Chapter 72

Chapter 72

The day after the Mid-Yuan Festival, a spicy rabbit head dish was added to the table in Lin Yuan.

Rong Tang entered the dining room, looking somewhat speechless at the extra spicy rabbit head, which appeared defiant even in death, wondering whose bizarre idea it was.

Suddenly, he heard Ke Hongxue shouting outside the door, "Make way, make way—"

More professional than the waiters at Liujin Tower, and a thousand times more dedicated than the owner of Shudao Pavilion.

Rong Tang stepped aside and turned back to see Ke Hongxue holding a plate of double-pepper rabbit.

Ke Hongxue said cheerfully, "I went out for a stroll early this morning and saw a kid selling rabbits in cages. They looked so pitiful, skinny as a stick, so I impulsively bought them all. We slaughtered a few for the meal, and the rest are being raised in the kitchen, waiting to breed before we eat them again."

"..." Rong Tang remarked, "Your heart is quite dark."

Ke Hongxue justified earnestly, "But rabbit meat is so delicious."

No sooner had the words been spoken than the waiter brought the dishes, and Rong Tang saw cold rabbit meat, diced rabbit with nuts, and even a rabbit hotpot being served in the middle of summer.

Rong Tang suddenly lost the urge to argue and instead became intensely curious.

He really wanted to see what reactions Mu Jingshu and Su Huaijing would have to this table full of rabbit dishes.

The Seventh Prince wanted his royal brother to take him rabbit hunting in the hunting grounds, not for his sister-in-law to prepare a full rabbit feast!

Rong Tang remained silent for a while, sitting quietly in his chair, waiting for everyone to arrive.

Today in Suzhou City, a series of compensation plans for houses destroyed by floods and the affected victims were to be issued, and Su Huaijing and Mu Jingshu had been taken out early in the morning by Sheng Chengli and hadn't returned yet.

Rong Tang had a few bowls of cold dishes in front of him, playing with peanuts with his chopsticks while occasionally responding to Ke Hongxue's conversation.

He had dreamt of many things last night. The stories from his past life, long beyond the limits of the timeline, were becoming more blurred in Rong Tang's memory each day. However, after Ke Hongxue's remark, he suddenly connected those forgotten details and reasons in an instant.

He always wondered why, even though he and Su Huaijing were on opposing sides in their past lives, there was always a slight feeling of camaraderie, how could Su Huaijing be so indifferent upon seeing his body, as if all their past interactions never happened?

It turned out that Su Huaijing had once asked him.

Rong Tang recalled that snowy night, suddenly waking up with a start, his heart pounding, gasping for breath, sitting up in bed.

Mu Jingshu was his brother, but Su Huaijing never knew.

He was simply, as usual, carrying out necessary actions for his revenge, treating each of Emperor Renshou's sons as targets to be dealt with one by one.

Naturally, the first to bear the brunt of these actions would be the princes' aides.

This was common, even expected.

But when Mu Jingshu turned out to be his elder brother, and Su Huaijing discovered this fact only after his death, everything became a delayed dagger laced with poison, stabbing Su Huaijing himself repeatedly.

Thus, Rong Tang finally understood the guilt and resentment in his eyes.

Fortunately...

All the peanuts were pushed to one side, like seated children. Rong Tang looked up towards the dining room door, where leaves rustled outside.

As summer drew to a close and autumn was about to arrive, the leaves of the paulownia trees fell, covering the soil where the cicadas had just burrowed.

The blue-purple twilight spread, the sun moved to another direction. Someone stepped into the courtyard, their movements those of a mature adult.

Rong Tang unconsciously smiled.

Fortunately.

Fortunately, in this life, everything had not yet happened, and in this world, Su Huaijing was not alone, wandering in endless darkness.

He raised his hand in greeting, and Su Huaijing's eyes lit up as he quickly approached, about to sit beside Rong Tang. But then Rong Tang suddenly asked, "Have you washed your hands?"

Su Huaijing paused, the joy in his eyes replaced by surprise. He blinked, and Rong Tang insisted, "Go wash your hands before eating."

Su Huaijing's face fell, and he sulkily went to wash his hands. Ke Hongxue watched and laughed, but his laughter was quickly silenced by a glance from Mu Jingshu, who frowned at the table full of rabbit dishes without a word.

Ke Hongxue looked up expectantly at his senior brother, seemingly hoping for some praise.

But Mu Jingshu instead asked, "Have any restaurants in the city reopened?"

Sheng Chengli and Lu Jiaxi entered one after the other. Hearing the question, Lu Jiaxi immediately responded, "The Furong Restaurant in the southern part of the city reopened a few days ago. Most major taverns, granaries, Qinlou and Chugu buildings are back in business. Only the tea houses and bookstores, with their tea and stationery ruined by the flood, suffered heavy losses and are yet to resume operations."

Mu Jingshu nodded and looked at Rong Tang, "Your Highness, would you like to dine out?"

Mu Qing, the Vice Minister of Justice, rarely invited anyone. In the capital, it was hard enough to have royalty and nobles attend a banquet, let alone have Mu Qing himself extend an invitation.

Rong Tang, having no interest in the rabbit feast, smiled at the invitation, “It would be rude to refuse.”

Sheng Chengming, though a prince, always shed his airs in front of Su Huaijing and Rong Tang, and quickly asked, “May I join as well?”

Mu Jingshu indifferently nodded. Rong Tang stood up, and after Su Huaijing returned from washing his hands, they prepared to leave. Ke Hongxue hurriedly stood up, looking pitifully at Mu Jingshu, “Senior brother…”

Mu Jingshu coldly questioned him, “You prepared all these dishes. Aren’t you going to finish them?”

Ke Hongxue played cute, “I’ll eat rabbit for the next three days, promise not to waste any!”

Su Huaijing was momentarily stunned, realizing only then what the evening’s meal was. He looked at Mu Jingshu with a complex expression before taking Rong Tang’s hand.

Lu Jiaxi was momentarily baffled, looking at the Sichuan-style rabbit dishes, he hesitated, “These dishes won’t last three days in this weather. There’s a ten-person team in the relief crew from Shu region who said they find Jiangnan’s sweet and light flavors hard to adapt to.”

He paused slightly, tentatively asking, “If senior brother doesn’t mind, could I have these dishes packed and sent to them?”

His voice grew softer, slightly unsure, but Ke Hongxue’s eyes lit up as if he saw a lifesaver, eagerly agreeing, “Of course! Feel free to send them, and pack more dishes and good wine from the city to treat them, the expenses are on me!”

Rong Tang enjoyed the spectacle, clicking his tongue. He approached Lu Jiaxi and patted his shoulder, “Young Master Lu, you’re bound for great things.”

“Eh?” Lu Jiaxi was puzzled.

Rong Tang just smiled and shook his head, not explaining. He waited for Su Huaijing to catch up and then walked forward together.

“This kid, naturally naive and timid, yet always somehow manages to solve the most pressing concerns of others. Hard to describe,” thought Rong Tang.

Su Huaijing murmured, “He’s quite lucky.”

Rong Tang paused, feeling his hand being clasped again.

He quietly said, “But you have me.”

Su Huaijing was momentarily stunned, not quite understanding. Rong Tang explained, “As the Prince Consort of Ningxuan, I am more renowned than Ke Hongxue’s junior brother.”

His words were half-serious, half-boastful, which made his statement less credible. Su Huaijing took a moment to react, then chuckled softly, responding with a hint of melancholy, “But my husband’s heart is not with me.”

Rong Tang: “…”

The system, having just awakened, snorted coldly in mockery, [Why did you even bring him up?]

Rong Tang: “…”

Young Master Rong closed his mouth, deciding not to say another word!

-

Taverns and teahouses were ubiquitous in the city, with people playing the pipa and singing tunes downstairs, and almost no loud conversations inside, creating a leisurely and pleasant atmosphere.

Mu Jingshu chose a private room with a view of the lake, where the evening glow reflected on the glittering surface of the Lian Lake.

The painting boats resumed their music and dance as they dined inside the room.

Unlike meals in the capital where every bite was tinged with ulterior motives or flattery, here they were simply enjoying a meal. Ke Hongxue was adept at enlivening the atmosphere, making Lu Jiaxi laugh and vent his frustrations about the infuriating situations encountered during the relief efforts.

He would then rejoice in his accomplishments but soon lament his inability to save more people.

— It felt like a family dinner.

Rong Tang thought it felt more like a family dinner than any meal at the Ningxuan Prince’s residence. Even Sheng Chengming, who had never dined out like this since birth, felt an unaccustomed sense of relaxed liberation.

As if a shackle had been removed.

After three rounds of drinks, he and Lu Jiaxi incessantly recounted the events since their journey southward.

The two young men spoke unceasingly, with Ke Hongxue smiling, occasionally chiming in or pouring wine, encouraging them to share more of their recent hardships.

Mu Jingshu remained somewhat aloof, ordering several desserts, including a freshly fried lotus blossom pastry, its crust still emitting warm steam.

Su Huaijing picked up a piece and gave it to Rong Tang, then lowered his head and quietly ate one himself.

Mu Jingxu’s frost-like expression seemed to have been softly touched by the rising sun somewhere, showing a slight thawing.

He also lowered his gaze and picked up a piece of sweet lotus-flavored pastry.

Rong Tang felt inexplicably happy, eyeing the wine being passed back and forth between Cheng Ming and Lu Jiaxi, then turned his head to look at Su Huaijing.

The latter was slightly startled and leaned in to ask softly, "What's the matter?"

Rong Tang whispered back, "I want to drink wine."

He looked endearingly cute, like a small animal in the jungle holding a large fruit, seeing an even larger carnivore. Unafraid and not hiding, it asked softly, "Can I eat the fruit before you eat me?"

But in reality, the predator had no intention of eating it; it only wanted to keep it as a pet, planting a forest that bore fruit in all seasons, so it would willingly stay in its territory.

Su Huaijing couldn't help but laugh, sniffing the wine before pouring a small amount for him: "You're only allowed a little."

"Okay!" Rong Tang agreed readily, taking the wine glass and sipping it happily.

Seeing him like this, Su Huaijing felt truly happy, even thinking he hadn't been this relaxed in years.

Su Huaijing looked up and met Mu Jingxu’s gaze.

The latter seemed startled, his first reaction was to look away, but he quickly dismissed the thought, pushing his chair back and bending down to ask, "Shall we go out for some fresh air?"

Inside the private room, all four were drinking. While the other three chatted and drank, Rong Tang, seeing Mu Jingxu actively seeking out Su Huaijing, was more excited than the parties involved, hurriedly shooing them out, "Go, go, he's always bossing me around here."

Su Huaijing was unfairly labeled and felt wronged, but was really at a loss with Rong Tang, only reminding him again, "Drink less."

"Mhm, mhm, mhm!" Rong Tang agreed nonchalantly, but his eyes had already drifted to the wine pot.

Su Huaijing: "..." How can I control you?

He sighed silently and got up to go out with Mu Jingxu.

The Furong Tower was lively. Standing on the building and looking down, Suzhou City seemed unaffected by the flood, with residents living peacefully and happily.

Su Huaijing leaned against the railing, looking at the gradually reviving water town of Jiangnan, feeling the lake breeze on his face, a smile playing on his lips.

Mu Jingxu asked him, “How have you been these past years?”

"You asked me the same thing yesterday, brother," Su Huaijing replied with a hint of helplessness, his tone carrying the ease and casualness befitting a seventeen-year-old.

It was the attitude one should have towards family, yet he still smiled and said, "The first few years were very tough. I was in pain, missed home. No one found me, no one was with me. I found a mute boy who stayed with me for a long time."

In a way, he and Liuyun depended on each other for survival.

But Su Huaijing didn’t want to dwell on the past with Mu Jingxu, lightly moving on, "Later, I came to the capital, met Rong Tang, and you know the rest. You can probably tell."

Su Huaijing smiled, "I've been living well."

Except for the fact that Tang Tang still refuses to admit he likes me, everything else is great.

Su Huaijing even began to overlook the fact that Rong Tang wouldn’t live much longer.

Mu Jingxu noticed his implication, furrowed his brows slightly but didn't press further, only asking, "Have you never doubted him?"

The waters of Suzhou City rolled on, the wind carrying the sound of waves. Su Huaijing paused, then smiled and countered, "Do you know how good he has been to me?"

"After you left, he was the first one to care if I was well-fed, warm, bullied, or wronged," said Su Huaijing. "I can’t even remember how many times, before I even realized it, he had already shielded me from all the potential difficulties and criticism."

Su Huaijing softly said, "Sometimes I even feel like he was sent by my parents to accompany me."

Mu Jingxu was momentarily stunned, speechless.

His question wasn’t about Rong Tang. Su Huaijing knew it too; it wasn’t about Rong Tang, but about the identity of the Prince Ning's heir.

But since Su Huaijing kept silent, Mu Jingxu also refrained from asking.

His younger brother had always been overly intelligent, and he really shouldn't worry about Su Huaijing.

Yet, he couldn’t help it, always wanting to worry, to make up for the time lost over the years.

Leaning against the railing, Su Huaijing’s gaze fell inside the room. He lifted his chin, looking at the three people conversing, and asked, "Did you tell Ke Hongxue?"

Mu Jingxu was slightly startled and shook his head, "No."

“Then how did he…?”

“He guessed it himself,” Mu Jingxu said, “I didn't confirm it.”

Su Huaijing paused, then asked, “Do you plan to tell him?”

Mu Jingxu remained silent for a long time before asking, “Will you tell Rong Tang?”

The young master reached for the wine pot for the third time. Su Huaijing’s eyes narrowed slightly with a light click of his tongue, leaving the railing, shaking his head, “No.”

“I’m going back in,” he said, “Tang Tang is being disobedient again.”

Mu Jingxu didn’t immediately grasp his tone and instinctively nodded.

As Su Huaijing walked inside, Ke Hongxue looked up and stood up. The two crossed paths, one heading towards the brightly lit world, the other to watch the serene lake and sky.

Rong Tang was secretly drinking his third cup. Su Huaijing approached and firmly pressed down on his hand, saying sternly, “Tang Tang.”

Rong Tang, slightly tipsy but still lucid, was confused by the breeze over the lake. Suddenly, as if possessed, he reached out and grasped Su Huaijing's hand, murmuring, "Huaijing, I've caught you."

Su Huaijing was momentarily taken aback, not understanding his meaning.

Under the lamplight, Rong Tang looked up and whispered, "Ask me again."

Ask me again, and this time I will go with you.

Only with you.