The Princess Wei Yang Chapter 81 Part1
Chapter 81 Part 1: Swarm of Scorpions
九死一生 Jiǔsǐyīshēng - lit: Nine dead one life, there is a high
possibility of death and slim chances of survival, but it also implies that if
one does survive, they are as good as dead
“If it
was me, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to eat nor sleep peacefully if the person
I murdered reappeared before me everyday. It seems Da Furen must have a heart
of steel to be able to stomach that.” Li Wei Yang said this with a slight
smile.
“Xiaojie,
you should not believe Da Furen’s words, Nubi feels they were not
well-intentioned.”
This
Yatou knows how to be cautious now, it seems she has made some progress. Li Wei
Yang looked at Bai Zhi.
On the
surface, Da Furen had declined Er Furen’s housekeeper’s request, but Li Wei
Yang took note of her expressions. She heard the words ‘family matters’, and
the corner of her mouth lifted, with not a trace of panic, as if it were a
long-awaited thing and it had finally happened.
However,
Er Furen’s suggestion that shu nu should accompany and take care of Da Furen
was rather timely.
In fact,
whether it was Da Furen or Er Furen, Li Wei Yang understood them well enough.
Er Furen
was clever and ambitious. She stayed by Lao Furen’s side all day and visited
her birth family from time to time, and went on pilgrimages… It was typical for
a Furen in the Capital to take partic.i.p.ate in such social events. Although she
was considerate towards Lao Furen, it was a pity that Er Laoye was a shu zi, so
Lao Furen did not favor him.
Er Furen
always opposed Da Furen, but sometimes, for the sake of personal gain, they
would conspire with one another. Er Furen’s att.i.tude towards her was sincere at
first, especially in supporting her efforts against Da Furen, but once Li Wei
Yang became Xianzhu, Er Furen’s intentions became clear, she sometimes treated
her indifferently and even stood in Li Wei Yang’s way. And Da Furen was a
gentle person on the surface, but her character was akin to needles, strong and
stubborn, if she was gravely ill, she would not run to Lao Furen to lament. Her
expressions today were strangely those of weakness and vulnerability, as if she
were begging Lao Furen, but she also agreed to allow shu nu to go to Fu Rui
Courtyard look after her, but why?
Da
Furen’s expressions flashed in her mind, and Li Wei Yang smiled softly.
That
afternoon, Du mama led other servants to Li Wei Yang’s place: “San Xiaojie has
decided to look after Furen but going back and forth will not be convenient, Da
Furen’s idea was… Why not move to the De Dong wing of the Fu Rui Courtyard.”
She looked over to Li Wei Yang, smiling as she said: “Aside from Xiaojie, Si
Xiaojie and Wu Xiaojie have already moved over. In the future, Xiaojie will not
need to do anything at all aside from coming to offer well-wishes, bringing
medicine and meals to Da Furen will be enough. Moreover, the responsibilities
can be divided between three Xiaojies, so it will not be as tiring.”
Bai Zhi
and Mo Zhu glanced at each other and saw the flash of unease in the other’s
eyes.
Everything
was going well, and now they were unexpectedly moving to Fu Rui Courtyard,
where everything will be under Da Furen’s control. It was certainly not a good
thing.
Li Wei
Yang closed the book in her hand and looked to Du mama, surprisingly Du mama,
who smiled and said: “Nubi has already asked Laoye, and Laoye has agreed.”
In other
words, she had no choice but to move. Li Wei Yang smiled, since Da Furen did
not mind going through such trouble, she must not mind if Li Wei Yang adding to
her troubles, then? Although they must have something in store for her this
time, if they had that much time on their hands and were looking to die, she
should grant them their wish, “I have to trouble mama then.” She looked to Bai
Zhi, and Bai Zhi said: “All of you, quickly follow me. Be mindful of Xiaojie’s
valuable possessions or you may lose your heads!”
Du mama
coldly looked on, wondering when San Xiaojie began to show off like this, but
when she saw that each chest was overflowing with gold, silver, jade, and
pearls, her eyes widened.
Mo Zhu
laughed: “This time, Xiaojie will not be away for too long, no need to bring
the bigger ones, the everyday accessories Xiaojie likes will be enough, aiya,
Yatou there, be careful! Gently, gently! This is made of white jade!”
Du mama
stared intently at the jewelry inside the chests along with the exquisite rolls
of silk and treasures, secretly shaking her head. How many shu nu er of a
household could possess these treasures? One could not blame others for saying
the one with the most treasures in the Capital is San Xiaojie of the Prime
Minister’s residence. The Emperor had given her so many treasures, enough to
last a lifetime.
Li Wei
Yang saw Du mama’s expressions, smiled and said: “ Du mama, which type of
medicine does Mother use these days?
Du mama
was startled, then she carefully answered: “The kind to nurture her health.” Da
Furen had said her heart conditions could not be revealed to San Xiaojie in any
way.
Li Wei
Yang smiled and waved at Du mama: “Mama, sit down and talk.”
Du mama
cautious sat down in a small, round chair nearby.
“I did
not grow up in this house, so I’m not aware of the affairs in the courtyard,
from Mother’s interests and temperament, I don’t know any of it, so I will need
to rely on mama’s advice to avoid making any mistakes.” Li Wei Yang signaled to
Bai Zhi, who immediately presented a red envelope to Du mama. Du mama felt the
envelope, noticed how heavy it was and immediately smiled: “San Xiaojie, how
can you say that, it is Nubi’s blessing to serve Xiaojie.”
Li Wei
Yang said it as if it suddenly occurred to her: “Lin mama used to be by
Mother’s side, why have I not seen her recently?”
Du
mama’s face darkened, blood rushing to her ears.
“She--!”
Du mama reluctantly smiled, “Her illness kept coming back, she told Furen and
retired to her hometown.”
Lying
without batting an eye, Li Wei Yang actually had Lin mama thrown out to the
wolves, Li Wei Yang only smiled faintly: “So that is why, Mother must rely on
Du mama then.”
Then,
she pretended to have just remembered: “On our way back from the temple, San di
told me something. A woman was found, torn apart by wolves behind the mountain,
beyond recognition, I don’t know who though. Has Du mama heard of this?”
San
Xiaojie’s voice was gentle like a meandering stream, clear as the chiming of a
silver bell, pleasant to the ear, but after hearing it, Du mama was trembling,
how could she not understand the meaning behind Li Wei Yang’s words.
Back
then, Lin mama was sent to meet with Jiu Yiniang but did not return. Da Furen
thought she was afraid of being implicated and ran away, but hearing what Li
Wei Yang said, it seems she was devoured by the wolves! Although the temple was
at the top of the mountain, there were wolves behind the mountain. Perhaps San
Xiaojie had disposed of Lin mama!
Du mama
felt herself shaking and brought her hand up to her forehead, only to find
herself sweating profusely.
“Xianzhu…”
She unconsciously changed her manner of address.
It was
like a nail was growing out of the chair, Du mama could no longer sit still and
stood up.
A
peaceful silence filled the room again.
Li Wei
Yang smiled: “Du mama feels that it’s hot and stuffy here? Bai Zhi, quickly
bring a handkerchief here!”
Bai Zhi
immediately brought a handkerchief, Du mama accepted it, not daring to say a
word. She was terrified of San Xiaojie, in fact, she had always been afraid.
Since she entered the residence, she had seen many things, a shu nu that no one
paid any mind to had become Lao Furen’s confidant and could even approach the
Imperial family. Da Furen had put in so much effort into her schemes, yet they
were hardly effective! She brought the handkerchief up to wipe away her sweat
when she suddenly felt something damp. The smell of blood was there too, she
looked up and was horrified to see the bloodstained handkerchief.
Li Wei
Yang smiled: “Bai Zhi, what is this, daring to bring a dirty handkerchief to Du
mama.”
Bai Zhi
gently said: “Du mama, please forgive this, this is the handkerchief that Lin
mama had left behind, Du mama, please take this with you.”
Du
mama’s entire body seemed to be shaking, racked with fear, and she cried out.
San
Xiaojie knows everything!
She took
in deep breaths and tried to recollect herself, but her voice was still
trembling.
“Xianzhu,
Nubi understands Xianzhu’s intentions!” She raised her head and looked at Li
Wei Yang, earnestly saying: “Furen, it’s true Furen has wronged Xianzhu in the
past, but recently, Furen’s health has not been good, Da Xiaojie is not by her
side, she is all alone and truly pitiful, Nubi dares to ask for Xianzhu’s grace
to not continue to resent Da Furen…”
“Du mama
is rather loyal to Da Furen.” Li Wei Yang’s voice was gentle. She was still
smiling, “I heard that year, the person who took me out of the residence, was
you!”
Hearing
this, Du mama suddenly felt a chill rising from the soles of her feet to her
chest, making her freeze up. It was springtime and warm, but every one of Li
Wei Yang’s words made her involuntarily stiffen as if frozen.
She had
helped Da Furen harm many people these years and had soon forgotten about what
happened that year, but every time she saw San Xiaojie, she still felt uneasy.
She thought Li Wei Yang was too young to know the truth behind everything…
She
looked up at Li Wei Yang.
Li Wei
Yang had a neutral smile. Her eyes dark as the water at the bottom of the well,
her dimples showing, as if she was only talking to Du mama, there was not a
trace of anger or frustration. If Li Wei Yang was furious, Du mama had a way to
pacify her, but she was calm, which made the situation more difficult to
understand.
Should
she say something or not?
Du mama
hesitated for a while. Li Wei Yang was still waiting. The footsteps of the
Yatous in the courtyard were more evident because of the silence that had
settled over them. Li Wei Yang was to move to Furen’s courtyard immediately! Du
mama clenched her teeth and said: “If Nubi speaks, then what will Xianzhu give
in return?”
Li Wei
Yang smiled faintly, having lived here for many years, one knows how to choose
the most beneficial path for themselves.
“500
liang.” She slowly proposed.
Du mama
thought for a moment, five hundred liang, she could find a bride for her son,
chase away the hens that could no longer lay eggs, renovate their home… Of
course, she could also use the Li family’s name to buy a small piece of
farmland in the countryside.
Except…
She was still hesitant.
“Gold.”
Li Wei Yang continued.
Du mama
trembled, this time, not out of fear but excitement, she had devoted half a
lifetime to Da Furen, and she had yet to see even a liang of gold.
Her
voice quivered slightly: “Nubi understands.”
Li Wei
Yang told her: “Sit down.”
Du mama
slowly began: “That year when Qi Yiniang entered the residence, she was gentle
and lovely, Laoye quickly took a liking to her, but this yiniang happened to be
Furen’s Yatou. If Furen did not agree, then Laoye could not take her. Furen
realized this and was not furious, she continued to keep Qi Yiniang by her
side. Some time later, Furen’s meimei, ah, Xiaojie knows this person, Wei Guo
Furen, there was a confrontation while she was traveling by horse carriage. An
old scholar was killed in the process, and it was brought to Bixia’s attention.
Wei Guo Furen looked to Laoye, asking Laoye to intervene, but Laoye declined,
saying that the Li family would not be involved in such matters. For that
reason, Da Furen prepared wine for Laoye and allowed him to take Qi Yiniang to
his chambers.”
Du mama
looked up at Li Wei Yang, her voice growing quieter: “Drunk, Laoye accepted Qi
Yiniang and even dirtied Furen’s chambers, leaving Furen no face. Laoye felt
ashamed, so he agreed to help. However, in truth, Furen was worried, San
Yiniang was favored the moment she arrived and opposed Furen, Furen was nearly
injured once, it was Qi Yiniang who selflessly rushed to save Furen. It was
then that Furen promised her that she would let her go and find a household for
her to marry into, but shortly after, she had given Yiniang to Laoye. Qi
Yiniang not consenting was nothing out of the ordinary…”
Li Wei
Yang sneered, turning away. It was not something Da Furen did once or twice, it
was because Tan shi was too trusting of others.
“Back
then, Liu Yiniang was rather haughty, so Furen brought Qi Yiniang in to control
her. Qi Yiniang did not fall short, she quickly became pregnant with child.
Laoye respected Qi Yiniang, and Qi Yiniang had a high status, moreover, a
fortune teller had said that Qi Yiniang’s child would stand above others. This
made Furen uneasy. She feared that she would lose control over Qi Yiniang and
prepared drugs… so Qi Yiniang would give birth early in February…”
“Laoye
originally wanted to have Xiaojie suffocated, but it was Qi Yiniang who knelt
in the cold, in the ice and snow, begging Laoye to let Xiaojie live…”
Du mama
cautiously glanced over at Li Wei Yang as she spoke.
Li Wei
Yang’s face did not have a trace of emotion, even after hearing this. Du mama
felt a bit uneasy, and in hopes of pleasing her, continued to say: “With
Laoye’s grace, Xiaojie was sent to Pingcheng to be raised, Da Furen was not at
ease yet, so she often sent someone to check, after that, it seems they told
that household something, and Xiaojie was taken to a rural household. Because
Da furen held the word of life or death…”
Li Wei
Yang lightly said: “Du mama, do not speak carelessly, if Mother had ill
intentions, she would have left me in the countryside for the rest of my life.”
Du mama
frowned: “Xianzhu, let Nubi finish, at first, this was Furen’s intention, but
later on, she heard that Xiaojie’s appearance was not bad, and Xiaojie had a
weak personality, Furen thought perhaps San Xiaojie will be useful in the
future, since there was only Da Xiaojie of Dafeng, so she had brought Xiaojie
back - ” Who would have thought Furen brought back a feral wolf, Du mama
thought to herself, continuing to smile kindly.
Li Wei
Yang stood up, “Alright, Du mama has finished, I should go to Mother’s
courtyard to pay my respects.”
Not a
word of resentment? Not even a hint of indignance, Du mama could not understand
Li Wei Yang’s thoughts. She stepped forward and said: “Xianzhu, what you agreed
to…”
Li Wei
Yang paused and glanced at Du mama before telling Bai Zhi: “Bring the banknote
here.”
Du mama
smiled widely: “Thank you, Xianzhu.”
Once Li
Wei Yang had left, Du mama breathed a sigh of relief, gripped the banknote in
her hand, hidden under her sleeve, and wiped away the sweat on her forehead.
Outside,
Bai Zhi quietly said: “Xiaojie, Xiaojie really believes that lao dongxi? She
has helped Furen carry out quite a few schemes!”
Li Wei
Yang smiled faintly as if she saw Du mama through the window: “I do, why
wouldn’t I?”
“But
Nubi still feels she is not truly helping Xiaojie.” Bai Zhi frowned. “Nubi
could follow Du mama for Xiaojie, if Da Furen makes a move, we will be able to
guard against it in time.”
Li Wei
Yang shook her head, “No need, do your job well and that will be enough.”
Bai Zhi
felt that Li Wei Yang was underestimating her opponent, “Xiaojie, Nubi is not
overthinking this, Nubi only fears …”
Li Wei
Yang chuckled: “You, you are still young yet worrying until your hair is all
white.”
“Xiaojie!
Nubi is only worried for Xiaojie!” Bai Zhi cried out indignantly.
Li Wei
Yang sighed, looking off into the distance: “Don’t worry, everything is still
in our hands.”
A while
later, Li Wei Yang saw Qi Yiniang running over with ragged breaths, who was
frightened to see Du mama there. Du mama smiled: “Qi Yiniang has arrived.” Qi
Yiniang was now Shuren of the Third Rank, she was no longer the Yiniang the
Yatous once looked down on.
Du
mama’s greeting left Qi Yiniang somewhat stunned.
Li Wei
Yang glanced at Du mama and said: “You should return to Mother’s courtyard,
tell her I am preparing my belongings and that I will come over soon.”
“Yes.”
Du mama respectfully replied, then she quickly left.
Only
when Du mama had left through the great doors did Qi Yiniang approach her: “You
absolutely must not go to Da Furen’s courtyard!”
Seeing
her worry-stricken expression, Li Wei Yang smiled and asked: “Why?”
“This
matter—” Qi Yiniang wanted to say something but decided against it.
Bai Zhi
smiled as she took her leave: “Nubi must prepare tea for Yiniang.”
Seeing
the others leave, Qi Yiniang hurriedly said: “No one can guess what is on Da
Furen’s mind, you must know that!”
Qi
Yiniang was a simple person, but she wasn’t naive. Li Wei Yang could not help
but smile.
Qi
Yiniang saw her smile and indignantly continued: “Foolish Yatou, you must be
more careful!” Her eyes became gla.s.sy, br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears.
Li Wei
Yang smiled and offered a handkerchief: “Niang, rest a.s.sured, I won’t fall for
her schemes.”
“You
don’t know how she schemed against me, I had just stepped foot into the
courtyard, yet I was already terrified!” Qi Yiniang said, growing pale. Li Wei
Yang rea.s.sured her: “No, food and arrangements will be left to trusted Yatous,
no one will be able to slip anything in.”
Hearing
this made Qi Yiniang feel more at ease, Li Wei Yang added a couple more words
of consolation, then had her escorted back.
-------------------------------------------------
Translator: Chau
Editor: Panisa (In Progress)
-------------------------------------------------