Chapter 97

Chapter 97

On the eighth day of the first lunar month, it was Suhuai Jing’s birthday.

Rongtang moved back to Yong'an Lane and, early in the morning, excitedly knocked on Suhuai Jing's door, mysteriously pulling him outside without revealing their destination.

Fortunately, Suhuai Jing always indulged him, cooperatively putting on an expectant expression. The weather was splendid; their carriage left the city, passing through plum groves in bloom in the late winter and early spring, with swallows soon to return.

The carriage journey lasted all morning. Unusually, Rongtang didn't feel sleepy or nauseous, occasionally peering out excitedly, as if it were his own birthday. Suhuai Jing's heart softened, feeling perhaps it was all a bit too grand.

He hadn’t celebrated his birthday since he was eight, and now at eighteen, anticipating it like a child seemed somewhat childish.

But seeing Tangtang so happy, Suhuai Jing couldn't help but feel joyful too.

It was unclear why, maybe the weather, the time, the sun and moon, or the person sitting beside him...

Everything was perfect, and even he began to look forward to his birthday, anticipating the gift Tangtang had prepared.

The carriage stopped in front of a tranquil garden in the suburbs, surrounded by two date trees at the gate that would easily drop sweet, crisp fruits in autumn.

Two new stone lions guarded the entrance, holding pearls and playing with balls, symbolizing prosperity and peace.

The garden backed onto a forest. The carriage startled numerous birds and animals along the way, chirping brightly as they flew towards the early spring sunlight.

Suhuai Jing was surprised, looking around after stepping out of the carriage, then turned his puzzled gaze to Rongtang, "What is this place?"

Rongtang grinned broadly, his excitement flushing his face red. Before he could speak, a cold wind made him cough uncontrollably.

Immediately, Suhuai Jing set aside his curiosity, gently stuffing a hand furnace from Shuangfu into Rongtang's arms and patting his back to ease his cough, "Take your time, no rush."

"I'm not in a hurry," Rongtang coughed out the cold air but still sounded slightly defiant, muttering, "It's all this wind's fault."

Suhuai Jing, wordlessly amused, indulged his childishness, "Yes, blame the wind."

The obvious coddling made Rongtang, who hadn't felt embarrassed while speaking, blush and avert his gaze, avoiding the topic.

Rongtang grabbed Suhuai Jing’s wrist, “Come on, let's go inside and take a look!”

The garden was sparsely populated, yet it didn’t feel desolate or ruined.

From the outside, it seemed unremarkable, but as they stepped onto the front courtyard steps, winding around the shadowy screen wall, and walked further in, Suhuai Jing realized what Rongtang had given him.

His eyes widened in surprise, standing still for a long time, staring at the still-icy artificial lake in the middle of the garden without speaking.

All the residences on Xuanwu Avenue belonged to the imperial relatives, each more splendid and magnificent than the last.

The courtyard where he lived as a child, the corridors he passed through, the elm tree he climbed...

Many things that should have faded away with the sugar figures in the arms of the young general were now replicated in this estate far from the capital.

The stone lions, seen upon alighting from the carriage, were always there. In the imperial palace of Dayu, whether it was Suhuai Jing or the former crown prince, they were dignified and proper heirs to the throne; but back in the Duke Xian’s mansion, they were just children returned from their maternal home, able to ask for an extra piece of osmanthus cake or to be lifted high by their cousin to raid a bird's nest.

He actually… liked that residence very much.

He rarely regretted his decisions, but the blaze on the first snow day often haunted his dreams, along with the fire that engulfed the palace ten years ago.

He stood outside the flames, watching his younger self struggling to run, seeing the nursemaid desperately stuff him into a large barrel and send him off in a cart, and then watching the clouds of smoke rise over the capital, the fire spreading from the palace to the Duke Xian’s mansion.

Suhuai Jing stood there, watching familiar things from his youth burn to ashes, rise to the sky, and become part of the dark clouds, until they disappeared completely.

He even wondered, was there no other way besides burning it down?

Apparently not. He couldn’t completely influence Emperor Renshou’s decisions. The Duke Xian’s mansion was always a thorn in his side; even if not given to Shengcheng Li now, it would have been taken away eventually.

But how could they deserve to live in his maternal grandfather's house, or in the courtyard where his mother grew up?

So it had to be burned down, even if he never saw it again, better than facing his grandfather in the afterlife, asked why he hadn't protected their home.

But in a blink, Rongtang brushed away the ashes, gathered them in his palm, carefully and reverently restored every detail, and finally moved a miniaturized version of the “Duke Xian’s Mansion” right before his eyes.

Rongtang stood beside him, the cold wind occasionally blowing against them. He was wearing a large cloak, but still instinctively snuggled close to Suhuai Jing for warmth.

Then, he casually explained, "The garden is a bit smaller, not entirely rebuilt to the original. Tell me what you don’t like, and I’ll have the craftsmen change it."

His tone was so relaxed, as if memorizing every detail of such a house and spending time constructing and adjusting it was an easy task.

Suhuai Jing's voice was a bit hoarse, and after a pause, he asked, "Is this for me?"

Rongtang’s eyes sparkled as he nodded and smiled, "Yes! Happy birthday!"

The legal age of adulthood in Dayu was fifteen, but in Rongtang’s view, the eighteenth birthday was always a day worth celebrating.

A youth stepping out of his immature years, walking towards endless possibilities.

Just watching from the side filled Rongtang with immense joy.

He added in his heart: Happy coming of age!

You’ve really grown into a wonderful adult!

The spring breeze carried a biting chill. Suhuai Jing's eyes stung from the wind. He blinked and turned around to lead Rongtang towards the house where a charcoal fire was burning.

“Eh?” Rongtang was instantly stunned, hesitating for a few seconds before bending down slightly and looking up at Suhuai Jing with blinking eyes, his earlier joy gradually fading.

Why did he feel... that Suhuai Jing didn’t really like the gift?

The reaction seemed too subdued.

Rongtang was puzzled.

He had been so busy preparing this surprise for a very, very long time. Could it be that Suhuai Jing didn’t like it?

The young master Rong felt unusually disheartened. After a moment of staring, realizing there was no visible joy on Suhuai Jing's face, his spirits deflated, and he retracted his head, lowering it slightly like a defeated rooster.

It was then that Suhuai Jing said, “Thank you.”

He paused for a moment, emphasizing with great appreciation, "Thank you."

Rongtang's eyes brightened, he asked eagerly, "You like it, right? You do like it, don’t you? You can't not like it, right!?"

Suhuai Jing couldn’t help but laugh, his initial surge of warmth subdued by Rongtang’s exuberant demeanor. He looked at him, nodding, repeating, "I really, really like it, thank you, Tangtang brother."

The defeated rooster suddenly perked up, feeling immensely proud!

A gift prepared with heart, and exactly what the receiver wanted, this was something he could brag about for years!

[You’re really great!] The system commented in its typical indifferent tone.

Rongtang, generous as always, didn’t argue with it on Suhuai Jing’s birthday, instead saying, "I am a genius."

[Ah yes, yes, yes, Tangtang the little genius.]

Rongtang: "Hey!"

Only a few gardeners and gatekeepers were arranged in the garden. Having received prior notice of their master's visit, they had lit the stove in the hall. As Rongtang stepped through the door curtain, the temperature around him instantly became much warmer.

Suhuai Jing tested the temperature of the tea on the table, poured two cups, and asked him, "When did you start preparing this?"

Rongtang, sipping his tea and frowning as he still didn’t like the taste, warmed up a bit before setting it aside, replying, "I started preparing after returning from Song Garden."

Suhuai Jing raised his eyebrows slightly, unable to hide his surprise, "That early?"

Rongtang nodded, skirting the main issue, smilingly asking him, "Right, am I not very good?"

He deliberately threw out the question, not mentioning why he had started preparing such a house even before the Duke Xian’s mansion was burned, nor where he got the blueprints to restore the garden so accurately.

Suhuai Jing initially wanted to follow up, but with Tangtang saying that, smiling and playfully seeking praise, those questions seemed no longer imperative.

He smiled softly, nodding, "Very good, Tangtang is especially wonderful."

Suhuai Jing said, "Meeting Tangtang is my fortune, being brought home by Tangtang is even more so."

He wasn’t someone who didn’t show his emotions; it was just that the gift was so beyond his expectations that he was momentarily unable to react.

Riding in a bridal carriage from Yong'an Lane to the Ningxuan Prince's Mansion, Suhuai Jing for the first time felt truly cherished when he saw the meticulously decorated bedroom and study in Tanghua Courtyard.

But when this mansion appeared before him in such an unexpected way, Suhuai Jing was stunned.

His mind seemed unable to think, surrounded by familiar scenes, old and new intertwined, as if he could still hear General Wei's hearty laughter in his ears, but the person standing beside him was Rongtang.

Suhuai Jing thought that what he wanted, Tangtang had already given him long ago.

He wanted Rongtang to love him, but how could he say Tangtang didn’t love him with such a grand mansion before him?

Suhuai Jing looked earnestly into Rongtang’s eyes with a smile, saying he felt very fortunate. He wanted to praise the worldly prince but hesitated, his cheeks reddening slightly.

"It's not that great," he said softly.

In fact, the year he met Suhuai Jing had been happier and more comfortable than his previous two lives combined.

So, how should he count that?

"I am also very fortunate," said Rongtang.

Fortunate for not fainting in early spring and languishing in bed, fortunate for going to the Fengyue Tower in advance, fortunate for surviving the initial murderous intent in Suhuai Jing's first glance, and fortunate to see this version of the great villain now.

He said, "Suhuai Jing, you are actually really, really wonderful."

Outside the house, the spring light was warm, migratory birds returning, nearing midday, with the aroma of cooking wafting from the kitchen.

Suhuai Jing asked with a smile, "So, if I'm this good, does Tangtang want to be with me?"

Not just like we are now, but truly in a union – bonded for life, growing old together, sharing the same resting place.

"I'll join your family's genealogy, how are we not a married couple then?"

Suhuai Jing habitually asked this question, having done so many times over the past six months, with Rongtang always firmly refusing.

But today was his birthday, and Suhuai Jing wanted to indulge in some birthday privileges.

He thought Rongtang would still refuse, or at least give a vague answer in light of his birthday, but unexpectedly, Rongtang fell into a peculiar silence after the question.

Suhuai Jing was slightly startled, encountering this reaction for the first time.

Rongtang pursed his lips, appearing to ponder seriously, and after a while, tentatively asked, "Then, you have to promise not to bury me with you, okay?"

“？”

Suhuai Jing was truly baffled, asking, "If I promise, will you be with me?"

Rongtang wrinkled his face, fingers nervously clenching on the side, murmured softly, "If you promise, we can start by dating."

Suhuai Jing: "Dating?"

Rongtang's face reddened a bit, realizing his word choice was too modern, and explained, "It means after two people like each other, they spend time together, get to know each other better."

Suhuai Jing, as if encountering such a conundrum for the first time in his life, asked in confusion, "But aren’t we already married?"

He added, "We got married and have been together for nearly a year."

What more is there to understand? Everything Tangtang hides from him, but now he can't ask.

Suhuai Jing was utterly confused.

Rongtang's gaze drifted, his mouth slightly dry, hesitating for a moment before murmuring softly, "That means we're in a 'love after marriage' situation..."

Suhuai Jing: "?"

Great, another term he hadn't heard before.

His curiosity about what else could be in Rongtang’s mind was growing, but seeing Tangtang finally relenting, Suhuai Jing didn’t want to press him.

He only asked, "So, if I promise not to have Tangtang buried with me, you agree to be with me?"

Rongtang was silent for a moment, then nodded so faintly it was almost imperceptible.

Suhuai Jing chuckled, speaking clearly, "I promise."

Rongtang instantly looked up at him, and Suhuai Jing’s smile was light, "So are we officially dating now?"

"... " Rongtang was also a bit stunned, "Suppose so."

"Can I hold Tangtang’s hand then?" Suhuai Jing asked.

Rongtang: "Haven't you been holding it all this time?"

"It's different now," Suhuai Jing said, yet didn't explain how.

He took Rong Tang's hand and they sat by the door, warming themselves by the fire and watching birds forage in the courtyard, with thin wisps of smoke rising from the chimney.

The countryside was so quiet it felt like they were the only two people there.

Su Huaijing, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar mansion, suddenly smiled, murmuring, "Tang Tang is like my anchor."

With him around, it felt like he wouldn't lose his way.

As for being buried together...

Tang Tang had deceived him so many times, deceiving him back once didn’t seem unfair, right?

This thought made Su Huaijing instantly alert, and he asked, "Why did you agree to me today? Is it because of your birthday, so you’re deceiving me?"

Rong Tang, shocked, exclaimed, "I am not a liar!"

Su Huaijing looked at him skeptically, remaining silent.

Rong Tang: "???"

After a moment of silence, he said, "Because you are eighteen now."

Su Huaijing puzzled: "So?"

Rong Tang glanced at him, his voice soft and not very confident: "Because I am a good person with a sense of morality."

Su Huaijing: "…?"

There it is again, the good person speech. Tang Tang, you're just tricking me, aren't you?

The author has a message:

Ball Ball: Ah yes, yes, yes! You're moral, you're a good person, and you don’t dodge when someone kisses you!