Chapter 548.1: Sun Yi Lin’s Predestined Love?
Towards the incident that happened at the mid-autumn palace banquet, the ones affected were just that layer of people. The others still just went on as usual, nothing more than having something extra to talk about. But, it ultimately involved the imperial family, with not just one member of the imperial family dying, so when discussing this matter, it was also much more subtle, just vaguely commenting a few words. The waves caused by it were much smaller than the great majority of gossips.
Of course, it appeared calm and quiet, but if this matter were to involve a certain or a certain few court officials, then after finding out, there will inevitably be a bloody storm. When time comes, the panic it will cause will at least linger in the capital’s skies for three months, and there won’t be many like now, still aloof because the matter didn’t concern them.
En, the premise being that they can find out, but what if unable to find out?
The matter was carried out that meticulously, and the assassins, regardless of whether or not they’d completed their mission, when time comes, will all die. That’s why, it was more likely to not find out anything. However, there was no absolutes in the world. Perhaps, when time comes, things will just take a new turn.
In the palace, Noble Consort Su was rather tenacious. Gong Jiu just treated her according to the common method, not even giving his all, yet she still managed to survive. Perhaps there were too much hatred and resentment in her heart, thus her will to live was very strong.
On mid-autumn that night, the former Rui Wangfei Liu-shi had also entered the palace afterwards. Moreover, she had her three daughters all brought along. Princess Heyang had retrieved her grandson, and although all the disaster was caused by the father of the female infant in her hands, the child was ultimately innocent. Moreover, Princess Heyang wasn’t some mentally twisted psycho either, in the end, just having the child returned in good condition.
Liu-shi right now had her three children all watched very tightly. At home, no matter how angrily Li Hong Ming lashes out at her, she was all indifferent. To say it unpleasantly, it was just the typical case of ‘a dead pig not fearing scalding water’. But, if Li Hong Ming attempts to touch her children, no, even if just wanting to go near them, Liu-shi can just go crazy in seconds, just like a mad dog, able to go all out against Li Hong Ming.
After witnessing more than once, Li Hong Ming’s complexion darkened to the point of dripping ink. However, he was already without power and influence, and Liu-shi’s father was still a cabinet minister of the inner cabinet. He still wanted the Liu family’s support. That’s why, he still couldn’t do anything to Liu-shi. But, Li Hong Ming was never was magnanimous person. If he really were to ascend the throne, then Liu-shi absolutely won’t have a good end.
Liu-shi served by Noble Consort Su’s bed. If it was in the past, she probably would be very diligent, but now, it was just sitting there, no different from a wooden pillar. Never mind moving her hands, she didn’t even bother moving her mouth. Don’t say that Yucui Palace’s manpower was ample again, with Le Cheng Emperor’s bestowments flowing in like water. Even if it was in the terrible state previously, Liu-shi still won’t put in a hand. When it was about time, she also just went to see her children. Although Noble Consort Su just had a physical injury, and not some disease, Liu-shi still rarely let her children appear before Noble Consort Su. However, when the children were present, Liu-shi clearly was much more gentle, but she also had anger.
Noble Consort Su got angered by her to the point where her liver ached, but being angry could only add to her body’s burden, so she could only suppress her anger. How satisfied she was with Liu-shi in the past was just how dissatisfied she was right now, the level perhaps already above Jing Wan. However, at present, Liu-shi took in neither threats nor bribes, and similarly, if one dares to use her children to do something, even if it’s the imperial palace, she still dared to cause a scene.
That’s why, Noble Consort Su in the end could only be the same as Li Hong Ming.
Liu-shi took it all in, inwardly sneering. In the past, she was just too stupid, having too many misgivings, thus getting deathly grasped in their hands. Right now, even if knowing that this path might be a dead end, she also didn’t care, deciding to satisfy herself first. When time comes, at worst, it was just dying together with her three children. In any case, if she dies, her three children absolutely won’t have good days. Even if reluctant inside, it was still a helpless choice, because Liu-shi was very clear, even if she were to lower herself like in the past, her days still won’t be any better.
Besides, Liu-shi felt that she may not necessarily reach a dead end. As long as Li Hong Ming doesn’t sit on the throne, then the four of them still had a very large hope of surviving. The new emperor will settle scores with Li Hong Ming, but for the most part, won’t touch them. First, it was to show off the new emperor’s benevolence, and second, it was because she and her three children were all female, so won’t become a threat to the new emperor.
Liu-shi on the surface did everything she can to erect a protective wall for her children, yet on the inside, endlessly calculated, searching for a way out for the four of them. If able to sell a favor to the future new emperor first, obtaining for them a protective talisman, then even better.
——-That’s right, right now, as long as it’s able to exchange for her and her daughter’s safety, Liu-shi can unhesitantly sell out Li Hong Ming. Unfortunately, no matter how she contemplated, she all didn’t feel any particular one had a very high rate of success, having the mien of a ruler. His Majesty clearly had that many sons, seemingly all having a bit of ability, but all not that prominent. She once was optimistic about Li Hong Ming, just after repeatedly meeting with unexpected failure, he just fell faster than anyone, so it can be seen, he was also a useless one.
Precisely because the state of affairs was as such, it was thus the most difficult to gamble, yet this matter was different from others, unable to cast a wide net, else if not careful, she might have her life thrown in early. ——-Getting discovered by Li Hong Ming, he can disregard everything, directly killing her.
Rui Wangfei on the surface increasingly appeared like a completely lifeless wooden pillar, yet on the inside, she was particularly fretful.
TN: All
Li Hong Ming has already restored his qinwang noble title, but temporarily still not having any assignments. Liu-shi also restored her wangfei status along with. Rui Qinwang Manor also returned to its original state, the things that it should have all getting moved in one after another.
However, Rui Wangfei inadvertently discovered something. Rui Qinwang’s attitude towards Noble Consort Su currently seemingly was a bit strange. There was concern and worry, but it seems there was also a bit of something else. Rui Wangfei quietly observed and carefully pondered, finally understanding where the crux of the problem lied. Our Rui Qinwang also carried resentment towards his own mother, resenting her for not directly dying!
Then again, if Noble Consort Su directly dies, then her accomplishment of saving the emperor will all be compensated on Li Hong Ming. If she directly dies, Le Cheng Emperor’s feelings towards her will be even more ingrained, and every time whenever Noble Consort Su is mentioned intentionally or otherwise, Le Cheng Emperor will just recall that Noble Consort Su had used her own life to save his life. Regardless of whether it was out of guilt or gratitude, there will inevitably be more benefits landing on Li Hong Ming’s head, just like Li Hong Yuan. If she dies, Li Hong Ming can immediately return to the imperial court, and not serve by her bed in Yucui Palace———if a prince’s mother dies, never heard of needing to observe mourning practice[1]. Right now, the time was pressing for him.
If Noble Consort Su was still like in the past, being greatly helpful towards Li Hong Ming, then Li Hong Ming wouldn’t go as far as to be like this. But, the problem was that Noble Consort Su’s situation right now, anyone with eyes can all tell, even if she recovers, she would still be useless. That’s why, no matter how one looked at it, it all wasn’t as valuable as directly dying.
Rui Wangfei inwardly sneered again and again. Regardless of how Li Hong Ming behaved on the surface, inherently he was just cold-blooded and selfish, putting his own interest above all else. Just don’t know if Noble Consort Su finds out, what she will think? Would she be sorrowful and bitterly disappointed, or would she gladly sacrifice herself for him? After all, this son was single-handedly taught and raised by her.
Unfortunately, whenever Li Hong Ming revealed the slightest trace of it, Noble Consort Su was all fast asleep, else based on her sharpness, how could she not discover her son’s oddity.
Rui Wangfei carried a bit of ‘watching a play’ attitude, quite looking forward to this good mother-in-law being able to notice, or perhaps a certain man directly saying it. When time comes, it certainly will be a good play. However, afraid it won’t be too likely to watch at the scene. Li Hong Ming and Noble Consort Su both weren’t stupid. It was impossible for them to have this matter pointed out in front of a third person.
The imperial court wasn’t at all peaceful. The grown princes were fighting both openly and secretly, yet this time, their attitude was exceptionally unanimous, and that was just attempting to having Li Hong Yuan pinned as the culprit behind the scenes. Li Hong Yuan right now was still the ‘same as usual’, but his incomparable position in Le Cheng Emperor’s heart was just the greatest threat.
This kind of inference that completely lacked evidence naturally won’t be able to hold ground. Furthermore, Li Hong Yuan had long ‘expressed his attitude’ in front of Le Cheng Emperor, cold sarcasm, heated mockery, in addition to complete arrogance. Li Hong Yuan clearly told Le Cheng Emperor, if he wants to suspect, then just do as he please. Even if stripping him of his title, it also doesn’t matter. He doesn’t have the energy to explain, and further doesn’t have the energy to deal with anyone.
Yet, this precisely worked on Le Cheng Emperor. All say, once a person’s heart leaned in one direction, then whatever they looked at all carried a filter. Li Hong Yuan has been ‘arrogant and bold since childhood’, but in Le Cheng Emperor’s eyes, he was just a straight-tempered good child.
Once the first impression was established, towards the other princes vilifying Li Hong Yuan, Le Cheng Emperor certainly will be unhappy. Moreover, on that night, towards their behavior, Le Cheng Emperor was already quite disappointed, to the extent that they all didn’t dare to use ‘losing their child’ as an excuse to be pitiful and win sympathy, putting on an act of grieving for their lost child. If they really dare to do this, nothing will happen to Li Hong Yuan, but they themselves will instead suffer a calamity. Towards the end, those that still wanted to push the matter onto Li Hong Yuan, Le Cheng Emperor’s line of ‘being unfilial and a failure as a younger brother’, can just stifle them to the point of not daring to say more.
Originally, quite a few people were all worried for Li Hong Yuan, but in the end? Without him even doing anything, Le Cheng Emperor just fully stood up for him. Well, sure enough, it was being worried for nothing. The power of bias really was extraordinary.
And for those that found Li Hong Yuan unpleasant to the eyes, they naturally could only once again stomp their feet in anger, and also could only do this.
“Jin Qinwang’s position in his Majesty’s heart can’t be shaken. Even if shaken, the people that want to push him towards death would instead get kicked into the abyss even quicker. Rather than say that his Majesty was siding with Jin Qinwang, it’s better to say that in a certain sense, his Majesty was protecting the other princes from suffering defeat too early. Right now, there’s still his Majesty supporting, so Jin Qinwang is too lazy to budge. If the calculations are correct, Jin Qinwang’s wings should already be plump, his claws already sharp, ready to brazenly strike at anytime.”
[1] The common practice for mourning the death of a parent in ancient times is to abstain from entertainment, celebrations, bright colors, nightly pleasures, as well as official work, and observe mourning for three years, which is why most officials are forced to retire from the court to observe mourning. Technically speaking, only the son needs to follow the practice. The daughter, son-in-law, as well as the younger generation all don’t need to, but most still do out of filial piety. Of course, if the son had already passed away, then the responsibility falls on the grandson. However, as usual, the imperial family always have exceptions.
T/N: MERRY CHRISTMAS! Remember to stay safe during the holidays!
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