Chapter 181: Lecture

Just as Li Hong Yuan said, because there were vines, when going up, it really wasn’t difficult. And not only was it not difficult, he even maintained his carefree good looks, purely just a male peacock showing off his gorgeous feathers at all times when in front of his wife. Of course, because he did it too naturally, no one thought in this direction, just feeling, this person must be naturally born this way.

That tea tree was on an outward protruding rock, and quite a bit of soil should’ve also amassed on top of there, so as long as one goes up, and as long as one was careful, there shouldn’t be any hidden dangers to one’s safety. However, even so, it still made one feel somewhat fearful and apprehensive. It couldn’t be helped, the other party’s status was too noble, and can’t allow for the slightest mishap.

“Wangye, be careful.” Jing Wan couldn’t help warning from below.

Li Hong Yuan smiled, “Don’t worry.” Then accordingly waved his hand, and the bodyguard had the basket thrown up.

Li Hong Yuan set to the task very quickly. One temporarily wasn’t able to tell the quality of the tea leaves, but just based on this technique of his, it really was like he knew what he was doing. Even Jing Wan couldn’t help thinking to herself, was this really wangye? And for Luo Pei Shan who arrived afterwards, he also was a bit stupefied. Who can tell him what was going on?

“I just saw that there was a wild tea tree up there, so………..” Jing Wan rather helplessly explained.

So just one word from his dear granddaughter, and wangye you can just risk the dangers to grant her wish? Should he, for this reason, blame him for not treasuring his life, giving others trouble, or be glad that he cares about his granddaughter this much?

He glanced at Jing Wan, who was quietly looking up at Jin Qinwang picking tea leaves above. Even if Jin Qinwang was ‘stained with misdeeds’, but for him to genuinely go this far, probably very few women would not be moved. Sigh, sure enough, ‘when a girl is of age, she must be married off’.

“Wangye be careful——–” Jing Wan suddenly went forward two steps, alarmingly crying out, and his bodyguards also uniformly moved forward, like preparing to serve as a cushion. Luo Pei Shan subconsciously lifted his head. A certain someone seemingly had slipped under his foot, his body swaying. If one’s ability to endure was slightly weaker, then one really would have the danger of the heart exploding in seconds.

“Wangye, why don’t you come down first?” Jing Wan urged.

“Be good, I’ll come down once I finish picking. There’s not much, so just a little while longer. Just now I didn’t pay attention, I will be careful.” Li Hong Yuan gently said to Jing Wan, while his hands didn’t stop either.

This tone, this attitude, practically just…….

Jing Wan decided, once he comes down, definitely need to have him firmly held down. That way, he won’t be able to something that’ll specifically give others a heart attack. Encountering such a willful and reckless individual really was tiring. Alright, the cause of it was still her, so she chose to shut up.

Since Jin Qinwang was unwilling to come down, they could only wait for him to finish picking, and then use the vines to have the basket sent down.

Have to say, among the ones present that comparatively understood tea more, it should be Sir Luo, because he once held an official post at a place that produced tea. The entire tea manufacturing process, he was all very clear about, and moreover, he was even considered an intermediate expert. Using his hand, he pinched a few tender tea leaves. He was already prepared to see a pile of ‘too tragic for the eyes’ tea leaves, but reality was completely the opposite. Not only were every single tea leaf all similar, it was also just the perfect amount, his technique completely correct. Looking to Jin Qinwang, who has already come down, Luo Pei Shan’s eyes were slightly lit.

Reality will tell you, towards the words a certain someone has declared, there just wasn’t anything impossible. He not only knows how, he’ll even do it very well. That’s why, when it comes to currying favor with the Luo family third miss, others all need to move to the side.

Seeing Jin Qinwang safely land on the ground, everyone all relaxed a breath.

“Wangye, quickly go wash your hands.” Jing Wan said.

Li Hong Yuan naturally nodded in agreement.

Afterwards, Luo Pei Shan somewhat returned to his sense, and then looking to his own granddaughter again, his gaze was also somewhat astonished. How difficult Jin Qinwang was to deal with, they as officials were actually very clear about. Someone that even Le Cheng Emperor, the father, would all headache over very much, in front of his dear granddaughter, was just this well-behaved, this obedient? Then, one day, won’t his dear granddaughter be able to have this living Enma tied up, eliminating for Qi Yuan its number one great calamity? Truly worthy of celebration! Wait no, Sir Luo quickly got rid of the thought in his head.

Luo Pei Shan pinched a tea leaf and put it in his mouth, chewing it. He seemingly can conclude, the final finished tea made from this wild tea plant will be comparable to the first-class famous teas. Afterwards, he lifted his head and looked to that tea tree, somewhat beginning to stir. If one is able to have this tea cultivated, won’t it be able to become a new kind of tea? However, considering that for some things, if the environment changes, it won’t be the same anymore, he thus gave up on this thought.

Afterwards, Jing Wan did just as she’d previously intended, continuously ‘holding onto’ Li Hong Yuan the whole time, not letting him do anything that’ll give others a heart attack. However, fortunately, afterwards he at most just climbed trees. This bit, Jing Wan felt, even if it was herself, she was all able to accomplish.

With Li Hong Yuan’s bodyguards present, even if Bai Shao and Hei Mei wanted to do a bit of something, it was still just getting their jobs snatched before they’re able to do anything.

Being unable to nicely play around, the two sisters expressed their discontent.

Jing Wan actually had a kind of ‘watching a play’ feeling, “Wangye, there seems to be something off about these bodyguards of yours.” Their spirit seemingly a bit too vigorous. Even the tiniest trivial matter, they all needed to fight over for, even having the tendency to start brawling.

Li Hong Yuan was actually rather nonchalant, “When boys come of age, they must be married, else they’ll end up having grudges.[1]”

Jing Wan staggered, nearly falling. She strangely glanced at Li Hong Yuan. A certain someone even earnestly nodded his head.

Jing Wan very much wanted to say, wangye, what are you randomly nodding for, did you really understand my meaning? However, looking again to those bodyguards, who nearly petrified because of Li Hong Yuan’s words, Jing Wan suddenly felt these people, as Jin Qinwang’s personal guards, how can they be just described as miserable. Afterwards, she even strangely followed along Li Hong Yuan’s meaning, having her gaze placed on Bai Shao and Hei Mei. If there’s no mishap, then she will most likely marry next year after reaching marriageable age. Not because the Luo family didn’t want to keep her, but rather because a certain wangye has long become an ‘old unmarried youth’. Prior to that, for these two beautiful servant girls of hers, as well as the few that didn’t come with, probably just Qing Zhu will be discussing marriage, and moreover, if she doesn’t have anyone to her liking, she will also follow over as the dowry[2]. Speaking of which, the main wife’s accompanying servant girls marrying the capable subordinates under the husband actually was a pretty good option. For the main wife, it was also one of the ways for her to establish her footing.

However, as a qinwang’s bodyguard, majority were probably all of the commoner class, so would they marry servant girls that come from the slave class? After all, Qi Yuan’s law also explicitly states in writing, ‘the respectable and the lowly’ cannot marry[3]. Even if prior to marrying, she eliminates their slave status, often times, they still won’t be fancied.

“Having your personal servant girls married to the people under me, isn’t it a perfectly good match?”

“Wangye must be joking.”

Li Hong Yuan rather smiled without expressing an opinion. For this bunch under him, if one really were to let them marry someone by Wan Wan’s side, afraid they’ll really start fighting. Which one of them didn’t know Jing Wan treated the people by her side well, and once Wan Wan enters the Jin Qinwang Manor, she will be the one in power with the final say in everything. Tsk, never mind the first-rank servant girls by her side, even the second and third-rank servant girls will all be fought over to marry. Of course, those won’t really be fought over by his personal attendants. After all, in the vast Jin Qinwang Manor, there were several hundred servants.

“Many monks but little congee, you all be a bit more clever yourself, don’t say I, this master, didn’t give you all the opportunity.”

The bodyguards looked to one another. Afterwards, ‘master means that, right, right?’

Thus, thereafter, Bai Shao and Hei Mei’s side were no longer that quiet and peaceful.

Jing Wan’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch. Were these really that bunch of deadpan bodyguards? This clearly was just a bunch of amusing idiots that doesn’t know how to properly court someone’s favor. Jing Wan actually very much wanted to say, for you all to be following by your master’s side, how come you all just didn’t properly learn a few moves from him? “Wangye, the servant girls by my side, for better or worse, are still clean young girls.”

“Don’t worry, they have propriety, and won’t do anything overboard. This while, there’s just our own people present, so won’t damage their reputation, and further won’t implicate yours.”

Sir Luo suddenly let out a cold snort, “Whatever the master is like, is just whatever the subordinates will be like, all made from the same mold.”

However, Li Hong Yuan’s face was very thick, “If this prince’s subordinates were to act like outsiders, then this prince doesn’t need to live anymore.”

Have to say, Sir Luo originally was quite happy. But ever since a certain person appeared, he just felt, that person was incomparably unpleasant to the eyes. Even if a certain someone didn’t do anything to his dear granddaughter, but he, this old man, still could feel his own face reddening. And this was even when he was present. Then, when the Luo family elders aren’t present, what will his dear granddaughter be ‘bullied’ into?

Jing Wan felt awkward, shooting Li Hong Yuan a glare, opening her mouth and mouthing him two words: Shut up!

“Wan Wan, come over, grandfather can’t walk anymore, come support grandfather.”

Clearly knowing this was an excuse, Li Hong Yuan shot a glance at that servant boy that was specifically in charge of serving. However, Jing Wan quickly tugged him, her meaning very obvious, shut up, shut up. Afterwards, she quickly walked to Sir Luo’s side, taking his arm to support him.

Sir Luo somewhat smugly casted Li Hong Yuan a glance.

That expression also just happened to be caught by Jing Wan, and she couldn’t help tugging the corner of her mouth again. This entirely was just like a child that won in fighting over candy, this was beyond being childish. Sir Luo, where’s your image?

Even so, someone just had to stir up trouble, “Tsk, can guard for a moment, but can’t guard for a lifetime. Can guard before marrying, but can you still guard after marrying?” He said it nonchalantly, yet it made Sir Luo nearly vomit blood in anger. Sir Luo almost couldn’t hold back his temper and let out a wave of mad cursing. However, angering Sir Luo, even a wangye won’t be let off just like this.

Afterwards, Sir Luo’s ‘sagely teachings’ once again activated.

After speaking for half a day, and seeing Li Hong Yuan seemingly like others, left speechless by his words, he stroked his beard, being very pleased with himself.

Jing Wan already didn’t know what to describe this situation with. However, according to that bit of understanding she had towards a certain someone, it was impossible for this to be the end of it. Even if he temporarily ‘admitted defeat’, afraid he will just compensate back from other places.

However, it was very obvious, everyone all underestimated Li Hong Yuan, “Sir Luo has finished speaking? Then, it’s this prince’s turn.” Thus, in the same manner as Sir Luo, he quoted the classics, bringing out the words of ancient sages, in addition to his own ‘crooked reasoning and absurd views’, flowing in speech, lengthy doctrines, not having any repeats. As long as it was something that Luo Pei Shan reprimanded him with earlier, he all returned three-fold.

For those that didn’t know, they would even think he was some worldly renowned great scholar, and even the kind that was very young, very handsome, and very carefree.

“You, you, you…………” Luo Pei Shan tremblingly pointed his finger at him. This bastard hid too deeply. Never mind being deep in schemes, his learning was also this good, how are others going to live?

[1] This line is actually a wordplay on the very common old saying ‘女大不中留’, which more literally translates to ‘when a daughter is grown, one shouldn’t keep them’, basically saying that the family should marry off the daughter when they become of age. In this line, LHY says ‘男大不中留’, referring to his subordinates, how they have grudges for not being able to marry. These phrases are more said in the context of a parent lamenting how their child will eventually be married off, particularly in ancient times, since the daughter will belong to the husband’s family once married. There’s also a follow-up line which basically states that if you keep a daughter too long they will have grudges towards the parents for not letting them marry, so having grudges for becoming an old maid.

[2] Because servant girls are considered property, the servant girls that accompany the bride over to the husband’s family are considered part of the dowry.

[3] I wanted to use this footnote to explain the hierarchy of household registries (户籍) in ancient china. At the top naturally, it’s the noble register (贵籍), which consists of the large families that have been influential for generations, not to be confused with families with actual nobility titles, although actual nobles are part of this registry as well. The Luo family is considered part of the noble class because their family has been influential for many generations, their family have been scholars for more than 300 years.

Next is the commoner register (良籍), or more literal translation ‘respectable/good register’, this is referring to ordinary commoners. People registered in this class are qualified to take the imperial exam and enter officialdom.

The third is the merchant register (商籍), and as the name suggests, people in the trade profession are registered as this. After that it’s the slave register (奴籍), and once sold into slavery, you might be stuck as a slave for the rest of your life, unless the family that owns you is willing to pay a large sum of money to the authorities to change your status. Children born from parents of the slave class, naturally will also be stuck in this class. Also note that not all servants are slaves, for example, Gong mama is a hired servant and not a slave.

The fifth and last register is the ‘lowly register’ (贱籍), this was partially explained in a , because Huan Yiniang is classified as this, it refers to prostitutes, entertainers, dancers, those people in acting troupes, etc. People in this class are considered lower than slaves, and under normal circumstances cannot even marry ordinary commoners.