“Chapter 145”

"Chapter 145"

"Rong Tang felt he was a bit slow to learn lessons; if the system were still in his head, it would probably scold him ten times a day."

"But the system wasn’t there, couldn’t see, so Tangtang started to repeatedly court disaster."

"Waking up the next day, Rong Tang looked at the sunlight outside the courtyard and pondered how he had step by step retreated his own boundaries, almost leading to his death in the carriage?"

"In the room, taking the lead, being on top... every aspect was frighteningly intense, and Su Huaijing was wildly aggressive."

"Rong Tang thought to himself, he hadn’t starved him, so how could he become this fierce?"

"In the morning while dressing, he even noticed several overlapping finger marks on his waist."

"— The great antagonist seemed to have forgotten what reason was, repeatedly demanding, extending the half-hour into an endless loop. Rong Tang felt they were about to die on the increasingly silent streets of Yu Jing, nearly getting arrested by the patrolling Jinwu guards and taken to the official residence."

"Standing under the eaves in the early summer breeze, Rong Tang felt somewhat regretful and began to deeply reflect."

"After his reflection, he returned to the study. Feeling a bit sore but not in a bad mood, he didn’t plan on copying scriptures but instead scanned the bookshelf, preparing to pick a newly bought storybook to read."

"Then, turning around, he caught sight of a brocade box on the Duobao Pavilion, containing the painting given to him by Hui Mian."

"Rong Tang thought for a moment, put down the book, and opened the box."

"The early summer sunlight scattered through the wooden window, cicadas chirping under the trees, time leisurely and serene, everything around was comfortable."

"The slender young man stood in front of the Duobao Pavilion, unfolding the scroll. Light shone on the ancient Buddha statue, and Rong Tang saw a budding lotus flower in the ink painting."

"He gazed at the lotus platform for a long time, motionless."

"He was certain that the painting originally depicted only a budding lotus, never showing any hint of tender green or pink."

"Yet now, these colors had mysteriously appeared, embellishing the entire ink painting."

"After looking at it for a while, Rong Tang placed the Buddha image back into the box."

"Outside, the long summer days had encouraged ivy to climb over the courtyard walls."

-

"Following the Dragon Boat Festival, Cheng Chengxing paid the price for his unrestrained speech."

"First, Gui Fei was reprimanded by Emperor Ren Shou in the palace for her domineering jealousy. Later, Marshal Xia’s grandson and Cheng Chengxing’s cousin were impeached and demoted, weakening the power of the third prince's faction."

"Fortunately, he still had a 'heaven-sent' younger brother. The entry of the sixth prince into court politics, to some extent, was both Cheng Chengxing’s rival and support, allowing the third prince to maintain his position for the time being."

"Rong Tang spent his days shuttling between the Tang Jing residence and Mu residence, occasionally visiting his grandmother and Wang Xiuyu in the suburbs, passing the days one after another."

"Ke Hongxue, with his merchant mindset, often tried to extract information from him, feeling that since Rong Tang was so 'astute,' he might as well be utilized more."

"Although these were minor matters, they would inevitably lead to retaliation from Su Huaijing."

"But Ke Hongxue still dared to do so."

"Under the clear summer sky of the capital, Ke Hongxue, watching Yuan Yuan play with crickets in the yard, asked Rong Tang, 'What kind of trouble do you think Cheng Chengxing will face this time?'"

"Rong Tang glanced at him, then his gaze fell on Mu Jingxu, who was handling official affairs behind the study window."

"Ke Hongxue immediately laughed, 'Why are you looking at Elder Brother Mu?'"

"Rong Tang shook his head, saying indifferently, 'I just realized that you never seem to refer to Cheng Chengxing as the Third Prince in full.'"

"Ke Hongxue was momentarily stunned, and before he could respond, Rong Tang answered his earlier question, 'Cheng Chengxing is a prince after all. His licentiousness is well-known throughout the capital. Minimizing this incident means no one will extend blame to the Noble Consort, and the loss for him would be nothing more than a temporary displeasure from the Emperor.'"

"'Do you think no one will extend blame?' Ke Hongxue asked him."

"Rong Tang shook his head, 'Since a scheme is underway, it should be executed to its fullest.'"

"He said, 'The Empress left the banquet because the Eighth Prince suddenly had a high fever. The reason for involving the young prince in this plot is twofold: firstly, to use the Empress to bring out the poison from back then, and secondly, there likely was an intention to harm the younger brother.'"

"'The Third Prince’s slip of the tongue at the banquet has already angered the Emperor, implicating Gui Fei. Given her arrogant nature, she certainly wouldn’t swallow this insult quietly. She’ll likely stir up unrest in the palace, speaking inappropriately. At this time, bringing up the hidden truths about the deaths of the Noble Consort and the Crown Prince years ago, with the Emperor already weary and the Empress exhausted, Consort Yi — Yi Da's likely counterattack could catch Gui Fei off guard.'"

"Ke Hongxue raised an eyebrow and added, 'The mastermind behind all this is Consort Yi herself, so she knows exactly how to frame and trap others. This move can suppress Gui Fei, who has always overshadowed her, and also hopes to regain favor for herself. If the Eighth Prince were to suffer in this incident, she might find a way to bring her own child back to her care.'"

"Rong Tang nodded and took a sip of his tea."

"Ke Hongxue said with a laugh, 'All these maneuvers require meticulous planning. A single slip of the tongue wouldn’t normally lead to so many incidents, but with careful planning, all three consorts and their sons could be manipulated. First, use Gui Fei’s words to amplify the situation, then spread news of poisonous herbs from the Empress’s palace, arousing the Emperor’s suspicion and driving a wedge between the Emperor and Empress; then shift the blame to Gui Fei, forcing her to do everything to prove her innocence and uncover the real culprit.'"

"'Without any effort, the Noble Consort's name is cleared, and other princes are suppressed, while crafting his own image as a pitiable figure. I must say, the depth of the Fifth Prince’s schemes is frightening.'"

"Ke Hongxue chuckled softly, seemingly already convinced of Cheng Chengli’s ability to execute all these plans."

"Still, he asked, 'Does the heir intend to intervene?'"

"Yuan Yuan caught a cricket and was excitedly putting it in a bamboo tube, ready to run outside and play with a neighbor boy he had met a few days ago."

"After cautioning him to be careful, Rong Tang shook his head, 'No, I don’t plan to.'"

"Ke Hongxue was somewhat surprised, 'Why not?'"

"Given he had predicted each of the prince’s moves, why not design a counter-strategy to render his efforts futile?"

"Rong Tang casually said, 'The Emperor will also suffer in this web of conspiracies, becoming exhausted both mentally and physically.'"

"He remembered clearly that after the vindication of the Noble Consort in the previous two lifetimes, Emperor Ren Shou always fell seriously ill."

"Although it was during the transition from autumn to winter when people are more prone to illness, Rong Tang believed that with Cheng Chengli, the 'child of destiny,' present, this plot would still be triggered, allowing Cheng Chengli to gain further trust from the ailing Emperor."

"He spoke truthfully and calmly, and Ke Hongxue looked at him for a few moments, no longer trying to persuade."

"The summer breeze blew through the corridor, a noble son sitting by the window with pen and paper, his posture graceful."

"Ke Hongxue reined in his smile, softly saying, 'Having seen the most wantonly blooming flower, any bit of mud trying to get close to it seems utterly laughable.'"

"He just felt that Cheng Chengxing didn’t deserve it."

"Rong Tang chuckled lightly at the words, sat in the courtyard for a while, and then, gauging the time of day, returned to Yong'an Lane."

"The words he shared with Ke Hongxue were all true, only concealing deeper, more real intentions."

"Sitting in the carriage, Rong Tang listened to the hustle and bustle on the streets, his brows furrowing slightly as he contemplated the clashing clouds in his mind."

"The pixelated figure was almost entirely reclaimed by the grey mist, leaving a gap in the black part. He saw the gradually emerging and shifting outline of Yu Jing beneath the hazy mist."

"Rong Tang wondered, why should he stop Cheng Chengxing?"

"Su Huaijing’s opposition to him is the classic enmity between the antagonist and the protagonist in the story, a necessary plot element and a trial in the protagonist’s journey of growth."

"Why should he intervene?"

"Far from wanting to stop him, Rong Tang was almost eager to see Cheng Chengxing follow the plot step by step, growing stronger until the day his power fully unfurled. If possible, Rong Tang would even lend him a hand."

"He wanted to witness the ending he never saw in the previous two lifetimes, and to understand how this erroneous and chaotic world could 'correct' its 'order'."

"What order is there to speak of? It’s all muddied waters, a mess from top to bottom."

"He was eager to see how Cheng Chengxing, the bizarre 'child of destiny' in this strange world, would be utterly defeated by Su Huaijing once again."

"Rong Tang opened his eyes, sitting inside the carriage, his gaze cold and deadly, unseen by anyone, nor did anyone see the blood-stained lotuses blooming behind him."

-

"One day in late May, a carriage stopped in Yong'an Lane, delivering a basket of lychees to Tang Jing Residence."

"Cheng Chengming didn’t go to Longxi or Shu territory, nor to the Jiangnan area. His final fief was in Lingnan, a barren land thousands of miles away from the capital, yet rich in fruits."

"The lychees were ripe, and Cheng Chengming, having sent some to the capital as tribute, had specially instructed to leave a basket for Rong Tang at his residence."

"Though not as exquisite as the tribute fruits, they were still very precious."

"Rong Tang lay on a small bed in the courtyard enjoying the cool, while Su Huaijing sat beside him, peeling lychees. He removed the shells and pits, placing them in a clean and translucent jade bowl for Rong Tang to pick and eat."

"Rong Tang asked, 'Did Prince Rui receive some news?'"

"From the fifth day of May to late May, over twenty days, was enough time for Cheng Chengli to plan a whole scheme. Consort Yi’s execution following the incident would take just a few days. Rong Tang worried Cheng Chengming sought Su Huaijing’s help to save his mother."

"But Su Huaijing shook his head, speaking softly, 'He just wants me to ensure Consort Yi gets a dignified burial and an intact body.'"

"Rong Tang was surprised, 'You have influence in the palace?'"

"Su Huaijing countered, 'Otherwise, how does Tangtang think I managed to have Cheng Chengming sent to Jiangnan in just a few days years ago?'"

"Rong Tang was taken aback, once again realizing the terrifying capabilities of the person beside him."

"At that time, he hadn’t even stepped into the court yet but was already able to influence the Emperor’s thoughts."

"Rong Tang bit into a lychee, looking at the dappled light and shadows among the leaves, and murmured softly, 'It’s been two years already, huh.'"

"Su Huaijing instantly became alert, grasping Rong Tang's hand with a slightly heavy tone, 'Tangtang.'"

"Rong Tang snapped back to reality, suddenly laughed, and said cheerfully, 'Relax, I'm not counting the time with you. I just think you’re too vigorous.'"

"One wrong word and he might not even make it to the end, getting done in by him on the bed. He wasn't foolish enough to make that mistake."

"Su Huaijing’s face darkened, 'Is Tangtang starting to disdain me now?'"

"Rong Tang gave him a look, 'Stop acting cute, I'm not falling for that.'"

"Su Huaijing: '...'"

"Despite claiming not to be swayed, by evening he was worn down and had to placate him, exhausted yet reassuring, 'I’m not disdaining you—'"

"Rong Tang, looking into the desire in Su Huaijing’s eyes, swallowed the rest of his sentence: But you really are too much."