The Princess Wei Yang Chapter 74 part2

Chapter 74: Freezing cold like knives

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Li Wei Yang noticed but acted like she was

moved and hurriedly replied: “Mother, Wei Yang made you worried.”

“Wei Yang ah, not only was I worried, Mother was

dying with fear, afraid that you would encounter danger!” Da furen’s mouth

showed a trace of coldness and the venom from her eyes gradually vanished. It

was fine if Li Wei Yang came back alive or without harm, it was inevitable to

escape death for staying out overnight!

Li Wei Yang was startled and she slightly

frowned. With her cleverness, she had already sensed the implied meaning from

her words. But she actually stayed naïve and said without any defense: “Mother

is so nice to me, Wei Yang thinking about me, feels sleepless at nights!”

She originally thought she would panic but

didn’t think she wouldn’t reveal a trace! Da furen bit her teeth and sneered:

“Servants said the guards that were with you all died, you were also captured

by someone, come let Mother see if you’ve been injured?”

Li Wei Yang gently smiled and said: “Mother,

Wei Yang was not injured, look.” After she finished speaking, she turned around

and smilingly said to Li Xiao Ran, “Father, Wei Yang is impious, for making you

worried too.”

Da furen thought she was pretending to stay

calm so she coldly continued to rub salt on her wounds: “Wei Yang, if you have

any grievances, don’t endure them by yourself, tell Mother, Mother will

definitely do something for you.”

Grievances? Li Wei Yang coldly smiled. She

stared at Da furen’s repulsive face and felt that there was nothing much to say

to this beastly woman. She spat out coldly: “Mother’s anxiousness is unfounded;

Wei Yang was not injured.”

Da furen peered into her eyes and wanted to continue

to attack but she realized her eyes were coldly staring at her. It felt like an

invisible chill as if a figure being worshipped in a temple of the wilderness,

making one terrified. At this moment, Li Wei Yang suddenly smiled, making Da

furen feel that her laughter was flowing towards her heart like icy water. She

involuntarily hit back and the momentum weakened.

“Wei Yang, are you really okay? Then, how did you

come back?” It couldn’t be that the kidnappers let you come back, Li Xiao Ran

couldn’t help but ask. He didn’t want to hear Da furen continuously say those

words, he must know the ins and outs of this matter so that he could make the

most appropriate arrangements!

Li Wei Yang understood Li Xiao Ran’s meaning

but she didn’t immediately respond. She only lightly smiled and suddenly acted

as if she thought of something: “Oh yes, Father, today, I have to trouble you

to prepare a gift on behalf of Wei Yang to greatly thank Seventh Prince and

Princess Yongning. If it weren’t for both of their Highnesses, Wei Yang

wouldn’t be able to return!”

Da furen’s expression changed and she quickly

said: “What did you say?”

Li Xiao Ran also suddenly stood up, his face

revealed astonishment.

Li Wei Yang raised her brows and innocently

said: “How does Father not know? Ai-ya, look at me who only talked with Mother

after surviving from an attack, I actually forgot to talk about the important

matters. Yesterday, we didn’t know where this group of people came from that

came to snatch our carriage. The guards desperately protected Min De and me but

we were outnumbered. Seventh Prince coincidentally passed by and lend us a

hand, he was very heroic! After forcing the criminals to retreat, Seventh

Prince seeing that Min De was injured, he deliberately sent us back to Princess

Yongning’s residence to tend to his injury. The princess allowed us to stay

overnight and even sent a physician to Min De. I was fortunate to encounter my

lucky stars, if it weren’t for both of their help, Wei Yang wouldn’t be able to

return home safe and sound!”

Hearing this, Li Xiao Ran was suddenly

overjoyed: “Seventh Prince saved you?”

Li Wei Yang nodded.

“And Princess Yongning took you in?”

Li Wei Yang continued to nod.

“All of this is true?”

Li Wei Yang smiled: “Father, what is wrong, I

came home in Princess Yongning’s carriage!” Speaking this, she sweetly smiled

at Da furen: “Luckily I survived, if I was really captured by bandits, how

would Wei Yang dare to come back, I would have ended my life to keep my

innocence, Mother, I’ve came home safe and sound, why is it that you don’t look

too happy?”

“No, this is impossible! You must be lying, how

could it be that you disappear for a night yet nothing happened!” Da furen

said, losing her demeanor.

People often say, the greater the hope is, the

greater the disappointment will be. Da furen thought that she could take this

opportunity to get rid of Li Wei Yang completely yet she didn’t think she was

still able to return with any harm. She was too lucky that it was difficult for

people to accept!

Li Xiao Ran’s face suddenly changed color:

“What are you saying! Shut up!”

Da furen was stunned and her expression turned

white. She realized she had lost her demeanor.

Li Xiao Ran was anxious after he became furious but

now it had all turned to joy. Seventh Prince saved Li Wei Yang and she stayed

at the princess’ residence overnight, the impact of these two pieces of news

greatly exceeded the news of Li Wei Yang’s disappearance.

But he still had his doubts because everything

changed too quickly, making others not know what to do.

Li Wei Yang seemed to know what he was thinking and

smilingly said: “Yes, the princess said it was because of the banquet that I

encountered such frightful event so she gifted be this silver hairpin

specifically to console me.” Saying this, she pointed to the valuable hairpin.

This time, Li Xiao Ran gave a long sigh of relief.

This was real --- it was very astonishing! Afterwards, he glared at Da furen.

Da furen was surprised and the mysterious fog

had disappeared from her eyes, she forcefully smiled: “Wei Yang, you are really

--- fortunate.”

Li Xiao Ran also smiled and tranquilly said:

“Wei Yang, your Mother was just too happy.”

Da furen must be very disappointed that she wouldn’t

let go of any opportunities to send her to her death. Her heart was as venomous

as snakes, she was very vicious! However, Li Wei Yang smiled, wasn’t she also

like that?

“Yes, Wei Yang, Mother was too happy, forgive me.”

It was as if cotton were stuffed into Da furen’s throat, her words were

unnatural.

“Mother, you don’t have to be like this, this was

luck bestowed to me by the old Heavens, no one can stop this.” Although Li Wei

Yang was saying it modestly, her words still carried thorns.

Li Wei Yang’s eyes were as dark as the water in the

well as she looked at Da furen. It was like the ghost stream of the Death

Valley haunted by blue flames.

“Of course, this matter, I was fortunate to

live. If Seventh Prince didn’t pass by last night ---“ Li Wei Yang calmly said:

“I’m afraid I would have died in the wild and feasted upon by dogs.”

Hearing Li Wei Yang’s words, Li Xiao Ran felt that

this was the truth. To be honest, he originally felt that Li Wei Yang’s death

would affect the family’s reputation and felt that she was bad luck. But now,

she was simply very lucky. Pondering upon this, his facial expressions changed

and this was all noticed by Li Wei Yang.

Li Xiao Ran didn’t forget to ask: “Where is

Lao furen?”

“Father, rest assure, Wei Yang will report to

Lao furen immediately.”

Li Xiao Ran nodded his head as he watched Li Wei

Yang leave. Afterwards, he turned his body and glared at his wife. He couldn’t

believe that she was this intolerant and was being a vicious woman. She was

obviously the mother of the residence yet she always seeked ways to trouble the

children of his concubines. Li Xiao Ran didn’t demand her to treat his other

children as if her own but at least pretend to on the outside. Seeing her

express her resentment made him felt chills down his back. No matter how Li Wei

Yang was, she was still his very own flesh. Da furen actually wished that

something would happen to her and tried to use this opportunity to get rid of

her, this absolutely made one felt bitterly disappointed. He cudgeled his own

brains in the court so that he wouldn’t reveal his true intentions yet he would

have never thought that his virtuous wife was secretly wrecking his reputation

behind his back, it was utterly disappointing!

He coldly made a humph and without waiting for

Da furen to explain, he flapped his sleeves and directly left! Walking up to

the door, he suddenly stopped: “Don’t forget to prepare a gift!”

Da furen was stunned and her face was filled

with resentment yet she helplessly said: “Yes.”

Li Wei Yang first went over to Lao furen’s

residence to pay her respects and told her what had happened. After, she

returned to her own residence and Bai Zhi finally relaxed: “Xiao jie, luckily

you are clever, you first went to Seventh Prince’s residence and asked for his

help in arranging everything.”

“Da furen would certainly not let go of this

opportunity, so how could I let her get her way.” Now Li Wei Yang had confirmed

that helping Tuoba Yu out earlier was the right move. He was one who would

return favors to those who helped him and additionally, the results were

instantaneous. Before returning, she washed and dressed herself and even

thoroughly prepared so it was difficult to spot anything unusual.

“Da furen was basically trying to rob during a

fire ……”

“She was always this kind of person ……”

At this time, Mo Zhe suddenly reported: “Xiao

jie, Qi Yiniang came!”

Li Wei Yang was stunned.

“Mother ……”

“Wei Yang ……” Qi Yiniang rushed over, tightly

embraced Li Wei Yang and burst into tear.

Li Wei Yang couldn’t cry nor laugh as she

watched her weak mother. She didn’t know what to do for a moment. Bai Zhi who

was on the side busily rushed over to hold onto Qi Yiniang and carefully said:

“Yiniang, don’t worry, didn’t Xiao jie returned safe and sound?”

Qi Yiniang’s eyes were swollen, revealing how

worried she was. Once she heard of this, she immediately rushed over.

Li Wei Yang gently explained to her of what happened

and the version she told her was similar to the version she told Li Xiao Ran

since she didn’t want her very own mother to worry.

“So that’s what happened……” Hearing that it was

because she stayed overnight at the princess’ residence, Qi Yiniang let out a

sigh of relief.

She originally thought Li Wei Yang was

suffering from grievances……

“Originally, Xiao jie was determined to return ……”

Bai Zhi smilingly said.

“But it was difficult to turn down such generosity

from the princess……” Mo Zhu added.

Li Wei Yang only laughed: “It’s actually

nothing much, it’s just that the princess felt that it was because of attending

her banquet that I encountered a traumatizing experience, she felt bad……”

“I originally wanted to send someone home to

report this but it was already getting late. Instead, I was afraid it would

startle Lao furen and others ……” Li Wei Yang said as she watched the sadness

that still remained on Qi Yiniang’s face and felt a bit guilty, “It’s my fault,

I’ve made mother worried.”

Qi Yiniang had tears in her eyes, she nodded

and smiled. She let out a sigh after expressing joy. Watching the streaks of

blood in Li Wei Yang’s eyes, she felt uneasy: “It’s because Mother is useless,

I’m unable to protect you.”

A hint of warmth flow through Li Wei Yang’s heart.

Frankly speaking, she always had this alienated

feeling towards Qi Yiniang. Even though she was her birth mother, she passed

away early in her previous life. She was also not raised by her side so their

affections weren’t deep. In this lifetime, she actually didn’t know how

interact with her so she didn’t know what to do. But today, seeing that she

sincerely cried for her, Li Wei Yang felt ashamed of her alienation towards

her.

Her expression was warm like jade yet it was bright

like stars.

“Mother, I’ve told you this, I will protect

you from now on.”

Qi Yiniang watched her daughter, her emotions

were intensified: “Wei Yang, don’t go against Da furen, she will harm you.”

Tan shi was a weak woman, she wished for nothing

more now but for her daughter to stay safe and marry into a good family. Da

furen was ruthless and she didn’t want anything to happen to Wei Yang.

“Mother, as long as one lives, one will encounter

countless twists and turns. No one knows what would happen the next day. I’ve

chosen this path, no matter what hardships I encounter, or even danger, I would

never step back. Since I’ve already prepared thoroughly, you don’t have to

worry. Moreover, even if I want to retreat, others won’t allow me to retreat!

To live openly and heartily, there is nothing to be afraid of…...” She wasn’t

afraid of living nor dying but Da furen was different, which was why she would

definitely be the winner.

Qi Yiniang was absent-minded and suddenly thought

that Wei Yang’s stubbornness and determination exceeded what she thought of

her.

“Wei Yang……” She had decided, “Mother would

definitely support you.”

To hear such words coming from the weak Qi Yiniang……

Li Wei Yang couldn’t help but smile and felt delighted, this feeling of having

family by the side was wonderful.

The news of Li Wei Yang encountering an attack and

was saved by Seventh Prince was spread throughout the capital, making the

aristocratic ladies jealous. Everyone was saying Anping Xianzhu was very lucky;

a carriage being attacked was very rare, she was even saved by the Emperor’s

beloved prince. Of course, there were other rumors, even to the point where

people felt suspicious about the unexplained appearance of the bandits. Even

more, all of the bandits died so they thought Li Wei Yang deliberately plotted

this to get closer to Seventh Princess. These rumors spread everywhere yet the

Li family wasn’t too concerned about them because after all, compared to a

woman losing her chastity, this was simple matter. No matter how violent the

storm was, the involved parties, Tuoba Yu and Li Wei Yang didn’t respond. The

two didn’t even interact since that day, this matter was popular for a while

before it became old news.

After hearing about this, Li Chang Le originally

thought Li Wei Yang was doomed yet she never imagined that she was able to turn

calamities into blessings. She was very furious yet was helpless and couldn’t

help but feel unhappy.

Tan Xiang noticed her pale complexion and

urged her: “Xiao jie, since all the flowers in the garden have bloomed, why

don’t we go out and take a look?”

Li Chang Le coldly looked at her, making Tan Xiang frightened:

“Your maidservant is ---“ She had good intentions.

Li Chang Le saw lights of the spring season.

Recently, her headaches became more and more painful especially when Li Wei

Yang was strolling past her, making her even more infuriated, “Whatever, let’s

go.”

Li Chang Le bought Tan Xiang and others to the

garden and saw a beauty sitting at the distant octagonal pavilion. She couldn’t

help but frowned: “Who is that?”

Tan Xiang took a look and carefully replied:

“That is Lao Ye’s newly married Jiu Yiniang.”

Jiu Yiniang? This was Yun Ji, the woman Father

bought back without telling Mother beforehand? Li Chang Le watched from afar

and frowned. Yun Ji was a Changzhou native and she heard she was in Chinese

opera. Father actually bought back such a lowly woman, was he insane?

Li Chang Le bought Tan Xiang as she unnoticeably

walked towards Yun Ji. The maidservants on the side wanted to alert their

master but was frightened by Li Chang Le’s cold expression.

Yun Ji lifted her head and realized Da Xiaojie had

came, she quickly stood up.

Li Chang Le lightly smiled, squinted her eyes,

and smilingly looked at the thing in her hand.

In Yun Ji’s snow white hand was a small brocade

pouch. On it, a pair of twin lotus flowers were embroidered and on the side was

also small jades. Although workmanship was exquisite but from one glimpse, the

materials were cheap and it was also old.

“This small pouch is very beautiful.” Li Chang Le

lightly smiled yet she didn’t show change of emotion since she started becoming

suspicious.

Yun Ji was actually very alarmed since she

simply wanted to enjoy the scenery. Who would have known that the scenery

evoked old memories that she unconsciously took out a small pouch that she

always had with her. She thought her own maidservant would alert her but no one

told her about Da Xiao jie’s arrival! She didn’t know what Li Chang Le had seen

but ----- a small pouch didn’t mean anything! She tried her best to smile and

feigned calmness: “Yes, this is sewed by my mother, I’ve always had it with me

like a protective talisman.”

Li Chang Le was a very sensitive person, she

still felt that it was a token of love gifted by a man ----- this hypothesis

suddenly made her feel excited. She then inhibited this excitement and lightly

smiled: “You’ve already married into our family, we are family now, there is no

need to be restrained.”

Yun Ji, seeing that she wasn’t going to further

question her, quickly hid her small pouch from sight.

Li Chang Le deliberately pretended to not

notice and actually harmoniously smiled: “Jiu Yiniang, the distance from

Changzhou to here is very far, do you think of home?”

At the very young age of ten, Yun Ji had left home

and traveled around with the drama troupe. Her impression of her parents was

blurred so it was difficult for her to miss her home. As an actor, she had

always been looked down on by others. Then, she was sent to Minister Lou’s

banquet to perform and Li Xiao Ran took a fancy to her and bought her back. But

after coming to the Li residence, not one person thought highly of her; everyone

called her a lowly actor behind her back. But this Da Xiaojie was different,

she actually smiled sincerely at her. So for a second, she was amazed and didn’t

know how to respond to her.

Li Chang Le switched the topic: “But you are very

beautiful, Father would love you dearly, you will never have to sell your

performance and live scantily.”

Hearing those words, Yun Ji only

bitterly smiled, which meant she didn’t really accept her supposedly good

intentions.

Li Chang Le lightly smiled and then they continued

to converse about other topics, diverting Yun Ji’s attention.

After half an hour of conversation, Yun Ji began having

a good impression of this Da Xiaojie. When she was departing, she even set up a

time to talk with her again next time.

Watching all this, Tan Xiang felt the situation was

weird. Da Xiaojie seemed to be an amiable and easily approachable person but in

actuality, she was an arrogant person. Jiu Yiniang was of a lowly background,

Da Xiaojie actually happily chatted with her? This was really weird!

Watching Yun Ji’s silhouette disappear from

the garden, Li Chang Le lightly smiled, stood up and said: “Let’s go.”

Tan Xiang, seeing Li Chang Le smiling, couldn’t help

but lowered her head.

Li Chang Le entered Da furen’s residence and spoke

with her for half an hour. When she came out, her face was full of smiles. As

Tan Xiang watched, she felt more terrified. Each time Da Xiaojie showed this

smile, it always meant someone was out of luck. It was just that --- who would

it be? If it was just Jiu Yiniang, it was not enough to make Da Xiaojie this

happy……

Half a month later, Da furen sent someone to

summon Li Xiao Ran over. Li Xiao Ran just returned to the residence and said he

had something urgent to do in the book room. Da furen had been waiting until

the night settled and she still hadn’t seen him yet. Da furen ordered someone

to summon again. After waiting for him for a while longer, she finally saw him

enter through the door. She personally walked forth to help him take off his

jacket. She watched his expression and smilingly said: “In two days, it will be

Jiu Yiniang’s birthday, I was thinking we should liven up things for her.”

Li Xiao Ran looked up and coldly glimpsed into Da

furen’s eyes.

Da furen felt anxious inside yet her face still had

on a delightful smile.

Li Xiao Ran couldn’t spot anything odd,

rejected Da furen’s hand, and calmly answered: “I understand, I have other

business, you should rest early.”

“Lao Ye, I’ve prepared sweets, you should try some.”

Da furen eagerly said.

Li Xiao Ran shook his head: “No.” After he was done

speaking, he turned to leave and went to Jiu Yiniang’s residence.

Lin Mama felt uneasy as she looked at Da furen. Da

furen coldly laughed and revealed a sharp smile. The goods on the table had

been left untouched for a while, now the sweetness had mixed with the air and

become cold.

On the other side, Bai Zhi whispered to Li Wei Yang

about everything that happened in the Li family in the past few days. Following

her Xiaojie’s orders, she reported matters big and small, including Da Xiaojie

and Jiu Yiniang’s friendly conversation and news that Da furen will be preparing

for Jiu Yiniang’s birthday celebration.

After Bai Zhi was done reporting, she

continued: “Xiao jie, with what’s happening, it seemed like Da furen is

starting to draw Jiu Yiniang over to her side.”

Li Wei Yang gently smiled and shook her head: “As

the family’s mother figure, if she can’t take control of her husband’s

concubines, then she would think of ways to get rid of them. Si Yiniang and Liu

Yiniang were already difficult to deal with, now that Father is favoring Jiu

Yiniang and doesn’t even care about giving her face, do you think Da furen

would let Jiu Yiniang continue to live?”

Bai Zhi was stunned and then said: “Xiaojie’s

meaning ---“

“Simply a Jiu Yiniang is certainly insufficient to

satisfy their appetite. If they were able to implicate a thorn in their flesh,

then it would be perfect.” The candlelight shown on the blossoming crabapples

on the wooden window, creating a shadow on Li Wei Yang’s face, making it seem

like a veil on her face.

Lin Mama solemnly walked past the corridor as

sunlight shone on the courtyard’s walls, making them gleamed. She couldn’t help

but frowned. The maidservants on the side watch her hurried past with a few

strong Mama following behind her.

“Where did Lin Mama go? Why was she in a hurry to

leave?” The young maidservants whispered to one another.

“Don’t you know, Jiu Yiniang is celebrating

her birthday, Da furen wants to personally plan her celebration! All the

antique plates, fabric and silk ….. everything are bought out, Furen treats Jiu

Yiniang very good!”

“Yes, Si Yiniang’s face turned green, Liu

Yiniang also left her doors closed and didn’t step out! Jiu Yiniang’s treatment

had never before been seen in the Li family.”

“Who told Lao ye to favor Jiu Yiniang! You all

didn’t see but she is dearly favored, she rested in her residence for almost

half a month. After Jiu Yiniang married into the family, she is like half a

master and hasn’t touched her Chinese opera clothing. But because Lao Ye favors

her, he made a new set of opera clothing for her and she sang for Lao Ye behind

closed doors!”

“What! You didn’t know!” Another young

maidservant quietly said, “I heard from Zhou Mama from next door that Jiu

Yiniang wasn’t someone ordinary. She is young and beautiful and even know how

to pleasure men, how would you all understand!”

As Li Wei Yang walked past the garden, all the young

maidservants shut their mouths and stood there gazing at one another.

Li Wei Yang lightly smiled and said: “Disperse

this, be careful of Lin Mama hearing this and punishing you all.”

The young maidservants became joyful and quickly

dispersed. San Xiaojie was a good person, she usually wouldn’t berate the

maidservants, unlike Wu Xiaojie, who would snitch behind their backs.

Li Wei Yang watched as Lin Mama’s silhouette disappeared

from the corridor. She couldn’t help but frowned, she didn’t know this time what

Da furen was planning for organizing a large-scale celebration for Jiu Yiniang.

Perhaps,

she was thinking too much ……

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Translator: Erica

Editor: Panisa

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