Chapter 37

Chapter 37

"If someone really is to benefit from this farce, it can only be me."

Reason told Rong Tang that he should question Su Huaijing about his statement.

This was a struggle filled with cunning and conspiracy among the royal princes, whether it led to death, injury, the rise of new powers, or the decay of established ones, it was all limited to the three princes involved in this scheme.

From Rong Tang's perspective, none of this was related to Su Huaijing.

He should ask.

But under the bright early summer sun, with the peacocks in the garden spreading their feathers, the iridescent green tails magnificent and stunning, accompanied by a lazy, pleasant sound, and with a very warm embrace in front of him, Rong Tang almost forgot to breathe for a moment, let alone question Su Huaijing about the potential implications hidden in his words, whether intentional or not.

The moment they parted from the hug, Rong Tang came back to his senses. Whether adjusting to the light or the dazzling display of the peacock, he blinked lightly and finally asked, "What did you tell Ke Hongxue?"

Su Huaijing paused, his emotions revealing a hint of surprise, as if in his expectation, the first question from Rong Tang should not have been this.

Su Huaijing lowered his gaze, gazing steadily at Rong Tang for a moment, a teasing smile playing on his lips, somewhat coquettish yet also arrogantly affectionate: "That's another secret. If Tangtang really wants to know... how about a kiss?"

Rong Tang turned and walked away.

Su Huaijing followed, laughing, "Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore, I'll tell you."

Rong Tang glanced back at him skeptically, not quite believing.

Su Huaijing’s eyes curved: "When have I ever lied to Tangtang? I'll tell you."

-

Song Yuan has had four owners since the time of the former emperor.

The former emperor, the third son of the former emperor, Emperor Renshou, Sheng Chengxing.

The third son of the former emperor had been praised as intelligent and clever by his instructors and peers ever since he was a child in the Imperial Academy.

"He excelled in arts and pleasures, a master in poetry, painting, drinking, even bug fighting. Given enough time, he could reach the pinnacle in architecture too."

"His intelligence was so remarkable that some ministers privately suggested he would be an excellent choice for the crown prince."

"Upon hearing this, the Third Prince would smile, shaking his fan, dressed in an exquisite Confucian robe, leaning on the balcony of the Yueyue Tower. With a Ru porcelain wine cup in hand, he'd gaze at the lanterns on the river, listening to the music inside the tower, his voice casual yet clear: 'In terms of legitimacy and virtue, I'm inferior to my elder brother; in terms of wisdom and conduct, I'm no saint; regarding ambition for this realm... I, Sheng San, have none. I only wish to live as a wealthy idler, indulging in bird-keeping and insect-fighting, unable to bear the weight of the common people’s lives. Perhaps I spent lifetimes in asceticism to earn this life’s wealth and glory. Why should I not be content? My lords, please never speak of this again; such talk terrifies me.'"

"With that, the Third Prince would finish his drink in one gulp, his laughter carefree, his peach blossom eyes shimmering with clear brilliance."

"He was the smartest man in this world and the most immoderate yet moderate member of the royal family."

"Bestowed Song Garden by the late emperor, he spent three years personally creating a paradise filled with flowers, summer lotuses, autumn fruits, winter snow, and a myriad of birds and beasts."

"Today’s Song Garden, under Sheng Chengxing's care, is breathtaking, but its true renown came during the years it belonged to the Third Prince."

"The royal garden transformed into a celestial palace, a gathering place for noble youths of Yu Jing and a delightful spot for commoners."

"Every year around the Lantern Festival, Song Garden would open its gates to all, whether high officials or commoners, allowing anyone to find a corner to enjoy wine, meat, bask in starlight and sunlight, and even sleep in a guest room on a soft bed, living a dream."

"When companions warned of thieves, the Third Prince, eyes squinting like a fox, would smile: 'If what they take eases their urgent needs, let them borrow it. Why not?'"

"His companions would retort, 'But thieves don’t return what they take; how can it be a loan?'"

"The Third Prince, draped in a cloak, gazed at the melting spring snow in the garden, and lazily laughed, 'You view humanity too narrowly.'"

"Over those years, it was unclear if anything was ever stolen from Song Garden, but the Lantern Festival there continued year after year without any incidents that led to arrests or official inquiries."

"The villagers around the capital knew of this splendid and extraordinary estate, aware that its owner annually hosted theater troupes for performances and offered feasts of fine food and drink for free. For them, the happiest days of the year were undoubtedly those few days spent in this estate, home to a 'fairy-like lord.'"

"Song Garden was beautiful, bustling, and vibrant, its value far surpassing that of a mere royal garden."

"After the turmoil, when Emperor Renshou ascended the throne, he saw this palace designed and managed by his nephew and thought there could be no place more cultured and worldly in the realm."

Thus, Song Yuan became a royal palace, with its high painted gates and towering walls. Gone were the annual Lantern Festival celebrations and theatrical performances, replaced by the luxurious living of concubines and palace maids within its secluded chambers.

During the Lantern Festival of the second year of Qingzheng, a guard relieving himself at night discovered a string of cured meat hanging on the garden wall, with a small basket of large, beautiful frozen pears underneath, emitting an enticing fragrance in the cold night.

……

Over time, Emperor Renshou seemed to realize that Song Yuan’s elegance and luxury were largely due to the Third Prince’s meticulous care. After the Third Prince was beheaded, the Emperor occasionally stayed in the garden a few times, but soon lost interest.

Coincidentally, Sheng Chengxing reached the age to leave the palace, and Emperor Renshou thoughtlessly gifted the garden to him.

The Emperor harbored a shallow hope that his third son might be as clever and intelligent as the Third Prince, and that by outshining him, he could impress everyone in the realm.

This led to the creation of the Flower Folding Festival.

……

Rong Tang listened to Su Huaijing casually narrate these events, unsure of what expression to wear.

He wanted to comfort Su Huaijing, but Su Huaijing was smiling, his smile gentle and warm as usual, as if the people in the story had nothing to do with him, let alone being his blood relatives.

But Rong Tang distinctly noticed the slight softening in Su Huaijing's tone when mentioning the Third Prince, and the faint smile in his eyes when talking about the cured meat that appeared outside Song Yuan.

He had the best brother in the world.

Yet, Rong Tang couldn’t tell him this.

All he could do was take the initiative to hold Su Huaijing’s left hand, letting him lead aimlessly through the garden.

For a moment, Rong Tang wanted to ask, "Do you want to show me the garden your brother built by hand?"

If so, it was truly a beautiful and magnificent garden.

Even from the perspective of someone from thousands of years later, it was stunningly beautiful.

Your brother is something you can proudly boast about to everyone.

But he didn’t say it; he just silently accompanied Su Huaijing, walking together around Song Yuan.

"Walking past several courtyards filled with flowers and herbs, and through lively banquet halls, the bustling noise gradually faded into silence."

"Su Huaijing led Rong Tang to a particular courtyard."

"Its gate was worn, seldom visited, with disordered flowers and weeds at the corner and wildly grown branches on the pear trees inside."

"The once bright red theater stage had faded over the years, only faint traces of its past grandeur remaining."

"Rong Tang's gaze darkened upon seeing this courtyard, a suspicion forming in his mind."

"Su Huaijing asked him, 'Tang Tang, do you know who used to live in this courtyard?'"

"Rong Tang pursed his lips, remaining silent."

"Su Huaijing continued, 'The Shu Fei, the empress who was banished to the cold palace in the second year of Qingzheng.'"

"He chuckled softly, 'Shu Fei, known for her noble and virtuous nature... such poignant irony... Our Fifth Prince was supposed to have a truly enviable lineage.'"

"Shu Fei was the foreign songstress brought back from the southern riverboats by Emperor Renshou."

His mother gave birth to a prince who was predicted by a sorcerer to be a hindrance to the emperor’s star. Yet, she continued to receive the emperor’s favor, brought from the imperial concubine’s residence to the palace, even bestowed the title of Consort Shu. Anyone who saw her would praise her for her great skills and kind heart.

In a way, this was also one of the golden touches the author provided for Sheng Chengli.

Emperor Renshou had many concubines and favored both men and women, particularly those with stunning beauty.

Consort Shu gave birth to a son for him and brought a unique charm from her foreign origins, bold and passionate, leaving him with fond memories of his youth.

Even in death, the Shu Consort passed away at the prime of her life, at thirty, when flowers bloom most radiantly, leaving the world with memories of her captivating charm and alluring eyes.

In his previous lives, after leaving the Cold Palace, Sheng Chengli became Emperor Renshou's most favored prince, and no one could deny the role played by the dearly departed.

Rong Tang knew that this was the former residence of the Shu Consort, and the stage was built by Emperor Renshou specifically to enjoy her dance performances.

He turned back, glancing through the courtyard gate at the path they had come by.

Su Huaijing, seeing his gesture, chuckled softly, "It seems Tangtang has guessed it?"

Following the cobblestone path, passing through a courtyard, turning a corner, and walking a hundred steps, they arrived at Lanxin Studio, known for its aromatic herbs.

It was also the last known place visited by Yue Rong before her death.

Rong Tang's expression turned cold, asking in a deep voice, "Is the Empress involved in this matter?"

Su Huaijing smiled, admiration evident in his eyes, letting it show openly. He raised his hand to tidy Rong Tang’s somewhat disheveled hair from the walk, speaking gently, "In the second year of Qingzheng, two significant events occurred in the imperial harem of Dayu."

"The first occurred in April, when the eldest prince fell critically ill. The Imperial Medical Bureau worked day and night for three days, but his illness penetrated deep into his organs, and he eventually passed away. The second, in September, the Shu Consort was pregnant, which should have been a cause for celebration in the entire palace. Yet, somehow, the Emperor, in a fit of rage, exiled the pregnant Shu Consort to the Cold Palace, leading to her miscarriage, and she died there in December of the same year."

Su Huaijing's voice was soft, revealing secrets not meant to be shared from the palace.

"According to the old folks in the palace, a few months before the eldest prince fell ill, he received a fragrant prescription from the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, claiming daily use would benefit his condition. For the first two months, the previously frail eldest prince not only improved in spirit but could even ride and shoot. Both the Emperor and Empress were pleased."

"But in the third month, his condition relapsed violently, and in just three days, the frail but legitimate prince passed away."

Su Huaijing curved his lips, leaning close to Rong Tang's ear, whispering, "When the Shu Consort got pregnant, the Emperor wanted to show his favor by granting her the special privilege of the Imperial Bedchamber. But coincidentally, a palace maid cleaning the room found a packet of spices. Tangtang, guess what it smelled like?"

Rong Tang remained silent, feeling a chill in his hands and feet.

Su Huaijing continued smiling, his expression innocent, "What should I do, Tangtang? Someone thinks they’re smart, acting in front of me. I can't stand it and want to expose them."

"Tangtang won't blame me, right?"