Princess Wei Yang - C7
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 7
Returning to the Li’s Estate
After spending a few days with the Zhou family in Ping Cheng, they provided Wei Yang with two servant girls and two caretakers for her journey back to the Capital. Li Wei Yang had no belongings to bring back, and the Prime Minister's estate supplied the horse-drawn carriage.
The carriage featured a lavish interior, adorned with gemstones of various colors braided together, and its crimson silk curtains beautifully complemented the exquisite peony flower embroidery. This opulent decor stood in stark contrast to the carriage's plain-looking exterior. Li Wei Yang cast a brief glance at the carriage but quickly looked away. She understood that it was merely a tool Da Furen used against her, a symbol of intimidation.
This was just the start of the psychological warfare. Li Wei Yang was well aware of all the tactics and felt no fear.
The goodbyes with the Zhou family were brief, although Mrs. Liu made sure to cry loudly so the neighbors would know she cared for the girl in her charge. However, this tactic didn’t have much effect, as everyone was already aware of how she truly treated her, especially since the incident with the pigs.
Inside the carriage, Bai Zhi, the nubi assigned to Li Wei Yang, carefully set a steaming cup of tea down on the small rosewood table. She glanced at Li Wei Yang, who had her eyes closed, resting. Bai Zhi felt anxious, unsure if she should attempt small talk with Wei Yang. She noticed that San Xiaojie did not carry the typical aura of someone travelling alone.
Bai Zhi glanced across at Zi Yan, who was sitting opposite her. Seeing a similar expression of uncertainty on Zi Yan's face made her even more nervous. Zi Yan was the second nubi assigned to her, and the Li family had sent both in Ping Cheng to care for San Xiaojie. However, they were unfamiliar with her personality and hesitated to speak to her.
Li Wei Yang had no interest in small talk, so she closed her eyes, her thoughts wandering back to the year she returned to the Prime Minister’s estate. As she cautiously stepped inside, Da Furen scanned her from head to toe. A bright, benevolent smile spread across Da Furen’s face as she remarked, “Oh! This child does have good fortune after all! She is quite pretty! Go help her change into new garments.”
Back then, Li Wei Yang had been timid and fearful, always restless and anxious. However, upon hearing those words, she was overcome with gratitude. As a humble concubine's daughter born during the Ghost Month, she felt fortunate that her father had suddenly recalled her existence, thanks to Da Furen's kindness.
How stupid and naïve I was!
Unfortunately, she was oblivious to the disdain and heartlessness hidden deep within Da Furen’s eyes.
When she first arrived at the Prime Minister’s estate, Li Wei Yang was illiterate, unable to read a single word. She embodied the image of the typical country bumpkin. If word got out that she was a child born in the Prime Minister’s estate who couldn’t read or write, she would be the subject of ridicule.
She reminisced about the past when Tuo Ba Zhen was a prince with little reputation, lacking the power and ability to become the next Emperor. For these reasons, why would her father and Da Furen marry her beautiful and ethereal older sister, Li Zhang Le, to Tuo Ba Zhen, who had nothing to his name? However, Tuo Ba Zhen did have a respectable, noble adopted mother, Wu Xian Fei, which made it difficult to refuse the proposal. Still, no one could have predicted that later on, Tuo Ba Zhen would be crowned Emperor, while she—the village bumpkin who couldn't even write her own name—would eventually become the Empress.
Back then, after her meeting with Da Furen, she had followed a servant out. When they passed by a study room, there was the sound of someone reciting a poem.
Li Wei Yang had heard the voice resonating:
At that time, Li Wei Yang was illiterate, but she found the person's words and tone soothing. She was about to listen more closely when a scream startled her. “Ah! What are you doing here?”
Li Wei Yang lifted her gaze in surprise and saw a pretty young girl staring at her with wide eyes. The teacher, who had been reciting poems, also turned to look. Li Wei Yang heard the teacher question, “Is she a servant in the estate?”
Just that simple question made Li Wei Yang blush deeply and left her speechless. The pretty girl continued to stare at her, and it was clear she had already guessed Wei Yang’s true identity, but still covered her mouth and giggled. “Servant! Why would we have such a filthy servant in our estate?” Her words dripped with ridicule.
Li Wei Yang lowered her head and looked at herself, realizing that compared to the aristocratic young ladies from noble families, she was from the opposite side of the world. She clenched her hands in frustration.
The pretty girl was relentless: “What are you still doing here? Can’t you see you’re disturbing the teacher’s lecture? Leave!”
“San Xiaojie, we should go.” The servant beside her had whispered.
Li Wei Yang had hoped there was a hole in the ground for her to crawl into.
Right then, somewhere, a gentle voice spoke up. “Chang Xi, she’s your san jie – Wei Yang! How can you be so unreasonable?” That voice relieved her; it sounded like a voice from Heaven.
Shortly after, she discovered that the girl who had helped her was Li Zhang Le. Li Wei Yang stood in the same spot for a long time, looking dumbfounded. She had never met such a beautiful person before, nor had she ever heard a voice so beautiful. She quietly thought to herself, "Even a fairy can't compare to her."
This was just the start of the psychological warfare. Li Wei Yang was well aware of all the tactics and felt no fear.
The goodbyes with the Zhou family were brief, although Mrs. Liu made sure to cry loudly so the neighbors would know she cared for the girl in her charge. However, this tactic didn’t have much effect, as everyone was already aware of how she truly treated her, especially since the incident with the pigs.
Inside the carriage, Bai Zhi, the nubi assigned to Li Wei Yang, carefully set a steaming cup of tea down on the small rosewood table. She glanced at Li Wei Yang, who had her eyes closed, resting. Bai Zhi felt anxious, unsure if she should attempt small talk with Wei Yang. She noticed that San Xiaojie did not carry the typical aura of someone travelling alone.
Bai Zhi glanced across at Zi Yan, who was sitting opposite her. Seeing a similar expression of uncertainty on Zi Yan's face made her even more nervous. Zi Yan was the second nubi assigned to her, and the Li family had sent both in Ping Cheng to care for San Xiaojie. However, they were unfamiliar with her personality and hesitated to speak to her.
Li Wei Yang had no interest in small talk, so she closed her eyes, her thoughts wandering back to the year she returned to the Prime Minister’s estate. As she cautiously stepped inside, Da Furen scanned her from head to toe. A bright, benevolent smile spread across Da Furen’s face as she remarked, “Oh! This child does have good fortune after all! She is quite pretty! Go help her change into new garments.”
Back then, Li Wei Yang had been timid and fearful, always restless and anxious. However, upon hearing those words, she was overcome with gratitude. As a humble concubine's daughter born during the Ghost Month, she felt fortunate that her father had suddenly recalled her existence, thanks to Da Furen's kindness.
How stupid and naïve I was!
Unfortunately, she was oblivious to the disdain and heartlessness hidden deep within Da Furen’s eyes.
When she first arrived at the Prime Minister’s estate, Li Wei Yang was illiterate, unable to read a single word. She embodied the image of the typical country bumpkin. If word got out that she was a child born in the Prime Minister’s estate who couldn’t read or write, she would be the subject of ridicule.
She reminisced about the past when Tuo Ba Zhen was a prince with little reputation, lacking the power and ability to become the next Emperor. For these reasons, why would her father and Da Furen marry her beautiful and ethereal older sister, Li Zhang Le, to Tuo Ba Zhen, who had nothing to his name? However, Tuo Ba Zhen did have a respectable, noble adopted mother, Wu Xian Fei, which made it difficult to refuse the proposal. Still, no one could have predicted that later on, Tuo Ba Zhen would be crowned Emperor, while she—the village bumpkin who couldn't even write her own name—would eventually become the Empress.
Back then, after her meeting with Da Furen, she had followed a servant out. When they passed by a study room, there was the sound of someone reciting a poem.
Li Wei Yang had heard the voice resonating:
“The peach tree is young and elegant;
Brilliant are its flowers.
This young lady is going to her future home,
And will order well her chamber and house.”
At that time, Li Wei Yang was illiterate, but she found the person's words and tone soothing. She was about to listen more closely when a scream startled her. “Ah! What are you doing here?”
Li Wei Yang lifted her gaze in surprise and saw a pretty young girl staring at her with wide eyes. The teacher, who had been reciting poems, also turned to look. Li Wei Yang heard the teacher question, “Is she a servant in the estate?”
Just that simple question made Li Wei Yang blush deeply and left her speechless. The pretty girl continued to stare at her, and it was clear she had already guessed Wei Yang’s true identity, but still covered her mouth and giggled. “Servant! Why would we have such a filthy servant in our estate?” Her words dripped with ridicule.
Li Wei Yang lowered her head and looked at herself, realizing that compared to the aristocratic young ladies from noble families, she was from the opposite side of the world. She clenched her hands in frustration.
The pretty girl was relentless: “What are you still doing here? Can’t you see you’re disturbing the teacher’s lecture? Leave!”
“San Xiaojie, we should go.” The servant beside her had whispered.
Li Wei Yang had hoped there was a hole in the ground for her to crawl into.
Right then, somewhere, a gentle voice spoke up. “Chang Xi, she’s your san jie – Wei Yang! How can you be so unreasonable?” That voice relieved her; it sounded like a voice from Heaven.
Shortly after, she discovered that the girl who had helped her was Li Zhang Le. Li Wei Yang stood in the same spot for a long time, looking dumbfounded. She had never met such a beautiful person before, nor had she ever heard a voice so beautiful. She quietly thought to herself, "Even a fairy can't compare to her."
๑‿︵‿୨🌸୧‿︵‿๑
“San Xiaojie! San Xiaojie!” Zi Yan softly called her name.
Li Wei Yang slowly opened her eyes, sat up straight, and grinned. It was a slight grin, but it still made her look spirited and adorable. “What is it?”
Zi Yan smiled and replied, “San Xiaojie, we’re almost there.”
Li Wei Yang pulled the curtains closed. The horse-drawn carriage had just passed through the gates of Zheng An and would soon arrive at Changmen, where the Prime Minister’s estate was located. The Prime Minister’s estate was not in a busy area, nor was it next to any other nobleman’s manor. When it was first built, a certain prince wanted it and requested it from the Emperor, but he ultimately decided the location was somewhat undesirable and chose not to live there. Later, this prince was found to be conspiring to usurp the throne and, when unsuccessful, committed suicide by poison wine. His wealth was confiscated, and the Imperial Household Department seized the estate. It was eventually sold to the Li family and has been passed down for generations.
The prince originally built the estate as a tranquil haven for his retirement, a retreat infused with beauty and serenity. The garden was a standout feature, artfully designed with meticulously arranged rockeries and graceful rows of cascading wisteria, their delicate purple blossoms creating an enchanting atmosphere of elegance and refinement. While the garden may not have matched the vast expanses of other opulent manors in the bustling capital, it was held in high esteem for its architectural brilliance and thoughtful design.
Spacious enough to accommodate a large family, the estate provided ample courtyards for multiple concubines, along with their nonis, mamas, and children, who were old enough to enjoy the luxury of their own courtyards. This meticulous planning ensured that while the estate was not the largest in the capital, it was certainly far from being diminutive, boasting an inviting sense of warmth and community within its beautiful grounds.
As the horse-drawn carriage rumbled along the gravel path, the cold, rhythmic clatter of the horse’s hooves against the stones infused the journey with a monotonous tension, stretching moments into what felt like an eternity. After what seemed like ages, the carriage finally came to a gentle halt.
Outside, the gentle voice of an elderly female servant pierced through the stillness, cheerfully announcing, “San Xiaojie is here!” With practiced ease, she set down a small, ornate stool next to the horse carriage. Bai Zhi and Zi Yan gracefully descended from the carriage, using the stool as a perch. Following closely behind, they extended their hands to assist Li Wei Yang as she stepped down onto the ground, where the estate awaited them with its serene beauty.
As she entered the estate, Li Wei Yang walked through the corridor. On both sides of the passageway, numerous bamboo birdcages hung high. Inside the cages were robins, larks, red and yellow orioles, red-necks, blue-necks, parakeets, doves, and more. The hundreds of bird species sang in unison, creating a smooth, laid-back melody. Li Wei Yang briefly glanced at the eagle with its sharp gaze before turning her attention elsewhere.
Along the pathway stood a group of servants dressed in green with blue accents. They remained silent, but as soon as they spotted Li Wei Yang, they bowed respectfully. The scene was exactly as it had been in her previous lifetime.
In her past life, seeing those servants had made her nervous and clumsy. Looking back, she realized that Da Furen could have sent someone to teach her proper etiquette, or someone from the Li family in Ping Cheng could have briefly explained it to her. Instead, they allowed her to appear uncultured in front of the servants, leading others to think that a country bumpkin could never change her ways.
Li Wei Yang recollected about those times, smiling to herself as she looked at the countless servants surrounding her. She continued to follow the leading servant, with Bai Zhi and Zi Yan hurrying to keep up.
“Did you see? That person is San Xiaojie!” one servant exclaimed.
“She’s beautiful. Her demeanor is impressive! Didn’t someone say she grew up in a village?” another added.
“That’s right! Xiaojie truly is a lady. She didn’t let her upbringing affect her manners or turn her into a peasant!”
Li Wei Yang had no interest in their chatter. She walked directly towards He Xiang Yuan.[1]
As she approached, a servant thoughtfully pulled up the screen and cheerfully greeted her, “San Xiaojie.”
Li Wei Yang smiled slightly and nodded in acknowledgment before stepping into the room.
Bai Zhi and Zi Yan followed her inside. The floor was made of yellow mosaic tiles, polished to a mirror-like sheen. Above them hung a beautiful octagonal lantern, and the pillars, crafted from rosewood with ivory inlays, shone brightly. The rest of the furnishings were made from pearwood and blackwood, adorned with traditional floral engravings. The opulence was breathtaking.
The two servants from Ping Cheng felt as if they had stopped breathing.
It was so extravagant!
Li Wei Yang, who should have been awestruck by the luxury of the estate, paid little attention to her surroundings. Instead, she gracefully stepped forward. With a smile, she bowed respectfully to Lao Furen, who was seated majestically in the center.
“Wei Yang greets grandmother, mother, and the two aunts.”
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