Princess Wei Yang - C13
1- The Deposed Empress
2- The Unwanted Daughter
3- Slave no more
4- First revenge
5- The Pigs Have Escaped!
6- Seventh Prince, Tuo Ba Yu
7- Returning to the Li’s Estate
8- Benevolent Mother, Filial Daughter
9- Surrendered by Xiaojies
10- Li Zhang Le
11- Prime Minister, Li Xiao Ran
12- Tea Brewing Skills
13- Tit for Tat
14- Battle of Wits
15- Da Furen
Chapter 13
Tit for Tat
Wei Yang was confident that once Lao Furen tasted her tea, she wouldn't want to drink tea brewed by anyone else. Knowing that Tuo Ba Zhen was a tea lover, she sought out reputable tea sommeliers and studied under them to enhance her skills. After eight years of practice, she felt her tea-brewing abilities were superb and unmatched by anyone else.
Wei Yang was not worried about Da Furen investigating her skills. All the xiaojies of the Li family in Ping Cheng knew how to brew tea, and having spent considerable time there, it was only natural that her own skills had improved.
Lao Furen was clearly pleased with the tea. Her smile widened as she looked at Wei Yang. “Your tea brewing is different from anyone else’s. Where did you learn such skills?” she asked.
In her previous life, as the concubine's daughter, Wei Yang had always been cautious about her manners and speech. She would typically sit quietly in a corner and avoid casual conversations with Lao Furen. However, she was different now.
“Lao Furen, when I was in Ping Cheng, I had the privilege of being taught by Dong jia’s San Niang, who instructed the xiaojies in tea brewing. I learned a few techniques, but I’m afraid I’m still just an amateur.”
Da Furen's expression darkened, and even Zhang Le furrowed her brows. Wei Yang claimed to have only learned a few skills, yet she managed to brew such exceptional tea. If she had been fully dedicated from the start, then wouldn’t that suggest?
Dong Jia's San Niang was a celebrated tea sommelier, renowned throughout Da Li for her discerning palate and extensive knowledge of fine teas. Her reputation was built upon years of dedication, mastering the art of tea pairing and cultivation. However, her mobility issues, which had gradually worsened over the years, kept her confined to her home in the quaint town of Ping Cheng.
Zhang Le had previously invited Dong Jia San Niang, hoping her presence would enhance the prestige of his family’s gatherings. However, to his disappointment, she politely declined, citing health issues. When she learned that Wei Yang had the opportunity to master the art of tea brewing while she had been refused, it felt like a personal affront to Zhang Le's pride. In her eyes, this was not merely a missed opportunity; it was a declaration of war, intertwining matters of reputation and honor with every steeped leaf.
Wei Yang observed the expressions on both Da Furen’s and Zhang Le’s faces but kept her own expression neutral. She then asked, “Lao Furen, may I borrow the cup of tea for a moment?”
Lao Furen nodded slightly.
Wei Yang stepped forward, picked up the cup of tea next to Lao Furen, and gently swirled it. She then placed it back down, and Lao Furen noticed that a peony flower had appeared inside the cup. Steam rose from the cup, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.
Wen shi, the second daughter-in-law, was curious and scooted closer to take a look as she sat on the side. When she gazed into the cup, she was taken by surprise. “I had no idea a flower could be created like that! Your skills are truly exceptional!”
Zhang Le’s expression changed suddenly as she stood up and walked over. Upon seeing the peony flower, she was rendered speechless.
Wei Yang humbly replied, “It’s just a simple trick, but at least it brings a smile to Lao Furen’s face. Dong jia’s San Niang was able to create mountains and rivers from the tea leaves. Now that’s the kind of talent that leaves others speechless with applause.”
A simple trick? Yet no one in the Capital could replicate it. Lao Furen was fixated on the cup of tea, and the peony flower slowly disappeared as she let out a small sigh.
Meanwhile, Wen shi narrowed her eyes and asked, “San xiaojie, what happened to your sleeves?”
When Wei Yang's arms were relaxed by her sides, it was not noticeable, but as she lifted them, the sleeves rose, revealing the mismatched, badly sewn inner sleeves underneath. Wei Yang had been waiting for this question and quickly dropped her arms, saying with embarrassment, “It’s nothing.”
“What do you mean it’s nothing? It’s obvious your inner sleeves are very tight!” Wen Shi’s daughter, Chang Ru, exclaimed in dismay as if she had stumbled upon a dirty secret.
Upon hearing her words, Da Furen stared firmly at Wei Yang. Her gaze was sharp, like the edge of a sword ready to strike. She asked, “Wei Yang, what is this about?” Despite her effort to conceal her emotions, her tone was stony, and everyone present could sense it.
Chang Ru blinked excitedly and remarked, “Wei Yang’s clothes aren’t the right size for her! Aiya, how pitiful! She doesn’t even have something as simple as properly fitting clothes.”
Wei Yang lowered her eyes to the ground. She appeared nervous and uneasy, but inside, she was laughing. Her trick succeeded. Da Furen placed great importance on appearance and dignity, especially in front of Lao Furen and the other daughters-in-law. However, since Da Furen had deliberately neglected to provide her with suitable clothes and necessities, why should Wei Yang help preserve her dignity? Even if Da Furen grew resentful toward Wei Yang, her reputation would be at risk if it became known that she mistreated the concubine's daughters. The Prime Minister's reputation would also be on the line, and because of that, Lao Furen would undoubtedly get involved.
Wen shi laughed out loud and said, “Sister-in-Law, could it be that you still haven’t gotten a tailor for Wei Yang’s clothes? She’s already been back for a month.”
Lao Furen looked at Da Furen with disapproval. Even though Da Furen was a shameless person, her face turned red at that moment.
Zhang Le quickly defended, “Mother had said before that she would get Wei Yang four new sets of clothes. Why hasn’t it arrived yet? It must be those servants shirking their responsibilities!” Zhang Le darted her eyes toward Wei Yang. Although she was reprimanding Da Furen, there was also pity in her voice as she looked at Wei Yang, resembling someone gazing at a beloved younger sister, masking the iciness beneath. “San mei, you should have said something to me instead of wearing such attire in public. Wouldn’t that embarrass Mother as well?”
Wei Yang’s mouth curved into a small grin, showing no fear. “What Da Jie said is right, but our sizes are different; otherwise, I would have already bothered you.”
Despite being the concubine’s daughter, she was still the Prime Minister’s daughter. It was impossible for the Prime Minister’s daughter to wear hand-me-downs. Wei Yang knew for certain that Zhang Le had no intention of giving her any of her used clothing either. However, she had chosen her words carefully, intending to leave Zhang Le speechless.
As expected, Zhang Le was forced to swallow her words as anger boiled inside her. All the other girls had always listened to her and respected her, yet Wei Yang did not. Was she crazy?
Da Furen showed no signs of anger. Even if she were enraged, she would never display it on her face or voice it aloud, as that would undermine her elegant and benevolent image. But today, Wei Yang had slapped her in the face by appearing in public dressed improperly.
The room fell into dead silence, so quiet that one could hear the sound of their own heartbeat. Making an enemy of Da Furen was not a wise decision, but so what? Wei Yang had been obedient and submissive in the past, yet she still ended up as someone else’s pawn in a chess game. In that case, she chose to take the initiative to change her fate. At that moment, she was gambling on Lao Furen’s desire to protect the Li family’s reputation.
Zi Yan, who had followed Wei Yang, clenched her fists tightly under her sleeves and trembled. In contrast, Wei Yang maintained a gentle and innocent smile on her face, showing no flicker of fear or submission in her eyes.
Lao Furen looked at Da Furen and calmly stated, “You’ve been quite neglectful.”
Lao Furen typically did not involve herself in the estate’s internal affairs and had never reprimanded Da Furen. Nonetheless, with this one statement, she clearly took Wei Yang’s side in the matter. Anger surged through Da Furen as her face reddened, her breathing became labored, and she shot up from her chair, truly outraged—angry enough that she could no longer maintain her facade.
Despite being the matriarch of the family, her husband, the Prime Minister, placed great value on respect and family rules. For that reason, Da Furen must never be angered or disrespected. Moreover, her mother-in-law, Lao Furen, always watched her closely, ready to pick at her faults whenever possible. She had no choice but to tolerate the situation and maintain her image as the benevolent, sophisticated wife of the Prime Minister and mother to all the concubine’s daughters.
Wei Yang was just the concubine’s daughter. If Da Furen wanted to teach her a lesson, the first step was to calm down and avoid acting rashly. There would be many more opportunities in the future to put Wei Yang in her place.
So, despite her outrage, Da Furen turned to Lin Mumu with a serious look and shouted, “Kneel down!”
Lin Mumu froze in surprise. Everyone in the room was taken aback.
Wei Yang was not worried about Da Furen investigating her skills. All the xiaojies of the Li family in Ping Cheng knew how to brew tea, and having spent considerable time there, it was only natural that her own skills had improved.
Lao Furen was clearly pleased with the tea. Her smile widened as she looked at Wei Yang. “Your tea brewing is different from anyone else’s. Where did you learn such skills?” she asked.
In her previous life, as the concubine's daughter, Wei Yang had always been cautious about her manners and speech. She would typically sit quietly in a corner and avoid casual conversations with Lao Furen. However, she was different now.
“Lao Furen, when I was in Ping Cheng, I had the privilege of being taught by Dong jia’s San Niang, who instructed the xiaojies in tea brewing. I learned a few techniques, but I’m afraid I’m still just an amateur.”
Da Furen's expression darkened, and even Zhang Le furrowed her brows. Wei Yang claimed to have only learned a few skills, yet she managed to brew such exceptional tea. If she had been fully dedicated from the start, then wouldn’t that suggest?
Dong Jia's San Niang was a celebrated tea sommelier, renowned throughout Da Li for her discerning palate and extensive knowledge of fine teas. Her reputation was built upon years of dedication, mastering the art of tea pairing and cultivation. However, her mobility issues, which had gradually worsened over the years, kept her confined to her home in the quaint town of Ping Cheng.
Zhang Le had previously invited Dong Jia San Niang, hoping her presence would enhance the prestige of his family’s gatherings. However, to his disappointment, she politely declined, citing health issues. When she learned that Wei Yang had the opportunity to master the art of tea brewing while she had been refused, it felt like a personal affront to Zhang Le's pride. In her eyes, this was not merely a missed opportunity; it was a declaration of war, intertwining matters of reputation and honor with every steeped leaf.
Wei Yang observed the expressions on both Da Furen’s and Zhang Le’s faces but kept her own expression neutral. She then asked, “Lao Furen, may I borrow the cup of tea for a moment?”
Lao Furen nodded slightly.
Wei Yang stepped forward, picked up the cup of tea next to Lao Furen, and gently swirled it. She then placed it back down, and Lao Furen noticed that a peony flower had appeared inside the cup. Steam rose from the cup, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere.
Wen shi, the second daughter-in-law, was curious and scooted closer to take a look as she sat on the side. When she gazed into the cup, she was taken by surprise. “I had no idea a flower could be created like that! Your skills are truly exceptional!”
Zhang Le’s expression changed suddenly as she stood up and walked over. Upon seeing the peony flower, she was rendered speechless.
Wei Yang humbly replied, “It’s just a simple trick, but at least it brings a smile to Lao Furen’s face. Dong jia’s San Niang was able to create mountains and rivers from the tea leaves. Now that’s the kind of talent that leaves others speechless with applause.”
A simple trick? Yet no one in the Capital could replicate it. Lao Furen was fixated on the cup of tea, and the peony flower slowly disappeared as she let out a small sigh.
Meanwhile, Wen shi narrowed her eyes and asked, “San xiaojie, what happened to your sleeves?”
When Wei Yang's arms were relaxed by her sides, it was not noticeable, but as she lifted them, the sleeves rose, revealing the mismatched, badly sewn inner sleeves underneath. Wei Yang had been waiting for this question and quickly dropped her arms, saying with embarrassment, “It’s nothing.”
“What do you mean it’s nothing? It’s obvious your inner sleeves are very tight!” Wen Shi’s daughter, Chang Ru, exclaimed in dismay as if she had stumbled upon a dirty secret.
Upon hearing her words, Da Furen stared firmly at Wei Yang. Her gaze was sharp, like the edge of a sword ready to strike. She asked, “Wei Yang, what is this about?” Despite her effort to conceal her emotions, her tone was stony, and everyone present could sense it.
Chang Ru blinked excitedly and remarked, “Wei Yang’s clothes aren’t the right size for her! Aiya, how pitiful! She doesn’t even have something as simple as properly fitting clothes.”
Wei Yang lowered her eyes to the ground. She appeared nervous and uneasy, but inside, she was laughing. Her trick succeeded. Da Furen placed great importance on appearance and dignity, especially in front of Lao Furen and the other daughters-in-law. However, since Da Furen had deliberately neglected to provide her with suitable clothes and necessities, why should Wei Yang help preserve her dignity? Even if Da Furen grew resentful toward Wei Yang, her reputation would be at risk if it became known that she mistreated the concubine's daughters. The Prime Minister's reputation would also be on the line, and because of that, Lao Furen would undoubtedly get involved.
Wen shi laughed out loud and said, “Sister-in-Law, could it be that you still haven’t gotten a tailor for Wei Yang’s clothes? She’s already been back for a month.”
Lao Furen looked at Da Furen with disapproval. Even though Da Furen was a shameless person, her face turned red at that moment.
Zhang Le quickly defended, “Mother had said before that she would get Wei Yang four new sets of clothes. Why hasn’t it arrived yet? It must be those servants shirking their responsibilities!” Zhang Le darted her eyes toward Wei Yang. Although she was reprimanding Da Furen, there was also pity in her voice as she looked at Wei Yang, resembling someone gazing at a beloved younger sister, masking the iciness beneath. “San mei, you should have said something to me instead of wearing such attire in public. Wouldn’t that embarrass Mother as well?”
Wei Yang’s mouth curved into a small grin, showing no fear. “What Da Jie said is right, but our sizes are different; otherwise, I would have already bothered you.”
Despite being the concubine’s daughter, she was still the Prime Minister’s daughter. It was impossible for the Prime Minister’s daughter to wear hand-me-downs. Wei Yang knew for certain that Zhang Le had no intention of giving her any of her used clothing either. However, she had chosen her words carefully, intending to leave Zhang Le speechless.
As expected, Zhang Le was forced to swallow her words as anger boiled inside her. All the other girls had always listened to her and respected her, yet Wei Yang did not. Was she crazy?
Da Furen showed no signs of anger. Even if she were enraged, she would never display it on her face or voice it aloud, as that would undermine her elegant and benevolent image. But today, Wei Yang had slapped her in the face by appearing in public dressed improperly.
The room fell into dead silence, so quiet that one could hear the sound of their own heartbeat. Making an enemy of Da Furen was not a wise decision, but so what? Wei Yang had been obedient and submissive in the past, yet she still ended up as someone else’s pawn in a chess game. In that case, she chose to take the initiative to change her fate. At that moment, she was gambling on Lao Furen’s desire to protect the Li family’s reputation.
Zi Yan, who had followed Wei Yang, clenched her fists tightly under her sleeves and trembled. In contrast, Wei Yang maintained a gentle and innocent smile on her face, showing no flicker of fear or submission in her eyes.
Lao Furen looked at Da Furen and calmly stated, “You’ve been quite neglectful.”
Lao Furen typically did not involve herself in the estate’s internal affairs and had never reprimanded Da Furen. Nonetheless, with this one statement, she clearly took Wei Yang’s side in the matter. Anger surged through Da Furen as her face reddened, her breathing became labored, and she shot up from her chair, truly outraged—angry enough that she could no longer maintain her facade.
Despite being the matriarch of the family, her husband, the Prime Minister, placed great value on respect and family rules. For that reason, Da Furen must never be angered or disrespected. Moreover, her mother-in-law, Lao Furen, always watched her closely, ready to pick at her faults whenever possible. She had no choice but to tolerate the situation and maintain her image as the benevolent, sophisticated wife of the Prime Minister and mother to all the concubine’s daughters.
Wei Yang was just the concubine’s daughter. If Da Furen wanted to teach her a lesson, the first step was to calm down and avoid acting rashly. There would be many more opportunities in the future to put Wei Yang in her place.
So, despite her outrage, Da Furen turned to Lin Mumu with a serious look and shouted, “Kneel down!”
Lin Mumu froze in surprise. Everyone in the room was taken aback.
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