Chapter 73

Chapter 73

Everything had fallen into place. Jiang Shanxing was appointed as the Governor of Jiangnan. Among the officials brought by Cheng Ming, one named Mr. Ge, had stood out during the flood disaster and was reassigned as the Prefect of Suzhou.

Although everyone aspired to be an official in the capital, in reality, Cheng Ming's subordinates didn't hold much status or power there. In comparison, the position of Suzhou Prefect was more lucrative. Moreover, having immersed themselves in the disaster area, living and eating with the victims, they had developed an affection for the land.

Things were improving. On a day at the end of July, with the autumn wind rustling, the persimmons in the courtyard were nearing ripeness. Cheng Ming, dressed in an apricot-yellow robe, came to bid farewell to Rong Tang.

The weather was getting cooler. Rong Tang was sitting in the courtyard, playing chess with Su Huaijing.

With order restored, Cheng Ming felt it inappropriate to keep requisitioning Su Huaijing for labor, so he spent his days accompanying Rong Tang, passing time.

Cheng Ming brought a large batch of medicinal herbs, introducing each to Rong Tang: “I’m returning to the capital tomorrow. If my cousin wishes to stay longer in Jiangnan, please take good care of your health.”

After two months of interaction, Rong Tang’s view of Emperor Renshou’s second son had changed considerably. Though a rough-hewn prince, his nature wasn't bad. He even possessed a rare and naïve sense of innocence, which in a royal heir, was beneficial for both the country and its people.

Rong Tang stood up to bid him farewell, "Your Highness, the journey back to the capital is long and may not be entirely smooth. Please take care."

Cheng Ming was slightly startled, his expression turning somewhat strange as he observed Rong Tang for a while, trying to discern any emotion beyond mere pleasantries, but found none. Rong Tang remained casually indifferent, not discussing any mundane matters of the court with him.

Cheng Ming had no time to think more; after bidding farewell to the two again, he left the residence.

The second prince was returning to the capital, and all the officials in Suzhou City had to send him off, which Rong Tang didn’t need to worry about.

He sat back down, picked up a black piece, and after careful consideration, made his move on the chessboard.

Su Huaijing glanced at the board, noticing a situation where the black pieces were besieging, and the white pieces were under attack from all sides. His eyes brightened, finding it interesting and joyful.

Rong Tang rarely showed such strong aggression in chess; he was usually passive, needing constant coaxing and gradually losing ground before finding some motivation in the leisurely game.

Su Huaijing played a few moves, watching as Rong Tang steadily pushed him back. His interest deepened, but Rong Tang’s expression grew increasingly grim.

A light autumn breeze stirred, leaves fell in the courtyard. Rong Tang held a black piece, scanning the board, then suddenly threw it back into the bowl, looking up at Su Huaijing with obsidian-like eyes, “Are you letting me win?”

“No,” Su Huaijing laughed and denied, picking another piece from the bowl in front of him, placing it on the board, then continued with white. The tight encirclement of black relaxed instantly, a barely noticeable breach appeared in the white pieces, “If Tang Tang lets me, I can survive.”

Rong Tang rolled his eyes, too lazy to respond: “I’m not playing anymore.”

Su Huaijing clearly wasn’t using his full strength, each move landing in unexpected spots. It seemed as if he wasn’t playing to win, but rather to see how many more moves Rong Tang had to push him back.

This wasn’t even a teaching game, and Rong Tang didn’t feel like playing anymore.

He got up and sat on a lounge chair to the side, sinking into it. Looking up through the tree leaves at the sky, he saw drifting clouds and the intermittent sun.

Su Huaijing chuckled softly, neither annoyed nor anxious, and didn’t insist on Rong Tang coming back to continue the game. He simply moved the black bowl in front of himself, alternating between black and white pieces, saying, “Is Tang Tang reminding the second prince, and also me, that this trip to the south, though a blessing for the people of Jiangnan, has stirred up the interests of too many officials in the capital? With the second prince returning, he will be surrounded by threats, waiting to devour him?”

As he spoke, he casually placed a piece on the board, a thick white cloud floating through the gaps in the leaves.

Rong Tang remained silent, and Su Huaijing continued, “Cheng Ming has been away from the capital for three months, and the situation there must have changed. At the end of April, due to the impeachment of the Southwest Governor, Zhang Baoshan, Yang Xingye of Elder Zhang’s faction was dismissed. Now with the Jiangnan flood, Lu Junxian has been taken back to the capital. In just three months, though the second prince has made great achievements, his faction has lost two important figures. Cheng Ming’s return to the capital will likely be fraught with danger. Tang Tang’s reminder of the long and not smooth road is to tell him to be cautious and avoid the bureaucracy after returning.”

Su Huaijing paused, raised his eyebrows and smiled, asking Rong Tang, “Is it so?”

Rong Tang withdrew his gaze from the gaps between the leaves and glanced sideways at Su Huaijing: “I don’t know.”

Su Huaijing was slightly taken aback, unable to suppress a smile. He tapped the chessboard with his finger and leisurely made his move: “Well, the Prince Ning's heir has been naive for many years. It’s normal not to think too much. Tang Tang was just making a casual, well-intentioned reminder. The journey from Jiangnan to the capital is long, with mountains to cross and possibly even bandits along the way. You were just wishing the Second Prince a safe journey.”

Rong Tang: “…”

[He can talk even more nonsense than you.] The system commented wryly.

The little person in Rong Tang's heart nodded vigorously, fully agreeing with his own naïve system’s words.

The words Su Huaijing spoke were disbelieved by both present, yet he maintained a natural composure, showing no sign of embarrassment or consciousness of telling lies.

The situation on the board had changed; the small breach torn by the white pieces became a life-saving remedy, unraveling the flawless siege of the black pieces, leading to their gradual decline.

Rong Tang glanced over, pausing momentarily before relaxing.

Su Huaijing asked, “Does Tang Tang know what the Second Prince should do upon returning to the capital?”

Rong Tang hesitated, about to say he didn’t know, when Su Huaijing, as if just remembering, smiled slightly: “I forgot again, Tang Tang doesn’t know.”

Rong Tang: “...You’re so annoying.”

A light complaint unwittingly entered his eyes. Su Huaijing found it amusing and laughed for a long time before explaining.

“Whether it’s Yang Xingye or Lu Junxian, whether they were falsely accusing colleagues or guilty of corruption and collusion with the former dynasty's faction, they are essentially subjects,” Su Huaijing said leisurely, as the morning breeze blew across the earth, scattering clouds, gently swaying the grass.

“The eternal principle of sovereign and subject has never changed. Cheng Ming, as a royal heir, is a master in front of his subjects, but in the Emperor's eyes, he is also a subject. As a subject, he should not form cliques for selfish ends. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how many people the Second Prince's faction loses, as long as it doesn’t affect the core, it's not a great loss for Cheng Ming. There will always be others to fill the gap. What he truly needs to worry about has never been this.”

Rong Tang waited for him to continue, but Su Huaijing looked straight at him and asked again, “Does Tang Tang really not know what the Second Prince needs to worry about?”

“…” Rong Tang felt a bit weary. He sighed softly but still answered Su Huaijing's question: “The Emperor’s suspicion.”

Su Huaijing: “Please explain, Tang Tang.”

Rong Tang couldn’t help but respond, “First, Yang Xingye’s false accusations against colleagues might make the Emperor suspect he was instructed by the Second Prince, with the aim to suppress the Third Prince. Second, Lu Junxian, being the uncle of the previous Third Prince, enjoyed high rank and fortune under the Emperor’s nose. Being a student of Elder Zhang, the Emperor is already displeased with him. It's uncertain if the Emperor will wonder how Lu Junxian managed to conceal his identity so thoroughly and what role Elder Zhang played, knowing he was from the former dynasty’s faction but failing to report. Third…”

Rong Tang paused, unsure where to look, and eventually settled his gaze on the chessboard, sighing softly, perhaps finding it ironic, “The Second Prince has built his reputation through the flood relief, becoming a living Bodhisattva in the eyes of Jiangnan's people.”

“With the people’s support, there’s the suspicion of overshadowing the ruler. He is the Emperor’s heir and the oldest among the living princes. If he knows to avoid suspicion upon returning to the capital, it’s good. If he acts or speaks carelessly, closely interacts with court officials, or worse…” Rong Tang slightly furrowed his brow, “At this critical moment, if someone mentions establishing an heir, it is undoubtedly sending Cheng Ming to his death.”

Su Huaijing laughed, satisfaction and pleasure in his eyes, “Then what does Tang Tang think he should do?”

“Keep a low profile, perform morning and evening court duties diligently, show loyalty, indulge in pleasures, enjoy life.” A discordant voice came from behind, laughing as it answered Su Huaijing’s question, then casually saluted Rong Tang, “I’ve read too many books at the academy. Hearing a question, I can’t help but answer. Please don’t blame me, Young Master.”

The newcomer was Ke Hongxue. Rong Tang was momentarily stunned, then fell silent, merely nodding without saying much, exchanging glances with Mu Jingxu, who followed Ke Hongxue, as a greeting.

Su Huaijing didn’t get an answer from Rong Tang, feeling slightly disappointed, but satisfied that he managed to get him to share so many of his thoughts.

He finished the chess game, stopping at a move that determined life or death, then looked at Ke Hongxue, “Is Ke Shaofu interested in assisting the Second Prince?”

Ke Hongxue curved his peach blossom eyes, “I have no such intentions, too troublesome.”

He said with a smile, “I came to ask when you two plan to return to the capital.”

Su Huaijing looked at Mu Jingxu, “Are you leaving?”

Mu Jingxu shook his head, “Not yet.”

Ke Hongxue said, “Seeing you didn’t return with Lu and the others, I guessed you might not be planning to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival in the capital. If you don’t mind, why not stay a bit longer in Jiangnan? I’ll show you around, and we can go back after Mid-Autumn.”

Rong Tang was momentarily taken aback. Wang Xiuyu had asked in a letter a few days ago when they would return to the capital, but Rong Tang subconsciously didn’t want to go back so soon.

The capital was a murky pool of exhausting schemes and heavily polluted. He secretly wished to let Su Huaijing rest more.

Moreover, currently in Jiangnan, with Mu Jingxu staying in Lin Garden, no one would gossip. Rong Tang and Su Huaijing hadn’t seen each other for a long time, and he didn’t want to separate them so soon.

He asked Ke Hongxue, “What does Ke Shaofu mean by this?”

Ke Hongxue smiled broadly, “I have no desire to assist any prince, but I am happy to accompany you on your journey.”

Rong Tang felt a jolt in his heart, realizing this was Ke Hongxue's gesture of allegiance.

He turned his head to look at Su Huaijing, who asked him, "Does Tang Tang want to go home?"

Mu Jingxu’s gaze drifted over, a hint of nervousness on his usually calm and composed face.

Rong Tang shook his head, "No, I don’t. Spending Mid-Autumn Festival in the palace every year is uncomfortable."

Su Huaijing smiled, "Then shall we spend the Mid-Autumn Festival in Jiangnan before returning?"

The persimmons on the tree were ripe, the world was dressed in autumn colors, and the courtyard was tranquil and serene. Rong Tang smiled in agreement, "Sounds good."

"Let's have a reunion dinner then, to commemorate our long-awaited reunion."

"Yours with your brother, and mine with you all."