Princess Wei Yang - C6
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 6
Seventh Prince, Tuo Ba Yu
In the wake of the chaotic incident involving the escaped pigs, Li Wei Yang found herself thrust into the spotlight of village life, her reputation transformed overnight. The once-dominant figures of Mrs. Liu and Zhou Lan Xiu, who enjoyed bossing her around with little regard for her status, now hesitated to confront her. Their previous intimidation tactics had lost their effectiveness, leaving them uneasy in her presence.
Nonetheless, confining Li Wei Yang at home day after day grew increasingly exasperating for them. The oppressive environment within the house did little to diminish the rumors now circulating in the village about her treatment behind closed doors. In a bid to restore some face[1] while also affirming their authority, Mrs. Liu and Zhou Qing eventually reached a hesitant agreement: they would permit her to take a position at the local teahouse, a short walk from the village center.
The teahouse, known for its fragrant brews and cozy atmosphere, served as a gathering place for villagers looking to take a break from their daily chores. It was not only a spot for rest but also a hub for gossip, deal-making among villagers, and an escape from their homes. With the possibility of leaving her house, Li Wei Yang felt a renewed sense of purpose, eager to embrace the freedom and independence that awaited her beyond its walls.
The teahouse was operated by Zhou Jiang and Mrs. Ma, who sold simple teas and tortilla bread to travelers passing through. Although the village was far from the capital, it was located at the intersection of the main north-south road. This strategic location explained why the village, despite its remoteness, thrived. It was close enough to a river to benefit from its resources but far enough away to avoid the threat of flooding. The land was fertile for farming, and there were enough wild animals nearby to sustain the villagers. Although they had limited means, everyone managed to make a satisfactory living.
The teahouse provided a convenient source of income for them. Mrs. Ma felt sympathy for Li Wei Yang, a young girl burdened with significant hardships. Consequently, she assigned Li Wei the simple task of boiling water for tea, sparing her from any strenuous work.
As Wei Yang added wood to the fire, Mrs. Ma rushed in and urged her, “Wei Yang, hurry up! We need more hot water. Also, bring out 20 tortilla breads. We have a special guest at the teahouse.”
Li Wei Yang followed her instructions but felt confused. There were plenty of travelers and guests from both the South and North, but there had never been anyone regarded as a ‘special guest’ before. Curiosity piqued, she slowly walked towards the door to observe the scene outside.
Under the awning, a group of bodyguards in blue stood. It was difficult to see the person at the center of the crowd. Among twenty ordinary horses, a rare white horse adorned with a silver-and-red-striped saddle stood out as an impressive sight.
Mrs. Ma called out again, “Wei Yang! Hurry! Don’t keep the guests waiting!”
For some reason, an ominous feeling settled within Li Wei Yang, as if something bad would happen as soon as she stepped outside. Her feet felt frozen in place.
“Wei Yang? Why aren’t you coming out?” Zhou Jiang asked, his impatience showing, before quickly apologizing to the guest. “This girl is a bit slow; I’ll have a word with her later.”
Then a voice from one of the bodyguards called out, “No problem, just hurry and bring over the tea. My master is in a hurry.”
Realizing there was no way to retreat, Li Wei Yang contemplated her options but ultimately decided she had no choice but to go out. She took half a step forward but suddenly froze when she caught sight of the person sitting in the center. In an instant, all eyes were on her, including the young man who lifted his head and glanced in her direction.
He sat among the guards, his eyes shone brightly like the moon, but he carried an aloofness as well. His gaze was so bright that it made it difficult for others to look directly into his eyes. From a distance, a coldness emanated from him, setting him apart from the rest of the world. His white attire was intricately embroidered with downward patterns, and his steadfast gaze resembled a flowing stream yet felt frosty like ice. His eyes flickered over Li Wei Yang.
She shuddered and quickly lowered her head. Holding the tray up to her eyebrows to cover her face, she took a few more steps forward and handed the food over to Mrs. Ma. Pretending to be afraid of strangers, she then hurried back to the small storage space at the back of the house. Only then did she let out a sigh of relief.
The middle-aged man sitting beside Tuo Ba Yu said to him, "Your Highness, it’s getting dark. Should we find somewhere to stay in this village for the night?”
The Seventh Prince, Tuo Ba Yu, didn’t look at him; instead, his frosty gaze was fixed on the spot where Li Wei Yang had just vanished. A hint of humor danced in his eyes. This girl—she was the same one he had seen that day.
She appeared to be about 12 or 13 years old and wore a worn-out grey outfit patched in several places. Perhaps she had been fanning a stove, as her face bore some black marks. Tuo Ba Yu noticed that Li Wei Yang's hands were fair, but very skinny, with barely any flesh on them. Her long black hair was messy, haphazardly tied up on top of her head. Despite her efforts to hide her face, her big black eyes still sparkled with a strange, inexplicable quality. Her petite figure evoked a sense of protectiveness, stirring a desire to care for her.
Shaking his head, Tuo Ba Yu scolded himself for being odd. He couldn’t believe he was having such ridiculous, unrealistic thoughts. Remembering how she had deceived others earlier, amusement flickered in Tuo Ba Yu’s eyes.
This girl was certainly intriguing!
As he replayed the scene in his mind, he casually said, "No, let’s hurry and rest in the small town ahead. This village cannot accommodate our group. We need to set out early tomorrow to return to the Capital on time."
Zhan Shuo quickly agreed; he didn’t dare suggest otherwise. He understood the Seventh Prince's personality too well—when he made a decision, he was resolute, even if he used a negotiable tone.
Soon, the group finished their tea, mounted their horses, and rode past the village without stopping, racing forward toward the North.
Li Wei Yang watched as the dust rose from the horses' hooves, a ghost of a smile gracing her lips. Who would have thought that the first familiar face she would encounter after her rebirth would be him—Tuo Ba Yu, the Seventh Prince!
Tuo Ba Yu was the archenemy of Tuo Ba Zhen. They had fought and competed against each other countless times, yet no clear victor had emerged. Li Wei Yang recalled that he, too, had a pair of cold, emotionless eyes. The corners of her mouth lifted slowly as she realized that Seventh Prince should still be studying outside but had suddenly returned to the Capital—surely, a storm was brewing there.
She lowered her gaze to the calluses on her hands. While familiar faces stood in the light, she remained hidden in the shadows. It was indeed an interesting feeling.
The sun eventually set, replaced by a crescent moon that lit up thousands of stars in the evening sky. They shone arrogantly down upon the world, their light easing the humid air and bringing a cool respite to everyone.
Li Wei Yang walked behind Zhou Jiang and Mrs. Ma as they made their way back to the Zhou household.
Suddenly, an excited Mrs. Liu dashed forward and grabbed hold of Li Wei Yang, her face brimming with happiness. “Xiaojie, I have good news for you!”
Both Zhou Jiang and Mrs. Ma stood frozen in their tracks, confused by Mrs. Liu's unexpected enthusiasm towards Li Wei Yang. They exchanged puzzled glances.
Li Wei Yang noticed Mrs. Ma's glowing expression and furrowed her brows in disbelief before feigning surprise. “Aunt Zhou, what good news?”
Ignoring the peculiar looks from Wei Yang, Mrs. Liu eagerly replied, “The Li Jia[2] sent their people!”
Her excitement was infectious, and Li Wei Yang began to consider the implications. “The Li House in Ping Cheng?”
“Yes, exactly! Li Da Laoye[3] sent Lin Mama[4] to visit you!” Mrs. Liu beamed with joy. It was not only Lin Mama who had come, but also a gift of 100 silver as a token of gratitude.
Li Wei Yang found this development strange. In her previous lifetime, she would have had to wait another year before the Prime Minister Li remembered someone like her and dispatched people to pick her up. Only then would the Li House in Ping Cheng quickly send someone to their village to bring her back to the estate. Afterward, they would announce to everyone that she had recovered from her illness, followed by her return to the Capital. Why was this happening a year earlier?
At that moment, a fair-skinned woman in a blue silk dress, adorned with a gold brooch in her hair and gold earrings, stepped out of the room. She smiled and said, “Nubi[5] ’s greetings to San Xiaojie[6].”
Li Wei Yang recognized her immediately; it was Lin Mama from the Li House in Ping Cheng, the highest-ranking female servant there. Lin Mama’s soft grin confirmed Li Wei Yang's thoughts. It seemed that everything was true. Perhaps the Li House in Ping Cheng had received news from the Capital and was hastily making arrangements to bring her back.
This is truly wonderful news! Wei Yang closed her eyes and smiled.
Nonetheless, confining Li Wei Yang at home day after day grew increasingly exasperating for them. The oppressive environment within the house did little to diminish the rumors now circulating in the village about her treatment behind closed doors. In a bid to restore some face[1] while also affirming their authority, Mrs. Liu and Zhou Qing eventually reached a hesitant agreement: they would permit her to take a position at the local teahouse, a short walk from the village center.
The teahouse, known for its fragrant brews and cozy atmosphere, served as a gathering place for villagers looking to take a break from their daily chores. It was not only a spot for rest but also a hub for gossip, deal-making among villagers, and an escape from their homes. With the possibility of leaving her house, Li Wei Yang felt a renewed sense of purpose, eager to embrace the freedom and independence that awaited her beyond its walls.
The teahouse was operated by Zhou Jiang and Mrs. Ma, who sold simple teas and tortilla bread to travelers passing through. Although the village was far from the capital, it was located at the intersection of the main north-south road. This strategic location explained why the village, despite its remoteness, thrived. It was close enough to a river to benefit from its resources but far enough away to avoid the threat of flooding. The land was fertile for farming, and there were enough wild animals nearby to sustain the villagers. Although they had limited means, everyone managed to make a satisfactory living.
The teahouse provided a convenient source of income for them. Mrs. Ma felt sympathy for Li Wei Yang, a young girl burdened with significant hardships. Consequently, she assigned Li Wei the simple task of boiling water for tea, sparing her from any strenuous work.
As Wei Yang added wood to the fire, Mrs. Ma rushed in and urged her, “Wei Yang, hurry up! We need more hot water. Also, bring out 20 tortilla breads. We have a special guest at the teahouse.”
Li Wei Yang followed her instructions but felt confused. There were plenty of travelers and guests from both the South and North, but there had never been anyone regarded as a ‘special guest’ before. Curiosity piqued, she slowly walked towards the door to observe the scene outside.
Under the awning, a group of bodyguards in blue stood. It was difficult to see the person at the center of the crowd. Among twenty ordinary horses, a rare white horse adorned with a silver-and-red-striped saddle stood out as an impressive sight.
Mrs. Ma called out again, “Wei Yang! Hurry! Don’t keep the guests waiting!”
For some reason, an ominous feeling settled within Li Wei Yang, as if something bad would happen as soon as she stepped outside. Her feet felt frozen in place.
“Wei Yang? Why aren’t you coming out?” Zhou Jiang asked, his impatience showing, before quickly apologizing to the guest. “This girl is a bit slow; I’ll have a word with her later.”
Then a voice from one of the bodyguards called out, “No problem, just hurry and bring over the tea. My master is in a hurry.”
Realizing there was no way to retreat, Li Wei Yang contemplated her options but ultimately decided she had no choice but to go out. She took half a step forward but suddenly froze when she caught sight of the person sitting in the center. In an instant, all eyes were on her, including the young man who lifted his head and glanced in her direction.
He sat among the guards, his eyes shone brightly like the moon, but he carried an aloofness as well. His gaze was so bright that it made it difficult for others to look directly into his eyes. From a distance, a coldness emanated from him, setting him apart from the rest of the world. His white attire was intricately embroidered with downward patterns, and his steadfast gaze resembled a flowing stream yet felt frosty like ice. His eyes flickered over Li Wei Yang.
She shuddered and quickly lowered her head. Holding the tray up to her eyebrows to cover her face, she took a few more steps forward and handed the food over to Mrs. Ma. Pretending to be afraid of strangers, she then hurried back to the small storage space at the back of the house. Only then did she let out a sigh of relief.
The middle-aged man sitting beside Tuo Ba Yu said to him, "Your Highness, it’s getting dark. Should we find somewhere to stay in this village for the night?”
The Seventh Prince, Tuo Ba Yu, didn’t look at him; instead, his frosty gaze was fixed on the spot where Li Wei Yang had just vanished. A hint of humor danced in his eyes. This girl—she was the same one he had seen that day.
She appeared to be about 12 or 13 years old and wore a worn-out grey outfit patched in several places. Perhaps she had been fanning a stove, as her face bore some black marks. Tuo Ba Yu noticed that Li Wei Yang's hands were fair, but very skinny, with barely any flesh on them. Her long black hair was messy, haphazardly tied up on top of her head. Despite her efforts to hide her face, her big black eyes still sparkled with a strange, inexplicable quality. Her petite figure evoked a sense of protectiveness, stirring a desire to care for her.
Shaking his head, Tuo Ba Yu scolded himself for being odd. He couldn’t believe he was having such ridiculous, unrealistic thoughts. Remembering how she had deceived others earlier, amusement flickered in Tuo Ba Yu’s eyes.
This girl was certainly intriguing!
As he replayed the scene in his mind, he casually said, "No, let’s hurry and rest in the small town ahead. This village cannot accommodate our group. We need to set out early tomorrow to return to the Capital on time."
Zhan Shuo quickly agreed; he didn’t dare suggest otherwise. He understood the Seventh Prince's personality too well—when he made a decision, he was resolute, even if he used a negotiable tone.
Soon, the group finished their tea, mounted their horses, and rode past the village without stopping, racing forward toward the North.
Li Wei Yang watched as the dust rose from the horses' hooves, a ghost of a smile gracing her lips. Who would have thought that the first familiar face she would encounter after her rebirth would be him—Tuo Ba Yu, the Seventh Prince!
Tuo Ba Yu was the archenemy of Tuo Ba Zhen. They had fought and competed against each other countless times, yet no clear victor had emerged. Li Wei Yang recalled that he, too, had a pair of cold, emotionless eyes. The corners of her mouth lifted slowly as she realized that Seventh Prince should still be studying outside but had suddenly returned to the Capital—surely, a storm was brewing there.
She lowered her gaze to the calluses on her hands. While familiar faces stood in the light, she remained hidden in the shadows. It was indeed an interesting feeling.
The sun eventually set, replaced by a crescent moon that lit up thousands of stars in the evening sky. They shone arrogantly down upon the world, their light easing the humid air and bringing a cool respite to everyone.
Li Wei Yang walked behind Zhou Jiang and Mrs. Ma as they made their way back to the Zhou household.
Suddenly, an excited Mrs. Liu dashed forward and grabbed hold of Li Wei Yang, her face brimming with happiness. “Xiaojie, I have good news for you!”
Both Zhou Jiang and Mrs. Ma stood frozen in their tracks, confused by Mrs. Liu's unexpected enthusiasm towards Li Wei Yang. They exchanged puzzled glances.
Li Wei Yang noticed Mrs. Ma's glowing expression and furrowed her brows in disbelief before feigning surprise. “Aunt Zhou, what good news?”
Ignoring the peculiar looks from Wei Yang, Mrs. Liu eagerly replied, “The Li Jia[2] sent their people!”
Her excitement was infectious, and Li Wei Yang began to consider the implications. “The Li House in Ping Cheng?”
“Yes, exactly! Li Da Laoye[3] sent Lin Mama[4] to visit you!” Mrs. Liu beamed with joy. It was not only Lin Mama who had come, but also a gift of 100 silver as a token of gratitude.
Li Wei Yang found this development strange. In her previous lifetime, she would have had to wait another year before the Prime Minister Li remembered someone like her and dispatched people to pick her up. Only then would the Li House in Ping Cheng quickly send someone to their village to bring her back to the estate. Afterward, they would announce to everyone that she had recovered from her illness, followed by her return to the Capital. Why was this happening a year earlier?
At that moment, a fair-skinned woman in a blue silk dress, adorned with a gold brooch in her hair and gold earrings, stepped out of the room. She smiled and said, “Nubi[5] ’s greetings to San Xiaojie[6].”
Li Wei Yang recognized her immediately; it was Lin Mama from the Li House in Ping Cheng, the highest-ranking female servant there. Lin Mama’s soft grin confirmed Li Wei Yang's thoughts. It seemed that everything was true. Perhaps the Li House in Ping Cheng had received news from the Capital and was hastily making arrangements to bring her back.
This is truly wonderful news! Wei Yang closed her eyes and smiled.
[1] In Chinese culture, "losing face" (mianzi) means experiencing public embarrassment, humiliation, or a loss of social standing, reputation, and respect. It is caused by actions like public criticism, being blamed for a mistake, or failing to live up to societal or family expectations. Avoiding this is crucial for maintaining social harmony and relationships.
[2] Jia (家) – family/house; therefore, Li jia = House (of) Li or Li House
[3] Da Laoye (大老爷) – grand master (of a family)
[4] Mama (妈妈) – older female servant, usually has a high status
[5] Nubi (奴婢) – servant/slave; also used as a pronoun when a servant addresses herself to someone of higher status/rank
[6] San xiaojie (三小姐) – third young miss; third daughter of a family (Li Wei Yang)
[2] Jia (家) – family/house; therefore, Li jia = House (of) Li or Li House
[3] Da Laoye (大老爷) – grand master (of a family)
[4] Mama (妈妈) – older female servant, usually has a high status
[5] Nubi (奴婢) – servant/slave; also used as a pronoun when a servant addresses herself to someone of higher status/rank
[6] San xiaojie (三小姐) – third young miss; third daughter of a family (Li Wei Yang)
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