The Princess Wei Yang

Chapter 66: Digging Your Own Grave - Part 2 Niang niang - honorific for the Empress and imperial concubinesDa sao - sao is an honorific for sister-in-law (in this case), children also use it to refer to the wife of a paternal uncleDimei - honorific for a sister-in-law who is the wife of a younger brotherHuibing - how servants/nubi address others of higher statusZhang nu - eldest daughter of a household Sinister aura - the harmful or evil distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, thing, or place法師 Fǎshī - can be translated to Taoist master; in many dramas and novels, their job is to: identify evil spirits in people’s homes, perform rituals, and hopefully banish them厌胜之术 Yàn shèng zhī shù - ancient witchcraft involving curses; if a family was cursed, they might be homeless, physically injured, die, or even lose their home and familyConvent - a monastery but specifically an institution of female monastics (nuns) only  
Lao Furen frowned: “What?”Luo mama hesitated for a bit, glancing at Da Furen’s tense expression, and said: “Huibing Lao Furen, it is tu.”“Tu?” Li Xiao Ran was a Prime Minister and had yet to come across this plant that grew in countryside fields, “What is that?”Li Wei Yang’s lips slowly lifted. Shock appeared on Li Chang Xi’s face, how could that be?Luo mama went up and carefully cut the clumped meat open. Everyone saw there was something indigo inside. Li Xiao Ran frowned: “Well, what is it?””This is a type of poisonous grass. If it grows near crops, nothing can be harvested, therefore it is called tu.” Luo mama’s expressions were rather solemn. She had lived many years in the residence but had yet to see these filthy things. She had thought something like this could not possibly appear in the Li family…“Why would it be here?” A bit of suspicion appeared on Li Xiao Ran’s face, “What is it used for?”Li Chang Le hastily said: “This placenta here was what Wumei had given me—— ”Li Chang Xi saw that something was not right and quickly responded, “Dajie, I did not put this inside the placenta…”Li Chang Le shot her a hostile glare. Li Chang Xi truly did not put those things in, but because she could not stand the smell of the placenta, she secretly sought out Physician Song. He said she only needed to add some herbs to suppress the smell, that was all, so she said: “It was Physician Song who suggested I put herbs inside to take away the stench.”“Father, tu is not an herb but a harmful, poisonous weed. When I was at Ping Cheng, I had heard of it, that ten years of drought, nine years of flooding, if rice is stored there and tu grows in the yard, the whole family can only eat dirt! You see, isn’t this a lethal type of poison?” Li Wei Yang suddenly said.Li Xiao Ran could not believe his own ears: “The destructive potential of this poisonous grass is even more terrifying than floods and droughts?”Li Wei Yang nodded, “Indeed, it is much more terrifying. For that reason, commoners despise these things. Furthermore, it does not have the ability to take away odors. Dajie, has Dajie misunderstood then?”Da Furen suddenly realized something was not right. Her face grew solemn: “Wei Yang, do not speak carelessly!”“Silence!” Li Xiao Ran motioned to her, then he frowned, “Chang Le, why would you bring this into the residence?”“I… I… I only took Physician Song’s advice and wanted to take away the smell of the placenta. How would I know it had other uses?” A hint of panic appeared in Li Chang Le’s lovely eyes.“Dajie, last time, didn’t you insist that you were knowledgeable and read medicinal texts? How could you not know tu can be used to harm others and not an herb to take away odors?” Li Min De’s cold voice rang out inside the hall.Li Min Feng frowned: “Sandi, there are hundreds and thousands of herbs out there. Your Dajie cannot possibly know everything! To find out, we only need to invite Physician Song here!”Physician Song was a physician that frequently examined the sick in the Li family for thirty years. No one would dare to suspect his words.Li Xiao Ran immediately ordered someone to find Physician Song but received news that Physician Song’s health was not well and had retired.Si Yiniang had a blank, cold smile from the beginning to the end. Physician Song examined the sick in the Li family and took payment for examination every time. This time, San Xiaojie had generously given him two thousand taels of imperial gold. It would be enough to last this lifetime to the next. The old man would obviously claim to be ill and quietly withdraw.This time, San Xiaojie had dealt a heavy hand.Li Min De’s dark eyes shone knowingly: “Da Bofu, any other dafu is as capable.”At that moment, Lao Furen spoke: “Invite my dafu here.”Lao Furen often relied on Physician Shen, the Chen family had looked after her meals and life from when she was a child. This Physician Shen was already the second generation. Physician Shen came in a hurry. Li Xiao Ran ordered tu to be given to him to examined. He frowned.Li Xiao Ran said: “This can be used to take away odors?”Physician Shen naturally shook his head: “Tu is a poisonous grass. As for an ability to take away odors, it is unheard of.”A cold sneer flashed across Li Wei Yang’s lips, but she feigned to be surprised and fearful, “How can that be? Why would Dajie hide poisonous grass in the placenta?”Physician Shen frowned, his mouth slightly moved as if he had something he could not say.“Does it need to be said? If it cannot be used to remove odors, combined with fear that it would be discovered, then the purpose was to hide it! After all, who would have thought tu would be hidden inside the placenta?” Li Min De’s pale, handsome face, pitch black eyes and smile all possessed a similar expression.“Indeed, how can poisonous grass be used to heal?! Tu is even more dangerous than arsenic! Clearly, there is no possibility that it can save lives, since that is impossible, then…” Li Wei Yang blinked and trailed off.“Li Wei Yang, you must be insane! What nonsense!” Li Min Feng furiously stood up, his hands clenched into fists.Li Wei Yang looked to him: “Dage, is there a need to be so tense? Does Dage not know that tu is used in witchcraft, something Bixia has clearly forbidden!”Li Xiao Ran stiffened and suddenly thought it through. Tu was used in witchcraft. If the curse was light, the family may become uneasy, injured or suffer injustices, or if worse, encounter evil, death of a child. And in the worst case, possessions will be lost and their family broken apart, making this a vicious curse. He raised his head and stared disbelievingly at his Da nu er.“Chang Le, why would you do this?!” He could not understand why Da nu er, who was always generous and knowledgeable, kept making these mistakes these days and now even used witchcraft. If this became known to the public, it was a crime that would cost them their heads!She must be insane!San Furen sighed: “Indeed, Chang Le. The last time your father punished you only because you were wrong. How could you resent and curse him? Why would a girl do something like this?”Li Chang Le suddenly became fearful and shouted: “Father, it wasn’t me. It really wasn’t me!”Li Min Feng knew it had become serious and ran over and knelt before Li Xiao Ran: “Father, meimei certainly did not do this. Meimei is gentle and righteous, and your beloved nu er. Do you not believe meimei?”Li Xiao Ran stared intently at Li Chang Le’s face, still lovely and vulnerable as before, making others unable to turn away from her, but he did not know why, the longer he looked at her the more fearful he felt. She could harm Wei Yang because she envied the favor Li Wei Yang received and did not hesitate to steal someone’s idea for fame and glory, eat a disgusting placenta to nourish her beauty, and even hide tu to use witchcraft to harm him. A nu er like that could still be the intelligent and righteous haizi who was as vulnerable as he remembered?Li Xiao Ran had completely forgotten he was the one who tolerated her behavior every step along the way, secretly allowing her to do as she pleased, and let her become narrow-minded, cruel and selfish as she was now, believing the best in the world had to belong to her, and she did not hesitate to trample upon everyone beneath her feet.Li Chang Le’s face reddened. She nearly exhausted herself trying to explain: “Father, nu er did not. How could nu er use witchcraft to harm you? How can nu er do something like this?”In her panicked state, she was determined to find a scapegoat. She pointed at Li Chang Xi, crying out, “It was you! It was you who framed me! You framed me! You gave me the placenta!”Shock appeared on Li Chang Xi’s face. She could not hold back against an injustice and said: “Father, with the wound on nu er’s face, dafu said placenta can be a beauty supplement to heal the scar and gave nu er this prescription. Who would have thought Dajie would find out and say she wanted to eat it too. This cannot be easily obtained and nu er was reluctant to give it to Dajie, but Dajie was determined to take it. Nu er did not have a choice but to give it to her, but when nu er brought it over, the placenta was very clean inside, there was no tu!”Si Yiniang wiped away her tears: “Wu Xiaojie, do not say any more. In their hearts, everyone understands what is right and wrong!”These words were the truth. Si Yiniang did not inform Li Chang Xi of her plan. If there was no tu inside when the placenta was brought over, then the issue must be with Physician Song!Regardless, Li Chang Le continued to blame Li Chang Xi and went in front of Li Xiao Ran to grievously say: “Father! If it was not Wu meimei, then it was that Physician Song. He knew that tu could be used to harm others but still suggested it to nu er. It is a scheme to frame nu er! There is certainly someone behind this scheme! Physician Song must have been bribed by someone!”Da Furen quickly ran over and knelt beside her daughter, her tears glistening as she said: “Lao Ye, Chang Le is our zhang nu, she is gentle and usually cannot bring herself to even step on an ant. How could she use witchcraft? Clearly, there is someone who wants to harm her!” Having said this, her glare was like a sharpened arrow shot in Li Wei Yang’s direction.From what she could gather, Si Yiniang would not dare to harm Da Xiaojie. Physician Song had served the Li residence for many years. To bribe him, one must need to offer a lot, and now, in the Prime Minister’s residence, the wealthiest person who also happened to bitterly resent her and her daughter, was none other than Li Wei Yang!She had thought that the person to die today was Li Wei Yang and did not expect her to have another scheme in hand!That little bitch! The silk handkerchief in Da Furen’s hand was crumpled until it was about to be torn into pieces, her expression became even more resentful.Li Min Feng lifted his head and said: “Father, you only need to find Song Zheng, and everything will become clear!”This performance, Li Wei Yang felt rather pleased by it. Finally, a corner of her lips rose in a slight smile, as if jeering, as if perfectly content, and as if she was indifferent.Seeing his wife disregard her pride, kneeling on the ground and pleading before everyone’s eyes. In the blink of an eye, a flicker of hesitation appeared on Li Xiao Ran’s face.Li Min De blinked: “Da Bofu.” His face had a strange look that was difficult to explain, his gaze had a bit of wicked intentions as well as a bit of childishness. - whoever it was, they could not be angry with a child like this, as lovely as this but also as understanding. Li Min De continued, “Da Bofu, Song Zheng is no longer in the capital. The world is far and wide, and we do not know where he has gone, how can we find him then? Dage clearly wants to stall for time!”Li Min Feng’s face turned purple in rage: “San di, what are you trying to say!” Everyone saw him with his fists clenched as he lunged at Li Min De.Li Min De had a frightened expression but his eyes could not help but reveal his ridicule: “Dage, are you threatening me? In front of Da Bofu, am I not allowed to say a word of reason?”Li Wei Yang held Li Min De’s hand, slightly shaking her head.She did not want to involve an innocent Min De.Er Furen hid her cold smile with her handkerchief: “Half the night has passed, you could not search anyone but your own nu er. Da sao, it is best if you proceed impartially.”Furious, Da Furen turned around to say: “Chang Le is not an unrighteous and corrupted child. She must have been unjustly framed by someone else!”Li Wei Yang calmly said: “Mother, this is something everyone has witnessed and cannot be justified in any way. Even if you pity Dajie, you should not cover it up for her. On the contrary, if you had admonished Dajie on a daily basis, she certainly would not have done something like this! Using witchcraft to curse Father, first of all, is a disgrace to filial piety. Secondly, Bixia has forbidden witchcraft and ordered that those who use it will be exiled if it is a light offense and sentenced to death if it is severe. Dajie is not important, but do you want to involve all of the Li family?”San Furen silently laughed and said: “Indeed, in this life, how can there be a wall without winds and flames? If this becomes known to the public, who knows how many will sneer and speak scornfully of the Li family?”Li Chang Le panicked, her hands shaking as she tried to recompose herself: “Father, it really wasn’t me! Father, you must believe me!”In her heart, Da Furen resented these people, but outwardly her expressions were despairing as she pleaded: “Laoye, please do not wrongly accuse an innocent Chang Le!”Lao Furen frowned and suddenly swept her arm out, sending the tea set on the table to the floor, loudly clattering as the porcelain shattered. For some time, she had felt that Li Chang Le was too beautiful, perhaps even a calamity, but she did not expect this Yatou to do this! Furious, her face turned ashen white and her lips purple, Luo mama rushed over to help her clear her chest.Everyone had never seen Lao Furen like this and were taken aback.

 

Li Wei Yang saw this and took the newly poured cup of tea from a Yatou’s hand and came before Lao Furen: “Lao Furen, please do not be too angry, everything needs to be carefully reexamined first!”Lao Furen waved her hand and took in deep breaths as she said: “Absolutely not. The longer this is left to be, many more unfortunate events will follow, this must be resolved at once!”Lao Furen’s voice was stern and effective. Her expressions were steeled. Li Xiao Ran stirred at the sound of her voice. People say even righteous ministers had difficulty judging matters in the family. Matters in the imperial court he could examine and judge impartially. If he had a choice, he would not punish Li Chang Le, but the thought of her using such wicked methods to curse him heightened the fear in his heart.Li Wei Yang sighed, slightly wistful, slightly resenting: “Father, if you cannot bear to do so, then simply have someone dispose of those filthy things. Only, there is one thing to keep in mind and that is to be more careful, so in the future, no one else will bring these things into the residence.”The meaning behind it was more like: you should be more careful, so you would not be cursed.Li Xiao Ran’s eyes soon hardened like ice. That was right. Li Chang Le dared to curse him, only because he had a couple harsh words with her. A Yatou with cruel intentions as this, could it still be his brilliant and knowledgeable nu er? Simply put, her beauty was that of venomous snakes!Li Wei Yang stood still and emotionless, but her long eyelashes gently quivered, revealing the person within, as dark as ink: “That is right, Dajie. The placenta that is dripping with blood looks like eating human flesh. Wu meimei has no choice but to eat it to heal her wounds. Jie is fine though and only used it for beauty. In the future, do not touch these things anymore.”Li Xiao Ran’s face had become harsh and unforgiving. This placenta, dripping with blood in a way that even he had to look away from, but that Yatou saw it as a beauty supplement. Her mind was truly terrifying!Li Min De looked at Li Wei Yang. He saw her smile from the beginning to the end. His eyes were still bright like a light under the glass, clear and gleaming as if it could illuminate the world.He knew the person behind what happened today was none other than his lovely San jiejie, but so? This was the law of nature. They hold the dagger. Those were the fish. Rather than quietly lie there and be cut into pieces, take the knife into your own hands!Li Xiao Ran looked straight at Li Chang Le, deeply conflicted, and for a moment, he did not know how to discipline her.This matter could not be said to be small, to say it’s big….it can pierce the sky. If Bixia heard of this, then it would implicate the entire Li family. Li Chang Le, was it worth it for the Li family to take this risk for her? Due to her disaster relief efforts, Chang Le’s reputation in the Imperial family, great families, even among the commoners, had plummeted in a never-ending descent. Some even said her beauty was a calamity. Could this nu er still become Empress in the future? Who would support her? Li Xiao Ran felt the trust he had for the past ten years collapse for the first time.Li Chang Le, her life seemed to be over. Li Wei Yang recognized this and remained a step ahead, only to end her life sooner.After all, Li Chang Le was still young and could not think of a countermeasure. Her mind was blank, her face drained of any color as she stared at Li Xiao Ran, not knowing if he would believe her or what he would decide. Li Min Feng debated if he should ask his maternal family to intervene, but his grandfather and uncle were stationed by the border. Water from afar cannot put out a fire nearby.Da Furen naturally knew this. After all, she was someone who had experienced many hardships and was more level-headed than the other two. Although her expressions were blank, she was actually thinking of a way out from here.Lao Furen’s voice was cold and detached, but her face reflected a faint hostility: “When the previous Emperor was still alive, the former Prime Minister He Ping and his daughter, Yang Ning Gongzhu, Zhu Yi Gongzhu and even the Great General Zhou De lost their heads, and was it not because of witchcraft? Everything linked to witchcraft is an inevitable road to death. Now, Chang Le has found these filthy things. She cannot say who framed her, so it must be something she did herself! No matter what, if this becomes known to the public, the Li family will be greatly disadvantaged. You should make your decision now.”Having heard these words, what remained of his hesitation crumbled. Li Xiao Ran had decided and coldly said: “Chang Le, you have deeply disappointed me. From here on out, go to Pu Ji An. If anyone asks, I will say that you have caught the epidemic and must recuperate.”Pu Ji An, that was - a temple for nuns! Father must be insane, Li Chang Le lost her self-control: “Father, you are telling me to shave my hair and become a nun?!”She could not believe it, could not believe any of it. Li Xiao Ran could be this heartless.Li Xiao Ran turned away, not caring to look at her.Er Furen smiled and said: “Da Xiaojie, this is your father leaving you a path to live, to leave you to close your doors and reflect, that is all!”Close your doors and reflect? She could close her doors and reflect, if not in her courtyard, then somewhere else in the Li family. Father sent her to the temple and did not mention when she could return, if so, Father might leave her there for the rest of her life, then what?!She hurriedly ran to Li Xiao Ran and held onto his feet, desperately saying: “Father, don’t! Don’t send me to that demonic place! Nu er has been unjustly treated! Nu er has been wronged!”Li Xiao Ran looked at her, her extraordinarily beautiful face like a delicate lotus. Reluctance appeared in his eyes as he extended his hand as if wanting to stroke her hair.Li Wei Yang coldly looked on. From the moment she stepped foot into the residence, both mother and daughter had schemed to harm her every step of the way. If she was harmed by those two and forced to leave or lose face, she only feared Li Xiao Ran would not care, and yet, he was reluctant to punish Li Chang Le.Only… Li Chang Le had committed a grave crime this time and could not be forgiven. Li Xiao Ran had to be resolute! She quietly looked on, a cold light crossing her clear eyes.Of course, Li Xiao Ran waved his hand, finally clenched into a fist, and coldly said: “Leave.”Li Min Feng quickly stood up, his eyes reddened: “Father, you must be mistaken, how could you not believe her and force meimei to go to that kind of place?!”Lao Furen’s cold stare swept over Li Min Feng, she had always wholeheartedly doted and loved this grandson, but he was too foolish and ignorant, wayward and insolent, exactly like his mother. And now he even dared to say such things, he had no manners at all!She breathed out a sigh and said: “Chang Le, your father only wants you to live well for now. No need for further delay, someone escort Da Xiaojie out to gather her belongings!”Da Furen’s face froze and suddenly she stood up from the ground: “Lao Furen, at least allow me to have some parting words with my nu er.”Lao Furen looked at her and frowned.“Very well,” Li Xiao Ran saw that Da Furen was desperately pleading and agreed. After a second thought, he ordered someone beside him, “Those who took part in the search today, aside from those trusted, will all——”Li Wei Yang stood from afar and heard. She lowered her gaze. Li Xiao Ran wanted to eliminate the nubi that knew what had happened here, but the people in the hall were all members of the Li family. Who could cast aside their wealth and glory to spread this, but nubi were different and could sell their masters out at any time. Even Physician Shen was no exception.Da Furen helped Li Chang Le stand. She pretended to fix her daughter’s hair, but there was a sense of urgency in her eyes.“Mother…” Li Chang Le wept.“Don’t cry, don’t cry, Chang Le…” Da Furen tightly embraced her, “Your father only lost his temper for a moment there. He still loves you and will welcome you home in the future. You must remember to live well…” She could not help but begin to cry as well, sobbing as she said: “I have told you before, you need to be careful. Do not give that lowly girl an opportunity to scheme against you. Who would have thought you were too kind, suffering like this today…”Li Wei Yang coldly smiled. Da Furen ultimately did not forget to set a trap for her.Li Chang Le leaned against Da Furen’s shoulder, despairingly crying. In her heart, her hatred for Li Wei Yang deepened, but she did not dare to reveal this and was deeply disappointed by Li Xiao Ran’s decision. This time, she was leaving without knowing when she would return. If Father listened to Lao Furen or Li Wei Yang and did not allow her to return, then her life would be over. Perhaps in the Capital, if she did not make an appearance, people would quickly forget about her. Even if she had the beauty to befall empires, what use would it be? If at all!This matter certainly had to do with Li Wei Yang! She could not stop cursing, if she had a knife in her hand then and there, she would immediately choose to die with Li Wei Yang.At that moment, Da Furen softly whispered to Chang Le. After that, her icy stare turned to Li Wei Yang as she raised her voice, “You should take good care of your well-being.”Li Wei Yang noticed something was not right but could not say what it was for sure.
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Translator: Chau
Editor: Panisa