Chapter 498.1: A Play, An Unexpected Harvest
In a certain sense, Li Hong Yuan absolutely was one to take immediate action, entering the palace immediately.
However, Li Hong Yuan didn’t go see Le Cheng Emperor, instead going to Yucui Palace. Showing concern for one’s unwell foster mother, isn’t that only reasonable and logical? If he goes to look for Le Cheng Emperor on his own, never mind not being able to explain how he knows about his condition, it might even cause unnecessary suspicion. However, for Noble Consort Su, it wasn’t the same. And if Le Cheng Emperor learns that Li Hong Yuan brought Gong Jiu into the palace, and if he has the intention, then he certainly will go to Yucui Palace. As the emperor, who doesn’t want to live long? If able to live a little longer, then he naturally was willing.
When Noble Consort Su heard that Li Hong Yuan came to see her, she wasn’t that happy like before. She was also baffled. This foster son, how come just suddenly changed in attitude? He hasn’t shown concern for her in a very long time. As time passed, she also understood, that foster son of hers, was he really angry with her just because his temper was big? If really just short-tempered, then his anger would’ve long dispelled, in this matter, there’s certainly another reason. At first, she was also foolish, thinking that as long as she put in the effort, this foster son will also just regard her highly, and her position in his heart will be irreplaceable. Looking at it now, it was also nothing more than a joke. The imperial family has always had the most white-eyed wolves.
In reality, her foster son indeed won’t suddenly change in attitude. He was merely using her as raft, that’s all.
However, Noble Consort Su still put on an act as usual, “Yuan’er came? Quickly come in.” Appearing exceptionally delighted, her tears spinning in her eyes.
Li Hong Yuan was still easy going, carrying an out of the ordinary bearing as he entered, “This son greets consort mother.”
Noble Consort was somewhat in a daze. Seeing this son again unexpectedly felt as if separated by a lifetime. Clearly it was just a few months, and last year, when he went to Jiangnan, it was also half a year, yet there wasn’t this kind of feeling. Exactly why?
Why? Of course it’s because her feelings have ‘faded’, not even once mentioning, and further because Noble Consort Su never again, whether directly or indirectly, received benefit because of him.
These things, Noble Consort Su won’t think of, or rather, she won’t go ponder over, unwilling to go ponder over.
“Yuan’er is finally willing to come see consort mother?” Noble Consort Su’s voice seemingly carried a bit of resentment, yet also had unconcealable joy.
Li Hong Yuan waved his hand. The palace maid by Noble Consort Su withdrew to one side. Li Hong Yuan went forward, sitting by Noble Consort Su’s recliner.
Perhaps for the sake of letting Li Hong Yuan see how terrible her current state was, Noble Consort Su didn’t tidy up much, and sitting up was also relatively uncomfortable, so she also just laid there. Have to say, even if Noble Consort Su harbored suspicion, she still subconsciously wanted to obtain Li Hong Yuan’s concern, and from there, obtain benefits. In reality, these last few months have made her very clear that when her relationship with this foster son was good, her foster son can put in a word for her from time to time, and from there, the attention and benefits she can obtain from his Majesty will be much more than expected.
If her relationship with this foster son was still the same as before, then even if repeatedly meeting with mishap, she still wouldn’t be in such a terrible state like now.
Her favor from the emperor in the past, more than what she’d expected was because of this foster son. This realization made Noble Consort Su similarly very unwell.
At the same time, because of her current sorry state, towards this foster son, she was also full of resentment. That’s right, resentment. If not for this white-eyed wolf being this heartless, how could she be like this now.
Li Hong Yuan’s elbow rested on his knee, his hand naturally bending inward, his body leaning forward, moving a little closer to Noble Consort Su, carrying a fake smile, slightly lowering his voice, “Sure enough, too used to putting on an act that even deep down, it has all become fake. However, for the sake of benefits, for the sake of interest, it was just putting on an act, that’s all, not like one would lose a piece of flesh, so why not, right? Noble Consort……Su. However, ten twenty years of wearing a fake mask everyday, speaking of which, is actually quite tiring. Just….” Li Hong Yuan flicked the hair the slid down in front, “When I slightly stop cooperating, you just become like this, really unsightly.”
Noble Consort Su’s pupils rapidly shrunk. Even someone as composed as her, at this time, also penetrated with alarm.
In Noble Consort Su’s eyes, this foster son of hers, even if malicious, his temperament fickle, that was also just appearing so on the surface. On the inside, he was still simple and pure, and even harmless. At least, for her, if she wants to have this foster son grasped in her palm, it was a very simple matter. Even if on the surface, he might not listen to her, in the end, for the most part, he was all able to act according to her desire. Yet now, reality nevertheless ruthlessly slapped her again. How was this just appearing cruel on the surface, what was hidden beneath the surface was even more terrifying. She has always believed herself to have a pair of sharp eyes, yet never had this person seen through. And this disguise of his, exactly how long has it persisted?
Noble Consort Su stiffly tugged the corner of her mouth, “What is Yuan’er saying, how come consort mother doesn’t understand?”
Li Hong Yuan clicked his tongue, appearing a bit annoyed, “This prince isn’t even feigning civility with you anymore, so why continue stifling yourself?”
“Jin Qinwang saying this, aren’t we both in the same boat?”
The smirk on Li Hong Yuan’s face became a little more obvious, “You really think so? Your actual son, I can just sort out however I want, and afterwards, you would even help me reprimand him. So, Noble Consort Su believes that this prince is the same as you? It’s just calling you consort mother a few times, yet you really think that I’m the same as you, wronging myself everyday? You don’t even know, sometimes, just how carefreely I live. However, for you, it shouldn’t matter. In any case, you’re already used to it, used to wronging your own son and daughter, used to wronging yourself. Occasionally, when this prince sees, it’s all quite amusing.”
Noble Consort Su’s complexion instantly became ashen, her breathing also becoming rushed, as if about to breathe her last breath at any time.
Li Hong Yuan sat back upright again, lifting his chin at Gong Jiu, “Examine her Highness Noble Consort.”
“Yes.” Gong Jiu deferentially responded, going forward, intending to hold down Noble Consort Su’s wrist.
“Get lost, not allowed to touch this consort.” Since they’ve already thoroughly tore down the masks, how could Noble Consort Su still trust the person Li Hong Yuan brought.
Gong Jiu also just perceptively retreated aside.
“Why be like this? If you don’t properly recuperate, how will you be able to see your grandson be born? That’s the child you’ve been looking forward to for many years.”
Noble Consort Su’s expression slightly changed again. She didn’t know whether the other party was just purely mentioning this, or the poison on her son was related to him. With both being infertility powder, it was very difficult for her to not have the two linked together. But, when she poisoned him, it was more than a decade ago. How could he know at the time. No, wait, he might have learned afterwards. “Indeed, this consort has been expecting for many years. Originally was also expecting yours, just unfortunately, will never have that opportunity.”
Li Hong Yuan nodded, “These words of yours, this prince rather approve of.”
(T/N: I love these two lines so much. Noble Consort Su implying he won’t have a child, but he turns it around to instead imply that she won’t live to see his child.)
Noble Consort Su still couldn’t grasp what Li Hong Yuan meant, but there was one thing she was certain of, and that is she can no longer treat this foster son the same as before.
“Yuan’er right now truly surprises this consort. Could it be that you’ve also produced thoughts towards the throne? Or perhaps you’ve always had such thoughts? Just unfortunately, no matter how good your imperial father is towards you, he still won’t have the country given to you. The throne can belong to any one of your brothers, but absolutely won’t be yours.”
“Oh?” Li Hong Yuan was unmoved, “Why?”
“Why?” Noble Consort Su suddenly raised her voice, sounding exceptionally sharp, her face also becoming malevolent like an evil spirit, “Because you’re just a ghost child. You were cut out from your mother’s stomach after she died, hahaha……..” Noble Consort Su madly laughed, carrying malice, even carrying endless pleasure in retaliation.
Truthfully speaking, as long as it was an imperial concubine that had seen the Imperial Noble Consort Su back then, not a single one didn’t envy. His Majesty’s affection towards the Imperial Noble Consort, that was truly loving to the bones. One time, Noble Consort Su was very ill, wanting to see his Majesty, yet unable to. And the Imperial Noble Consort, merely just a bit of a cough from a cold, yet his Majesty just stuck to her side, watching over her, switching out the imperial physicians batch after batch, so how could Noble Consort Su stay indifferent.
When she first took over raising Li Hong Yuan, she more or less wanted to strangle him to death, but in the end, her rationality still prevailed over everything, because she knew, raising this child will greatly benefit her.
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