Chapter 485.1: Pulling Out the Fire From Under the Kettle
“Naturally need to have this matter resolved before imperial father makes a decision. Should also teach certain people what is called, ‘futilely drawing water with a wicker basket’. ————-Mu An, go prepare, we will be heading to the Bai Manor.” Li Hong Yuan got up, even brus.h.i.+ng his sleeve, looking towards Jing Wan, “Should be a good play, does Wan Wan want to go have a look? Weren’t you just curious from the start at what this husband will do? Going to see it in person, you won’t need to listen to other people’s account of it.”
Jing Wan thought for a moment. Gossip, this kind of thing, seemingly was indeed more interesting watching live in person. Moreover, the Bai family previously wanted to drag her down. Having the opportunity to ‘take revenge’, there seemingly was no need to hold back.
As for why it was gossip, in any case, Jing Wan just felt this way. Thus, “Alright, let’s go together.”
Li Hong Yuan’s clothes were still considered somewhat appropriate. It was the black brocade gown with auspicious clouds embroidered in gold thread that he wore the most frequently on normal days. Jing Wan’s clothes, however, were rather ‘overboard’. Although not bright red, but the color was also relatively bright, definitely not suitable for offering condolences at a funeral. Although going to watch a play, but one should ultimately honor the deceased. Doing this, won’t it be not good?
Yet, it just so happens that this outfit of Jing Wan’s was even picked by the most proper and upright Gong mama who won’t make a mistake easily. When Jing Wan raised her doubt, Li Hong Yuan also said it was fine, completely not a problem.
As such, Jing Wan didn’t worry that much anymore. However, can one suspect that, that young master Bai also had problems? And the so called ‘pulling out the fire from under the kettle’ was actually referring to young master Bai?
This while, she was also too lazy to think too much. In any case, the mystery will be uncovered very soon.
As one can imagine, when Jin Qinw.a.n.g Manor’s procession grandly appeared outside the Bai family gates, then seeing that outfit of Jing Wan’s, the Bai family’s complexion, that was practically just like having swallowed a housefly, very much unsightly.
However, Li Hong Yuan right now was still a qinw.a.n.g, so they also didn’t dare to say anything. Just, some were very much maliciously thinking, act arrogant, keep acting arrogant, see how long you can still act arrogant. Without that esteemed position, even if his Majesty wants to s.h.i.+eld, afraid will still get mocked and ridiculed. Right now, perhaps will just be the last time for you to show off your might.
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Li Hong Yuan randomly called on someone from the Bai Manor, leading them to the mourning hall. Towards the living Enma’s might, even if ‘at the end of the road’, no one dared to directly take on its sharp edge. The Bai family servant that got called on that was even disdaining inside a moment ago, immediately just started trembling in the legs.
Upon the mourning hall, the only proper master of the Bai family was just Bai Old Madam. The rest were just her daughters and son-in-laws, as well as a few yiniangs of the Bai Manor that were still considered somewhat presentable.
Seeing Li Hong Yuan and Jing Wan, Bai Old Madam who was like a walking corpse, instantly just became a malevolent spirit, her face exceptionally sinister. If not for her daughter stopping her, perhaps she would’ve directly pounced, wanting to kill, “The Bai family’s grounds are too lowly, unable to withstand Jin Qinw.a.n.g and w.a.n.gfei’s trampling!”
“Indeed so.” Li Hong Yuan relentlessly responded.
As the saying goes, even ‘mud people were still three part earth[1]‘. For someone like the living Enma, how could he not incur hate. The Bai family’s eldest daughter stood out, her face full of solemnness, yet still didn’t lose her etiquette, curtsying, “w.a.n.gye and w.a.n.gfei’s esteemed status naturally isn’t something we lowly people can hope to reach, but since w.a.n.gye and w.a.n.gfei came today, then asking to please give one’s younger brother a bit of respect, and a moment of peace. w.a.n.gye comes from the imperial family, so should set oneself as an example to the people of the world, and w.a.n.gfei comes from a scholarly family, who doesn’t praise the Luo family for their good upbringing, so presumably won’t do anything inappropriate.”
The meaning in those words, everyone all understood. Perhaps should praise her for her guts?
Jing Wan’s gaze slightly paused on this madam. The Bai family, setting aside other aspects, just in terms of raising their children, had nothing to criticize. Regardless whether it was the person before them, or the one lying in the coffin, the greatly pampered and favored only son, all didn’t become wastrels. It was more than enough to see that they’d put in a lot of effort. Unfortunately, such a good hand was played terribly. Or perhaps should say, having encountered the living Enma, yet wasn’t on the same side as the living Enma, this good hand just got scattered by the living Enma.
Li Hong Yuan’s gaze lightly swept over, “People respect this prince a foot, this prince will return an inch. The Bai family has repeatedly bullied onto this prince’s head, what, still counting on this prince to repay malice with kindness? What position do you have to dare speak to this prince as such? Having married as a wife, you should also consider for your husband’s family.”
The woman’s complexion instantly turned pale. Her husband this year clearly had hope of getting promoted, but because of the Head Minister of Appointments, never mind not having hope, from the looks of it, he will even be appointed to a post outside of the capital. If the place of appointment were to then become some barren and desolate place, won’t she just be resented to death by her husband and her in-law family? She inwardly berated herself for momentarily losing control.
Her husband grabbed her from behind, “Asking w.a.n.gye to please forgive, it was this subject that didn’t properly discipline. This subject will certainly pay a visit on another day to humbly apologize for the offense.” He didn’t want his current situation to worsen.
“Even as matters stand, w.a.n.gye is still the same as ever, making this old man truly admire.” A slightly shaking elderly voice sounded.
The Bai family’s former cabinet minister was being supported by Scholar Bai. Close behind him, there were also many high status guests.
Hearing that Jin Qinw.a.n.g had arrived, these people all eagerly wanted to come over to watch a good play. Both men and women were all like so.
Just, from the looks of it, his Majesty seemingly already compromised, just short of issuing an imperial decree, yet Jin Qinw.a.n.g was still this calm and collected. Could it be that he still had some sort of trump card? However, regardless of the situation, towards Jin Qinw.a.n.g, it was best to not provoke at all.
“Go, light an incense stick for w.a.n.gye and w.a.n.gfei.” The former Cabinet Minister Bai approached and said this to his son.
Scholar Bai naturally obeyed, personally lighting two incenses and personally offering it up, his eyes pitch black.
“w.a.n.gye, please, a stick of incense to let my grandson rest in peace. On his Majesty’s side, perhaps this old man can still console a few words.”
Li Hong Yuan glanced at the incense before him, suddenly hooking his mouth into a smile, “If he’s really the Bai family’s offspring, then this prince offering up this incense is rather not a problem, but a mere b.a.s.t.a.r.d child is also worthy?”
Once Li Hong Yuan’s words came out, it was shock on all sides.
“Li Hong Yuan, these words, you also dare to make up?! This old man will not cease until death with you!” Even if in an old aging body, at this time, it was still like the wrath of a male lion nearing death wis.h.i.+ng to fight with his all.
However, Li Hong Yuan was unconcerned, his gaze landing on Bai Old Madam, nonchalantly smiling, “Make up? Whether it’s made up or not, why don’t you all ask this Bai family’s main wife, in the coffin, exactly is it Scholar Bai’s offspring, or a b.a.s.t.a.r.d child secretly conceived with a servant for the sake of strengthening her own position?”
Everyone’s eyes all gathered on Bai Old Madam. Her complexion was deathly pale, her eyes alarmed, her body shaking all over. Clearly there was more fear than anger. Judging from this reaction, could it be that what Jin Qinw.a.n.g said was really true?
The bad premonition in the former Cabinet Minister Bai and Scholar Bai’s heart rapidly expanded endlessly.
The secret that had been kept for more than a decade had been hidden very well all this time. The people that knew about this matter, yet unable to ensure that they will keep their mouths shut, had all been cleanly taken care of. As time pa.s.sed, Bai Old Madam herself also ‘forgot’ about this matter. Her son was precisely the Bai family’s offspring. And gradually, she lost her guard. Now, suddenly getting exposed, getting caught off guard, in addition to not being someone that has gone through strict training, her first reaction just exposed her truest feelings, even unable to react for a long while.
Scholar Bai, who was originally still holding the incense, just felt everything go black before his eyes. If just now, forcing Jin Qinw.a.n.g to lower his head, he was still that tiny bit smug inside, then right now, he just felt that he was an enormous joke. The incense sticks in hand got snapped in half. Shaking all over, he directly shot towards his originally dignified and virtuous madam, fanning a slap, “s.l.u.t, s.l.u.t, s.l.u.t———-” Hysterically roaring.
Bai Old Madam directly fell onto the ground from the slap, seemingly finally returning to her senses, “My lord, my lord, it’s not like that, it’s not like that. Jin Qinw.a.n.g, he’s maliciously slandering, please believe me…………..” Crawling up, she wanted to go pull on Scholar Bai’s clothes.
Scholar Bai had already gone mad, violently kicking the woman on the ground.
Speaking of which, Bai Old Madam was already someone over fifty and almost sixty, so how could she withstand such a beating, but no one dared to go forward to stop. The servants that served her were trembling beyond recognition, and her daughters were also thoroughly dumbstruck.
The former Cabinet Minister Bai tightly clutched the cane in hand, gritting his teeth, forcibly enduring. Compared to his son, he wasn’t any better. For better or worse, his rationality was still intact, but to want to stop, it was already too late. It wasn’t even possible to delude oneself into covering up the matter. His entire life, his n.o.ble and clean reputation, just ruined like this, cleanly ruined!
“Enough.” The former Cabinet Minister tremblingly opened his mouth, but clearly his son simply didn’t hear him. Tremblingly going forward, unable to even lift his legs, practically just scooting along the ground, he forcibly swung his cane, “Disgraceful thing.”
Scholar Bai finally stopped and looked towards the former cabinet minister, “Father………..” His anger had reached its peak, his sorrow also peaking. Afterwards, old tears directly streamed down. His eyes were actually full of disbelief, yet also seemingly asking why.
“Father……….” Bai Old Madam right now can be said to be exceptionally miserable looking, crawling up, wanting to grab onto her father-in-law’s clothes, “Listen to this daughter-in-law, it really isn’t, isn’t…………”
The former Cabinet Minister Bai directly swung his cane over, hitting her on the head. It was also fortunate that he didn’t have the strength, else just based on this, perhaps it would’ve taken the other party’s life. Shortly after, he pointed to the coffin, “Open it, have him stripped, and thrown out into the wilderness. Also order someone to stand watch. Until the wild dogs have him gnawed clean, not allowed to come back.”
[1] An idiom similar to even saints can get angry.
T/N: A bit of an irony that Bai Old Madam had ordered the servants she beat to death to also be thrown out into the wilderness and not allow their families to collect their bodies. Now the same thing will happen to her son.
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