Chapter 174.1: Midnight Fright

Jing Wan drank the water, and then listened. Something wasn't right, "Did something happen?"

"Miss, how about this servant go take a look?" Gong mama said.

Jing Wan shook her head, "No need, if something really happened, then by tomorrow, we'll naturally learn of it." Things that happen in the middle of the night definitely won't be anything good. Perhaps it's some shameful secrets. This while, regardless of the purpose for going to investigate, whether or not one was able to hear anything was one thing, just worried that one will accidentally bring trouble to oneself. "Mama, why don't you go rest, no need to stay here and watch over me."

"This is the outside and can't compare to being at home. Miss, for now, just sleep, this servant is fine."

Don't listen to how Gong mama was softly speaking to her, Jing Wan was still able to sense her persistence. These two years' time, getting along day and night, was more than enough for them to have each other's temperament understood thoroughly. And when Gong mama was being stubborn, even Jing Wan couldn't do anything about her.

Thus, it was best to just obediently go to sleep. Jing Wan let out a small yawn, laying back down again. She wasn't all that awake to begin with, and after Gong mama put out the lantern, she very quickly fell asleep again. Afterwards, she actually slept quite peacefully.

Gong mama lightly swayed the fan for Jing Wan, ensuring a slight cool breeze, and not too fast that it affects her.

In the dark, despite not being able to see clearly, Gong mama still faced Jing Wan's direction, 'Good miss, after tonight, those demons and monsters clinging onto wangye will all be taken care of cleanly. He said he'll be good to you for a lifetime, so believe him for now. He although frequently doesn't abide by the rules, willful and wanton, and moreover overbearing and bad tempered, he has always kept his word. You will be able to live out your ideal days, you won't need to have your ideals entrusted onto third young master and third young madam. Good miss, you will be well for your whole life.'

Meanwhile, in the village functionary's home, Le Cheng Emperor was sitting upright. Although there wasn't that dragon throne from the imperial court, and he was also just wearing informal clothes, he still similarly had that out of the ordinary loftiness, especially that swirling cold air emitting from him. Even if it was already the sixth month, it still made people uncontrollably shiver. There were quite a few people present. For the princes and high officials, it was still okay, but for those ordinary commoners, they were trembling as they kneeled on the ground.

And the ones kneeling at present weren't just commoners, but also those two with noble status, situated directly in front of Le Cheng Emperor.

"This late into the night, what has imperial father called this son here for?" Li Hong Yuan lazily walked in from the outside, his voice carrying a trace of 'still half-asleep' hoarseness, and at the same time, one could also sense his annoyance. Then again, to be called up when one was sleeping nicely, if not at his old man's request, then who knows how intense the anger fire would be.

Le Cheng Emperor lifted his head and glanced at this sixth son, his hair scattered behind his head, his outer clothing also just casually draped over his shoulders. Under the contrast of the dim light, compared to his terrible temperament on normal days, and holding back that extremely arrogant nature of his, he appeared much more docile and harmless. This kind of him, even Le Cheng Emperor, this father, has never seen before. "Such disorderly appearance, how is this appropriate!"

Li Hong Yuan frowned, sensing that violent air rising again. His sleep has actually never been that good. When sleeping, the surroundings need to be very quiet. Any sounds of movement will all affect him, and his temper when getting up was also very heavy. These few days on the road, he naturally slept especially unwell. At this time, even if it was his old man, definitely still won't get a good face from him. He rubbed between his brows, forcibly enduring, "What exactly is the matter imperial father?" If there's something say it quickly and efficiently, this prince still needs to sleep. He shot a glance at the people kneeling on the ground, "Instead of sleeping, this is coming to put on a big play?"

If this was in his past life, especially after he ascended the throne, and after the country stabilized, even if the sky collapsed and the earth shattered, it all still needed to wait until after he wakes up. In this life, the only thing that was able to disturb his sleep and won't arouse his anger was probably just Jing Wan's matters.

Getting disturbed in the middle of the night, no matter who, all would be annoyed. Knowing his temper, Le Cheng Emperor this while didn't bicker with him either.

"Yuan'er, why don't you sit down first." Noble Consort Su gently spoke.

Li Hong Yuan followed the voice and glanced over, "How come consort mother is also here?"

"Consort mother and your imperial father both don't want to waste time right now either, just, sigh................" Noble Consort Su helplessly sighed.

Eunuch Mu and them moved his personal chair over for him, placing it in the position below Noble Consort Su.

Li Hong Yuan seemingly hesitated for a moment, carrying a bit of melancholy as he slowly walked over. After sitting down, he directly extended his hand and pressed it against his forehead, sitting leaned back without a proper posture, following which he closed his eyes again. From where Noble Consort Su resided, she just happened to be able to clearly see his slightly knitted brows, carrying a silent endurance mixed with melancholy, even appearing to be quite uncomfortable.

Noble Consort Su heartached from watching. This son of hers, on normal days, that was just sleeping until he naturally woke up, so to be getting up in the middle of the night, it definitely would be hard on him. Thus, her anger towards the cause of all this just rose even more. "Sir Ruan, how long does that good daughter of yours plan on letting us wait?" Even if Ruan Rui Zhong had his back hunched, suddenly as if aging ten years, appearing dispirited, and previously, although he'd just sprained his back, this while, probably still not that nimble, he still wasn't able to let Noble Consort Su's anger dwindle somewhat.

"Your Highness........" Ruan Rui Zhong's lips trembled, yet the following words, he was no longer able to say.

Li Hong Yuan opened his eyes and glanced at him. For this old man to already be shocked into this state right now, then by the time he learns of everything, even if he doesn't vomit blood and die, he most likely will still suffer from a stroke and be paralyzed on the bed. That way, wouldn't his plan of squeezing him dry for a few more years go up in smokes? Li Hong Yuan uninterestedly shifted his gaze. In the entire Qi Yuan, with more than thousands upon thousands of people, would one not be able to find someone capable of replacing Ruan Rui Zhong? If he becomes useless, then so be it.

"It's Ruan Fang Fei causing trouble again? First tell this son, what exactly happened?"

"That little slut must have eaten a bear's heart and a leopard's guts. As your soon-to-be side consort, she actually dared to fool around with someone else." Noble Consort Su angrily said through gritted teeth.

Everything went black before Ruan Rui Zhong's eyes, but he was unable to explain anything, gasping between heavy breaths.

Li Hong Yuan blanked and finally sat upright, carrying a slight surprise, "This is her method for making this prince regret?" He sneered, "Surprisingly, really able to go all out." Looking to the two men kneeling before Le Cheng Emperor, no, one of them can still only be called a youth, "Then, who's this man? Imperial Uncle Zhong, or eleventh brother, or perhaps, both?"

"Jin Qinwang..............." Ruan Rui Zhong shook all over. That appearance was like practically hating that he can't directly strangle Li Hong Yuan to death.

That's why, once Li Hong Yuan's poisonous tongue lashed out, even saints would all stomp in anger.

Li Hong Yuan sneered, "She has the guts to do this, yet still scared of others saying?"

"Sixth brother, sixth brother, it has nothing to do with me, it's Imperial Uncle Zhong, not me, doesn't have anything to do with me at all." The eleventh prince hurriedly stated his innocence, drawing a clear line. He didn't want to be targeted by this terrifying sixth brother of his. Towards the imperial older brothers that held great power in hand, he(LHY) similarly was able to lash out at as he pleased, not holding back in the slightest, so he, this no power, no influence, pitiful little bug, definitely won't even last a round with him.

Speaking of which, the eleventh prince was also quite depressed. He merely was just used to seeing the various beauties at his side, and suddenly coming to such a place, encountering a pretty good looking and also enthusiastic girl, he just wanted to have a taste of another type of beauty. To put it bluntly, it was just having become used to eating luxurious delicacies, and suddenly wanting to have a taste of simple congee and small dishes. Just like what Jing Wan had predicted when they first entered the village.

This girl just happened to be from the village functionary's family. And speaking of which, the eleventh prince was actually the one that got seduced.

T/N: I'll say this for now, don't come to any conclusion too early about this matter, there are lots of twists to it lol you might find some unexpected surprises.