“Chapter 153”

"Chapter 153"

"Sheng Chengli locked eyes with him, then after a moment, looked up at the newly risen sun beyond the palace walls and said solemnly, 'To me, Father Emperor is like the sun and mountains, his grace as heavy as mountains, unrepayable. Minister Su, please be cautious with your words.'"

"They walked slowly, and Sheng Chengli followed Su Huaijing. Now, aside from the two of them, there were no other officials or palace staff around. Sheng Chengli's words were neither a warning nor a kind reminder."

"Su Huaijing glanced at him, then indifferently shifted his gaze away, feeling somewhat uninterested."

"Wanting to trap him in his words yet not being honest, trying to find a 'loophole' in his speech to threaten him…"

"How to put it? For the first time, Su Huaijing realized the phrase 'a rotten wood cannot be carved'."

"Both his third brother and Tangtang, none taught him how to assess situations and adapt accordingly."

"Su Huaijing calmly replied, 'There’s an old saying, one word can make a world of difference. To serve and to assist, though homophones, can be interchangeable when showing filial piety to parents. But I, as a censor, have the duty to record advice. Your Highness is pure and filial, moving heaven with your devotion, yet only we know of this conversation. I was thinking of recording it after returning to the Censorate, to present to His Majesty, highlighting Your Highness’s sincere filial piety and respect for your mentor, setting an example for all officials. Where did Your Highness’s thoughts wander to warrant advising me to be cautious?'"

"Sheng Chengli's face slightly changed, a shadow flickering in his eyes as he looked at Su Huaijing."

"Su Huaijing met his gaze, neither humble nor arrogant, even exuding an effortless and natural ease, as if purely curious, waiting for his response."

"After a long while, Sheng Chengli chuckled softly, sighing, 'I've long heard of Minister Su's exceptional intelligence, flawless in action and speech, capable of debating with scholars. Seeing today, your reputation is well-deserved. I admire you.'"

"'Your Highness flatters me,' Su Huaijing glanced at him, bowing formally, and continued walking forward, his interest in the conversation already waning significantly."

"Sheng Chengli, not hurrying, followed him, striking up casual conversation, 'My cousin has a frail constitution, prone to illness every late autumn and early winter. It burdens Minister Su to take care of him.'"

"Su Huaijing’s brows briefly knit together, then relaxed as he replied coolly, 'Rong Tang is my husband; caring for him is my responsibility. Does Your Highness, perhaps having no trifles to worry about, now have the leisure to concern yourself with others' family matters?'"

"Sheng Chengli retorted, 'How can my cousin be considered an outsider?'"

"Su Huaijing paused, turning to look at Sheng Chengli with a heavy gaze. The latter met his eyes, a trace of a subtle smile lingering around his eyebrows and eyes, which, on his increasingly mature face, was quite striking."

"Su Huaijing looked at him for a few moments, his eyes shifting, and the imposing aura in them morphed into an emotion better left unsaid."

"He said softly, 'Your Highness has beautiful eyes, indeed reminiscent of the Dowager Consort, who was known as the most beautiful woman in Yangzhou.'"

"Sheng Chengli’s brow furrowed slightly, his gaze dropping to the waist token hanging at Su Huaijing's side, 'My mother passed away when I was very young. Having eyes like hers is my fortune, but unfortunately, my eyes suffered illness early this year. I always worry that it might spoil this gift from my mother.'"

"Su Huaijing repeated, 'Both eyes?'"

"Sheng Chengli nodded, 'Indeed, both. Does Minister Su have any doubts?'"

"Su Huaijing smiled briefly, shaking his head, 'Your Highness is blessed by the heavens, protected by His Majesty, it’s only right that no illness should touch you.'"

"Sheng Chengli responded, 'I’ve lived for seventeen years, and this is the first time someone has praised my fortune. Thank you, Minister Su.'"

"Su Huaijing: 'Your Highness needn’t be so modest.'"

"Since court officials, except when summoned by the emperor to the diligent government hall for discussions, cannot linger in the palace too long, Su Huaijing continued walking at a measured pace after these words. Sheng Chengli, following beside him, slowly said, 'It’s not modesty. Since my birth, a single maxim has defined my fate, incurring Father Emperor’s displeasure; then, caught in palace intrigues, I had a miserable childhood; barely reaching fifteen, frequent mishaps displeased Father Emperor, leading to my exile to the imperial tombs.'"

He paused, then laughed mockingly, "In this life, I seem destined to have weak family ties and be framed by others."

Su Huaijing frowned subtly, already losing the desire to continue the conversation, but Sheng Chengli's persistent following suggested he had an ulterior motive.

Yet, after two seconds of silence, he said, "Didn't your Highness just caution me to be careful with my words, and now you speak of having weak family ties?"

Such a statement, hinting at envy and disrespect, was unbecoming for a prince. Complaining about weak family ties implied accusing the emperor of unfairness and neglect.

Sheng Chengli, discerning his implication, countered Su Huaijing, "Does Lord Su plan to report me to the emperor?"

"Blank paper is costly, and such trivial matters aren't worth reporting for the welfare of the state."

In other words, you're not worth it.

Instead of getting angry, Sheng Chengli smiled and said, "That's even better. Nowadays, the emperor spends his days with Master Hui Mian, discussing Buddhism and alchemy, probably not wanting to be disturbed by trivial matters."

Su Huaijing paused mid-step, glanced at Sheng Chengli, and remained silent for a long time.

It wasn't until they were about to leave the palace that Su Huaijing, parting ways with Sheng Chengli, bowed and said, "Thank you for the reminder, your Highness. I hope you will also be cautious in your words and actions in the future."

Sheng Chengli replied, "I dare not ignore the teachings of Lord Zhongcheng. Please also take good care of your cousin, so he doesn't worry."

Su Huaijing, without another word, reached the palace gate, boarded his carriage, and feigned sleep, all the while continuously rubbing the waist tag given to him by Rong Tang.

Annoyed.

Very annoyed. He couldn't understand how Sheng Chengli, knowing that Tangtang disliked him, still sought to constantly make his presence known in front of them.

"Every word spoken was tinged with self-assumed concern and affection. Even the most patient person would find little joy in such words, let alone Su Huaijing, who was not known for a particularly good temper."

"Sitting in the carriage, he leaned back for a while, exhaling softly before taking out paper to write a letter, pondering over the meanings behind Sheng Chengli's earlier words."

"It wasn’t hard to understand."

"Firstly, he openly admitted his suspicions about Mu Jingxiu; secondly, he made it clear that he was very concerned about Rong Tang; and thirdly, the most crucial point, he informed Su Huaijing that Emperor Ren Shou was engaged in alchemy."

"Throughout history, many emperors in their later years fell prey to superstition, easily deceived by wandering sorcerers or fraudulent monks, seeking the elixir of immortality in hopes of eternal life."

"Emperor Sheng Xu was already extremely superstitious, so it wasn’t surprising that he embarked on this path. What was curious, however, was who led him to start practicing alchemy."

"Hui Mian, a highly respected monk in Da Yu, was also the one who cured Rong Tang’s illness."

"Su Huaijing lowered his eyes, a shadow of thought passing through them, feeling instinctively that Sheng Chengli's visit carried a hint of an olive branch."

-

"‘We just share a common temporary goal.’"

"Rong Tang lay on a small couch, with a charcoal brazier in front of him, simmering medicine, bubbling softly."

"The kitchen had stuffed some yams into the stove that evening. Su Huaijing was peeling off their charred skin, staining his hands black, yet revealing the soft, white, and glutinous heart of the yams."

"As he washed his hands, he asked, ‘Why do you say that?’"

"Fresh from the stove and still scaldingly hot, Rong Tang scooped the yam with a silver spoon, eating it bit by bit, mumbling, ‘Because he also wants the emperor to die.’"

"With the former dynasty’s harem intricately connected, if Sheng Chengli could scheme to bring down Consort Yi, it was only a matter of time before Consort Hui met her end at his hands."

"Marshal Xia's military power was already a thorn in the emperor's side. Once Consort Hui lost her influence, the third and sixth princes would fall out of Emperor Ren Shou's favor. Then, through persuasion or forgery, obtaining an edict sealed with the imperial jade seal wouldn't be too difficult for Sheng Chengli."

"So, in a way, Su Huaijing and Sheng Chengli currently shared a common enemy in Emperor Ren Shou."

"Sheng Chengli's purposeful visit to Su Huaijing, seemingly cautious but full of loopholes, some unintentional and others deliberate, was all about handing over leverage to Su Huaijing as a gesture of goodwill. Unfortunately..."

"Rong Tang savored a bite of the sweet, glutinous yam, content and satisfied."

"He squinted at Su Huaijing and asked, ‘But you don't want Emperor Sheng Xu to die, do you?’"

"Su Huaijing paused briefly, then smiled gently, the epitome of a dashing gentleman, but his words betrayed unmasked malevolence: ‘Tang Tang knows me so well.’"

"Rong Tang hummed noncommittally, scooping another spoonful of his food."

"‘To let him die would be too merciful. I'm no saint and certainly not generous enough to do such a thing,’ Su Huaijing said softly."

"Killing as an act of generosity and kindness, Rong Tang thought, this man finally shows his true villainous colors. He responded casually, avoiding further comment. But Su Huaijing leaned in, cheek to cheek, playfully asking, ‘Does Tang Tang think I'm wicked?’"

"He carried a faint fragrance, reminiscent of plum bamboo or ink, perhaps even the sandalwood he used daily in his study or carriage – all scents befitting a gentleman, calming and soothing. As Rong Tang inhaled this subtle aroma and saw those nearly fluttering eyelashes approaching, he instinctively wrapped his arm around Su Huaijing’s neck, pulling him close for a forceful, upward kiss."

"The wind rustled through the courtyard, autumn leaves swirling. As their breaths mingled, Rong Tang kissed him for a long time, until the medicine pot on the charcoal brazier almost lifted its lid."

"As the temperature soared and he was nearly breathless, Rong Tang released him, his voice weak but earnest: ‘Avenging one's parents is a child's duty; how can it be considered wicked?’"

"Su Huaijing's eyes sparkled with emotion. He was about to continue the kiss when the man beneath him chuckled, his dimples showing, his tone indulgent yet mild: ‘Besides, even if it's wicked, it doesn't matter. One good person in a family is enough.’"

"He said, ‘I'll atone for your sins. I'll bear your transgressions.’"

"Rong Tang spoke the most bewitching words with the calmest tone. Su Huaijing gazed down at him, stunned, taking a long while to regain his composure."

"His body, momentarily seized by his soul, impulsively yearned to act on instinct. Su Huaijing leaned in once more, Rong Tang's arm resting on his vulnerable neck, yet posing no real threat or control."

"All he needs to do is lie there, and Su Huaijing willingly becomes a moth to a flame."

"The north wind picks up, the sky dims, and the study room is dimly lit. The fragrance of medicine wafts from the charcoal brazier. Su Huaijing, moved by passion, slips his hand under Rong Tang’s clothing. Suddenly remembering something, he hesitates, intending to pull back and let Tang Tang drink his medicine first."

"But Rong Tang blinks, tightening his arm around Su Huaijing, softly saying, ‘Can I not take the medicine?’"

"Su Huaijing frowns almost immediately. He can agree to anything else, but he can't remain indifferent when Rong Tang neglects his health."

"‘Tang Tang…’"

"‘But I also want to feel good.’ Rong Tang’s voice is soft and seductive, almost too alluring: ‘Huaijing, indulge me just this once, please?’"

"Under the high autumn moon, a sage descends to the mortal world, inviting him to fall."