Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Rong Tang stiffened, feeling a sinking sensation in his heart. He turned to look at Sheng Chengli, asking with surprise, "Why would Your Highness say such a thing?"

There were many possible interpretations of these words. The most obvious one was that Rong Tang had just asked him not to call him 'cousin', implying a refusal to acknowledge any close kinship with Sheng Chengli.

A deeper meaning existed only between the main character of the previous two lives and Rong Tang.

Rong Tang even thought with interest that he wasn’t too foolish; he had been addressed as 'cousin', not some other more bizarre term.

"For instance, the gentleman, Mr. Tang..."

A cold breeze swept by, and Rong Tang involuntarily shivered, unsure whether it was the cold or Sheng Chengli's distasteful presence that affected him.

Behind him, steady footsteps approached. Su Huaijing placed the teapot on the stone table in the pavilion and then removed his coat to drape over Rong Tang.

Rong Tang was about to ask why Su Huaijing wasn't wearing his robe, but upon meeting his eyes, he saw a hint of reproach, felt inexplicably guilty, and dared not speak further.

The main antagonist remained silent throughout, pouring Rong Tang a cup of tea, sitting beside him, then lifting his head with a clear and pure voice, merging with the wind over the lake, bringing only comfort.

He said, "It's an honor to have the Fifth Prince visit; I apologize for not greeting you earlier. Please don't take offense."

Sheng Chengli restrained the pitiful act he had just put on, a flicker of confusion and resistance crossing his eyes. After a moment of silence, he said, "There's no need for formality, Sir Su. My cousin made a special trip from the estate to fetch me, which I greatly appreciate. I hold no grievances."

"Is that so?" Su Huaijing chuckled softly, turning his head with an inscrutable glance at Rong Tang.

The latter, startled, cursed Sheng Chengli inwardly for setting him up again, and firmly met Su Huaijing's gaze, indicating his lack of regard for Sheng Chengli.

Su Huaijing's overcoat, which had been grabbed by Qin Pengxuan, was left on the carriage. He had taken off his coat to shield Tang Tang from the wind. Now, dressed lightly, he naturally reached into the layer of clothing covering Rong Tang, warming his hands over the hand-warmer in a straightforward manner in front of Sheng Chengli.

Rong Tang was momentarily stunned, feeling his hands were even warmer than the hand-warmer, wondering why he had to come so close.

Thinking this, Rong Tang shifted his hand to share some of the warmth with Su Huaijing.

Su Huaijing asked nonchalantly, "I heard you two talking when I arrived. What were you discussing?"

As he spoke, his fingers gently caressed the back of Rong Tang's hand, sending a jolt through Rong Tang as if electrified. He sat up straight and earnestly replied, "His Highness asked me a question I didn’t understand, and I was inquiring why he said that."

He looked at Sheng Chengli and asked again, "What did Your Highness mean by those words earlier? There's a vast difference between our statuses. If such words were overheard by the wrong people, it could become a tool to impeach me. It would be best for Your Highness to clarify."

Su Huaijing lowered his head, a faint smile playing on his lips as he subtly shook his head. His fingers reached forward, once again covering Rong Tang's hand.

He didn't really need warmth; it was more about the frustration, jealousy, regret, and hatred in his heart. If he didn't cling to Tang Tang, hold him tight, Su Huaijing feared he might act irrationally.

Rong Tang's body stiffened momentarily, then gradually relaxed, allowing him to play with his fingers under the cover of their clothing, indulging him to the extreme.

Sheng Chengli looked somewhat startled, a hint of incredulity in his eyes. He closed his eyes briefly before preparing to respond.

Su Huaijing caught his expression and felt oddly better, leaning slightly closer to Rong Tang, eliciting a slightly reproachful look.

He chuckled softly, listening to Sheng Chengli: "It's not a big deal. Our father always reminds us not to forget the favor our great-grandmother did for our dynasty during its troubled times, saving our ancestor and stabilizing the court. He urges us to treat the children of the Princess's estate as our own kin. Thus, I was momentarily agitated when my cousin refused to let me address him as a brother, and I lost my composure. Please don't hold it against me."

Su Huaijing raised his eyebrows slightly, glancing at Rong Tang and pinching his fingertips, unclear whether he was praising or being coquettish.

He turned to Sheng Chengli, speaking coolly as if enlightened, "His Majesty manages a multitude of affairs daily and still finds time to teach his sons. This shows the harmony and deep affection within the imperial family, revealing that the rumors outside and in the court are indeed not to be trusted."

Sheng Chengli was taken aback, belatedly realizing the implication of his words. Being only sixteen, he couldn't hide his emotions, his face reddening slightly.

Su Huaijing sneered inwardly upon seeing this.

Everyone knew that among the Emperor's children, this Fifth Prince was the least favored and loved, raised in a cold palace. Yet, he could claim that "our father always teaches us."

Was it in a dream, perhaps?

Su Huaijing continued, "Your Highness values Tang Tang, willing to call me cousin; it is our good fortune—"

Before he could finish, his finger was pinched hard. Su Huaijing turned in pain to see Rong Tang's eyes blazing with anger, clearly expressing his displeasure.

He then smiled and passed the tea cup to Rong Tang, changing the topic: "However, let's not mention 'blood relation' again. Those in the know would see it as reverence for the royal favor, respecting elders, and a model of monarch and subject; but to the unaware, it might seem as if Ning Xuanwang's household is insatiable, coveting imperial power, presumptuously attempting to claim kinship with the royal heirs, casting doubt on our loyalty and sincerity towards His Majesty. What do you think, Your Highness?"

Rong Tang, listening on the side, secretly applauded. "Truly befitting a main antagonist," he thought. "With his cunning and quick thinking, he flipped the situation in just a few words, turning from guest to host. It seemed like a casual, well-meaning inquiry, but any careless reply could trap you."

Not even Sheng Chengli, or the eloquent Minister Ke, could outwit him. How many times have they been bested by him in three lifetimes combined?

Releasing his nail grip, Rong Tang gently rubbed the pinched spot, temporarily forgiving his so-called 'good fortune' remark.

'Good fortune' my foot, more like bad luck!

Su Huaijing couldn't help but want to laugh, amused by Tang Tang's see-through temper and how easily he could be coaxed.

He watched Sheng Chengli with a smile, seemingly waiting for his response.

Sheng Chengli paused, then said, "Sir Su is right in his reminder. I misspoke. You and my cousin—"

Before he could finish, Rong Tang's eyebrows knitted slightly. Sheng Chengli, inwardly cursing, worried about further challenges, changed his words: "You and the Crown Prince are correct, I'll remember this lesson."

Su Huaijing raised his hand to stop this gesture, saying, "Your Highness is too kind. You, being the imperial heir, and Tang Tang and I are merely subjects and commoners, the word 'lesson' is too heavy for us."

He was adamantly defensive, not leaving any opening for Sheng Chengli.

Sheng Chengli swallowed, realizing it wasn't the right time to speak further to Rong Tang. He hesitantly raised his bright eyes, saying, "I will soon be journeying to the imperial tombs. Please take good care of yourself in the capital, don’t neglect your health, and don't worry those who care for you."

Su Huaijing's eyes narrowed slightly, feeling perhaps he had spoken too lightly, while Rong Tang simply said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."

The main antagonist felt immediately displeased. Whatever Sheng Chengli said or did, he could at most feel disdain, but as soon as Tang Tang responded to him, Su Huaijing felt an uncontrollable sourness rising.

He lowered his gaze, slipping his free hand back into his sleeve, searching for the poison needles he carried.

Rong Tang continued, "At the New Year's Eve palace banquet, Your Highness specially sent me delicious dishes to alleviate my hunger. I haven’t had the chance to personally thank you for your thoughtfulness."

As the sun sank behind the mountains and dusk began to fade, Su Huaijing found a cold silver needle in his hand, feeling a chill in his heart.

Rong Tang looked back, seemingly waiting for someone.

Su Huaijing's movements paused when, almost at the same time, he heard the squawking of a goose behind him, each squawk more impudent than the last, like a tyrannical overlord.

He turned around, slightly startled, to see Shuangfu returning, holding a goose in one hand.

Rong Tang finished his sentence with a smile: "It's just that I am of weak constitution and cannot touch pungent or spicy food. So I took the liberty of distributing your generous offering to the young masters who attended the feast, to avoid discussions about you showing favoritism."

His smile was light, ostensibly preventing gossip, but his words subtly told Sheng Chengli: you’ve made many enemies for yourself.

But what did that have to do with Rong Tang?

He continued: "However, the goose soup did indeed nourish me. My mother occasionally visits the Empress in the palace, and she tells me of your hardships there, Your Highness. How can I accept your kindness so freely? These two geese, well-fed and vigorous, should repay the meal you provided. Thank you, Your Highness."

He stood up, respectfully performing a courtier's bow to Sheng Chengli without allowing refusal. Sheng Chengli was completely baffled, only realizing what had happened when it was too late and the two noisy geese made it difficult for him to even speak.

Rong Tang, composed, seemed not to realize the absurdity of his actions, instead sincerely saying: "The imperial mausoleum is cold and remote from the capital; the servants there may not be diligent. If Your Highness doesn't wish to return the geese to the royal kitchen, you might take them to the mausoleum for sustenance when hungry."

He glanced at the sky casually, "It's getting late, and the palace gates will soon close. I won't keep Your Highness for dinner; you should return to the palace early."

Sheng Chengli was mostly stunned, and when he came to his senses, he had already unconsciously turned and started walking out of the estate.

Shuangfu herded the geese, which squawked menacingly as they walked, even audaciously defecating a fresh yellow mess on the shoes of the world’s protagonist, the esteemed Fifth Prince of Dayu.

"Yikes!" Rong Tang turned his face away, refusing to look at the scene.

After a moment of silence, Su Huaijing let out a muffled laugh, pocketed the silver needle back into his sleeve, draped another coat over Rong Tang, and led him towards the hall.

He asked with a smile, "Is this why Tang Tang didn't want to meet him inside the house?"

The wind clears the mind, preventing momentary folly from old affections; fierce poultry with a strong smell of droppings, the open outdoors won't let the charcoal smoke fill the room with its stench.

Was he returning a favor? From beginning to end, he was merely belittling and demeaning Sheng Chengli.

Su Huaijing watched Rong Tang with a slightly proud and upturned expression, his playful nature surfacing. He pouted, making a pitiful face: "Tang Tang gave away the goose I caught for him to someone else."

Rong Tang's expression darkened, and he turned to glare at him: "How could that be possible!"

Su Huaijing was slightly startled, looking somewhat surprised.

Rong Tang explained, "That was something I hurriedly asked the cook to buy from our neighbor after hearing he was coming this afternoon."

He scoffed softly, “Our family’s young master is so kind; how could I possibly give these to someone else.”

Sù Huáijǐng, failing to grasp the underlying implications of his words, remained oblivious. The system, having observed everything, scornfully snorted: [Young master, indeed.]

Lanterns began to light up in the garden, with the aroma of dinner growing stronger as one approached the main residence.

Sù Huáijǐng, holding Róng Táng’s hand, strolled slowly back to their home against the wind, his voice as gentle as always, blending with the night and the budding flowers on the trees, as if welcoming the arrival of a warm spring.

The beauty of spring waters and autumn moons pales in comparison to the warmth emanating from the person before him.

Róng Táng, with a gentle and composed smile in his eyes, spoke in a relaxed tone as if discussing everyday meals, calling out softly, “Táng Táng.”

“Hmm?”

“Can’t I just kill Shèng Chénglì?”

Sù Huáijǐng's puzzlement was immense, yet the smile at the corner of his lips never waned.

"I really want to kill him. Is it truly not possible?" he asked softly, almost pleadingly, like a child seeking permission.