Chapter 125

Chapter 125

Because of Su Huaijing's words, Rong Tang worried for several days, afraid that the great antagonist, due to a lack of education during adolescence, actually believed that men could give birth to children.

The system scoffed at this: [He thinks you can give birth.]

Rong Tang: “...” Humans can’t, or at least they shouldn’t.

This concern reflected on his face, turning into a look of hesitancy and concern in his eyes whenever he gazed at Su Huaijing, as if burdened with unspoken words.

It was much like the parent of a teenager.

After waiting a few days, Su Huaijing noticed that not only did Rong Tang's emotion not fade, it intensified day by day, sometimes catching him sitting behind a desk with a blank sheet of paper and a brush in hand, looking utterly conflicted.

Yet, the brush tip hovered over the paper, never making a mark, until a single drop of ink fell, spreading into an ink blot.

Su Huaijing, finding it helpless yet amusing, walked over, stood behind him, took his hand, and, using the ink blot Rong Tang had made, drew a vibrant autumn chrysanthemum.

Su Huaijing: “Tang Tang, Xuan paper is expensive; wasting it isn’t a good habit.”

Rong Tang fell silent for a moment, looking down at the various chrysanthemums on the paper, his gaze evasive, his cheeks gradually turning crimson.

As his mind overheated, almost to the point of burning out, Rong Tang finally pushed himself away and escaped from under Su Huaijing.

Su Huaijing watched him with confusion as Rong Tang fled: “I need some fresh air.”

The system clicked its tongue: [With your thick skin, you think you can give the big villain sex education? Where did you get the courage?]

It didn't doubt that its host would naively approach Su Huaijing and say: Men can't give birth to children, you know.

Su Huaijing immediately put on a puppy-dog look, gazing pitifully and earnestly at Rong Tang: "I don't believe it, unless Tangtang tries with me."

The system knew its host and his spouse inside out, fully capable of creating a plot without breaking their characters, feeling quite proud!

Rong Tang cooled his face with his hand: "...Shut up, will you."

The system: [Tsk—]

The capital buzzed with activity for three days, with merchants earning handsomely and theaters packed daily. It was in celebration of the Emperor's birthday and this rare festive occasion.

On the first day after the Wan Shou Festival, on the 27th of July, the capital was under martial law from early morning. The Imperial Guards increased their patrols, soldiers filled the gates of the Imperial City, and every passerby was scrutinized.

The officials waited outside Taihe Gate for two hours for the morning court, only to be informed by the chief eunuch that the Emperor was unwell, and the morning court was canceled.

On their way back to their mansions or homes, passing by the Marquis of Wukang's residence, they saw a crowd gathered at the entrance. The carriage of the Dali Temple was there, with a frail official in white coughing as he stepped down, supported by the renowned Ke Shaofu from the carriage.

The sky was overcast, with the sun hidden behind clouds, only a faint light filtering through the dense clouds, casting a dim light on the officials fed by the court's salary.

The carriages of the Censorate moved side by side. The Chief Censor glanced and then turned away, speaking to Su Huai Jing through the carriages: "An official serves the people and the nation, tirelessly working for the greater good. Do you understand this?"

Su Huai Jing, watching Mu Jingxu's retreating figure, nodded without emotion: "Lord Zhou's teachings, I will surely remember."

The next day, the Chief Censor of the Censorate petitioned for retirement, citing old age and frailty, and his elderly mother in a distant land awaiting his return, fearing he might not have another chance to serve her.

After repeated requests and refusals, it wasn’t until the eve of the New Year in the tenth year of Qingzheng that Emperor Renshou finally approved Zhou Gang's resignation.

During this time, several major events occurred in the capital.

One after another, seemingly unrelated at the time, but looking back over the years, each event was like intertwined black and white pieces on a chessboard, each struggle subtly consuming and overpowering the other.

The swift and secretive fall of the Marquis of Wukang happened before the army even reached the Imperial City; they were captured in a dense forest just outside the capital.

Ning Xuan King, Rong Mingyu, secretly obeyed the imperial decree, took the tiger tally to leave the capital, and wiped out the rebel army.

Several secret letters were found in the study of the Marquis of Wukang, one discussing "major matters" with Zhang Ge, and another was a private letter from a prince in Daisui.

Each contained dozens of pages.

The Dasui delegation was still in Yu Capital, making it impossible for them to leave the city.

Rong Tang had been curious about how Yuan Yuan ended up in Mu Jingxu's home and how the Dasui delegation would explain this to Emperor Ren Shou.

However, the next day, it was reported that someone with ill intentions had set fire to the embassy, resulting in the young prince of Dasui perishing in the flames.

Upon hearing this, Su Huaijing was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed, went to the Mu residence, and pulled Yuan Yuan, who had been spoiled by Ke Hongxue and was turning into a miniaturized version of a dandy, out of Mu Jingxu's room, asking him, "Why did you jump onto our carriage?"

The child avoided eye contact, not wanting to face this fierce uncle, and looked around, hoping to find any of the other three people to take him away.

Any of them would be better than this fierce uncle!

But then Su Huaijing said, "The prince of Dasui is already dead."

Yuan Yuan was like struck by lightning, unable to hide his emotions, stood frozen, lifting his head to look at Su Huaijing, seemingly on the verge of tears.

Su Huaijing, unable to bear it, poured him a glass of water and handed him the sugar-coated hawthorns that Shuangshou had bought on the way, letting him eat while talking.

The little guy was silent for a long time, then asked, "Where is Duan Duan?"

Su Huaijing narrowed his eyes, "Princess Duan Yi?"

Yuan Yuan nodded: "Yes, I want to find her."

"Didn’t you say you ran away because you were going to be sold to her as a little husband? Why are you now looking for Princess Duan?" asked Su Huaijing.

"No, it’s not like that," Yuan Yuan shook his head, his voice very small, pausing after each sentence, finishing a piece of the sugar-coated hawthorn before licking the next one, not eating the sour hawthorn at all.

Su Huaijing's head started to ache.

Yuan Yuan said, "I want to go home with her, your carriage had the plaque of Prince Ning Xuan’s residence."

Su Huaijing paused slightly, a bit surprised, and after sorting out his thoughts, asked, "You were looking for Princess Duan Yi, but couldn't find her, so you jumped onto our carriage and specifically mentioned the '60-year-old big sister' when boarding?"

Yuan Yuan lowered his head, barely perceptibly nodding.

Su Huaijing was momentarily speechless, not sure what to say.

He had thought the boy was just mischievous, but it seemed... he was actually quite clever?

He asked again, "What do you want with the Princess?"

This time, Yuan Yuan remained silent, so Su Huaijing changed his question: "Who told you to find her?"

The child hesitated for two seconds, then frowned like an adult, saying in a muffled voice, "Mother."

Su Huaijing further inquired, "The Empress Dowager?"

At these words, a flash of disgust and fear appeared in Yuan Yuan's innocent eyes. He tightened his grip on the sugar-coated hawthorn stick and shook his head vigorously.

Su Huaijing looked down at him for a long time, then ceased his questioning.

He stood up, took out a pack of sweets from his sleeve, and threw it on the table. Before leaving, he couldn't resist pinching the child's cheek, "Finish the candy and rinse your mouth, or you'll get painful cavities."

Yuan Yuan didn't dare to talk back in his presence, but as soon as he turned to leave, the boy muttered under his breath, "Scaring kids, what a skill. So fierce, no wonder he can’t find a wife!"

Su Huaijing, with his keen hearing, heard everything clearly. The little compassion he had for not wanting to probe the child's sad past dissipated in an instant. He stopped in his tracks, restraining all his strength to not turn back and hit the boy.

He couldn’t hit him; Tangtang wouldn’t approve, and his third brother would beat him up.

But...

He really deserved a good smack!

Su Huaijing's chest heaved with emotion, trying to calm himself for quite a while, eventually just helplessly shaking his head.

The royal family of Daisui bears the surname Jiang, and the crown prince is named Jiang Cheng'en.

Not a single word was related to Yuan, but when the little boy was asked his name, he said it was the name his mother gave him.

His mother said, "Yuan has irises, Lai has orchids," calling him a little fragrant treasure.

His mother sent him to Dayu to find Princess Duan Yi.

Su Huaijing chuckled, his sister-in-law, beneath her resilient exterior, probably also had a heart that was both admirable and steadfast.

But then he became melancholic again.

"Yuan has irises, Lai has orchids, thinking of the young master, yet dare not speak..."

Su Huaijing looked up at the northern sky, his expression deep and pensive, lost in thought.

It was only when all 128 people from the household of Marquis Wu Kang were imprisoned and the court of Da Yu was suspended for three days that people understood what had transpired.

Marquis Wu Kang had conspired with Da Sui, planning a rebellion during the Wanshou Festival, at a time of imperial grace, to assassinate the emperor. Fortunately, by divine grace and the amicable relationship between the emperor and his sons, the fifth prince happened to pass by the Xihe Hall alone and noticed something amiss, heroically leaping forward to shield his father from the assassin's attack.

The emperor was unharmed, but the life of the fifth prince hung in the balance. Enraged, Emperor Ren Shou suspended the court for three days to thoroughly investigate officials who were close to Marquis Wu Kang and detained the entire Da Sui diplomatic mission, pending a report back to Da Sui for further action.

On the second day, Da Sui reported a fire at their embassy, claiming their crown prince died within Da Yu's borders, demanding an explanation from Emperor Ren Shou.

On the third day, the Minister of Dali Temple personally investigated and determined that the fire was caused by Marquis Wu Kang's greed, intending to destroy evidence after the rebellion.

The Da Sui diplomats refused to believe this, but Da Yu firmly declined any explanation, leading the diplomats to report back to their country without any response from their ruler.

Confiscation of property, beheadings, public display...

The treatment of rebels has always been swift and severe in every dynasty.

From the start of the autumn wind to the passing of the winter breeze, the affair of Marquis Wukang concluded, bringing turbulent changes to the world.

It's unclear who the winner is.

Sheng Chengli, having saved his father at the risk of his own life and subsequently recovering from his severe injuries, naturally received the Emperor's affection.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau entered the Xihe Hall one deep night along with the eunuchs from the Internal Affairs Department. They connected the events witnessed at the Wanshou Banquet with the celestial phenomena. The next day, Mu Jingxu received imperial rewards and a long vacation, with the imperial physician visiting every few days. His popularity soared, causing envy among many.

Sheng Chengming, implicated by his maternal family, was fortunate that the decree to grant him a royal title had been issued before the Wanshou Festival. The Second Prince knelt for a day and night in front of Xihe Hall.

Emperor Ren Shou, with a wave of his hand, ordered him to quickly proceed to his fief without further punishment. However, Consort Yi was demoted, and the Eighth Prince was placed under the Queen’s guidance.

Prince Ning Xuan once again saved the nation. The Emperor, with a deep sigh, called him the stabilizing king of the nation.

All these events were somewhat related to Rong Tang only in that, aside from raising children with Mu Jingxu, he began to observe the two conflicting clouds in his mind.

In the winter of the tenth year of the Qingzheng era, on the day the residence of the Fifth Prince, Sheng Chengli, was completed after a year's delay, snow began to fall in the capital. Rong Tang fell seriously ill, and the long-traveling monk Hui Mian finally returned to Tuolan Temple.

And Rong Tang fell seriously ill.