The Princess Wei Yang Chapter 87 part1

Chapter 87: Jealousy Part 1

争风吃醋 (zhēngfēngchīcù)

- the original chapter title denotes the romantic context of this type of

jealousy

道士 (dàoshi) -

Daoist or Taoist (Taoism), refers to a priest in Daoism, to which quite a few

xianxia novels are inspired by, it’s difficult to explain…

仙长 xiān zhǎng -

Immortal, used as form of respect towards Daoist priests

女鬼 nǚ guǐ - female ghost

灵符 língfú - Daoist talisman, iconic yellow

paper to seal away evil spirits (in most cases)

Hearing this, Wei Guo Furen’s eyes widened in

confusion: “Dajie, how can you believe these rotten Taoists?!

Da Furen angrily retorted: “What rotten

Taoist! You are not to be disrespectful to xian zhang! He came to save me! I

feel much better now, my chest is no longer hurting, and my head is not aching

anymore either! A blessing from the deities! If he hadn’t dispelled them, I

might have already taken my last breath!”

Wei Guo Furen could not believe it: “Dajie,

what is wrong with you, why are you saying such nonsense!”

“You are the one saying nonsense!” Da Furen

fervently looked in all directions, tense, “Do not slander xian zhang, if he

leaves and that nu gui comes, what will I do!”

Wei Guo Furen did not know what to say:

“Dajie, there is no nu gui. Those people are just swindlers! Earlier he said I

was a nu gui then threw dog’s blood in my face! Look at this!”

“Swindlers?” Taken aback, Da Furen shuddered

and began to panic: “Then, Wu Yiniang is still in the courtyard?! I invited a

Daoist to exorcise her, won’t that nu gui resent me even more now? I’m afraid

she will resort to malicious schemes to take revenge, what to do now? What to

do now?” She threw her quilt aside, shifted and got out of bed, barefooted, and

went around, searching for something.

“Dajie, what are you looking for?!” Wei Guo

Furen did not know what to do anymore.

Da Furen cried out: “Cui mama, my lingfu,

quickly bring them here!”

Cui mama hurriedly brought a pile of lingfu:

“Furen, here!”

“The door, windows, pillars, curtains,

closets, screen divider… put these on all them! Quickly call others to help me

put them up! Everywhere inside out! Do not leave a single spot untouched!” Da

Furen cried out as if she had lost her senses.

Da Furen’s eyes were wide in panic, her fear

escalating, face contorting, stumbling, her mouth moving, mumbling. Wei Guo

Furen was terrified. She felt that Dajie was not under house arrest but was

cursed: “What ultimately happened?! Li Wei Yang, explain this!”

Li Wei Yang sighed: “Yimu, throughout the day,

Muqin insists that there are ghosts here, perhaps there are ghosts. You must

have heard, first, Lin mama got lost in the mountains and never returned. Then

Du mama was beaten to death by Muqin over a single mistake, and when Dajie

misspoke Muqin had confined her to closed-door reflection, and now Muqin even

forced Dage to leave. Everyone could not stand Muqin’s antics and was afraid of

coming near her, so no one dares to come here recently. Ah, yes, our Wumei has

also gone crazy, frightened to death in this very courtyard. Everyone thought

Muqin should move out to recuperate, and then the courtyard was isolated to

avoid further incidents.”

Wei Guo Furen could not believe it. Eying the

gloomy room, her back suddenly felt cold. She knew about jiejie’s schemes. Who

knows how many have died at her hands, could it be that they returned to seek

revenge? Gao Min clung onto her arm: “Mother, you have seen Da Yimu already. Da

Yimu is fine, we should quickly leave, this place is haunting!”

Wei Guo Furen looked at her Dajie and saw that

she did not seem to be under house arrest. Moreover, she too felt this place

was terrifying. She nodded and told Da Furen: “Dajie, rest well, I will come

back to visit another day.” Then, she led Gao Min away.

After she left, Cui mama sighed in relief and

ordered someone to help Da Furen back into bed. She walked Li Wei Yang to the

door: “San Xiaojie’s plan was well-put together.”

Li Wei Yang smiled: “A bit of the incense can

leave someone’s mind muddled. Wei Guo Furen had the smell of dog’s blood,

otherwise, she would have been affected too.”

She ordered the attendant in Da Furen’s room

to burn the hallucinatory incense. Da Furen was always afraid of ghosts, and

now it was even more serious, that way Wei Guo Furen would not become

suspicious.

Li Wei Yang quietly began: “Muqin, how is she

these days?”

Cui mama smiled and said: “Sometimes good,

sometimes bad. At times, she is conscious but also confused and disoriented. When

she is in her right mind, she will order Nubi to quickly find Da Xiaojie and Da

Shaoye, and when she is hallucinating, she will say there is a ghost and often wake up from nightmares. She cannot

sleep during the day. She is not in her right mind, so her illness is worsening

by the day. The physician said that if this were to continue, she would have

half a year left at most.”

Li Wei Yang nodded, the corner of her mouth

curving into a subtle smile. She wanted to make Da Furen feel uneasy and

unsafe, day and night, tormenting her to the end.

Cui mama bowed her head, thinking to herself,

San Xiaojie was so young yet had ruthlessly acted. She had only entered the

residence for half a year, but she could reduce Da Furen to this state and hold

her own against an opponent like Wei Guo Furen, admirable. However, there was

still the Jiang family behind Da Furen, how could things be resolved this

easily? She did not dare to say this to Li Wei Yang, nor reveal her emotions

either.

Li Wei Yang knew what she was thinking by

looking at her expressions and smiled: “In the future, I must trouble Cui mama

to look after Muqin, but you should remember what Lao Furen sent you here to

do, do not do as you please.”

Cui mama panicked and hurriedly said: “Nubi

would not dare, Nubi will not let her out of sight!”

From Li Wei Yang’s perspective, only cutting

the grass leaves the roots and leaves the grass to grow back again in the

spring. She wanted Da Furen’s life, but Lao Furen and Li Xiao Ran had sent

people to keep watch, clearly not determined to do so yet. If she rashly acted,

they would lose interest in punishing her, and she provoke the Jiang family.

Beating the fish until it died was not the result she wanted. However, Li Wei

Yang had other means, especially those that did not require her to do much! She

thought to herself and outwardly smiled sweetly: “It is good that Cui mama

understands.”

Cui mama’s heart raced, she reluctantly

smiled: “Seeing Xianzhu off.”

Taizi’s Study

Taizi and Tuoba Zhen were discussing court

affairs, Taizi clapped him on the shoulder: “San di, you need to marry a Zheng

fei already.”

Tuoba Zhen slightly smiled: “I am preoccupied

with important affairs now, how could I be thinking about that?”

Taizi shook his head: “Muhou said Zhou Tai Fu

mentioned he wanted to marry his nu er to you, perhaps you have heard of this

guniang’s reputation. She is beautiful and clever, gentle and virtuous, a

famous and talented lady in the Capital, very compatible with you…”

Of course, Tuoba Zhen knew of this Zhou

Xiaojie who excelled at calligraphy. She was once someone he considered for

Zheng fei, but now, he decided: “This can be discussed at another time.”

Taizi shook his head: “San di, you cannot be

like Wu di, infatuated with that Li Chang Le. These past two days, Wu di told

Fu Huang he wanted to make Li Chang Le his Zheng fei, the result was Fu Huang

was enraged and harshly scolded him. That guniang is beautiful, beautiful

indeed, but unwanted, especially since Fu Huang and the Empress Dowager dislike

her, if you marry her, how could it end well? In fact, women are the same,

perhaps she can be a bit more beautiful, but compatibility between husband and

wife is most important.”

Taizi had never met Li Chang Le but had heard

everyone say she was a young beauty whose beauty could befall empires and

cities. However, in his view, it was foolish to lose the Emperor’s good grace

for a woman.

“Dage has been overthinking this.” Tuoba Zhen

had thought of marrying Li Chang Le, but since Fu Huang grew sick and tired of

her, he had cast these intentions aside.

“Don’t lie to me, you have been collecting a

lot of books, antiques, qin music, certainly to win a woman’s heart. Someone

who could command your respect, I fear it is that beauty, but San di, I must

remind you that: if Fu Huang did not have ill feelings towards Li Chang Le,

then I would support you in marrying her because her grandfather is Jiang

Guogong and her father is Prime Minister Li, both of whom will be of great help

to us. However, Fu Huang is disgusted with her, so you must think carefully. If

anything, women are not to be spoiled in such a manner, otherwise you will only

bring disaster upon yourself…”

Those things… He had a collection indeed, but

he had not given them away yet. Tuoba Zhen fell silent for a moment, not saying

anything.

Taizi was concerned: “San di, are you

infatuated with her? This is unacceptable.”

“Dage, rest assured, I am not a foolish

person.”

Taizi was still worried: “No, I must find a

good woman for you soon…”

“This matter… Hope Dage will let me personally

resolve this, if one were to take a wife, of course, I must marry someone

virtuous and can help our cause, wouldn’t you say so, Dage?” Tuoba Zhen smiled.

Taizi sighed: “San di…”

Tuoba Zhen saw he still wanted to persuade him

and laughed: “Dage, pursuing a woman can be a pleasure, but I have been busy

with court affairs. At times, I need to find a hobby. Dage, it is something I

will take care of, I will not delay matters at hand, rest assured…”

“The one you have your eyes on is not Li Chang

Le?” Taizi found this strange.

“No.” Tuoba Zhen was surprised to hear himself

confirm this without hesitation. He originally planned to marry Li Chang Le.

Least to say, he had been impressed by Li Chang Le’s beauty, but for some

reason, he had pushed this idea to the back of his mind.

“If not, then good.” Taizi breathed out a sigh

of relief, then felt curious: “Seeing you spend so much time and effort, is

this woman very difficult to handle?”

Tuoba Zhen laughed and said: “Only a bit

headstrong…” He feared she was not only headstrong but also ruthlessly acting

against him.

“San di, women must be gentle and attentive,

if her personality is too headstrong, it will be troublesome.”

“Dage, think of it as taming, taming a woman

is like a taming a wild horse. Of course, it will be dangerous, but isn’t it

more interesting that way? Besides, I don’t believe that there is a woman in

this world who cannot be tamed!” Tuoba Zhen’s eyes lit up, then he smiled.

Ever since Li Wei Yang told him to keep his

distance, he began to pay more attention to her. He could care less if he were

to lose to anyone else but losing to Tuoba Yu was unacceptable! Since their

childhood days, that person had always been in his way, even if their taste in women

were similar, if he couldn’t have Li Wei Yang, Tuoba Yu couldn’t either!

Determined, Tuoba Zhen made his decision.

The next afternoon, Li Wei Yang came out of He

Xiang Courtyard and had just reached the gardens when she saw Tuoba Zhen

approaching from afar.

Why was he here? Li Wei Yang thought for a

moment then realized, now that Tuoba Zhen had lost many generals in succession,

he needed a way to offset his disadvantaged position, so he came looking for Li

Xiao Ran, perhaps with an ulterior motive.

It was too late to avoid him now. Li Wei Yang

calmly greeted him, then walked past him without a second look.

“Xianzhu, it has been a while, how have you

been?” Tuoba Zhen began.

“Thank San Dianxia for your concern, I am

well.”

Tuoba Zhen smiled: “Oh, you seem very well,

but I have not seen your Dage for half a month, where did he go?”

Li Wei Yang’s expressions did not change:

“Dage has always liked to wander and establish connections. As far as I know he

might have gone out to find ancient artifacts in a celestial mountain

somewhere. How come? Did he not tell you?”

Tuoba Zhen chuckled softly: “I really didn’t

know this time.”

Li Wei Yang did not want to talk to him. Every

moment beside him disgusted her. She coldly asserted: “I should not delay

Dianxia, I will be on my way first.”

Tuobz Zhen suddenly closed the distance

between them, stopping in front of her.

Li Wei Yang smiled blankly. She told him to

stay away, why hadn’t he given up! She raised her eyebrows: “Is there something

else San Dianxia would like to advise?”

Tuoba Zhen slightly turned and told the person

beside him: “All of you, leave us.”

“Yes, Dianxia.” Those who came with him all

withdrew, leaving Zhao Yue and Bai Zhi with Li Wei Yang.

Zhao Yue stood guard not far behind Li Wei

Yang. She was not from Da Li, so she did not revere Tuoba Zhen. If Li Wei Yang

gave the order, even if it was to immediately draw her sword and charge, she

would not hesitate.

However, Li Wei Yang did not give the word, in

the presence of so many watchful eyes, the urge to taking action against Tuoba

Zhen should be suppressed.

Tuoba Zhen slowly walked up to her, his face

seemed more profound and handsome under the sunshine. If anyone else saw him,

they would be captivated by him.

Li Wei Yang did not react at the slightest,

idly looking at him: “Does Dianxia still have something to say?”

“Not only are your Dage’s whereabouts unknown,

but these days, it seems Da Xiaojie is no longer attending banquets either.”

Tuoba Zhen said with a small smile.

It seems he had noticed and closely followed

up on the changes within the Li family, Li Wei Yang smiled faintly: “Muqin has

fallen ill, Dajie went to a temple to pray for her, was San Dianxia not aware

of this?”

“Oh, if one’s Muqin is ill, how could her

child bear to go afar?”

“It is nothing strange, Muqin has only fallen

ill recently. Fuqin has written Dage a letter, but I don’t know what has been

delaying him.” Li Wei Yang responding in an orderly fashion, addressing

unspoken questions while overlooking the details.

It may have sounded reasonable, but coming

from Li Wei Yang, Tuoba Zhen felt this was strange. He could recognize Li Wei

Yang’s concealed hatred, which lessened her credibility, but he could not

imagine what happened in the Li family. Of course, if his intelligence network

had not been compromised, he would know the reason, but this was currently out

of the question… He frowned: “Da Furen not partaking in outside affairs, Da

Xiaojie went to a temple, and Da Shaoye disappeared, don’t you feel this is

rather strange?”

Li Wei Yang smiled: “Whether it is strange or

not, San Dianxia can ask my Fuqin, I believe he will give Dianxia a reasonable

explanation.”

No matter who he asked in the Li family, they

all gave the same explanation: Da Furen is sick, Li Chang Le went to pray, Li

Min Feng was traveling, the Nubi in the residence held their tongues, unable to

say, and those who wanted to say something knew nothing. Outsiders could only

accept these explanations for now. In any case, Wei Guo Furen had visited Da

Furen and found that aside from her paranoia and superstitions, Da Furen was

not being confined… Even Wei Guo Furen said her jiejie was ill, how could

others still not believe it?

“Does San Dianxia still have something to say?

If not, I must go.” Li Wei Yang reminded him.

“Xianzhu, why are you in such a hurry?”

“Dianxia seems to have forgotten what I have

said before, now, it is time to act on them.”

Tuoba Zhen’s face grew solemn, scoffed and

sneered: “So you remember that, you treat me as if I were a dog, to come when

called and obediently leave when chased away? You have no right to order me

around in that manner.”

“San Dianxia, while you are a Huangzi, you do

not have the authority to do as you please.” Li Wei Yang stood there,

unwavering, then looked up, her eyes meeting his in a cold, detached manner,

“What does San Dianxia ultimately want, do you think you can do such things to

women? Are you not afraid of being caught and invite others to raise their

voices against you?”

Li Wei Yang’s eyes were lovely, her eyes were

dark and had hidden depths, like a bottomless well, able to draw others’ souls

in. Tuoba Zhen found that his eyes could not leave her face. She did not have

Li Chang Le’s breathtaking beauty, but she had an air of a refreshing spring,

secluded and mysterious.

“Raise their voices against me?” Tuoba Zhen

broke out into laughter: “If I mention it to your Fuqin, will he agree for me

to marry you?”

Li Wei Yang could not help but laugh: “Tuoba

Zhen, do you not have any self-respect?”

Tuoba Zhen’s stare quickly turned hostile: “Li

Wei Yang, I only have so much patience, I cannot tolerate your attitude time

after time.”

Li Wei Yang shook her head as if in disbelief:

“Even if I had a single pleasant thing to say, I would not say it to you,

unless you want to become laughingstock, why would you bring up marriage to my

father. There is no medicine that could cure you!”

“Li Wei Yang, you’re more intriguing than

those prestigious noble…” Tuoba Zhen stared at her, his lips curving into a

smile: “Dangerous, malicious, clever, cunning, you are a worthy match for me,

don’t you think so? We are perhaps the ideal match for one another.”

He thought he was a god in the heavens,

manipulating others’ lives as he pleased. Li Wei Yang resented not being able

to tear him apart because of how he once treated her sincerity, tossing it

aside, now seeing that she was different from other Xiaojies, he was wavering!

“Yes, I am a good match for you, but you see,

you do not deserve me!” Li Wei Yang emphasized every word, sneering: “Since you

don’t remember my words at the restaurant, I will say it again. Tuoba Zhen, you

are not worthy of me! So stay away!”

Tuoba Zhen felt his body grow cold: “Li Wei

Yang! You truly value Tuoba Yu? Is he that great? Or are you just trying to get

my attention?! Well, you really are clever, you succeeded, I have noticed, now

you want to keep pretending because it won’t be as fun if you give in!”

Li Wei Yang almost burst out laughing, this

man must be crazy! Thinking she was ignoring him to get his attention, what was

this twisted logic!

Someone like him truly left her speechless.

Li Wei Yang looked at him: “I have never

deceived you. I have never regarded you in that manner, much less ignore you to

attract you. You have thought too much of it, not every woman in Da Li has high

regards for you, do not think so highly of yourself.

Tuoba Zhen intently stared at her, his eyes

burning, “Li Wei Yang, there is no woman in this world who dared to talk to me

like this, you dare to mock me? If I want you, you must be mine, whether I like

you or not, whether you are willing or not, you must be like other women,

always finding ways to please me, focusing on my attention, but you, you find

ways to make me dislike you, grow sick and tired of you, and avoid me at all

costs. The more you do so, the more I want you, let us see who will be the

victor!”

Tuoba Zhen had acted out of the self-respect

of a Huangzi and a man. He would not forgive anyone who did not respect him,

much less a young girl like Li Wei Yang!

Li Wei Yang scoffed: “Then wait and see. If

you want me, someone stone-willed and headstrong, to agree, then wait until the

river runs dry and rocks have eroded!”

Having said this, she walked away without

looking back.

“Li Wei Yang, just wait and see.” He muttered

as he looked after her retreating figure.

She could understand him so clearly, yet still

wanted to rise to Tuoba Yu’s position? Thinking back to that day, the image of

the two smiling, talking, his hands clenched.

As Li Wei Yang left the garden, Bai Zhi

worriedly began: “Xiaojie…”

Li Wei Yang shook her head, “I am alright.”

She solemnly ordered: “This matter is to be kept silent, you are not to speak

about it with anyone, otherwise, I will not spare you.”

Zhao Yue and Bai Zhi looked at one another and

quickly answered: “Nubi understands.”

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Translator: Chau

Editor: Jaslynn

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