Chapter 165.2: Pig Leader, Rumors Filling the Skies
Rui Qinwang originally wanted to use this opportunity to console Luo Pei Shan, but recalling that this one was also an old fox, he knew that he won’t easily be decieved. Perhaps, at this time, he has already started to suspect him. Going up at this time might even make him think he was showing off his power. All his hard work previously all weren’t able to make him soften his attitude, and right now, perhaps might even produce the opposite effect. That’s why, after slightly hesitating, Rui Qinwang chose to leave.
However, what he didn’t know was that after he turned around, Luo Pei Shan’s gaze directly shot over, his eyes filled with ice.
On the surface, it was indeed handled as an accident, but this didn’t mean that he will really just let it go completely. That was his son. Even if he was in the wrong, you all can just wantonly decide his life or death? Before this, it was all impossible to make him serve them, and now, after touching his son, still continuing to hold this kind of thought? Really think he, Luo Pei Shan, is made from mud[1]?
Shortly thereafter, Le Cheng Emperor summoned him.
Luo Pei Shan tidied his clothes and entered the palace to meet the Emperor with a solemn look.
Le Cheng Emperor expressed that he also just heard this unfortunate news, feeling deep sorrow, “………..Don’t know how’s your esteemed son?” Very much asking in concern.
“Thanking your majesty for the concern, this one’s son doesn’t have any life-threatening worries, just……….” Luo Pei Shan’s cold face flashed a trace of sorrow, “Just, in the future, afraid he’ll be bound to the bed, unable to get up ever again.”
Le Cheng Emperor endlessly sighed. Luo Pei Shan, this person, even if he didn’t usually smile, he still mostly displayed a refined scholarly air, and didn’t make one feel cold. Yet, today, he was instead emitting a ‘do not approach’ air all over his body. It can be seen, perhaps he really was hurt to the extreme. However, “Beloved Minister Luo, how exactly did your esteemed son get into an accident? Have you investigated clearly? Towards this matter, this emperor is also quite confused. If someone has made deliberate moves, do not hesitate to tell this emperor, this emperor will definitely seek justice for you.”
“Your Majesty, where do these words stem from?” Luo Pei Shan was somewhat confused, “This one’s son’s incident was just an accident, and speaking of it, it was also his fate.” If he’d truly wanted to seek justice for him, then he should’ve directly handed this matter to the Judicial Court to investigate thoroughly. It can be seen, this matter really was as this one before him suggested. However, it can’t be helped, he was the ruler, and he, the subject. As the saying goes, ‘if the ruler wants the subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die’. Others were all easy to deal with, but only this one, he had no way of settling the score with. Moreover, he wasn’t the true culprit, and wasn’t the one pushing along the waves either. He merely just chose to do nothing after learning that things really weren’t that simple, and then, hope that certain people stay silent, that’s all.
Towards Luo Pei Shan’s sensibility, Le Cheng Emperor was very pleased, letting someone bestow quite a few high quality medical ingredients for Luo Rong Ping, and also specially allowed the imperial physician to stay a few more days in the Luo Manor.
This matter, on the surface, passed over just like that. Of course, it was just on the surface only.
At least, Kang Qinwang right now was already burning badly in the head. First, he got fiercely reprimanded by the Empress, and although not a single vulgar word was used, the ins and outs of her words, not a single one wasn’t calling him a moron, idiot, useless and liable for trouble. Kang Qinwang’s veins violently bulged in anger, but he still didn’t dare lash out at the Empress, only explaining that it really wasn’t done by him. As a result, he got scolded by the Empress even more miserably. If he’d done it and got caught, for better or worse, it was ‘both in name and in reality’. But to have not done it and get framed, that was just even more incompetent, and even more sullen. Have to say, for Kang Qinwang, perhaps it was precisely because he was too sullen in front of the Empress that at other times, his temper would be that violent.
He absolutely must have this matter investigated clearly. Aside from wanting to prove himself, he also didn’t want to shoulder the blame for his sworn enemy.
Towards Luo Rong Ping’s conduct of ‘swaying whichever way the wind blows’, he naturally was angered. Even if he had everything all pushed onto Rui Qinwang, expressing his deep loyalty towards Kang Qinwang, Kang Qinwang simply didn’t believe him, and thus wanted to give him a bit of a lesson, wanting to kill the chicken to warn the monkey. Originally, he also had planned on letting him fall from horseback, but the crucial point was that he still hadn’t let anyone make a move yet.
Afterwards, he had the related personnels all gathered together to question, but what he got as a result instead made him drenched in cold sweat. These people very assuredly told him, it was precisely because they received his incitement that they did something like that. But when asked to provide evidence, they didn’t have any. After all, this kind of shady business, who would leave behind evidence for others? All say it was the night of the first day when they received the message he sent. Because it also matched with his previous secret code, and also the number of people that met up was right too, and these things, aside from Kang Qinwang, as well as his trusted aides, shouldn’t be known to anyone else, thus they didn’t doubt at all.
And afterwards, stalling the time in order to aggravate Luo Rong Ping’s condition was also a segment of the plan.
As such, how could it not let Kang Qinwang feel as if having fallen into an ice cavern. This framing was very thorough, and also indirectly proved that at his side, there really was a big problem. Else, how come, when the enemy was carrying out his plan, did so that easily, not getting suspected at all.
In an instant, Kang Qinwang became ‘a bird startled by the mere twang of a bow’[2] again, seemingly no matter who he looked at, all had problems. Thus, he became even more irritable.
Originally, after learning that Luo Pei Shan had this matter treated as an accident, meaning that he won’t continue pursuing this matter, as the ones involved that were with Luo Rong Ping at the time, they more or less should all visit to express their condolences. After all, after the incident, they’d all returned to their respective homes, very much immoral.
But, Kang Qinwang, unsure as to which nerve was out of place, not only didn’t agree to this move, he even had the matter shoved before Le Cheng Emperor, letting Le Cheng Emperor reclaim his innocence for him. Upon the imperial court, before the hundred military and literary officials that were lined up in rows, Le Cheng Emperor hinted at him that this matter was just an accident, and to drop this matter now, but Kang Qinwang seemingly was unable to understand, tearfully stating that he was wrongly accused.
Le Cheng Emperor was so angered that he wanted to choke him to death!
If he were to forcibly prove his ‘innocence’, then wouldn’t that just actualize the fact that Luo Rong Ping had gotten schemed against and not an accident. Regardless of who the true culprit behind this matter was, as the ones that carried out and partook in this matter, not a single one will be able to escape. Those people were all people of Kang Qinwang’s faction, and more or less were related to him, even including his lianjin[3]. This time, just great, they all got escorted into prison because of him. To be screwed over by one’s own master that one was loyal to like this, one most likely will just vomit blood in anger. And the others, afraid, will all grow cold inside. Following such a person, what future prospects is there to speak of? You may work desperately hard for his sake, but perhaps someday, he’ll just have you sold.
Their hearts wavered, and naturally began pondering whether or not to pick another better master.
Rui Qinwang and them watched him court disaster with all his might. This kind of person, perhaps without needing for them to do anything, will be able to let himself get a game over.
Rui Qinwang was actually still considering whether or not to let Luo Jing Ying return home to visit her family. But, in the end, she was just a concubine, her status too low. One has to know, even an ordinary side consort didn’t have the qualifications to return home to visit their family. If a side consort was permitted to return home to visit, then that was definitely an enormous honor, an honor that she will only have if her man has her pampered into the skies. But, for a concubine, even if the heavens collapse, this honor would still be too much. If he dared to set this precedent, then afraid even the imperial censor’s saliva will all be able to drown him.
After contemplating, he could only give up. Perhaps, he can send a steward in Luo Jing Ying’s name to the Luo family for a look.
And Kang Qinwang, in the end, just learned that his imperial father believed him, and that this matter wasn’t done by him.
Thus, Kang Qinwang was refreshed in spirit, seemingly not realizing at all the severity of this matter.
[1] Made from mud – a pushover
[2] Someone who frightens easily due to past experiences
[3] Lianjin – brother-in-law, specifically wife’s sister’s husband.
T/N: Don’t you think this chapter title is so fitting lol.
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶