Chapter 191.1: Too Ugly, Don’t Want
Because it was in the middle of summer, the water for the bath, its temperature, wasn’t high to begin with, but it also cooled slowly, in addition to Li Hong Yuan actually needing to use cold water to calm himself at this time, thus he soaked in the waters for a relatively long time.
Once Li Hong Yuan came out from the bath and tidied himself up, two hours had already passed. And at this time, the morning meal was finally set out.
Li Hong Yuan didn’t let anyone serve him in his meal, leisurely eating on one side, while drinking wine on the other. That’s right, drinking wine during the morning meal, precisely this crazy. However, according to the attitude of the people around him, this definitely wasn’t the first time.
However, judging from his appearance, he should be contemplating something. No one to the side dared to disturb him, silent without a sound, as if they were invisible. If they don’t have to move, then they just firmly remained motionless.
Li Hong Yuan put down the chopsticks. Another hour had already passed. He finally spared a glance at that extra person that didn’t belong to him. The other party was also relatively perceptive. When meeting Li Hong Yuan’s gaze, he immediately paid his respects, and afterwards, explained his purpose in coming. To put it bluntly, it was just Noble Consort Su missing her son, but this son wasn’t obedient, not living in the imperial residence, so she had no other choice, she could only send someone out to find him. It was also out of a sincere love for her son.
His old man’s face, he can not give, but his consort mother’s face, he still needed to give.
Li Hong Yuan led his people and entered the imperial imperial residence.
Speaking of which, this imperial residence was built leaning along the mountain, advancing layer upon layer upwards. The higher the position, the more cool and refreshing it was. Without a doubt, Le Cheng Emperor’s sleeping chamber, as well as the main hall of the imperial residence, were naturally all situated at the top of the mountain. And in comparison, the more favored one was, the higher one’s courtyard resided. Regardless whether it was Noble Consort Su or Li Hong Yuan, theirs were all situated on the second level.
Just, directly facing the peak’s main hall was long and wide set of stone steps. The steps were situated on the two sides, and in between was all kinds of dragon pattern relief sculptures, vivid and lifelike. From the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain, this vast of a project even far surpassed the effort spent on the relief sculptures in the imperial palace. However, although it was grand, to have to climb up step by step, that was just unbearable. Out of ten people, probably eight will end up holding their knees, gasping for breath. Fortunately, there wasn’t an order here, where for the sake of showing one’s respect towards the imperial power, one was not allowed to ride in a sedan or on a horse, this kind of crazy imperial decree.
(T/N: This picture is a pretty accurate representation of what’s being described; relief sculpture is a sculpting technique where the background is attached to the sculpted elements.)
Of course, this path really wasn’t the only path up the mountain. Ordinary people simply didn’t have the qualifications to walk this path.
Li Hong Yuan rode on horseback, his expression indifferent, but carefully examining, one would discover, he actually carried a bit of joy.
Speaking of this imperial summer residence, aside from that imposing main path, the other areas similarly were meticulously built. Every flower and tree, every building and pavilion, all made one wring out all their brains. Just take Noble Consort Su’s courtyard that she was currently residing in for example. Although it can’t compare to her palace in the imperial palace in impressiveness and extravagance, and the occupied area also much smaller, but it was still creative and ingenious, having another kind of distinctive style.
And one of the imperial summer residence’s greatest distinguishing feature was that as far as the eye can see, it was all a continuous range of mountains, appearing grand and majestic. Just, this kind of scenery wasn’t something anyone was able to have the good fortune of seeing. At least needed to have enough status, and enough face, to be able to see.
When Li Hong Yuan saw Noble Consort Su, Le Cheng Emperor was present, Rui Qinwang was present, and Princess Min Xiang was also present, the parents, along with their two biological children. This probably can be considered the whole family harmonious and happy, right?
Never mind now, even going back ten years, towards this kind of scene, Li Hong Yuan similarly didn’t have any feelings. Of course, at that time, he was already an ‘old thing’ in a tender shell. If switch with his true ten year old self, perhaps he would be depressed, or perhaps not have any feelings at all. After all, Noble Consort Su treated him like her own son and has never once neglected him before. Just that time, for him, was truly too long ago. This kind of insignificant memory, how could he still remember.
Before he even approached, Noble Consort Su already saw him first, hurriedly waving at him, brimming with joy, carrying the warmth of a caring mother, as if with this son’s appearance, the two that crawled out from her stomach all can be casted aside.
Princess Min Xiang, who originally was still smiling happily, instantly stiffened her expression. Among the numerous brothers and sisters, including the tang brothers and sisters, when it comes to fearing Li Hong Yuan, if Princess Min Xiang claimed second, no one would dare claim first. But in reality, everyone all knew, Li Hong Yuan was actually pretty good towards this younger sister. At least, he has never once done anything to her before, sometimes even giving her some good things. But Princess Min Xiang was just afraid of him for no reason, unable to explain why.
“Consort mother, you sent someone to call for sixth brother?” Princess Min Xiang’s voice was a bit shaking.
“Indeed, what’s wrong?” Noble Consort Su rubbed her hand. To say she didn’t notice her daughter’s true feelings towards this son, that was impossible. After all, it wasn’t just one or two days, but rather several years. In reality, she has already avoided letting the two of them meet as much as possible, but no matter how she prevents them from meeting, it was still impossible to never meet. Because this son didn’t do anything wrong, that’s why this matter can’t even let Le Cheng Emperor know about, else Min Xiang will only make him displeased. “On normal days, the chance to meet is also rare, so should use this opportunity to nicely get along.”
Princess Min Xiang wanted to cry but no tears came out, “Consort mother, I………”
“Min Xiang, what’s wrong?” Le Cheng Emperor also turned to look towards her, seeing her complexion a bit pale, her expression amiss, “Feeling unwell? If you’re unwell, just call the imperial physician. However, weren’t you perfectly fine just now?”
Noble Consort Su lightly pinched her hand. Princess Min Xiang immediately revealed a smile, “Many thanks for imperial father’s concern, this daughter is fine. Just seeing sixth brother, this daughter suddenly recalled one’s dream last night. In that dream, sixth brother was scaring me.”
“Is that so? Then later, imperial father will teach him a lesson for you, who let him scare people in dreams.”
“No need. In the dream, it’s all fake. Sixth brother is the best towards this daughter. How can one let imperial father teach sixth brother a lesson just because of this.” Princess Min Xiang discontentedly pouted.
Le Cheng Emperor heartily laughed, “You’re just the same as your consort mother, always shielding him.” Be that as it may, Le Cheng Emperor however was happy from the bottom of his heart. That bastard’s temper was too terrible, so his brothers and sisters all weren’t close with him. As a father, he still hoped that he can have a pure familial love.
Princess Min Xiang pursed her lips into a smile along with, and only Noble Consort Su, who was holding her hand, knew that her palm at this time was already full of sweat.
Can Princess Min Xiang clearly express her dislike towards this sixth older brother? Of course she can, and just like the other brothers and sisters, stay far far away from him. But this way, just as Noble Consort Su predicts, her place in Le Cheng Emperor’s heart will greatly fall. Other people alienating Li Hong Yuan was all pardonable, including her own older brother Li Hong Ming, and only she alone can’t. She can’t compare to Li Hong Yuan in favor, and under the premise of Li Hong Yuan not having ‘done anything wrong’, her alienating this older brother will only make Le Cheng Emperor think she’s cold and heartless, making her meet with disdain.
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