Chapter 393.3: A Fairly Unexpected Outcome
The Former Wei first prince’s facial expression was somewhat unable to be maintained. Never mind the entire Great Wei getting openly praised and secretly mocked, even he himself also needed to get humiliated? But did Luo Pei Shan say anything? He didn’t. He merely just followed along the Former Wei first prince’s words, that’s all. That’s why, the Former Wei first prince could only clench his teeth and swallow the blood.
“This old one is an outside official, so it’s not convenient to meet with Princess Yi Ning, asking first prince to pa.s.s on our apologies.”
“Minister is too polite. This was our fault to begin with.”
Luo Pei Shan, however, no longer acted modest, nodding his head, as if acknowledging the Former Wei first prince’s words.
The Former Wei first prince nearly choked in anger. He had to admit, he can be considered to have learned. Although in Great Wei, it’s not like there wasn’t anyone like this, but comparing the two, seemingly it was still the ones in his own country that were weaker.
Having completed the task, Luo Pei Shan, with the excuse of being busy and still having other important matters at hand, took his leave first.
The Former Wei first prince could only personally have the person sent out. Outside, Luo Pei Shan instructed the officials from the Ministry of Rites that followed over a few words, letting them do their best to fulfill their duty, and absolutely must not slight.
The Ministry of Rites official that had previously suffered on Princess Yi Ning’s side, his reverence towards Luo Pei Shan right now was like a torrential stream, long and endless.
Princess Yi Ning had also planned on holding up this matter, yet unexpectedly awaited her eldest imperial brother’s arrival.
The Former Wei first prince just softly had the matter explained, and Princess Yi Ning immediately just wanted to lash out on the spot. However, it was obvious, towards this younger sister, the Former Wei first prince still fairly understood. That’s why, he neither got angry or annoyed, his smile unchanging, “Did Yi Ning forget the purpose in coming to Qi Yuan this time?”
Princess Yi Ning’s face turned pale. A pair of beautiful eyes were like as if about to spray fire.
The Former Wei first prince suddenly reached out to touch her eyes. Princess Yi Ning subconsciously avoided, turning around and landing a slap on the back of the first prince’s hand.
However, the first prince was unconcerned, even twirling his fingers in reflection, “Yi Ning’s eyes, as expected, are really pretty. Even if angry, it’s still that moving. No wonder even his Highness the crown prince all like that much.”
“What nonsense are you saying?” Princess Yi Ning was unable to restrain her anger, her expression even somewhat frantic.
“Nonsense? Look at what Yi Ning is saying, could it be that this older brother said something wrong? How is it just the crown prince that likes, many people all very much like, no? Including imperial father, including the other brothers, and also including this older brother. This many people liking, shouldn’t Yi Ning be happy?”
Princess Yi Ning’s complexion was very unsightly, but she didn’t say another word.
The Former Wei first prince laughed again, “Yi Ning, let the people below start preparing. You have quite a few things after all. If you continue to waste time, don’t know how long it will take. When in Great Wei, it doesn’t matter, but when outside, it’s still best to pay attention a little. After all, we represent Great Wei. If others were to think that we Great Wei people are undisciplined, then that won’t be good. In reality, this older brother losing face isn’t important, but if Great Wei loses face, you will certainly become a sinner.”
“Exactly whose fault is all this?” Princess Yi Ning was at the end of her patience, sharply screaming out.
“Whose fault? Who harmed you? Weren’t you the one that wanted to bring this many things and people? Even if not, did you refuse? Without you, we could’ve traveled relaxingly and smoothly. Along the way, how much trouble you caused, you should be very clear, right? Ah, no, how could Yi Ning know, after all, you’re imperial father and the Empress’s, as well as the crown prince’s pearl. Whatever you want, it’s always just a matter of one line, opening your mouth to ask, and able obtain as soon as you close your mouth. Just a matter of moving the mouth, so how can it be troublesome. You have never done anything before, so naturally can’t understand other people’s troubles. Since you brought it out, then you naturally need to take responsibility yourself. Letting others yield to you?” The first prince leaned in closer, lowering his voice, “Who do you think you are? Based on what? Yi Ning, this older brother isn’t the crown prince. However, you throwing a tantrum isn’t without results, no? Yi Ning, if you don’t want to suffer, then be a bit more obedient, else, you might not even be able to see imperial father and the Empress one last time.”
Princess Yi Ning directly shook in anger. The hatred in her two eyes was practically about to solidify.
The Former Wei first prince lightly sighed, “Really is the more one looks, the more beautiful. Yi Ning, don’t look at this older brother like this, else this older brother perhaps might do a bit of something.”
Princess Yi Ning instantly revealed a fearful expression, subconsciously hugging her chest, her face full of precaution.
The Former Wei first prince laughed again, “This older just wants to dig them out to collect, that’s all. Isn’t Yi Ning thinking too much. After all, this older brother just likes Yi Ning’s eyes.” With that said, he seemingly also lost interest and patience, unhesitantly turning to leave.
Princess Yi Ning blanked, and afterwards covered her face with her hands, crouching on the ground and breaking down into tears.
The servant girls outside all heard, yet not a single one wanted to go in to check, lowering their heads, pretending not to hear.
And the others, after receiving the first prince’s orders, also didn’t dare to slight. Fortunately, many things still haven’t been unpacked, so to pack up again wasn’t considered troublesome either.
Things were successively moved out, and on Qi Yuan’s side, they also sent quite a few people to help out. As such, things moved rather quickly.
Afterwards, Princess Yi Ning got escorted out by the maids. Covered in a veil again, that pair of eyes were neither red nor swollen, still lively and spirited as if it can speak, unable to make out the slightest abnormality. And the first prince followed by the side, the atmosphere between the siblings harmonious, appearing as if their relations.h.i.+p was extremely good.
Just, along the way, Princess Yi Ning no longer showed off, and the horse carriage she rode in was also very normal.
In reality, the place arranged for Princess Yi Ning was just as Luo Pei Shan had said. The position was just somewhat remote in comparison to the rest of the inn, but in reality, the location was very good, and the scenery inside was also quite beautiful. It can be said that it was much better than the previous place.
Princess Yi Ning originally was unwilling, but seeing the place now, her mood improved quite a bit, even inwardly sneering, this place perhaps really will be safer.
While this side was still tidying up, the other side delivered word, saying that another country had arrived, just compared to Former Wei and Qi Yuan, it was much smaller, the official t.i.tle Qiang. Even if similarly having a prince[1] present, it was still just arranging the people below to receive. Never mind an imperial prince, even the Ministry of Rites’ a.s.sistant Minister, they all weren’t able to meet. Even so, they didn’t dare to complain either, very much lowering their att.i.tude. Just, in terms of language, there were discrepancies, needing someone from the Hong Lu Office to fully accompany along. Speaking of which, among all these countries, for the officials of Hong Lu Office, only the one sent to Former Wei was a decoration. For the others, regardless of big or small, all needed someone from the Hong Lu Office.
When the people of Qiang heard that Former Wei had already arrived, have to say, they were quite shocked. Under normal circ.u.mstances, for large countries like this, arriving a few days before another country’s emperor’s birthday celebration was all very normal. And if it’s a large country visiting a smaller country, then it wasn’t impossible for them to only arrive on the day of. For a country like Former Wei, to be the first to arrive, it was instead very strange.
In this matter, nine times out of ten, there was something they didn’t know. However, matters between these large countries wasn’t something small countries like theirs can get involved in. It was better to just stay put, doing what one should do. Of course, the things that should be inquired, one still needed to inquire. Once understood, one can avoid colliding with them. The target of their inquiry was naturally just the people of Qi Yuan’s Hong Lu Office. What they can know, they certainly will inform. After all, if really colliding, as people of Qi Yuan’s Hong Lu office, they perhaps will have to shoulder the blame as well. And what these small countries can’t know, the people of Qi Yuan’s Hong Lu Office certainly won’t tell them either.
This way was the best, and safe.
The next day, Le Cheng Emperor set up a banquet in the palace to welcome the emissaries of Former Wei, adding on the people of Qiang in pa.s.sing. No matter how small of a country, it was still a country, so more or less still need to give a bit of face. Although under normal circ.u.mstances, if Qiang was the first to arrive, then this welcoming banquet at most would just be sending a w.a.n.gye to arrange something outside the palace for them. And this w.a.n.gye most likely won’t even be Kang Qinw.a.n.g, Rui Qinw.a.n.g, or Gong Qinw.a.n.g, this kind of w.a.n.gye that holds actual power.
Moreover, because Former Wei brought out a princess, this welcoming banquet certainly will have to be somewhat different. Everything else aside, there at least needed to be womenfolk present.
Thus, Le Cheng Emperor waved his hand, turning it into a ‘family banquet’ plus a few outsiders.
Since it was a ‘family banquet’, then imperial concubines and consorts that hold actual power, as well as the princes that have already been bestowed a w.a.n.g t.i.tle and opened a manor, not a single one can be left out. As for the subjects, they will have to be excluded.
[1] For this country their prince is a 王子 (w.a.n.g zi), roughly translating to the son of a king, as oppose to a 皇子 (huang zi), which is the son of an emperor, sometimes getting translated as imperial prince. Rule of thumb is usually, smaller countries have kings, while large empires have emperors. In a sense, a w.a.n.gye is in some way considered a ‘king’. I won’t do too much to differentiate between a prince (王子) and an imperial prince (皇子), since there really isn’t a big need to specifically differentiate. Overall, it’s just to show a certain country’s status and level in comparison to large countries like Qi Yuan.