Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Rong Tang had been snacking since morning. He only had a few sips of soup for lunch and set his bowl aside. Su Huaijing watched from the side, frowning slightly with regret.

The sense of achievement from feeding a small creature was too intense, and even he had forgotten his restraint.

Fortunately, Rong Tang didn’t eat much, so there was no risk of indigestion. Su Huaijing, after escorting Rong Tang back to his room to rest, stood in place lost in thought for a moment, then quietly placed all the brought snacks at the bottom of the box.

Hesitating for a moment as he closed the lid, Su Huaijing took out half of the contents before locking the rest back in.

He couldn’t cut it off abruptly; otherwise, Tang Tang might feel aggrieved.

After finishing all this, the courtyard quieted down. Rong Tang was taking a nap, Ke Hongxue and Mu Jingxu were still on the island, and Su Huaijing, sitting at his desk, heard a pair of kingfishers chirping outside the window. Frowning slightly, he stood up and walked out.

Before leaving, he called Shuangshou and instructed, “If Tang Tang wakes up and I’m not back, tell him I've gone to see the Second Young Master.”

Shuangshou paused, immediately becoming anxious and vigilant, “Master, if you need to communicate with the Second Young Master, let me relay the message. There’s no need for you to go personally.”

Before coming to Song Garden, although Rong Zeng brought many gifts to Tanghua Courtyard, the people of the Wang Mansion knew well that the Second and Third Young Masters' respect for Lord Rong was far from genuine. Now that Master Su was going alone to find the Second Young Master, Shuangshou was extremely worried.

Su Huaijing found this slightly amusing, thinking it funny that he appeared as pure and vulnerable as a small white flower in Rong Tang's eyes, and even his servant thought he could be easily bullied.

But upon further thought, Su Huaijing felt joy.

It was precisely because he was being so carefully protected, every meal and drink meticulously considered, that in the eyes of others, the Consort of Ningxian Wang appeared like a dodder flower clinging to Rong Tang for survival.

Not particularly great, but definitely not bad either.

Su Huaijing had no intention of changing this perception. Privately, he somewhat enjoyed the feeling of clinging to Rong Tang and being protected by him.

In terms of strategy, ‘The Consort of Ningxian Wang’ was naturally his most natural and impregnable disguise. From the day Rong Tang personally granted him this title, Su Huaijing had been thinking about how to make the most of it.

As for reputation or other concerns, Su Huaijing didn’t care. He was more than willing to maintain the closest bond with Rong Tang through this title.

Smiling, Su Huaijing reassured Shuangshou, “Don’t worry, the Second Young Master now holds great respect for Tang Tang, and he won’t neglect me.”

Shuangshou remained doubtful, but as Rong Tang had previously instructed everyone in Tanghua Courtyard, Su Huaijing's commands were as good as his own. So even though Shuangshou was still concerned, he couldn’t object to Su Huaijing's decision to go alone. He decided to stay alert, ready to wake Rong Tang and support Su Huaijing if he heard any news of mistreatment from the Second Young Master.

Su Huaijing stepped out of the courtyard, glanced at the growing flowers, and walked down several paths before a grey-clad servant appeared in front of him, leading him to a slightly dilapidated, deserted courtyard.

The courtyard was even larger than the one they were currently residing in, and the first thing visible upon entering was a dark red stage.

Showing signs of age, with golden embroidery on the stage and pear trees planted all around, it was clear from the thick foliage that this place must have been bustling with activity in the past.

Su Huaijing, not one for appreciating scenery, walked past the stage without a glance and headed straight to the main house.

The wooden door seemed to have been wiped clean, virtually dust-free. Faint sounds of movement were audible from inside. Su Huaijing pushed open the door, his voice slightly deep, “Your Highness, your actions are too rash.”

Pacing back and forth inside was Sheng Chengming, dressed in an apricot-yellow robe, circling the room anxiously.

Su Huaijing glanced down curiously at the wooden floor under the Second Prince's feet, wondering if it had been cleaned by him.

Called back to reality, Sheng Chengming abruptly stopped and turned, his gaze fixed intently on Su Huaijing. He leaned forward as if wanting to approach, but remembering the dignity and restraint befitting a royal, he halted and greeted, “My lord.”

“Hmm,” Su Huaijing hummed in response, turning to close the door behind him as he entered.

To his surprise, only Sheng Chengming was present in the room.

He had thought that given Sheng Chengming’s impulsive and tactless nature, upon discovering his connection with the Ningxian Wang Mansion, even if he managed to restrain himself from confronting him immediately, he would surely seek out Rong Zeng for information.

Su Huaijing inquired, “Your Highness, has anyone seen you coming here?”

Sheng Chengming, who hadn’t slept well the previous night, his eyes bloodshot, quickly responded, “Today marks the beginning of the Zhehua Assembly. Everyone is either on the island or enjoying themselves in the manor. This place is run-down, and the Third Prince had it sealed off. I avoided being seen on my way here, my lord, please rest assured.”

Su Huaijing’s lips curled into a smile, “Then what urgent matter brings Your Highness to seek me out so eagerly?”

The young man displayed a maturity and composure beyond his years. Growing up in the royal family, Sheng Chengming’s maternal grandfather had more than once considered appointing several advisors to win the emperor's favor or suppress other princes.

But to Sheng Chengming, these men seemed like pedantic fools, always quoting classics, indecisive and hesitating in action. Just listening to them speak gave him a headache.

When Sheng Chengming met Su Huaijing, he was at a critical juncture in his life.

The Emperor had allowed him to participate in court politics, but whether it was to intimidate him or due to opposition from the ministers of the Third Prince's faction, the cases he handled, even the simplest ones, ended in failure, displeasing the Emperor.

Sheng Chengming worried for a time that the Emperor might send him back to the Imperial Academy to study with his younger brothers.

It was during this period that Su Huaijing appeared, pledging allegiance. Initially wary, Sheng Chengming grew to trust him, especially after Su Huaijing located a rare White Tiger and presented it to him, winning the Emperor's favor, and provided timely advice that saved him from future blame.

Sheng Chengming now held immense trust in this young gentleman.

Therefore, when he discovered that Su Huaijing was to marry the Ningxian Wang heir as his consort, Sheng Chengming was shocked beyond belief.

Struggling to find his voice, he said, “Last month, I was busy with the rebel remnants case and had no time to pay attention to major events in the capital. I heard... that the marriage of the Ningxian Wang heir was to ward off bad luck. If you are unwilling...”

Su Huaijing remained silent, looking up at him with a faint smile, seemingly encouraging him to continue.

Emboldened, Sheng Chengming swallowed nervously and said, “If you are being forced, I can inform the Emperor and call off this marriage. It’s unconventional for a man to marry another man, especially someone as talented as you, why should you be confined to a sickly person’s side?”

Believing Su Huaijing was coerced into marrying Rong Tang, Sheng Chengming, indignant, added, “Rong Tang is too selfish. Knowing his ill health and limited lifespan, how could he marry a man? And after his death, will you be expected to mourn for three years, hindering your career? If he lingers for years, you might waste nearly a decade!”

The more he thought, the more fearful he became, speaking with righteous indignation. After a long speech without a reply from Su Huaijing, Sheng Chengming looked up, his gaze intense, ready to rush back to the palace and persuade the Emperor to cancel this absurd marriage.

But the moment their eyes met, Sheng Chengming felt a chilling sense of danger.

He saw the eyes of a predator on the wilderness, crimson pupils locking onto the prey’s throat, ready to pounce and end everything in the dark night.

Feeling an acute awareness of his body, Sheng Chengming shivered as if a cold breeze swept through him, making him feel like he was in deep winter despite the April sun.

Startled, Sheng Chengming gazed at Su Huaijing again, realizing his initial perception might have been an illusion.

Su Huaijing continued to smile amiably, patiently listening to all the accusatory and insulting remarks, then turned his head slightly and softly said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Sheng Chengming cautiously refrained from responding immediately.

Su Huaijing said, “Rong Tang and I share mutual affection. I am a man with no great ambitions; I only wish to spend the rest of my life with Tang Tang, enjoying flowers, reading, watching plays, and listening to music. I hope Tang Tang lives a long life, but if fate decrees otherwise, I just wish to be by his side for as long as possible.”

Sheng Chengming stared at Su Huaijing, seeing a gentle glow of affection on the face of the man he respected.

“If this marriage truly can alleviate Tang Tang's illness, then that's my good fortune. Please refrain from making such comments in the future, Your Highness.” Looking up, Su Huaijing bowed deeply, “If you think my romantic inclinations are a hindrance, then it's my misfortune to be unable to assist you in your quest for power. But leaving Rong Tang is absolutely impossible for me.”

Su Huaijing continued earnestly, “I wish Your Highness a long and prosperous reign, surrounded by wise counselors, bringing about a peaceful era for the empire. I lack the ability to assist you in these matters, so this is farewell…”

“Don't say that, sir!”

Sheng Chengming, finally snapping out of his disbelief, stepped forward, grasping Su Huaijing's hand, then quickly stepped back and bowed, apologizing for his impropriety, “I was narrow-minded and failed to understand. Please forgive my rudeness. Tang Tang is destined for longevity, and you both will surely…”

He hesitated, then said, “...surely grow old together, united in heart and soul.”

Su Huaijing smiled ambiguously as Sheng Chengming blurted out, “Rong Tang is praised even by the Empress Mother for his intelligence, and you, sir, are one of the rare geniuses of our times. You are a perfect match made in heaven, I was blind.”

Su Huaijing asked quietly, “Is that so?”

Sheng Chengming immediately confirmed, “Indeed! Talented men have always been matched with beautiful spouses, and our empire even had an era of joint reign by an Emperor and Empress. My limited knowledge led me to speak such ignorant words. Please forgive my careless speech!”

Su Huaijing looked around the room, finding nowhere to sit, and chose not to engage further with Sheng Chengming, who was still silent after his apologies.

Sheng Chengming, still shaken and filled with questions, didn’t dare to speak, fearing he almost lost an important ally.

Su Huaijing reminded, “Your Highness called me here, for what purpose?”

Sheng Chengming hesitated, but Su Huaijing reassured, “Speak freely, Your Highness.”

Sheng Chengming then asked, “Why did you form a team with Ke Shaofu?”

Su Huaijing's expression turned colder, “Did Your Highness risk this meeting just to ask that?”

Sheng Chengming was taken aback, not immediately understanding.

Su Huaijing continued, “Ningxian Wang is a close official to the Emperor, with four sons each holding different allegiances. Rong Tang is the Empress's nephew, Rong Zheng is close to you, and Rong Yuan is close to the Third Prince. Knowing my allegiance to Rong Tang and now our marital bond, you called me here during the Flower Breaking Festival, just to inquire about my alliance with Ke Shaofu?”

Su Huaijing looked at Sheng Chengming with a trace of indiscernible disappointment.

He said, “Your Highness, even if you doubt my loyalty, you should never suspect Ke Hongxue.”

Sheng Chengming hastily replied, “I didn’t mean—”

Su Huaijing interrupted him: “You should have doubts. When I first pledged loyalty to you, I didn’t reveal everything, leading to your recent discovery of my connection with Ningxian Wangfu. Given this, you should not only doubt but also reflect on every encounter and conversation we’ve had since our first meeting, to assess whether I harbor ulterior motives and if you are in danger.”

“I’ve said before, Your Highness lacks caution,” remarked Su Huaijing.

Sheng Chengming, at a loss for words, mumbled, “But everything you’ve done has genuinely been in my interest.”

Su Huaijing replied, “That’s because I bear no disloyalty.”

Confused, Sheng Chengming asked, “Then why suggest I have doubts?”

Su Huaijing countered, “What if someone else, like me, gains your trust during your difficult times, advises you, but then betrays you at the right moment?”

Sheng Chengming felt a chill, but Su Huaijing continued, “Your Highness's naivety towards those close to you is something I’ve cautioned you about. Your trust in me is my greatest honor as a counselor, but for a monarch, this isn’t a good trait. You must change this.”

Su Huaijing chose Sheng Chengming because he was easily accessible. Whether among all walks of life or at royal banquets, Sheng Chengming, being self-indulgent, was easy to approach.

Secondly, his naïvety and lack of cunning made him easy to deceive; a little favor could make him believe someone was utterly loyal, elevating them to a position of honor.

Such a person is easy to control but can also be exhausting.

Su Huaijing didn’t want to be constantly cleaning up after Sheng Chengming, so he felt the need to warn him.

After saying this, Su Huaijing addressed Sheng Chengming's earlier question: “You asked why I teamed up with Ke Shaofu because our team includes the Fifth Prince, and you worry I might choose him.”

“But think about it, Your Highness. Whether it’s Fang Gui’s mother and son under the Empress's protection or the Third Prince hosting the Flower Breaking Festival, wouldn’t they be more suitable for betrayal than the Fifth Prince?”

Sheng Chenging, the least noticeable among Ren Shou Emperor’s sons, lacks influence and favor from the Emperor compared to Rong Tang.

In some ways, Sheng Chenging might be even easier to control than Sheng Chengming. Su Huaijing suspected that Mu Jingxu chose him for this reason.

However, it wasn’t Su Huaijing's concern. He didn’t plan to approach Sheng Chenging. His talks with Ke Hongxue before entering Songyuan were for the Flower Breaking Festival's grand prize.

Su Huaijing asked, “Since Your Highness is aware of my team’s composition, do you also know who exactly is in my team?”

Sheng Chengming replied, “The Fifth Prince, your cousin, Ke Shaofu, Mu Shaofu, yourself…” He paused, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, “and a student from Lingyuan Academy.”

Su Huaijing felt a faint disappointment but it quickly vanished.

He sarcastically said, “Hoping for anything from Sheng Chengming is a joke. The student’s name is Lu Jiaxi, a native of the capital, and Ke Hongxue’s junior, who will participate in the imperial examination next year.”

Sheng Chengming seemed to find the name 'Lu Jiaxi' familiar, repeating softly, “Lu Jiaxi…”

Su Huaijing added, “The very person who reported the Ding Laibao incident.”

Sheng Chengming’s pupils dilated in surprise: “It’s him!?”

Su Huaijing nodded, “Lu Jiaxi’s scholarship is not exceptional. Even if he takes part in the imperial examination, he’s unlikely to achieve outstanding results. The best he could hope for is a second-rank and a position as a junior official in the Hanlin Academy, followed by a transfer to one of the six ministries after a year’s experience.”

Sheng Chengming inquired, “What are your plans, sir?”

Su Huaijing replied, “I think it’s too late. The Third Prince has cultivated a network of talented scholars and officials. By next year’s imperial examination, students who have participated in this Flower Breaking Festival, if they enter officialdom, can claim to be the Third Prince’s proteges. Though the Third Prince has yet to start his regency, he already has a significant advantage over you.”

The Empress Dowager is an ambitious woman. Although she has positioned her youngest son as having a divine destiny, she hasn’t neglected her eldest.

On the contrary, Sheng Chengxing’s upbringing appears to have been meticulously guided.

With a military background from his maternal side, he has been groomed for a literary path. Looking back when the time is ripe, the Third Prince will have the support of a significant portion of the court's civil and military officials.

Sheng Chengming simply didn't have the ability to compete with him.

However, this situation required time to strategize, and Su Huaijing was content to watch Emperor Renshou's sons engage in internal strife, not feeling particularly inclined to advise Sheng Chengming.

He merely shared his current plan: “Mu Shaofu’s scholarship is renowned throughout the land. By teaming up with them and winning this Flower Breaking Festival, we can secure Lu Jiaxi’s entry into the Hanlin Academy. Whether to openly recruit him or use him as a pawn in secret will be entirely up to Your Highness’s decision.”

Su Huaijing glanced at the sky outside, his brows slightly furrowed, tired of further discussion, and said, “If Your Highness has any questions, just write to me as before. Please avoid private meetings like this to prevent arousing suspicion.”

Sheng Chengming stood rooted to the spot, watching Su Huaijing depart after a few more instructions, and then called out after a long pause, “Summon Rong Zhen over.”

_

Rong Tang woke up from his nap, feeling groggy, and heard some commotion outside.

He hesitated for a moment, then got dressed and stepped out to see Shuangfu and Shuangshou standing by the gate, Rong Zhen entering the yard directing servants carrying many boxes of gifts.

Seeing him awake, Rong Zhen quickly approached, standing below the steps to greet him, “Brother, good afternoon. Did you sleep well?”

Rong Tang nodded, his gaze falling on the boxes behind him, “What are these?”

Rong Zhen glanced back and smiled, “His Highness, the Second Prince, recently received a bounty of precious medicines and treasures from the emperor. Out of generosity, he bestowed them all on me. But as someone who’s only good for being healthy, I have no use for these treasures; it’d be a waste. So I thought it best to present them all to you, my brother. Please, do accept them.”

Rong Tang: “……?”

Medicines? A gesture of filial respect?

He had just taken a nap, what had happened in the meantime?

Had Su Huaijing adopted a son for him?!