Li Shenyu withdrew his gaze calmly, sat down opposite Rong Se, and smiled half-jokingly, half-seriously. “Is the Prince looking for me to catch up on old times?”
Seeing that Li Shenyu was asking despite knowing the answer, Rong Se maintained his gentle and mild demeanor, replying, “I came to express my gratitude. It is inconvenient for me to step forward myself, so I am grateful to the Marquis for smoothing things over today.”
“It was nothing.” Li Shenyu smiled openly. “I previously received the benefit of a meal from the Prince, and a few days ago when the Commandery Prince of Huan entered the capital, I once again received the Prince’s righteous and outspoken words. Since we happened to run into each other today, how could I simply stand by and watch?”
At this point, his tone abruptly shifted, and he said lazily, “However, there is one thing I do not understand.”
“Please speak, Marquis.”
“Everyone at court assumes that I am a member of the Cao faction, yet the Prince frequently has memorial disputes with the Cao family. When the Yan father and son entered the capital that day, why was the Prince still willing to speak up for me?”
Rong Se was slightly startled, and immediately sensed that Li Shenyu was staring at him. His gaze was deep and dark, resembling a bottomless spring with unpredictable ripples, giving one the eerie sensation of being targeted by an alpha wolf.
Rong Se felt his heart palpitate for a brief moment before saying, “My grievances with the Cao family have nothing to do with you.” Intimidated by the oppressive aura Li Shenyu emitted, he paused for a moment. Not daring to raise his head, he continued, “I am merely collecting a debt from those who owe one. Whether it is my nephew or the Cao family, everything in this world is governed by cause and effect, and I only seek retribution for good and evil. As for the Commandery Prince of Huan…”
“As I said before, it was just a convenient, incidental act.”
This was not entirely a lie.
Rong Se’s upbringing in his original life made him understand that the world is never short of malice. He was merely one of all living beings, like a drop in the ocean. There were many things he felt powerless to change, but now, utilizing the identity of the original host, he was able to do much more than before.
In the original host’s memories, Li Shenyu had never persecuted him from beginning to end. The northern border was bitter and cold, yet Li Shenyu had guarded it for fourteen years. Through countless battles and amidst the flashing of swords and shadows, he had always fought by putting his life on the line.
To be honest, Rong Se admired him. Which young man did not harbor a dream of joining the military?
Therefore, upon learning of the Yan family’s shameless behavior, he could not help but vent his anger on Li Shenyu’s behalf that day.
Above all, his only selfish motive was the hope that Li Shenyu, portrayed in the original novel as an upright and decisive gentleman, would know that he was not someone who confused right from wrong or was devoid of conscience.
These words also left Li Shenyu momentarily stunned.
Although he had never met the Regent, he had certainly heard of his reputation, acting ruthlessly, determined to eliminate anyone at court who showed the slightest defiance, and even rumored to be inextricably linked to the death of the late emperor. He sounded every bit a tyrant.
Forgive him for being unable to reconcile those deeds with the person before him.
The Regent before him had his eyelashes lowered and his thin lips slightly pursed. He said he merely wanted justice where good and evil received their due, his expression stubbornly earnest and devoid of pretense.
The two sat facing each other for a long time before Li Shenyu let out a soft laugh.
“Yet, Your Highness, everyone is constrained by circumstances, let alone someone born into the royal family, where a single defeat means utter destruction.”
Li Shenyu looked straight into Rong Se’s eyes. “I led the Jinbei Cavalry back to the capital, and His Majesty used this to ascend the throne. The situation is now settled. In this battle of life and death, does Your Highness truly believe that possessing a pure and innocent heart can win?”
Startled by his sudden words, Rong Se furrowed his brows slightly.
No one is unafraid of death, especially Rong Se, who had already died once.
He only wanted to survive.
Even at this very moment, he felt an urge to cast everything aside and escape, simply becoming a chef and living out a peaceful life in this strange, brand-new world.
Yet he knew he could not.
This life did not belong to him alone; it also carried the weight of Yan Shuang’s vengeance, the original host’s resentment, and the promises the original host had made.
Rong Se clenched his fists slightly, his stubborn streak thoroughly provoked. Striving to hide his timidity, he met Li Shenyu’s gaze.
“Then let them come. When others are buried in the yellow springs, how could I live on in this world with a clear conscience?”
Being stared at by a pair of clear, bright eyes, Li Shenyu found his mind uncharacteristically wandering. He was astonished by his own reaction. Ever since the crisis at the Marquis of Dingbei’s residence, dealing with household affairs from top to bottom, military duties on the frontier, and the eyeing enemies of the Xiongnu, every single moment of his life had been like walking on the edge of a blade, walking on thin ice would not be an exaggeration. Having witnessed too much deceit, treachery, and bloodshed, how could he possibly have the mind for anything else? Over the years, he had always kept himself disciplined, and over time, his desires had also grown faint.
No matter how breathtaking a beauty was, his heart remained as still as stagnant water upon seeing them.
How could he lose his focus over the person before him? If the person opposite him were an assassin, a single moment of trance would have been enough to kill him eight hundred times over.
Cautiously gathering his stray thoughts, Li Shenyu put on a refined and cultured smile, and said softly, “Why speak of such things? Today, Cao Haoyun suffered a setback here, and he will certainly not let the matter rest. He is not someone as easily handled as Qiu Zihan. Has Your Highness considered how to deal with him?”
Rong Se frowned; he truly had not expected to provoke a loyal dog like Cao Haoyun.
Seeing the troubled expression on his face, Li Shenyu casually brought up, “Since it is inconvenient for Your Highness to reveal your identity, I happen to be able to help out.”
Rong Se looked at him, feeling somewhat uncertain. However, reflecting that Li Shenyu and Rong Jing or the Cao family were not particularly close, if he could truly forge an alliance with him, at least his life would be secure for the time being.
After pondering back and forth, Rong Se gave a slight nod. “Marquis, handle this privately. Do not let it be linked to Floating Fragrance Tower. Floating Fragrance Tower must remain completely clean, it is merely an ordinary restaurant.”
If he had a powerful backer too early, the fish he wished to catch might not take the bait.
“Very well.” Li Shenyu agreed readily, then asked, “However, why is Your Highness doing this?”
Without giving a detailed explanation, Rong Se answered concisely, “It is useful.”
Li Shenyu smiled and nodded. “Since Your Highness is unwilling to say, I will not force you. However, since I am helping Your Highness with a task, might I ask for a reward?”
Rong Se tested the waters. “A meal?”
Li Shenyu raised an eyebrow.
Rong Se stated solemnly, “Two meals.”
Li Shenyu finally could not help but laugh aloud. “Deal.”
Upon stepping out of Floating Fragrance Tower, Song Yan had eaten his fill and chattered incessantly beside Li Shenyu. “My Lord, did you really get to see Floating Fragrance? This subordinate has heard that this Floating Fragrance is extremely arrogant. Countless high-ranking officials and nobles offered high prices to invite him to cook a meal at their residences, and he refused every time, let alone allowing anyone to see him. The diners at Floating Fragrance Tower said today was the first time anyone laid eyes on him, and he even prepared a dish of Peony Fish Fillet! It looked stunning and tasted amazing!”
“Even the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices didn’t get to see him!”
Without Li Shenyu responding, Song Yan could happily chatter away on his own. His father had served under the late Marquis, later sacrificing his life for the Marquis on the battlefield. Having followed the Marquis since childhood and never having been mistreated, his speech and actions were somewhat uninhibited. At last, he could not help but ask, “Why does Floating Fragrance wear a mask? Did he wear a mask when he saw you, too? I wonder what he looks like, this subordinate guesses he is either terribly ugly or devastatingly handsome!”
A subtle change crossed Li Shenyu’s expression. He finally broke his silence, letting out a soft, humming chuckle.
“He is a beauty.”