To say when she heard her grandfather mention Princess Heyang, Jing Wan wasn’t surprised was false. However, according to what she understood about Princess Heyang from books, as well as from Gong mama’s mouth, if her grandfather really once had some sort of interaction with her in the past, then such a strong-women ideology centered princess making her grandfather change some of his views towards women perhaps really isn’t that strange.
“It’s true that Princess Heyang met with condemnation from others in many areas, but one can’t deny that she’s truly a champion among women, rivaling men.” Luo Pei Shan’s tone carried a faint admiration, in a sense, further feeling like having the other party treated as those colleagues who are officials of the same imperial court, and not mixing in any feelings of romance.
Even to this day, Yun Niang was still very attractive for her age. When grandfather had met her, she was most likely still young, so naturally incomparably charming. For grandfather to be able to not be seduced by her, yet also simultaneously be deeply influenced by her, tsk, should say, while Sir Luo has very high moral character, at the same time, his ability to accept certain things was also very strong? Jing Wan felt, for someone like her grandfather, if someone were to have him thrown into the world of her past life, he would undoubtedly be able to excel like a fish in water within a short period of time.
But, did her grandfather know about Princess Heyang being the owner behind the Rouge Pavilion? However, it also wasn’t appropriate for Jing Wan to say anything either. After all, this matter actually wasn’t something she’s suppose to know. Jing Wan right now increasingly felt Gong mama seemingly knew a bit too much. In the past, when she was in the palace, afraid she wasn’t just a simple palace maid, but how come such a person got sent out of the palace? How come she willingly left the capital to a distant place to serve a little girl such as herself? “How come grandfather had connections with Princess Heyang?”
“Princess Heyang is still alive, and moreover, is living within the borders of Qi Yuan. Regardless whether it’s rumors, or the history books, those are all not the truth. According to Princess Heyang herself, after she killed the Northern Xiongnu King, during the chaos, she singlehandedly escaped, but suffered seriously injuries. As for afterwards, how she returned to Qi Yuan, didn’t hear her say.”
“Then, does grandfather know where she is currently?”
“Don’t know, aside from that meeting during that year, never saw her again afterwards.”
“How long ago was that?” Jing Wan was rather curious.
“Twenty some years ago, right before I was called back to the capital from the outer regions as an official.”
“At the time, did grandmother meet Princess Heyang?” Reasonably speaking, prior to marrying, her grandmother should’ve been well acquainted with this Princess Heyang, however at the time, Princess Heyang was still young. During those years when Princess Heyang was the most active, grandmother should’ve already left the capital with grandfather.
Luo Old Madam seemingly recalled something, exposing a faint smile, “Met her once before, wearing men’s clothes, a body full of capability and experience, yet it didn’t cover up in the slightest the fact that she was female. The servant girls and bodyguards at her side were in large numbers, and moreover, the men were handsome, the women charming, really was all kinds of emotions in extravagant clothing. That time, there was also a lecher taking liberties with a girl from a humble family, very much letting her become the hero. She although was a woman, she nevertheless did to the greatest extend all matters meant for men, visiting brothel, entering gambling dens, and moreover, was ostentatiously generous in throwing money, seemingly like those frivolous noble young masters in stories. And probably because she was a woman, she further understood how to win a girl’s favor. Even if one could tell at a glance she was a woman, there were still quite a few young ladies that fell for her. It’s rumored that there was a famous courtesan that fell between life and death for her, causing an enormous ruckus. However, this matter, your grandfather should be the most clear about.” Luo Old Madam casted a glance at Luo Pei Shan carrying three part ridicule, “After all, at that time, your grandfather would get dragged out by Princess Heyang to go drink every few days.”
(T/N: Sometimes I feel like LHY just modeled his outside persona after this great aunt of his.)
“Grandmother, you didn’t get angry?” Such a frivolous woman dragging one’s husband out to drink, and even one with a bad reputation, raising countless handsome male lovers, and at that time, grandfather was also in his middle age, similarly a time when he was incomparably charismatic, didn’t she worry he’d be hooked astray by Princess Heyang?
“To say I wasn’t angry in the slightest would be false, but as the number of times increased, I instead didn’t feel angry anymore, because every time after your grandfather returned from being dragged out by Princess Heyang, that body was even cleaner than when he returned from social gatherings with his colleagues. Never mind that he had never gotten drunk, he didn’t even have the slightest smell of rouge on him either. Also, the time he returned was also early, and from time to time, would even bring back some interesting little playthings. In the past, one has never seen him be this good at making one happy before.” Luo Old Madam looked to Luo Pei Shan smilingly yet not really.
Luo Pei Shan’s old face flushed red. However, he was precisely wondering why at the time his old wife didn’t have any reaction. Turns out, she’d long sensed what was off.
“After intentionally inquiring, one learned that it was Princess Heyang who said ‘give these things to madam’. Turns out, the one that knew how to win another’s favor was Princess Heyang. After Princess Heyang left, your grandfather returned to being a block of wood that didn’t understand romance again. Sigh, if grandmother hadn’t already married, perhaps would’ve also fallen for that Princess Heyang.”
Luo Pei Shan’s old face instantly darkened this time. He unknowingly nearly got ‘a corner of his wall dug’[1] by a woman? Afterwards, seeing his old wife’s expression, this was getting mocked by his old wife? Forget it, as a grown man, could he even bicker with her?
“Princess Heyang had a wide learning and strong memory, experienced and knowledgable. For her to repeatedly come looking for your grandfather, it was probably because your grandfather was also one with extraordinary talent and learning, having a few agreeing interests. In addition, no matter how much like a man Princess Heyang’s personality was, in the end she was still a woman, and only as a woman, is one able to see through her clearly. Her heart took pity on women. If your grandfather was a fickle and frivolous one, then he either would’ve not had any interactions with Princess Heyang, or would’ve long died by Princess Heyang’s hand.”
Eh, speaking of this, in those unofficial histories, they seemingly really have never mentioned Princess Heyang tainting married men before.
Princess Heyang perhaps was frivolous, but still had a bottom line and principles, not touching married men. In contrast, if such a person were to fall at her hands, then they really might lose their life.
It would’ve been fine if Luo Old Madam hadn’t mentioned, but as soon as it was mentioned, Sir Luo’s face darkened even more. He remembered Princess Heyang once changing back into female clothing, seductively trying to entice him once before. And after failing, she even threatened him, but after righteously and forcefully rejecting her, Princess Heyang laughed especially arrogantly, “All say Sir Luo is a proper and upright gentleman. As expected, this isn’t untrue.” Afterwards, she pushed aside the pink muslin screen. Luo Pei Shan’s face darkened, but at the same time, was also somewhat fearful. The main reason being that on that bed, crawling out one after another from all edges, were venomous snakes. If one really was to be enticed onto the bed, one would definitely be bitten to death alive by the venomous snakes.
“Princess Heyang was disliked by countless men, but there were even more men that would go mad for her, willingly becoming her ‘guest in the canopy’[2]. She was disliked by countless women, but even more women envied and admired that unbridled confidence of hers.”
Jing Wan’s eyes slightly moved. Princess Heyang was indeed enviable, even Jing Wan wasn’t an exception. Of course, she didn’t envy her enormous harem, but rather in this kind of societal environment, she wasn’t restricted. However, it was just envying. It was the right time, in the right place, and by the right ‘human circumstances’ that brought about such a Princess Heyang, unable to be duplicated. If other women were to produce thoughts that they shouldn’t have was it asking for death, or asking for death?
Luo Pei Shan lightly coughed, “What should be said, and what shouldn’t be said, have all been said already. Third girl, you are a smart child. You should understand grandfather and grandmother’s intentions.”
“This granddaughter understands. In the past, it was this granddaughter that let down grandfather and grandmother’s painstaking efforts. In the future, it won’t happen ever again.”
“It’s enough that you understand. ———–Come, Wan Wan, come over and take a look. This flower’s situation seemingly is somewhat inconsistent with what you wrote in your record of flowers. What’s the matter with it?” Perhaps because he received Jing Wan’s honest thoughts, towards the matters from this morning, Luo Pei Shan also didn’t care all that much anymore. If you, Kang Qinwang, really don’t value me, then I, Luo Pei Shan, won’t shamelessly approach either. If you piss off this old man, I really will just go against you. It’s not like you’re the Emperor, who’s scared of who? If in the future, something unexpected happens, one can always think of a way to save one’s precious granddaughter. As for grandson-in-law, hehe, when time comes, we’ll just see how the situation goes.
Luo Old Madam, seeing the hidden worries on Luo Pei Shan’s brows disappear, and Wan Wan seemingly also appearing even more bright and beautiful, lightened up quite a bit inside. Seeing the pair muttering together, she helplessly laughed as she shook her head, returning back to the main courtyard.
Luo Pei Shan greatly lashing out at Jing Wan caused quite a big disturbance. Just the other masters weren’t specifically notified. And after learning the news, majority of the people all didn’t plan on getting involved. And when those that were concerned hastily rushed over, this side had already settled down without any problems. As for those that were concerned, it was none other than just the people of the second branch.
Luo Jing Bo and Sun Yi Jia both carrying worried faces in front, and not far behind them followed Luo Rong Yan and Zhang-shi.
“Grandmother………”
“Just go back, it’s nothing.”
Hearing Luo Old Madam say this, the two relaxed. “Grandmother, what exactly happened?”
“Naturally your younger sister made a mistake and got reprimanded by your grandfather.”
“Little sis can also make a mistake?” Luo Jing Bo was rather surprised.
“What are you saying, people are not virtuous saints that can make no mistakes, how can your younger sister not make mistakes?”
Luo Jing Bo dryly laughed, “Then, what exactly did little sis do wrong?”
[1] This expression is used to describe a third person taking advantage of the cracks in a relationship, basically saying Princess Heyang almost stole his wife.
[2] I swear sexual innuendos always come up for Princess Heyang. The canopy is referring to the canopy on beds, in ancient times all beds had a screen covering.
T/N: Merry Christmas! I stayed up until 5am to finish an extra chapter as a bonus, hopefully no one in my family asks why I’m braindead in the morning.
