Of the rulers in history, many loved beauties. But no ruler’s fondness towards beauty could surpass the throne. If one can only choose one of the two, then usually it was always the beauty that got abandoned. Not only so, the beauty would even more often than not get chastised as the source of calamity, or a country-ruining demon, and their ending, the more miserable, the better.[1]
Prior to Gong mama leaving the capital and heading to Qi’an Fu, she’d asked Li Hong Yuan a similar question before, because she didn’t feel the other princes had the capability to compete with him for the throne. And how did he respond?
———Not even able to protect their own woman, that is their incompetence. ——–This prince will have her held up to the highest position, letting everyone in the world know, with her present, the country will be stable, the world at peace. Without her, the country unstable, the people in misery. ———With her here, the ruler will listen to loyal advice, take in all kinds of talk. Without her, obstinate and stubborn, deciding alone without consultation on the laws and policies of the imperial court.
(T/N: Pretty much what happened in his past life after Jing Wan died; though to the commoners he was a really good Emperor, so that’s something, he only killed a bunch of nobles and officials, and their entire family too ofc.)
Of course, these weren’t really Li Hong Yuan’s original words, but according to Gong mama’s understanding, it was precisely like so. At the time, because she still hadn’t met Jing Wan, she felt indescribably complicated inside. This was clearly wanting to have that Miss Luo elevated onto the position of ‘National Treasure’. That way, no one would even dare touch a hair of her.
She originally was still worried. If that Miss Luo really was a country-ruining demoness type, when the Qi Yuan dynasty changes Emperor once again, then that will probably be the time of the country’s destruction. However, fortunately, her new master was much much better than she’d anticipated, letting her thoroughly become partial to her own miss in a short time. Moreover, in these last two years, she became further clear that even if miss really was to be held up to such a high position by wangye, she’d still have that ability to ‘stabilize the country’. Not only because she can greatly influence wangye, but further because she herself possessed that kind of potential.
While Gong mama was somewhat lost in thoughts, Li Hong Yuan had walked back carrying a basket filled with flowers.
His movements composed, and his posture upright. Even when doing something not so fitting of his status, it didn’t decrease his noble air in the least either. Instead, it reduced a bit of that cold and detached feeling that had manifested because of that qinwang imperial gown he was wearing, letting the high and unreachable him appear within hand’s reach, enticing everyone to approach him.
Wherever this man goes, he can make the heaven and earth all lose color.
Jing Wan subconsciously stroked the buddhist beads on her wrist. That ‘ruler overlooking the world’ feeling appeared again. Every step he took was just like deliberately stepping on her heart.
And this time, not only Jing Wan, even Sun Yi Lin who was close by felt it too. Because he often faced Le Cheng Emperor, he was very clear of what was called the ‘unpredictability of a ruler’s might’.
If before was still a guess, then right now, Sun Yi Lin was a hundred percent certain, all of them were deceived by Jin Qinwang!
With him concealing this deeply, if one were to say he didn’t have any ulterior motives, even ghosts wouldn’t believe.
However, he’d clearly been hiding it perfectly well until now, so why did he suddenly let him discover? Perhaps him agreeing to such a marriage was actually just to rope in the Ding Duke Manor, or possibly just him for him, Li Hong Yuan, to make use of?
He originally disapproved of this marriage, and now that Li Hong Yuan exposed himself, he further disapproved of it. Setting aside first whether those terrible to the extreme reputations of his were real or fake, even if they were fake, this man’s mind was too deep, too terrifying, and not something anyone or anything is able influence. And in Sun Yi Lin’s eyes, those rumors nine times out of ten were real, because even if he really did those things, they’d still be of no consequence to him, so why would he wrong himself? Furthermore, only by actually acting out a fake play can one deceive everyone, no?
Thus, regardless of looking at it from whichever angle, his younger sister marrying him, all won’t end well.
Seeing Sun Yi Lin’s indefinitely changing expression, one probably could guess what he was thinking.
Li Hong Yuan coldly scoffed inside. He didn’t need the Ding Duke Manor at all. What he ‘needed’ was the Sun clan behind it, not to rope in, but rather to destroy and break apart. Moreover, really sorry, he’d long set about this task already. Even if Ding Duke Manor’s masters discover it now, it would still be too late.
Of the people present, probably only the stern face Gong mama was aware of Li Hong Yuan’s goal. But she really didn’t know what to say.
And if Jing Wan were to know that his purpose was all just to show her, his display all just ‘a male peacock spreading its dazzling tail feathers to seek a mate’, then don’t know whether she should be proud of herself for being able to conquer even this kind of man, or fall silent with nothing to say and then have this man slapped aside?
As Jing Wan was accepting the basket that Li Hong Yuan was handing over, truthfully speaking, her entire person was still somewhat absentminded. Just, her upbringing that was engraved into her bones allowed her to still seamlessly perform her courtesy. “Many thanks, wangye.” Her manners unhurried, neither servile nor overbearing.
Li Hong Yuan lightly smiled. This was precisely his Wan Wan. She didn’t have an exceptional appearance, didn’t have a strong background, and didn’t have various kinds of talents. But she was gentle and considerate, good at understanding others, calm and easygoing, generous and open-minded, resolute and unyielding, knows to be grateful, yet never blames the heavens nor others, kind yet also has clear and distinct likes and dislikes, liking is liking and disliking is disliking, never to be pretentious. This kind of her, how many people would not like, not cherish?
Wangye, can you not smile? Too against the rules! Jing Wan had to admit, she felt that she seemingly was inadvertently teased by this man again. Just, it really was unintentional……Jing Wan, you’re too naive!
Seeing the harmonious atmosphere between the two of them, Sun Yi Lin suddenly felt a strong sense of crisis. In that short amount of time, he really couldn’t figure out Li Hong Yuan’s real objective. He was worried that Li Hong Yuan would become interested in Jing Wan. In certain people’s eyes, Jing Wan probably can’t reach the standard of beauty in Li Hong Yuan’s eyes, but Sun Yi Lin didn’t feel that way. Face wasn’t the only standard for determining a person’s beauty. To only have a good face, and not have the bearing and cultivation to support that face, then everything will all be in vain.
Sun Yi Lin subconsciously wanted to separate the two of them, but Li Hong Yuan, like as if he’d eyes growing on his back, shifted a step to the side, turning to leave. All of the charming and gentle mood instantly dissipated, like everything was all a misconception.
“Sun Yi Lin, weren’t you inviting this prince for a drink? Where’s the wine? Right now, this prince is in a good mood.”
So everything you did just now was because of your good mood? Sun Yi Lin hoped it was just this.
Sun Yi Lin was eager to hurriedly have them separated far far away, “Wangye, this way.”
Li Hong Yuan looked to Sun Yi Lin with a like a smile yet not a smile, seemingly carrying a deeper meaning in his eyes.
And this expression of his, Jing Wan didn’t see, yet fell into Sun Yi Lin’s eyes. His heart jumped. Anything can happen after getting drunk.
Without needing Sun Yi Lin’s instructions, the servant girls in charge of bringing the wine and preparing the accompanying food all successively began moving. Everything was set up in a little pavilion in the courtyard.
“Big sister Jia, let’s go.” Looks like there aren’t anymore problems, and the excuse they found has already been accomplished as well. They can’t just continue to stay here.
“Little sister Wan, no need to hurry. Didn’t I previously say that I’ve always wanted to study how to grow flowers with fifth brother? But he’s not a good teacher. How about while we’re at it, you explain some more with me? No need to explain too much, can just talk about the characteristics of the flowers in fifth brother’s courtyard.” Sun Yi Jia coiled around Jing Wan’s arm.
Seeing her line of sight constantly flitting towards Li Hong Yuan and Sun Yi Lin, how could Jing Wan still not understand her intention.
Jing Wan thus candidly agreed.
From the moment they entered, Jing Wan already noticed, the breeds of flowers in Sun Yi Lin’s courtyard were numerous. Furthermore, she could tell, they were all grown with the utmost care, and very attentively taken care of.
Even if Sun Yi Jia’s mind wasn’t here, Jing Wan still didn’t work half-heartedly. Regardless of which flower she was introducing, she was all very attentive and diligent, using terms that Sun Yi Jia could understand as much as possible. Concise yet also comprehensive. Even if at first, Sun Yi Jia was somewhat distracted, she was still gradually drawn over, even asking a question or two from time to time. Jing Wan poured out everything she knew, and moreover, these questions weren’t the least bit difficult for her.
And on the other side, inside the pavilion, the moment Sun Yi Lin saw through the lies, he was already aware that this bit of cultivation of his, in Jin Qinwang’s eyes, afraid was not enough. “What does wangye think?”
Li Hong Yuan held the cup, taking a very shallow sip, carefully sampling the taste, “Not bad.” He raised his head and downed it in one gulp.
“Wangye is rather trusting of this lower official. Aren’t you worried about this lower official doing something to the wine?”
Li Hong Yuan faintly glanced at him, “Would you be that stupid?”
“In the past, naturally no, but right now isn’t the same anymore. Wangye’s threat is too big, if paying a small price can get rid of future troubles, what is there not to do?”
“Paying a small price? Sun Yi Lin, in your eyes, how big is this price? This prince will tell you, Ding Duke Manor, the entire Sun clan, the Empress, Li Hong Yi, as well as all the officials supporting him, all will be exterminated up to the ninth relation.” Li Hong Yuan nonchalantly stated such incomparably gory matters with a smile.
With a cold expression, Sun Yi Lin fixedly stared at Li Hong Yuan…….
“If you don’t believe, then why not try and see.”
[1] I think the most famous example of this is Noble Consort Yang (Yang Guifei) of the Tang dynasty. There are a few other ones but she’s the most famous historically, and fictionally I think the fox demon Daji (during the mythical Shang dynasty) takes the prize, interestingly enough the literature portraying Daji as a fox demon seems to originate from the Tang dynasty, makes me kinda wonder if it was during the same time period when Yang Guifei was around. I enjoy historical analysis quite a bit. In my opinion, it was tragic that Yang Guifei had to take all the blame and die because of the Emperor’s incompetence, but she wasn’t completely innocent either. Women that were able to climb into power in ancient times should never be underestimated. There’s also a famous poem about her ‘Song of Everlasting Regret‘ composed by Bai Juyi in year 806, 51years after her death, it’s quite a good read.
T/N: You have no idea how much I love translating the politic side of this novel, tbh the romance is pretty secondary to me in comparison to the politics. I enjoy the world building and politics side much more, even if there’s no romance in this novel I’d prob still love it. Most of my favorite novels have zero romance, or super minimal romance, and are pretty politics heavy, though this novel has a good balance between the two sides. I’ve also reached chapter 100 on patreon side, finally one sixth of the way through this novel. Btw it gets more BL in the lmaoooo.
