Chapter 205.4: Suffering a Crushing Defeat
Chapter 205.4: Suffering a Crushing Defeat
Jing Wan very quickly fell asleep. Gong mama lightly adjusted her sleeping posture for her. Sleeping on one’s stomach, pressing against the arm like this, as time draws out, it won’t be comfortable. Afterwards, she covered her in a light silk blanket, before finally going out. Soon after, Qing Zhu entered, holding a round fan, neither quickly nor slowly fanning Jing Wan, maintaining a trace of cool air.
Prior to the evening meal, her servant girls woke her, and after drinking a bit of water, sobering up a little, there won’t be any effect when taking the evening meal.
During this time, Sun Yi Jia came over once, but seeing she was asleep, she thus didn’t disturb her.
Afterwards, Jing Wan just went on as usual.
As for Luo Pei Shan, because of the matters in the south, began busying again. And looking at the situation, afraid he’ll have to sleep relatively late.
Because recently they’ve been using the meal together, she heard him mention a few words during the meal. The matters on water conservancy, Jing Wan didn’t understand, and if she really had to say a bit of something, probably on the emergency measures and the arrangements after the disaster, she was still able to ‘discuss tactics on paper[1]‘ based on those things in her past life. However, according to her knowledge, Qi Yuan Dynasty, or more precisely, the previous dynasty, when it comes to dealing with a flood, they possess a set of perfect methods. Jing Wan has never underestimated these people’s wisdom, but she can still carefully look over later. After all, it’s knowledge accumulated over several thousand years, so should be able to list out some useful things.
As for Li Hong Yuan visiting again, Jing Wan just lifted her eyelid and glanced at him, quickly shutting them again and continuing to sleep.
Li Hong Yuan’s arrival tonight, the main purpose was still looking for Luo Pei Shan. However, since he’s already entered the Luo family’s territory, how could he not come see Jing Wan, hugging her and kissing, rubbing their heads together. Most likely, the things he wrote, Luo Pei Shan has already finished reading and thoroughly mulled over. “I still have some matters to take care of tonight, so won’t be able to accompany you.”
“As if someone cares whether you accompany or not.” Jing Wan softly muttered.
Li Hong Yuan chuckled, kissing her forehead, “Then I’ll be going.”
Jing Wan watched him leave, and in actuality, still felt quite pleased inside. Regardless of what, telling her was better than not saying anything at all, selfishly believing that no matter what one did, it was all correct. Jing Wan right now won’t indulge in random thoughts, but his attitude, at least showed his respect towards her.
Luo Pei Shan was still carefully looking over the things Li Hong Yuan wrote, incomparably exclaiming in admiration inside. Jin Qinwang truly wasn’t simple. The things that even his Majesty didn’t know, he was all very clear about. And the things that everyone was still pondering over, he has already considered in all aspects, the arrangements clear, and ideas all practical.
While mulling over certain areas where one can still add some more details, he inadvertently lifted his head and saw Li Hong Yuan walk in.
The same as last time, it was just this soundlessly. Luo Pei Shan silently cursed, a dignified qinwang, yet not the least bit embarrassed in being that ‘gentleman on the roof beam’[2]. However, since he was going to come over himself, why the need to let someone have the material given to him that bit of time in advance first. This bit of time, what could you possibly be busy with? However, if he knew Li Hong Yuan used this time to intrude his precious granddaughter’s boudoir, don’t know what kind of expression that will be.
Getting up, he walked out from behind the desk, “Greetings wangye.”
“You may rise.” Li Hong Yuan sat down to the side. “Has Sir Luo finished reading, what thoughts do you have? Is there areas that need to be supplemented?” This was just an old man, and not his dear Wan Wan, so naturally it was just dealing with in a strictly business-like manner, without a single excessive word.
Facing governmental affairs, Luo Pei Shan wasn’t sloppy in the slightest either, directly stating his own opinion and view.
The two of them thus carried out a discussion on this matter.
Pouring the tea and passing the cup, this kind of thing, An Yi entirely took charge of. As for that servant boy of Luo Pei Shan’s, this while, was still a bit stupefied because of Jin Qinwang visiting in the night. Have to say, last time when Li Hong Yuan visited Luo Pei Shan at night, he’d directly had him knocked out.
Because the things Li Hong Yuan wrote were very meticulous to begin with, the places that needed to be supplemented were very few. As such, their discussion didn’t last very long, only taking less than an hour.
Luo Pei Shan’s appreciation of Li Hong Yuan rose to admiration. With just this ability, the other princes, even if all squished together, would all be unable to catch up. He was also efficient and unscrupulous in handling matters, handling the butcher’s cleaver with ease, the world in his grasp. To say something greatly disrespectful, even Le Cheng Emperor was far inferior. If even this kind of person fails in seizing the throne, then there was practically no natural order.
However, recalling his reputation on the surface, one can imagine, just how deeply this person has hidden.
Li Hong Yuan took a sip of tea, “The rest, will just trouble Sir Luo.”
Luo Pei Shan pointed to the memorandum, “Has wangye never thought of presenting this up yourself? Just letting this subject monopolize such an enormous credit?”
Li Hong Yuan glanced at him, “What credit does this prince need?”
“Indeed, the rivers and mountains under the heavens are all wangye’s, so how could wangye care about this bit of fame. Moreover, if wangye presents the memorandum up, his Majesty’s first reaction would probably be questioning whose hard work did wangye steal, and afterwards, just suspect wangye’s intentions. In fact, won’t even consider the possibly that his son might have this ability.”
Li Hong Yuan didn’t express an opinion. An empty reputation, this kind of thing, he has never wanted.
Getting up, “This prince will take one’s leave.”
Luo Pei Shan hurriedly got up too, “Respectfully sending off wangye.”
When the study returned to silence again, Luo Pei Shan’s gaze once again landed on the memorandum. A moment later, he sat down, flipping open the memorandum that has been modified, and began transcribing a copy to present before his Majesty tomorrow.
His servant boy entered again to refill the tea, “Tonight’s matter, forget it all.” Luo Pei Shan didn’t lift his head, his hands also didn’t stop, but that servant boy understood his meaning, hastily responding. This matter wasn’t a joke.
Li Hong Yuan took a turn and headed to the Ruan family. Perhaps vaguely sensing something, Ruan Rui Zhong had yet to rest, and similarly didn’t leave anyone to serve him either. The servants also just took it as him having pent-up frustrations inside, unable to be persuaded. And after seeing him get angry, they all didn’t dare to stay behind.
Seeing Li Hong Yuan appear, Ruan Rui Zhong was both surprised and startled. However, he somewhat had an ‘as expected’ feeling inside.
“Greetings wangye.”
Li Hong Yuan calmly sat down, finally nonchalantly opening his mouth, “You may rise.”
Afterwards, Li Hong Yuan didn’t speak, and Ruan Rui Zhong also just stood here with his head hanging.
“Why don’t you sit down. With this appearance of yours, those who don’t know would even think how cold-blooded is this prince, letting a weak and feeble elder stand as punishment.”
“Many thanks wangye.” Ruan Rui Zhong ignored the rest of the contents in his words.
“Head Cabinet Minister doesn’t want to say a bit of something to this prince?” Li Hong Yuan propped his head against one hand, carrying a bit of relaxed laziness.
Ruan Rui Zhong finally lifted his head to look at him, “Can only say, wangye truly is impressive, deceiving everyone.” In reality, he previously had thousands of words for this ‘person behind the scenes’, the most important one was, since he clearly knew these things, why couldn’t he have told him privately, instead insisting on having the Ruan family made into this mess. Could it be that he, Ruan Rui Zhong, offended him?
That’s right, he already anticipated that everything was probably all done by the person Wei-shi spoke of.
However, seeing Li Hong Yuan, he didn’t want to ask anything anymore. Based on this one’s personality and usual style, even if one asked, he still may not necessarily tell you. And even if he tells you, the answer perhaps would just be ‘I was in a good mood, so just wanted to.’.
“Master, the person has been brought over.” An Yi’s voice sounded at the doorway.
Shortly after, Wei-shi who was dressed exceptionally seductively walked in. That was an appearance Ruan Rui Zhong has never seen before, but after a moment of daze, his complexion thoroughly darkened into the bottom of a pot. Not just because after everything got exposed, she just became completely nonchalant, but further because her two eyes were fixedly staring at Jin Qinwang.
Wei-shi didn’t even give Ruan Rui Zhong a glance, alluringly bowing to Li Hong Yuan, “……….As expected it’s wangye. Have to say, towards wangye’s methods, this subject’s wife very much admires.”
Li Hong Yuan faintly looked to her, “Your ability, however, really wasn’t all that great, losing this easily. This prince originally thought that one would still need to expend some more energy.”
Wei-shi’s expression slightly stiffened, then immediately after, smiled extremely flirtatiously again. “Wangye was in the dark, this subject’s wife in the light. Towards this subject’s wife, wangye knows very much about, yet this subject’s wife doesn’t know a single thing about wangye. Wangye had lashed out suddenly, so naturally this subject’s wife was caught unprepared. If one had guarded against, the outcome may not necessarily be like this.”
“You’ve been hiding in the capital for twenty years……….”
[1] Original term is ‘military tactics on paper’ (纸上谈兵), meaning theoretical discussions that may not be effective in practice.
[2] A phrase meaning thief or shady individual
T/N: Just for clarification, Ruan Old Madam, or Wei-shi, is a spy from another enemy country. The phrase that has been used for her in s is ‘通敌卖国’ (conspiring with the enemy and selling the country). This phrase is generally just used to describe someone who’s a traitor to the country, and never used for internal struggles. It’s only ever used when an outside country is involved in the mix. Even if there are different powers at play internally, including the previous dynasty’s imperial family, this phrase still wouldn’t be used.