Chapter 70

Chapter 70

July 15th, Ghost Festival, a month since the Jiangnan flood.

Occasionally, in the evenings, Rong Tang would go for walks around Suzhou City with Su Huaijing or Ke Hongxue.

The shadow of the disaster still lingered, but more people had already resumed their normal lives.

The gentle Wu dialect sounded again, with street shops hawking their wares and lanterns lighting up on the Lianhu painting boats with warm yellow glows.

As they leisurely strolled down the street, they once encountered the hurried and bustling Lu Jiaxi, a teenager of sixteen or seventeen, whose baby fat had completely vanished, leaving only the maturity gained from his journey to Jiangnan.

But Ke Hongxue would always stop him, casually buying a couple of flatbreads or a string of sugar figurines from a nearby stall to give to Lu Jiaxi.

Little Lord Lu was shy and embarrassed to accept such childish treats, but Ke Shaofu would laugh and point at Mu Jingxu, who was reluctantly brought out to relax: “What’s wrong with that? When your Brother Mu first entered the court, he was so tired he didn’t even know he was sleeping. Wasn’t I the one feeding him spoonfuls of porridge and pieces of sugar by his side?”

Lu Jiaxi blinked incredulously, while Mu Jingxu remained unflappable, only his cool peach blossom eyes cast a sideways glance at Ke Hongxue, a rare hint of annoyance flickering in them.

Ke Hongxue laughed like a fox, not at all intimidated by his glare, instead leaning closer and teasingly calling him “elder brother.”

Mu Jingxu ignored him, only advising Lu Jiaxi, “No matter how busy you are with official duties, don’t forget to eat.”

Lu Jiaxi dared to act spoiled with Ke Hongxue, but Mu Jingxu’s words were always like a decree to him. Upon hearing this, he didn’t care whether it was flatbread, wonton, or candy in Ke Shaofu’s hand, he accepted them all, grinning naively at the men who could all be his elder brothers.

Su Huaijing rarely joined in teasing Little Lord Lu, usually just holding Rong Tang’s hand and standing aside. If he saw something tasty or fun at a stall, he would eagerly show it to Rong Tang and then happily buy it.

If Ke Hongxue still hadn’t let Lu Jiaxi go after the purchase, Su Huaijing would nonchalantly remind, “I heard the quarantine area in the west of the city is running out of medicinal herbs. Where are you going this time, Little Lord Lu?”

Lu Jiaxi would then suddenly remember his urgent errand, slap his forehead, and take his leave immediately, not daring to delay a second.

Inside Suzhou city, regarding the resettlement of disaster victims and dike repairs, Su Huaijing was much more informed than the responsible officials. Sometimes Rong Tang would wake up in the middle of the night and see the candle in his room burning till dawn, worrying that he would overwork himself to fainting.

But Su Huaijing didn’t care at all. In front of Rong Tang, he always appeared carefree, devoting all his energy to his beloved, as if the hard work he did in unseen places was just to squeeze out more leisure time to spend with Rong Tang.

During the Ghost Festival in Suzhou, the sky was filled with floating paper money, and the air was permeated with an inescapable smell of ash. People on the long streets headed home early, shops were shuttered, and every few steps, there were piles of burnt paper money, some still faintly glowing red, indicating recent worship.

Rong Tang walked out of the residence, casually buying two large stacks of paper money and ingots. He also wanted to buy a few pairs of paper-made golden boys and jade girls, as well as paper carriages and mansions, but eventually decided against it.

Being too ostentatious might seem odd, so he only chose some unerring funeral goods. He paid for them and had Shuangfu take them back, while he leisurely made his way to the prefectural office to meet Su Huaijing.

Su Huaijing was not a regular official and seldom went to the prefectural office. However, recently, with the relief silver arriving and Lü Junxian being escorted back to the capital, Jiang Shanxing still unable to return from Hangzhou, Sheng Chengming was at a loss on how to handle the immense task of disaster relief for the entire Suzhou Prefecture. Thus, he had no choice but to visit Rong Tang's residence every morning, smile apologetically, and drag Su Huaijing out of Lin Garden.

Rong Tang was indifferent, and Sheng Chengming wore a smile on his face; both seemed quite normal. Only Su Huaijing, dragged by the Second Prince every morning and then hurried along by Rong Tang, wore a mournful expression, glancing back at Rong Tang with a woeful look that made him feel particularly uneasy.

Having no choice, Rong Tang had to pick up Su Huaijing from the Suzhou Prefectural Office every evening and then walk back together.

The cultural atmosphere of Suzhou City seeped into their minds little by little, as they returned home facing the twilight day after day.

When Rong Tang arrived at the prefectural office, the guards, already familiar with him, quickly greeted him with a smile and proceeded to welcome him inside.

Rong Tang gestured that it was unnecessary and waited at the door for a short while before several officials in official robes came out, still engaged in animated discussions about the latest policies in Suzhou City.

Su Huaijing, surrounded by them in the middle, was the only one not in official attire. However, after each of them finished speaking, they would look towards him, seemingly seeking his agreement or rebuttal, evidently expecting a response from him.

As Su Huaijing slightly lifted his head, the person speaking became more animated, as if inspired. After finishing their speech and looking expectantly at Su Huaijing, the latter quickly stepped out of the office, running over to Rong Tang and gently asking, "Have you been waiting long?"

Rong Tang gave him a look, and Su Huaijing hesitated slightly, then helplessly smiled. Turning back to the official, he briefly shared his own thoughts on the matter, then cheerfully said, "Gentlemen, my husband has come to take me home. See you tomorrow."

As the setting sun cast a golden glow, blending with the evening fireworks and afterglow, Su Huaijing, not waiting for their reaction, turned around, took Rong Tang's hand, and walked towards Lin Garden together.

Rong Tang was momentarily stunned, his ears turning red, looking somewhat aggrieved at Su Huaijing. Holding back, he asked, "Why do you always emphasize to them that I'm your husband?"

Su Huaijing was even more surprised, responding, "I'm just stating the truth. How is that emphasizing?"

Rong Tang: "..."

In the Dayu Dynasty, men were allowed to marry and male spouses could hold official positions. This rule was established a hundred years ago, but in reality, it was quite rare for men to stand in the court as a husband.

After Emperor Renshou ascended the throne, there were even officials who proposed in court that men who marry as husbands lack masculinity. If they stand in the court and discuss state affairs with other officials, it may lead to undue leniency, akin to a woman's mercy. Moreover, since these husbands are attracted to men and not at home daily, but constantly in the company of male officials, it might lead to discord at home. It was suggested to abolish the system that allows male husbands to hold official positions.

Although this proposal was fiercely rebuked on the spot by officials led by Ke Wenrui, it remained a ticking time bomb, occasionally brought up for discussion, with no guarantee that Emperor Renshou wouldn't adopt it.

Rong Tang found these notions absurd, but couldn't help worrying that over time, a kind of invisible disdain might form in the court. He feared that Su Huaijing repeatedly clarifying his status as a male husband to Sheng Chengming's subordinates could lead to disrespect.

However, Su Huaijing saw through his concerns, smiling slightly, "The ancestral rules related to this matter are unlikely to be changed by His Majesty, who cares too much about how history will remember him. Don't worry about me. As for respect from others, it has nothing to do with status. Even if I were a commoner living in a decrepit temple, I would find a way to earn their respect. That has never been a difficulty."

He paused, then said with a smile, "Compared to that, figuring out how to open Tangtang's heart to me is the real challenge."

The villain's smile was faint, casual as if chatting about the weather, yet Rong Tang suddenly felt the hand he was holding become burning hot, making him want to pull away.

The long summer was gradually giving way to autumn, a hint of coolness in the air. Rong Tang remained silent for a long time.

Unable to convince himself, he finally gave up.

"Let's go back," he said, "The kitchen prepared snow pear and white fungus soup today."

Su Huaijing's eyes darkened slightly, but he still responded with a smile, pretending not to be disappointed.

-

Dinner was served in Rong Tang's courtyard. Ke Hongxue had crashed their meals a few times before and now often came over whenever he was free.

When Rong Tang returned to the courtyard, Ke Hongxue was already sitting at the dining table, peeling nuts for Mu Jingshu to stave off his hunger. Seeing them, he smiled, "Finally, you're back. I'm starving."

Rong Tang gave him a look, "If you're hungry, why don't you eat in your own courtyard?"

"That won't do," Ke Hongxue said with a light laugh, his peach blossom eyes curving, "Today is the Ghost Festival. It's only right for a family to eat together."

Su Huaijing paused at these words, glancing over to see Mu Jingshu also frowning at Ke Hongxue. Their gazes briefly met before each looked away.

Rong Tang didn't understand Ke Hongxue's skewed logic, frowning, "The Ghost Festival isn't Mid-Autumn Festival; there's no tradition of family reunion. Besides, who's family with you?"

Ke Hongxue said, "Adversity breeds camaraderie. We've struggled together in this disaster-stricken city for so long, how can we not be considered to have shared hardships?"

Rong Tang unceremoniously punctured his claim, "Is your struggle referring to listening to music and drinking wine daily in Suzhou City?"

"I have spent quite a lot of silver," Ke Hongxue lamented, "That's like my life's blood."

“……”

Rong Tang couldn't argue with him; Ke Hongxue always had an endless supply of twisted logic.

The four of them ate in the dining room, the door open. Shuangfu cleared the weeds in the corner of the yard, making a space. Ke Hongxue asked, "What's this for?"

Rong Tang lazily glanced over, replying casually, "For the Ghost Festival. I bought some paper money to make offerings."

Ke Hongxue understood, "Is it for Elder Rong's preparation?"

Rong Tang was momentarily startled, almost failing to respond before casually saying, "Yes, part of it is for my grandfather, and some for Huaijing's parents."

Su Huaijing and Mu Jingshu both stiffened, exchanging a glance before Su Huaijing asked Rong Tang, "For me?"

Rong Tang felt a bit panicked inside but didn’t show it, "You mentioned that your parents and siblings had all passed away early. Other than you, no one else remembers to pay respects. You've been busy these days, so I prepared it for you."

He paused, then forced a smile, "It wouldn’t be right if others have descendants to mourn them while your parents are left alone, envying others."

Su Huaijing was momentarily stunned, then smiled, "Thank you, Tangtang."

Rong Tang breathed a sigh of relief, "It's what I should do."

After dinner, seeing the two large stacks of paper money brought out by Shuangfu, Ke Hongxue shamelessly asked Rong Tang, "Your Highness, could you spare me some?"

Rong Tang looked at him skeptically. Ke Hongxue explained with a smile, "To be honest, my senior brother was poor in his early years and lived with a wealthy family who took good care of him. Unfortunately, they later met with disaster and the entire family died tragically, with no descendants to mourn them. Hearing what you said earlier made me think of their lonely plight in the underworld while others celebrate, and it’s quite unsettling."

Rong Tang didn’t entirely believe him, but since he had bought extra paper money anyway, he gave some to Ke Hongxue.

In the cold moonlight, with the full moon hanging high, the night of the Ghost Festival felt especially desolate. Three piles of paper money burned brightly, Su Huaijing placing each sheet on the fire, seemingly chatting casually, "Mu Jingshu, what was the surname of the family you lived with?"

Rong Tang grew suspicious upon hearing the question, as Su Huaijing was not someone who usually indulged in gossip.

But Mu Jingshu's answer surprised him even more: "The same as you, my surname is Su."

Rong Tang was taken aback and looked at Su Huaijing, feeling a strange emotion welling up inside him.

Su Huaijing, with his eyes downcast and not looking at him, burned the paper money and ingots with his clean, white hands, then asked, "Do you have any siblings?"

"Yes."

"How many?"

"Two older brothers, four younger brothers, and four younger sisters," Mu Jingshu slowly replied.

Rong Tang stood by the pile of paper money for Elder Rong, looking down at Su Huaijing.

His face, half-illuminated by the firelight, appeared half clear, half obscured, his emotions hidden. Yet Rong Tang felt as though he was staring into a dark sea, churning with tumultuous waves.

Su Huaijing smiled softly, "What a coincidence, my family happens to have six older brothers and four older sisters."

"Among the male siblings, I am the seventh. My eldest brother and I share the same mother, my second brother was raised outside the manor, and my third brother... is a liar," Su Huaijing said.

Mu Jingshu's Adam's apple moved slightly, his usually unchanging expression showing a hint of shattered emotion. He hung his head, mechanically burning the paper on the flames: "Is that so, an incompetent older brother indeed."

Responding to Su Huaijing's remark, Mu Jingshu was taken aback as Su Huaijing's expression darkened and he seemed unhappy. After a moment of silence, Su Huaijing asked him again, "What about you, Minister Mu?"

Mu Jingshu replied, "My eldest brother is authoritative, my younger sister is spoiled, and my youngest brother is clever. It's a very ordinary family."

"Authoritative eldest brother, spoiled younger sister, clever youngest brother..." Su Huaijing repeated softly, smiling ambiguously, unclear if it was ironic.

The more Rong Tang listened, the more perplexed he felt, his mind tangled in a messy knot. Just when he seemed close to unraveling it, it would suddenly slip away, eluding his grasp.

Until the paper money was completely burned, Mu Jingshu looked at the ash on his hands and asked, "Master Su, could you accompany me to the washroom?"

Rong Tang instinctively followed, but Ke Hongxue pulled him back.

Frowning, Rong Tang turned back to see Ke Hongxue with a rare serious expression, his face somber.

In the blink of an eye, Mu Jingshu and Su Huaijing had already left the place. Rong Tang felt displeased, shrugged off Ke Hongxue's hand, and was about to follow them when he heard Ke Hongxue softly call out, "Rong Tang."

Rong Tang turned around.

Ke Hongxue's smile carried a desolate tone as he watched Mu Jingshu's retreating figure, softly saying, "Do you know? I used to think my senior brother was the most romantic and free-spirited person in the world."

He had braved the cold winds of the north and traveled through the insect valleys of the south. He had seen the sunken treasures of the Jingjing River and witnessed the tea estates of Huizhou submerged by floods.

He was a wanderer of the world, a born poet, a noble of the highest order, and a passionate and talented man.

He could lead troops into battle, yet also compose poetry and verses; always with a fan in hand, always drinking wine at meals, always speaking with a smile, his peach blossom eyes forever shining brilliantly.

He was the most charming and passionate wanderer in the world, attracting countless noble ladies; and the most mischievous and unruly prince in the palace of Jingjing, adorned with glory yet yearning for freedom.

But he died forever in the twenty-fifth year of Yuanxing.

He gained the freedom he desired, yet step by step, he returned to the cage he once dreamt of escaping.

……

Rong Tang stood frozen, as all conclusions found their origin.

-

The washroom was unlit, with clear water in the basin. Mu Jingshu bent over, scooping a ladle of water to wash his hands, then instinctively scooped another to offer to Su Huaijing to cleanse his hands.

The latter stood still, his figure hidden in the darkness, resembling an aged pine, tall and majestic.

After a long, silent exchange under the moonlight, Mu Jingshu's voice was slightly hoarse, "Little Seven, you've grown up."

The pine seemed to tremble slightly. Su Huaijing's lips curled into a smile, but his eyes suddenly reddened.

He remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, asking, "Brother, where is my rabbit?"

You promised to take me to the hunting ground to catch rabbits when you returned.

Author's note:

In the capital, Su Su is composed and inscrutable, orchestrating strategies from behind the scenes, winning battles from afar. In Jiangnan, Su Su is crying, crying, and crying... Mourning his short-lived wife, tearing up upon finding his brother. (Are you actually made of water?) (Confused.jpg) The rabbit hunt from chapter two represents Huaijing's childhood dreams.