Chapter 71

Chapter 71

◎Second Part◎

When Huiyin learned that her father and younger brother had pledged their allegiance to Li Cheng and brought their families over, she summoned Xin Shi to discuss the arrangements for their accommodation.

"Ideally, I’d love to have my mother and the others stay at the mansion for company, but with Elder Madame Xu and Madam Xu also coming, it's a bit tricky. You know the situation at home; our Grand Dowager has never been satisfied with me, and if any trouble arises, it won't be good."

Xin Shi, having come from Jizhou to seek refuge under Huiyin's protection and benefiting greatly from her kindness, felt it her duty to help. Her daughter was also being educated under the care of her sister-in-law. Thus, she said, "My husband is very filial. If he knew our parents were coming, he’d insist they stay here. But Elder Madame Xu has always been quite critical of us, and my neighbors, a widow and her family, live in a large estate. Just yesterday, they mentioned wanting to rent it out. I thought we might buy their house. I'll cover the cost."

Huiyin smiled and said, "I can’t let you pay for this, Sister-in-law. As for the widow and her family, let's leave them be. It wouldn’t be right to ask them to move out; it could look like we’re taking advantage. I'll send Manager Qiao to find a five-courtyard residence with a garden. That way, they'll be comfortable and feel at home."

Since her father had handed over Jizhou to Li Cheng, even if she bought a residence for them, it wouldn't be an issue.

Xin Shi thought her sister-in-law was being overly cautious, not allowing any room for discussion. The widow and her family were probably eager to sell the property, but upon hearing it involved a widow, Huiyin preferred to look elsewhere rather than buy their house.

However, it was precisely because of her sister-in-law's cautiousness and understanding of propriety that the prince held her in high regard. Not only did she keep peace within the household, but even when attending banquets outside, her husband mentioned that the prince only listened to the performers and gave them some money, never engaging in frivolous conversation with them.

"Since the princess consort has decided, let's proceed as planned," Xin Shi agreed, not wishing to say more.

But she couldn't entirely shirk her responsibility to help her sister-in-law. Soon, Madame Cui, the wife of Zheng Wuheng, would arrive. She was Li Cheng's cousin, and since she was also the full sister of Huiyin's younger brother, their relationship was even closer. Xin Shi couldn't afford to be complacent.

After finishing her tea, she smiled and said, "Since Mother and the others are coming, it's best if Xianjie stays with me."

Upon returning, Xin Shi also sent some pear flower incense, which was a favorite in her mother's room. Huiyin understood this well. Xin Shi also included two sets of gold-woven silk clothes, likely intended for Madame Cui. As for Elder Madame Xu and Madam Xu, there wasn't much in the way of gifts.

Manager Qiao found a suitable residence in less than three days. When people heard it was for the princess consort's family, who wouldn't want to sell? Some were even eager to offer it, though a few tried to inflate the price.

Huiyin went out in a carriage to inspect the place and found one she liked, priced at 5,000 taels of silver. She added an extra 200 taels to keep the furnishings, purchasing the entire residence.

Nanny Nan couldn't understand, "Princess Consort, even though you're concerned about Elder Madame Xu causing trouble, not receiving them at the mansion from the start—is that alright? You've even hosted Madam Pei at the mansion."

"You don't know. The Xu family of Donghai were originally affiliated with the Prince of Wei. After the prince passed away, they returned to Xuzhou. We don't know if they're genuinely here or if they’re here to gather information. If we let Elder Madame Xu and the Xu family stay at the mansion, they'll definitely visit, and we can't refuse them. If they planted any spies, it would be troublesome." Huiyin explained.

Nanny Nan hadn't considered this. She was mostly thinking about family dynamics.

Before the Qingming Festival, Madam Ji and the others arrived at the residence bestowed by Huiyin. Nanny Nan personally received them, "The princess consort bought this residence in anticipation of your arrival. The best feature of this house is the well-tended flowers and trees in the garden. The main gate is centrally located, and the carved window frames in the main rooms are exquisite. The furnishings are all ready. After you’ve freshened up, there will be a welcoming banquet at the mansion."

"The princess consort still thinks of us despite her many responsibilities. How wonderful," Madam Ji said, reciting a Buddhist prayer. She thought her daughter was truly considerate. Now, living independently, she was still the head of the household, which made her feel much more at ease.

Nanny Nan warmly added, "The princess consort specifically sent me to serve you. We'll go to the mansion together later."

When they entered the residence, Elder Madame Xu, being of high seniority, was given the best courtyard in the east. The main courtyard had five small, delicate rooms with an additional three side rooms in the east and a back house. The steward of the residence smiled and said, "The princess consort said this place is warm in winter and cool in summer, a perfect spot. The back house will be for Madam Xu, so you'll have someone to talk to."

When Elder Madame Xu rested in the inner room, she found the bedding, furnishings, and clothes all ready, along with a huanghuali chest and a zitan wood bed. The curio cabinet was filled with various treasures, leaving her with no room for complaints. However, the back house where Madam Xu stayed had only three small rooms, furnished with red sandalwood that looked bright but wasn't of high quality.

A servant girl named Qiuyan, known for her cunning ways, noticed Madam Xu's dissatisfaction and said, "She’s not treating you with the respect you deserve. I just visited Madam Ji's courtyard, where there were beautiful flowers, rare animals, and trays of jade and pearl curtains. Your accommodations are only slightly better than Madam Ji's attendant."

"What can I do?" Madam Xu wasn't foolish. Although she and Elder Madame Xu stirred up trouble, it was just to cause unease. If she had to confront Madam Ji directly, she knew Madam Ji wouldn't hold back.

Qiuyan secretly cursed under her breath before running out.

As for Madam Ji, who loved lively gatherings and disliked solitude, she was delighted by the intricate flower basket placed on the flower stand—a woven grass basket filled with forsythia, weeping cherry, white peach blossoms, yellow roses, and dogwood, creating a beautiful and lively scene.

Nanny Nan, seeing Madam Ji's delight, smiled and said, "The princess consort personally arranged this and sent it over."

"How is the princess consort?" Madam Ji asked quietly, noticing the absence of others.

Nanny Nan sighed, "The prince has been away at war for years, as you know. The Grand Dowager previously forced our princess consort to kneel. If only you were coming, the princess consort would have invited you into the mansion. But with Elder Madame Xu's temperament, if the Grand Dowager Wu found any fault, how could our princess consort maintain her standing in the mansion?"

Madam Ji slapped her thigh and exclaimed, "You're right, I was so confused I didn't think of this. I don’t think Xu Shi needs to go. She has already left her husband's family, so why should she go? It would only give people something to gossip about."

Seeing that Madam Ji was on the same page, Nanny Nan nodded and quietly added, "My biggest worry is that the Xu family of Donghai might be spying for someone. Elder Madame Xu and Xu Shi are both from the Xu family, and they might not be defensive towards them."

Madam Ji's expression turned serious.

Meanwhile, Huiyin had invited Xin Shi to accompany her and had also spoken to Grand Dowager Wu, asking her to come over. When Grand Dowager Wu heard that the Prince of Huaiyin had given Jizhou to Li Cheng, she prepared a few treasures to bestow upon others.

Originally, they had all relied on Prince Wei. If her grandson ever becomes emperor, this beautiful dream might come true, and she would become the empress dowager.

The most revered woman in all of Da Ye, something she hadn't dared to imagine before.

By the time Madam Ji and the others arrived, dusk had settled in. Miss Cui, wearing a pendant crown and a brocade robe, was supporting Madam Ji. When Madam Ji saw her daughter, she was momentarily taken aback.

Huiyin, however, started crying, "Mother, I’m so glad you’re finally here."

Both Madam Ji and Miss Cui started crying as well. Madam Xin, holding her belly, came over to console them. Seeing her large belly, Madam Ji quickly asked, "Guge’s mother, is it true that you're with child?"

"Yes, I'm just starting to show. Madam, have you seen my husband? He keeps saying he's unfilial, and there's nothing we can do," Madam Xin said while wiping her tears.

Madam Ji shook her head, "No mother would ever blame her child."

Huiyin then spoke with Miss Cui and exchanged a few pleasantries with Elder Madame Xu so as not to appear cold towards anyone.

"Let's go pay our respects to the dowager first, then we'll sit for the banquet."

Everyone went to pay their respects to Grand Dowager Wu, and then Elder Madame Xu, Madam Ji, and Miss Cui entered the main hall. They saw an old lady sitting in the upper seat, wearing a wide-sleeved ceremonial robe, with a jade pendant at the hem, a gold phoenix hairpin in her coiled hair, looking extremely dignified.

Grand Dowager Wu smiled and said, "Please, don't stand on ceremony, relatives."

Elder Madame Xu bowed immediately and said, "I have caused much disturbance by coming here, please don't take offense, Grand Dowager."

After some polite exchanges, they took their seats as host and guest. Miss Cui, however, stood by her mother-in-law's side, unwilling to sit. Seeing this, Huiyin said, "Today, you are a guest, there's no need to serve, please sit."

Only then did Miss Cui reluctantly sit down.

The banquet had all kinds of delicacies, but Elder Madame Xu's thoughts were not on the food. Earlier, Madam Ji had decided that Xu Shi shouldn't come. She had chosen to remain silent because she couldn't afford to fall out with Madam Ji over such a trivial matter.

If she privately asked Huiyin for help, she would definitely be turned down and would never agree. But if it were in front of Grand Dowager Wu, everything would be easier to handle.

After the banquet, everyone rinsed their mouths, and Grand Dowager Wu spoke with the group.

Elder Madame Xu seemed eager to please Grand Dowager Wu. They were of similar age and both came from humble backgrounds, experiencing a sudden rise to wealth. From the capital to Xuzhou, they had a lot in common.

"The current performances in Shangjing are different from back then. The tunes are drawn out, and the ornamentations are gone..." Elder Madame Xu said with a smile.

Grand Dowager Wu also sighed, "I haven't been back to Shangjing for many years since my son was enfeoffed."

Seizing the opportunity when Grand Dowager Wu mentioned Shangjing, Elder Madame Xu subtly conveyed her intentions, "You are truly blessed. Prince Wu is filial, and the Prince of Huaiyin is extraordinarily brave. Nowadays, everyone admires the Prince of Huaiyin. Even my granddaughter, who married the crown prince as a Liangdi, feels that the crown prince doesn't amount to much. If only we could bring her here, it would show the world that righteousness brings many supporters, while injustice brings few."