Chapter 110

Chapter 110

Rong Tang never inquired about Su Huaijing's schemes.

Whether it was the steps he took for Sheng Chengming, what he discussed with the Princess Royal, the webs he laid in the shadows, or when he planned to close his nets...

Rong Tang never asked, possessing a pure and innate trust in Su Huaijing.

The system, sometimes unable to hold back frustration, exclaimed, "[You never acted like this in your past two lifetimes!]"

Rong Tang replied righteously, "Did the male lead you chose possess the trustworthiness that allows me such confidence?"

The system found itself stumped, its aura spinning in frustration in the space for a long time. It hovered over Rong Tang’s head in exasperation, yet couldn’t find any words to refute him.

No, Sheng Chengli was not worthy.

The person he trusted and turned his back to could very well consume him in a single bite.

That was the real viper; the descriptions in the original text about Su Huaijing should all be transferred to him instead.

And Su Huaijing...

The mini-system racked its brains for days, but couldn't think of an animal that better described this grand villain.

Like a peacock, he would show his splendor in front of Rong Tang.

Like a rabbit, he would act coquettishly and play cute.

Like a wolfhound, he could set traps and catch prey.

……

He was like everything, making it impossible to find the most fitting description.

Then one idle day, Rong Tang took up brush and ink and drew a picture of a tiger returning to the mountains on a brownish-yellow paper.

The system had a sudden insight, finally realizing what Su Huaijing resembled.

He was like a tiger, lurking in broad daylight, hunting in silent, secluded places.

His actions were unabashed and could even be described as blatant. Yet, from Emperor Renshou down to the civil and military officials, not one suspected him.

Who would suspect a forthright and majestic tiger?

Snakes and tigers, each marking their territory in the jungle, vying for dominance, until the moment they meet and the victor is decided.

And in the previous two lifetimes, Su Huai Jing had won without exception.

—Then the world was obliterated.

The system, nestled in its space, was a creation of data, not meant to feel fatigue. Yet in this world, it was not sure if it was simulating human senses or had higher permissions and abilities than other systems. It found itself increasingly humanlike.

It felt tired, experienced sorrow, joy, loss, melancholy, and anger.

It didn’t understand whether this was a contagion from staying with its host for too long, or if it inherently possessed these abilities.

But for a system that only issued tasks, what use were these emotions?

The system couldn’t figure it out. Its connection to the main brain was also shut off, and the host would never know the reason behind these emerging signs.

Four years had passed, and they only had two to three years left. It felt somewhat of a loss to be trapped by these elusive questions.

Thus, the system didn't ask, contentedly accompanying Rong Tang day by day as his freeloader, feeling its own fatigue deepen daily.

Returning from Ning Xuan Wang's mansion to Yong'an Lane as evening fell, Rong Tang stepped out of Tanghua Courtyard. He glanced at the women's quarters deep in the garden, his mind still unsettled. He turned to Su Huai Jing and asked, "Do you have a way to get Grandmother to go to the temple for blessings on the first day of the month?"

Su Huai Jing didn't answer immediately. Smiling, he met Rong Tang's gaze, as if understanding the ways of the world, and asked, "Does Tang Tang want to secure a future for his cousin?"

Rong Tang paused slightly, then realized, "When did you get to the pond?"

Su Huai Jing didn’t hide it, smiling as he said, “When you said your life wouldn't last long.”

Rong Tang's expression subtly changed, a faint layer of anxiety surfacing. He thought to explain that it was just an excuse to comfort Rong Ying, something he had made up on the spot.

But saying such things out loud seemed somewhat odd.

Thus, he hesitated to speak, cautiously glancing at Su Huai Jing's expression, afraid that he would be upset by this.

However, Su Huai Jing smiled, grasping his wrist and walking along the path towards the mansion's gate: "I'm not angry."

Rong Tang gave Su Huaijing a skeptical look.

Su Huaijing chuckled, "I'm not like Rong Tang, so petty."

Rong Tang: "?"

He felt stifled for a moment and asked irritably, "Do you really think it's fair to turn the blame around on me?"

Sù Huáijǐng nodded, "I think it's quite reasonable."

“……”

Róng Táng found himself at a loss with Sù Huáijǐng, striding ahead, not wanting to look at him. Yet, with his hand held by Sù Huáijǐng, he couldn't walk fast, always lingering a few steps ahead or behind him, turning around in that small distance.

Sù Huáijǐng said, "I'm not angry because I know Táng Táng did that to reassure my cousin. So, you belittled yourself first. Having promised me to try harder, to prevent me from an early demise, how could you constantly think about your inevitable death?"

The evening breeze brushed through the clouds and treetops, Sù Huáijǐng's voice lazy and unhurried as he spoke these words, almost without a hint of aggression.

Yet, Róng Táng's steps slowed down instantly, no longer acting willfully.

Sù Huáijǐng caught up, maintaining the same pace as he said, "Since Táng Táng wants to secure a future for her, I have no reason not to help. But what it ultimately turns into depends on her own abilities. Do you understand, Táng Táng?"

Róng Táng, still not fully recovered from Sù Huáijǐng's earlier casual mention of 'accompanying in death', paused to think for a moment before nodding, "I understand."

He only told Róng Yíng that she could plot against Duān Yì and the Buddha, but the extent and measure of such schemes had to be controlled by her. Róng Táng couldn't possibly arrange every detail for her.

Sù Huáijǐng was willing to add fuel to the fire, putting in effort on behalf of the princess consort, which was already a great help.

Yet, Róng Táng didn't feel happy about this.

The evening glow was beautiful, the fiery clouds slowly taking shape. They walked along the small path leading out of the Ningxiān King's mansion, silent for a long time.

Just before getting into the carriage, Sù Huáijǐng gently tugged at Róng Táng's wrist, forcing him to meet his gaze, and asked softly but firmly, "Is Táng Táng angry with me?"

"No," Róng Táng shook his head, instinctively objecting, but hesitated right after speaking, raising his head to meet Sù Huáijǐng's eyes squarely. Frowning and with evident displeasure, he asked, "Are you threatening me?"

The young prince was extremely frustrated. On one hand, he had indeed said things that shouldn't have been heard by Sù Huáijǐng, and on the other, he couldn't get over his own inner conflict.

Sù Huáijǐng was clearly threatening him.

He kept mentioning his impending death as if it was a trivial matter, while the villain used the idea of 'accompanying in death' as a bargaining chip.

How impolite!

Who in the world threatens others with their own life?

He's not Sù Huáijǐng's father!

Why should he care if he dies!

Róng Táng was both angry and annoyed, overall quite unhappy, glaring at Sù Huáijǐng with small sparks beginning to flicker in his eyes.

Absolutely furious!

Yet, Sù Huáijǐng's eyes curved into a smile, his lips upturned slightly, as he openly admitted, "Yes, I am."

He said, "I am threatening Táng Táng."

The small flames in Róng Táng's eyes seemed to intensify, and Sù Huáijǐng said, "Back in Jiangnan, I told you that gambling with one's heart is the most dangerous act, where a slight misstep can lead to irreparable doom; but now, what I want to tell you is, if it's someone who cares about you, human emotions are the easiest to predict and control in this world."

Róng Táng paused, seemingly grasping what he was saying.

Sù Huáijǐng smiled faintly, "Táng Táng understands."

"Because Táng Táng cares about me, hearing me talk about accompanying you in death makes you unhappy, sad, and even guilty..." He paused, speaking softly, "So, when Táng Táng constantly talks about his own impending death, won't I feel heartbroken and upset?"

His voice was light, dissipating in the air and the wind, disappearing as if startled away by the stone lions at the mansion's gate.

The western sky was covered with a layer of fiery red clouds. Summer nights were perfect for stargazing and cloud watching, where every living creature and scenery between heaven and earth seemed vividly within reach.

Róng Táng remained silent for a long time before saying in a low voice, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Sù Huáijǐng coaxed him into the carriage, arranging nuts and tea for him, "I know why Táng Táng always says these things, I'm not angry with you."

No one wishes for their own death. The reason Róng Táng kept repeating it, trying to come to terms with it, was firstly because he knew his life was indeed short, and secondly, to alert Sù Huáijǐng and others, so they wouldn't be abruptly confronted with bad news if one day he really left this world.

Perhaps with enough mental preparation, one could calmly face the arrival of that day.

But Sù Huáijǐng still wondered if Róng Táng had truly accepted his fate, or was forcing himself to do so.

He wanted Táng Táng to have more will to live, yet he dared not give him too much hope.

Forcing a patient, who knows they are doomed, to have a strong desire to live, only to end up unfulfilled, is a blow worse than letting them live carefree, embracing each day as a gain, at least making each day joyful rather than worrisome.

Sù Huáijǐng harbored a wishful thinking, and imposing it on Róng Táng was somewhat excessive.

But he still couldn't help but be unwilling and unsatisfied, wanting to use himself as a bargaining chip, to slightly, just slightly, threaten Róng Táng.

To make him experience the fear and anxiety he felt every day.

But when Róng Táng apologized so softly, Sù Huáijǐng couldn't stay angry at all.

He peeled a small dish of nuts for Róng Táng, hearing the young prince ask in confusion, "Really?"

Sù Huáijǐng smiled helplessly, "Yes, really. I'm not angry. Táng Táng, say what you want, I won't take it to heart."

Róng Táng stared at him for a long time, then nodded, "Okay."

However, that very night, as Sù Huáijǐng prepared medicine for Róng Táng as usual, he wanted to go back and throttle the idiot who claimed he wasn't angry upon seeing the young prince reclining on the divan, stargazing and enjoying the cool breeze.

He was angry!

He was about to burst with anger!

Róng Táng, lying on the divan, couldn't read in the dim light and instead lifted his gaze to the Milky Way and nebulae in the night sky. Lazily turning his eyes to Sù Huáijǐng, he casually said, "Last year, to buy you a mansion, I mortgaged the estate in Longxi."

Sù Huáijǐng was momentarily perplexed, about to ask for the address to buy it back himself, when he heard Róng Táng nonchalantly say, "I probably have only two years left. Remember to reclaim the estate when I'm gone. After all, you'll inherit everything I have. Make sure you don't forget."

Sù Huáijǐng: "..."

He gazed at Róng Táng from afar for a long, long time, seeing a hint of slyness and jest in his eyes under the starry night sky, then lowered his head to the bowl of medicine in his hand, now cooled to a drinkable temperature.

Maybe he should brew another bowl.

The kind without sugar.

Bitter medicine is good for health; being too indulgent with Táng Táng isn't good.

Sù Huáijǐng thought for a moment, then turned and walked away.

Róng Táng, taken aback, called out, "Hey? Where are you going?"

"I forgot to add an herb; I'll go brew it again," Su Huaijing lied effortlessly, his voice coldly conveying an almost tangible sense of grievance and frustration.

Rong Tang was baffled for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.

A master of pretense, the major antagonist hides his true feelings even when upset. Who did he learn that from?

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"Learned it from you, don't worry, your bitter medicine is on its way~ Heart~"

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