Chapter 198: Summoning

“This, this prince is unable to make the decision, still need to see whether or not Luo third miss is willing.” Rui Qinwang warmly smiled. Compared to the previous overcast, right now, he was probably genuinely happy, his gaze towards Rui Wangfei even softening quite a bit.

What was a virtuous inner assistance[1], Rui Wangfei was precisely a virtuous inner assistance, worrying what Rui Qinwang worries, considering what Rui Qinwang considers. For things that the man is unable to handle, just rely on ‘the madam’s social connections’. As long as there’s contact, then don’t need to worry about relations one can’t rope in.

Everything else aside, just based on this bit, ten Luo Jing Yings still can’t beat her. Originally, Luo Jing Ying had her advantage, but unfortunately, she and Jing Wan’s relationship wasn’t good, and her relationship with the Luo family was also bad. Moreover, from the looks of it, her IQ was also nonexistent. Clearly they’d already warned her before, yet she was still able to have the matters messed up. Li Hong Ming, this person, very obviously won’t have real feelings towards any one woman. In his eyes, it was always just the difference between having worth and not having worth. Luo Jing Ying’s worth, can it compare with Rui Wangfei’s?

Prior to today, she couldn’t, and after today, she further won’t be able to compare. After Jing Wan clearly expressed that the Luo family doesn’t care about Luo Jing Ying this person at all, her worth probably was just giving birth to children. During her pregnancy, she probably can still obtain some good, and this so-called good will even come from Rui Wangfei’s consideration, consideration for the child. For her to want to meet Li Hong Ming again, difficult!

And after giving birth to the child, Luo Jing Ying’s fate definitely will be bleak.

“Wangfei’s invitation, this subject naturally doesn’t dare to refuse. The inside and outside of the imperial summer residence, it’s all good mountains, good rivers, and good scenery. Occasionally walking around, or sitting down to eat some desserts, naturally is all a wonderful thing.” Jing Wan said with a smile.

It was very clear, Jing Wan had secretly swapped the idea. Entering Rui Qinwang’s territory, versus enjoying the scenery outside was two very different matters. Outside, one can just ‘coincidentally meet’ many people, with ‘two people walking’ turning into ‘many walking’.

Even if they understood Jing Wan’s meaning, they still could only remain helpless.

Since Jing Wan was already planning on leaving, Li Hong Yuan naturally won’t continue staying. He wasn’t interested in acting out a play of deep brotherly bond with Li Hong Ming. As for drinking wine, the good wines in his hand, how can Li Hong Ming’s compare.

Just, when Li Hong Yuan was also about to leave, Li Hong Ming was that tiny bit surprised. If because he’d just happened to be at the Luo family’s place, that’s why they came together, although unbelievable, it wasn’t something he can’t accept, but to also leave together…………..

Li Hong Ming carried a bit of inquiry as his gaze swept over Jing Wan and Li Hong Yuan. Just, ever since this marriage was determined, old six’s behavior towards the Luo family’s third miss appeared strangely caring. This kind of care seemingly already exceeded a certain scope.

If Li Hong Yuan wanted to leave, then naturally no one would be able to keep him.

And exactly at this time, Noble Consort Su sent someone over, saying she’d heard the Luo family’s third miss was here and wanted to invite her over to her place for a sit.

Noble Consort Su’s invitation, Jing Wan naturally didn’t have the power to refuse, and moreover, didn’t have the need to refuse either. However, Jing Wan glanced at Li Hong Yuan. Perhaps because there were irrelevant people present, in his eyes, there wasn’t tenderness and love, but rather indifference and familiarity, even having a trace of gloominess and vicious currents. This really was a contradicting and complicated person. However, when interacting with her, he seemingly was also very pure, and in his pure eyes, there was only her.

Li Hong Yuan subtly and undetectably nodded his head.

Afterwards, Jing Wan relaxingly and daringly went to meet Noble Consort Su.

Compared to the meeting last time, her identity had clearly changed. At that time, she was just a subject’s daughter being summoned by the imperial consorts and concubines, something that can’t be more common. But now, Jing Wan was nevertheless her future daughter-in-law. All say the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were natural enemies, and moreover, it’s said that Jin Qinwang and Noble Consort Su had deep mother-son feelings. With the Ding Duchess as a precedence, Jing Wan was actually somewhat nervous inside. A Noble Consort going crazy was much scarier than a Ding Duchess.

As they were leaving, the Rui Qinwang couple also saw them off. According to Rui Wangfei’s meaning, she needed to go pay her respect to Noble Consort Su. It was very obvious, this was for the sake of ‘boosting morale’ for Jing Wan. Although the inherent purpose really wasn’t for Jing Wan’s sake, but Jing Wan still accepted. After all, this ‘first time’ facing, with an extra person present, one more or less will be a little more at ease.

Afterwards, the Luo Jing Ying that had put on a play was just forgotten on the spot just like that, blankly staring. Don’t know if right now it was still having not returned to her senses, or the blow too big? However, the people serving her clearly began slighting her. This ‘seeing the wind and setting the helm’ practically can’t be more obvious………..

Li Hong Yuan and Li Hong Ming also headed to Noble Consort Su’s place together, carrying the same excuse as Rui Wangfei.

When Noble Consort Su saw the four of them appearing together, she first blanked, but immediately after, began smiling. After they performed their etiquette, she quickly called for them to get up, having Jing Wan called before her. And when she was affectionately pulling along Jing Wan’s hand, she felt the soft and smooth sensation from her hand, suddenly recalling something, “Like frost and snow, skin like congealed gel……….” Carrying a bit of tease, she looked towards Li Hong Yuan.

Li Hong Yuan’s face was super thick, face not blushing, heart not racing, calm and composed, like he simply didn’t hear what Noble Consort Su said.

Jing Wan and Rui Wangfei were somewhat confused, but Li Hong Ming very quickly understood Noble Consort Su’s meaning, his gaze swiftly sweeping over Jing Wan. A trace of understanding streaked across his eyes, and he quickly averted his gaze, smiling but not speaking.

Regardless whether it was Noble Consort Su or Li Hong Ming, probably all thought Jing Wan was Li Hong Yuan’s preference type.

“Alright, the person is already here, so you all should go take care of your own business.” Noble Consort Su, as if somewhat disdaining her two sons, waved her hand, indicating for them to quickly get lost, and don’t be a bother here.

“Consort mother, this is having a daughter-in-law and not wanting the son anymore?” Li Hong Yuan dully spoke such ‘coquettish’ words.

“Still not your wife yet. You might not want your face, but Miss Luo still wants hers, now quickly get lost, stop putting on an act here with consort mother.” Noble Consort Su playfully scolded.

Li Hong Yuan inwardly thought: ‘With what should be done, and what shouldn’t be done, all done, could it be that she still can be someone else’s wife?’

The two brothers were kicked out by Noble Consort Su just like that.

Noble Consort Su looked towards Jing Wan again, discovering that she was seemingly somewhat bashful. She softly smiled. Don’t know if it was because she’d deliberately put on makeup, that raised corner of Noble Consort Su’s eye didn’t appear that obvious, so naturally just reduced a bit of sharpness, her entire person appearing increasingly gentle. Originally graceful and honorable, so naturally not easy to approach, yet because of this share of gentleness, one would have a favorable impression towards her. Just like how you thought the other party was a high peak flower, but in reality, the other party particularly favors you, so one would involuntarily produce a feeling of joy from being overwhelmed by favor from one’s superior.

If it was just an ordinary young lady, then probably would really believe that Noble Consort Su was someone that was very easy to get along with. But, think about it, to be the most pampered of the imperial harem for several decades, in the inner palace, able to divide the court and contend against the Empress, and the son she raised was one of the most powerful contenders for the throne, this kind of a woman, how could she really be kind? The atmosphere Noble Consort Su constructed didn’t make Jing Wan relax, instead making her even more on guard. When speaking, she was also exceptionally careful, and can be said to be watertight.

And Rui Wangfei just quietly acted as an accompanying guest, watching Jing Wan and Noble Consort Su, one bashfully, one gently, ‘crossing blows’, inwardly sighing in her heart, this ‘younger sister-in-law’ was also incredible. Having been Noble Consort Su’s daughter-in-law for this many years, towards her impressiveness, she can be said to be very well aware of. For a young lady to be able to respond with ease in front of her, it was just those countable few, no, thinking back, should say, Jing Wan was the first one she has ever seen. Recalling the her back then, she really was………it was best not to mention.

As for the two brothers that left, Li Hong Ming wanted to go to Le Cheng Emperor’s place to increase his bonding points, while Li Hong Yuan was lacking in interest.

Knowing what kind of personality he had, Li Hong Ming also just disregarded him, only teasing a few words before leaving on his own.

Li Hong Yuan’s gaze rather deeply stared in the direction of Noble Consort Su’s courtyard. He knew Jing Wan was able to cope, but he also knew that she won’t like that atmosphere. Beckoning An Yi, he muttered a line, and soon after, casually turned around, returning to his own courtyard.

Just as Noble Consort Su was chatting with Jing Wan in high spirits, a palace maid came to report, the Grand Elder Princess sent someone to invite Luo third miss to admire the flowers together.

Noble Consort Su slightly blanked, and in that moment, the smile in her eyes distinctly faded, but in an instant, returned to normal again. Patting Jing Wan’s hand, “Good girl, why don’t you just go, don’t let your adoptive mother wait too long.”

Jing Wan hesitated for a moment, and then bowed to leave.

After Jing Wan left, Noble Consort Su became somewhat indifferent, “This girl matching with old six is rather sufficient, however also a pity.”

Rui Wangfei was slightly puzzled inside, but didn’t open her mouth to inquire, because it wasn’t necessary.

“She’s a virtuous good wife, but on Yuan’er’s side, it’s really not needed.”

Rui Wangfei understood, lowering her brows and retracting her eyes. Wanting to give your son the best, yet also regretting………..

“Did something happen in your courtyard?” The people of the Luo family wouldn’t really go look for them for no reason.

“Was just about to inform consort mother……..” Rui Wangfei had Luo Jing Ying’s matter told to Noble Consort Su in detail. This kind of thing can be kept from others, but truly no need to keep from Noble Consort Su.

When Li Hong Ming took in Luo Jing Ying, Noble Consort Su similarly felt there was something fishy, but since her son didn’t voluntarily mention, it shouldn’t be anything major either. “Both the character and brain not all that great, yet this luck is rather not bad. Since pregnant, then just properly look after, at most it’s just an extra mouth, and won’t have an effect on the Luo family’s matter, so no need to bother with anymore. If she can live, then that’s her good fortune, if she can’t, then it’s just her fate.” Noble Consort Su said, and then paused, “If really one that’s easy to bear children, it’s not bad to leave around to give birth to a few more.” That was just purely being considered as a tool for birthing children.

Rui Wangfei somewhat forcibly tugged the corner of her mouth. Although she’s long seen clearly everything, her heart was still endlessly sour, “Consort mother’s words are reasonable.”

“You are also still young, your body also without problems, work hard with Ming’er some more and strive to give birth to a di son. Although, for that position, the heir, majority all aren’t the di son, consort mother however is optimistic of you.”

Rui Wangfei’s eye sockets slightly reddened, unsure whether she was really moved, or otherwise, “Many thanks consort mother.”

“En, why don’t you go then, and have that concubine in the rear court handled properly, if you find her unpleasant, it isn’t necessary to keep her either. When time comes, just keep the child and eliminate the mother.”

“Consort mother rest assured, wangye’s children, that is also the same as this daughter-in-law’s.”

[1] 贤内助 – This term doubles to mean a good wife

T/N: I remember in the early chapters there were a lot of praises for Noble Consort Su in the comment section. I guess this is why so many characters are able to be decieved easily by an act. Some people’s acting just too good lol. Personally, between Noble Consort Su and the Empress, I like the Empress more.