The Princess Wei Yang (106+)

Chapter 136 - Marriage Candidate - Part 1

He looked directly at the seating for female guests. Where would these young ladies have seen such a heated and straightforward gaze before? They all blushed suddenly and avoided his eyes one after another. Li Yuan Heng had no interest in this dull display, but he unexpectedly noticed a young lady at this moment. At a glance, she appeared quite different from the rest.


Li Yuan Heng was fairly young, but there were a lot of young women who adored him already. However, even if all these women moisturize their skin with goat's milk, none of them were born like her, with skin as white as snow. Her eyes, like the cold stars up above, brought a slight coolness with them.


Seeing that expression, Li Yuan Heng couldn't help but recall the cheetahs he'd seen in the grasslands. Aloof with a faintly discernible air of mystery and darkness, the image formed a stark contrast with those other delicate young ladies. The juxtaposition puzzled him momentarily. Didn't the women of Da Li topple over with the slightest gust of wind? How could there be such a girl? Solely judging by her appearance, he could tell that her mentality was equally firm.


Who was she? Li Yuan Heng suddenly recalled the portrait that someone had sent him previously and immediately pieced the two together. Oh, so it was her! Delight secretly welled up in his heart!


Li Wei Yang could not help frowning when she noticed the other person's expression. This kind of directness and impoliteness was already no longer a problem of social norms, but rather the other party's gaze seemed to regard her as an object that was already in his pocket. Such a look was really insufferable.


Li Min De was the first to notice Li Yuan Heng's facial expression. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he regarded the other coldly.


"Fourth Prince has journeyed from distant parts to my Da Li. Naturally, we should receive him warmly. Come, have a seat." The emperor smiled and waved as he spoke.


After Li Yuan Heng was seated, those around him were keenly interested in him, inquiring about this Fourth Prince one after the other.


At the end of the day, Sun Yan Jun came from a military family. She had heard quite a bit about this Fourth Prince of Mo Bei, and quietly said to Li Wei Yang: "This Fourth Prince lost his mother at an early age, so he was raised by his maternal grandparents. He's a master in horseback archery and is good at commanding soldiers. At the same time, he likes our culture very much. I heard that he specially invited teachers from here to teach him chess and music. At the age of sixteen, he had his own fiefdom and a personal army of fifty thousand soldiers. It's quite impressive!"


For a prince to unexpectedly have his own personal soldiers, moreover fifty thousand of them, such a thing was absolutely unimaginable in Da Li. After hearing this, Li Wei Yang couldn't help but give the prince a few more glances.


"Actually, a young 16-year-old prince without the support of a maternal clan and chased out to a remote fiefdom should clearly be an abandoned child. But my father said that unlike other people, he has a very high status in Mo Bei, and he's secretly superseded Mo Bei's eldest prince. He's really a powerful figure!" Sun Yan Jun saw Li Wei Yang was interested and continued in a low voice.


It wasn't limited to the ladies below whispering in hushed tones. Up on stage, the Emperor was also watching Li Yuan Heng. He said lightly: "Fourth Prince, I heard that there were some unpleasant disturbances when Da Li's travelling merchants passed through Mo Bei, is that right?"


Li Yuan Heng spoke calmly and unhurriedly: "What Your Majesty's says, I too have heard about it to some extent. There were some people committing outrages using the name of the Mo Bei cavalry. Our Mo Bei territory is vast, the good and the bad intermingle, and with Da Li beside us, it's hard to avoid stirring up trouble. In the end, it is our own Mo Bei that is unable to constrain its own citizens. Coming to Da Li this time, I had suggested to my Imperial Father early on that if anyone causes trouble for Da Li's travelling merchants in the future, they will be severely punished under Mo Bei's laws!"


Listening to this speech, Li Wei Yang couldn't help but smile and shake her head, saying: "These words are so high-sounding, they make others unable to rebuke him." This Fourth Prince could be seen to be a cunning fellow beneath the surface. She lowered her head, covering the smile at the edge of her lips.


The Emperor was clearly choked by this, and then said: "If you carry out a severe punishment, these people are bound to be curbed to some extent, only Mo Bei is vast and sparsely populated. When our travelling merchants pass through Mo Be, it's hard to avoid running into looters and plunderers. Moreover, these people are very familiar with the terrain, so it would be difficult to catch them even if officers and soldiers were dispatched. So how would you ensure the safety of Da Li's travelling merchants?"


Li Yuan Heng's face revealed a troubled expression as he said: "This — we can only do our best."


At this time, Tuoba Yu smiled and said, "It's not as if there isn't a way. There are relay stations in all parts of our Da Li, which can provide convenience for travelling merchants. At the same time, attending to each other is possible. Since the Fourth Prince wants to establish friendly relations, there is no harm in setting up this kind of relay station in Mo Bei to ensure the safety of travelling merchants and promote exchanges between our two countries."


Li Yuan Heng's pair of eagle eyes were on Tuoba Yu. His face revealed a smile as he said: "What he is talking about, it wouldn't be too costly to set up relay stations in Mo Bei, and they could potentially connect all parts of the country, deepen relations, and protect the travelling merchants of your distinguished country. It is indeed a good thing." His mind was also turning quickly. Setting up posts was also beneficial to Mo Bei, making it convenient for them to control the state of affairs within the various regions. And he could also use this opportunity to establish more bases of operation.


The Emperor was clearly satisfied, and said: "Fourth Prince of Mo Bei, can you handle this matter?"


Li Yuan Heng laughed heartily: "This is something beneficial for both countries, so why wouldn't I be able to handle it? As long as His Majesty approves, I will immediately send people to survey the situation along the routes to determine road orientation and locations for the relay stations. After the relay stations are built, Mo Bei will send people to allocate money and grain for the expenses. However, for the management of the relay stations, it would be inconvenient for Da Li people to intervene. Please forgive me on this one point."


This was natural. Although the idea was proposed by Da Li, if the management of the relay stations were handed over to Da Li, it would be tantamount to Mo Bei placing spies in their midst, so Li Yuan Heng's request was not unreasonable. Therefore, the emperor smiled and said: "It doesn't have to be all paid by you. We can provide half of the funds. After they are established, both countries will benefit greatly after all."


Li Yuan Heng smiled and said: "Precisely, after the establishment of the relay stations, I hope that Your Majesty of Da Li will also have the chance to come as our guest, and give our people a glimpse of your graceful bearing!"


The emperor was even happier due to the flattery and burst into hearty laughter.


Seeing the emperor in a good mood, smiles naturally emerged on everyone else's face. From the start, Li Min De had been paying close attention to the movements of Jiang Hua, Tuoba Zhen, and even the Fourth Prince of Mo Bei. He didn't know why, but he had a feeling that the Fourth Prince was not a good person. Now and then, his intuition was very accurate.


Not long after, everyone left his seat to propose toasts, and the main hall became extremely lively. Li Wei Yang watched quietly with apparent disinterest. At this moment, a figure suddenly appeared in front of her and blocked her line of sight.


Li Wei Yang had been lost in her own thoughts. Given a sudden scare, she couldn't help but feel startled. Li Yuan Heng wasn't aware that he had scared her, and even asked in surprise: "What happened? Is there something wrong?" He was actually greeting her sincerely, but such an overly familiar attitude made Li Wei Yang frown involuntarily. She said coldly: "I wonder what brings the Fourth Prince here?" This was the seating area for female guests. How could Li Yuan Heng leave the others to come over here? Just unbelievable.


Li Yuan Heng was evidently very popular with the young ladies. He would have never expected to be hated in the least this time. He subconsciously sat in the empty spot to Li Wei Yang's right, taking the initiative to offer her a cup of wine. Li Wei Yang just bowed her head slightly and caught sight of the wolf head tattooed on the back of his hand.


Mo Bei used the wolf as its emblem. Men commonly bore tattoos in the shape of wolves on their bodies. The wolf head on the back of Li Yuan Heng's hand was quite sinister-looking, roaring with its bloodied mouth wide open. Giving it a cold glance, Li Wei Yang withdrew her gaze soon after. She turned and said, "What is the meaning of this?"


"In our place, all beautiful girls are able to drink. If you can drink, please accompany me for a cup."


Li Yuan Heng's eyes flashed with a fiery light.


Sun Yan Jun was furious: "You're so ill-mannered. How can you be this crude!"


Li Wei Yang quickly noted Sun Yan Jun's remarks and hinted for her to not be impulsive. In Sun Yan Jun's world, right and wrong were separated by a clear barrier. When other people treated her well, she would repay the favour tenfold. If someone offended her friends, she would join hands to oppose their common enemy. But on this occasion, it wasn't appropriate to raise an argument.


"It's just a cup of wine!" Li Yuan Heng abruptly frowned, pulling Li Wei Yang's sleeves as he came up. Sun Yan Jun was even more incensed. Without waiting for Li Wei Yang to speak, she struck without thinking. The strength of this strike was very small, but it shocked the two of them. Li Yuan Heng instinctively turned hostile and immediately raised his arm high to slap Sun Yan Jun, but before he could move his hand, it had already been seized: "Fourth Prince, does the royal family of your country have a habit of laying hands on women?"


Li Yuan Heng was taken aback, and stared at the elegant young man who had suddenly appeared in front of him. He saw a pair of clear, pristine phoenix eyes under jet-black brows, his expressive eyes like the flowing waves, unaware of heaven and earth. The most sacred moonlight in the skies above could not outshine these two irises. Li Yuan Heng had always thought of himself as a handsome youth. Seeing someone more outstanding appear and stand in his way, his complexion immediately became ugly, going from blue to white then white to blue. He coldly asked: "Who are you?" He had always flaunted his literary talents and military strategy and had never had his wrist caught so easily. This teenager looked very young, but his strength was formidable, so much so that his joints faintly felt pain. This had never happened before!


As he tried to teach the other party a lesson yet was unable to shake him off, Li Yuan Heng couldn't help feeling utterly disconfitted. He yelled furiously, "You dare do this while knowing who I am. Are you tired of living?"


"People will know who was the first to be impolite! Why should I be scared?!" Li Min De paid no mind and answered with a smile, his face in glowing spirits, two pitch-black eyebrows seemingly able to flutter and fly.


Li Yuan Heng's sharp eyes narrowed into slits. There wasn't another person in the world who would dare to speak to him in this way. This person was certainly not someone who would be ordinary in the future. Just who was he? He just wanted to clarify when he suddenly heard Li Wei Yang say lightly: "Who he is has nothing to do with you. Fourth Prince, being this arrogant and despotic, are you looking down on the people of Da Li?"


Li Yuan Heng was stunned. He presently looked at Li Wei Yang, only to feel that the light in her eyes were flickering, as calm as well water yet as changeable as the rose-tinted sky. A single glance caused him to stare stupidly, and he secretly exclaimed: "This girl's looks can only be called pretty, but why are her eyes so outstanding, making people unable to tear their eyes away?" It was only when he regained his senses that he noticed several people around them were glaring at him.


He suddenly realized that right now they weren't in the grasslands where the folk culture was as tough as nails. Where his four wives were carried away after he took a fancy to them. As long as he was able to snatch them, they would be his. In this so-called country of etiquette, his behavior today was obviously extremely rude — and it has clearly aroused public outrage. He turned his head, sparing no effort to shake Li Min De's hand away, and then squeezed out an awkward smile and said: "No need to be so angry, I merely have some admiration for you. If you don't want to drink this wine, I will just drink it myself!" As he said this, he held the wine cup in both hands and drained the cup in one gulp. "This lady must forgive me. I have an impulsive temper, and seeing your beauty, I felt somewhat at a loss for what to do. If I unintentionally offended you, consider this as my first visit to your noble land. Not knowing the etiquette, please spare me this time."


He was so disrespectful a moment ago, but now he displayed such an unrivalled look of remorse that Sun Yan Jun was a little shocked. She stared at the other party suspiciously, for fear that he would do something offensive again, but he only had a face full of expectation as he looked at Li Wei Yang hopefully, as if waiting for her to say something.


Li Wei Yang's expression was indifferent, and she said: "Fourth Prince, I am not angry. Please go back."


Although Li Yuan Heng saw that her smile was polite and modest, there actually wasn't even a trace of warmth, only coldness. And there was a faint feeling of being pushed a thousand miles away. He couldn't help feeling extremely upset. But he was not good in public, and only smiled angrily: "I didn't scare you on purpose. I just didn't understand the etiquette, that's all. Why do you hate me like this?"


"Fourth Prince, according to Da Li etiquette, a man shouldn't touch a girl's body casually. It's extremely ill-mannered to reach your hands out like you just did. How can you blame others for not liking you?" Li Min De's eyes flashed and a sneer emerged on his lips, his peerlessly handsome face revealing a baleful look.


When Li Yuan Heng saw the hidden meaning in his words, he laughed grimly. He turned his head to stare into Li Wei Yang's eyes with his brown pupils, and lowered his voice to continue: "I am used to following Mo Bei's social customs — I won't be able to change in such a short time."


Li Wei Yang smiled slightly and said, "Fourth Prince, you are now far away from Mo Bei. There are only the laws of Da Li here. If you still abide by the customs of Mo Bei, there will be some incompatibility. I believe that when you came to Da Li as an envoy, this was not your original intention."


Unexpectedly, the lovely girl in front of him was quite difficult to deal with. Li Yuan Heng pretended to think about it: "I actually think that the customs of Mo Bei are much more comfortable than those of your Da Li. If you go to Mo Bei, I'm sure you wouldn't want to return to this place. Over there, we're very free and more respectful of the personal wishes of women. You know, the girls of your Da Li must not step outside their doors, but our Mo Bei women can ride horses and practice archery freely on the grasslands. The biggest difference between where I come from and Da Li is that we don't waste a woman's youth. A woman can marry whenever she wants to marry. Unlike you, a daughter must get permission from her elders to marry, which isn't very good! Moreover, we also allow women to remarry after their husbands have died to avoid the situation where women are alone and their children are unsupported. Listen to me, you should learn from us on this point."


Sun Yan Jun listened in shock, inexplicably appalled.


Li Wei Yang smiled faintly, and did not take it seriously: "Your marriages are very unrestricted, but women are not regarded as human beings. Although the Da Li dynasty reveres the commands of parents and the words of matchmakers, at least they will not force women to remarry after losing their husbands. Actually your sons will inherit his father's women. The younger brother will inherit his elder brother's women. You must carry it out regardless of the wishes of the woman. Is this really freedom? It is merely the freedom of men."


When she spoke, her voice was light and unconcerned, but Li Yuan Heng's eyes widened at once: "Could it be that you feel this is wrong? If you let a woman remarry to another person, wouldn't it cause a good family to fall apart, and also lead to blood mixing between the clans? That would be terrible!"


In the final analysis, Da Li's marriages were made according to the family's social status and Mo Bei's marriages required women to remarry after their husbands died. Both sides had nothing to do with the woman's own wishes. Everything merely fell to the men to decide and the women would comply. As for which side was more noble than the other, after Li Wei Yang heard him speaking of what was proper and expected, she decided to ignore him. She only said lightly: "There is no need for the Fourth Prince to be angry. It's merely a difference in social customs, and not worth arguing about."


Li Yuan Heng looked at Li Wei Yang calmly, with cunning increasing in his eyes. The beauties he had seen in his life were as numerous as hairs on a cow. It wasn't like there weren't any who could stand up to the word "remarkably beautiful", but after a while, he would feel they were dull and colourless. All except the person in front of him. Although a woman, he had heard that she quite understood strategy. Only by taming this kind of woman would people receive the ultimate thrill: "After listening to these words, I feel even more that you are — interesting." When he was done, he got up and left without a backward glance, leaving a flurry of discussion in his wake.


"Look, the Fourth Prince of Mo Bei actually came over to speak with Anping Xianzhu!"


"Right, look carefully. Her looks aren't bad, with fair skin and lively eyes!"


"It's still a far cry from that elder sister of hers! What's so great! If you ask me, the Fourth Prince of Mo Bei has poor taste. Aren't we all prettier than Li Wei Yang?"


"Hush, quiet down. She's looking over here!"


Li Wei Yang heard these remarks, but it went in one ear and out the other. She didn't take them to heart at all. Li Min De suddenly whispered in her ear: "Be careful of the Fourth Prince."


Li Wei Yang glanced at him and nodded slightly. Then Li Min De returned to the men's seating area as if nothing had happened and took the initiative to toast Zhou Da Shou. Li Wei Yang stared at his back and couldn't help falling into deep thought. The Fourth Prince of Mo Bei suddenly came over and spouted a bunch of baffling things. What was his purpose in the end? He kept on talking about marriage customs, so could it be that he wanted to take a wife in Da Li before going back? But if it was for marriage, he was bound to be matched with a princess, so what did it have to do with her? She wasn't so beautiful that she had the ability to make people pick her out from among a heap of other noble young ladies, right? Thinking up to here, she suddenly raised her head and glanced at the seating on the opposite side, where Jiang Hua just happened to turn his eyes away. That expression, stripped of the usual calmness, rationality and indifference, had actually been replaced by an indescribably complicated murderous intent. Slowly flowing right in front of the eyes, it was subtle but made people unable to ignore it.


Li Wei Yang's heart moved slightly, as if she had grasped something.


Jiang Hua wanted to kill her. Li Wei Yang had long known it, but she hadn't expected that he'd already lost control of his emotions to this extent. Li Wei Yang lowered her head, acting as if she hadn't seen anything.


---


Watching Li Yuan Heng sit down, Tuoba Zhen, who had been keeping an eye on his every move, suddenly got up and walked over to offer him a drink. Li Yuan Heng smiled slightly and drained the cup in a single gulp. Tuoba Zhen whispered: "I don't know what the Fourth Prince came here for. What do you plan to do?"


Li Yuan Heng's eyes brushed past his shoulders, looking at the girl sitting not too far away. Speaking one word at a time: "I... I would like Your Highness's help." Tuoba Zhen stilled for a moment, then laughed softly: "I don't know what the Fourth Prince needs my help with. If I can do it, naturally I will spare no effort." Mo Bei's influence was something he naturally wanted.


Li Yuan Heng said smilingly: "I'm here to take a wife. Moreover, I want the most intelligent and outstanding woman in all of Da Li."


There was a hint of amusement in Tuoba Zhen's eyes: "The most distinguished in the Da Li dynasty is my royal younger sister, the Ninth Princess, nowadays the most beautiful is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis of Wu'an, and the most talented is the youngest daughter of Grand Secretary Zhang. I don't know which one Your Majesty has a preference for?"


Li Yuan Heng's face was determined: "What if I said I wanted it all?"


Tuoba Zhen laughed brightly, and a trace of helplessness appeared on his handsome face: "You are truly a lion opening its big mouth! However, if you really want to marry these three, I naturally have a way to fulfil your wish."


Li Yuan Heng said with a smile: "No need. In fact, I've already taken a liking to a beautiful lady, and it's Anping Xianzhu!"


Tuoba Zhen's expression suddenly changed. For a split second, his eyes almost appeared sinister, but it was a pity that Li Yuan Heng didn't even notice. Tuoba Zhen suppressed the anger in his heart and said, "It's Li Wei Yang? Her looks aren't the best, and she's also mediocre in terms of talent. As for status, although she has the title of Xianzhu, it's only an empty name. The Fourth Prince certainly wouldn't know that her mother was merely a foot-washing maid who served Prime Minister Li. It's well known. As a prince of Mo Bei, are you not afraid of being ridiculed by marrying such a woman? Naturally, you should choose from genuine blue-blooded nobility, girls such as my royal sister!"


"That's not true," Li Yuan Heng clearly heard the unpleasantness in the other party's words. Li Yuan Heng's expression did not change. He was still smiling, but suddenly from his mouth came: "I dare say, if she had no ability, how could your emperor confer the title of Xianzhu upon her? ​​I won't hide it from you. I dislike those sweet and delicate Da Li princesses and don't like those accomplished daughters of prestigious houses reciting poetry and composing music at every turn. I like women who are smart and cunning! You also don't have to hide it from me. I have already heard everything about her, and I want her!"

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Translator: joeyburbz

Editor: joeyburbz