The Dust Has Settled (4)

Li Hong Ming was somewhat uncomfortable. Of course, others for the most part couldn't tell.

That three color peony of his was fake. He'd originally intended on using it to bait Luo Pei Shan, but in the end, it was the Head Cabinet Minister that came looking for him a few times. But Ruan Rui Zhong was really difficult to deal with, and if by chance, he were to be discovered, it won't be easy to clean up the mess afterwards. But was the Head Cabinet Minister someone that could be brushed off that easily? In those days, he really was burned badly in the head, and the main fish he wanted to catch, turns out, already had such treasures at home. No wonder he was indifferent. “Sixth brother doesn't understand, something this rare isn't easy to raise. A few days ago, it already……sigh………” Li Hong Ming very regretfully shook his head.

Quite a few people similarly felt endlessly regretful. Only Luo Pei Shan and Head Magistrate Diwu glanced to one another. Merely a fake made from dye, this Rui Qinw.a.n.g, as expected, is also a first cla.s.s actor!

Ruan Rui Zhong, Sir Ruan, similarly didn't reveal the slightest regret either. Looks like, he also knew something.

Don't look at how these people fought over the treasures of their heart this fiercely, like they were shameless and without principle, but the premise was that it didn't involve the interests of the varying factions. Once it involved the political factions, then their heads immediately clear up like it couldn't be more clear. After Ruan Rui Zhong went to find Li Hong Ming a few times, he more or less understood his intentions. Moreover, that peony, he didn't even catch a glimpse of; it would be strange to say there wasn't a problem!

Li Hong Yuan mockingly smiled, “That's why, if you don't have that ability, then don't touch it.” Really a waste of a good quality white peony, this was what his Wan Wan said.

Once these words were out, don't know how many people inwardly cursed: ‘You have the least qualifications to say these words; ruining good things, if you, Jin Qinw.a.n.g, claim second place, no one in the world would dare claim first.' That's why, he was the perfect example of ‘only allow the officials to start fires, but not allow the commoners to light lanterns'[1]. But, even in front of his Majesty, these people all dared to say what they should say, and only before Li Hong Yuan were they unable to. Even Ruan Rui Zhong, who was about to become his cheap father-in-law, did not dare to lecture him either.

They actually weren't fearful of him like the youngsters, but rather knew he was hateful, and capable of anything, so they naturally had their own misgivings.

Li Hong Yuan lazily swept a glance over everyone and made a ‘tsk' sound, “The third older cousin Yu Yao spoke of earlier is third imperial brother you, right? Have to say, third imperial brother, as expected, is a person protective of the fairer s.e.x.”

Li Hong Ming was furious inside. The thing that everyone else all overlooked, you just had to mention! And Yu Yao just had to be present, so he couldn't deny either. Without showing it one his face, he said, “Sixth brother is joking, this prince merely just happened to come across. On the main street, it's ultimately not good to block the path.” He could only roughly explain a few words, and couldn't say too much either. Else, that might tug at Yu Yao being ‘completely unreasonable'. This way, he might end up offending Jiang-fuma.

Li Hong Yuan glanced at him with a vague smile, “This prince thought that third imperial brother might have fallen for Luo family's…………Yu Yao, which Luo family miss was it that damaged your gla.s.s lamp?”

“Think it's the fourth miss, big sister Luo is the Luo family's third miss.”

Li Hong Yuan nodded, “Third imperial brother wants to have that Luo fourth miss taken back to the manor?”

“Sixth brother, watch your words, this concerns a young lady's reputation.” Li Hong Ming said with a serious look.

“Old three, this prince thinks you're precisely being hypocritical, daring to do but not daring to admit. Could it be that the fourth miss is even more outstanding than this third miss? One has to know, this third miss truly is………..”

“Kang Qinw.a.n.g!” Luo Pei Shan coldly interrupted Li Hong Yi's words.

Li Hong Yi also realized his momentary slip of tongue, nearly saying something he shouldn't have, and hurriedly expressed his apologies.

One has to know, when Li Hong Yi mentioned Jing Wan, Li Hong Yuan's eyes instantly condensed into ice.

Luo Pei Shan also looked towards Li Hong Yuan, “Jin Qinw.a.n.g, also asking you to have mercy with your words.” This wasn't unlike the rest.

Majority of the times, Li Hong Yuan still gave the officials face, and definitely more polite than towards his brothers. “This prince just wants to raise the most beautiful flower under the sun. That's why, Sir Luo can put your heart back down. Aside from that one flower, all the others, three color peony, eighteenth scholar, yaotai jade phoenix and what not, this prince most likely doesn't have that capability to raise, so this prince won't bother with them.”

Li Hong Yuan really can be said to have given face; Luo Pei Shan gave a bow.

Speaking of which, Li Hong Yuan's words seemingly sounded without heads or tails, and didn't have a focus either, like he just said whatever he thought of. However, the speaker may be unintentional, but the listener had heart. Could it be that Rui Qinw.a.n.g, Li Hong Ming, really plans on roping in the Luo family?

There were also those that were in reality Li Hong Yuan's subordinates, as well as Sun Yi Lin, who kept feeling he had a deeper meaning in his words.

However, in his heart, Sun Yi Lin actually relaxed a breath. Fortunately, this living Enma didn't become interested in the endlessly radiant Miss Luo just now. Else, others would still have qualms over her having an engagement at hand, but this one may not necessarily care. But thinking to how this one was impossible to grasp, Sun Yi Lin felt somewhat uneasy inside again, constantly feeling that something was not right somewhere.

Finis.h.i.+ng the task her mother gave her, Yu Yao felt this place wasn't interesting anymore, and went back to continue playing her game.

After Yu Yao returned, she didn't see Jing Wan, “Mother, big sister Luo still haven't come back?”

“It has only been a while, shouldn't be that quick.” The Grand Elder Princess although said this, she inadvertently swept a glance below, discovering that a certain few were also gone. Some things, as long as one makes the connections, one is able to roughly understand the situation. To prevent another mishap from happening, she still sent someone to go look.

In actuality, Jing Wan indeed encountered a small problem. A simple cleaning up, as well as treating the injuries on her hands didn't take much time at all. But on the way back, she most likely missed the person the Grand Elder Princess later sent at some branching path, and then Xu mama also got called away by someone, thus she got blocked by the people Li Ru Yu brought.

Have to say, this place was the Grand Elder Princess's residence after all, so Li Ru Yu wasn't rampant to the point where she would directly use the whip to hit people.

The manners one ought to have, Jing Wan wouldn't, because the other party was aggressive, completely disregard. “Greetings junzhu.”

Li Ru Yu's two eyes directly landed on Jing Wan's face. Luo Jing Ying was right, this face was indeed unspeakably tender. Moreover, it didn't have a speck of blemish either. She was envious and jealous. She also wanted this for herself, but when it's on someone else's face, she also can't help but want to cut it up.

Li Ru Yu stretched her hand out, wanting to pinch Jing Wan's face, but Jing Wan unhesitantly slapped her hand away.

Li Ru Yu widened her eyes in disbelief, “You lowly s.l.u.t, you dare hit this junzhu?”

Jing Wan remained unmoved, “If junzhu doesn't have any business, asking to please make way.”

Li Ru Yu was quite furious. There hasn't been a single s.l.u.t that dares to be this rude to her. Though she seems to have forgotten that she actually was nothing more than just someone who bullies people by taking advantage of her position, bullying the weak and fearing the strong. Those who had statuses higher than hers, and stronger family background, she all didn't dare to provoke.

“This subject asks to be excused.” Jing Wan bent her knees, preparing to leave by go around her.

“Hold it.” Li Ru Yu grabbed Jing Wan at once, while her servant girls very perceptively blocked the path.

“Three months, letting the world know, junzhu is the most qualified daughter of the imperial household. This subject thought, hasn't it been less than a month, yet junzhu has already come out, suppose one's etiquette and rules are all without problem. But, looking at it now, how come there's still no progress?” Jing Wan brushed away Li Ru Yu's hand.

Have to say, Li Hong Yuan was definitely Li Ru Yu's nightmare. The words she said, she naturally didn't forget. And right now, having this mentioned by the person she hated and loathed the most, one can well imagine just how p.i.s.sed she was at the moment.

“Mama, Jin Qinw.a.n.g is also here today, right?”

“Replying to miss, yes. This servant thinks Jin Qinw.a.n.g will definitely be very happy seeing Ru Yu Junzhu.”

Li Ru Yu didn't expect that she would actually even get threatened. The sound of her teeth grinding together echoed. But her fear of Li Hong Yuan has definitely deeply penetrated into her bones. Hearing the words ‘Jin Qinw.a.n.g' was more than enough to make her tremble. “Hand over the secret recipe for skincare, this junzhu wants to present it to the Empress. If you obediently hand it over, this junzhu will let you off today.”

For Li Ru Yu to state her true purpose, Jing Wan rather didn't find it strange at all. She finally glanced to Luo Jing Ying, who was cowering behind Li Ru Yu and her people in the very back. Even if her head was lowered the whole time with her face covered, her two cheeks that were both swollen and red weren't something that could be covered up with just her two hands. This was the result of Luo Jing Ying's upmost efforts to scheme against her? Truly quite tragic.

“And if this subject doesn't want to give?”

“Something to be presented to her highness, the Empress……….” Li Ru Yu's voice sharpened.

“What is to be presented to imperial mother?” A resonating male voice interrupted Li Ru Yu's words.

Li Ru Yu abruptly turned around, seeing the majestic crowd of people approaching from the other side of the fake mountain, effectively scaring her. What are they all doing here?

Luo Jing Ying was further like a startled rabbit, hurriedly fleeing to the side.

[1] The general meaning of this line is pretty much criticizing officials for being oppressive hypocrites. This line originates from the Southern Song dynasty, from a story about the Chang prefecture governor called Tian Deng. He's your typical tyrannical corrupt official, but the story the line comes from is pretty much a funny pun story. I won't go into detail on it, but basically, he has this law where words that sound similar to his name ‘deng' are banned in his prefecture, punishment for violating this taboo was going to prison or getting a beating. So a young official who was drafting an announcement for the Lantern festival, needed to write an announcement telling the commoners that they will light the color lanterns for three days as celebration. But the problem was that the word for lantern in chinese is p.r.o.nounced ‘deng'. So this genius young official used the word ‘fire' in place of ‘lantern' to avoid offending the governor, which ended up causing ma.s.s panic and confusion, because the commoners all thought the officials were going to set fire to the prefecture for three days. And this was how this saying came about.