Chapter 76

Duke Xian was a legendary figure in the history of Dayu. His career spanned from the reign of Emperor Xuan through Mingzong, and he eventually died during the reign of the late emperor.

As a general with outstanding military achievements, he spent many years defending the northern borders and was highly favoured by the emperor.

For years, the Wei family had no adult males at home, as their sons, upon reaching military age, would almost invariably head to the military camps for training without hesitation. The duchess usually managed the household, and the mansion had fewer officials compared to other illustrious families, making it much quieter.

However, despite this tranquility, the mansion of the Wei family still received all the honours befitting a duke and general. The mansion had tall, imposing gates and intricate, exquisitely designed courtyards.

If all the grand estates of Dayu’s current high-ranking nobles were compared, Duke Xian’s mansion would undoubtedly be among the finest.

Yet, its state of dilapidation was unparalleled.

Court officials were reluctant to speak about this mansion. Emperor Renshou disliked anything associated with the late emperor, and he especially loathed those virtuous ministers who were once universally praised and deemed worthy of historical remembrance.

Therefore, Duke Xian’s mansion became a thorn in Emperor Renshou’s heart.

He couldn’t tear it down, but he also couldn’t allow it to crumble unchecked. It wasn’t suitable to gift to anyone else, and no one dared to live in it. After much consideration, his own son seemed the most appropriate choice.

However, the mansion was in disrepair, and the court regarded it as ominous. Whichever prince received it would inevitably face complaints from concubines and in-laws. Hence, the male protagonist, with neither maternal family support nor imperial favour, became the ideal candidate.

Emperor Renshou didn’t like the mansion, nor did he like Sheng Chengli. This decision was, in essence, a form of suppression and abandonment.

The “rise after suppression” trope began with Sheng Chengli’s downfall. Against this backdrop, he was thrust step by step into the heart of the imperial succession struggle. Readers would be on edge, eagerly awaiting the protagonist’s growth and triumph over the “dog emperor.”

And it was clear that the most neglected residence would inevitably hide countless secrets accumulated over the years, secrets that would, in turn, aid Sheng Chengli greatly.

This created a virtuous cycle, but one that manifested as early suppression of the male protagonist.

As Rong Tang thought about this, he furrowed his brows, already numb to the overwhelming favour Heavenly Way had bestowed upon Sheng Chengli.

Lately, he kept pondering—what exactly was the “order” of this minor world?

The novel was the creation of the author, who crafted the characters and their personalities. Yet, when the outcome didn’t align with the author’s desires, the world collapsed, and the system plucked Rong Tang from countless worlds to patch the holes.

From that point on, everything was no longer controlled by the author. If the world operated independently, there must be something akin to the “Heavenly Way.”

Thus, the special treatment Sheng Chengli received, and even the fact that Rong Tang was tasked with assisting him because he couldn’t ascend to the throne, all stemmed from the Heavenly Way’s favouritism toward its protagonist.

Rong Tang understood Heavenly Way’s bias for its protagonist. But wasn’t it too arbitrary, too extreme, to bind the fate of millions to whether Sheng Chengli could become emperor?

Rong Tang couldn’t quite grasp it.

He just found it absurd.

After finishing the meal at Wang Xiuyu’s courtyard, he and Su Huaijing walked back through the Duke’s palace gardens toward Tanghua Courtyard. His thoughts drifted aimlessly, so scattered that even he couldn’t catch hold of a single clear thread.

Rong Tang felt a dull ache in his head, and his expression unconsciously darkened.

A servant dashed by, dragging a doctor behind him. The doctor stumbled, almost falling to the ground from being pulled so roughly.

The palace doctor, surnamed Lin, was someone Rong Tang had crossed paths with many times in his various lives. Doctor Lin had excellent medical skills, but he often fell into deep thought while diagnosing the Duke’s son’s inconsistent pulse. More than once, Rong Tang had seen a look of confusion cross his face, and it left him uneasy.

After all, Rong Tang’s pulse sometimes fluctuated with the success of his tasks and the use of special pills. Even the best doctor would feel puzzled when trying to treat him.

But in this life, without those invisible complications, Doctor Lin’s treatments had become more effective. Rong Tang was just about to thank him when he saw the scene unfold and stopped him: “What kind of illness could be so serious that it requires troubling the doctor like this?”

Rong Tang was always a transparent presence in the palace, never causing trouble nor attracting any. Compared to Rong Zheng and Rong Yuan, he kept to his small courtyard, rarely stepping out. Now, after being away for half a year, the young servant didn’t even recognise him.

The servant paused, frowning as if preparing to scold, but after glancing at the luxurious fabrics on Rong Tang and Su Huaijing, his tone shifted. Arrogantly, he said, “I don’t know which family you two are from, but if you’re here for a visit or a banquet, you’ve come to the wrong place. You should be at the main courtyard. The rear courtyard isn’t for the likes of you.”

Su Huaijing’s face darkened instantly, his gaze growing cold. Doctor Lin, looking extremely embarrassed, had just fixed his hair, which had become disheveled during the rush. He was about to greet Rong Tang, but Rong Tang discreetly gestured for him to stay silent.

Rong Tang wasn’t angry; in fact, he welcomed the distraction. Being treated this way in his own home felt oddly convenient.

He glanced up at the sun, nodding quietly to himself.

Ah, the weather’s good. A perfect day to throw some weight around and stir up trouble.

Rong Tang narrowed his eyes at the servant, chuckling softly. “Duke Ningxuan’s palace certainly has grand airs. Even if we’ve come the wrong way, which courtyard are you from, that you treat guests with such an attitude?”

The servant frowned, clearly irritated. He wanted to leave, but with Rong Tang and Su Huaijing blocking his path and Doctor Lin standing still, he had no choice but to stop. Begrudgingly, he offered a half-hearted apology: “This servant didn’t mean any offence. Please don’t hold it against me. It’s just that my mistress is pregnant and suddenly fell ill with severe abdominal pain this afternoon. We were afraid something might have happened to the baby, so we rushed to get the doctor. I ask the young sirs not to make things difficult for me.”

Rong Tang glanced at Doctor Lin, who smiled and nodded, confirming the servant’s story.

But Rong Tang didn’t move, and instead asked, “Is this the only doctor in the palace?”

The servant froze, clearly flustered, his patience unraveling. He scowled and raised his voice, asking, “What do you mean by that, young sir?”

Rong Tang smiled faintly. “No need to get upset. I’m just curious. Duke Ningxuan’s palace is so prominent, with so many people. If there’s only one doctor, how could they manage? If there are others, do they divide their responsibilities?”

The servant, now visibly irritated, replied, “Of course there’s more than one doctor. The master and the servants don’t share the same one.”

“I see.” Rong Tang nodded, then asked, “And which one is this doctor responsible for?”

The servant, growing more agitated, snapped, “Young sir, are you deaf? I already told you my mistress is in pain. Of course, Doctor Lin is treating her! If you keep holding us up and something happens, can you bear the responsibility!?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Su Huaijing’s gaze sharpened, cold as ice. The servant instantly froze, fear creeping up his spine. Goosebumps prickled his arms, but he stubbornly held his ground, refusing to back down, glaring defiantly at them.

After hearing the response, Rong Tang lost interest in further conversation. His expression turned slightly cold as he asked, his tone calm and even: “Ningxuan Wang Fei is pregnant?”

The servant was momentarily stunned and didn’t react, but Doctor Lin immediately denied it: “Not the Wang Fei, it’s the side consort, Madam Qian.”

“Rong Yuan’s mother?” Rong Tang asked.

Doctor Lin nodded hurriedly: “Yes, yes.”

The servant’s face darkened, and he opened his mouth, about to reprimand them for being disrespectful. But Rong Tang tilted his head and, as if he was genuinely unsure, asked Su Huaijing: “I’m a little confused. Isn’t a side consort still a concubine?”

Su Huaijing blinked before smiling, quickly catching on to Rong Tang’s intent: “Yes, that’s correct.”

“Since she’s a concubine, how can she be considered the mistress of the house?” Rong Tang frowned slightly. “I’ve never heard of a household where even the concubine is considered the mistress. Is it that Ningxuan Palace has such lax etiquette, or does the Duke intend to spoil the concubine and neglect the wife? Is he planning to promote Madam Qian to the position of main wife?”

The autumn air was crisp, and the palace gardens were lush with greenery. People hurried back and forth, busy with their tasks. Though some may have noticed the small argument happening in this quiet corner, no one dared to approach.

Rong Tang, with his delicate and gentle appearance, looked calm and unthreatening at first glance. Yet as he spoke, his words grew colder, carrying an inexplicable force that left the servant momentarily speechless.

Rong Tang waited a few moments, but the servant in grey didn’t respond. Growing impatient, he was about to ask Doctor Lin to accompany him back when the servant finally reacted, shouting, “Who do you think you are? How dare you speak such nonsense and act so arrogantly in someone else’s home! How can my lady not be considered the mistress? Not only is the Third Young Master her child, but she’s also carrying the future master of this palace! What nonsense are you spouting!”

Su Huaijing, unable to listen any longer, raised his wrist slightly, ready to act, but Rong Tang calmly pressed his hand down. He looked at the servant, his voice still calm but with an edge of steel: “Is Prince Ningxuan dead?”

Doctor Lin’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Rong Tang, and even Su Huaijing froze.

Rong Tang, however, remained composed and serious. “Who told you these things?”

The servant, realising he had misspoken, hesitated, but sensing he had no choice but to continue, stiffened his neck and shouted loudly, “It was the Duke himself who promised this to my lady! Once the Prince dies, this palace will belong to the child in her belly——”

Before he could finish, Su Huaijing stepped forward and kicked the servant to the ground, silencing him mid-sentence.

The servant was stunned, struggling to rise but unable to muster the strength. He turned his head and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Doctor Lin, unable to remain silent any longer, quickly stepped forward and greeted them, “Your Highness, Shizi Fei, you’ve returned from Jiangnan?”

“Yes.” Rong Tang nodded, watching as the servant’s face drained of colour.

He said, “Rong Mingyu, Madam Qian, and Rong Yuan— I don’t care whose mouth you heard that ridiculous statement from. Make sure they come to my courtyard before nightfall to explain themselves. As for your lady’s abdominal pain—”

Rong Tang’s tone shifted, his voice cold and cutting: “You really don’t know the reason, yet you went out of your way to call upon Doctor Lin, who’s responsible for the Wang Fei and me?”

Madam Qian’s pregnancy was indeed critical. If the storyline were to follow its natural course, given how much Rong Mingyu later doted on the child, it wouldn’t be surprising if the palace eventually fell into his hands.

But Rong Tang suddenly remembered that it was during Madam Qian’s pregnancy that the Wang Fei’s health had begun to deteriorate.

“This really is a Hongmen Feast,” he sighed softly, turning to Su Huaijing.