Chapter 401: Birthday Presents Cont.
Rui Qinw.a.n.g had already taken his seat, and Gong Qinw.a.n.g waited a while before getting up. However, the court officials still continuously congratulated Le Cheng Emperor, not giving him a glance, not giving him face. Especially the people of Rui Qinw.a.n.g’s faction, saying things like his Majesty is greatly blessed, Qi Yuan will be prosperous, and so on, practically just a deluge of flowery words. Seemingly as if due to such a white tortoise, Qi Yuan can just tower for thousands of years and not fall.
Because of already knowing that his own present was inferior to the previous two, he somewhat didn’t want to have the present brought out, but not being willing on one’s own, and getting forced by others, that was two different matters. That’s right, in Gong Qinw.a.n.g’s eyes, he was precisely getting deliberately targeted against by others. Each and every one of them all wished for him to make a fool of himself. It was him standing in the middle of the hall, yet these people endlessly praised the present before him, so what difference was there between him and a clown? Just, Gong Qinw.a.n.g took the current setting into consideration, and forcibly endured, because he knew that revealing an inappropriate expression at this time, that would truly be looking for death. After all, Le Cheng Emperor was currently in a good mood. To put on a sour expression, that would definitely be ruining the mood. That’s why, he maintained his smile, and maintained his bearing. He rather want to see whether or not these people can continue on forever.
Have to say, no one was an idiot. If one goes overboard, Le Cheng Emperor also won’t blindly side with either, and for Rui Qinw.a.n.g, there wasn’t the slightest benefit at all, even letting the other countries’ emissaries see a joke. As such, certain people gradually just stopped, stopping before going too far.
Gong Qinw.a.n.g swept a glance over. ———If you all have the guts, why not continue?
Gong Qinw.a.n.g elegantly swept the helm of his gown, finally bowing to Le Cheng Emperor, “This time, seems to have gotten compared down by the two elder brothers, so imperial father, please don’t disdain this son.”
Le Cheng Emperor was currently in a good mood. With Gong Qinw.a.n.g saying these words as padding, the following thing, even if a little inferior, it won’t make Le Cheng Emperor unhappy either.
The Hundred Longevity Embroidered Screen got lifted forward. Although a little inferior compared to the previous two, it was still having exhausted one’s thoughts. Moreover, compared with the Ten Thousand Longevity Vessel, the calligraphic style was further obvious at a glance, so naturally there were more people capable of admiring. And for people that liked embroidery more, they may not necessarily feel it was inferior to the Ten Thousand Longevity Vessel. For instance, Jing Wan just further preferred this embroidered screen.
Li Hong Yuan reached out to grasp Jing Wan’s hand, leaning a little closer, “Wan Wan don’t worry.”
Jing Wan was slightly confused, turning her head to look at him, lowering her voice, “w.a.n.gye, where do these words come from?”
Li Hong Yuan also realized that he probably misunderstood, “Just now, seeing your expression somewhat off, thought that after seeing their presents, you just begin to worry.”
Jing Wan lightly smiled, “Actually, it’s not because of this, but rather because of that tortoise.” She lightly casted a glance to the side. Seeing the others all paying attention to the Hundred Longevity Embroidered Screen, she thus continued, “The white tortoise is actually just a kind of whitening phenomenon of a normal tortoise, its whole body white, just having a pair of bright red eyes, and the neck transparent, very much like a sculpture. It’s relatively scared of light, even possibly carrying other diseases. How this tortoise is exactly, it’s rather hard to say. Perhaps it just appears white, having no other side effects. However, because it’s white, it’s also easier to get discovered by predators, thus getting attacked. That’s why, compared to normal ones, it’s harder for it to survive. Therefore, the number of white tortoises should be a little more than what people know. This kind of tortoise should be harder to raise compared to a normal tortoise. Perhaps during the process the color might even change. Moreover, if exposed to light too much, when time comes…………”
A diseased tortoise and whatnot, it actually wasn’t that serious. After all, in the animal kingdom, this kind of phenomenon wasn’t that rare either. White snake, white rabbit, white mouse, white monkey, white fox, white lion, white tiger, and so on were all like so, yet they have never been said to be diseased, no? Their genes normally were also stable, not having any illness. However, it was true that because of their color, lacking the protective camouflage, it was harder for them to survive.
Li Hong Yuan understood Jing Wan’s meaning, also feeling a bit amazed inside. White tortoises have always been considered the incarnation of a deity. Once one appears, all would view it as an auspicious sign. He originally even thought that Li Hong Ming this time also struck gold, but looking at it now, this luck also wasn’t that easy to obtain. Setting aside whether or not this tortoise was ill, even if not, its care was just a big problem. If someone really wants to cause trouble, it was truly too easy. What the white tortoise signified, everyone all knew. If mishap were to occur, it definitely won’t just be one or two people getting implicated.
“At times when the state of affairs is unstable, gifting a living creature is actually very unwise. However, in my eyes, no matter when, it’s all unwise to gift a living creature. If someone truly wants to set a trap, not even killing, but just making it appear sickly, then it’s all enough to make some people suffer greatly. Since it’s a living thing, especially one that’s presented as a birthday present, it’ll inevitably get a.s.sociated with the person sending it. Moreover, a living creature like the white tortoise that’s even connected with the nation’s prosperity, although one has profited, the accompanying risk is also quite big.”
Li Hong Yuan nodded, “That’s why, the thing Wan Wan picked is just very good.”
“w.a.n.gye, this is deliberately mocking me?” Jing Wan lifted her brow. The thing she picked simply wasn’t mindful at all, alright. It was completely just for the sake of simplifying matters, picking up a certain tv drama’s idea from her past life.
“This husband is just telling the truth.” Without needing to waste effort, without needing to spend money, able to just randomly take care of, how can it not be good? In the past, the presents he offered up were also nothing more than him just randomly picking one from the things he’d gotten bestowed, letting it return to wherever it came from, perhaps in the end, even returning to his hands again. When it comes to being careless, who can even compare with him? But, even so, the bestowments every year, even if others didn’t get any, he always would.
This while, Gong Qinw.a.n.g had already taken his seat again. Speaking of which, the Hundred Longevity Embroidered Screen was also a first cla.s.s item, just he wasn’t too lucky this time. However, he still similarly got rewarded by Le Cheng Emperor. As long as he rewards three in a row, then everyone else for the most part all have a share. Moreover, there were the other countries’ emissaries present, so it was precisely the time to show off.
And it’s also precisely because there were the other countries’ emissaries present, setting aside the presents that were meticulously prepared to begin with, the others that were just going through the formalities also got a bit more care put in. After learning that emissaries from other countries will attend the birthday celebration, they just changed the present. As such, no matter what, it all won’t be lacking. What will be different will probably just be the bestowments afterwards.
As such, even the sickly fifth w.a.n.gye that was never prominent in past years, this time, also did a pretty good job, obtaining a few words of praise from Le Cheng Emperor.
Fifth w.a.n.gye, because of his body, had long given up on obtaining the throne, because his body simply wasn’t able to withstand the stress. To want to prolong his life as much as possible, then he must relax his mind and body. Even in the past, when still studying in the palace, his lessons were also a lot less than his brothers. The teachers that taught them all didn’t have any expectations towards him.
As such, regardless of how Le Cheng Emperor’s att.i.tude was towards him, he all faced calmly.
Next was just the living Enma that was ‘at the center of attention’. It couldn’t be helped, Jin Qinw.a.n.g’s existence was truly too special. The emissaries that had just arrived in Qi Yuan’s capital two days ago were still okay, not having the time to go learn about Li Hong Yuan, but it wasn’t the same for those that had arrived early. They had plenty of time to patiently learn about in detail. Speaking of which, this matter actually wasn’t considered difficult either, because for the most part, it was something known by all. However, the more they learned, the more unimaginable and full of contradictions it felt, thus increasingly special. Clearly, he was the one that didn’t have any power, yet it was very difficult to not pay attention to him.
After Li Hong Yuan walked out from his seat, many gasped in surprise at his appearance. Of course, there were also those that didn’t fancy, for instance, the Xiongnu, or for instance, quite a few of the northern tribes. What they emphasized on was that kind of st.u.r.dy and formidable appearance on the outside. Someone like Li Hong Yuan, in their eyes, was just like that useless pretty boy in the eyes of Qi Yuan’s people.
Li Hong Yuan stood in the middle of the hall, his face still expressionless, just turning his head to let someone have the present brought up.
There was no mysteriousness, no covering up. It was just that exceptionally bluntly placed by his side. Once everyone saw the thing clearly, they all couldn’t help but look to one another in dismay. What was this situation? Speaking of which, wasn’t it said that Jin Qinw.a.n.g was the richest among all the princes? Even if not having something like the Ten Thousand Longevity Vessel, or the white tortoise, he should still at least have rare treasures, right?
Even Le Cheng Emperor all couldn’t help but produce a bit of anger towards this son. He had doted on this son that much, yet at this time, he was making him lose face like this? But thinking it over, this seemingly wasn’t right either…………..
“Long live imperial father, a bucket of a mountain of ginger (yi tong jiang shan), unifying the mountain and rivers (yi tong jiang shan).” Li Hong Yuan neither quickly nor slowly said these words.
(T/N: This is just one big pun. In chinese, ‘a bucket of a mountain of ginger’ is p.r.o.nounced exactly the same as ‘to unify the rivers and mountains’ down to the tone, although technically only the middle two characters are different.)
Once these words came out, everyone immediately came to realization. Although it was just a bucket full of ginger, when made into a pile, wasn’t it precisely like a mountain. Unifying the mountains and rivers, for a ruler, could it be that there was even a greater hope than this? Even if just an ambition-less ruler, one still wouldn’t refuse this kind of praise, although for the other countries, this probably very much possessed a provoking sense.
If it was just the people of Qi Yuan, there wasn’t any problem at all, but who was Li Hong Yuan? The living Enma’s arrogance and condescending nature has already reached the peak.
“Good, good———-” Le Cheng Emperor heartily laughed out loud. He just knew, how could this son embarra.s.s him. This year’s present although was the cheapest, in reality, its value was the greatest for once, and also the most thoughtful for once. Regardless whether it was coming from the heart of a ruler or the heart of a father, Le Cheng Emperor this while was all quite happy.
As such, the cheapest present, in an instant, became comparable to that white tortoise, perhaps even surpa.s.sing.
The Emperor sat upon a vast stretch of rivers and mountains, possessing countless wealth. No matter what kind of rare treasure, in his eyes, it all wasn’t considered anything. It was far unable to compare with those things with auspicious meaning.
“Imperial father, there’s actually one more present. It is this son’s w.a.n.gfei’s work. Originally, it should be given to you privately, but in this son’s view, it’s more suitable to give to you now.”
“Oh? What is it, bring it up for this emperor to see.”
Li Hong Yuan let someone have the thing brought in. That was a long brocade case.
Jing Wan was also surprised. She never thought that this painting would get brought out in public.
The inner court attendant by Le Cheng Emperor’s side came down from the side of the imperial table, taking the thing and returning. He opened the brocade case, taking the thing out, and was just about to unscroll……….
“Imperial father, it’s best if you open this painting yourself. As for whether or not you want to let others see, it’s also best if you decide after seeing it for yourself.”
With Li Hong Yuan saying this, it naturally just increasingly made one curious, and not just Le Cheng Emperor.
However, Le Cheng Emperor still did as Li Hong Yuan said, taking over the painting, waving away the attendant, having the painting opened himself. At just a third of the way, he just shot up from the imperial table. The expression on his face abruptly changed, and his smile disappeared cleanly. After a moment of blankness, his gaze became particularly longing, his eye sockets seemingly even faintly carrying a bit of tear. His two hands uncontrollably shook, yet also appeared exceptionally careful, seemingly afraid of accidentally ruining the painting. His entire person all got sucked into the painting, even forgetting the current setting…………….
“Imperial father………..” Li Hong Yuan’s voice rose a little.
Le Cheng Emperor was abruptly pulled back, and shortly after, finally noticed that he’d lost his bearing. Looking to Li Hong Yuan, he slowly sat back down, very gently having the painting rolled back up, “You say, it was painted by your wife?” Le Cheng Emperor’s voice was somewhat hoa.r.s.e.
“Yes, from painting to finally mounting, it was all done by w.a.n.gfei alone. Aside from this son and w.a.n.gfei, as well as imperial father, there isn’t a fourth person that has seen.” Alright, in reality, it was actually mounted by Li Hong Yuan.
Le Cheng Emperor’s gaze landed on Jing Wan, “Old six’s wife has heart. This painting, this emperor very much favors. This emperor has never received a birthday present that’s to one’s liking this much, deserve to be rewarded. Whatever you want, just tell this emperor.” This promise can be said to be big.
Jing Wan hurriedly got up, “One is unworthy of imperial father’s praise. This daughter-in-law originally wasn’t thinking of wanting any reward either, just wanting to express one’s filial heart. Speaking of which, it was also due to a coincidence. Originally, it should have been like the other presents, just never thought that w.a.n.gye would this solemnly present forward.”
This coincidence, Le Cheng Emperor naturally just thought of the trip to the Jiangnan Pei Manor. “Old six did the right thing. This painting is worthy to begin with. If she can’t even appear here, then who else can?”
A mere painting getting regarded this highly by Le Cheng Emperor naturally would attract many people’s curiosity. However, there were still some that guessed the content of the painting. As such, each had different expressions, and their thoughts too numerous to count.