Chapter 82.3: Schemes
Li Hong Ming contemplated. Right now, he also wasn’t certain whether the truth really was as such, or everything was all just arranged by his imperial father so that Li Hong Yuan can reasonably appear in front of people again. If it was the latter, then wouldn’t this thread be a little too long of an arrangement? His imperial father’s ability to predict the future was to such degree? After careful contemplation, Li Hong Ming instead leaned towards the former possibility more. “Where’s sixth brother at right now?”
“Replying to w.a.n.gye, at present, Jin Qinw.a.n.g is recuperating at White Dragon Temple. Don’t know when he will return.”
“His wedding is next month, there are still a lot of things that he needs to take care of. He won’t stay too long at White Dragon Temple. That’s right, does he know that imperial father bestowed him a marriage again?”
“Perhaps, but it’s also possible that no one has told him yet. After all, the imperial decree didn’t get directly sent to White Dragon Temple.”
“This prince rather forgot that the future sixth sister-in-law of this prince is also still at White Dragon Temple, and also…..” Ruan Fang Fei. Li Hong Ming smile with interest. These two should’ve already learned of this marriage by now. Sun Yi Jia perhaps has lost all hope, but Ruan Fang Fei, however, just happens to admire the man Sun Yi Jia doesn’t want to marry. Coming together like this, even a woman like Ruan Fang Fei would also become jealous, right? And this kind of jealousy, once it grows even deeper, and then slightly provoke her a little, it’ll become very easy to carry out certain plans.
The people in the plan were all currently at White Dragon Temple; that is a rather good place to implement the plan. However, what was unfortunate was that right now, it was probably already too late. If only he could’ve learned this matter sooner. It won’t be that easy to find this kind of good opportunity next time. However, the matter depends on the individual. Hasty men don’t get to eat hot tofu[1], especially since imperial father’s body is still very healthy. He(LHM) still has plenty of time to make arrangements.
“w.a.n.gye, the road up ahead is blocked.”
“What happened, go have a look.”
“Yes.”
The guard that went to inquire very quickly came back, “w.a.n.gye, Grand Elder Princess family’s wenzhu’s[2] carriage and Head Minister Luo’s granddaughter’s carriage collided together…..”
“Head Minister Luo’s granddaughter? Do you know which miss?” Luo Hong Ming recalled Luo third miss from last time.
“Replying to w.a.n.gye, it’s Luo family’s fourth miss.”
Li Hong Ming contemplated for a moment, got up, lifted the curtain, and personally came down from the carriage. “What happened here?”
“Third older cousin?” The window curtain of the horse carriage that had Grand Elder Princess manor’s mark was lifted open, revealing a seven to eight year old little girl, “What is third older cousin doing here?”
“Yu Yao.” Li Hong Ming reached out and stroked her head, “This older cousin has some business and is heading back. —What happened here?”
The little girl immediately pouted in discontent and had the curtains lifted even wider, indicating for Li Hong Ming to look inside the carriage. “That horse carriage broke my gla.s.s lamp. I went out today to specially come get this lamp. Originally wanted to give it to mother as a birthday present.”
Li Hong Ming saw that the beautiful gla.s.s lamp in the carriage indeed had a broken corner. He then swept a glance at that somewhat pitiful figure biting her lip in front of the horse carriage, her clothing was just decent. Head Minister Luo’s family a.s.sets although were not bad, but according to his knowledge, this fourth miss was just Head Minister Luo’s shu born son’s daughter. That shu son wasn’t very favored by Head Minister Luo, so their branch naturally wasn’t very wealthy either. This lamp at the very least would be about two to three thousand taels. Additionally, it seems Head Minister Luo’s shu son was also very close with the people of his eldest brother’s faction.
Li Hong Ming’s thoughts have already made several turns. This time, he also saw that girl looking to him with an expectant gaze. Li Hong Ming gave her a comforting smile and then turned towards Yu Yao Wenzhu again. “This thing is preciously delicate, breaking at the slightest impact. The inside of a horse carriage isn’t a good place to play with it. This young lady most likely didn’t do it on purpose either. How about this, older cousin will get you another even prettier one, and seeing on this older cousin’s behalf, just let this matter go, alright?”
Yu Yao Wenzhu clearly was still somewhat hesitant.
“A qualifying n.o.ble daughter has to be a little more magnanimous.”
“Alright then, however, older cousin better remember to send me the gla.s.s lamp.”
“Okay, I’ll send it to you a little later.” Li Hong Ming gently said with a smile.
“Then, older cousin, I’ll be heading back first. I’ve been out for a while now, so mother will worry.”
“Alright, give my regards to paternal aunt for me. Lately, I’ve been busy. When paternal aunt’s birthday comes around, I’ll go then to pay my respects to her.”
Yu Yao Wenzhu nodded.
After sending off Yu Yao Wenzhu, Li Hong Ming walked two steps closer towards Luo Jing Ying.
Luo Jing Ying quickly bowed, “Greetings w.a.n.gye.”
“No need to be so courteous.” Li Hong Ming waved his hand, “Miss isn’t injured, right?”
“Many thanks w.a.n.gye, this subject is fine.”
Li Hong Ming nodded his head, “Head back soon, and after heading back, it’s best to invite a doctor for a look.”
Luo Jing Ying quietly replied with a ‘yes’, “w.a.n.gye, that gla.s.s lamp, this subject will think of a way to compensate w.a.n.gye.”
“Would this prince miss a gla.s.s lamp? Remember to head back soon.” Li Hong Ming turned around and got on his horse carriage.
When the horse carriage’s curtains were lifted, he saw Luo Jing Ying blankly staring at him. He lightly smiled at her, and as expected, he saw the other party bashfully blush. Once the curtains dropped, the smile on his face carried a bit of complacent and mockery. Complacent, because of his success in every endeavor towards women, and mockery, because these women were all the same.
Li Hong Ming returned to Rui Qinw.a.n.g Manor. Although he didn’t care whether or not he had a son at present, but if he can have one, it was also not bad. After all, some officials that followed him were still somewhat upset at this bit. He wasn’t too anxious, and indifferently asked the situation. After learning that they still needed to wait some time, Li Hong Ming turned and headed to the study, letting them notify him when the child was born.
Rui w.a.n.gfei guarded outside the delivery room. After learning that their w.a.n.gye won’t be coming over, she didn’t rejoice inside, feeling somewhat sorrowful instead.
In these years she’s been married to Rui Qinw.a.n.g, others all say they were a married couple deeply in love, and for her to have been able to marry Rui Qinw.a.n.g, it was truly eight lifetimes worth of good fortune. Gong Qinw.a.n.g Manor’s rear court appears peaceful, but that was because Gong Qinw.a.n.g was afraid of his father-in-law. Gong w.a.n.gfei’s days appear happy, but who knows how bitter it really was inside. It was still her that was fortunate. Rui Qinw.a.n.g was politically astute, an elegant gentleman, good-natured, strong capabilities in handling affairs, receiving the Emperor’s high regard, and towards her, he was also very considerate.
Rui w.a.n.gfei responded with a smile on her face, but inside, she felt endlessly bitter. Rui Qinw.a.n.g didn’t smile much back at the manor. He was always very busy. Rather than saying he didn’t particularly l.u.s.t after women, it was better to say he didn’t have that time.
Hearing Qian-s.h.i.+’s painful cries from inside the delivery room, she was very clear. That woman inside actually hoped for w.a.n.gye to be able to be present, just like her when she’d given birth in the past. But that man, after returning, didn’t even bother coming over for a glance. Just a glance, how much of his time can that waste? To say it bluntly, it was no more than just his complete lack of care. Generally speaking, her own husband not caring about the concubines, she ought to be happy. But this husband similarly didn’t care about her, this di wife, either, so how can she be happy?
[1] Idiom meaning haste will ruin everything; one just has to be patient.
[2] Wenzhu – t.i.tle for the daughter of a princess