Chapter 299.2: Quietly Watch You Change Face
The Pei clan leader’s back dripped with cold sweat. He never once thought that Li Hong Yuan actually even knew the other party’s ident.i.ty already. One has to know, the people that were aware of this bit were even fewer, countable on one hand, and moreover, all had the surname Pei. For him to have not mentioned previously, could it be that it was for the sake of sounding out yet again? Why, the more they interacted, the more he felt this outer grandson was deep and impossible to predict? The Pei clan leader was glad that he resolutely made the decision.
The Pei clan leader lowered his head, tugging the corner of his mouth, “w.a.n.gye also said, this old one is a qualifying clan leader.”
“Right, and an unqualifying father. This prince’s w.a.n.gfei hates this kind of person the most.”
The Pei clan leader’s complexion was exceptionally interesting. He wasn’t sure whether Li Hong Yuan was just discussing the matter as is, or using these words to insinuate something. “w.a.n.gfei, as a woman, her heart will inevitably be a little soft, but as a head of a clan, shouldering all the clansmen’s hopes, under normal circ.u.mstances, for everything to all be able to be perfect, that is naturally the best, but when certain things mutually contradict, one will undoubtedly have to choose or abandon.”
Li Hong Yuan nodded his head, just like as if approving of his words, “The entire family clan, compared with an outsider, and even one that was like a puppet, how one would choose, it’s clear and easy to see.”
“Precisely as w.a.n.gye says.”
“Inherently it’s also comparing the two interests and choosing the heavier one.”
The Pei clan leader, for the first time, felt speaking with someone was this tiring. Speaking back and forth, he truly was somewhat unable to figure out his true intentions. Clearly in the past, at all times, he was all able to handle skillfully and easily, “These words of w.a.n.gye’s seemingly are improper? This old one believes, comparing two harms and picking the lighter one is a little more fitting.”
“This prince is talking about before Pei clan leader became the clan leader.”
Even the Pei clan leader himself didn’t know how many times he’s changed face tonight. He felt that coming to meet this outer grandson of his today, he probably didn’t look at the imperial calendar[1]. Perhaps written on there was ‘all things unfavorable’.
He has taken up the position of clan leader for nearly twenty years already, and prior to that, the only thing worth this outer grandson mentioning was probably just the matter regarding his mother, but the problem was, that was already something from twenty-eight years ago. The people that knew the details similarly weren’t many. Could it be that the source of his information was actually the same source as the one concerning the previous dynasty’s imperial descendant? Extremely possible.
Exactly who was this person, who was it? However, since even the matter from twenty-eight years ago they were all aware of, his search range actually shrank by quite a bit.
The Pei clan leader bitterly smiled, “Don’t know as to what all kinds of gossip w.a.n.gye heard? Who is it that’s starting rumors and causing trouble?”
The matter from twenty-eight years ago wasn’t like the matter of the previous dynasty’s imperial descendant, having conclusive evidence. If he flatly insists, who else can say anything?
“What the one on the throne said, does Pei clan leader want to go confront him to his face?” Li Hong Yuan leisurely said.
The Pei clan leader even sensed from within the hint of amus.e.m.e.nt, just as if he clearly knew what your intentions were, directly blurting out to tease you, yet towards him, you had no way of dealing with.
The Pei clan leader displayed endless grief and indignation, yet seemingly due to the other party’s status, could only silently endure, “His Majesty’s golden mouth and jade words, naturally it’s whatever he says it is.”
Li Hong Yuan softly laughed out loud, clearly an extremely pleasant sounding voice, yet in the Pei clan leader’s ear, it was extremely taunting, like as if saying, something that everyone is all well aware of inside, who are you pretending for? In his eyes, he was just like a dancing clown.
Having the words said out loud, yet still be able to contend on strong grounds, or at least on the surface able to persevere, this kind of ‘only grasping intuitively and not conveying in words’ matter, really made one feel as if having a fish bone stuck in the throat, not even having the leeway to refute. You blurting out yourself would only result in an even deeper layer of humiliation, for instance: ‘Turns out you’re this kind of person’, or ‘You really have self-awareness’.
The face getting completely swept, one’s dignity completely gone, not humiliating, but far surpa.s.sed humiliation. This was probably just the Pei clan leader’s truest portrayal right now.
How exactly did he end up like this? In the end, towards his matters, Li Hong Yuan was very knowledgeable of, and towards the real Li Hong Yuan, he knew nothing at all.
“It’s already deep into the night. This old one won’t disturb w.a.n.gye’s rest any longer, so will be taking one’s leave first.” To be reduced to the point of needing to ‘frantically escape’ one day, the Pei clan leader probably never once antic.i.p.ated either.
“Pei clan leader shouldn’t have turned back.”
Was this indicating that his awareness was still not deep enough? Or don’t disturb the esteemed Jin Qinw.a.n.g’s rest? The Pei clan leader no longer wanted to go ponder over it, hurriedly leaving.
Being continuously led by the nose the whole time, the Pei clan leader naturally was very much unwilling to resign. However, for people like him, it was always ‘interests’ taking the priority. Would he because of this just bear grudges against Li Hong Yuan, thereby consider looking for another way out? No, he won’t. First setting aside the energy required to re-strategize, if even the most secretive matter was all able to be found out by this outer grandson, any abnormal movement from him, would he be able to keep from this outer grandson’s eyes? This kind of thing he can’t gamble, because he couldn’t afford to lose.
This night, the Pei clan leader was destined to be unable to sleep for the whole night.
Li Hong Yuan didn’t return to the bedroom, until Jing Wan came looking.
Li Hong Yuan hurriedly got up, having her embraced into his arms, faintly scolding, “Although it has long entered into summer, this kind of residence near water is still colder than elsewhere at night, the humidity also heavy. What happens if evil air enters the body? Already this big, yet how come still don’t know to cherish your own body?”
Jing Wan hugged his waist, coquettishly swaying, “Without you, I can’t fall asleep.”
Knowing that her sleep has always been regular, yet this while, still haven’t slept, he nevertheless heartached, and couldn’t help softening inside.” You could’ve just send someone to call me, no need to personally come over.”
Jing Wan lifted her head, batting her eyes, “I thought you were still angry.”
This lovable little appearance of hers, on normal days, was rarely seen. Li Hong Yuan helplessly smiled, “If really angry, then would’ve ignored you.”
Jing Wan’s lips moved, and afterwards mumbled, “Compared with usual, a bit different.”
Li Hong Yuan instantly understood her meaning, “If Wan Wan misses this husband, you can just openly say it.” This matter of eating vinegar, messing with her ten times, at least seven or eight of those times were just borrowing something as pretext to make a fuss. That was called amus.e.m.e.nt. When he’s genuinely angry, in contrast, he won’t mess with her. He worried that he might not be able to control himself and accidentally injure her, yet it made his little darling misunderstand. In her eyes, was he just someone that insist on resolving the problem on the bed? Clearly an extremely intelligent woman, yet in certain areas, how come she was just this pure? He was a bit between laughter and tears, yet don’t know what to do with her either.
Jing Wan also realized, she probably did something stupid again, her face completely turning red, hating that she can’t find a crack to squeeze into. Really embarra.s.sing to death! Jing Wan wanted to push him aside, but how was she able to.
It was rare for his wife to be foolish for once, even ‘sincerely’ inviting, and right now, he was also calm enough, so how could Li Hong Yuan let go of the delicacy by his mouth. He singlehandedly had Jing Wan picked up.
Getting caught off guard, Jing Wan hurriedly hooked his neck, sulkily hammering two times on his shoulder.
This, for Li Hong Yuan, was about the same as tickling.
By the time the two of them fell asleep, don’t know how long had pa.s.sed already.
The morning of the next day, Li Hong Yuan had woken up, while Jing Wan was still sound asleep. The rooms here weren’t big to begin with, and he was someone that practiced martial arts, so his hearing ability excellent. Towards the movements outside, he was very well aware of. Looks like, quite a few people have arrived, buzzing like flies, annoying to death.
“Someone come.”
Jing Wan’s wet nurse hurriedly entered, “Is w.a.n.gye planning on getting up?”
“Let those people outside get lost however far they can for this prince.”
[1] 黄历 – Literally just ‘yellow calendar’, is the old traditional chinese calendar. It’s similar to an almanac in a way, where aside from the dates, it also contains information about farming, fortune telling, horoscopes, what days are auspicious for what, etc. I honestly don’t know how to read these things either. But if you’re curious how ancient people picked their auspicious dates for weddings and other important occasions, it’s based off of this calendar system. The ones below are from the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).
It’s still being used in modern times as well for various things, although modern version adds the Gregorian dates.