Chapter 109

Chapter 109

Following the imperial examination, the Da Yu dynasty's court underwent a significant reshuffle, with the situation in the capital becoming increasingly obscure, hidden currents swirling beneath calm waters.

At the end of April, Rong Tang, as usual, paid a visit to the Ningxuan King’s Mansion.

With Qian Shi nearing her full term, he couldn’t shake off a sense of unease.

Rong Tang wanted to bring the princess consort to Yong'an Lane for temporary stay, but the absence of a mistress in the mansion could stir up controversy, and Wang Xiuyu herself was reluctant to leave.

With no other choice, Rong Tang had to visit regularly, ensuring Dr. Lin checked her pulse each time to avoid a repeat of the past tragedies.

Whether it was due to the Princess Dowager's return to the mansion calming Qian Shi and Wang Xiuyu, or Wang Xiuyu herself loosening her grip on power, her health was remarkably good, with no serious issues apart from a chronic condition from past childbirths.

Just as Rong Tang began to relax, Wang Xiuyu, with a curve of her brows, instructed the doctor to check Rong Tang’s pulse as well.

This often led to the scene where the senior doctor, while examining, would frown in concern, advising Rong Tang, the real patient, to take care of his health and not to stress excessively.

Su Huaijing usually remained silent, ignoring Rong Tang's pleading looks for rescue, sometimes even echoing the doctor's concerns about Rong Tang's health, leaving the younger prince in a tight spot.

Rong Tang would regret initiating this whole act, but during the next visit, he would still ask the doctor to check Wang Xiuyu's pulse.

He had no choice. He couldn't bear to see his mother-like figure suffer the same fate again.

On a day when Su Huaijing was off duty, Rong Tang brought him to the mansion to have lunch with the princess consort.

Afterwards, Rong Tang returned to Tanghua Courtyard for a rest, while Su Huaijing went to the Princess Dowager's courtyard.

Early summer's languor was perfect for napping, with the chirping of birds and insects outside, all composing a lullaby to soothe the soul.

Rong Tang woke up from his sleep and found that Su Huaijing hadn't returned. He relaxed in the courtyard for a while and then leisurely headed to the garden through a small path, wanting to breathe some fresh air.

The children of the Ningxuan King's residence were all close in age, except for a four-year-old younger brother from the second branch and the unborn child in Qian Shi's womb. The others were all around twenty years old, having grown up together like siblings.

But the actual extent of their familial affection was unclear to anyone.

Rong Tang reached the garden and saw two elegant figures by the pond. He hesitated, thinking of leaving, but one of them turned around and called out in surprise, "Brother, you're back at the residence?"

With no other choice, Rong Tang braced himself and walked over.

They were Rong Ning, the younger sister from the main branch, and Rong Ying, the elder sister from the second branch.

After exchanging greetings, Rong Ning cheerfully initiated a conversation. She was lively by nature, pampered by Rong Mingyu and Rong Zheng, and her innocence showed through.

In contrast, Rong Ying appeared much more mature and composed.

Rong Tang looked at her, feeling that her demeanor seemed more gentle and thoughtful than their last meeting.

He was slightly distracted, thinking of a plot briefly mentioned in the original story.

Empress Wang's direct son had died young, and the Empress had no other children. Without a direct heir to the Emperor, the palace factions were openly divided into three, forming a tripartite stand, each closely related to the previous dynasty.

Empress Wang was backed by the Jiangnan Wang clan, Noble Consort Hui had the support of the Grand Marshal of the Army and Horses Xia Jingyi, and Consort Yi was backed by Elder Zhang.

The former dynasty factions balanced each other out, while in the harem, each faction operated independently.

Noble Consort Hui had mothered the Third and Sixth Princes, Consort Yi was the mother of the Second Prince, and the mother of the Fourth Prince, Consort Ru, was originally one of her maids. Without her own children, the Empress was in a particularly difficult position amidst these factions.

Although Consort Fang, who was on good terms with the Empress, had the Seventh Prince, who was subtly being groomed to be adopted by the Empress as her heir, the position of a direct heir was prestigious, and adoption was not so simple. Besides, Consort Fang was, after all, the mother and was naturally reluctant to have her own child adopted by someone else.

The tripartite stand of the harem was more like a bubble on the surface of a lake, easily burst with a single touch.

This illusion maintained until Consort Yi became pregnant again, on the verge of giving birth to another royal child, bringing the situation to the brink of shattering.

Rong Mingyu, showing sincere intentions to his wife, came up with the plan to send his niece into the palace as a consort to assist the Empress.

However, before arrangements could be finalized, Wu Kangbo's rebellion was exposed, Yi Consort was demoted, Chancellor Zhang begged for retirement, and the second prince's faction was utterly defeated. The fourth prince died soon after, and Emperor Renshou gave the newly born eighth prince to the Empress, granting her a nominal heir and sparing Rong Ying from the fate of entering the palace.

Rong Ying, being a few months older than Rong Tang, was his older cousin, and he respectfully addressed her as such.

In Da Yu, women could marry at fifteen, but noble families often preferred to keep their daughters at home for a few more years, usually not exceeding the age of twenty.

The second branch had yet to find a suitable husband for Rong Ying, likely due to Rong Mingyu's plans.

Since these events did not occur in Rong Tang's previous lifetimes, he hadn't pondered them much. But this time, the butterfly effect had its unforeseen consequences, leaving even him uncertain of the final outcome.

If those fated to die are saved, will the flowers that should have blossomed wither instead?

Róng Táng frowned slightly, casting a discreet glance at Róng Yíng.

A maid hurried into the garden, announcing that the second son had returned to the estate, bringing many outside trinkets for the youngest lady, and called for Róng Péng to see them.

The young girl, overjoyed, turned to leave in search of her brother, but paused to ask her cousin, "Will you come with me?"

Róng Yíng smiled gently, "I’ll stay and chat with Á Táng."

Róng Péng, undeterred, cheerfully skipped back to her own courtyard.

Early lotuses bloomed in the pond, with dragonflies perching on their green leaves.

Róng Péng gazed at the lake, lost in thought. Róng Táng didn’t interrupt, waiting patiently for her to speak, until Róng Yíng posed a question: "Which bond do you think is stronger, blood kinship or the ties of a royal clan?"

Startled, Róng Táng looked at his cousin, who with her beautiful brows and gentle eyes, gazed at the rippling lake, her lips curved in a subtle, elegant smile.

Róng Táng queried, "Why compare the two?"

A trace of confusion crossed Róng Yíng’s face, seeming puzzled by her own question: "I’m not sure, just curious."

Róng Táng tentatively asked, "Is there something troubling you at home?"

Róng Yíng paused briefly, then smiled and shook her head: "What could possibly trouble me?"

As the nominal eldest daughter of the Níngxiān King's estate, with a father serving as the Minister of Rites and an uncle as the King, and a grandmother of the esteemed Enduì Princess, she was born into a life of privilege.

Róng Táng was struck by the inherent pride and confidence in her response, which belied her gentle demeanor, uniquely characteristic of ‘Róng Yíng’.

He remembered last year’s Flower Breaking Festival, where the Róng sisters were present when Hé Shàngshū’s daughter witnessed a corpse, yet from start to finish, hardly anyone mentioned Róng Péng and Róng Yíng; all attention was on Miss Hé’s shock.

Róng Zhèng had commented, "Uncle is cautious, and as a result, the cousins from the second branch are all very careful."

Such caution, however, was a sign of exceptional intelligence.

Rong Ying was probably much smarter than her brothers.

This realization made Rong Tang's typically carefree mindset waver. He hesitated for a moment before not avoiding the topic as Rong Ying did, and instead asked, “Cousin, why haven’t you married yet?”

His question was abrupt and unusual in a society where strict gender norms prevailed, even between cousins. Therefore, Rong Ying was visibly startled and looked at Rong Tang with surprise.

Rong Tang met her gaze without flinching, softly asking, “Is it because you haven’t found a suitable family, or do you not wish to marry?”

He couldn’t directly ask if Rong Ying was waiting to enter the palace, but his question was clear enough. If Rong Ying was indeed intelligent, she would understand his implication.

The surroundings were quiet, with only the sound of summer lotus leaves rustling in the wind. Green frogs leaped nimbly on the lotus leaves, each jump causing droplets to fall into the pond, creating ripples across the surface.

Rong Ying gazed at Rong Tang in a daze, her eyes suddenly brimming with a faint redness.

But that hint of red vanished as quickly as it appeared. Rong Ying turned her head away, her gaze fixed on an indistinct point on the lake's surface, possibly just where sunlight touched the water. She spoke softly, "Even with Grandmother's status and intelligence, was her marriage ever her own choice to make?"

Rong Tang remained silent, realizing she was aware of Rong Mingyu's plans.

"If cousin does not wish it, no one can force you," he said.

Rong Ying smiled lightly, "It’s easy for you to say, Ah Tang. You are the heir, and the Princess Consort dotes on you. You have choices that can’t be forced upon you."

Rong Tang replied, "The love and preferential treatment I receive are all because of my poor health, my imminent demise. Mother knows that rather than pressuring me, it's better to let me live these few years in peace, which has led to what everyone sees as my ‘do as I please’ lifestyle."

Rong Ying paused, turning back to look at him.

When most people speak of their impending death, there's usually a sense of reluctance or despair. Yet, in Rong Tang, she saw none of that, only a calm acceptance of an inevitable fact.

Unable to change fate, he simply chose to accept it.

However, his next words contrasted sharply with his earlier acceptance: "But cousin, you're different. You're the top female scholar at this year's Flower Folding Ceremony. If there's a young man you like, you can wear the red bridal dress and marry into a good family. If not, are you to blindly follow your parents’ wishes and live the rest of your decades in a haze?"

Rong Ying’s expression shifted dramatically, looking at him in disbelief.

Rong Tang smiled gently, easing some of the seriousness and earnestness in his tone, "Cousin, your poetry is excellent. Even attributed to others, it still commands admiration."

The Flower Folding Ceremony of Qingzheng’s tenth year had more talents and beauties from the capital than the previous year.

With the imperial examinations underway, students from across the nation who were in the capital for the exams converged to witness this grand floral spectacle.

Rong Tang, not particularly interested and with Su Huaijing lacking leave, decided not to attend the event.

It was the resourceful Ke Shaofu who returned from Song Garden, fanning himself and cheerfully announcing, “A female top scholar emerged this time.”

Few knew that the winning poem was written by Rong Ying, but how could Ke Hongxue be just an ordinary person?

When Rong Tang read that spring ode, he found it delicate yet imbued with bold spirit – a rare poetic talent.

Now, as he spoke with Rong Ying, she was momentarily stunned, her eyes flickering with deep emotion.

Rong Tang didn’t rush her, simply shifting his weight subtly to ease the fatigue from standing too long.

Eventually, Rong Ying composed herself and asked, “If I do not wish for it… what should I do?”

Relieved, Rong Tang suggested, “Grandmother is a Buddhist devotee and the first day of the lunar month is approaching. Cousin might consider asking if she wants to visit Tuolan Temple to light incense and eat vegetarian for a few days to cleanse the soul. If the Buddha gives some sign, it can’t be ignored.”

His advice was delivered with such simplicity, devoid of any guilt or fear of scheming against the Princess Royal. Rong Ying, stunned, suddenly laughed.

She remarked, “Everyone said you were clever from a young age, only pitying your soul’s detachment for years leading to insanity. Now recovered, you truly impress. With such eloquence and stratagem, I start to wish for a miraculous cure to rid you of your persistent ailments.”

Rong Tang nodded slightly, “I'll take cousin’s auspicious words.”

Rong Ying’s gaze briefly wandered afar before returning to Rong Tang, bowing gracefully, “Thank you, younger brother, I have my answer now to that question.”

Rong Tang stood waiting for more, but then footsteps approached from behind. Turning around, he bumped into Su Huaijing’s chest.

Rong Ying, smiling, turned and walked away without providing Rong Tang an answer.

Slightly dazed, Rong Tang instinctively reached out to follow Rong Ying, but Su Huaijing seized the opportunity to grab his wrist, smilingly inquiring, “What did you discuss with cousin?”

Rong Tang, feeling helpless as Rong Ying had already walked away, explained to Su Huaijing, "My cousin asked me whether blood relations or clan lineage is more important. I didn't have an answer, and just as she said she figured it out, you arrived."

Su Huaijing paused, then chuckled, "Trying to blame me again, Rong Tang?"

"I'm not," Rong Tang murmured, stamping his feet lightly to ease the numbness from standing too long, intending to walk back with Su Huaijing.

Suddenly, Su Huaijing glanced down, released Rong Tang’s hand, and squatted on the ground.

Rong Tang was startled, "What's wrong?"

The villainous Su Huaijing looked back, "Get on."

Rong Tang hesitated for a second, then sheepishly responded, "It's not that painful."

Su Huaijing suggested, "Then shall I carry you back?"

Rong Tang was speechless. What kind of choice was that?

He looked around and, feeling like a thief in his own house, eventually climbed onto Su Huaijing's back.

Once his feet were off the ground, he couldn't help but curl them slightly.

Well, it did hurt a bit, and being carried home was indeed very comfortable!