Ch. 516..520: The Princess of Northern Land Chapter 516-520

Chapter 516: Chapter 516: Forced by Death (2)_1

Li Yanran spent half of the day dealing with the troubles at the Mu Family before she found the opportunity to visit the old lady’s courtyard.

"Miss." As she entered the old lady’s courtyard, her primary servant girl, Qing Mei, rushed forward to greet her with a smile.

"Has Grandma woken up yet?" Li Yanran asked, with red, swollen eyes and a voice heavy with the congestion of recent crying.

"The old lady just woke up." Qing Mei responded, privately guessing that she must have been wronged somewhere again and came here seeking the old lady to speak up for her.

"Miss, you came at just the right time. Miss Wanyue and the second miss are also inside," Qing Mei revealed with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Li Yanran bit her lower lip in frustration.

Li Wanyue and Li Wan’e were daughters of her second uncle from the second branch of the family, who always enjoyed competing with her. Li Yanran had never liked them. The sisters would team up to bully her daily. They never considered that she, Li Yanran, was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Residence and her status was far superior to theirs.

"Grandma did not eat much last night, we specially went to the kitchen and cooked rice porridge for her. We learned it from the Vegetarian Feast, it has chicken broth and century eggs in it. We were worried that you might not like it." Li Wanyue’s voice was soft and sweet, very pleasing to the ear.

"Thankfully, Grandma liked it, we were relieved." Li Wan’e was more lively in contrast.

"Good, you two sisters are thoughtful." The old lady seemed very pleased from her voice.

Listening from outside the door, Li Yanran’s face alternated between shades of red and pale. She was both angry at the sly behavior of the sisters inside and regretful that she hadn’t thought of bringing a gift.

Now, she has been reduced to mere decoration for the sisters.

"Miss, please." Seeing Li Yanran standing at the door without moving, Qing Mei was amused. Nevertheless, she came forward and voluntarily lifted the curtain for her.

Li Yanran took a deep breath and walked into the room.

Li Wanyue and Li Wan’e heard the noise and turned their heads. When they both saw Yanran’s empty hands and her nervous wringing of the handkerchief, they exchanged a knowing glance.

"Little sister." Li Wanyue stood up in surprise to welcome her, though she was older and should be addressed as Miss, but Li Yanran was quite domineering. Taking advantage of the Marquis’s prestige, she successfully suppressed Li Wan Yue. Now, she had to be called Miss Yue, which was quite suffocating for Li.

Furthermore, she and her sister have always disliked Li Yanran, but their mother would not allow them to confront her directly. Therefore, every time Li Wanyue saw Li Yanran, she had to act like a good elder sister. "Little sister, did you also come to see grandma?"

"As soon as Grandma said she’s feeling better, big sister arrived." Li Wan’e also stood up laughing to join the conversation, "Oh, big sister, what happened? Who wronged you?"

Actually, as soon as Li Yanran entered, Li Wanyue and her sister noticed her swollen eyes. Clearly, she had just been crying. They deliberately ignored it because they wanted to watch her make a fool of herself.

Moreover, even guessing with their toes, they could tell why Li Yanran had been crying.

Li Yanran was usually so domineering and cherished by the head of the Mu family. Even the old lady seemed to favor her more than her own sisters. Who in the residence would dare to offend Li Yanran?

Only Prince Ling, who she cherished in her heart, could make Li Yanran upset.

As for Chu Suifeng, the top leader in the Northern Land, Li Wanyue and her sister also had their thoughts. But they were smarter than Li Yanran. They knew Chu Suifeng didn’t particularly like them. Therefore, their temporary plan was not to aim for the position of Prince Ling’s wife, but to become one of the women in Chu Suifeng’s backyard through the influence of the old lady.

Chapter 517: Chapter 517: Forced by Death (3)_1

Of course, the women in the back courtyard of the Wang Residence didn’t have it easy either, knowing full well the secret. The two sisters and Li Yanran happened to share the same thought on this matter.

Chu Suifeng was a man of sentiment. As long as the old lady was willing to help them get into the Wang Residence, Chu Suifeng would surely treat them well in respect of the old lady.

By then, so long as the sisters joined forces to show their gentle side in front of Chu Suifeng, they weren’t afraid he wouldn’t truly fall for them. As of now, Li Yanran could be considered a trial. After all, they were all Marquis Residence’s daughters. Why should only the daughters from the main family be able to marry into the Wang Residence, while they from the second family couldn’t?

As for Li Yanran, with her foolish appearance, the two sisters didn’t put her in their eyes at all.

"How is it?" The elderly woman was full and satisfied, and was in a good mood after being cheered up by Li Wanyue Sister. Initially, because of her old age and poor eyesight, she hadn’t noticed anything wrong with Li Yanran. It was only after Li Wan’e reminded her that she noticed Li Yanran’s red and swollen eyes, "Who has been bullying you?"

"Grandmother." Seeing the old lady, Li Yanran finally couldn’t help but let all her grievances explode. She hadn’t spoken yet, but her uncontrollable tears had fallen again. "Please help me, grandmother."

Having said that, she knelt down on the ground with a thud.

Li Wanyue and Li Wan’e felt tense in their hearts. As expected, it had come.

They were anxiously watching the development of the situation. If Li Yanran succeeded in what she was after, then there was also hope for them to enter the Wang Residence together.

"Get up, if you have any grievances, sit down and tell me. It’s cold on the ground, you as a young lady can’t catch cold." The old lady was startled and signalled the servant to help Li Yanran up.

"Miss, the old lady asked you to sit and talk. If you have anything unjust, sit down and tell her. The old lady will certainly stand up for you. Seeing you kneeling on the ground like this, the old lady’s heart is pained." Nanny Qilan laughed and helped Li Yanran up.

Qilan had followed and been cherished by the old lady since she was a child. Despite being a servant, Qilan held high prestige in the mansion. Even the young mistresses like Li Yanran had to show her respect.

She personally came forward to help Li Yanran. Li Yanran couldn’t afford to throw tantrums any further and stood up with her support, "Thank you, Nanny."

"That’s more like it. Miss, crying so much that your eyes are red and swollen hurts the old lady’s heart." Nanny Qilan said, smiling encouragingly.

"Go ahead." The old lady, seeing that Li Yanran had sat down, asked affectionately, "Did you get scolded by your parents again?"

"No." Li Yanran shook her head, denying it. "Today, I’m shamelessly here to request grandmother to fulfill my wish."

"Wish?" The old lady pondered, her gaze sharpening.

"I wish grandmother to help me persuade cousin to allow me to marry into the Wang Residence. I’m willing to serve cousin for my whole life." Li Yanran pleaded while shedding tears.

"Younger sister wants to marry into Wang Residence?" Li Wanyue emphasized the word "marry" particularly.

In ancient times, only the legal wife could be said to have "married". Li Yanran is quite ambitious!

"Prince just announced in public that Lin Ziyin is the future princess. Older sister, you?" Li Wan’e seemed to be shocked by Li Yanran’s words and only realized her mistake after interrupting her midway.

"How is Lin Ziyin worthy of being a princess? She is just a peasant girl. If cousin really can’t bear to part with her, then let her be a concubine in the Wang Residence." Li Yanran answered, gritting her teeth. To have Lin Ziyin serving as a concubine in the Wang Residence was already the limit of her tolerance.

"Say that again." The old lady’s tone grew cold, but the raging Li Yanran did not notice.

Chapter 518: Chapter 518: Forced by Death (4)_1

Nanny Qilan widened her eyes in surprise but dared not speak. The four maids were even paler, each of them at a loss for what to do.

"Grandmother, my cousin is bewitched. Lin Ziyin is just a farm girl, how can she enter the Wang Residence as the official wife. It’s all that fox spirit Lin Ziyin’s fault, he was mesmerized by her for a time. As long as grandmother speaks up, my cousin will certainly listen to you, let me marry into the Wang Residence. We are originally cousins, and only I truly treat my cousin sincerely." Li Yanran cried fiercely.

"Get out." The old Madame was furious, trembling with anger. "If I hear your nonsense again, don’t blame me for being heartless. From now on, you don’t need to come to my courtyard."

It was only because the Prince was confused that he took Lin Ziyin. If this news gets out, how will outsiders perceive the Prince?

Could it be said that the Prince is drowned in lust, a good-for-nothing? And Chu Suifeng has publicly stated that Lin Ziyin is the future Princess, if he denies it the next day, what is the word of the Prince worth?

The old Madame knows that her granddaughter has always had a deep affection for the Prince, but even so, the old Madame has observed that Li Yanran is absolutely unfit for the role of the Prince’s wife.

Although the old Madame doesn’t understand Lin Ziyin, she trusts Chu Suifeng’s judgment. As a farm girl, Lin Ziyin has certainly attracted Chu Suifeng’s attention for her unique qualities. The old Madame has always known what kind of life her grandson has lived over the years.

But she could only watch and do nothing. Finally, Chu Suifeng has taken a liking to a girl on his own, no matter what background that girl comes from, the old Madame would be grateful.

Furthermore, from her observation, even though Lin Ziyin is a farm girl, she is quite formidable, even surpassing many noble daughters in Feng City in terms of upbringing. Not to mention her poetry and prose, just her ability to win over many noble ladies and girls with her calm demeanor, is enough to stand by Chu Suifeng’s side.

The geographical location of the Northern Land determines that the woman by Chu Suifeng’s side cannot be weak and only knows how to fight for favor. Lin Ziyin held herself very appropriately in front of so many people, and though she did not speak much, she had an amazing presence, the kind that would do justice to standing next to Chu Suifeng.

"No, grandmother." Li Yanran was on a roll, she didn’t expect the old Madame to react like this.

She was taken aback, and the tears in her eyes finally stopped.

"Do you want me to repeat myself?" The old Madame’s eyes were red, clearly extremely angry.

"Sister, apologize quickly to grandmother." At this crucial moment, Li Wanyue did not miss the opportunity to show herself. She pretended to be the good person and advised, in reality, she was deliberately provoking.

"Grandmother, you have always loved me the most." Li Yanran didn’t believe what her eyes and ears were telling her, and couldn’t believe that the old Madame could be so cruel to her.

"Drag her out, didn’t you hear?" The old Madame spoke angrily.

"No, grandmother, I want to be the Princess. If you don’t agree, I’ll kneel here and not get up." Li Yanran started to make a scene.

The old Madame trembled with anger.

Fearing that the old Madame’s anger might bring about something terrible, Nanny Qilan and the four maids hurriedly dragged the kneeling Li Yanran out.

"I’m not leaving. What audacity, to treat me like this." Li Yanran had always walked around the Marquis Residence with an air of arrogance, she had never been subjected to such humiliation. She cried out, beginning to become careless with her words, "You’re just slaves, take your filthy hands off me."

Upon hearing this, the old Madame closed her eyes, extremely disappointed in Li Yanran. She also harbored regret towards herself. Li Yanran becoming like this today was, to some extent, her own fault. She should not have spoiled Li Yanran so much in the past.

Chapter 519: Chapter 519: Forced by Death (5)_1

"Let me in, you wretched people." Li Yanran was persistent, trying to force her way into the elderly lady’s room with her maid, but was firmly stopped by four maids.

The four maids by the old lady’s side were not ordinary people, all of them were trained in martial arts. Li Yanran was no match for them being a weak woman.

"Miss, go back. The old lady will not agree." Nanny Qilan sighed, trying to persuade her.

"Nanny, you must help me. Please plead with grandmother on my behalf. I truly love him, and I’m sure I can take care of him in the future. Can’t she trust me more than a stranger?" Li Yanran pleaded, sobbing again and changing her object of appeal.

"No one can change what the old lady has decided." Nanny Qilan refused, shaking her head.

"If grandmother refuses, I’ll continue to kneel here, not getting up until she gives her consent." After saying this, Li Yanran knelt down directly on the blue Shi Ban in the courtyard.

"If she likes to kneel, then let her kneel." An authoritative voice came from inside the room, interrupting Nanny Qilan’s attempt to persuade Li Yanran.

Nanny Qilan sighed, shook her head, and went into the room.

True to her word, Li Yanran stubbornly knelt in the courtyard. The two helpless maids by her side had no choice but to kneel down as well.

"You all can leave now, I’m tired." The elderly lady issued an eviction order to the Li Wanyue sisters.

"Yes, grandmother." Li Wanyue and Li Wan’e were far more clever than Li Yanran. They were from a branch family whose business thrived. The two sisters had seen a lot whilst liaising with outsiders, thus making them more cunning. When the old lady spoke, the two sisters immediately stood up and politely departed.

"Grandmother, rest peacefully. Please don’t hold it against my sister; she’s young and always impulsive." Li Wanyue pleaded on Li Yanran’s behalf as she was leaving.

"Yes, grandmother, my sister has liked our cousin for more than a day or two. Who in Feng City doesn’t know..." When Li Wan’e opened her mouth, the old lady’s face became even more displeased.

"What nonsense are you spouting, sister?" Li Wanyue scolded her sister.

"I apologize to you, grandmother, I was out of line, I spoke too quickly." Li Wan’e and Li Wanyue played good cop, bad cop, subtly belittling Li Yanran.

"Enough, you may leave." The old lady waved them off impatiently.

The two sisters, having achieved their goal, respectfully withdrew from the old lady’s room.

Once outside, they saw Li Yanran kneeling under the scorching sun in the courtyard, and they chuckled to themselves. Ha, let this prideful girl suffer a bit, after all, according to grandmother’s stance, there’s no way Li Yanran could marry into the Wang Residence.

However, if Li Yanran could persevere, she could still end up marrying into the Wang Residence as a concubine. But it’s likely that neither the Mu Family nor the old lady would be willing for that to happen.

"Sister, why trouble yourself?" Li Wanyue still wished to play nice.

"You don’t have to interfere, don’t think I don’t know what you two are really thinking." Li Yanran sneered at them, "As if only you two were clever. Don’t you also like our cousin? I dare to admit it and act on it. Do you dare to?"

"Sister, how could you say that? You’ve ruined me and my sister’s reputation out of nowhere." Li Wan’e looked aggrievedly at Li Yanran.

"Enough with acting the victim to disgust me. If you two don’t have any feelings for our cousin. Would you dare swear before our grandmother in the courtyard? If you dare to swear, I’ll believe you." Li Yanran sneered at them, "If you don’t dare, get out of my sight."

"You..." Li Wan’e was about to lose her temper.

Li Wanyue glanced at the old lady’s room and then opened her mouth pretending to be magnanimous, "Since you won’t listen to our advice, we can’t do anything about it. You should take care of yourself. However, grandmother’s health isn’t good, you mustn’t upset her anymore."

Chapter 520: Chapter 520: Forced by Death (6)_1

After speaking, she was scared that Li Yanran, this mad dog, might seize them and continue to bite, so she hurriedly pulled Li Wan’e away.

The early autumn weather was still quite hot, by noon, the sunlight was particularly intense. Li Yanran and two servant girls were all soaked with sweat, especially Miss Li Yanran, who was sunburned nearly to the point of fainting, but she gritted her teeth and held on.

Nanny Qilan couldn’t bear it at noon and brought her a meal, but Yanran didn’t even look at it.

The Mu family quickly received the news. Though upset, they were helpless, biting their teeth in pain, pretending not to know, and did not come to peek.

By the afternoon, the weather took a sudden turn. The sky filled with dark clouds and a heavy rainstorm ensued outside.

The rain lashing on the face was painful. Li Yanran, who had never had any hardship before, had a numb face, and her knees hurt as if they were not her own. Yet she didn’t get up to take shelter from the rain.

"Madam." Nanny Qilan was so worried that she gazed at the courtyard.

"Leave her be." The old madam said with her eyes half-closed, constantly turning the Buddhist beads in her hands, not loosening her stance.

Nanny Qilan sighed and continued to watch the master and servant trio kneeling in the courtyard through the mist of rain.

"Madam, the rain outside is too heavy. If this keeps up, the young lady will be ruined by the soaking." In the Mu family’s residence, Nanny couldn’t sit still.

"Don’t worry, just wait a little longer." Mrs. Mu gritted her teeth and made her decision.

Since the path was chosen by her daughter, as a mother, she should go along with her daughter’s wishes. Besides, Prince Ling was indeed very nice. If the old madam agreed, Chu Suifeng would definitely save face for the old madam.

Currently, the status of the Marquis Residence in the Northern Land was neither high nor low, which was quite awkward. If Li Yanran could really marry into Prince Ling’s house and become his principal consort, it would unquestionably be a great boon for the Marquis Residence. Regardless, Mrs. Mu wanted to take this gamble with her daughter.

She looked at the heavy rain outside the door, only hoping that the rain would stop soon.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as she wished, by nightfall, not only had the rain not ceased, it only grew heavier.

By the time they lit the lamps, Mrs. Mu couldn’t sit still any longer. "I’ll go take a look."

"What’s the point if you go over there?" the Marquis said with a stern face. He knew that Li Yanran had gone to plead with the old madam as soon as he returned to the residence, but he hadn’t gone over to take a look. Li Yanran’s wish was also his wish, especially after knowing Chu Suifeng’s plans, this desire had only grown stronger.

"It has been a whole day, she can’t hold on any longer. If it really isn’t working, I’m willing to kneel with my daughter to beg the old madam." Mrs. Mu sighed and had someone hold an umbrella for her as she went to the old madam’s courtyard.

Once she arrived and saw the scene in the dim light of the corridor lantern, Li Yanran was still stubbornly kneeling. One of the maids at her side had already fainted, but she was still persisting. Only, at this moment, she was soaked from head to toe in the rain, her make-up was washed away by the rain, her face was pale, and her lips had turned blue with the cold.

Tears welled up in Mrs. Mu’s eyes at the sight.

She silently walked up to Li Yanran, then she knelt down, and had the umbrella removed.

Several more figures knelt down in the courtyard.

"Mother." Li Yanran looked at Mrs. Mu tearfully.

Mrs. Mu remained silent.

The room was quiet, only the sound of the rain dripping was audible both inside and outside.

At midnight, Nanny Qilan finally came out holding a lantern, "The old madam has asked for madam and the young lady to change your clothes and come to her room tomorrow. It’s too late today, the old madam is already asleep."

Once permission was granted, Li Yanran cheered, "Mother, grandmother has agreed."

"As you wished." Despite being utterly soaked and cold, Mrs. Mu was also delighted. But as soon as she turned to Li Yanran and saw her faint on the ground, she was immediately scared, "Quickly, carry the young lady back to her room."