Chapter 392.3: Great Cause, Getting Overlooked?
The people of Former Wei, upon seeing Li Hong Ming, practically had the impulse to swell with warm tears.
Li Hong Ming sat atop the horse and didn’t climb down, “This prince, under imperial father’s order, is here to send Wei Prince to the inn.” Out of etiquette and out of morality, all should have the horse yielded to the Wei Prince, but that would mean that Li Hong Ming would have to walk on his own. He didn’t believe that the other party had this big of a face. Moreover, he was very clear, some people just liked raising their nose. If you’re courteous now, the other party perhaps will think you’re feeling guilty, thus lowering yourself, then who knows how arrogant they will be. Since right now, it was Qi Yuan suppressing Former Wei, then one must suppress to the end.
The people of Former Wei clenched their teeth in anger, but it couldn’t be helped. Even those previously all dared to be like that, let alone a w.a.n.gye. Who let them be in a vulnerable state, so they could only keep silent.
Since Li Hong Ming said he was sending them back, then it was just sending them back, not having the slightest intention of giving a hand. It couldn’t be helped. He also needed to avoid suspicion. If by chance this Wei Prince were to meet with mishap, what to do if it gets pinned on him? That’s why, it was better for you all as bodyguards to work a little harder.
In other words, even if there was someone coming to get them, aside from no longer taking detours, everything else actually didn’t have the slightest change. In fact, it can be said to be even worse. Getting surrounded by a bunch of people wearing ‘bright and fancy’ clothes, who knows how they were looking down and laughing at them on the inside.
The Wei Prince’s chest heaved increasingly harder, and afterwards, inhaled another cold breath from the pain. As such, he could only forcibly suppress his anger, afterwards, closing his eyes. The heart does not vex at what one cannot see.
However, today’s matter nicely taught the Wei Prince a lesson, his thirst for power becoming increasingly obvious. As for the future…………..
When nearing the inn, Former Wei’s first prince had already received news, coming to the door to greet. Seeing that scene, he also felt exceptionally peculiar inside, the same as the great majority of Qi Yuan’s people, carrying a bit of delight. This imperial younger brother of his, ranked fifth, and although wasn’t a di born from the Empress, he was nevertheless deathly loyal to the crown prince. His birth mother was the Empress’s younger shu sister, ranking among the four consorts. In the palace, they originally should’ve also been enemies, but that Xian Consort’s birth mother was someone of a different ethnicity, and this imperial younger brother further inherited the unusual eyes.
Former Wei had been expanding north. For the sake of having enough people, they gathered quite a few people of different ethnicities, a.s.similating and indoctrinating over several hundred years. However, the absolute monarch was still someone descended from the Wei dynasty. That’s why, even if an imperial prince, if one carries the blood of a different ethnicity, and moreover, even possessed obvious traits, then regardless of how favored, one absolutely had no fate with the throne. Speaking in this aspect, they were even inferior to a child born from a palace maid that was purely someone of Great Wei. Of course, because too much time had pa.s.sed, after several generations of marriages, the bloodline diluting, under normal circ.u.mstances, it was difficult to trace down. Just, for this one, never mind his trait being too obvious, tracing back, it was very easy to discover the bloodline of another ethnicity, so entirely just a tragedy.
However, this Wei fifth prince and his birth mother were very clear of their own status, closely leaning towards the Empress and crown prince. And people like them, for the Empress and crown prince, were practically just natural allies. These kinds of people joining hands, in the previous dynasty’s inner palace, all occupied an absolute advantage. As such, it appears that Former Wei’s interior wasn’t any less messy than Qi Yuan.
And the Wei fifth prince, even if possessing unusual eyes, and among the princes, originally should be the one that’s looked down on and shunned, because of his powerful backing, he was absolutely unbridled. Even the first prince needed to avoid the sharp tip too. In his own country, he was very much wanton and insolent, yet now got beaten up like this by someone, so how can it not make one feel refreshed.
However, in the end, they were in Qi Yuan. Regardless of how their interior was, towards the outside, their standpoint was all the same.
As such, the Former Wei’s first prince tightly furrowed his brows, quickly going forward, “Fifth brother, what happened here? How come you’re injured this severely?”
Although they didn’t get along internally——after all, the first prince also possessed his own ambitions, his birth being the De Consort[1], and he was also the eldest son, in addition to his maternal clan also possessing overflowing power, as such, how can he easily have the throne yielded to someone with both hands, so naturally there were also no less of disputes and secret fights, and as the fifth prince’s bodyguards, towards these things, they naturally understood very clearly, but the situation right now, they also understood. One has to know, this time coming to Qi Yuan, it was with the first prince as the lead. That’s why, with the fifth prince getting injured like this, they still needed the first prince to step in. Thus, each and every one all filled with righteous indignation, inverting right and wrong, adding oil to the fire, recounting the people of Qi Yuan’s various wicked deeds.
Li Hong Ming listened to the side, but didn’t take part, just quietly listening, not even getting angry.
Seizing the advantage by showing one’s strength first, this kind of thing, also needed a premise. Under normal circ.u.mstances, only when both sides were ‘evenly matched’ would this move have a greater effect, but right now, it was in Qi Yuan’s home territory. Qi Yuan occupied an absolute advantage, and it wasn’t going to be whatever you say it is. Never mind it not being the truth, even if it’s the truth, Qi Yuan further had the power to invert right and wrong. That’s why, if they want to say, just let them say it. For one to go interrupt, that was just wasting one’s breath. Making oneself indignant, that was just looking to suffer, why the need?
After the Former Wei first prince finished listening, he was ‘clearly’ very angry, just he did his best to suppress his anger, “Shouldn’t Rui Qinw.a.n.g give an explanation?”
Li Hong Ming lightly smiled, “How things were, we naturally will investigate clearly. Our Qi Yuan is a country of etiquette, emphasizing on rules and reason, so won’t easily accuse others falsely, and naturally won’t let others falsely accuse either. Exactly what happened, imperial father has already issued word that he will personally look into. However, how this prince sees it, right now, the most important matter, shouldn’t it be your esteemed younger brother’s injuries? One has to know, even if light injuries, if not treating in time, it all can become serious, even affecting the life.”
The Former Wei first prince’s face changed slightly. Although it was with him in charge, but most of the people accompanying along weren’t his people. This kind of instigation will make others think that he was deliberately stalling the time, neglecting his fifth brother’s injury. Then, this trip undoubtedly will be rough, and after returning home, those people will further have the excuse to denounce him. “Rui Qinw.a.n.g best not let one be disappointed. Quickly have fifth brother sent in, and go invite the imperial physician over for a look.” He ignored certain people’s look of suspicion.
Li Hong Ming also followed in. Former Wei’s internal conflict, on the surface, indeed wasn’t as intense as Qi Yuan, but as long as they weren’t of the same faction, then this kind of incitement of disharmony that everyone was aware of similarly had quite the effect. Moreover, it can even be said to have immediate results.
Former Wei had brought along three of their own imperial physicians. However, because the journey was rough, the oldest one in age had already fallen ill. Right now, before the Former Wei fifth prince, there was only two, and the two of them both weren’t too skilled in this kind of injury. That’s why, for a moment, they didn’t dare to be rash.
Li Hong Ming stood to the side, “How about this prince call two that excel in external injuries over for a look? As the saying goes, collecting opinions benefits many, and towards your esteemed younger brother’s condition, it should further be of help.”
The Former Wei first prince subconsciously wanted to refuse, but another accompanying high official that held quite the importance hurriedly opened his mouth, “Will be troubling w.a.n.gye.”
The Former Wei first prince’s eyes flashed with a peculiar look, but didn’t say anything.
“Who wants their imperial physicians, get lost!” The Former Wei fifth prince’s stamina seemingly was full again.
“Fifth prince, one mustn’t let one’s emotions affect one’s decisions. The injuries are more important.” That official went forward two steps, and in a place not visible to others, pressed against the Wei fifth prince’s hand.
The Former Wei fifth prince recalled his consort mother, as well as his crown prince older brother’s warning prior to leaving. One mustn’t act willfully, and need to listen to the Ministry of Appointments Right a.s.sistant Minister’s words. And recalling that this time, it was him leaving on his own without permission, and not long after, just suffered this big of a loss, he ultimately restrained himself, and didn’t open his mouth again.
“Since that’s the case, this prince will immediately send someone to go invite.” As Li Hong Ming said this, he just turned and ordered a few words.
“Will be troubling Rui Qinw.a.n.g.” Former Wei’s first prince cupped his hands.
“You’re too polite. Regardless of what, your esteemed younger brother had gotten injured in Qi Yuan’s capital. Just, this matter still needs to be investigated. The person that fought with your esteemed younger brother was taken away by this prince’s sixth brother’s person. This prince still needs to go look for one’s sixth brother to understand the situation, so will be taking one’s leave first. If there’s no mishap, tomorrow, during the welcoming banquet prepared for everyone in the palace, we will give your esteemed younger brother an explanation.”
“As such, it can’t be better.”
“This prince will take one’s leave.” Li Hong Ming left.
The Former Wei first prince’s expression didn’t change, inquiring a few words in concern. Even if not receiving the other party’s response, it also didn’t matter, continuing to talk on his own. “……………..Just, in the future, fifth brother still needs to be more careful with one’s conduct. After all, this place isn’t our Great Wei’s national capital. If you really were to meet with mishap…………….”
“Enough, eldest imperial brother best put away that act, there aren’t any outsiders. We all know each other’s true nature, so no need to pretend.”
[1] One of the four consort positions, see historical notes page for more detail