The Princess Wei Yang Chapter 84
Chapter 84: Such Evil
1驸马 – t.i.tle for a Princess’ Husband
2指桑骂槐 – scold the locust while pointing at the mulberry tree. To scold someone indirectly.
Li
Weiyang smiled: “What is so bad about Jiu Gongzhu? It’s just asking you to play
with her, why do you feel so indignant?”
Li
Min De returned the smile blandly. “Members of the royal family are so
arrogant, it irritates me.”
“You’re
just being biased, Gongzhu might be a bit proud, but she is innocent and
happy-go-lucky, plus she doesn’t have any ill intentions. She likes you so
much, do you know how many cannot even dream to be in your place?”
“I
don’t want people to accuse me of aiming for power and position!” Li Min De
frowned.
Li
Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re so big already, but you’re still so
pedantic. What a silly child!”
“To
complete great things, one must of course pay attention to the small details.
However, this matter is too trivial for us to give much thought to.” Li Min De
smiled back.
Li
Weiyang was stunned, and curiously remarked: “I am just concerned about you,
because it seems like Gongzhu.. could she have the intentions to make you Fu Ma1?!”
She meant it as a joke to tease Li Min De, but he was totally stunned. “How did
you know?”
Li
Weiyang’s lips quirked into a smile, her eyes narrowing slightly. “The moment
Gong Zhu saw you, her both eyes lit up. It seems that no matter how old you
are, l.u.s.t is always an issue.”
“What?”
Li Min De was shocked.
“Why
do you think I’d encourage you to play with her, Min De, you should actually
consider marrying Gongzhu ah!” In this way, not only could Jiu Gongzhu escape
her sad fate, Li Min De could also have a pillar of support. However, it also
meant that Min De could never have a chance to build a name for himself, and
remain a mere Fu Ma with no real power.
“I
don’t want that!” Li Min De replied directly.
“If
you don’t want her, then who do you like?!”
“I
don’t like anyone!” Li Min De retorted, but for unknown reasons, his face
started to redden.
“Good,
then Gongzhu it is.”
“Hey…
You’re making a joke out of me ba... Hey..”
At
this moment, Li Min De suddenly went silent. His gaze landed somewhere not far
from here; Li Weiyang followed his eyes and saw Li Chang Xiao crying and
running towards them. She fell to the ground by accident and skinned her knees,
which prompted the servants at the side to hurriedly help her up.
Li
Weiyang and Li Min De exchanged a glance, and Li Weiyang spoke up: “Si Mei,
what happened to you?”
With
a face full of tears, Li Chang Xiao lifted her head. Upon seeing Li Weiyang
standing in front of her, she immediately used her sleeves to wipe away her
tears. “Nothing, nothing, some sand entered my eyes.”
Sand
in her eyes? She was not a child, why would she think of lying to her? Li
Weiyang did not want to meddle in others’ affairs, but her instinct told her
that Li Chang Xiao was trying to hide something.
Li
Chang Xiao’s Yatou Yin’er said defeatedly: “San Xiaojie doesn’t not know this,
but our Xiaojie here kindly served tea and medicine to Furen. Who knew that Da
Furen scalded her tongue while drinking the medicine, and accused Xiaojie of
harming her on purpose, and gave a her fierce scolding! Da Furen scolded
Xiaojie, but she still said that her own Yatous are not dependable. She wanted
Xiaojie to serve her at night, which Xiaojie found it inappropriate. Da Furen
then accused her of not respecting her as her mother, wanting to take it easy
and refusing to sacrifice her own rest at night, and scolded Xiaojie for
purposely agitating her illness! San Xiaojie, you know that our Xiaojie is
honest by nature!”
Li
Chang Xiao heard this, but feared that it would make matters worse. “Do not
utter nonsense!” she hurriedly said, and left as quickly. Yin’er saw her
Xiaojie’s anxiety and had no choice but to chase after her, without further
elaboration.
“How
could Da Furen be so evil? She never used to show it on her face in the past.”
Li Weiyang muttered to herself.
Li
Min De laughed coldly. “This might not be the end of it!” He crooked his finger
as a signal, and a guard dressed in black actually emerged from the trees and
landed softly in front of him. “Master.”
Having
used to seeing Li Min De’s secret guards, Li Weiyang did not feel much
surprise.
“Tell
me what you’ve discovered from your investigations.”
“Yes.
Yesterday Si Yiniang advised Si Xiaojie, saying that Wu Xiaojie had just been
targeted by Da Furen, so she should try to save her younger sister’s life; Si
Xiaojie took her bedding over to Da Furen’s room in the middle of the night. Da
Furen did order her servants to prepare a soft bed for her, but Si Xiaojie had
barely slept when she was ordered to fetch tea, ma.s.sage legs, etc. In a single
night, she was summoned around seven to eight times; Si Xiaojie was being
treated like a Yatou.
Li
Min De sighed and said: “Alright, you may leave us.”
Li
Weiyang couldn’t help but shake her head. “Da Furen needs someone to take care
of her, she could have asked her Yatous, why would she torture Si Mei like that
and take the risk of people accusing her of ill-treating her illegitimate
daughter? Isn’t this strange?”
“Perhaps
after she fell ill, her personality become odd?” Li Min De thought.
This
seemed like a far-fetched explanation, Li Weiyang thought it was more likely
that she was venting her rage and anger at Li Chang Xiao, in return for her
sister biting off her ear.
They
thought that this matter was considered case closed, but who knew on the very
same night, something happened. It was unclear how, but Li Chang Xiao broke a
jade pendant that Da Furen loved, causing her to get thrown out of her house
after getting a fierce scolding.
The
next day, Du Mama was all smiles when she came over to Li Weiyang’s residence.
“Xianzhu, originally Da Furen did not want to burden you, however, as you know,
Si Xiaojie has fallen ill…”
Upon
hearing the news, Li Weiyang smiled blandly. “Oh, is it? I wonder what
instructions Muqin has for me?”
“Furen
would like to request for Xianzhu to take care of her when she is sick.” Du
Mama lowered her eyes and said respectfully.
Li
Weiyang simply nodded and agreed. “It is only right, I will be there in a
moment.”
The
moment Du Mama left, Li Min De exploded in anger. “Sanjie, Da Furen is too
much, you should show her what you’re made of!”
Ever
since San Furen pa.s.sed away, Da Furen had constantly targeted Li Weiyang. Li
Min De gritted his teeth in anger; if he had known this would happen, he should
have scared the life out of her the last time.
Li
Weiyang could see the anger and unwillingness on his face, and let out a laugh.
She lightly picked up the pot of tea in front of her, and slowly and steadily
poured out a cup. “Why do you bother so much?”
Seeing
her calm smile, Li Min De felt increasingly unhappy, and said anxiously: “
Sanjie, that witch will surely take the chance to torture you…”
“San
Di!”
Li
Min De was like an ant hopping on a hot stove, almost as if he had words he
couldn’t bring himself to say. Li Weiyang cleared her throat, breaking off his
original speech. “What you should say and shouldn’t say, have you forgotten?”
Li
Min De’s eyes reddened, and he turned away.
Li
Weiyang smiled. “In this world, the person who has the ability to bully me does
not exist. Since she wants me to serve her, I will do so, but I will not care
about the consequences of what happens next.”
After
two hours, Li Weiyang was all smiles when she stepped into Da Furen’s home. A
Yatou was ma.s.saging Da Furen’s legs, and she had her eyes closed. Her left ear
was covered by her high collar, partially hiding the wound. Du Mama softly
announced: “San Xiaojie has arrived.”
Da
Furen slowly opened her eyes, studying Li Weiyang for a moment. She steadily
smiled: “Weiyang is here.”
The
smile Li Weiyang returned was bright. “Yes Muqin, Weiyang has come to serve
you.”
“I
know you are filial. It’s time to have lunch.” Da Furen smiled and said.
Du
Mama had ordered servants to arrange the food earlier on, and as Da Furen
glanced towards Li Weiyang, she warmly came forward with a smile to hold her
up.
In
front of the Yatous and Mamas in the house, it was as if they were truly mother
and daughter.
In
a blink, they were in the dining area.
Da
Furen used to have her specific place to enjoy her meal; the dining table would
be placed at the western side of the main hall, and other than mealtimes, the
area was unused. Because she was now sick and unwilling to walk, the dining
table was placed at the outer hall instead.
As
Li Weiyang helped Da Furen towards the table, Da Furen felt that she actually
had the strength to break her wrist bones, and could not help but attempt to
distance herself from her grip.
“What’s
wrong, Muqin?” Li Weiyang smiled.
Da
Furen gritted her teeth: “Nothing”
At
this moment, Du Mama had already instructed the servants to carry out the
rosewood eight immortals’ table, with three matching stools at the side. Li
Weiyang took a look around the room, and her surveillance told her that there
were countless priceless antiques here. She couldn’t help but give a small
smile.
Du
Mama spotted her smile, and asked: “Xianzhu, what are you looking at?”
Li
Weiyang slowly replied: “I was thinking, Muqin is indeed grand, the decorations
in Lao Furen’s house is definitely not as valuable as the ones here.”
Da
Furen grew up in Guo Gong’s Residence, and she had been in control of the Li
Residence for so many years, of course she would be wealthy. And not just
wealthy, but very much so. Du Mama smiled: “What is Xianzhu saying, the items
in Furen’s home is merely common; the real treasures are in Lao Furen’s hall,
but she finds it too dazzling and has ordered it to be kept aside.”
“Oh,
I see.” Li Weiyang eyed the treasure shelf not far away, filled with countless
types of jade items, bonsai, and especially, a piece of suet jade carved into a
Magnolia flower; the pure cream color was so beautiful, one’s eyes could drop
out just by admiring it.
Da
Furen watched coldly, thinking that Li Weiyang was humbled by the sight of her
wealth, and couldn’t help but sn.i.g.g.e.r. She knew that Li Weiyang had previously
received many gifts from the Palace, but her own collection could be as
comparable! She wanted Li Weiyang to realise that with her own status and
power, she could not be so easily defeated. She lowered her eyes and
instructed: “Let’s get ready to eat.”
A
Yatou walked over, with a bronze teapot in hand. She poured half a pail of hot
water, while another Yatou helped Da Furen fold back her sleeves.
“You
might not know, but your Sijie is really out of hand.” Da Furen complained
coldly as she washed her hands. “She has to be instructed before she will do
every little thing. Just a few sentences from me and she will drop something,
as if she has suffered great humiliation. That’s not how a lady from a great
family should behave, and those who don’t know it might think I’ve mistreated
her.”
Li
Weiyang only gave a small smile, and appeared expressionless.
Da
Furen continued: “With her behavior, others will feel that a concubine’s
daughter is after all still just an illegitimate daughter, and can never step
up to the occasion!”
Li
Weiyang just continued smiling, with no sign of acknowledgement, as if she did
not know that Da Furen was making veiled insults towards herself2.
Da
Furen grew frustrated, and Du Mama quickly tried to soothe her. “Furen, don’t
hold it against Si Xiaojie, she was brought up by Si Yiniang afterall. She did
not have a chance to learn from Furen, so she’d definitely make some mistakes.”
Da Furen let out a sigh, and lifted her hands. A Yatou appeared by her side and
carefully dried her hands with a white towel.
“We
should invite a Momo from the Palace to discipline her. Weiyang, don’t you
think so?” Da Furen stated coldly.
Li
Weiyang’s expression was neutral. “As Muqin says.”
The
Li Family had always been one of the scholarly families, and their style of
doing things greatly differed from those who flaunted their wealth. Their usual
dinner did not exceed ten dishes and two soups, but of course, every dish was
delicately and carefully prepared.
Du
Mama glanced at Li Weiyang, as a signal for her to serve the dishes to Da Furen
personally.
Li
Weiyang acted as if she did not notice, and remained standing.
Da
Furen was unhappy and complained: “Weiyang, when your Dajie was around, at
mealtimes, she would be by my side to serve the dishes; that is filial piety.”
Li
Weiyang batted her eyelashes, and said: “I am clumsy by nature, and I fear that
I might break something.”
“I
promise that I won’t hold it against you!” Da Furen laughed coldly.
She
had wanted to control her temper, but the longer she had to see Li Weiyang, the
harder it became. She would use her position and power as Di Mu to act against
her, so as to get rid of the hatred in her heart.
Li
Weiyang smiled. “Since Muqin says she will not blame me, I will try my very
best to serve Muqin.”
She
floated over gracefully, selecting a piece of sweet and sour fish and placing
it into Da Furen’s bowl. Da Furen saw the fear and trepidation on her face, and
immediately felt better.
No
matter how proud this concubine’s daughter was, she was still expected to show
filial piety to her Di Mu in front of others. If not, Li Weiyang would never
make her mark in Dali! Why did she not think of it earlier; she should have
ordered this d.a.m.n yatou to come before her every day to learn etiquette, and
use it as a chance to torture her to death! As Da Furen had these thoughts in
his mind, Li Weiyang smiled and commented: “These fermented glutinous rice
dumplings are very delicious, Muqin please try.”
She
personally scooped a piping hot bowl, and without even blowing on it to cool,
dumped the entire contents towards Da Furen. Everyone was shocked, and Da Furen
was so stunned that she had no time to react; the boiling bowl of fermented
glutinous rice dumplings splashed onto her.
It
was summer, and her clothes were thin. Da Furen let out a painful wail; she
wished so much for a bolt of lightning to strike down Li Weiyang at this very
moment!
An
expression of guilt appeared on Li Weiyang’s face, and she hurriedly tried to
help Da Furen clean up. Da Furen was thunderously angry and did not move, so Li
Weiyang turned to the Yatou who had held the handwashing water and brought the
pail over.
It
was unclear if she was really fl.u.s.tered or she did it on purpose, but she fell
forward while holding the pail of water. Du Mama quickly shielded Da Furen, and
with a quirk of her lips, Li Weiyang fell heavily on the ground. A knocked over
stool crashed loudly, along with Li Weiyang, who landed onto Da Furen and pinned
her to the ground. Du Mama, who originally wanted to protect Da Furen, became a
human cushion, which of course scattered her old bones.
Da
Furen’s scream became high pitched and pitiful; this knock from Li Weiyang had
caused her to hurt her chest area from the impact, and the huge blow induced a
genuine wail.
“Xianzhu!
Get up, get up quickly!” Du Mama cried out. As Li Weiyang got up, she purposely
and cruelly pushed against Da Furen’s ribcage, causing her to cry out again,
and nearly fainting from the pain.
Li
Weiyang behaved as if she had no strength, and a group of Yatous and Mamas went
forward to hold her up. Her hands slipped and grabbed onto the tablecloth, and
in a flash, the dishes, utensils, crockery… everything on the table landed
noisily onto the floor, stunning everyone. Da Furen was entirely covered and
dirtied by the dishes, making her look quite pathetic.
One
of the Mamas gasped and went over to help Da Furen up, and Li Weiyang shot Zhao
Yue a glance. Zhao Yue forcefully kicked the Mama just as she propped Da Furen
up; this kick came out of the blue, and without knowing what had happened, the
Mama and Da Furen fell together towards the shelf of treasures. In a moment,
the suet jade magnolia, sapphire inlaid enamel vase, plum blossom bonsai,
precious rosewood and ivory screen; everything fell to the ground and shattered
into pieces.
Amongst
the mess, Da Furen sat there, completely stunned speechless after her head had
been knocked by these treasures.
Everyone
looked at each other over this scene with unbelieving eyes.
Li
Weiyang wrung her hands, saying helplessly: “Muqin, I’ve said earlier that I am
clumsy, but you insisted that I serve you… Ah, please get up, the floor is so
cold!” She made a move towards Da Furen to help her up.
“Don’t
touch me! Don’t touch me! Help!” Da Furen forgot about retaining any shred of
dignity and shouted as if in pain, her scream going through the roof and making
everyone’s hairs stand on end. Du Mama quickly went forward to push Li
Weiyang’s hands away; Da Furen’s precious treasures were all broken in that
blink of an eye… destroyed! All destroyed! Da Furen’s eyes dimmed and rolled
back, fainting immediately.
Du
Mama shouted at the top of her lungs: “What are you all waiting for, quickly
help Da Furen up and bring her to the bed. Get the physician, get the
physician!”
Li
Weiyang gave a small smile. “Du Mama, allow me.”
Fear
blossomed on Du Mama’s face. “There’s no need to bother Xianzhu, the Nubis here
will take care of it, please go and rest!”
Li
Weiyang appeared embarra.s.sed, “How could I do just leave like that?”
“Of
course! Xianzhu please go ahead and rest!” Du Mama quickly said. This person
was a downright unlucky star.
As
all the servants were too busy attending to the unconscious Da Furen to see her
out, Li Weiyang left by herself, smiling as she stepped out. The sun was
shining brightly and she was in good spirits. Bai Zhi worriedly spoke out.
“Xiaojie…”
Li
Weiyang turned to look at her. “Why, are you scared?”
After
the murder that happened at the baths, there was very little that could scare
her now, but Bai Zhi was simply worried that Da Furen would not give up so
easily.
“Even
if I had serve her properly, does it mean that she will let me off?” Li Weiyang
said with a smile.
Bai
Zhi agreed after some thought, and decided not to worry further.
After
teaching Da Furen such a lesson, she should have been humbled, but who knew
that Du Mama turned up the very next day. “Furen has given instructions, since
Xianzhu is unsuited to performing such delicate tasks, it will be left to Si
Xiaojie. But considering that you came here especially to help Da Furen, it
won’t be nice to disallow you from doing anything. In this case, the personal
kitchen that Nubi is in charge of, Xianzhu could help to take care of Furen’s
meals and medicine.”
Li
Weiyang raised an eyebrow, meals? Such an important place… She smiled: “Sorry
to bother Du Mama, but please tell Da Furen that I cannot undertake such a huge
responsibility! What if Muqin was to consume anything wrong, wouldn’t I be
unable to rest well at night?”
“Please
don’t worry, there is still Nubi to help you. I will not allow anyone to tamper
with the food.” Du Mama returned with a smile.
Li
Weiyang looked at her awkwardly. “This… This isn’t a good idea.”
“What’s
so bad about it? If Xianzhu will not agree, I’m worried that Furen will come up
with some other idea. If you accept her suggestion, Nubi can guarantee that I
will help you keep an eye on it, nothing will go wrong!”
Li
Weiyang said nothing, but smiled.
After
the baths incident, Bai Zhi trusted Du Mama, so she lowered her voice and
whispered: “Xiaojie, Du Mama is right.” Afterall, Da Furen was her legitimate
mother, if she had thought of something else, they might face difficulty in
protecting themselves. Right now, with the easily bribed Du Mama, they did not
have to worry as much. Even if Da Furen wanted to target them, Du Mama would
definitely help them, out of her greed for money.
Du
Mama watched Li Weiyang cautiously. “Nubi will try her utmost best.”
Li
Weiyang continued smiling, without any hint of agreement or protest.
Taking
her silence for consent, Du Mama let out her breath. If Xianzhu insisted on
being stubborn, it would be hard for her to report back to Da Furen. “Nubi will
take it that Xianzhu has agreed to this.”
Li
Weiyang’s smiling face had a trace of strangeness, which Du Mama could not
read, but she could only awkwardly bow and leave.
Li
Weiyang spoke to Bai Zhi. “You see, isn’t this interesting?”
Bai
Zhi did not know what Li Weiyang meant, but she felt worried. “Xiaojie, Du Mama
probably only wants us to increase the amount of bribes, Nubi will also keep an
eye on the kitchen for you.”
What’s
the point of watching? Li Weiyang kept quiet and stayed silent, standing up
suddenly. “Yesterday night, Fuqin stayed overnight at Si Yiniang’s manor, is
it?”
Bai
Zhi and Mo Zhu were stunned, and Zhao Yue was confused as well.
Li
Weiyang smiled. “Let’s go, I haven’t paid my respects to Fuqin for a few days
now.”
Bai
Zhi thought to herself, Xianzhu is indeed weird; for a Yatou who has been by
her side for so long, she could not even guess what she was thinking. Shouldn’t
she be thinking of how to deal with Da Furen? Why would she choose to visit
Laoye? Laoye had never bothered about what was going on in his household, and
towards Da Furen, he was especially tolerant.
What was the use of Xiaojie going to see him? Despite this her doubts,
all these thoughts remained in her heart, because she chose to believe in Xiaojie.
Li
Weiyang remained in Li Xiaoran’s study for an hour, and on her return, she saw
the physician from Fu Rui Hall entering and leaving. “What has happened?”
Du
Mama saw that she could not keep it a secret. “Da Furen’s fall just now had
caused her ribcage to fracture.”
Li
Weiyang secretly smiled; that was her intention. On the outside, her face
filled with worry: “Aiya, it’s my fault for being so clumsy, I have already
gone to Fuqin to admit my wrongdoings and he has scolded me for it. Seeing Muqin
hurt like this, I feel very bad about it!”
In
other words, she has gained the upper hand. If Da Furen had gone to complain,
perhaps Li Xiaoran would punish Li Weiyang, but now that Li Weiyang had
admitted to her own mistakes, any further comments from Da Furen would be seen
as adding fuel to the fire. Also, Laoye hasn’t bothered visiting Da Furen in a
long while! Du Mama knew this, and couldn’t do anything else but to smile.
“What is Xianzhu saying, Furen has said earlier that this isn’t your fault, you
only meant well.”
Li
Weiyang’s smile was full of kindness. “Muqin is understanding and gracious. I
had originally wanted to pay for some of the damages, since Muqin has said so,
I shall not insist.”
Du
Mama’s face twisted, but her smile was back in a flash. “Yes, yes.” Her heart
was filled with regret; if only she omitted her last sentence, then at least
there would be some compensation for their loss, but now, there was nothing to
be gained. “Perhaps in your free time, Xianzhu could go around to the kitchens,
even if it’s just for show, do at least demonstrate your filial piety. Si Xiaojie is preparing braised pigeon soup
for Da Furen every day to improve her health, if you didn’t do anything…”
Li
Weiyang batted her eyelashes, and grinned. “Oh, braised pigeon soup, I know how
to prepare that. But I’m not very good at it…”
“You
do not actually need to personally cook, just let me know and Nubi will prepare
the ingredients. You will just have to serve it in person, and when Da Furen
sees how filial you are, she will definitely forgive you.”
“Du
Mama is so loyal to me.” Li Weiyang smiled.
Du
Mama continued her flattery: “Xianzhu only needs to continue taking good care
of Nubi, Nubi will of course think of you, and help you advise Da Furen. If
there is any movements, I’ll warn you immediately.”
Li
Weiyang nodded. “Thank you.” She waved her hands, instructing Bai Zhi to gift
Du Mama a red packet.
Du
Mama received her red packet and retreated, grinning from ear to ear.
“Xiaojie,
we have been giving her money every time, when is it going to stop? This old
servant is so black-hearted, everything she does requires payment!” Bai Zhi
complained.
Li
Weiyang smiled. “A heart that can be bought is definitely not real, but if even
money cannot move her, it will become a real problem for me.”
Bai
Zhi and Mo Zhu exchanged glances, but were unable to understand what it meant.
“Zhao
Yue, come here. I have a task for you to complete.” Li Weiyang waved her over.
Upon
hearing her order, Zhao Yue leaned over and Li Weiyang whispered lightly into
her ears. Zhao Yue’s eyes brightened, and immediately responded: “Yes, Nubi
will go right away!”
Bai
Zhi and Mo Zhu were extremely curious, what did Li Weiyang order Zhao Yue to
do? But no matter how they pestered her, Li Weiyang refused to answer them.
Li
Weiyang never appeared in the kitchens, and not only did she not go, even her
personal Yatous were absent. Only Si Xiaojie Li Chang Xiao was truly dedicated,
taking care of Da Furen day and night, preparing medicines and soups
personally. After a while, rumors started spreading in Fu Rui Hall, saying that
Si Xiaojie behaved like how a real daughter should, while San Xiaojie Li
Weiyang abused her status as a Xianzhu. She did not stay by Da Furen’s side to
take care of her, and neither did she even serve a single bowl of medicine. In
a society which placed a huge emphasis on filial piety, it was a powerful piece
of gossip; no matter how bad Da Furen was, she was still her legitimate mother
and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Li Weiyang’s cold att.i.tude would greatly affect
her reputation. Bai Zhi and Mo Zhu were
anxious after hearing this, and tried to dissuade her.
“Xiaojie,
you had better visit Da Furen for a while.”
“Yes,
even if it is for a short while, it would be good if you went.”
“Also,
for the kitchens, you should learn from Si Xiaojie how to prepare soups and
medicines. You don’t have to do anything, Nubi will help you do it.”
“Yes
yes, everyone is now saying that Si Xiaojie is filial, but you are…” Her
legitimate mother was ill, and yet she refused to serve her any medicine; such
an awful gossip to spread.
Li
Weiyang was reading, and of course she understood that these two Yatous’
nagging was because they truly cared for her. However, she did not panic at
all, and simply asked Zhao Yue: “Have you completed your task?”
“Yes,
Xiaojie, it is done.”
Li
Weiyang grinned and stood up. “Let’s go.”
Bai
Zhi and Mo Zhu were surprised. “Where is Xiaojie going?”
In
the kitchens, there were seven to eight Yatous doing their ch.o.r.es inside, and
they quickly greeted Li Weiyang upon seeing her enter.
Li
Weiyang was all smiles. “I sent someone to pa.s.s on my instructions, are the
ingredients ready?”
A
smart and adroit Yatou replied: “Yes Xianzhu, everything has been prepared,
Nubi will get to work right now. It is smoky in the kitchens, Xianzhu please go
back first. Nubi will send over the soup once it is ready.”
“There’s
no need, let my Yatous do it. Leave us.”
A
few Yatous glanced at each other, revealing awkward expressions.
Li
Weiyang lifted an eyebrow. “What’s wrong, are you disobeying my orders?”
They
did not dare to say another word, leaving obediently. After the kitchen was
clear, Li Weiyang smiled and ordered: “Bai Zhi, you’ll boil the soup.”
“Yes.”
Bai Zhi placed the cleaned pigeon into the pot, added water and ginseng and
allowed it to boil. She fanned the fire, sighing as she did so: “Xiaojie is
right, if you allow those Yatous to do it, something bad will definitely
happen. It is better that we do it ourselves.”
Li Weiyang did not
reply her, she just smiled.
Mo
Zhu stepped forward to help Bai Zhi, and with the two of them, it was all done
very quickly.
After
two hours, the soup was ready. Bai Zhi used a deep white lotus bowl to serve
the soup, and placed it on a tray. She smiled: “Xiaojie, everything is ready.”
Li
Weiyang turned to Zhao Yue, and upon meeting her glance, Zhao Yue nodded. Li
Weiyang’s smile deepened further.
Du
Mama had received news earlier on, and was waiting for Li Weiyang near the
door. A few hours ago, a Yatou had informed her that Li Weiyang had entered the
small kitchen, but she had yet to reappear. Du Mama sent someone to spy, but
San Xiaojie had a highly-trained Yatou, so her spy couldn’t go near the
kitchen. She was as anxious as an ant on a hot stove, but Li Weiyang took her
time and calmly came forward with her Yatous. She saw Du Mama standing by the
door, and halted. “Du Mama, why are you waiting outside?”
Du
Mama smiled widely. “Xianzhu, Laoye is coincidentally paying Da Furen a visit,
and he is staying for dinner. He’s inside right now!”
Li
Xiaoran is here? Li Weiyang blinked, putting on a surprised expression. “What
special day is it---” In these past months, Fuqin had never stepped into Da
Furen’s hall.
Du
Mama only offered a smile. “Please enter quickly, Xianzhu.”
Li
Weiyang glanced backwards to signal Bai Zhi, who was standing behind her. Bai
Zhi, carrying the food hamper, lowered her eyes and followed obediently over
the entryway.
Inside,
Li Xiaoran was seated at the table, with a slightly pale Da Furen. Her eyes
were ringed in dark circles, but her lips were bright red; without even needing
to think, it was obvious that her rouge was to hide the whiteness of her lips.
Si Yiniang was dressed in a light green dress, standing behind Li Xiaoran with
her eyes lowered in obeisance. Li Chang Xiao was on her feet, respectfully
serving the dishes for her Fuqin and Di Mu. By protocol, she had no need to
perform these ch.o.r.es, but she had no choice as she had to consider for Li Chang
Xi. She had to show the highest respect and soldier on.
Li
Weiyang showed a small smile and curtseyed in respect. “Fuqin, Muqin.”
Upon
seeing Li Weiyang, Da Furen’s facial muscles could not help but twitch, but she
tried her very best to control herself, and show a warm smile. However, she did
not realize that her seemingly welcoming smile actually appeared strained to
outsiders, and almost ferocious. “Weiyang, weren’t you having dinner in your
own rooms? Why have you come here?”
She
was plainly asking the obvious; wasn’t it you who wanted me to deliver the
braised pigeon soup, Li Weiyang thought to herself, but her face betrayed no
trace of her emotions. “Weiyang has brought the braised pigeon soup for the
both of you. The soup has been boiling for very long, and in it, there are
wolfberries, huangling, danggui, duzhong, and other Chinese herbs to boost
one’s health. Muqin, please enjoy it.”
Da
Furen smiled and nodded. “Hmn, you are indeed a filial child.”
Li
Weiyang only smiled amicably. A Yatou appeared to take the food hamper from Bai
Zhi, and retrieved the bowl of soup from the box. Steam was rising out from the
bowl, emanating a delicious fragrance. “Come, let me taste it first, and see
how Weiyang’s cooking skill is.”
Li
Chang Xiao hurriedly retrieved the soup bowl delicately carved with lotuses,
scooped out a portion each for Da Furen and Li Xiaoran, and carefully brought
it in front of them. Li Xiaoran turned around to glance at Si Yiniang: “It has
been hard on you these few days.”
“Furen’s
good health is a blessing, there is nothing to complain about.” Si Yiniang
replied.
Li
Chang Xiao’s eyes reddened involuntarily, as she thought about how she was
being treated like a servant by Da Furen, and yet could not utter half a word
of complaint as it would be seen as disrespect. She felt extremely upset
and wronged, and lifted her eyes towards Li Weiyang to seek out some solace and
mutual comfort. However, Li Weiyang kept her eyes on the bowls of soup, not
paying her any attention at all.
Li
Weiyang watched as Da Furen gently filled up a spoonful and slowly brought it
to her lips. As she was about to swallow, Du Mama suddenly rushed up and
grabbed the bowl, flinging it away.
Everyone
was shocked and stunned at this scene.
Da
Furen was in a rage, shouting with fury: “Lao Nucai, have you gone mad!”
Du
Mama fell on her knees to the floor, crying out pitifully: “Furen, Nucai has
done wrong!”
In
her fit of anger, Da Furen’s eyes concealed a sense of triumph, and the corners
of her lips were trembling with antic.i.p.ation.
Li
Xiaoran’s face had changed to a thunderous expression. “Du Mama, what is wrong
with you! Have you lost your mind?!”
Du
Mama wailed loudly: “Furen, Nubi originally did not want to say anything, but I
have no choice now!”
Everyone
was bewildered, as they did not know why Du Mama suddenly had such an outburst
of tears, as if she had suffered a lot of pain.
Li
Weiyang spoke calmly. “Du Mama, Fuqin Muqin are having their meal, even if you
had something to report, you shouldn’t have disturbed them. Having followed
Muqin for so many years, don’t you know the rules by now?”
Du
Mama jerked back, lifting her head and staring at Li Weiyang with anger and
hatred. This contrasted starkly with the usual respectful att.i.tude she
presented. Bai Zhi was stunned, and felt a rush of discomfort, as if something
bad was about to happen.
She
was right. Du Mama shouted: “Xianzhu, are you feeling guilty now? Are you
afraid that I will reveal all the dirty deeds that you have done?! Nubi is
telling you now, Nubi must have been blind and dumb to have listened to you to
harm Da Furen. Now Nubi has realized my own mistake, and even if I have to die,
I will not let your evil plan succeed!”
Bai
Zhi stepped forward quickly: “Du Mama, what nonsense are you spouting!”
Li
Weiyang waved her away, laughing coldly in front of everyone present. “Let her continue.”
“Laoye,
Furen, there is something in that braised pigeon soup, if Furen were to drink
it, I fear that she would collapse immediately!”
Those
present in the hall gazed uncomprehendingly at Du Mama, even Li Xiaoran could
not believe his ears!
Da
Furen immediately followed up. “Du Mama, do you know what you’re saying?!”
Du
Mama went silent, keeping her head low and furiously kowtowing to Da Furen.
“Nubi is wrong, Nubi is wrong! Furen please forgive me!”
Da
Furen frowned: “Since you have realized your mistake, you should tell us the
entire truth. You’ve only said half of the story, so how did you expect us to
believe you! Do you want the real culprit to escape judgement?”
Upon
wearing this, Du Mama could not stop trembling. She lifted her head slowly to
glance at Da Furen, and looked around the room.
“Yes!
Nubi will reveal everything, the medicine in the braised pigeon soup was added
in by Xianzhu’s Yatou on her orders. Nubi knew about this, but Xianzhu offered
me with five hundred taels of gold and I was tempted in that moment of
weakness, so I agreed to keep quiet!” Du Mama burst out crying.
Li
Xiaoran’s expression turned thunderous, he brought his fist down hard on the
table: “Your mouth is spouting nonsense!”
Du
Mama’s face was smeared with tears and snot. “Nubi does not dare to lie, if
Laoye does not believe me, please test the soup!”
“Here,
test the soup!” Li Xiaoran ordered his servants sternly.
Li
Weiyang studied Du Mama, a cold smile hovering deep in her heart; everything
has come to this moment! She first brought up the past to make it seem like she
had been bought over, then made use of Wu Xiaojie and the scorpion incident to
gain trust, all to bring her down at this moment!
One
of the Mamas took out a silver needle and dipped it into Li Xiaoran’s soup
bowl, and in an instant, the silver turned black. Li Xiaoran’s expression
became even blacker, and behind him, Si Yiniang exclaimed: “Oh G.o.d, it really
is poisoned!”
Li
Weiyang was deep in thought, along the way, there was no one else who touched
the soup, unless… she glanced at the bowl. That’s right, Da Furen had sabotaged
the bowl itself. If anyone was to test for poison, they would definitely test
something that had been brought from the outside, and not an item that Da Furen
originally owned. n.o.body would think that Da Furen would make use of this blind
spot to accuse Li Weiyang.
Du
Mama shouted loudly, “And the gold, the gold that Xianzhu had bribed Nubi with,
I have not touched a single cent of it, and it is all hidden in a secret
compartment under my bed! Laoye Furen can send someone to check, Nubi’s salary
is limited, unless it was given by Xianzhu, I could never have had that
amount!”
Up
till this point, everyone could believe Du Mama, as she had both witnesses and
physical proof!
Da Furen gritted her teeth: “Li Weiyang! How
have I mistreated you, why did you bribe this old servant into harming me!”
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Translator: Jaslynn
Editor: Panisa (In Progress)
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