The Hwangbo Clan’s Beloved Live-In Son-in-Law - Chapter 76
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 76
Starting with Hwangbo Yeonhwi, the family members began following behind him one by one.
Dignified faces formed a line.
Hwangbo Seungjeong quietly gazed at Hwangbo Yeonhwi’s face, then smiled gently and went to his side to pat his shoulder.
“I apologize, Household Head. This was my independent decision.”
“You are right.”
However, I should still be first for now.
Hwangbo Seungjeong once again came forward to stand at the very front.
“…Insolent.”
“Your Highness. This is rebel…”
“Enough.”
The Crown Prince stopped one of the guards who rashly opened his mouth.
“Is this rebellion?”
“How could that be? We are merely prostrating ourselves in supplication.”
Hwangbo Seungjeong knelt down.
But this time he did not bow his head.
He straightened his back proudly under the heavens.
“The Hwangbo do not abandon family. We only wish to die together.”
Following him as he stretched his neck long and closed his eyes, the Hwangbo household members all knelt together and straightened their backs.
If they bore the Hwangbo name, not a single person was excluded.
No, their wives, children, and long-serving household members all followed as one.
“Please kill us together.”
From the elderly to newborn infants.
They closed their eyes with one voice before the Crown Prince.
All the guards drew their swords.
It seemed blood would flow at any moment.
Xie Baowei swallowed his saliva and spoke.
“…Your Highness.”
“What. Will you attack?”
Snicker.
The Crown Prince looked down at Xie Baowei with a crooked smile.
Insolent eyes, clenched fists, tense legs.
He wouldn’t give up anything.
He hadn’t changed one bit from the old days.
“How could I dare.”
Xie Baowei trembled as if the very thought was terrifying.
Though he was acting coy like that now, he had probably already secretly surveyed the guards’ positions, the distance to the main gate, the outer walls of the banquet hall, and more.
Unless he planned to kill everyone, he couldn’t attack, so what. He was probably planning to at least save his wife and child.
Looking at Hwangbo Seungjeong’s aged face and the expressions of the warriors lined up behind him, they likely felt the same.
“Die quietly.”
“Please spare us.”
“Why should I.”
Tingle.
At those indifferent words, Xie Baowei glared slightly at the Crown Prince then hastily lowered his gaze.
That disloyal look and transparent expression were so amusing that his lips curved up without realizing it.
Truly an unchanging fellow.
“May I speak frankly?”
“Seems like you already have?”
“…Please show some consideration. What could such a strong person possibly fear?”
Xie Baowei spoke as if grumbling.
Though he acted playfully as if joking and casually as if it were a light matter, his insides must be burning up.
With natural movements, he was probably calculating everything – a step this way, a small body twist, minute directional positioning.
Yet the words coming out were extremely provocative.
Certainly a fellow with a knack for playing along with the rhythm.
The Crown Prince hardened his expression again and spoke sternly.
“Punish one to warn a hundred. These were the words I spoke when heading to Guizhou. Yet there are still those who do not understand, so I wish to make it known again through today’s events.”
How could there not have been innocent people in the Rebel King’s uprising?
How could there not have been ignorant commoners?
The Crown Prince knew all of this yet swept them all away.
With his own hands, he burned those pitiful lives and foundations.
Punish one to warn a hundred.
It was because he didn’t want to do this twice.
“…One punishment may warn a hundred, but if it happens twice or thrice, won’t they avoid it out of fear rather than dread?”
Xie Baowei understood this.
During the time of the Guizhou Pacification Army, the distance between the Crown Prince and Xie Baowei was like heaven and earth.
Unlike in the north, he merely moved as his horse, and rarely had occasion to stand by his side.
Yet he knew.
In Guizhou, he never smiled at all, and even if it was a twisted smile, the Crown Prince was always someone who smiled.
“My enemies will look down on me.”
“Isn’t humor what Your Highness pursues?”
“Now you acknowledge it.”
“…What one likes and what one excels at are different things.”
Ha.
“It’s just wordplay.”
“Please show mercy. Those who feared the whip might flock here coveting the carrot.”
“You want me to do something I’m not even certain about?”
“If I knew all of that, the Grand Academician position would have been mine.”
Chuckle chuckle chuckle.
The Crown Prince laughed quietly at the blunt words to the very end.
Indeed, there was no fault to be found with this fellow.
The Eastern Palace’s guard captains, the deputy ministers, and even these guards called Leiwei would all offer their necks at his command, but this damned bastard tells him not to do it even while offering his own neck.
He dares not to be devoured even in front of him.
So how could it not be amusing?
“Grand Academician… Haha! Right, then you should become the Grand Academician.”
Right. Only a Grand Academician would be qualified for that.
Of course.
“Are you planning to ruin the nation?”
“Hahaha. How could I when I’m here? You just need to keep me company in conversation like this.”
“…Are you trying to make a Grand Academician into a court jester?”
Dangerous words were exchanged so easily.
Though each word carried the lives of three generations, no one stopped them.
Rather, only the Crown Prince’s clear laughter filled the air.
People gradually raised their heads to observe the Crown Prince, but when they met eyes with him as he observed them in return, they were startled and shrank their necks like turtles.
To meet those eyes and argue back?
…Is he insane?
“Moreover, are you still trying to do everything yourself? At this rate, your natural lifespan won’t last. Please delegate some tasks.”
Xie Baowei grumbled as if talking to himself.
Suddenly. The Crown Prince stopped laughing and stared intently at Xie Baowei.
The corner of his mouth curved up crookedly.
“Your Highness.”
Meanwhile, Guard Captain Fang approached and whispered to the eunuch Zhao Guang.
Zhao Guang nodded and came to the Crown Prince’s side to relay the message.
The Crown Prince listened to it, then slowly looked around his surroundings for a long while before finally nodding.
“…Good.”
After the silence, an answer came.
The Crown Prince spoke gently.
“I shall show mercy.”
Flash.
The eyes of the Hwangbo Family members lit up.
Joy flickered in the eyes of those who had been sitting pretending to be composed while their backs were soaked with sweat.
The necks of the guests who had become turtle-like also stretched out again.
The Crown Prince shouted loudly.
“However, you must clearly understand this. All seeds of the rebel king are dead. No matter what lineage you try to attach, the blood of the rebel Li will not continue. If similar words are heard again, I will personally show you what happened in Guizhou.”
Thump.
As soon as the Crown Prince finished speaking, the guards stomped their feet.
“Loyalty to the sovereign! Service to the nation! Must be remembered! Disloyalty! Betraying the nation! Must be destroyed!”
A tremendous voice rang out as the entire group chanted in unison.
It was a resonant voice as if they truly believed the words they uttered.
The people who had been trembling in fear at the Crown Prince’s command now seemed overwhelmed by the guards’ chorus and stared blankly with their mouths agape.
Only after the deep resonance settled did people hurriedly bow their heads.
“…We receive your command. Long live, long live, long live forever.”
Long live, long live, long live forever.
The completely mismatched greeting continued like a round song.
The Crown Prince listened to it as if savoring it, then suddenly spoke to Xie Baowei.
“However, I must impose punishment for defying my command.”
“…From one with such a generous heart.”
“What did you say?”
“I shall comply, Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince adjusted his clothing and opened his mouth with a pretense of sternness.
“I strip Xie Baowei of his position as Imperial Guard Captain and confiscate his salary. I demote his rank to Squad Leader and command him to serve in plain clothes. However, I order him to standby indefinitely, so Baowei should take today’s events as a lesson, exercise self-restraint, and cultivate himself until the day I call for him again.”
Could this be called punishment?
Xie Baowei couldn’t say anything and looked up at the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince mouthed “What are you looking at?” silently.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
He was truly a dishonest fellow.
Xie Baowei slowly knelt and bowed his head.
“I receive your command. Long live, long live, long live forever.”
The Crown Prince grinned.
His horse reared up on its front legs and turned around.
“General Guo misses you greatly.”
“Does he want to crack my skull?”
“Ho. Did you receive a message or something?”
“…Take care of yourself.”
“You be careful too.”
Until you stand by my side.
The Crown Prince departed with a light smile.
The guards and civil officials followed behind him in orderly fashion.
The Hwangbo family and guests followed behind as if entranced.
Upon stepping outside the manor, countless people were waiting for the Crown Prince.
“Work’s done. Let’s go.”
From Shandong’s Pojeongsa, Douzhuishi, and Anchashi to the Jibbu and county magistrates of each city.
Even the influential merchants and local leaders who wielded considerable power had all gathered and stood in formation.
“Yes, sir.”
People departed in droves.
It felt like chaos had ensued, as if a storm had passed through.
Hwangbo Seungjeong spoke to Xie Baowei with a dazed expression.
“…Are there any more guests coming?”
“No, sir.”
“Please tell me in advance next time. My old knees won’t survive this.”
“…Yes, sir.”
The banquet had ended.
***
The Hwangbo family’s banquet ended leaving a significant impact in many ways.
Though some awkwardness remained, it ended more harmoniously than expected.
People stayed for several days, and new guests continued to arrive in succession. The Hwangbo family happily entertained them all.
“Hah. This family’s son-in-law is that close to His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Oh my, don’t even get me started. When I saw His Highness the Crown Prince in person, my heart was pounding, my nostrils were flaring, and my hands and feet were trembling like leaves. His majesty pierced the heavens so much that I truly thought the Heavenly Emperor had descended! But that exalted person was rolling that son-in-law around this way and that, like a tiger playing with a rabbit, and that rabbit was just yapping away!”
“Huh. And he survived that?”
“Ah, not just survived! He was absolutely adored to death.”
What did it matter if he was stripped of his guard position, what did it matter if he nearly died but survived.
The Crown Prince’s appearance and departure left a definite impression on Jinan, no, on all of Shandong.
The next heaven was watching over Hwangbo.
“Right, why would the Hwangbo be called Hwangbo for nothing? Why would Chungundang exist for nothing? There are rumors that even that plaque was bestowed by the founding emperor, right?”
It was because Beidili was so close by.
Rumors about the court always traveled fast here. This was also why it was relatively stable.
For that very reason, there were also more dangerous aspects.
“…But, is this really okay? The Emperor and the youngest prince…”
“Shut up.”
In any case, through this banquet, the Hwangbo family prospered greatly once again.
Those who had directly witnessed the Crown Prince’s majesty spread rumors in all directions, and even more people came seeking the Hwangbo family’s trading companies, escort services, and guard warriors.
Send people to open martial schools. Accept our children, lease us land – people came and went so much the main gate was worn down.
The people of Shandong were enthusiastic about the loyalty they had shown, and ultimately it was accepted as trust.
Moreover, the strongest and most reliable lifeline of this era.
Wasn’t the Crown Prince backing them?
“Yeonhwi, you must succeed me.”
Meanwhile, another change occurred in the Hwangbo family.
Hwangbo Seungjeong stepped down from his position.
Though Hwangbo Yeonhwi firmly refused, Hwangbo Seungjeong was resolute.
“The one people follow is the household head.”
Hwangbo Yeonhwi always stood behind Hwangbo Seungjeong.
People naturally followed behind him. There were no brothers or wives there.
“I am not qualified. I was already blinded by greed and abandoned my family.”
Hwangbo Yeonhwi shook his head. His eyes turned toward Xie Baowei and Huangbo Lüli.
The two people gently nodded their heads.
“Hwangbo does not make the same mistake twice.”
This was what Hwangbo Yeonhwi said.
Hwangbo Seungjeong smiled and nodded his head.
“Then, you will never abandon them again.”
The household head of the Hwangbo family had changed.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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