Princess Wei Yang - C2
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 2
The Unwanted Daughter
The candlelight flickered softly, casting delicate shadows on the walls. Li Wei Yang lay on the narrow bed, the rough fabric of the blanket barely keeping her warm. Suddenly, she stirred awake, her senses sharpened as she clearly heard the muted conversation unfolding just outside her door.
Mrs. Ma spoke in a cautious whisper, her voice laced with concern, "Mother, do you think we should find a doctor for Third Miss? After all, she was sent by the Li family. If she dies, what will we do?"
Mrs. Liu's expression turned icy, the corners of her lips curling disdainfully as she replied with a dismissive tone, "That girl thinks she’s a noble lady, but from what I've heard, she was born to a lowly maid whose only job was washing feet. Not only that, she was born during the Ghost Month—a time traditionally associated with misfortune. The Li family has a good reputation; they couldn’t simply kill her, so they sent her off to those distant relatives in Ping Cheng. Both Lao Tai Tai and Li Furen fell ill in quick succession after her arrival. Isn’t she considered a bad luck star for the family? No wonder they panicked and sent her to us here in this remote village! In my opinion, not only is she a source of misfortune, but she’s also a lazy pig. Each time she's given even a trivial task, she acts as if the weight of the world is upon her shoulders. That wretched girl!"
The bitterness in Mrs. Liu's words hung heavily in the dimly lit room, as if the mere mention of Li Wei Yang's name poisoned the very air around them. Each syllable dripped with disdain, curling like smoke in the cool silence.
Li Wei Yang, startled by their pointed conversation, felt a jolt of anxiety surge within her. She took a moment to scan her surroundings, her gaze landing on the sparse furnishings that characterized her bleak confinement. The room bore only the essentials: a worn square table with chipped edges, four sturdy wooden chairs, a modest wardrobe whose door hung slightly ajar, and the simple wooden bed where she had been lying, a stark reminder of her vulnerability. Yet, as her mind waded through a fog of confusion and weakness, the voices from outside remained sharp and vivid, cutting through the haze.
Mrs. Ma, her voice tinged with genuine concern, sighed heavily, "When she was at the Li estate, she was always surrounded by a bevy of attentive maids. She never had to lift a finger to take care of herself. But today, she was just careless—she slipped between the treacherous ice sheets in the courtyard, and now she’s bedridden with a fever. It’s not entirely her fault, you know... It’s hard to adapt when you've been pampered your whole life."
Mrs. Liu's response came swiftly, sharp and cold like a winter wind, her contempt evident. "Even for someone as lacking as a stillborn, there should be some measure of affection," she scoffed. "But this Third Miss is utterly useless! I assigned her just a small task — something as simple as folding a few blankets — and she treats it like a huge effort. The truth is glaring: who does she think she’s deceiving? If I don't prod her like a stubborn mule, she won't budge an inch. Others around her can manage at least two steps forward—children in the village can complete chores without complaint—but she struggles to take even one. Watching her feign illness is infuriating; she’s so pitiful that I might as well just leave her outside to freeze to death!” Her icy glare shot towards Mrs. Ma like a dagger, penetrating and unforgiving. “If you feel so sorry for that little wretch, then you can take it upon yourself to do her laundry!”
Mrs. Ma quickly replied, "Mother, you’re right. I won’t speak any more nonsense."
With a heavy breath, Mrs. Liu stood up and slammed the door behind her.
What’s happening? Am I not already dead? Why am I lying here? Li Wei Yang wanted to move, but her entire body felt drained, as though there were no bones left in her. She carefully reflected on everything. Just then, someone lifted the curtains and walked in. Soon, Li Wei Yang found herself sitting up in someone’s arms. This person had small, skinny shoulders, a soft chest, and a faint smell of locusts.
“Eat some congee. After sweating, the fever will get better.”
A warm breath of air hit Li Wei Yang's face. For a moment, she thought she saw a ghost as she stared intently at the woman before her. If she recalled correctly, this village woman, who appeared to be about 20 years old, was Mrs. Ma, the oldest daughter-in-law of the farmer family she had lived with before. But how could this be? She had clearly been given poison wine, yet here she was, staring at a familiar face from 23 years ago.
At 16, Li Wei Yang had married Tuo Ba Zhen, and eight years later, she became the Empress. However, she had been imprisoned in the Cold Palace for 12 long years. By the time of her death, she was only 36 years old. Yet, Mrs. Ma looked as she had 23 years ago, which was completely unbelievable! Instinctively, Li Wei Yang looked down at her hands. They were skinny, slender, and porcelain white—a pair of hands that belonged not to a 36-year-old woman, but to a young maiden. As this thought crossed her mind, a flicker of horror appeared in her eyes.
Mrs. Ma spoke with concern, "What is it? Do you still feel cold?" Her voice was warm and genuine. "We need to find a doctor, but my mother..." She sighed.
Li Wei Yang glanced at the bowl of congee in Mrs. Ma’s hands. She didn't know what kind of rice had been used to make the congee, but a strange smell emanated from it. For some reason, her eyes began to moisten. If this were a dream, she hoped never to wake up, because she sensed that she was still alive.
Li Wei Yang opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly, she saw another person lifting the curtains and quickly stepping inside.
Mrs. Ma, holding the bowl of congee, looked up and saw Mrs. Liu’s expression, causing her entire body to tremble.
"What are you doing?! Get up!"
Startled, Mrs. Ma hurriedly let go of Li Wei Yang. She stood up, intending to put the bowl down on the table, but in her anxiousness, she spilled some congee. It burned her hand, yet she endured the painful scalding and carefully set the bowl on the table.
Witnessing her daughter-in-law’s brazen act of secretly giving Li Wei Yang food—and clumsily spilling it—infuriated Mrs. Liu. She seized the bowl of congee from the table and threw it into Mrs. Ma’s face, shards of the bowl shattering on the ground. Pointing an accusing finger at her, Mrs. Liu shouted, “You bitch! I already told you not to give her food! Do my words go in one ear and out the other? If you don’t want to live in this house, then get out! Don’t stay here and embarrass me!”
Mrs. Ma was drenched in congee, her entire body red from the scalding heat. Tears filled her eyes, but she didn’t dare utter a single word. All she could do was hold tightly onto her peasant clothes as she gently wiped off the congee and cleaned up the mess on the floor.
Mrs. Liu hadn’t changed at all from Li Wei Yang’s memories. She treated others cruelly and without compassion. It didn’t matter whether it was herself or Mrs. Ma; Mrs. Liu treated them like slaves. Li Wei Yang stared intently at Mrs. Liu, wanting to speak up, but Mrs. Ma quickly winked at her, as if to warn her not to say anything, lest she provoke even harsher punishment.
Mrs. Ma was a kind daughter-in-law, yet no matter what she did, this cruel mother-in-law refused to acknowledge her efforts. Mrs. Liu would spend the entire day looking for faults. When she saw Mrs. Ma defend Li Wei Yang, she immediately interpreted it as an act of rebellion, deepening her resentment towards both of them.
Li Wei Yang clenched her teeth and continued to stare silently at Mrs. Liu. Instinctively, Mrs. Liu glanced at Li Wei Yang, noticing a frosty coldness in Wei Yang’s gaze that made her heart race. “Are you crazy to look at me like that?!” she shouted.
Li Wei Yang didn’t have time to wonder why she felt as if she had been transported back to her 13-year-old self. Instead, her attention was pulled to the jade pendant beneath her chest. This jade pendant was a precious gift from her biological mother when she was just a baby.
Her father had sent her to live with a distant relative of the Li family until she was seven. Initially, they provided her with maids and servants, but eventually, they realized that Prime Minister Li had no intention of bringing her back to the capital. Under someone's persuasion, she was sent to live with a farming family in the countryside, receiving just ten silver coins a month for her living expenses.
Six months ago, the living expenses had suddenly stopped. Mrs. Liu had visited their home three times to inquire, but the Li relatives were indifferent to her pleas. This situation only fueled Mrs. Liu's resentment; she treated Wei Yang like a maid, forcing her to do menial tasks and subjecting her to physical abuse that left bruises and scars all over her body.
Mrs. Liu looked at Li Wei Yang with a furrowed brow and yelled, “You little bitch, what are you standing there for?”
The jade pendant was the only souvenir her mother had left her, and she had risked her life to conceal it from Mrs. Liu. Li Wei Yang lifted her head to meet the older woman's gaze. A flicker of coldness appeared in her eyes, but was quickly replaced by a smile meant to appease. “Aunt Liu, you have more or less taken care of me. I had nothing to express my gratitude but this jade pendant, which I would like to give you as a token of appreciation.”
If Li Wei Yang remembered correctly, Mrs. Liu had discovered and stolen the Pisces jade pendant two weeks earlier. At that time, Li Wei Yang had tried to retrieve it but ended up facing even harsher abuse. Later, after becoming the Third Prince's wife, she sent people to search for the pendant. Unfortunately, the village had suffered an epidemic, resulting in the deaths of many villagers, including Mrs. Liu. As a result, the jade pendant could never be found.
Mrs. Liu couldn't believe that the jade pendant she had always desired, which she had secretly hidden away, was now being offered to her by Li Wei Yang herself. While this made her happier, she scoffed coldly and snatched the pendant from Wei Yang's hands. "This is not enough!" she exclaimed.
Mrs. Ma was taken aback, looking at Li Wei Yang as if she didn’t recognize the girl. From what she knew, Wei Yang had always kept the jade pendant carefully hidden, never allowing anyone else to take it. How could she suddenly give it to Mrs. Liu?
Mrs. Liu held the jade pendant tightly; her mood lifted. Sneering, she said, "Forget it. You can stay in bed today, but tomorrow you have to wake up and work!"
Li Wei Yang smiled gently and obediently replied, "Of course, Aunt Liu. Tomorrow, I will definitely work!"
Li Wei Yang's compliance caught Mrs. Liu off guard, and she was about to say something when a tall man entered the room. He glanced at the scene with apparent familiarity. With an angry expression, he looked scornfully at Mrs. Ma and laughed forcefully. "Mother, why are you so upset? Come on, I bought a block of silk today at the market that looks just like Li Furen when worn. Come with me and take a look!" he urged, dragging Mrs. Liu outside.
As Mrs. Liu was being pulled away, she turned to Mrs. Ma and warned, "If I catch you giving her food again, I will skin you alive!"
Once Mrs. Liu had disappeared, Mrs. Ma held her face and burst into tears.
Li Wei Yang observed Mrs. Ma and shook her head slightly. One shouldn’t be weak or a pushover. There were many ways to reclaim the jade pendant, and to deal with someone as unscrupulous as Mrs. Liu, one would need to employ even more cunning methods!
Mrs. Ma spoke in a cautious whisper, her voice laced with concern, "Mother, do you think we should find a doctor for Third Miss? After all, she was sent by the Li family. If she dies, what will we do?"
Mrs. Liu's expression turned icy, the corners of her lips curling disdainfully as she replied with a dismissive tone, "That girl thinks she’s a noble lady, but from what I've heard, she was born to a lowly maid whose only job was washing feet. Not only that, she was born during the Ghost Month—a time traditionally associated with misfortune. The Li family has a good reputation; they couldn’t simply kill her, so they sent her off to those distant relatives in Ping Cheng. Both Lao Tai Tai and Li Furen fell ill in quick succession after her arrival. Isn’t she considered a bad luck star for the family? No wonder they panicked and sent her to us here in this remote village! In my opinion, not only is she a source of misfortune, but she’s also a lazy pig. Each time she's given even a trivial task, she acts as if the weight of the world is upon her shoulders. That wretched girl!"
The bitterness in Mrs. Liu's words hung heavily in the dimly lit room, as if the mere mention of Li Wei Yang's name poisoned the very air around them. Each syllable dripped with disdain, curling like smoke in the cool silence.
Li Wei Yang, startled by their pointed conversation, felt a jolt of anxiety surge within her. She took a moment to scan her surroundings, her gaze landing on the sparse furnishings that characterized her bleak confinement. The room bore only the essentials: a worn square table with chipped edges, four sturdy wooden chairs, a modest wardrobe whose door hung slightly ajar, and the simple wooden bed where she had been lying, a stark reminder of her vulnerability. Yet, as her mind waded through a fog of confusion and weakness, the voices from outside remained sharp and vivid, cutting through the haze.
Mrs. Ma, her voice tinged with genuine concern, sighed heavily, "When she was at the Li estate, she was always surrounded by a bevy of attentive maids. She never had to lift a finger to take care of herself. But today, she was just careless—she slipped between the treacherous ice sheets in the courtyard, and now she’s bedridden with a fever. It’s not entirely her fault, you know... It’s hard to adapt when you've been pampered your whole life."
Mrs. Liu's response came swiftly, sharp and cold like a winter wind, her contempt evident. "Even for someone as lacking as a stillborn, there should be some measure of affection," she scoffed. "But this Third Miss is utterly useless! I assigned her just a small task — something as simple as folding a few blankets — and she treats it like a huge effort. The truth is glaring: who does she think she’s deceiving? If I don't prod her like a stubborn mule, she won't budge an inch. Others around her can manage at least two steps forward—children in the village can complete chores without complaint—but she struggles to take even one. Watching her feign illness is infuriating; she’s so pitiful that I might as well just leave her outside to freeze to death!” Her icy glare shot towards Mrs. Ma like a dagger, penetrating and unforgiving. “If you feel so sorry for that little wretch, then you can take it upon yourself to do her laundry!”
Mrs. Ma quickly replied, "Mother, you’re right. I won’t speak any more nonsense."
With a heavy breath, Mrs. Liu stood up and slammed the door behind her.
What’s happening? Am I not already dead? Why am I lying here? Li Wei Yang wanted to move, but her entire body felt drained, as though there were no bones left in her. She carefully reflected on everything. Just then, someone lifted the curtains and walked in. Soon, Li Wei Yang found herself sitting up in someone’s arms. This person had small, skinny shoulders, a soft chest, and a faint smell of locusts.
“Eat some congee. After sweating, the fever will get better.”
A warm breath of air hit Li Wei Yang's face. For a moment, she thought she saw a ghost as she stared intently at the woman before her. If she recalled correctly, this village woman, who appeared to be about 20 years old, was Mrs. Ma, the oldest daughter-in-law of the farmer family she had lived with before. But how could this be? She had clearly been given poison wine, yet here she was, staring at a familiar face from 23 years ago.
At 16, Li Wei Yang had married Tuo Ba Zhen, and eight years later, she became the Empress. However, she had been imprisoned in the Cold Palace for 12 long years. By the time of her death, she was only 36 years old. Yet, Mrs. Ma looked as she had 23 years ago, which was completely unbelievable! Instinctively, Li Wei Yang looked down at her hands. They were skinny, slender, and porcelain white—a pair of hands that belonged not to a 36-year-old woman, but to a young maiden. As this thought crossed her mind, a flicker of horror appeared in her eyes.
Mrs. Ma spoke with concern, "What is it? Do you still feel cold?" Her voice was warm and genuine. "We need to find a doctor, but my mother..." She sighed.
Li Wei Yang glanced at the bowl of congee in Mrs. Ma’s hands. She didn't know what kind of rice had been used to make the congee, but a strange smell emanated from it. For some reason, her eyes began to moisten. If this were a dream, she hoped never to wake up, because she sensed that she was still alive.
Li Wei Yang opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly, she saw another person lifting the curtains and quickly stepping inside.
Mrs. Ma, holding the bowl of congee, looked up and saw Mrs. Liu’s expression, causing her entire body to tremble.
"What are you doing?! Get up!"
Startled, Mrs. Ma hurriedly let go of Li Wei Yang. She stood up, intending to put the bowl down on the table, but in her anxiousness, she spilled some congee. It burned her hand, yet she endured the painful scalding and carefully set the bowl on the table.
Witnessing her daughter-in-law’s brazen act of secretly giving Li Wei Yang food—and clumsily spilling it—infuriated Mrs. Liu. She seized the bowl of congee from the table and threw it into Mrs. Ma’s face, shards of the bowl shattering on the ground. Pointing an accusing finger at her, Mrs. Liu shouted, “You bitch! I already told you not to give her food! Do my words go in one ear and out the other? If you don’t want to live in this house, then get out! Don’t stay here and embarrass me!”
Mrs. Ma was drenched in congee, her entire body red from the scalding heat. Tears filled her eyes, but she didn’t dare utter a single word. All she could do was hold tightly onto her peasant clothes as she gently wiped off the congee and cleaned up the mess on the floor.
Mrs. Liu hadn’t changed at all from Li Wei Yang’s memories. She treated others cruelly and without compassion. It didn’t matter whether it was herself or Mrs. Ma; Mrs. Liu treated them like slaves. Li Wei Yang stared intently at Mrs. Liu, wanting to speak up, but Mrs. Ma quickly winked at her, as if to warn her not to say anything, lest she provoke even harsher punishment.
Mrs. Ma was a kind daughter-in-law, yet no matter what she did, this cruel mother-in-law refused to acknowledge her efforts. Mrs. Liu would spend the entire day looking for faults. When she saw Mrs. Ma defend Li Wei Yang, she immediately interpreted it as an act of rebellion, deepening her resentment towards both of them.
Li Wei Yang clenched her teeth and continued to stare silently at Mrs. Liu. Instinctively, Mrs. Liu glanced at Li Wei Yang, noticing a frosty coldness in Wei Yang’s gaze that made her heart race. “Are you crazy to look at me like that?!” she shouted.
Li Wei Yang didn’t have time to wonder why she felt as if she had been transported back to her 13-year-old self. Instead, her attention was pulled to the jade pendant beneath her chest. This jade pendant was a precious gift from her biological mother when she was just a baby.
Her father had sent her to live with a distant relative of the Li family until she was seven. Initially, they provided her with maids and servants, but eventually, they realized that Prime Minister Li had no intention of bringing her back to the capital. Under someone's persuasion, she was sent to live with a farming family in the countryside, receiving just ten silver coins a month for her living expenses.
Six months ago, the living expenses had suddenly stopped. Mrs. Liu had visited their home three times to inquire, but the Li relatives were indifferent to her pleas. This situation only fueled Mrs. Liu's resentment; she treated Wei Yang like a maid, forcing her to do menial tasks and subjecting her to physical abuse that left bruises and scars all over her body.
Mrs. Liu looked at Li Wei Yang with a furrowed brow and yelled, “You little bitch, what are you standing there for?”
The jade pendant was the only souvenir her mother had left her, and she had risked her life to conceal it from Mrs. Liu. Li Wei Yang lifted her head to meet the older woman's gaze. A flicker of coldness appeared in her eyes, but was quickly replaced by a smile meant to appease. “Aunt Liu, you have more or less taken care of me. I had nothing to express my gratitude but this jade pendant, which I would like to give you as a token of appreciation.”
If Li Wei Yang remembered correctly, Mrs. Liu had discovered and stolen the Pisces jade pendant two weeks earlier. At that time, Li Wei Yang had tried to retrieve it but ended up facing even harsher abuse. Later, after becoming the Third Prince's wife, she sent people to search for the pendant. Unfortunately, the village had suffered an epidemic, resulting in the deaths of many villagers, including Mrs. Liu. As a result, the jade pendant could never be found.
Mrs. Liu couldn't believe that the jade pendant she had always desired, which she had secretly hidden away, was now being offered to her by Li Wei Yang herself. While this made her happier, she scoffed coldly and snatched the pendant from Wei Yang's hands. "This is not enough!" she exclaimed.
Mrs. Ma was taken aback, looking at Li Wei Yang as if she didn’t recognize the girl. From what she knew, Wei Yang had always kept the jade pendant carefully hidden, never allowing anyone else to take it. How could she suddenly give it to Mrs. Liu?
Mrs. Liu held the jade pendant tightly; her mood lifted. Sneering, she said, "Forget it. You can stay in bed today, but tomorrow you have to wake up and work!"
Li Wei Yang smiled gently and obediently replied, "Of course, Aunt Liu. Tomorrow, I will definitely work!"
Li Wei Yang's compliance caught Mrs. Liu off guard, and she was about to say something when a tall man entered the room. He glanced at the scene with apparent familiarity. With an angry expression, he looked scornfully at Mrs. Ma and laughed forcefully. "Mother, why are you so upset? Come on, I bought a block of silk today at the market that looks just like Li Furen when worn. Come with me and take a look!" he urged, dragging Mrs. Liu outside.
As Mrs. Liu was being pulled away, she turned to Mrs. Ma and warned, "If I catch you giving her food again, I will skin you alive!"
Once Mrs. Liu had disappeared, Mrs. Ma held her face and burst into tears.
Li Wei Yang observed Mrs. Ma and shook her head slightly. One shouldn’t be weak or a pushover. There were many ways to reclaim the jade pendant, and to deal with someone as unscrupulous as Mrs. Liu, one would need to employ even more cunning methods!
