“Grandfather, this granddaughter understands your intent, and not to mention, it still hasn’t reached that point yet. Even if it does get to that point, some things just can’t be endured. I can’t, for the sake of that bit of false happiness, pretend to be ignorant. That kind of thing for me is more painful than actual harm.”

Luo Pei Shan remained silent for a moment, then slightly nodded, unsure whether he was acknowledging her words, or was just indicating that he understood. “The current political landscape, I won’t say much. But regarding your marriage, I will tell your grandmother, and let her, as much as possible, give you the greatest freedom to choose. And within my abilities, I will also help you be on guard.”

These words were even more extreme. Bear in mind, men were in charge of the outside, while women were in charge of the inside. For a man to interfere in the matters of the inner courtyard, not many were capable of it. If word got out, one might even get mocked at by others, especially since it wasn’t really related to one’s own political interest.

“Many thanks grandfather.” Jing Wan was very grateful, but also calmly accepted this good intention. In front of people who understood, modesty, reservation, and what not were all pointless. For those who don’t care, even if you went even more overboard, they still wouldn’t care either. And for those who did care, probably even the way you walked was more or less wrong too.

“This is the imperial court’s imperial bulletin[1]. You can take it back with you to look at, just treat is as a pastime.”

“Then this granddaughter won’t be polite.” Her smile became even more bright.

“En, after you’re done, you can just come fetch another one. In the future, I’ll have someone also send you a copy. If you have any thoughts, you can come find me.”

So, this last part was actually the key point?! Even if I was born as daughter, as long as I possess the ability to, it’s not like I completely can’t be used either, right? Occasionally participating in the backgrounds, perhaps might even help polish those disappointing grandsons. To neglect neither one, not bad.

Jing Wan understood his intentions, and because it wasn’t forced, completely complying to her desires, she naturally didn’t have any complaints.

After Jing Wan left, Luo Rong Wen wanted to say something but hesitated. Since ancient times, marriage has been by the order of the parents and words of the matchmaker. To let a girl decided on her own? If word got out, others would definitely laugh. Furthermore….

Truth be told, even Luo Rong Yan didn’t expected that his father held such regards towards his daughter either. It was practically another kind of extreme pampering. If their places were changed, he definitely wouldn’t be able to do this kind of thing. He has his wife and children in his heart, but he was always self-centered. Otherwise, even if he didn’t like officialdom, he would still strive for their sake. The higher his position was, the better it would be for his wife and children. But obviously, he didn’t think like this. He entirely only ever pursued the things he wanted. Should he as the father reflect on his conscious for once?

“Eldest, what do you want to say?” Luo Pei Shan took a sip of a tea and asked.

Luo Rong Wen seemingly deliberated for a moment, “Father, this son feels, it’s fine to dote on a daughter some, but if too much….”

Luo Pei Shan gave him a glance. He knew that what this son wanted to say wasn’t this, but he still dryly said, “Some people are very difficult to spoil, even if you want to purposefully spoil them rotten. Because they have self-control and understand propriety, they will never make it difficult for others, making people feel as if they haven’t pampered them enough. People will unconsciously want to pamper them some more, wanting to truly spoil them.”

The two brothers really were shocked. Saying this kind of sentimental words, with even a rare gentleness in his expression, was he really their father?

“Your mother is a good woman. It’s a shame she was taught too well by your maternal grandparent’s family. Because she sacrificed too much for your father, I once wanted to spoil her. If she was just a bit more tough and a bit more persistent, perhaps there wouldn’t be your third brother and second sister in our family. If it really were so, I completely wouldn’t mind either. But for my sake, she carefully gave consideration to the overall picture. Your father’s inherent nature isn’t that resolute either. Third girl is like your mother, but your mother instead feels she’s more like me. Perhaps your mother wants to fulfill some of her own regrets on the third girl. After second son relayed the third girl’s words, your mother’s desire is also my desire.”

The two brothers looked to one another in dismay. Their father had never mentioned before how he and their mother were, and their mother also never mentioned it either. In their eyes, their family was just the same as many other families. The parents treated one another as honored guests. The father striving hard for the entire family outside, while the mother was virtuous and dignified, taking in concubines for the father, raising the children, and balancing the inner court, letting the father not have any family worries. Turns out it wasn’t like this?!

“That’s why, eldest, don’t think about using the third girl to exchange for benefits. Otherwise, your mother will be heartbroken.”

“Father, this son didn’t…..” Luo Rong Wen forcibly said in a soft voice.

“That bit of thought of yours, you think you can hide from your father? Third son is stubbornly willful and unrepentant. He always saying that I’m not willing to help him, but he himself should really look at those foolish things he does outside. Does he really think I don’t know? With just that bit of capability of his, he really thinks he can have a say in the fight for the throne?” Luo Pei Shan coldly snorted, his imposing manner in full power. The two unconsciously straightened their backs and listened, not daring to breathe too loudly. “Eldest, don’t be the same as him and do something that’s just paying lip service. It’ll make this father disappointed.”

“Father, don’t worry, this son would never dare to.” Since it was already said this clearly, if he still dared to ‘mess around’, then he was just waiting to get disciplined by family law[2].

“Fine, all of you get lost then.”

“This son bids farewell.” The two brothers spoke in unison.

“Wait, second son, think about how to coax that daughter of yours after you get back.” Luo Pei Shan said with a hidden smile.

Luo Rong Yan was a bit stumped, “What does father mean by this?” Also, why does it feel like father is somewhat taking pleasure in another’s misfortune? Must be a mistake.

“Regarding the matter with the ink orchid, she probably didn’t tell you to directly come and ask me, right? Even if the end result was good, but you as her father, completely just ‘sold’ her out the next moment. Since you’re her father, she naturally won’t do anything too disgraceful, but finding you a bit of trouble is still very likely. Be careful, in the next few days, you might even have some repeated misfortunes and still didn’t know why.”

“Not possible…?” His daughter has always been well-behaved, what could she possibly do?

Luo Pei Shan indifferently glanced at him. Why did he know that Jing Wan might do something like this? That’s because in his youth, he didn’t do any less of this kind of thing, not only to his father, even his uncles and older brothers were not spared. Unfortunately, because it was all harmless little pranks, they all never realized the cause, only thinking that their own luck was bad. Thinking back to it now, he rather missed those days. He’d kindly warned this stupid son, but if he doesn’t believe him, there’s nothing he can do. Waving his hand like shooing a fly, he made him quickly get lost.

Luo Rong Yan contemplated what his father said over and over again. His father said that his daughter was like himself, then conversely, his father should be considered to be able to understand his daughter extremely well. The words that this father said, even if he can’t entirely believe them, the possibility was probably over seventy percent. Because he was selfish, he can’t be considered a good father. Then, occasionally bending to his daughter’s little tantrums wouldn’t be a problem either. So even if his daughter won’t do anything, he can still treat it as just giving her some little playthings. Coming to an understanding, Luo Rong Yan went back to his own study and shuffled around for a while, taking out several things he was usually fond of. After somewhat reluctantly looking them over once, he firmly had the servant girl send them to Jing Wan.

Jing Wan somewhat speechlessly accepted the items. These were all his favorites and were also quite expensive. And now he was giving them to her without rhyme or reason?

“Master said, the old master had given miss a pot of ink orchid, he doesn’t have that kind of treasure, so he can only send these little playthings to give to miss.”

After hearing the servant girl’s words, Jing Wan understood. She hooked the corner of her lip. For father to be this perceptive, she naturally will also need to give him face, right? “Go back and tell my father, his luck in the next few days will definitely be good.”

As for Luo Rong Yan’s response after hearing these words, his father as expected had foresight, and his daughter, heh heh[3]…..

At night, Li Hong Yuan once again received a letter sent by the shadow guards. Actually, it’s not that he needed to know everything about Jing Wan everyday, but the relatively important matters he still needed to know. After all, some small matters concerns the overall picture. After becoming aware of Luo Pei Shan, that old fox’s, attitude towards Jing Wan, Li Hong Yuan’s feelings towards him rather improved a bit. In the future, if Luo Pei Shan were to encounter some problems, he wouldn’t mind helping him in the dark a bit.

“Fu Yun Ting still hasn’t come?”

Outside the door, a man with distinctly handsome features, who’d just entered the courtyard gates, just happened to hear this. His legs unconsciously paused. There was no expression on his face, but only he knew that the cold air was slowly creeping up from the bottom of his foot. He really wanted to turn his head and leave, but unfortunately, he had the intentions but not the courage. He was usually cautious with everything in his usual days, but every time he came to the Jin Qinwang Manor, he was still sorted out by that living Enma[4] inside. If he dared to turn his head, wouldn’t that just happen to be giving that living Enma a read-made excuse? Would he just directly torment him till he was begging for death?

Eunuch Mu saw Fu Yun Ting and bowed to him with a smile on his face, “Shizi[5] is well.”

Fu Yun Ting expressionlessly looked to him, very much wanting to say: Not well at all. Which time have I been well coming to this place? Also, don’t think I can’t see that sympathetic look in your eyes. I don’t need your sympathy!

“Why are you still not getting your ass in here? Waiting for this prince to come invite you?”

Perhaps because the psychological trauma the living Enma brought him were too deep, he couldn’t help but tremble. Carrying the mentality of ‘viewing death as a return home’, he stepped into the study. “This subordinate greets your Highness.” He lowered his brows and restrained his eyes, but even so, he still felt like there was a constant blade on his back.

“You’re excused.”

Fu Yun Ting stood up, but his back tightened even more. Since he didn’t get forced to wear tight shoes[6], then perhaps his next move will be very terrifying.

[1] Imperial Bulletin – Palace reports; contains official announcements and news, mostly from the records of the court. For example, contents may contain, the Emperor’s decrees, officials’ appointments and dismissals, memorandum presented by the officials, etc. Only officials were allowed to view it.

[2] Family Law – Basically the family rules and disciplines. Punishment is usually kneeling before the plaques of the ancestors in the ancestral hall and getting beat with the family rod.

[3] Heh heh – This is the sound of sarcastic or ironic laughter. A bit of a cold laugh, like the kind after hearing a really bad pun.

[4] Enma – Also can be spelled Yama; referring to King Yama, the king of hell, in buddhism. Enma rolls of the tongue easier for me than Yama.

[5] Shizi – Form of address for heirs to a nobility title; in this case he is the heir to a Marquis title

[6] Idiom meaning ‘to make life difficult for someone’