Chapter 174: The End of the Main Text

Chapter 174: The End of the Main Text

Because of the prophecy about 'Shen Shang never meeting', Rong Tang indulged Su Huaijing to the extreme.

He wasn’t fearless nor did he believe the curse wouldn’t come true, but probably because he knew why he was here and understood that the system and Hui Mian were his last safeguards, Rong Tang wasn’t too worried.

After all, his body was inherently weak, and once Su Huaijing's ascension was complete, he might indeed receive another body, which wouldn't be too bad.

But all this was uncertain; Rong Tang himself wasn't sure if he would wake up immediately with a new body, or like those melodramatic novels, fall into a coma and disappear for a few years before waking up.

His indulgence and submission to Su Huaijing these days were mostly due to this uncertainty.

But even with all his pampering and tolerance, the extent of Su Xiaoqi’s demands was more than any normal person could bear.

After waking up groggy in the afternoon, feeling unbearably sore and trembling at the slightest touch to the ground, Rong Tang realized this couldn’t continue.

Su Xiaoqi was pushing the limits, excessively so, unreasonable, breaking promises, a glutton for words!

After pondering, Rong Tang had Shuang Fu take him in a carriage to Wen Tian Tower.

His intention was to ask Hui Mian for a preventative measure, but unexpectedly, this time he wasn’t welcomed inside. Instead, a young monk came out, handing him a scroll of Buddhist scripture and a potted plant, then slowly said with palms together and a Buddhist chant, “Uncle Master has left the tower to travel, and instructed before he left, if you come, to return these items to you.”

Rong Tang was momentarily stunned, noticing the small cloud-like system in the pot, trembling as if it wanted to jump out and cling to him.

Rong Tang's face lit up with joy, and he immediately took the little fool into his arms.

He asked the monk a few questions and learned that Hui Mian had left not long ago, with an unknown destination. After a moment of reflection, Rong Tang inexplicably felt reassured.

Others might panic when they can't find help in difficult times, but Rong Tang felt it was a good thing. Precisely because the curse wasn't too dreadful, Hui Mian dared to leave like that.

Rong Tang expressed his gratitude and returned to the carriage, opening the scripture Hui Mian left for him: "The Calming Heart Mantra."

Rong Tang: "…?"

He thought for a long time but couldn't understand what it meant.

Shuang Fu asked where to go, and Rong Tang, without thinking, said to return to Yong An Lane.

Su Huaijing was almost trapped in the palace all day long. The villain tried more than once to coax Rong Tang into moving into the palace with him, leaving Rong Tang foolishly flustered, almost blurting out indecent words, but he never agreed to this particular request.

So, the villain became sullen and angry, hitting harder and harder, leaving Rong Tang's voice broken and trembling, holding him and calling him by various names: Huaijing, Xiaoqi, Su Su, Husband, My Lord, Spouse, Consort, Fu Ya...

Things became a complete mess, yet both were deeply indulged. Su Huaijing was caught in his own game, softening his blows and lowering his head to kiss him.

No choice, Rong Tang wouldn’t budge, and Su Huaijing couldn’t really tie him up and take him to the palace. He could only sneak out of the palace every few days, sneak into Tang Tang’s bed, seeking closeness.

...Nowhere close to how an emperor should behave.

Rong Tang couldn’t help but think, if the court officials saw how Su Huaijing behaved with him, he would lose all his imperial dignity.

Little did he know, the ministers also wondered how miraculous a person Rong Tang must be to have stayed by Su Huaijing’s side for four years without running away in fear.

Rong Tang didn’t inquire about Sheng Chengli’s final fate. The only thing he worried about, "Tian Dao," was likely not to end well, being bound to the male lead. Su Huaijing mentioned there were no auspicious days soon, so the coronation would be delayed.

So, they silently waited. One day, Rong Tang, bored, went to the streets and saw several papers posted in the busiest part of the market. Upon closer inspection, they were all confession letters from Ren Shou Emperor.

The scholars of Hanlin Academy had been working overnight, copying the original thousands of times, posting them all over the capital's streets and alleys, and sending them to prefectures and counties to be displayed prominently.

The people were in a state of shock, most never imagining they would see a confession written by an emperor themselves.

One day, during a council meeting, Su Huaijing casually brought up a topic, smiling and asking the ministers, "The former emperor has passed, and his coffin will soon enter the royal tomb. What posthumous name should be chosen?"

A posthumous title, just a few words, judges an emperor's life achievements and faults. Throughout history, many emperors have altered history books and compiled their achievements, all to leave behind a favorable posthumous title, perhaps even being remembered as a wise ruler, making their decades of governance worthwhile.

Given the particular circumstances of Sheng Xuyan, and with his successor being the son of the previous emperor who was executed, it seemed unlikely that Ren Shou Emperor's posthumous title would be favorable.

But the negative titles were actually limited to a few: Lu (executed), Li (cruel), Jie (tyrannical), Zhou (depraved)...

—Surely they couldn't call him Emperor Lu, everyone thought unanimously.

However, Lu Jiaxi, who usually spoke little in the court, stood pondering for a moment and then suggested, "Why not just call him Emperor Lu?"

Su Huaijing looked at him with interest: "Why do you say that?"

All eyes were on Lu Jiaxi, who initially panicked but quickly composed himself and said, "Since the former emperor has written a confession, it indicates that the rumors about Emperor Lu were slanderous. Since Your Highness is to inherit the throne and is the son of Emperor Lu, it is only natural for a son to vindicate his father. Hence, the title 'Lu' should be removed."

Su Huaijing nodded in approval and signaled him to continue.

Encouraged, Lu Jiaxi said, "But over the years, whether in historical texts or folk tales, the name 'Emperor Lu' has already spread. In a short period, it would be impossible to eradicate this view completely. Since it cannot be eradicated, why not embrace it? Most acts attributed to 'Emperor Lu' were also committed by the former emperor, so let him bear this posthumous title."

This was a rebellious and treasonous statement. As Lu Jiaxi spoke, the hall grew quieter, and his voice gradually weakened, ending in a nervous and unsure glance at Su Huaijing.

Su Huaijing just smiled, playing with a string of jade beads, and asked in a low voice, "Who instructed you to say these words to please me?"

Startled, Lu Jiaxi almost knelt down, hastily replying, "I dare not!"

"Of course you dare not," Su Huaijing said, "You are too timid."

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall and said leisurely, "Minister Lu's words just now border on heresy and should be punished by law."

The hall fell into utter silence, and Lu Jiaxi broke into a cold sweat, thinking he was on the brink of death, only to hear Su Huaijing laugh in a good mood, "But I like it."

Everyone: "！？"

Su Huaijing said, "I was wondering what posthumous title would accurately summarize my uncle’s lifetime of misdeeds against nature and morality. Minister Lu's suggestion resonates with me."

He continued, "Since my uncle took such pains to pick such a title for my father, I'll return the favor and give it back to him. What do you think?"

No minister dared to disagree and quickly knelt to concur, not minding that this would mean Ren Shou Emperor not only bore the sins written in his confession, but also all the false achievements he fabricated would be attributed to him after his death.

Truly... poetic justice.

Su Huaijing said, "Then, it's time to choose a new posthumous title for my father. Lu Jiaxi, I entrust this task to you. If you do well, I will promote you to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites."

Minister Lu, only twenty years old, his career leaping forward, his heart pounding!

Swallowing hard, he knelt down to thank Su Huaijing, thinking that he had never found the Crown Princess to be so unpredictable...

Scared to death.

-

In the days leading up to Su Huaijing's ascension to the throne, he barely had a full night's sleep.

Initially, Rong Tang worried he might be nervous, comforting him softly each night. As he consoled, Su slyly played the victim, snuggling into Rong Tang's neck and softening his voice to ask, "Tangtang, do you think my revenge is truly successful?"

"Can my parents, brothers, and sisters in the underworld see me? Are they happy?"

"Tangtang, you know, I've always been alone since childhood. Now that it's all happening, I... am a bit scared."

“……”

Rong Tang was at a loss, resorting to cajoling him, and in the process, ended up removing his inner garment.

He really wanted to ask if Su's fear had any inevitable link to being intimate with him. Did the deeper the intimacy, the less the fear?

But each time this thought flashed through Rong Tang's mind, it was quickly shattered by Su Huaijing, so he never really asked.

It even became a habit. Rong Tang wouldn't coax him anymore. As soon as Su Huaijing lowered his eyes and opened his mouth, Rong Tang would preemptively silence him: "Shut up, no more pity play, let's just do it."

After all, that's what they were there for. Su was quite devious at heart!

Su Huaijing was momentarily stunned, then laughed, "Thank you, brother Tangtang."

Just listen to him! Even while scheming, he thanks me!

Utterly unreasonable!

After many days without seeing the morning sun, the fragrance of osmanthus in the capital overwhelmed Rong Tang, and he felt this was utterly unacceptable.

He feared he might die in Su Huaijing's bed before the "curse of the Heavenly Way" even came true.

He agonized for days, until the day of Su Huaijing's coronation.

That day, Rong Tang, half-asleep, thought he heard a long-lost mechanical sound, a fleeting prompt.

Struggling with drowsiness, he initially ignored it. But then, watching Su Huaijing don the dragon robe, with all the ritual and music, ascending step by step to his rightful place...

Rong Tang's eyes unwittingly teared up, instinctively wanting to check the final appearance of that map in the system space, yet he froze, standing there for a long time.

Shuangfu quietly asked, "Young master, what's wrong?"

Rong Tang snapped back to reality, mechanically shaking his head: "Nothing."

He had just realized that the map in his mind had disappeared, along with the system space and the opposing clouds of black and grey.

He... had been unbound from the system.

Rong Tang finally remembered the phrase he heard in his half-asleep state that morning: [Congratulations to the host, mission accomplished! Your reward is temporarily stored and available for collection at any time!]

His reward must be a healthy body.

For some reason, Rong Tang suddenly felt afraid.

This fear peaked that night when Su Huaijing, noticeably more intoxicated, demanded even more unrestrainedly.

A new body! Untouched! How could it possibly withstand the extent of Su's indulgences!

He would die! He really would die!

Yet Su Huaijing was oblivious, even whispering into Rong Tang's ear at the climax, "Tangtang, would you like to be my empress?"

"Or I could be your consort."

The emperor, fresh from his coronation ceremony, said this without feeling anything amiss, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Rong Tang: "..."

Great, either die by □□-death or be hounded to death by the ministers.

His life was definitively at its end.

Swallowing hard, Rong Tang couldn't even recall how he responded before falling into a deep sleep.

When he woke up the next day, Su Huaijing was no longer in bed.

Rong Tang rubbed his sore waist, when suddenly a familiar voice rang in his ears: "Tangtang Tangtang! Ready to claim your reward?"

Looking up, Rong Tang saw a floating system, bobbing up and down in the air, trying to catch his attention.

Before he could even feel surprised, Rong Tang froze for a second, then instinctively grabbed the blanket to cover himself.

The system scoffed, teasingly saying, "Now you're feeling shy."

Rong Tang: "..." After several days, the 'system dad' was still the same.

The system eagerly asked again: "Tangtang Tangtang, ready for your reward?"

Rong Tang thought for a moment, then nodded: "Yes, I'll take it."

The system: "Okay okay! Then come on down."

Rong Tang: "?"

He hesitated for a second, put on a robe, and got out of bed, only to see the system zip under the bed canopy and busily fuss about for a long time.

"Done!" the system exclaimed excitedly.

Rong Tang: "?"

Turning around, he saw another version of himself lying on the bed, identical in appearance, even down to the replicated marks on his skin.

Rong Tang's ears reddened involuntarily. Before he could ask, the naive system flew over, did something, and a flash of light passed. Rong Tang suddenly felt much more comfortable, a relief he hadn't experienced in his life.

Looking puzzled at the system, it explained, "I was supposed to give you a new body, but I thought you're already used to this one. So, I sneakily fixed it up, curing all your chronic ailments. Now, Tangtang will surely live a long, healthy life!"

It spoke lightly, but such a "behind-the-scenes operation" must have been difficult. Rong Tang felt a warmth in his heart and smiled, "Thank you."

"You're welcome!" the system said loudly, "Tangtang, let's run away!"

Rong Tang: "...?"

The system said, "Look, I've prepared a decoy body for you. Haven't you been wanting to slip away these past few days? Let's go! Let the big villain worry. Serves him right for being so heartless!"

The system was buzzing with excitement. Rong Tang blinked, turned back, and looked at the decoy body on the bed: "This…"

"No worries! It won't wake up or die. We'll just retrieve it when we return. The villain will just think you were unconscious for a few months," the system explained. "Tangtang Tangtang, come on, let's go! Didn't you tell me once the mission is complete, we'd set up an anchor point in Dayu? Let's go have some fun."

Rong Tang had never seen the system act so coquettishly. He hesitated for a moment, then asked seriously, "What's wrong with you?"

At first, the system tried to act cute and dodge the question, but realizing it couldn't fool him, it fell silent for a while before confessing, "I'm going to become the Heavenly Way."

The Heavenly Way is impartial and cannot descend at will. After Rong Tang and the original "Heavenly Way" left, the naive system was caught and taken up by the world's consciousness.

"I can only spare you three months. After the New Year's Eve, I have to ascend to heaven. Tangtang, this year I won't forget to wish you a happy new year!" The system cuddled up to him, pleading, "Come on, let's go. Think about it, your body is better now. That villainous brute will bully you to death. Come with me~~~"

Rong Tang: "..."

Rong Tang remained silent for a long time, shamefully tempted.

After pondering, he packed his luggage and sneaked out. Passing by the potted plant that housed the system, he recalled the 'Heart Calming Mantra' and suddenly understood for whom the scripture 'Hui Mian' was intended.

Annoyed, he threw the book into the room and boarded a carriage to leave the capital with the system. To avoid drawing attention with his own conspicuous carriage, the system suggested switching to a different one.

Having enjoyed riding a horse last time, Rong Tang hesitated for a moment before buying a donkey to follow the carriage.

With the luggage in the carriage, once away from crowded areas, he leisurely rode the little donkey.

Enjoying the crisp autumn air and clear skies, the system chattered away, planning their trip. First, to Jiangnan to visit his mother, then a reunion meal with his brothers. After that, pick up Mu Jingxu and Ke Hongxue to travel through Lingnan and the northern frontiers, admiring the majestic landscapes of Dayu.

The system was joyously planning, as they moved forward, amidst the ordinary yet pleasant daily life of countless citizens of the capital.

As they neared the city gate, a sudden silence fell around them, followed by the sound of galloping warhorses from behind. The little naive system in Rong Tang's arms flickered and suddenly vanished.

Stunned, Rong Tang heard a sharp eagle's cry overhead and some suppressed barks nearby.

A bad premonition surged in him. The donkey beneath him trembled, nearly collapsing. Rong Tang, resigned to his fate, turned back and saw a sea of palace guards in armor.

With falcons circling overhead and drooling wolves at their side, ministers knelt on both sides, still in their court attire, as if they had rushed here in the middle of a morning assembly, making it seem as though the emperor had fled.

Rong Tang closed his eyes briefly, then looked towards the back of the crowd.

The emperor, dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe, approached with a smile, stopping in front of him, looking up slightly, holding the trembling little naive system in his hand.

Su Huaijing looked at him, his voice extraordinarily gentle: "My husband, are you really abandoning your wife and child, betraying your vows?"

Rong Tang: "..."

Can you even give birth? Shameless!

Despite his internal grumbling, Rong Tang pursed his lips, daring not to speak.

Su Huaijing, however, still smiled, tossed the system to him, and extended his hand: "Come back with me, and I'll share half of this world with you."

The civil and military officials on both sides were so shocked that they forgot their manners, lifting their heads in astonishment to look at Rong Tang.

Rong Tang: "..."

Great, before being worked to death, he'll be criticized to death.

He kept a poker face, daring not to show any extra emotion: "No."

Su Huaijing wasn't annoyed though, nodding his head, casually throwing an imperial decree to Sheng Chengming who had come with him, then climbed onto the donkey beneath Rong Tang.

Poor thing, the donkey looked so frightened it could barely stand.

Su Huaijing couldn't help but laugh, then got down, hugging Rong Tang. Rong Tang was startled, his face flushing, burying his head in Su Huaijing's embrace.

Su then whispered in his ear, "How come Brother Tangtang bought a donkey just like himself, both timid and bold."

Rong Tang was a bit angry, but with so many eyes around, he dared not make a sound.

It wasn't until Su Huaijing carried him onto the carriage that he glared unhappily at him.

Su Huaijing asked softly, "Do you really want to leave?"

Rong Tang nodded emphatically: "Yes!"

"Will you come back after you leave?" Su Huaijing asked.

Rong Tang hesitated for two seconds, then said arrogantly, "It depends."

Su Huaijing lowered his head, trying to hold back his laughter, his shoulders trembling slightly. When he looked up again, he appeared pitifully pleading, asking, "Can I come with you? I don't eat much."

Rong Tang was shockingly surprised, unsure whether to address Su's seen-through acting first or question his nonsensical talk – he had just ascended the throne!

In the end, practicality won over emotions. Rong Tang frowned, "What nonsense are you spouting? Are you trying to incite a rebellion?"

"Ah—" Su Huaijing said, "So Brother Tangtang does care about me."

Rong Tang: "..."

He lowered his head, searching for tea in the carriage, puzzled by the strong aroma of tea. But then, he heard Su Huaijing say, "I thought Tangtang didn't care about me at all, didn't care if I went mad, and that’s why you left me so abruptly."

The self-pity in his words was so sincere it could make anyone's heart tremble. Rong Tang instinctively denied it, "No, it’s not like that..."

Su Huaijing, holding Rong Tang, fiercely glared at the floating system where Rong Tang couldn't see, then looked down tenderly again, "Where does Tangtang want to go?"

"...Jiangnan," Rong Tang replied.

He might return after Jiangnan, purely because the system was leaving soon. Su Huaijing had been too outrageous these days, making him want to slip away for a while, but he never planned to leave for three or four months.

It seemed... he also couldn't bear to be away from Su Huaijing for so long.

"I left a letter," Rong Tang whispered.

"Is Brother Tangtang referring to the line on the Heart Calming Mantra, advising me to be pure and virtuous?" Su Huaijing repeated, without blushing or skipping a beat.

Rong Tang: "..."

Seeing Rong Tang's ears turn red, Su Huaijing finally stopped teasing him, chuckled, and said, "Then let's go to Jiangnan together. We haven’t had a reunion meal for Mid-Autumn Festival. It would be nice to gather with mother and third brother, wouldn't it?"

Rong Tang had indeed planned this, but with so many officials kneeling outside the carriage, he dared not agree outright.

Su Huaijing, understanding his concerns, said slowly, "Sheng Chengming has learned so much from me over the years; he can act as regent for a few months. Besides—"

He paused, then whispered quietly, "Tang Tang and I cannot have children. My trip to Jiangnan was to bring back a prince for the dynasty. It wasn't frivolous or extravagant. Those old fogeys would be happy if I found a little crown prince for them."

Rong Tang was stunned, turning his head to look at Su Huaijing in surprise.

Su Huaijing couldn’t resist, leaned in and bit Rong Tang's slightly parted lips: "I've been thinking of having fun with you after all this. If being emperor means having no time with you, I'd rather tie up my third brother and make him emperor. He's much smarter than me, can surely manage Da Yu well, and can teach Yuan Yuan. He loves me, and if I wheedle and cry a bit, he'll agree. And we can seize the wealth of the Ke family to fund the state, killing two birds with one stone."

Rong Tang listened to his childish words, unable to discern truth from jest, unsure how to react, thinking this man was becoming more shameless.

Su Huaijing fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly: "I'm kidding. I promised to show you a better Da Yu."

"Even saints need to relax, and emperors need rest. It's not excessive for us to be lazy for a few days," Su Huaijing whispered seductively into Rong Tang's ear. "I'll try to control myself as Tang Tang wishes. I just love you too much and can’t help myself. I'll try to not make it so obvious, don't disdain me, okay?"

"I'll be very good if I stay by your side," Su Huaijing murmured softly, as if he had learned restraint and patience only for Rong Tang.

"But if you want to leave me, that's also okay," he said softly, causing Rong Tang's heart to tighten, a hint of barely perceptible tension in his eyes.

Su Huaijing smiled and kissed his eyes, "Go ahead, wherever you want, whatever freedom you desire, I'll always catch up. If Tang Tang doesn’t want me to follow, I'll just wait here. When you're tired and want to come back, just turn around and you'll see me, always, always behind you."

Su Huaijing had whispered countless sweet nothings to Rong Tang, each word sincere, every time as if he was baring his heart to him.

Correspondingly, each time he charmed away a piece of Rong Tang's true feelings.

The words lingered in the carriage, and Rong Tang took a long time to come back to reality.

Then Su Huaijing spoke again, his eyes as bright and beautiful as stars: "So, Tang Tang, how about taking me along on your travels? I'll be good, I won’t cause you any trouble."

Outside the carriage was the recently stabilized capital of the great Da Yu, inside were the villain and the mission taker, who after three lifetimes, finally embraced each other.

Rong Tang unconsciously swallowed and, unable to resist, lunged forward to kiss Su Huaijing's lips.

Taken aback for a moment, Su Huaijing responded even more passionately, as if trying to extract and merge each other's souls into their bodies, binding them tightly together for life, till death do them part.

The system, at a loss, eventually had no choice but to drift away.

After a long while, when the kiss ended, Rong Tang and Su Huaijing parted, Rong Tang's voice hoarse with a threatening tone: "Su Xiaoqi, you’d better be good."

Su Huaijing immediately laughed upon hearing this, took his hand, and intertwined their fingers: "Of course, I'll be good."

"You are the little Bodhisattva who descended from heaven to save me, and I am your faithful and devoted believer. How could I not be good?"

Autumn winds swept through Yu Jing, scattering a fresh season of fallen leaves over the glittering Jin Fen River. Along its banks, youthful exuberance flourished unchecked, the capital of Dayu as bustling and splendid as ever.

Year after year, day and night, through the changing seasons, the city thrived with vibrant fervor and life.

——End of the main text——

Author's note:

Today we gather here to celebrate the completion of 'Yu Xi Qiu Qiu' at last! Throw flowers! Applause! (Quack quack quack——)

Thank you all for your companionship and support along the way. I know I still have many shortcomings, and I'm deeply grateful to those who have tolerated and accompanied me on this journey. I love you all! Mwah mwah mwah!

My next ancient-style BL novel, 'Wei Chen Cheng Huang Cheng Kong', has yet to be scheduled. Before starting it, I will finish the extras for this book and fill in the gaps in my column, so it won’t start right away~

Table of Contents Previous Page