place, thumb slowly and tenderly pressing Rong Tang's Adam's apple, gently caressing, "Are you lying to me, Tang Tang?"

Rong Tang looked at Su Huaijing with a hint of confusion, his eyes gathering a pool of tears due to the long upward gaze and the pressure on his Adam's apple, yet he still brightly shook his head, "I wouldn't lie to you."

Su Huaijing's voice was gentle, his tone light, yet it carried a dangerous undertone, as if one could drown in it, "Why?"

The sound of rain grew louder, and the wind swept in, causing Rong Tang's hair to flutter gently. Tilting his head, he leaned forward slightly, his Adam's apple pressed deeper. He turned his face aside, like the most docile creature suited for domestication, rubbing his cheek against Su Huaijing's wrist. His Adam's apple moved lightly, his voice hoarse, "Because you are my wife-to-be."

"I'm too busy protecting you to ever deceive you."

"Would you like some peach blossom cake?" The little creature retreated, smiling as he asked.