This chapter is translated by Angela :)

And sponsored by Naomi N.!

¹公中: (public) in olden time where multiplebranches of the family live together, there is a pool of money monitored by themain branch and the small branches would contribute to

²迎来送往: yíng lái sòng wǎng- similar to “out with theold, in with the new”

³凤子龙孙: fèng zǐ lóng sūn -descendants of phoenixes and dragons, this refers to being descendants of theroyal family since phoenix is the empress and dragon is the emperor

Chapter 57: Schemingfailed

LiChang Le’s cold eyes stared at her: “I wouldn't let you off.”

LiWei Yang remained calm and composed: “Dajie, a bit of wind and you don’t feelwell, so weak and incompetent, in the future, you must cherish yourself, do notlet father and mother worry for you.”

Havingsaid that, Li Wei Yang strutted away with Bai Zhi.

Thelist of gifts bestowed by the emperor was very long, Da Furen’s hand, whichheld the list clutched tightly.

“LaoYe, is this not too much?” On the surface, Da Furen seems surprised by the longlist of gifts.

“Theseare the rewards Bixia bestowed on Wei Yang.” Li Xiao Ran knew why Da Furenwould say so, because the gold and jewelry here, the level of values was farbeyond that of her dowry when Da Furen got married.

“LaoYe, Bixia bestowed these to the Li family.” Da Furen looked at the list, sayingeach word, she couldn’t just watch Li Wei Yang gain such big benefit.

“Furen,Bixia has said clearly that these rewards are for Wei Yang, if we don’t give itto her, the news that spread outside will not be good.” Li Xian Ran saidslowly: “The Li family cannot afford to lose that person.”

DaFuren thought about it, replied: “Lao Ye, the household expenditure for thisyear is large, the second branch and third branch of the family are also usingthe public funds¹, adding the expenses offestivities, welcomes and send off² of New Year, in orderfor everyone to have face, I even used my own dowry. You have always beenhonest, unwilling to accept offerings from officials, if we have this money,our financial situation can be relieved. Moreover, soon Min Feng will have toget marry, there are three younger sisters after Chang Le, in the future theirdowries must also be great---”

LiXiao Ran was embarrassed, to support such a large family, it was not an easything. He subconsciously chose to ignore the income from the Li clan’scountless stores and country estates. Similar to his wife, in his subconscious,he was also unwilling to give this much gold and jewelry to Wei Yang, moreoverhe could feel the defiance from this child’s bones, this violated his authorityas head of the household, he felt offended. Well, Wei Yang should get a littlelesson.

Therefore,he nodded and agreed: “Very well, I will speak to Lao Furen.”

Generallyspeaking, Lao Furen will comply with Li Xiao Ran’s opinions, so when Da Furenhear this answer, she can’t help but smile in satisfaction.

HeXiang Yuan

Thesky was still clear in the afternoon, beads of snow fell again towards evening,rustling when they hit the glazed roofing tiles, the sound of snow dense andanxious, after a few moments of effort, soon the house can be seen covered in athin layer of white. Li Xiao Ran look at the weather, frowned and entered thehouse. He saw only Lao Furen wearing a lotus green embroidered satin robe,leaning against a pillow with a red “shou” of Hunan embroidery, sitting on thecouch reciting scriptures.

“You’resaying that the rewards bestowed by Bixia should be used to fill the publicfunds?” After hearing his words, Lao Furen twisted the Buddha beads, saidsneeringly: “It is written clearly on the imperial edict, that these things aregiven to Wei Yang, now enshrined in the ancestral hall, you don’t need me toget someone to read it for you again.”

“Ofcourse I know this, but Furen she…” Li Xiao Ran did not expect Lao Furen’s facewould suddenly change, immediately turning red in the face, speechless.

“Ican be rest assured when you’re dealing with government affairs on normal days,but too indulgent towards the married woman of your house. Wei Yang is alsoyour daughter, although born of a concubine, in my opinion, is not inferior toyour eldest daughter, you should let go of this idea.”

LiXiao Ran unconsciously frowned: “How can Wei Yang and Chang Le be compared---”

“Howto compare? Coming up with ideas for Bixia to help share your burden was notChang Le, you need to think clearly!” Lao Furen remind him.

Theexpression on Li Xiao Ran’s face was not good, he was obviously turning a deafear.

LaoFuren hmphed and said: “I know, Chang Le is your first daughter, pretty andbeautiful, you and Jiang Shi have placed great hope on her. However, I neveragreed, first, our Li family has always been rising in ranks as high official,there’s no need for the thought of climbing up to be descendants of phoenixesand dragons³. Second, Chang Le istoo arrogant, maybe she will bring disaster. If the Crown Prince’s position isstable, then these two things may not obstruct anything, however the currentsituation, all of the princes are not fuel-saving lights, us involving in maynot have good results. Besides, after this incident, Chang Le’s reputation inthe city is a complete mess, if you still think that just this beautiful faceis enough to climb up to the empress’s position, then you need to be preparedto put our Li family to roast in an oil bath.”

LaoFuren’s words, had also been spoken in the past. This was also the reason whyshe never liked Li Chang Le, too beautiful and arrogant, may not be the Lifamily’s blessing.

“Whatis your position now, every step, is like walking on thin ice…” Lao Furenseemed to be muttering to herself, yet also seemed to be reminding him, “Youchoosing among the emperor’s sons, Bixia may not be ignorant of it.”

LiXiao Ran was surprised for a moment, filling with apprehension.

Hisown ideas, was it too rash?

Hecouldn’t help but nod: “This situation can be laid aside naturally, but WeiYang---”

LaoFuren sighed: “Her every words and deeds in the hall today, they are recordedinto the annals of history, even if you are not thinking of the honor shebrought for you, you still have to think of the pen of the historian, is our Lifamily lacking money, why is the need to do something so low class?”

DaFuren would definitely refuse, Li Xiao Ran could feel the pain jumping on histemple. But he dared not violate Lao Furen’s wish, so he nodded and said: “Thenwe will comply with Lao Furen.”

Anhour later, all of the precious treasures in the storeroom were delivered intothe hands of Li Wei Yang.

LaoFuren pulled her to her side and instruct her: “These are what Bixia rewardedto you, you must watch over it. Do not let anyone rip you off. Although you didwell on this matter, in the end you stuck out like a sore thumb, a bit of badcan bring fatal disaster, seek not to be meritorious but only to avoid blame,in the future you must act cautiously, understand?”

Theseare all advices from the heart, Li Wei Yang rarely received such care from hergrandmother, her eyes turning red.

LaoFuren smiled, patted her hand and said: “Silly child, the upper hand on thehigh position, is instantly a matter of heaven and hell, today has reallyscared these old bones of mine, you, are too daring; you actually dare to actin a slick way in from of Bixia. However, filial piety is always right, afterbeing titled third rank decent lady, your mother’s days would be better.”

“Thankyou Lao Furen for not blaming me.” Li Wei Yang stretched out her hands aroundLao Furen’s arm, tears falling drop by drop on the ground, leaving a string ofwatermarks.

LuoMama quickly passed over a handkerchief, smiled and said: “San Xiaojie don’tcry, you are now the most well-off Xiaojie in the city!”

LiWei Yang was surprised for a moment, immediately laughed.

Yes,the things reward by the emperor, aside from those that could not be moved butonly be used to furnish and decorate, half of them were gold, these withrespects to her future, were more useful than anything else!

DaFuren soon got a letter from Li Xiao Ran, filled with anger and rage, turnedand went to Li Chang Le’s Yan Yu Ge, when reaching her yard, Tan Xianghurriedly came out, speaking with hesitation: “Da Furen, Xiaojie….Xiaojie isnot feeling well---”

LiXiao Ran is hosting a banquet tonight to celebrate for Li Wei Yang, all highofficials and noble lords would come, at this time Li Chang Le was sick?! DaFuren’s face, turned incomparably stony. This good-for-nothing!

Next: Chapter 58