Chapter 222.4: Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Imperceptible Influences
This Luo Old Madam really was able to keep her composure. If switched with others, the young miss they cup in the palm getting treated as such, afraid they would’ve long exploded. However, the other party was Jin Qinw.a.n.g, the living Enma, so don’t bother saying anything, even if said, it was still………said in vain. No wait, perhaps if said, might bright about disaster instead. That’s why, aside from enduring, it was still just enduring.
From the start, Luo Old Madam just knew, having such a soon-to-be grandson-in-law, the Luo family will definitely ‘incur slander’. Whether it be sympathy or pleasure in their misfortune from others, it was fine as long as one was clear inside whether it was sweet or bitter. As for whether or not he will prove to the world how exactly he feels towards Jing Wan, Luo Old Madam right now didn’t want to say anything. She’ll just wait and see.
Among those who weren’t in the know, the Grand Elder Princess was rather unbalanced inside. Her own adopted daughter, for what reason should she be bullied by that b.a.s.t.a.r.d? “Where’s Jing Wan? How come one still haven’t seen her yet?” And when saying this, she clearly just glanced at the two figure that were merely separated by a step.
Others didn’t dare to go forward, but Gong mama didn’t have that misgiving. “Miss, the Grand Elder Princess is looking for you.”
Jing Wan subconsciously turned around, looking towards the main seat on the female guest side. Her adoptive mother was currently looking in this direction. The distance was a bit far, so unable to see clearly, but Jing Wan felt that her adoptive mother was seemingly angry. For some strange reason, she suddenly felt a bit guilty inside, seemingly as if just focusing on romance, having the elders, friends, family, and guests all thrown to the side. “w.a.n.gye, this subject will withdraw first.”
Not waiting for him to respond, Jing Wan just curtsied and quickly left.
Li Hong Yuan watched Jing Wan’s figure disappear momentarily, and very quickly appear on the second floor of the tall pavilion, first greeting the various n.o.ble madams, and then, unsure as to what the Grand Elder Princess said, Jing Wan just hugged the Grand Elder Princess’s arm, acting coquettishly, smiling like a flower.
Li Hong Yuan crossed his arms, leaning against the fake mountain, his two legs folded over, his entire person appearing very languid.
On stage, the performance played one by one, even having a martial arts show.
Li Hong Yuan was lost in thought, having not seen Jing Wan in a long while.
Hearing the voice coming from the courtyard entrance, this was those men who have finished making connections coming to watch the play to pa.s.s the time.
Li Hong Yuan straightened up, directly walking towards the female guest side.
Seeing Li Hong Yuan come upstairs, the servant girl quickly reported to Luo Old Madam. As the host, in addition to being elderly in years, trifling matters didn’t need to go through her. Luo Old Madam was accompanying at the Grand Elder Princess’s side the whole time, not sitting according to rank, sitting relatively back, but rather in the first row, at the same table as the Grand Elder Princess.
Thus, the Grand Elder Princess naturally also had the servant girl’s words listened in.
The Grand Elder Princess just wanted to have him dragged over and ruthlessly berated. Li Hong Yuan was perceptive, offering himself up first. Towards the rising and falling voices of greetings, he pretended not to hear, and those elders also didn’t see him voluntarily greet them either. However, they wouldn’t go as far as to bicker with him. If they really were to let him take the initiative, they would even worry that their life would shorten.
The others were whatever, but this imperial aunt’s face, he still needed to give. However, before he could open his mouth, the Grand Elder Princess just directly scolded, “……………..You just don’t know to avoid out of taboo?”
Because the Grand Elder Princess’s relations.h.i.+p with Le Cheng Emperor was good, she thus would madly criticize these nephews of hers. And when getting reprimanded by her, you could only obediently listen. For Li Hong Yuan, it neither hurt nor tickled, not too different from when facing his old man.
Li Hong Yuan just sat down to the side, “It’s not like this prince did anything shameful that can’t be seen, merely just saying a few words, what is there to avoid? Jing Wan is my fiancee, and today is her coming-of-age ceremony. Tomorrow, can immediately call for the Ministry of Rites to prepare the later marriage arrangements. The two of us were said to be a match made by heaven by Grandmaster Liao Chen. Could it be that this marriage will even have problems arising, letting this prince avoid in case she might have another fiancee?” His tone already carried a bit of cold air.
“What nonsense are you saying, quickly shut up.” The Grand Elder Princess sternly said. For the sake of this b.a.s.t.a.r.d’s marriage, her imperial brother was also at his wit’s end. If something really were to happen again, even if she, this younger sister, just said something she shouldn’t have said, afraid would all get implicated.
“Since that’s the case, Jing Wan is destined to be mine, then merely just saying a few words before marrying, getting familiar with one another, not wanting to face a stranger after marrying, what’s wrong with this? I, Li Hong Yuan, even if wanting to do something shameful, that is still doing it openly and boldly.”
Jing Wan immediately spat at him inside. b.a.s.t.a.r.d, have you done any less secretive things? This kind of thing, to even be able to say without blus.h.i.+ng, this face truly was unparalleled in the world. Jing Wan silently hung her head, pretending to be embarra.s.sed.
However, there were actually quite a few onlookers that approvingly nodded, feeling the value in this b.a.s.t.a.r.d’s words were even quite high?
“Was I talking about this? It’s all female guests here, that many unmarried young ladies, you a grown man………….”
“Imperial aunt.” Li Hong Yuan neither lightly nor heavily interrupted her, “In all honesty, I never even gave them a single glance. On contrary, don’t know how many of them had their eyes on me. If need to avoid, it should still be them avoiding this prince.”
The Grand Elder Princess was choked off, unable to respond, “Get lost, get lost, roll over to the male guest side, otherwise just get lost from the gardens.”
Li Hong Yuan got up, nonchalantly leaving.
The Grand Elder Princess let out a sigh. This b.a.s.t.a.r.d has committed too many sins, simply unable to control. As long as he doesn’t go overboard, it’s best to just not bother. Otherwise, you’ll most likely be angered to death by him. What she worried the most was still the others following his example, using this kind of excuse to have secret affairs. Such disorder of etiquette, how is that good? However, having this kind of gut like his, and also won’t get violently beaten up by the girl’s family, it’s still difficult to find a second one.
The Grand Elder Princess affectionately rubbed the seemingly already too embarra.s.sed to show her face Jing Wan’s head, “Good child, to have wronged you.”
Jing Wan remained silent. Sigh, she really didn’t feel wronged at all. However, right now, it was still best to keep her mouth shut. “Adoptive mother, I’ll go downstairs to have a look, see if there’s anything out of place.”
“Go then.” Knowing she was hiding out of embarra.s.sment, she naturally won’t not let the person go.
Once Jing Wan’s figure disappeared, the Grand Elder Princess looked towards Luo Old Madam, “Old madam, in the end, it’s us that have let down your family, asking you to please pardon a little.” This ‘us’ also included Le Cheng Emperor.
Luo Old Madam appropriately revealed a rather helpless, yet rather forced smile, “The Grand Elder Princess’s words are too serious.”
On the other side separated by a wall, Li Hong Yuan was absentmindedly drinking tea, while the other were cheerfully chatting. In a way, he was just enjoying himself quietly.
Jing Wan strolled around a few times downstairs. It was mostly just unmarried young ladies as well as young madams that have married not long ago here.
After confirming that there weren’t any inappropriate places, Jing Wan just prepared to sit down to chat with the others and eat a bit of something. With her eldest aunt handling these things, Jing Wan believed that there won’t be any slip-ups.
Just, not long after sitting down, the servant girl entered, softly whispering a few words by Jing Wan’s ear.
Jing Wan’s expression didn’t change, informing the few people nearby and just left.
After some distance away from the two-level pavilion, “Bai Shao, go invite grandmother down, then notify the Ding Duke Manor’s Sun Old Madam, letting her have elder sister-in-law called upstairs, while you just serve at the side. Don’t let anyone alarm her.”
“Yes, miss.”
Jing Wan led the others out of the garden, slightly waiting at the garden’s entrance, seeing Luo Old Madam come out.
“Wan Wan, what happened?” Luo Old Madam asked, her complexion calm as usual.
“Jiang Ling Shan attempted to drug third brother, yet as a result, accidentally drugged second brother. Third brother after discovering was greatly angered, having Jiang Ling Shan who similarly took the drug pushed into the pond. Her luck wasn’t too good, hitting against the rock on the side. Her left brow directly tore in the middle, nearly injuring her eye. Second paternal aunt is currently kicking up a fuss.”
Speaking of which, what should come will eventually come. Ever since that day third brother and elder sister-in-law got married, from the moment Jiang Ling Shan set her eyes on Luo Jing Bo, setting her eyes on Sun Yi Jia’s dowry, today’s matter rather wasn’t all that surprising either.
However, what Jing Wan was relatively puzzled over was why was it always a younger cousin pouncing forward? Could it be that because they were relatives, thus easier to scheme against? If having that familial feelings as relatives, all won’t be this ruthless, right?
“What is she making a fuss for, which one of the brothers does she want to take responsibility?” Luo Old Madam didn’t even bat an eye.