The Princess Wei Yang Chapter 92 Part1
Chapter 92: Weak and Pitiful
长子 zhǎng zǐ - eldest son of a family
侧妃 Cè fēi - “side” consort, a prince’s concubine
Li Wei Yang smiled faintly: “I don’t understand what
Dajie is saying. I only know that I am a daughter of the Li family, and Fuqin
is who we rely on. If Dajie announces that Dajie is loyal to the Jiang family
in front of Fuqin, wouldn’t this leave Fuqin conflicted? No matter how good the
Jiang family is, you are still surnamed Li. You should not forget this!”
Li Chang Le’s entire face had changed. Her eyes became
cruel, her beautiful face and facade replaced with a terrifying sight: “I will
never forgive you! Just you wait!”
“What did you say?!” A voice thundered behind them. Li
Chang Le turned around. Li Wei Yang greeted him: “Fuqin.”
Li Chang Le saw Li Xiao Ran and his serious face and
paled. She realized Li Xiao Ran had overheard what she said to Li Wei Yang, a
storm of unease stirred in her heart. She bit her lip and forced herself to
calm down. She did not know what to say, so she sincerely knelt down and said:
“Fuqin, nu er has returned.”
Li Xiao Ran frowned: “Stand up.”
Li Chang le stood, her lips drawn in a taut line. She
slowly looked up, her gaze steadily meeting his - sharp and clear: “Fuqin,
Muqin was killed by Li Wei Yang.” These words sliced through the air like a
blade.
“What did you say?” Li Xiao Ran was momentarily
blinded by fury. A thundering storm swept over his expressions.
Li Chang Le resented Li Wei Yang. Seeing Li Wei Yang
standing there, she felt her blood, boiling and rushing up her throat. She
forcefully swallowed it and snapped: “Fuqin, I said Muqin was killed by Li Wei
Yang! Muqin was still fine when I left, how could she pa.s.s away in such a short
time?! It’s all part of Li Wei Yang’s schemes. Fuqin, you and Muqin were
married for decades, how could you be so indifferent to this?!”
Li Xiao Ran’s face grew even more unpleasant. He was
furious because he had been asked this question time after time by others and
Guogong Furen in particular! He tightly clenched his fists!
Li Wei Yang let out a sigh: “Dajie, Muqin unexpectedly
died because of her illness. Dajie, do not make things difficult for Fuqin, it
has been hard for him too.”
“Shut up!” Li Chang Le screamed, “I want an
explanation! I cannot let Muqin die for no reason like this!”
“You are the one who needs to shut up!” After shock
came anger, Li Xiao Ran fiercely eyed Li Chang Le like a merciless wolf,
wishing he could tear her apart. He gritted his teeth, his anger flaring. Every
word seemed to be spoken through clenched teeth: “From here on how, don’t ever
mention this again!”
Li Chang Le had not expected Li Xiao Ran to be
furious. It was as if she had received a slap to the face: “Fuqin, you… I am
your favorite nu er, how could you treat Muqin and me like this?””
“You want to be like your Muqin and oppose me?” Li
Xiao Ran suddenly regained his calm, his apathetic stare fixated on her,
sneering. Li Chang Le had never seen his face like this before, not only
chilling but strange and ominous.
Li Wei Yang smiled. Li Xiao Ran had faced pressure
from the Jiang family for a while now. He was still a proud and reserved
individual with a strong personality. He could tolerate Da Furen for so many
years to save face for Jiang Guogong, not because he feared the Jiang family.
Of course, Da Furen and Li Chang Le did not think of it that way. They always
brought up the Jiang family to threaten him and finally exhausted the last of
his patience.
The hostility in Li Wei Yang’s eyes shone through. She
slowly closed her eyes, suppressing her disdain. When she reopened her eyes,
her face was calm and indifferent. She simply said: “Fuqin, you should go back
to the hall, many guests are still waiting.”
Speaking of guests, Li Xiao Ran quickly recollected
himself as easily as putting on a mask. He smiled thinly, though he was
smiling, it was a mirthless smile: “Chang Le, remember, this is my last chance
to you. There are many guests today, you must act like an aristocratic Xiaojie
who is mourning at her mother’s funeral. Do not make the Li family lose face,
if you dare to cause trouble, do not blame your Fuqin for being heartless!”
Li Xiao Ran sneered and left, leaving a terrified Li
Chang Le in the courtyard.
Tan Xiang shot a fearful glance at Li Wei Yang and
hurriedly whispered: “Da Xiaojie, Laoye is right. Xiaojie should not cause
trouble today and quickly go greet the guests.”
Li Chang Le glared at her: “Silence! No need to
concern yourself with my affairs!”
At a loss for words, Tan Xiang closed her mouth. Li
Wei Yang noticed and smiled wryly: “Dajie, if you still have the time to argue
with me, why don’t you take one last look at Muqin?”
Li Chang Le’s face changed from sickly green to white.
She only remembered her anger and forgot about this. Li Wei Yang shook her
head. Da Furen dedicated everything to Li Chang Le, but Da Xiaojie had only
thought of her own future and had yet to think of Da Furen.
She always said she would avenge her, but she was only
venting her anger. This so-called mother-daughter affection, seeing as Da
Xiaojie’s sights had been set on personal interests, perhaps had drifted away
with the clouds.
Li Chang Le finally came to Fu Rui Courtyard. When she
went in, she saw Da Furen resting on a large, sandalwood bed with intricate
floral designs with candles near her head. A few Furens and daughter-in-laws of
the Jiang family were gathered around her, grieving and weeping. Guogong Furen
emotionlessly sat in a chair by her side.
There was only the sound of crying in the room. Li
Chang Le suddenly recoiled at the sight.
Jiang Da Furen Liu shi looked up and saw her: “Muqin,
Chang Le has come.”
Everyone’s eyes traveled over to Li Chang Le.
Guogong Furen Lin shi looked at Li Chang Le without a
hint of a smile or warmth… The atmosphere had turned somewhat ominous.
Li Chang Le held her face and cried: “Waizumu.” As she
said this, she crumpled to her knees before Guogong Furen.
Lin shi looked at Li Chang Le whose tears fell like
rain for a while then sighed. She personally helped Li Chang Le up: “Child, you
have suffered.”
Hearing this only made Li Chang Le cry louder.
Da jiumu Liu shi and Er jiumu Wei shi nearby quickly
comforted her. The other Jiang Furens wiped away their tears, the entire family
burdened with sadness. The person who was most calm was Lin shi, who was past
the age of weeping in grief. She waved her hand: “Everyone step outside, I have
something to say to Chang Le alone.”
Liu shi glanced around and nodded, saying: “Everyone
go on ahead.” Soon, everyone in the room had left.
Only Liu shi and Wei shi stayed where they were. Jiang
Da Furen Liu shi had a long face, narrow phoenix eyes, and a tall silhouette.
She was the wife of Jiang Guogong zhang zi Jiang Xu. Her birth family
was the n.o.ble and meritorious Liu family. She had four sons Jiang Hai, Jiang
Yang, Jiang Hua, Jiang Nan, the four of them considered dragons among men,
well-versed in scholarly pursuits and martial arts. For that reason, Liu shi’s
position in the Jiang family had been firmly established. The woman accompanied
Guogong Furen last time was her eldest daughter-in-law Han shi.
And Wei shi was a shu nu of Lao Wei Ge and the wife of
shu zi Jiang Li. She only had one son, Jiang Tian, a prodigy whose talents were
clear from an early age. Unlike his tang xiong who joined the military, he was
always on the road, wandering, and rarely home. Compared to the rest of the
Jiang family, he was rather mysterious. Although Wei shi did not have a
daughter, she personally raised Jiang Xin, who would later become Taizi’s
favored Ce fei, so she had not fall short of Liu shi by much. Now
that Lin shi had chased everyone out, Wei shi seemed a bit puzzled while Liu
shi remained quiet, her eyes calm and downcast.
“Your Muqin had a heart diesase and was frightened to
death.” Lin shi coldly said.
“Heart disease…” Li Chang Le felt her hands and feet
grow cold, “Muqin’s health has always been very good—”
Lin shi sighed: “I was too careless and did not think
I would lose a nu er at her hands!” Lin shi was not aware that Wei Guo Furen’s
death also had something to do with Li Wei Yang. If she did, she would faint
out of both rage and shock!
“Waizumu, you must avenge her!” Li Chang Le’s eyes
were bloodshot, shaking with anger. she wanted Li Wei Yang to pay the price!
She wanted to send her to the h.e.l.l!
Incense drifted from a gold, intricate incense burner.
Opaque wisps of smoke escaped. Amidst the smoke, Lin shi’s face seemed grave,
her face remained solemn as if she had not heard Li Chang Le.Li Chang Le
approached her: “Waizumu, since I was a child, you have always loved me most,
don’t you want to take charge of this situation?”
Wei shi noticed and quickly helped Li Chang Le up as she
was about to kneel down: “Good child! How could you say such a thing? You know
Waizumu loves you the most, how could your cousins compare…” These words were
true. The Jiang family had many sons, so every time Li Chang Le visited, she
was like the radiant moon among stars.
Even her two jiumu who did not yield to anyone had to
put on a smile in her presence, but things had changed. Da Furen had died,
would the Jiang Guogong residence still care about her like they used to? This
was what Li Chang Le was most concerned about, so she wanted to use this matter
of revenge to test Guogong Furen. She desperately looked at Lin shi: “Waizumu,
Chang Le waits for your response. If you do not care about me anymore, I will
shave my head and go to the temple instead of staying here with the Li family,
living no better than the dead!”
Lin shi was startled but continued to sit in silence.
She still did not know, what made Li Wei Yang bold enough to challenge the
entire Li family? The most ironic part was that she had actually succeeded and
taken Lin shi’s nu er!
A few tears escaped as Wei shi said: “Silly child, you
must be grieving… You must live with the times… Everyone is mourning, if
something happens to you, what will we do!”
Li Chang Le’s tears fell faster. She was about to say
something when Liu shi lightly coughed: “Chang Le, revenge is certain, yet now
is not the best time.”
“Why?!” Li Chang Le could not believe it, how could
the Jiang Guogong residence not deal with a measly Li Wei Yang?
Liu shi glanced over at Guogong Furen and only said:
“If you go against Li Wei Yang now, it is no different from going against the
Li family, don’t you see? The entire Li family leans towards Li Wei Yang. That
day, Li Lao Furen’s expressions changed with a couple words from her. She even
said Li Wei Yang was clever and very understanding. She can understand
people's’ hearts and is filial to your Muqin. It was all your Muqin’s doing, so
why she - even your Fuqin, you are no longer in his favor. Everyone still
stands by you, but nevertheless, we are outsiders, so it is not convenient for
us to intervene in the Li family’s affairs.”
“Then when will it be possible? How much longer?” Li
Chang Le gritted her teeth.
Lin shi finally sighed. Regardless of Jiang Rou’s
wrongdoings, the Jiang family would protect her, but acting at this time…
Everyone seemed to be leaning towards one side, seeing this child was
heartless, having mistreated shu nu er and even harmed concubines of the Li
family several times, leaving Li Xiao Ran with one heir. Despite this, Li Xiao
Ran did not abandon his wife to save face for the Jiang family. If they were to
demand that he deal with Li Wei Yang, this would be insulting the Li family. If
it were anyone else, the Guogong residence could do so, but Li Xiao Ran was the
Prime Minister of the reigning dynasty, a notable official who the Emperor
trusted and respected. In comparison, these years the Jiang Guogong residence
had surpa.s.sed a greater authority and began to face pressure from the Emperor.
Turning on Li Xiao Ran now would not be a wise move.
“Wait until your Waizufu and Da jiujiu return,
everything will be different,” Liu shi comforted her.
“But they’re stationed at the border, when will they
return?! Da jiumu is lying to me!”
Lin shi angrily slapped her hand on the table, sending
the cup of tea to the floor. Everyone else was left in a stunned silence. Li
Chang Le immediately paled, desolately murmured: “Waizumu…”
Lin shi saw her current state, and her anger and
resolve began to crumble: “You do not have to intervene! I will have everything
arranged!”
“But Fuqin said that I will be sent back to the temple
after ten days. I don’t want to go back, Waizumu, that place is demonic—” Li
Chang Le hastily said.
A hint of disdain appeared in Wei shi’s eyes. Her
Muqin died, yet she did not mourn for her, she was only worried about her own
interests. Da Xiaojie truly had a heart of gold.
“Rest a.s.sured, I have everything in hand.” Lin shi’s
voice hardened like steel. She turned back to look at Da Furen’s body, her face
turning cold and cruel, “Rou er, the Jiang family will avenge you!”
Liu shi and Wei shi were familiar with Lao Furen’s
strong, stubborn personality. Hearing this, their hearts jumped and they
quickly bowed their heads. They realized that the flame of resentment was
buried deep in Guogong Furen’s heart. One day, it will become a raging fire,
burning everything in its path…
After a busy day, Li Wei Yang returned to her room
late at night. She removed her makeup, let her hair down, and laid down on the
daybed, her long sleeve fanned out. Her face seemed even paler than usual
against her sleeve.
The window opened a bit. Li Wei Yang slightly tilted
her head and said: “Why did you run over here in the middle of the night?”
A handsome face with a mischievous grin peeked in. He
quickly jumped in through the window, carrying a jade plate in hand with many
colorful pastries. As if wanting to win her favor, he brought it before her:
“Today must have been overwhelming, so you probably haven’t eaten yet. I had
the kitchen prepare this, try it.”
Li Wei Yang looked at him then sat up and took a
pastry, smiling as she said: “You must have been burdened with many
responsibilities during the day too.”
Li Min De smiled and set the plate down: “Mostly
trivial, not worth worrying about.”
The guests today accounted for a couple hundred
people. The aristocratic guests were personally received by the members of the
Li family whereas ordinary guests were welcomed by someone else. Li Wei Yang
was willing to say Li Min De had a difficult time escaping, but she only
laughed and did not remark on this.
Li Min De noticed she was preoccupied by her thoughts
and said: “I heard Da Bofu knows Dage ran away and smashed many plates and cups
on the spot.”
Li Wei Yang smiled: “Although he was secretly saved by
the Jiang family, but he still went against Fuqin’s will. He could keep his
life for now, but he also lost Fuqin.”
Li Min De was still worried: “But he’s still the only
heir.”
Li Wei Yang’s lips curved back: “Fuqin is still in his
prime. He will naturally have more sons. You know, Jiu Yiniang is pregnant. The
physician said they are twins. Fuqin was overjoyed. If not for Jiu Yiniang’s
low birth and status and the Capital did not have a rule against making a
concubine a wife, I’m afraid Jiu Yiniang’s status would be different now.”
Hearing this, Li Min De frowned: “If she gives birth
to a son, it will still be a shu zi.”
Li Wei Yang did not think of it that way: “You think
the Jiang family will leave the position of zhu mu empty? Earlier, someone
hinted to Lao Furen that—”
Stunned, Li Min De looked at her in wide-eyed
curiosity: “Earlier?” Then, he sighed: “They are too hasty and anxious.”
Li Wei Yang shook her head: “The wife has pa.s.sed away.
The family’s children must uphold filial piety for three years, but the husband
does not need to follow and can marry someone else a year later. As long as
Fuqin agrees, remarrying after 49 days is not impossible either. But the Jiang
family will not let this opportunity idly go by, they will find a way to send
someone in through the doors.”
“You mean — but the Jiang family does not have…”
“The Jiang family does not have an unmarried woman
indeed, but Jiang shi has many relatives.” Li Wei Yang smiled, seeing Li Min
De’s disbelief, her tone of voice changed: “No need to worry, this will not
happen immediately. Lao Furen will not allow a woman from the Jiang family
enter the household so easily.”
Li Min De knew Li Wei Yang was only rea.s.suring him.
With the Jiang family’s status and power, in addition to Da Furen’s suspicious
death, if they were to make the request, it would not be easy for the Li family
to refuse…
“Nevertheless, it is not entirely a bad thing that Da
Furen died, at least—” Li Min De smiled, “At least Li Chang Le cannot marry in
the next three years. She is fifteen now, three years later, when she can be
engaged, she will already be eighteen years old…”
Li Wei Yang had to laugh: “With her looks, whether she
is twenty or older, she will still be the most beautiful of all, what is there
to be afraid of?”
In her past life, Li Chang Le was already twenty five
when she became Empress. Given her age, she would be considered an old aunt in
the Capital, but because of her beautiful face, compared to other younger
beauties, this beauty was not without an advantage.
Li Min De reminded her: “Now that she’s back, this
will be a disaster.”
Li Wei Yang remained silent, Li Min De continued: “You
might not have noticed, when Guogong Furen arrived today, I saw her piercing
glare towards you.”
Li Wei Yang also felt the same way. It was not only
Guogong Furen, whose hatred was hidden in her eyes, but even Liu shi and Wei
shi seemed hostile. Of course, she had offended the entire Jiang family.
Pretending to be well-behaved would be useless, so there was no need for
pleasantries.
Li Min De quietly added: “Our numbers are too few, who
knows how many servants in the Li family are spies following our every moves.
Now with the Jiang family like a prowling tiger, we must be even more careful.”
Li Wei Yang exhaled, lying on the bed as she said:
“So, we must strike first.” Her remark was deliberate as if it had been
something foreseen and planned ahead of time.
Li Min De was briefly surprised before smiling as if
guessing her thoughts. His smile was sly like a defiant little fox. Li Wei Yang
poked his forehead, his smile only grew wider.
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Translator: Chau
Editor: Pending
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