Chapter 26.

Chapter 26.

After his tirade, Rong Tang remained silent, maintaining his furious expression as he looked at Qin Pengxuan, whose face turned the color of liver in shock, taking a long while to react before slamming his hand on the table and standing up abruptly.

Su Huaijing paused briefly, then coldly glanced over, his cool gaze followed by a wave of unrestrained laughter from behind.

The crowd turned to see a man in a bright red silk robe, laughing heartily and clapping, "I've long heard of Cousin Rong's exceptional intelligence and health, but never had the opportunity to visit. Today's encounter truly lives up to your reputation. This should also reassure our mother and great-aunt."

He turned to another young man in apricot-yellow attire, "Second Brother, it seems Qin Pengxuan was awaiting your arrival. Didn’t I tell you, at the Folding Blossom Festival, there’s no need for strict adherence to protocol or dining sequence? You must have been too busy to inform them, leading to Cousin Rong's scolding."

The newcomers were none other than the Second and Third Princes. While the Third Prince, Sheng Chengxing, wore a smile, the Second Prince, Sheng Chengming, looked displeased.

Sheng Chengming first glared at Qin Pengxuan, then naturally turned his annoyance toward Rong Tang, the instigator of the event.

Yet, before his reproach could land, Sheng Chengming's expression changed dramatically upon seeing the person seated beside Rong Tang, halting mid-step in surprise.

Su Huaijing remained seated beside Rong Tang, his hand still resting there, the couple's affectionate demeanor evoking envy from others.

Without a word, Su Huaijing offered a fleeting glance during Sheng Chengxing's conversation with Rong Tang, then bowed his head, continuing to gently press Rong Tang's hand.

As if in this pavilion of illustrious nobility, none held more allure for Su Huaijing than the delicate fingers of Rong Tang.

Rong Tang hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to stand and greet the princes. Deciding against it, he remained seated, simply nodding at them in acknowledgment.

A second ago, Qin Pengxuan was furiously indignant, but now, he resembled a drenched chicken, teeth clenched, stepping forward submissively and bowing his head, awaiting the Third Prince's commands.

Yet, Sheng Chengming seemed transfixed, staring at Su Huaijing for an extended period, as if his gaze couldn't quite bend away.

Fortunately, as Su Huaijing and Rong Tang were seated together, his gaze seemed to be directed at Ning Xuanwang's crown prince, making it inconspicuous to the unaware.

After a moment, Su Huaijing slightly moved his head and coughed lightly, putting down Rong Tang's hand and replacing his bowl with a clean one. He then served him a warm bowl of pigeon soup, setting the cooled one before himself.

His actions were smooth and graceful. After finishing, Su Huaijing smiled lightly and turned to the three focal figures of the crowd, asking warmly, "Your Highnesses and Qin Pengxuan, may I inquire if we can commence the banquet now?"

The young man's voice was melodious, and his appearance strikingly handsome, making the spring water outside and the music inside seem like mere accessories to his presence.

Sheng Chengming was jolted back to reality and quickly nodded, "Of course, we can start, but—"

He paused, then turned to Qin Pengxuan, speaking sharply, "Aren't you going to apologize to this gentleman and Crown Prince Rong?"

Qin Pengxuan's pupils dilated, clenched his fists unwillingly, and after a long hesitation, reluctantly bowed to Rong Tang and Su Huaijing, "I was impulsive, please forgive me, Ning Xuanwang's Crown Prince, and Consort Prince."

Su Huaijing maintained an appearance of deferring to Rong Tang in public matters, so Rong Tang's gaze fell upon Qin Pengxuan.

Many of the attendees, including young nobles, scholars, and officials, glanced curiously towards them. Rong Tang eyed Qin Pengxuan and, setting aside his earlier rudeness, stated, "Forgiveness is too strong a word, but I do hope that after the Folding Blossom Festival, you will provide a satisfactory explanation to my family's Huaijing regarding Miss Li's situation."

Qin Pengxuan's face alternated between red and white. Despite the princes' presence and biting his tongue in frustration, he had no choice but to grudgingly agree.

Sheng Chengxing, having enjoyed the drama, laughed aloud, encouraging everyone to continue enjoying the banquet, thus concluding this interlude in the corner of the second floor.

Rong Tang sipped his pigeon soup, his mind racing with thoughts. Instinctively, he began to ponder over the peculiarities of Li Panyan's situation, only to see Su Huaijing calmly drinking the soup initially meant for him. Su Huaijing then spoke in a slightly aggrieved and somewhat petulant tone, "Tang Tang, why should he explain Li Panyan's matter to me?"

“……？”

As Rong Tang was contemplating this, Su Huaijing leaned in closer. For a moment, Rong Tang couldn’t discern if the great antagonist was deliberately exposing his intentions or simply curious about what he had just said.

"But none of that matters to me," Su Huaijing said insistently, "I have nothing to do with her. Whether she's dead or alive, miscarried or gave birth to twins, why should Qin Pengxuan explain anything to me?"

His voice was soft, yet audible enough for both to hear. Rong Tang blinked, trying to decipher any hidden meaning in Su Huaijing's words from his facial expressions.

However, before Su Huaijing could show impatience, the system interjected, "[Stop thinking about it, he's just being nonsensical.]"

Rong Tang: "? What's his motive?"

"[Who knows?]"

The system actually wanted to say: If the host had dated more in the modern era, he wouldn’t be so clueless. Su Huaijing's behavior seemed like someone being petulantly affectionate.

Regardless of gender, the aim after such behavior is usually to be coddled and comforted by the other half.

But the system didn't want to directly suggest to the host, "Go and indulge the antagonist!"

This was totally unscientific, after all, it's a system designed to save the protagonist! Cooperating with the host was already a deviation from its primary directive, how could it now benefit the antagonist!?

Wisely choosing silence, the system let Rong Tang ponder on his own before suggesting tentatively, "He's quite wealthy."

Su Huaijing's smile froze momentarily, his eyes widened slightly in confusion.

Rong Tang, speaking even more softly and close to Su Huaijing, suggested, "The Wu Kang Marquis House is affluent, and Qin Pengxuan has substantial assets, though not as much as me. After the Folding Blossom Festival ends, when he comes to apologize, we can swindle a sum from him."

It took Su Huaijing a long while to grasp the idea, his lips curling into a barely suppressible smile, his eyes crinkling with amusement. Mindful of their public setting, he whispered, "Isn't that inappropriate? The one who miscarried is Li Panyan, not me."

Rong Tang, unapologetically and matter-of-factly: "But you said before going to Fengyue Tower that you only ever ate pastries sent by Li Panyan."

Su Huaijing nodded: "Yes, so?"

"So, she drugged you. She's not a good person!" Rong Tang exclaimed. "Leaving aside that swindling Qin Pengxuan has nothing to do with her, technically, Li Panyan should be thanking me for standing up for her."

Su Huaijing's smile deepened, asking, "How so?"

Rong Tang seriously explained, "Think about it, she just miscarried, and Qin Pengxuan already came out alone to join the Folding Blossom Festival. It's clear he doesn't value her. Besides, although this festival is ostensibly for literary talents, haven't you noticed that many noble ladies have also checked into Song Garden?"

Rong Tang's gossiping face was animated, yet cautious not to speak too loudly to avoid eavesdroppers, nor too softly for Su Huaijing to miss, so he leaned in very close, close enough for Su Huaijing to smell the sandalwood scent on his clothes.

It should have been a calming scent, yet Su Huaijing felt as if a feather was teasingly brushing against his heart.

After agreeing, Rong Tang continued, "So this festival is also a matchmaking event. The Wu Kang Marquis has yet to marry an official wife for his heir, and his concubine just miscarried. If Qin Pengxuan finds favor with a lady here and brings her home as his wife, what good days would Li Panyan have then?"

Su Huaijing chuckled, "So, by publicly causing trouble for him, everyone now knows that although Li Panyan is a concubine, she has connections with Ning Xuan Wang's residence. Even if not for her sake, out of respect for you, she will be treated with more regard?"

Rong Tang nodded, looking adorably proud: "Mhm!"

Su Huaijing couldn't suppress his amusement, fingers itching slightly but restrained, asked, "But Rong Tang, do you really want to protect her?"

Rong Tang slightly furrowed his brows, pondering for a moment, "It depends."

Su Huaijing: "Hmm?"

Rong Tang: "If Li Changfu kneels in front of you to apologize and asks for your help, I might consider rescuing her from the Wu Kang Marquis residence and give her some money to return home."

Rong Tang paused, his brows knitting together in displeasure, "But if she's deluded and thinks Qin Pengxuan is a good man, I won't bother with her."

Su Huaijing was first charmed by Rong Tang, then curious, realizing he didn't quite grasp Rong Tang's thoughts, "Didn't you say she's not a good person?"

"Indeed, she's not," Rong Tang ungenerously commented.

Su Huaijing: "Then why would you want to rescue her from the pit?"

Rong Tang lifted his gaze slightly, his eyelashes trembling lightly, his tone nonchalant as if it was the most natural thing to say, "Because of you."

Su Huaijing was momentarily taken aback, "Why is it because of me again?"

Rong Tang ignored the 'again' in his question, explaining, "Because everyone knows that the wife of Ning Xuan Wang's heir is the niece of Li Changfu, the Minister of War, and Li Panyan is his legitimate daughter."

The system, having spent the most time with him, sometimes called Rong Tang too saintly or overly sympathetic. To which Rong Tang would retort, wasn’t he the one saving the world on behalf of their mastermind?

But in truth, Rong Tang was far from a saint. He had a clear understanding of himself.

He was just an ordinary person with a slight sense of morality and responsibility. Aware of most people’s fates in this world, he naturally harbored a bit of pity, extending a helping hand where he couldn’t bear to see suffering.

But Li Panyan wasn’t part of the "unbearable suffering" category; on the contrary, Rong Tang was quite happy to see her get her comeuppance.

Good is rewarded with good, and evil with evil. That's how the world's cycle of karma works, and Rong Tang had no intention of changing it.

Unfortunately, Su Huaijing was part of this karmic cycle.

Rong Tang said, "I’ll save Li Panyan’s life as a repayment for Li Changfu’s upbringing of you."

There wasn’t really any debt of gratitude; whatever there was had been eroded away in nine years of grueling hardship. But undeniably, had Li Changfu not taken Su Huaijing out of the capital, he might have perished in the ensuing chaos.

Whatever revenge the antagonist inflicted on Li Changfu was well-deserved, but Rong Tang, in his selfishness, didn’t want Su Huaijing to feel any so-called debt towards them.

Since Li Changfu had once saved Su Huaijing's life, saving Li Panyan's life would even things out. After that, their fates would have nothing to do with him or with the Seventh Prince.

Rong Tang stated frankly, "I told you, I’m petty and very good at keeping accounts."

Su Huaijing was dumbfounded for a long while. While Sheng Chengming took his place at the main seat, occasionally glancing over, hoping for eye contact, Su Huaijing just sat there, staring at Rong Tang’s face, his mind momentarily blank.

He suddenly realized he didn’t know what to say.

He had never considered 'repaying' Li Changfu. How could he? Repay him for mistreating him? For using him? For trying to use him as bait to gain wealth and high status?

In Su Huaijing’s plans, the highest courtesy he would afford Minister Li Changfu was leaving him a complete corpse, nothing more to even consider.

But when Rong Tang said 'repay the nurturing kindness,' Su Huaijing suddenly remembered, initially, he too had thought of this uncle as family.

He presented his unparalleled Eastern Pearl to his uncle, went to great lengths to please his aunt, served as a servant for his cousins, enduring daily the foolish and clumsy tricks of Li Panyan.

He was the most noble Seventh Prince of Great Yu, yet after his family’s downfall, he found himself in exile, carefully playing the role of an ignorant child, secretly harboring a faint hope of being accepted as family.

Su Huaijing would despise himself from that time.

Even now, thinking back, he finds it unbearable.

Su Huaijing knew that he had always been good at disguising himself, which was his advantage.

The biggest act he put on in front of Rong Tang was restraining himself from embracing him.

Su Huaijing’s Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his voice turning somewhat hoarse as he asked, "And then?"

Rong Tang had moved a bit away, gulping down soup. Caught off guard by the question, he choked, coughed for a while, and Su Huaijing took the opportunity to lead him out of the Lan Yue Pavilion.

Outside, the air was fresh, with passersby occasionally walking by and the distant sound of singing. Feeling the cool breeze from the water, Rong Tang finally stopped coughing, glanced reproachfully at Su Huaijing for startling him, and replied to his question.

"Then it's fine. I don’t like Li Changfu, not even his family. Not praying for their immediate death in front of Buddha is already my greatest virtue. Do you expect me to support their entire family?"

His words were outlandish, but somehow, Su Huaijing felt as if Rong Tang knew his plans and even indulged his wicked thoughts.

On the first day of April, the new moon was invisible.

Rong Tang strolled along the island path, leisurely walking through the flowers, looking up at the night sky where the moon was hidden and stars densely twinkled, more beautiful than any night scene he had seen in modern times.

Rong Tang said casually, “There should be retribution in this world, otherwise evildoers would be surrounded by friends, and the virtuous would be wrapped in horsehide; the just would be jailed, while the treacherous would sit comfortably in high places... Huaijing, where’s the logic in that?”

The favorite thing for the Crown Prince of Ningxuan to do was to prepare a plate of snacks, pick a storybook, lie on a daybed under the warm afternoon spring sun, and read stories within stories for an entire afternoon.

His second favorite thing was to buy clothes, socks, books, writing materials, inkstones, jewelry, and sachets for his newly acquired consort, Su Huaijing, spoiling him with all the finest things available in Great Yu.

The third most common thing Ning Xuan Wang's heir did was sit quietly in the study for an entire afternoon, copying a scripture that exuded the fragrance of sandalwood.

He was a little bodhisattva without desires or cravings, only hoping for a satisfying meal, the opportunity to linger in bed when the weather was bad, and to stroll the streets when it was nice.

He viewed life and death with both detachment and importance. He could casually mention 'death' in conversation, yet after being hurt by others, he would still arrange for a doctor to treat their injuries.

Su Huaijing knew of Rong Tang's intelligence and was aware of the brilliant, dazzling soul trapped in a frail body, but he never expected to hear such words from Rong Tang.

Without even thinking, Su Huaijing reached out to embrace the thin body that seemed as if it could disappear at any moment.

Burying his head in Rong Tang's neck, Su Huaijing's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice hoarse and unrecognizable, "Let me hold you for a while."

Against the backdrop of the lake's gentle sounds and the soft chirping of insects and birds, Rong Tang was slightly startled but then remained still, letting him embrace him, convincing himself that the warmth on his neck was just Su Huaijing's breath, not tears.

It felt like a long time, yet only a moment, when Su Huaijing was still holding him, his head comfortably nestled in Rong Tang's neck, motionless. Rong Tang gently patted his arm and softly called, "Huaijing."

"Mm," Su Huaijing responded in a muffled voice.

Rong Tang said, "Agree to join Ke Hongxue's team, I want you to win first place."

"Is that okay?" He softened his tone, imitating Su Huaijing's way of acting coquettishly.