The bridal chamber had been fumigated with incense, and combined with a room full of chattering women wearing fragrant powder, after some time it made one feel stifled. Li Weiyang smiled and whispered a few words in the Old Madam’s ear. The Old Madam waved her hand. “Go ahead.”
When Li Weiyang left, only Li Changle slightly raised her eyelids to glance at her. But it was only an instant—she soon resumed chatting and laughing with Jiang Yuelan as usual.
Walking out from the room, breathing the fresh air, Li Weiyang finally felt much more comfortable. Bai Zhi said, “Miss, why did you come out?”
Li Weiyang smiled. “With the firecracker sounds outside so loud, I’m afraid Minzhi might be frightened. So I told the Old Madam I’d go check on him.”
Minzhi was Li Weiyang’s biological younger brother, just one month old, and very favored by the Old Madam. Of course, not just the Old Madam—even Li Xiaoran sent people to inquire three times a day. So Li Weiyang using this reason was perfectly reasonable.
Walking past the lotus pond, she saw the garden full of lotus flowers had already withered. Only withered leaves and empty rippling water remained in the pond. Li Weiyang suddenly stopped. “I want to walk alone. Just leave Bai Zhi and Zhao Yue with me. Mozhu, you take the others back first.”
Mozhu knew her mistress’s temperament was difficult to fathom, so she said softly, “Yes,” and led the other maids away. Before the lotus pond, only Li Weiyang and her trusted people remained.
“The County Princess is very clever.” From behind a tree, a handsome man smiled slightly, his lips curving, and walked out casually.
Hearing the voice, Li Weiyang turned her head. Seeing it was him, a smile floated onto her face. “Today the front courtyard is hosting a grand banquet for guests. How does Seventh Prince have such refined interest to come here?”
Tuoba Yu smiled. “I still owe you a formal apology, so I feigned drunkenness and said I’d rest in the flower pavilion, then made my way here with difficulty.”
Li Weiyang looked at him with some surprise. “An apology?”
Tuoba Yu’s gaze slightly condensed. He wanted to speak, but Li Weiyang had already understood. She smiled and took over the conversation. “Haven’t you already apologized?”
The conversation between the two was somewhat strange. Bai Zhi and Zhao Yue observed their noses with their eyes and their hearts with their noses, as if they’d heard nothing.
Tuoba Yu couldn’t help raising his eyebrows and smiling. “I thought you’d be angry for a long time.”
Li Weiyang looked at him with a half-smile. “Even if I was originally very angry, seeing Seventh Prince so painstakingly sending money to me—one’s hands are short when taking from others. I can’t keep putting on airs. Given your sincerity, I have to forgive you.” Not all the businesses she invested in were that profitable. It was really Tuoba Yu finding ways to send her money. Li Weiyang certainly wouldn’t pretend to be noble and refuse. Since Consort De had framed her so viciously back then, she might as well consider it collecting some interest.
Tuoba Yu looked helpless. “After that incident, my mother consort was bedridden for a full three months. Can you calm down now?”
Li Weiyang narrowed her eyes, smiling somewhat strangely. “Just interest!”
“How merciful of you to show restraint!” Tuoba Yu smiled warmly, suddenly taking two steps closer. Li Weiyang stepped back. Tuoba Yu’s raised hand hung in midair. His lips curved into a pleased arc. “I only wanted to brush away a fallen leaf for you…”
Li Weiyang smiled, her face showing warmth. “No need to trouble yourself.”
No matter how strong Tuoba Yu was, hurt still flashed through his eyes. “Just because of Mother Consort’s actions, you even dislike me now?”
Mentioning what Consort De had done, a trace of murderous intent flashed through Li Weiyang’s eyes, then returned to a warm, restrained smile. “Where does Seventh Imperial Prince get such words? I’m merely a small chess piece—I can’t interfere in the larger game.”
Tuoba Yu’s body trembled slightly, whether from anger or shock. These words were what he’d explained to Consort De. No matter how he explained that Li Weiyang was his ally, Consort De refused to believe it. Actually, one couldn’t blame her. Who would believe that the recent series of strikes against Third Prince came entirely from the hands of a sheltered young lady? Moreover, Consort De had long held prejudice against Li Weiyang, thinking her a disaster. To temporarily dispel Consort De’s thoughts, Tuoba Yu had no choice but to show utilization and disregard toward Li Weiyang in her presence, to stop her from making things difficult. But he hadn’t expected Li Weiyang to expose his methods with one sentence.
Li Weiyang smiled. “Seventh Imperial Prince, you needn’t be nervous. I’m not formidable enough to plant spies in Consort De’s palace. It’s just that I understand Consort De’s personality. Unless you showed disdain toward me, she wouldn’t easily give up.”
Tuoba Yu smiled wryly. “If Mother Consort knew you were the one playing chess, she’d probably be frightened half to death.”
Li Weiyang smiled. “The one playing chess isn’t me, nor is it Your Highness—it’s Heaven. Last time we eliminated quite a few of Tuoba Zhen’s hidden pawns. Recently he’s taken action again, hasn’t he?”
Tuoba Yu’s expression condensed. He hurriedly gathered his thoughts, frowning slightly. “Third Brother’s continuous moves in the outer court are one thing. Knowing Father Emperor’s health hasn’t been good in recent years, he specially invited a Master Yin. At first we didn’t take this person seriously, but over the past half year, Father Emperor has trusted him more and more, almost to the point of obeying his every word.”
“Yin Tianzhao?” Li Weiyang frowned.
“Yes, the County Princess’s information is truly well-informed.” Tuoba Yu nodded.
Li Weiyang smiled bitterly. She wasn’t well-informed. This Master Yin—she could say they were acquaintances. Previously, Tuoba Zhen had used this Master Yin to gradually gain the Emperor’s favor and trust. One could say he was the most important person on Tuoba Zhen’s path to seizing power. But she remembered Master Yin entering the palace would be at least seven more years away. Yet now—did this mean history had already changed? No, since her rebirth, many things had already changed. For instance, she’d entered the Li household half a year earlier than in her previous life. Seventh Concubine and Minde both survived. And there was younger brother Minzhi’s birth… Perhaps her very existence was a paradox. If not for her relentless pressure, Tuoba Zhen wouldn’t have used this important chess piece so soon.
Li Weiyang smiled. “How does Your Highness plan to respond?”
A trace of coldness slowly flashed through Tuoba Yu’s eyes. “Such a person who spreads heretical doctrines to confuse people naturally can’t be kept. I’ve already ordered people to submit a memorial early tomorrow morning impeaching him. We must find ways to force Father Emperor to expel him from the palace.”
Hearing this, Li Weiyang couldn’t help frowning. This was exactly the same as Seventh Prince’s previous method. And the result? The Emperor trusted and relied heavily on Master Yin. Receiving this memorial, he was very displeased, feeling his ministers were uniting to oppose him. He severely rebuked the three ministers who submitted memorials that day and dismissed them from office. Precisely because the Emperor’s attitude was so firm, Tuoba Yu began to realize Master Yin’s position in the palace was extraordinary and couldn’t be easily shaken. After another three years, the Emperor believed Master Yin’s words and completely distanced himself from Tuoba Yu, handling matters entirely according to Master Yin’s divinations. Court governance gradually fell into Tuoba Zhen’s palm.
To change this situation, Seventh Prince’s supporter Duke Luo arranged for trusted ministers to gather together outside the palace gate, prostrating and weeping loudly. They declared that if the Emperor refused to expel Yin Tianzhao from the palace, they would keep kneeling and crying. Normally this method should work—after all, public anger is hard to defy. But the Emperor had already been completely bewitched by Yin Tianzhao. Hearing officials crying so much annoyed him greatly. Back and forth, he finally became enraged. He ordered the Imperial Guards to arrest all forty-two officials crying at the gate and throw them in prison. The next day, they all received court flogging. Even so, Yin Tianzhao wasn’t satisfied and instigated the Emperor to flog the twelve ringleaders again. After two floggings, sixteen of the forty-two died, twenty were severely injured. The rest didn’t dare oppose anymore. The originally much-favored Seventh Prince was thereafter increasingly excluded from the power sphere, greatly injured. So much so that when later framed by Tuoba Zhen, no one dared speak for him anymore. One could say Duke Luo was clever, but he wasn’t skilled at political maneuvering. Most fatally, he failed to correctly grasp the Emperor’s thoughts, turning something that could have been resolved into a dead end, further playing what had been a promising game into broken mountains and rivers.
Li Weiyang looked at Tuoba Yu, smiling more deeply. “This—I’m afraid it’s inappropriate.”
Tuoba Yu naturally also knew it was inappropriate, but since Yin Tianzhao entered the palace, he’d produced many terrible ideas. He couldn’t just sit and watch him grow stronger.
Li Weiyang said slowly, “Defeating Yin Tianzhao isn’t difficult. What’s difficult is the person behind him.”
Tuoba Yu frowned. “You mean—Third Brother?”
Li Weiyang’s lips couldn’t suppress a hint of a smile. “Wrong. Your Third Brother isn’t the one who can protect Yin Tianzhao. The one truly protecting him is His Majesty.”
“My Father Emperor?” Tuoba Yu was an extremely clever person. He suddenly realized something. “You’re right. The one truly protecting and believing in Yin Tianzhao is my Father Emperor. As long as he believes in this person for one day, we can’t do anything to him for that day!”
Li Weiyang smiled. “Indeed so, Seventh Imperial Prince. His Majesty is already fifty years old this year. Yet his palace has a full ten thousand consorts and palace maids. So many beautiful women by his side—if he could only look, wouldn’t that be too regrettable? Moreover, by his side, young healthy sons are growing stronger one by one. That he would feel fear is natural.”
Li Weiyang saying such things was completely disrespectful. Fortunately, Tuoba Yu had already made arrangements so outsiders couldn’t get close. But these words still shocked him into opening his eyes wide. Yet he heard Li Weiyang continue speaking. “His Majesty first wants immortality and eternal peace. Second, he wants a strong body to enjoy beauties and extend his progeny. Both these needs are placed on Master Yin. He can both treat His Majesty’s illnesses and rapidly strengthen His Majesty. No wonder His Majesty likes him so much.”
However, Tuoba Yu disagreed. “The elixirs he献 to Father Emperor only work short-term—”
“Yes, only work short-term,” Li Weiyang smiled. “For someone His Majesty’s age, rather than remain so listless all the time, even false strength, outward strength but inner weakness, is acceptable. Moreover, how much does Your Highness understand about Yin Tianzhao himself?”
“He’s from Minzhou, a Taoist priest from Xuanyuan Mountain’s Shangqing Palace. Shangqing Palace is the ancestral home of the Celestial Master Taoism. The hereditary Celestial Master Zhang lives in Shangqing Palace, leading all Taoism under heaven. Yin Tianzhao is very skilled at bewitching common people. Local people believe he can pray for rain and snow, and also believe he can cure illness. So Father Emperor obtaining him treasured him like a precious jewel.” Tuoba Yu stated the investigated information one by one.
However, Li Weiyang shook her head. “This Yin Tianzhao is now nearly eighty years old, yet has crane-like hair and beard with a ruddy complexion. So he’s absolutely not falsely named. As far as I know, he also has considerable political acumen. Ten years ago, when rebel Prince Tuoba Yu went to invite him out of seclusion, carrying fifty loads of gold, he still wasn’t moved. This proves he’s clever and knows how to assess situations. Even more so, he perhaps knows some heavenly mandate we cannot glimpse.”
“Heavenly mandate?!” Tuoba Yu’s brows furrowed tightly. “I don’t believe he knows any heavenly mandate! If he really knew, he wouldn’t have been invited out by Tuoba Zhen!”
Li Weiyang sighed. Previously she’d only suspected—why would the always reclusive Yin Tianzhao suddenly listen to Tuoba Zhen and run to the palace? It was said Yin Tianzhao was proficient in celestial phenomena and divination. Perhaps he’d glimpsed Tuoba Zhen’s mandate of heaven and thus obeyed… No, or perhaps some kind of transaction was reached between the two. This was all beyond her ability to guess, because back then Tuoba Zhen hadn’t even told her. This man’s thoughts were too deep.
“Your Highness, Yin Tianzhao is proficient in celestial phenomena. You admit this, don’t you?!”
Tuoba Yu disagreed. “You mean since winter began there’s been no snow, then later when he performed the snow prayer ritual? That was just a blind cat catching a dead mouse!”
Li Weiyang smiled and shook her head. “He wasn’t a blind cat catching a dead mouse, nor did His Majesty say he had vast divine powers. Rather, he predicted the accurate time it would snow. So he claimed he needed to build a snow prayer platform, deliberately delaying time, choosing the appropriate moment to pray for snow. That’s why His Majesty became even more convinced of him.”
Tuoba Yu had originally been full of disgust toward this person. Now hearing Li Weiyang speak this way, he couldn’t help starting to doubt whether this master truly had the ability to predict celestial phenomena. But Li Weiyang continued speaking.
“Not only that, I heard two months ago, His Majesty’s Beauty Wang and Beauty Lu successively became pregnant.” Li Weiyang said softly. This news was told to her by Li Minde. One could see what tremendous sensation this news caused among the common people. His Majesty was already fifty this year. His consorts hadn’t had good news for nearly ten years. Now shortly after Master Yin entered the palace, people became pregnant. There seemed to be some hidden connection.
Tuoba Yu obviously also thought of the key point, saying slowly, “Since Father Emperor adjusted his body according to Yin Tianzhao’s requirements, devoutly believed in Taoism, and ate medicines he prepared, he’s indeed been vigorous, frequently favoring harem consorts. Among those with good news, we must add Lady Zhang Zhao, who just became pregnant this month.”
Li Weiyang smiled. “So, with Master Yin having such great abilities, how could His Majesty not trust him? You all oppose His Majesty believing in Taoism and eating elixirs. But which of you has the ability to pray for rain or snow to help common people’s farming? Which of you has the ability to let His Majesty father more sons? You can’t, but Yin Tianzhao can. This is the real reason His Majesty believes and relies on him.”
“But this person…” Tuoba Yu suddenly paused, a cold smile floating onto his face. “Third Brother truly can use any methods.”
“He wouldn’t send a useless person into the palace.” Li Weiyang reached out to crush a fallen leaf, the smile on her face growing warmer.
A trace of killing intent flashed through Tuoba Yu’s eyes. “I can send him to the Western Paradise.”
Li Weiyang smiled, looking at the crushed leaf lying in her palm. “You eliminate one Yin Tianzhao—Tuoba Zhen will send a second!”
“Then what should I do?” Tuoba Yu couldn’t help asking. He vaguely felt his ability to probe human hearts was inferior to this young girl before him. But he didn’t feel discouraged. Everyone in this world had their own strengths and uses. He was willing to use her strengths to compensate for his weaknesses—this was already something ordinary people couldn’t do.
Li Weiyang blew away the leaf that had become fragments, saying slowly, “There’s no need to submit memorials. Tomorrow, Your Highness, have your people submit a memorial saying Master Yin has meritorious service. Request to build him a True Person Manor and ask the Emperor to confer upon him the position of Minister of Rites, giving him first-rank civil official clothing and stipend. This way His Majesty will certainly be greatly pleased.”
Tuoba Yu couldn’t help being shocked. “Still give him promotion and titles?!” Actually his advisors had long suggested this, but Tuoba Yu had always disliked talk of ghosts and spirits. He especially hated celestial true persons like Yin Tianzhao, always feeling they deceived the world and swindled people. So he absolutely wouldn’t allow adoption. But he hadn’t expected even Li Weiyang to say this now.
Li Weiyang smiled. “This is the first strategy—fighting poison with poison. The more His Majesty favors and trusts him, the more you should elevate him. When he eventually falls from his divine pedestal, he’ll be shattered to pieces. By then His Majesty will only think he received imperial favor yet deceived the world—committing monstrous crimes. And the person who recommended him will also suffer consequences! There’s also a second strategy—diverting trouble eastward. Though Yin Tianzhao has some divine powers, his elixir refinement techniques aren’t mature and easily go wrong. So every time he refines elixirs, he has others consume them first before sending them to His Majesty. If Your Highness is willing, you can make an issue of this batch of elixirs! Of course, if you can persuade His Majesty that since the person was献 by Tuoba Zhen, these elixirs should be personally tested by Third Prince—and consumed in person to show sincerity and filial piety—that play would be even better! Finally there’s a third strategy, a real method of removing fuel from under the pot. Your Highness doesn’t understand matters of immortality cultivation. If you want to rise meteorically, you should understand the principle of fish helping water, water helping fish. Yin Tianzhao has nine senior disciples, all mediocre in talent. Only one named Zhou Tianshou—in terms of divination and celestial phenomena, the student surpasses the master. So Yin Tianzhao is very wary of him, afraid he’ll steal his rice bowl, absolutely unwilling to bring him into the palace. In my view, if Your Highness can find this person and present him to His Majesty, using him to replace Yin Tianzhao, Your Highness’s position in His Majesty’s heart will be vastly different. Yin Tianzhao’s death won’t be far off. However, none of these strategies have immediate effect. Your Highness must understand how to deal with people His Majesty favors!”
Tuoba Yu shook his head for the first time. “I truly disdain associating with such people!”
Taoist types—those who believed in them thought they were celestial true persons from heaven. Those who didn’t thought they swindled people. Especially Yin Tianzhao—he not only refined elixirs but also had the Emperor long-term consume a type of red heart pill. This medicine contained Chinese herbs, animal organs, autumn stone and other components. Most deadly, the medicine had to use young maidens’ menstruation. It sounded incredible and filthy and disgusting. Yet this medicine functioned as an aphrodisiac with remarkable effects. Relying on these medicines, the Emperor believed his theory of harvesting yin to supplement yang. But in Tuoba Yu’s eyes, these were all harmful things!
Li Weiyang saw his thoughts and couldn’t help smiling. Probably no nobly-born prince would look up to such Taoists. Not just princes—even court officials probably deeply detested this path. But Tuoba Zhen was different. In this regard he far surpassed everyone.
Li Weiyang said slowly, “In pleasing His Majesty, Seventh Imperial Prince hasn’t done enough.” Back when Yin Tianzhao manufactured red heart pills, Tuoba Zhen quietly selected large numbers of young girls to enter the palace. Many palace maids had their menstruation forced to extract this medicine. One could imagine—in terms of cruel ruthlessness, Tuoba Zhen was truly rare through the ages. But precisely because of this, the Emperor felt he was the most filial son under heaven. His final favor far exceeded the Crown Prince, Tuoba Yu and others. Yet the Emperor didn’t know—after Tuoba Zhen ascended the throne, the first thing he did was kill Taoist officials in court, demolish their temples, and expel all those in the know! One could imagine that deep down he looked down on these people just like Tuoba Yu and the others—merely an expedient measure.
“Your Highness, do you really want to lose His Majesty’s favor and trust?”
“Just because of one Yin Tianzhao, would Father Emperor become estranged from me?” Tuoba Yu didn’t know why Li Weiyang suddenly said this. His handsome face showed even more confusion in the moonlight.
Li Weiyang sighed but spoke of another matter. “I heard His Majesty recently can’t sleep peacefully, so he constantly commands princes to stand watch. At night he also sends midnight snacks. Is that right?”
Tuoba Yu was surprised at Li Weiyang’s well-informed sources and nodded.
Li Weiyang breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed the Emperor’s habit hadn’t changed. “I heard whenever eunuchs come to announce His Majesty’s decree, Tuoba Zhen curries favor extensively, treating them like honored guests. Moreover, every time it’s Third Prince’s turn to stand watch, he stays up all night reading memorials under lamplight until dawn before going to court. These eunuchs, having received his benefits, naturally report truthfully. Of course, they’ll also tell His Majesty that others are already in bed resting at this hour. For instance, you, Seventh Imperial Prince—even if you also stay up all night concerned about court affairs, His Majesty will only think you’re inadequate for great responsibilities. Because those eunuchs absolutely won’t report your words and deeds to His Majesty as truthfully as they do for Tuoba Zhen. They’ll only redouble their slander of you.”
Tuoba Yu looked at Li Weiyang in disbelief. He’d also arranged people by His Majesty’s side, yet never received such information—
Li Weiyang smiled, her smile appearing very cold in the moonlight. “Eunuchs are also people. If you always treat them as ordinary slaves to order about, they’ll easily defect. If Your Highness could treat them like important court ministers, I believe they wouldn’t easily be used by Tuoba Zhen. Of course, after Seventh Prince achieves his heart’s desire, whether to kill or keep these people depends entirely on your will.”
The more detailed, the more one couldn’t overlook. Tuoba Yu knew this. His advisors constantly reminded him. But no one could think of such meticulous aspects, because everyone fundamentally looked down on eunuchs. Offering them gold and silver was one thing, but truly showing courtesy to the worthy—absolutely not something princes could endure.
“So, Your Highness should still think about what kind of face to use toward these eunuchs from now on.” Li Weiyang smiled, reminding him.
“I’ve noted all of this.” Tuoba Yu was an extremely clever person. Similarly, he was also an incomparably proud person. Previously he absolutely wouldn’t do such things. But now he realized—if he didn’t do this, sooner or later Tuoba Zhen would occupy all favorable conditions—and annihilate him completely! When survival was threatened, everyone knew how to choose!
“Then what should Your Highness do tomorrow?” Li Weiyang tested, looking toward him. Her ancient-well-like eyes flashed with a ghostly light in the moonlight.
Tuoba Yu sighed. “I’ll do as you say—withdraw those memorials asking His Majesty to execute Yin Tianzhao, replace them with memorials conferring promotion and titles, and immediately send people to find that Zhou Tianshou.”
Li Weiyang smiled. “Then I await Your Highness’s good news.”
Tuoba Yu gazed at Li Weiyang for a moment, finally smiling. “You…” Yet didn’t know what to say. After a long while, he only said softly, “I can’t attend much to the inner chambers. Take care of yourself.”
He’d once felt omnipotent, that Li Weiyang need not worry in the future. Now he discovered he’d overlooked human hearts in many situations, even needing her guidance—how could he still confidently say henceforth she’d have no more worries?
Seeing her purpose achieved, Li Weiyang smiled gently. “Farewell, Your Highness.”
After Tuoba Yu left, a young man slowly emerged from inside the artificial mountain. The youth naturally had sword-like eyebrows slanting upward, temples like ink, possessing the pure elegance of spring dawn. Between his brows radiated brilliance that could topple cities. Though night concealed his magnificence, he still made one unable to look away. However, Li Weiyang saw he was covered in dust and couldn’t help smiling wryly. “If I didn’t know you were hiding in this passageway, you’d really frighten me to death.”
Li Minde frowned. “That man’s secret guards are too incompetent. What if someone else were hiding here?”
Li Weiyang sighed. “Besides you, who knows about this secret passage? Stop acting. Did you deliberately hide here to mock people?”
“I did no such thing.” Li Minde glanced at Zhao Yue beside him. Zhao Yue immediately pulled Bai Zhi back ten steps.
In the two years since Li Weiyang returned to the Li family, she’d watched Li Minde keep growing taller. Now he was already taller than her. This made her suspect what this boy ate. Plus he was more beautiful than women—ten parts more—which annoyed her even more. If only she had half this boy’s beauty, everything would be twice as easy with half the effort. She frowned. “Li Changle is no longer Great Li’s first beauty, right?”
Li Minde hadn’t expected her to suddenly say this and showed slight surprise.
Li Weiyang smiled. “Every time you go out, you bring back a huge pile of jade pendants and sachets. I’m so envious. Li Changle should hand over this title of first beauty to you sooner.”
Li Minde showed slight cold sweat. “What use is a man being so beautiful?”
Li Weiyang laughed. “Whether man or woman, having an outstanding face pleases the eye. What’s wrong with that?”
Li Minde stopped talking. Li Weiyang glanced and knew he was angry. She couldn’t help going up to poke his face. “Why so easily angered! Let’s talk business. You were eavesdropping behind the artificial mountain just now. Any insights?”
Li Minde sneered coldly. “Must you push Seventh Prince to the throne?”
Li Weiyang spread her hands. “Persuading him is truly difficult. This person is too lofty. Many things he clearly knows yet disdains to do. However, this very trait also determines he won’t do things like ‘when the cunning hares die, the hunting dogs are cooked.’ For me, that’s safest, isn’t it?”
Li Minde snorted. “I don’t think so. His mother—”
Li Weiyang was very surprised. “You boy really hold grudges. It was just a small matter.”
Li Minde raised his eyebrows. You don’t hold grudges? You don’t hold grudges yet scared Consort De so much she didn’t dare leave her quarters for three months?
Seeing his burning gaze, Li Weiyang felt her thoughts had been exposed. She coughed lightly. “Of course, small punishments as great warnings are also necessary.”
Li Minde looked at her with a half-smile. His eyelashes were long and thick, unlike a man’s. His dark eyes were like finely carved pearls, making it impossible to lie.
However, Li Weiyang had no guilty conscience. Instead she diverted the topic. “If it were you, what would you do?”
She hadn’t specified what she was asking, but Li Minde understood. He smiled slightly. “If I were Tuoba Yu… I heard His Majesty recently became obsessed with fragrant leaf crowns, even specially bestowing these beautiful Taoist crowns to the princes. Unfortunately everyone put them away, including Third Prince who recommended Yin Tianzhao to the Emperor. One can see he also looks down on Taoists from the bottom of his heart. This is precisely his contradiction. If I were Tuoba Yu, I’d wear this crown to court. After all, the crown is exquisite and small. Using it could also prove loyalty to the Emperor. Why not?”
Li Weiyang smiled—this time from her heart. She said slowly, “You’re actually more suited to be a prince than Tuoba Yu.” Princes not only had to control all officials—before possessing sufficient power, the first thing to do was please the Emperor. But how to please was absolutely not easy. Reading the wind, flattering—one careless move would kick the horse’s leg. Not something ordinary people could do. The most skilled flattered just right, steered faster, more ruthlessly, more accurately than others. “Too bad you weren’t born into the imperial family. But that’s also fortunate.” Li Weiyang gently made her conclusion.
However, Li Minde only smiled without answering. A distant wind blew over, lifting a strand of his hair, just covering the abnormality in his expression. Li Weiyang’s mood was relaxed and actually overlooked such an expression. On the other side, Zhao Yue’s head hung deeply down, as if wishing it could hang to the ground.
After Li Weiyang and Li Minde talked for a while, she returned to her room to rest. Early the next morning before dawn, Bai Zhi woke her. “Third Miss, today the new madam serves tea to the Old Madam.”
Li Weiyang nodded, washed and dressed, ate some simple breakfast, then headed toward Hexiang Courtyard.
Zhao Yue quietly reported, “Miss, last night in the middle of the night, Ninth Concubine suddenly felt unwell. She cried and made such a fuss that she coaxed the Master away.”
Li Weiyang’s steps paused. She was almost too shocked to speak. After a long moment, she suddenly smiled. “What was the new bride’s reaction?”
Zhao Yue said slowly, “This kind of thing has never been encountered before. Everyone thought the new madam would be furious. Who knew she actually changed out of her wedding clothes, personally brought gifts to visit Ninth Concubine, and at three in the morning went to summon a physician for her… Later the servants all said Ninth Concubine was arrogant from favor—truly too excessive. But the new madam was magnanimous enough to tolerate her!”
Li Weiyang’s steps didn’t stop, but in her heart she gained some enlightenment about this Jiang Yuelan’s character. For any new bride encountering this situation to not cry or make a fuss would already be remarkable. That she actually personally visited to console—such breadth of mind was truly too amazing.
Mozhu beside her said quietly and coldly, “Who knows if it’s an act?”
However, Li Weiyang smiled. “Even if it’s an act, could you do it if it were you?”
Mozhu stuck out her tongue but couldn’t answer with “yes.” Many things everyone knew, yet lacked the bearing to do. One could imagine—a properly married lady of a prestigious family could condescend to this extent. It was truly remarkable. This Jiang Yuelan, if not truly broad-minded, had unfathomable scheming.
Soon they arrived at Hexiang Courtyard. A room full of chattering women—before even getting close, laughter transmitted out. Li Weiyang’s steps were steady as she gently walked in.
Jiang Yuelan wore bright red embroidered silk clothing. Her jet-black hair was styled in a bun, adorned with golden hairpins, changed to a married woman’s hairstyle. She appeared three parts more charming than last night. Li Xiaoran also sat to one side, wearing a deep blue brocade robe. He looked tall and upright, refined in appearance, giving people a very steady feeling.
Li Weiyang’s face displayed an even more radiant smile. After paying respects to the elders present, she stood to one side with Li Changxiao.
After Jiang Yuelan served tea to the Old Madam, the Old Madam gave a thick red envelope. Her stern face showed a trace of smile. “Having entered the door, from now on we’re one family. I hope you’ll take good care of the entire household and bear children for the Li family soon. If you’re unaccustomed to anything, you can tell me. If you need anything, find Nanny Luo by my side…” Her words were light, not many, yet concise and comprehensive.
Jiang Yuelan responded, then not knowing what she thought of, turned to look at Li Xiaoran. Her cheeks flushed red, infinitely charming. By the looks of it, after visiting Ninth Concubine last night, Father still found time to consummate the marriage. Li Weiyang thought extremely disobediently and unfilially, yet couldn’t help elevating her opinion of this new madam two more points. Speaking of which, it was still Ninth Concubine being arrogant from favor, not knowing her own status. From beginning to end, Jiang Yuelan wore a shy smile. Even when occasionally her gaze met Li Weiyang’s, her eyes were extremely calm, showing no emotion—appearing gentle and amiable. Li Weiyang almost felt her own psychology was too dark. Before her was clearly a dignified, generous, gentle, and kind stepmother!
The Old Madam glanced at everyone present. “Changle, Weiyang, both of you come over and formally pay respects to your mother.”
The three young misses of the Li family’s main branch—Li Changle, Li Weiyang, Li Changxiao—all walked out from the side, gracefully prostrating. “We pay respects to Mother.”
Actually they’d already met last night. This morning counted as formal respects.
Jiang Yuelan’s smile was very warm. Her smile differed from the former First Madam’s expression. Though the First Madam had kind brows and eyes, her eyes could never conceal that condescending attitude. But she made people feel at ease and close.
Li Weiyang couldn’t help thinking about matters concerning Jiang Yuelan. She’d lost her mother young, growing up under her stepmother’s eyes, with seven or eight half-sisters. One could imagine her days weren’t good. Yet according to Li Minde’s information, Jiang Yuelan not only lived well but was also highly valued by her stepmother and favored by her father. Only two possibilities existed. One: this stepmother was magnanimous, treating the first wife’s children equally. But this possibility was small, because a second wife’s position was usually very awkward. Though her children were also legitimate, their status was slightly lower than the first wife’s. So usually second wives guarded against the first wife’s children. However, in great families, they’d naturally give the first wife’s daughter a good marriage, but only considering benefits to the family, rarely considering her personal happiness. The second possibility: this Jiang Yuelan was very skilled at conducting herself, able to win her stepmother’s favor and trust, thus surpassing all other sisters to win first place. Uninformed people thought marrying Li Xiaoran meant Jiang Yuelan was wronged, because Li Xiaoran was nearly forty, had children, several concubines—yet he was refined-looking, appearing only thirty, still a grand Prime Minister with high position and great authority, mild temperament, no strange habits. Marrying him meant immediately becoming Prime Minister’s wife upon entering—far better than marrying some minor official as first wife. This was a marriage with both face and substance. So unless Jiang Yuelan’s position in her family was extraordinary, such a thing wouldn’t fall to her.
While Li Weiyang pondered, she heard Jiang Yuelan instruct the matron beside her, “Take out the red envelopes for the young misses.”
Li Weiyang received the red envelope, smiling as she withdrew. She glanced at Seventh Concubine holding her own soft, cooing little brother, then lowered her eyes without speaking.
Having met the daughters, now it was time for the various concubines to meet the new madam. Jiang Yuelan seemed to particularly like small children. Her slender fingers gently pinched Li Minzhi’s small face. “This child is truly adorable.”
Of course her own brother was adorable! Li Weiyang thought this in her heart. Not to boast, but Minzhi had large eyes like Seventh Concubine’s, a beautiful nose and small mouth. His cuteness lay in smiling at everyone despite not having grown teeth yet—appearing pink and tender, ten parts lovable. No wonder whether Li Xiaoran or the usually stern Old Madam couldn’t help smiling whenever they saw Minzhi.
Small children always loved to cry. She’d never seen her own brother love to smile this much. Even Li Weiyang was puzzled.
Little Minzhi didn’t know his sister’s thoughts, only smiling until his small face bloomed like flowers. Jiang Yuelan couldn’t let go, hugging and hugging him for a full half hour before returning Minzhi to the eagerly watching Seventh Concubine. Li Weiyang coldly glanced at little Minzhi in his swaddling clothes, only knowing how to smile foolishly. She thought to herself: would this child be abducted with just a piece of candy when he grew up?
When it was Ninth Concubine’s turn, Jiang Yuelan instinctively reached out wanting to hold little Changning. Who knew Ninth Concubine instinctively stepped back. Realizing her behavior attracted attention, she smiled awkwardly. “Madam, this child loves to cry. I fear disturbing you.”
Both Li Xiaoran and the Old Madam’s expressions changed. They simultaneously felt this Ninth Concubine was too insensible.
However, Jiang Yuelan showed a smile. “It doesn’t matter. Children!”
Perhaps Jiang Ruolan’s red clothing dazzled the little girl’s eyes. Baby Changning suddenly cried out, tears and snot flowing. Ninth Concubine hurried to soothe her. Li Xiaoran frowned. “Take her down!” Ninth Concubine hurriedly carried the child and withdrew.
Li Weiyang watched her retreating figure, showing a thoughtful expression. Logically speaking, Ninth Concubine shouldn’t fear Jiang Yuelan this way. Why did her expression just now look like she’d seen a ghost? No—like she feared Jiang Yuelan would snatch away her child?! Why was this? Li Weiyang suddenly remembered something. She abruptly turned to stare at Minzhi, her entire face changing.
Minzhi didn’t know why his sister showed such a strange expression, only foolishly smiling, completely unaware that crisis had already arrived…