Chapter 40

Chapter 40

That night, half-asleep, Rong Tang heard faint voices outside the courtyard. As the door opened and closed, a gust of wind rose, shaking the trees in the courtyard, and a downpour ensued.

He didn’t sleep very soundly; startled by the sudden thunder outside the window, he opened his eyes.

The room was dark without any candles lit. Occasional lightning outside the window lit up the entire sky before disappearing, and the irregular thunder was quite noisy.

Rong Tang frowned, still overwhelmingly sleepy, pulled the blanket over his head, and tried to cover his ears to continue sleeping.

However, someone knocked on his door, the sound blending with the wind and thunder, leaving Rong Tang momentarily unresponsive.

Shortly afterward, someone pushed open the door from outside. Rong Tang peeked out from under the blanket, groggily opening his eyes, and saw a faint light source moving inside the room.

A goldfish-painted lantern swayed steadily as Su Huaijing walked silently to the bedside. Seeing the scene on the bed, he paused momentarily, then his eyes curved and lips lifted in a smile, softly asking, “Were you awakened by the noise?”

Outside, the thunder grew louder, the early summer storm sudden and annoying, rain pouring down, breaking the restlessness in the air.

Rong Tang’s face was half-exposed, his nose and mouth still hidden under the blanket, sleepy-eyed and seemingly not fully awake.

Su Huaijing placed the lantern on the floor a bit farther away, not too dark to leave the room pitch black, nor too bright to hurt Rong Tang's eyes and chase away his remaining drowsiness.

“Tang Tang, move in a bit,” Su Huaijing almost whispered, his voice very faint. Rong Tang instinctively wrapped himself in the blanket and scooted in.

Su Huaijing then sat on the edge of the bed, tucking the blanket around Rong Tang.

Lying on his side, facing outward, Su Huaijing raised his hand to cover Rong Tang’s left ear, “The thunder is quite loud, I was worried it might wake you, so I came to check. Was it my opening the door that woke you?”

His voice, muffled, seemed unreal and ethereal. It took Rong Tang a moment to respond, shaking his head, “No, I was awake before you came.”

He glanced at the window direction, his voice muffled by the blanket, a slight complaint, murmuring softly, “So noisy.”

Su Huaijing smiled silently, thunder continually rumbling, lightning flashing outside the window, illuminating his gentle profile. His face, like a perfectly polished jade, shone softly in the dark night.

“Go to sleep, I'm here,” Su Huaijing soothed softly.

Rong Tang was indeed very sleepy; he tended to sleep more than average, and having walked so much during the day, he would have slept till morning if not for the sudden downpour.

As Su Huaijing spoke, Rong Tang felt as if a switch had been lightly pressed inside him, a wave of sleepiness overwhelming his mind.

But the last bit of his clear mind held on, and he asked vaguely, “Did Mu Jingshu and the others just return?”

Su Huaijing replied, “Yes.”

Struggling to keep his eyes open, Rong Tang still managed to muster some energy to ask, “What did they say? Did they find something in the pond?”

Su Huaijing smiled lightly, “They found something, but Magistrate Mu was quite tired. Master Ke took him back to his room to rest, saying they will discuss it tomorrow. Tang Tang needn’t worry.”

Rong Tang frowned slightly, “My aunt…”

“It has nothing to do with the Empress,” Su Huaijing interrupted him, his eyes firm yet gentle. Outside, the thunder and lightning seemed unusually tame, leaving only the sound of wind and rain in the courtyard. Su Huaijing lowered his gaze, repeating, “It’s not related to your aunt. It’s time for Tang Tang to sleep.”

It was late, and he had had a tiring day, both walking and thinking exhaustively. If not for the fear that the thunderstorm might wake Rong Tang, Su Huaijing had not intended to disturb his rest, nor did he want to trouble him further with the complications stirred up by Sheng Chengli.

Rong Tang blinked, looking at his beloved.

Spontaneously, he lost the will to think any further. With Su Huaijing here, standing by his side, it seemed all problems were not his to worry about.

—This was an unconscious judgment in Rong Tang's mind.

After a moment of quiet, Rong Tang obediently closed his eyes, neither asking Su Huaijing to leave nor removing his hand from his ear, just lying on his side in the bed, facing him, falling asleep naturally and saying softly, “Goodnight.”

The wind was noisy in the courtyard, but all was blocked by the thickness of a hand. Occasionally, thunder would startle, but it was preemptively sensed and soothed with a gentle pat on the blanket.

Rong Tang wasn’t disturbed by the thunderstorm in the latter half of the night. When the storm passed and the candle in the lantern was almost burnt out, Su Huaijing sat by the bed, deeply gazing at Rong Tang for a while, then carefully pulled down the blanket covering his mouth and nose, worried about his breathing.

Unable to resist, admiring that peacefully cute sleeping face, Su Huaijing tapped the blanket gently and finally couldn’t help but raise his hand to touch his nominal husband’s cheek.

The gesture was tender, moving from the chin to the side of the cheek, where the lively dimple usually was, now smooth and even. Su Huaijing lightly pressed, his eyes gathering a smile, until his fingertips rested on the corner of Rong Tang’s lips.

Young Master Rong Tang’s skin had a pallor of someone rarely exposed to sunlight, his lips also very pale, even somewhat thin.

Su Huaijing had heard that people with pale and thin lips were usually heartless. He initially thought it was a baseless saying, but when Rong Tang exactly fit this description, Su Huaijing disliked the notion.

His Tang Tang, gentler and more patient than anyone else in this world, how could he possibly be heartless?

Su Huaijing's gaze darkened slightly, the sound of the rain outside gradually subsiding. His slender fingers lingered on the cheek for a long time, eventually touching the lips lightly.

A whisper so soft it was almost like a murmur filled the room, barely audible, like a breeze leaving a trace that would soon disappear.

“You must be good, Tang Tang,” Su Huaijing said softly, “Goodnight.”

-

After the midnight rain, many flowers in the Song Garden were beaten down, but those that remained bloomed even more brightly, nourished by the rain.

When Rong Tang woke up in the morning and stretched in bed, he felt particularly well-rested.

He instinctively glanced at the bedside, remembering that Su Huaijing had come last night. Overcome with sleep, he hadn't thought much about it, nor had he bothered to wonder why. Now, after a good sleep, he suddenly felt puzzled. Why did the main antagonist come to his room in the middle of the night? And when did he leave?

Rong Tang, still confused, dressed and went outside. He immediately saw Ke Hongxue and Mu Jingshu sitting on the red pavilion. After washing up and joining them, Ke Hongxue greeted him with a smile, “Young Master is awake? Did you sleep well? Your spouse went to prepare breakfast for you.”

Mu Jingshu, eating a bowl of thick fish slice porridge on the side, frowned slightly and gave Ke Hongxue a displeased glance.

Sometimes he couldn't understand Ke Hongxue, who appeared carefree and unrestrained. But someone truly without restraint wouldn't have been able to casually receive the title of Imperial Scholar from the Emperor, nor walk in the Imperial Academy daily among princes without criticism.

No matter how unrestrained, he was far more tactful than most, yet it seemed he couldn’t help but tease Rong Tang, like a mischievous cat, extending its claws more vigorously the less Rong Tang responded.

Mu Jingshu lowered his gaze, glanced at his bowl, and asked coldly, “Have you finished eating?”

Ke Hongxue, still watching Rong Tang, paused, “Hmm? Not yet, have you, senior brother?”

Rong Tang, watching closely, laughed, “Magistrate Mu means for you to keep your mouth shut and focus on your meal if you haven't finished eating.”

Rong Tang hesitated and then asked with puzzlement, “Master Ke, why do you always show so much concern for Huaijing, calling him my wife all the time? If you keep this up, I’ll start to suspect you want to steal my wife.”

Mu Jingshu, after saying those words, continued to eat with his eyes downcast, not making a sound. However, upon hearing Rong Tang’s obviously teasing words, he unconsciously furrowed his brow, gripping his spoon a bit tighter.

Ke Hongxue appeared genuinely stunned, “Ah?”

Before he could react, footsteps were heard on the stairs. Su Huaijing’s voice, already laughing, came before he appeared, “Thank you for your high regard, Master Ke, but I have already taken vows with Tang Tang. In life, I am Tang Tang’s person, and in death, I wish to be buried beside him. I truly cannot accept such attention from Master Ke. Please forgive this Scholar and seek another worthy person.”

The morning air was fresh after a night’s rain, even the wind carrying a scent of grass and plants, birds singing on the branches. Rong Tang had only been joking with Ke Hongxue in Su Huaijing’s absence. Now that the joke was overheard by the person involved, he felt his ears heat up inexplicably, his gaze shifting away for a moment, then instinctively looking up obediently at his own spouse, as if he hadn’t been the one who made that mischievous remark.

Su Huaijing, seeing him like this, felt an urge to laugh. He looked down at him, wordlessly approaching and setting the table, even passing chopsticks and a bowl to Rong Tang, joining him for breakfast.

As the two showed affectionate disregard for others, Ke Hongxue sat stunned for a long while, finally coming to his senses and incredulously asking Rong Tang, “Are you slandering me?!”

Rong Tang glanced at him, snorted internally, but said to Mu Jingshu, “Magistrate Mu, please keep an eye on your junior brother. His eyes are always on my Huaijing, and it’s not a good look.”

Su Huaijing, hearing ‘my Huaijing,’ couldn’t help but perk up, offering Rong Tang a custard bun, then sweetly added, “But I only like Tang Tang.”

At first, Ke Hongxue was confused, but when he caught a glimpse of Mu Jingshu’s icy expression, he panicked, hastily explaining, “Senior brother, it was just a casual question, how could I covet someone else's spouse! You know me, right?”

Ke Hongxue looked pitifully at Mu Jingshu with wide eyes, far from his usual flamboyant playboy demeanor. However, Mu Jingshu didn’t even glance at him, coldly saying, “Eat your meal.”

Ke Hongxue felt wronged and didn’t know what to do. He wanted to drag Rong Tang into it, but Su Huaijing was on high alert. Not to mention touching him, even a prolonged glance could earn a warning.

He secretly gritted his teeth, swallowed his grievances, and after breakfast, coaxed Mu Jingshu with endearing calls of ‘senior brother’ for a while, until the latter seemed less angry, and he finally felt relieved.

Rong Tang, watching the entire scene, sipped the tea Su Huaijing poured for him, quite astonished. He asked in a low voice, “How can Master Ke tell Mu Jingshu’s mood when his expression doesn’t change at all?”

Su Huaijing’s gaze fell on the tea-stained corner of Rong Tang’s lips, discreetly reaching out to wipe it away. Rong Tang blinked, seemingly quite accustomed to it, and Su Huaijing smiled, “I can tell what Tang Tang is thinking just by a glance, I’m much better than him.”

Rong Tang was perplexed.

Such an inexplicable competitive drive – did the arch-villain always feel the need to compete in everything? Rong Tang immediately became cautious about what he said.

After the meal, they finally got to the heart of the matter.

Mu Jingxu produced a red embroidered damp sachet, saying, “This was found in the pond.”

Rong Tang initially wanted to take the sachet himself, but Su Huaijing intercepted it first. He emptied the herbs inside and spread the embroidered side of the sachet on the table, “Just look at it like this.”

It was dirty, and even though it had been washed, it had soaked in the pond for so long, and it was an item from a deceased person. He didn't want Rong Tang to touch it.

Rong Tang didn’t know what Su Huaijing was thinking, but found this method more convenient.

He first glanced at the herbs, then turned to the sachet, his expression suddenly turning cold.

On it was the unmistakable mark of the Fengqi Palace.

Ke Hongxue, who had just been outmaneuvered by Rong Tang, used his fan to slide the sachet towards Rong Tang and the hallucinogenic grass towards himself. He said with a smile, “It rained heavily last night. The pond was half drained and then flooded again. We didn't find anything, and after searching Yue Rong’s room, we found the hallucinogenic grass under her pillow. As for this sachet, my elder and I have never seen it.”

Understanding his implication, Rong Tang was momentarily stunned, instinctively looking at Mu Jingxu, who appeared indifferent and showed no sign of refuting Ke Hongxue. Rong Tang felt reassured and said, “Thank you.”

“Young Master Rong, you’re welcome,” Ke Hongxue responded. “You and my elder owe us a favor, and it's only right to return it.”

Rong Tang didn’t say more, understanding that this wasn’t just about owing a favor. It was unusual for Mu Jingxu to destroy evidence himself, but he was willing to do it, likely influenced by Ke Hongxue. Rong Tang could only acknowledge it.

Su Huaijing asked, “How do the two sirs plan to use this hallucinogenic grass?”

Ke Hongxue laughed, “No use. Things will proceed as they are meant to.”

Rong Tang was briefly taken aback, then he understood.

Ke Hongxue is not one to meddle in others’ affairs; his involvement in this matter was only to help his senior brother see Sheng Chengli’s true nature.

Using just a sachet or a bunch of herbs alone would hardly change Emperor Renshou's impression of the Empress or Sheng Chengli. These items needed to be part of a connected series of steps to have maximum effect. Any direct action they took would be too obvious, so it was best to stand back and let events unfold.

The only thing they did was remove the elements that were harmful to themselves from the situation.

Rong Tang no longer needed to worry about Empress Wang being framed by Sheng Chengli, and Ke Hongxue could use this opportunity to advise Mu Jingshu to stay away from Sheng Chengli.

Su Huaijing’s goal was also just this; he wanted his beloved to freely make the friends he wanted without any burden.

As for the royal strife and succession chaos, what did it have to do with them? Let the world turn upside down; they would live their lives as they pleased.

In fact, the more chaotic it was, the better it suited them.

-

On the third day of the Flower Festival, after discussing in the Song Garden where many flowers were lost, Rong Tang felt a huge relief. He and Su Huaijing then strolled around the garden.

He was somewhat curious about what choice Mu Jingshu would make, but it seemed that no matter what he chose, it wouldn’t be worse than in his past two lives.

If he was lucky, he wouldn’t have to expend so much effort and wouldn't end up dying alone in a cold, snowy night.

Rong Tang was happy about this.

When he was happy, Su Huaijing’s mood also improved. They spent the day walking, even crashing a banquet and listening to a poetry contest until evening. With storm clouds gathering in the western sky and the air growing muggy, signaling an impending storm, they hurried back to their small courtyard.

As usual, Su Huaijing brewed a very bitter medicine for Rong Tang, but after he finished drinking it, he smiled and handed him a piece of candied fruit.

Rong Tang didn’t like sweets, but at that moment, he felt it was a lifesaver, quickly popping it into his mouth to counteract the bitter taste.

Outside the window, the sky darkened suddenly from day to night, with strong winds and distant thunder rumbling in the far-off sky.

Su Huaijing watched Rong Tang prepare for bed and didn’t leave after he got into bed, seemingly wanting to wait until he fell asleep before leaving.

Rong Tang wasn't sleepy, so he leaned against the headboard and started reading a book, while Su Huaijing sat beside him on a stool, engrossed in a book about geography.

The doors and windows were securely closed, and many lanterns were lit, making the room exceptionally bright. Rong Tang noticed that almost every time lightning flashed outside, Su Huaijing would instinctively look up, and when the thunder followed, they often found themselves locking eyes.

The arch-villain’s grip on his book would suddenly tighten, as if... he was a little afraid.

Rong Tang blinked, unsure of his own judgment.

Rong Tang observed for a while and noticed that without exception, each time lightning flashed, Su Huaijing would lift his eyes, and at the moment of thunder, he would purse his lips, slightly lean forward, and grip tightly with his fingers, as if suppressing the urge to hide somewhere.

Rong Tang was taken aback, then it dawned on him!

No wonder Su Huaijing came to his room last night!

He was scared!!!

Realizing this, Rong Tang felt enveloped in an overwhelming sense of guilt.

The arch-villain, who had been displaced in foreign lands since childhood, was accustomed to enduring everything on his own. After their marriage, the rare time he showed his true feelings, scared at night, he ran into Rong Tang's room seeking protection, and Rong Tang had only cared about sleeping!

Rong Tang felt unbearably guilty, increasingly seeing Su Huaijing as a pitiful little one, and himself as excessively heartless.

Rong Tang moved super subtly, inching closer inside the bed.

Su Huaijing, hearing the movement, looked up in confusion, just as thunder rumbled outside, the leaves rustling loudly. Su Huaijing's hand uncontrollably landed on Rong Tang's bed.

Unable to hold back, Rong Tang directly asked, “Are you scared?”

Su Huaijing: “?”

Rong Tang felt conflicted; on one hand, he wanted to respect Su Huaijing's pride, but on the other, he felt being afraid of thunder wasn’t shameful; he too had been scared as a child. But asking the arch-villain still made him hesitate, “...are you afraid of thunder?”

Su Huaijing was momentarily stunned, not responding immediately.

Tentatively, Rong Tang asked, “Were you frightened by the thunder last night and came to find me? Are you staying today because you don’t want to be alone?”

Su Huaijing remained silent for what seemed like an eternity, listening to the thunderstorm outside the window. Seeing Rong Tang moving closer inside, he was suddenly filled with an uncontrollable sense of joy.

He wanted to laugh but held it back, his eyes drooping momentarily before lifting again, revealing a pitiful and innocent look. His fingers nervously fidgeted with the corner of the blanket, murmuring a soft, almost inaudible "Hmm."

“When I was a child living at my uncle's house, there were often thunderstorms in summer evenings. The roof of my room was damaged and hadn't been repaired for a long time. Rain would leak through and drip inside, and the corners were filled with the squeaking of mice. It was really frightening.”

His voice was soft, almost embarrassed as he recounted his past, melting Rong Tang's heart.

Su Huaijing looked up with a pitiful gaze, lips slightly pursed, appearing anxious. Just voicing the question seemed to have exhausted all his energy as he softly asked, “Can I sleep with you tonight, Tang Tang?”

Author's note:

Tsk tsk, no wonder you got eaten up so completely (affectionate gaze towards Tang Tang).