Chapter 355: Realizing Too Late
“How does it feel to get bitten in return?” Li Hong Yuan’s voice that slightly carried a laughter sounded from behind him. Just, in this laughter, it was filled with mockery.
For things to have developed to this current stage, truthfully speaking, even Li Hong Yuan was all quite surprised. Originally, things were a bit unfavorable towards him, although he didn’t really care, and whether or not it was resolved actually all didn’t matter. It would just bear upon his att.i.tude towards the Pei clan, that’s all. Just, who knew that Pei Xiu Ying would make such a move, having the situation greatly reversed a hundred and eighty degrees. This way was also good, he didn’t care about his reputation, but his wife cares about his reputation. Although right now, he was already tainted to the point where it can’t get any darker, so even if splas.h.i.+ng on another layer of ink, it was also just appear like that. However, his wife, most likely wants to have his reputation washed clean. Although, she herself might have to bear the reputation of being easily jealous for her whole life.
“Maternal grandfather.” This address coming from Li Hong Yuan nevertheless carried an exceptionally mocking tone, “Presumably, you should be aware of this prince’s reputation as well as conduct and way of doing things in the capital, could it be that you thought those were all fake? This prince will tell you, aside from the l.u.s.tful reputation, the rest for the most part were all true, and some were even further surpa.s.sing that of the rumors, for instance, certain to take revenge over the most trivial matter, ruthless and heartless, and so on. If you have something to beg of this prince, then should just have the look of beggar. Threatening this prince, that is the most stupid thing to do. Why don’t you watch from the Yellow Springs, as long as Qi Yuan doesn’t perish, your Pei clan will eternally be unable to become a prestigious clan again. To be able to achieve a third-rate status will all be considered your Pei clan descendants’ capability. And as long as this prince is alive, although won’t block your Pei clan from entering officialdom, but at most just a fifth rank.”
The Pei clan leader’s entire body shook. He wholeheartedly wanted to restore the Pei clan’s glory. Compare to this, even he himself can all lean towards the back. If he absolutely must die in order to preserve the Pei clan’s standing, then he also won’t hesitate to do so. After all, at this age of his, it was actually already considered a very old age, so there was nothing to regret, but now, now……………..
“All of this is because of you, remember to go before the ancestors to repent.”
The Pei clan leader’s lips trembled. For those who didn’t know, they would only think that he was in disbelief, or perhaps unable to restrain his anger, but in reality, his reaction at this very moment had nothing to do with Pei Xiu Ying, “Even though this commoner schemed against w.a.n.gye many times, w.a.n.gye was nevertheless not harmed in the slightest. The Pei clan in the end is still w.a.n.gye’s blood relatives, so to be this merciless, one can’t help but to lose one’s bearing. Then, in the future, how can w.a.n.gye……….win the hearts of people?” He ultimately didn’t dare to loudly shout out again. Things have already come to this step. He absolutely cannot let the Pei clan’s last bit of hope all be severed.
“You should be glad that you didn’t succeed. If you’d succeeded, this prince would’ve exterminated your Pei clan up to the ninth relation.” Li Hong Yuan nonchalantly said, but the bloodiness within nevertheless made the depths of one’s soul all tremble. How can it just be summed up as fear.
Li Hong Yuan softly chuckled again, yet it made one feel numb in the head, the heart trembling in fear, “So as to let maternal grandfather die a bit more aware, you absolutely shouldn’t have schemed against this prince’s w.a.n.gfei. The entire Pei clan all can’t compare with a single finger of hers. If all your schemes had been directed at this prince, perhaps this prince would’ve even been in the mood to play with you a little.”
The Pei clan leader’s face shook, “Never thought that w.a.n.gye is even an infatuated type.”
“At the time back at the water fort, you should’ve already realized this bit.”
That’s right, Jin Qinw.a.n.g’s love towards Jin w.a.n.gfei was never once concealed before him. Just, he didn’t believe, that’s all, believing that it was nothing more than putting on an act.
Because the initial perception was wrong to begin with, everything else afterwards were just all wrong. In the end, he was using an ordinary man’s way of thinking to predict this outer grandson. However, he wasn’t ordinary.
“Even so, in the future, the other women by w.a.n.gye side will similarly scheme against w.a.n.gfei. Could it be that w.a.n.gye will also have these entirely purged? Could it be that w.a.n.gye will just have the current w.a.n.gfei by one’s side for all one’s life?” The Pei clan leader mockingly commented.
“Why not?” Li Hong Yuan said without the slightest hesitation, as if it was only natural.
The Pei clan leader abruptly turned back. Clearly, this bit shocked him more than everything else. “To want the beauty and not the mountains and rivers…………”
“What relation is there between these two?” Li Hong Yuan’s faint voice interrupted him.
“In the future, even if w.a.n.gye is able to remain faithful, will others allow? The balance on all sides…………”
“This prince’s matters needs others’ permission? They just need to take care of their own duties. To turn their ideas onto this prince’s head, that’s overstepping their authority. If to one’s liking, then just use, if not, then just give up. There are plenty of capable people in the world. And to use women to balance the power, that’s just the way of a useless person.”
Although his voice was still faint, even carrying a bit of unruliness, the Pei clan leader nevertheless intimidated by Li Hong Yuan’s imposing spirit hidden beneath the surface. He carefully studied this outer grandson. This child, perhaps, aside from that face, didn’t have any place that was the least bit like the Pei clan. All things emphasize on the way of moderation[1], yet in his bones, it was the way of dominance, practically reaching a certain kind of extreme. However, he wasn’t obstinate and conceited, but further wise and resourceful, not lacking in sophistication and means. He perhaps really can accomplish what others can’t.
The Pei clan leader, in this moment, finally admit, he was wrong beyond reason, and indeed was self-opinionated. “Hope w.a.n.gye can fulfill one’s wish.”
Li Hong Yuan looked to the Pei clan leader who seemed to have calmed down, having everything entirely accepted. He must admit, if this maternal grandfather can straighten his way of thinking, then he absolutely can be a true capable person, an may not necessarily be unable to get what he wished-for, letting the Pei clan stand up again. Unfortunately, right now, it was already late, realizing too late.
“Although having no relation in name, but in terms of blood, in the end, there’s still connections. This prince wish to offer up an incense stick for the old madam.”
Regardless of what kind of reputation the Pei clan leader has right now, in the end, he was still the clan leader. Him waving his hand to let others clear the way, the clansmen of the Pei clan naturally complied.
Li Hong Yuan returned onto the horse carriage. Towards the matter just now, Jing Wan although didn’t see, she was still very well aware of. Everything else aside, just Pei Xiu Ying, “She’s an intense one, and also one to take revenge over the slightest insult. For someone as prideful as her, while clearly knowing there won’t be good days in the future, to walk onto such a path, seemingly isn’t considered too surprising either. However, the Pei clan leader got screwed over by her quite severely. Never mind losing his integrity at old age, even in death, he would all carry a tarnished reputation for all eternity. Back in Chuanzhou Fu, didn’t she get violently beaten up by her paternal aunts? Even the great-grandfather is this miserable, those few certainly won’t be well off either, right?”
“What does it have to do with us?”
“Indeed. Judging from the current situation, the later matters probably will go smoother than predicted.”
Li Hong Yuan nodded. Having less troubles, he naturally was also happily willing.
Arriving at the Pei clan main residence, Li Hong Yuan supported Jing Wan down from the horse carriage. Bringing along his people, they entered the gates. Everything else aside, just solely looking at this residence, one can already sense its out of the ordinary ancient aesthetic.
Entering the mourning hall, Li Hong Yuan and Jing Wan offered up an incense stick, and aside from this, they didn’t say or do anything.
After coming out, Li Hong Yuan further didn’t waste his breath, getting right to the point with the Pei clan leader, “The things pa.s.sed down from the Pei clan ancestors that you were told to safeguard by all means have it all handed over.”
The Pei clan leader blanked, probably not expecting that Li Hong Yuan wanted those things, his thoughts rapidly turning, “Can one ask w.a.n.gye whether there’s anything special inside?”
“Are you certain you want to know? Once you learn it, the Pei clan’s nine relations will really be gone.”
The Pei clan leader’s heart itched, but he didn’t dare to ask more, yet he was also unwilling to concede, “Is it related to the reason why the Pei clan withdrew from the imperial court?”
Li Hong Yuan ambiguously smiled.
The Pei clan leader understood, yet couldn’t continue asking. He personally went to fetch the things, handing over to Li Hong Yuan. Sure enough, there was another one of those jade pendants with the dragon and phoenix design, a book, and also a painting.
These things, the Pei clan leader had studied before, but all these years, he didn’t discover anything.
Li Hong Yuan let someone receive the things, “The surviving members of the previous dynasty’s imperial family, prior to your death, have it taken care of cleanly. If this prince has to come and take care of, in order to prevent leaks, will probably also exterminate up to the ninth relation.”
Afterwards, Li Hong Yuan no longer said anything, directly leaving. Despite having specifically taken the trip, the time they stopped over was nevertheless this short.
[1] 中庸之道 – The Way of Moderation, aka the Golden Mean, in Confucianism, refers to the middle path between two extremes. The concept is pretty similar in other schools of thought, such as in greek philosophy. In the a.n.a.lects, it states that too much is just as bad as too little.
T/N: The author wrote under this chapter 明日终于可以回京了~ (Tomorrow, can finally return to the capital~)