“Chapter 29”

"Chapter 29"

"The most bustling area of Song Garden wasn't Lanyue Pavilion, but this tranquil spot on the small island. When the crowd seemed sufficient, Sheng Chengxing would order to temporarily halt the ferry service, all for a perfect atmosphere of comfort without overcrowding, ensuring everyone had just the right amount of fun."

"After washing Rong Tang's hands with the help of a few companions, they strolled around for a while before finding an open-air peach tree to sit under."

"Noticing Ke Hongxue had joined them, Rong Tang asked, 'Weren’t you going to listen to the opera?'"

"Ke Hongxue waved his fan, casually picking up a wine jug placed nearby, wiped the mouth of the jug with his sleeve, and poured a cup each for himself and Mu Jingxu. He replied unenthusiastically, 'I thought they were going to perform 'Shen Qinglang's Redemption in the Flower Pavilion.' Who knew that in this remote Song Garden, even on the water, they’d still play out those clichéd tales of scholars and beauties pining across walls. It’s utterly dull. Had I known, I’d have chosen a couple of plays for them myself.'"

"Rong Tang's brows twitched upon hearing this, instinctively glancing at Su Huaijing, only to see his eyebrows slightly raised, seemingly intrigued, 'Shen Qinglang? Is that the protagonist whose parents were wrongly accused and whose family was destroyed, forcing him into the brothels?'"

"Alarms went off in Rong Tang’s mind, his body tensed, his gaze uncontrollably shifting to Ke Hongxue, trying to prevent any words that might inadvertently seal his fate."

"But Ke Hongxue apparently missed his cue, his eyes lighting up, his posture straightening, shedding some of his carefree demeanor as he eagerly focused on Su Huaijing, his tone quickening, 'Exactly that one. You've read it too, Master Su?'"

"Rong Tang wasn’t suited for alcohol, so Su Huaijing took away the cup in front of him, replacing it with a dish of cashews, saying warmly and with a smile, 'Tang Tang has told me about it.'"

"Ke Hongxue's gaze then swiftly shifted back to Rong Tang, unable to hide his excitement. Supporting himself with one hand on the blanket they sat on, he leaned forward with a beaming smile, 'My Lord, I knew we were fated.'"

"Rong Tang's worry that Su Huaijing would persistently question him dissipated. He hadn't fully relaxed yet when he saw Ke Hongxue's demeanor and couldn’t help but say irritably, 'A bad match.'"

"Why bring up a storybook in such good times? Not to mention whether Sheng Chengxing is far from the emperor’s reach, there are many noble ladies on the island. How could a love story full of action scenes from a storybook be adapted into anything presentable on stage?"

"It’s one thing to talk about it privately, but quite another to speak so unguardedly in public. How does Ke Hongxue exhibit any manner befitting a teacher?"

"Rong Tang muttered to himself in annoyance and glared at Ke Hongxue, who, however, didn’t get angry or annoyed. Instead, showing a rare tact, he seemed to realize that Rong Tang didn’t want to delve into the topic, and after his comment about fate, he backed off without further questioning."

"Su Huaijing’s gaze circled between the two, eventually resting unconsciously on Rong Tang’s slightly flushed, irritated face. He lowered his head and chuckled, peeling an orange for him in a way that was particularly like feeding a small animal, very contented."

"A low table with ink and paper was prepared under the tree. Rong Tang’s excuse was simple from the beginning to the end – he never attended school and couldn’t write poetry. Su Huaijing followed his lead, and fortunately, Mu Jingxu never really forced them to participate in the poetry writing."

"Teaming up with them was more of a test, strictly speaking."

"From Sheng Chengli's probing to Lu Jiaxi, Rong Tang couldn’t be completely sure what they were trying to find out, but he was certain that Mu Jingxu and Ke Hongxue had no ill intentions."

"As for the rest, Rong Tang didn’t bother to inquire. After all, while they were probing him, Su Huaijing was also probing them. They were all shrewd people, operating on the principle of give-and-take, with no one taking advantage of the other."

"In the early warm sun of April, with distant clouds in the sky, Rong Tang sat under the tree for a while, then leaned back, squinting at the birds and clouds above."

"From time to time, the sound of opera still drifted from Lanyue Pavilion. Around them, groups of people either sang loudly, toasted in rhymes, or enjoyed themselves. A gentle breeze passed through, making everything seem so peaceful and beautiful, almost otherworldly."

"After two cups of wine, Lu Jiaxi's face was tinged with a blush, his scholar's robe sprinkled with grass, and his hat askew. He murmured, 'Where water is turbid, there are no fishes with sleek tails; where soil is barren, no lush trees can grow; where governance is troublesome, no citizens can find leisure. In such splendid spring scenery, in such a view, isn’t our nation exactly the world of benevolence and righteousness discussed by the master in school...'"

"His voice was soft, tinged with a barely perceptible yearning. Rong Tang frowned slightly but didn't respond immediately. Mu Jingxu continued writing his poem, and Su Huaijing, without lifting his gaze, hooked a faint, almost imperceptible smile, full of irony."

"Ke Hongxue, already lying on the ground in a carefree manner, burst out laughing at the words. Tilting his wine cup to his mouth, he drank and then teasingly asked, 'So, Junior, are you saying that seeing scholars and gentlemen singing and making friends at the flower viewing festival, officials and scholars mingling, and witnessing the bloom of flowers, the birds, and fish, makes you think the governance is untroubled, people are at leisure, and our Dayu is thriving with a bright future ahead?'"

"Lu Jiaxi hesitated, realizing his slip of the tongue, and said, 'Please enlighten me, Senior Brother.'"

"Ke Hongxue chuckled lightly, 'I dare not claim that honor.'"

"His gaze casually swept over Rong Tang and Su Huaijing, then briefly flitted to Mu Jingxu before returning. Picking up a fallen petal from the ground, he rubbed it gently, staining his fingertips with its juice. Looking at the bright red, he said, 'You see the splendor here, and yet there is decay elsewhere; you hear the unrestrained songs and music here, while elsewhere there is displacement and widespread misery... Here you are at a banquet hosted by princes and nobles, surrounded by high-ranking scions who are oblivious to the people's suffering. How can you witness the hardships of those in the northwest or southeast, enduring yearly droughts, floods, famines, and banditry?'"

"'This is just a banquet organized by a prince for socializing. To show his benevolence, the Emperor even approved holidays for these officials. What you see are the names you hear in school, now before your eyes, laughing and chatting over drinks, composing poetry with great ambition; what I see are the weary figures behind the documents after these seven days of absurdity, and the unjust cases in the prisons.'"

"Ke Hongxue paused, his hand dropping, and looked sharply at Lu Jiaxi, 'Considering your courage to sue Ding Laibao at the Kyushu Prefecture, how could you be deceived by such superficial appearances to say something like 'the government is untroubled, and the people are at leisure'... something so...' He seemed to search for the right word, then smiled and said, 'so falsely hollow?'"

"Lu Jiaxi was momentarily stunned, his gaze drifting from Ke Hongxue's face back to the island in the lake."

"The apricot forest was richly fragrant, and the everywhere pebble paths, each stone smooth and rounded, clearly polished. The sound of opera, the best diversion, floated out from the open doors of Lanyue Pavilion, almost making everyone on the island hear the dreamlike illusion of a mirage."

"As if sobering up, Lu Jiaxi stood up straight, adjusted his cap, and respectfully thanked Ke Hongxue, 'Thank you for your teachings, Senior Brother.'"

"Ke Hongxue did not respond, casually tossing a pebble into the air."

"Rong Tang noticed his mood wasn’t great but didn’t intend to wade into these troubled waters. However, Su Huaijing suddenly chuckled and said, 'I have a question that I don’t understand; may I trouble Ke Shaofu to enlighten me?'"

"Ke Hongxue blinked, his expression shifting instantly from languid to enthusiastic as he got up from the ground, his peach blossom eyes sparkling as he looked at Su Huaijing, 'Please, go ahead, Young Master.'"

"'When I was young, I stayed with my maternal uncle and never had the chance to go to school, but I heard my cousins studying. I vaguely remember that there were a few sentences before what Lu Gongzi just said.' He recited slowly and steadily, his tone captivating, 'Heaven creates all people and establishes a ruler; the ruler is the heaven for the people. Heaven nurtures all beings with the balance of yin and yang; the ruler transforms people with governance and education. Therefore, if cold and heat come at the wrong times, there are diseases and epidemics; if wind and rain are irregular, there are years of famine. Punishments are the cold and heat for the people; orders and teachings are the wind and rain for the people. If punishments are not timely, people suffer; if teachings are not appropriate, customs become rigid and decay.'"

"Su Huaijing continued, 'This text discusses that the ruler should love the people, being their heaven. But I have a question about it.'"

"Rong Tang was taken aback for a moment, then turned to look at Su Huaijing, somehow guessing what his question might be."

"Ke Hongxue prompted, 'Please, go ahead.'"

"Su Huaijing asked, 'Does a ruler necessarily have to love his people?'"

"[Oh—Wow—] The system expressed its astonishment, breaking its usual silence."

"Rong Tang sighed inwardly. He wasn’t surprised that Su Huaijing would ask such a question. He was just pondering whether Su Huaijing had thought of it spontaneously, or if Lu Jiaxi's earlier comment had a hidden meaning that led to this topic."

"Ke Hongxue appeared momentarily stunned, seemingly not expecting Su Huaijing’s question to be of such a nature. Even Mu Jingxu paused in his writing, leaving an ink blot on the rice paper."

"Ke Hongxue countered, 'Why does the young master say so?'"

"Su Huaijing replied with a smile, 'If a ruler is forsaken by the people, and if the people do not trust their ruler, does the ruler still need to love the people?'"

"His voice was light, and as he spoke, he even picked a green dumpling for Rong Tang and placed it on a small plate to coax him into eating, seemingly just casually asking without any particular thought or expectation of changing the answer."

"Ke Hongxue’s brows slightly furrowed, pondering for a moment before asking, 'If a ruler is forsaken by the people, has the ruler ever forsaken the people?'"

"Su Huaijing shook his head, 'Never.'"

"Ke Hongxue then asked, 'If the people do not trust their ruler, have they ever believed in rumors?'"

"Su Huaijing nodded, 'Perhaps.'"

"Ke Hongxue’s expression relaxed, picking up his wine cup and gently clinking it against the one Su Huaijing had placed on the blanket, smiling, 'In that case, I believe that in this vast world, those who rule need not be confined, and can roam freely.'"

"'Is that so?' Su Huaijing smiled softly, remaining silent."

"Rong Tang glanced at him, knowing well that there was more to his question that remained unasked."

"—If both scenarios exist, can a ruler betray, abandon, ruin, or even slaughter his people?"

"The late emperor’s posthumous title was 'Lu'."

"'Lu' stands for cruelty and inhumanity, for wanton killing of the innocent."

"The late emperor reigned for twenty-five years, under whom Dayu prospered, wars lessened, and trade flourished. Yet, nine years on, when people of Dayu recall the late emperor, they only remember the word 'Lu'."

"They call him foolish and unprincipled, accuse him of authoritarianism and tyranny, label him as ignorant and inept, and say he allowed his relatives to control the court, leading to internal and external crises, almost bringing Dayu to the brink of national collapse and ruin."

"Fortunately..."

"Fortunately, the current Emperor managed to turn the tide and save the crumbling empire."

"The actions of a monarch who had nothing to do with 'benevolence and longevity' being called the Ren Shou Emperor, Rong Tang found this deeply ironic."

"He lost his appetite, feeling a chill from the light breeze over the lake, and moved closer to Su Huaijing."

"Su Huaijing immediately noticed, his eyebrows slightly furrowing, 'Cold?'"

"Rong Tang hesitated, then nodded honestly, 'A little.'"

"'Then let's go back, and I’ll find a storybook for you,' Su Huaijing said as he stood up, pulling Rong Tang to his feet, and after a brief farewell to the others, they headed towards the ferry."

"Before leaving, Rong Tang glanced back to see Mu Jingxu had stopped writing mid-poem."

"The pleasures of the island on the lake were no longer of concern to Rong Tang as he and Su Huaijing leisurely made their way back to the small courtyard with the red-painted pavilion. Around a corner, Su Huaijing asked him to wait."

"Rong Tang stood quietly, falling into a long silence along with the system."

"In this life, he actually had no specific goal. If there was one, it was merely because of his past interactions with Su Huaijing in his previous lives, wishing to spare him from such bitter endings."

"Yet, spending these two months together, Rong Tang felt as if he had returned to a better time."

"The great villain had not yet fully turned dark, not yet the tyrant who would plunge all of Dayu into years of war in the distant future."

"Rong Tang couldn’t be the savior of the world, but at least he wanted to save Su Huaijing."

"After two failed missions, the system’s analysis of the plot concluded that the male lead's death and Su Huaijing's disappearance were constant outcomes."

"Rong Tang had never thought about it before, but now he couldn’t help but be curious."

"The great villain, who after lying in wait for years finally ascended the throne, what was he thinking when he saw the entire world about to be engulfed in flames?"

"Was it satisfaction or resentment?"

Did he hate that his father's beloved people blindly called him a butcher emperor? Did he hate that the city his crown prince brother defended with his life didn't remember his name? Did he hate that his fourteen-year-old sister, beautiful as a flower, jumped off the city wall to die for her country, only to have her skirt lifted by a spear of a passing rebel? Did he hate that his third brother left him a dream that would never return?

If he was content with that, then there's nothing more to say.

But what if he wasn't happy?

What if he took revenge on the whole world and still found no joy?

Then what could I possibly do for him?

Rong Tang fell into confusion, staring blankly at a purple and white rose climbing up the wall, lost in thought until the sound of footsteps behind him brought him back to reality.

Rong Tang blinked and turned around.

Su Huaijing appeared from around the corner, holding two peonies, blossoming just right, neither too reserved nor too ostentatious, perfect for admiring in a pot of clear water waiting for full bloom.

Su Huaijing held the flowers in one hand and naturally reached out to hold Rong Tang with the other, walking towards their destination under the April noon sun, softly smiling, “I thought these flowers suited you before coming here. Tang Tang, please indulge me today and join me and the flowers in reading storybooks?”

The young man playfully wheedled. Rong Tang had earlier mentioned the letter, so he echoed a line from it. For a moment, it was hard to say whether the person who wrote that line was more charming or the one now holding flowers, seeking favor, was cuter.

As the spring light conversed with the season, Rong Tang suddenly realized that the hellish visions he had just imagined had never actually happened.

Author's note:

Note: "Heaven nurtures all beings, and the king is established as the heaven for the people. The way of heaven in nurturing things lies in managing Yin and Yang; the king's duty in transforming the people lies in governance and education. Hence, when cold and heat are not timely, disease and epidemics occur; when wind and rain are not in season, there is famine. Punishments are the cold and heat to the people; laws and orders are the wind and rain. When punishments are not timely, people suffer; when laws and orders are not well-timed, society becomes rigid and corrupt. Thus, in muddy waters, there are no fish with wagging tails; in hard soil, there are no lush trees; in a troubled government, there are no carefree people." From "Liu Zi, Volume Three, Loving the People." - When writing this chapter, the author thought: Oh no, seems like I need to use my brain (touches head uneasily, ah—still a CP brain, relieved~~~ OvO)