The Princess Wei Yang

94.1.Climb the Dragon, Follow the Phoenix

攀龙附凤 Pānlóngfùfèng - lit. "Climb thedragon, follow the phoenix." It refers to climbing the political-social ladderby 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 thephoenix" implies becoming the Empress.

Dà jiùzi - Eldest brother-in-law

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

Disciplining children of the house

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

She thought thiswas the end of it, but then in the middle of the night, she was escorted to HeXiang Courtyard.

Luo mama stood byLao Furen's side. Aside from her, there were four other mamas Li Chang Le hadnever seen before, who stood solemn and silent.

Lao Furen lookedat Li Chang Le. There was no warmth in her eyes, only a hint of contempt thatfrightened Li Chang Le.

The hall was darkand 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 facehad always been kind and never seemed so grave: "Chang Le, you dare to haveillicit relations with a man."

Color drainedfrom 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 needto continue." Lao Furen's face slowly returned to normal, but her eyes stillharbored murderous intent, "With your Fuqin's doting, you would dare to doanything, including that. I once said stunning beauty is a calamity. Your Fuqinhad too much faith in you, which led to this disaster, making the Li familylose all of our honor!"

Li Chang Le'seyes widened. While she was confined for three days, she had thought thingsthrough. 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 marryme!"

Lao Furen had ablank smile.

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

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

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

One of the mamasbrought a porcelain jar over. Under the hazy candlelight, the red-billed craneon the jar seemed even more horrifying.

Lao Furen took ahandkerchief out from her sleeve and covered her nose: "Our Li family hasraised such a shameless Yatou, my efforts and kindness have been wasted on you...Now, you must die for the Li family."

What did LaoFuren mean by this? Li Chang Le stared in disbelief... She struggled, lungingforward and vehemently protesting: "I am Da Xiaojie of the Li family, I cannotsimply die without reason. When Fuqin finds out, what will Lao Furen say then..."

Lao Furen's voicewas hostile: "Your Fuqin is usually wise, but he has overindulged you andcannot distinguish between right and wrong, and now, he even let you live. Oncehe has carefully thought about it, he will come to thank me."