novelraw Chapter 1726: 1720: What Kind of Toad Is He?
Chapter 1726: 1720: What Kind of Toad Is He?
Capítulo 1726: Chapter 1720: What Kind of Toad Is He?
Wang Yongzhu’s subordinate, naturally a capable person, managed to open the letter intact and seal it back as it was, without letting anyone notice.
At this moment, this subordinate carefully examined the wax seal on the letter, and with some unknown manipulation in his hands, the wax seal opened.
While presenting the letter to Wang Yongzhu, he chuckled and said, “The one who penned this letter is meticulous, having guarded against interference. There is a strand of hair placed at the wax seal. If one were careless and broke this hair, one would surely notice it.”
Wang Yongzhu listened, took the letter, and looked at it against the candlelight. Sure enough, he saw a strand of hair, not too long or too short. It seems Master Yi is very cautious indeed.
Taking out the paper and unfolding it, the first words were: To My Beloved Child —
On two sheets of paper, the entire content was some casual conversation, saying the journey was smooth, and upon reaching Yunzhong City, everything was well, so there’s no need to worry. He also asked if his daughter was well, and how were the grandson and granddaughter?
Just from reading the letter, the image of a kind father emerges, far away from the Capital City and his daughter’s side, yet he cannot help worrying about the family. Having reached the destination, he sends word back to assure their safety, asking not to worry. He misses his daughter and grandchildren, hoping the daughter’s reply would include their news.
Left and right, there seemed not a hint of anything amiss.
Wang Yongzhu sneered, if there were truly no other hidden agenda in the letter, why bother with the wax seal and a strand of hair?
The more this is done, the more it suggests there’s something wrong with the letter.
Perhaps the true message has been hidden among these casual words.
With suspicions in mind, Wang Yongzhu looked at the letter again and soon discovered the anomaly.
It was a veiled message, joining the top and bottom lines, the meaning became clear: The marriage proposal was rejected, further plans needed. Tell granddaughter not to worry, he will find a solution.
If initially, it was merely speculation that Yi Mingshi sought marriage to Old Granny Zhang because of the Second Prince, now it was undoubtedly confirmed.
Who would have thought, as soon as the Princes establish their residences, they can’t contain themselves?
They don’t consider that their dear father, His Majesty the Emperor, is still in his prime. The higher and happier they jump, the worse their fate might be in the future.
Yi Mingshi seemed clever, how could he be muddled on such an important matter? This Royal Family struggle is not something they can meddle in.
But thinking again, if Yi Mingshi truly loved that woman the most, being the former sister, then his most beloved child undoubtedly would be her daughter, and by extension, his concern for his granddaughter would be understandable.
The granddaughter was married off as a concubine to the Second Prince, her daughter’s family, was clearly the Second Prince’s ally.
In the rear court of the Princes of the Chu State, aside from one official wife per Prince, there are two side consort slots, concubines named on the Royal Jade Scroll were four in total, and countless unnamed concubine maids.
These concubines, if they bore descendants or were extremely favored by a Prince, and they make the request for title, could be crowned as a side consort.
As the saying goes, a concubine who doesn’t aspire to be a side consort is not a good concubine.
This granddaughter of Yi Mingshi, or rather, Yi Mingshi’s daughter and son-in-law’s family, surely planned for this.
Indeed, their ambitions are quite large, but don’t consider whether they possess the capability.
Having read the letter, Wang Yongzhu handed it back to the subordinate, who resealed it perfectly, and restored the letter to its original state, leaving no trace it had been opened.
Then, it will be returned to the Capital City along with other letters the next day.
When arriving at Yunzhong County, there was no rush, leisurely sightseeing.
The return trip progressed swiftly, in just two days they reached Chicheng County.
At Song Chongjin’s side, a letter arrived from the Grasslands, its tone remarkably humble, only stating their negligence last time, allowing several malicious officials, dissatisfied with the King of the Grasslands and deeply resentful of the Great Chu Country into the negotiating team, now having identified the truth, those officials had been tied in front of the Wang Palace in Wang Capital, whipped thirty times as a warning.
They, the Grasslands, are still interested in opening trade routes and happy to cooperate, hoping both sides can abandon past grievances, work hand in hand, and honestly collaborate to create a beautiful future together.
Calculating the time, it’s been barely half a month since letting the Grasslands stew. Song Chongjin knew it was still early, if he relented easily, the Grasslands might think the Great Chu is too eager.
Approaching eagerly is not a successful trade! Dragging them a bit longer is better.
Hence, Song Chongjin instructed the subordinates to reply, saying the Great Chu has always approached relations with mutual cooperation in mind, but didn’t expect the Grasslands would be so disrespectful.
If the Grasslands don’t want this good deal, other countries are fighting over it. The Great Chu has plenty of partners, from now on omit the Grasslands, let them play on their own! We will not serve you!
The message conveyed his intent, and the subordinates added finesse to make Song Chongjin’s intentions clear without doubt.
Then Song Chongjin heard the news that Wang Yongzhu and those who were with her had returned.
Anyway, negotiations were still pending, winter’s approaching, by then using cold weather as an excuse not suitable for talks, acting a bit high and mighty, should be just about right.
At present, there’s little to do, Song Chongjin promptly went to welcome Madam and his mother-in-law home.
Upon leaving the County Yamen, Wang Yongzhu and her group were already in the rear courtyard.
Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu went in to wash up, Yao Da was arranging luggage transport inside and planning for rest for those who accompanied the trip.
Seeing Song Chongjin return, he hurriedly came forward to salute.
Song Chongjin casually nodded and headed straight to the rear courtyard.
Ten days apart made Song Chongjin miss her incredibly, knowing Wang Yongzhu was bathing, he couldn’t help but go inside.
Having not been intimate for many days, now this beauty in water, like a lotus out of water, infinitely alluring.
Song Chongjin naturally couldn’t restrain himself, the couple frolicked for half a day, leaving the room drenched.
Only then did Wang Yongzhu languidly get carried back to the bed by Song Chongjin, the two half-leaned together, as Song Chongjin dried Wang Yongzhu’s hair, he finally had time to ask about this outing’s happenings.
Mentioning this, Wang Yongzhu became vexed, enlightening Song Chongjin on Yi Mingshi’s plans, eventually unable to contain herself, spat: “This Master Yi, what kind of toad could he be, so thick-skinned, actually putting on a facade of certainty, as if the mere mention would make us agree? Who on earth gave them such face!”
“And his daughter’s family, they are certainly a bizarre bunch, ancient lore only speaks of selling daughters for glory, for riches and honor, daughters and sisters given over to powerful families. But behold, they sell ancestors for glory, even a decrepit old man is not spared, at his ripe age sacrificing for the family, isn’t this a tale worth telling!”