Chapter 139.1: Three Palace Summonings
Setting aside for now, whether or not someone was causing trouble in the dark regarding Jing Wan’s marriage arrangements, one thing was for sure, and that is, for some people, it wasn’t going to be well, because Head Minister of Appointments, Sir Luo Pei Shan, began to lash out. Relying on the various secrets not known to anyone obtained from Li Hong Yuan, he had the key officials in the Ministry of Appointments striked down one by one. Won’t cooperate with him? Fine, directly submit a memorandum up to let Le Cheng Emperor sort them out. Two three key officials from the Ministry of Appointments suffered setbacks, and for the people below, they were further directly thrown out by him. Who cares who you are, who cares what your background is, he was completely ruthless in his act, showing no mercy. All in all, what he did was all within reason and in accordance with the rules.
And it was also at this time, everyone finally became aware, they’d far underestimated this Sir Luo.
For a certain few, no matter how upset they were inside, at the same time, they further wanted to rope him in.
But, at this time, Sir Luo appeared to be taking in neither grease nor salt[1], seemingly having the intention of staying neutral even more than before. Compared to Ruan Rui Zhong being smooth on all sides, Luo Pei Shan didn’t give anyone face, thoroughly offending all.
However, although that hated him bitterly, there were still quite a few that were very grateful towards him. The main reason being that he did not shun from lifting up worthy people. After conducting various official audits, as long as one really was capable, regardless of which faction, he was all willing to recommend to Le Cheng Emperor.
Have to say, this kind of subject, for an Emperor, was the most liked. Le Cheng Emperor naturally wasn’t an exception either. Thus, waving his hand, the people Luo Pei Shan recommended, quite a few were moved around, going to a position that further suited them. Although the proportion of people that were directly promoted wasn’t very high, being in a field that one excelled in, one naturally can display oneself even better. That way, one obviously will have an even better opportunity.
However, did Luo Pei Shan really not have the slightest selfishness at all? Hehe, how can that be, in reality, among this batch of transfers, although their official post appear to be not very high, all fourth rank and under, and not limited to just the capital, but rather also every county and every administrative city, among this batch of people, a half were actually all people arranged by Li Hong Yuan. Moreover, the positions arranged for them appear to be not that high, yet were all very important positions. In three to five years, when they advance a step further, they’ll be able to clutch the throat of the various regions. Additionally, after carefully examining, the families of the toads that went to the Luo family to propose marriage, any relative and friends that were relatively close to them, all didn’t have a single place in the list of names. There were even those few that already had problems to begin with that were directly kicked down by Luo Pei Shan without the slightest hesitation. Four families, all had a share, no one was left behind.
Speaking of which, those mingling in officialdom, not many were stupid. Having the relations among them reasoned through, one would always discover something.
Heh, very good, Sir Luo is one that cares about his family, and further one to dote on his granddaughter, sure to pay back all debts.
The four families regretted, very much regretted. Those close friends and relatives that got implicated all resented them, especially those that had talent but no opportunity, having been grinding away the years in their original post, finally seeing an opportunity. But just when their hearts were filled with fervor, preparing to go all out after getting transferred or promoted, what waited for them in the end was their name not even appearing on the list Head Minister Luo presented to his Majesty. And after investigating the reason, one learned that it was because ‘someone from one’s family’ disgraced the other party’s granddaughter.
This kind of thing, you can’t even go look for the other person to reason with.
Because this move of Luo Pei Shan’s was too ruthless, and the effect also too obvious, a certain few’s mind began stirring again. However, they didn’t take action immediately, because during the huge changes in court this time, it seemingly didn’t involve people that were relatively close to the Luo family. Sons and son-in-laws all weren’t mentioned, unsure whether this was because he only ‘raised the worthy and avoided the relative’, or because he believed his sons and son-in-laws didn’t have that ability, or perhaps temporarily didn’t need to be moved.
At this time, they needed to consider carefully. If they really want to use marriage connection to climb onto the Luo family, then they will have to put forward enough sincerity.
They realized, the younger generation of the Luo family, perhaps one can’t measure their status and position according to their father’s generation, but as long as Luo Pei Shan stays in his current position, even if just for a few year, and as long as they have his support, all will have great strides, especially the grandchildren that Luo Pei Shan attach importance to. After the news that the third miss was the most pampered got out, the degree of importance attached to the Luo family’s third generation immediately raised by a large chunk, very much having their worth measured according to Luo Pei Shan’s children. As long as they were at least ten years old, and as long as they didn’t have an engagement at hand, each and every one all became a fragrant steamed bun.
In the beginning, when Luo Pei Shan got promoted, that kind of ‘getting pushed aside by all sides, faintly having the awkward situation of getting hollowed out’ feeling was completely crushed. The initially completely deserted gates, in a short period of time, became an endless stream.
There were people coming to visit everyday, welcoming those arriving and sending off those departing. As the daughter-in-laws, the four zhoulis[2], not a single one was let off.
And at this time, Luo Old Madam had Sun Yi Jia, this granddaughter-in-law also pulled out. These people right now wanted to fawn over and win the favor of the Luo family, so having Sun Yi Jia come deal with them also wasn’t considered anything difficult. The other young misses of suitable age were also dragged out one by one, however aside from Luo Jing Ying who was locked in confinement, Jing Wan also didn’t show herself from beginning to end.
The womenfolk were busy, but those masters and young masters weren’t anywhere near idle either, dealing with those wanting to make connections and gain friends.h.i.+p everyday.
However, even so, no one was stupid enough to directly invite a matchmaker to come propose marriage.
In reality, towards the marriage arrangements of the younger generation, aside from Jing Wan’s, the others, Luo Old Madam all didn’t want to meddle in. And Jing Wan, who appeared to be the one with the most difficult marriage fate, in reality, already had a place to settle. Because Luo Old Madam’s att.i.tude towards the younger generation’s marriage arrangements was indifferent from beginning to end, when mentioned, it was just directly thrown to their respective parents. She didn’t want to bother with them at all. “Third girl? The Moon Elder[3] probably has yet to draw her red thread of fate.” This is temporarily not planning on mentioning Jing Wan’s marriage arrangements? Regardless of whoever it was that desired to marry Jing Wan, Luo Old Madam was all this att.i.tude.
Everyone all silently sighed inside. Looks like this Luo family’s most beloved young miss, they can’t have thoughts about. As for Jing Wan’s already spoiled reputation outside, there were still quite a few people that were clear of the inside matter.
Luo Jing Ying although was Sir Luo’s shu son’s di daughter, but if even the shu son’s shu son was all able to receive his guidance, in addition to the previously married off shu born granddaughter also being regarded highly, then presumably towards this granddaughter, he was also pretty good to. Furthermore, towards Luo Jing Ying, quite a few among them all knew, pretty and had a bit of talent. Perhaps she had a bit of vanity, but this wasn’t considered anything major.
Thus, this Luo fourth miss that was only a day younger than Jing Wan was also thought about by quite of few people. After all, for the older ones, at most just need to wait a year or two before they can be married back home. If the time is dragged out a few more years, who knows how Luo Pei Shan will be by that time.
But, after interacting with Liu-s.h.i.+ a few times, for the most part, no one ever mentioned again. This is one that has a mind higher than the heavens.
Have to say, Liu-s.h.i.+ was also upset inside. In reality, coming to this step, picking a good family for Luo Jing Ying to marry into was a pretty good option. Liu-s.h.i.+ perhaps harbored extravagant hopes, but she was also rational, living in reality. However, the premise was that her daughter still has to be a virgin, yet……….So, she could only be ‘aloof’ to the end, bearing the mockery on the surface and in the dark. What be careful of having a ‘heart higher than the heavens, life thinner than paper’. In the end, she could only just endure, waiting to see whether or not Rui Qinw.a.n.g will do something.
Regarding this matter, Luo Rong Ping actually looked for Li Hong Ming before, hinting that he already knew Rui Qinw.a.n.g broke his daughter’s purity, hoping that he can put forward an answer. However, Li Hong Ming was one to ‘not release the hawk without seeing the hare’[4]. In any case, Luo Jing Ying was already his person, and Luo Rong Ping, this chess piece, won’t be able to run away even if he wanted to, so for the time being, he just ‘calmly sat on the fis.h.i.+ng boat’[5]. If Luo Rong Ping doesn’t put forward a bit of sincerity, he won’t take action. To put it bluntly, this was just forcing Luo Rong Ping to express his loyalty[6] to him.
Because Li Hong Ming held a post in the Ministry of Appointments, towards Luo Pei Shan’s conduct, he was the one that understood the deepest among his brothers. He’d spent that much time in the Ministry of Appointments, yet was all unable to achieve what Luo Pei Shan accomplished in a mere few days. He didn’t know how Luo Pei Shan did it, but there was one thing that was certain, he was very much defeated, and at the same time, further wanted to rope in Luo Pei Shan.
However, Li Hong Ming wanted expressed loyalty, and the opportunity very quickly came.
One has to know, Luo Pei Shan emerging as a new force to be reckoned with made even the composed Empress somewhat unable to sit still. Things were completely beyond her control. At the same time, towards that elder sister-in-law of hers, she further hated deeply, unable to accomplish anything, but liable to ruin everything, having the Luo family offended this thoroughly. However, fortunately Sun Yi Jia didn’t get implicated in the Luo family. The Empress had Kang Qinw.a.n.g called over to ‘nicely’ lecture. At this time, Kang Qinw.a.n.g naturally knew the severity of the situation, and after calming down the anger in his heart, humbling himself as much as possible, he went to look for Sun Yi Lin, planning to start from Luo Jing Bo. He also knew that Luo Pei Shan’s third son has always been loyal to him. In that case, he can give him a bit of bait.
[1] Taking in neither grease nor salt – Used to describe someone who’s very stubborn and obstinate.
[2] Added to historical notes glossary so I don’t have to keep making footnotes.
[3] In chinese mythology, Yue Lao, or Moon Elder (loose translation), is the one responsible for matchmaking.
[4] To not act without some incentive.
[5] To calmly sit on the fis.h.i.+ng boat – to stay calm during a tense situation.
[6] The translations is a bit loose but the original phrase means more along the lines of ‘publicly casting oneself under someone’. Basically LHM wants it to be officially and publicly known that LRP is working for him.