“Chapter 34”

"Chapter 34"

"In the deep chill of the night, in the eastern chamber of the small courtyard, a candle flickered gently. The system curled up in Rong Tang’s arms for half the night, watching its host silently copying Buddhist scriptures since returning to his room."

"When he was first reborn, Rong Tang copied a lot of scriptures, and the system knew why. After meeting Su Huaijing, although Rong Tang still copied scriptures, the frequency decreased, and he often ended up doing something else to pass the time with Su Huaijing."

"The system thought the villain was quite good."

"At least he could keep its host company."

"But today, Rong Tang has been copying scriptures since midnight with a cold expression, his pen strokes sharp. The system couldn’t believe these scriptures were being copied out of guilt."

"But its position didn’t allow it to say anything at this moment. All it could do was accompany Rong Tang, to prevent him from being lonely in the night."

"As the candlelight dimmed, the sound of the wick crackling grew frequent. Rong Tang finished his last stroke and finally set down the brush."

"The system silently let out a long, electronic sigh."

"Rong Tang heard the slight noise and chuckled softly."

"Sitting for too long, he felt sore and stood up, pushing open the door to catch some night breeze and admire the stars."

"The attic was empty, lit only by lanterns at its corners. Rong Tang initially intended to go up, but his gaze shifted and he noticed a faint light in Su Huaijing’s room."

"A weak illumination seeped through the window, its brightness paled in comparison to the night sky and stars."

"Yet, Rong Tang changed direction on his tiptoes."

"Copying scriptures for a long time had left him restless, so he wanted to gaze at the night's stars. But knowing Su Huaijing was awake, Rong Tang’s first choice was to seek him out."

"Without any particular reason or rationale."

"Rong Tang knocked on the door, stepped back, and waited quietly."

"Footsteps sounded from inside, the door opened, and Su Huaijing appeared, bathed in the dim yellow light, his expression softened."

"Seeing Rong Tang, he seemed momentarily startled, then instinctively stepped aside to welcome him in, away from the cool night breeze."

"'Couldn’t sleep?' Su Huaijing asked."

"Rong Tang shook his head, his gaze falling on the lit desk and the prepared ink, feeling a tinge of regret."

"Thinking Su Huaijing was writing a secret letter, Rong Tang turned to leave, but Su Huaijing naturally handed him a cup of warm water, saying, 'Drinking tea at night might keep you awake, Tang Tang. Have some water instead.'"

"The water had a hint of sweetness, like honey was added. He was momentarily surprised at the taste, took a sip, and said to Su Huaijing, 'You really like sweet things.'"

"Su Huaijing laughed, 'That's why I really like Tang Tang too.'"

"He had said similar things many times. Sometimes Rong Tang was immune, other times his ears turned red. But now, with something weighing on his mind, he easily let the comment pass without taking it to heart."

"He set down the cup and said, 'I just wanted to take a walk. Seeing your light on, I knocked on your door. It’s nothing important. If you have work to do, I’ll head back.'"

"Rong Tang turned to leave, but Su Huaijing stopped him, his brows slightly furrowed, 'It’s getting late and the dew is heavy. Are you going for a walk dressed so thinly, Tang Tang?'"

"Rong Tang paused, glancing down at the spring clothes he wore."

"Su Huaijing, without waiting for him to speak, led him to the desk, 'It's not anything important, but I still have a bit to finish. If Tang Tang can’t sleep, could you keep me company for a while?'"

"Rong Tang blinked, watching as Su Huaijing brought him to the desk, pulled up a chair for him, then sat down opposite him... and started copying Buddhist scriptures?"

"Rong Tang was stunned for a moment, almost thinking he hadn't left his room, as he couldn’t explain why what he thought were important secret letters turned out to be half-copied scriptures."

"Su Huaijing, with lowered gaze, was calm and gentle, more like a kind deity of the moon than a tyrant when not angry."

"Rong Tang watched for a long time, until Su Huaijing finished one sheet and started another, then he finally asked in a very soft voice, almost as if afraid to disturb something, 'Why are you copying scriptures?'"

"Isn’t that my task?"

"Rong Tang was quite puzzled."

"He even wondered if the villain was trembling with suppressed violence at this moment, wanting to kill but restraining himself, thus copying scriptures to control it."

"Yet this thought clearly defied logic, and Rong Tang dismissed it almost as soon as it arose."

"His darling was not such a person."

"His darling was the kindest and gentlest person in the whole world."

"As he contemplated this, Rong Tang heard Su Huaijing softly chuckle and respond, 'Because I don’t know why Tang Tang is unhappy.'"

"Rong Tang was bewildered: 'Huh?'"

"Su Huaijing continued copying the scriptures, his gaze void of sadness or joy, and devoid of any superfluous emotions."

"If one were to really analyze it, it would probably be indulgence and doting."

"His copying of the scriptures was not for himself, just as Rong Tang’s copying of Buddhist scriptures was never for his own sake."

"Su Huaijing said, 'Since I've entered the manor, I’ve occasionally seen Tang Tang copying scriptures. I don't know why you worship Buddha, but I do know you’re not happy.'"

"'You don’t wish to talk about it, so I won’t ask. But bearing too much alone seems tiring. We are spouses, and it’s only right for me to share your burdens.'"

"Su Huaijing spoke softly, 'Tang Tang, whatever it is, you can ask me to share it with you.'"

"Be it sins or guilt, whatever you can’t bear, I will take it all upon myself."

"As long as you are happy and joyful, always my carefree little Bodhisattva."

"Don’t be unhappy, for then I would be even more so."

"And if I'm unhappy, many, many bad things will happen, and I won’t feel the slightest bit of guilt about it."

"So Rong Tang, it’s best for you to be a little more obedient, sensible, and well-behaved, as well as a bit more willful, spoiled, and unrestrained."

"Whatever guilt you have, I can make those who blame you dare not do so."

"Any sin you bear, I don’t mind taking it all upon myself, as the path I’ve chosen is doomed anyway."

"But you are different; you must be pure, happy, a presence more dazzling than this spring light, always by my side."

"Su Huaijing looked up at Rong Tang, his eyes as deep and unyielding as thick ink, like the scriptures dancing on the paper under the lamp, or the moonless shadows of the night outside the window."

"‘Tang Tang, can you tell me why you are unhappy?’"

"Rong Tang sat opposite Su Huaijing, lost in thought for a long time."

"Su Huaijing rarely imposed a sense of pressure in his presence, with few exceptions; one was when he saw Shen Feiyi return to Yong'an Alley, and the other was after his conversation with Rong Zeng in Tang Hua Courtyard."

"The former, Rong Tang knew, was because Su Huaijing had doubts about him, while the reason for the latter remains unclear to this day."

"But he knew that Su Huaijing was easy to appease."

"Showing vulnerability, acting coquettishly, and then gently nuzzling him, like a pet cat, showing no ulterior motives, the villain would automatically retract his anger."

"Rong Tang didn’t know if Su Huaijing treated others the same way, or if this was a privilege unique to him. He had thought that his protection of Su Huaijing stemmed from vague feelings of guilt, and the villain likely saw him as a tool to be used."

"Knowing that there was little genuine feeling between them, it was best to be at peace."

"Don’t delve into the meaning behind each word, don’t pursue whether the other has wronged you."

"He protected Su Huaijing to alleviate his guilt; Su Huaijing used him to accelerate his revenge."

"Each benefiting from the other, becoming friends, or even confidants in the process was a very joyful and satisfying outcome. It was best not to expect more."

"But Su Huaijing said, 'We are spouses, and I should help carry half of your burdens.'"

"And Su Huaijing, unbeknownst to him, was copying the Buddhist scriptures that Rong Tang was supposed to."

"In 'The Emperor’s Conquest,' the main antagonist should be someone who doesn’t believe in ghosts, spirits, or deities. Otherwise, how to explain the saying 'the divine watches from a three-foot height,' yet his entire family died tragically?"

"There's no explanation, so he doesn’t believe."

"Even if there were such entities, Su Huaijing would probably think of pulling deities off their pedestals and setting the cosmic order right."

"If he is the chaos, then let it be absolute chaos."

"He couldn’t possibly believe in Buddha."

"He doesn’t need salvation or cleansing of so-called sins."

"Yet, just because Rong Tang was momentarily unhappy, he spent half the night copying Buddhist scriptures here?"

"Rong Tang felt his mind couldn’t quite grasp this."

"He even didn’t know how to react."

"His throat felt itchy, not with the urge to cough, but he swallowed unconsciously, looking through the lamplight at Su Huaijing, his nominal wife."

"Readers say: This is the most hidden and ruthless antagonist in the entire book."

"The system says: This is the antagonist who will destroy the country."

"Fate says: This is the antagonist who defies character destiny, causing the protagonist’s luck to dissipate and bringing about the world’s annihilation."

"Everyone tells him that Su Huaijing is the antagonist, evil, sinful, a ghost who survived a massacre only to haunt the world."

"But in Rong Tang’s eyes, he is a thousand and one times better than the protagonist."

"He is intelligent, calm, generous, strategic, ambitious, principled, aware of what he wants and what he is fighting for."

"He will waste time with him admiring spring flowers, and because of a mere word from him, he will allow many poor people struggling for a living to work in his estate."

"He might not have much kindness towards the world, but towards Rong Tang, he definitely has unparalleled patience."

Why did he feel this way?

Was it simply because he was the first to reach out and pull him from the abyss?

"When Li Changfu took Su Huaijing away from the Duke's residence, he was unaware of his true identity, knowing only that he was a distant relative without parents but with considerable wealth. Li, visiting the capital on a rare occasion, had hoped to gain favor and perhaps secure an official position in the capital through the Duke's residence. His plan failed, almost implicating him, but he easily decided to take the child, seeing an opportunity to exploit."

"Li Panyan knew Su Huaijing had a fondness for sweets, particularly lotus seed pastries. Unburdened by guilt, she drugged the pastries, intending to use Su Huaijing to secure prestige and wealth for her family, even eyeing the title of crown prince consort for herself."

"And what of Rong Tang?"

"From their first encounter, Rong Tang has given Su Huaijing everything – the residence, carriage, social standing, amulets – without ever asking for anything in return."

"He didn't want to ask for anything."

"All he wished was for Su Huaijing to live a safe and smooth life."

"Yet Su Huaijing insisted that they share all burdens; he said Rong Tang must never be unhappy; he even wished Rong Tang a long life of a hundred years."

"Since arriving in this world, Rong Tang had become accustomed to giving without expecting anything in return."

"His kindness towards Sheng Chengli was motivated by system tasks, reader expectations, and his own 'saint complex', never expecting anything in return from the protagonist."

"His kindness towards Su Huaijing was driven by guilt, admiration for his talents, and sympathy for his unfair plight, but he truly never expected any repayment from this great antagonist."

"At most, he hoped to be remembered for his kindness, perhaps ensuring a peaceful end for Su Huaijing’s mother in the future."

"But Su Huaijing told him, 'We are spouses; it's my duty to share half your burdens.'"

"Duty."

"Where in the world does such an obligation exist?"

"They are not truly a couple in love."

"The burden he carries negates Su Huaijing's very existence; where is the obligation to share that..."

"His voice still slightly hoarse, Su Huaijing finished copying the scripture. Rong Tang lifted his tea cup, sipping the subtly sweet tea, as an unexplained bitterness welled up in his eyes, scattering into the night sky."

"He didn’t respond to Su Huaijing's words, but instead rose and walked to the door, stretching out his hand to feel the night's temperature, suddenly hearing a faint cicada's song from the grass."

"Rong Tang paused, saying, 'Huaijing, summer has arrived.'"

"He slowly smiled, 'It's wonderful, we have moved from spring to summer.'"

"We have journeyed from blooming flowers to the blazing sun."