“Chapter 48”

"Chapter 48"

"Rong Tang spent more than ten days in that house in Yong'an Lane, completely uninvolved in the turmoil of the court and the harem."

"He just dutifully pampered his beloved, obediently took his medicine, and carefully recuperated, basking in the early summer sun like a lazy, drowsy little bug."

"Sometimes, watching him, Su Huaijing couldn’t help but think: 'Why bother keeping a cat? Tang Tang is much better behaved than a cat when he’s not being troublesome.'"

"With both wind and clouds in stillness, days passed one by one, gradually bringing the deep summer days."

"One afternoon, as Rong Tang lay sunbathing in the courtyard, guessing with the system what delicious food Su Huaijing would bring him for dinner, the antagonist entered from the courtyard gate, carrying two boxes towards him."

"Rong Tang lay on the couch, eagerly watching him."

"Su Huaijing’s lips uncontrollably curved upwards, then quickly dropped, deliberately putting on a stern face as he stood beside Rong Tang."

"Rong Tang asked, 'Is that for me? Is it a gift?'"

"He really shouldn’t be so expectant of gifts. In the Tangjing residence, everything belonged to Su Huaijing, and Su Huaijing's possessions were unconditionally Rong Tang’s. Anything he wanted in this courtyard, he could simply take."

"Yet, seeing Su Huaijing return with two boxes, Rong Tang couldn’t help but ask."

"This reaction reminded him of a cat in the dormitory next door during his school days, which would claw at people's trouser legs whenever they returned from classes, as if checking what its owner had brought back from hunting."

"Rong Tang empathized without any guilt, eyeing the two brocade boxes in Su Huaijing’s hands and guessing what could be inside."

"Su Huaijing, under his scrutiny, couldn’t help but smile whenever he saw Rong Tang."

"Sometimes, he felt Rong Tang was truly good at comforting and soothing him."

"During those seven days when Rong Tang was unconscious, Su Huaijing was so dark-minded he wished to poison every living thing in sight. It seemed unfair that his beloved lay motionless and mute while others were fine."

"The day Rong Tang woke up, Su Huaijing's most secret malevolent thoughts peaked."

"But as soon as Rong Tang gently nestled against him, softly saying, 'Lock me up,' and then truly stayed put, not meeting anyone, watching him every day in the yard, Su Huaijing found his ill intentions gradually diminishing."

"He wasn’t angry anymore."

"He found it hard to stay mad at Rong Tang for long."

No one could ever bring themselves to be angry with him.

Sighing silently, Su Huaijing replied, "New clothes."

Rong Tang's eyes lit up, he sat up swiftly from the couch, looking super excited, "Did you go to the store to buy them for me? Let me see!"

Su Huaijing could no longer suppress his smile, bent down to take his hand and led him inside: "The season is changing. When we were making the wedding clothes, we took your measurements. I recently went back to the mansion and asked mother for them. I used those measurements to order a few sets of summer clothes for you at the store."

Rong Tang casually asked, "You went back to the mansion? Did mother miss me?"

Su Huaijing gave him a look and said fiercely, "Mother said to lock you up at home and not let you out, lest you catch a cold, stop eating, stop sleeping, and faint once you step outside."

Rong Tang was startled, shrank his neck, and muttered softly, "I didn't even think of going out."

Su Huaijing's heart softened in an instant.

There were four sets of summer clothes in the box, made from fashionable silk satin and exquisite brocade, with intricate and beautiful patterns, and meticulous craftsmanship. Once worn, paired with a hand fan, anyone would look like a dashing and handsome young noble.

Rong Tang really liked them, his eyes curved in happiness as he took out a set and held it up against himself.

Su Huaijing said, "Change into it."

Rong Tang asked, "Why change clothes at home?"

Su Huaijing looked at him for two seconds, couldn't help but laugh, indulgently said, "I'm taking you out of the mansion, Shudao Pavilion has a new hot pot base, let's go have hot pot."

In the end, he couldn't bring himself to truly confine Rong Tang for a lifetime.

Even a tame and obedient beast needs to run in the forest.

Rong Tang paused for a moment, his eyes curving in a smile, no longer asking if Su was still angry, "Okay."

After a pause, he added, "Thank you."

-

Yong'an Lane is in the south of Yu Jing, while Shudao Pavilion is in the west.

Rong Tang changed his clothes and went out, seeing Shuangfu and Shuangshou eagerly waiting at the horse post in front of the mansion, their eyes lighting up upon seeing him.

Rong Tang found it amusing, "What's with that look? I'm not dead—"

Before he could finish, his hand was pinched, causing Rong Tang to turn in pain and see Su Huaijing staring at him with a warning look, his expression very stern.

Rong Tang immediately cowered, "I was just speaking without thinking."

Su Huaijing's voice was cold, "I don't like it."

Rong Tang pouted, not daring to make a sound anymore. Shuangfu gave him a look, and before Rong Tang could react, Su Huaijing pushed him onto the carriage.

Young Master Rong felt quite aggrieved, feeling that his treatment was better even when confined in the mansion.

He glanced at Su Huaijing with a hint of resentment, and Su Huaijing, looking helpless, called out, "Tang Tang."

"Hmm," Rong Tang responded.

Su Huaijing was even more helpless, pushing the prepared jerky in the carriage towards him. It was unclear if he was requesting or negotiating, but it definitely wasn't an order, a change in approach that would have scared others into kneeling.

He said softly, "Don't always scare me like that."

Rong Tang was slightly startled, blinking his eyes.

Su Huaijing took his hand, warm and soft, yet one could feel the firm bones of the young man.

He said, "Don't fall asleep without a sound; I feel..."

He paused, the noisy street outside the carriage bustling with activity. The evening dusk fell over the grand imperial city, children laughing and running home, street vendors calling out, smoke rising from chimneys here and there, and the aroma of dinner wafting through the air.

It was an ordinary day, just like many others repeated by thousands in the great empire.

Su Huaijing, his head bowed, eyelashes covering his eyes making it hard to see their color, spoke in a barely audible voice, "I would feel like you don't want me anymore."

Rong Tang was suddenly startled, his fingers tightening unconsciously, turning to grasp Su Huaijing's hand, a deep sorrow flashing in his eyes.

He hastily closed his eyes, trying to hide his sudden surge of emotions before Su Huaijing could notice, then opened them again and gently patted the back of Su Huaijing's hand, promising, "I won't ever not want you."

Su Huaijing asked, "Forever?"

Rong Tang fell silent for a moment. He wanted to say 'until I die' like before, but realizing he had just scared Su Huaijing, he knew that wasn't the right answer.

So Rong Tang thought for a moment, then looked intently at Su Huaijing and said, "Forever."

"At least until I cease to exist, I will never leave you."

So, it wasn't really lying or deception.

-

Shudao Pavilion.

The establishment was as bustling as ever. Despite the arrival of summer, the number of customers kept increasing, leaving Rong Tang amazed at the business acumen of the supposed villain.

As usual, they didn’t need to take a number; a private room on the third floor was reserved for them.

Upon entering, Rong Tang noticed a small pot of ice cubes in the corner.

He looked surprised and turned to glance at Su Huaijing.

The servant who led them in said, "The boss was worried that the esteemed guests might get too hot or spicy from the hot pot and want to take off their clothes, or catch a cold from the evening breeze, so he specially prepared the ice for cooling down. If Young Master feels cold, just call me, and I'll come up to remove it."

Rong Tang shook his head, indicating it wasn't necessary, and then happily ran to the window to play with the ice cubes.

In the Grand Empire, with its limited production capabilities, many things Rong Tang took for granted in the modern era were rare, especially ice cubes.

In April, as the temperature rose but not to an extreme heat, Rong Tang could even lie in the courtyard to sunbathe. However, having ice cubes to cool down while eating hot pot was an indulgence.

Rong Tang picked up a piece of broken ice and played with it in his palm. The evening light streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow over him.

Initially, Su Huaijing wanted to stop him from touching the ice, but then he thought, it's just touching ice cubes; at most, his palm would feel cold, certainly not worse than vomiting acid water and fainting.

Whatever Rong Tang did within his acceptable limits was fine; Su Huaijing was confident he could take care of him, no matter what.

So, he just let it be, watching Rong Tang for a while, then his gaze suddenly caught a group of people on the street below.

Su Huaijing's eyes narrowed, and before he could speak, Rong Tang at the window also spotted them, his eyes lighting up, turning to ask, "Huaijing, I see Ke Hongxue, can we invite them up for hot pot?"

Su Huaijing: "..."

He was silent for a moment, then chuckled softly, "Sure."

Rong Tang then turned away from the ice, waving to the people downstairs, "Lord Ke, Lord Mu, Xiao Lu, care to join us for hot pot?"

Watching Rong Tang's actions, Su Huaijing felt that he was really good at cheering him up.

Even though Rong Tang was the esteemed heir of Prince Ningxuan, a noble of the highest order, he still consulted Su Huaijing before inviting friends for a meal.

This feeling of being cherished and respected was truly addictive.

Su Huaijing got up, walked to the window, took Rong Tang's hand, and began to methodically wipe off the water from playing with the ice cubes.

The private room's door was knocked, and the servant opened it to let Ke Hongxue in, who entered with a fan in hand, smiling, "Long time no see, Young Master. Are you feeling better?"

Rong Tang thought to nod, but then coughed lightly, feigning weakness, "Not really."

Su Huaijing was taken aback, frowning with concern, but when he saw the sparkle in Rong Tang's eyes, he silently laughed, looking down away from the doorway.

Rong Tang, looking at Ke Hongxue, accused, "It's all because of the breakfast you made that made me nauseous, causing me to faint for seven days."

Ke Hongxue was startled, his steps halting, and after staring at Rong Tang for a while, he turned to complain to Mu Jingshu, "Senior, he's falsely accusing me."

Mu Jingshu glanced at him and said to Rong Tang, "Were you not at the prince's mansion these days? Hongxue and I went to visit some time ago, but were told at the mansion gate that you hadn't returned since the Flower Folding Festival."

Rong Tang was somewhat surprised; Mu Shaoqing was known for his integrity and disdain for factionalism and selfish scheming. Among the court, he only interacted with Ke Hongxue, who strictly speaking, wasn't even a court official.

His visit to the prince's mansion could easily become fodder for rumors in the eyes of those with ulterior motives.

Rong Tang felt a touch moved, shaking his head, "No, I've been staying at the home I share with Huaijing these past few days."

“……”

Su Huaijing paused in wiping his hands, unconsciously lifting his head to look at him.

Mu Jingshu, who seemed about to say something, stopped short at these words.

Lu Jiaxi, who had been uncomfortable since entering the room, not knowing where to look or stand, felt his awkwardness surge again.

The air was silent for a long time until Ke Hongxue closed his fan and tugged on Mu Jingshu's sleeve, "Senior, let's go. The Young Master isn't inviting us to hot pot; he's just flaunting his affection with the Young Mistress."

Author's note:

Ke Hongxue: "Are you just trying to make me eat dog food? Can't you see that?!!" (Furiously powerless) Rong Tang: "Can't handle it? I haven't even started bragging about my new clothes yet." (Disdainful) Lu Jiaxi: "I shouldn't be here T-T"