Chapter 386.3: Matters One After Another
n.o.ble Consort Su’s hand that was grasping the cup was already turning white. If she had that strength, the cup perhaps would’ve already shattered, “Since that b.a.s.t.a.r.d likes this much, why not just have the person bought back and placed in the home. At most it’ll just be a hundred thousand taels, why the need to cause such a mess outside? Did water enter his brains?”
“Our understanding is that, that prost.i.tute herself deathly refuses to be bought from the brothel, the reasons inside, unable to find out. Her att.i.tude towards Ming Zhang isn’t even that good either, yet Ming Zhang had her treated as the treasure of his heart, pampering and coaxing, unwilling to let her be wronged in the slightest.”
n.o.ble Consort Su just felt everything before her eyes darkening. That nephew of hers, if intentionally hiding, for there to not be any rumors even now, rather wasn’t that strange either. Moreover, if this matter was schemed by someone, they naturally will deliberately help him hide, waiting for the time to mature before exposing. “If it’s just this, than it shouldn’t be too serious. Is there something else? Why don’t you tell me altogether.”
Su Old Madam first started crying before she could speak, finally controlling her emotions after some time, “Wasn’t this period of time somewhat special? Ming Zhang also restrained himself, yet today, unknown as to why, he just ran to the brothel early in the morning. Afterwards, he just saw a man completely naked holding that prost.i.tute on the bed asleep, and just momentarily lost his rationality. Afterwards, afterwards…….just killed the person. Fortunately, it was still early that while, and the others all haven’t gotten up. The two servant boys that followed him looked for the brothel keeper first thing, then came back to report. The situation was temporarily contained, and still haven’t gotten out. But, that person that died, although his background isn’t much, his father in the end is still an official. If this matter gets dragged out, it certainly won’t be able to be concealed forever.”
n.o.ble Consort Su has never been this ruthlessly angered before. At a glance, this was clearly schemed by someone, “……………Exactly what is wrong with Su Ming Zhang’s head, never mind easily sinking in, even trapped that deeply?” If the person was before her, she definitely would have him slapped to death.
“Your Highness, this matter actually can’t be completely blamed on Ming Zhang, can only blame that, that prost.i.tute looks exactly like that person back then.”
n.o.ble Consort Su blanked. Finally realizing who her mother was talking about, her complexion turned even worse.
Speaking of which, it was also a very melodramatic matter. When Su Ming Zhang was fifteen years old, a distant relative family entered the capital, lodging in the Su manor. Afterwards, that family’s daughter, fell in love at first sight with the Su manor’s eldest di grandson, Su Ming Zhang. But, the other party’s status was too low, so afterwards, the Su family naturally broke up the lovebirds, unhesitantly having that girl sent far far away. Even if at that time, that girl was already pregnant, the child still got heartlessly aborted, unwilling to even give a position of a concubine.
This was all because Su Ming Zhang at the time was currently in the middle of discussing marriage, and the other party’s birth was high and n.o.ble, so clearly can’t have such an affair leak out.
And all of this was done behind Su Ming Zhang’s back. When he found out, the Su family told him that the person had already died, letting him not think about her anymore.
A youth’s first awakening of love originally was beautiful, yet got forcibly torn apart. Originally, perhaps, it still hadn’t reached the stage of ‘no one else but the other party’, but this coupled with rebellious thoughts, instead made her become the cinnabar at the tip of his heart, unable to erase no matter what. Originally, he was about to marry, yet in the end, the marriage arrangements fell through because of him. After another two three years, he began to steady himself, and this matter seemingly just pa.s.sed by. Afterwards, he married a girl from a relatively low status family, and after that, just followed the predetermined path as he lived out his days, but who knew……………….
“How does mother know that, that prost.i.tute looks just like that one from that year?”
“Ming Zhang previously had been raising her the whole time, unwilling to force her, but who knew that she actually dared to receive another patron. Ming Zhang, under a thundering rage, just had the person brought back. Ming Zhang vigorously messed around on his own over there, but didn’t allow us to approach. Although he took action, he didn’t have the slightest intention of wanting to punish that woman either. From the start of the incident until now, Ming Zhang has not taken a single step away from her side, completely ignoring the fact that he’d killed someone, completely disregarding his family that’s worried for him, just like as if possessed, questioning that prost.i.tute, why she betrayed him. If not for us being certain that the person is indeed Ming Zhang, we would’ve all thought that he’d gotten switched, truly too unfamiliar.”
n.o.ble Consort Su ma.s.saged between her brows. These matters really were piling up together. She’d thought that with the Empress down, they can use this opportunity to surpa.s.s them. As expected, no matter when, one all can’t lower one’s guard. Just, when this matter occurred, it should be prior to the Empress collapsing, just somewhat unsure exactly whose handiwork it was.
n.o.ble Consort Su had no way of solving the problem, so could only let Li Hong Ming go take care of this matter.
Li Hong Ming didn’t expect that before it even pa.s.sed the afternoon mealtime, he just got called over by n.o.ble Consort Su. Li Hong Ming knew, if not an emergency, n.o.ble Consort Su won’t look for him, thus he put down the matters at hand, and hastily entered the palace from the Ministry of Appointments.
It’s also because he’s a prince, just having his name hung in the Ministry of Appointments, that he’s able to do this. If someone else were to dare try and be this willful, they would be cleanly fired in seconds, and afterwards swiftly kicked back home.
When Li Hong Ming reached Yucui Palace, his maternal grandmother still haven’t left yet. And after hearing the whole story, his mood can be said to be even worse than n.o.ble Consort Su’s. But because his maternal grandmother was present, he didn’t really express it on the surface. Just, the gloominess in the bottom of his eyes was like as if it was about to solidify.
“Ming’er, with this matter, you should understand the severity within.”
Of course he knew, how could he not know? And precisely because he knew, his mood right now was thus this terrible.
The Ministry of Revenue was the money pouch, its importance was only second to the Ministry of Appointments. In the Ministry of Revenue, he naturally didn’t just have Su Ming Zhang, this older cousin alone, but Su Ming Zhang was the one he trusted the most, because their interests were absolutely aligned. If Su Ming Zhang falls, then he perhaps will lose his authority in the Ministry of Revenue. This will be a really big blow. That’s why, this while, he actually hated that Su Ming Zhang can’t immediately go die, even needing to go help him have this matter taken care of. “Consort mother, don’t worry, this son understands.”
“This matter isn’t small. If it’s someone scheming behind the scenes, once you move, the mastermind perhaps will immediately have you pulled into the water. That’s why, you must be cautious. It’s best if you can first pry open that prost.i.tute’s mouth, and afterwards, have her words all verified, then take the next step, do you hear me?” When it comes to understanding this son, if she’s second, then no one would dare be first. Knowing that he was currently angry, she worried that he will be influenced by his emotions.
Li Hong Ming s.h.i.+vered inside, inhaling a breath. Just now, he was indeed somewhat irrational. “Consort mother, don’t worry, this son will be careful.”
“This way naturally is the best. You should know, for things that have already happened, one should just take care of one by one. At this time, one further cannot be in disorder, because the slightest slip-up can become another’s opportunity to exploit. The state of affairs right now is increasingly unclear. Taking a wrong step, one might just fall into an abyss. And for some things, one can only win, cannot lose, because losing just means losing one’s life. Lately, your emotions have been unstable. I hope that you can properly reflect, don’t walk Li Hong Yi’s steps. If truly unable to, I will let your imperial father temporarily halt your official a.s.signments, so that you can return to your manor and quietly rest for a period of time.”
“Consort mother, you can’t………..” Li Hong Ming met with n.o.ble Consort Su’s line of sight. There was a bit of disappointment inside. Li Hong Ming immediately came to realization. The problem his consort mother pointed out just now, he instantly committed again. “Asking consort mother to please give this son some more time. If still unable to adjust, this son will personally ask imperial father to dissolve one’s duties.”
“It’s best if you can clearly think it through. Alright, your maternal grandmother’s legs aren’t nimble anymore, send her out of the palace in place of this consort, and also be more filial to her for this consort as well. Everything else, this consort will think of a way.”
“This son understands.” When Li Hong Ming turned towards Su Old Madam, his negative emotions were already unable to be seen, and unable to be detected. Don’t know whether it was having perfectly concealed it, or already gone without a trace. Carrying a gentle smile, “Maternal grandmother, I’ll send you back right now. Don’t worry, older cousin’s matter, I will take care of.”
Su Old Madam finally let out a smile, “To have troubled w.a.n.gye.” As for those words she’d heard just now, after puzzling over for a split second, she just tossed to one side.
“Look at what maternal grandmother is saying, we’re all one family. Older cousin’s matter, as the younger cousin, honor does not allow me to turn my back.”
“Good, good, good, with you here, I feel at ease.”
Once the two of them were gone, n.o.ble Consort Su first sighed, and shortly after, frowned again. Since the Su family didn’t work, then can only take it to the Shen family. This kind of thing, if not careful, will also stir into a big problem. That’s why, if not someone that can absolutely be trusted, then it’s best to not open the mouth. And the ones she trusted the most was also just the Su and Shen, two families. Just, she was very clear inside, the current madam of the Shen family, her cousin-in-law, actually didn’t like her inside, just because her older cousin, Shen Shu Han, was wholeheartedly devoted towards her.