Chapter 484.2: Crossing Swords

Have to say, the coroner still had a bit of skill. According to some of the characteristics shown on the body, one practically can conclude that the deceased had consumed some sort of drug prior to dying, and its effect was probably the kind that caused hallucinations.

Following this thread, they continued investigating, and sure enough, it led them to one of the deceased’s servant boy. However, the servant boy was already dead, so the clue was thoroughly cut off. If not for the fact that it was Scholar Bai’s madam that gave the order to have that servant boy beaten to death, one would even suspect that it was Scholar Bai’s madam that had some enormous connection, and she was killing the person to silence them. Knowing that she’d been impulsive, breaking an important clue, Scholar Bai’s madam once again fainted. Just, after waking up, she refused to admit that she was at fault. Not having her son taken care of well, causing her son to die tragically, this kind of servant, do they not deserve to die?

In reality, it was also just as it was predicted in the beginning, simply unable to properly investigate. Although everything all pointed towards the fact that there was indeed someone plotting all of this, but every thread, regardless of whether it was someone from the Bai family, or someone from Li Hong Yuan’s estate, after investigating to a certain point, it would just break off, unable to continue investigating, just like a spool of thread with several strands branching out, and afterwards all getting cut.

Since they were unable to make headway, then no matter how Le Cheng Emperor rages, the outcome was still the same.

Although the Bai family regained their rationality for a moment, believing that they shouldn’t completely take their anger out on Jin Qinwang, but as soon as they recall that their beloved only son was gone, how could they still remain rational? Even if wanting to be rational, others’ either bawling, or pointing fingers, or even taking pleasure at another’s misfortune will just endlessly remind them, overloading their rationality. And when a person’s grief and indignation reach a certain degree, they will always uncontrollably look for a way to vent.

That former Cabinet Minister of the Bai family went to the palace everyday. Clearly his body was worsening, appearing as if he will die on the way at anytime, yet it still didn’t stop him from doing this.

historical

Le Cheng Emperor exceptionally headached. This ultimately was the maternal uncle that once assisted him very much. Moreover, putting himself in his shoes, he ultimately wasn’t able to say anything harsh. But, to want to have this matter completely pushed onto his son, that was also impossible!

Young master Bai’s body also couldn’t just be displayed there continuously, ultimately needing to be buried and put to rest.

Thus, the Bai family finally hung up the white banners, starting the ceremonial rituals.

The others also successively scaled the gates to offer condolences, especially the in-law families of those married ladies of the Bai family——-Those ladies had returned immediately after learning of the matter, all the way until now a few days later, helping arrange various things again.

They rather wanted to console, letting them let go of their grief, but the sorrow of the parent sending off the child wasn’t something that can be erased with a simple line. Seeing the entire family’s mournful look, one just can’t help but sigh.

The Bai family in the past didn’t have a son. From top to bottom, inside and out, they didn’t get laughed at any less.

And as Scholar Bai’s madam, even if having birthed four daughters, she still got said as a hen that can’t lay eggs, getting criticized, getting disdained. That kind of grievance, that kind of bitterness, lasted all the way until her fifth pregnancy, when she finally gave birth to a son. In reality, her age wasn’t small anymore. Her husband, for the sake of producing a son, no longer shared the room with her. That child was even the result of her schemes. Giving birth to a son, her position was stable, and all her former ‘faults’ were just like as if it’d never happened.

That son was just Bai Old Madam’s life! Losing her son can be said as losing all hope, nearly going mad lately.

And this matter, for some unknown reason, also tugged onto Jing Wan’s head, seemingly just happening overnight. All the fault was all hers. Establishing the horse tracks was her idea, and creating the luxurious rare beast park was also her idea. All because of her, Jin Qinwang was thus increasingly extravagant and excessive. If not for her thinking of all these random ideas, how would someone die, and so on.

Jing Wan felt her knees ache. It was practically just getting shot while lying down.

But, just saying with the mouth still wasn’t enough. That Bai family old madam actually even wanted Jing Wan to go wear the mourning clothes for her son and kneel all the way until her son was buried.

If before Jing Wan still didn’t mind, then this time, her face also thoroughly grew cold.

The Luo family originally didn’t interfere in this matter, but the Bai family’s actions also thoroughly angered the Luo family.

Luo Pei Shan just directly began fighting with Scholar Bai upon the imperial court. Of course, he didn’t do anything to Scholar Bai directly. He was the Head Minister of Appointments after all, in charge of all the officials. Any official that was related to the Bai family, especially those son-in-laws of his, all got dragged out, ruthlessly examining from head to toe. For people in officialdom, that was simply just unable to withstand such ruthless examination. Their moral character and conduct will always have a bit of problem. This while getting everything dug out by Luo Pei Shan——–This place had problems, not passing the assessment, not allowed to get promoted. That area didn’t meet the standards, not suitable to stay in the current position, demote, demote, must demote.

Have to say, Luo Pei Shan didn’t use any underhanded methods either, “..........This official isn’t like some people, fond of making up stories, creating something out of nothing. This official has always emphasized on seeking the truth from the facts. Scholar Bai says this official is talking rubbish. This official however cannot agree. One has to know, these things aren’t just handled by this official alone. The Ministry of Appointments has that many people, that is all clear and transparent. Originally, the transferring of officials below the fourth rank don’t need to be reported to his Majesty either. Bringing it up now, it’s so that everyone can understand clearly.”

Although not an underhanded move, openly and fairly targeting someone further made one angry.

The Bai family had the emperor as their backing, and they also knew how to conduct themselves, so the colleagues they had a good relationship with weren’t few, but at this time, no one stood out. One of the reason was what if they anger Luo Pei Shan, perhaps they will just become the next Bai family. And two, the Bai family’s people vacating from their positions meant that others will have more opportunities, no? Friendship was one thing, but when involving their own interests, what did friendship count as.

(T/N: In the end, social connections means nothing in the face of actual power.)

Scholar Bai got angered to the point of nearly vomiting blood.

The smile on Luo Pei Shan’s face didn’t change, yet his eyes were a sheet of ice.

And facing this kind of situation, Le Cheng Emperor actually chose to just watch from above as well, not saying a single word.

Of course, it wasn’t just the Luo family that was truly angered. It was the living Enma that had amassed a ball of demonic flames inside. Once it explodes, that will definitely burn someone to death. However, the living Enma for the time being didn’t make any moves.

With quite a few people related to the Bai family all facing trouble, Bai Old Madam also didn’t dare to continue clinging onto Jing Wan.

But, this didn’t mean that the Bai family’s ruckus just stopped like this. That former cabinet minister ran before the emperor, requesting that the eighty-one ceremonial altars being built currently be used for his grandson instead.

Le Cheng Emperor immediately just exploded in anger. If not for the fact that this was his maternal uncle, and if not for the fact that he was elderly in years, unable to even stand properly, Le Cheng Emperor perhaps would’ve directly smashed the ink slab on his head. Le Cheng Emperor was still wholeheartedly thinking of meeting the Imperial Noble Consort. To yield it to his biao nephew!? Just him, a mere child, even worthy of this kind of honor?!

“Maternal uncle should go back. This matter, this emperor will just pretend to not know.”

And this former cabinet minister this time was also like as if having swallowed steel, hardening his heart, “Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort was merely just a nameless orphan girl of unknown origins. You promoted her, letting her become the Imperial Noble Consort, giving her paramount honor and glory, but to say she’s some immortal fairy of the ninth heavens, these words, deceiving the ignorant mass was enough, you actually even believed it? Think of her Highness the Empress Dowager all those years, and how much she’d done for your Majesty, how much she’d put forward, and how much she’d sacrificed. Your Majesty really bears for her maiden family to just have no descendants from here on, severing the lineage?”

Le Cheng Emperor’s face was very dark. Some things, he naturally remembered in his heart. This was also the reason why he has always looked after the Bai family. But, this didn’t mean that he was willing to be blatantly reminded by others. “Maternal uncle’s words are too much. Little maternal uncle is still perfectly fine, his descendants filling the halls, so how could the Bai family’s incense fire just break off.”

The Bai family has always been reasonable, understanding propriety, yet now, suddenly bursting out like, it made Le Cheng Emperor very irritated, suspecting that in the past, that was all an act.

“Your Majesty, your Majesty, that pitiful grandson of mine, if unable to properly reincarnate, his fate, that is just the start of the Bai family’s, do you really have the heart to..to......”

“Enough—-” Le Cheng Emperor angrily bellowed, interrupting his words.

“Your Majesty, my grandson died so wrongly, he cannot rest in peace, his grievance difficult to dispel. You promised you would seek justice for him, yet didn’t do anything at all. Giving him a grand ceremonial rite, letting him properly reincarnate, you are also unwilling. Your Majesty, with the Bai family gone, I, this old thing, also have no face to continue living in this world. Everyone in the Bai family will all be too ashamed to face the ancestors, so might as well all die, going down earlier to beg for forgiveness.........”

(T/N: Never mind his many granddaughters, this old guy just denied his own younger brother’s entire existence too lol. His brother’s family is keeping the bloodline going just fine.)

The former Cabinet Minister Bai was just like having gone senile, what should be said and what shouldn’t be said all blurted out.

To put it bluntly, his goal was still Li Hong Yuan, wanting Li Hong Yuan, this ‘culprit’, to pay the price, so as to dissolve his grandson’s grievance. This was also being certain that Le Cheng Emperor won’t yield out the ceremonial altars. This wasn’t just using death to threaten, it was using the lives of the entire Bai family to threaten.

Le Cheng Emperor’s entire face was covered in dark clouds. Don’t know what happened to this maternal uncle of his to have made him become like a different person, disregarding everything. Even if one were to let him get his wish, would the Bai family’s days in the future just be well?

However, if it continues like this, Le Cheng Emperor’s prestige and image among the people will all be affected.

When Li Hong Yuan received the news, he just knew, it was more or less about time.

“Must the Bai family go this far?” Jing Wan was very puzzled.

“The Bai family’s only son is already gone, meaning that all the plans in the past have gone to waste. And now, at this time, wearing down their relationship with imperial father, appears as if very unwise, but what if someone at this time give the Bai family some sort of promise? How much longer can imperial father sit on the throne? And how much longer can the Bai family exist? Even if getting disdained by imperial father, as long as they are still alive, it is possible to rise up again. Eliminating me, this giant stone, for the person that gave the promise, that will be a meritorious feat, so would they still be afraid of not having glory and honor in the future?”

Explaining it like this, Jing Wan also understood. “Ah Yuan is planning on making a move?”

“Naturally need to have this matter resolved before imperial father makes a decision. Should also teach certain people what is called, ‘futilely drawing water with a wicker basket’. ————-Mu An, go prepare, we will be heading to the Bai Manor.”

T/N: This whole part is just the Bai family digging themselves deeper and deeper. But I also find it funny that literally everyone is betting on Le Cheng Emperor dying soon.