Chapter 44

The host of the flower-picking festival was undoubtedly referring to Sheng Chengxing. Rong Tang now had a question that needed an urgent answer, but the host was absent. He couldn’t find a way to ask for an accurate answer to his speculation, so he was left feeling inexplicably anxious that even the sound of Sheng Chengxing’s voice aggravated him.

Ke Hongxue’s enrolment in Linyuan Academy was driven by Grand Tutor Ke Wenrui’s wish, rather than his own aspiration.

He’d been studying at the academy for many years and never contemplated taking the imperial examination. Indeed, it wasn’t until he was twenty-four-years-old that he participated in the imperial examination for the first time and even cinched the title of Third-rank Scholar in one fell swoop.

Emperor Renshou launched a rebellion in the late summer of the twenty-fifth year of Yuanxing. It took three months to completely eradicate the former emperor and the previous political faction. Following this, he spent some time compiling an edict detailing various false atrocities committed by the former emperor. Only after the Spring Festival of the following year was the official enthronement ceremony held, which changed the reigning dynasty’s name to Qingzheng.

The first year of Qingzheng marked the inaugural amnesty and the commencements of civil service exams after under the new emperor’s reign. When the new dynasty replaced the old one and the court was facing a shortage of manpower, that was the year that the imperial examination papers were relatively straightforward. It was done in order to unmitigatedly elect a large pool of talented candidates to serve in the imperial court and to alleviate the emperor’s tribulations.

Ke Hongxue was eighteen-years-old at the time. He was in his prime and brimming with talent. If he wanted to be an official, he might have been able to win the title of Top Scholar in one go if he’d taken the imperial examination that year.

But Rong Tang was also aware that Ke Hongxue had no desire to be an official.

According to Lu Jiaxi, it wasn’t until Mu Jingxu entered the academy to take the imperial examination that he accompanied him to sit for the exam at the examination centre.

Then, did Ke Hongxue aspire to be an official at that time? Rong Tang doesn’t think so.

He was more inclined to believe that Ke Hongxue was there purely for the sake of accompanying Mu Jingxu.

But in this way, he couldn’t help but suspect that, except for siding with Sheng Chengli, Ke Hongxue—and even the entire Ke family—were essentially acting according to Mu Jingxu’s lead.

Why was that? What unique qualities did Mu Jingxu possess?

Rong Tang knew the reason why Su Huaijing asked Lu Jiaxi that question. He wanted to use it to ascertain whether Ke Hongxue harboured ambitions of become an official in the court from the outset. He provided his exact birth date to test Ke Hongxue, and the other party also tested him back. If Su Huaijing confirmed that Ke Hongxue actually had no intention of being a minister for Emperor Renshou, then he was very likely to recruit Ke Hongxue into his group.

But Rong Tang began to wonder and even scrutinise every step Mu Jingxu had made.

He realised that he didn’t even know why Mu Jingxu chose Sheng Chengli.

Tutor Ke’s words were three parts true and seven parts false. Was the explanation he gave at the beginning entirely truthful?

Rong Tang couldn’t figure it out, but the noisy chatter of the crowd outside drew nearer. He turned his head and stole a glance at Su Huaijing’s expression before momentarily suppressing the questions in his heart. Then he stood up and pulled open the screen.

Sheng Chengxing and his companions were chatting while leaning on the railing, each holding a glass of wine or a folding fan. They were wearing wide-sleeved Confucian robes. As they watched the play while propped against the railing, they appeared to have some of the elegance of ancient literati.

But Rong Tang has been touring Song Garden these days and has seen the remnants left by the previous Third Prince. Now, as he looked at Sheng Chengxing, only four words came to mind: Dongshi xiaopin*

(*TN: Idiom describing Dongshi, an ugly woman, who knit her brows in imitation of the famous beauty, Xishi, only to make herself even uglier—a crude imitation with ludicrous effect.)

When “Dongshi” saw him coming out of the private room, he originally had a lazy appearance, but after a moment’s pause, his demeanour brightened once more.

——False pretense. Rong Tang arrived at this conclusion.

Sheng Chengxing approached and asked considerately, “Is biao xiong’s health better? The steward mentioned that Prince Ningxuan’s old illness relapsed the second day after he came to the garden, which scared me for a long time. I already have a didi who is recuperating here. I still don’t know how to explain this to Imperial Father when I return. If biao xiong has fallen ill too, I really won’t even have the face to go pay my respects at Imperial Mother’s side.”

He spoke passionately and sounded very concerned about Rong Tang, but it came across as extremely hypocritical when the people involved heard it. Rong Tang led the two people behind him to salute Sheng Chengxing and then said nonchalantly, “I’ve troubled Third Highness for your concern. It wasn’t serious to begin with. I’ve had some minor ailments since childhood. While there aren’t many doctors in the garden, it was fortunate that Second Highness sent me a lot of medicinal herbs and supplements through my didi. Being ill for a long time has made me quite knowledgeable in medicine. After brewing and drinking several pots of medicinal soup, I’m already feeling much better now.””

After his words, the area around Lanyue Pavilion became enveloped in silence. Those behind Sheng Chengxing couldn’t help but scrutinise Rong Yuan. The latter was taken aback, but when he regained his composure, he spoke in defense of Sheng Chengxing.

Rong Yuan advanced and recalled the lesson he’d learned the last time, greeting his xiong and sao first: “It’s a blessing that xiong zhang is well.”

Then he turned to the Third Prince and adopted a pretentious tone, “Xiong zhang is always the most polite in our family. Once he realised he was sick, he didn’t want to get a great number of people involved and bother everyone, so he refrained from asking the servant to inform. Otherwise, how could he be unaware that Your Highness had specially invited dozens of renowned doctors to stay in the garden prior to the flower-picking festival precisely because of concerns that someone would have an accident at the festival and would not be able to be treated immediately? I hope Your Highness won’t censure and understand my xiong zhang’s good intentions.”

Sheng Chengxing’s expression calmed somewhat, and he was about to raise his hand to breezily dismiss the matter and deflect it back to Rong Tang, but he heard a faint chuckle from the Shizi Fei beside Prince Ningxuan, who always remained inconspicuous, who then remarked, “San di is indeed astute and quick-witted. Not only are you aware of His Highness’s arrangements, but you also know about the doctors residing in the garden. Since that’s the case—”

He changed the topic with a smile on his lips, but cast Rong Yuan a cold gaze: “Tangtang is not in good health when he is away from home. Father specifically instructed you and er di to take care of your da ge. Even er di knows how to send over some medicinal materials to the courtyard for emergencies. San di, have you ever come here to say hello and meet your xiong zhang once in the past few days? If you had, how could you not have known that Prince’s old illness had relapsed? How could you not have personally arranged a doctor for him instead of spending every day drinking and listening to plays in Lanyue Pavilion?”

The smile on Su Huaijing’s face gradually faded and revealed a hint of intimidation: “Now, you are apologising to His Highness on behalf of Tangtang. But I didn’t expect that the eldest son of Duke Ningxuan, personally conferred by His Majesty, and the eldest grandson of Eldest Princess Duanyi, would have to silently endure pain simply because he didn’t want to trouble others. What crime is there in that?”

Apologise? I’m afraid you’re crying at the wrong grave!

Su Huaijing spoke emphatically. Since the time he entered the flower-picking festival, apart from his private interactions with Ke and Mu, most people who encountered the Prince and his wife from Ningxuan Palace saw the Shizi Fei standing or sitting next to Rong Tang in a gentle and warm manner, pouring tea, fetching water and soup, and picking vegetables for him. No matter when they looked over, his head was always lowered slightly, smiling, preparing snacks or fruits for Rong Tang to eat later, or walking beside him, paying attention to the road under his feet from time to time, and guarding his family’s prince, whose body resembled paper mâche, from accidentally misstepping and injuring himself.

Has anyone ever seen Su Huaijing behave like this?

Especially Rong Yuan. Ever since Su Huaijing entered the house, he hasn’t had much personal contact with him. He only thinks of him as a male wife who tends to a ghost who will perish early and has no real influence. Surprisingly, even before Rong Tang had uttered anything, this eldest sao was unexpectedly the first to publicly attack him?!

Rong Yuan’s eyes bulged in disbelief as he took in Su Huaijing for the first time.

Everyone present was silent for a moment; no one dared to speak, only casting sideways glances at Sheng Chengxing.

This matter was stirred up by Sheng Chengxing’s big mouth, insisting on showcasing his supposed concern and affection for his brothers—even his maternal cousin brothers. Yet he only played at being concerned without following through. While he talked about caring, privately knowing that Rong Tang was ill, he didn’t even think to arrange for a doctor for him. His flowery words were met with a clear rebuttal from Rong Tang on the spot, and he even dragged the Second Prince into it. It left him feeling uncomfortable.

Rong Yuan was a smart man. In a few words, he redirected the possible conflict between the two princes back to his xiong zhang and attempted to give him a good reputation. Then, he hypocritically apologised, saving the Third Prince’s face while also maintaining his own dignity. Everyone should have been satisfied with Rong Tang enduring a bit of injustice.

Who knew that Ningxuan Shizi Fei would jump out halfway.

This is really……

In that moment, everyone present was a loss for words. All around, they exchanged looks, wishing they’d never been there in the first place. At that instance, only the sound of the opera downstairs seemed particularly deafening.

Su Huaijing didn’t even glance at Sheng Chengxing. He only stared at Rong Yuan, using the leverage of the eldest sao to assert dominance over him. A long time passed, yet it felt like just a moment. Suddenly, behind the crowd, a hearty laughter rang out, carrying a sense of frankness and satisfaction, as if just venting frustration but then restraining it. The voice proclaimed loudly, “It’s good news that biao xiong’s health has improved. The medicinal herbs were a gift from our Imperial Father. Their greatest blessing lies in their usefulness, regardless of who gave them.”

Everyone turned back and saw Sheng Chengming smiling as he ascended the stairs. Without sparing Sheng Chengxing a glance, he walked all the way to Rong Tang and Su Huaijing and said cheerfully, “Biao ge, have you finished consuming the medicinal ingredients? I still have some at my place. If you don’t mind, shall I ask Jingzhi to pick it up later and then send it over to you?”

Rong Tang had always been wary of Sheng Chengxing suddenly attacking Su Huaijing, so he’d quietly positioned himself in front to shield him. When he caught sight of Sheng Chengming, he relaxed his guard, took two steps back to the side, coughed slightly, and said, “We’ve troubled Second Highness. There are still some medicinal ingredients left. It’s just that Huaijing and I will be returning home in a day, and we really won’t be able to make use of so many precious ingredients.”

Sheng Chengming nodded, turned around, and stared at Sheng Chengxing.

He glanced briefly at Rong Yuan, with an expression in his eyes as if he were looking at an ant, and then said to the Third Prince, “San di, why don’t you take the time to pay homage at Tuolan Temple? If you are lucky enough to encounter Master Huimian, please also invite him to perform a divination for you. Ask him how it is that as soon as you establish his own residence after leaving the palace, there are sudden deaths and guests falling ill. Is it because you’ve done something wrong, or because you’ve neglected proper etiquette and are being punished by the ancestors revered in the garden?”

Song Garden was formerly an imperial garden. Throughout the dynasties, emperors and concubines came here to escape the summer heat or for leisure activities. Naturally, there were also memorial halls for ancestor worship.

Sheng Chengming’s sarcasm was palpable, clearly implying that there was something suspicious about Sheng Chengxing’s arrangement regarding peonies and tree peony themes at the flower-picking festival. Those who understood dared not respond, and those who didn’t understand dared not join in the verbal sparring between the two princes.

Some officials who had seen the Second Prince in court were surprised. Compared to the time when Sheng Chengming first entered the court to listen to political affairs…… he seemed to be much more eloquent now, even capable of cursing without uttering a single expletive.

At the side, Rong Tang was keeping quiet, and Su Huaijing came over to stick to him, discreetly slipping his hand into his sleeve, and holding hands in public.

Rong Tang raised his eyebrows to look at his wife.

He didn’t say anything. He didn’t care whether Su Huaijing understood the meaning in his gaze, but even if he did, it would be impossible for the main villain to tell the truth to him based on his temperament.

Rong Tang was just a little surprised that Sheng Chengming took the initiative to show his kindness to him again and again. Was it a little too flattering?

Does he really not have any counsellors behind him, to trust Su Huaijing like this?

……No, that’s not right. Assuming that as long as the main villain is willing to spend some effort and time, everyone will trust him wholeheartedly.

Even though he holds the plot in hand, wasn’t he persuaded by Su Huaijing into giving away a house and a carriage?

And even when giving him those things, the main villain didn’t even have to coax him.

As Rong Tang thought about it, he felt a strange sourness welling up inside him. He clenched his fists together tightly. While the two princes were bickering in front of him, Rong Tang lowered his gaze and discreetly pinched Su Huaijing with some force. He couldn’t even explain to himself whether he was venting frustration or not.

Su Huaijing was pinched by him, yet a smile appeared on his face. He turned his head and looked at Rong Tang, staring at him while appearing well-behaved, without any of the fierceness he had when he targeted Rong Yuan.

If you really had to say, it’s a bit like a pet dog raised to guard the house, whose entire being is imbued with its own scent except for when it’s fawning or sticking out its tongue in front of its owner.

Rong Tang couldn’t withstand the gaze of those beautiful eyes for more than two or three seconds before succumbing. He sighed softly in his heart and averted his gaze. Then he moved his fingers to the spot where he had just pinched and gently stroked it.

Immediately, Su Huaijing couldn’t hide his smile, and there was warmth in his gaze.

Although Sheng Chengxing and Sheng Chengming were not getting along privately, this was still a public occasion. It wouldn’t be appropriate to let others see a dispute between members of the imperial family. After a few exchanges, the two of them reconciled amicably with each other. Sheng Chengxing walked up to Rong Tang and slightly bowed, saying, “It was my oversight. It’s rare for biao xiong to leave the palace to go sightseeing, yet I didn’t let him enjoy it to the fullest. After returning to the capital, I will definitely pay you a visit and make a formal apology.”

Rong Tang’s eyes lit up, and he quietly wrote a “two” on Su Huaijing’s hand. With an appearance that was neither haughty nor humble, “How dare I ask Your Highness to apologise? It’s really true that my body is useless. Your Highness, please don’t shorten my life by saying such things.”

Sheng Chengxing had just been made a fool by Sheng Chengming, so he didn’t dare to agree right away. After several attempts to decline, he finally decided that after returning to the capital, he would instruct someone to personally deliver precious medicinal materials and treasures to Duke Ningxuan’s. Only then did the matter come to an end.

Everyone around them breathed a collective sigh of relief. Rong Tang took Su Huaijing back to the private room and happily stretched out his hand to write “two” again.

Su Huaijing looked amused, but he also doted on him, so he pretended not to know and asked, “Tangtang gege, what does this mean?”

Rong Tang: “Two apologies! Huaijing, we came out and got two apologies!”

He was extremely happy, and Su Huaijing was also in an elated mood. He corrected with a smile, “It’s actually four.”

Rong Tang blinked in surprise.

Su Huaijing released his hand and counted on his fingers, “Qin Pengxuan, Third Prince, Rong Zheng, and the one mentioned by Second Prince just now.”

Rong Tang: “Don’t you want to disregard Sheng Chengming’s?”

Su Huaijing smiled a little. “He’ll give it to you.”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone knocked lightly at the entrance of the screen. Outside, Sheng Chengming asked, “Biao xiong, may I come in?”

Rong Tang and Su Huaijing’s gazes met, and the latter went to personally pull open the screen for Sheng Chengming.

When this era’s unparalleled, esteemed Second Prince stood outside the screen and saw who had pulled open the screen for him, there was a momentary look of panic on his face, and then it was replaced by veneration.

Sheng Chengming automatically took a step forward, then remembered etiquette and silently inclined to the side, saying, “Thank you…… biao sao.”

Rong Tang detected a moment of hesitation when hearing him say the address and inwardly felt a little bemused. These two people must have other ways of calling each other in private. At this time, they had to pretend to be unfamiliar and standoffish in front of him, which was a bit tiring.

Rong Tang stood up and asked, “Second Highness, do you have anything to elucidate?”

Sheng Chengming entered and closed the screen again. This small section was separated from the rest of the world. He quickly said, “There’s nothing to elucidate. It’s just that we were outside just now with so many onlookers; it would not look good if we were seen squabbling. I just want to say that I still have a lot of valuable medicinal ingredients. If biao xiong finds it troublesome to transport many things on the carriages from Song Garden back to the palace, I will ask the servant to pack them up and have them sent to you after I get back.”

Before Rong Tang could refuse, Sheng Chengming quickly added, “Biao xiong, please don’t refuse anymore. Gu nainai* has made indelible contributions to our Dayu imperial family, and you are Imperial Mother’s blood nephew. If you don’t take care of yourself and upset both elders, even I’ll be distressed witnessing it.”

(*TN: paternal grand aunt; he’s referring to Princess Duanyi.)

Rong Tang: “……” He sure knows how to make use of reinforcements.

His brows furrowed slightly. “Even so—”

Before he finished speaking, Sheng Chengming seemed to be afraid that he would refuse again and said, “Even if it were not for Imperial Mother and gu nainai, Duke Ningxuan is a Dayu meritorious official. He followed Imperial Father to campaign all across the country in the early years. You are the heir of Duke Ningxuan. In the future, the burden of the palace is going to fall upon you. How can you do it without taking good care of your body? Those medicinal herbs and supplements are really of no use to me. If biao xiong doesn’t accept them, they won’t be able to escape the fate of being shelved in my abode. It’s truly a waste.”

He said it sincerely and genuinely, but Rong Tang’s eyebrows twitched when he heard it, and he couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at Su Huaijing’s expression, but he saw that there was nothing unusual about him. He even poured him another cup of warm tea, appearing as if he completely didn’t hear Sheng Chengming saying: “Duke Ningxuan followed Emperor Renshou to campaign all across the country.”

He got along so well with Su Huaijing that he almost forgot that the late emperor’s family had died tragically. What’s more, his father played a huge role in it. Emperor Renshou was the chief culprit, and Rong Mingyu was the blade held by the executioner.

Rong Tang’s barely-risen emotions plummeted, and he felt an indescribable bitterness surge up in his heart. He was worried that Sheng Chengming would say something outrageous again, so he coughed lightly to interrupt his thoughts and responded, “Then I shall deferentially accept rather than courteously decline; thank you so much, Second Highness.”

Sheng Chengming breathed a sigh of relief and immediately turned to look at Su Huaijing. The warmth in his gaze had become much more sincere: “Then I shall make arrangements after the flower-picking festival is over. Requesting biao sao to take care of biao xiong when he returns home and make sure he consumes them. There’s always no harm in keeping fit and healthy.”

Su Huaijing smiled, cupped his hands, and expressed his appreciation: “Thank you, Second Highness; I’ll naturally take good care of Tangtang.”

Sheng Chengming subconsciously wanted to return his salute. He bent down a little and stiffened, then changed to lifting Su Huaijing up by his arm and saying, “Biao sao, you don’t need to be so polite. We are all one family.”

The fourth person in the private room—Lu Jiaxi—observed until his eyes almost popped out of his head. From the moment Sheng Chengming entered, he wanted to salute and pay his respects, but His Highness the Second Prince just prattled and gabbled on as if he were singing a solo, boasting about the gifts he had sent out himself. Which way did he sound like an arrogant prince?

He began to doubt the rumours about the imperial family that he’d heard in the academy.

Rong Tang noticed his embarrassment and led them all to sit down. Seeing this, Su Huaijing also sat next to Rong Tang. Sheng Chengming didn’t want to leave. He looked at Rong Tang and then at Su Huaijing to properly discern the person who could make the decision, then he pulled up a chair and sat opposite Rong Tang to gain familiarity: “I heard from Jingzhi that biao xiong has only been strolling in the courtyard these days and is too lazy to go out. You seem so enthused today to come to Lanyue Pavilion?”

Rong Tang said inwardly, I seem to be a bit in the way. Should I just drag Lu Jiaxi away and let you two conspire on important matters? But Su Huaijing merely peeled the nuts for him quietly on the side. Rong Tang no longer wanted to respond and could only answer: “This morning I heard that the Purple Jade Troupe is putting on a new play that has never been performed outside. I was a little curious, so I dragged Huaijing along.”

“Aaa…… so that’s it aaa.” Sheng Chengming was a little disappointed when he heard this answer, and his expression froze uncontrollably for a moment, but when he caught a glimpse of Su Huaijing’s enviable, well-behaved appearance, he still made the introductions for Rong Tang.

“In the first place, it’s not some fantastic programme. Although it’s a new drama, in fact, the troupe leader merely arranged one ad hoc just to curry favour with my san di. Right now, it’s just a warm-up, and it won’t be nice to watch until the evening.”

Rong Tang knew what the play was about and what Sheng Chengming’s words meant, but he still pretended not to know, revealing just the right amount of confusion and interest. “What do you mean?”

Sheng Chengming continued, “Biao xiong, do you remember my wu di?”

Rong Tang sneered in his heart, thinking that after all the twists and turns, it would end up with the Heavenly Law for the male protagonist. However, when Su Huaijing heard Sheng Chengming mention Sheng Chengli, he frowned in displeasure and raised his eyes to look at him.

Sheng Chengming was stunned for a moment. It was unusual for him to be keenly aware that the young master he was looking at was a bit in a bad mood, but he didn’t know if he had offended him or otherwise, so he didn’t dare speak for a while.

The topic was interrupted. Sheng Chengming looked around and cautiously asked, “Won’t peeling the almonds hurt your hands?”

Before Su Huaijing could say anything, Sheng Chengming called out loudly, “Someone, come over.”

Immediately outside the screen, a young eunuch entered and bowed: “Your Highness.”

Sheng Chengming gave a big wave of his hand and pointed at the nuts in the eight-treasure platter on the table, “Have the nuts peeled, then bring them back. By the way, prepare some readied fruit and snacks. Ol’ San really doesn’t make an effort in things, providing only some troublesome foodstuffs.”

As he spoke, he eyed the teapot on the table and immediately asked Rong Tang earnestly, “Biao xiong, can you get used to drinking this tea? My place has an excellent Yuqian Longjing* that just arrived from Jiangnan as a tribute a few days ago, perfect for this season—” As he spoke, he felt the suggestion was excellent. Without waiting for Rong Tang’s response, he directly ordered, “You go out and prepare some melon seeds and fruit. Have Xiao Shunzi fetch two cans of tea leaves from my courtyard and use the mountain spring water we brought here to brew them before sending it here. Remember, it must be warm, not too hot or too cold, as the patient cannot drink those.”

(*TN: Longjing is also known as“Dragon Well” tea, a famous green tea produced in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Yujian means is was picked before the Grain Rain.)

“Yes.” The little eunuch replied respectfully, stepped forward, and removed the plate of dried fruits in front of Su Huaijing.

Sheng Chengming executed this set of moves so naturally and spontaneously that Rong Tang was dumbstruck. He glanced at his innocent Boyboy and couldn’t hold it in any longer, so he forced the system to wake up from its dormant state: “Why did he select a person like this?”

Rong Tang very nearly roared: “Why is it so unfair?!?!?!”

Although Su Huaijing was a clumsy prince acting as an attendant, not only did he observe his lord’s expressions but also cared for his family members.

Why is it that when it comes to Rong Tang, he does his utmost to complete missions and works his heart out to employ trickery, but ends up being killed by Sheng Chengli with a stab of his sword???

At this moment, young Prince Rong’s unbalanced mentality reached its peak, and he resentfully sought out the system to complain.

The system was silent for a long time, and then said, [No wonder he was merely exiled.]

Rong Tang was a little dazed, then calmed down instantly.

The system tracked the ending for those who were related to Su Huaijing. Emperor Renshou was turned into a human pig, stuffed into a chamber pot, and carried by eunuchs from within the palace to outside every day, to be hung on the walls of Yu capital for display.

——Every citizen of Dayu who set foot into the imperial capital could see the Emperor, who once demanded for them to kneel, bow, and shout “long live,”  now devoid of limbs, mouth, and nose, watching the crowds of people coming and going from the top of the gate tower in his humiliating state.

All one hundred and twenty-eight people in the Earl Wukang’s household perished. Qin Pengxuan, on the other hand, was forced into the hidden brothels of Chu House, addicted to lust, serving others with his body night after night.

Moreover, Sheng Chengli became wanted across the country, and every time he was killed extremely cruelly, either put to death by a thousand cuts or his body dismembered. Su Huaijing practically used almost all the methods recorded in the punishment books throughout the ages on him, as if he were the main culprit responsible for the deaths of his entire family.

Even at today’s flower-picking festival, most of the people outside drinking wine, chatting, and writing poems will die miserably.

Su Huaijing is a tyrant. After he ascended the throne, the blood shed by Dayu’s emperor far exceeded that of Emperor Renshou during the year of his rebellion. This was the knowledge gleaned by the system after receiving the information from the mainframe.

But Sheng Chengming, the first prince chosen to be used by Su Huaijing after entering the capital, was merely exiled to a remote borderland to live as a commoner before the struggle for the heirship in the capital reached its zenith.

As for the prince, even if he becomes a commoner, he can enjoy a lifetime of glory and wealth—the envy of ordinary people.

The system’s inherent stance prevents it from generating even the slightest bit of goodwill towards Su Huaijing. Ignoring the actions of the main villain because of Rong Tang’s sentiments was already in contradiction with its mission, but witnessing this scene today, its data-based mind suddenly faltered.

Emperor Renshou is Su Huaijing’s enemy. His offspring seized the honours and favours that should have been enjoyed by Su Huaijing and all his siblings. According to the degree of collapse and descent into darkness of the main villain at the end, even if he heard that Emperor Renshou had a posthumous child, he should be ruthlessly dragged out of the womb and strangled.

But he let Sheng Chengming off.

He let Sheng Chengming off? Is this the character setup that a villain should have?

The system went silent for a long time after saying that. Rong Tang understood what it meant, paused for a moment, and then said, “Even if he turns dark, he is actually not bad at heart.”

He just harbours enmity and wants revenge.

He was forced to become the main villain by this Heavenly Way.

Rong Tang’s heart was a little moved, and he curiously took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, walked to the corner, dipped it in water, and came back to lift his good Boyboy’s hand.

Su Huaijing’s eyes widened slightly, and he called out with a mix of happiness and anxiousness, “Tangtang?”

Rong Tang lowered his head and said in a muffled voice, “Don’t you hate dirty things the most? I’ll wipe for you.”

The handkerchief passed over the fingertips, and all the dried fruit crumbs were cleared away. What remained in front of him were ten immaculate, beautiful, pale fingers, which could even be used for hand modelling in modern times.

Su Huaijing remained silent, his heart pounding rapidly in his chest. His eyes curved into a smile, waited for Rong Tang to take away the handkerchief, and then said obediently, “Thank you, Tangtang gege.”

His voice was pleasant and clear. The other two people in the private room fell silent, subconsciously met each other’s gaze, and they both caught the meaning in them that said: Should I not be here?

Fortunately, Rong Tang came to his senses quickly, gave a little cough, and took the initiative to ask about the topic that he already had an answer to: “Is this play related to His Highness the Fifth Prince?”

Su Huaijing frowned when he heard this. The joy of having Tangtang take the initiative to wipe his hands was obliterated considerably. He threw him a look, bearing some displeasure and resentment, then told Rong Tang to eat the nuts that he’d just peeled while suppressing the irritation rising in his heart.

Sheng Chengming glanced at the two of them and discerned that the topic could continue, so he cleared his throat and said, “Purple Jade Troupe is a famous opera troupe from the Jiangnan region. They came to the capital a few years ago, and their performances are gentler and more refined compared to those popular in the capital. And some of the plays……”

He paused as he spoke, glanced furtively at Su Huaijing, and then lowered his voice until it became extremely low and fast, to the point where it was almost inaudible if it was any softer: “They sang quite boldly in some plays.”

Rong Tang: “?”

The system reminded ruthlessly: [Filthy stuff.]

Rong Tang: “……”

He coughed and said nothing, then threw a guilty look at Su Huaijing, only to find that the latter didn’t seem to understand what he and Sheng Chengming meant at all. Seeing them frequently glancing at him, he blinked in confusion.

Rong Tang: “……” Forget it; don’t lead children astray.

System: [Ha!]

Sheng Chengming finished those words like he was taking advantage of the confusion before continuing: “Therefore, many dignitaries, young masters, and ladies in the capital like to watch their shows, and it has snowballed, becoming more and more popular.”

Rong Tang: “Your Highness watches them too?”

Sheng Chengming paused and became somewhat embarrassed: “Occasionally, when I go meet up with friends.”

He even goes to Fengyue House for gatherings; therefore, it seems normal to go to see a play.

Rong Tang thought like this but still couldn’t resist adding, “Rong Zheng is still young.”

Several other people present were taken aback. Su Huaijing was the first to react and inadvertently burst into laughter. It just happens that someone knocked on the screen, and the little eunuch who had earlier left with the platter of fruit came in again, stacking nuts and fruits on the table one by one: “Longjing is on the way. Appreciate Your Highness’ and Prince’s patience to wait a moment.”

Rong Tang felt that they were too efficient and raised his eyebrows: “Thank you very much.”

The little eunuch was startled into staring at him wide-eyed in disbelief before he was quickly frightened by Su Huaijing’s cold gaze and withdrew to the outside.

On the other hand, the way Lu Jiaxi looked at Rong Tang grew brighter and brighter.

At this time, Sheng Chengming finally grasped the meaning of Rong Tang’s words. His ears turned red, and he said, “Didi shall bear this in mind.”

Rong Tang: “……”

Well, his didi is already out; he doesn’t dare act like his real ge.

He picked up two orange segments, gave one to Su Huaijing, and ate while listening to Sheng Chengming continue: “Purple Jade Troupe basically puts on new plays every once in a while. Although tickets for the new play on opening night are hard to come by, if you are willing to wait, you’ll get to see them sooner or later. And, to be honest, the drama basically follows the same course over and over again. The first reason why Purple Jade Troupe is popular is because of their bold acting, and secondly, because there are several well-known performers in the team that everyone is willing to support.”

“The focus of today’s scene isn’t the plot; it’s nothing more than the struggle among the wealthy for their family inheritance.” Sheng Chengming said it flippantly, but Rong Tang’s eyes trembled, and he eyed him with some confusion.

Isn’t that the focus? Aren’t you and Sheng Chengxing just “the wealthy” competing for family inheritance?

But he heard him add: “The focus is that in this play, there is a prostitute from a brothel who was taken in by an elder master and subsequently gave birth to a son. However, she bore evil thoughts and did all manner of evil things. In the end, she suffered the consequences and died.”

Rong Tang took a sip of tea and mused, ‘Indeed, as expected’.

No matter how many changes have occurred or how many developments have deviated from the plot line, it will always circle back to the male protagonist in the end.

The original text indicates that this incident occurred in the previous two lives as well. Sheng Chengxing invited a theatre troupe to perform on stage, and among them, the actress playing the courtesan had an astonishing appearance. Her eyes were of a light colour, giving her an exotic charm. Every frown, smile, gesture, and movement was filled with countless emotions, captivating and fascinating everyone present.

However, only a handful of masters in the palace were aware of the significance.

There was no other reason— that woman resembled the late Concubine Shu too much.

In the original story line, Sheng Chengming shines at this time, and there is no shujishi bonus in the flower-picking festival. Although Sheng Chengxing stole the limelight, he was still holding back a feeling of being suppressed.

It’s not appropriate to approach just anyone. He could not directly confront Sheng Chengming. The Sixth Prince is his biological didi. The Seventh Prince is too young. The Fourth Prince would have been the most suitable choice, as he’s on good terms with Sheng Chengming, but at the time, he was under house arrest by Emperor Renshou due to some trouble he’d gotten into.

After picking and choosing, it was naturally Sheng Chengli.

—Although Rong Tang felt that so many reasons were just to add plots for Sheng Chengli to establish a harem.

The actress who resembled Concubine Shu was named Su Lian’er, and she was of the same clan as Concubine Shu. She might not look like her without makeup, but with makeup and veiled with a handkerchief, her pair of gentle and affectionate eyes looked exactly like her, not to mention the faint teardrop mole at the left corner of her eye.

In the early parts of “The Emperor’s Journey,”  Su Lian’er was once considered by readers to be the female lead.

And as soon as she appeared with her features that resembled Concubine Shu’s, she also successfully captured the heart of the male protagonist.

As Sheng Chengli watched Sheng Chengxing make use of Su Lian’er to ridicule him, he thought in his heart that this woman was truly pitiful. Her body was like duckweed, and her life was like grass. How could she not be similar to himself, who grew up in the cold palace and endured the hardships of the imperial palace?

So he was ridiculed and mocked by others, but he gave Su Lian’er a token before the end of the flower-picking festival and promised that after he left the palace, he would definitely find ways to get rid of her humble status and arrange a good marriage for her.

Naturally, this marriage was to be for himself.

And just as Sheng Chengming said, the thing that the Purple Jade Troupe in the capital doesn’t lack at all is the support of dignitaries and nobles. In this way, Su Lian’er’s role is very obvious—an intelligence personnel.

In upgrade flow novels, the harem are always portrayed as pawns, and the author really exploits this fact to the fullest.

Rong Tang considered it without any emotion and then heard Sheng Chengming lower his voice and say, “That actress just happens to resemble Concubine Shu. Sheng Chengxing wants to put wu di on the spot.”

In the original plot, Sheng Chengli was sent out of the cold palace because the Fourth Prince—who was on good terms with the Second Prince—went to the cold palace to bully him. When Emperor Renshou found out, he remembered that he had a son who’d been left in the cold palace to grow like a weed. With a wave of his hand, he released him. At the same time, he confined the Fourth Prince and beat the Second Prince.

In this way, Sheng Chengming understood Sheng Chengxing’s mindset. Not only did he not care, but he even watched coldly with the attitude of a bystander.

This time, he originally wanted to join hands with Sheng Chengxing. The more daring he acted, the more it suited his intentions, so Sheng Chengming naturally wouldn’t interfere.

In the previous two lives, Rong Tang relied on the script to not only help Sheng Chengli avoid this difficulty but also give Sheng Chengxing a slap. This time, he originally thought that with Mu Jingxu and Ke Hongxue around, even if they couldn’t predict it in advance, they would never let Sheng Chengli get into trouble. But they didn’t even bother to come to Lanyue Pavilion today, so it was obvious that they wouldn’t get involved in this matter.

Lu Jiaxi was a little panicked when he heard about the royal scandal, but perhaps because he was young and had the courage of youth, seeing that no one said anything, he asked carefully: “But isn’t the Fifth Prince recuperating from illness? He hasn’t attended any of the poetry gatherings these days.”

Rong Tang initially wondered what Sheng Chengming’s attitude would be when he saw Lu Jiaxi, but he observed that he was like a rabbit that had noticed a carrot. Not only did he not blame Lu Jiaxi for interrupting, but his eyes revealed a kind of affection, just like a teacher who encourages students to think when they are reading.

Rong Tang felt goosebumps all over his body. He turned his head to look at Su Huaijing, becoming more and more curious about what kind of bewitching potion he’d fed Sheng Chengming.

Sheng Chengming said: “Wu di is indeed recuperating from illness, but Sheng Chengxing is the host of the flower-picking festival and his san ge. He has not had a meal with us since he moved into Song Garden. It’s unreasonable. If those little eunuchs in Song Garden gossip back and forth, they might say that he doesn’t respect this xiong zhang at all. What’s more, Sheng Chengxing invites him in person, so he has to come even if he doesn’t want to.”

After he finished speaking, it seemed like he had just remembered something, and he looked at Rong Tang with some trepidation: “Biao xiong, do you want to render assistance to wu di?”

Rong Tang got annoyed upon hearing Sheng Chengli’s name and said, “If I interfere in the imperial family’s matters, it would be considered overstepping. I will be punished by my father when I go back. Even if I have the intention, I am powerless.” What’s more, I don’t have the intention.

Sheng Chengming struggled to understand what he said but couldn’t figure out the meaning for a while, so he threw an uneasy glance at Su Huaijing.

Su Huaijing smiled and said, “Tangtang’s efforts should be focused on me. I’ll get jealous if they are shared with others.”

Sheng Chengming understood immediately! His eyes lit up, and he said, “I’m telling you, I’m too lazy to care about their issues. Since I’m here to play, I’ll just enjoy myself to the fullest.”

He didn’t care at all that he was also the er ge or that he would be scolded by his Imperial Father when he returned home because he’d allowed the san ge to bully the wu di. Anyway, he wouldn’t help. If he helped, Su Huaijing would be unhappy, and he would lose more than he gained.

This is the only thing that this blockhead, Sheng Chengming, knows very well.

Rong Tang watched in amusement. The four of them chatted again, savoured the Longjing tea, ate a banquet together, and Su Huaijing took him back to his room to take a nap. Dusk fell. It was unknown where Ke Hongxue and Mu Jingxu had gone to entertain themselves in Song Garden. Rong Tang asked Su Huaijing: “Shall we go to Lanyue Pavilion?”

Su Huaijing was decocting medicine. When he heard this, he frowned and asked in annoyance, “What’s Tangtang going there for?”

Rong Tang discerned that he was a little unhappy and immediately responded: “Watch a play.”

Su Huaijing: “?”

Rong Tang: “Didn’t Second Highness say that tonight’s play is very exciting? I feel it would be a pity not to see it in person.”

Su Huaijing stood there staring profoundly at him for a long time, as if to confirm whether or not he was lying: “Wait until I’m done with the medicine.”

Rong Tang’s brows and face suddenly scrunched up, and there seemed to be a bitter taste in his mouth. He attempted to negotiate: “Can I not drink the medicine tonight?”

Su Huaijing was apathetic: “No, the doctor said that this medicine must be taken continuously for seven days and cannot be stopped, otherwise it will have no effect.”

Rong Tang looked particularly sad. He sniffed the smell of medicine in the air and felt his stomach churn. He muttered in a low voice, “But the medicine you cook is so bitter.”

Su Huaijing was slightly startled, thinking that he was hearing things: “What?”

Rong Tang mumbled softly, “You likely didn’t prepare the medicine according to the prescription given by the doctor.”

Su Huaijing: “……?”

Rong Tang even felt that he had the evidence: “None of the medicines I drank at home were this bitter. They were all prescriptions given by Dr. Chen. How could the difference be this big? Huaijing, did you recall incorrectly?”

He hesitated and advised: “Huaijing, there are specialists in all fields, but you don’t possess medical skills. How about we go back to the palace to ask Dr. Chen to write a new prescription and then boil the medicine for drinking?”

Su Huaijing sat quietly on a small cushion, holding a small palm-leaf fan in his hand, fanning the fire in the medicine stove. After listening to Rong Tang’s words and seeing his bright gaze filled with expectation, he was silent for a long time before smiling.

Specialists in all fields?

Don’t possess medical skills?

The medicine is bitter?

Young Prince, why do you think you haven’t fainted during this time?

Su Huaijing quietly fanned the medicine stove, gentle and considerate as always, as if he would agree to whatever Rong Tang requested: “Then let’s get a new prescription after we return, but you still have to drink it today. If you want to go to Lanyue Pavilion, you must drink the medicine; otherwise, I won’t accompany you.”

Once we get back, I’ll make pills for you! The fist-sized kind!

It’s bad enough that you’re harassing the doctor, but now you’re questioning the doctor’s medical skills. Do you have any conscience?