“Chapter 33”

"Chapter 33"

"Using the excuse of feeling drowsy from the medicine, Rong Tang retired to his room as night approached."

"Su Huaijing, noticing his preoccupation, didn’t press for details. He watched him intently for a while, then lightly smiled, asking, 'Do you want me to prepare a foot bath for you, Tang Tang?'"

"Rong Tang paused, the sudden sense of world-weariness suppressed slightly. Before going downstairs, he turned back and shook his head, 'Shuangfu will prepare it for me. You haven’t finished your game.'"

"After his departure, Ke Hongxue naturally took his place. Su Huaijing’s visit to Song Garden was a casual command from Rong Mingyu, perhaps with the intention of accompanying Rong Tang to ease his mind. But to say there were no other motives… Having lived four lifetimes, Rong Tang was not so naive."

"Su Huaijing stood up, watching him descend the stairs and return to his room until the wooden door closed before his eyes. The smile lingering on Su Huaijing’s lips then abruptly faded, his eyes gathering a chill akin to the night’s curtain drawing."

"Ke Hongxue didn’t look at him, leisurely bending to light another lantern, then took Rong Tang’s former seat. He gently swayed the folding fan in his hand, its jade clinking crisply, musing thoughtfully yet amused, 'This game of the Crown Prince… I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.'"

"'Is that so?' Su Huaijing turned and sat down, pouring himself a cup of tea, asking, 'Why does Master Ke say so?'"

"Ke Hongxue laughed, closing his fan with a flick, pointing in the air at several white pieces: 'Here, here, and here... if the Crown Prince had slightly altered the placement, the momentum would have been greater, and the strategic points more advantageous. But here, here, and here, had any of these moves been different, the outcome of this game would have been decided long ago.'"

"Su Huaijing, feeling a low pressure, was initially reluctant to speak, but Rong Tang currently didn’t want to be disturbed, and Ke Hongxue happened to be talking about Tang Tang, so Su Huaijing found a bit more patience."

"'What does this signify, according to Master Ke?' Su Huaijing asked."

"Ke Hongxue shook his head, took a white piece from the container, rolling it in his hand for a moment before saying, 'Hard to say. The way of the game reflects the person. The Crown Prince seems an intriguing individual, but I didn't expect his game to be so paradoxical.'"

"Ke Hongxue was skilled at chess and interpreting people through it."

"Strictly speaking, he was adept at discerning people through many things."

"Handwriting, calligraphy, music, singing, paintings... anything created by humans in this world can reveal the creator, and Go is no exception."

"Ke Xuebo, a shrewd businessman, was observed by Ke Hongxue since childhood, even when he was a silent and introverted child, watching the customers in and out of their family shops."

"But observing people too much can be exhausting and even tiresome."

"Yet, Rong Tang sparked a sense of novelty in him."

"His approach to the game was also quite intriguing."

"Ordinarily, people play chess either for challenge or victory. There are exceptions, of course, but it’s undeniable that most who enjoy and excel at Go have a strong desire to win."

"He does, and so does Su Huaijing."

"Some people are overt, others are covert, but none can be called truly detached from desire."

"Only Rong Tang, Ke Hongxue found somewhat unfathomable."

"He plays chess... as if it's just a game."

"It's not the uninformed play of a child with black and white pieces. On the contrary, Rong Tang’s moves clearly show not only his understanding of Go but also his mastery. If he were to play seriously, there would be few in Song Garden who could match him."

"But his moves are too casual, so casual that they seem to have no purpose or desire."

"He plays chess merely to pass time, or to chat with Su Huaijing, or perhaps just to sit in the attic and wait for the dusk."

"Yet, he keenly anticipates the game's turn whenever he's about to lose, discerning the signs in advance and deploying smart moves, salvaging the game within a few steps."

"Ke Hongxue initially thought Su Huaijing might be letting him win, but upon reassessing the board, he realized Su Huaijing was not conceding and, like himself, was very interested, subtly probing."

"The outcome of this probing led Ke Hongxue to perceive Rong Tang as two different people in his mind."

"One is a fragile Rong Tang, unambitious, pampered and protected by others, not needing to strive for power or advantage."

"The other is Rong Tang, the Crown Prince of Ningxuan, born into nobility, his name itself a symbol of power, destined to struggle amidst desires of authority all his life."

"Either way, Ke Hongxue found him intriguing. After several boring years back in the capital, unless it was for his senior brother, he’d rather be boating on the lakes of Jiangnan or fishing on snowy nights than be worn out by the pomp and power of the capital."

"But Rong Tang piqued his interest."

"Ke Hongxue's eyes brightened, making a move in response to Rong Tang’s game."

"Su Huaijing followed silently with a black piece."

"Ke Hongxue played again, and Su Huaijing continued to follow."

"After dozens of moves, Ke Hongxue, holding his folded fan, stopped playing, chuckling softly and graciously admitting defeat, 'It seems my skills are not refined enough to grasp the Crown Prince's strategy.'"

"Suddenly curious, he asked, 'Master Su, how do your games with the Crown Prince usually end?'"

"Su Huaijing's gaze lifted from the board, replying, 'They end inconclusively.'"

"When he and Rong Tang were still in Yong'an Alley, they often played chess together. But Tang Tang was always prone to lethargy, and regardless of how the game was progressing - good or bad, winning or losing - he would inevitably leave the game at an unexpected point."

"Maybe it was because Shuangshou had just brought back some snacks still steaming hot, or the sun coming out and shining on a flower in the yard made him happy, or maybe he suddenly remembered the last few pages of a storybook he read in the morning that he wanted to finish..."

"Or maybe he was just tired. Rong Tang would then leave the chess, wrap himself in a blanket, and lie down on the divan, turning his head to Su Huaijing, playfully whining, 'Huaijing, I’m so tired. Can you give me a massage?'"

“……”

"Su Huaijing would naturally indulge him in everything."

"The next time they played chess, it would be a completely different game."

"Rong Tang seemed to lack any strong desire to win, but he would not just sit back and accept defeat."

"He would exert all his effort to think and salvage a game that was almost lost – those were the moments he and Su Huaijing played chess most earnestly."

"He would furrow his brows slightly, lips pursed, taking much longer than usual to ponder each move."

"Su Huaijing would not rush him. But once the crisis was over, Rong Tang’s moves would become carefree and casual again, chatting idly with Su Huaijing about trivial matters while playing."

"—'The ladies of the royal mansion picked some flowers the other day and sent a bunch to our courtyard. I want to make them into dried flowers.' Even such trivial matters could become a topic of interest for the Crown Prince of Ningxuan."

"His little Bodhisattva really is a person of few desires."

"Thinking this, Su Huaijing’s expression unconsciously softened, but what flashed in his eyes was the image of Rong Tang standing at the railing earlier, looking into the distant horizon with an expression of neither sadness nor joy."

"Su Huaijing… did not like that expression."

"He frowned slightly, wanting to go downstairs to find Rong Tang, but restrained himself from acting impulsively, his hand falling to his side, habitually touching the waist token."

"A protective charm would be more comforting, but the talisman wrapped in paper, Su Huaijing always worried, couldn’t contain his frequent thoughts."

"Ke Hongxue, smiling, gathered the chess pieces back into the container, spread his hands with a smile, 'Master Su, shall we play another round?'"

"Su Huaijing paused, then looked up at him."

"The attic was dimly lit, while Song Garden was brightly illuminated. Laughter and chatter of passersby echoed from afar. On the Lan Yue Pavilion, several opera scenes had been performed, depicting the rise and fall of dynasties."

"Su Huaijing actually preferred to be with Rong Tang, even if it meant just watching him read storybooks while practicing his calligraphy."

"But with Ke Hongxue's invitation, he certainly wouldn’t refuse."

"Su Huaijing casually picked up a black piece and placed it at the center of the board, asking softly a question only they could understand: 'Master Ke’s answer today seemed to have personal motives.'"

"Ke Hongxue laughed softly, making his move without looking at Su Huaijing, replying in a whisper in the night, 'Isn’t that the answer you wanted, Master Su?'"

"The answer given by Ke Hongxue was known to both the asker and the respondent. Anyone could say it, except for him."

"Ke Wenrui was the tutor of two emperors, a great scholar of the era; Ke Xuebo, a world-renowned merchant, generously contributing to the national treasury and aiding disaster victims each year."

"Whether it was the former emperor or Emperor Renshou, no matter who sat on the throne, the Ke family remained staunchly protective of the people."

"Their family had been upright and incorruptible for generations."

"In times of poverty, they ran a schoolhouse in their home, teaching children from impoverished families for free; in wealth, they aided the world, helping those in suffering as much as they could."

"With such family values and education, how could Ke Hongxue utter the words 'If the people fail the ruler, the ruler can roam freely'?"

"He indeed had personal motives."

"Motives he couldn't share with others."

"Ke Hongxue didn’t speak of it, and Su Huaijing didn’t ask. They just quietly played a game of chess, casually discussing topics that might turn the world upside down if overheard, but now only the moonlight and the stars listened."

-

"By the time Mu Jingxu returned, the red lacquered attic was empty."

"In the small courtyard, four chambers on both the east and west sides, nobody disturbed each other. Passing by Ke Hongxue's room on his way back, Mu Jingxu glanced through the window and saw no light, so he returned to his own room without a second look."

"The candle was lit, brightening the room."

"Ke Hongxue must have finished washing up, changed out of his fiery red robe into a moon-white undergarment, his hair unbound, cascading freely down his back. He sat somewhat frivolously at his desk, a brush dipped in ink in his hand, meticulously reviewing and annotating a pile of documents from the Ministry of Justice."

"Without turning around, Ke Hongxue laughed, 'Brother Mu, why don't you make me your deputy at the Ministry of Justice? These trivial and tedious cases really strain the eyes. I can't bear to see your eyes get tired.'"

"Mu Jingxu didn’t respond. He changed out of his outdoor robe and sat opposite Ke Hongxue, turning a stack of documents around and picking up a brush from the stand. He dipped it in the inkstone and began working on the paperwork with Ke Hongxue."

"Ke Hongxue paused, glancing at him with a light laugh."

"'Did Sheng Chengli get frightened?' Ke Hongxue casually asked after a while."

"The deceased was Yue Rong, Sheng Chengli’s nanny from childhood. It was her pleading at the Imperial Medical Bureau that softened the Emperor's heart and allowed the Fifth Prince to leave the Cold Palace."

"Her death outside the palace must have been a shock to Sheng Chengli."

"But Mu Jingxu replied, 'He was very calm.'"

"'Oh?' Ke Hongxue raised an eyebrow, 'I remember this afternoon when he hurriedly arrived at the riverside, he almost fainted from heartache, didn’t he?'"

"His tone was clearly suggestive, eyes unwaveringly fixed on Mu Jingxu, who frowned slightly, pausing his writing to meet his gaze."

"After a brief eye contact, Ke Hongxue conceded first, smiling and lowering his head to continue assisting the junior minister of the Ministry of Justice with his paperwork, saying, 'Brother, you said you want to choose a wise ruler for the people. I won’t stop you. I just hope you don’t choose the wrong person and wear yourself out.'"

"Ke Hongxue, always somewhat frivolous even when discussing serious matters, made his point. Mu Jingxu didn’t respond immediately but asked, 'So, that’s why you answered Su Huaijing in that way today?'"

"Ke Hongxue counter-questioned, 'What was wrong with what I said?'"

"Suddenly angered, Mu Jingxu spoke sternly, 'Ke Hanying!'"

"Ke Hongxue was momentarily stunned, then surprisingly put down his brush and looked up at Mu Jingxu."

"His senior brother was always calm, his eyes like perennially unfrozen snow atop a mountain, detached and indifferent, as if nothing and no one in this world deserved his extra attention."

"Yet now, this hint of anger brought a certain liveliness to him."

"Ke Hongxue found this pleasing."

"He even smiled sweetly, 'Brother, you called me by my personal name.'"

"Ke Hongxue turned his head to glance out the window, abruptly changing the subject, 'Did you know, this courtyard was almost named Han Ying Pavilion.'"

"That red lacquered attic was originally built for him to enjoy the snow."

-

"In essence, Song Garden is actually a royal palace."

"The exact era of its construction is unclear, but from its inception, it was intended as a palace. The courtyards here were meant to be the residences of the emperor’s consorts."

"However, by the last generation, there were many royal palaces, and the former emperor was a homebody."

"He disliked going out, preferring to cool his chambers with ice blocks rather than making elaborate plans to travel with his wives and children."

"But among his children, there were those who loved to venture out."

"The third son of the former emperor was the most restless in the palace, and the emperor, to some extent, treated all his sons equally."

"The only distinction between legitimate and illegitimate imperial sons was perhaps in the ancestral rituals and customs; otherwise, their treatment was almost entirely the same."

"None of the former emperor's sons, at least until the day they died, harbored any thoughts of usurping the heir apparent."

"Everyone knew that the future of the empire belonged to the Crown Prince."

"In terms of seniority and legitimacy, it had to be him. The other princes were content with their leisure, while the Crown Prince was the one in the entire palace who learned the most, worked the hardest, and bore the greatest burden."

"However, the royal villa couldn’t remain unused forever, as that would be a waste of resources. So, the former emperor generously gifted Song Garden to his third son."

"The Third Prince, only ten at the time, was ecstatic to take over such a vast garden."

"The former emperor assigned staff, allocated funds, and even had tutors teach him drawing and design, allowing him to personally design Song Garden."

"It took the Third Prince three years to create a garden that perfectly suited his taste."

"On the day Song Garden’s renovation was completed, the usually home-bound former emperor, along with Ke Xuebo who had rarely returned to the capital, each brought their children to visit and enjoy the garden."

"It was winter, with several snowfalls. Song Garden, unlike its current state of blooming flowers, was far from bleak."

"Plum blossoms bloomed throughout the estate, their rich fragrance filling the air. Sunlight filtered through the clouds, reflecting off the snow-covered ground. A few calico cats walked by, leaving delicate plum blossom paw prints, quaint and charming."

"The princes and princesses, rarely leaving the palace, were wildly enthusiastic. The thirteen-year-old Third Prince, proudly overseeing the garden he owned, was extremely delighted and proud. His bright red cloak reflected on his face, highlighting the exuberance of youth."

"That was the first time Ke Xuebo brought Ke Hongxue back to the capital."

"Their family’s business was in Jiangnan. Ke Hongxue was born in winter, coinciding with Ke Xuebo’s business trip. Hearing news of her husband’s encounter with bandits en route, Mrs. Ke fainted."

"Fortunately, Ke Xuebo returned safely. Although Mrs. Ke had a difficult delivery, both mother and child were safe. But Ke Hongxue, since birth, had several brushes with death and couldn’t endure long travels; the family feared he might die on the way."

It was only after learning martial arts from a master that his health gradually improved.

When he returned to the capital at twelve, he looked no older than seven or eight and was very frail. Dressed in a pink winter coat and with two small buns in his hair, the Third Prince's first words upon seeing him were, "Uncle Ke, your little sister is very pretty, even prettier than my fourth sister."

The fiery-tempered Fourth Princess immediately jumped up and smacked her brother, only to see Ke Xuebo's "little sister" cry out in anger, "You're the pretty one! You're the prettiest! Your whole family is pretty!"

Although it was meant to be an insult, his voice was sweet and adorable, with a hint of the Wu dialect not heard in the capital. Even his cursing lacked the vulgarity typical of the capital's young nobles. Instead, it sounded... endearingly cute, making the Third Prince want to say, "Thank you for the compliment, little sister."

Fortunately, he held back, quickly apologizing for mistaking him for a girl, blaming his own shortsightedness for not recognizing his delicate beauty.

Even with the Prince apologizing, Ke Xuebo, despite his close relationship with the former emperor, couldn't take offense. He patted his son's hand, suggesting the two young boys make peace.

But what do children know? Even a prince could be a big fool who couldn't distinguish between boys and girls. Little Ke Hongxue certainly didn't want to be friends with such a foolish prince!

So, he arrogantly glanced at the Third Prince and ran behind his mother.

However, having just been angered to tears, his eyes were red, and his glare seemed more like a pout. The Third Prince, unused to seeing such a temperament in the capital where even his sisters were fiery, found it intriguing. His fourth sister, despite wearing pink dresses, was always planning to learn tiger fighting from her grandmother.

Ke Hongxue's glare somewhat stirred the Third Prince's heart.

He thought this brother was very pretty and wished he were a sister. But a brother was fine too; his seventh brother was too young, and the others were too mischievous. He needed a brother as sweet and adorable as this.

Thus, during Ke Hongxue's stay in Song Yuan, the Third Prince visited him whenever he could.

Ostensibly, he was following the Emperor's order to get along well with Uncle Ke's child, but in reality, he wanted to shower his adorable little brother with all the best treats, toys, and sights.

However, after a few snowball fights and night-time plays, Ke Hongxue fell ill.

Born in winter, with 'snow' in his name, he ironically couldn't withstand the cold.

The child lay in bed with rosy cheeks, weakly whimpering, melting the Third Prince's heart.

"Ke Hongxue, confined indoors and having never seen such a vast snowscape in the south, loved watching the snow."

"The Third Prince ordered the construction of a red lacquered pavilion in the courtyard, its bright color standing out starkly against the endless expanse of white snow."

"The noble prince personally dressed him and carefully carried him from the house to the pavilion, setting him beside a stove to witness a magnificent snowfall together."

"The Third Prince said, 'Ah Xue, I give you this courtyard. When you grow up, you can name it yourself.'"

"The Third Prince said, 'Ah Xue, you must get well soon. I’ll take you to the Jin Fen River to release river lanterns, to the north to hunt eagles, and to Minnan to pass through Worm Valley.'"

"The Third Prince said, 'I know many fun places. Once you are well, and once I become a king, I’ll take you to see them all.'"

“……”

"Ke Hongxue did recover, and now, seeing the famous Scholar of the Capital, no one would guess he was once a delicate patient, as cute and refined as a little girl."

"But he never got to travel across the northern grasslands with the Third Prince, nor to see the landscapes of Miao Jiang in Worm Valley."

"All he waited for was a rebellion, a severed head, and a lonely tomb."

"Years later, at Lin Yuan Academy, he saw Mu Jingxu, who bore no resemblance to the Third Prince."

"Now, as Ke Hongxue handled official duties for Mu Jingxu, he suddenly brought up this matter, as always, receiving no response."

"Ke Hongxue smiled, his tone unusually bitter, 'Brother, you say the people are innocent, you want to choose a wise ruler for them. I'll follow you wherever you go. Whatever you want, I've never refused.'"

"‘…But I hope you can be happy.'"

"I hope you are happy and safe, never exhausting your spirit in this life, burdened with the responsibility for your brother’s death despite seeking revenge."

"I wish you remain the unrivaled, elegant young man of the world, always the jewel of the capital, dazzling in red, rather than a cold, remote mountain peak."

"I wish you wouldn’t love the common people."

"You can love only what is yours, Your Highness."

"Author’s note:"

"Ke tops, Mu bottoms, this lifetime has a happy ending."

"Mu Jingxu's character setting: the capricious become silent, the bright lose their smiles, the victims bear the weight of the world."