Chapter 461.3: To Everyone’s Delight
Upon seeing that Le Cheng Emperor’s complexion was obviously somewhat dark and heavy, some people even smugly thought that they’d accomplished their goal, putting more and more energy into it, yet completely missed their own respective masters’ similarly dark expression.
As the saying goes, too far is just as bad as not enough. Le Cheng Emperor wasn’t stupid either. Would he not be able to make out these people’s intentions in the slightest?
Didn’t one see certain court officials whose expression which were originally somewhat peculiar, this while, also not minding in the slightest, even stroking their beards from time to time. ——–Could it be that these were also people that Jin Qinwang planted over?
Just, these people for a moment greatly basked in the limelight, getting carried away.
If they continue, afraid nothing will happen to Jin Qinwang, but the others will instead suffer a calamity.
Certain people of the various factions that held authority in their respective factions hurriedly stood out cutting off their words, even trying to have Li Hong Yuan’s praised reputation pushed down. And those people that were talking non-stop just now seemingly finally realized in hindsight, their foreheads faintly producing cold sweat, quickly filing back in line, lowering their heads and not daring to speak again.
As for Li Hong Yuan, from beginning to end, it was still that expression, not the least bit elated from being flattered.
Le Cheng Emperor faced Li Hong Yuan, “Old six this time performed very well. This emperor will reward you, what do you want?”
“The Imperial Noble Consort is this son’s birth mother, so doing something is all what one should do, no need for imperial father to reward.”
“That is two separate matters. What you want, no harm in saying.”
“Imperial father really wants to reward?”
“The golden mouth and jade words[1].” Although Le Cheng Emperor said this, he was nevertheless somewhat nervous inside, really afraid that ‘the lion will open its mouth wide’. After all, it’s not like this bastard has never asked him of something that he couldn’t do.
“Then, why don’t imperial father send people to the various regions to look for a hundred different kinds of rare and unusual plants and flowers for this son. Don’t disturb the various regions’ officials, and further don’t cause trouble for the commoners.” Li Hong Yuan bluntly stated, not holding back in the slightest.
Le Cheng Emperor’s complexion was a bit peculiar. It was just a hundred different kinds of plants and flowers, really wasn’t considered anything. However, to consider this much for the commoners, could it be that this son……………..
Le Cheng Emperor’s expression remained calm, yet on the inside, already made a hundred twists and turns. “This is asking for your wife?”
In the capital, many people all knew that Jing Wan was good with and liked plants and flowers. Even certain high officials of the imperial court, all for the sake of the plants and flowers in her hand, ‘went to war’.
“Is there something wrong?” Li Hong Yuan was very calm.
Rather, it wasn’t that there was something wrong, just for a dignified qinwang like you, to be mentioning your wife non-stop, have you ever thought about other people’s feelings? Especially the one sitting up top, he was even your old man. As the son, even siding with one’s wife in front of one’s mother all can lead to trouble, let alone in front of one’s old man. That was just purely indulging in romance, a disgrace!
“Well, no, but you sure are one to dote on your wife.” Le Cheng Emperor’s words were seemingly like mocking, yet seemingly also happy to see this.
“Not really, after all, it’s what she deserves. I, a grown man, would even conceal that bit of thing of hers?”
“Oh, old six’s words mean to say that the matter this time, seems to be all your wife’s contribution?” Le Cheng Emperor was full of interest.
“Else what? Thinking that it’s this son’s idea still need to have a bit of evidence and basis. This son grew up under the foot of the emperor[2], one’s food and clothing all the very best, and the people one meets all wealthy and esteemed. What kind of life ordinary commoners live, imperial father thinks this son will know? To not say ‘why don’t they all eat meat[3]‘ and such, imperial father should already rejoice. To not know the suffering of the people, how could one think of what they need, and how could one think of such an incident occurring? No matter how thick-skinned this son’s face is, this kind of credit, one can’t monopolize either. After all, it simply can’t hold ground, something that will be exposed with a jab.”
Li Hong Yuan’s tone was normal, yet the ins and outs of his words were very much mocking. However, no one can say he was wrong.
Even Le Cheng Emperor was a bit embarrassed. Previously, he indeed didn’t think of this bit. However, even if he didn’t think of it, would no one in the entire imperial court not think of it either? In an instant, Le Cheng Emperor began feeling it was a conspiracy again.
“This son doesn’t know, exactly what those people vigorously flattering this son are thinking. Could it be that once this son takes this credit, they will just jump out and criticize this son for relying on a woman and whatnot?”
When Li Hong Yuan said this, Le Cheng Emperor also increasingly felt this was the case.
Thus, it was not only failing to mess with Li Hong Yuan, but even had oneself thrown in, the classic example of ‘giving away a bride and losing the army on top of it[4]‘.
“Wangye’s words are too serious. Her Highness wangfei and you are one as husband and wife. Regardless whether it’s her contributions, or your idea, counting on your head is something that can’t be more normal. After all, some things, men can bear, but women can’t.” Cabinet Minister Liu of the Inner Cabinet stood out and calmly said.
(T/N: Cabinet Minister Liu is Rui Wangfei’s father, thus Rui Qinwang’s father-in-law.)
Once these words came out, it received many people’s agreement.
Li Hong Yuan sneered, “Really sorry, this prince, as a grown man, really isn’t able to do this kind of thing. Besides, what does this prince need that credit for? That is this prince’s wangfei considering for her deceased mother-in-law, considering for imperial father as well as the imperial family’s reputation, and also understanding the lives of the people, thus not wanting to cause trouble.”
For the words to already be said as such, this matter really can’t be forcibly pinned on Li Hong Yuan’s head. After all, no matter how much was said, it was actually all just pointless arguments. Most importantly, Le Cheng Emperor wasn’t willing to see Li Hong Yuan possess too high of a reputation.
“Beloved Minister Luo, it’s your family that raised a good young lady. The Luo family’s upbringing should be set as an example.”
Luo Pei Shan hurriedly stood out, “Your Majesty overpraises, that is all………….”
Le Cheng Emperor waved his hand, “Beloved Minister Luo doesn’t need to be too modest. What old six’s wife is like, this emperor can tell. And don’t say that she’s like this because of marrying into the imperial family. Just based on this bastard’s rotten personality, it can only be ‘those near ink stained black’. For old six’s wife to be able to maintain her original heart, advising this bastard from time to time, letting him somewhat restrain his conduct, this is all due to your family raising her well. Someone come, Jin Wangfei is virtuous and able…………” Ruthlessly praising through and through, not yielding in the slightest compared to certain court officials ‘praising’ Li Hong Yuan previously, afterwards, bestowing down a large pile of things. And those plants and flowers that Li Hong Yuan wanted, he similarly granted.
Shortly after, he also rewards quite a few things to Luo Pei Shan.
The smart people all knew, Le Cheng Emperor was greatly exaggerating Jin Wangfei’s contribution to reduce Jin Qinwang’s prestige. After all, no matter how renowned a woman’s reputation was, it was also just that, unable to cause waves in the whirlpool of power struggles. In any case, it was also just those good things that his Majesty bestowed. For people like them, how could they care about these?
In reality, this was also the other princes’ aim in their continuous schemes. Although the process had disparities, but in the end, it was still different routes leading to the same goal. Right now, outsiders just know that Jin Wangfei is benevolent and kind, not mentioning Jin Qinwang at all.
However, according to Li Hong Yuan’s thoughts, this was also what he wanted. Reputation, he truly didn’t need in the slightest. This thing, no matter how high, actually can’t affect who will sit on the throne. Unless the kind that very much cares about the reputation, hoping to become a wise ruler throughout the ages, else there really weren’t many that would carefully and cautiously maintain.
As the saying goes, ‘water can keep the boat afloat, but also can overturn it[5]‘. But, unless extremely brutal, causing the people to have no way of living, not many were overturned by ordinary commoners’ revolt. Most were still overturned by the ambitions of those in power.
[1] An idiom expression meaning that one will honor one’s words because it has weight.
[2] Under the foot of the emperor is an expression referring to the capital city.
[3] This was a quote said by Emperor Hui of Jin when told that his people didn’t have enough rice to eat. I suppose this is very similar to when Marie-Antionette said ‘let them eat cake’.
[4] For repeating idioms with long anecdotes behind them, I’ve just added the explanation to the historical notes page under idioms.
[5] The original meaning of this proverb was ‘the people can support a regime or overturn it’, but it can now also be used to mean that certain things can be a double-edged sword.
T/N: I love that last paragraph so much, and not just because I was able to translate it well. Although I am pretty proud of that last sentence.
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