“This humble subject greets wangye.”
Li Hong Yuan didn’t even bat an eye, “What are you looking for this prince for?”
He clearly had came for Jing Wan’s sake, but in that moment, Sun Yi Lin was unable to say a single word. Reasonably speaking, since he has cancelled his engagement with Jing Wan, then they have nothing to do with each other anymore. As the former fiancee, saying something in front of her current fiancee, the one that this was the most detrimental was still Jing Wan. Although the three documents and six rites[1], not a single one has been processed, but the imperial decree itself was more effective than anything else. He didn’t drink alcohol, his mind was very clear. He knew he was being rude and impetuous.
Li Hong Yuan finished writing the thing in hand and casually threw down the brush, “This prince more or less know what you came for, have to say, you sure are courageous. However, this prince’s heart has always been narrow.”
“Wangye, this has nothing to do with Luo third miss, you………”
Li Hong Yuan sneered, “Sun Yi Lin, based on what do you think this prince will take one’s anger out on one’s own fiancee, and not directly look for you, this main offender?” His eyes gradually dyed with shade, “She is this prince’s, daring to have delusions of this prince’s person, be careful of dying without a burial site. As long as you’re still a clever one, then in the future, don’t try coming anywhere near her. Get lost———-”
If one were to carefully take note a little, those that had let out a peculiar expression towards Jing Wan that day at the Grand Elder Princess Manor, in these last two days, all more or less met with some mishap. If it weren’t for the fact that by going overboard, it would attract unnecessary troubles, Li Hong Yuan would have made them stuck in bed for ten days to half a month.
Sun Yi Lin deeply inhaled a breath, “This humble subject bids farewell.”
Sun Yi Lin entering Jin Qinwang Manor and then leaving not long after, the people outside estimated that it was probably just a few words worth of time. And seeing Sun Yi Lin’s dark and heavy complexion, it most likely wasn’t some ‘joyous conversation’ either.
Sun Yi Lin silently sat in his horse carriage. He truly came to realize the disparity between himself and Jin Qinwang. That man, not only concealed himself deeply, but that imposing aura was even so powerful to the point that it made one tremble. He indeed didn’t have any way of competing with him.
For this kind of man to lose in the end, now that would be rather strange. In that case, at the very least, he should be relieved. Even if Jing Wan marries him, she wouldn’t be so unlucky as to get killed with him. The more likely possibility was letting Jing Wan become ‘the phoenix overlooking the world’.
Jin Qinwang’s possessiveness towards Jing Wan, regardless whether it was just because Jing Wan was his fiancee, or some other reason, at the very least, he was lenient towards his own. In that case, Jing Wan’s days in the future probably won’t be terrible. Just, he really won’t be able to approach her anymore. If he were to lose control of himself and do something he shouldn’t do, then it won’t be good for both sides.
At the same time, Li Hong Ming also sunk into a dilemma. The one that possessed the most marriage value in the Luo family fell into that bastard’s hands. No matter how good of a chess piece, falling into that bastard’s hands was all equivalent to a wasted chess piece. After much contemplation, it was time to go ask Luo Pei Shan for the person. Even if Luo Rong Ping casted himself to him in the dark, it still wasn’t as reliable as directly holding a person in hand. After all, Sun Yi Jia did marry into the Luo family. Even if this connection was weak, it still existed. That’s why, he must have a connection too.
When Li Hong Ming came looking, Luo Pei Shan wasn’t surprised in the slightest. He’d long predicted that this day would come.
“Wangye, fourth girl’s birth is humble and doesn’t have the qualifications to serve wangye, that’s why asking wangye to please forgive.”
Li Hong Ming saw Luo Pei Shan adamantly refusing him. Since that’s the case………His face revealed a moment of hesitation, even carrying a bit of helplessness, “Sir Luo, this prince will just tell you the truth. This prince fell in love at first sight with your noble manor’s fourth miss, and momentarily couldn’t control one’s feelings, that’s why………….”
Luo Pei Shan’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.
“Sir Luo, please don’t get angry, this prince will apologize to you, just this matter is all this prince’s fault, so please don’t blame fourth miss. This prince genuinely wishes to marry your noble manor’s fourth miss, asking Sir Luo to please grant this wish.”
“Marry?” Luo Pei Shan’s expression didn’t improve in the slightest. “Only the wangfei is legitimately married in. Wangye, please don’t make reckless remarks. If Cabinet Minister Liu were to hear, won’t he come fight this old subject?”
“Yes, yes, yes, Sir Luo is right, this prince had a momentary slip of tongue. This prince is willing to take fourth miss as a side consort, asking Sir Luo to please agree.” Li Hong Ming can be said to have put forth his best behavior, not having the least bit of airs.
“Rui Qinwang, please don’t joke with this subject. Even if taking her as a side consort, that still needs to go through the full ceremony. Can a girl who is unable to take out a yuanpa[2] on the day after the bridal night still become a qinwang’s side consort? Could it be that wangye wants to have the matter of my Luo family coming out with a young miss that lost one’s purity before marriage become known to everyone? When time comes, my Luo family will lose all face, and the reputation of the other young misses of the Luo family will all sweep the floor too. Just like that Shen family right now, the young misses all not daring to step out of the family gates. This old subject hasn’t offended wangye, right? So why degrade the Luo family like this?!”
Li Hong Ming wanted to vomit blood, and further because of mentioning the Shen family’s matter, his complexion was deathly pale, yet he wasn’t able to lash out at Luo Pei Shan, “Sir Luo, it’s this prince’s fault for not having considered thoroughly. How about this, this prince will first have fourth miss lifted into the manor, then once she becomes pregnant with a child, this prince will request to confer her to a side consort, what do you think?”
Luo Pei Shan looked to Li Hong Ming for a moment, “Asking wangye to please allow this old subject to go back and think about it.”
“Naturally it’s not a problem.”
“This old subject bids farewell.”
Li Hong Ming stared in the direction Luo Pei Shan left in. In his eyes, this matter was already in the bag. The so called ‘think about it’ was probably just going back to verify the truthfulness of this matter. He firmly believed that Luo Jing Ying will lean towards him. However, this matter, perhaps the Luo family has long known about, else there wouldn’t be no news from Luo Jing Ying in nearly half a month.
Luo Pei Shan really did have the character of a scholar, that serious. Something like the yuanpa similarly can be faked. However, Luo Jing Ying’s status was indeed a bit low. Her father wasn’t any better than Luo Jing Wan’s father. In fact, his reputation wasn’t even as good as Luo second master’s and was even a shu-born. Luo Jing Ying also wasn’t favored by the family’s head, and further didn’t have an esteemed adoptive mother. Suddenly just taking as a side consort really was a bit difficult, so lifting into the manor first and then following up afterwards wasn’t bad either.
Getting on the horse carriage, Luo Pei Shan put away his angry look, his expression indifferent. Everything just now was all merely done for Li Hong Ming to see, even catching his words and stabbing him a few times in passing. Have to say, the Head Minister of Appointments Sir Luo was also an adequate king of acting.
Returning home, Luo Pei Shan told Luo Old Madam, she can have Luo Jing Ying let out.
“Rui Qinwang came looking?”
Luo Pei Shan nodded.
“Understood, this matter, I will arrange.” Luo Old Madam said. If not for Jin Qinwang insisting on wanting to have Luo Jing Ying sent into Rui Qinwang Manor, she would’ve long gotten rid of Luo Jing Ying. “This way is also good. Jing Bo’s wife is from the Ding Duke Manor, having her enter Rui Qinwang Manor will balance the current state of affairs, so as to avoid Rui Qinwang clinging onto you all day and not letting go.”
Luo Pei Shan right now completely didn’t consider the problem of political standings anymore, just taking care of his own business is enough. Facing those wangyes that ‘respected the wise’ all day rather wasn’t a problem, but always buzzing around like flies was also annoying.
Luo Jing Ying being able to see the light of day again, Luo Old Madam also just roughly told the third branch.
Luo Jing Ying was very happy, and afterwards, the rock in Liu-shi and Luo Rong Ping’s heart also finally dropped. Even if Liu-shi was extremely disappointed towards Luo Jing Ying, at this time, she still excitedly prepared to go back to make inventory to prepare a good dowry for Luo Jing Ying.
“A concubine that will just be lifted into Rui Qinwang Manor in a small sedan, do you think she’ll be able to have a dowry? Can’t even have red garments.” Luo Old Madam splashed a basin of cold water, “If you really want to consider for her, then prepare more money for her, especially small amount banknotes. Entering Rui Qinwang Manor for the first time, one needs to bribe the servants. If the amount is too much, then others will take you for a fool, but if too stingy, then who will run errands for you.”
Seeing that for better or worse, she still carried the Luo family’s blood, Luo Old Madam gave a few words of advice. However, from the looks of it, Luo Jing Ying won’t listen to her.
“Grandmother, those things from before, they were all given to this granddaughter by Rui Qinwang, so can you return them to this granddaughter?”
Seeing her lifting her head and puffing her chest with a smug look, Luo Old Madam coldly turned and left. This kind of person, as expected, wasn’t worth her putting in the effort. In the future, when one suffers a loss in the qinwang’s manor, just don’t cry. Especially the phoenix tail hairpin, that kind of thing…………
“Shut up, those things, your grandmother has long let someone send over.” Seeing this small-minded look of Luo Jing Ying’s, Liu-shi also very much hated.
Luo Jing Ying pursed her lips, but after a split second of uneasiness, she put on a proud and boastful look again.
Liu-shi carefully studied her once over, suddenly feeling that she, who had all her hopes placed onto Luo Jing Ying, was actually very stupid. She always thought that her daughter was very outstanding and very good, but she actually was just ‘mud that can’t stick to the wall’. She even wanted to pry open her head to see whether or not her brain was filled with weed. Already at this point now, yet still unable to see reality clearly. If not for the Luo family, you think you can establish yourself in Rui Qinwang Manor? Really think Rui Qinwang likes you that much? Moron!
Liu-shi thoroughly gave up on her. It was best to have her thoughts placed on her son, he was truly her dependance for the latter half of her life.
[1] Three documents and six rites refer to the process in traditional chinese marriage custom. The three documents include letter of betrothal (basically contract of the engagement between two parties), letter of etiquette, and letter of welcome (given to the bride side by the groom when he goes to escort the bride); the six rites are receiving the selected gifts, request of the eight birthday characters, receiving the auspicious notice, sending the betrothal gift, setting the wedding date, and welcoming the bride.
[2] Yuanpa[1] – Roughly translates to ‘original/first handkerchief’; it’s the handkerchief that’s laid on the wedding bed to catch the bloodstain (and other fluids) from a bride’s first time, proving her virginity. This is especially important for the imperial family, and nobility in general. In extreme cases, like marrying into the imperial family, if not a virgin, it’s punishable by execution of the entire family. The handkerchief is kept and stored away safety, I wonder if any managed to preserve until the modern era. You know I always sorta laugh at those scenes in cnovels where the characters fake it with like pigeon blood or something, because there’s more than just blood on those things and any experienced mama should be able to tell if it’s real or not.
