Chapter 390.4: Painting, Envoys Arriving Soon

n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Chapter 390.4: Painting, Envoys Arriving Soon

The most recent matter was nothing more than just whether or not the things Li Hong Yuan prepared have been handed over to He Zhen Wei, as well as where the various countries’ envoys have reached. Of course, there were certainly other matters as well. Perhaps encountering for the first time, one would be greatly startled, but once accustomed, even Jing Wan was able to stay calm. In fact, she would even think that it was just some troubling small matters. “The Former Wei’s envoys will arrive in the capital in at most another four to five days? They sure are quick.”

“For matters regarding Qi Yuan, they have always been the most energetic.”

Former Wei’s official name[1] was actually Wei, and it was the previous previous dynasty’s official name. At the time, the Wei dynasty’s territory was even bigger than Qi Yuan’s currently and was once very prosperous. But, towards the later periods, they also started declining, and moreover, declined very quickly. As a result, they just got overthrown by their subjects, but genuinely considering it, it wasn’t really considered overthrowing. After all, the imperial clan’s bloodline still exists, just they’d abandoned the capital and moved north, dividing up the Wei dynasty. The new dynasty was what later got turned into the Qi Yuan dynasty by the Li clan. And the remaining portion of the Wei dynasty, although just occupied less than one fifth of the original territory, they nevertheless tenaciously survived. Not only so, they continuously expanded north, afterwards getting called Former Wei by others. Currently, they already possess national power on par with Qi Yuan. Even if not adding on the Wei dynasty’s history, Former Wei’s time of existence all surpassed Qi Yuan by several hundred years.

Former Wei originally have always wanted to have the territory they once lost taken back once more. Unfortunately, the previous dynasty instead got destroyed by the peasant born Li clan, establishing a new dynasty. Even during that transition period between the dynasties, Former Wei still wasn’t able to gain any advantages. Don’t know whether or not one should say that the Li imperial clan’s Great Ancestor was just too formidable.

Despite having already changed dynasties twice, Former Wei nevertheless still had the current Qi Yuan viewed as theirs, never once giving up on the thought of taking back. That’s why, regardless of who was occupying this piece of territory, they were all the Former Wei’s enemy. As long as they can cause trouble, then they won’t slack in the slightest.

After understanding this relationship, Jing Wan was actually quite speechless. Several hundred years had already passed. This piece of land has changed owners again and again, yet you’re still thinking about winning back? Practically having issues!

However, for the Former Wei to continuously think about Qi Yuan, it isn’t without reason. After all, as oppose to Qi Yuan, the great majority of Former Wei’s territory was all very barren. Right now, their land was smaller than Qi Yuan’s, yet their national power was formidable, so naturally unwilling to easy give up.

Moreover, after going through this period’s fermentation, the spies staying in Qi Yuan certainly must have already had the news of the various countries’ national documents arriving together sent back. As long as able to let Qi Yuan be unwell, for Former Wei, it was all good news. That’s why, they won’t care whose handiwork this was, and won’t care whether or not some problem had occurred within their own country unbeknownst to them. In any case, they’d already came out, so watching Qi Yuan’s ‘joke’ was the most important. If able to fish up a bit of benefit from within, then it’ll be even better. That’s why, their speed naturally was quick.

Originally, based on the normal speed, they would even need to delay by at least ten days, and by that time, those smaller countries would’ve already arrived.

As a large country, being rich and powerful, that was all needing to appear last, yet now, they instead shifted in advance. As one can well imagine just how big this grudge was, and just how much they hated.

“Two imperial princes, and one princess. As for the accompanying officials, those with status were as many as three. Heh, this really is regarding Qi Yuan highly. However, speaking of which, Former Wei and Qi Yuan should be of the same root. For many of the social customs and culture, it’s all interlinked. Even now, in terms of language, there’s all just minor differences. More than seventy percent of the characters were the same. In terms of apparel, it’s further like so. According to my knowledge, Former Wei valued proper male and female etiquette even more than Qi Yuan, yet this time, how come they would even allow a princess to accompany along?”

“Having a woman present, it’s nothing more than just for the sake of a political marriage.”

“Former Wei would form a political union with Qi Yuan? Moreover, even if a political marriage, it’s still mutually exchanging national letters, right? Then, once everything was in order, have Qi Yuan send someone to escort the bride. To just have the princess brought along, what’s up with that? Where’s their honor, their dignity? Should Former Wei further value these?” Jing Wan was very puzzled.

“Even if one’s sworn enemy, one similarly can form a political marriage. When it’s still peaceful, naturally it’s just a princess for political marriage, and if war breaks out, then naturally it’s just an abandoned chess piece, and the first one to die, nothing strange about it. As for having the person brought along, who knows, perhaps their target isn’t Qi Yuan. The other countries, compared to Former Wei and Qi Yuan, aren’t that particular about etiquette. Situations of directly having the person sent over are all very normal.”

Jing Wan slightly frowned, “Two countries secretly forming an alliance in a third country’s territory, no matter what, all sounds not that reliable.”

Li Hong Yuan laughed, “What are you concerned about all this for? The other party all not worrying, yet you worry for them instead?”

“Does this have anything to do with worrying in the slightest? Just don’t know what those people think of this.”

“Perhaps it’s believing that the most dangerous place is instead more safe. However, under my watch, definitely won’t let them succeed.”

Jing Wan glanced at him. How was it just not letting them succeed. Based on this one’s conduct, the possibility of ‘failing to form an alliance and becoming enemies instead’ was greater.

Li Hong Yuan smiled but didn’t speak. So what if this was the case? At times when Qi Yuan’s national power still isn’t enough, naturally it’s wanting them to mutually impede one another, waiting for him to sort out one by one.

Speaking of which, in his past life, Former Wei’s target indeed wasn’t Qi Yuan. Unfortunately, the Former Wei’s princess nevertheless fell for Li Hong Yuan, causing quite the entertainment. In the past life, Li Hong Yuan perhaps would even be ‘at a loss for what to do’. After all, because the huge disturbance resulting from the flooding in the south seemingly was related to the Pei clan, Li Hong Yuan got vented on by Le Cheng Emperor, meeting with Le Cheng Emperor’s disdain. That’s why, his situation wasn’t too good. Former Wei and Qi Yuan were sworn enemies to begin with, yet Former Wei’s princess fell for Li Hong Yuan, what would Le Cheng Emperor think of it? As one can well imagine, Li Hong Yuan truly didn’t have a good time.

However, this life was different. Never mind an uprising not occurring in the south last year, Le Cheng Emperor right now was incredibly good to Li Hong Yuan, this son. Aside from the throne, asking for stars, it was just offering the moon. If the same thing were to still repeat, don’t know what will happen.

In comparison, Li Hong Yuan further cared about Jing Wan’s reaction. Just as he was thinking this, Jing Wan suddenly cupped Li Hong Yuan’s face………….

“What to do if that princess were to fall for you?”

Can this be considered being mentally connected? “Seems Wan Wan has forgotten, isn’t this your matter?”

“That’s a princess of another country. If I do something, won’t it be not too good?”

“What’s not good about it? If you do something, as long as no one dies, then it all can be concluded as trivial matters between women.”

“This is wanting to have my easily jealous reputation spread to other countries?”

“This will depend on what you do. It may not necessarily be related to being jealous, why don’t Wan Wan think it over now?”

“For something that has yet to happen, why would I need to think about it? Besides, this is an important matter that concerns the country. If having long decided, then they certainly would tell that princess in advance, so as to prevent her from doing something that will make their country lose face. For a princess, no matter how honorable and favored, still can’t go against one’s own country, right? Moreover, a princess that was prepared for a political marriage, and even brought out in this kind of manner, how favored can she be? Even if favored, for her to get pushed out, there certainly will be other reasons. All in all, she’s unable to surpass her own country in importance. And even if it’s forming a political marriage with Qi Yuan, then it’s certainly looking for one that held power and influence. That’s why, this matter, nine times out of ten, is just me thinking too much.” Jing Wan pinched Li Hong Yuan’s face, “In the end, it’s still because this face of yours is too attractive. Say, what’s the point of a grown man like you being this good looking?”

“So, all of this is even all my fault?”

“Is that not the case?”

“Then Wan Wan, what should we do? All say the beauty brings calamity, but never heard of a man bringing disaster to the country because of his face.”

Jing Wan let out a ‘hmph’, “Perhaps you will become that first in all of history.”

“If that’s really the case, what should be done? Wan Wan even wants me to ruin my appearance?”

“Even if it’s letting the people that fall for you ruin their appearance, still can’t let you ruin your appearance.” Was it wrong to be good looking, certainly not.

Li Hong Yuan knew, for Jing Wan to have fallen for him, it was definitely not because of this face. In the past life, when they first met, he similarly had this face, yet Jing Wan didn’t have the slightest stirring at all. What was able to move her was never these. When she’s able to calmly accept everything you give, it just means that she accepts you, this person, from the bottom of her heart.

“Don’t know, aside from the Ministry of Rites and the Hong Lu Office, which brother of yours will be sent to receive them.”

“Probably Li Hong Ming. Former Wei has always been the most difficult to deal with. Among the brothers, Li Hong Ming is the most skilled in fanciful etiquette.” Li Hong Yuan carried a bit of laziness as he said this.

“Since the most difficult to deal with, why not you?” Jing Wan teased.

“If really want to let me go, it’s also whatever, but the officials will definitely think, letting Jin Qinwang go, is it disdaining that the borders between Qi Yuan and Former Wei were too peaceful?”

That’s why, Jin Qinwang was very self-aware.

[1] Referring to the official name or title of a nation, but in ancient times, countries or states were generally denoted by their dynasty name.

T/N: In case people are confused about the background explained here, the original Wei dynasty existed first. Afterwards there was internal strife and split in two. The power that overthrew the original Wei dynasty is what has been referred to as the ‘previous imperial dynasty’ to Qi Yuan, and existed for several hundred years until the Li clan overthrew them and took over, establishing the current Qi Yuan. In age, Qi Yuan is only around 100 or so years old.