Chapter 73

Everything was moving along smoothly. Jiang Shanxing was appointed as the Governor of Jiangnan, while among the officials Sheng Chengming brought from the capital, a certain Mr. Ge distinguished himself during the flood relief efforts and was reassigned to the position of Prefectural Magistrate of Suzhou.

Although most officials aspired to hold positions in the capital, in reality, those under Sheng Chengming’s command had little status or power there. In contrast, being the prefect of Suzhou was a cushy post. Moreover, during the disaster relief, they had personally ventured deep into the affected areas, sharing meals and living conditions with the victims for a time, and had grown quite attached to the land.

Everything was improving. One day, at the end of the seventh month, the autumn wind was blowing, and the persimmons in the courtyard were almost ripe. Sheng Chengming, dressed in an apricot-yellow robe, came to bid farewell to Rong Tang.

With the weather turning cooler, Rong Tang was sitting in the courtyard playing chess with Su Huaijing.

As things returned to normal, Sheng Chengming felt it inappropriate to have Huaijing labouring for him every day, so he spent his days leisurely passing the time with Tangtang.

Sheng Chengming brought a large batch of medicinal herbs and introduced each one to Rong Tang: “I’ll be returning to the capital tomorrow. If biao xiong wants to stay in Jiangnan a bit longer, you must take good care of your health.”

After two months of interaction, Rong Tang’s opinion of this Second Prince of Emperor Renshou had changed considerably. Though he was a somewhat reckless prince, his nature was not inherently bad. He even possessed a rare, innocent sense of sincerity—a quality not often seen among imperial heirs. This trait, found in one of the royal progeny, was indeed a blessing for both the nation and its people.

Rong Tang stood up to bid him farewell: “Your Highness will have a long journey back to the capital. It may not be entirely smooth sailing, so please remember to take care.”

Sheng Chengming was slightly taken aback, and he stared at Rong Tang for a moment with a somewhat peculiar expression, hoping to catch a hint of emotion beyond mere politeness, but found none. Throughout the entire exchange, Rong Tang remained calm and composed, refraining from discussing any trivial official matters with him.

Sheng Chengming couldn’t dwell on it much longer. After bidding farewell to both of them once more, he left the residence.

The Second Prince was returning to the capital, and the officials in Suzhou city would naturally arrange a proper send-off for him, sparing Rong Tang the trouble of worrying about it.

He sat down again, picked up a black stone, then carefully studied the chessboard before making his move.

Su Huaijing quickly glanced at the board, noticing a situation where the black stones were besieging, and the white stones were caught in a pincer attack. His eyes brightened, finding it both interesting and delightful.

Rong Tang rarely showed such aggressiveness in a game of chess. He was usually passive, needing to be coaxed and slowly encroached upon before he found any motivation to take the game seriously.

Su Huaijing made a few moves, only to watch as Rong Tang pushed him back, step by step. The interest in his eyes grew stronger, while Rong Tang’s expression became increasingly displeased.

A light autumn breeze stirred, leaves fell in the courtyard, and Rong Tang, holding a black stone, let his gaze wander across the board twice before tossing the stone back into the bowl with a “dong”. He raised his pair of obsidian-like eyes to Su Huaijing and asked, “Are you letting me win again?”

“No,” Su Huaijing replied with a smile. He leaned forward, picked another black stone from the bowl in front of him, placed it on the board, and then followed with a white stone of his own. The black stones’ previously aggressive stance softened instantly, and the white stones managed to carve out a subtle but almost imperceptible opening. “If Tangtang gives me a little leeway, I might just survive.”

Rong Tang rolled his eyes at him, too lazy to engage. “Not playing anymore.”

It was clear that Su Huaijing hadn’t been playing at full strength. Every move he made seemed to land in places Rong Tang hadn’t anticipated, as if he wasn’t trying to win the game at all but was more interested in seeing just how far Rong Tang could push him back.

This wasn’t even instructive chess; Rong Tang had no interest in continuing the game.

He got up and settled into a nearby recliner, sinking into it, his gaze drifting upward through the leaves above to the sky, watching the drifting clouds and the faintly visible sun.

Su Huaijing chuckled softly, neither angry nor flustered, and didn’t ask Rong Tang to come back and finish the game. Instead, he casually moved the black stone bowl in front of him, holding both black and white stones in his hands, and continued to play by himself. As he did, he spoke: “Tangtang is reminding His Highness the Second Prince, and perhaps reminding me too, that this trip to the south, while a blessing for the people of Jiangnan, has stirred too many interests among the court officials. When His Highness returns to the capital, he will no doubt be surrounded by wolves and tigers, ready to devour him at any moment.”

As he spoke, Su Huaijing casually placed a piece on the chessboard. A thick white cloud drifted through the gaps between the leaves.

Rong Tang didn’t respond, so Su Huaijing continued, “It has been three months since Sheng Chengming left the capital, and the situation there must have changed by now. At the end of the fourth month, after the impeachment of the Governor of the Southwest, Zhang Baoshan, Zhang Ge’s old disciple Yang Xingye was dismissed from his position. Now, with the flood in Jiangnan, Lu Junxian has also been escorted back to the capital. In just three months, although His Highness the Second Prince appears to have achieved great political success on the surface, in reality, his faction has lost two key figures. Sheng Chengming’s return to the capital this time will certainly be fraught with danger. Tangtang reminded him that the journey would be long and perilous, a warning for him to guard against arrogance and impatience, and to limit his dealings with bureaucrats upon his return.”

Su Huaijing paused, lifted his eyebrows, and smiled as he asked Rong Tang, “Is that not the case?”

Rong Tang withdrew his gaze from between the leaves, turned his head, and gave Su Huaijing a sidelong glance. “I don’t know.”

Su Huaijing was momentarily taken aback but couldn’t suppress a smile. He tapped his fingers lightly on the chess table and made another leisurely move. “Ah, it seems that Prince Ningxuan has been foolish for many years, so not thinking too much is quite normal. Tangtang gege was merely giving a casual, well-intentioned reminder. The journey from Jiangnan to the capital of Yu is long, traversing mountains and valleys, and there could even be bandits along the way. You were simply advising His Highness to take care on the journey.”

Rong Tang: “……”

[He can be more nonsensical than you,] the system said faintly.

The little figure in Rong Tang’s mind nodded in agreement, fully endorsing the words of his own silly system.

No one in the room believed what Su Huaijing was saying, but his expression remained so effortlessly natural, showing not the slightest hint of embarrassment for spinning such a tale.

The situation on the chessboard had shifted. The small breach that the white stones carved out became a lifesaving opening. The black stones’ once seamless siege began to collapse and gradually weaken.

Rong Tang glanced over, paused for a moment in surprise, then relaxed.

Su Huaijing asked, “Does Tangtang know what His Highness should do when he returns to the capital this time?”

Rong Tang hesitated, just about to say he didn’t know, when Su Huaijing, as if suddenly remembering, smiled slightly and said, “Oh, I forgot again, Tangtang doesn’t know.”

Rong Tang: “……You’re so annoying.”

There was an unintentional hint of light complaint in his eyes. Su Huaijing found it amusing and laughed for quite a while before explaining.

“Whether it’s Yang Xingye, Lu Junxian, falsely accusing colleagues, taking bribes, or colluding with remnants of the previous regime, in essence, they are all just ministers.” Su Huaijing spoke slowly. The morning breeze drifted across the sky and land, scattering the clouds bit by bit, causing the grass blades to sway gently.

“The roles of ruler and minister are unchanging principles. As an imperial heir, Sheng Chengming is naturally a master before his ministers, but in the eyes of His Majesty, he is also a minister. Since he is a minister, he naturally cannot form factions for personal gain or build alliances. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how many people the Second Prince loses from his faction; as long as the foundation remains unscathed, there’s no significant loss for Sheng Chengming. Others can always fill the gaps. What he truly needs to worry about was never this.”

Rong Tang waited for him to continue, but Su Huaijing gazed at him intently and asked again, “Does Tangtang really not know what His Highness should be concerned about?”

“……” Rong Tang felt a bit weary. He sighed softly, then answered Su Huaijing’s question, “His Majesty’s suspicions.”

Su Huaijing: “Tangtang please elaborate.”

Rong Tang had no choice but to explain: “First, Yang Xingye’s false accusations against his colleagues might lead His Majesty to suspect he was acting under the orders of His Highness the Second Prince, aiming to undermine the Third Prince. Second, Lu Junxian, as the biological maternal uncle of the former Third Prince, has enjoyed a high-ranking position and salary for many years right under His Majesty’s nose. Coupled with the fact that he is Senior Official Zhang’s protégé, His Majesty was already displeased. There’s no guarantee that His Majesty wouldn’t question how Lu Junxian concealed his true identity so thoroughly, and what role Senior Official Zhang played in it—did he know Lu was connected to the former regime and yet concealed it? Thirdly……”

Rong Tang paused, unsure of where to look, so he let his gaze settle on the chessboard. He couldn’t say whether he found it ironic or not, but he sighed softly and said, “His Highness has made great contributions in the matter of the flood. The people of Jiangnan have spread word of this, and now they seem to regard him as a living bodhisattva, a saviour in times of distress.”

“When the hearts of the people lean towards him, it raises the suspicion that his merits might overshadow the ruler. He is His Majesty’s heir and the oldest of the remaining princes. If, upon his return to the capital, he knows how to avoid suspicion, all will be well. But if he does not know how to conduct himself with restraint, and gets too close to the court officials, or worse yet……” Rong Tang frowned slightly, “At this crucial moment, if anyone brings up the matter of establishing a crown prince, it would undoubtedly be an attempt to send Sheng Chengming to his death.”

Su Huaijing smiled, satisfaction and amusement evident in his eyes as he looked at Rong Tang. “Then what does Tangtang think he should do?”

“Keep a low profile, conceal his talents, attend to his duties at court regularly, demonstrate his loyalty, and live a life of indulgence.” A voice that sounded casual and irreverent came from behind, answering Su Huaijing’s question with a smile. The speaker then casually cupped his fists in salute to Rong Tang and said, “I’ve been studying at the academy for so long that when I hear a question, I can’t help but answer. I hope the Prince won’t take offence.”

The newcomer was none other than Ke Hongxue. Rong Tang was taken aback for a moment, then fell silent, simply nodding without saying more. He exchanged a glance with Mu Jingxu, who had come up behind Tutor Ke, as a form of greeting.

Su Huaijing felt a bit disappointed not to receive Rong Tang’s direct answer, but he was still quite pleased to have coaxed so many insights from him.

He lowered his head to complete the chess game, stopping at a critical point where life and death hung on a single move, and then looked at Ke Hongxue: “So Tutor Ke is interested in assisting His Highness?”

Ke Hongxue’s peach blossom eyes curved into a smile. “I have no such intentions. It’s too much trouble.”

He continued with a smile, “I’m here to ask when the two of you plan to return to the capital.”

Su Huaijing turned to Mu Jingxu: “Are you leaving?”

Mu Jingxu shook his head: “Not yet.”

Ke Hongxue said, “I noticed you didn’t go back to the capital with Xiao Lu and the others, so I guessed that you weren’t planning to return for the Mid-Autumn Festival. If you don’t mind, why not stay in Jiangnan for a while longer? I’ll take you around, and we can go back after the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Rong Tang hesitated a little. Wang Xiuyu had sent a letter a few days earlier asking when they would return to the capital, but deep down, Rong Tang did not want to go back so soon.

The capital was a pool of murky waters, filled with endless schemes that left one mentally and physically exhausted. The place was rife with chaos, and he privately wished Su Huaijing could rest a bit longer.

Moreover, with Mu Jingxu staying at Lin Estate in Jiangnan, there was no gossip to worry about. He and Su Huaijing had not seen each other in a long time, and Rong Tang did not want to part them again so quickly.

He asked Ke Hongxue, “What do you mean by this, Tutor Ke?”

Ke Hongxue smiled broadly, “I’m not inclined to support any prince, but I’m happy to be in your company.”

Rong Tang felt a jolt in his heart, realising that this was Ke Hongxue’s declaration of allegiance.

He turned his head to look at Su Huaijing, who asked him, “Tangtang, do you want to go back home?”

Mu Jingxu’s gaze shifted over, and there was a hint of nervousness on his usually composed face.

Rong Tang shook his head, “No, the Mid-Autumn Festival in the palace was always uncomfortable in previous years.”

Su Huaijing smiled, “Then shall we stay in Jiangnan for the Mid-Autumn Festival and go back afterward?”

The persimmons on the treetops were about to ripen, the world was tinged with autumn colours, and the small courtyard was serene and peaceful. Rong Tang smiled and agreed, “Alright.”

Let’s have a reunion dinner to celebrate this long-awaited reunion.

You with your gege, and me with you two.