Chapter 102 part1
Chapter 102: In A Great Mess
Notes:
Yang Guan Road -- referring to abroad, convenient road. A single-plank bridge is clearly not convenient.Meaning is: You can act conveniently, but I also have my ways.
Hand warmer - small, handheldcontainers with openings on top and coal or charcoal inside
Ginseng Lily soup - usually consistingof ginseng, lilies, figs, pork, and dried tangerine peel; good for the lungs
In Li Wei Yang’s courtyard, Zhao Nan wasreporting back on Li Min Zhi’s current situation.
“Si Shaoye’s caretakers are very meticulous.Everything is well-prepared, and they always hold him and do not leave him onhis own in the crib. Furen comes to check three times a day and in the middleof the night, she gets up and checks twice more. Laoye said she may not even dothis for her own children.” Zhao Nan reported back emotionlessly but wasclearly unhappy because Li Wei Yang had him watch over a child.
Li Wei Yang smiled and said: “Overindulging achild will only harm him.”
Zhao Nan noticed something off in her wordsbut did not understand it. Suddenly, a voice rang out behind him: “You stilldon’t understand? At first, Si Di was very quick and clever, able to turn inbed and sit steadily with a bit of help. He is usually looking for Qi Yiniangeverywhere, which is enough to show that he is clever and able to recognizeothers. Now the wet nurse holds him and does not let him stay in the crib; shehas an ulterior motive!”
Zhao Nan saw Li Min De come in and quicklygreeted him. Li Min De waved his hand and said: “You really are blockheaded.You were told to watch and listen closely and think carefully, but you arestill dense!”
For the past two years, Li Min De rarely cameto Li Wei Yang’s courtyard to avoid suspicion, but this time, it was definitelyessential to discuss Min Zhi’s predicament. Li Wei Yang looked at him. Li MinDe wore garments with golden cloud embroidery and a cloak with silver furlining. The color was elegant and refined, making seem even more outstanding.He smiled and said: “Zhao Nan is not well versed in these things, so it’s notsurprising.”
Li Min De slightly smiled: “Still has much tolearn.” Having said this, he looked to Zhao Nan, “It can be said that Jiang YueLan is a crafty person. You must know that there is a way to give someone thebest foods to eat and best clothes to wear without teaching them well. Withsomething like this, there is no need to resort to beating, scolding andmistreatment, especially when she will also be praised by the whole family.”
Jiang Yue Lan’s actions did not go unnoticedby Li Xiao Ran, who felt very grateful towards her. Even if Min Zhi becameignorant and incompetent and acted arrogantly in the future, it would only bebecause he had an ill fate and could not be educated differently. After all, hehad been given the best of the best and had been carefully looked after andprotected, why did he turn out this way?
Even if someone discovered this in thefuture, at most, they would only say that where there is a kind mother, thereis a useless son, in regards to Jiang Yue Lan. She just spoiled the child toomuch. It is hard to think of an ulterior motive. However, Li Wei Yang and LiMin De were individuals who were fond of thinking of things in a viciousmanner. It was clear that both had reached the same conclusion.
Zhao Nan still could not believe it. The newfragile Furen was gentle and sensitive and seemed to genuinely love Min Zhi,worry for him, and held him in her arms afraid that he would fall. She did notseem like someone with hidden motives in mind.
Li Wei Yang smiled and said: “I used to put alot of toys in Si Di’s crib. I also put up many drawings in front of him everyday and gave him more opportunities to listen, see, and interact. Si Di latchedonto things he was interested in to examine and play with, does Furen do thatfor him too?”
Zhao Nan thought for a moment, then shook hishead.
Li Wei Yang indifferently said: “That’sprecisely why. Holding a child this old and spoiling him like this, even ifhe’s healthy and strong, he will grow up to be useless! I used to say that DaFuren was despicable, but I feel that Jiang Yue Lan is much more capable thanDa Furen!”
Li Min De smiled as he normally would: “Ofcourse, Jiang Rou was the eldest daughter and had the entire Jiang Guogongfamily supporting her. She had nothing to worry about. If she despised someone,she would find a way to eliminate the thorn in her eye. The Jiang familystrictly disciplines their sons yet spoils their daughters indeed, but JiangYue Lan is different. Although she was born the daughter of the official wife,her father was not as capable as Jiang Xu. With a stepmother and many brothersand sisters, if she did not fight to climb over others, how could she getthrough a day peacefully? So she is good with underhanded methods that are notin the open and obvious. This is what she is better than Jiang Rou at.”
“Jiang Yue Lan is not only trying to dealwith me. She saw how Fuqin cherished and doted on Min Zhi and was afraid thatin the future, her own son will be disadvantaged.” Li Wei Yang blankly said.Indeed, Li Xiao Ran’s love for Li Min Zhi had far exceeded what it should havebeen for a concubine-born son. No wonder Jiang Yue Lan was worried.
Li Wei Yang was a bit worried. Da Furen’sdespicable actions could be easily dealt with, but Jiang Yue Lan was different.She knew how to use her status as the rightful Furen to act and act openly.Even if others found out, she would use their difference in status to crushresistance, making them helpless. In any case, the right to raise anddiscipline children was still hers. It is also true that she was carefullyraising the child, so what was there to say? There was no way to express suchgrievances! On the other hand, you would still have to thank her and run afterher. It was a powerful advantage indeed! Had Da Furen used a similar methodback then, Li Wei Yang would not have disposed of her so quickly.
Li Min De looked to Li Wei Yang: “What shouldwe do?”
Li Wei Yang smiled thinly: “She owns the YangGuan Road, so I will have to cross the single-plank bridge. Just wait and see.”
After the snowfall, the sun was rarely out,but it seemed brighter out because the sunlight reflected against the snow. LaoFuren stood in the hallway with her hand warmer, looking at the red plumblossoms and snow outside. She only felt the fragrance waft by, the fragrantchill seeping into her bones. She could not help but smile: “This snowfall hasended up on the red blossoms. A truly beautiful sight.”
Luo Mama smiled. “It is also because of DaFuren’s filial piety, planting red plum blossoms in the courtyard and alsooften inviting you here.”
Lao Furen smiled and nodded, watching thefalling snow and admiring the red plum blossoms. She said: “She is also asensible person.”
Luo Mama chuckled but did not say anything.
Lao Furen glanced over the snow, as ifthinking to herself: “With this much snow, Min Zhi will probably be very happyto see a snowman made.”
Luo Mama smiled: “Lao Furen, Si Shaoye isstill young. How can he run and play in this weather? However, with your loveand care, he can run around in a few more years.”
“The child smiles at whoever he sees. It’struly lovable.” Lao Furen smiled, “Pity he was born from an Yiniang. If he wasJiang Yue Lan’s child, everything would be different.”
Luo Mama chuckled: “Si Shaoye is blessed tobe brought up under Da Furen now. I heard that Furen lovingly holds him in herarms all day long. One can see that she genuinely loves Shaoye, and in the longrun, he will be no different from the children of the official wife.”
Lao Furen nodded: “I agree. I only fear thatonce Jiang Yue Lan has a child of her own, she will no longer care for our MinZhi like before.”
She said “our Min Zhi.” This had neverhappened before. In the past, because of Da Furen, Lao Furen always feltdistanced from Li Min Feng. She did love him, there was a feeling, like anitch, that left her uncomfortable. She was afraid Da Furen would be even moredifficult to control because she had this son. However, Lao Furen was not ascautious around Li Min Zhi, a chubby child that was always smiling at others.
Luo Mama could not help but sigh. In the end,Lao Furen still cared for her grandchildren at old age. In any case, aninnocent child like Si Shaoye was certainly lovable. She said: “This matter… Ifear will not happen. I heard Si Shaoye was frightened last night. Da Furenheard the yatous report back and rushed over, fearing the child caught a cold.When they returned, Furen was still busy. It goes to show how sincerely DaFuren loves Si Shaoye. Besides, Furen is a clever person. The child still has awet nurse looking after him. When he grows up, he can go out and study. Furendoes not need to overthink it. In the future, Si Shaoye’s accomplishments willalso be a result of Furen’s efforts.”
Lao Furen thought for a moment, her frowneasing away: “That is also true.”
Luo Mama smiled and said: “Indeed, Da Furentruly has her ways. You see, Da Xiaojie has become more sensible now. Furen hastaught her well. Our household is also managed well with not a single thing outof place! Lao Furen need not worry too much. Look after your wellbeing.”
Lao Furen nodded: “Li Chang Le is liked byothers nowadays. She occasionally accompanies Jiang Yue Lan to come and greetme, not falling short of etiquette. I originally wanted to use this opportunityto warn her, but she has improved, so I cannot say anything. In such a bigmatter, only a bit is enough. In any case, in three years, she will immediatelybe married off. Whether it’s a good or bad thing will depend on her fate.”
Luo Mama only smiled: “Lao Furen is wise.” Asshe was speaking, she saw a young girl who had everyone’s attention walk inthrough the doors. Lao Furen gestured at her, smiling: “Look, that yatou WeiYang is growing lovelier these days!”
Li Wei Yang reached the age of fifteen thisyear. She was taller than before, slender and graceful. Although her face wasnot up to par with Li Chang Le’s heavenly beauty, she was still a young,compelling beauty.
Li Wei Yang walked over with a smile. LaoFuren took her hand and said: “Why didn’t you bring a hand warmer, you werenever fond of the cold.”
Li Wei Yang only smiled: “A hand warmer growscold when on a long road, so I chose not to bring one and came to Lao Furen’splace for warmth instead. Won’t that be better?”
Lao Furen smiled and said: “This child,you’re just trying to take advantage of me.” Turning away, she said: “Comeinside and talk.”
When Li Wei Yang came near the room, she feltthe warmth like a spring breeze, making her entire body relax. There were sixpots of burning charcoal in the room. From time to time, a slight cracklingsound was made. The warmth of the burning charcoal rose up to her face,bringing with it the fragrance of candles in the room. She sat down beside LaoFuren.
Lao Furen took a look. Li Wei Yang had herhair done in an exquisite manner. There were no gold accessories in her hair,only some crystal flowers. Her garments were adorned with small plum blossomsand silver embroidery of snowfall, simple and gentle yet lively. Lao Furennodded to herself. Although Li Wei Yang predominantly wore white, what she worewould not make anyone look down on her.
At that moment, there were several cracklingbursts from the charcoal pots as if it wanted to frighten others.
Lao Furen waved her hand and a yatou broughta bowl of thick brown sugar ginger soup over on a tray. Li Wei Yang drank it,and the yatou helped her take off her heavy, fur-trimmed outer robe.
Lao Furen saw Li Wei Yang’s face hadsignificantly improved and smiled: “Why did you come over here when it’s thiscold outside?”
Li Wei Yang smiled: “It was because of thiscold weather that I wanted to send hot soup over.” She had Bai Zhi bring out afood box wrapped in thick fur. The soup inside was still hot, partly because LiWei Yang also added a charcoal warmer on the bottom of the box.
Lao Furen nodded. Since the beginning ofwinter, Li Wei Yang never failed to send Ginseng Lily soup over. She smiled andsaid: “I can go a day without drinking it, no need for you to suffer likethis!”
Li Wei Yang smiled: “When winter arrives, LaoFuren’s throat will be sore from always coughing at night. The lily is good forthe lungs and the carefully chosen ginseng is not dry, both are very suitable.There are not many things Wei Yang can do for Lao Furen, so why not littlethings like this?”
Seeing she insisted on it, Lao Furen noddedin satisfaction: “I heard Min Zhi was frightened last night. I was preparing togo and visit. You should come with me.”
Something flashed across Li Wei Yang’s eyes,but in the end, she only revealed a gentle smile: “Yes.”
Arriving at Fu Rui Courtyard, they had yet toenter when they heard a child’s cry. Li Wei Yang felt her heart tighten. Sheglanced at Lao Furen to see her frowning too and quickening her pace.
When they came into the room, they saw JiangYue Lan holding Min Zhi and restlessly pacing around the room. Dark red jadebeads were dangling over her forehead. She wore a thick, silk outer robe aswell. Min Zhi laid in her arms, still crying very loudly.
“What happened?” Lao Furen quickly came in.
Jiang Yue Lan was startled for a moment andrushed to greet her while still holding the child. Lao Furen held up a hand tostop her.
Jiang Yue Lan was rather anxious. She onlyheld the child who kept crying the entire time. No matter what she thought of,the child continued to cry, ignoring everything else.
The child often laughed until it came to herplace and became the god of crying. How was she to explain this?!
Lao Furen’s face darkened.
Li Wei Yang quickly said: “Lao furen, Min Zhihas just arrived in a new place and probably is not used to it yet!”
“It’s been ten days. What is there that he’snot used to! What exactly is the problem here! Is it because of your caretakersare lacking?!” Lao Furen’s face became serious. She was truly distressed forher little grandson.
Jiang Yue Lan paled, her eyes suddenlyreddening: “Lao Furen, I genuinely love Min Zhi. After all, I am still youngand may not take good care of him, so Laoye brought in an experienced wetnurse, but even she can’t do anything.”
Li Wei Yang smiled. The art of speaking wasvery important. If Lao Furen was to blame someone, she should blame her ownson.
Lao Furen was still not satisfied: “With MinZhi crying like that, it will become a bad habit sooner or later. Look, thechild’s voice has grown hoarse.”
Jiang Yue Lan was speechless. Whenever thisrotten child got bored of crying, he would sleep. In the past, he would notdelay things when it came to eating. Once he finished eating, he will continueto scream and cry pitifully. She had looked after seven or eight siblings andnever encountered such a thing. She also could not explain why the child wouldcry even more fiercely when he came in contact with her. Even though her schemewas successful, this crying child made her head hurt.
Lao Furen looked at the child from head totoe. She grew distressed and said, “Let me, let me, give the child to me!”
Of course, Jiang Yue Lan did not dare tohesitate and immediately gave the child to Lao Furen. Min Zhi curiously lookedup, wide-eyed at Lao Furen, almost unblinkingly. He stopped crying. Lao Furensaid, “You see, it’s because you don’t know how to hold a child!” Who wouldhave thought little Min Zhi would cry harder with an even deadlier effect.
Li Wei Yang quickly said: “Is somethingmaking him uncomfortable?”
“Physicians have been invited several times,but they did not find anything.” Jiang Yue Lan was conflicted. She was trulyinnocent this time. Even Li Xiao Ran had misunderstood her, thinking she haddone something bad to Min Zhi behind his back, so everytime the child was inher arms, he would either cry or writhe and struggle.
“Or maybe something unclean has beenharassing him!” Lao Furen thought for a moment, rubbing Min Zhi’s head. Min Zhistirred and as if responding to these words, he continued to cry.
“Harassing..?” Jiang Yue Lan was stunned andimmediately said: “This… can’t be it.”
Lao Furen frowned: “Who says it can’t be,this courtyard has not been clean!”
When those words came out, not only Jiang YueLan, but everyone’s faces became unpleasant. They all remembered the previousFuren had been cursed here. Later, she moved back with the Jiang family torecuperate and soon passed away. Could it be that this courtyard truly had somethingtainted? One could not blame everyone for being superstitious. This kind ofthing could not be easily explained. Jiang Yue Lan forced a smile and said:“Lao Furen, why not invite a Taoist to examine Min Zhi?”
Lao Furen thought for a moment and said: “Ionly fear it will have no effect. Who knows how many Taoists were invited inthe past, but they still could not get rid of those tainted things!”
Jiang Yue Lan was silent. At this time,anything she said would be seen as wrong. She glanced at Li Min Zhi, stillcrying without end, and sighed. She thought she had this child in her hands,but it seems he was also a terrifying hot potato. If he continued to cry likethat, her hard work will go to waste. It would even make Lao Furen suspect herof abusing the child! Never had she seen such a difficult child to take careof. It is best to send him back and avoid problems in the future, otherwise LaoFuren would hold her responsible. She thought for a moment, hesitation in hereyes as she was preparing to say something——
Li Wei Yang smiled thinly, seeing throughJiang Yue Lan’s intentions.
At that moment, Luo Mama suddenly exclaimed:“Lao Furen, look! Si Shaoye seems to have a rash!”
Li Wei Yang panicked and took a subconsciousstep forward. She grasped Min Zhi’s lotus root-like arm and closely examinedit. She discovered several red dots on Min Zhi’s hand joints that were vaguelyblack in the center. Her heart grew cold: “What is this?!”
When Lao Furen saw it, her tone immediatelychanged: “Jiang Yue Lan, see for yourself, look at how you’ve taken care ofthis child!”
Jiang Yue Lan was taken aback and hurriedlycame over to see, appearing to be extremely horrified: “Lao Furen… This… Idon’t know what happened?!”
Li Wei Yang involuntarily frowned. Jiang YueLan managed to secure the child in her hands with much difficulty. She wouldnot harm Min Zhi for no reason, but could the little marks on Min Zhi’s body befrom venomous insects? “Lao Furen, quickly invite a physician to examine him.Min Zhi’s body is weak, who knows what will happen if something bit him!”
From Lao Furen’s arms, Min Zhi weakly criedout in response. Lao Furen’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly said: “Quicklyinvite an Imperial physician! Go!” She furiously glared at Jiang Yue Lan: “Ileft the child in your care, and this is how you take care of him! You trulydisappointed me!” She placed Min Zhi in Li Wei Yang’s arms and coldly stated:“Let us return!”
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Translator: Chau
Editor: Jaslynn
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Next: Chapter 102 Part 2
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