Chapter 382.1: Strange Object, More Chaos
“It was w.a.n.gfei’s idea to bring along the manor doctor, nothing to do with this son. This son originally was thinking that with this many imperial physicians, although unable to handle Yu’er’s injury, but wouldn’t go as far as to even be helpless over the Empress’s illness. Just, w.a.n.gfei said to prepare for a possible time of need. If not needed, then naturally it was for the best, but if needed, then can avoid holding up the time. Looking at it now, she really guessed correctly…………..” Li Hong Yuan calmly said, but the mockery within, everyone was all able to make out.
The corner of Le Cheng Emperor’s mouth twitched. Is there a need to be this honest? However, thinking again, this b.a.s.t.a.r.d really wasn’t one to attentively care for others. Aside from n.o.ble Consort Su, including him, this father, to be able to let him come first thing was already not bad. However, in the end, this personality of his was also spoiled by him, so who can he blame?
“Old six’s wife, you have heart. Encountering such a b.a.s.t.a.r.d thing, you probably don’t have any less worries. For all things, please pardon a little.” If it was any other son, Le Cheng Emperor wouldn’t say this kind of thing, but this son truly made others headache. Although his old face was thick, only when he has no other choice would he praise someone as ‘orchids and jade trees[1]‘. Under normal circ.u.mstances, these words really were embarra.s.sing to hang by the mouth.
“Imperial father overpraises, w.a.n.gye is very good.” Jing Wan had her head lowered. These were her true and honest feelings.
It wasn’t just Le Cheng Emperor that twitched, but also Jing Wan. A certain someone’s certain image really was quite deeply etched into people’s hearts, making all those that were closely related to him by blood all continuously believe that he wasn’t one to be put to good use. That level of recklessness already broke through the horizon alright. If one were to let Le Cheng Emperor know of this son’s true appearance, don’t know what kind of thoughts and expression he will have. Will it be more of the anger from getting deceived, or a bit more of feeling greatly comforted?
Also, bringing along Gong Jiu, she indeed had that intention, but before she could open her mouth, a certain someone already appropriately arranged everything. Having everything all pinned on her head, she will feel embarra.s.sed, although she won’t turn red over this. On contrary, this gave her the opportunity to earn a good impression in front of Le Cheng Emperor. However, it probably also gained malice from the others. After all, this matter, if done by Li Hong Yuan, they probably won’t have any reaction, because no matter what he did, it all can’t be deduced using common sense, but for her, it wasn’t the same. Perhaps, they will think that she has sinister motives, especially n.o.ble Consort Su, being that ‘filial’ to the Empress, yet not filial to her……………
Thinking of these, Jing Wan felt a tiny bit conflicted inside. Alright, no matter, if soldiers come, use her husband to block, if water comes, use her husband to cover! Right now, Jing Wan was already quite perceptive.
“You also don’t need to say good words for him. What kind of personality this b.a.s.t.a.r.d has, this emperor is more clear than you.” Le Cheng Emperor waved his large hand.
———–You really aren’t the least bit clear at all. Jing Wan however didn’t explain anything. In any case, this for a certain someone neither hurt nor tickled, not having the slightest effect.
Gong Jiu got summoned into the hall, properly and orderly, not glancing sideways, just lacking a bit in etiquette.
Jing Wan took it all in, feeling slightly astonished inside. Reasonably speaking, Gong Jiu’s etiquette was absolutely up to standard, but since he was someone brought back from the outside, having perfect etiquette was a flaw. If others were to notice, perhaps it would cause suspicion. When time comes, they might really be thought to have sinister motives.
Just don’t know if it was Ah Yuan reminding him, or Gong Jiu noticing this bit himself. At least for Jing Wan, she only realized upon seeing Gong Jiu perform his etiquette. That’s why, regardless of which, it all can only mean that she was still far from enough.
Le Cheng Emperor was already aware that Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor’s new manor doctor was young, just after seeing him in person, he was still somewhat surprised.
Although there’s the saying, ‘those who learn first become the teacher’, but in certain professions, being young, one would still get looked down by others. If not because of Kang Qinw.a.n.g’s heir, Gong Jiu definitely wouldn’t be able to easily stand here.
Le Cheng Emperor let someone take the person in, while he himself sat down in the outer hall.
Aside from Kang Qinw.a.n.g, all of Le Cheng Emperor’s children, daughter-in-laws, son-in-laws, as well as concubines with sufficient status were all present. As for the grandchildren generation, the ones that can walk were also present, both di born and shu born. This amount wasn’t in the minority either. That’s why, it appeared to be somewhat crowded.
Afterwards, most likely the princesses and fumas of the same generation as Le Cheng Emperor, as well as the people with position and status within the Li imperial clan will also enter the palace. This amount of people can make one headache from looking. Le Cheng Emperor waved his hand, letting all the imperial concubines return to their own palace, and also having their own descendants all taken away.
It’s not that no one wanted to express their worry or filial piety, but with Le Cheng Emperor sweeping over a cold glance, each and every one, regardless of whether it was their expression or movement, all froze on the spot. Afterwards, they begrudgingly left.
Jing Wan followed Li Hong Yuan to n.o.ble Consort Su’s Yucui Palace. Aside from the two of them, naturally there was also Rui Qinw.a.n.g, Rui w.a.n.gfei, and their two children, as well as Princess Min Xiang and her fuma.
Princess Min Xiang was n.o.ble Consort Su’s beloved daughter, so naturally was pampered, and the fuma chosen for her naturally was also more or less the same in status and rank as the other princesses’ fumas. What was different was that Princess Min Xiang was very tyrannical. Yiniang and whatnot, don’t even think about it, and facing her own fuma, it was all an att.i.tude of looking down from above, as if that wasn’t her husband, but rather a pet raised by her, ordering around back and forth. Fifth fuma was also timid and subservient, a look of a punching bag.
Ever since Princess Min Xiang married, she just continuously lived in her own princess manor. Father-in-law, mother-in-law, as well as the elders from her husband’s family, never mind paying filial piety towards them, every time they meet her, they all needed to deferentially bow and kowtow. If she needed to look for them, it was also letting them come see her, similarly ordering around with her chin, arrogant and haughty.
Actually, these all weren’t anything. The most overboard was that Princess Min Xiang right now still didn’t want to give birth to children. If she got pregnant, it was just aborting with a bowl of medicine. In fact, she didn’t even hide from her fuma. After drinking the medicine, with the child gone, seeing her fuma flushed red, seemingly seething in anger, she would even coldly sneer, calling him trash, a spineless coward, a useless man……….
The people of the world all emphasized on continuing the bloodline, valuing children, so one can imagine, just how infuriating Princess Min Xiang’s actions were.
The servant girls and mama serving by her side at the time were all a bit alarmed, fearing that fuma would explode. After all, Princess Min Xiang didn’t want to give birth herself, but she also forbid fuma from touching others, so what difference was this from severing someone’s descendants. Even if a princess, if this kind of thing got out, it would still be her fault. No matter how n.o.ble Consort Su dotes on her, on this kind of matter, it was still impossible to openly side with her.
Yet, in the end, fifth fuma endured.
When fifth fuma stepped out of Princess Min Xiang’s room, Princess Min Xiang even said to her own mama———–“See, just knew this useless trash won’t dare do anything.”
From then on, Princess Min Xiang just became even more arrogant. Even the people by her side all viewed fifth fuma as a spineless coward, not having him treated as a master. Every time they see him, to be able to half-heartedly greet was already considered not bad. Princess Min Xiang didn’t like the other party, yet enjoyed tormenting him. Every day, she all needed to have the person called over to her princess manor. Out of twenty times, there was at least six to seven times where she won’t meet with the other party. Even letting fifth fuma kneel outside her bedroom door for the entire night, she has all done before. Moreover, she also allowed the people below her to extort good things from her fuma every time.
After having her fuma sorted out, the benefits for his family, she rather wasn’t stingy about. Or perhaps should say, she was using this kind of method to tell her fuma, exactly how capable she was. If he wants to rebel against her, he best weigh himself first.
The princess manor had this matter concealed tightly, and aside from this, it was also just fifth fuma’s parents that knew a little, but they also didn’t dare voice it. The other elders, because of very rarely coming in contact with her, in their impression, Princess Min Xiang was probably not too warm with others. However, recalling that she was a princess, of golden branches and jade leaves, they more or less felt that this was normal. In this matter, there was probably also the factor of Princess Min Xiang being ‘generous’. That’s why, this extremely abnormal married couple, in outsiders’ eyes, was actually even in perfect harmony, having deep feelings.
If n.o.ble Consort Su, such a multi-faced person, were to know that after her daughter married, she was like this, having the face she has been upholding cleanly torn off, throwing on the ground to stomp on a few times, and then tossing into the gutter, don’t know what kind of expression she will have. Yet, ironically, she even believed that her daughter was very good, and after marrying, has also become sensible.
Jing Wan noticed that her own husband’s gaze momentarily paused on Princess Min Xiang and her fuma. Jing Wan also looked over, giving a few extra glances. There seemingly wasn’t anything special?
The confusion in Jing Wan’s eyes, Li Hong Yuan took in, but he just smiled, and didn’t say anything.
[1] 芝兰玉树 – The author actually used ‘玉树兰芝’ here but it’s supposed to be ‘芝兰玉树’, the literal translations is just ‘orchids(芝兰) and jade trees(玉树)’. It’s an expression used to describe an outstanding younger generation, or someone with a bright future. The story behind it comes from the Jin Dynasty (265-420), the quote, ‘just like orchids and jade trees, everyone wants an outstanding child to grow in their own family’s courtyard’.