Chapter 104.3: The Elder Brother Sends the Betrothal Gifts, The Next Day the Younger Sister Withdraws From An Engagement

Luo Pei Shan smiled. As expected, among the ones that went to the Ding Duke Manor today, there were also people from Noble Consort Su and Rui Qinwang's faction. Afraid, quite a few people from the other factions were also there. "Elder Liu is rather well-informed. That brat still needs more grinding."

"Sir Luo, why be this strict, this old man heard, that painting style has already been perfected, must have spent quite a bit of effort. To be younger than twenty, yet have such accomplishments, Sir Luo still thinks it's not enough? How should we, who only have good-for-nothing sons and grandsons at home, feel?" Cabinet Minister Liu had 'this is not knowing when one is living in good fortune' written all over his face.

(T/N: Luo Jing Bo's age has never been specified, but I've always estimated it to be around 16-17 at this point. He's younger than the second young master, who we later learn is 18 one year from now, but older than Sun Yi Jia, who's currently 16.)

Hearing these words, Luo Pei Shan only felt his teeth falling out from the sourness. But he still very sincerely had Cabinet Minister Liu family's sons and grandsons all praised over and over again, that was a dragon's literary grace and a phoenix's bearing, rare in the heavens, and peerless on earth, making the mouths of bystanders who heard all twitch. Are you talking about a person? That's a god, right? Moreover, Sir Luo, are you sure you're praising someone, and not mocking them?

Unfortunately, Luo Pei Shan had a face full of sincerity, as if he was really telling the truth.

Encountering this kind of person, even Cabinet Minister Liu needed to bow in defeat. Now, he didn't want to block him to 'make connections', but rather, just want to quickly get rid of him and leave instead. "This old one still has important business at hand, and will take one's leave first." Sure enough it was 'important business', because he left very hastily.

Luo Pei Shan stood in his original place, stroking his beard, his expression modest, and his refined scholarly air very much prominent.

"Old master." Luo Pei Shan's servant boy handed him two booklets.

Luo Pei Shan turned his head, and replied with an 'en'. Just as he was about to accept them, a hand suddenly shot over from the side, swiftly having the booklets snatched away. "Record of Flowers? Sir Luo, how ungenerous." Head Magistrate Diwu even sounded a bit irritated.

Luo Pei Shan nearly rolled his eyes at him, "You again." That was the record of flowers he just got, still haven't had the chance to look over yet.

How could Head Magistrate Diwu return it to him, "Eh, this drawing, what drawing style is this? Never seen it before."

"Is it strange for you to have never seen it before?" Luo Pei Shan was unconcerned.

Head Magistrate Diwu may not have heard about Luo Jing Bo's betrothal gift yet, but someone to the side certainly has, "Could it be that this is the gongbi style?"

Anyone who has heard the rumor all were somewhat curious, thus one bye one, wanted to personally see with their own eyes.

Head Magistrate Diwu also got a rough idea from their lively discussions.

"This is the record of flowers that your granddaughter made, and your grandson added the drawings?"

"Is there something wrong?" The matching drawings in these two record of flowers were indeed drawn by that grandson of his under his granddaughter's request.

These drawings were from a while ago. With flowers that Luo Jing Bo didn't know about, Jing Wan would draw first, then give to Luo Jing Bo to copy. Afterwards, let someone by her side take her drawing and burn it. Currently, all the gongbi drawings in her hand, for the most part, were all incomplete, letting outsiders see that she was in the learning stage. And because she was also interested in the freehand style too, she occasionally would also challenge that side as well. It can be said, Jing Wan, for the sake of her older brother, really did sacrifice quite a lot.

Just, Jing Wan probably won't know, those drawings that she let someone burn, actually were all collected by Gong mama and sent to Li Hong Yuan. What was burned was just some scrap papers. She, for the sake of her elder brother, can be indifferent to her own sacrifices, but Li Hong Yuan heartached dearly for her, and further couldn't bear seeing Wan Wan's hard work be put to the flames just like that.

The surrounding officials were just interested in the gongbi style, and not interested in the record of flowers. Thus, he rather didn't mind letting them see too. Previously, it was still just a rumor, but now, seeing the completed work, it truly was a completely new style. Moreover, looking at that technique, it really was already perfected, and can't be nitpicked. Truly was impressive. Rather, one should say, don't believe what you hear until you see it personally for yourself.

While the others were passing the booklets around, Head Magistrate Diwu was speaking with Luo Pei Shan, and moreover, was haggling over the price.

Just, the sound in the surrounding became increasingly quiet, and by the time the two noticed, never mind that there weren't many people left, the two record of flowers were further gone without a trace. The two couldn't help getting angry, "Where'd it go?"

Afterwards, someone took pity on them and told them, "One got taken away by Cabinet Minister Ruan, and the other is in Head Minister Zhong's hands."

Luo Pei Shan went pale, and Head Magistrate Diwu directly started cursing. They pulled up their sleeves, very much looking to go find them for a fight.

Luo Pei Shan rather wanted to go looked for them to demand his things back, but he was once again stopped by Li Hong Ming.

Seeing that the Luo family was seemingly about to entirely turn to Li Hong Yi's side, if it was still just a Head Minister of Rites, Li Hong Ming perhaps wouldn't spend the effort to have the person pulled over, but right now, the circumstances weren't the same anymore. In front, there was Luo third miss who was connected to favors from many sides, and now there was a Luo third younger master, who very possibly might become renowned throughout the world, or even become a teacher to an entire generation. This kind of person truly had too much influence, how could he just let Li Hong Yi grasp them in his palm like this. Naturally, he needed to think of a way to bribe them over, and if he truly can't obtain, then just destroy, otherwise, at the very least, need to let the Luo family continue staying neutral.

In reality, after Luo Jing Bo and Sun Yi Jia's marriage had reached an agreement, Luo Pei Shan had already predicted this outcome. Thus, when Li Hong Ming invited him, he didn't refuse, and nor was he able to refuse.

When Li Hong Yi learned that Li Hong Ming had invited Luo Pei Shan away, he was infuriated. But by the time he rushed out, they were already gone without a trace. "Li Hong Ming, this prince doesn't believe that you'll even be able to have younger cousin and Luo Jing Bo's marriage ruined?"

Li Hong Ming indeed couldn't ruin this marriage, because this marriage, his old man, Le Cheng Emperor, had someone keeping an eye on it. Le Cheng Emperor hoped for Sun Yi Jia to be able to smoothly marry. Anyone who dares to interfere and ruin it, will have definitely eaten a bear's heart and a leopard's guts. Their outcome will certainly be very miserable. However, Li Hong Ming still had a Luo Rong Ping in his hands. Previously, towards this person, who seemingly wanted to change over to his side, he was still indifferent, but now, how was it not a good chess piece for controlling the Luo family. Even if Luo Rong Ping notices something wrong with the current state of affairs and wants to pull back again, he won't give him the chance to.

First he lost the record of flowers, then afterwards, got dragged away by someone for a talk beating around the bush. Luo Pei Shan felt stuffy inside.

The stuffy Head Minister Luo, after returning to the Manor, had his fourth son that was about to enter the exam site tomorrow called over for a lecture. Luo Rong Wei, who originally intended to nicely relax on the day before the exam, was extremely depressed. Who did he provoke or offend this time?

After venting out his anger, Luo Pei Shan felt much better, and had his other sons and grandsons called over. He was rather amicable and specially asked about Luo Jing Bo's trip to the Ding Duke Manor today, nodding in satisfaction. Just, in a place where they didn't notice, his gaze towards Luo Rong Ping became even colder.

The Luo family had also sent some things over to the Chen family today. After all, Chen Zheng Min needed to enter the exam site tomorrow, so they surely needed to send some auspicious things.

The next day. Luo Pei Shan had said everything he needed to say to that fourth son of his already, what place he'll be able to get in the end will all depend on his own luck. As for the other three branches, they also expressed what they ought to express. And thus, when entering the exam site, because the children of the fourth branch were all still young, only Wu-shi alone sent off Luo fourth master with the servants. However, compared to those candidates from the various regions that came to the capital alone for the imperial exam, this was already considered very grand. Of course, there were also those that can't be compared to. It's not like there weren't ones where their entire family came out.

Luo Rong Wei was also rather open-minded. In any case, his learning wasn't very top-notch either. It was naturally good if he can perform well, but if he doesn't, it's not like his life can't go on either.

After Luo Rong Wei entered the exam site, Wu-shi saw the people from the Chen family. She first greeted them, "Min boy has already entered?" Shortly after, she instead saw a servant boy carrying a basket. Clearly it was things prepared for the exam, and moreover, this third uncle-in-law's family all looked very anxious, yet Min boy was nowhere to be found. Wu-shi's heart jumped, "What's wrong?"

Chen Zheng Min's mother almost started crying from worry, "Our Min boy got invited out by someone yesterday, and until now, still haven't returned. What if he misses the exam, how can that be good? Moreover, what if, what if he'd met with some mishap, how will I be able to keep on living?"

"Shut up, what are you bawling for, Min boy naturally is fine." Chen Zheng Min's grandmother sternly shouted, but the others all could hear the trembling in her voice. How were these words of hers not for comforting herself as well?

"This......" Wu-shi didn't know what to say. Logically speaking, Min boy, that child, wasn't this oblivious to the severity of the situation. "Have you all sent someone to go look for him? Should've also sent someone to the Luo family to inform us."

T/N: I feel like Grandpa Luo and Head Magistrate Diwu can be a new ship.