Chapter 544.2: Realization, Gloomy, Poison Tongue
Speaking of which, at the time, Le Cheng Emperor had the people of Yucui Palace all cleanly taken care of, so towards certain matters, the others didn’t know. However, in this world, there doesn’t exist walls that don’t leak wind. Some things still have traces to follow. Just like for instance, the people present were all well aware inside that Noble Consort Su and her foster son, because of certain matters, thoroughly had a falling out. Jin Qinwang was fine, and Noble Consort Su, aside from still having a noble consort title, lost everything. It goes without saying, it was certainly Noble Consort Su that was in the wrong.
Speaking of which, during this time, the imperial consorts didn’t go to Yucui Palace any less.
When it comes to throwing stones at the fallen, that was absolutely the women of the imperial harem’s most skillful talent.
Stepping on the kind that didn’t have any status or position, how boring. That kind of person simply wasn’t worth it. Only by having those that were high and above, that once oppressed oneself, stomped into the ground, would it feel satisfying.
Noble Consort Su once was the most favored of the imperial harem for that many years. The imperial consorts that suffered at her hands were too numerous to count. Perhaps because she stood high enough, certain things she’d done in the past were just like eating and drinking, even she herself didn’t have any impression, but for others, it was very likely just a great calamity. As such, having the opportunity, what reason is there to not take revenge?
For the banquets of the palace, regardless of its nature, song and dance were all a necessarily program.
Idly chatting with people, while leisurely eating things, or watching the dancers’ nimble dance moves from time to time, while occasionally listening to the songstress’s sonorous and resounding song, if not, then the melodious music was similarly pleasant to the ear.
Although having seen quite a few times, there was always differences. To avoid being too bored, or get dragged to chat by Le Cheng Emperor, Jing Wan watched quite intently. When focused, it indeed felt pretty good.
Le Cheng Emperor’s imperial table certainly would be more abundant than the other tables at any time. Thirty to forty dishes, that was all considered relatively few. Today was the mid-autumn festival. Seeing the dishes getting served wave after wave, Jing Wan figured it probably broke a hundred.
Towards the end, the ones that can enter Le Cheng Emperor’s stomach were probably just three dishes in total amount. And that was already above average performance for the imperial kitchen. The rest were all wasted.
Many emperors during their reign, all say the state treasury was hollow. Based on this level of squandering, it would be strange to not be hollow. Everything else aside, if the emperor’s every meal was switched to eight dishes and two soups, then add a dessert and whatnot, and the people of the inner palace reduce in accordance, then the amount of money the entire imperial palace can save every year would be enormous.
An emperor having eleven dishes per meal was just wronging him? Don’t joke, that was more than enough for seven to eight people.
Unfortunately, the meal was also an important mark of the emperor’s status.
Li Hong Yuan directly picked up a finger-sized meatball and fed into Jing Wan’s mouth. And Jing Wan just opened her mouth and ate it, very much used to it. One could tell from the looks of it, that it absolutely wasn’t the first time. By the time Jing Wan reached out to drink a bit of soup, she finally discovered in hindsight that everyone’s gaze towards her was somewhat off, especially Le Cheng Emperor’s. That was really quite profound.
The thing in her mouth she’d just swallowed, yet she felt a bit stifled, secretly reaching out to pinch a certain someone. She may be absentminded from watching the performance, but could it be that he was also lost in thought? It was clearly on purpose.
On Li Hong Yuan’s body, that was for the most part muscles everywhere. To want to pinch, it wasn’t easy. Jing Wan’s pinch, for him, was further like a tickle. He unconcernedly glanced at her, adding a piece of fish in her bowl.
Jing Wan’s face right now was indeed much thicker, but getting stared at by this many people, she still felt her face burning a little. Yet, a certain someone completely didn’t have that perception, still very happy. If she really were to open her mouth to stop him, afraid it would attract even more attention. Jing Wan was rather helpless. She also could tell, this person clearly was being petty, trying to settle the debt with her. Since he was unable to do anything to her, then it was just using this kind of method to pull in hate for her.
TN: All
When the people of the world all felt it was the norm, then that was just being affectionate, but when the people of the world were all reserved and conservative, then couples holding hands outside would all be viewed as inappropriate, not knowing etiquette, even not knowing shame. Furthermore, it was always the wife serving the husband. When in reverse, if a bit serious, then some would even ask where did your learning of virtue go.
Of course, in the eyes of the other men, it was indeed unacceptable behavior, but for the other women, this wasn’t the case. The concentrated animosity all came from them.
Tsk! Jing Wan slightly lowered her eyes, pretending to be dead.
Li Hong Yuan put down the chopsticks, drinking a cup of wine, his gaze meeting with Le Cheng Emperor’s, “What is imperial father looking at this son for?”
Le Cheng Emperor lightly coughed. It ultimately wasn’t good to directly point out, “The things you shouldn’t do, it’s best to not do.”
Li Hong Yuan lightly sneered. Others perhaps would want to subtly brush over, but who was Li Hong Yuan? The living Enma, the former demon king incarnate. What shouldn’t be done, what can’t be done, he just insisted on doing. Compared to being subtle and reserved, he just liked being direct and crude.
“This son heard that consort mother was imperial father’s true love, and towards consort mother, able to dig out one’s heart and lungs. This son doesn’t believe that you’ve never fed consort mother before.” He turned his gaze, landing on the others, “Such a trivial matter is also worth making a big deal out of? If you have nothing to do just watch the beauties’ dance, and if unsatisfied, then just switch to something else on your own. To be staring at the two of us, you all sure are terribly idle. If can’t stand to watch, then just do it on your own. This prince doesn’t mind in the slightest.”
Li Hong Yuan’s unparalleled shamelessness, neither blushing nor flustered, actually made the others that didn’t do anything feel terribly embarrassed.
Especially Le Cheng Emperor, nearly choking, angrily glaring at Li Hong Yuan, “You think everyone is like you, you bastard! If you want to be intimate with your wife, then get lost back to your own manor. Behind closed doors, you can do whatever you want. But as long as you’re outside, then need to pay attention for this emperor.”
Li Hong Yuan unhesitantly began mocking, “Imperial father doesn’t have anyone to accompany by the side, yet don’t allow other couples to be a bit close, so unreasonable. Moreover, you not having anyone by your side now, exactly whose fault is it? If you can’t stand seeing this son, then directly issue an imperial decree, having this son confined in the manor. Really think I care about coming to the palace? Last year, at the estate, without a bunch of random people, don’t know how satisfying.”
Li Hong Yuan’s mouth once again spat daggers. Le Cheng Emperor’s liver ached from anger, his heart choking, nearly vomiting blood.
And the others also collectively suffered a calamity, getting indiscriminately attacked by Li Hong Yuan, truly quite innocent.
Le Cheng Emperor tremblingly pointed at Li Hong Yuan, “You, you, you bastard, do you want to anger this emperor to death? Huh? You did it yourself, yet don’t allow others to say? Even glancing at you will all make you unhappy?”
Li Hong Yuan immediately shot up, “Indeed unhappy, what does your Majesty want to do?”
The atmosphere instantly just became hostile like drawing swords. Jing Wan actually was still okay, but certain people’s tolerance level wasn’t that great. Especially those younger ones, from the looks of it, all about to cry.
And Li Hong Yuan seemingly even disdained that he didn’t provoke Le Cheng Emperor enough, “This son naturally dares to admit to what one has done, open with nothing to hide, but what about you, your Majesty? At this table, there originally can be another person present.”
‘Bang!’ Le Cheng Emperor suddenly slammed the table, seething in anger, staring at Li Hong Yuan like an enraged lion, but Li Hong Yuan wasn’t willing to be outdone. The father and son pair just glared at one another like mortal enemies. In the end, it was still Le Cheng Emperor that surrendered, instantly deflating, “Enough, some things, this emperor doesn’t want to say more to you. Today ultimately is the mid-autumn festival. Properly finish this meal with imperial father, don’t speak out against this emperor every time. This emperor is the ruler, and also your father, for better or worse, leave this emperor a bit of face.”
Li Hong Yuan still wanted to say something, but Jing Wan grabbed him. When he looked over, Jing Wan lightly shook her head. Li Hong Yuan stared at her for a moment, and in the end, no longer opened his mouth.
Le Cheng Emperor took it in, feeling sour inside. All say, ‘having a wife, forgetting the parents’. This bastard really was the most typical of them all. However, don’t know whether or not it was because this bastard was personally pulled out of his mother’s stomach by him, he seemingly was just born to conflict him. When speaking with him, one was unable to be amiable past three words.
“Why don’t you sit down.” Le Cheng Emperor waved his hand. For the sake of this meal, he also didn’t want to deal with him, just letting him do as he pleased, closing one eye, pretending not to see. If you speak with him, who knows how it will turn out.
Le Cheng Emperor sometimes even question, exactly what kinds of sins did he commit in his previous life for him to give birth to such a bastard in this life to go against him. Yet, he also couldn’t bear to harshly punish him.
However, with Li Hong Yuan subtly mentioning the Imperial Noble Consort, particularly her death, Le Cheng Emperor’s mood also wasn’t great.
Li Hong Yuan seemingly still didn’t want to compromise, but in the end, got pulled to sit down by Jing Wan.
Jing Wan on the surface was somewhat careful and somewhat terrified, but on the inside, she was very calm, just pondering, exactly what nerve broke for this one today, to the extent of pulling this many people to be unwell together with him.
It was obvious, only Jing Wan was the most clear. A certain someone was just being deliberate.
That’s why, in reality, no matter who encounters him, all need to light a candle.
This incident seemingly just past like that. In everyone’s heart, it didn’t leave behind too deep of a mark. After all, it was just like cursing Jing Wan out of jealousy, already used to it. The first time, it was hating, the second time, anger, third time, resentment, but by the fourth, fifth time, one was already numb, and by the seventh, eighth, ninth time, one can probably be calm like water.
Of course, this was for the great majority of the people. Noble Consort Su was hunched over, her two eyes gloomy and sinister. When ‘mentioning’ the Imperial Noble Consort, it was feeling resentful, yet also delighted, yet also scared. What she was worried about the most was still this fire burning onto her. Regardless whether it was her or her son, they already can’t afford to get spurned by the emperor once more, else there really won’t be anymore leeway to turn the situation around again.
Perhaps because Le Cheng Emperor took a blow once again, his spirit all became a bit withered. Towards Noble Consort Su, he perhaps didn’t even think of her.