Chapter 249: Jing Wan Lashes Out
Jing Wan's unspoken implications couldn't be more obvious. If he doesn't write, then that was just thoroughly tearing all faces. Just don't blame the Luo family for helping others in deathly suppressing you. The threat couldn't be more obvious!
One can imagine just how unsightly Rui Qinwang's complexion was. First getting exposed by his own concubine, further getting mocked to the extreme, then getting disgraced by his 'closest' brother, even letting his sworn rival see, and now, getting threatened by his younger sister-in-law to release that slut that made him lose all face! Li Hong Ming believed, even a saint would still be overflowing in anger.
He was an imperial prince, a qinwang that had power in hand. If he really were to compromise that easily, then in the future, he doesn't need to go out and meet people anymore.
Also, men writing a divorce letter was a very common thing. That was certainly just the woman having problems in certain areas. But, who has ever heard of a prince writing a divorce letter before? It was all nothing more than 'suddenly dying'. Everyone was all well aware inside that writing a divorce letter would be a great humiliation for a prince. Writing a divorce letter meant you're afraid of your wife's family, and that it was you, this man, that had problems, and it was the wife's family forcing you to write a divorce letter. Moreover, right now, this was a concubine releasing letter, if written, probably will really be reduced to a laughingstock.
"Younger sister-in-law's words really are nonsensical. Since she entered this prince's Rui Qinwang Manor, then naturally she's this prince's person in life, and this prince's spirit in death. Concubine releasing letter, that's impossible." Originally, he was already furious to the extreme, yet he still calmly tidied his sleeves, what a great display of gentlemanly manners, standing above the common crowd. "This prince will also advise younger sister-in-law, having married as a wife, then just need to have the etiquette of a wife, don't tarnish the Luo family's reputation. Have the person returned to this prince, and this matter will also just be forgotten. And you disrespecting the husband's family's brother-in-laws, this prince will also just not look into. Otherwise, this prince will have to look for Head Minister Luo to reason with on how he's instructing his younger generation."
Jing Wan apathetically looked to him, suddenly clapping her hand and laughing, "Rui Qinwang is so eloquent, and this ability to distort black and white further incredible. Then again, without such a mouth, how would you be able to coax a bunch of court officials to offer their life in sacrifice for you, and how would you be able to deceive a bunch of young girls to be hell-bent on you. Perhaps, one should also go ask imperial father, so as to seek justice for my younger sister."
This was just overturning all of Li Hong Ming's hard work in one line, denying all of his talent. His everything was all thanks to his mouth?! Judging from Jing Wan's expression, it was precisely that meaning. If you look for her grandfather, she also won't mind looking for your old man. Rather want to see, once everything is torn apart, who will lose more face. After learning the true relationship between Li Hong Yuan and Noble Consort Su, knowing that Noble Consort Su has put on a mask for herself, Jing Wan really wasn't scared.
Li Hong Ming's complexion really made one exceptionally amused. Should say, as expected of the living Enma's wife? This destructive power was also solid. However, didn't this show that one shouldn't rashly provoke, else next time, it'll just be your turn.
Li Hong Ming maintained his bearing, and no matter how angry, he still won't do something like bickering with his younger sister-in-law, this kind of inappropriate thing that was beneath his dignity, so naturally he just turned to Li Hong Yuan, "You and I, as brothers, originally born from the same root[1]. For sixth brother to not take action at this time, watching from the sidelines, indulging one's wangfei, such disregard of manners, never mind damaging the friendly relation between us brothers, all will say you're 'lacking in principle of a husband[2]', losing face. If consort mother were to know, she will be heartbroken."
For married women, the mother-in-law was a great weapon of destruction.
Li Hong Yuan looked to him like he was looking at an idiot, "Consort mother is consort mother, you are you, this prince doesn't have any relations with you. This wife is someone that will spend a lifetime with this prince. How broken does this prince's brain have to be to not indulge her and instead help you? This concubine releasing letter, third imperial brother, once you quickly write it, there won't be anymore problems."
Rui Qinwang practically was about to explode in rage. And the people watching the play couldn't help laughing out loud.
What Li Hong Yuan said was right, he deeply respected Noble Consort Su, but towards this brother, it was no different from the other brothers. If the two of them really were to get into a fight, Noble Consort Su can only not help either side. Using Noble Consort Su to pressure really didn't have any effect at all.
"Since that's the case, there's nothing good to say. Someone, invite Concubine Ying out and send back to the manor."
Luo Jing Ying's life and death right now was unpredictable, yet they want to have the person forcibly taken away, clearly just disregarding her life. Jing Wan wanted to kill.
Li Hong Yuan slightly narrowed his eyes, "Have the Luo Manor's fourth miss properly guarded for this prince. Whoever dares to enter and interfere with the doctor's treatment, kill without pardon." He carried a bit of nonchalant, but no one dared to doubt his words.
(T/N: I really love the subtleties in the writing, LHY immediately adapting to what JW promised.)
What kind of person was the living Enma? Whatever he said, he was able to do.
In Li Hong Ming's eyes, those last three words simply were just said to him.
This was the Jin Qinwang Manor. Even if Li Hong Ming brought guards, they still didn't enter the rear garden, and even if they charge in, that was also just a few kittens, not even enough for the people of the Jin Qinwang Manor to divide up.
For people like Rui Qinwang, that was all having an incredible ability to endure. The first thing he considered was the pros and cons, thinking of the future. No matter how great of a grudge, it can all wait until after he ascends the throne as Emperor. And in this very moment, Li Hong Ming's thoughts weren't difficult to guess.
———-Consort mother even once said to let him off for once, but now, including the Luo family, all don't think about living.
Li Hong Yuan coldly sneered inside. Forever believing oneself to be infallible. Based on what, did one believe that one would be the final winner? As the saying goes, having a grudge, yet not taking revenge, then in the future, it was possible to not have the opportunity, and further not have that ability to take revenge. Having the power, one should just take revenge immediately. Holding it in too fiercely, isn't one afraid of 'suffocating' oneself?
"Since sixth brother likes, then just leave for sixth brother. Sisters serving one husband, that is also a beautiful story. Let's go!"
"Rui Qinwang, today, if this concubine releasing letter is not written, later, will just have to enter the palace and look for imperial father to comment." Jing Wan coldly said.
This while, Li Hong Ming naturally didn't have a good look either, "Luo Jing Ying has entered Rui Qinwang Manor for this long, yet your Luo family has neither questioned nor cared, but now have reason to look for this prince to dispute? Really think this prince doesn't have a temper? Want to enter the palace? Alright, this prince will too, and have Head Minister Luo called over altogether. Rather want to see, what you all will use to make this prince write the concubine releasing letter."
Jing Wan was also very clear, this kind of face slapping thing, if dragged before Le Cheng Emperor, she won't get anything good out of it. As the father, it was impossible for him to shield the daughter-in-law. In reality, in certain men's eyes, only the children carrying one's own blood were family. Women, even if one's legal wife, that was still an outsider. However, this had a premise that he, Li Hong Ming, didn't do those disgusting things. Even if she won't end up well, she can still have his reputation smeared.
"Neither questioning nor caring?" Jing Wan coldly smiled, "Indeed, just avoiding suspicion. The Luo family doesn't want to have any relations with you, Rui Qinwang, after all. Aside from this, what else can it be? Just a fourteen year old young girl, proud and arrogant, young and ignorant. Rui Qinwang wants the Luo family to be controlled in hand, so cheated her body, letting her get pregnant. If not for this, you want to have her taken in as a concubine? Aren't you thinking a little too idealistically? Could it be that the daughters of the Luo family are unable to marry and must self-willingly lower oneself to be your concubine? Since she has entered your Rui Qinwang Manor, then our Luo family can only just accept the reality. As long as you still have a bit of conscience, and a bit of human decency, even if you don't really like her, you still shouldn't degrade her. Your esteemed qinwang manor can't even afford to raise an idle person? Moreover, she was even pregnant with your child. The malicious tiger still won't devour its own cubs. Speaking of which, that is also just considered a beast. As for Rui Qinwang, you............."
———-Less than an animal. Not just one person had Jing Wan's unspoken words, silently voiced in their hearts.
"You............"
"What? Not admitting? Or do you want to say, our family's fourth younger sister seduced you? How old are you, how old is she? What have you experienced, and what has she experienced? What is your status, and what is her status? If you don't overstep the boundaries, would she be able to come anywhere near you? Men of character need to have the guts to take responsibility, don't have everything all pushed onto women. Otherwise, you're just a man in vain. Really curious, how many young girls were deceived back by Rui Qinwang using sweet talk and honeyed words, promising undying love." Jing Wan even rather meaningfully glanced at Rui Wangfei.
If even the officially wedded wangfei was all obtained like this, then the laughing matter will be big.
Everyone all knew this was impossible. But, there were just too too many people that liked gossip and saying whatever everyone else says. Public opinion can melt gold, and accumulated slander can break bones. When someone really wants to splash dirty water on your, in addition to having a great deal of enemies, it definitely can torment you to death. Once this bit solidifies, Rui Qinwang's reputation will definitely be even stinkier than Jin Qinwang's.
"Younger sister-in-law best guard one's tongue." Rui Wangfei said enduring the humiliation.
Jing Wan curtsied, "Asking elder sister-in-law to point out the fault." Say I'm wrong? Fine, you point it out and I'll change it.
Rui Wangfei nearly fainted in anger.
"Good, good, good, the Luo family truly raised a good daughter!" Rui Qinwang practically said through clenched teeth. "For you to slander this prince like this, aren't you also ruining Luo Jing Ying's reputation, and what good will this do for the Luo family?"
"The person has already committed suicide, still want what reputation?"
Sometimes, death was just able to wash away the stigma. Even if Luo Jing Ying got pregnant while unmarried, ruining her reputation and integrity, she has already used her life to pay the price. It's not like she was evil beyond redemption, could it be that she would still get pulled out and humiliated in all kinds of way after dying? And how great can the the impact towards the Luo family be? It was clear, regardless whether or not Luo Jing Ying can survive, Jing Wan has already thought of the escape route for her———death!
In reality, this also saved Rui Qinwang's face. Towards this kind of enemy, it was still best for the grudge not to be too deep. It really wasn't because of fearing him. She herself didn't mind, but the Luo family might be put in a lot of trouble, especially her grandfather. Facing the Rui Qinwang faction's attack, it's hard to avoid not suffering a loss.
Rui Qinwang also roughly understood Jing Wan's meaning, deeply casting her a glance, "Old six really did marry a good wife!" In reality, as long as there was still a thread of possibility, Rui Qinwang also didn't want to thoroughly have a falling out with Luo Pei Shan. Even if he can't be used by him, absolutely still can't let him become his enemy.
"This bit don't need for third imperial brother to say. ————Still not having the brush, ink, paper, and stone presented to third imperial brother."
Li Hong Ming's entire body was completely surrounded in haze, quickly writing down the concubine releasing letter. During the entire process, the veins on the back of his hand were all about to snap. When he finished, he had the brush thrown aside, "If one were to hear any rumors that one shouldn't hear outside............."
"With this prince overseeing, even if it's mobilizing the Ministry of Justice, Judicial Court, and the Jing Zhao Fu, will still get to the bottom of the rumors." Li Hong Yuan faintly spoke. This was giving the other brothers a warning.
Li Hong Ming turned and immediately left. Seeing the brothers taking pleasure at his misfortune, "Get lost!"
At this time, even Kang Qinwang didn't go provoke him either.
Rui Wangfei glanced at Jing Wan one last time, but didn't say anything, following after Rui Qinwang.
However, from her eyes, Jing Wan didn't see pure hatred, but rather a bit of indescribable complication.
Jing Wan picked up the concubine releasing letter and looked it over. There weren't any problems. Turning her head, "Wangye, held up quite a bit of time."
Li Hong Yuan nodded, inviting the other brothers in.
[1] 本是同根生 - Originally born from the same root; this is an extreme famous line from the poem 'Seven Step Verse' by Cao Zhi, originally said to his older brother Cao Pi, who was suspicious of him usurping him. Also note that this poem is "an extended metaphor that describes the relationship of two brothers and the ill-conceived notion of one harming the other over petty squabbling". Their father was Cao Cao, one of the key figures during the Three Kingdoms period, who later became the King of Wei. Here's a more detailed explanation of the whole poem.
[2] 夫纲不振 - The phrase is used in ancient times describing a husband that can't get his wife to listen to him