78話 海賊と黄家
雨妹が太子から聞いた説明によると、佳は黄家にとって経済の重要拠点という話だった。
そこの船の入港が減ると、当然入るお金が減るわけで。
黄家にとっては大打撃もいいところだろう。
「あの海賊はどこから来ているのですか?
黄家が自分のところの港を襲うんですか?」
「正確には、黄家の別の一族の連中だな。
そして利民は、黄家の内情について語り始めた。
「黄家の跡目は、今のところ俺の親父が有力だが、決定じゃあない」
黄家は皇帝も一目置く一族だ。
その統率者である大公となれば、狙うものも当然多い。
そんな中でも現黄大公を上手く補佐し、跡取りと目されているのが利民の父親だという。
しかしその座を狙い、尚且つ利民の父親に次いで有力なのが、利民の父親の義兄だという。
「親父の姉の婿って奴なんだが、この親父の姉――伯母さんていう女が、まぁ欲深でな」
そう話す利民が肩を竦める。
――決定的な欠点みたいなのが、その母娘にあったのかも。
次期黄大公に名乗りを上げられる身分であるのだから、それなりに地位が高いはず。
それなのにその地位でごり押しできなかったということは、そういうことなのだろう。
黄家としても、おかしな女を送り込んで一族の評判を下げたくないだろう。
とにかくそんな事情があり、利民としては宮城からやってくる公主というのがどんな人物か、結構警戒していたそうだ。
伯母母娘みたいな女だったらどうしよう、というわけだ。
「そうしたら全く違った感じの女が来たんで、ホッとしたってぇのが正直なとこだな」
公主を港へ連れて行って海を見せたとか?」
雨妹の指摘に利民は一瞬ぐっと詰まると、「そんなこともあったか」と漏らす。
「今にして思えば、公主サマをいきなり港を連れ回すこたぁなかったと思っているさ。
体調不良っていうのにそのせいもあるのかと、こっちだって反省してるんだよ」
利民がそう言って項垂れる様子に、雨妹は目を丸くする。
「いえ? 潘公主は海が楽しかったようですよ?
雨妹が教えてやると、利民は顔を上げる。
――本当にすれ違っている夫婦だなぁ。
雨妹がいっそ呆れるような気分でいると、立勇が利民に告げる。
「私から見ても、潘公主というお方は後宮に住まう方々の中でも、少々変わったところがあると思います。
これで、夫婦のすれ違いがなくなればいいのだが。
また利民の恋愛相談になってしまったが、話を戻そう。
件の強欲な伯母という人は、未だ黄大公の座を諦めていないらしい。
「佳は代々、黄大公の跡目とされていた奴が任されている場所でな。
そう話す利民に、立勇がお茶を一口飲んでから尋ねる。
「利民様から見て、その伯母とその夫という方は、どのようなお人柄なので?」
「一言で表せば、ごうつくばりだな。
Chapter 78
According to the crown prince's explanation, Kai was an important business location for the Huang Family.
The income they generated would be less if the number of ships entering the harbor was also lessened.
That would be a heavy blow to the Huang family.
"Where did those pirates come from? They are being investigated naturally, I presume?"
"What? The Huang family attacked their own harbor?"
"They're a separate part of the Huang family, to be exact. They're not fond of me."
Li Min then started to open up about the Huang family's internal affairs.
"My old man dominates the properties of the Huang family now, but it wasn't decided to be like that."
The emperor was also keeping an eye on this Huang family.
The grand duke was considered to be the head and commander, so many people naturally covet that position.
In the midst of that, Li Min's father managed to maneuver his way, skillfully aiding the current grand duke, and now, he was considered to be the prime heir candidate.
However, his brother-in-law was considered to be the second most influential person, and he was also aiming for that position.
"He's the husband of my old man's older sis -- should I say aunt -- and she's one greedy fella, you know."
Li Min then shrugged.
'Maybe that mother and daughter pair had a fatal flaw.'
The person who was being groomed to become the successor of the Grand Duke Huang's title would surely have a high status.
Maybe that's the reason why they didn't manage to forcefully grab that status.
The Huang family probably didn't want to bring shame to their clan by sending a ridiculous woman to the palace.
At any rate, because of those circumstances, Li Min was on guard against the princess who came from the palace, since he did not know what kind of person she was.
He was probably wondering what to do if she turned out to be someone like that mother-daughter pair.
"Honestly, I was totally relieved when she turned out to be different from those two."
"I see. Perhaps you got the urge to take Princess Pan to the harbor to see the sea because of that relief?"
Li Min was at a loss for a moment when Yui Mei commented, then he muttered 'So that's also possible.'
"Actually, I was thinking now that I shouldn't have taken Lady Princess around the harbor. It's messy and dirty, to boot. She's in poor shape, so maybe she got sick because of that. I also regret that, you know."
This guy was worried for the wrong reasons, it seemed.
Li Min hung his head, while Yui Mei widened her eyes in surprise.
"I don't think that's true, though? Princess Pan had a great time, you know? She said "Lord Li Min took me', and she seemed really happy. She also recommended that we go sightseeing around the harbor, too."
Li Min jerked his head up when he heard Yui Mei's words.
'So this pair of husband and wife kept on missing each other, huh.'
Yui Mei was a bit exasperated. Li Yong then spoke to Li Min.
"In my perspective, Princess Pan was also somewhat peculiar compared to the other esteemed personages who lived in the Inner Palace. That might be the reason why she was the one sent to become a bride of the Huang family. That's why, please set aside your preconceptions about the princess and try to connect with her."
It would be good if misconceptions between them were eliminated.
It turned to Li Min's love consultation once again, but now it's time to return to the story.
It seemed that the greedy aunt hadn't given up on the position of Grand Duke Huang yet.
"Kai is the place entrusted to the successor of the Grand Duke Huang for generations. They left it to my father and now it's entrusted to me, plus I got Lady Princess as my bride. They probably couldn't stay still, since they probably can't compete at this rate."
Li Min said. Li Yong sipped his tea, then asked him.
"From Lord Li Min's perspective, that aunt and her husband, what kind of people are they?"
"They're pigheaded, in a word. Plus, their greed for money and power is exceptional compared to other folks."
Housekeeper of the Hundred Blossom Palace
百花宮のお掃除係～転生した新米宮女、後宮のお悩み解決します。
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/housekeeper-of-the-hundred-blossom-palace/
Fantasy Romance Shoujo Slice of Life
Adapted to Manga Ancient China Complex Family Relationships Different Social Status Female Protagonist Imperial Harem Love Interest Falls in Love First Reincarnated in Another World Royalty
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4104ev/
黒辺あゆみ