Chapter 20

Chapter 20

After the wedding on the 18th, the tea ceremony on the 19th, and returning to the groom's home on the 20th, Rong Tang finally got a chance to rest on the 21st of March.

After three days of continuous hustle, his legs felt like they were about to break. Waking up according to his biological clock, he glanced at the sky outside the window and then, without any guilt, buried his face back into the pillow to continue sleeping.

Tired, exhausted, and lacking rest... which made him wonder why he ever thought of getting married. Adopting a godson would have been just fine.

As Rong Tang’s thoughts wandered, someone gently knocked on his door twice, and a clear and gentle voice came from outside, "Tangtang, are you awake?"

Rong Tang, whose mouth moved faster than his brain, blurted out the truth upon hearing the villain's voice, "Awake—"

The door creaked open, and Su Huaijing walked around the screen and into the room, seeing Rong Tang buried under the covers like a chick and couldn’t help but laugh.

"Sleeping like that is bad for your lungs." He walked into the inner room, flipped back the blanket covering Rong Tang's head, but didn’t ask him to get up. Instead, he sat down on the edge of the bed, slipping his hand under the blanket and grabbing Rong Tang's leg.

Rong Tang was slightly surprised, instinctively tensing his body, but then relaxed happily.

Su Huaijing sat by the bed, gently massaging Rong Tang’s legs.

"How did you know my legs hurt?" Rong Tang turned his face, looking at Su Huaijing with sleepy, dewy eyes, both puzzled and delighted.

He felt incredibly comfortable from the massage!

It felt even better than a whole day of sleep! Having a wife is truly wonderful!

Yay!

Rong Tang, the young prince, quickly discarded the thought he had just two minutes ago.

He squinted his eyes, his toes hidden under the blanket unconsciously spreading out like a kitten stretching.

Seeing him like this, Su Huaijing knew he was being pampered and couldn’t help but chuckle, indulging him, "You’ve been running around for days, I guessed you must be tired."

Rong Tang immediately nodded vigorously, "Yeah, super—tired!"

Su Huaijing’s eyes curved into a smile, his voice soft and sweet, "Hard work, my husband."

Rong Tang: "?"

Rong Tang was momentarily confused, then, after a delayed reaction, blinked twice, his gaze towards Su Huaijing filled with bewilderment, followed by a wave of belated embarrassment.

He lifted his hand to pull the blanket, covering his ears and leaving only his eyes exposed to look at Su Huaijing, he complained softly, "Why do you say it so naturally?"

Su Huaijing responded, "It was Tang Tang who wanted to marry me, yet you won’t let me call you husband?"

"I didn’t say not to—" Rong Tang began to protest but, seeing Su Huaijing’s warm and teasing eyes, he quickly changed his tone, saying fiercely, "Right, I forbid it!"

Su Huaijing’s smile remained, feigning an exaggerated sense of dejection, "That’s so unfair, Tang Tang."

After speaking, he withdrew his gaze, looking at the slightly bulging blanket at the foot of the bed, a faint smile lingering on his lips as he quietly continued to massage Rong Tang's leg.

Rong Tang waited for a while, but receiving no response, he leaned back a bit, looking at Su Huaijing curiously, "Hmm?"

Su Huaijing then smiled, "What 'hmm'?"

Rong Tang asked, "What about the rest?"

Su Huaijing: "What rest?"

Rong Tang was slightly irritated, "You said I was being too much, isn’t there more to it?"

Shouldn’t there be? Normally, after making an accusation, shouldn’t a person list a series of ‘offenses’ to prove that the accused is indeed too much?

Why did Su Huaijing fall silent after saying just that?

And continue quietly massaging his leg after remaining mute??

Feeling like he was being baited, Rong Tang stared intently at Su Huaijing, seeking a continuation. Su Huaijing looked back with his beautiful eyes, which seemed to hold a smile when looking at someone. If he deliberately added emotion or indulgence, it was enough to make one blush.

Su Huaijing said, “According to the Great Yu Code, if a wife disrespects her husband, she can be divorced.”

Rong Tang: "?"

Su Huaijing: "I'm afraid Tang Tang might divorce me."

Rong Tang: "??"

Rong Tang reacted belatedly, stared in astonishment, and regretted not realizing sooner.

Thoughts of marriage, indeed, should never have been brought up in the first place!!!

He opened his mouth to retort, but found himself speechless, infuriated to the point of collapsing onto the bed, pulling the blanket over his head, not wanting to see the arch-villain at all.

He couldn’t outplay him, really couldn’t.

Never seen anyone so flexible!

Su Huaijing saw Rong Tang seemingly angered and embarrassed, chuckled softly, and subtly adjusted the pressure points in his massage. The irritation in Rong Tang dissipated instantly, feeling so comfortable he almost wished for Su Huaijing to continue for several more hours.

Rong Tang "hmmphed" twice, turning his head to another direction, enjoying the arch-villain’s massage for a while before asking, "Did you come to me this early just to massage my legs?"

Su Huaijing smiled, feeling it was about time, withdrew his hand from the blanket, tucked Rong Tang in, and said, "I came to invite you for breakfast."

Rong Tang immediately seemed reluctant, snuggling into the warm, soft blanket and mumbled, "I want to sleep."

Su Huaijing said, "Eat first, then sleep. You don’t have to leave the mansion today."

Rong Tang frowned slightly, "It’s cold..."

Su Huaijing couldn’t help but laugh, "Eat in bed?"

Rong Tang was shamefully tempted, turning his head to look at Su Huaijing with shining eyes, then hesitated slightly, whispering, "Is that okay?"

Su Huaijing also lowered his voice, as if sharing a secret, "Only I will know."

He said, "The kitchen has prepared mushroom and pigeon soup, bird's nest in cloud slices, chicken and white fungus... Didn’t you say yesterday you wanted to eat Chen Ji’s lion’s head meatballs? Shuang Fu went out early to buy them; they’re being kept warm right now."

As he listed each dish, Rong Tang’s eyes sparkled more with each one, practically glowing by the end. Su Huaijing felt a sudden urge to ruffle his hair, his fingers rubbing the edge of the blanket, resisting the impulse, he asked, "Will you eat?"

"Mm!" Rong Tang nodded, ready to get up, Su Huaijing slightly startled, instinctively held down his blanket, looking puzzled, "Didn’t you say it’s cold?"

Rong Tang was momentarily stunned, blinking, "But I haven’t brushed my teeth yet."

Su Huaijing said, "I'll get you tooth powder and a basin. You can wash up right here in bed."

Rong Tang hesitated, about to say that wasn't proper, but then heard Su Huaijing add, "It rained last night and the temperature has dropped a lot today. We’ve removed the charcoal fire, I’m afraid you’ll catch cold if you get up."

He walked to the clothes rack, picking out some casual clothes for Rong Tang, "I'll get your tooth powder, you get dressed first."

Su Huaijing left the room, and Rong Tang lay on the bed for a long while, slowly feeling his ears turn red with realization.

The system, not sure whether to be envious or speechless, commented, "[Host, he’s really nice to you…]"

Rong Tang subconsciously nodded, "Indeed."

Back in modern times, he was a student who only got pampered by his parents for the first two days of each long holiday. After arriving here, his father, Rong Mingyu, didn’t care much for his legitimate son, and although his mother, Wang Xiuyu, loved her son, she still had the reserve and steadiness of an ancient person and wouldn’t come to Rong Tang’s courtyard every day to check if he was warm and well-fed.

In his previous two lives, Rong Tang had been solely focused on the male lead, painstakingly devising strategies and planning for him. Even when bedridden and unable to move, he would discuss with the system what to do next, forgetting that he died at only 20 years old.

It had been super, super long since someone treated him like this…

Actually, no one had ever pampered him this way.

Even when he went home for holidays, his parents wouldn’t let him eat in bed or fetch his toothbrush and toothpaste for him.

Rong Tang remained buried in the blanket for a while longer. When he heard footsteps outside, he sat up and obediently started dressing. Su Huaijing entered with a basin, seeing Rong Tang dressed in several layers, smiled, and set the basin on the stand. He then fetched a soft cushion to prop behind Rong Tang’s back, "You wash up, I’ll go get breakfast."

Rong Tang, who often fell sick and had to eat liquid food in bed, had a special small table made for him by the craftsmen on his mother’s instructions. By the time he finished washing up, the table was filled with delicious, steaming dishes, tempting his appetite.

Su Huaijing took away the used basin and towel, returning to find Rong Tang sitting on the bed, staring longingly at the breakfast, yet not having touched it. His heart warmed, he walked over and asked, "Why aren’t you eating?"

Rong Tang smiled, dimples appearing on his cheeks, replying as if it was the most natural thing, "I was waiting for you."

This time, Su Huaijing couldn’t resist and gently pinched his cheek. Rong Tang blinked in surprise, looking at him, and Su Huaijing said, "You didn’t wipe off all the water."

"Oh." Rong Tang didn’t suspect a thing and urged him to sit down and have breakfast together.

Rong Tang had a hearty appetite, not quite like a sick person. Su Huaijing repeatedly reminded him to eat slowly, and only then did Rong Tang manage to match Su Huaijing's pace to finish the meal.

After eating, he leaned back, rubbing his stomach, and mused without thinking, “I might turn into a pig at this rate.”

Su Huaijing was putting away the breakfast table and cast him a light glance upon hearing this, then poured another cup of tea, "If Tang Tang could actually gain some weight, that would be great."

Rong Tang immediately felt meek.

No matter how much he ate, he never gained weight. His body was deeply debilitated, unable to absorb nutrients or rest properly. He ate a lot now because he could, but later, even putting food in his mouth would feel like swallowing blades, a true torment.

Outside, a breeze was rustling the leaves. The sky was overcast, the sun hiding behind the clouds. Rong Tang leaned against the bed, and soon Su Huaijing came back in.

Rong Tang curiously watched as Su Huaijing lit several candles by the bed, brightening up the room, then handed him a hot water bottle to keep warm under the blanket and finally brought a few storybooks, settling down to read by his side.

There was a small table by the bed with a dish of dried fruits and tea. Rong Tang, feeling ecstatic, asked, "Why are you so nice?"

Su Huaijing’s eyes curved, "Because you are nice to me."

Rong Tang claimed he was petty, but in reality, Su Huaijing was a million times more so.

He ignored what he didn’t care about, but once someone entered his domain and captured his attention, he could only see that person forevermore.

Rong Tang came voluntarily and was voluntarily kind to him. Su Huaijing liked being treated with such care, so he thought, Rong Tang could only be like this with him.

The young prince was kind-hearted, like a deity in a temple, moved to tears by a storybook; on the carriage ride from the mansion to Yong'an Alley, he couldn’t resist giving extra money to beggars; even the gardeners and craftsmen initially hired at Tangjing Residence were older, struggling to find work but honest and hardworking.

Kind-hearted people were the easiest to trap. A little kindness from others and they would unconsciously return it manifold.

Su Huaijing didn’t want anything in return; he just wanted Rong Tang to know that no one in this world would indulge him more than himself.

He wanted Rong Tang to be his own personal deity.

"Because you are nice to me, that’s why I am nice to you." Su Huaijing smiled tenderly.

"If you stop being nice to me, I'll lock you in a cage."

-

The next morning, Rong Tang again had breakfast in bed. Seeing the sun outside, he decided to get up.

The temperature was pleasant, so Su Huaijing didn’t stop him, only reminding him to wear a few more layers of clothes before letting him leisurely stroll to the courtyard to squat by the wall and look at the flowers.

Su Huaijing, seeing the yellow and white camellias, thought of the letters Rong Tang had sent him, his expression softening considerably as he spent the morning with him tending to the garden.

After lunch, Rong Tang, as usual, wanted to sleep, but Su Huaijing said, “I have to go out this afternoon.”

Rong Tang continued walking, nodding, “Okay.”

Su Huaijing's expression changed slightly, “Aren’t you going to ask where I’m going?”

Rong Tang was puzzled, “No, why should I?”

Su Huaijing: “Why don’t you ask?”

Rong Tang was confused, even tempted to respond with: Why should I ask?

The arch-villain surely had his reasons for going out. It wasn't yet the latter part of the story; if it were a couple of years later, Rong Tang would believe Su Huaijing even if he said he was going to the palace to assassinate the emperor.

Knowing too much wasn't always good. Rong Tang had learned his lessons the hard way and genuinely lacked intense curiosity.

But Su Huaijing was staring at him unwaveringly, a hint of danger in his eyes. Rong Tang unconsciously panicked and, despite not understanding, obediently asked, “Do you have something to do outside?”

Su Huaijing's expression lightened, “I’ve arranged to meet a friend at the Liujin Tower today. I might be back after dinner.”

Rong Tang thought the friend was probably the Second Prince. Just as he was about to nod, the face of Rong Zheng flashed in his mind. He frowned and asked, “Will it just be the two of you?”

Su Huaijing, seeing his frown, felt his mood lift again, “Yes, the other party has a special status and doesn’t like too many people around.”

Rong Tang then relaxed, instinctively saying, “Then come back early. I’ll ask Shuang Fu to leave the door open for you.”

Su Huaijing couldn’t help but step closer to him. Rong Tang suddenly realized that Su Huaijing had grown taller over the past month, and now he had to lower his gaze to look at him.

Feeling slightly miffed, Su Huaijing said, "Tang Tang, when I go out, you should ask where I’m going."

"?" Rong Tang was confused, "So, should I report my destination to you whenever I go out too?"

Su Huaijing countered, "Doesn’t Tang Tang take me along when he goes out?"

Rong Tang: "……"

He choked up for a moment, waving his hand without turning back, "Just go, I want to sleep."

Su Huaijing nearly died from Rong Tang’s cuteness, following him and chattering away until Rong Tang, thoroughly annoyed, retreated into his own room. Su Huaijing stood outside laughing for a while before turning to leave the mansion.

Rong Tang had allocated funds from his private savings to have a carriage custom-made for Su Huaijing, mirroring the specifications and style of his own. The carriage Su Huaijing had used to take him back to Tangjing Residence yesterday was that very one. Today, he glanced at the hitching post with a touch of regret before walking out of the mansion, took a simpler carriage after circling two alleys.

Xing Feng reported the recent happenings inside the carriage.

"Ding Laibao has been sentenced to be executed after autumn, and Ding Weishan has been fined a year's salary; the Second Prince, for his achievement in taming the auspicious beast, has been rewarded with jewels by the Emperor and granted special permission to move about in the Ministry of War after court sessions."

A prince walking in the six ministries was an honor. In the two hundred years since the founding of Great Yu, only the Crown Prince had this privilege.

Su Huaijing chuckled, "It seems my uncle is quite fond of that white tiger."

Hearing the way he addressed him, Xing Feng's expression shifted slightly, "Emperor Renshou is hypocritical and cunning, most concerned about reputation and orthodoxy. When Emperor Xuan was attacked by the white tiger years ago, it was only thanks to Princess Duan Yi's rescue that he survived. Now, having tamed the white tiger during his pilgrimage to Mount Tai, he certainly must be quite self-satisfied."

Xing Feng's tone was too revealing, but Su Huaijing didn’t restrain him, just smiling and leaning back, instinctively opening the carriage's hidden compartment to look for a preserved fruit to suck on. The moment he saw a drawer full of hidden weapons and medicine, he paused, clicking his tongue lightly, then closed the drawer again.

He asked, “How was Shen Feiyi arranged?”

Xing Feng replied, “Feiyi, for his meritorious presentation of the auspicious beast and his willingness to serve the court, has been assigned by the Emperor to the Patrol and Defense Camp to fill a guard position, conveniently replacing Ding Laibao’s vacancy.”

Su Huaijing raised an eyebrow, commenting, “Quite vigilant.”

The best outcome of this chess move was Ding Laibao’s death, Ding Weishan’s dismissal, and Shen Feiyi taking over Ding Weishan's position.

But it needed time and opportunity, and Su Huaijing was not in a hurry to achieve this. His primary goal in this matter was to gain the trust of the Second Prince. Shen Feiyi joining the Patrol and Defense Camp, serving as another pair of eyes for him in the capital, was an unexpected bonus.

A pleasant surprise given by Rong Tang.

Thinking of this, Su Huaijing’s expression softened a bit, then he asked, “What about the orphans he was raising?”

Xing Feng said, “As per your instructions, they have all been settled. The older ones were sent to school, and those unwilling to go are being trained in martial arts under a master, hoping they can serve you in the future.”

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but steal a glance at Su Huaijing’s expression. As a child, the master was the kindest prince in the entire palace, even showing compassion in Shu territory by saving Liuyun.

But over the years, step by step, with every secret letter received, the master was no longer the naive Seventh Prince of those days.

He was more ruthless and merciless than anyone, doing whatever it took to achieve his goals, unconcerned about harming himself or exploiting innocent people.

Sometimes, Xing Feng and Bixin felt pained watching silently from the side, fearing that the master might continue down this path for life, blinded by hatred.

Yet, Shen Feiyi's case made him think that perhaps the master hadn't changed; he was still the sweet-toothed little prince who cared about the lives and futures of orphans and the thoughts of his former subordinates.

He felt pleasantly surprised.

Su Huaijing glanced at him, uttered a faint "Hmm," and didn't bother with false politeness to say they needn't serve him.

Saving them was hardly an effort, just something done in passing. The only reason Su Huaijing had acted was because of the young deity at home. If he knew there was a chance to save a group of older orphans but didn’t, he would likely feel sad.

Su Huaijing didn’t want him to feel sad.

The carriage moved leisurely, the late March sunlight streaming through the windows, with the continuous calls of street vendors echoing around.

Yu Jing remained as bustling as ever, regardless of who sat on the Dragon Throne or which era it was. As long as Yu Jing was the capital, it was always characterized by the extravagance created by the Fengyue Tower and the Gold Dust River.

Su Huaijing idly played with Rong Tang's waist token, casually questioning Xing Feng, but occasionally couldn’t help wondering if Rong Tang had woken from his nap.

Xing Feng noticed that his master seemed in an unusually good mood today and hesitantly added, "The Fifth Prince was saved."

Su Huaijing paused, turning to look at him intently.

Xing Feng continued, “On the 18th of March, I gave the Second Prince a bottle of Sparrow Feather Powder, instructing him to sprinkle it on the Fifth Prince's clothes. The next day, when he went to feed the white tiger, he was nearly killed by the frenzied animal. It was the Imperial Tutor passing by who desperately saved him.”

“The Imperial Tutor?” Su Huaijing inquired.

“Ke Hongxue, the top scholar of the Qingzheng seventh year,” Xing Feng replied.

Su Huaijing frowned, asking, “What’s his relation to the Grand Tutor Ke?”

The Grand Tutor Ke was the one who had recently suggested to Emperor Renshou that the Fifth Prince should be appointed as the Prince's Tutor to assist in governance, an elder statesman serving three dynasties and a pillar of the nation.

Xing Feng responded, “Ke Hongxue is the legitimate grandson of the Grand Tutor Ke.”

Su Huaijing remained silent, his fingers rhythmically sliding over the waist token.

After a while, he seemed to laugh softly, whispering, "Interesting."

-

Evening time, the luxurious room on the third floor of the Liu Jin Building.

Just as Su Huaijing was led into the room by the waiter, a young man in a blue robe, who was looking at the lanterns from the window, turned around. Shaking his sleeves, he bowed deeply to Su Huaijing, "Chengming is deeply grateful for your strategic advice, my lord."

Su Huaijing returned the gesture, "Your Highness is too kind. Your benevolence and exceptional character are a blessing for the people of our Dayu. It's Heaven’s recognition of your virtues that guided the auspicious beast to appear, it has nothing to do with me."

Cheng Shengming was moved and bowed again, then led Su Huaijing to the seat of honor, offering him a cup of wine. After some small talk, he hurriedly asked, "My lord, there is one thing I don't understand."

Su Huaijing replied, "Please speak, Your Highness."

The second prince asked, "Since Chen Fei has reappeared before the Emperor under the identity of a ‘hero,’ why did the letter you sent me yesterday suggest that I reveal his identity to the Emperor?"

Su Huaijing smiled and asked, "Has Your Highness not yet informed His Majesty?"

The second prince shook his head.

Su Huaijing asked, “Why?”

Cheng Shengming frowned and hesitated before speaking, “The Emperor is cautious by nature and is currently enjoying success. If I rashly tell him that the hero who offered the tiger is the same rebel from five years ago, it might arouse suspicion and bring trouble.”

Su Huaijing nodded, “Your Highness's concern is reasonable.”

The second prince's brow relaxed slightly, but then Su Huaijing suddenly asked, “May I ask how Your Highness came to know of ‘Chen Fei’?”

“From the heir of Marquis Wu Kang, Qin Pengxuan.”

Su Huaijing asked, “And how did this Qin heir come to know of it?”

The second prince thought for a moment, “It is said that he was out with his concubine and accidentally saw a group of men at Shangyang Inn who were dressed differently from the people in the capital, which aroused his suspicion.”

Su Huaijing then asked, “The Qin heir merely glimpsed and could tell they were different from the capital's residents. Chen Fei and others stayed at Shangyang Inn for some time, and no one knew? Even if no one knew, Your Highness has many noble sons around you, who can guarantee they won’t inadvertently slip up?”

The second prince was stunned, feeling a chill crawling up his neck. He widened his eyes slightly, looking at Su Huaijing.

Su Huaijing continued to smile, as if untroubled by worldly affairs, “The Emperor is cautious and acts prudently. Now he’s just received the auspicious beast and is delighted, which may lead to some oversight. But once this period passes, who can guarantee the Emperor won’t investigate the matter further?”

“Firstly, Your Highness still holds the ‘rebel remnants case’ and hasn’t provided a satisfactory answer to the Emperor; secondly, Ding Laibao, though guilty and deserving death, the timing of his exposure was too coincidental; thirdly…” He paused, his smile fading slightly, his gaze turning serious towards the second prince, “Human nature is unpredictable, especially in young men in their teens. Your Highness’s kindness and wide circle of friends are commendable, but compared to officials from humble backgrounds, the sons of noble families are often less cautious. If they were all Your Highness’s confidants, it would be a different matter, but most of them are still under the influence of their families and not ready to step into court affairs, prone to speaking without restraint.”

“Moreover, now all the ministers in the capital know that the Emperor has received the auspicious beast, a great achievement. Your Highness, imagine if one of these nobles casually reveals details of this matter during a family conversation, and the news reaches the Imperial Censorate. What would be the consequences?”

The second prince was shocked and, forgetting etiquette, leaned forward, grabbing Su Huaijing’s arms, “My lord, save me!”

Su Huaijing, resisting the urge to pull his arms away, said, “Your Highness, don’t panic. This matter is not difficult.”

He explained, “‘Chen Fei’ indeed was part of the group of rebels from five years ago, but he was not the leader—”

“But clearly...” the second prince interjected in confusion.

Su Huaijing withdrew his arm and continued, “Five years ago, indeed, a group of rebels came from the south to the capital, slaying corrupt officials and wealthy tyrants, until they were suppressed by the forces led by Marquis Wu Kang near the capital’s outskirts. Is this correct?”

The second prince nodded, “Indeed, that’s true.”

Su Huaijing asked, “What exactly were the rebels opposing?”

The second prince hesitated, then said in a hoarse voice, “Father—”

Su Huaijing interrupted, “‘Chen Fei’ and his group never thought in that way.”

The second prince furrowed his brow, puzzled.

Su Huaijing explained, “Those who killed corrupt officials and tyrants could be rebels or heroes. They were originally a group of displaced people from the south, oppressed by local corrupt officials, forced to kill and move north. Along the way, they helped those in need, and ‘Chen Fei’ was one of those refugees taken in by the group’s leader.”

“He was not the mastermind, blinded by the immediate circumstances, believing he was doing good for the people. Only after his companions were suppressed five years ago and he wandered as a fugitive, seeing the prosperous state of Dayu under the Emperor’s rule, did he realize that what he had done was not entirely as he thought.”

The Emperor cannot be wrong; the fault must lie with the people. The change in attitude can only be attributed to the Emperor’s magnanimity, inspiring deep gratitude and regret.

Su Huaijing said, “Your Highness encountered ‘Chen Fei’ while tracking the rebels. At that time, he was seeking the auspicious beast to offer to the Emperor as atonement, earnestly begging you to give him a chance to reform. You, out of compassion, tacitly allowed his actions, secretly sending people to track and monitor him, planning to present the auspicious beast to the Emperor and then detain ‘Chen Fei’ in the imperial prison for judgment.”

Cheng Shengming was stunned for a moment before regaining his composure and asked, "Then why didn’t you say so at the time?"

Su Huaijing replied, "The auspicious beast is sentient and eats only when fed by its designated person. If starved, it might even devour humans alive. Your Highness thought to imprison ‘Chen Fei’ once the white tiger had adapted, to prevent any mishaps."

Cheng Shengming asked further, "But why just before the Tai Shan Grand Ceremony?"

Su Huaijing shook his head, "It wasn’t deliberate but coincidental. ‘Chen Fei’ found the white tiger near Yuanmeng Mountain, subdued it, and planned to bring it back to the capital. However, he encountered the imperial procession on the way down the mountain. This was heaven’s guidance, not human intervention. Heaven allowed the auspicious beast to appear and rewarded the Emperor for his hard work over the years."

Cheng Shengming paused, looking at Su Huaijing with a changed expression. After swallowing hard, he asked, "Why did ‘Chen Fei’ return to the capital after five years?"

Su Huaijing softly said, "Because of Ding Laibao."

The second prince fell silent. Su Huaijing smiled and looked at him understandingly, asking, "Does Your Highness have any more questions?"

The second prince sat in silence for a while before standing up to bow, but Su Huaijing avoided it, stopping his gesture, and asked, "Now, what does Your Highness think needs to be done?"

The second prince replied, "Immediately arrest Chen Fei and imprison him in the heavenly prison, then confess to the Emperor."

Su Huaijing queried, "What crime has Your Highness committed?"

The second prince said, "Firstly, for not reporting what I knew, showing misplaced mercy by sparing a rebel due to a moment of soft-heartedness; secondly, for being eager for achievements, the auspicious beast’s arrival is a good omen. I, hoping to please the Emperor and gain his praise, tacitly allowed Chen Fei’s actions, which is absurd; thirdly, for not thinking thoroughly, nearly putting the Emperor in danger during such an important ceremony as the Tai Shan Grand Ceremony. Even if I secretly sent people to follow Chen Fei, what if he wasn’t truly loyal and attempted to assassinate the Emperor while presenting the beast? I can’t escape responsibility."

Su Huaijing’s smile grew more genuine, pleased to see his prey fall into the trap. He stood up and bowed to the second prince, “Your Highness is exceptionally wise. I am deeply impressed.”

Cheng Shengming, moved, stepped forward and grasped Su Huaijing’s hand sincerely, "With your noble intentions, would you join me in creating a prosperous and peaceful era?"

Su Huaijing, looking down at the hands holding his, heard the laughter of women from the Fengyue Building across the street, the air filled with a mix of their perfume and floral scents. He felt somewhat nauseated.

Yet he said, "Traditionally, the family business is passed to the eldest son. The crown prince tragically passed away young, and the central palace remains childless. In my humble opinion... this world should rightfully belong to Your Highness."

Cheng Ming's eyes instantly filled with warmth as he gripped Su Huaijing's hand tightly, repeatedly calling him "Young Master" and "Sir" in a jumbled manner.

Su Huaijing let him rant, barely touching the food on the table, drinking a few cups of wine, and discussing court affairs for a long time. Only when it became too dark outside did he, annoyed, send the Second Prince away to attend to urgent matters.

Before leaving, Cheng Ming asked reluctantly, “Young Master, are you truly unwilling to stay in my mansion?”

The Second Prince's mansion, located on the same street as the Grand Princess, was a privilege granted upon turning sixteen. He and Su Huaijing had hit it off immediately, and he had hoped to have him move in to discuss important affairs and have long conversations into the night.

But Su Huaijing smiled and declined, “I am already married and do not wish to be separated from my family.”

The Second Prince felt regret but could not insist on separating a family, and so he had no choice but to leave.

Once he was gone, Su Huaijing looked at his clothes and hands, his face turning incredibly sour.

Xing Feng immediately came in with a basin of clean water. Su Huaijing washed his hands thoroughly three times before he felt the sticky, nauseating sensation diminish slightly.

Xing Feng asked, “Master, shall we return to the mansion?”

Su Huaijing nodded, asking, “Did you buy the jerky?”

“Bought it. It's a new snack in the shop, very popular. I got two packs,” Xing Feng replied.

Su Huaijing smiled slightly, quickening his steps as he descended the stairs.

The curfew in Great Yu was late at night; the streets were bustling with hawkers and entertainers, red-clothed workers enticing customers outside the Fengyue Tower, the Liujin Tower filled with satisfied guests, flower lanterns occasionally floating on the Golden Powder River, and sky lanterns carrying wishes soaring high into the night. Great Yu's extravagance was so enticing that even small nations couldn't resist it.

As Su Huaijing stepped out, the mixed scents in the air made him slightly irritable. He twisted the waist token in his hand, turning his head only to catch sight of a carriage parked near the corner of the Liujin Tower.

He paused for a moment, while Xing Feng quickly vanished into the shadows, leaving the jerky within easy reach.

Su Huaijing hesitated briefly, blinked, then picked up the jerky and, in disbelief, walked over to see the Ningxuan Prince's mansion emblem on the carriage.

He asked the crouching Shuang Fu, “Why are you here?”

Shuang Fu, who had waited all evening and was struggling to keep his eyes open, quickly stifled a yawn upon hearing the question, stood up recognizing the visitor, and exclaimed, “Young Master, you finally came out! The young lord was getting tired of waiting!”

Su Huaijing's pupils dilated slightly, his gaze uncontrollably shifting towards the closed carriage door, “Tang Tang is here too?”

Shuang Fu opened the carriage door, lifting the curtain while saying, “Indeed, the young master has been waiting here with me for almost an hour—”

Before he could finish, Su Huaijing jumped onto the carriage. Inside, lit by candlelight, there was a plate of neatly peeled hazelnut shells on a small table. Rong Tang, sitting in his seat, had been so bored that he had started building walls with the hazelnut shells. Hearing the noise, he lazily raised his eyes to look, his voice cold and haughty, with a hint of imperceptible petulance, "Now that you're back to your senses, come sit down. I'm exhausted and want to go home to sleep."

Su Huaijing sat beside him, his Adam's apple bobbing, unable to resist asking softly, “Why did you come?”

Rong Tang countered, “What did I have the carriage made for?”

Su Huaijing replied, “For convenience in traveling.”

Rong Tang pushed with his index finger, and with a “boom,” toppled the hazelnut shell wall on the table, displeased as he looked at Su Huaijing, “Then why didn’t you use it when you went out?”

Su Huaijing paused for a moment before responding, “...It’s too ostentatious.”

“……”

Rong Tang choked, too lazy to look at him, pulling the thin blanket up, retorting with a temper, “Oh!”

As the carriage started moving, the noise of the streets gradually faded. Su Huaijing watched Rong Tang for a while, then quietly lowered his head and peeled another plate of hazelnuts. The white kernels, round and plump, looked irresistibly cute.

Su Huaijing pushed them forward, and Rong Tang opened his eyes, glaring at him. Su Huaijing whispered, “I was wrong, Tang Tang, don’t be angry.”

“……”

Rong Tang wasn’t really angry; he just wanted to take a walk after dinner to digest his food and ended up walking out of the mansion. He glanced at the hitching post and immediately felt a bit upset.

Rong Tang had specially ordered a carriage for Su Huaijing, which was spacious and comfortable, even the wood used was of the finest quality - small-leaf rosewood. Yet, Su Huaijing chose to not use it for his travels.

Rong Tang didn’t doubt that someone would pick him up, but certainly, they wouldn't stop exactly at the Ningxuan Prince's Mansion’s doorstep.

Being someone who got winded after a short walk, Rong Tang couldn't understand why anyone would choose to walk instead of using a carriage to get home.

Was it for physical exercise?

Moreover, walking at night, especially if he came back late and encountered the curfew, he could easily be detained by the Jinwu Guards right on the street.

The carriage he provided for Su Huaijing bore the emblem of the Ningxuan Prince's Mansion, ensuring that even if encountered by the Jinwu Guards, no one would dare to stop him.

Ignoring such a convenient and free option, only to make things difficult for himself, what was the use of all the money Rong Tang had spent on the carriage?

The more Rong Tang thought about it, the more displeased he became, so he had Shuang Fu drive him in the carriage to wait outside the Liujin Tower for Su Huaijing.

He deliberately wore a cold expression while looking at Su Huaijing, but upon hearing his soft apology, he found it hard to maintain his displeasure. Rong Tang glanced at Su Huaijing a couple more times, picked up a hazelnut kernel, popped it into his mouth, and echoed Su Huaijing’s words, “Don’t let it happen again.”

Su Huaijing then smiled, his irritation from the entire evening replaced by an overwhelming joy. He tried to contain his emotions but failed, extending his hand towards Rong Tang, fingertips covered in hazelnut crumbs.

The brown on his fair skin was strikingly prominent.

Su Huaijing playfully whined, “My hands are dirty, Tang Tang, can you wipe them for me?”