[1] Seven inches from the head of the snake refers to the position of the snake’s heart
[2] Shuanglong - twin dragon
Sure enough, Li Min De appeared in her line of sight.
“Gongzhu is of royal birth, Min De do not dare to chase Gongzhu away. Gongzhu, please return to the palace as soon as possible.” Li Min De said emotionlessly.
“Li Min De! You have quite the nerve. I considered you a friend, so I came to find you to accompany me out to play, but you are avoiding me like the plague! Isn’t that making a joke out of me?! You don’t know how many sons of aristocrats begged and kneeled for me to spare them a glance, but I could care less. As for you, is accompanying me to the garden such a grievance to you? Why are you making excuses, if you continue like this, do not blame me for being rude!” Jiu Gongzhu said as she stamped her feet in anger, her face flushed.
Li Min De looked at her indifferently: “Does Gongzhu have Bixia’s imperial edict?”
Jiu Gongzhu was surprised for a moment: “What imperial edict?”
Li Min De’s lips raised coldly: “The imperial edict that says Min De has to accompany Gongzhu, if there isn’t one, please forgive Min De for being impolite.”
Jiu Gongzhu was taken aback and at a loss for word. Everyone else was stunned, who would dare to talk to Gongzhu like this, this youth is rather audacious!
Da Furen rushed outside after seeing the commotion in the courtyard and quickly greeted Gongzhu: “I did not know Gongzhu had arrived, please forgive this discourtesy.”
Jiu Gongzhu impatiently waved her hand: “Just tell Li Min De to come here and accompany me, I’m leaving right away!”
Da Furen looked over at Li Min De, smiling as she said: “This… Hope Gongzhu will not take to heart, I cannot decide this.”
Jiu Gongzhu grew furious: “Then find someone who can and bring them here!”
Da Furen smiled in Li Wei Yang’s direction: “Gongzhu, you see, if Xianzhu were to give the word, San shaoye will certainly go with you.”
Jiu Gongzhu looked over aLi Wei Yang responded: “Gongzhu, this is Min De’s decision. Since Gongzhu does not have an Imperial edict, he does not have to go. Gongzhu should still return soon.”
Jiu Gongzhu felt that Li Wei Yang’s cheerful smile was a bit unnatural and began to feel that the entire household was playing with her. She did not understand any of it. In her mind, if she liked someone, then they must obediently follow and do as she wished! Last time, she called Li Wei Yang jiejie, but now Li Wei Yang was in her way. She could not help but be angry and decided to teach this ridiculous jiejie a lesson for once and for all!
“Xianzhu, I met Qi ge earlier. Qi ge had me bring a gift to Xianzhu.” Gongzhu’s eyes gleamed, defiance flashing across them.
Li Wei Yang looked over and knew what she was thinking but pretended to curiously ask: “Oh, I wonder what Qi Dianxia is giving me?”
Jiu Gongzhu giggled and waved Li Wei Yang over. Li Wei Yang just stood there. Jiu Gongzhu had to walk over and present the golden gourd hidden in her sleeve to Li Wei Yang: “For you! It’s very valuable!”
Li Wei Yang took the golden gourd, accepting the gift.
Jiu Gongzhu was a bit anxious, “Why not take a look inside? It’s a precious treasure!”
She was truly a child, her intentions written on her face. Li Wei Yang saw others reveal their surprise. She smiled and said: “Alright, I will take a look.”
Li Min De shook his head at Li Wei Yang. Li Wei Yang blinked, shook the golden gourd, then opened the gourd, pouring its contents out.
Jiu Gongzhu had a satisfied look on her face.
However, when Li Wei Yang held it up by the tail for everyone to see, she could not smile anymore.
Li Wei Yang said: “Ah, there is a cute snake inside, why isn’t it moving though?”
Jiu Gongzhu became afraid. Once she encountered this snake in the Imperial Garden and immediately ordered the eunuchs to beat it to death. After that, whenever she met concubines she disliked, she would bring out the dead snake to scare them. Although crude, this tactic had never failed!
Li Wei Yang’s face did not change: “So, it seems Gongzhu is fond of snakes, Bai Zhi, have the kitchen prepare a live snake.”
Bai Zhi smiled: “Yes.”
Jiu Gongzhu’s little face was pale, nearly drained of color: “You… What are you trying to do?”
“Gongzhu, aren’t you fond of snakes? I must offer a gift in return.” Li Wei Yang smiled.
Horrified, Gongzhu subconsciously took a few steps back.
Da Furen fiercely admonished her: “Li Wei Yang, are you insane?!”
Li Wei Yang turned around and looked at Da Furen before advising: “Mother, the winds are strong out here. You should retire first and rest to avoid falling ill again.”
Da Furen suppressed her anger and sneered: “Wei Yang, do as you please, do not say I did not warn you, Gongzhu Dianxia is a highly noble——”
She had not finished speaking when Bai Zhi returned with a bamboo container. Li Wei Yang removed the lid, a large, spotted snake hissed “si” and flicked its tongue as it eyed everyone.
Li Wei Yang smiled and reached for the seven inches of the snake. The snake refused to let her seize it, opening its mouth and rattling its tail. Unfazed, she picked it up and held it with its gaping mouth facing Jiu Gongzhu: “Gongzhu, isn’t it just adorable?!”
“Ah! Ah! Ah!” Jiu Gongzhu screamed and desperately ran outside. She ran into someone at the gates, then realized who it was and cried aloud: “Qi ge! Qi ge! She’s terrifying, she’s really terrifying!”
Li Wei Yang smiled. In Jiu Gongzhu’s mind, the impression of a terrifying woman would be forever engraved beside Li Wei Yang’s name.
Qi Huangzi Tuoba Yu wore a shuanglong coronet, his face flawless as jade, and silk garments with gold embroidery encircled by a jeweled belt. Looking at his relieved face, it seems he had been searching for Gongzhu for a while. He pulled her into a hug: “I told you not to run around, you disappeared in the blink of an eye! If I hadn’t sent the guards out to search, how much larger of a mess did you intend to make?!”
Jiu Gongzhu’s face was full of tears. She did not holding back her grievances and pointed at Li Wei Yang: “She… She… Snake…”
Da Furen was overjoyed when Tuoba Yu came, then she remembered Li Chang Le was not here and became angry again. She felt lightheaded. Unable to see clearly before her, she said: “I hope both Dianxia will forgive me, I am ill and cannot properly receive guests.”
Tuoba Yu smiled faintly: “It was not right for us to enter without permission, Furen, do not mind us, please go ahead and rest.”
Da Furen nodded. After that, a servant helped her go back inside.
Tuoba Yu looked at Li Wei Yang. She even shook the snake she was holding with a good-natured smile: “Dianxia has just arrived. I was about to invite Gongzhu to enjoy this snake soup.”
Gongzhu was scared speechless, tightly gripping Tuoba Yu’s sleeves as if Li Wei Yang was an evil spirit.
“Gongzhu, the taste of snake is very pleasant and even better when eaten alive.” Li Wei Yang smiled faintly. She held out her hand. Beside her, Zhao Yue placed a knife in her hand. Li Wei Yang slightly frowned before bringing the knife down on the snake. The slicing sound could be heard as the snake’s head fell to the ground without a single drop of blood. The thin blade of the knife grated against the the snake’s body, still not drawing blood.
Everyone looked on in wide-eyed shock, including Tuoba Yu.
Li Wei Yang smiled, extending her hand and peeled back the snake’s skin, revealing its translucent, pale flesh. Li Wei Yang ordered Bai Zhi to bring a porcelain bowl, then cut the snake into pieces: “Gongzhu, come taste this, it’s amazing.”
Jiu Gongzhu swayed, a bit unsteady on her feet.
Li Min De covered his mouth with his sleeve and coughed discreetly. At times, Sanjie liked to scare children, but to see the unruly Gongzhu this frightened was very entertaining.
“Come, taste it, it’s really good. Back in the countryside, I was even willing to eat mice when I was hungry, not just snakes.” Li Wei Yang presented the bowl to Jiu Gongzhu.
Jiu Gongzhu wanted to retch and hid behind Tuoba Yu’s back, refusing to come out.
Tuoba Yu smiled at Jiu Gongzhu: “Fu Huang often says that you are bold and fearless, but it seems there is someone you are afraid of after all.”
Jiu Gongzhu seized Tuoba Yu’s sleeve, trembling as she thought: aside from Li Wei Yang, who would dare to play with snakes and even eat it raw. It was simply terrifying.