Chapter 111

Chapter 111

On Liujin Floor, as night fell, the golden reflections in the river mingled with countless lanterns, creating a splendid human world under the twinkling stars.

Downstairs, the sound of storytelling and music; upstairs, feasting and drinking.

Rong Tang, disregarding etiquette, leaned forward in his chair, intently savoring a bowl of chilled sweet soup.

Ke Hongxue watched him for a while, amused, and had the waiter bring more light desserts, asking, "Has the Lord Consort changed his taste? From spicy to sweet now?"

Rong Tang suppressed the strange flavors in his mouth and looked up at Ke Hongxue with a resentful gaze.

Ke Hongxue paused, fanning himself, eyebrows lifted in surprise and amusement, "Oh, who has wronged our Lord Consort? Tell me, and I'll avenge you."

Rong Tang: "...You really take advantage."

"What else can I do?" Ke Hongxue laughed, "Since Elder Brother refuses to marry me, neither willing to wed me nor take responsibility, all I can do is take verbal advantage of you two."

Everyone knew the true nature of the relationship between Su Huaijing, Rong Tang, and Ke Hongxue, despite Su Huaijing publicly acknowledging Mu Jingxu as his elder brother.

Ke Hongxue's intentions were as clear as day, and Rong Tang couldn't help but want to give him a thumbs-up.

He looked at Mù Jǐngxù and, as expected, saw the usually cold-faced Mù Shàoqīng's expression subtly change, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly disapproving of Kē Hóngxuě's unmeasured speech.

The visiting official, Xiǎo Lú Dàrén, blinked earnestly and asked, "Take responsibility? For what? Schoolmate, did Lord Mù take liberties with you?"

Upon hearing this, Róng Táng paused, his eyes lighting up, the bitterness from the medicine in his throat instantly replaced by the thrill of drama. He stared intently at Mù Jǐngxù without blinking.

What a loss!

It's a real pity he hadn't become close with Xiǎo Lú Dàrén in his past two lifetimes!

This kid isn't old, but how is it that he always says something astonishing? Who's been leading him astray?

Róng Táng chuckled inwardly, eagerly awaiting Kē Shàofǔ's response. Sù Huáijǐng, sitting beside him, pleasingly served another bowl of sweet soup in front of him.

Róng Táng lazily lowered his eyes, then sidelong glanced at Sù Huáijǐng.

The latter returned a smile, looking obedient and sensible.

Róng Táng: "Hmph."

He turned his head away, refusing to look at him.

Kē Hóngxuě was momentarily baffled by Lú Jiāxī's question, but couldn't suppress his laughter upon realizing, "Not yet, I'm just ruining your schoolmate's reputation. If you have a conscience, spread the word at court one day, saying the Dàlǐsì Shàoqīng played with emotions, seduced me in body and soul, and then refused to take responsibility. I'm so aggrieved I could almost smash my head against the stone Bìxiè statue at Dàlǐsì's entrance."

He spoke as if it were all true, even fake-sobbing for effect, appearing genuinely wronged.

Róng Táng shuddered, silently moving back, straightening his hunched back, almost leaning against the chair. Sù Huáijǐng seized the opportunity to extend his hand and massage Róng Táng's lower back.

The overture was so overly submissive and ingratiating that Róng Táng found it hard to stay angry with him.

Helplessly, he could only glare at him fiercely, then let the villain gently massage his back.

Kē Hóngxuě's nonsense didn't even fool the innocent Lú Jiāxī. Looking as if he'd seen a ghost, his face contorted as he stared at Kē Hóngxuě for a long time, his expression alternating between disbelief and disdain.

Finally, with a resolute turn of his head, he assured Mù Jǐngxù with conviction as if ready to join the army, "Schoolmate, don't believe him for a second. It's all lies. If he dares to tarnish your reputation, I'll dig up all his friends, both male and female, from his school days, line them up and take them to the Kē residence, to see if Lord Kē dares to break his legs!"

Kē Hóngxuě stiffened: “?”

Róng Táng was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but burst into laughter, his back, which had just straightened, bending again as tears of mirth nearly formed in his eyes.

Sù Huáijǐng, worried he might choke, patted his back to ease his breathing and conveniently placed a cup of hot tea to the side.

After having his fill of laughter, Róng Táng said, "Then remember to bring a few more carriages; otherwise, they might not all fit."

Kē Hóngxuě, just recovering from the shock of his naïve junior's betrayal, blinked in bewilderment at Róng Táng’s words, "Why are you kicking me when I’m down too?"

Róng Táng: "It's rare to see you at a loss. If I don’t add fuel to the fire, I’d be so regretful I’d have to get out of bed in the middle of the night."

Outside the Liújīn Tower was the bustling and crowded Shuǐléng Street. Kē Hóngxuě, by the candlelight, observed the people in the room.

The pale-skinned Níngxiān Prince, Róng Táng, laughed heartily, his face flushed with color, while Sù Huáijǐng indulgently let him laugh unrestrained. Lú Jiāxī joked as if heroically sacrificing himself, and even Mù Jǐngxù, after a brief moment of shock, allowed a subtle smile to curve his lips.

Kē Hóngxuě cleared his throat and, after a long moment, helplessly broke into a smile.

He had known Lú Jiāxī for many years, but this was the first time he had been bested in verbal sparring. However, it seemed unnecessary to seek retaliation.

Lifting his wine cup, Kē Hóngxuě took a sip of wine, his gaze shifting to meet Mù Jǐngxù’s. He immediately put on an innocent and pitiful face, desperately trying to dissociate himself from the various friends mentioned by the two.

Mù Jǐngxù initially intended to ignore him, but perhaps the way Xiǎoqī had comforted Róng Táng all evening caught his attention, or maybe the misunderstandings Lú Jiāxī and Róng Táng had about Kē Hóngxuě were too profound.

Being talked about like that did seem a bit unfair.

In a flash of thought, Mù Jǐngxù slightly nodded: I know.

Kē Hóngxuě was taken aback, the clear wine still in his mouth not fully swallowed. He stared wide-eyed and the next instant, choked on the wine, losing the last bit of his composure, turned his head and bent over, coughing violently.

Mù Jǐngxù: “…”

Mù Jǐngxù turned his head and silently picked up a chopstick of greens.

It was better not to engage with him.

Róng Táng, having enjoyed the whole scene, couldn't help but beam with laughter, turning to whisper to Sù Huáijǐng, "He really is so pathetic."

The villain indulgently agreed, then pleaded softly, "Táng Táng, please don't be angry, I know I was wrong."

Róng Táng hesitated slightly, glancing at him, "What did you do wrong?"

Sù Huáijǐng admitted, "I shouldn't have taken the liberty to add Coptis to your medicine, and I did it for several days in a row."

Just hearing those two words made Róng Táng's tongue taste bitter, his face crumpled in annoyance as he scolded, "Aren't you afraid of poisoning me to death!"

"How could I?" Sù Huáijǐng immediately countered, "I consulted with the doctor before adding it. The herbs don’t conflict. Besides, I thought with the weather being hot and dry, using some Coptis could help release liver heat."

Róng Táng, expressionless, retorted, "The heat didn't go away. Thanks, now I really feel like beating you up."

"Okay," Sù Huáijǐng obediently nodded, taking his hand and placing it in his own, whispering, "Let Táng Táng brother hit me. If you're worried about your hand hurting, I'll borrow a ruler from Kē Hóngxuě later for you to use."

Róng Táng: "..."

You're somewhat crazy!

[He's seriously ill!] The system chimed in with a timely tease.

Róng Táng hesitated, their palms touching, the warm sensation almost spreading up to his face.

Róng Táng raised his hand, intending to hit hard, but actually tapped Sù Huáijǐng's palm very lightly, sternly saying, "Don't do it again!"

The villain's eyes curved into a smile, nodding, "Okay."

Lú Jiāxī looked left and right, observing a young couple playfully tapping each other's palms on one side, while a charming young man, having recovered from his cough, clung to his schoolmate on the other.

None of them seemed quite normal, thought Lú Jiāxī.

They were like two dogs, one nearing his twenties, the other approaching thirty, yet both finding childish coquetry amusing.

Lú Jiāxī silently shook his head, picking up a rib from the table. As he gnawed on it, he wondered how these two seemingly serious men could act so childishly in front of the ones they liked.

Would the officials, who see the Imperial Censorate as a thorn in their side, ever imagine the newly appointed Censor could be like this in private?

As for Kē Shàofǔ... well, he was hardly ever serious at the academy.

The illusion Lú Jiāxī had of his schoolmate, built up by tales, was shattering layer by layer. He could no longer falsely praise his brother for being a gallant and suave gentleman, the most dashing and charming young man in Yùjīng City.

After all, at twenty-seven or twenty-eight, one could hardly be called a youth. With the new imperial examination over, the title of top scholar belonged to another.

The years roll on relentlessly, and past glories gradually fade, leaving only the marks of time etched on the face and soul.

But still...

Remaining in the prime of one's life and admirable as ever.

Everyone at this table was a remarkable and talented figure of this era, and Lú Jiāxī was happy to be in their company.

He munched through half the table, and just as he was about to put down his chopsticks, he saw Kē Hóngxuě looking at him with a smile, asking gently, "Are you full? Do you want some more?"

Lú Jiāxī, taken aback, asked tentatively, "Can I?"

"Of course, you can," Kē Hóngxuě said, "Don't worry about it. You're still growing, I won't be petty with you."

His words carried an air of feigned generosity, seemingly unconcerned but clearly fixating on the so-called friends Lú Jiāxī had just mentioned.

Lú Jiāxī paused, then glanced at him with a mix of boldness and timidity, retorting, "So stingy."

Sù Huáijǐng chuckled, "Add some more then. Lord Lú has been working hard lately; it's only right to eat more."

Lú Jiāxī immediately nodded vigorously, mentally elevating the Prince Consort's status, almost rivaling Kē Hóngxuě!

Róng Táng found it amusing and casually asked, "What are you busy with?"

"The Wanshou Festival is approaching. Diplomats from various countries are coming to celebrate. Recently, I've been busy renovating the guesthouses and imperial lodges," Lú Jiāxī replied.

Róng Táng puzzled, "Isn't that the responsibility of the Ministry of Works?"

Lú Jiāxī made a bitter face, stealing a glance at Kē Hóngxuě, and murmured softly, "I'm like a brick, moved wherever needed..."

Róng Táng was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter, finding the boy truly interesting. He asked, "Did your schoolmate send you there?"

"Yes!" Lú Jiāxī nodded, pausing before adding, "Although it's primarily the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Rites also needs someone to oversee the work to prevent any diplomatic mishaps."

Róng Táng remembered that this Wanshou Festival didn't cause any major conflicts.

In the original story, the Emperor's birthday only served as an opportunity for Shèng Chénglì to meet the neighboring country's princess, laying the groundwork for his future military campaign.

It's just that Shèng Chénglì didn't last until that point.

Still, Róng Táng inquired, "Did many distinguished guests attend?"

"It was alright," Lú Jiāxī counted on his fingers, "The Princess of Yuèshì, the Crown Prince of Dōngshān, the Prince of Bǎiyuè. If we're talking about the most distinguished, it would be the Crown Prince of Dàsuí."

"But Dàsuí has always had conflicts with our Dà Yù at the border. Them sending their Crown Prince this time, I don't know what their intentions are." Lú Jiāxī's brows furrowed in worry, resembling a little old man.