Chapter 80 Part 2: t.i.t for Tat

The next morning, LiWeiyang was invited to He Xiang Yuan by Lao Furen.

At any point of time,n.o.body can have everything going smoothly for them. Even though Li Weiyang hadthings under her control, there were also countless problems which weretargeted at her. Seeing Da Furen sitting upon the great hall despite herillness, Li Weiyang gave a respectful smile: “Muqin is here too, are youfeeling better?”

Da Furen gave a smallsmile: “I have taken Dai Fu’s medicine, but there has been no improvement. Ah, mybody has always been weak, so it is inevitable.”

Li Weiyang found it strangethat Da Furen would be willing to let people see her weak side, when sheusually wanted to maintain her strong façade.

In actual fact, JiangGuo Gong Furen had invited Li Xiaoran over yesterday evening for small talk. Itwas a perfectly normal thing for a mother-in-law to invite her son-in-law tocatch up; she had intended to use her status to pressurize him into letting LiChangle return. However, Li Xiaoran used state matters as an excuse to rejecther invitation. Guo Gong Furen could not do anything more; with her status andage, did they actually expect her to come personally to beg? This incident alsoallowed Da Furen to realise that Li Xiaoran was no longer the meek and lowranked officer 10 years ago; perhaps, he already had intentions against theJiangs long ago, but he is only showing his true colors now.

She had to think ofanother way; that is why, despite the fact that she could not walk withoutstumbling, she still had to grit her teeth and turn up.

“There is so manythings happening at home, and I’m feeling frustrated. No matter how muchmedicine I take, it is not helping.”DaFuren was direct, telling Lao Furen about her illness. “I’m afraid I need alonger time to recuperate…”

Upon hearing this, ErFuren immediately responded: “If Da Sao is unable to handle household matters,Di Mei is willing to share the burden with you…”

Er Furen was trying totake over the control of the household. Da Furen did not reveal any change inexpression, just calmly said: “There is no need for that temporarily, as I havemy able a.s.sistants to aid me. I do require your help in serving and taking goodcare of Lao Furen though...”

Er Furen’s face had anexpression of dislike. Forget the fact that she refused to hand over the power,she even tried to push her filial duties to Lao Furen to her; how sly of DaFuren.

Lao Furen continuedtouching the prayer beads in her hands, pretending as if she did not hearanything.

Da Furen thoughtfullyasked: “How was yesterday’s lantern festival?”

“Naturally, it wasbeautiful. It was too bad that Muqin’s ill health did not allow Muqin to comealong.” Li Weiyang’s smile was calm.

Da Furen couldn’t helpbut sigh. “Yes, during the past lantern festivals, I would bring you sisters toattend. Your Dajie loves the lotus lanterns, and would not bear to let go ofit. We have our own craftsman at home to make fine trinkets, but she loves thestall at the Western Bridge instead, like such a small child…”

She sneaked a glance atLao Furen, who didn’t even bat an eye.

Da Furen immediatelyfelt very much alone. She did not know since when her words had lost power athome, or perhaps, they were ignoring her on purpose.

These few months, Li Weiyangwas very prosperous in the Li Residence. Da Furen could not escape just byhiding in the room; she constantly heard Xianzhu receiving many invitations toevents, which enraged her. Just over a short period of three months, she was sotired out that many strands of white appeared in her hair, making her appearolder.

Da Furen took out asutra from her sleeves, flipping it open to show Lao Furen. “That silly childheard that using one’s blood to write sutras could show sincerity, so shereally p.r.i.c.ked her finger to write a copy of Fa Hua Sutra for Lao Furen…”

Lao Furen did not eventake a single look. She had woken early today, and she could not stop hereyelids from closing. She interrupted: “What is your purpose in visiting metoday?”

Da Furen went pale, andgritted her teeth. “Lao Furen, Changle has written a letter. She has learnt hermistake and regrets what she has done. She begs Lao Furen to forgive her andlet her come back. My health is not good, and I need someone by my side to takecare of me. Could you bear to see me frail with illness, with no one takingcare of me, feeding me medicine?” She wiped away her tears as she spoke.

Li Weiyang couldn’thelp but smile at Da Furen’s performance. There were at least twenty or thirtymaidservants in Fu Rui Court, how could it be possible that there is no one toserve Da Furen? She just wanted to borrow the chance to bring Li Changle back.

Lao Furen frowned. “Shewas supposed to go there and reflect. It has just been three months, and shecan’t take it anymore?”

Da Furen did not giveup. “She has been doted on and spoilt since young, so she can’t take anyhards.h.i.+p. Lao Furen, you’re compa.s.sionate, please let her come back, I can haveone more person by my side.”

Er Furen coldlyreplied: “Da Sao, what are you saying, don’t you have more than one daughter?San Xiaojie Si Xiaojie Wu Xiaojie, aren’t they able to take care of you too?You said it yourself that you would treat them as your own. Since you want tofind someone to take care of you, why didn’t you give them the chance?”

Er Furen had alwaysloved to put Da Furen in a spot, so it wasn’t unexpected that she would come upwith this suggestion.

Da Furen smiledreluctantly: “I did not want to make things hard on them.”

Si Yiniang quicklyreplied: “No trouble at all, to be able to show filial piety for Da Furen iswhat they should do.” She eyed Li Weiyang as she spoke, “I don’t know aboutXianzhu, however--”

Of course Li Weiyangwould not reject it; going to Da Furen’s house everyday would definitely aggravateher illness and cut her life by another ten years. Moreover, this was notsomething she could push away, because it was her duty as a daughter towards amother, even if she was another concubine’s daughter. This request came quitesuddenly though…

A flash lit up in DaFuren’s eyes, and her mouth quirked as if she was going to reject; but finally,she asked: “What does Lao Furen think?”

It was a reasonablerequest which Lao Furen would naturally agree to, so she nodded her head andwaved as if swatting a fly. “Fine, we’ll do it this way”

On the way back to hercourtyard, Li Weiyang was silent. When back in her own rooms, she selected abook and sat on her rocking chair to read.

Bai Zhi saw that shehad things on her mind, but she did not dare to stray too far away, so she juststood by at the side, with an embroidery frame in hand.

After a long time, LiWeiyang continued maintaining her silence, and the pages of her book hadremained unflipped.

2 hours later, shesuddenly put down the book. “Bai Zhi,” There was a rare hesitation in her tone.

“Why do you think DaFuren allowed me to enter her house and attend to her?” Li Weiyang seemed likeshe was talking to herself, and yet also seemed like she was speaking to BaiZhi. Her fingers involuntarily touched the pages, curling and uncurling them.This hinted that her brain was quickly processing her thoughts.

“I fear that Da Furen isunwilling, she doesn’t like to see Xiaojie. That day after Xiaojie visited her,Nubi heard that she started throwing and destroying things after we left.” BaiZhi quietly supplied.

Li Weiyang replied withan ‘En’, and continued her silence. If Da Furen wanted to get rid of her, sheneed not have done so much. If so, what was she planning?

-------------------------------------------------

Translator: Jaslynn

Editor: Panisa (In Progress)

-------------------------------------------------