Chapter 163.3: No Value Alive
Hearing Jing Wan say this, w.a.n.g-s.h.i.+ immediately understood, her eyes lighting slightly, “This method of third girl’s is not bad. After comparing one by one, who has problems, it’ll be obvious at a glance. The time can even be pushed forward a little, so that for those who were alone, we’ll also be able to know if they were originally doing what they were supposed to be doing.”
Jing Wan nodded, “It’s still eldest aunt that’s meticulous.”
“Third girl, don’t flatter this aunt.”
Afterwards, they just need to quietly wait for results.
Just, the imperial physician still has yet to arrive, and the situation inside was increasingly hopeless. The manor doctor right now was hanging onto Luo third master’s life as much as possible. As for those concubines outside, even with Luo Old Madam present, they still couldn’t help crying even louder. Luo Old Madam got a headache from their noisy crying, but didn’t say anything to stop them either.
Luo Jing Ming hastily rushed back, a forehead full of sweat, his face thoroughly red, and after entering, couldn’t stop gasping for breath. “G-grandmother, father, how’s my father?”
“Not too great, the imperial physician still hasn’t arrived yet. Why don’t you sit down first and rest for a bit.”
“How come the imperial physician still haven’t arrived?” Luo Jing Ming finding it somewhat hard to believe. The Imperial Physician Court was clearly very close by. “I’ll go have a look.” With that said, he turned and left, not giving anyone the chance to stop him.
Luo Old Madam sighed.
When Liu-s.h.i.+ married in, Luo Jing Ming was already born, and moreover, was even a boy. As one can imagine, he was definitely a thorn in Liu-s.h.i.+’s eyes. In less than half a year, Luo Jing Ming’s own yiniang died, death by suicide, dying very straightforwardly. Liu-s.h.i.+ got blamed, but in reality, many all knew that it wasn’t Liu-s.h.i.+’s handiwork. However, everyone was all clear that Liu-s.h.i.+ sooner or later would act out against this mother and son pair. By dying this resolutely, she at least can still preserve her son. If one were to wait for Liu-s.h.i.+ to act, then the mother and son pair probably all won’t have a way out.
Luo Rong Ping actually also s.h.i.+elded him, and even Luo Pei Shan warned a few words too. As such, Luo Jing Ming’s existence, even if it made Liu-s.h.i.+ feel as if having a fish bone stuck in her throat, she still didn’t dare do anything. When Luo Jing Ming began schooling[1], he just moved out to the outer courtyard to live. Among the brothers, he was the youngest to ‘live alone’. And because of this, perhaps he hated Liu-s.h.i.+ inside, but he wasn’t blinded by hatred, losing his rationality. On the contrary, this tender sprout was perfectly straight and upright, growing st.u.r.dily, blossoming very outstandingly, and wasn’t any inferior to the di sons of the first and second branch. Luo Rong Ping also regarded him very highly, but with Luo Pei Shan watching over, him(LRP) doing those shady dealings and paying lip service on his own didn’t matter, but if he were to take along his son, Luo Pei Shan will definitely beat him to death. And it was also because of this, the feelings between these two were actually rather pure. That’s why, Luo Jing Ming, towards Luo Rong Ping, genuinely harbored feelings of childlike admiration[2]. That was his closest family by blood.
That’s why, if anything really were to happen to Luo Rong Ping, the one that’ll truly be the most heartbroken and in pain afraid will just be Luo Jing Ming.
Afterwards, not much later, Luo Jing Ming ran back carrying a person on his back. No need to ask, that person was definitely the imperial physician.
Just from hearing the running sounds outside earlier, one just knew how fast he was running.
After entering, he staggered, nearly falling down together. Fortunately, he was swiftly caught by the people nearby.
“Imperial physician, imperial physician, a-apologies, trouble, troubling you……..” Luo Jing Ming’s legs went limp, nearly falling again.
Previously his face was still flushed red from intensely running, yet now it was somewhat blue. This wasn’t anything good………
“Alright, quickly take a break. ——–Imperial physician, please head inside.” Luo Old Madam spoke.
The old imperial physician was already at an old age, and getting treated this roughly, he originally wasn’t very pleased either, but this while, he instead carried a bit of happy admiration, “You’re a good filial child.”
After the imperial physician went inside, just as Luo Jing Ming was about to sit down, Jing Wan hurriedly called out, letting his servant boy support him in walking around a bit, and if he can’t support him by himself, find another person to help. All in all, can’t let Luo Jing Ming immediately stop and rest.
Jing Wan usually would never speak without thinking, so for her to say this, she definitely must have her reason.
Jing Wan saw Luo Jing Ming smile at her, her heart strangely feeling somewhat stuffy.
This tang older brother’s temper was actually very good, and also treated his younger brothers and sisters very well. She once heard her third brother mention that this second tang brother once secretly supported their second tang sister Luo Jing Qiang financially, and at present, the third branch’s three little ones, he similarly helped out in the dark. His own expenses, for the most part, was just that bit from the public funds, then divided in half, so he actually lived very frugally. Third brother rather wanted to help him, but he refused every time. He saw very transparently, only helping where he can, within the scope of his capabilities, continuously controlling this limit. For someone like Luo Rong Ping, to have such a son in this lifetime, it can be considered worth it.
However, for this pair of father and son, didn’t they also validate that saying, ‘feelings are all mutual’. Actually, what Luo Rong Ping was doing, would Luo Jing Ming not know at all? No, he more or less should know, but he can’t say anything. Speaking from a certain perspective, he was actually pressed between Luo Pei Shan and Luo Rong Ping. That kind of feeling afraid wasn’t good.
In this moment, Jing Wan hoped that Luo Rong Ping was just paralyzed, so that he can’t continue bouncing around outside. That way, this second tang brother should be able to relax a lot inside. And as long as he was still alive, then second tang brother won’t sink into the pain of losing one’s parent.
Another imperial physician, as well as their attendants, arrived soon after. Along with them was also Jing Wan’s father, Luo Rong Yan.
After asking, they learned that they’d ran into one another along the way.
Also, the reason why the imperial physician was this late was because Kang Qinw.a.n.g’s older brother-in-law (wife’s older brother) had gotten injured. It wasn’t that serious of an injury, but when the people from the Luo family went to invite the imperial physician, he instead deliberately stalled the imperial physician, not letting go, all in all seemingly making clear their deliberate intentions.
“Kang Qinw.a.n.g again!” Luo Old Madam frowned.
Hearing these words of hers that seemingly have a deeper meaning, Luo Rong Yan frowned as well, but didn’t ask anything.
Right now, they could only quietly wait.
An hour later, w.a.n.g-s.h.i.+ returned. It was obvious, the matter that happened on Luo little eight produced results.
w.a.n.g-s.h.i.+ just softly whispered it to Luo Old Madam.
Since w.a.n.g-s.h.i.+ was concealing, Jing Wan naturally won’t ask about it. However, in the Luo family, someone that would harbor ill-intent towards Luo little eight, aside from Huan Yiniang, there was probably no one else. Today’s matter, setting aside for now whether or not it had anything to do with her, in any case, the people by Luo little eight’s side that got bribed by her should already be plucked. However, for Huan Yiniang to be able to contend against Liu-s.h.i.+, she still needed to rely on Luo Rong Ping, so there was no reason to let someone attack Luo little eight during this crucial moment, and even in that kind of lowly method. Wasn’t her original intentions to let Luo little eight become close with her and drift apart from Liu-s.h.i.+, then secretly ruin Luo little eight’s body? Perhaps this was just those that got bribed by her’s own idea?
Through this matter, Liu-s.h.i.+ will be even more alert. However, without Luo Rong Ping as support, if Liu-s.h.i.+, this main wife, wants to sort out Huan Yiniang, that concubine, then it should be with ease, right?!
The rest of the Luo family all returned in succession. Rather, it was Luo Pei Shan that returned later than usual. When he arrived at the third branch, there was just Luo Old Madam, his other three sons, as well as Luo Jing Ming. “How’s the situation?”
“The imperial physician said, should be able to preserve his life, just afraid will have to be bound to the bed for a lifetime. As for the exact situation, still need to wait until tomorrow morning to see, tonight might…………this wife will have the two imperial physicians stay for the night.”
Luo Pei Shan nodded, and immediately after, looked towards Luo Jing Ming. This grandson, at this time, was a little too quiet. “Go back and rest, you can come over tomorrow.”
“Grandfather………..”
“Enough, don’t need to say anything more. On the Imperial Academy side, I’ve already let someone request a leave of absence for you.”
“Many thanks grandfather.”
“Go back then.”
“Yes, this grandson will take one’s leave.”
Once Luo Jing Ming left, Luo Pei Shan’s eldest son Luo Rong Wen immediately asked, “Father, third brother’s matter, exactly what happened?” That’s right, they all didn’t believe that this was an accident.
Luo Pei Shan swept him a glance, “There’s no value alive, only death has value.” His tone even carrying a bit of cold-heartedness.
Then, this just means, if Luo Rong Ping lives, this incident was just an accident, and only if he dies, would they pursue this matter.
“Father, why would it be like this?” Luo Rong Yan frowned in confusion. He indeed looked down on this third younger brother for being self-interested, but he was still his brother. Getting bullied by outsiders, yet not uttering a word, what’s that all about?
“Why? Because of balance, and this kind of balance, even his Majesty would all be happy to see.”
“For Kang Qinw.a.n.g’s faction, there’s Jing Bo’s wife, but because she ruined her appearance, in addition to only being Kang Qinw.a.n.g’s younger cousin, the political marriage value was lessened. And for Rui Qinw.a.n.g, fourth girl became his concubine, but in the end, she’s just a concubine, so the worth was also just that. What was not balanced previously was just third brother’s involvement. And now, with third brother like this, everything is completely balanced?”
Luo Pei Shan coldly snorted, “Already told him long ago, this kind of thing, don’t get involved, yet he insisted on going his own way alone, daydreaming about riches and honor spilling from the heavens. One still needed to see whether or not one had that capability and fate. ————If the heavens sin, the fault can be forgiven, but if one sins, there is no escape[3].”
“Then, who exactly did it?” Luo Rong Wei asked.
“Previously, he was vigorously sticking himself towards Kang Qinw.a.n.g’s side, but afterwards, wanted to soar high on Rui Qinw.a.n.g’s side through his daughter. Who do you think did it? Him becoming an opportunist, swaying whichever way the wind blows, did he really think others won’t know?”
“Then it’s just Kang Qinw.a.n.g?” Luo Rong Wei scratched his head.
“Idiot.” Luo Pei Shan scolded.
Luo Rong Wei opened his mouth, yet didn’t speak again, feeling sullen. I’m indeed not as smart as eldest brother and second brother, but I’m still your biological son!
[1] In ancient china, the age when a child begins schooling varies from dynasty to dynasty, but the youngest age, from various records, shows to be around 7-8 years old.
[2] This is one of those weird words to translate because the author actually used the wrong character here, so I was really confused until I looked it up, but also there’s a second layer of meaning that’s hard to translate as well. The author actually wrote [濡慕 (ru mu)] which translates to ‘moistened admiration’. It’s supposed to be [孺慕 (ru mu)] which is ‘childlike admiration’, which refers to the feelings of affection a child has towards one’s parents. Although both use the exact same pinyin and p.r.o.nounced exactly the same, just a different character used. As for the second layer meaning, this term originated from ‘Cla.s.sic of Rites: Under the Sandalwood Bow’, in it, the line states a child piteously crying for the pa.s.sing of his parents to express his fond longing of them. Even though Luo Rong Ping isn’t dead yet, it’s still fitting for this situation.
[3] I’ve translated this idiom many times before, but I word it differently each time. It basically means disaster brought about by the heavens, you can still escape from, but the consequences of your own actions, you cannot escape from.
T/N: I feel like for characters in Luo Jing Ming’s position, where he’s just a really small supporting role in the novel, most novels don’t give characterization or depth. At most they would just be there to fill up s.p.a.ce when needed in a scene, so I really love the characterization for side characters in this novel. Even if it’s just a really short paragraph it gives his character so much more depth. To have such a father, yet still genuinely love him, sighhhh