Chapter 19: Seven Day Pampering
Li Hong Yuan shook the wine cup in his hands. Empty. He conveniently tossed it to the side. It was only then did Li Hong Ming notice that there was already a pile of five to six empty wine pot on the ground. He sniffed the scent floating in the air. This hundred year old high quality hundred flower aged wine was drunk by him like water just like that? His heart once again felt unsettled. Among the brothers, which one was this extravagant like him? If the others dare to be like this, they would’ve already been yelled at by imperial father till their heads bleed. Only this b.a.s.t.a.r.d, with all kinds of punishments having been exhausted on him, yet he still was unrepentant. Imperial father already long held no hopes towards him.
If the court officials presented too many memorandums, accusing him(LHY) of misconduct, Le Cheng[1] Emperor would just angrily berate these officials instead. Was each and every one too bored with themselves? Not properly doing their own work, only knowing how to stare at his son all day, their jobs must be too comfortable. He, the dignified master of the world, being unable to properly manage his own was already very tiring, alright? This bunch of unperceptive idiots, even purposefully throwing salt on his wound.
Everyone all knew, his Majesty, on the surface, didn’t like Jin Qinw.a.n.g, but for some reason, in his heart, he was actually very bias towards him. Otherwise, with Li Hong Yuan’s hateful behavior, afraid he would’ve already long been ganged up on and tortured to death. Yet, the more he lived, the more free and unrestrained he was. And the people that went against him, none had a good ending. Fine, in the future, if one sees him, take the long way around.
Because of consort-mother, this one’s treatment of him could still be considered not bad. The brothers that have been beaten up by him were not in the minority. And those princesses and junzhus[2] of the imperial family that have been angered to tears by him in various ways were also too numerous to mention. Thinking of it like this, his heart actually settled quite a bit. Li Hong Ming repeatedly told himself, ‘you win some, you lose some’. Afterwards, he peacefully opened his mouth, “What’s wrong with you lately, with your temper so violent like that, who provoked you?” He put on an appearance of a good older brother.
Li Hong Yuan finally gave him a glance, “I even need a reason to be in a bad mood?”
The corner of Li Hong Ming’s mouth twitched. Who the h.e.l.l would be in a bad mood for no reason? Even if he was temperamental, it was already this long, it should’ve already eased by now. “Consort-mother is very worried about you.”
Li Hong Yuan’s hand that was holding the wine cup paused. The intoxication in his eyes seemed to have dispersed some, “Tomorrow this prince will enter the palace to see her.”
Li Hong Ming ironically laughed in his heart. Sometimes, he would also think, between this sixth brother of his and himself, just who was more pitiful. “But imperial father’s ban order on you, from entering the palace, still hasn’t been withdrawn yet.”
Li Hong Yuan disdainfully hooked the corner of his lips, “You think those people watching the gates of the imperial palace are able to stop this prince?”
Just how many people sharpened their brains, wanting to make their way into becoming an imperial guard of the palace. Yet in this one’s eyes they were just for watching the door? A bunch of dogs? Li Hong Ming believed himself to be an able talker. No matter the topic, he was all able to follow up, yet he again and again kept running into a wall here with Li Hong Yuan. This devil incarnate’s words, if it didn’t leave you unable to respond, then it’ll make you choke till your liver hurts. “Fine, just do as you please.”
Soon after, Li Hong Ming turned his gaze towards the crowd of dancers. Li Hong Ming wasn’t particularly fond of beautiful women, but at this moment, he was still deeply attracted by the woman leading the dance. The light muslin covered the surface; her flexible waist faintly discernible. The muslin dress below fluttered like it was nothing. That pair of eyes were like the glistening light reflected off the water’s surface. And that gaze was like looking upon you as if you were her most beloved and nothing else could enter her eyes.
Inviting, but also refusing one a thousand miles aways, making one’s heart endlessly give birth to the desire to conquer.
To say it a bit more bluntly, this one was a natural born rarity.
Li Hong Ming stretched his neck. Perhaps because he’d drank aged fine wine, his entire body was feeling somewhat hot. Li Hong Ming has always been someone who’s self-aware and self-disciplined, so naturally it was unlikely for him to lose his composure because of this spectacle. He looked towards Li Hong Yuan, “This beauty, where did you get her from?”
Perhaps Li Hong Yuan really was drunk, he completely didn’t pay him any attention. Thus, Eunuch Yu diligently spoke for his master. “Replying to w.a.n.gye[3], she was sent over from the dancer mill.”
The dancer mill was a privately owned workshop in the capital. It’s rumored that the owner behind it was the brilliantly famous number one female dancer from twenty plus years ago. She specializes in training female dancers, whether it was having the people she’s bought trained then sold, or helping others trains them.
The former, although weren’t all beautiful like a flower, but that figure was definitely the highest cla.s.s. Not only did the high officials and n.o.bles like them, even lady bosses of the brothel houses like them too. And the latter, as long as you’re willing to spend money, any kind of man or woman, all can be sent in. That’s right, either one is doable. And going by the customer’s different requests, and the difficulty level in training the target, the price won’t completely be the same either. But the lowest was at least in the upper thousand taels. And as for the results, reportedly, there hasn’t even been a single customer that wasn’t satisfied.
Li Hong Yuan can be considered an old customer of the dancer mill. Of course, he only buys the ready-made ones. And as for this one before them, she was sent over by the dancer mill of their own accord. Then again, if a dancer mill opened by a woman didn’t have a strong backer, how could they have established themselves in the capital city? If nothing else, just those high officials and n.o.ble families’ female tigers would be able to grind them to dust.
“Sixth brother has such good luck with women.” Li Hong Ming’s slightly hoa.r.s.e voice sounded.
Li Hong Yuan had already faintly closed his eyes, putting away his usual ruthless aura. His entire person appeared endlessly elegant.
Li Hong Ming inwardly clicked his tongue. If one were to encounter a good southern wind, even if they were completely unable to control it, they would still directly throw themselves at it. Even though they clearly know that in the end they might die very miserably, they still continue without looking back. It’s no wonder the outside say that Jin Qinw.a.n.g, aside from that face, there was not one good point about him, yet there was still quite a few young women that want to throw themselves into his embrace, like moths into flame. They want his affections, want to occupy the most important position in his heart, and also want to know, this person, if he really fell for someone, what kind of scene would that be like.
Li Hong Yuan was fond of beauties. If you didn’t have an outstanding appearance, don’t think to let him even give you a glance. However, with him, there was also the saying ‘seven day pampering’. Those fancied by him will receive his complete pampering. Women that were pampered by him can practically become the world’s most happiest woman. But unfortunately, his pampering will never exceed seven days. Because the feeling of being pampered by him was too wonderful, quite a few young women all harbored the desire to want to break this curse-like seven days, yet not one had a good ending.
This being the case, after all these years, under his foot also laid a path made of the bones of beautiful women.
The dance song ended, and the surrounding also became extremely quiet. That dancer walked with lotuses blooming at her every step, as she slowly approached Li Hong Yuan. That appearance really was as if she was deeply absorbed within, with eyes both full of infatuation.
The woman Li Hong Ming was just thinking about conquering earlier was now being completely submissive to another man. He unconsciously tightened his grip on the cup.
“w.a.n.gye…..” The dancer lightly leaned against the couch’s edge and looked to Li Hong Yuan’s face, becoming increasingly infatuated. She leaned closer and stretched out her hand…….
Suddenly, something unexpected happened. The dancer was thrown off the couch by a single kick from Li Hong Yuan. That force was ruthless, making Li Hong Ming seemingly hear the sound of bone breaking. The dancer miserably cried out, and in an instant, her complexion turned deathly pale. She fell to the floor, not daring to move for the time being.
Li Hong Yuan sat up and unhurriedly tidied his clothes, “Get rid of her.” He stood up and left with slight drunkenness in his steps.
“Sixth brother, since this dancer has made you unhappy, why don’t you just give her to third brother?” Li Hong Ming looked to the woman and spoke as if he was possessed.
Unfortunately, Li Hong Yuan still didn’t give him any face and completely ignored him. Li Hong Ming clenched his fist.
“w.a.n.gye, by all means, feel free to take her back.” Eunuch Mu at the side, respectfully replied.
“Oh? You can make the call on this matter? Sixth brother won’t get angry?” Li Hong Yuan relaxed his hands and said with a laugh.
Eunuch Mu awkwardly smiled at Li Hong Ming, “w.a.n.gye, what kind of temper our master has, you know. If hated, it’s fine no matter how she’s dealt with.”
“Then, seven days has pa.s.sed already?” Li Hong Ming complexion was somewhat not good.
“No, no, this dancer was just sent here yesterday. It’s just master’s temper hasn’t been good lately, and didn’t have that thought.”
“So it’s like this. No wonder he was so heavy handed like that.” Li Hong Ming got up and walked to the dancer’s side. He squat down and lifted her chin, tearing off the face veil. As expected of someone kept by that good younger brother of his, who’d gone through countless beautiful women. Even if she still hadn’t received his pampering, she was still definitely a stunning beauty. “A beauty is a beauty, just your fortune was a bit bad. You won’t have the chance to enjoy that ‘seven day pampering’ anymore. Come back with this prince, although this prince is unable to be that pampering like sixth brother, but I’m also unlikely to be bored in just seven days.”
She was merely just a dancer, so naturally she didn’t have the right to refuse.
Since Li Hong Ming had obtained a beauty, he was too lazy to bother with the reason why Li Hong Yuan was in a bad mood. In any case, from the start, he was just going through the motions anyways so that he can give his consort-mother an explanation.
After Eunuch Mu sent Li Hong Ming away, he went to the study. “Master, his Highness, Rui Qinw.a.n.g has taken the person away.”
At this moment, Li Hong Yuan didn’t have any signs of drunkenness. His face was expressionless, yet the viciousness in his eyes made one apprehensive. “He, Li Hong Ming, sure has guts, daring to have ideas about Wan Wan. Send a message to that side, if she doesn’t serve that good third brother of mine well, I’ll have her be unable to even beg for death.”
“Yes.” Eunuch Mu thought to himself, Master, it hasn’t gotten to that point yet. Rui w.a.n.gye had only investigated Miss Luo’s ident.i.ty, that’s all. And as for that dancer, even she herself doesn’t know who’s her real target and who’s her real master. Her worth was only at that.
“The matter with him wanting to drag Luo Pei Shan into his hands, you must let the others all know. This time if you all don’t chop off an arm of his, then you all better wash your necks cleanly for this prince[4].” In the past life, Li Hong Yuan had never thought of wanting the throne. And during this time then, he was also helping Li Hong Ming. However, it was clear that Li Hong Ming very much had his guard against him, and the specifics of what he was doing, he, Li Hong Yuan, didn’t know. Sure enough, it wasn’t wrong to be completely prepared. Nothing was allowed to escape from his hands.
Eunuch Mu trembled, “Yes.” He naturally didn’t dare to forget about the things he was specifically told two day prior, but now, he was asked to not only just obstruct. It can be seen that master was really angry this time. That Miss Luo, to master, was truly the ‘reverse dragon scale’[5] among the ‘reverse dragon scales’.
[1] Le Cheng – The Emperor’s courtesy t.i.tle; means ‘to become happy’, kinda ironic in a way. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him happy before…
[2] Junzhu – A daughter of a qinw.a.n.g; can be the emperor’s niece, granddaughter, or even cousin.
[3] w.a.n.gye – Polite way of addressing a w.a.n.g
[4] Aka prepare necks for the chopping block; aka he will kill them
[5] Reverse Dragon Scale – In Chinese mythology a dragon’s scales are really sensitive, and on the dragon’s neck there’s a special scale that’s grown in reverse. This is the ‘reverse scale’, and if someone were to dare touch it, it will greatly anger the dragon. So you can see the a.n.a.logy of Jing Wan being Li Hong Yuan’s ‘reverse scale’.
T/N: Happy New Years!! I’ve updated the character list to include some of the imperial family. Don’t worry too much about the large cast. The actual important characters they’ll beat you in the head with repet.i.tion. Also let me know if there’s any broken links, I’ll have them fixed asap.