Chapter 166.3: For Better or Worse, Punishing, Leaving the Capital

While Jing Wan and them were idling chatting here, Luo Jing Bo’s side seemingly was also quite harmonious. Towards those that genuinely liked gongbi painting and was also even related, Luo Jing Bo didn’t stint that bit of time. He wanted to have the gongbi style be brought to great heights. Even if he can’t let the world know that this was actually little sis’s invention, he hoped that little sis sees the world’s reverence towards the gongbi style, because that glory and honor belonged to her.

Kang Qinwang although strongly pushed for his innocence, in the end, all the evidence still pointed to him, including those that got detained. They probably really hated that they can’t eat Kang Qinwang alive, and instead firmly asserted that they precisely followed his orders, and that everything was all true and concrete, even taking out evidence that even Kang Qinwang himself didn’t know about.

Kang Qinwang instantly stupefied. He never expected that it would be this kind of outcome. Originally, quite a few people suspected that it wasn’t done by him, and now, the people that believed this instead increased. And those that still don’t believe, instead had a ‘this matter doesn’t concern oneself’, high and lofty look, amusingly watching the play. In reality, it’s not that no one expected this outcome. Just, Kang Qinwang was too insensible.

Picking up a rock and smashing one’s own foot, who to blame?

Kang Qinwang flew into a rage, just like a furious beast, loudly cursing, a bunch of dogs even dare to betray him?! Yet, he did’t know how many subjects that were genuinely loyal to him all grew cold inside. For the sake of being able to let him ascend the throne, they can be said to have gone through strenuous effort, yet unexpectedly, in his eyes, they were actually a bunch of dogs, coming immediately when summoned and leaving promptly when waved off. But, he was also nothing more than just one among numerous princes. Believing that because he was the eldest di son, he just assumingly had the throne viewed as his? And others that dare to fight with him are just ambitious wolves? Yet, he should really consider, throughout history, the ones to sit on the throne in the end, how many were the di son, and how many were the eldest son?

Le Cheng Emperor was so angered by Kang Qinwang that his veins violently pulsed, randomly grabbing something and smashing it down.

And Kang Qinwang, seeing a shadow fly over, subconsciously dodged. Afterwards, that thing just smashed onto the ground with a thud, splitting into pieces. After carefully examining, turns out, it was actually a seal. Fortunately, it was just Le Cheng Emperor’s personal seal. If he’d smashed the jade ruler’s seal, then the laughing matter will be big.

Kang Qinwang also finally calmed down a little, and seeing the extremely angered Le Cheng Emperor, his two legs softened, swallowing his saliva, “Imperial father, please believe this son, this son really is wronged, it’s them framing this son.”

Le Cheng Emperor coldly watched him, “Li Hong Yi, for bringing false charges against court officials, will forfeit one year’s salary, and starting from today, suspend all assignments, returning to your manor to reflect on your mistakes. And without a summoning, not allowed to set foot outside the manor. If one disobeys this order, stripped of one’s nobility, and demoted to a commoner.”

This time, Kang Qinwang’s mind really blanked, somewhat returning to his sense after quite some time.

“Someone come, have this bastard dragged out for this emperor, and immediately expel him from the palace.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The Commander of the Imperial Guards personally led people in, having Kang Qinwang dragged out.

“Imperial father, this son really is being wrongly accused, believe this son, this son really didn’t do anything……….” Unfortunately, regardless how he shouted, Le Cheng Emperor was all indifferent. “Li Hong Ming, it’s you isn’t it? It definitely must be you that framed this prince, you despicable little scoundrel, you think you can get away with it this way. Let me tell you, don’t even think about it. Li Hong Ming, just you wait, this prince definitely won’t let you off……….”

Rui Qinwang had his brows lowered and eyes restrained, unmoved and indifferent. As for the extremely angered Le Cheng Emperor, no one dared to stroke his whiskers[1].

“Empress Sun-shi………..”

Originally thought that this matter was over with just like that, but unexpectedly, Le Cheng Emperor opened his mouth once more. And this time, it practically scared them to the point that their liver and gallbladder entirely split. Without waiting for him to continue, the line of officials headed by the Head Cabinet Minister Ruan Rui Zhong immediately stepped out. They can’t let Le Cheng Emperor voice the following words. After all, he’d just dealt with Kang Qinwang, and immediately after, mentioned his mother. One didn’t need to think to know that it definitely won’t be anything good. Empress Sun, mother of the world, virtuous and able, and for many years, for the sake of managing the inner palace, has been cautious and conscientious. She really hasn’t committed any major blunder before. If he were to momentarily be careless in speech, and say something he shouldn’t say, it’ll precisely be the so called ‘gold mouth, jade words’[2]

. When time comes, it’ll be too late to regret.

Even Rui Qinwang never thought of having this matter implicated onto the Empress. He although wanted to become the di son, and Noble Consort Su also wanted to sit onto the Empress’s position, but this matter wasn’t that simple. There were too much at stake, and if the Empress really were to fall from power, the people that will be implicated definitely won’t be in the minority. Noble Consort Su will bear the brunt of the force, becoming the target of everyone’s accusations. The previous dynasty was already unstable to begin with, so if the inner palace were to also have a bloody struggle, then that really……………..

Thus, Rui Qinwang also unhesitantly stood out.

Le Cheng Emperor actually relaxed a breath. In the end, Rui Qinwang didn’t disappoint him. However……………

“Empress Sun-shi, didn’t properly educate one’s son, for now head to the ancestral temple to kneel for two hours as punishment in order to reflect on one’s mistakes. On the first of next month, during the summer holidays, will stay behind to take care of the palace.”

Everyone all relaxed a breath, it was still good.

After taking care of this matter, Le Cheng Emperor had a secret memorandum taken out, passing it on to the numerous officials to read. “The western borders, for Qi Yuan, what kind of importance they possess, believe everyone is all clear. This matter, although didn’t occur at an important mountain pass, but, if not taken care of properly, it will bring about an extremely unpleasant effect, even affecting the border station’s safety. Thus, this emperor wishes to dispatch an imperial envoy to immediately head there to investigate this matter and make appropriate arrangements.”

Once these words came out, quite a few people all stood out to request an order, including both military and literary officials. If this matter is taken care of well, then it’ll be a great merit, even the various princes all don’t want to miss out. As for the origins of this memorandum, it actually wasn’t inquired, because it long wasn’t the first time to appear. And at the same time, no one went to question the contents inside it either.

“As for the candidate for the imperial envoy, this emperor has long decided. Old nine, you’ve joined the imperial court for quite some time now. This time, this emperor will send you to handle this matter, and properly gain experience for yourself. Don’t let this emperor be disappointed.”

Seventeen years of age, speaking of which, was still just a young man. The imperial court has long been divided up by his older brothers. Although he was unresigned inside, hating that he was born late, there was still nothing to be done. Even though on the surface he’d casted himself under the Empress, he still has a hard time feeling balanced inside. He rather want to nicely make an achievement for himself, letting his imperial father see him in a new light, but to no avail, the important matters were forever unable to reach him, so the crucial things, he naturally was unable to touch, and what he touched was forever just some insignificant matters. This time, he similarly fought for the opportunity vigorously, but he actually didn’t hold that big of a hope. Yet, unexpectedly, he was suddenly hit with a pleasant surprise. After blanking for a split second, he hastily thanked for the honor, “……….Imperial father, rest assured, this son definitely won’t betray your expectations.”

“Very good, go back and make preparations, you’ll be setting off tomorrow. As for the accompanying retinue, Beloved Minister Luo, do you have suitable candidates?” After all, this wasn’t a small matter, so naturally can’t have this matter completely handed to a young and inexperienced person to handle. In actuality, it was the accompany personnels that were the most important. Luo Pei Shan was the Head Minister of Appointments, in addition to his recent deeds, towards the people he recommended, Le Cheng Emperor still held very high expectations.

Luo Pei Shan slightly contemplated for moment, and casually listed a few people’s names. Integrating the contents of the memorandum just now, the people he recommended had both military and literary officials, people from the Ministry of Appointments, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, as well as the Ministry of justice. It was clear, for situations that might occur and require what kind of person to step in that will be appropriate, he all took into consideration one by one. As for which faction they belonged to, Luo Pei Shan expressed, sorry, he didn’t know at all.

[1] This is hinting at the idiom of ‘stroking the tiger’s whiskers’.

[2] This idiom in ancient times refers to the things said by the Emperor, because a ruler’s words are valuable and can’t be taken back. After all, an Emperor can’t go back on his word.

T/N: The western border matter is the one explained in chapter 161.