Chapter 101.4: This Favor Was a Bit Heavy

Jing Wan took out the slip of paper in the embroidered pouch. Poetry, topic was first of spring. Truthfully speaking, in this lifetime around, Jing Wan had only learned the most basics of poetry composing. To want to have her compose a poem was harder than scaling the skies, and to write it well was even more impossible. But there were quite a few outstanding verses that she remembered, just she never once thought of wanting to have those things brought out as her own. However, the problem was if she is unable to compose one, Li Hong Yuan will have to accept the punishment. Right now, he wanted to be a good person, a gentleman, but what about after the fact? She didn’t dare to believe in this one’s character too much. How conflicting…………….

(T/N: I’m wondering if this line is like low-key throwing shade at those transmigration stories where MC plagiarizes other people’s poems lmaoo.)

“Regardless whether you’re able to or not, at least make a sound, what are you blanking out for?” Someone impatiently urged. It was none other than the junzhu next to Ruan Fang Fei.

Li Hong Yuan faintly swept a glance over, and as expected, met with Ruan Fang Fei’s concentrated gaze. Under the stares of numerous eyes, she didn’t behave so blatantly. Li Hong Yuan didn’t doubt, his words just now made this woman locked onto Wan Wan. Plus, Wan Wan’s previous performance had attracted everyone’s eyes. In the past, at similar banquets, even if Ruan Fang Fei didn’t do anything, she was still revolved around like the stars worshipping the moon, and was further the focal point of the noble young masters’ discussions. But right now, who still remembered her? If she didn’t bear a grudge, then that would actually be strange. Regardless how gentle and elegant she acted, she actually hated people more dazzling than her the most, and also those people that were beautiful on the inside and outside. Jing Wan right now completely occupied both sides, and perhaps should also add one more: ‘Gaining Li Hong Yuan’s attention.’

Her intentions of wanting to ruin Jing Wan, afraid, has already risen above everyone else.

“How about I compose one? Don’t worry, I don’t want the prize.” Ruan Fang Fei suddenly spoke. Just, this confidence of hers seemed a bit too big, seemingly as if as long as she composed one, it will definitely win a prize. But, judging from the expressions of the people in the surrounding, unexpectedly, not a single one felt it was strange.

Jing Wan turned her head. The unrealistically perfect Ruan Fang Fei, how could Jing Wan forget that this one might have the same origins as her. If this was true, then as soon as she recites a poem, she’ll possibly expose herself. However, how was right now not the perfect chance to confirm whether or not Ruan Fang Fei was the same as her. “Alright, Jin Qinwang probably won’t mind either, right?” Ruan Fang Fei was this one’s soon-to-be side consort, without big sister Jia, perhaps she might even become the main consort.

Jing Wan’s smile was a bit vague, and the crowd also began politely smiling along with her, especially those madams, further having another deeper meaning in their smile.

Of course he mind, he minded very much! If she’s unable to, he was wholeheartedly willing to accept the punishment, and if she is able to, then he further didn’t mind letting her decide whether he should be punished or not. ———–Wan Wan, you having your own husband pushed to someone else, gonna make another mark, then settle the score in the future.

If right now, he were to storm off, although he would sweep Ruan Fang Fei’s face, it would most likely also bring Wan Wan trouble. This wasn’t his original intention. Prior to marrying Wan Wan, he needed to carefully protect her. He wanted to ruin her reputation, so that afterwards she can logically and reasonably be matched into a pair with him, this black from head to toe prince. But the so called ‘bad reputation’ still can’t let her in itself be tainted, even if it’s just a tiny bit.

(T/N: Going to explain this line because there’s some nuance that might have gotten lost during translation. When he says ‘ruin’, it doesn’t mean as in destroy, but more like ‘make bad’. That last part means along the lines of her bad reputation being not something resulting because of her…………basically like she’s rumored to be cursed or such, something outside of human control.)

Li Hong Yuan held a blank expression, so Ruan Fang Fei just treated it as him tacitly agreeing.

Perhaps in just this short period of time, Ruan Fang Fei already had an idea in mind and immediately started reciting.

When she finished, quite a few people had already started commenting, like ‘as expected of Miss Ruan, still this impressive’, or ‘this poem was composed really well, graceful and subdued, yet witty, just like Fang Fei as a person’, or ‘Miss Ruan’s poetry collection will gain another piece’, and so on. All in all, not one wasn’t words of praise.

Jing Wan didn’t know how to compose poetry, but she knew how to appreciate. She had to admit, Ruan Fang Fei’s poem was quite good, indeed worthy of being rewarded. Just, it wasn’t one she was familiar with. Was it just that she didn’t know, or was it that this was actually Ruan Fang Fei’s original work?

If Li Hong Yuan knew Jing Wan’s thoughts, then he would very definitively tell her, Ruan Fang Fei, this person, was indeed an intact original package, and not the same as her, someone from another world, nor like him, someone that has already live through this life once. Ruan Fang Fei was indeed very talented, particularly excelling in poetry, just no matter how good or how beautiful her verses were, it didn’t exceed beyond that of an unmarried young lady’s standard. If one were to let her gain some more experiences, grow some more knowledge, then perhaps she might leave a mark for generations to come, the premise being that she grows like a normal person. Unfortunately, this person has already grown askew from the roots. He admit, he himself was also askew, but he’s able to very clearly recognize himself. Ruan Fang Fei wasn’t the case, she believed herself to be perfect and outstanding, and whatever she did was all correct.

“There’s no need for the punishment, right?” Ruan Fang Fei looked to Jing Wan and suggested.

Although she said it as such, Jing Wan however felt something different. Ruan Fang Fei wasn’t suggesting to her, but rather ordering her, that kind of faint ‘rightfully so’ attitude. Also, she was clearly stepping on Jing Wan, yet pretending to be a good person, like if not for her words, Jing Wan would go overboard. And the people in the surrounding seemingly all were accustomed to it, not thinking anything of it.

Ruan Fang Fei, as expected, was questionable, her disguise already deeply rooted in people’s hearts. If she was also like these people, secretly and soundlessly influenced for a very long time, afraid, she would also feel Ruan Fang Fei was good. Just like big sister Jia, aside from feeling that her perfection was unreal, never once said a single bad thing about her. This kind of person, if they don’t have any dangerous qualities, would still be okay, but if they have dangerous qualities, then their danger factor afraid would be very high. That’s why, unless there was the need to, then one definitely shouldn’t approach, and need to get as far away as possible.

Jing Wan never thought of wanting to have Jin Qinwang make a fool of himself, so naturally she agreed. However…………

Li Hong Yuan had already opened up the embroidered pouch in hand. Looking at the words on the slip of paper, he hooked the corner of his lip. That appearance really was very much seductive. “When this prince was young, consort mother once dressed me in little girl clothes before. This prince wasn’t able to see oneself, but consort mother and palace maids by her side all say this prince was unbelievably pretty.”

How could the crowd still not understand which penalty he got. Those who have seen Li Hong Yuan’s appearance in his youth before all couldn’t help but nod. At the time, his appearance was androgynous, and really was very delicately beautiful. No one could compare. Don’t know how many people wanted to have him carried back home to raise. However, Noble Consort Su kept a close eye, and Le Cheng Emperor guarded him tightly. Then slowly, he turned somewhat rebellious, growing increasingly askew, turning increasingly unlikeable.

As expected, Li Hong Yuan had the slip of paper flipped over towards the crowd, “Don’t want to see?” As he said this, he even pensively stroked his chin, “This face right now, if properly dressed up, then cover up the places that needs to be covered, perhaps will also be very good-looking? Then, if matched with a fitting outfit………..”

Truthfully speaking, Li Hong Yuan’s physique right now was first class. Even if that face was pretty, he still wouldn’t be mistaken for a woman. It was very hard for them to imagine what he would look like in makeup and women’s clothing.

Rather, Jing Wan, after hearing his words, was very much eager to give it a try. In her past life, were there any less of grown men crossdressing? Even if one was a very masculine man, after meticulous care, one would still become very beautiful. Li Hong Yuan’s face, if dressed up well, will definitely be a top class ultra-beauty.

Li Hong Yuan saw that little look in Jing Wan’s eyes. How could he still not understand what she was thinking. Since his Wan Wan wanted to see this badly, it’s not like he can’t sacrifice himself once. However, not right now; he had no intention of entertaining the masses. After they marry, she can slowly mess around however she wanted behind closed doors. Li Hong Yuan had the slip of paper and the embroidered pouch thrown back into the pile.

Quite a few people felt a little regrettable. They just knew, how could Jin Qinwang really be willing to wear female clothing, nothing more than just teasing them. Ruan Fang Fei also relaxed a breath. How could he really sweep his own face!

Things were over with just like that? How could that be, a certain male peacock still hasn’t shown off his feathers to the girl he admired yet.

When the crowd all thought he would leave, Li Hong Yuan opened up another performance embroidered pouch. He looked it over, crumpled it up, threw it away, and then opened another, then continued throwing away, then opening again, then throwing away again. Never mind the female guests, even the male guest side were all left speechless by him. Everyone all believed, if he can’t find a challenge he was satisfied with, he probably will have all the embroidered pouches torn apart.

The Grand Elder Princess restrained the urge to beat up this bastard. All the way until he opened the sixth embroidered pouch was Li Hong Yuan finally satisfied, “This one then.”

The servant girl helplessly looked to the Grand Elder Princess.

The Grand Elder Princess weakly waved her hand. Towards this bastard thing, she similarly was helpless.

T/N: There’s actually a lot of things about RFF that hasn’t been revealed yet in the story. Tbh as a dark villain character she’s quite well written, just her character gets darker and darker as the story progresses……

And regarding ML’s reasons for keeping her around, it really is a legitimate reasoning, just be patient because everything is explained in later chapters. There really aren’t any logic fails in this novel, everything usually is explained and tied up nicely, even if some decisions feel illogical or unreasonable at the moment, just gotta be patient because there are always layers to the situation that hasn’t been revealed yet. Oh yea and there’s something really important in this chapter that will connect to a chapter later on—–like 300 chapters later lol, this chapter can technically be considered a foreshadow.