The Princess Wei Yang

50.Fishing In the Snow

1倾国倾城: used to describe how one’s beauty can destroy cities and countries

2风声鹤唳: literally means “sound of wind and cries of stork” – used to describe the fear of soldiers and to represent political instability

3耿耿于怀: to keep something at heart and remember it

4衙门: historical term used for building where government officials held a court

5完璧归赵: literally means to return jade intact back to the state of Zhao; return something intact to its owner.

Li Wei Yang lightly smiled: “Thanks for Da jie’s concern.” Ever since she suffered a defeat at He Xiang Yuan, Li Chang Le seemed as if she has changed into another person. Not only did she acted gently towards her, but also acted courteously, and ensured that she kept her composure.

It was obvious that Da Furen must have given her a scolding.

Compared to Li Chang Le, Li Wei Yang lacked the luxurious makeup powder, making her seem much more young and budding. But once Tuoba Zhen saw her, he thought of her being overbearing and confident in the main room. He couldn’t help but notice her more and smilingly said: “San Xiaojie, please sit.”

Li Wei Yang didn’t decline and as if she hasn’t seen Li Chang Xi’s cold face, she sat right next to her. Li Chang Xiao furtively showed a genial smile, Li Wei Yang felt a bit astonished.

In the past life, Li Chang Xiao was the same as she was now, weak and goodhearted, obedient and understanding. Eventually, Da Furen married her off to Wu Huangzi (fifth prince) but since the mother of Wu Huangzi was of high nobility, she could only be a concubine. The main wife was domineering so her days were not easy. After she suffered two miscarriages, her mentality was slowly deteriorating and she became an abandoned child of the Li family. Seeing Li Chang Xiao’s genial smile once again, Li Wei Yang couldn’t help but feel sympathy. She couldn’t change everyone’s fate but if there was a day when she gets rid of Da Furen and others, would the fate of this sister take a favorable turn?
Looking to her other side, she saw Tuoba Zhen smilingly conversed with Li Chang Le. Li Wei Yang unwillingly smiled, Da Furen was considering the crowned prince and Qi Huangzi then, once she weighed each power, she eventually gave Li Chang Le’s hand to the powerful Qi Huang Zi. Who would have known that Qi Huang Zi was framed by Tuoba Zhen and lost his chance to the throne. Da Furen immediately used Lao Furen’s passing away as an excuse for Li Chang Le to be in mourning and prevented the marriage. Until Tuoba Zhen actually ascended the throne, it was then that Li Chang Le was sent home. In the capital, she was already a twenty-five years old spinster, everyone was mockingly laughing at the Li family for keeping this beauty1 until she has become a spinster.
At that time, she felt very sympathetic for her, under Da Furen’s pleadings, she often received her in the palace to help her relax. Yet she wouldn’t have realized the most idiotic person was herself, they have fallen in love already, but it was because of the political instability2, they still needed her as a shield for Li Chang Le …… thinking about it more, Tuoba Zhen had his eyes set on Li Chang Le from the start but because of his lower status, he was rejected by Father, and married her instead. Based on his personality, he would remember this3 and once he achieved success, he eventually would win the beauty and eradicate the mockery.

Tuoba Zhen noticed Li Wei Yang’s eyes were drifting away, revealing an absent-minded expression, making him feel rather uneasy.

Li Chang Le suddenly said: “Actually, Chang Le has an idea, to resolve this catastrophe.”

Tuoba Zhen was stunned, slits of interest drifted up into his deeply quiet eyes.

Li Chang Le confidently voiced: “In the end, snow disasters are natural catastrophes so they cannot be avoided but we can make use of manpower to resolve this issue. One way is to open the granaries and set up gruel stations outside major yamens4 in order to resolve this critical matter.”