Chapter 82.1: Schemes

The so called 'the will of heaven toying with people' probably was no more than this!

Sun Yi Jia's age wasn't considered small anymore, and Li Hong Yuan's further didn't need to be mentioned. In addition, all these years, that son's marriage constantly had problems occurring. Several of his younger brothers have already married and established a family. Le Cheng Emperor was also anxious inside. Thus, after issuing the imperial decree, he just directly let the imperial astronomer calculate the closest auspicious day, and the result was next month, ten days after the spring metropolitan civil service exam. Thus, Le Cheng Emperor clapped his hands and let that demon spawn son of his get married at once after the spring metropolitan civil service exam. For the imperial court, this can also be considered a double happy occasion.

As for his son still not having been found? No matter, just continue searching. Besides, he was certain that he was still alive. If he can make it, then he can marry her himself, if not, they can also use other methods to substitute him. That way, once he returns, he can just directly enter the bridal room. Son likes beauties, and that future daughter-in-law of his has a ruined appearance? No matter, once the lights go out, don't look, don't touch, once the di son is born, there's nothing left for her to do.

As the appointed wangfei, Sun Yi Jia still hadn't returned yet. Ding Duke, quick, have your daughter brought back and properly prepare for the wedding.

Le Cheng Emperor calmly had these things ordered down one by one. The Ministry of Rites need to pay special attention to their tasks, and the Internal Affairs Court need to have the betrothal gifts prepared. In short, just one word, even if you all slave away like dogs, and exhaust yourself to death, you still need to have this old man's son's marriage beautifully taken care of.

For him to have the time set this tight can rather be understood. After all, Li Hong Yuan already was about to become not only in name but also in reality a 'wife cursing demon'.

However, after Le Cheng Emperor bestowed a marriage for Li Hong Yuan, he instead seemed to have become less irritable and also didn't worry anymore. Occasionally, towards the court officials, he even smiled very warmly, and also began setting foot in the harem again. Listening to music, admiring dance, good wine and precious delicacies, not one missing. Truly makes one raise an eyebrow, including the people closely serving at his side, all unclear as to why.

Because this contrast was too big, it makes one can't help but suspect whether or not Le Cheng Emperor knew something they didn't know. For example, Li Hong Yuan in reality has already long been found. And the reason why it was kept a secret was merely for the sake of borrowing this opportunity to nicely clean out the expanding power in his sons' hands, so as to let them know, right now, the person sitting on the dragon throne is still their old man. Already daring to delusionally think about something you shouldn't think about, don't care who you are, careful this emperor don't chop off your claws.

To have this kind of speculation wasn't without basis. Because after issuing the marriage decree, Le Cheng Emperor also cleaned the heads of a batch of officials. Even though until now, they still haven't figured out just who exactly tried to assassinate Jin Qinwang, or perhaps Le Cheng Emperor actually knew already, just the culprit is too special, thus Le Cheng Emperor caught a scapegoat, in fact, even pressing on the crime of injuring a qinwang, such huge offense. And as for the scapegoat, the same as before, not someone from a faction, most likely for the purpose of obscuring the facts.

The princes were all secretly fearful of their old man's methods. In reality, Le Cheng Emperor was also very stuffy. His people weren't able to figure out the mastermind behind the scenes, but those clues that appear to be clues, yet weren't clues, faintly point out the truth. Just like the flower market, all vaguely had traces of his few 'good sons'. What can he do? Have his sons all put to death? That was definitely not possible. Moreover, there was no definitive evidence. But to just easily let them off like this? That was not possible either. After all, wouldn't his son have suffered for nothing? Not to mention, it would also increase the culprit's guts even more. Thus, there was the method that was not a method.

In Yucui Palace, Noble Consort Su and Li Hong Ming were currently drinking tea. In the beginning, it was peaceful and quiet, practically without any sound.

"Consort mother, just what exactly is imperial father doing, completely unable to see his pattern clearly, also is Li....sixth brother really....."

"Ming'er, nothing will happen to Yuan'er, absolutely nothing, do you understand?" Noble Consort Su stared fixedly at Li Hong Ming, her eyes slightly red, clearly having not rested well recently. One could clearly sense her silently suppressed fear and worry, seemingly as if Li Hong Ming were to dare say one bad word, the cup in her hand will fly towards his head.

What's wrong with Le Cheng Emperor? It's just that Yuan'er has been missing for such a long time, so he's probably somewhat hysterical. For Le Cheng Emperor, Li Hong Yuan was too special.

Li Hong Ming somewhat twitched his mouth, carrying a bit of a restrained sneer. And just who exactly he was sneering at, even he himself didn't know. Every time something related to Li Hong Yuan happens, consort mother always stood on Li Hong Yuan's side. He sometimes even suspected if he himself was actually the adopted one. Twenty some years like a day, consort mother you sure have worked hard. "Consort mother, you are right, how can something happen to sixth brother. Perhaps, he got saved by someone, and due to unforeseen circumstances, he temporarily haven't been found yet."

Noble Consort Su's complexion eased a bit, like as if she'd gotten pacified by Li Hong Ming. Lifting the cup, she lightly took a sip. Just, her hand had faintly trembled somewhat, and the cup almost spilled. Behind the faint steam, her expression appeared increasingly haggard. "That Miss Sun naturally is good in all aspects. Just, her appearance is ruined after all. This consort worries that your sixth brother isn't willing to even enter the bridal chambers. This after all is a marriage your imperial father personally bestowed, what happens if he angers your imperial father again?"

Li Hong Ming restrained his mood and lightly smiled, "Consort mother, you best worry about when sixth brother returns and learns that he got bestowed a disfigured wangfei, whether or not he will just directly defy the imperial decree and wreck havoc. If not, then even if he doesn't defy the imperial decree, what if on the day of the wedding, he stays overnight at brothels, then the laughing matter will be big."

Noble Consort Su also very much headached this matter and rubbed between her brows. That really was something that he would do. In the end, she could only just make do with the broken jar[1], "In any case, those that he should offend, those that he shouldn't offend, those that he can offend, and those that he can't offend, he has all already offended thoroughly and didn't lack this one matter. I'll consult with your imperial father, and see if he can additionally select two more beauties for him as compensation."

Li Hong Ming recalled the dancer he got from Li Hong Yuan's place a few days ago. The taste really was very good. "Would sixth brother lack beauties?"

"How is that the same? Those women's statuses are too low. Have to say, Yuan'er sending them all off to an outside estate couldn't be more proper."

"With a high status and enough beauty, aside from Sun Yi Jia, in the vast capital city, there seems to be only one left."

Hearing this, Noble Consort Su blanked, then immediately said, "Ming'er don't say nonsense."

"Consort mother, this son isn't saying nonsense. You probably don't know, but Ruan Fang Fei's marriage is the same as Sun Yi Jia's, late and without any progress. And it's not because Cabinet Minister Ruan is very picky, but rather because Ruan Fang Fei admires sixth brother." Li Hong Ming hooked the corner of his lip. Speaking of this matter, his mood was quite good.

[1] A direct translation of the idiom would be 'smashing an already broken jar', meaning that since the jar is already broken, even if it's smashed again, it's still a broken jar, so there's no need to cherish it. It's used to described a situation where after suffering setbacks, instead of amending the situation, just let it be.