Chapter 126: A Frenzied Massacre
Please welcome joeyburbz! This chapter was translated by joey :)
(2) 一马平川 - The idiom used originally meant “flat land one could gallop straight across”.
At this moment, a young and pretty yatou steadily walked in front of Li Wei Yang and saluted, then smiled and said: "Xianzhu, the Crown Princess would like to invite you for a chat."
Crown Princess? Li Wei Yang froze for a moment, then the corners of her lips quirked up. She had originally prepared to say a few words to Li Min De, but before she could speak, he had already walked away.
Eh ... what’s this? Li Wei Yang, who was cast aside for the first time, felt a bit dazed.
"Xianzhu?" The yatou looked at her questioningly.
Li Wei Yang recovered herself: "Where is the Crown Princess?"
The yatou pointed to a pavilion not far away. Sure enough, she saw the Crown Princess sitting there with a few other ladies. Li Wei Yang looked at the arrangement and suddenly felt her scalp go numb. It wasn’t that she was doubtful of the Crown Princess. It was just that the Crown Princess and the Jiang family’s daughter were as incompatible as fire and water. Li Wei Yang knew that the Crown Princess would be amiable towards her, but being too friendly was not necessarily a good thing... for a moment, her heart hesitated slightly. Nevertheless, her steps did not slow their pace.
The air was awfully stifling. Although the clothes on her body were made from thin muslin, Li Wei Yang had only walked outside briefly, yet her entire body was dripping with sweat. There were ice cubes placed at the four corners of the pavilion and several yatou were waving fans, so it contrarily didn't seem hot out. The Crown Princess was sitting on a chair cushioned by a split woven bamboo mat, and the crowd had dispersed to admire the scenery elsewhere. She seemed to have lost her enthusiasm for other’s attention at present and was somewhat listless. At this time, she was perfunctorily speaking to her mother Min Guo Furen and her younger sister He Lian. He Lian was wearing a water-blue skirt with lotuses around the edges, as her name suggested, sitting there similar to a solitary lotus flower. Compared to her elder sister, she was really much prettier. She noticed Li Wei Yang first and smiled: "Elder sister, Xianzhu is here."
The Crown Princess recovered some of her spirits and straightened up: "Wei Yang, come here!"
Li Wei Yang calmly approached with a smile on her face: "I humbly greet the Crown Princess."
"You, what are you standing on ceremony with me for? Come over and sit!" The Crown Princess
huffed and beckoned her over intimately.
Li Wei Yang smiled faintly and saluted He Furen. They were both second rank, but the other party was her senior. He Furen looked at the Crown Princess in astonishment, clearly not too used to Li Wei Yang’s refined and courteous etiquette. According to the rumors, this young lady was extremely domineering and difficult to deal with, but He Furen heard the Crown Princess mention that Li Wei Yang had always acted out of self-preservation, and also felt that sort of difficult girl couldn’t exist in the world, and that the rumors were only half true. She then smiled and nodded. He Lian had to stand up immediately because she had no ranking, and she could not sit and receive Li Wei Yang’s courtesy. Smiling, He Lian bowed to her twice, looking slim and charming. After the ceremony, He Lian raised her eyes slightly to look at Li Wei Yang before lowering her gaze.
In a split second, it seemed that the entire pavilion had lost its color, and even Li Wei Yang as a woman, couldn't help but brighten her eyes and look at her a few more times. Although He Lian's features could not be called remarkably beautiful, but this delicate temperament... Li Wei Yang remembered that when the princess looked at her sister just now, she had a look of bitter envy.
Duke Min would presumably marry off his second daughter to the Crown Prince, and as this He Lian was concubine-born, becoming a side concubine was sufficient.
Li Wei Yang walked over and sat down next to the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess involuntarily smiled as she regarded her intimately: "We allow you to come to the Crown Prince residence to visit often, but you refuse."
Li Wei Yang said with a smile: "It’s true that Crown Princess means well, but I’m afraid that you would be the only one in the residence who would welcome me!"
The Crown Princess heard this and sneered: "You don't need to worry about her. Taking it to heart would just add unnecessary concerns!"
Duke Min Furen coughed lightly, and then the Crown Princess remembered why she had called Li Wei Yang over. She smiled and said: "Wei Yang, the period for mourning a death in your family was completed last month. The matter of your marriage was dragged on, but it cannot be avoided this year."
The Crown Princess wanted to use a good marriage to narrow the distance between them, and instead of talking to Li Lao Furen, came to her, which showed that the other party understood very well about this marriage—the Li family was not in a position to decide. Li Wei Yang sighed and deliberately made a fussy expression: "Crown Princess, as a girl it is reasonable that I shouldn’t say this, but among those people my father found, I didn’t see a single one to my satisfaction. The sons of rich families are slightly better, yet in the residence there are concubines and tongfang yatou (1), a foul atmosphere everywhere. I’m not willing!"
The Crown Princess was taken aback, but she glanced at He Furen, and evidently He Furen was also greatly surprised.
The Crown Princess immediately thought that Li Wei Yang did not regard herself as an outsider, and couldn't help but feel pleased. She looked at her and rebuked: "How can such words be said lightly? Can it be that you want a husband who will not take in concubines or tongfang?"
Li Wei Yang smiled faintly, yes, weren’t you going to help me find one? Then find one like this, someone compatible with the Li family's background who also won’t take in concubines. This kind of household, I'm afraid you wouldn’t find it. However, from her mouth came: "Naturally, it ought to be like this."
He Furen smiled and said, "Truly a silly girl. Only wanting one wife, you go take a look. In this world, few can be found. I can tell you that because the late emperor favored Consort Chen in those days, exclusive monopoly is very taboo now. You can just joke with us in private, but by all means say these words outside!”
Li Wei Yang smiled and said: "Is Wei Yang a person who doesn’t understand the gravity of things?” Nevertheless, it was a very amiable tone.
The Crown Princess became all the more satisfied, and almost felt that Li Wei Yang and herself were on the same boat, and immediately said: "Don't think about changing the subject, there is a suitable match for you at present."
Li Wei Yang couldn't help being astonished: "A suitable match for me?"
The Crown Princess said: "My younger cousin He Ran."
Li Wei Yang thought for a while and said: "That's the one—"
The Crown Princess nodded and said, "Yes, my second aunt from my father’s side delivered a stillborn, and my second uncle's body was not good either. He passed away when He Ran was seven years old. He Ran was guarding a large family property but it was beyond his capabilities to manage and he had no one to depend on, so my father brought him over and he grew up with my brothers since childhood. Now that he is an adult, my father will return all the family assets to him. Now he’s a person who is sought after by all the rich young ladies in the capital!”
Li Wei Yang did not expect the Crown Princess to actually choose such a person. This He Ran was actually very well-known. Originally, the title of Duke Min would be inherited by the eldest son. The second son He Chao left the ducal residence and only relied on the ten thousand taels of silver he had been given for his livelihood. This He Chao did not have other abilities, but his ability to make money was extremely formidable. In just ten years, he had already become the wealthiest person in the capital. It is said that when his family was at its peak, one third of all shops in the capital belonged to him. However, his health was very bad, and the wife he married was also short-lived. The two passed away one after another, leaving behind only one son, He Ran. He Chao had quarreled with his elder brother and left home, so when He Chao died, seven-year-old He Ran was left to face the winds and rain alone.
What happened next was foreseeable. He Chao’s money-making skills were fearsome, but because of the large amount of wealth, it also attracted countless jealous eyes. So, when he passed away, those people ruthlessly came to deal with He Ran like wolves and tigers. When Duke Min learned of the incident, he disregarded the previous enmity and took He Ran back into the He family home, and moreover took stock of He Chao’s properties one by one, and asking the He family clan members to bear witness, established a written contract to say that the entire sum would be returned in the future. The orphaned He Ran then grew up in the He family, and Duke Min taught him with great care. To wait up until he grew up, He Ran was not only exceptionally handsome, but he also had an amazing memory, was clever and resolute, handling affairs deftly, a rare all-rounder.
Seeing her expression, the Crown Princess thought it looked promising and hurriedly said: "I originally wanted to wed you to the Crown Prince's brothers, but if this were to happen, you could only become a side concubine. With your character, you are not able to compromise and become a concubine, and as for other prospects, those I like are already married. If you consider those around the same age, that only leaves him." In reality, there was no shortage of influential official’s sons, but those who dare to marry Li Wei Yang are few.
Li Wei Yang smiled. On this point, the Crown Princess was not wrong. He Ran had a lot of money, if one wanted moral character and looks, he had them. He is definitely an excellent choice. More importantly, he had no father and no mother. As soon as she married, she would become the matriarch and manage the household. For a girl with such a firm personality and formidable reputation as Li Wei Yang, marrying He Ran was the ideal choice. The Crown Princess didn’t just arbitrarily find somebody to foist onto her, but considered it carefully. This surprised Li Wei Yang a little. Not only had the other party expressed goodwill, but was currying favor with her. She couldn't help wondering if she had overdone it lately, making everyone fix their attention on her.
Seeing that Li Wei Yang was about to open her mouth, the Crown Princess hurriedly said: "You listen to me first. He has not taken an official post, and although his status is not high, he is a dependable child. His Majesty summoned him last time and really liked him. If in the future — it’s not that there aren’t chances to go one step further.” She reminded Li Wei Yang that if the Crown Prince ascended the throne, then He Ran’s future prospects were guaranteed. “What’s more, how other people see the marriage is not at all important. What is important is that you feel it's good. What use is a good-looking face, it’s substance that is the most important!" No mother-in-law, no complicated interpersonal relationships, what does this imply? Many prestigious aristocratic families have desperately wished to marry their daughters off to He Ran out of love for them.
Li Wei Yang said softly: "This ... I'm afraid I’m not in a position to decide."
The princess smiled, thinking she had been shaken: "As long as you nod, I will tell father emperor to bestow this marriage." The imperial household would not hinder He Ran. If Li Wei Yang married him, it was considered a good marriage and not too eye-catching. The emperor would not prevent it.
He Furen smiled and said: "And he is young and charming. If you wish to see him, I will call him over now."
In private, she actually had her own plans in mind.
On the one hand, He Ran grew up by her side. She regarded him as her half-son, this was also to find a good marriage for him. Li Wei Yang's reputation is not good, but after interacting with her, she realized that she was an intelligent and farsighted girl, and most importantly, she is very remarkable, and firmly protecting the family property would definitely not be a problem. On the other hand, He Ran was about to enter the imperial court, but apart from the gradually declining Duke Min's ducal residence, he had no one to rely on there. If he wanted to advance further, he had to first find a strong supporter, and leveraging a connection through marriage was the best way.
The Li family had produced several generations of senior ministers, and many in the family became officials. Li Wei Yang was also a second rank Xianzhu. For He Ran, he could undoubtedly raise his position, and for the Crown Princess, she could take advantage and use the husband to ensnare the Li family. Through this marriage, the Li family would be tightly bound to the Crown Prince's residence. Her daughter would also gain an abundance of face in front of the Crown Prince.
For Li Wei Yang, her strong reputation made it difficult for her to find an appropriate match. Rather than wronging herself and becoming a prince’s side concubine, or entangling herself in a ducal or marquis family, it would be better for her to marry He Ran, though it seemed to be marrying below one’s station, but He Ran had a wealthy family background, far more than the average person, and with the help of the Li family and Duke Min, He Ran's future was a smooth path going forward(2). This was a transaction where both parties did not suffer any losses. She believed that with Li Wei Yang's cleverness, she would not refuse.
However, Li Wei Yang was in the middle of considering how to decline this marriage offer, when she saw He Lian smile and say: "Speak of someone and they appear. It’s really too much of a coincidence."
A young man entered from outside the pavilion. He was at a svelte and elegant age, born handsome and confident, his countenance gentle and tranquil, wearing a plain-coloured robe, standing like a pine tree and the moon, and most importantly, at a glance one could see that he was a good-tempered person.
Li Wei Yang sighed, the Crown Princess really went to great lengths to find such a well-off, attractive and good-tempered man, and most crucially, he didn’t have a father or mother. Actually, a great deal of effort was expended. Even if she didn’t like him, she could not help but appreciate the kind gesture.
He Ran was taken aback when he saw this scene. Clearly, he didn’t realize that this was a marriage interview, but since he was already there, he had no choice but to go up to salute the Crown Princess. The Crown Princess turned to him and made the introduction: "This is Anping Xianzhu."
He Ran glanced at Li Wei Yang indifferently, then lowered his head politely, and smiled: "I have long heard of Anping Xianzhu’s noble character and rare temperament, and seeing it now it is indeed true."
The Crown Princess smiled and said, "Cousin, you are right this time ..." She was about to openly proclaim Li Wei Yang's good points, when Li Wei Yang stood up and smiled: "Mother is probably looking everywhere for me. Crown Princess, are you going back to the banquet now?"
The Crown Princess stared blankly at Li Wei Yang for a moment, and then looked at He Ran, who blushed and bowed his head. She was a little puzzled. Could it be that Li Wei Yang had not taken a fancy to her cousin? Impossible. Such a handsome young man, such an affluent background, not encumbered by anything, why not want?
She thought that it was because she had not hinted enough. If Li Wei Yang did not want He Ran to take a concubine, they could all agree on it — what other family would agree to such a condition, it’s very likely that they wouldn’t even dare to think about it! No, could it be that Li Wei Yang was shy? The Crown Princess closely examined Li Wei Yang's expression, but she didn't see any shyness. Contrarily, her own younger cousin was so embarrassed that he could hardly lift his head and his face resembled a ripe tomato.
Li Wei Yang said a few things and found an excuse to leave in a hurry.
The Crown Princess’ face showed deep regret as she repeatedly urged her to stay, but it only made her leave faster.
Li Wei Yang finally extricated herself with great difficulty and let out a sigh, but as she walked past a rockery, she suddenly heard a voice ring out from a short distance: "Anping Xianzhu, what are you doing?"
Li Wei Yang frowned slightly and turned her head. The people around him had already knelt: "His Royal Highness Crown Prince, ten thousand well wishes." The Crown Prince was wearing a bright yellow coiled dragon casual dress with silver thread lining the sleeves, and he stood tall and upright. His appearance is not very outstanding among his handsome brothers, but he had done well for himself for more than 20 years, and possessed a noble air worthy of the throne’s successor. Li Wei Yang watched as the prince approached wearing a smile, but in her mind was recalling His Royal Highness’ history of bad luck.
Speaking of which, the Crown Prince had reincarnated well, especially compared to Tuoba Zhen who was born from lowly origins. The Crown Prince’s starting point was not better than others by only a bit. His mother was the Empress, and his maternal grandfather was the Emperor's great minister. He was a crown prince all his life, plus he was hardworking and studious, and his appearance was not bad. He was able to make many young women go crazy by stepping outside. However, what was most tragic was that the Emperor was excessively paranoid and his power too formidable, so he always suspected that his son was coveting the throne. This was not the worst of it. The Emperor would produce outstanding sons, and helped create many enemies for the prince. The Third Prince and the Seventh Prince each had their own strengths and thriving ambitions. Compared with these individuals, the Crown Prince, who would be considered a smart and capable man in an ordinary rich family, immediately seemed mediocre, incompetent and unfavored by the Emperor. Originally, it was because he had been the crown prince for many years that he became more and more anxious, and was incited by Tuoba Zhen to do many irreparable and confusing things before he finally lost the throne tragically.
He strolled over with a smile, his eyes landing on Li Wei Yang.
"Xianzhu, why not go to enjoy the flowers?"
Li Wei Yang lowered her head and said, "I just came out of the pavilion and disturbed the Crown Prince's peace. I ask Your Highness for forgiveness."
"We’re all family here. Why be so polite?!" The prince smiled from ear to ear.
Li Wei Yang was stunned for a moment, clearly not understanding where this so-called family came from.
The prince smiled and said, "Your cousin is my side concubine, so you are considered my sister-in-law, isn't that right?"
Oh, so he was referring to Jiang Lan. The expression on Li Wei Yang's face was like a smile yet not a smile.
The prince came nearer, and the two were close, Li Wei Yang took a step back. The prince couldn't help laughing: "What, are you afraid of me?"
Li Wei Yang said lightly: "This subject dare not overstep." Zhao Yue wrinkled her brows on the side. If it were not for the noble status of the person in front of her, she would have cut him down with her sword early on.
"On the surface ... actually complies with etiquette." The prince chuckled. "Why so aggressive that day at Jiang manor?"
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Translator: joeyburbz
Editor: Erica
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