Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Rong Tang and Su Huaijing spent another ten days or so in their residence at Yong'an Lane until the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth month. As the eldest grandson, Rong Tang couldn't excuse himself from attending the festival at Princess Chang's mansion with the Ningxuan Prince's family, so the two of them prepared to leave.

They didn't mention again the idea of confining Rong Tang. Tacitly, they agreed that the sudden fainting spell at Song Garden had passed.

Rong Tang didn't disclose why he had become so emotionally overwhelmed that he fainted, and Su Huaijing didn’t ask.

The two spent nearly a month at the Tangjing residence. Aside from occasional visits from Ke Hongxue and Lu Jiaxi, who would also bring Mu Jingshu along for a meal, almost no one else passed by the courtyard. Rong Tang was exceedingly happy, often staying up late at night, too energetic to sleep, and pulling Su Huaijing out of bed to watch the moon.

Such a leisurely life was so comfortable that Rong Tang sighed deeply when leaving Yong'an Lane by carriage.

Fresh lotus seeds had come to market. Su Huaijing had asked Shuangshou to buy some in the morning, and now he leisurely peeled them in the carriage, carefully removing the bitter centers to prepare a small dish of seeds for Rong Tang, filling the carriage with the delicate fragrance of lotus leaves.

Su Huaijing looked at him with a smile, "Why the sigh?"

Holding a handful of lotus seeds and tossing them one by one into his mouth, Rong Tang said glumly, "I just feel like there are no more leisurely days ahead."

Su Huaijing raised his eyebrows, "Why does Tangtang say that?"

Rong Tang shook his head mysteriously, "You wouldn’t understand."

Su Huaijing: "?"

Amused, he tilted his head, looking at his beloved with a mixture of melancholy and secrecy, asking with a smile, "Then what kind of leisurely days does Tangtang envision?"

Rong Tang gestured behind him and said naturally, "Just like these past few days. Sleeping until waking up naturally, eating delicious food, playing fun games, and occasionally going out for a stroll."

He said, "I actually don't want to go back to the Prince's mansion at all."

Though the Ningxuan Prince's mansion was large and his courtyard was tranquil and serene, reminiscent of a paradise, he always felt trapped under the bricks and tiles, the sky above always looming with oppressive colors. The constant intrigue and pettiness within the grand court of Dayu, seemingly calm on the surface but filthy underneath, filled Rong Tang with disgust.

He frowned unhappily, tossing a handful of lotus seeds into his mouth in irritation, mechanically chewing and closing his eyes.

Su Huaijing put aside the lotus seeds and wiped his fingertips with a damp cloth, then took Rong Tang’s hand and squeezed it gently, saying in a soothing voice, "Don't worry."

He had more to say: Whatever it is, I can always solve it for you.

But as his fingers touched the pulse on Rong Tang’s delicate wrist, Su Huaijing felt the beat of his blood and fell silent.

Rong Tang leaned against the carriage, dozing off to the sound of street vendors outside. The harsh summer sun blazed, while inside the carriage, the fragrance of lotus seeds was comforting and gentle.

Su Huaijing held Rong Tang's hand, accompanying him through the bustling streets of Yu Jing, until the carriage stopped in front of Princess Chang’s mansion.

Su Huaijing gently nudged him, whispering, "We’ve arrived, Tangtang."

Rong Tang’s eyelashes fluttered before he slowly opened his eyes, looking at Su Huaijing groggily and not speaking for a while.

Su Huaijing was reminded of the morning after the stormy night in Song Garden.

He smiled, asking, "Are you feeling dizzy this time?"

Rong Tang came to his senses, shook his head, and Su Huaijing took out two sour plums from a hidden compartment, urging him to suck on them for alertness before getting out of the carriage and heading into Princess Chang’s mansion.

The mansion was located on Xuanwu Street, a street lined with residences of royal relatives, veterans, and prominent figures who had served Dayu. The patrols by the Jinwu Guards were especially vigilant, with a squad passing almost every quarter of an hour.

The last time Rong Tang visited Princess Chang's mansion, he was preoccupied with how to make her accept the fact that he wanted to marry a man, so he didn't pay much attention to the small guard patrols on the street. Now, having just woken up from a nap and still feeling groggy, with Su Huaijing by his side, Rong Tang felt no sense of urgency. He stood still for a moment to gather his wits, then glanced around and caught sight of a face, staring in surprise for a couple of seconds before his eyes widened.

He wanted to turn his head to look at Su Huaijing, but knowing that would be too obvious, he suppressed the urge. It was only when the captain of the patrol on Xuanwu Street saw him, showed a moment of surprise, spoke to his deputy, and then hurried over to stand in front of him, exclaiming, "Benefactor!"

Rong Tang inwardly sighed, but before he could respond, Shuangfu, seeing Shen Feiyi's face, immediately stepped in front of Rong Tang, glaring at the long spear in his hand.

Shen Feiyi paused, then quickly realized and took a step back, making Shuangfu grunt and move slightly to the side, though he still mostly shielded Rong Tang.

Su Huaijing timely questioned, "Does this captain know my husband?"

Rong Tang's ears turned red at once.

During their days in Yong'an Lane, Su Huaijing occasionally called Rong Tang 'husband' or 'consort' jokingly. Rong Tang, not used to it, had tried to force himself to get accustomed, but in front of Shen Feiyi...?

Rong Tang really wanted to ask the villain: Are you not afraid of losing respect from your subordinates?

And what do you mean he knows me? Don't you know whether he recognizes you or not?!

Rong Tang's neck felt sore, and he glanced at Su Huaijing with displeasure, only to hear Shen Feiyi say, "I have seen this gentleman before. My name is Chen Fei. Earlier, I was injured and too poor to afford treatment, but your consort came by, saw me, and arranged a doctor for me, saving my life. I am eternally grateful for this life-saving grace!"

Rong Tang: "……"

Acting.

You and your master are putting on a show right in front of me.

The system chimed in, scoffing, "Host, you need to get used to it."

Rong Tang replied, "I'm quite used to it. Watching a free show is quite enjoyable."

He felt so embarrassed!!!

Why do they have to call each other 'husband' and 'your dear husband'? You can play your roles, but don't involve me!

Rong Tang internally ridiculed for a while. When Su Huaijing turned his gaze towards him, his eyes filled with doubt and seeking confirmation, Rong Tang stiffened, unable to hold back a deep sigh, meeting the gaze of the two with a guilty conscience, he said, "Yes, that's him. The one who scratched my neck when I said I'd get him a doctor."

Shen Feiyi's entire body stiffened instantly, panic flashing in his eyes, uncontrollably looking towards Su Huaijing.

Su Huaijing's expression suddenly turned cold. Even Rong Tang couldn't tell whether he was acting or serious. He gazed at Shen Feiyi with a cold voice, "It seems Mr. Chen's eyes aren't very useful. Can't you distinguish between good and bad, kind hearts and evil ones? Huh?"

Shen Feiyi silently swallowed, struggling to control the urge to kneel, and began to apologize to Rong Tang, "It's my fault for not recognizing a good heart, for misunderstanding the young master's intentions. I am ready to accept any punishment or reprimand you see fit."

Rong Tang was stunned, suddenly realizing that these two weren't just acting.

Su Huaijing seemed genuinely eager to defend him. Rong Tang glanced at Su Huaijing, who was silently looking down, exuding an air of 'however Tangtang wants to punish, I will support', while Shen Feiyi also kept his head low, showing no sign of resistance.

Rong Tang: "..."

What is wrong with you two?

He felt like he had exhausted a year's worth of sighs in this one day, having been carefree for most of the past month, only to now face this ordeal.

The words he spoke on the carriage were indeed true. Rong Tang never expected such an interlude before even entering the Princess's mansion.

Feeling somewhat weary, Rong Tang sighed again in his heart, then put on an air of authority and haughtily snorted, "This lord disdains to argue with you."

Shen Feiyi looked up at him in surprise, while Su Huaijing also paused for a moment, then looked down at him.

Facing the gaze of these two, Rong Tang, as if acting in a play, declared, "I didn't go there for you in the first place. If it wasn't for that child kneeling and crying pitifully on the road, I wouldn't have walked in your direction at all. I wouldn’t care whether you lived or died, or if you had a chance to be saved."

Shen Feiyi seemed to be intimidated, not doubting his words, and stared straight at Rong Tang. Su Huaijing, noticing Rong Tang's expression, couldn't help but reveal a hint of a smile. He moved forward to hold Rong Tang's hand, which was hidden behind his back and clenched tightly, either out of nervousness or bravado, and slowly unclenched his fingers, inserting his own palm.

Rong Tang, feeling Su Huaijing's playful antics behind him, couldn't spare the energy to glare at him, continuing to address Shen Feiyi, "Whether you are foolish, dull, or reckless has nothing to do with me. As a benevolent young master, I won’t hold it against you for injuring me by mistake. But now that you are on duty here on Xuanwu Street, if you happen to offend some noble one day, see how many heads you'll lose!"

Listening to him, Su Huaijing couldn’t hide his amusement and secretly signaled to Shen Feiyi, who immediately understood. He thanked them repeatedly, took down their address in Yong'an Lane, promising to visit on his day off to express gratitude, before turning and jogging back to his squad.

Rong Tang's palm was almost sweating, all of which Su Huaijing wiped away. Su Huaijing, usually so fastidious, didn’t mind the sweat on his fingers at all.

Rong Tang sneakily observed his expression, trying to pull his hand back to wipe it himself, but Su Huaijing wouldn’t let go. Stubbornly, he kept his palm clasped over Rong Tang's, pretending that Rong Tang was insisting on holding onto him.

Then he laughed and said, "Tangtang is just too kind-hearted."

Rong Tang: "?"

I just finished acting like a spoiled, doomed antagonist!

He adamantly denied it, righteously saying, "I just can’t be bothered with him, he’s not worth it!"

"Yes, he’s not worth it," Su Huaijing agreed, following his lead, but then asked with a smile, "Then why did Tangtang brother still give him advice?"

Rong Tang, with a stiff neck, denied, "When did I give advice?"

Su Huaijing, seeing his obviously evasive demeanor, indulgently said, "Well, if you say so."

Clearly not believing it at all!

Rong Tang looked up at him, but Su Huaijing's gaze remained fixed ahead, walking leisurely with Rong Tang towards Princess Chang’s hall.

Rong Tang fell silent for a moment, still feeling his performance was quite good. He gently squeezed Su Huaijing's hand, insisting earnestly, "I really didn’t."

Su Huaijing almost couldn’t hold back his laughter, seriously nodding, "Yes, you really didn’t."

Rong Tang finally felt a bit better, a smile appearing on his face, and his steps lightened.

Yet Su Huaijing was peculiar – one moment he felt the need to indulge his little Bodhisattva, and the next, seeing that little defiant tilt in Rong Tang's head, he couldn’t resist giving it a playful tug.

Leaning close to Rong Tang's ear, Su Huaijing whispered, "But Tangtang... your words just now made me crave persimmons. Is there really a variety called 'stupid persimmons'?"

Rong Tang: "?"

Young Master Rong: "?!"

Is that necessary! It's not like I usually refer to myself in such a way!

Rong Tang, exerting force, huffily shook off Su Huaijing’s hand and marched forward with flushed ears.

Author's note:

At this moment, Tangtang hadn't considered that 'persimmon' could have other meanings (tsk).