The Princess Wei Yang

Chapter 94: Climb the Dragon, Follow the Phoenix - Part 1

攀龙附凤 Pānlóngfùfèng - lit. “Climb the dragon, follow the phoenix.” It refers to climbing the political-social ladder by clinging onto powerful individuals and their success.

In the context of the chapter, “climb on the dragon” alludes to marrying Huangzi who may become Emperor one day, and “follow the phoenix” implies becoming the Empress.

Dà jiùzi - Eldest brother-in-law

[1] English reference: something will eventually slip through the cracks [of the wall]

[2] Disciplining children of the house

Li Chang Le was locked in a room, and no one was allowed to go see her. Once the funeral ceremony ended, she was released.

She thought this was the end of it, but then in the middle of the night, she was escorted to He Xiang Courtyard.

Luo mama stood by Lao Furen’s side. Aside from her, there were four other mamas Li Chang Le had never seen before, who stood solemn and silent.

Lao Furen looked at Li Chang Le. There was no warmth in her eyes, only a hint of contempt that frightened Li Chang Le.

The hall was dark and obscure with only one flickering lamp. Before Li Chang Le could mention it, the four mamas had forced her to kneel down on the cold ground.

Lao Furen’s face had always been kind and never seemed so grave: “Chang Le, you dare to have illicit relations with a man.”

Color drained from Li Chang Le’s face: “Lao Furen, don’t listen to Li Wei Yang’s accusations! Your granddaughter would never dare to such a thing to humiliate the family!”

“There’s no need to continue.” Lao Furen’s face slowly returned to normal, but her eyes still harbored murderous intent, “With your Fuqin’s doting, you would dare to do anything, including that. I once said stunning beauty is a calamity. Your Fuqin had too much faith in you, which led to this disaster, making the Li family lose all of our honor!”

Li Chang Le’s eyes widened. While she was confined for three days, she had thought things through. Li Xiao Ran would not be harsh on her, so she raised her head high: “Lao Furen, since it has come down to this, San Dianxia will certainly marry me!”

Lao Furen had a blank smile.

Luo mama said: “Da Xiaojie, you still refuse to accept that even if San Dianxia marries Xiaojie, in this world, there is no wall that can keep out the wind.[1] Someday, others will find out about this, then what will you do, and what about the Li family?” She waved her hand.

The four mamas forced Li Chang Le down, making her panic. She used her all of her strength to escape the hands holding her down, but she could not break free.

It occurred to her something was wrong! Very wrong! Could Lao Furen want—

One of the mamas brought a porcelain jar over. Under the hazy candlelight, the red-billed crane on the jar seemed even more horrifying.

Lao Furen took a handkerchief out from her sleeve and covered her nose: “Our Li family has raised such a shameless Yatou, my efforts and kindness have been wasted on you… Now, you must die for the Li family.”

What did Lao Furen mean by this? Li Chang Le stared in disbelief… She struggled, lunging forward and vehemently protesting: “I am Da Xiaojie of the Li family, I cannot simply die without reason. When Fuqin finds out, what will Lao Furen say then…”

Lao Furen’s voice was hostile: “Your Fuqin is usually wise, but he has overindulged you and cannot distinguish between right and wrong, and now, he even let you live. Once he has carefully thought about it, he will come to thank me.”