Chapter 47

Chapter 47

“Huaijing, you’ve been asleep for so long,” Rong Tang said as he stood up and quickly walked to Su Huaijing, looking up at him.

He himself had slept for seven days, unaware, and didn’t feel much change when he saw Shuang Fu. His fainting was too common, not enough to forget this feeling even if he hadn’t fainted for two months.

But seeing Su Huaijing standing before him, under the moonlight falling into the courtyard, looking down expressionlessly, Rong Tang’s heart tightened, his gaze fixed on the dark circles under Huaijing's eyes, filled with sadness and heartache.

Rong Tang pursed his lips, feeling guilty. His voice dropped eight tones, timidly asking, “Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something?”

The night breeze rustled through the trees in the courtyard, creating a pleasant and cool sound.

When Rong Tang stepped out at noon, he was wearing a somewhat thin, pale blue spring outfit. Standing under the moonlit eaves, he looked even more like a celestial being.

Su Huaijing’s gaze was deep as he looked at Rong Tang, who seemed a bit timid in asking him a question, suppressing the burgeoning thoughts in his heart. He asked, “Aren’t you cold?”

His voice was deep and hoarse. Rong Tang hesitated for a moment, then moved closer, shaking his head, “Not cold—”

Before he could finish, an itch surged up his nose, and Rong Tang quickly stepped back, turning his head and covering his nose and mouth: “Ah-Choo!”

Rong Tang: “…”

Feeling even more guilty, he rubbed his nose and sheepishly looked up at his beloved, only to meet a pair of eyes filled with a cold glint.

“…” This is bad.

Rong Tang quickly tried to make amends: “I’ll go back and put on more clothes right now! Why don’t you wait for me in the dining room? I asked the kitchen to prepare your favorite snow lotus soup.” Please don’t be mad!!!

Rong Tang turned on his heels to flee, but before he could take two steps, his wrist was seized with a surprising force, much stronger than any of Su Huaijing's previous grips, leading Rong Tang to believe he was venting his anger.

Venting his anger while holding back…

Rong Tang hung his head, remorsefully turning back, mumbling, “I was wrong.”

Su Huaijing remained silent, leading him back to his own room, and without a word, fetched a cloak from the wardrobe and handed it to Rong Tang.

Rong Tang felt guilty and a bit cowardly but dared not to take it, instead asking, “Aren’t you going to help me put it on?”

In the room, only a few candles were lit, and outside the moon shone brightly. Lanterns hung from the eaves. Su Huaijing paused, his gaze fixed on Rong Tang for a long time.

Realizing he might be pushing his luck, Rong Tang sheepishly shrank his neck, then reached out to grab the cloak: “Alright, I’ll do it myself—”

“Turn around,” Su Huaijing interrupted, his voice still hoarse like a stormy sea.

Rong Tang was startled but quickly complied, blinking and obediently turning around.

The air stilled for a moment as Su Huaijing lifted the cloak, draping it over Rong Tang’s back.

As Rong Tang tried to turn to help fasten the buttons, Su Huaijing’s movement tightened, forcing Rong Tang to unconsciously step back, bumping into his chest.

The warm and solid touch came from behind. Even through several layers of fabric in the dimly lit room, Rong Tang couldn’t see, but he felt a hand sliding over his shoulder, then touching his neck, drawing two thin cords. Su Huaijing slowly and meticulously tied the buttons and knots.

The movement was so graceful and calm that if captured by a camera, it would be fluid enough to be included in an etiquette textbook for noble children. Yet, Rong Tang felt an unspeakable fear and oppression.

And when the knot was tied, Su Huaijing’s hands remained in front of Rong Tang, who finally realized he might have just sealed his fate.

He swallowed nervously, trying to make himself less noticeable, but to little avail.

The wind whispered through the window panes, and the candlelight flickered on the table. Rong Tang blinked and softly said, “I was wrong.”

Su Huaijing stood behind him, not embracing but giving off the impression of an embrace.

He asked, “Wrong in what way?”

Rong Tang: “I shouldn’t have fainted suddenly and worried you.”

Su Huaijing remained silent, the deadly quiet atmosphere spreading in the air.

Rong Tang stepped back, tilting his head backward, slowly rubbing against him, “I shouldn’t have neglected my health, nor should I have stayed up all night.”

His posture was extremely humble and submissive, showing he could bend or stretch as needed: “I was wrong, punish me.”

Believing punishment was due for his mistake, Rong Tang saw no fault in his words.

But he also knew that Su Huaijing was unlikely to actually punish him, so in the end, it was a bit of manipulation.

Internally, Rong Tang silently despised himself for this.

Yet after he spoke, Su Huaijing still didn’t respond for a long time.

Rong Tang tentatively whispered, “Huaijing?”

The hand moving from his neck to upward, Su Huaijing’s touch remained gentle, yet unexplainably intense.

Rong Tang watched his movements, but in a blink, his chin was seized, and his head forcefully lifted.

Su Huaijing, leaning down, placed his other hand on Rong Tang’s waist, gripping him tightly and drawing close to his ear.

Completely restrained by the other’s limbs, Rong Tang couldn’t struggle at all, feeling a sense of danger from all sides, his eyes widening uncontrollably.

But in just a moment, Rong Tang’s pupils relaxed, releasing the tension he had instinctively built up, leaning submissively into Su Huaijing’s embrace, asking softly, “Are you really angry?”

Finally, at this question, Su Huaijing responded, with Rong Tang hearing a quiet “Hmm” from him.

"Though it was only one syllable, he felt as if the villain had used all his strength to suppress."

"Rong Tang felt heartache."

"This body was in such a terrible state, he had fainted many times, but never woke up feeling as panicked and distressed as now."

"Rong Tang didn’t resist Su Huaijing’s restraint at all, just standing still, his gaze falling on the window sill, the moonlight sliced and slantingly falling into the inner hall."

"His chin ached from being pinched, and his waist and abdomen were uncomfortably constricted, yet he said, 'Lock me up.'"

"His voice was gentle and soft, blending into the moonlight, easily overlooked if one was not careful."

"Su Huaijing momentarily hesitated, his forceful grip relaxing significantly in a brief lapse of focus. The pressure on Rong Tang's arms and waist eased, and he sighed in relief, softly repeating, 'Lock me up. I’ll eat well and sleep well, not see anyone but you. Let me out when you’re no longer angry.'"

"Rong Tang looked up, asking, 'Is that okay?'"

"The door was open, and any sound from the courtyard could be heard inside."

"The wind rustled the leaves, cicadas chirped beneath them, and early frogs croaked. Su Huaijing remained silent for a long time, his breath scattering above Rong Tang’s head."

"After a lengthy pause, Rong Tang heard him ask, 'Tang Tang, are you trying to placate me?'"

"His arm unconsciously tightened, his wrist slowly moving down from the chin to the neck, as if ready to silence Rong Tang with a single affirmative word."

"Rong Tang, however, smiled softly and shook his head, 'I am apologizing.'"

"He said, 'I’m apologizing for my recklessness, impulsiveness, disobedience, ignorance, and causing worry, to my spouse to whom I am bound.'"

"He said, 'Lock me up, until your anger subsides.'"

-

"Sometimes, Rong Tang felt that this house in Yong’an Lane was more comforting than Ningxuan Wang’s mansion."

"Here, he didn’t need to worry about overt or covert harassment from troublesome relatives, didn’t have to devise ways to deal with scheming family members, and didn’t need to formally greet the princess every morning and evening."

"Here, all he needed was to be woken by the sun streaming into the room, to lie in bed listening to the birds outside, then slowly wait for his body to awaken before getting dressed and stepping out."

"Breakfast would be prepared, books he wanted to read, toys he wanted to play with, and even snacks he casually mentioned the day before would be neatly arranged, within easy reach."

"Su Huaijing was remarkably efficient. After Rong Tang’s mention, he indeed didn’t see a single person anymore."

"Shuangfu and Shuangshou no longer appeared in the inner courtyard. The first person Rong Tang saw upon opening his eyes, and the last before closing them, was always Su Huaijing."

"It seemed as if Su Huaijing had suddenly become idle, doing nothing but keeping Rong Tang company, reading storybooks, playing chess. When Rong Tang whimsically wanted to learn landscape painting, the next day the antagonist brought back dozens of masterpieces for him to study and imitate."

"He had indeed locked Rong Tang up."

"And it was at Rong Tang’s own request."

"On the third day of not seeing anyone else, the system finally woke up from its dormancy. It took some time to comprehend the situation and was so shocked that it nearly malfunctioned."

"Then Rong Tang told it, 'I asked for it myself.'"

"The system momentarily froze."

"Giving it time to react, Rong Tang asked, 'Was your dormancy period a bit too long this time?'"

"The system: [I was forced into dormancy the day you fainted.]"

"Rong Tang’s brows furrowed at this."

"In his previous two lifetimes, he often fainted, but while he did, the system always functioned normally. Every time he woke up, the system would immediately inform him of what had happened during those days – that was their agreement."

"But now, for the first time, when Rong Tang fainted, the system was also forced into dormancy."

"Rong Tang asked, 'Is it due to a lack of energy?'"

"The system replied, seemingly unconcerned: [I don’t know, host.]"

"Rong Tang's expression turned cold."

"Unable to access the system's space, and with the system itself unclear, they were like two blind men groping their way through Dayu together."

"But the system tried to comfort him: [Don’t worry, you still have over three years to live. At least I won’t dissipate before you die. We’re bound together.]"

"Rong Tang: '...' Surprisingly, that did offer some comfort."

"On the seventh day after he regained consciousness, Su Huaijing brought back a kitten."

"It looked no more than two months old, tiny enough to be much smaller than a palm, easily held in one hand."

"Rong Tang found it amusing and played with it all afternoon."

"Su Huaijing sat under a tree in the courtyard reading all afternoon, and as dusk fell, he asked, 'Do you want to keep it?'"

"Rong Tang blinked, initially wanting to nod. But catching Su Huaijing’s gaze, he felt it might be better not to."

"After pondering for two seconds, he shook his head, 'Let’s not keep it.'"

"Su Huaijing asked, 'Don’t you like it?' He frowned slightly, glancing at the kitten, his eyes brewing some unspoken thoughts. The kitten shivered suddenly under Rong Tang’s touch."

"For once, Rong Tang found himself exasperated with his own darling."

"He turned slightly, placing the kitten beside him, shielding it from Su Huaijing’s view, 'I can’t take care of it. And such a small kitten should be with its mother. It’s not right for me to take it away.'"

"He looked up, 'Let’s return it.'"

"Su Huaijing gazed at him intently, as if trying to discern the truth in Rong Tang’s words."

"But before he could conclude, Rong Tang smiled radiantly, 'Besides, didn’t I tell you to lock me up, to see no one but you? If you give me a kitten for company, it seems unfair to you.'"

"His eyes curved, shining with a playful light, a mix of genuine curiosity and sly inquiry, 'Or, has your anger subsided?'"

"Su Huaijing: '...'"

"The antagonist silently squatted down, picking up the kitten that Rong Tang had played with all afternoon and carried it out of the courtyard."

“……”

"Rong Tang was nearly amused to laughter, squatting in place watching Su Huaijing’s retreating figure disappear from the courtyard gate. Then, lowering his head, he chuckled softly, 'He’s so adorable.'"

"System: [???]"

"[Is there something wrong?] the system asked, [You’re being held like a prisoner right now.]"

"‘What’s so bad about that?’ Rong Tang stood up, lying on the divan, shielding his eyes from the sun, and gazing through his fingers at the ethereal clouds and the evening sky’s dazzling colors: ‘Outside must be in complete chaos right now. Here, I lie idly like a parasite, being waited on hand and foot, free from worry. What’s not to like?’"

【……】

"‘And moreover—’ Rong Tang’s fingers slowly descended from the sky to the horizon, his gaze resting on the courtyard door, until he saw a tall figure return."

"He watched through his fingers for a moment, smiling, 'Compared to all that, placating my darling is most important.'"

"Rong Tang waved his hand, showing no sense of being confined, coquettishly calling out to his keeper, 'Huaijing, I’m hungry! When is dinner?'"