Chapter 265.2: Yao Rao
Li Hong Yi sat under the Empress, and seemingly also for the first time, properly looked at this woman who’d given birth to him, raised him, and taught him. “It’s true that I’m imperial mother’s only son, but is everything imperial mother does really all for me?”
“What does my son mean by this?” The Empress didn’t bat an eye, slightly lifting her brow as she asked.
“Doesn’t imperial mother want to establish a puppet, and then wield the power yourself?” Li Hong Yi bluntly stated, just his eyes were filled with unconcealable gloominess. It can be seen, Kang Qinw.a.n.g’s change was also merely just surface level. As time pa.s.ses, it was very possible for his true form to just be exposed.
The Empress’s heart jumped. This matter, she has always hid very deeply. In Qi Yuan, towards the inner palace interfering in politics, this was viewed as the most taboo. Her thoughts, if found out about, one can well imagine her ending. But, what kind of person was the Empress, how could she easily just lose her bearing. Her expression didn’t change, yet her tone carried a bit of sharpness, “Who is this trying to delude people with lies? The inner palace interfering in politics is a great crime, how could imperial mother do this kind of thing? This kind of talk, you mustn’t carelessly say. When time comes, it doesn’t matter if something happens to imperial mother, but what will happen if you get implicated as well? My son, who said these words to you? Such a person certainly must be harboring sinister motives. My son should be careful.”
Li Hong Yi slightly wavered a little. However, recalling imperial mother’s speech and conduct all getting guessed correctly by Rao’er, his heart just instantly hardened, hooking a cold smile, “Right now, there isn’t a third person present. Imperial mother rather doesn’t need to put on an act. Don’t worry imperial mother, this matter won’t be leaked out. After all, having a strong imperial mother overseeing, as the eldest di son, one would be much more relaxed. At least, don’t need to worry that there will be the appearance of another di-born brother.”
“My son, is this how you’re going to speak to your imperial mother?”
The Empress wasn’t at all intimidating or harsh in her words, but Li Hong Yi nevertheless felt she was exceptionally terrifying. That fear that was just pressed down and not gone rapidly occupied the mind, his entire person seemingly all trembling somewhat.
————As expected, just a pretty shelf. The Empress, after calming her mind, was rather unconcerned. It’s just as this stupid son said, he still needed her. As long as he still has a bit of brain, then he won’t do something stupid like betraying her.
And Li Hong Yi, towards his own subconsciously reaction, his complexion somewhat pale, but he was no longer able to prop it up again. The Empress, for him, was just an impa.s.sable large mountain. And he was also certain, this woman really did have enormous ambitions. This made him very angry. The men of the Qi Yuan imperial family liked centralizing power by nature. The brothers can directly fight to the death, but can’t let women interfere. Regardless of what status this woman had, it absolutely wasn’t allowed.
“It’s imperial mother initially taking the first step, yet still unable to tolerate this son taking the fifteenth? Imperial mother wanting to support ninth brother, probably not just for wanting to train this son, but rather really taking a step further in calculations, and when necessary, abandon this son, right? Since that’s the case, what feelings and sentiments are there still to speak of? Imperial mother should just properly be your Empress. The Ding Duke Manor, as well as everything else, imperial mother doesn’t need to meddle in anymore. Otherwise, when time comes, don’t blame this son, for the sake of Qi Yuan’s mountains and rivers, ‘exterminate one’s family in the name of justice’. ———Someone come.”
Li Hong Yi’s people entered from outside.
“The time isn’t early anymore, this son is also somewhat tired, so will take one’s leave first. Once this son recovers, will come again to pay respect to imperial mother.” Li Hong Yi, while sitting, perfunctorily cupped his hand, and then had his people lift him out.
The Empress didn’t speak, just watching him leave like that. Afterwards, she smashed the tea cup in hand.
The Empress had way of managing people. In the eyes of the palace attendants, their master was always dignified, imposing, and virtuous, very rarely getting angry. But, when really angered, even her most trusted gugu wouldn’t dare carelessly open her mouth either.
The Empress deeply inhaled a breath. She actually got threatened by that unfilial son?
If he really has her thrown out, she just needs to casually stab back a few words, and the ones that will fall with her will be a large portion. This unfilial son still wants to be the emperor? Dreaming would be more realistic. The Empress calmed down, regaining her bearing. In this contest, in whose hand the deer dies in is still unknown. What the son she raised was like, would she not know? The so called, ‘mountains and rives are susceptible to change, but a person’s nature is difficult to alter’, mud that can’t stick to walls, even if having someone for guidance, based on his personality, how long can he listen obediently? Soon, he will just make a mess of everything, in the end still needing for her to come clean up.
Li Hong Yi’s purpose today was just for the sake of confirming whether or not his good imperial mother had ambition. And the results now, even if he didn’t get the other party to admit with their own mouth, he still for the most part was certain.
Li Hong Yi left the palace with a gloomy look, returning to Kang Qinw.a.n.g Manor.
Afterwards, he returned to the rear court, he immediately just saw that figure dancing among the flower bushes, the crimson muslin dress outlining that faintly discernible figure, the autumn ripples swirling in the eyes, seemingly as if filled with the world’s deepest pa.s.sion.
Li Hong Yi instantly had the negative emotions thrown beyond the clouds, his eyes filling with desire and l.u.s.t.
One song ended. The woman in red slowly went forward, “Yao Rao greets w.a.n.gye.”
“Rao’er, quickly get up.” Li Hong Yi reached out and singlehandedly grabbed her, incessantly caressing. That soft and smooth skin truly made one love too much to part. If not for being unable to move freely, he perhaps would’ve directly pounced forward.
Yao Rao nestled against his leg, her hand sliding upwards along his lower leg. Regardless whether it was her movement, or her gaze, it was all exceptionally t.i.tillating. Under this bright light of the sun, even if Li Hong Yi was inconvenienced, he still enjoyed a bout of extreme pleasure.
Yao Rao spat out the white sperm in her mouth, hooking her red lips as she looked up to Li Hong Yi. This delicateness undoubtedly satisfied Li Hong Yi’s vanity and ego greatly. “Rao’er, this prince’s good Rao’er, you’re truly a treasure.”
Not only did the person match the name, and also smart, but moreover, she wasn’t that ‘experienced’ and not a virgin as he’d imagined. Their first night together, she was that inexperienced, bleeding bright red. More importantly, she completely and entirely adhered to him, definitely unlike his imperial mother that way, strong and unyielding. There was nothing more joyous than this.
(T/N: Her name Yao Rao ‘妖娆’ is literally just the word for alluring.)
Yao Rao leaned by his side, nonchalantly mentioning the matter of him entering palace.
And Li Hong Yi at this time completely didn’t guard against. After all, it was Rao’er that warned him, else he perhaps would’ve never known exactly what kind of person his imperial mother was. He although further feared, but that share of childlike admiration towards his imperial mother also wasn’t false. Yet in the end, it was all fake, fake!
And it was further Rao’er that made him have the bearing that a qinw.a.n.g should have.
“Previously this humble one was also just guessing, or perhaps misunderstood. w.a.n.gye mustn’t be estranged with the Empress.”
Yao Rao carried a bit of worry as she spoke with Li Hong Yi. That manner and expression was like truly considering for the other party completely.
“Rao’er, don’t worry, she won’t tear down the faces with me.” Li Hong Yi stroked along Yao Rao’s hair from time to time.
He’d completely forgotten, entering the palace today, his every word and action were actually all dependent on Yao Rao’s ‘guidance’, just she’d said it very tactfully. He probably all didn’t realize this bit himself, just treating it as being firmly determined for once.
“It’s all this humble one’s fault, otherwise w.a.n.gye and her Highness wouldn’t have been like this. This humble one is a sinner.”
“Rao’er, don’t say this. If not for you cleverly mentioning some doubtful points, this prince would’ve been kept in the dark even now. Or is it that Rao’er hopes for this prince to be continuously decieved by someone?” Li Hong Yi said it softly, but that ruthless air was also very distinct.
Having been a good son and ‘obedient child’ for that many years, it was just because towards his own capabilities, he still had that bit of self-awareness. As such, for the sake of the throne, ‘enduring humiliation as part of an important mission’ was all bearable. But, when reality turned out to be different, one can gather, just how great the disparity was in this heart, how great this impact was, and how heavy that instantly rising resentment was, so to just become twisted like this inside was all very normal. And in addition to his leg injury, it made his temper extremely terrible.
Yao Rao seemingly trembled in fear, “Naturally no. w.a.n.gye, regardless of what, this humble one will certainly always stand on your side. This humble one has endured loneliness and hards.h.i.+p with no one to rely on all one’s life, falling into the red-light district, and for the sake of preserving one’s purity, endured all kinds of suffering. But now, thanks to w.a.n.gye’s pity, one’s finally able to peacefully have a place to lay down one’s life, enjoying brocade garments and jade meals, this kind of luxurious days. w.a.n.gye, to this humble one, is someone whose favor amounts to giving one new life. What w.a.n.gye thinks is what this humble one will think, where w.a.n.gye points is where this humble will look. There’s nothing more important than w.a.n.gye.”
Li Hong Yi’s heart was greatly satisfied, beginning to coax the person with all kinds of sweet talk and honeyed words.
As such, it was another bout of heads rubbing together. Yao Rao then softly persuaded him to go work. Right now, it was precisely a crucial time, so should just use this opportunity to let his Majesty see his sincerity and ability. To be able to be this diligent even when carrying injuries, his Majesty certainly will take pity, then beautifully take care of a few a.s.signments, winning back his Majesty’s heart. As the eldest di son, there’s no reason to pa.s.s the throne to others. “………………Although this humble one hopes w.a.n.gye can accompany at one’s side at all times, but the major matters are more important. No matter what, this humble one can’t, because of selfish reasons, hold back w.a.n.gye.” Her eyes even somewhat filled with tears.
Li Hong Yi was very moved, and afterwards asked with ‘deep feelings’, “Rao’er will help this prince, right?”
“w.a.n.gye is wise and valiant, so how will w.a.n.gye need this humble one’s help? Presumably w.a.n.gye has an idea inside already for all things, and the reason why, w.a.n.gye would inquire others is nothing more than wanting to test everyone, seeing if anyone has the ability to share the honor and glory with you. Never mind this humble one, anyone by w.a.n.gye’s side are all nothing more than foot soldiers, and should naturally tread through water and fire for w.a.n.gye. And regardless of how good their accomplishments are, it’s all just w.a.n.gye knowing how to use people, having a way in leading.” Such true and honest feelings.