Chapter 79

Chapter 79

The death of a servant in Ning Xuan Wang’s mansion was never a big deal.

More talked about in the mansion was the lord’s apparent high regard for his concubine Qian Shi’s unborn child, not only increasing her monthly allowance but also treating her with the same standard as the main wife, even securing an estate for the third young master, Rong Yuan.

Everyone in the mansion knew that Rong Mingyu doted on his unborn child to an extreme extent.

This was quite uncharacteristic. Rong Tang, who had known Rong Mingyu for lifetimes, observed him not as a father but as a politician - the only non-imperial prince in the Daiyu Dynasty.

His observations matched the original description of Rong Mingyu: a loyal, quiet dog raised at the Emperor's feet.

Deep and inscrutable, yet fiercely loyal to the Emperor. Family affairs and emotional ties were insignificant compared to his position in the court. Except for Princess Duan Yi, he barely paid attention to his family.

Why then would he dote so much on an unborn child?

Rong Tang couldn’t understand, just as he couldn’t fathom why Rong Mingyu was so certain that the child in Qian Shi’s womb was a boy.

But it was none of his concern. As the weather grew colder day by day, with chilling north winds in the capital, Rong Tang, feeling languid, barely wanted to move, spending his days only when the weather was clear, accompanying Su Huaijing to the main wife’s courtyard for a chat and to help with trivial matters, easing her burdens.

Qian Shi had her eyes set on the precious red charcoal in Tang Hua Court. One afternoon, Rong Tang, while visiting the principal wife's courtyard, overheard Si Mo, a maid of Rong Mingyu, instructing that the same red charcoal used by the young master this winter should be prepared for the concubine as well.

Rong Tang felt displeased and was about to question her, but Su Huaijing tugged at his sleeve, signaling him to stay calm.

After the maid finished speaking, Su Huaijing opened the door and approached her, expressing with difficulty, "The lord cares for Auntie and fears she might catch cold in winter, so adding more charcoal is understandable. However, this year’s floods have submerged many charcoal-producing areas. The red charcoal for the young master’s court was acquired at a high price from various estates over two months, and we managed to gather only half of the usual amount. Where would we find the funds for this expensive addition for Auntie?"

Si Mo, slightly startled, seemed not to have anticipated Su Huaijing and Rong Tang being present. She bowed to the young master and his wife before saying, "The lord's intention is for the young master to allocate half of his charcoal for Auntie."

She seemed to realize the absurdity of her statement, speaking much softer with a conflicted expression, and avoiding Su Huaijing's gaze.

Su Huaijing, with his back to Rong Tang and a cool demeanor, still spoke with a trace of a smile, "I'm afraid that's not possible. The young master has been seriously ill twice this year and needs proper care now. Suddenly reducing the supply of charcoal in his court might risk a relapse."

Si Mo, troubled, turned to Su Huaijing, “Please, sir, make a decision.”

Su Huaijing smiled faintly, "Auntie Qian is pregnant and indeed shouldn’t be cold; however, the charcoal for Tang Tang’s daily use cannot be reduced. Red charcoal is scarce now, and finding it in haste is not only unlikely but also unreasonably expensive."

Si Mo nodded in agreement, "You're right, sir."

Su Huaijing: "It just so happens that I have a friend whose family does business in the south. Every year they stock up on high-quality black charcoal for emergencies. While it's not as luxurious as red-ember charcoal, it's much better than the ordinary poplar charcoal used in most households. If Auntie needs charcoal, she can consider buying some from him."

Si Mo thought for a moment: "But what about the price...?"

Su Huaijing smiled: "I'm on good terms with that friend, so he probably won't charge too much. Auntie can set aside a portion of her monthly allowance, which should be enough to get through a warm winter. She wouldn't hesitate to spend a little for the sake of the child in her womb, don't you think, Sister?"

His demeanor was natural and casual from beginning to end, decisively refusing yet offering a solution, and finally, he threw out a question with a smile. Si Mo stood there pondering for a long time, then respectfully bowed: "My lord speaks wisely. I will go back and report to the concubine."

She then turned to Yong Tang and bowed before leaving.

Su Huaijing turned around and walked back into the room with a smile.

Yong Tang looked at him suspiciously: "Since when do you have a friend who stores charcoal?"

Su Huaijing countered: "Isn't Ke Shaofu a friend to both of us?"

Yong Tang: "...?"

When Ke Hongxue sat in the elegantly furnished room of the Gilded Tower and heard this, he laughed so hard his eyes squinted. He swirled a white porcelain wine cup in his hand, almost spilling the wine.

He turned his head and asked Yong Tang: "Young Master, how much do you think I should sell the charcoal to her for?"

Initially, Yong Tang didn’t want to engage, but after a moment's thought, he couldn't resist and raised his index finger.

Ke Hongxue raised an eyebrow: "What does this mean?"

Yong Tang seriously replied: "Give me ten percent."

Ke Hongxue was taken aback: "?"

Yong Tang: "This business was brought to you by my Huaijing. I don't care how much you sell it for, just give me a ten percent share of the profit."

In the private room, five people were seated. Lu Jiaxi, just off duty and starving, was solely focused on eating.

Hearing Yong Tang's words, Mu Jingxu paused for two seconds and then let out a gentle laugh.

Ke Hongxue originally wanted to argue with Yong Tang but, seeing this, he didn’t utter a word and grandly gestured a "two" with his hand.

Yong Tang was slightly taken aback. Ke Hongxue said, "Twenty percent, I’ll give you a twenty percent commission."

Yong Tang: "..."

He glanced at Ke Hongxue and then slowly turned his gaze towards Mu Jingxu.

After a moment, Yong Tang rolled his eyes from the bottom of his heart: "Impressive."

Ke Hongxue chuckled without any thought of rebuttal, diligently serving dishes and soup to his senior on the side.

By the riverside of Jin Fen, where frost clung to the grass, Yong Tang sat in the private room of the Gilded Tower, listening to them casually discussing various stories.

Lu Jiaxi, having been meritorious in disaster relief, was exceptionally promoted to the Ministry of Rites upon returning to the capital. He followed an official from the Ministry, learning all about ceremonial matters, and now truly could be considered a person of status.

During the time Yong Tang and Ke Hongxue were haggling, Lu Jiaxi had eaten his fill. Just as he put down his utensils, he noticed all four pairs of eyes at the table on him.

Ke Hongxue asked with a smile, "Have you eaten your fill?"

The young master Lu, somewhat embarrassed, smiled sheepishly: "Almost."

Ke Hongxue, not believing him, called over the server to add a few more dishes and casually said, "The Prince Consort has just clinched a big deal for me, so don't worry. Tonight, I'm treating; eat to your heart's content."

Yong Tang felt this man was really too mouthy.

Not wanting to look at him, Yong Tang leaned against Su Huaijing, who naturally took his hand and began to gently knead it.

Occasionally, Yong Tang would feel uncomfortable from the kneading and try to pull back, but then Su Huaijing would look at him with blinking, pitiful eyes. Yong Tang would immediately soften and quietly let him continue.

A smile hidden in the corners of his eyes, Su Huaijing couldn’t keep his joy from showing, and Mu Jingxu, seeing him like this, also felt much more relaxed and happy.

He had once wondered what Xiao Qi would be like when he grew up, probably similar to himself – carefree and flirtatious, gallivanting on horseback.

Or maybe like the Crown Prince, dignified and imposing, commanding respect without anger.

None of those matched what he was now: clearly a young man of seventeen or eighteen, yet still acting coquettishly and cunningly in front of Yong Tang.

Sometimes, when Mu Jingxu saw the two of them together, he felt that Su Huaijing was still the carefree little prince from the days in the Da Yu imperial palace.

This was good, at least there was no drastic change in him.

Until Ke Hongxue casually asked Lu Jiaxi, "What have you been busy with recently?"

Young Master Lu frowned, "As the year-end approaches, the Minister is mainly occupied with preparations for the ancestral rituals and hosting banquets."

"And you?" Ke Hongxue asked further.

Lu Jiaxi: "I'm helping the Fifth Prince select a residence."

Yong Tang tensed up, suddenly looking up at Lu Jiaxi.

Su Huaijing, closest to him, keenly noticed the change in Yong Tang’s expression and posture, instinctively displeased.

He always felt that Tangtang paid too much attention to Sheng Chengli.

He really didn't like it.

Su Huaijing unconsciously tightened his grip, holding Yong Tang's hand even more firmly, but Yong Tang seemed not to notice at all and asked, "Is the residence decided?"

Lu Jiaxi shook his head: "We started choosing at the beginning of autumn. Several locations were proposed and submitted, but they were all rejected by the Minister."

As he spoke, he paused and glanced at Yong Tang's expression.

The Minister of Rites, Rong Mingli, is Yong Tang's second uncle.

But Yong Tang showed no reaction, only asking, "And then?"

Lu Jiaxi breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally, three residences were settled on. The proposal was submitted to the Minister a few days ago, I'm not sure if it's been reported to His Majesty yet."

"It was reported at yesterday's morning court, so it should be decided by now," Mu Jingxu said softly.

He had been standing in the Jinluan Hall at that time and naturally knew who reported what.

However, choosing a residence for a prince is a trivial matter and didn't need to be discussed openly in court, so Rong Mingli just submitted the petition without reading it aloud.

Mu Jingxu looked at Yong Tang and asked, "Is something wrong?"

Yong Tang shook his head, aware he had just lost his composure. He stepped back, and with Su Huaijing right beside him, almost ended up in his embrace.

Su Huaijing's mood improved a bit.

Yong Tang whispered, "I don't like him, so I don't want him to live in a nice residence."

It was incredibly childish, yet there was no point of doubt, and even Mu Jingxu was momentarily taken aback.

Lu Jiaxi, taking it seriously, nodded: "Indeed, it's not a very good residence. One of them has a budget allocated by the Ministry of Revenue that might not even be enough for renovations."

Su Huaijing asked, "Where is it?"

Yong Tang uncomfortably lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the wooden floor beneath his feet, seemingly lost in thought and oddly hesitant to meet Su Huaijing's eyes.

Lu Jiaxi: "On Xuanwu Boulevard, near the residence of Duke Xianxian."

The room fell silent instantly. Yong Tang felt a wave of melancholy, while Su Huaijing, looking down, played with the hair band on Yong Tang’s head, casually saying, "That residence, huh."

Mu Jingxu's brows furrowed, a rare trace of hostility emanating from him.

Lu Jiaxi, sensing the odd atmosphere in the room, was completely unaware of what had happened.

This lasted until the noise from outside the Gilded Tower broke the silence, with the sound of hurried footsteps echoing out.

Su Huaijing chuckled softly, his chin slightly lifted.

"Seems like it's not quite suitable," he said.

Outside the tower, a fierce blaze was visible from a great distance, reaching for the sky with an unstoppable force, almost illuminating the entire city of Yu Jing.

Su Huaijing lowered his head to look at Yong Tang, a smile on his lips but a scrutinizing look in his eyes.

"Tangtang, it seems that residence doesn't like him either."

"Tangtang, it appears you've kept many things from me."