Chapter 61

Chapter 61

◎Second Update◎

Not to mention how affectionate Huiyin and Li Cheng were, Xie Jiuyi and Yin Liyi also got along very well. The couple often had late-night conversations. Xie Jiuyi said, "You should visit your sister more often these days. As the mother of the Prince of Yuzhang, they say that with a new ruler comes a new court. The Prince of Yuzhang is still young, so I ask her to take extra care."

"There's no need for you to say that; I would definitely go," Yin Liyi replied happily, as her husband had sent Cao Ping’s sister away. Whether Cao Ping’s sister was sincere or not, she had always made her uneasy.

Xie Jiuyi noticed that his wife had become more cheerful and considered this a double success. He had never liked Cao Ping’s sister, who posed a threat to his wife. He had handed over the businesses in Nanjun, Yuzhang, and half of Jianye to the Cao family, returned Cao Ping’s sister’s dowry, and even arranged a new marriage proposal for her. The Cao family had agreed to this arrangement.

However, he did not tell Yin Liyi much about these secret matters, only saying that he did not like Cao Ping’s sister and did not want to waste her youth. Nevertheless, Yin Liyi felt guilty and sent Cao Ping’s sister a generous gift of silks and jewelry.

"Well, although the Prince of Wei is gone now, the people below are restless, and the biggest threat is the Crown Prince," Xie Jiuyi remarked worriedly.

Yin Liyi, of course, understood but felt helpless. "People really do change. The Crown Prince wasn't like this before. He didn't have much desire."

Xie Jiuyi said, "He didn't have any before because his wings weren't fully grown. But now that he has married the daughter of Zheng Fang, occupied several territories, and commands the navy in Poyang and Huai-Si, how could he not have ambitions now? These people have all defected to him, and we've been left out."

"What about Dongting Lake?" Yin Liyi asked anxiously.

Xie Jiuyi patted her hand. "Though I’ve placed people there, it’s not nearly as effective as when the Crown Prince was in charge. You don’t know how capable he is, especially in training naval forces. You must understand that Prince Wei had genuinely valued the Crown Prince and taught him everything he knew, only to find out that he had other intentions."

Yin Liyi was also anxious, but Xie Jiuyi didn't want to worry his wife. "Don't worry, I'll take care of these things. As for the Cao family, I'll handle them too. You don't need to worry."

Although her husband said this, Yin Liyi still felt uneasy. The next day, when she went to see her elder sister Yin Lifang, she expressed her concerns.

"Sister, I always feel that everything is changing too quickly. Please don't laugh at me, but I still don’t believe the Crown Prince is driven by greed," Yin Liyi said, reminiscing about their childhood.

Seeing her sister like this, Yin Lifang, who had always been gentle, now had a hint of disdain in her expression. "Why do you always remember your childhood? I wonder if you still have feelings for the Crown Prince. He secretly took over the late prince's territories, all while bullying us, a widow and orphans."

Yin Lifang usually spoke very appropriately, but ever since Li Cheng humiliated her, she had only felt hatred towards him. She had told her sister about this, but it was as if Yin Liyi didn't understand at all, always bringing up childhood memories.

Yin Liyi wasn't angry but just frustrated. "Sister, what are you saying? I'm just sighing."

"Alright, alright, it's my fault," Yin Lifang said, realizing that she shouldn't have spoken to her sister like that. Changing the subject, she asked, "How are you doing now? After Cao Ping’s sister left, is your mother-in-law still the same?"

Yin Liyi smiled. "Yes, after sending Cao Ping’s sister away, my mother-in-law hasn't nagged anymore."

"Your husband is really good to you," Yin Lifang said enviously. She admired her younger sister; although she wasn't very clever, their parents and elder sister doted on her, and after marriage, her husband was highly positioned and remained devoted.

Yin Liyi, not wanting to upset her sister, only said, "Every family has its own problems. By the way, sister, how is Huo Ping treating you? Does she dare to boss you around?"

"It's just for show," Yin Lifang said indifferently. Besides, Princess Wei didn't dare to go too far. Although she was once the official princess, and Yin Lifang was only a secondary consort, she was now the mother of the Prince of Yuzhang, and her brother-in-law was in power.

Moreover, in another year, Jianjia would marry Wei Duo's son, Wei Xiao. After their alliance with the Wei family, their influence would grow.

Yin Liyi, concerned for her sister, told her another piece of news. "I heard that the Crown Princess's consort, Wei Liangdi, gave birth to a son and might be named Crown Princess. The Zheng Liangdi who was by the Crown Prince's side has no chance now."

With Zheng Liangdi out of the picture, it meant that the Zheng family's backing had collapsed.

Yin Lifang smiled. "This is good news." With the Zheng family failing, Li Cheng, who thought he could dominate the world with the Zheng family's support, would now be caught between enemies.

As for the Eastern Palace, ever since Wei Liangdi gave birth to a son, fewer people were now flattering De Yin. When De Yin was in charge of the Eastern Palace and was favored, people would automatically send her favorite foods and items without her needing to say anything. But now, it was completely different.

The standard meals from the main kitchen were placed on the table. Knowing that she didn't like fish, they still sent many fish dishes.

Yunzhi wanted to say something but didn't dare to complain, remembering what happened to Lianzhi. The masters would be fine, but the servants would likely suffer.

Moreover, a few days ago, while she was serving him, the Crown Prince had remarked that she smelled nice, his words carrying a hint of ambiguity. Yunzhi's heart raced.

Noticing the servant was silent, De Yin said, "The Crown Prince often comes to see me, but I have not conceived. It seems I’m not destined to have children. Yunzhi, I have an idea. What do you think?"

"What idea?" Yunzhi asked.

De Yin smiled and said, "When I entered the palace, four palace maids followed me. You and Lianzhi were my personal attendants. The other two were given to me by my grandmother to help secure my position. Especially Pan'er, she has grown into a beautiful young woman. I plan to have her serve the Crown Prince the next time he comes."

Yunzhi’s heart sank, but she forced a smile and said, "Pan'er is indeed beautiful, but she has a frivolous nature. I fear she might anger the Crown Prince."

"No, she has become much more well-behaved since entering the palace," De Yin replied. Pan'er was born into servitude, and her family’s indenture papers are in De Yin’s possession. It was because she was not clever that De Yin found her easy to control.

Yunzhi secretly glanced at De Yin. She needed to plan her own future as well. Lianzhi had died a tragic death, and De Yin could no longer protect her people. Despite Yunzhi's dedicated service, De Yin was only promoting Pan'er. Would she, Yunzhi, have to bow to Pan'er, someone who had always been beneath her?

Why should I accept that?

Huiyin didn’t want to dwell on it and casually brought up, "I heard that the General of the Established Might and Governor of Yuzhou, Guo Zhao, has lost his wife."

"Yes, his wife left him with a young son, a clever boy of seven or eight years old," Li Cheng was quite familiar with the Guo family's situation.

Huiyin then said, "Jiang girl has moved from Jianye to Xuzhou recently. Although she has adopted a child, she still wishes to find a good husband. Guo Zhao comes from a humble background but has great abilities. He is currently in need of a wife, and Jiang girl was originally looking for an unmarried talented man. Guo Zhao's official position can compensate for his lack of unmarried status. What do you think?"

Li Cheng was very honest, "From our perspective, it would be better if she didn't marry, so she could rely only on us and be fully devoted. Marrying her to Guo Zhao might embolden him."

"In that case, forget it. I was just spur of the moment," Huiyin replied, still able to distinguish what was important.

Li Cheng, upon hearing this, said, "Well, if both Jiang and Guo agree, I, as their lord, will gladly give my approval. As they say, one should help others find happiness."

"Don't force it if it feels wrong. What you said does make some sense," Huiyin responded.

With Li Cheng's approval, the couple decided to act separately. Huiyin first called Jiang Bipbo and spoke directly, "For someone of lesser standing, I wouldn’t consider them a worthy match for you. General Guo, now Governor of Yuzhou, is thirty-three years old and has a son who is seven or eight years old. I plan to bring the boy into the mansion to study with the heir. If you marry him, you will be the Governor's wife, and your clansmen will not dare to bully you. I usually don't like playing matchmaker, as it can cause resentment, but seeing that Guo Zhao is willing to remarry and this is indeed a good match, I feel compelled to arrange it."

If it were Yuwendang who had lost his wife, it would be a different matter. Yuwendang, coming from a noble family, had very high standards even for a remarriage.

Of course, if Jiang Bipbo disagreed, Huiyin would choose another suitable lady for Guo Zhao. This was something the wife of a lord should do. Managing the household affairs of the generals would allow them to focus on their duties without worries.

Jiang Bipbo had actually met Guo Zhao before. When her clansmen caused trouble, Li Cheng had dealt with it together with Guo Zhao. He was indeed a strong and capable man. Although he didn't have Yuwendang's good looks, he gave a sense of security. Moreover, Guo Zhao held a high official position. A truly talented young man might not have such a high position and might not be able to protect her.

Jiang Bipbo made her decision quickly and without hesitation, "I will leave it to the Princess to decide."

Seeing Jiang Bipbo agree so readily, Li Cheng was a bit uncertain, "I heard Jiang girl is very picky. Why did she agree to remarry so quickly?"

"That's because I plan to have Guo Zhao's son join our mansion. Firstly, it will save her from dealing with a stepson. Secondly, in a more strategic sense, we will have a hostage. Moreover, when it comes to remarriage, it depends on who it is. He is the Governor of Yuzhou and the General of the Established Might, and your trusted confidant. Just as men admire strength, women do too," Huiyin explained.

Additionally, she added, "If Jiang girl truly didn't want to marry, that would be another matter. But she does want to marry and hopes to find a good family. If we keep ignoring her needs, as the saying goes, an older unmarried woman can become a source of resentment if not properly settled. If she were to be lured away by someone else under such conditions, it would be worse. Moreover, I heard that Jiang girl and Cao Ping’s sister were close friends. If Cao Ping’s sister were to marry someone inferior to Jiang Bipbo, even if the Cao family doesn’t rebel, it would be difficult for them."

Li Cheng nodded in agreement, clearly impressed. "With Huiyin by my side, I am truly like a tiger with wings."

"Let's wait and see," Huiyin smiled.