Chapter 359: Continuing to Attack
“Because w.a.n.gye was completely unharmed after all, so as timed pa.s.sed, consort mother also just forgot.”
At the time when n.o.ble Consort Su heard that Li Hong Yuan had gotten attacked by a.s.sa.s.sins, was she not the least bit anxious or worried? Certainly no. As stated, n.o.ble Consort Su had genuine feelings towards Li Hong Yuan, and under normal circ.u.mstances, whenever Li Hong Yuan had conflict with her own son, n.o.ble Consort Su would always let her own son yield. However, there was a big premise to this, and that was that the conflict was just ‘small skirmishes’, not involving upon the battle for the throne. Did Li Hong Yuan have plans to fight for the throne? On the surface, no, and to n.o.ble Consort Su’s knowledge, also no.
That’s why, at the time, when learning that Li Hong Yuan met with mishap, not only was Le Cheng Emperor in a thundering rage, even n.o.ble Consort Su didn’t sleep well for several days, her body appearing especially haggard. Afterwards, after learning that Li Hong Yuan was perfectly fine, it’s not that she didn’t consider letting the person directly return to the capital, but this was a big matter concerning the country, not something she can be willful about. However, perhaps it really was as time pa.s.sed, the worry also just resting. Moreover, right now, there was something even more important. After all, it was something concerning her actual son.
She certainly would still ask about Li Hong Yuan, but based on n.o.ble Consort Su’s meticulousness, even if she forgets now, once she has each and every matter ran through clearly, she sooner or later would ask, even asking one by one, being incomparably detailed. However, with it getting thrown out by Jing Wan now, the nature of it just changed completely.
Regardless of whether Jing Wan was really saving her from the dilemma or putting on an act, all in all, in n.o.ble Consort Su’s ears, Jing Wan was just criticizing her feigning kindness, so how can it not make her hate and resent.
One has to know, right now, the battle on all sides was growing increasingly intense. Those w.a.n.gyes towards the end of the line, because were growing increasingly familiar towards the matters of the court, incessantly produced ambition, making one have no choice but to guard against. And towards her death rival, because his Majesty wanted balance, she was all unable to have the other party suppressed down. If one were to let them catch the faintest scent of blood, they will immediately bite on and not let go.
This accusation, even if not solidifying, nine times out of ten will still affect her perfect image in his Majesty’s heart. For twenty some years, they these women of the imperial harem have been increasingly unable to contend against a dead person, so her relations.h.i.+p with her foster son just even more so can’t have animosity.
Jiangnan’s matters, those accompanying officials, unexpectedly not a single one knew inside information. And those that knew inside information, either it was unable to meet in advance, or someone they didn’t dare to rashly come in contact with, because that would touch upon his Majesty’s bottom line, and the consequences wasn’t something they can bear.
Right now, it was probably just this daughter-in-law that roughly knows some information.
n.o.ble Consort Su was very clear, she wasn’t able to meet with Li Hong Yuan that quickly, and by the time she meets him, it will already be meaningless to ask in detail. She wanted to be a step ahead, for the sake of nothing more than making arrangements before everyone else.
As such, n.o.ble Consort Su finding fault, the real reason was here, subduing Jing Wan to further easier obtain the things she wanted from her.
Unfortunately, this daughter-in-law simply didn’t fear her, even hiding needles in silk, going against her.
n.o.ble Consort Su can be said to be overflowing in anger.
She forced herself to calm down, afterwards finally realizing in hindsight something was off. Under normal circ.u.mstances, when the mother and son’s relations.h.i.+p was good, so long as this daughter-in-law wants to nicely live out her days, she will have to curry favor with the mother-in-law. In the imperial family, setting aside the imperial concubines that had no favor and no status, someone like her who had honorable status should further be revered and fawned over, carefully serving, just like old three’s wife, Liu-s.h.i.+, yet this Luo-s.h.i.+ was this daring?
The daughter-in-law’s att.i.tude towards the mother-in-law usually depended upon that person between them.
Did problems arise between the couple? Or this was just Yuan’er’s true att.i.tude towards her?
The former? This daughter-in-law’s complexion was extremely good, full of joy, so no matter how one looked, it all wasn’t like having problems.
The latter? This seemingly should be even more impossible. Even if something occurred in Jiangnan, it shouldn’t affect their mother-son relations.h.i.+p.
n.o.ble Consort Su unconsciously and unknowingly furrowed her brows. Maintaining for a moment, her gaze swept over Jing Wan. Realizing that she’d somewhat exposed her emotions, she retrained her expression.
“Sixth sister-in-law probably misunderstood. Consort mother didn’t really forget, and further isn’t disregarding sixth brother’s wellbeing. Sixth brother is an imperial prince, so naturally protected by the heavens, and moreover, judging from sixth sister-in-law’s countenance, one will just know, sixth brother certainly must be fine. Consort mother’s care towards sixth brother, that is all in the heart and not hung on the mouth.” Rui w.a.n.gfei smilingly explained to the side.
“Third sister-in-law’s words are very reasonable. Who doesn’t know that consort mother is the best consort mother, viewing the foster son like her own, treating even better than her own son.” Jing Wan lightly smiled.
Without a doubt, n.o.ble Consort Su got stabbed again. The expression on her face nearly couldn’t hold up anymore, but Jing Wan was merely ‘stating the truth’. If she denies her words, wasn’t that just equal to denying herself? But, these words, even if the exact same, when said by different people, in a different context, that meaning will just be completely different. For instance, right now, no matter how one listened, it all sounded sarcastic. Rui w.a.n.gfei’s complexion was a bit dark. She wanted to remedy the situation for n.o.ble Consort Su, but this time, afraid it was an arduous and thankless task.
“Since there’s danger, then should’ve just returned quicker, so why still linger for that long?” n.o.ble Consort Su faintly spoke.
“Consort mother, please forgive, w.a.n.gye said, in the future, afraid there won’t be another opportunity to leave the capital, so should take this opportunity to see more and walk around more, so as to avoid later in one’s life, at the end of the road, one still have remaining regrets. Presumably, imperial father also understands.”
Was it that if they continue down this line, it was just her not being understanding?
Jing Wan stared at n.o.ble Consort Su’s expression that was increasingly unable to be maintained. Some people just loved to think too much, a.s.suming this and a.s.suming that, yet the one to feel stuffy was still oneself.
“The one his Majesty dotes on the most is precisely Yuan’er. If he really wants to go out and travel around, how could his Majesty not permit.”
“Imperial father may favor, but this shouldn’t be an excuse for us, as the younger generation, to wantonly do as we please. w.a.n.gye perhaps is a little willful, but the propriety one should have, he still understands. After all, the rules left behind by the ancestors, to just break because one wishes to play around, ultimately isn’t good.”
“Old six’s wife is a sensible and thoughtful one.” n.o.ble Consort Su appeared to still be calm, but in her eyes, she carried a peculiar look. This Luo-s.h.i.+ was determined to go against her today? “This matter can temporarily be set aside for now. Why don’t you tell this consort about this large sum of valuables. Although it was tacitly approved by his Majesty, but as the saying goes, ‘the ruler’s heart is hard to fathom’. This consort has followed by his Majesty’s side for thirty years. When it comes to understanding his Majesty, there’s probably no one more clear than this consort. Also, you all are still young after all, having experienced very little, so for many things might consider very thoroughly. Come explain in detail, this consort will a.n.a.lyze with you all. If there’s really something that needs to be taken care of, one should also make arrangements in advance.”
Jing Wan coldly sneered inside. Really think she didn’t understand anything at all? This was coaxing her for fun here? After all that, those last two lines were probably the true aim, right? “Consort mother, this is really quite difficult for this daughter-in-law. w.a.n.gye just let me accept the things, and because this daughter-in-law was nervous inside, w.a.n.gye thus informed that it was tacitly approved by imperial father. Everything else, this daughter-in-law indeed doesn’t know. These big matters concerning the country, this daughter-in-law, as a woman of the inner manor, naturally doesn’t dare to question, no? Besides, this daughter-in-law is a stupid one, unlike consort mother, who’s all able to explain a thing or two regarding the major matters of the country.”
n.o.ble Consort Su nearly collapsed in anger again. To actually dare say that she was interfering politics?! In private, everyone all had tacit understanding in what they were doing, but if it gets bluntly pointed out, getting caught by others, just this one offense of ‘the inner palace interfering in politics’ can make her suffer severe consequences.
Rui w.a.n.gfei took it all in, but she didn’t want to open her mouth again. This sixth sister-in-law was truly a bit too impressive, and this courage, further incredible. To avoid attracting fire onto oneself, it was best to remain silent.
And n.o.ble Consort Su, have to say, in such a place as the imperial palace, this ability to endure, although unlike Empress Sun, able to endure anything, it was still first-cla.s.s. ————-Good, good, good, very good. If not major political affairs, then let’s just talk about private matters. “Old six’s wife is right. These matters indeed aren’t something we should discuss, just let those men take care of themselves.” n.o.ble Consort Su picked up the new cup of tea that was placed by her hand, taking a sip, “Still not preparing a seat and tea for Jin w.a.n.gfei? Also have the floor cleaned as well.”
Having received an order, the palace maids serving at the side naturally didn’t dare to slight, doing what they should do, their hands and feet swift.
“Thanking consort mother.” Jing Wan calmly sat down, her sitting posture naturally dignified as she faced n.o.ble Consort with a smile. Whatever move you have, she’ll just block.
n.o.ble Consort Su had her gaze placed on Jing Wan’s stomach, “In this half a year, it’s just you by Yuan’er’s side, is there good news?”
Under a feudalistic society, the matter of an heir was a weapon of great destruction. Jing Wan ‘shyly’ lowered her head, yet in her heart, it was a sheet of ice. In this world, the one who had the least qualifications to question about her husband’s problem of children was precisely this woman here. “w.a.n.gye said, this daughter-in-law is still young, so no need to worry about the matter of children.”
“Indeed, can wait two more years, but Yuan’er in the end is already twenty-three, in another two years, he’ll be twenty-five. Ordinary people at this age already have several children. Prior to you all going to Jiangnan, you had Yuan’er’s personal servant girls all married off, so the people serving by the side certainly won’t be enough. How about taking a few back from this consort’s place. If you find any pleasant to the eyes, just promote them and let them become Yuan’er’s tongfang first. Once they give birth to children, it’s not too late to promote to a concubine. Regarding shu children, you also don’t need to worry too much, nothing more than children given birth to by a slave, so no matter what, all unable to exceed your children in the future.”
Jing Wan lifted her head, carrying innocence in her smile, “So, consort mother’s meaning is Rui Qinw.a.n.g forever won’t be able to exceed Kang Qinw.a.n.g either?”
This time, no matter how good of a ‘cultivation’ n.o.ble Consort Su had, she still couldn’t help but change face. In that moment, her gaze towards Jing Wan was like as if dipped in poison. And Rui w.a.n.gfei also turned to look at her, that expression also deeply hostile.
Jing Wan withdrew her neck, like as if frightened, opening her mouth as if feeling wronged, “The shu born children can’t exceed the di born, isn’t this what consort mother meant?” However, her eyes were genuinely exchanging blows with n.o.ble Consort Su’s.
“How can this be discussed in comparison?” Rui w.a.n.gfei coldly spoke, “Consort mother is talking about children given birth to by a slave.” The last bit was emphasized very heavily.
“Third sister-in-law means that in the future, the children given birth to by w.a.n.gye’s side consorts can just exceed my children? Yesterday, after returning to the manor, just heard that Rui Qinw.a.n.g’s two side consort positions have already been filled. Third sister-in-law better work hard.” Jing Wan smilingly said.
Rui w.a.n.gfei fixedly stared at Jing Wan, her hand tightly clenching the handkerchief.
T/N: When Jing Wan said Rui Qinw.a.n.g will never exceed Kang Qinw.a.n.g to n.o.ble Consort Su’s face, I laughed so hard I ended up screaming out loud.