Chapter 134
Chapter 134: Debt to Collect Later
What kind of countermeasures did Li Wei Yang have . . . Jiang Yue Lan was tense and so nervous that she couldn’t say a thing .
Li Wei Yang picked up the teapot on the table and poured herself a cup of tea . She sat down and mournfully said: “Today is Second Brother’s wedding . Who would have thought this kind of thing would happen? It is quite inauspicious . Maybe Second Sister-in-Law who has just entered the household will feel distressed . ” A regretful expression appeared on her face . “It’s just that the Heavens have already judged what is black and white, wrong and right, and one mouth cannot change white to black . ”
Jiang Yue Lan’s eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings .
Li Wei Yang noticed her reaction and smiled even more cheerfully: “Is Mother nervous? Don’t be nervous, Wei Yang does not have any other intentions . I just hope Father will thoroughly investigate this matter . . . ” She put the teacup down and spoke slowly: “Father . . . You believe that Wei Yang is guilty?”
Li Xiao Ran coldly stared at her, but Li Wei Yang simply faced him with a pair of unblinking eyes as deep as a bottomless well . For some reason, a basin of ice cold water put out the fire in his heart . He had been furious, but when he met those cold, quiet eyes and how unnatural they seemed, he only managed to firmly say: “Indeed, unless you give me a reasonable explanation that can prove your innocence!”
“Physician He said I bribed him, may I ask if this is the silver banknote I gave you?” Li Wei Yang’s eyelashes fluttered as she smiled, casually following up: “Or have you exchanged it for silver already?”
“I refuse to be bought by you at all, so how could I go and exchange it?” Physician He felt that something was wrong . He paused and looked at Li Wei Yang’s solemn expression and discreetly coughed a couple times .
“Very well . Since you don’t know where you went wrong, Physician He, I will tell you . Frankly speaking, this is the first time I’ve seen a lowly nobody who isn’t afraid of death like you . I have never kidnapped you to buy your cooperation, the evidence lies with this silver banknote in your hand . ” Li Wei Yang smiled . “The silver banknote in your hand belongs to Hui Tong Bank, but alas, I’ve never had any of their gold and silver banknotes . I wonder how you managed to acquire this silver banknote?”
Jiang Yue Lan’s complexion paled for a moment . She didn’t expect Li Wei Yang to use an exclusive type of silver banknote . Didn’t this mean that her opponent had been prepared to keep Physician He from going against her from the very beginning? It makes sense if you think about it . If Physician He did as he promised in advance and accused Jiang Yue Lan, then Li Wei Yang would let him reap all kinds of benefits afterwards, but if he went against her, this useless silver banknote would become the greatest point of inconsistency, enough to prove Physician He’s claim of bribery false . However, the problem was that she had examined the silver banknote herself, and it did indeed have the Hui Tong Bank seal, so it couldn’t be fake, but then how . . .
How could Jiang Yue Lan know that the backer behind Hui Tong Bank was Seventh Prince Tuoba Yu? Li Wei Yang had accounted for every possibility before using this silver banknote .
Li Wei Yang slowly said: “The silver banknote was not exchanged for silver at all, so in other words, your claim that I used money to buy your cooperation is simply absurd . As for your injuries, Imperial Physician Wang here can help examine you to see if you ultimately injured yourself or if you were beaten by others . ”
Li Lao Furen had to ask: “Wei Yang, what do you mean?”
Li Wei Yang gave Imperial Physician Wang a slight glance: “You are most knowledgeable in this regard, I don’t think there is a need for me to boast my limited knowledge in the presence of an expert . ”
Imperial Physician Wang nodded and told everyone: “I understand what Third Xiaojie is saying . Physician He, can you let me take a quick look?”
Physician He stood up all of the sudden, color draining from his face: “If Third Xiaojie wants an examination, then so be it! Why bother with cold and provocative words? How could I be afraid of Third Xiaojie’s scrutiny!” He seemed to be conscientious and free of guilt .
Seeing Physician He’s expression, Li Xiao Ran frowned: “Wei Yang, what on earth do you mean!”
Li Wei Yang smiled: “If Physician He really had been kidnapped and beaten, his body must be covered in bruises because a normal, sensible person will know that inflicting injury on his face will be a dead giveaway to others, let alone this obvious that he cannot even hide it . They must cover up their tracks . If they wanted him to break and confess everything, they would strike in less noticeable areas . Physician He, you probably aren’t just injured on your face . Why not let Imperial Physician Wang take a good look at you, in case you do have some hidden injuries!”
Physician He suddenly panicked . He seemed to subconsciously glance over at Jiang Yue Lan, who was in bed behind the gauze curtains . He immediately turned around and raised his voice with Li Wei Yang: “You’re spewing nonsense! Why would I hurt myself to frame you?! Why must I do that?!”
Li Wei Yang sighed softly, and her voice became gentle: “I wasn’t the one who gave you that silver banknote, so you wouldn’t have been able to exchange for silver, nor I did send people to beat you and cause those injuries . You deliberately injured yourself and even added injuries to your face so everyone would be able to see it . I just want to ask you one thing . Why are you doing this? Is it to help someone pin a crime on me?”
Everyone was taken aback . Their eyes began to suspiciously fall on Jiang Yue Lan .
Jiang Yue Lan was shocked . She pursed her lips, the rims of her eyes slightly reddenning: “Wei Yang . . . Mother has said that you are not to blame for this . Why must you point at the mulberry tree yet scold the pagoda tree? Are you saying Mother ordered Physician He to frame you? Such a thing . . . How could I do such a thing? You really . . . are too unreasonable!”
Li Xiao Ran hurled the tea cup down onto the ground and stood up at once . He stared intently at Li Wei Yang, his expressions stern: “A mouthful of lies! What are you trying to do!”
Everyone else trembled at the sight of Li Xiao Ran’s fury, not daring to speak, yet Li Wei Yang, who was still sitting on the chair replied without blinking, “What’s wrong, Father? Father lets Mother speak, but you won’t let me speak? If others were to find out—they will say that Father is playing favorites . Remember, I am also your flesh and blood . ” She seemed quite emotional as she spoke, but there was not a single trace of sadness on her face . Li Xiao Ran naturally found these words unpleasant to the ear, and his face turned somber: “Li Wei Yang, do you know who you are talking to?”
With whom? Of course, it was none other than her selfish, self-serving father that could not be reasoned with . In the past, he used to turn a blind eye to Eldest Furen’s cruelty and violence, but at least she was never lacking in anything . Looking at him now, he did indeed want to get rid of her first and free his hands!
Li Wei Yang could understand his reasoning behind this . Li Xiao Ran liked the feeling of being in control of everything . At least the former Eldest Furen respected him and went along with his opinions on the surface, but Li Wei Yang was different . She always acted on her own accord and even turned on the Jiang family despite the friendship between the two families . Li Xiao Ran had never openly said it, but he was still furious . Although he benefited quite a bit from it later on, the dissatisfaction buried deep down in his heart would eventually boil over, sooner or later .
Li Wei Yang’s eyes widened, clear as the water at the bottom of the well . She solemnly eyed him, and then her lips curved . She was born delicate and beautiful . When the corners of her lips slightly rose, her expressions did not appear to be sharp anymore . However, in the eyes of others, there was a distinct chill as her lips formed a beautiful arc, every word was coldly delivered: “Of course I know! But Father, do you know the hidden intentions of the woman you are protecting?”
A fierce gleam flashed across Li Xiao Ran’s eyes: “Li Wei Yang, if you don’t shut your mouth, I will punish you as per Li family rules . Don’t blame Father for being ruthless then!”
Li Wei Yang stood up and walked over, step by step, her form equal to his as she stared straight into his eyes . She did not appear humble nor overbearing: “Do you need to be this angry, Father? Wei Yang is only reminding you to take a good look at the woman next to you, and don’t make the same mistake again . ”
“What?” Li Xiao Ran thought he had heard wrong .
Li Wei Yang expressionlessly said: “Do you remember how you used to indulge Eldest Furen in the past? When she harmed me, you said that you will be on my side in the future, Father, but in the short span of a year, Father has completely forgotten . Could it be that beauty is of more importance to you than your children, Father?”
Anger broke out on Li Xiao Ran’s face, but he quickly suppressed it and forced a smile out of anger: “Very well, what a good daughter I gave birth to, daring to criticize me to my face! Do you still know what filial piety is!”
The two words “filial piety” bore the weight of a thousand tons . Li Chang Xiao trembled in fear, unable to say a thing . She worried that things would only get worse at this rate and quietly tried to persuade Li Wei Yang: “Third Sister, quickly apologize to Father, don’t talk like this!” As a young lady in her boudoir with a gentle temperament, she was naturally terrified .
While Second Furen and her family usually feared that there was not enough chaos in the world, she saw his sheer rage and didn’t dare to utter half a word . She looked at others in the room, afraid to make a face that would lead to a misunderstanding .
The only person who was genuinely worried for Li Wei Yang was Li Lao Furen . In all fairness, she had a special affection towards Li Wei Yang, one that was particularly deep . In the Li residence, the former Eldest Furen considered herself to be above others . Although she was respectful and complacent towards Lao Furen on the surface, she was cold and indifferent behind her back . For that reason, Lao Furen was not very close with her legitimate grandson and granddaughter . Second Furen could speak well, but she wasn’t actually her daughter-in-law and rather short-sighted . Li Lao Furen had always looked down on her . In the past, she would talk with Third Furen, but that child had an unfortunate fate . As for Fourth Yiniang and Sixth Yiniang, because of their low background, there was the occasional encounter with only a few words of politeness and never a proper conversation . Her granddaughters came to greet and wish her well everyday, but she would have them stand shoulder-to-shoulder, ask one of her granddaughters a few things, and they would reply . They were nothing more than everyday routines, so there was no intimacy . The only exception is Li Wei Yang .
At first, Li Lao Furen had some intentions to use her to give Eldest Furen a hard time, but habits easily develop over time . Eldest Furen was toppled, yet Li Wei Yang was still by her side . In the Li family, whether it is to greet her in the morning or afternoon, there is a specific timeframe allowed, one could not run over on a whim . Only Li Wei Yang was different . She could come whenever she liked . She would say that she came to pay her respects, but she actually came to talk and relieve Lao Furen of boredom . Afterwards, Li Lao Furen could not be separated from her . If she doesn’t come to He Xiang Courtyard one day, Li Lao Furen will feel that something is missing . She would send for someone to call her over, not only to relieve her boredom but more importantly, Li Wei Yang eventually came to occupy a very important place in her heart .
Seeing how aggressive Li Xiao Ran was, Li Lao Furen lightly coughed and said: “Wei Yang is just a child, if there’s something you want to say, you will say it eventually, why do you glare and ruffle your beard?!”
Li Xiao Ran was stunned for a moment then completely shocked . He hadn’t expected Lao Furen to side with Li Wei Yang . This is the first time . Lao Furen used to maintain neutrality in family affairs and would not speak up, but now . . .
Rong Mama’s face paled: “Lao Furen, Nubi knows your heart aches for your granddaughter, but what about Furen? She was pregnant with your grandson, are you going to just let his life go to waste?”
Li Lao Furen looked at her coldly and said: “When is there ever such unruliness in the Li family? When would an old servant have a turn to stand here and give me instructions?”
Rong Mama felt the cold indifference in Lao Furen’s eyes . Startled, she immediately fell to her knees: “Nubi momentarily spoke without thinking, asking Lao Furen for forgiveness! Please forgive this servant, Lao Furen!”
Lao Furen sneered and said: “This house is in chaos . Where have the rules gone? Even servants’ characters have been taken lightly!” This statement clearly meant that Jiang Yue Lan did not discipline the servants in the family well .
Jiang Yue Lan’s eyes reddened, prepared to let her tears fall when Rong Mama slapped her own face hard, speaking without pausing for breath: “It’s Nubi who is wrong, it’s Nubi who is wrong, Lao Furen, don’t blame Furen!”
“Enough, all this commotion is giving me a headache!” Lao Furen said as Li Xiao Ran immediately said: “Rong Mama, shut your mouth already!”
Rong Mama who was crying had no choice but to stop halfway through, her face flushed, not daring to make a sound .
Li Xiao Ran interrogated Li Wei Yang: “You’ve spoken for half a day, those two points do exist, but it is possible that you deliberately used a fake silver banknote to deceive Physician He, in case he failed to do as promised . Or you are using the old principle of beating people yet sparing their faces as a feint, so these two points of inconsistency are not enough to prove that you are innocent . Is there more sufficient evidence?”
Li Wei Yang smiled: “Evidence, what other evidence do you need? Father has turned a blind eye to such obvious evidence . What kind of evidence can this daughter provide that will be effective?” She spoke as if she had accepted her fate, but the gleam in her eyes gave others another impression . Jiang Yue Lan thought so . She thought Li Wei Yang would have countless countermeasures, who knows where they were waiting for her, so she was also ready to fight to the end, but she didn’t expect her opponent to admit defeat so easily . It was too hard to believe .
Li Wei Yang actually said that she had nothing else to say? This was strange! The more Jiang Yue Lan thought about it, the more suspicious she became . Her eyes quickly shifted to Li Wei Yang’s face, trying to pick out clues from her face . However, Li Wei Yang didn’t have any expression on her face at all, only indifference as if she wasn’t paying attention to anything . No! There must be something wrong! Li Wei Yang wasn’t a person that could be this easily dealt with!
It is such in life . If Li Wei Yang lost her voice trying to defend herself, then Jiang Yue Lan would certainly get what she wanted, but seeing her opponent’s calmness as if nothing was wrong, Jiang Yue Lan was filled with terror from the bottom of her heart .
“Li Wei Yang, are you admitting to your crimes?” A strange light flashed across LI Xiao Ran’s eyes . He sternly looked at her .
With those softly-spoken words, the atmosphere in the room returned to its originally gloomy state .
Li Lao Furen looked at Li Wei Yang in surprise, but Li Wei Yang only quietly looked at her father with a trace of a sneer hidden away in her eyes .
“What are you waiting for? Seize her!” Li Xiao Ran’s face turned solemn .
Li Lao Furen forcefully slapped the table, raising her voice: “Let me see who dares!”
Li Xiao Ran looked at his mother in disbelief: “Mother, you have obviously heard everything, so why are you still protecting this yatou? Don’t you know what kind of person she is? Harming her official mother, bribing a physician, killing her little brother, how could Mother still want to keep such a person in this house?”
Li Lao Furen was enraged: “I refuse to believe that Wei Yang is such a person! I don’t believe it at all! If you haven’t fully investigated it, yet you made an accusation, how could everyone be convinced?”
For the first time in so many years, Lao Furen spoke with such sternness and sharpness that Li Xiao Ran was stunned for a moment . Then, he became even more angry, the aggressively burning anger almost consuming everything as he quickly said: “Lao Furen, I know this girl is good with flattery . You are blinded by her sweet and clever words, so that’s why you believe she is innocent . Now that all the evidence is here, even if she speaks cleverly, there is no way to escape it! I can follow your opinions on other matters, but I must serve justice in this matter!” Then, he shouted: “Is everyone outside dead, why haven’t you come in yet!”
The blue veins on his forehead pulsed several times, unable to restrain his anger, loudly bellowing, he looked absolutely terrifying . Li Wei Yang coldly watched, but she didn’t say anything as if she was quietly waiting for something to happen . Before the guards could rush in, everyone saw Li Xiao Ran fall to the ground . A yatou screamed . Luo Mama was the first to react, shouting: “Quick! Quickly help Master up!”
Someone immediately rushed forward, supported him and helped him sit down in a chair . Li Xiao Ran gasped for breath for a while, his entire face had turned red, his anger leaving him at a loss for words . The yatous were busy taking out handkerchiefs, pouring tea and fanning him . The guards came in and seeing this situation, they could only look at one another and stand there, unsure of what to do .
Li Lao Furen felt pained for her son and quickly stood up: “Imperial Physician Wang! Quickly come and examine his pulse!”
Imperial Physician Wang was also stunned by the turn of events . When he heard Li Lao Furen’s voice, he immediately returned to his senses and quickly went over . He carefully examined his pulse and immediately frowned—
In this chaos, everyone was anxious and afraid . When Jiang Yue Lan saw Li Xiao Ran fall down, she immediately struggled to get Rong Mama to help her out of bed and went over to him without any further consideration . Her footsteps were uneven, her face extremely pale like a prematurely born baby .
Li Wei Yang quietly eyed Jiang Yue Lan and scoffed coldly . Her opponent really was pregnant but set a trap in front of her very eyes, leading her to think that this pregnancy was fake, so when she exposed everything, it will naturally become a false accusation . Hmph . It must have taken a lot of effort .
Jiang Yue Lan felt an intense stare on her back and suddenly turned around . Li Wei Yang was standing in the candlelight’s blindspot, and behind her was an endless expanse of darkness of the night, pitch dark and terrible like death, and it seemed to be coming for her soon .
Jiang Yue Lan’s mind drew a blank as if a sharp awl was firmly twisted into her mind . She couldn’t care about anything else . She didn’t dare to look anymore and turned back around to tightly hold Li Xiao Ran’s hand: “Master, Master, please don’t faint, please calm down—”
Li Wei Yang smiled as if she wasn’t smiling at all .
After examining his pulse for a while, Imperial Physician Wang’s expression became more solemn by the moment: “There is something wrong with Prime Minister Li’s pulse—”
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Translator: Chau
Editor: Chau
Chapter 134: Debt to Collect Later
Li Lao Furen got nervous, her worried eyes fixated on Imperial Physician Wang: “How is he?”
Imperial Physician Wang’s expression was rather unpleasant . Under everyone’s suspicious eyes, he swallowed a bit and said: “This—I do not dare to say, Lao Furen, please invite a wiser Lao Ye!”
Li Lao Furen’s expression changed upon hearing this . Disregarding etiquette, she quickly walked over and grabbed Imperial Physician Wang’s sleeve: “You have been treating my family for many years . You are our most trusted Imperial Physician, who else can come examine us but you! If even you have doubts, then how can I ask someone else?! If there is an illness, then treat it, please say it outright!”
Li Xiao Ran was still breathing hard . His face turned from red to white, the facial muscles under his eyes twitching, almost as if he couldn’t stop himself from shaking . His eyes widened as he looked straight at Imperial Physician Wang: “Imperial Physician Wang, just say it!” He squeezed every word out with some difficulty .
Imperial Physician Wang nodded: “In that case, please send everyone unrelated to this matter away, Lao Furen . ”
Li Lao Furen looked around, then nodded at Luo Mama who immediately understood and instructed a guard to take Physician He away and dismissed all the servants for the time being . Only a few trusted individuals remained, which did include Rong Mama though since she was a key witness .
Imperial Physician Wang’s face didn’t look any better . He looked around and solemnly said: “This matter is of utmost importance . I examined Prime Minister Li’s pulse just now, and it is very weak and faint . I’m afraid it’s not a good thing . Prime Minister Li, how has your health been recently?”
Jiang Yue Lan glanced at Li Xiao Ran and answered for him: “Lao Ye has been suffering from heat exhaustion these past three or four months . Every time he is exposed to the sun, he will feel weak and sweat profusely . His skin will appear flushed and often appear inexplicably . At times, he would experience panic, shortness of breath, dizziness, numbness in the limbs, and have less of an appetite than usual . ” She had just had a miscarriage and staggered, about to fall . Rong Mama hurriedly moved a chair over for her to sit down . Once she caught her breath, she continued: “Imperial Physician Wang, are you referring to these symptoms?”
“Suffering from heat exhaustion?” Imperial Physician Wang nodded, but then his expression turned into one of suspicion and surprise as if shocked by a terrible realization . Everyone anxiously watched him . Li Wei Yang only looked at them with somber eyes . Her face didn’t betray her emotions, only blatant indifference and perhaps even a hint of ridicule as if she had expected this . It’s a pity no one paid attention to her anymore, everyone’s attention was on Li Xiao Ran .
Li Lao Furen grew even more anxious: “So what is going on, Imperial Physician Wang?”
Imperial Physician Wang said: “Prime Minister Li, when did you begin to have these symptoms?”
Li Xiao Ran pondered for a moment and replied: “The symptoms of panic and shortness of breath began half a year ago . The mild heat exhaustion was diagnosed three or four months ago, but I have gone to see countless physicians . They all said that it was because I was overworking, shouldn’t be anything concerning—”
“No, it is because Prime Minister Li has used too much cottonseed oil—which is why these strange symptoms appeared . ” Imperial Physician Wang rambled, apparently hesitant .
“Cottonseed oil?” Li Lao Furen was even more confused . She didn’t know what would cause Imperial Physician Wang to make such a face .
“Prime Minister Li, would you please let me check the personal belongings on you?” Imperial Physician Wang asked . Li Xiao Ran nodded as soon as he heard him . He removed the jade pendant by his waist and took out his handkerchief . After some thought, he took out a Tianyan agate snuff bottle and handed it to Imperial Physician Wang .
Snuff was introduced from beyond the kingdom a year ago . People are used to mixing finely ground tobacco pounder with borneol, mint and other precious medicinal ingredients and aged it in the form of sealed wax pills to last for several years to decades . Inhaling snuff could relieve fatigue . This snuff bottle was a congratulatory gift from the Jiang family after Jiang Yue Lan married into the household . Logically speaking, Li Xiao Ran definitely would not carry this kind of thing with him, but Jiang Xu understood him very well .
Everyone has their own likes and dislikes . Li Xiao Ran may be cautious, but he is no exception . When faced with their favorite things, one cannot resist . Li Xiao Ran liked beautiful landscape paintings the most, and second to that was collecting unique snuff bottles . This Tianyan agate snuff bottle was both .
The painted scenery on the bottle were the works of famous artists, in a faraway ancient times with steadfast and leisurely poetry . The subject of the painting is a fashionable scholar, holding an exquisite, clear and luminous glass with his right hand and a book with his left hand, lying on his back amidst the rockery, his eyes hazy with the intoxication of wine, savoring its sweet aroma, watching the moon and drinking .
The strokes of the subject’s clothes flowed like drifting clouds and flowing water, fully expressing the scholar’s leisure and elegance . Light and freeform brushstrokes in the background, sometimes splashed ink, sometimes dripped ink and flying white expanses . Its abstract beauty was just to Li Xiao Ran’s liking . Although the agate snuff bottle had a large bore, the walls were very thin, and the contents of the bottle could be seen from the outside .
The most amazing aspect was that the artisan with skilled hands made so that there is no difference when looking at the front or back side . If he was to put the cover on and put it in water, the snuff bottle would not sink . It can be regarded as an excellent treasure, so Li Xiao Ran immediately held onto this snuffle bottle after he had initially inspected it and found nothing out of the ordinary .
Imperial Physician Wang carefully checked every item, and finally, his gaze stopped on the snuff bottle . He picked it up and closely examined it, smelling it again before he made up his mind . Finally, he said: “It’s this item . Although it is hardly noticeable, there is a cottonseed oil smell!”
Li Lao Furen was confused: "What is cottonseed oil, is it poisonous?"
Imperial Physician Wang looked at everyone and said: "Cottonseed oil is squeezed from cotton seeds . It is darker in color than other oils and can be edible after processing . However, the use of pre-processed cottonseed oil has a relatively high probability of harming the body . It is especially toxic to the liver, blood and gastrointestinal system . The most deadly thing is that it can lower men’s libido for most men and their wives . An adult man that has used cottonseed oil for 40 days . . . Will no longer have the ability to have children . . . ”
"What do you mean! What do you mean by no longer have the ability to have children!" Li Xiao Ran suddenly stood up from the chair .
"That is to say, someone put something in the snuff bottle to hinder his father's bloodline—" Li Wei Yang unexpectedly interrupted him in a regretful voice .
"Nonsense! What cottonseed oil! Impossible! Yue Lan was clearly pregnant!" Li Xiao Ran couldn't bear it anymore and turned violently thunderous .
"Prime Minister Li!" Imperial Physician Wang exclaimed, "I would never lie . If you don't believe it, you can find other doctors to examine your pulse . If I have spoken as much as half a word of untruth, I will never practice medicine from this moment forward!”
Li Xiao Ran was completely stunned, struck hard by Imperial Physician Wang's conclusive words . His legs softened, and his whole body collapsed into the chair again . He blankly looked straight ahead and muttered, "Cannot have children anymore?"
"Yes . Prime Minister Li, you cannot have children anymore . " Imperial Physician Wang slowly repeated .
Li Lao Furen was completely shocked . Her body swayed . She stumbled and fell down onto a lounge chair nearby .
Li Wei Yang coldly looked at her father’s collapsed state without a single trace of sympathy . She no longer pretended to be a filial daughter in front of her father . In any case, they were only deceiving one another . She initially knew that there was something wrong with the gifts the Jiang family had sent, but she pretended not to know because she was waiting for this day . She didn’t expect the Jiang family to use a lower-dose in fear that they would be discovered, so Jiang Yue Lan could still get pregnant . . . Fortunately, as soon as this revelation came out, everything changed completely . Li Wei Yang only walked over to support Lao Furen, softly saying: “Lao Furen, you must take care of your body . ”
Li Lao Furen gritted her teeth . Her voice sounded warped as if underwater, struggling and caught in circles before finally coming out of the water: “Imperial Physician Wang, is what you’re saying true?”
Imperial Physician Wang solemnly responded: “I have been practicing medicine my whole life to save people . I may not have extraordinary medical skills, but I will never lie to patients . ”
The entire room was quiet . No one said anything once they heard this, but the face of the person speaking became even more chilly .
Jiang Yue Lan almost felt like her throat had been burned by fire: “No, impossible, that’s absolutely impossible! You’re lying! You must be lying! How much silver did Li Wei Yang give you so that you would say such blatant lies!”
“There’s no need for Imperial Physician Wang to tell lies that could be easily exposed . We only need to find another physician to check, and we will know if what Imperial Physician Wang said is true or not . ” Li Wei Yang said slowly . No matter how many physicians they found, they would all determine that Li Xiao Ran’s poor health is a result of the cottonseed oil . Then, no matter how Jiang Yue Lan tries to explain it, it will be difficult for people to believe that the child in her womb belonged to Li Xiao Ran .
“The Jiang family has no reason to do this! Both families are in-laws, so why should they need to—” Jiang Yue Lan said resentfully .
Li Wei Yang smiled: “The Jiang family has put in a lot of effort indeed . On one hand, they married Mother off to get Father and our Li family’s attention . On the other hand, they gave away such a controversial gift . As long as Father does not have any more sons and since my younger brother, Min Zhi, is concubine-born, Father will certainly forgive Eldest Brother . At least no one will be able to threaten Eldest Brother’s position as the legitimate wife’s son . The Jiang family will naturally guard against you too, Mother, afraid that if you give birth to a legitimate son, you will threaten Eldest Brother and Eldest Sister’s status . I’m afraid that when they prepared this trap, they didn’t expect Eldest Sister to commit an unforgivable crime and be executed, so there is no way to control the Li family . Speaking of which, if the Jiang family decided to act on Mother, then it may not completely sever Father’s ability to bear heirs because there will be other women to give birth for him aside from you, so they simply—” She glanced at Li Xiao Ran and revealed a regretful expression: “Simply acted against Father, completely cutting off our Li family’s line of descendants . ”
When everyone heard this, the expressions on their faces changed . They looked at Li Wei Yang, seemingly pondering over the meaning of these words . It wasn’t that their minds were slow, it was too much to accept all at once . If Lao Ye cannot bear children, then—
Li Wei Yang slowly began to smile, but her lips had yet to curve up when it turned into a soundless sigh: “There’s one thing I still want to know . Why did Mother suddenly get pregnant when Father cannot have children? Does this child even belong to the Li family?!” Li Wei Yang’s eyes shifted from Jiang Yue Lan to Li Xiao Ran, who was blankly sitting on the chair, unable to say a thing: “Father, perhaps you should thoroughly investigate . Not how Wei Yang harmed Mother, but who the child in Mother’s womb belongs to!”
“Li Wei Yang, you’re venomously slandering me! You—you’re deplorable, who would this child belong to if not your Father!” Jiang Yue Lan was immediately flustered, almost fainting as her eyes turned bloodshot, “I have never left through the gates, nor have I slipped out the back, how could I—”
Li Wei Yang sighed: “It’s hard to say . This child seemed to be conceived around the time of Maternal Grandmother’s death . At the time, Mother stayed with the Jiang family for a few days—”
Jiang Yue Lan’s face turned white . She had indeed conceived the child with Lao Ye after returning from the Jiangs, but now Li Wei Yang was using the fact that she once stayed with the Jiang family to fabricate her involvement! She dropped everything and sank down by Li Xiao Ran’s side: “Lao Ye, Lao Ye, I wouldn’t dare to do anything to betray you, Li Wei Yang is lying about all of this to frame me, Lao Ye, don’t believe her! She must have bribed Imperial Physician Wang, it must be it!”
Li Xiao Ran raised his head and sternly looked at Li Wei Yang for a while . He proceeded to glance over to Imperial Physician Wang and Li Lao Furen . At last, he looked down at Jiang Yue Lan and gently said: “Imperial Physician Wang has been examining me since I was a little more than ten years old . He has never deceived us . ”
That single statement cast Jiang Yue Lan into the depths of hell . Her entire body trembled as her breath quickened: “Lao Ye, are you suspecting me?!”
A smile lingered in the depths of Li Wei Yang’s eyes, but an unspeakable kind of pity appeared on her face: “Mother, Father is kind to not talk about it . In my opinion, Mother should just be honest . ”
“Li Wei Yang . . . Where is your heart, how could it be so poisonous?” Jiang Yue Lan’s voice was hoarse, every word forced out between clenched teeth . She suddenly understood the reason why Li Wei Yang appeared to give up earlier . Her opponent intentionally angered Li Xiao Ran to prompt his illness to break out . She had been waiting for all of this to happen, everything had been accounted for! Jiang Yue Lan thought she was clever, yet she fell into her opponent’s trap!
“I’m just saying, Mother, you insisted that you were pregnant, so you should explain who the child belongs to, don’t you?” Li Wei Yang had an unusually calm expression, which seemed cold and merciless at first glance . She slowly continued, “During the time that Mother was with the Jiangs, Mother had the opportunity to contact outsiders . . . ”
A sudden clap of thunder could be heard from outside . Startled, everyone jumped, and moments later, lightning flashed across the screen window as if simultaneously tearing apart Jiang Yue Lan’s face . The rain and wind beyond the window raged like no tomorrow, the heavy rain pouring down onto the earth, pitter-pattering with the beat of everyone’s hearts .
The chill of the night reached down to the bones, everyone in the room was terrified . Only Li Wei Yang was calm yet unforgiving, looking down at Jiang Yue Lan from higher ground like looking at an ant seeking its own death . She quietly walked over to Jiang Yue Lan and visibly smiled: “Now, can Mother give us a reasonable explanation?” Li Wei Yang spoke very softly . That statement echoed throughout the room, taking everyone by surprise .
A clap of thunder, a flash of lightning followed, and under this light, Jiang Yue Lan’s face was of visible terror .
Imperial Physician Wang said: “Third Xiaojie, nothing is absolute in this world, perhaps—”
Li Wei Yang smiled faintly: “Imperial Physician Wang wants to say that perhaps the medicinal side effects aren’t as severe?”
Imperial Physician Wang closed his mouth . If he was to say that Li Xiao Ran may still have a chance of having children—it really did seem baseless, he could not guarantee that under these circumstances, anything he said would be wrong . Not to mention, as a man himself, once suspicion has taken root in one’s heart, it is hard to remove it . Li Xiao Ran will not believe it .
At this critical moment, Rong Mama suddenly fell to her knees and prostrated at Li Wei Yang’s feet and cried: “Third Xiaojie, it’s all because Nubi was wrong, all because Nubi was wrong! It was Nubi who persuaded Furen to fake her pregnancy to frame Third Xiaojie! Everything is Nubi’s fault!”
Fake her pregnancy? Li Wei Yang sneered . If she was actually pregnant, everyone will suspect that Jiang Yue Lan’s child has unclear origins, especially given that Imperial Physician Wang’s conclusion could not be overturned, but if it was a faked pregnancy, then it was part of a plan to frame Third Xiaojie, Rong Mama certainly knew how to choose between two evils!
"Oh, faked her pregnancy?" Li Wei Yang seemed to murmur to herself .
“Yes, it was a faked pregnancy!” Jiang Yue Lan was about to speak when Rong Mama tightly held her back, “Nubi bribed Physician He to present false evidence, he also prescribed medicine for Furen to make it seem like she was actually pregnant, everything was faked, Furen was not pregnant, she really wasn’t pregnant, if Lao Ye doesn’t believe it, ask Imperial Physician Wang to verify!”
Imperial Physician Wang coldly looked at Rong Mama: “Earlier when I examined her, the Furen of your household clearly showed symptoms of miscarriage—it was unmistakable!”
Li Xiao Ran suddenly stood up, his face turning green: “Imperial Physician Wang, I will handle this matter, but please keep this a secret . I do not wish to hear any rumors of this matter outside of those present in the room . ”
After a moment of confusion, Imperial Physician Wang came to an understanding and nodded: “Very well, I promise you . ” He turned and said to Li Lao Furen: “I must go . ”
Lao Furen tiredly told Luo Mama: "Send Imperial Physician Wang out . "
After Imperial Physician Wang left, there was a strange silence in the room . Li Wei Yang smiled . She had been all too clear about what Rong Mama was up to, seizing Li Xiao Ran’s pride to save face, there was no way he would look for another person to verify . If Jiang Yue Lan faked her pregnancy to oppress Li Wei Yang, then it was not quite the worst-case scenario, just a matter of the official mother oppressing the illegitimate daughter, but if she was truly pregnant, then it goes to show that Jiang Yue Lan had put a green hat on Li Xiao Ran .
Since Li Xiao Ran believed Imperial Physician Wang, he would never trust Jiang Yue Lan again . In his heart, he had long determined that Jiang Yue Lan’s child was not his own . However, he will not allow anyone to check again and only accepted the first possibility: that is, Jiang Yue Lan had framed Li Wei Yang, that is much better than being forced to admit that he had been cuckolded .
However, Li Xiao Ran is by no means a simple person . He is very suspicious and even more paranoid than anyone . . . Therefore, Rong Mama’s actions were no different than drinking poisoned wine to quench her thirst . Of course, this play still has to go on, it’s a pity that the person under the blade had become Jiang Yue Lan now .
Li Wei Yang didn’t pursue the matter . She never rushed when it came to removing the weeds by its roots, she only said: “Since Rong Mama has admitted to unjustly framing me, Father, how do you plan to deal with it?”
Li Xiao Ran turned and eyed Jiang Yue Lan with a rather cold and vicious expression . Jiang Yue Lan trembled, involuntarily shaking out of absolute terror . She couldn’t explain herself anyways, and he wouldn’t believe in her anymore . . . It’s over, it’s all over, her wealth and glory, her marriage, everything that had belonged to her!
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Translator: Chau
Editor: Chau