Chapter 516.2: Confrontation, Vision, Exposing

What kind of person was Li Hong Yuan? That kind of gaze, in Su Bu Fu’s view, perhaps was secretive, but for Li Hong Yuan, it couldn’t be more obvious. Originally, he was just quietly drinking wine, not the least bit interested in this kind of banquet, and no one would voluntarily go up to chat with him either.

Detecting Su Bu Fu’s gaze, he lifted his head, revealing an ambiguous smile, even faintly raising the wine cup in hand at Su Bu Fu, seemingly sending his regards. However, in Su Bu Fu’s eyes, that was just blatant provocation.

If Li Hong Yuan knew what Su Bu Fu was thinking, he probably would find it very laughable. Provocation? What did he, Su Bu Fu, count as!

The guess inside Su Bu Fu’s heart seemingly changed into certainty little by little. However, he still harbored a trace of hope. As such, he didn’t dare to rashly come in contact with Rui Qinwang.

And in reality, if his guess is correct, then he further can’t approach. After all, he was a criminal. His place of exile was the complete opposite from the northwest. He shouldn’t appear in the northwest to begin with, so he would just get viewed as an escaped criminal. If his everything really was grasped within Jin Qinwang’s palm, then those military achievements, regardless of whether he had earned on his own, or earned through other means, in the end, it all won’t belong to him. When time comes, it won’t just be the problem of adding to the offense.

For him to vanish leaving an empty shell in his place of exile, no one would feel it was his own handiwork, and it would certainly implicate Rui Qinwang, Noble Consort Su, as well as the Su family. When time comes, never mind losing his own life, it will also cause trouble for them. What he needs to do right now was to cover his own identity properly. No matter what, he absolutely can’t admit. In this way, perhaps there can still be a trace of hope.

Just, in this way, everything he did, wouldn’t it all be in vain, not only not obtaining any benefit, but instead even attracting disaster?

Moreover, Jin Qinwang did it that obviously. Then, did it mean that right now, he didn’t care anymore, and whether he got exposed or not didn’t matter? Everything perhaps had already taken form.

Then, everything he suffered, wasn’t it all for nothing?

Su Bu Fu just felt he got tightly bounded by a large net, unable to struggle free, seemingly about to suffocate.

After leaving the imperial palace, Su Bu Fu strangely felt not knowing where to go. Although previously Rui Qinwang had already prepared a residence for him, but right now, he certainly can’t go. Furthermore, his home and his family were all in the capital, yet he was reduced to having no home to return to, unable to see his family. Endless sorrow filled his heart. He wanted to ask, exactly why, why did he end up like this today?

This answer, he actually had an answer inside. He covered his face with one hand, covering up the misery on his face.

TN: All

“This must be Deputy General Su’s first time coming to the capital, so presumably don’t have a residence. This time, in the battle with Xiongnu, you have made great contributions, so to let you head to the Xishan Barracks’ living quarters, wouldn’t that be wronging you? Similarly having the Su surname, perhaps you and the noble consort’s maiden family were once from the same ancestors hundreds of years ago? As such, there’s no need to bother others, just directly let Rui Qinwang find a place to stay for you. Presumably, this for Rui Qinwang is also just a small matter.” Fu Yun Ting neither slowly nor quickly walked over from behind him, saying with a smile.

Rui Qinwang also just happened to walk over at this time. Hearing these words, everyone all thought that it was nothing more than a joke, but Su Bu Fu just felt alarmed inside. A peculiar feeling also streaked across Rui Qinwang’s heart, probably just the so called guilty conscience.

Rui Qinwang didn’t reveal his emotions, “If Deputy General Su is willing, this prince naturally will offer one’s humble effort.”

“This humble one thanks wangye for the offer, just this humble one is just a country bumpkin, a tree, a rock, both able to use as a bed. The Xishan Barracks’ living quarters are already very good, so how could one be wronged. Today, one has drank a bit too much, somewhat unwell, so please forgive this humble one for withdrawing first.” Su Bu Fu cupped his hand at everyone including Fu Yun Ting.

Rui Qinwang nodded his head, “Since that’s the case, why don’t Deputy General Su go then.”

Su Bu Fu left alone, his back strangely appearing a bit lonesome.

“If I have to say, Deputy General Su, regardless whether it’s his conduct or bearing, all not like someone from the countryside. If not having a clear understanding of Deputy General Su’s origins, one would even think he is some large family’s young master.” Fu Yun Ting seemingly carried a bit of a sigh.

Rui Qinwang slightly narrowed his eyes, the corner of his mouth still carrying a warm smile, “General Fu probably also noticed this bit, thus particularly values Deputy General Su, right?”

Fu Yun Ting’s face revealed a smile similar to Rui Qinwang’s, “Precisely so, because one feels that Deputy General Su should be born a little nobler. He has ability and wisdom. Such a person shouldn’t get buried. That’s why, one can’t help but want to promote him a little.”

While Le Cheng Emperor was pulling in animosity for Fu Yun Ting, how was Fu Yun Ting not necessarily doing the same for Su Bu Fu.

Why should his Majesty treat Fu Yun Ting differently?

Similarly, why should Su Bu Fu be treated differently by the main commander, even specially letting him show his face before his Majesty. Compared to the other high ranking generals, Su Bu Fu had the lowest status and position. The greater the disparity, the heavier the hatred out of envy.

Towards the animosity directed at him, Fu Yun Ting was unconcerned, because those people, even if bearing grudges against him, in name, they were still the generals under him. Moreover, he has already handed over the military rights. Although he still has the title of the Great Zhenguo[1]

General, in a certain sense, that was also just an empty title. Those people, regardless of whether their relationship with him was real or fake, all won’t have contact with him anymore. At least, prior to Jin Qinwang ascending the throne, they won’t. As such, what can those with sinister thoughts even do about him?

However, Su Bu Fu wasn’t the same. There were plenty of people with higher status and position than him. He was a person with ‘no background’, and in the capital, didn’t have any connections either. This time, letting him greatly stand in the limelight alone, how could he not get shunned. Even if in the end, he gets rewarded based on his merits, his official post successively jumping several ranks, they can still have his authority hollowed out, becoming a lonesome commanding officer.

Rui Qinwang just felt Fu Yun Ting’s smile was exceptionally fake, appearing very irksome. Yet, unbeknownst to him, in certain people’s eyes, he similarly was fake and pretentious, just thinking of others, but never closely examining himself. The double standards can’t be more serious.

Fu Yun Ting covered his mouth with his fist, softly chuckling. Su Bu Fu’s current post, that was due to the generals above promoting him up back in the northwest. Although it went through official documents, going through the Ministry of War’s register, but Le Cheng Emperor didn’t know. If one were to let him feel that his current post was more than enough, after all, who let Su Bu Fu from the start be just an ordinary person from the lowest rung, then he can only hold his current position, neither high nor low, exceptionally awkward.

Scaling the heavens in one step? Heheh………

Fu Yun Ting kept thinking about his family. That bit of time previously naturally was far from enough. As such, after achieving his goal, he also just took his leave early.

Li Hong Yuan returned to Jin Qinwang Manor. Jing Wan was still organizing things. This trip to the northwest, although for the most part was just official matters, they weren’t busy on the way back, so for better or worse brought a bit of ‘local specialities’ and whatnot back.

This trip also lasted several months. Having returned, she naturally needed to go see the Luo family and also visit the Grand Elder Princess. Also, those married sisters of hers, because of status, she couldn’t visit them, but she can still send them things.

“You’re back? Today’s banquet, did anything interesting happen?”

How could Li Hong Yuan not know what Jing Wan was asking, “It’s also just that. After all, just returned from war in triumph.”

Jing Wan understandingly nodded. Indeed, it wasn’t too possible to make a move at this time. “Rui Qinwang finally obtained a son with great difficulty. Should we find a time to go have a look?”

Li Hong Yuan glanced at Jing Wan, “If Wan Wan is curious about that child and want to go have a look, then just directly say it.”

Jing Wan smilingly reached out, hugging Li Hong Yuan’s arm, “The one who knows me is my husband.”

“Just a few month old infant, what’s there to look at? Even counting on making out something worthwhile from his appearance?”

“Aiyaya, I know that there’s no way to make out anything, just purely curious, that’s all. Who let you be unwilling to tell me exactly where that child came from. Besides, it’s been several months. Your third imperial brother happily obtained a son, so for us go have a look, it is also only natural. Proper etiquette, understand?” Jing Wan used her finger to jab his chest.

“No need for you to visit. Liu-shi nine times out of ten will come looking on her own.” That Liu-shi’s changes right now were very big.

Jing Wan was a bit baffled. Why would she come look for her?

Li Hong Yuan didn’t explain further. All in all, he had this kind of certainty inside.

[1] Zhenguo – Title meaning stabilizing the country. So the full title translated would be ‘The Great Country Stabilizing General’.