Li Weiyang smiled faintly and said, “I don’t understand what elder sister is saying. I only know I’m a daughter of the Li family. Father is our support. If you mention the Jiang family in front of father, wouldn’t that embarrass him? No matter how good the Jiang family is, you still bear the surname Li. Don’t forget that!”
Li Changle’s face changed completely in anger, her gaze becoming extremely cold. This ruined her beautiful face, making her look terrifying: “I absolutely won’t let you off! Just you wait!”
“What are you saying?!” A voice sounded from behind. Li Changle whipped around. Li Weiyang had already curtsied: “Father.”
When Li Changle saw Li Xiaoran, his face was stern, his cheeks slightly ashen. She immediately realized Li Xiaoran had heard everything she just said, and her heart surged with tremendous waves. She bit her lip hard, forcing herself to calm down. After calming, she had nothing hasty to say and could only gracefully kneel: “Father, your daughter has returned.”
Li Xiaoran frowned: “Rise.”
Li Changle stood up. The muscles beside her mouth were frozen stiff. She slowly raised her head, her gaze bright as she stared into his eyes—her look almost sharp: “Father, mother was killed by Li Weiyang.” This statement moved like a blade slowly emerging from her mouth.
“What did you say?” Li Xiaoran’s face darkened, a storm flashing across his expression.
Li Changle utterly loathed Li Weiyang. Seeing her standing to the side watching, she felt a surge of hot blood rush to her throat. She forcefully swallowed it down and said sternly, “Father, I said mother was killed by Li Weiyang! When I left she was perfectly fine. How could she be gone in such a short time?! Everything is a conspiracy orchestrated by Li Weiyang. Father, you and mother were husband and wife for decades—how can you remain so unmoved?!”
Hearing this, Li Xiaoran’s expression became even uglier. He was about to fly into a rage, because what he most feared now was being questioned about this matter. Just earlier in the front hall, he had been questioned countless times by Lady Lin of the Duke’s manor! So he clenched his fists tightly!
Li Weiyang sighed and said, “Elder sister, no one wanted mother’s death from illness. You shouldn’t make things difficult for father this way. He’s already working so hard.”
“You shut up!” Li Changle was practically shrieking. “I want an explanation! I can’t let mother be killed by you for nothing!”
“The one who should shut up is you!” After his shock came deep fury. Li Xiaoran glared at Li Changle like a vicious wolf, wishing he could swallow her whole. His teeth ground forcefully, about to spark flames. He practically squeezed these words through his teeth: “From now on, never mention this matter again!”
Li Changle hadn’t expected Li Xiaoran would explode in rage. She felt as if struck in the face by a hammer: “Father, you… I’m your most beloved daughter. How can you treat us mother and daughter this way!”
“Are you trying to oppose me like your mother did?” Li Xiaoran suddenly calmed down, his gaze icy as he stared into her eyes, saying this with a cold laugh. The expression on his face was one Li Changle had never seen—not only bone-chillingly cold but with an indescribable strange brilliance that made one’s heart grow cold watching it.
Li Weiyang smiled faintly. Li Xiaoran had long been suppressed by the Jiang family. He was originally a proud and reserved person with a strong personality. That he could tolerate First Madam’s domineering for so many years was out of consideration for Duke Jiang’s face, not fear of the Jiang family. But First Madam and Li Changle obviously didn’t think so and used the Jiang family to intimidate everywhere, finally breaking the last straw on Li Xiaoran’s nerves.
Li Weiyang’s eyes radiated compelling brilliance. She gently closed her eyes, suppressing the mockery surging to her heart. When she opened them again, her face was full of resolute serenity. She said lightly, “Father, you should go to the front hall. There are still many guests there.”
At the mention of guests, Li Xiaoran immediately resumed that calm, mask-like expression. He laughed coldly—though laughing, there was no humor at all, as if his mouth had split open: “Changle, remember, this is the last chance I’m giving you. So many guests came today. You must behave like a bereaved young lady of a great family. Don’t disgrace the Li family in front of everyone. If you continue being so willful and reckless, don’t blame father for being heartless!”
Li Xiaoran walked away with a cold laugh, leaving the already-stunned Li Changle in the courtyard.
Tanxiang glanced at Li Weiyang, fear surging in her heart. She quickly advised in a low voice, “Eldest Miss, the master is right. On a day like today, you can’t cause more trouble. Quickly go attend to the guests.”
Li Changle’s eyes widened as she glared at her: “Shut up! My affairs are none of your business!”
Tanxiang mumbled and closed her mouth. Li Weiyang observed everything and smiled faintly: “Elder sister, instead of wasting time arguing with us here, why don’t you go see mother’s remains?”
Li Changle’s face turned from pale to flushed. She only remembered her anger and had completely forgotten about this. Li Weiyang shook her head. First Madam had been wholeheartedly devoted to Li Changle, but this eldest miss now probably only cared about her own future prospects and hadn’t thought of First Madam at all. Her repeated talk of revenge was merely to vent her anger. The so-called mother-daughter affection had long been forgotten to the ninth heaven by this selfish eldest miss.
Li Changle finally arrived at Fortune Auspicious Courtyard. Upon entering the room, she saw First Madam laid out on a rosewood carved flower bed, with an oil lamp lit at her head and several Jiang family ladies and daughters-in-law sitting around her feet, softly weeping. Lady Lin of the Duke’s manor sat in a chair to the side, almost expressionless.
The room was full of crying sounds. Seeing this scene, Li Changle suddenly felt somewhat timid.
At this moment, Jiang First Madam Liu Shi raised her head, saw her, and said, “Mother, Changle has returned.”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Li Changle.
Lady Lin of the Duke’s manor looked at Li Changle without a trace of smile… The atmosphere became somewhat strange.
Li Changle covered her face and began crying: “Maternal grandmother.” Saying this, she fell to her knees at Lady Lin’s feet with a thump.
Lin Shi stared for a long time at the tear-streaked Li Changle, finally sighing and personally helping her up: “Child, you’ve suffered.”
At these words, Li Changle cried even louder.
Her eldest aunt Liu Shi and second aunt Wei Shi both hurried over to console her. Other Jiang family ladies also wiped their tears. The whole room was full of miserable wind and rain. The calmest person was actually the aged Lin Shi. She waved her hand: “Everyone else leave. I have words to speak with Changle alone.”
Liu Shi looked around and nodded: “All of you go down.” Soon, all the idle people in the room had withdrawn completely.
Only Liu Shi and Wei Shi remained standing in place. Jiang First Madam Liu Shi had an elongated face and phoenix eyes with a tall, slender figure. She was the wife of Duke Jiang’s legitimate eldest son Jiang Xu, born to the first-rate noble family of Duke Minlin—the Liu family. She had four sons: Jiang Hai, Jiang Yang, Jiang Hua, and Jiang Nan, each a dragon among men, skilled in both civil and military arts. So Liu Shi’s position in the Jiang family was very stable. The woman who came with Lady Lin to the Li family last time was her eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Han. Meanwhile, Wei Shi was the legitimate second daughter of Grand Secretary Wei, wife of Duke Jiang’s second son Jiang Li. She had only one son, Jiang Tian, who from childhood was intelligent and talented. But unlike his cousins who joined the military, he had always wandered outside and never returned home. Compared to other Jiang family members, he seemed quite mysterious. Though Wei Shi had no daughters, her concubine daughter Jiang Xin had been raised and educated by her since childhood, later becoming the Crown Prince’s secondary consort and deeply beloved by him. So she was in no way inferior to Liu Shi. At this moment, seeing Lin Shi drive everyone out, Wei Shi’s face showed some confusion, while Liu Shi remained impassive, calmly lowering her eyes.
“Your mother died from heart disease and excessive fright,” Lin Shi said coldly.
“Heart disease…” Li Changle felt her hands and feet turn ice-cold. “Mother’s health was always very good. It’s all—”
Lin Shi sighed deeply: “I was too careless. I never imagined I’d lose a daughter to her hands!” At this time, Lin Shi still didn’t know Lady of Wei’s death was also related to Li Weiyang. If she knew, she’d probably faint from anger!
“Maternal grandmother, you must help mother get revenge!” Li Changle’s eyes were blood-red. The grievances she’d suffered before nearly drove her mad. She wanted to make Li Weiyang pay the price! She wanted to send her to hell!
On the table burned a fortune-longevity patterned gilded gold incense burner, wisps of fragrant smoke rising. Lin Shi’s expression was somewhat cold and heavy in the smoke. She remained silent for a long time, as if not hearing Li Changle’s words at all. Seeing this, Li Changle involuntarily stepped forward: “Maternal grandmother, you’ve loved me most since childhood. Could it be you also won’t stand up for mother?”
Seeing this, Wei Shi quickly stepped forward to support Li Changle’s body that was about to kneel again: “Good child! Why do you say such heartbreaking words, knowing your maternal grandmother has loved you most since childhood? Even your cousins can’t compare…” This was true. Because the Jiang family had many boys, Li Changle was held like the moon among stars whenever she visited. Not to mention others, even the two aunts who normally had absolute authority had to put on smiling faces before her. But times had changed. With First Madam dead, would Duke Jiang’s manor still care for her as before? Li Changle was most concerned about this, so using the matter of revenge, she tested Lady Lin’s intentions. So she looked at Lin Shi persistently: “Maternal grandmother, Changle awaits just one word from you. If even you won’t care for me, then I’ll go twist up my hair and become a nun. That would be better than continuing this neither-human-nor-ghost existence at the Li family!”
Lin Shi’s body trembled, but she still sat in place without speaking. Even now she didn’t understand where Li Weiyang got the audacity to contend with the entire Jiang family?! Most laughable was that she actually found an opening and took her daughter’s life!
Hearing this, Wei Shi shed a few tears: “Foolish child, you must bear your grief and adapt… We’re already heartbroken enough. If something happens to you too, what will we do!”
Hearing this, Li Changle’s tears fell even harder. Just as she was about to speak, Liu Shi coughed lightly and said, “Changle, naturally we must take this revenge. It’s just not the best time yet.”
“Why?!” Li Changle couldn’t believe it. Could the illustrious Duke Jiang’s manor not handle one Li Weiyang?
Liu Shi glanced at Lady Lin and said indifferently, “If you now stubbornly oppose Li Weiyang, it’s equivalent to opposing the Li family. Haven’t you noticed? Everyone in the Li household now supports Li Weiyang. That day we merely mentioned something and the Old Madam nearly showed her displeasure. She even said Li Weiyang was clever, sensible, and considerate, very filial to your mother. Everything was your mother’s own inability to think clearly that led to—Even your father now has no regard for you. Though we support you, we are after all the maternal family and cannot casually interfere in Li family affairs.”
“Then when can we act? I truly can’t endure any longer?!” Li Changle nearly ground her teeth to dust.
Lin Shi finally sighed deeply. No matter what wrong Jiang Rou committed, the Jiang family could back her. But the current situation was overwhelmingly one-sided—everyone believed she was harsh and ungrateful, mistreating concubine daughters, repeatedly persecuting Li family concubines, causing Li Xiaoran to have few heirs. Even so, Li Xiaoran hadn’t divorced her, all out of consideration for the Jiang family’s face. If they now proposed he punish Li Weiyang, it would simply slap the Li family in the face. If it were another family, the Duke’s manor might have this capability. But Li Xiaoran was the current Prime Minister, the model for civil officials, and had always enjoyed deep trust and reliance from the Emperor. In comparison, Duke Jiang had been so meritorious over the years that he aroused the Emperor’s wariness long ago. Immediately breaking with Li Xiaoran was clearly unwise.
“When your grandfather and eldest uncle return, everything will naturally be different,” Liu Shi consoled.
“But they’re guarding the frontier. When will they return?! Eldest aunt, you’re not deceiving me, are you!”
Lin Shi slammed the table heavily. The teacup fell over, crashed to the floor, and shattered to pieces. Everyone else in the room was greatly startled. Li Changle’s face immediately paled, and she said pitifully, “Maternal grandmother…”
Seeing her like this, Lin Shi’s rage couldn’t fully emerge: “You don’t need to worry. I have my own plans!”
“But father said after ten more days he’ll send me back to the nunnery. I don’t want to go, maternal grandmother. That place is truly hellish—” Li Changle said urgently.
Wei Shi’s eyes showed some contempt. With her mother dead she felt no grief, yet obsessed over her own petty affairs. Such an eldest miss truly had a kind heart.
“Rest assured. I’m here for everything,” Lin Shi’s voice was rigid as a block of ice. She turned to glance at First Madam’s corpse, her face gradually growing cold and cruel. “The Jiang family will definitely avenge Rou’er!”
Liu Shi and Wei Shi had always known this old lady’s decisive character. Hearing this, their hearts both jumped, and they hastily lowered their heads. In their hearts they vaguely realized that this seed of hatred had been planted in Lady Lin’s heart. Someday in the future, it might become a prairie fire, burning everything to ashes…
After a busy day, Li Weiyang returned to her own room almost at midnight. She removed her makeup,披着一头乌发, half-reclining on the couch, her long sleeves trailing gracefully. Her face rested on her sleeve, appearing even more fair as jade.
At this moment, the window moved. Li Weiyang turned her head slightly: “Why did you run over here in the middle of the night again?”
A handsome face peeked in through the window with a grin, then the person quickly jumped in, carrying a jade plate with various pastries in hand, then ingratiatingly presenting it before her: “With so many people today, you didn’t have time to eat anything. I just had the small kitchen make these. Try them.”
Li Weiyang glanced at him, then sat up and casually took a pastry, smiling: “The front must have been busy too.”
Li Minde smiled as he set down the plate: “Just trivial matters, no problem.”
Today between female and male guests there were several hundred people. Besides ordinary guests who had specialized people to receive them, all important guests had to be entertained by Li family members themselves. Li Weiyang didn’t think Li Minde would be easily let off. She smiled but said nothing.
Seeing her thoughtful expression, Li Minde spoke: “I heard that when eldest uncle learned eldest brother had escaped, he was so angry he smashed his cup on the spot.”
Li Weiyang smiled: “Though he was secretly rescued by the Jiang family, he still violated father’s wishes. While preserving his life, he was also abandoned by father.”
Li Minde was still worried: “But he is after all the only legitimate son.”
Li Weiyang curved her lips: “Father is still in his prime. Naturally he’ll have sons. Don’t you know Ninth Concubine is already pregnant? The doctor says it’s a sign of twins. Father is overjoyed. If Ninth Concubine’s birth weren’t too low, and the capital had no precedent of elevating a concubine to wife, Ninth Concubine’s status would already be different.”
Hearing this, Li Minde couldn’t help frowning: “Even if she bears sons, they’re only concubine sons.”
Li Weiyang didn’t think so: “Do you think the Jiang family matron’s position will remain empty? Just now someone already hinted about this to the Old Madam—”
Li Minde was shocked, his eyes widening like a pool of spring water: “Just now?” Then he couldn’t help exhaling, “These people are too impatient.”
But Li Weiyang shook her head: “When a wife dies, the children must observe mourning for three years. But the husband need not follow this. After one year he can marry a new wife. Actually, if father is willing, marrying after the seven-times-seven ritual wouldn’t be improper either. However, the Jiang family won’t easily let this opportunity pass. They’ll definitely find ways to send new people in.”
“You mean—but the Jiang family’s direct line has absolutely no one…”
“The Jiang family’s direct line naturally has no one, but among the entire Jiang clan there are plenty.” Li Weiyang smiled. Seeing Li Minde’s displeased expression, she changed the subject: “You needn’t worry. Things won’t happen that quickly. The Old Madam also won’t easily let Jiang family women enter again.”
But Li Minde knew these were just Li Weiyang’s consoling words. With the Jiang family’s background, plus First Madam’s death being somewhat suspicious, if they truly made such a request, the Li family would find it hard to refuse…
“But First Madam’s death isn’t without benefits. At least—” Li Minde smiled and said, “At least Li Changle can forget about marrying for three years. She’s now fifteen. After three more years when she gets engaged, she’ll be eighteen…”
Li Weiyang laughed: “With her looks, even at twenty she’d still be a great beauty. What’s there to fear?”
In her previous life, when Li Changle became Empress she was twenty-five. At that age, in the capital she was a veritable old maid. But with that beautiful face, she forcefully suppressed countless young beauties. This showed that being born beautiful had its advantages.
Li Minde reminded, “With her remaining in the manor now, she’s truly a great menace.”
Li Weiyang fell silent. Li Minde continued, “Didn’t you see? When Lady Lin just stepped off the carriage today, I noticed how she looked at you. Her gaze was like a knife.”
Li Weiyang shared this feeling. Not just Lady Lin’s gaze hiding hatred—even Liu Shi and Wei Shi examining her with their eyes made her very uncomfortable. Anyway, she had already thoroughly offended the Jiang family. Pretending to be docile was useless, so she truly wasn’t the least bit afraid.
Li Minde said quietly, “Our foundation is too shallow. Among those servants in the Li manor, who knows how many are spies watching us everywhere. Now there’s also the Jiang family eyeing us like tigers. We must be extremely careful.”
Li Weiyang exhaled deeply, lying on the couch and saying, “So we must strike first.” These words were spoken neither hurriedly nor slowly, her voice neither high nor low, yet every word was forceful and powerful, clearly showing she had long made plans.
Li Minde was stunned, then smiled, as if having already guessed her thoughts. His smile was now as cunning as a mischievous little fox. Li Weiyang poked his head, and he laughed even harder.
At this time, Li Changle also tossed and turned in bed unable to sleep. She simply sat up at once: “Tanxiang, bring tea!”
Tanxiang immediately came over, looked at her face black as the bottom of a pot, and carefully presented hot tea, asking, “Miss, please have tea.”
Li Changle took a sip, then immediately smashed the white porcelain double-flower patterned tea bowl in her hand to the floor, shouting loudly, “Are you deliberately trying to scald me to death?!” She had repeatedly fallen into Li Weiyang’s hands, and her maternal grandmother refused to immediately avenge her. How could she swallow this anger? So now she vented it all on the maid.
Tanxiang was splashed all over, her hand even scalded raw. She dared not make a sound, only with tears in her eyes. Li Changle snorted coldly: “I absolutely won’t let that little wretch be smug!”
Tanxiang was very uneasy and advised in a small voice, “Miss… this servant thinks we should let it go. You saw the Old Madam and master’s expressions today. What can we do?”
Li Changle said hatefully, “I was too careless before. These matters shouldn’t have been said in front of them at all. That Li Weiyang is so cunning. I just need to find ways to deal with her privately, without going through father and them.”
Tanxiang grew even more frightened: “Miss, you mean—but didn’t Lady Lin tell you to endure for now when she left, and she would find ways for the rest?”
Li Changle laughed coldly: “Her? She’s old now, no longer that decisive maternal grandmother of years past. She hesitates over everything. Moreover, with two aunts beside her, they ultimately have no blood relation to me. How would they help me? Everything still depends on myself! However, you’re right. I can’t act rashly. At least I must first reverse my image in father and the Old Madam’s hearts. And even if I act against Li Weiyang, I absolutely can’t do it myself. I must invite someone to help me!”
Thinking of this, victory seemed already before her eyes. She smiled smugly.
Tanxiang looked at her smile, quite disapproving in her heart. Li Weiyang clearly wasn’t weak—how could she be so easily schemed against? So she said quietly, “But…”
“No more buts. Do as I say!” Li Changle said coldly.
The next day, Li Weiyang saw off a group of mourning guests and was reporting the situation to the Old Madam when suddenly there was a commotion outside.
Nanny Luo quickly asked at the door, “What’s happening? How dare you make such noise here!”
A maid rushed in frantically: “Old Madam, it’s Tanxiang from Eldest Miss’s courtyard reporting. Eldest Miss… she… hanged herself.”
“What?” The Old Madam immediately stood up.
Hanged? Li Weiyang savored this with interest, curving her lips. Li Changle, who cherished herself so much, would actually hang herself? Had the sun risen from the west today?
The Old Madam quickly asked, “How is she now?”
The maid reported, “She was just cut down. Someone has been sent to inform the master.”
The Old Madam’s face darkened: “What trick is she playing?!”
Li Weiyang smiled faintly: “Old Madam, yesterday you scolded elder sister and said you’d send her back after ten days. That she couldn’t think clearly for a moment is natural.”
The Old Madam’s smile grew colder: “Come, let’s go see what exactly she’s trying to do!”
At the courtyard entrance, Li Weiyang saw the hurrying Li Xiaoran walking quickly over. What surprised her was that behind Li Xiaoran followed the Fifth Prince with an anxious expression.
Seeing Fifth Prince Tuoba Rui, even the Old Madam had to bow. The Fifth Prince waved his hand: “No need. Let’s first go see how Eldest Miss is.”
Saying this, he followed Li Xiaoran into the courtyard without looking back.
Second Madam, who had just rushed over, looked troubled: “Old Madam, the Fifth Prince originally went to eldest uncle’s study. After just a few words, he heard servants report Eldest Miss was in trouble. He immediately proposed to come see. I should have stopped him, but eldest uncle agreed, so I couldn’t say…”
This was shirking responsibility. After all, letting a man run to an unmarried young lady’s courtyard was very improper. But the Old Madam no longer wanted to consider these things. She nodded: “Let’s go in and see.”
Second Madam couldn’t help glancing at Li Weiyang, muttering in her heart: Of all times for Eldest Miss to slit her throat, why do it when the Fifth Prince is here? Isn’t this clearly trying to lure him over?
Entering the room, she saw Li Changle lying on a beauty couch. Her face seemed carefully groomed, eyebrows like distant mountains, skin snow-white, hair combed without a strand out of place, eyes gently closed with a tear trace at the corner—looking pitiful and delicate.
Li Weiyang nearly laughed. This appearance truly aroused pity. Even she as a woman found it hard not to be moved, much less men? Sure enough, she saw the Fifth Prince showing an expression of deep heartache: “What happened to Eldest Miss?!”
“It’s all this servant’s fault. Eldest Miss returned yesterday and heard Madam had died from illness. She couldn’t bear the shock and became completely dazed, saying she was unfilial, unable to even be at mother’s bedside when she died. This servant should have noticed and watched her properly…” Tanxiang cried with utter devastation.
Li Weiyang glanced at Li Changle’s neck. On that snow-white neck was indeed a deep mark. This did look like she’d hanged herself. She watched indifferently, saying nothing.
Tanxiang sobbed: “Eldest Miss said she had done wrong things. In this household the master and Old Madam no longer believe in her. First Madam is also gone. She’s all alone—living has no meaning…” Then she glanced at Li Weiyang’s expression and said, “Even Third Miss won’t forgive her…”
Tuoba Rui, seeing the beauty he admired so pitiable, felt such sorrow in his heart. He immediately said, “Prime Minister Li, Eldest Miss is a young lady of a renowned family—virtuous, kind, beautiful, and dignified. I thought she was your precious pearl. Who could have imagined she’d be forced to this state! Could it be that the illustrious Prime Minister’s manor cannot tolerate one small woman?”
Li Xiaoran frowned, remaining silent.
Tanxiang cried again: “Master, Eldest Miss already knows her wrongs. These days at the nunnery, she ate vegetarian food, chanted Buddha’s name, copied scriptures, went nowhere. Every night she thought of home, crying and crying. When she heard you were bringing her back, she was overjoyed, desperately telling this servant she must properly show filial piety to the master and Old Madam in future. But after returning she suddenly heard the news of Madam’s death, then the master said he’d send her back. Eldest Miss speaking to the master that way was wrong, but she was also despairing that as a child she couldn’t remain by her mother’s side to see her off and fulfill filial duty! I beg you—for the sake of Eldest Miss’s filial heart—please forgive her!”
Li Weiyang said slowly, “Tanxiang, father will naturally make decisions about what to do. Rise first.”
Tuoba Rui whipped around, glaring at Li Weiyang with stern words: “Stop your hypocritical acting! All your vicious methods against Eldest Miss—I know them all! Your actions are outrageous and contemptible! I simply cannot believe that under heaven exists a woman as malicious as you, even harder to believe that Prime Minister Li has a daughter as lacking in character and virtue as you. Yet you’re actually the younger sister of such a beautiful, kind woman as Eldest Miss. Heaven is truly blind!”
Li Weiyang’s face showed a surprised expression, but inwardly she was truly amused by the Fifth Prince’s words. This Fifth Prince was really too… incredible.
The Old Madam’s face paled with anger, her voice becoming severe: “Fifth Prince!”
Li Weiyang was a daughter of the Li family. Even if he was a prince, what right did he have to run to someone’s home pointing fingers? Was he teaching them how to discipline their children?! And using this tone!
Li Xiaoran’s brow furrowed: “Fifth Prince, Weiyang is not the kind of person you describe. You must be mistaken!”
“Prime Minister Li, in terms of status and position, you are a person worthy of respect. I deeply respect you! But how can you be so confused in household matters, elevating a toad to the heavens while trampling a swan into the ground!”
Li Weiyang said coldly, “Fifth Prince, today is mother’s funeral. Please don’t shout here. This violates propriety. Even if this reaches His Majesty, he won’t approve of you!”
“Silence!” Tuoba Rui’s face was full of fury, saying clearly and forcefully, “Eldest Miss is a kind, gentle, magnanimous, noble woman. She absolutely shouldn’t receive such treatment! Yet you cannot tolerate her and bully her in every way, driving her to death. You’re simply jealous that she’s better than you in everything!” He stood before her, staring directly at her: “I warn you—if anything happens to Eldest Miss, I’ll be the first not to let you off!”
Hearing this, Li Weiyang seemed extremely worried and moved closer to Li Xiaoran, her face full of grievance.
Li Xiaoran’s brow could practically tie knots. He said, “Fifth Prince, we’ve heard your meaning clearly! But my household is in chaos right now. Please stop adding to it!”
Tuoba Rui glared viciously at Li Weiyang. Though her expression seemed panicked, her eyes held a trace of coldness. He determined in his heart that she wasn’t as innocent as she appeared on the surface! Or rather, she was fundamentally a venomous snake, a terrible woman!
He couldn’t let Li Changle continue suffering Li Weiyang’s persecution!
He involuntarily clenched his fists: “There’s something I shouldn’t say now, but I know if I don’t, Eldest Miss might leave this cruel world unable to bear it. So I’ve decided to solemnly tell you—after three years I will take Eldest Miss as my primary consort!”
Everyone stared at Tuoba Rui in shock, not knowing how he made such a rash decision!
Tuoba Rui had originally only admired Li Changle’s beauty. Today seeing her suffer so, so sorrowful, so “wishing for death,” he resolved to save her. Even if his father the Emperor opposed, his mother the Imperial Concubine opposed, everyone in the world opposed—he would definitely marry her as his primary consort!
Li Xiaoran stared at Tuoba Rui: “Fifth Prince, do you know what you’re saying?! Without His Majesty’s decree of marriage—”
“I’ll make father agree. So now I’m treating Eldest Miss as imperial family! Please respect her as you respect me, because in future she will be Fifth Prince Consort! If I learn anyone shows her disrespect again, don’t blame me for being impolite!” Tuoba Rui finished word by word, then stared at Li Weiyang with fire-spitting eyes. That scholarly face now looked quite terrifying.
Li Weiyang lowered her eyes, curving her lips. So that was it.
Li Changle’s honey trap seemed to have worked very well. Only—that she would choose Tuoba Rui truly puzzled her. She’d thought that based on Li Changle’s preferred type, she would choose Tuoba Zhen.
Actually, thinking carefully, it was easy to understand. Tuoba Zhen wasn’t as noble in status and lofty in position as Tuoba Rui. In everyone’s eyes currently he was just an inconspicuous Third Prince. If Li Changle wanted to find support to continue establishing herself in the Li family, naturally she’d find the most advantageous. Put this way, Li Changle wasn’t as stupid as before.
At this moment, the doctor pinched Li Changle’s philtrum and administered needles. She moaned softly, exhaled, and her eyelashes trembled lightly.
Tuoba Rui breathed a sigh of relief: “Good that she’s awake!”
Li Changle slowly opened her eyes. The first person she saw was Tuoba Rui. Her tears immediately rolled down: “Fifth Prince…”
That miserably sorrowful gaze, that soft, hoarse voice—even the hardest heart would soften…
Li Weiyang looked at Li Xiaoran and indeed saw his face also showing an unbearable expression. After all, she was his beloved biological daughter of over ten years. If he were completely unmoved, that would be fantasy. This was Li Changle’s purpose—to reclaim Li Xiaoran’s heart while using the Fifth Prince’s power to intimidate the Old Madam and Li Weiyang. Of course, this was still just the surface purpose. Li Weiyang felt the other party’s reasons probably went beyond this.
“Eldest Miss, if you suffer any grievance, you can tell us. I’ll definitely help you seek justice. How can you do something foolish!” Tuoba Rui was extremely tender, completely different from the stern severity with which he’d just spoken to Li Weiyang.
Li Weiyang looked at him, as if seeing Tuoba Zhen of years past, and couldn’t help feeling both amused and exasperated. One, two, three—beauties always had the charm to topple nations. But if one day Li Changle lost that face which served as her weapon, would these men still be so easily deceived?
“Father… father…” Li Changle’s tears kept falling, yet she reached toward Li Xiaoran.
Li Xiaoran involuntarily stepped forward. Li Changle gripped his hand tightly: “Father, when daughter thought you’d never forgive me again, I felt I no longer wanted to live. I couldn’t think clearly for a moment and acted this way. I didn’t mean to cause father trouble…”
As she spoke, her tears flowed ceaselessly.
Before Li Xiaoran could speak, Tuoba Rui had already interrupted: “Eldest Miss, this isn’t your fault at all. It’s all your third sister—”
Li Changle quickly cut him off: “Fifth Prince, say no more. It’s all my fault. You can’t blame third sister! Yesterday I even scolded her. After returning I felt so terrible. I know I wronged her. She’s a good younger sister who’s always cared for me. There are just many misunderstandings between us—”
The less she said, the more agitated Tuoba Rui became: “You’re still helping her even now! Look at yourself…” He felt Li Changle was truly too kind. Turning his head, he said, “Impressive, truly impressive, Li Weiyang! Look at your elder sister’s character, then look at yourself. Don’t you feel ashamed?!”
His expression was full of fury and resentment. Those who didn’t know might think Li Weiyang had committed some heinous crime. Tuoba Rui’s performance completely exceeded Li Weiyang’s expectations. She finally understood why the Fifth Prince was the first to be eliminated back then. Just based on his brains, he was born to be used by others!
Li Weiyang said lightly, “Fifth Prince, elder sister already said she admitted her wrongs. This means she acknowledges everything before was her fault. Yet you still insist I’m vicious. Are you trying to prevent us sisters from reconciling?”
Reconciling? Li Changle was stunned. She thought Li Weiyang would never reconcile with her, even expected Li Weiyang would fly into a rage after being scolded, thus exposing her usual false mask before everyone!
But Li Weiyang smiled and walked to her side, saying gently, “Since elder sister knows her wrongs, of course I’ll forgive you. Not just me—everyone else in this household won’t blame you either. Right, father?”