The Princess Wei Yang Chapter 95 part1

Chapter 95: No Mercy

Wu Xian Fei is technically not her real mother-in-law because Tuoba Zhen is her adopted son.

Imperial Palace, Imperial Garden

Beautiful flowers in full bloom lined the path and

left a faint, enchanting fragrance in the air.

Li Wei Yang passed through the fields of flowers and

saw a noble, honored consort sitting in the gazebo. A guarded smile appeared on

her face.

Wu Xian Fei came from a prestigious household and was

extraordinarily beautiful, but in the palace, what mattered most was neither

one’s beauty nor background but whether they had an heir or not. Typically, a

woman without an heir would struggle to survive in the palace, much less

survive for many years. In contrast, Wu Xian Fei stood very firmly and could

even adopt a son, raise him, and assist the Empress with matters in the inner

palace for a decade. Not everyone had this ability.

The first time she met her mother-in-law, albeit only

in name, her knees trembled.

After a lifetime, Li Wei Yang believed she would be confident and calm enough

to face “someone from her past.”

More than ten palace maids and eunuchs stood around

the gazebo, all bowing, their eyes downcast. They seemed to be holding their

breaths as not even a cough was heard. In the center of the gazebo was a

beautiful, older woman, sitting upright. Her sleek, black hair was piled up in

a trending style, shaped like clouds on the horizon. Her skin was smooth and

delicate, even more radiant under the sun like beautiful jade. While her eyes

were black, they were bright and lovely yet captivating. The red lips that had

curved up into a small smile seemed to have a touch of nectar. She was smiling

at Li Wei Yang. Her smile was warm and gentle, she seemed nothing like a

scheming individual.

Li Wei Yang was not surprised to see Wu Xian Fei’s

youthfulness and beauty. She knew precisely how much effort this consort

devoted to maintaining her beauty. Every day, she had the palace maids collect

morning dew and carefully filter it before using it for tea; pollen from a

hundred flowers was gathered to make the most valuable type of fragrant face

powder; the reddest and most lively flower petals and nectar were combined and

distilled for seven days, then sundried for another seven days, following

ancient techniques to remove the essence and make rouge. These priceless,

extravagant items were stored in gold boxes and jade pots and used as part of

her daily routine. By looking after her beauty in this manner, she could retain

her lively youthfulness and the Emperor’s favor for so long.

In this world, nothing lasts without reason, nor is

there anything that can be effortlessly obtained. This was the first lesson Wu

Xian Fei taught Li Wei Yang.

Back then, Li Wei Yang had only entered the palace and

did not know many people. She did not know how to help her husband while

gaining others’ favor and approval. It was Wu Xian Fei who sternly yet gently

taught her these things. Xian Fei seemed like a compassionate elder looking

after her, so Li Wei Yang considered her to be close family. Unfortunately, she

would later discover Wu Xian Fei had taught her so many things, not because she

was her daughter-in-law, but so she would be the ideal stepping stone for Tuoba

Zhen.

When she was met with misfortune, it was this gentle

and noble “mother-in-law” that stood up and accused her of being wicked and

selfish, and not virtuous nor talented enough to be Empress. It was then that

Li Wei Yang realized others had treated her well, not because they cared for

her, but because she was of some use to them. Once she was no longer useful,

there was no need for her to exist anymore.

Li Wei Yang smiled and approached her before

ceremonially greeting her.

As Li Wei Yang greeted her, Xian Fei was already

evaluating her. At first glance, she felt that her fair-skinned, lively

appearance, while it could not be considered beautiful, was charming

nonetheless. Under her scrutinizing stare, Li Wei Yang could stand up straight

and smile softly. If she was unaware of the latter’s schemes, she would have

mistaken her for a shy xiao guniang. Wu Xian Fei was not a fool though. Li Wei

Yang could quickly establish herself in the Li family and defeat her dimu and

Dajie, whose beauty could make empires and cities to fall. She was not an

ordinary person. These were just conflicts within the Li family, unrelated to

Wu Xian Fei, until it involved Tuoba Zhen, which infuriated her. Not that she

loved and cared for this son, this affected the endgame, so she could not idly

stand by.

“This child, you seem very lovely and likeable, quickly

stand up. Come here, come to me.” After Li Wei Yang had greeted her, Xian Fei

warmly waved her over.

Li Wei Yang walked over with a smile. Xian Fei gently

pulled her close while looking her up and down, then said to a nu guan beside

her: “This child is lively and seems good-natured, I have heard praises from

the Emperor and Empress Dowager, but have not met her yet. This occasion can be

considered a coincidence, even a fated encounter.”

Of course it was fate, a great overwhelming fate. Li

Wei Yang laughed and cleverly said: “Thank niang niang for the praise.”

Xian Fei nodded and complimented her. She began to

speak, carefully starting out with small talk as intimately as elders of the

house would, filling one’s heart with warmth. If Li Wei Yang was not aware of

her antics, she may have fallen for it, thinking Xian Fei was kind-hearted when

actually, the more Xian Fei smiled at someone, the sooner they would die. Her

warmth and kindness towards Li Wei Yang now was definitely not a good sign.

Xian Fei suddenly took note of Li Wei Yang’s clothes

and gently frowned: “Why are you wearing all white?”

Li Wei Yang simply said: “Mother passed away, Wei Yang

does not dare to wear bright colors, and since mourning clothes are not allowed

to be worn in the palace, Wei Yang can only choose light colors to wear.” She

did not violate the mourning rites for Da Furen’s funeral, nor the restrictions

in the palace, what else did Xian Fei want to say?

Xian Fei acted as if she did notice those intentions.

Her smile became even more gentle: “I heard what happened to your Muqin, I

remember there are several rolls of elegant and light silks in the storeroom,

absolutely beautiful. Bring them here for Li Xiaojie. Think of it as a small

token from me.”

A nu guan stepped forward and responded before quickly

heading off.

Li Wei Yang looked at her retreating back, slightly

frowning, then bowed and quietly said: “Thank niang niang, Wei Yang cannot

accept such a gift.”

Xian Fei waved it off: “No need to be so polite! Think

of it as a small, courtesy gift.” Then, she continued: “Unfortunately, you will

be of marriageable age in two years, but since your Muqin passed away, this

must be delayed for more than two years. By that time, you will be older and it

may be difficult to get engaged.”

Li Wei Yang pretended not to have understood their

hidden meanings and also expressed her regrets: “Wei Yang is not in a hurry,

but Dajie is of age.” When she said this, she suddenly thought of something and

hesitated, “But Dajie is different from Wei Yang. She has a heavenly beauty and

is also zhang nu. San Dianxia and Wu Dianxia also like her. Dajie said once the

mourning period ends, she will be engaged.”

Xian Fei’s face changed, a sharp gleam flashing across

her eyes.

The jade token sent as proof of engagement for Li

Chang Le was only to reassure the Li family and gain the Jiang family’s

support. She was not satisfied with Li Chang Le at all. If Li Chang Le was

still the renown, brilliant zhang nu of the Li family, letting Tuoba Zhen marry

her as Zheng fei would be wise, but Li Chang Le was foolish and went to offer

ill advice to the Emperor and displeased others wherever she went. Wu Huangzi

wanted to marry her but was angrily scolded by the Emperor. If she was to

arrange for Tuoba Zhen’s marriage with Li Chang Le, it would bring her endless

trouble.

No matter how troublesome it was, it was still much

better than Tuoba Zhen taking advantage of their family’s funeral to act

dishonorably with Da Xiaojie of the Li family. If Xian Fei sat on the sidelines

and allowed this to spread, its impact on Tuoba Zhen would be much greater than

on the Li family. Xian Fei had no choice but to send the jade token, perhaps

stall for time. Xian Fei felt even more frustrated now that Li Wei Yang brought

it up. She did not reveal it, but she was indeed very upset.

“Silly child, I am talking about you. Your Dajie

naturally has your Fuqin taking care of her. I just wanted to ask about you out

of concern and said some things, don’t mind them.” Xian Fei recollected herself

in an instant, her facial expressions back to normal.

“Xian Fei jiejie seems lively, what are you doing so

early in the morning?” A voice took Xian Fei by surprise. She turned back, her

smile widened: “So it is De Fei meimei.”

Zhang De Fei wore purple, gauze garments with floral

and wisps of smoke patterns. A red onyx hairpin rested on her head, making her

seem even more extravagant than Xian Fei, who seemed subtle and elegant in

comparison.

She walked into the gazebo with her attendants

gathered around her. Her eyes were calm like deep waters, undisturbed. The

green tassel hanging from the hairpin swayed with her soft footsteps, shining

brightly. Seeing Li Wei Yang, she smiled faintly: “I wonder why Xianzhu came to

the palace this early.”

Li Wei Yang bowed and greeted her but secretly shook

her head. That was already known throughout the palace the moment she arrived.

The Imperial palace was never the place where secrets could be kept. Whether it

was Xian Fei or De Fei, they already knew about this before they came.

What Xian Fei just said revealed that she was asking

about the Li family affairs, but what about De Fei? What was her motive? Li Wei

Yang already said she had nothing to do with Qi Huangzi. Did she think

otherwise? She could sympathize with a Muqin who wanted to protect her

children, but if De Fei became overbearing, she would certainly retaliate.

Then, Tuoba Yu would be involved and their original plans would be compromised.

It would be a messy ending, and besides, she did not want to destroy this pawn

yet.

“I felt Xianzhu was lively and sincere, so I kept her

behind to talk for a bit, and then meimei arrived.” Wu Xian Fei smiled softly.

Zhang De Fei also smiled. Li Wei Yang looked like an

innocent child, but it was only a facade. There was more to that girl than what

meets the eye. She was careless in the confrontation last time, letting this

xiao Yatou play with her. Someone with such thoughts at a young age was not an

ordinary person. Pity they were no longer on good terms, else she would be

useful. What she was attempting was very dangerous. At times, one misstep would

render every following step to be wrong.

A cruel light crossed De Fei’s eyes. For some reason,

when she saw this little girl and how she did not seem to be affected by the

punishment, De Fei had a strange feeling. Li Wei Yang always said she needed a

loyal husband and would not allow for concubines. The more Yu er insisted on

marrying her, the greater the need to get rid of her became. Otherwise, Yu er

will fall for her and forget greater responsibilities, it would be disastrous!

Off to the side, Wu Xian Fei idly looked on. Her gold

and jade, lotus charm bracelet glimmered like water under the sunlight. This

performance was intriguing indeed. She began to feel that Li Wei Yang was a

scheming Yatou, but De Fei was hardly an easy opponent either.

Zhang De Fei’s beautiful eyes fell on Li Wei Yang and

smiled, but her smile was brimming with hostility.

An eunuch came carrying a jade and gold box from the

other side of the garden. He greeted De Fei and Xian Fei before announcing:

“Bixia presents De Fei niang niang a gold, eight tailed phoenix hairpin, and

Xian Fei niang niang a jade and glass lamp.”

When the box was opened, there was indeed an

extravagant eight-tailed phoenix hairpin made of gold. Next to it was a green,

jade and glass lamp.

Zhang De Fei smiled and ordered the eunuch to come

over. A delicate hand picked up the gold hairpin and brought it up to carefully

inspect. She smiled: “At this age, Bixia still sees me as a xiao guniang. The

gold hairpin is truly beautiful, but these multicolored gems are perhaps more

suited for those Xianzhu’s age.” She idly pointed at Li Wei Yang’s head, as if

intending to give her the hairpin.

Li Wei Yang stepped back and respectfully said: “In

Bixia’s heart, niang niang will always be young and beautiful. With Wei Yang’s

humble background, Wei Yang does not dare to hope for much.”

Zhang De Fei smiled and placed the gold hairpin back

in the box and inadvertently asked: “Well, Lan er, escort Xianzhu out then.”

A beautiful nu guan stepped up and heeded her orders.

She faintly smiled and led Li Wei Yang outside.

This nu guan named Lan er had a simple but pleasant

appearance. Along the way, she gently said: “Xianzhu, watch your step.” Then

later, “Xianzhu, slow down a bit.” Occasionally, she would point out places and

things in the palace to Li Wei Yang: “This is De Fei niang niang’s favorite

Feng Wei chrysanthemum. That is the Empress’s favorite five petal peony…” Her

voice was soft and gentle, pleasant to the ear as if she were putting in

effort.

Li Wei Yang calmly looked at her. She did not think

she was mistaken, Zhang De Fei’s cold stare was murderous. She wanted to take

her life! Why let an opportunity pass by like that so easily?

“What is Xianzhu thinking about?” Lan er asked with a

smile.

Li Wei Yang looked over as if recalling something: “I

think the nu guan from the Empress Dowager’s palace must be wondering where I

am right now?”

Lan er’s smile briefly froze, then she continued as

usual: “Yesterday, our niang niang put together a Buddhist volume for the

Empress Dowager and wanted to personally bring it to her this morning. Niang

niang met Xian Fei niang niang in the garden, exchanged a few words, and

ordered that nu guan to deliver the Buddhist volume to the Empress Dowager, so

she will not have to wait.”

“Oh, so that was how it was.” Li Wei Yang seemed to

understand.

Lan er softly laughed: “Xianzhu, please come this

way.”

Li Wei Yang pretended not to know and continued ahead.

This was the way out of the palace. Of course, Li Wei Yang was not mistaken.

She had been in this Imperial Palace countless of times. Lan er did not use the

opportunity to lead her somewhere else. Then, Zhang De Fei arranged for Lan er

to lead her outside, but what for? If it was to kill her outside the palace,

then that was impossible.

At the palace gates, Lan er informed her: “The Li

carriage is waiting on the small road outside. Wish Xianzhu a safe trip.” She

reached out and led Li Wei Yang out by the arm. Li Wei Yang stiffened, then

cast Lan er a cautious look, her expressions calm yet warm: “Thank you.”

The palace gates were right in front of her, but she

had barely taken a step when a clamor rose behind her: “Seize her!”

She turned around. Numerous guards had gathered behind

her.

Li Wei Yang wryly smiled: “What is the meaning of

this?”

Lan er also seemed surprised: “This is Anping Xianzhu,

leaving the palace on the Empress Dowager’s orders. What are you trying to do?”

A commanding officer walked up and ordered: “Xianzhu,

do not leave the palace yet. De Fei niang niang is waiting!”

Li Wei Yang sneered, so it really doesn’t end here!

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Translator: Chau

Editor: Pending

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