Chapter 83

Chapter 83

◎Combined Two Chapters◎

Outside the palace, Jiang Bibo had been conducting charitable activities in the capital for a month under the name of Huiyin. She distributed porridge, medicine, offered free medical consultations, and provided clothes, creating quite a stir.

Inside the palace, however, it was not so peaceful. There was a difference in the gifts given to Princess Wei and Consort Yin, but this was not Huiyin’s deliberate act of discrimination. It was purely a matter of protocol, as there is a clear distinction between the status of a wife and that of a concubine.

Normally, when gifts are sent, no one would inquire about the specifics, but the Empress Dowager was a talkative one. Upon hearing that Huiyin had sent gifts, she asked Princess Wei and Consort Yin, "I wonder what gifts the Empress has sent?"

To demonstrate the goodwill of the Empress, Princess Wei listed out the quantities, which made Consort Yin feel deeply uneasy. She thought that, in the past, it might have been acceptable. When she was in the Prince of Wei’s Mansion, her status was indeed lower than the Prince’s. But now that the Prince was dead and her own son, Prince Yuzhang, was in charge, the Empress’s actions were hard to say without a hint of personal grudge.

However, Consort Yin was not someone who wore her heart on her sleeve like her sister. She was just waiting to leave the palace. Once out, it would be clear who was truly in charge, and there was no need to say more for now. She could endure a little discomfort for the time being.

When she saw Princess Jianjia again, Consort Yin maintained her respectful demeanor, just as she had in the Prince’s Mansion.

This instead made Princess Jianjia confused, and she went to her mother, saying, "Consort Yin is just as she was in the Prince’s Mansion. Although I resented them for abandoning us, I heard that they were also in ragged clothes and would have ended up like us if not for meeting my father’s former subordinates."

As a young lady, she had complained before but had since lived a good life, and many of the past grievances had faded. Moreover, she knew that Prince Yuzhang was Consort Yin’s biological son, and they would inevitably have to deal with each other when living in the Prince’s mansion.

Princess Wei, however, was not as easily convinced. She had been the Princess of Wei for many years and knew that there were things better left unsaid in the palace. With so many ears around, you never knew who was listening and whose people they were. Causing unnecessary trouble was not wise. Therefore, she first took her daughter into the inner chamber and whispered, "I’ve told you before, you must have a defensive heart and not trust others too much."

Hearing this, Princess Jianjia grew cautious and guarded. She was still young and could not hide her emotions well. Even if she tried, it would show. Yin Lifang observed the shift in Princess Jianjia’s expression and silently reflected on how tolerant she had been of this mother-daughter duo.

Meanwhile, while these undercurrents were flowing, Huiyin was on her period, experiencing weakness in her limbs, a sore back, and a festering forehead wound, which made sleep nearly impossible. She lay on the bed reading to rest.

Currently, the attendants were all young palace maids, and Fugui, as the head maid, was responsible for handling more important matters for Huiyin.

Huiyin was engrossed in a copy of the "Compendium of Natural History." After finishing it, she turned over, feeling her eyes sore. She got up to change her menstrual cloth, feeling aches in her waist as she walked, and knocked on her waist while saying to Nanny Nan, "Those few days when it just came, I was so busy that I neglected my body. Just as I started to feel a bit better, my body began to ache again."

Nanny Nan gently pounded Huiyin’s shoulders with a small wooden mallet, visibly distressed by her fatigue. "Your Majesty, you have too many things to handle and have been working non-stop, which is why you are so exhausted. You were already tired from giving birth to the Crown Prince. You can’t seem to rest."

"It was also due to that time when I rode a horse and strained myself. I haven’t ridden for a long time, and when I did, my body became uncomfortable. I lay down for a few days, and it seemed to get better, but after sitting in a carriage for a long time on the way to the capital and enduring it, I only realized how bad it had become when I finally relaxed. Speaking of which, the Emperor is even more exhausted than I am. He is only a few years older than me and has endured countless visible and invisible injuries from years of military life." As Huiyin spoke about her husband, she became increasingly worried.

Nanny Nan comforted her, "Please don’t worry, Your Majesty. The Emperor is still young and will be fine."

Huiyin knew that Nanny Nan could not offer profound advice, and hearing her comfort, she smiled, "Mother, you have accompanied me so far to Xuzhou and now into the palace. When the world is at peace, I will reward you with a home where you can live out your days comfortably."

Everyone has desires. Even one’s own parents might be snobbish, let alone those who are not related by blood. If someone follows you loyally, it is their kindness, and that loyalty must be repaid.

As a wet nurse, Nanny Nan did not feel the expected joy but shook her head, "As long as I can stay by your side, it is better than anything. You were a girl I watched grow up, and now you are the Empress. I may not be capable, but being able to accompany you and chat is enough." In fact, Nanny Nan knew very well that Huiyin was a person of loyalty and righteousness, and the more she knew, the less she wanted to leave.

Not for any other reason, but look at Dong Shun. It was said that she regretted it to the core. Not everyone could handle such a drastic change. Even the Crown Prince had to respect them when they were by the Empress’s side, but outside, they were people without a master. After some time, who would still care about you?

Nanny Nan understood this better than anyone.

Nanny Nan understood, and so did Huiyin. Freedom was important, but not everyone had the talent to survive outside. Even those with education, connections, and some savings might not lead comfortable lives. When people were unhappy, they loved to reminisce about the past.

The mistress and servant shared some private words, and Huiyin’s mood improved a little. She even ate an extra bowl of pureed soup at noon, something she had never liked before.

After the meal, Jing'er and Zhan'er came to pay their respects. Jing'er, though young, perhaps because he had been made Crown Prince, seemed much more composed. The few steps he took after the greeting appeared effortless, while Zhan'er followed his brother, as usual, hiding behind him and suddenly popping out to startle her.

"Come here, both of you." Huiyin pulled her sons to her side, looking at them carefully, feeling love for them no matter how she looked.

Jing'er, like a little adult, touched Huiyin’s forehead, "Mother, your forehead is not warm, so you should be fine."

Huiyin chuckled, knowing her son was concerned about her, which made her feel very comfortable, but she still explained, "Mother is just a little uncomfortable from sitting in the carriage all the way here. I’ll be fine after a few days of rest, so don’t worry."

With her sons around, Huiyin's mood lifted significantly.

The next day, she again permitted Madame Ji to enter the palace to visit her. When the mother and daughter met, Madame Ji relayed everything that had happened outside: "Your sister-in-law went to Qinghe County yesterday to check things out for you, Your Highness."

Huiyin blew on the tea foam but then remembered her monthly period. She put down the cup and smiled, "If I didn’t trust her, why would I give her these tasks? Keeping her busy also prevents her from thinking about other things."

"Are you hinting at something?" Madame Ji felt that her daughter's words had a hidden meaning.

Huiyin shook her head, "I won’t say more, but are things peaceful outside in the capital?"

"Yes, very peaceful. The wife of the Marquis of Wuning has been making charitable donations on your behalf. Now, people outside are saying you're like a bodhisattva. As for me, I stay at home most of the time, and when I do go out, no one shows any disrespect." Despite this, Madame Ji felt that those who smiled the most might harbor the most sinister intentions.

Thinking of Crown Prince Li Heng, Madame Ji said to Huiyin, "You probably don't know this, but De Yin can't conceive in the palace because she has been drinking cold potions. It’s rumored that the fertility medicines she took after sex were tampered with—maybe even by the Crown Prince."

Huiyin remained calm, "Why would the Crown Prince mess with her like that?"

Madame Ji speculated, "Maybe he doesn’t want her to have a child because he’s afraid your father could use it to manipulate the court."

But as soon as she said it, she realized the inconsistency, "Then why does Weili Di have a child?"

"We don’t know about that, but it’s a relief that the former Crown Prince is gone. It’s quite satisfying." Huiyin took a cherry preserve from the side and ate it.

In truth, Huiyin understood the situation well. Initially, there was a power struggle between the Lü and Zheng families. The Crown Prince managed to deceive them for so long because neither Lü Xiaoxiao nor Zheng Deyin could uncover the truth. Weili Di, being clever, refused to drink the fertility medicines. If she had a child, the Crown Prince wouldn't dare to act recklessly.

But Huiyin couldn’t say anything, since it would sound like superstition.

"Let her live as she chooses. If she’s worried about making the same mistakes again, she can stay single. Who would refuse her food?"

Madame Ji thought that Huiyin hadn't suffered much from her sisters-in-law. If they had bullied her, she would have retaliated. However, it was difficult for De Yin, who had no real connections. Thus, she said, "She’s different from you."

"She was the one who hurried to set up the Crown Prince’s marriage and, together with Grandmother, tried to stop me from marrying the Prince of Huaiyin. They just didn't succeed. I appear tolerant towards her, but I simply can't be bothered. She hasn't committed any grave crimes, so I’ll spare her life. However, mother, don't take her situation too much to heart. If our prince hadn't ascended the throne, would your position as Madame Zheng still be secure?" She was worried that her mother might be too sincere and take De Yin's matters too seriously.

Just give her food and make sure her allowance is sufficient. There’s no need to micromanage her. Once she prospers, she'll naturally become closer to her mother. These thoughts were indeed selfish, but Huiyin wouldn’t deny her true feelings. Xu Shi was never at peace, always causing trouble at home.

Recalling when Zheng Fang informed Li Cheng about Yin Lifang's situation, intending to preempt any threats, the intentions of Elder Madame Xu and Xu Shi were not so simple. Xin Shi mentioned that the two were plotting to have Yin Lifang seize Huiyin's favor.

Even though Huiyin wasn’t threatened by Yin Lifang, others didn’t know that. As a beneficiary, how dare Yin Lifang play such tricks? Huiyin couldn’t tolerate it.

Madame Ji suddenly realized, "Yes, she may seem pitiful, but isn't this the consequence of what she sought?"

Seeing that her mother had listened, Huiyin smiled, "You've finally come into the palace. Today, the Imperial Kitchen presented some fine dishes. Let's enjoy them together."

Madame Ji was delighted, "I wonder what they've prepared? We eat more outside than in the palace."

"Out of the many dishes, only a few are to my liking. Some dishes are elaborately carved but tasteless." Huiyin could only whisper, as these were the palace rules that had to be followed.

As expected, during the meal, Madame Ji noticed the table was filled with dishes, but with dozens of people watching, taking an extra bite would mean the dish would be taken away. It was quite a torment.

After the meal, Madame Ji asked, "Do you always have to deal with meals like this, Your Highness?"

Huiyin smiled, "Not always. It just happened that you visited today. I have a private kitchen here with my own chefs. But I can’t always use the private kitchen and leave the main kitchen idle."

Madame Ji thought it made sense. She couldn’t stay in the palace for long. After the meal, knowing that Huiyin was still menstruating, she advised her to rest more and left the palace. Instead of going home, she headed to her eldest son's house.

At that time, Pei Shuo had just returned from the palace and was having a meal with Xin Shi. The two shared a few drinks.

Xin Shi pointed to the lychee-flavored pork kidneys on the table and said, "My lord, you should try more of this. The kidneys are thinly sliced and flavorful."

Xin Shi was known for her fondness of drinking, and usually Pei Shuo would share a few cups of wine with her. Noticing her face flush red after just a few sips, he chuckled and said, "I'll stop here. Look at you, your face is red again."

As Xin Shi was about to respond, an announcement came that Lady Ji had arrived. The couple quickly rinsed their mouths and went out to greet her.

As soon as Pei Shuo saw Lady Ji, he went forward to support her. "Dear mother, why did you come here today? Your son was just enjoying some wine with your daughter-in-law. I'll ask her to call for more dishes from the kitchen." He then urged Xin Shi to go and arrange for more dishes. Xin Shi hurriedly pretended to leave.

However, Lady Ji told them not to bother. "I just came from the palace where I accompanied the Empress Dowager for a meal. I left the palace and came to see you all."

Knowing that if she didn’t eat, neither would they, and they'd simply keep her company, Lady Ji reluctantly drank a cup of wine and dined with them.

After the three were seated, Lady Ji said, "I've noticed that the Empress Dowager's health has not been good lately. Many of the eunuchs and maids around her are from the previous dynasty. I don't know if she can sleep well. I'm so worried that I can't sleep either."

Enemies are either right under our noses or a thousand miles away. The imperial concubines from the previous dynasty could be dismissed, but the eunuchs and maids from that time were too numerous to avoid completely. If even one of them had bad intentions, it could cause trouble for the Empress Dowager.

With her younger son away on a campaign with the Emperor, she could only talk to her elder son about these matters.

Pei Shuo pondered for a moment and said, "Don't worry, I'm often in the Emperor's presence and will protect the Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince. As for those people you mentioned, some of them cannot even get close to her. The Empress Dowager also brought trusted staff from the Huaiyin Mansion. The cooks in the small kitchen and those serving her are all trusted people."

"With your reassurance, I feel much better. The Empress Dowager gave me some fur coats today, which I planned to give to your wife," Lady Ji said, shifting to family matters after hearing her son's reassurance.

Xin Shi felt delighted hearing this. Even though she came from a respectable family, wearing the bestowed garments was still an honor.

Moreover, the larger the household, the more careful the mistress had to be, despite the grand appearance.

The three of them, in the end, did not mention Dong Shi. Pei Shuo would not bring up a concubine in front of his mother, and Xin Shi certainly wouldn't either. As for Lady Ji, she wouldn't ask about a concubine in front of her daughter-in-law.

However, after seeing Lady Ji off, Pei Shuo went to see Dong Shi. Dong Shi had someone wring a towel for him to wipe his face and specially made a hangover soup, bustling around. Seeing her busy while pregnant, Pei Shuo said, "You're still working despite being pregnant. You should rest."

"I'm always cooped up in the room with nothing to do. What's there to be busy about? It's you who's busy. They're all saying at Madam's place that you're occupied outside now," Dong Shi said with a smile.

Pei Shuo shook his head. "These are important matters. Some people always want to cause trouble. I need to secure the capital region tightly; otherwise, if someone were to offend the Empress Dowager, it would be bad."

Dong Shi found herself unable to contribute to such discussions.

Meanwhile, Cui Yuehua had gone to her family home seeking assistance. She returned to find her usually kind father had just recovered from a serious illness. Her mother, Lady Cui, said, "Your father was so angry that he fell ill. He asked your brother to return from the Weis, but he refused and even wrote a letter saying that the Saint has been mistreating our Cui family and suggested we go to join Wei Duo."

"Father, mother, Wei Duo is nominally the Prime Minister of the Da Ye dynasty, but in truth, he’s a traitor to Da Ye. Although he has shown appreciation for my brother, my brother should abandon the dark and join the light. The Emperor is your nephew—how could he possibly mistreat you? It's just because of my brother that the Emperor is having trouble granting titles to our family," Cui Yuehua was very anxious.

Cui Xun pressed a towel to his forehead and sighed, "We are who we are, and your brother is his own person. The Emperor has been too hard on our family."

"If the Emperor grants titles to us, and your brother sees that the Emperor treats our Cui family well, how could he not return?"

Cui Xun was still angry and felt humiliated.

Cui Yuehua knew her family had many complaints, but since she had married into the Zheng family, whether titles were granted was out of her control. However, she couldn't say that and instead said, "The Emperor is away on a campaign, and many things are on hold. I heard that even the Xun family wouldn't have been granted titles so quickly if the Empress Dowager hadn't intervened several times with the Emperor."

Lady Cui looked at her husband and then said to her daughter, "Your father is the Emperor's uncle; the Xuns are one layer removed. Also, the Zheng family is our in-laws. Didn't they help us? Your father didn't go to Xuzhou back then, but wasn't it because he was old? He sent your second brother to help instead."

Even Cui Yuehua couldn't bear to listen to this. "Mother, the Zheng family used the Jizhou land to pledge allegiance. My brother went there after the Prince of Huaiyin had pacified Jizhou. He didn't pass the imperial examinations and was arranged to be an official. Even if the Emperor is upset, do you think you can argue with him? Even my father-in-law kowtows smoothly in front of the Emperor and never assumes superiority."

The situation became awkward, but Lady Cui helped ease the tension and deliberately changed the subject by asking Cui Yuehua what she had been doing recently and why she had come home.

Cui Yuehua then spoke seriously. "Recently, the Empress Dowager has just entered the palace, and the people around her are unfamiliar. She specifically sent me to investigate. I thought since you are familiar here, if you could help, it would be even better. When the Empress Dowager speaks for our family, it will be more effective than ten words from others."

In reality, Cui Yuehua was unsure about this. She was afraid her father might still be angry. The elder Lady Xu in their family was such a person; if it weren't for her status as an elder, she wouldn't have liked the elder Lady.

To her surprise, Cui Xun stood up and declared earnestly, "Let me take care of this. I’ll work with you to thoroughly investigate their backgrounds. I’ll get started immediately."

"Now that you've just recovered from a serious illness, you need to stay active; otherwise, you'll end up getting sick again from being too sedentary." Cui Xun’s title had been stripped away, and now he was doing even worse than the Xun family. How could this be tolerated?

Seeing her father agree, Cui Yuehuan was pleased.

Unbeknownst to them, a conspiracy was brewing. At the same time, Wei Duo was listening to Cui Dalang saying, "A message just came in from my father's side. It turns out that they are helping Li Cheng's wife, Princess Zheng, investigate the backgrounds of these people in the palace. This actually makes things easier for us."

Wei Duo had, of course, also looked into Li Cheng. He was known for being ruthless and crafty in battle, but there was one redeeming quality—he was deeply devoted to his wife, Princess Zheng. She was rumored to be a stunning beauty, the most beautiful woman in Jizhou. Countless men had fallen at her feet, yet this Princess Zheng had the unique ability to keep Li Cheng under her control.

Wei Duo, who never hesitated to do whatever it took to achieve his ends, was already plotting his next move. If anything happened to Princess Zheng, and their two sons were captured, Li Cheng would have no choice but to surrender.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent! Changqing, this information couldn’t have come at a better time," Wei Duo said with a grin.

Smiling, Cui Dalang replied, "Our family’s spies have already copied this list. The Prime Minister can decide how to proceed from here."

Cui Dalang was being careful to avoid any mistakes that Wei Duo might hold against him. Wei Duo appreciated his prudence and was intent on making arrangements. Wei Duo’s success over the years came from his talent for gathering intelligence. He had once dismantled all of Xie Jiuyi's network, and back in the day, he had even managed to burn all of Li Cheng's supplies. Now, it was time to put those skills to use again.

Several days later,

In Linde Hall, Huiyin, impressed that Cui Yuehuan had completed the task in just a month, praised her, "I didn’t expect you to be so efficient, Sister-in-law."

"I’m not much. My family helped me with the investigation. You can rest assured, Your Highness," Cui Yuehuan quickly gave credit to the Cui family for their assistance.

Huiyin, catching the subtle hint, replied, "Thank your family as well. I’ll mention this to the Emperor. By the way, I’ve set aside some white silk for you to make jackets. Please visit the palace often to keep me company. Thank you for all your hard work on this."

Delighted, Cui Yuehuan bowed to express her gratitude.

Author’s Note:

I broke my promise today, but I'm posting a double update. My health hasn’t been great lately, so here’s a small gift for everyone.