Chapter 97.3: Le Cheng Emperor’s Seizure, Gift

However, these things, she couldn’t tell miss. As for whether or not that living Enma will explain to miss in the future, that will all depend on him. She was only a servant, with no right to comment.

Speaking of Li Hong Yuan, when he received the imperial decree, his face wasn’t all that pretty either. Although in his plans, he was preparing to let Ruan Fang Fei ‘become’ his ‘side consort’, the change, in line with the outcome of his own plans, but it wasn’t a result that he manipulated himself, thus it was inevitable to feel discontent.

However, for that imperial father of his to do this, it definitely wasn’t outside of expectations either. Those who didn’t know were all still pondering whether or not there was a deeper meaning in Le Cheng Emperor’s actions, and those who were in the know, only thought, what deeper meaning? It was merely just because he’d given his son a disfigured wangfei, and felt the best way to compensate was to also give him a beautiful and perfect woman. In the entire capital, among the unmarried young ladies, counting back and forth, only Ruan Rui Zhong’s youngest di daughter was the most fitting. Thus, without saying anything further, and asking no one’s opinion, he just slapped the table and issued the decree.

If it was any other time, how could he issue such a decree. Didn’t you see a few days ago the things he prepared as compensation for Li Hong Yuan? Even if they were priceless, they were all still objects, when did he ever mention beautiful women before?

Once these two days passed, afraid, even he himself will beat his chest and stomp his feet in endless regret.

Ruan Rui Zhong, as the Head of the Cabinet Ministers, was in the neutral faction, yet was also fully in the ‘defending imperial family’[1] faction. He was forever only loyal to the Emperor. Yet now, you bestowed the pearl of his palm to a shameful wangye, and even as a side consort. To put it bluntly, it was just as a concubine. Le Cheng Emperor, just how discontent are you with him for you to do something like this?

The few that were in the know were all imagining, in two days, when Cabinet Minister Ruan ‘questions’ Le Cheng Emperor, just how guilty and ‘apologetic’ Le Cheng Emperor will be. One has to know, Cabinet Minister Ruan was truly and genuinely his left wing and right arm, his backbone minister, not like the Ding Duke, that kind, where if he could slap to death, he would have long slapped him to death. Le Cheng Emperor, in fact, might even wish for that bastard son of his to do something reckless once more, just so he can pretend to be helpless, letting his dignity sweep the floor again, and take back the decree.

However, in the eyes of the people, Le Cheng Emperor’s hope was very remote. Li Hong Yuan was originally already someone who lusted after beauties, and the reason why he didn’t do anything to those noble daughters was probably because he still had misgivings inside. But now, he could legitimately possess such a first class beauty, with a noble status and outstanding talent. How foolish would he need to be to give up.

That’s right, even Li Hong Yuan asked himself, just how foolish was he to give up on numerous beauties and to wholeheartedly hang himself to death on a tree called Luo Jing Wan. But what can he do, he was poisoned too deeply and ‘Luo Jing Wan’ was the only antidote.

The imperial decree had long been thrown into a corner by him to ‘collect dust’.

Then looking at the information from the Luo Manor……….

Li Hong Yuan also wanted to know, Wan Wan falling for a man, no, falling for him, what kind of reaction that would be.

She was rational and resolute, and aside from the people closest to her, it was very hard for her to be moved by outsiders. In his past life, even if she made that big of a sacrifice for her husband’s family, he was still uncertain whether or not she had feelings for her husband, because you were unable to see from her words and actions the slightest affection. In the end, was it because of principles, or because of some unclear and untold persistence? He rather hoped for her to have not been moved. Although the outcome may be that even he won’t be able to move her heart easily, but he was already prepared to continue grinding for an eternity. As for whether or not her heart was moved in his past life, it was impossible for him to know. Rather, there was no need to continue down this line.

Others perhaps can’t tell, but what kind of person was Gong mama? She was already vaguely aware of her own miss’s calculations, and Sun Yi Jia’s feelings were even more obvious.

“Originally was planning to let her become your sister-in-law, but after her disfiguration, was thinking of finding a better one for your older brother, yet you instead began calculating yourself.” Li Hong Yuan flicked the letter, smiling somewhat indulgently and somewhat helplessly. “Your wishes, this prince naturally will fulfill for you, remember to nicely compensate this prince in the future. However, you let this prince break the engagement off with Sun Yi Jia, yet want to let her become your sister-in-law. This is thinking that this prince is far inferior to your older brother? This debt, this prince will write down for now. Let’s slowly settle it in the future.” As for Sun Yi Jia’s wishes, hehe, what’s that?

(T/N: This was actually foreshadowed by LHY back in chapter 28 when they were at the Ding Duke Manor banquet. This novel has good reread value. I highly recommend rereading, especially if you can’t remember important plot details, take notes if you must. Even I reread through a lot both for proofreading and making sure my translations are consistent.)

Since the ‘soon-to-be side consort’ position was filled in advance, then that ‘soon-to-be wangfei’ naturally can be taken care of sooner.

Then, reading towards the end, he learned that Luo Jing Bo’s debut piece was about to be born, but, unexpectedly, this painting similarly had Wan Wan’s huge contribution. This brother-in-law of his seems to have gotten another huge benefit from his(LHY) wife again. In the future, if he doesn’t make him work like a horse or cow, then he, Li Hong Yuan, will write his name backwards.

“Master, her highness, the Noble Consort, sent someone to deliver things. It has already been taken care of, as for that table full of dishes……….”

“Bestow to you all.” Li Hong Yuan expressionlessly waved his hand.

“Yes.”

Today was the Imperial Noble Consort’s death anniversary, and naturally also Li Hong Yuan’s birthday.

Just, from his birth to until now, he’d never celebrated his birthday before, because it would anger Le Cheng Emperor. When Li Hong Yuan was young, he didn’t understand, and seeing others happily celebrating their birthdays and receiving gifts, he too made a ruckus, wanting to celebrate his birthday. More than once was he ruthlessly beaten up by Le Cheng Emperor. Afterwards, he just learned to remain silent on this day every year. Even if Le Cheng Emperor later wanted to make it up to him in hindsight, he still refused. Thus, as time went on, everyone all assumed that because of his birth mother, he was unwilling to celebrate his birthday. Gradually, aside from a small number of people, including Le Cheng Emperor, everyone practically all forgotten which day was his birthday. And Le Cheng Emperor will forever only remember the Imperial Noble Consort’s death anniversary.

(T/N: I sorta have a soft spot for his younger self, sigh, when he was truly young and innocent.)

Only Noble Consort Su alone would personally make a bowl of longevity noodles for him every year, and afterwards, prepare a whole table of his favorite dishes.

It’s not that he was never moved before, just after somethings were unmasked, this sincerity of hers was further like a joke.

In Li Hong Yuan’s past life, the best birthday present he ever received was a set of clothes that Jing Wan made for him.

That was also during the period when he was recovering after getting saved by her. She used the best materials she could use, and while he was completely unaware, suddenly sent it before him just like that. There weren’t any complicated embroideries, merely just cut out and made into clothes. She calmly confessed that she didn’t know how to embroider, but that set of clothes, the stitchings however were handled very beautifully, and wearing it was also surprisingly well-fitting.

Afterwards, Jing Wan used all the edible wild vegetables she could find and made a table of dishes that at the time, under the current situation, can be considered abundant. Naturally, it was far inferior to the skills of a great chef, with a few that can even be said to just be edible, but Li Hong Yuan practically cleared the entire table of dishes.

This life, Li Hong Yuan was actually long aware that Wan Wan really wasn’t good with cooking and needlework.

“Master, sir lady protector had someone send this over.” Eunuch Mu had a small box presented before Li Hong Yuan.

Li Hong Yuan knew Gong mama was very discontent towards his behavior, especially after Wan Wan entered the capital. In the past, when she was still his subordinate, even if she was discontent, she still wouldn’t show it on the outside. But now, she was just short of directly punching him. For her to send him something today, really was quite rare.

Li Hong Yuan took it and casually opened it. Placed on top was a letter, and below was seemingly something resembling a brocade handkerchief. After opening the letter and reading it over, Li Hong Yuan’s face immediately changed and had the small box slammed shut, as he coldly looked towards Eunuch Mu, “Get lost.”

Eunuch Mu hurriedly got lost, thinking to himself, just what exactly did sir lady protector send master, to be able to make master want to stab him to death?

Li Hong Yuan had the letter thrown aside and burned. He then opened the small box and picked up the thing inside with both hands. This was………a dudou[2], one that Jing Wan reportedly made for herself. This one and only piece of ‘clothing’ she made for herself was also the only finished piece of needlework that she’s ever completed.

Li Hong Yuan stared at this white undergarment with a serious expression. He rather wasn’t the least bit skeptical of this clothing having come from Jing Wan’s hands. On the fringes were the needle stitchings that he couldn’t be more familiar with. Just looking at the edges, those who didn’t know, would even think she was an expert in this field, but then looking at the design inside, although it wasn’t considered a tragic sight, it wasn’t anything better either. This should be a kitten playing with an embroidered ball? Li Hong Yuan wasn’t too sure either. After all, this kitten was roughly just an outline and also somewhat crooked. And that embroidered ball, it’s better to not mention.

Li Hong Yuan had the undergarment stuffed into his bosom and headed back to his bedroom.

Aside from his steps being a little quicker, Eunuch Mu couldn’t see any other abnormalities either.

As for the present, needless to say, a certain living Enma was quite fond of it. He was just short of directly transforming into a beast.

If Gong mama felt that he normally wasn’t in heat enough, and wanted to borrow this undergarment to excite him even more, then Gong mama had reached her goal, and even severely exceeded the quota.

[1] Defending Imperial Family Faction – Basically among officials, there’s usually a split between officials that are loyal to influential noble families, and officials that are loyal to the imperial family.

[2] Dudou – An undergarment that covered the chest and abdomen.