The Princess Wei Yang

1攀龙附凤: pānlóngfùfèng : clamber over the dragon and follow the phoenix- meaning to be a social climber

2偷鸡不成蚀把米- unable to steal the chicken, instead lose the rice- meaning originally want to gain something but instead you lost

3人仰马翻- rényǎngmǎfān :men and horses thrown off their feet: meaning thrown into confusion.

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Jiu Yiniang’s incident was not yet finished and Lao Furen became ill.

Da Furen wait attentively by the bed, serving tea, pouring water, making a big fuss, that even if Lao Furen gives her a cold face, she acted appropriately and generously, utmostly attentive, but in the eyes of others, it is another feeling.

Da Furen personally supervised the person boiling the medicine, Lao Furen called Li Wei Yang to her side and asked “Which play is she singing now?”

Li Wei Yang smiled, “Rest easy, Lao Furen, perhaps Mother has seen that Dage and Dajie are grown ups, became more open-minded and should not always be at odds with you.”

Ever since the witchcraft incident, Lao Furen is very clear that her eldest daughter-in-law doesn’t say it, but in her heart, she hates her. Although she is still smiling normally, behind her, she is cursing her to an early death. Now with her being so attentive, it cause involuntary tingling on the scalp. Listening to Li Wei Yang, she thought about it carefully, then reacted: “I really love those two children, but they are too disappointing. Min Feng’s not much, in the future he can be taught well and then marry a good wife, but Chang Le is just inexcusable! She is always finding faults with everything, thinking that I am creating obstacles along the way, but she didn’t even think about what Chang Le has done, if it was not for me helping her cover it up, it would have already became a storm in the city!”

After saying these words, Lao Furen suddenly coughed.

Li Wei Yang hurried over to pat her, said calmly: “Mother is anxious, Dajie is fifteen this year, at the age to get married. In the future if they want to climb into the royal family, they cannot do without Lao Furen socializing amongst them.”

The ruckus that Li Chang Le made, her reputation is long ruined, Lao Furen’s suggestion is that they should find an ordinary official family to marry her into, with due respect to the Prime Minister’s clan, no one will give her the cold shoulder, in the future there will be good days, but this mother and daughter pair want to climb into the royal family. Li family’s wealth and rank are enough, is there any need to clamber over the dragon and follow the phoenix1, if not done right, you will lose the rice when you fail to steal the chicken2, this mother and daughter are still inconsiderate and short-sighted. Lao Furen is unhappy and said to Luo Mama: “In a moment, you should think of a way to take her away, I don’t want to see her.”

Luo Mama smiled and said: “Lao Furen, calm down, in a moment Lao Ye is coming to see you.”

Lao Furen hmphed coldly, “I don’t know what evil spirit did our Li family offended, ai, a femme fatale, lately as long as it involves that girl, something uneasy is always happening!” She suddenly stopped alarmingly and looked at Li Wei Yang with a bit of embarrassment: “Oh, what I have said, you probably find it annoying, forget it, I shouldn’t chatter on about these with a child like you.”

Li Wei Yang took a bowl of porridge from the exquisite tray beside her, smiled and said: “That doesn’t matter, as long as you want to say it, I will listen obediently. You can push all of your heart’s troubles to me, like a big cleanup, after saying it, you will feel better and a lot lighter with no loads.”

Lao Furen couldn’t help but laughed: “It would be good if it was really this simple!” Thinking about it, she once again felt emotional. “I am quite old now, the numbers of storms I’ve faced are not few, just this matter involving my grandchildren make me feel inadequate, ai!”

Li Wei Yang blew gently on the porridge, her words also cautious: “Lao Furen, you are the highest position in the family, the most important person, nothing is more important than your health, as long as you are hale and hearty, then your blessings will naturally protect your grandchildren, like a lucky star shining on the high, why do you still need to worry?”

Lao Furen’s heart is full of blooming flowers, she looked at Li Wei Yang and smiled: “Look at your mouth, really sweet.”

As they get old, they need coaxing, in the first place, the Empress Dowager is not much of a task, let alone Li family’s Lao Furen? Li Wei Yang passed the bowl in her hand over to Lao Furen, laughingly coaxed: “Speaking of sweet, my mouth cannot compare to this bowl of red date, osmanthus soup, you should try it.”

The soup is sweet and delicious as expected, Lao Furen ate while laughing.

At this time, the curtain lifted and Li Xiao Ran entered. Li Wei Yang quickly stood up and greet him, Li Xiao Ran nodded and then turned to Lao Furen and asked: “Is Lao Furen feeling better?”

“Your wife stop being disgusting in front of me, I will be better.” Lao Furen’s face sank, immediately pushing aside the bowl, no good sound coming out of her mouth, then she remembered Li Wei Yang is in front, feeling embarrassed for saying it too explicit, coughed and not say another word.

Although Li Xiao Ran is embarrassed, he is also disgusted with Da Furen in his heart, but he cannot show it, smiled and said: “Lao Furen should concentrate on recuperating, as for everything else, there is Er Zi (son).”

Lao Furen sighed, but did not say anything in the end, at this time, Da Furen personally brought a bowl of medicine in, her face amicable, straight to Lao Furen’s bedside, Luo Mama knowing that Lao Furen doesn’t want to see her, hurried over to take it and said: “I cannot trouble Furen.”

“As a daughter-in-law, I should be taking care of Lao Furen.” Da Furen smiled, then looking at Li Xiao Ran, said: “Lao Ye, you have returned.”

Li Xiao Ran looks calm, anger not seen: “Furen has worked hard.”

Da Furen smiled and said: “These are what I should do, Lao Ye does not need to stand on ceremony.”

This couple look no different from normal days, but Li Wei Yang knows, Li Xiao Ran have not entered Da Furen’s courtyard for two months already, in this kind of powerful family and honourable clan, Lao Ye can have three wives, four concubines, group of beautiful women, but cannot not pacify his principal wife for 10 days or half a month, this is a great disrespect. Li Xiao Ran in the past ten years like a day, persistently visiting Da Furen’s room for five to six days every month, now this custom has been changed, on the surface it seems like nothing much, but in fact....it is a very dangerous signal.

Li Wei Yang’s lowered her long eyelashes, as if she knows nothing.

Da Furen continued: “Lao Ye, the day after tomorrow, I will go to Puji Temple to petition for Lao Furen, I am prepared to bring the daughters along for relaxation.”

Li Wei Yang raised her eyes, glanced at Da Furen but discovered that the other party looks calm, unable to see through her mind.

Petition on behalf of Lao Furen, naturally it is to pray for blessings, Da Furen’s words are reasonable, Li Xiao Ran has no intention of stopping her: “Who are you prepared to take?”

Da Furen smiled: “Chang Le, Wei Yang, Chang Xi’s sisters both, if Er Furen is willing, then I will also take her along, although Puji Temple is not far, it still requires a lot of people to take care of.”

Under normal circumstances, even though wealthy aristocratic women are not imprisoned to the point that they cannot go out, the chance to go out is very few, their opportunities to shine are limited as well. The so-called “not leaving the main door, not passing the side door”, although not all a reality, it is not far off. But going to the temple to pray is the only exception, not only is this just and honourable, it is also routine, therefore with Da Furen suggesting that the daughters come along, there is nothing strange about that.

However, Li Wei Yang still feels that something is strange about it. If Da Furen want to take this opportunity to go out to relax, taking Chang Le is enough, how could she suddenly turn so kind, even bringing herself along? Is she not afraid of her increasing her vexation? Or maybe, she has another motive for this trip? No, that’s not right, Puji Temple is a praying temple built from the previous dynasty, later left to decay from disuse, now it has been rebuilt by the current emperor. Since the reconstruction, the incenses are prosperous. Not to mention, scholarly poets, travelling merchants, candidates for the examinations, even the capital’s royal family, aristocracies, a lot of them also go to burn incense and pray, if Da Furen really want to do something, she couldn’t possibly do anything in front of so many eyes.

Could it be, she is really just saying it, or she has suddenly developed a conscience and decided to be kinder to her?

Li Wei Yang, thinking upon here, she herself felt it is ridiculous.

Dogs cannot change from eating shit, Da Duren definitely does not have any good intention, thinking of this, she smiled and said: “Mother, Lao Furen should have someone besides her to take care of her, I will remains behind.”

Da Furen looked at Li Wei Yang, smiled and said: “Such a filial child, very well.”

No intention to keep her? Li Wei Yang was a bit surprised. If Da Furen is prepared to do something to her during the trip, then she would have insisted on her coming along.

Li Xiao Ran listened and felt that it is a bit improper. If the daughters of Li family went to burn incenses and the only one missing is Li Wei Yang, what would others think? Would it bring truth to their reputation that they are unkind to illegitimate daughters, ruining the family’s name? He thought about it and said: “Lao Furen has other people around, Wei Yang, you should go with your mother to relax.”

Li Wei Yang said quietly: “Yes.”

Da Furen smiled slightly, covering her lips to hide how pleased she is. Li family naturally not would leave Li Wei Yang along behind, it is not good if this spreads out.

Lao Furen looked at them lightly and said: “Send more hands along, do not let anything happen.”

“Yes, Puji Temple is flourishing, lot of womenfolks go to burn incenses, I will also send along more bodyguards, to stop any irrelevant people from disturbing, Lao Furen rest assured.”

Lao Furen nodded and didn’t say anything else.

In the evening, Li Wei Yang has heard that Er Furen declined to come along, saying that she has to go back and see her father. Then Si (fourth) Yiniang, feeling worried, went to Da Furen and begged to be allowed to come along on the trip, so naturally she was allowed. Si Yiniang is going as well, Li Xiao Ran of course feel that he cannot mistreat the beautiful as flower, Jiu (ninth) Yiniang, therefore letting her go along as well, with the exception of Liu (sixth) Yiniang who previously caught a flu, Qi (seventh) Yiniang who is not favoured, therefore those two could not join the trip.

Before the departure, Jiu Yiniang has behaved properly and did not mentioned that matter to Li Wei Yang again, instead she is constantly going to Qi Yiniang’s courtyard to visit, sometimes even deliberately creating encounters with Li Wei Yang, each time someone is present, Li Wei Yang remains calm, secretly having Qiu Ju watch Jiu Yiniang’s actions.

On the fifteenth, in front of the Prime Minister’s house, horse carriages are grouped, people are crowding around, servants are preparing the things their masters wanted, so busy that men and horses are thrown off their feet3. The day is not bright yet, yet everything are ready. Not long after, Da Furen came out and sat with Chang Le in a green cover, pearl tassel eight treasure carriage, Li Wei Yang, Li Chang Xi, Li Chang Xiao three people sat together in a red and ornated carriage. Then Si Yiniang, Jiu Yiniang sat behind in a green felt carriage, behind them, the Yatous and Mamas are either following the carriages or walking, with the dense crowd taking up a carriage in the street...

People watch on from afar and couldn’t help but be surprised: “Whose family’s carriages are these, so impressive!”

“It is the Prime Minister’s wife taking the Xiaojies to burn incenses!”

“Ah? Xiaojie? Could it be possible that we get to see that stunningly beautiful Da Xiaojie?”

“What stunningly beautiful, she is nothing but a giant disaster! Last time she carelessly thought up a bad idea, causing riots among victims, she is simply a disaster!”

“Exactly, where are they going?”

“Looking at the direction, it is towards Puji Temple!”

Among the crowds, there are a couple of spies, listening to the people talking, observing the direction of the carriages, then quickly disappearing in the crowd, each rushing back to send messages to their masters.

Inside the carriage, Li Chang Xi look at Li Wei Yang coldly and did not said a word.

Li Chang Xiao was the first to speak, saying weakly: “San Jie, I haven’t seen you for several days.”

Although they live in the same courtyard, but Li Chang Xi has issues towards Li Wei Yang, causing Li Chang Xiao to be afraid to get close to Li Wei Yang, in her heart, she actually like this third sister who looks weak on the outside but very strong on the inside. In this world, there is a rule that is more or less the same, as long it is a person, all are disgusted by those who are like herself, preferring what she doesn’t have. Because Li Chang Xiao is mild tempered, anyone would walk right over her, while Li Wei Yang would rather break than bend, very tough, therefore Li Chang Xiao has been very envious of her, she has bore Da Furen’s anger for all of these years, only Li Wei Yang dare to challenge Da Furen and is able to live to this day, this she can’t help but admire her.

“Yes, Si Meimei is normally in the garden embroidering, in the future if you have time, you might as well come visit me.”

Li Wei Yang smiled and said.

Li Chang Xi smiled coldly and said: “Forget about it, we don’t want to be implicated by you.”

Her meaning is very clear, when Da Furen punish Li Wei Yang in the future, they don’t want to be mistaken as being of the same party.

Li Wei Yang smiled: “Implicated or not, I do not know, last time if it was not for Si Yiniang doing her best, Wu Meimei would have been married to Rong Guo Gong house (Guo Gong is duke rank), I originally thought that you are grateful to your mother and I, seeing you talk like this, clearly you do not appreciate the kindness,could it be that you has really fallen for that Cheng Lin?”

Li Chang Xi’s face became white, she already found out the truth when she went back that time, knowing why Si Yiniang would plan that human placentophagy incident, risking the danger of offending Da Furen to help Li Wei Yang, in the end, it is only because it is mutually beneficial, more importantly, she is spared from the fate of marrying a dandy, but what of it, her own looks now has become so revolting, even though Father has already promised to not marry her off randomly, which wealthy and influential clan would look upon her? Thinking of this, as if her throat is stuffed with cotton wadding, not a single word came out.

Not that Li Wei Yang doesn’t know what she is thinking of, yet she did not say anything more. Some people, are forever confused, no what matter what she say, they will turn a deaf ear.

Li Chang Xiao looked at the calm Li Wei Yang, she could not help but ask a question that she has been wanting to ask all this time but had no opportunity to: “I heard that last time, it was Qi Dianxia who saved Jiejie.”

This is the official version, Li Wei Yang smiled and said: “Yes indeed,”

Li Chang Xi raised her eyes, obviously envious. She really doesn’t understand, why does Li Wei Yang has such luck!

Li Chang Xiao nodded and said: “I heard that Yong Ning Gongzhu Dianxia is sympathetic about the shock that Jiejie has received, not only did she let you stay for the night, she have even specially dispatched people to send you home, afterward sending gifts that help you get over a shock, Jiejie, this can be considered a blessing in disguise. People always say, one who survives a great disaster is destined to good fortune for ever after, in the future, Jiejie would definitely have luck.”

Li Chang Xi hmphed through her nose and said: “What extreme luck! Si (fourth) Jie, don’t you find it odd, how could there be so much luck for someone to squander, maybe it is because other was born with witchcraft!”

Li Wei Yang laughed, her laughter is tranquil like a pearl’s shine, gentle and warm hiding an edge: “Wu Meimei, I really admire you, since I have witchcraft, you still come to cause trouble, you really are not afraid of death!”

Li Chang Xi was enraged into choking and reprimand: “If not for you having witchcraft, how would you trick Qi Dianxia into saving you!”

Li Chang Xiao hurriedly scolded: “Don’t talk nonsense!”

Li Wei Yang did not take it to heart the slightest, just lightly smiled and said: “This, you need to go and ask Qi Dianxia.” Then she closed her eyes to rest and no matter how much Li Chang Xi provoke her, she did not engage in verbal banter with her.

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Translator: Angela

Editor: Panisa (In Progress)

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