Chapter 114

Taking Wang Xiuyu out of Ningxuan Palace was no simple task. She had married Rong Mingyu at sixteen and spent over twenty years as the mistress of a powerful household. For her, Ningxuan Palace was both a shackle and a responsibility. It wasn’t one she could easily cast off.

Rong Tang wanted to bring her to Yong’an Lane, but Wang Xiuyu would surely come up with a thousand and one reasons to refuse.

However, if Rong Mingyu were the one to suggest that his wife temporarily leave the household, Wang Xiuyu would still maintain an appearance of grace and magnanimity, no matter how unwilling.

—Not to mention, she was quite the hopeless romantic.

Su Huaijing’ suggestion would inevitably wound Wang Xiuyu in some way, but both he and Rong Tang agreed that it was better for her to give up on Rong Mingyu sooner rather than later, lest she be dragged down into the abyss with him. So neither of them intervened from start to finish.

It was only when Madam Qian was close to giving birth, and Rong Ying returned from Tuolan Temple with the Eldest Princess, that Su Huaijing received word and accompanied Rong Tang back to Ningxuan Palace.

Not everything can be predicted from the outset. Perhaps it was mere coincidence that Madam Qian and Concubine Yi became pregnant at the same time, but it was undeniably true that Rong Mingyu wanted this child to be born.

He needed a young master raised in his household, one whose name could be recorded in the family genealogy to deceive both the imperial clan and the Emperor. Then, when the time was right and his ambitions had been realised, he could openly swap the child out for the imperial prince born of Concubine Yi.

Rong Tang had no way of knowing how long Rong Mingyu had been plotting treason. Perhaps Duke Ningxuan had begun laying the groundwork as early as ten years ago; everything that followed was merely a push to have Emperor Renshou secure the throne for him ahead of schedule.

He was not the Emperor’s loyal hound. He was a wolf poised to devour its master.

Unfortunately for him, his plans were far too drawn out. Neither the will of the world nor the plot itself would allow him to reach the final step.

In this world, the throne belonged either to Su Huaijing or to Sheng Chengli. There was no future in which Rong Mingyu got even a sliver of power.

As Rong Tang stepped into Ningxuan Palace, the air was thick with humidity. Another rainy season had arrived, and a storm seemed imminent.

The dining hall was lit, and all the members of the household had gathered. Last year, Rong Yuan had received a residence from Rong Mingyu, but as he was yet unmarried, he could not move out as Rong Tang had. Now, he sat in the hall waiting for the elders to assemble.

At the start of the year, Rong Zheng had attempted the imperial examination, but having spent years as a wastrel, his failure was all but inevitable.

As things stood, the Third Young Master, Rong Yuan—whose mother was pregnant and who was favoured by the Duke—enjoyed a privileged status within the household, always surrounded by supporters wherever he went.

Just as Rong Tang entered the hall, he caught sight of his four-year-old cousin from the second branch bouncing excitedly towards Rong Yuan, calling out in a soft, syrupy voice, “Gege! Gege!”

Su Huaijing raised an eyebrow, turned to Rong Tang, and smiled meaningfully. “Still not as cute as me, wouldn’t you agree, Tangtang gege?”

Rong Tang’s knees nearly gave out. His step faltered, and he nearly lost his balance.

The culprit reacted swiftly, catching hold of his spouse before he could stumble. His eyes glimmered with amusement, mischief evident in his tone. “We’ve been married for so long, yet you’re still this shy?”

Rong Tang steadied himself, lifted his head, and glared at Su Huaijing, lowering his voice to scold him. “What are you doing, competing with a child?”

That child is four years old. Are you four years old too?!

Su Huaijing blinked at him pitifully. “So Tangtang gege does know I’m not a child anymore.”

Hearing this, Rong Tang suddenly had a bad premonition. Before he could stop Su Huaijing, the man had already leaned in and whispered angrily in his ear, “If you’re not a child, then why haven’t we consummated our marriage yet? Or is your idea of romance nothing more than sharing a room like classmates at the academy—seeing each other every day, sleeping in the same dorm, but staying chaste and innocent?”

[Dammit!]

The system always had a knack for showing up at the worst times to kick its host while he was down.

Rong Tang was so furious at these two troublemakers that his teeth ached. Gritting his teeth, he asked, “And you call yourself innocent?”

Su Huaijing blinked at him, looking utterly guileless. “I’m the most innocent person in the world. My beloved is right in front of me every day. Aside from kissing, hugging, and a little touching, have I ever done anything else?”

Rong Tang: “…”

The young prince of the Rong family didn’t want to talk anymore. He shot Su Huaijing a glare, pulled his hand away, and strode over to Rong Zheng’s side, listening to his foolish er di prattle on about life in the capital and at the academy.

Su Huaijing stood where he was, shaking his head with a quiet laugh. When he lifted his gaze again, his sharp phoenix eyes swept carelessly across the room.

Rong Yuan—scheming, oppressive toward his brother. Deserves to die.

Rong Zhe—conniving, complicit in harming his elder sister. Deserves to be killed.

Rong Zheng—reckless and impulsive, but not a bad person. Tangtang is protective of him, so he can stay.

Rong Ning—naive and inexperienced, unaware of the world’s cruelty. On the day of their wedding, she was the first to call him “saosao.” She can stay.

Rong Yao…

Su Huaijing’s gaze lowered, landing on a tiny child barely reaching Rong Yuan’s knees, stubbornly trying to climb onto his lap. His eyes lingered for two seconds before shifting away, indifferent.

A child shouldn’t bear the consequences of Rong Mingyu’s mistakes. That would be too unreasonable.

The sunset cast a golden-red glow through the windows, streaking the white jade floor with a colour reminiscent of fresh blood.

Su Huaijing stared at it for a moment, a subtle smile playing on his lips. Steady, composed footsteps approached from behind. He smoothed his expression, turned, and stepped outside, bowing slightly in greeting. “Zumu, you’ve had a long journey. The Buddha will surely appreciate your devotion.”

Seeing this, the maid assisting Duanyi withdrew two steps. The Eldest Princess’ dignified gaze fell upon Su Huaijing. He remained calm and composed, stepping forward to offer his arm. With a slight bow, he let Duanyi rest her hand on it, playing the part of the world’s most dutiful and filial grandson.

Duanyi glanced at him but said nothing, shifting her gaze away. The others in the room who were either standing or seated quickly rose to pay their respects.

The Eldest Princess never ate after noon. After making an appearance, she moved to the side hall for tea, with Su Huaijing and Rong Tang accompanying her.

Her gaze was deep and calculating as she swept the room. Then, she asked in a measured tone, “Whose idea was it?”

Rong Tang had just opened his mouth to respond when Su Huaijing beat him to it. “Mine.”

“You’re quite the schemer,” Duanyi remarked, neither confirming nor denying her belief in his words. She took a slow sip of tea and added, “Only fools believe in such vague superstitions about ghosts and gods.”

Su Huaijing smiled. “Your Highness is not a fool.”

Duanyi’s expression remained unreadable. “And what do you plan to do with Rong Ying?”

“Linyuan Academy operates independently from the government and remains outside political influence. At the start of the year, the headmaster discussed recruiting new teachers with Grand Tutor Ke. I believe my cousin would be a suitable candidate.”

Rong Tang was momentarily stunned. He had never heard of Su Huaijing making such plans.

Even the Eldest Princess was taken aback. Her gaze flickered as she asked in a low voice, “A woman teaching at the academy?”

Su Huaijing smiled. “Why not?”

The room fell into silence. Outside, hidden guards stood watch, ensuring that no one could eavesdrop.

Duanyi and Su Huaijing held each other’s gaze. Fifty years apart in age, the former first female prime minister of Dayu now faced the empire’s future ruler. A faint smile touched her lips as she gave a comment that was neither praise nor criticism. “You and your xiongzhang are alike… speaking of defying convention as if it’s the easiest thing in the world.”

Su Huaijing replied, “My xiongzhang simply wasn’t as lucky as I am. If he were alive, Your Highness might not see this as defiance.”

If the late crown prince had survived, if he had ascended the throne, and if three rounds of the imperial examination had passed under his reign, who could say there wouldn’t be female officials in court today?

He was merely proposing that a woman teach at an academy. How was that so outrageous?

Duanyi chuckled, her eyes slightly clouded by age, yet still sharp. She nodded. “Very well.”

She turned to Rong Tang. “Where do you plan to settle your mother?”

Rong Tang answered, “The house in Yong’an Lane. It’s not as grand or luxurious as the Duke’s Palace, but it won’t be too much of a grievance for my mother.”

Duanyi asked, “Is there a Buddhist hall?”

Rong Tang hesitated for a moment, then admitted honestly, “I’m not devout, so I never had one built.”

“What a pity,” the Eldest Princess murmured, her tone unreadable.

Before Rong Tang could react, Su Huaijing spoke up. “There’s a residence in the outskirts of the capital. Tangtang gave it to me as a birthday gift earlier this year. It’s mostly renovated now, though a few courtyards are still empty, waiting for furniture. If Your Highness doesn’t mind, you could bring in a Buddha statue and use one of the halls as a temple.”

Duanyi smiled faintly, about to respond, but Su Huaijing continued, smoothly adding restrictions. “But that house was a special gift from Tangtang. I haven’t even lived there yet. I treasure it. Your Highness may stay, but you cannot take it from me.”

Rong Tang: “?”

The Eldest Princess: “?”

Su Huaijing remained completely unbothered, his expression calm, even carrying a hint of childish mischief. “It’s quite remote, with few visitors. I don’t like being disturbed, so I’ve set up barriers between the front and back courtyards. If Your Highness wishes to receive guests, you may do so in the front courtyard, but you may not bring them into the back.”

Rong Tang recalled how Su Huaijing had personally overseen renovations, ensuring the front courtyard looked plain and inconspicuous. It was completely unlike the opulent Duke Xian’s mansion.

Duanyi, at over sixty years of age, rarely experienced confusion. Yet now, she found herself momentarily puzzled, for the first time feeling as if she didn’t quite understand Su Huaijing.

She asked, “Why would I want to take your house?”

Su Huaijing smiled, still calm, still carrying that slight air of impishness. “I hope Your Highness won’t.”

Rong Tang, watching from the side, suddenly realised what Su Huaijing was implying. A slow, dawning realisation crept up on him, making his ears burn red.

It’s a goner.

He couldn’t help himself and tugged at Su Huaijing’s sleeve. “Stop talking!”

“Alright.” Su Huaijing agreed sweetly.

Watching the two of them like this, Duanyi felt an inexplicable sense of unease and waved them off.

The banquet outside was about to begin. When the Wang Fei spotted Rong Tang, her eyes lit up as she walked over, completely unaware of what was about to unfold.

Rong Tang felt a flicker of guilt, but it quickly faded.

Hesitation only leads to chaos. When faced with a scumbag, the best course of action is to stay as far away as possible. Wang Xiuyu and the Eldest Princess moving to the countryside was, in fact, a welcome respite.

Having thought it through, he curled his lips into a smile and stepped forward. “Mother.”

“You’ve lost weight,” Wang Xiuyu remarked.

Rong Tang paused mid-step, lowering his head to glance at his stomach, concealed beneath his robes.

He had clearly put on weight! Why was his mother so utterly indifferent to objective reality?

Outrageous!

He turned his head towards Su Huaijing, only to find the man completely ignoring him, instead turning to Wang Xiuyu with a complaint: “Tangtang doesn’t sleep properly, nor does he eat well. He finally managed to put on a bit of weight, but with just a little exertion and a minor illness, he’s lost it all again. Mother, you really need to have a word with him. He never listens to me.”

Rong Tang: ?

???

You don’t even need time to think before spouting lies, do you?

He could clearly polish off two large bowls of food per meal!

Unbelievable!!