Chapter 88.2: Forcibly Intruding, An Enormous Misunderstanding
Li Hong Yuan coldly watched from the side. He actually didn’t know that Sun Yi Lin was home today. Regardless whether it was a coincidence or not, in his eyes, it was all harboring ill-intent.
If because of his past life, Sun Yi Lin in his eyes was a capable minister in governing and was regarded rather highly, then ever since Sun Yi Lin began having intentions towards Wan Wan, his impression of him instantly dropped to the lowest point. Especially when thinking about him having the same interest and hobby as Jing Wan, Li Hong Yuan’s expression became even colder.
In Li Hong Yuan’s eyes, people with the ability to govern weren’t in the minority, but Jing Wan, there was only one.
How could Sun Yi Lin not sense Li Hong Yuan’s coldness and hostility towards him? The former could still be explained, but the latter, where did that come from? However, Sun Yi Lin didn’t plan on pursuing this matter either. After all, even if he asked, ten times out of ten, he won’t get an answer.
Sun Old Madam seemingly also felt Sun Yi Lin’s words made sense, thus beckoned the servant girl at her side, “Go have the guest at Jia’er’s place invited to the main courtyard.”
Li Hong Yuan’s aim was Jing Wan and not Sun Yi Jia. In his eyes, aside from his Wan Wan, no one else had the charm to make him approach of his own accord. Getting disrupted by Sun Yi Lin like this, it seems he won’t be able to see her. If others upset him, then he’ll let others suffer ten-fold. “No need, this prince right now is more interested in having drink with Gentleman Lin.” That look in his eyes deliberate, and that tone filled with malice.
Ding d.u.c.h.ess’s expression on her face instantly changed. Her att.i.tude towards Sun Yi Jia now indeed changed quite a bit. She was willing to intensively protect her daughter, but the premise being that it won’t affect Sun Yi Lin. If one were to let her choose between Sun Yi Lin and Sun Yi Jia, to abandon one to preserve the other, then she would without a doubt abandon her daughter to protect her son. “Since w.a.n.gye has already come this far, believe Yi Jia has also finished grooming, why not go meet with Yi Jia, perhaps w.a.n.gye will discover that even if Yi Jia has ruined her beauty, a blemish does not obscure the jade’s l.u.s.ter.”
Li Hong Yuan smiled. It was even that sort of particularly seductive smile. “Know what madam you are like right now? A brothel keeper recommending a girl in the brothel to a customer.”
Ding d.u.c.h.ess’s face turned red in anger, nearly fainting in one breath.
Sun Old Madam’s face wasn’t any better either. Looking again to Li Hong Yuan, faint hostility penetrated through her eyes.
And the group of servants below similarly were unsightly to the extreme, looking to Li Hong Yuan like they were looking at a monster. They’ve never seen someone be insolent to such a degree before.
“Asking w.a.n.gye to please leave some decency.” Sun Yi Lin neither quickly nor slowly opened his mouth, unable to perceive any of his negative emotions in the least.
Li Hong Yuan was just thinking that Sun Yi Lin seemingly was a bit strange. Now, he finally understood what was wrong. He slightly narrowed his eyes. The Sun Yi Lin right now already had a faint shadow of that Head Cabinet Minister of his past life, who’d experienced through the great changes in his clan, the battle for the throne, and the ups and downs of the court. Steady, wise, and scholarly, frequently carrying a smile, you will forever be unable to find anger on his face, and then, after getting sold by him, you perhaps might even help him count the money, get thrown into prison by him, perhaps you might even be grateful to him for preserving your whole family’s life.
How old was he at that time? Seems he was only just thirty some years old. Sitting onto the position of Head Cabinet Minister at this age, yet commented by no one in the court, aside from because of Li Hong Yuan’s abuse of authority, it was also because Sun Yi Lin’s abilities and means wholeheartedly convinced them.
Around this time in his past life, although he didn’t remember what kind of condition Sun Yi Lin was in, he definitely wasn’t this seasoned. Looks like the changes in certain things made him also change quite a bit with it as well. Not only did he enter officialdom in advance, this mindset also matured earlier. Li Hong Yuan didn’t know whether this was good or bad either. However, he didn’t care. He’d never counted on being able to become to the final winner once more just based on his past life’s memories. Once things changed, it will undoubtedly lead to a series of changes. He’d long been aware of this bit. It wasn’t false that he, Li Hong Yuan, was self-centered, but he wasn’t arrogant.
“What? Did this prince say something wrong? Doesn’t the Ding d.u.c.h.ess’s att.i.tude explain everything? This prince merely just wanted to invite you for a drink, yet she hurriedly had your younger sister pushed out.” Li Hong Yuan very lightly and very coldly laughed once, “Sun Yi Lin, no matter how much you care for your younger sister, what can you do? Merely just a chess piece in another’s hand. Even if she has to marry this prince, this most unbearable person in your eyes, you still can only just watch helplessly from the sides. Never mind not being able to do anything, you aren’t even able to say anything.”
Sun Yi Lin’s expression didn’t change, yet his hand gathered in his sleeves tightly clenched into a fist. Shortly after, he spoke with a faint smile, “w.a.n.gye is rather self-aware.”
This bit of mockery, for Li Hong Yuan, neither hurt nor tickled. Moreover, he indeed was very self-aware. He very clearly knew what kind of person he was. Comparatively speaking, he further liked ‘telling the truth as is’. When everyone all gets upset yet have nothing to say, it really was boundlessly joyous. He absentmindedly nodded his head, “This prince has always been very lenient. How about this, give you a chance to chose, are you going to accompany this prince for a drink, or should this prince go find your younger sister ‘to complain’?”
Sun Yi Lin cupped his hands, “This lower official just happen to have a jar of top-notch aged wine, asking w.a.n.gye to do this one the honor of sharing a cup.”
“So the Ding Duke Manor isn’t completely filled with people whose minds are polluted with thoughts of benefits. However…..” Li Hong Yuan looked to Sun Yi Lin and rather intriguingly rubbed his chin, “This prince is beginning to feel rather interested in this marriage.”
Thinking of Li Hong Yuan’s various rumors, seemingly everyone’s thoughts all went astray. The servants couldn’t help but feel pity towards their family’s young master. At the same time, they also felt disgruntled inside. Marrying their family’s young miss, yet also wanting to dip his fingers into their family’s young master, such an outstanding and perfect n.o.ble young master was going to get sullied by this living Enma. How is young master going to face people in the future? However, if these people were to pay attention to Li Hong Yuan’s gaze, then they probably wouldn’t have thought this much. In the depths of those deep eyes was a sheet of ice, not warmth.
Ding d.u.c.h.ess wanted to interfere, but Sun Yi Lin, as if sensing it, lifted his head and gave her a rather meaningful glance. The Ding d.u.c.h.ess froze, her lips trembled, but not a single word came out.
“w.a.n.gye, this way.” Sun Yi Lin calmly and composedly stretched out his hand in an inviting manner.
When the two walked far, the Ding d.u.c.h.ess helplessly looked to Sun Old Madam. “Mother, don’t tell me we can only just watch and not do anything?”
“Then what do you want to do? Let someone have Jin Qinw.a.n.g beaten out? Originally thought that you really can disregard everything and protect Jia’er, but looking at it now, it’s nothing more than just that. Since you don’t have the guts to oppose Jin Qinw.a.n.g, then you can only chose to accept it. Lin’er, for the sake of his younger sister, chose to sacrifice himself, regardless of whether or not others feel it’s not worth it, and regardless of whether or not others say he’s foolish. As long as he himself feels it’s worth it, then it’s enough. He’s a boy after all. He’s merely only hurting his reputation. It’s not like it’ll destroy his future prospects. On the contrary, perhaps his Majesty, seeing that he got ‘bullied’ by Jin Qinw.a.n.g, will feel guilty and regard him even more highly.” Sun Old Madam said coldly.
T/N: Every time someone is shocked by LHY’s conduct I just think, shouldn’t you all be used to it by now, he’s been this way for more than 10years. Though I’ve always quite liked translating parts where he acts shameless.