“Chapter 144”

"Chapter 144"

"On April 15th, the little silly system once again flew down to snuggle up to its host."

"Rong Tang calculated that it could only materialize for about two quarters of an hour, which is half an hour."

"He really wanted to ask the system if it got tired from all the back and forth for just this half-hour, but in the end, he said nothing, just smilingly asked if it had caught the main brain to get revenge for him."

"The system, in its babyish yet assertive voice, proclaimed, 'Soon! I’ve already scouted the entire Yu Jing. The barrier seems thinner towards the edges. Once I find a gap, I’ll grab that stupid main brain and bring it to you for a beating!'"

"Rong Tang, both amused and touched, coaxed it, 'Wow! Daddy System is so awesome, thank you, Daddy System!'"

"‘Hehe,’ the system blushed with a bright smile, looking around the room as if surveying its territory, and asked, 'Where are those electric lights that daddy gave you?'"

"Rong Tang: '...' Not mentioning that they were all cried out by you, right?"

"But what could he do, it was his own little silly system. No matter how grandiose or fanciful it was, he could only indulge it."

"Rong Tang, while patting its head, said, 'They’re too precious, I've put them away, only keeping two for regular use.'"

"The system, pretending to be proud, buzzed like a mosquito, 'That’s nothing. If they stop shining, daddy will give you a few more.'"

"Rong Tang didn’t expose its bluff, only gently smiling and responding, 'Thank you, Stat-Bao.'"

"The system flew behind his neck, sticking close until its light gradually faded, leaving Rong Tang alone in the room, with a pot of lukewarm tea on the table and a full moon outside."

"As the saying goes, ‘people leave and the tea cools; the building empties.’ In a moment, he realized that he and Hui Mian seemed somewhat similar."

"Time and again watching crowds gather and disperse, time and again witnessing the changes of the moon."

"The wooden door was knocked upon. Su Huaijing stood outside, asking, 'Tangtang, do you want some late-night snacks?'"

"In an instant, the early summer breeze swept into the courtyard, bringing clouds to a halt. Rong Tang got up, smiling as he opened the door, 'Yes.'"

"Rong Tang had experienced the turmoil of the eleventh year of Qing Zheng in two lifetimes, and now had no inclination to deal with it again."

"Whenever he thought about it, his mind was filled with those absurd and complicated stories, and he could only copy Buddhist scriptures to calm his mind."

"Sheng Chengli sought him out three times, twice at the Flower Picking Festivals, and once at the Tangjing Residence."

"Apart from the first time when Rong Tang fainted from sheer anger, in the latter two encounters, despite Sheng Chengli's repeated and emphasized hints, Rong Tang pretended ignorance and rebuffed him."

"He wasn’t sure if Sheng Chengli was aware of his ability to be reborn. Due to system constraints in their past interactions, Rong Tang never revealed he was a transmigrator, so their confrontations, strictly speaking, were always probing."

"They each had answers they sought, making the probing worthwhile."

"Rong Tang thought, if the soul and body were aligned in time, then at this moment, regardless of whether it's the first or second incarnation, this Sheng Chengli wouldn’t know Shu Huaijing's true identity as the former crown prince."

"In the autumn of the twelfth year, after the great fire at Tuolan Temple, the Duyu dynasty underwent a major purge and a change of dynasty within just two months."

"Only then did the court officials realize that the Censorate Chief, who had been advancing and retreating with them daily, was actually the seventh son of the former Emperor."

"Now, on the surface, Duyu still appeared calm, and Rong Tang even attended a ‘family banquet’ at the palace with his grandmother on the Dragon Boat Festival."

"While the officials raced dragon boats on the Imperial Lake, the ladies and children met with the Empress in the inner palace."

"When Duan Yi went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, Rong Tang accompanied Wang Xiuyu to Fengqi Palace."

"The usually solemn and quiet palace felt warmer, with thick cloth wrapped around the wooden table corners and many children's toys added to the inner hall."

"The Queen's concern for the eighth prince was evident."

"The eighth prince, not yet a year old, was at the adorable age of babbling and crawling around the palace every day."

"Rong Tang didn’t join the ladies but sat in a side hall, drinking tea to pass the time."

"As the wet nurse passed by with the eighth prince, he glanced lazily over and caught sight of a pair of innocent, unworldly eyes."

"The tea was slightly bitter. Rong Tang frowned, set down the cup, and idly fiddled with a string of prayer beads, his gaze resting on the lustrous white bodhi seeds."

"The palace banquet was scheduled for later in the evening. The officials and princes would meet the Emperor in Shaohua Hall, while the ladies were hosted by the Empress in Yuxiu Hall."

"Rong Tang's status was somewhat awkward. Though a crown prince by title, he wasn't officially enrolled as an official."

"He should have gone to Shaohua Hall, but not wanting to encounter Sheng Chengli or Sheng Xuyan, he took advantage of a loophole and stayed with his mother."

"The Queen often looked at her sister with a relieved smile, praising her for raising a fine son."

"Perhaps having children of her own, she seemed to have softened from her usual regal and dignified demeanor to a more gentle and kind maternal figure."

"Watching her, Rong Tang felt a bittersweet emotion but was unsure what to say."

"Midway through the banquet, a palace maid rushed over and whispered something in the Queen's ear. The usually composed woman spilled a few drops from her cup, composed herself, and then left the table with everyone's respectful send-off."

"Wang Xiuyu's brows furrowed slightly as she watched her sister's departing figure, deep in thought."

"The Dragon Boat Festival banquet ended earlier than Rong Tang expected. The Empress left Yuxiu Hall, and the Emperor was displeased in Shaohua Hall. As everyone left the palace, they dared not breathe loudly, as if a ferocious beast was chasing them."

"After waiting a while, Shu Huaijing boarded the carriage, instructing Shuangfu to drive, his expression somewhat gloomy."

"Rong Tang looked at him questioningly. Shu Huaijing met his gaze for two seconds, then a torrent of kisses descended upon him."

Just when things were about to get out of hand, and Rong Tang was seriously considering whether to also prepare ointments in the carriage, the carriage stopped after passing two streets.

Someone outside the window asked softly, "Is it convenient?"

It was Mu Jingxu's voice. Rong Tang was jolted back to reality in an instant, bit the person on him hard, pushed Su Huaijing away, and hurriedly got up to straighten his clothes.

But the inside of the carriage was already in disarray.

Su Huaijing tidied up casually, his lips still bleeding, and opened the carriage door.

Mu Jingxu halted his steps, momentarily unsure whether to board the carriage or follow Ke Hongxue, who glanced at him and broke the silence, "Curfew is approaching soon."

"Mu Jingxu finally came back to his senses, composed his expression, and got into the carriage."

"Rong Tang's face was somewhat red, and it was unclear whether it was from embarrassment or annoyance. He sat on the side without giving Su Huaijing as much as a glance."

"It was not until Ke Hongxue teasingly remarked, 'I know you're upset, but why take it out on the heir?' that Rong Tang was taken aback and looked at the three men in confusion."

"Rong Tang then realized what had happened and turned his bewildered gaze towards them."

"He could tell whether Su Huaijing was venting his anger on him, but the origin of that anger was the real mystery."

"His eyes swept over the varying expressions of the group, gradually calming down, and he asked in a deep voice, 'What did Cheng Chengli do?'"

"The atmosphere in the carriage dropped to freezing once he spoke."

"Ke Hongxue gave him a look that was a mix of sympathy and pity, shaking his head, 'No wonder our Mr. Su is so angry.'"

"He asked, 'How did you immediately know it was Cheng Chengli?'"

“……”

"Rong Tang silently turned to Su Huaijing and softly said, 'Why are you being so stubborn?'"

"The great antagonist was as fierce as he was gentle in his moments of intimacy."

"Rong Tang sighed softly, took a candied fruit from the drawer, and held it to Su Huaijing's mouth, 'Ah—'"

"Su Huaijing locked eyes with him for a few seconds before obediently opening his mouth and accepting the sweet candied fruit."

"Ke Hongxue clicked his tongue and looked away, feeling like he was unnecessarily meddling in the domestic affairs of a couple."

"After calming Su Huaijing, Rong Tang asked again, 'So what happened?'"

"Ke Hongxue countered, 'Was there anything unusual about the Empress tonight?'"

"Rong Tang was momentarily stunned, then suddenly recalled something, his heart skipping a beat, and tentatively asked, 'Is it related to the Noble Consort?'"

"Everyone was taken aback, and Su Huaijing chewed the candied fruit as if it were a bone, crunching loudly."

"Mu Jingxu glanced at them and ultimately chose to remain silent."

"Only the fearless scholar, seemingly deep in thought, stared at Rong Tang for a few seconds before smiling and asking, 'Heir, do you have your own informants within the palace, or are you simply this astute in your predictions?'"

"Rong Tang remained silent, and Ke Hongxue said, 'At the Cheng Star Banquet, Cheng Chengli got drunk and spoke recklessly, claiming that none of the dancers in the hall could compare to the grace and voice of the courtesan from Yangzhou.'"

"In Yangzhou, there is a famous brothel where the title of 'courtesan' is passed down through generations, known as 'Ying Niang.'"

"Twenty years ago, the courtesan who had a brief affair with Cheng Xu Yan in the spring, and the mother of Cheng Chengli, was the Ying Niang of that time."

"This was a tale of romance, and discussing it at a banquet was not improper."

"However, once the identities become the emperor and a disgraced concubine, and now her son is the favored prince, any hint of insinuation could cause a major uproar."

"When Cheng Chengli made this remark, the entire hall fell silent. He sat upright in his seat, as if he hadn’t heard a thing."

"In just a moment, even the musicians in the hall sensed the inappropriateness and knelt down, their bodies trembling uncontrollably."

"Emperor Ren Shou glanced at Marshal Xia and then sternly at Cheng Chengli, saying, 'It seems the pleasures of wine, women, and wealth have muddled your mind!'"

"He then swept away, leaving the entire assembly in shock."

"Ke Hongxue commented, 'Cheng Chengli, who usually mingles among scholars and men of letters, is known for his tolerance to alcohol. It’s hard to tell whether his remarks tonight were a result of a plot against him or his own doing.'"

"Rong Tang’s eyebrows slightly furrowed. He shook his head and said with certainty, 'He was set up.'"

"Ke Hongxue suddenly laughed, 'The Fifth Prince?'"

"Rong Tang hesitated and didn't nod."

"Su Huaijing stopped fiddling with the candied fruit as if it were a bone and, holding Rong Tang's hand, asked, 'Why does mentioning the Empress make Tangtang think of the Noble Consort?'"

"Rong Tang replied softly, 'Because of Yue Rong.'"

"Or rather, because of the sachet that was retrieved from the lake after she drowned."

"In the original storyline, Yue Rong died on the New Year's Eve of the tenth year of Qingzheng, leading to the Noble Consort's case of vindication being brought up later."

"But it was in the autumn of the tenth year of Qingzheng, after the incident involving the Marquis of Wukang, that Consort Yi was first demoted for 'colluding' with the rebels because of the second prince, and later executed by Emperor Ren Shou after being found complicit in the deaths of the Noble Consort and the crown prince."

"Currently, Consort Yi is still alive, the Noble Consort has not been vindicated, and Cheng Chengli has been delayed for three months. How could he afford any further delays?"

"In this old case of injustice, first the Empress, then Gui Fei, and finally Consort Yi, each was more or less implicated."

"Except for Cheng Chengli, who has always been alone in the palace, each prince was indirectly affected by the emperor's disdain."

"The Noble Consort is Cheng Chengli’s card for survival and also his ticket to winning the Emperor's heart. The more aggressively he plays it, the higher the benefit."

"Cheng Chengli’s timing might not be the most appropriate, but it could significantly help him."

"For instance, by formally cultivating his power base or being personally taught the art of rulership by Emperor Ren Shou..."

"Anything is possible. Cheng Chengli is accelerating the process, aiming for a monopoly of power. His ambition is clear, and Rong Tang sees right through it."

"He dissected these pros and cons for the three of them, omitting some parts he was restricted from speaking about, and gave a complete overview."

"Ke Hongxue watched him for a while and suddenly laughed, then turned to Su Huaijing, 'Why keep such a strategist hidden away at home instead of putting him to use?'"

“……”

"His words were always ambiguous, whether talking about a military tent or a silk tent, never clear, always leaving others guessing."

"As the carriage turned the next street corner, Ke Hongxue was 'invited' to step down."

"The carriage of the Ke residence, which had been following at a discreet distance, approached to pick up its master. Clinging to the door, Ke Hongxue playfully asked, 'Elder brother, are you leaving me to sleep alone tonight?'"

"Mu Jingxu glanced at him coldly, not really wanting to engage, but couldn't help responding to his continuous chatter."

"Mu Jingxu coldly said, 'Noisy.'"

"Ke Hongxue immediately fell silent, looking at Mu Jingxu with puppy eyes, his flirtatious gaze blinking repeatedly."

"Left with no choice, Mu Jingxu finally got out of the carriage."

"Inside the carriage, only two were left. Su Huaijing spat out the last seed of his candied fruit and sat silently in the corner, like a dark little mushroom."

"Rong Tang sighed, fastened the window latch, and then leaned out to instruct Shuang Fu to take a detour through Shuiling Street to buy some snacks before returning to the residence."

"The round trip would take at least half an hour, just enough to get back before the curfew."

"Su Huaijing watched him make all these arrangements and then locked the carriage door."

"'What is the meaning of this, Tangtang?'"

"Rong Tang asked him, 'What are you upset about?'"

"Su Huaijing flatly denied, 'I'm not upset.'"

"Rong Tang raised an eyebrow, prompting Su Huaijing to contradict his own denial, 'Strictly speaking, I’m jealous.'"

"He said, 'I always wonder, just how close were you in the past to know each other so well?'"

"Rong Tang laughed helplessly, 'Do you feel I don’t understand you well enough?'"

"To this, Su Huaijing calmly countered with a hint of confusion, 'Isn’t it natural for Tangtang to understand me? We are husband and wife.'"

"Rong Tang: '...'"

"How can one even argue with a dark, mushroom-like antagonist?"

"Finding the situation both amusing and exasperating, Rong Tang straddled Su Huaijing, gently licking the wound at the corner of his lips while gazing into his surprised and bewildered eyes. His voice was soft and comforting, particularly persuasive, and temptingly alluring."

"'I was never intimate with him. What I know about him is all annoying and unpleasant, whereas you bring me joy.'"

"Su Huaijing's eyes still held some confusion, but it was quickly replaced by disbelief."

"Rong Tang laughed softly, licking open the wound on Su Huaijing’s lip again to draw out a bead of blood, then swept it into his own mouth."

"Like a deity sitting atop his devotee, consuming his blood as if completing a sacrifice, then bestowing a reward."

"'Didn’t you want to try this position? You have half an hour.'"

"'After we're done, you’re not allowed to be irrationally jealous anymore.'"

"'Are you really a little jar of vinegar?' Rong Tang asked with a laugh, his expression pure, performing the world’s most bewitching act."

……

"'I like you, Huaijing,' Rong Tang nuzzled his nose, whispering softly, 'I only like you.'"