Chapter 24

Rong Tang instantly feels at ease.

What a joke. He’s lost to the big villain twice when it comes to handling the plot and system. How can Ke Hongxue be able to obtain favour under Su Huaijing’s command despite his eloquent, pervasive style and glib tongue?

Rong Tang drew close to Su Huaijing and patted the back of his hand in approval. Su Huaijing turned back to smile at him and took advantage of the opportunity to hold Rong Tang’s hand.

Rong Tang is shocked for a moment, but doesn’t cast it off. He stands quietly beside Su Huaijing and looks at Ke Hongxue.

Ke Hongxue only pauses for a brief two seconds, then smiles without concealing it: “Shizi Fei is truly exceptionally intelligent.”

“Of course.” Before Su Huaijing could speak, Rong Tang couldn’t resist bragging. He raised his eyes to look askance at Ke Hongxue and said, “But don’t keep calling him Shizi Fei. He has a name; he’s called Su Huaijing.”

Ke Hongxue looks a little confused this time. He eyes Rong Tang and then Su Huaijing in a daze for a good while. Then he couldn’t help but laugh out loud. He made a shallow cupping gesture with his hands and said, “Mr. Su, pleased to meet you.”

Su Huaijing is holding Rong Tang’s hand and cannot return the salute, so he nods in greeting: “Third Scholar Ke.”

Ke Hongxue is obviously happier because of this form of address. He took a step forward and said, “Let’s continue chatting after we go in?”

It is now the entrance time for the flower-picking festival, and there is a busy flow of people at the gate of Song Garden. Since it’s clear that Ke Hongxue wants something, there’s no need to ask for an answer in such a public space.

But Rong Tang is still vexed. Before turning around, he threw Ke Hongxue a glare and said cynically, “It must have been most arduous for Excellency Mu all these years.”

Ke Hongxue is startled, then curls his lips. He swishes the white jade folding fan in his hand, wafting the late spring breeze. “It truly has been arduous for Senior.”

Rong Tang’s punch landed on soft cotton, and he became even more irate. Su Huaijing cheerfully squeezed his fingertips and says in a soft, coaxing voice, “Tangtang.”

Rong Tang immediately became silent and said nothing.

He shouldn’t have fallen into conversation with Ke Hongxue!

There are attendants who are responsible for welcoming people at the gates of Song Garden. After verifying everyone’s waist tablets and invitations, there are other personnel who will lead them to the corresponding courtyard.

Rong Tang doesn’t want to reside in the same courtyard as Rong Zheng and the others. As it happens, they have matters to discuss with Ke Hongxue. After consulting with each other, they acquired a small courtyard that included a loft. In total, there are four wing rooms in the front and rear, as well as some utility rooms, which is just enough for them and Mu Jingxu to stay together.

Once Shuang Fu and Shuang Shou have sorted out the luggage and Mu Jingxu hadn’t yet arrived at Song Garden, Su Huaijing stiffly asks Ke Hongxue from the door what was going on. But after moving in, he isn’t in such a hurry anymore. He only asks Rong Tang if he is hungry and whether he needs a meal first. After getting a negative answer, he urged him to return to the room to sleep.

Rong Tang raised his eyes in bafflement, but Su Huaijing smiled and said, “Hasn’t Tangtang been tired for some time?”

Not only is he tired, but Rong Tang’s health is awful to begin with. Each time he rides long-distance in a carriage, he will need to rest for an extended period before recovering. This was what Su Huaijing ascertained before their marriage when Rong Tang made his way to Yong’an Lane every day.

Rong Tang’s uncertainties disappeared when he heard this. The lethargy that he’d ignored all along the way relentlessly surged in at last. He yawns and drawls: “Then I’ll go take a snooze first. If you want to go out for a stroll, remember to let Shuang Shou accompany you.”

Shuang Shou is a household servant of the Eldest Princess’s Palace and Duke Ningxuan’s Palace. He may be cute and honest in front of them, but when it comes to outside matters, he is absolutely, unequivocally and extremely capable.

Rong Tang casually reminds him, but Su Huaijing knows he is afraid that he will be bullied when he goes out.

Consequently, the softness inside him inexorably blossomed and spread. Su Huaijing responds warmly: “Alright.” Then he said, “Tangtang, you can sleep in the carriage next time.”

Rong Tang didn’t say it, but Su Huaijing noticed it.

Whether it was Rong Tang picking him up at the Liujin Parlour on the third day of their marriage, or when they subsequently went out shopping, or this time during their journey to the flower-picking festival, as long as Su Huaijing is in the same carriage with him, Rong Tang won’t cast him aside and go to sleep no matter how tired he is.

Whether they played cards or ate snacks, those were essentially to boost his vigour in order for him to keep Su Huaijing company, that’s all.

In fact, Su Huaijing should urge him to rest, but ultimately he is a little reluctant and even greedily desires to ask for more.

His little Buddha seems to be very adept at winning people’s hearts. A person such as Rong Tang is like a net woven with sugar silk. Su Huaijing willingly falls into its embrace, letting it wrap around his body and leaving him engulfed in icing.

Yet when he got out of the carriage and caught sight of Rong Tang’s weary appearance, Su Huaijing couldn’t bear it anymore.

But the Prince just nodded indifferently and said, “Okay, I’ll pay attention next time.”

He casually agrees. As to whether he does it or not, he’ll have to wait and see next time.

Su Huaijing knows full well, and is somewhat exasperated, but he can’t stop his emotions from being affected by him. He scrunches, then stretches his fingers at his side. When they touched the waist tablet, he couldn’t hold it back anymore. Su Huaijing reached out with his hand and tugged Rong Tang’s cuff: “Tangtang, you forgot to say ‘Good afternoon’ to me.”

It’s now the end of spring, kingfishers are singing, and flowers are in bloom. The scorching heat has yet to arrive, but all the ice and snow have melted. Su Huaijing stands beneath the eaves in the spring dust, looking at Rong Tang with a smile.

Rong Tang’s eyelashes trembled for a moment, his fingertips moved unconsciously, and his voice was slightly hoarse: “Good afternoon.”

After a pause, he adds, “…Huaijing.”

In that instant, Su Huaijing’s smile is even more alluring than this spring scenery, resembling the youthful radiance deserving to be praised and written into poetry.

–

By the time Rong Tang awoke, it was getting late. The flower-picking festival hasn’t officially started yet, but the feasting has already begun with differing locations and the staff.

The Third Prince prides himself on having fun with the people, so this banquet, which is apparently prepared for the literati and scholars, doesn’t have many rules and regulations. He advocates coming here with high spirits and returning home after enjoying life to the fullest.

Rong Tang got dressed before leaving the room and just happened to spot Su Huaijing and Ke Hongxue playing chess in the loft. With a thought in mind, he climbs up the steps and walks to stand behind Su Huaijing.

The game has progressed to the midpoint; there doesn’t appear to be an evident stalemate. Su Huaijing even has the time to pay heed to the movements behind him. When he saw Rong Tang coming over, he automatically pulled up a low stool to allow him to sit by his side. He then offhandedly peels a tangerine and hands it over.

“How did you sleep?” Su Huaijing asked.

Rong Tang is actually a little groggy. Maybe it is because he slept too soundly, or maybe it is because he had a dream.

He dreamed of Su Huaijing, who was a little older than he is now. He was as gentle and considerate as ever, wearing a bright yellow imperial robe. It seemed that he’s just adjourned court. When he saw him, he walked a little faster and called with a smile, “Tangtang, good morning.”

The scene in the dream is too harmonious and tranquil, and Rong Tang was bewildered for a long time.

Su Huaijing is destined to become the emperor, but after he ascends the throne, Dayu will face a catastrophe.

The Emperor has suffered many hardships along the way. He has long been distrustful of anyone and does not love his subjects. He will never have such a pleasantly warm smile on his face.

He should be a tyrant immersed in the sea of blood and ice, iron-handed and despotic, instead of… being so docile to the extent that Rong Tang feels a little distressed in his dream.

He’s thrilled to see Su Huaijing like that, yet his heart still aches.

But after waking up, Song Garden’s scenery appears glorious. The evening sky is covered with layers of clouds. The wind blows through the grass blades in the distance. He sees the person in the dream sitting on the red-painted loft, facing the clouds, his head bowed. In that instance, Rong Tang again felt: This is what Su Huaijing ought to be like.

In the first place, he should be the most beloved little prince in Dayu’s imperial palace. Above him are his Imperial Father, imperial Mother , and older brothers and sisters. The inheritance left by Imperial Father will be taken over by his Crown Prince gege. He should have been like his third generation, growing up to the age of seventeen or eighteen without any worries, becoming a well-known, elegant young man in the capital, and then meeting his beloved, learning about literature and martial arts. He will live a glorious and dazzling life to become a wealthy prince who would have a place in history.

Instead of enduring and lurking, being a member of his, or Qin Pengxuan’s, or anyone else’s rear household, suffering day by day the nightmares of existing in a constant state of extreme danger, with all his loved ones dying before his eyes.

Rong Tang’s heart trembled, and he subconsciously grabs the fingers that Su Huaijing held out.

Su Huaijing is slightly startled at this sudden closeness; his eyes inadvertently brighten, and a faint smile appears on the corners of his lips. He lowers his hand and leads Rong Tang’s hand under the chessboard. He calmly continues to play chess with Ke Hongxue. He doesn’t prompt or press him, and he lets Rong Tang perk up on his own.

Ke Hongxue observes until his eyes get heated, and his gut continuously exudes bile. He opens the folding fan with a snap, rapidly swishing his wrist several times and clicking his tongue: “I don’t want to look.”

His movements finally bring Rong Tang back to his senses, and the latter frowns. Once he becomes aware that he is holding Su Huaijing’s hand, he pretends that he is naturally taking the peeled tangerine from him. He then loosens himself from their clasped hands, stares at Ke Hongxue, and says directly, “Third Scholar is taken aback due to your unworldliness. Haven’t you seen a loving couple before?”

He immediately changes the topic without giving Ke Hongxue any chance to retort: “That’s right. After all, Tutor Ke is a well-known huoshan xiaozi* from Fengyue House. Presumably, you’ve uttered many pledges during dewy romantic encounters. Of course, you wouldn’t have witnessed mutual help in times of need and mutual respect between husband and wife.”

(*TN: literally translates to “volcano filial son”, is a slang word; it generally refers to men who often indulge in sex and spend a lot of money to support women.)

Su Huaijing is so amused by him that he laughs to himself. Ke Hongxue’s movements pause, he blinks, and his folding fan stops in mid-air. There are no movements from him for a long time.

After regaining his wits, Ke Hongxue is gleeful. His eyes curve, and he casually places a piece on the chessboard. His peach-blossom eyes are slightly raised, and he looks at Rong Tang with a smile. His tone rose and fell: “Prince seems to treat this subject with hostility?”

Rong Tang gave a cold “hng” which piqued Ke Hongxue’s interest, and he pressed on to get to the heart of the matter: “Why? I only met the Prince for the first time yesterday. Why do you undermine me again and again?”

Although he is probing, there is no displeasure in his eyes, and even the scrutinising precaution from last night is lacking. It appears as if he is purely curious, and his twinkling eyes regard Rong Tang up and down.

Rong Tang narrows his eyes at him: “Are you also speaking out of proportion despite having just met me?”

What do you mean you don’t want to look?

He and Su Huaijing are formally and legally married! Although he didn’t ride in the palanquin with eight carriers, they still carried the sedan chair to receive the bride, and they are a true husband and wife who have worshipped heaven and earth!

How can he not want to look? ?

Rong Tang is indignant.

Ke Hongxue is dazed for a moment, and after thinking for a while, he understands a key factor and can’t help laughing. There is a layer of mist in his curved peach blossom eyes; his expression is amorous, affectionate, tactful, and reserved; and his voice sounded beguiling: “Prince, I suspect we knew each other in a previous life.”

Rong Tang frowned and was about to speak. Su Huaijing takes out a white piece from the chess cup and places it securely on the chessboard. His voice is calm and steady: “Third Scholar Ke, you’ve lost.”

Ke Hongxue stares at the chessboard in shock.

Only a moment ago, it was a back-and-forth chess game with no killing intent. During the course of these few words, he revealed his skills, each move invading deep into the hinterland. A game of chess appears to conceal indistinct military manoeuvres along with the slaughtering on the battlefield in the bleak northern winds.

The slightly startled Ke Hongxue looks at Su Huaijing with a hint of admiration in his gaze.

Footsteps sound on the stairs, steady and muted at the same time—most contradicting.

Ke Hongxue turns around, displaying an arrogant playboy look, and began complaining: “Senior, they’re bullying me.”

The person who came is none other than Mu Jingxu. He is fully dressed in white, with an upright demeanour. His gaze sweeps down to the chessboard and he said coldly, “Your skills aren’t up to par, and yet you still have the nerve to complain.”

Ke Hongxue blinked and cast a somewhat aggrieved look at Mu Jingxu. He easily stood up to change his stool, inviting Mu Jingxu to the opposite side of the chessboard, and said in a low voice, “Senior…”

“You shut up.”

“You shut up!”

Both voices were uttered back-to-back. When Rong Tang spoke, he noticed Mu Jingxu looking at him, so he supported his forehead and said, “Apologies; I’ve had a headache just from hearing him speak.”

Ke Hongxue: “?”

Su Huaijing muffled his laughter as he poured a cup of tea for Rong Tang and handed it to him. Rong Tang took it and sipped, then he heard Su Huaijing ask, “Since Excellency Mu is here too, can you tell us why have both of you been repeatedly prying?”

Mu Jingxu glanced at Ke Hongxue, and the latter nodded. He made up his mind and got straight to the point: “We just want to ask the Prince and Mr. Su if you are willing to accompany us at this flower-picking festival?”

Rong Tang paused a little, feeling a strange emotion gradually surface in his heart.

Su Huaijing asked, “Is it just the four of us?”

Mu Jingxu shakes his head. “No.”

Su Huaijing said, “Excellency Mu, please explain clearly.”

Mu Jingxu: “There is also the Fifth Highness.”

……

With a “crash” sound, Rong Tang knocked over the tea cup.

All three of them were startled. Before Rong Tang could react, Su Huaijing had already grabbed his hand and brought it in front of his eyes. He quickly flips it as he asks aloud, “Did you get scalded?”

Rong Tang curls his fingers as he senses the temperature with some confusion, then shakes his head and said, “No.”

He lowers his head and catches sight of a puddle of water on the wooden floor, along with the broken tea cup. He automatically crouches down to pick it up, but Su Huaijing tugs at Rong Tang and frowns at him for a good while until he stops his movements. He himself bends over and collects the broken pieces of porcelain into his palm.

When he got up again, Su Huaijing’s expression was extremely cold, and he eyed Ke Hongxue and Mu Jingxu without explanation: “Both Excellencies’ support is much obliged. Neither Tangtang nor I have ever attended school. Supposing we form a team, we will only be an inconvenience. It’s still not necessary.”

Mu Jingxu’s expression is indifferent as usual, but in contrast, Ke Hongxue’s astonishment is written all over his face, as if he hadn’t expected them to refuse at all.

The flower-picking festival will be held for seven days in total, and each day’s theme is different. Those who attend will need to compose a poem or prose according to the theme of the day before sunset. They will then deliver it to the Third Prince and all the various distinguished scholars participating in the selection to choose the excellent and inferior ones.

However, not all those who’ve come to participate in the flower-picking festival are talented scholars. There are also those, like Qin Pengxuan, who are unlearned but have prominent family backgrounds. Naturally, they cannot allow themselves to lose face at this kind of banquet.

Therefore, the rules are for small groups to work as a unit, which is similar to Rong Tang’s semester-end group assignment when he was in school during the modern era. A group of five to six people will share the results, and only the final selection for the shujishi position will be internally nominated.

This kind of nomination is highly susceptible to manipulation. In other small groups, there are easily occurrences where some abuse their power to bully others, but in their case, it is completely impossible.

Both Mu Jingxu and Ke Hongxue possess official government positions. As a prince, Sheng Chengli doesn’t need to go to the Hanlin Academy to work as a paltry shujishi. As for Rong Tang, he’s already a wealthy idler to begin with, and indeed, there is no need to chain another shackle to himself.

Therefore, this spot will practically given pro bono to Su Huaijing in the end.

As for whether they are capable of getting first place?

The imperial examinations are held every three years in Dayu. Since the first year of Qingzheng, a total of three imperial examinations have been held so far. Only the one held in the seventh year of Qingzheng can be regarded as a gathering of talents and a battle between immortals.

Mu Jingxu ranked first among the three grades. Although Ke Hongxue is a Third Scholar by name, Emperor Renshou originally wanted him to be the top scholar because of Grand Tutor Ke. Yet, in the throne room, Ke Hongxue dared to smile relaxingly, candidly saying that he had no ambitions and couldn’t be a great scholar who manages the country’s affairs. He was only fit to go through life drunk or dreaming, aimlessly riding a horse through the streets, and being a useless scholar.

When Emperor Renshou heard this, he clapped and laughed. Instead of blaming him, he praised him for his unpretentious character and conferred on him the title of Third Scholar on the spot.

Is there anyone at this flower-picking festival who is more erudite than these two? Perhaps, but one cannot deny that they are truly outstanding.

Besides—based on Rong Tang’s recollection, they had won first place in his previous two lifetimes.

He, Mu Jingxu, Ke Hongxue, Sheng Chengli, plus a junior of Ke Hongxue’s who’d come sponge some points.

The only difference is that the first two times, Emperor Renshou hadn’t promised the Hanlin shujishi position as a bonus.

Rong Tang is dragged by Su Huaijing to stand before Mu Jingxu and Ke Hongxue. Seeing that their dispositions have returned to normal, he slowly got up, smiled, and cupped his fists to take his leave. “Since it’s like this…”

“We shall consider it.” Rong Tang interrupted Ke Hongxue.

The strength of the hand gripping him suddenly increased and quickly gentled. Rong Tang didn’t look at Su Huaijing but stared fixedly at Mu Jingxu and repeated in a low voice, “We shall mull over it for one night and give you an answer tomorrow morning before the name card submission.”

Team members need to write their names on a special piece of red paper and submit it to the third prince. Henceforth, the flower-picking festival begins, and those members will be linked in an alliance.

Mu Jingxu is indifferent as usual and nods, “Alright.”

Ke Hongxue’s lips rose into a smile, and his gaze alternates between the two of them before shifting away. He shook his folding fan, points to a place not too far away that is illuminated, and says with a smile, “Tonight is the start of the event; a banquet has been prepared at Lanyue Pavilion. If Prince wishes to go there and enjoy it, you’ll need to leave a little earlier so as not to miss the timing, when all the boats on the shore would have moored.”

Rong Tang nods. “Thank you very much.”

Ke Hongxue and Mu Jingxu turn around and headed downstairs. Before leaving, Ke Hongxue glanced again at the chessboard, a somewhat ambiguous smile curling at the corner of his lips.

The red-painted loft quieted down. Su Huaijing releases his hold on Rong Tang’s hand, turns around, and places the broken porcelain tea cup pieces on the chess table. He uses a square towel to slowly wipe off the tea stains on his hands as he sits on a stool. He raises his head and smiles harmlessly, but his gaze is chilly.

In a warm tone, he asks, “Tangtang, can you give me an explanation?”

Rong Tang lowers his head and notices another unsightly red mark on Su Huaijing’s hand.

He is shocked, and before he has time to think, he crouches down, grabs Su Huaijing’s hand in both of his own, and carefully touches the skin surrounding the wound.

Su Huaijing’s hands are still slender and white, like top-quality sheep-fat white jade, but they are covered with old and new scars from the wrists to the fingers.

The beautiful jade is tainted with flaws, and Rong Tang feels terribly distressed.

Su Huaijing lifts his hand and presses his fingertips against Rong Tang’s cheek. A faint drop of blood trickles onto his face and is infused with his own aura. Su Huaijing’s emotions finally stabilise a little.

He asks again, “Tangtang isn’t unwilling, are you?”

“I’m not unwilling…” Rong Tang says hoarsely. As soon as he spoke, he saw the playful coldness in Su Huaijing’s eyes. He is silent for a moment, then subsequently says softly, “But I think you obviously want to team up with them.”

Su Huaijing’s eyebrows raised a little. “Ng?”

Some words aren’t ready to be spoken, so even though Rong Tang suspects that Su Huaijing is well aware of Ke Hongxue’s intentions for a long time and understands that he must certainly have his own considerations for his feigned compliance, he cannot say it aloud.

He just obediently inclines his head, letting the blood stain spread on his face, and then says, “I want you to get first place.”

Like a marked beast, he doesn’t need to be tamed, so he obediently enters the hunter’s cage, envelopes his body in the soft and smooth fur to quietly spend winter.

Rong Tang says softly, “Huaijing, let’s join them and get first place.”

Su Huaijing stares at Rong Tang helplessly, just like that rainy day, he is especially obedient, nuzzling his fingers and softly pleasing like a spoiled child: “Alright?”

His voice is soft and clear, impelling people to present all the treasures in the world before him and let him enjoy them as gifts.

A curtain of darkness gradually descends. Flowers are blooming all over Song Garden. Su Huaijing’s Adam’s apple rolls. For the first time, he doesn’t accede to Rong Tang’s request. In the midst of that hopeful gaze, he speaks slowly and clearly: “No.”

He can clearly see the disgust in Rong Tang’s eyes when the tea cup was knocked over… and the dread.

He allows Rong Tang to be friends with Mu Jingxu and the others, but he doesn’t want Rong Tang to be afraid.

Rong Tang is his little Buddha, so he should be reading novels without a care, eating snacks, and going to the market to enjoy spring flowers. Su Huaijing has countless ways to take revenge; the mere difference is whether it was a little quicker or slower.

But there is no path worth walking if Rong Tang suppresses his fear while accompanying him.

——Even if he doesn’t know why Rong Tang is fearful.