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Chapter 100: Fearless and Invincible
Aftera brief exchange of words, Li Weiyang and Li Min De returned to theirrespective rooms. The next morning, even before the sky was lit, she was wokenup by Baizhi. “San Xiaojie, the new Furen is supposed to offer tea to Lao Furentoday.”
LiWeiyang nodded. She washed up, got dressed, and after having a simplebreakfast, headed towards He Xiang Yuan.
Zhaoyuegave a whispered report. “Xiaojie, in the middle of the night, Jiu Yiniang saidshe felt uncomfortable and kept crying and whining. Her antics managed to lureLaoye away.”
LiWeiyang froze in her steps, seeming shocked into silence. She broke out into asmile moments later. “How did the blushing bride react?”
“Well…what happened was unprecedented. Everyone thought that the new Furen would beangry, but who would have expected her to change out of her bridal gown andbring gifts personally to visit Jiu Yiniang? She even summoned a physician forher in the middle of the night… So afterwards, everyone said that Jiu Yiniangwas spoilt and proud, and that she had gone overboard. The new Furen however,is magnanimous and kind enough to tolerate her!”
LiWeiyang did not stop walking, but she began to form a sliver of hesitationtowards Jiang Yuelan. If it had been any other newlywed bride, she would havecried and made a fuss, but she actually went to visit her rival personally;this type of generosity was overwhelming.
Fromthe other side, Mozhu piped up quietly. “Who knows if she’s just acting?”
“Evenif it was an act, would you be able to do it if it was you in her place?” LiWeiyang answered with a smile.
Mozhuwas tongue tied, and she could not bring herself to say yes. Everyone knew whatwas the right thing to do, but did not have that kind of tolerance to performit. A legitimate Furen could lower her esteemed status to treat a concubine;such an eye-opener. This Jiang Yuelan, if she was not truly compassionate, itwould mean that her cunning went deeper than anyone knew.
AsHe Xiang Yuan drew nearer, it was obvious that many people had flocked there;one could hear their laughter drifting from miles again. Li Weiyang’s stepswere steady and sure as she walked in lightly.
JiangYuelan was dressed in an embroidered scarlet gown, her silky dark hair adornedwith a gold hair accessory and combed into an updo marking her as a marriedwoman. She looked more radiant and beautiful than she did yesterday night. LiXiaoran was next to her, wearing deep green robe and sitting up straight andtall. He looked imposing and strong.
Abright smile lit up Li Weiyang’s face, and after curtseying to her elders, shestood to the side, joining Li Changxiao.
AfterJiang Yuelan offered the customary cup of tea to Lao Furen, she was gifted witha generous red packet, and a rare smile from her usually stern face. “You’veentered the Li Residence and is part of our family now, so I hope that you willtake care of everyone here, as well as play your role in expanding it. If thereis anything you’re not used to, you can tell me. If there is anything you need,you can also tell Luo Mama…” Her words were simple, but it held volumes.
JiangYuelan made a sound of assent, but she seemed like she suddenly had a thoughtand turned to look at Li Xiaoran, a faint blush staining her cheeks and lookingvery shy. It seems like they had managed to complete their consummation, aftervisiting Jiu Yiniang yesterday night. As such unfillal thoughts went throughher mind, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but feel slightly awed by this new Furen. Itwas indeed Jiu Yiniang’s fault for not knowing her own place, even if she was afavoured concubine. Jiang Yuelan maintained her docile and gentle smilethroughout, and even when she locked eyes with Li Weiyang, her gaze was calm,with no trace of emotion except warmth and friendliness. It made Li Weiyangfeel as if she was too devious and sly; she was the perfect image of a graciousand gentle stepmother!
LaoFuren glanced at everyone present. “Changle, Weiyang, come over here and greetyour Muqin formally.”
Thethree Xiaojies of the Li Residence, Li Changle, Li Weiyang and LiChangxiao stepped out from the sides of the hall, with smiles on their faces.“Greetings to Muqin.”
Theyhad already seen each other yesterday, but today morning was the formalmeeting.
JiangYuelan’s warm smile was markedly different from the deceased Da Furen’s.Although Da Furen appeared kind and magnanimous, she could not hide her prideand superiority towards others. However, the new Furen felt approachable andfriendly.
LiWeiyang thought back about Jiang Yuelan; she’d lost her mother at a young age,so she had to be brought up by her stepmother, along with seven other sistersborn from different mothers. One would expect her life to be filled withhardships, but according to Li Min De’s information, Jiang Yuelan’s growingyears were not only smooth sailing; she was held in high regard by herstepmother, and doted on by her father.
Therewere only two possibilities. One: this stepmother was magnanimous and treatedher stepchildren as if they were also her flesh and blood. However, it was aslim chance, as it usually was an awkward role for the new wife to fill in. Herchildren would be legitimate, but their position in the family would still beslightly lower than the first wife’s; due to this reason, stepmothers wouldgenerally be wary against them. In more prominent families, good marriageswould be prioritised for the first wife’s daughters as well. Making this movewould be a benefit for her family, but there was no consideration for herpersonal happiness.
Two:This Jiang Yuelan knew perfectly how to treat people, obtaining herstepmother’s joy and trust, and hence ensuring that she would get the best dealamongst her sisters.
Bystanderswho didn’t know better might feel that Jiang Yuelan was on the losing end formarrying Li Xiaoran; a man nearing his forties, with a handful of children andconcubines under his roof. However, he was blessed with elegant looks, so heseemed like he was in his thirties. He was also the Prime Minister; a positionwhich held power and respect. Given his mild temperament and normal behaviour,plus the glory of being the Prime Minister’s wife, it was a far better dealthan marrying a lowly official. A lucrative match like this would not beoffered to Jiang Yuelan if she did not occupy a special position in her family.
AsLi Weiyang pondered, she heard Jiang Yuelan instruct a servant next to her.“Take out the red packets and distribute them to the ladies.”
Smilingas she received her gift, Li Weiyang stepped back, glancing at Qi Yiniang, whowas carrying her chubby baby brother. She lowered her gaze, not saying a word.
Aftermeeting the daughters, now would be the various Yiniangs’ turn to meet the newFuren. Jiang Yuelan seemed to like children very much; her slender fingerssqueezed Li Min Zhi’s cheeks lightly. “This child is very adorable.”
Ofcourse he was cute, Li Weiyang thought, but this was not merely her own praise.Li Min Zhi had Qi Yiniang’s large eyes, nose, and rosebud mouth, and he lovedto smile at everybody. His toothless grin made him seem tender and plump,making him extremely lovable; no wonder Li Xiaoran and the usually strict LaoFuren could not help but smile back at him.
Childrenshould usually be crying more often than not; Li Weiyang was troubled at howher brother smiled too easily at everyone and anyone.
LittleMin Zhi did not know the frustration his sister felt; he continued grinningcheekily from ear to ear. Jiang Yuelan could hardly bear to let go; she cuddledhim for almost an hour before handing Min Zhi back to Qi Yiniang, who couldonly watch. With a cold and calculating gaze, Li Weiyang evaluated that sillyand naïve Min Zhi would most probably be easily bribed by others with just asingle sweet treat.
Whenit came to Jiu Yiniang’s turn, Jiang Yuelan stretched out her arms, wanting tocarry little Chang Jing, but Jiu Yiniang purposely took a step backwards. Sheawkwardly smiled as she realised that her move had captured everyone’sattention. “Furen, this child is a cry-baby, I fear that she will disturb you.”
LiXiaoran and Lao Furen’s face darkened, both of them thinking similarly: ThisJiu Yiniang is too ignorant and unbecoming.
JiangYuelan maintained her composure, smiling kindly. “It is no problem, she’s justa child afterall!”
Perhapsit was Jiang Yuelan’s red dress that startled the little girl; Chang Jingstarted crying, tears and snot flowing freely down her plump cheeks. JiuYiniang hastily tried to soothe her, but Li Xiaoran frowned. “Bring her away!”Jiu Yiniang left hurriedly, clutching her baby.
LiWeiyang watched her leave the hall, her expression folding into one of seriousthought. By rights, Jiu Yiniang shouldn’t be that scared of Jiang Yuelan, butwhy did she look so haunted by fear just now? It was almost as if she wasscared that Jiang Yuelan would snatch her child away from her?! Why? An alarmbell triggered Li Weiyang’s memory; she pinned her scrutiny towards Min Zhi,with a strange emotion on her face.
MinZhi had no idea why his sister put on such a weird expression; he gurgled withlaughter, completely oblivious to the crisis that was looming on the horizon…
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Translator: Jaslynn
Editor: Pending
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Next: Chapter 101 Part 1
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