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Chapter 146 of 223

The Princess Wei Yang Chapter 100 part2

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Chapter 100: Fearless and Invincible

After

a brief exchange of words, Li Weiyang and Li Min De returned to their

respective rooms. The next morning, even before the sky was lit, she was woken

up by Baizhi. “San Xiaojie, the new Furen is supposed to offer tea to Lao Furen

today.”

Li

Weiyang nodded. She washed up, got dressed, and after having a simple

breakfast, headed towards He Xiang Yuan.

Zhaoyue

gave a whispered report. “Xiaojie, in the middle of the night, Jiu Yiniang said

she felt uncomfortable and kept crying and whining. Her antics managed to lure

Laoye away.”

Li

Weiyang froze in her steps, seeming shocked into silence. She broke out into a

smile moments later. “How did the blushing bride react?”

“Well…

what happened was unprecedented. Everyone thought that the new Furen would be

angry, but who would have expected her to change out of her bridal gown and

bring gifts personally to visit Jiu Yiniang? She even summoned a physician for

her in the middle of the night… So afterwards, everyone said that Jiu Yiniang

was spoilt and proud, and that she had gone overboard. The new Furen however,

is magnanimous and kind enough to tolerate her!”

Li

Weiyang did not stop walking, but she began to form a sliver of hesitation

towards Jiang Yuelan. If it had been any other newlywed bride, she would have

cried and made a fuss, but she actually went to visit her rival personally;

this type of generosity was overwhelming.

From

the other side, Mozhu piped up quietly. “Who knows if she’s just acting?”

“Even

if it was an act, would you be able to do it if it was you in her place?” Li

Weiyang answered with a smile.

Mozhu

was tongue tied, and she could not bring herself to say yes. Everyone knew what

was the right thing to do, but did not have that kind of tolerance to perform

it. A legitimate Furen could lower her esteemed status to treat a concubine;

such an eye-opener. This Jiang Yuelan, if she was not truly compassionate, it

would mean that her cunning went deeper than anyone knew.

As

He Xiang Yuan drew nearer, it was obvious that many people had flocked there;

one could hear their laughter drifting from miles again. Li Weiyang’s steps

were steady and sure as she walked in lightly.

Jiang

Yuelan was dressed in an embroidered scarlet gown, her silky dark hair adorned

with a gold hair accessory and combed into an updo marking her as a married

woman. She looked more radiant and beautiful than she did yesterday night. Li

Xiaoran was next to her, wearing deep green robe and sitting up straight and

tall. He looked imposing and strong.

A

bright smile lit up Li Weiyang’s face, and after curtseying to her elders, she

stood to the side, joining Li Changxiao.

After

Jiang Yuelan offered the customary cup of tea to Lao Furen, she was gifted with

a generous red packet, and a rare smile from her usually stern face. “You’ve

entered the Li Residence and is part of our family now, so I hope that you will

take care of everyone here, as well as play your role in expanding it. If there

is anything you’re not used to, you can tell me. If there is anything you need,

you can also tell Luo Mama…” Her words were simple, but it held volumes.

Jiang

Yuelan made a sound of assent, but she seemed like she suddenly had a thought

and turned to look at Li Xiaoran, a faint blush staining her cheeks and looking

very shy. It seems like they had managed to complete their consummation, after

visiting Jiu Yiniang yesterday night. As such unfillal thoughts went through

her mind, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but feel slightly awed by this new Furen. It

was indeed Jiu Yiniang’s fault for not knowing her own place, even if she was a

favoured concubine. Jiang Yuelan maintained her docile and gentle smile

throughout, and even when she locked eyes with Li Weiyang, her gaze was calm,

with no trace of emotion except warmth and friendliness. It made Li Weiyang

feel as if she was too devious and sly; she was the perfect image of a gracious

and gentle stepmother!

Lao

Furen glanced at everyone present. “Changle, Weiyang, come over here and greet

your Muqin formally.”

The

three Xiaojies of the Li Residence, Li Changle, Li Weiyang and Li

Changxiao stepped out from the sides of the hall, with smiles on their faces.

“Greetings to Muqin.”

They

had already seen each other yesterday, but today morning was the formal

meeting.

Jiang

Yuelan’s warm smile was markedly different from the deceased Da Furen’s.

Although Da Furen appeared kind and magnanimous, she could not hide her pride

and superiority towards others. However, the new Furen felt approachable and

friendly.

Li

Weiyang thought back about Jiang Yuelan; she’d lost her mother at a young age,

so she had to be brought up by her stepmother, along with seven other sisters

born from different mothers. One would expect her life to be filled with

hardships, but according to Li Min De’s information, Jiang Yuelan’s growing

years were not only smooth sailing; she was held in high regard by her

stepmother, and doted on by her father.

There

were only two possibilities. One: this stepmother was magnanimous and treated

her stepchildren as if they were also her flesh and blood. However, it was a

slim chance, as it usually was an awkward role for the new wife to fill in. Her

children would be legitimate, but their position in the family would still be

slightly lower than the first wife’s; due to this reason, stepmothers would

generally be wary against them. In more prominent families, good marriages

would be prioritised for the first wife’s daughters as well. Making this move

would be a benefit for her family, but there was no consideration for her

personal happiness.

Two:

This Jiang Yuelan knew perfectly how to treat people, obtaining her

stepmother’s joy and trust, and hence ensuring that she would get the best deal

amongst her sisters.

Bystanders

who didn’t know better might feel that Jiang Yuelan was on the losing end for

marrying Li Xiaoran; a man nearing his forties, with a handful of children and

concubines under his roof. However, he was blessed with elegant looks, so he

seemed like he was in his thirties. He was also the Prime Minister; a position

which held power and respect. Given his mild temperament and normal behaviour,

plus the glory of being the Prime Minister’s wife, it was a far better deal

than marrying a lowly official. A lucrative match like this would not be

offered to Jiang Yuelan if she did not occupy a special position in her family.

As

Li Weiyang pondered, she heard Jiang Yuelan instruct a servant next to her.

“Take out the red packets and distribute them to the ladies.”

Smiling

as she received her gift, Li Weiyang stepped back, glancing at Qi Yiniang, who

was carrying her chubby baby brother. She lowered her gaze, not saying a word.

After

meeting the daughters, now would be the various Yiniangs’ turn to meet the new

Furen. Jiang Yuelan seemed to like children very much; her slender fingers

squeezed Li Min Zhi’s cheeks lightly. “This child is very adorable.”

Of

course he was cute, Li Weiyang thought, but this was not merely her own praise.

Li Min Zhi had Qi Yiniang’s large eyes, nose, and rosebud mouth, and he loved

to smile at everybody. His toothless grin made him seem tender and plump,

making him extremely lovable; no wonder Li Xiaoran and the usually strict Lao

Furen could not help but smile back at him.

Children

should usually be crying more often than not; Li Weiyang was troubled at how

her brother smiled too easily at everyone and anyone.

Little

Min Zhi did not know the frustration his sister felt; he continued grinning

cheekily from ear to ear. Jiang Yuelan could hardly bear to let go; she cuddled

him for almost an hour before handing Min Zhi back to Qi Yiniang, who could

only watch. With a cold and calculating gaze, Li Weiyang evaluated that silly

and naïve Min Zhi would most probably be easily bribed by others with just a

single sweet treat.

When

it came to Jiu Yiniang’s turn, Jiang Yuelan stretched out her arms, wanting to

carry little Chang Jing, but Jiu Yiniang purposely took a step backwards. She

awkwardly smiled as she realised that her move had captured everyone’s

attention. “Furen, this child is a cry-baby, I fear that she will disturb you.”

Li

Xiaoran and Lao Furen’s face darkened, both of them thinking similarly: This

Jiu Yiniang is too ignorant and unbecoming.

Jiang

Yuelan maintained her composure, smiling kindly. “It is no problem, she’s just

a child afterall!”

Perhaps

it was Jiang Yuelan’s red dress that startled the little girl; Chang Jing

started crying, tears and snot flowing freely down her plump cheeks. Jiu

Yiniang hastily tried to soothe her, but Li Xiaoran frowned. “Bring her away!”

Jiu Yiniang left hurriedly, clutching her baby.

Li

Weiyang watched her leave the hall, her expression folding into one of serious

thought. By rights, Jiu Yiniang shouldn’t be that scared of Jiang Yuelan, but

why did she look so haunted by fear just now? It was almost as if she was

scared that Jiang Yuelan would snatch her child away from her?! Why? An alarm

bell triggered Li Weiyang’s memory; she pinned her scrutiny towards Min Zhi,

with a strange emotion on her face.

Min

Zhi had no idea why his sister put on such a weird expression; he gurgled with

laughter, completely oblivious to the crisis that was looming on the horizon…

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Translator: Jaslynn

Editor: Pending

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Next: Chapter 101 Part 1

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