The Little Consort's
Eps. 25: Feeling Disappointed
“Why did you bring me here?”
Long Ji Man flicked his sleeves violently until Li Anlan's handrails came off. He wondered why there were women who had such immense courage as Li Anlan, perhaps the courage to argue with him was also greater than the officials.
The thin moustache Li Anlan had used might have already fallen down when the two were walking earlier. Now, Li Anlan's face was again as beautiful as a woman. Her hair was also half-detached as her hair scroll loosened its ties.
As Long Ji Man looked around, he only realized that he was not in the center of the city. This place, a foreign place he had never seen. The green trees, shrubs, and fragrant grasses that were blown by the wind made Long Ji Man wonder where it was.
“You can only bully me without even realizing your own mistakes!”
Look, Li Anlan even blamed him again. The woman's tone hinted that she was really upset and angry.
“Why do you blame me? I should have been the one who was angry!”
“Is that?”
Li Anlan was so fiery. Anger that has been trying to be detained for some time is like it is going to explode. Long Ji Man always tormented her, always irritated her, and always made her like a helpless weak woman. Long Ji Man had always oppressed him indirectly. Although he was a king, he had no right to trample over Li Anlan.
Hah, that man can only condescend and see his flaws only!
Is it not enough to make him suffer? Long Ji Man gave him a small salary, a small palace, locked him up, even confiscated his favorite items! Just as Li Anlan was about to do something to guarantee his life in the future, the man also came and messed up his mood!
“Who are they?” long Ji Man asked a group of shabby, ugly-clothed, dirty kids playing in the old yard.
“Your.”
“What?”
“They are abandoned children and orphans. Have no parents, no place to live, then choose to stay away from the city center and live miserable and isolated.”
Long Ji Man watched every face of those rundown children. Their skin is a little black. There were some scars on the feet and hands and the faces of some children. Some are skinny, some are a little fat. Men and women are all the same, their eyes clear with hope. Their innocent brains were definitely not tainted by the dirt of the capital.
“Your Majesty, is this how you take care of your people?”
Li Anlan's question was like an arrow piercing the heart of his heart. Now, he knew the purpose of the woman bringing him here. Li Anlan wanted him to know that not all of his people lived prosperously. There are still many children who are displaced and stranded because of the loss of parents. The question slapped hard at his heart.
Long Ji Man was ashamed of himself. He was disappointed because he was not careful, so he did not know that there were people who lived like this. Moreover, they are children who still need guidance in order to become useful people in the future, both for Dongling and for themselves. All this time he thought all his people were fine.
Unexpectedly, a weak woman like Li Anlan had actually given him some awareness and made himself slightly cornered. As a leader and a king, Long Ji Man should have known more about the true condition of his people.
“How did you find them?”
“Em... That was, by accident,” Li Anlan replied. Nervous, because he had indirectly told Long Ji Man that he had once exited the palace.
“This isn't your first time sneaking out, is it?”
Oh no, I got caught!
Li Anlan shouted inwardly.
Li Anlan did not know what to answer. His words would only be a waste of energy. Long Ji Man will know he's lying. Rather than making his king angry again, it was better for Li Anlan to shut up and shut her mouth. He was sure Long Ji Man already knew the truth.
“Ck.. That's not an important thing to discuss right now. Better think of a way how you'll clean them up.”
“Then what should I do?”
“Create an orphanage.”
“Annement?”
“Wake up or buy a building downtown. Make them have a decent home and not isolated from the outside world.”
“Dia!”
Li Anlan pointed to a man who had argued with him a few days ago. Yes, the Thief. He just came back like. In his hand were several bags of food and drink. When the Thief came, the children immediately ran to greet him happily. The thief distributed his food little by little until all the children got their share.
Long Ji Man's heart was pinched. Here, with just a simple bit of food, they were already that happy, as if obtaining a precious treasure. It was very different from him in the palace. He was a child born with a golden spoon, a lifetime of being pampered and served. The food is highly nutritious, and regular for three times a day. The clothes are luxurious and nice, made of high quality silk and satin fabric.
But here, those kids are really unlucky. No home, no decent clothes, no money, and living far apart from the bustling city center. Eating once a day seems to be very lucky.
Those who were isolated like this might not be much different from Li Anlan. She, though a wealthy noblewoman, but lacking talent and intelligence, was thrown away like trash by the public, and willingly entered the palace to save the reputation of herself and her family. He lived in a small, secluded palace far from the luxurious and nearby concubine palace complex. Living aloof like a dead person, never set foot on the ground other than Xingyue Palace and Houchi Lake park. Li Anlan is a poor lucky person whose destiny is wrapped in the image of a king woman, who looks luxurious and tall, when in fact she is not.
“Come!”
The pull on his sleeve resuscitated Long Ji Man. He was dragged back by Li Anlan. This time, the two arrived in front of the old house. A slightly fat boy looked at them, then shouted, I,
“Isn't that beautiful sister that time?”
The thief looked over. A moment later, he became annoyed. His heart wondered why the woman he had robbed the other day had come again. Now even bring foreign men.
“Didn't we agree we won't meet again?” ask The Thief.
“I don't want to either!”
The two men were engaged in a fight again. Long Ji Man looked at the man who was arguing with his concubine sharply. No one knew what that sharp gaze meant. When the Thief unintentionally looked into his eyes, the man instantly came to a realization. The man who came with the woman he had robbed was no ordinary man. The cold aura was very thick. His tall, well-built and muscular posture indicates that this man is a skilled and trained man.
The Thief saw the fan in Long Ji Man's hand. The fan was dragon-patterned, had a green jade hanger with a unique shape on the end. Such rare fan can not be found anywhere because it is only made once every time there is a change of king and abiseka ceremony to crown a new king. As he thought that, the Thief immediately lowered his head.
“Your Majesty, does he recognize you?” whispered Li Anlan, astonished by the change in behavior of the arrogant Thief who suddenly lowered his head like a ridge.
“It looks like so.”
“Good. He won't dare to steal my money again.”
“He robbed you?”
Li Anlan nodded. Long Ji Man looked back at the Thief.
“Your Majesty, can you forget about it? He takes care of those kids.”
Long Ji Man's gaze slightly softened. So, this thief stole someone else's money to support these abandoned children. Yes, the goal is noble, but the way is wrong. To deprive others of the right to live for others is an act of no praise. If the thief was caught, he could be sentenced to hit and jailed for hand length.
“Your Majesty, consider my suggestion carefully.”
Long Ji Man turned his back. Li Anlan followed him from behind. The moment the man reached the gate of the old mansion courtyard, he paused his steps. His head turned slightly, then said to the Thief.
“Let's just say you never met me today.”
The thief nodded silently.
“You forgive him?”
“I forgot his mistake.”
Li Anlan nodded in understanding. The woman walked on the trail of Long Ji Man, afraid to forget the path she was on and get lost again like the other day. Strange indeed, he paved his way here while departing, but forgot the way to return to the city center.
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Hello, dear readers Author! Author would like to apologize because yesterday's late update and only two chapters of publication, because lately Author is busy with other activities and tasks. Stay tuned, look forward to the next episode, as the upcoming episodes will show that Li Anlan is no ordinary woman! Don't forget the likes and comments below! See you👋