Chapter 93

Chapter 93

◎Birthday◎

Huiyin’s birthday was approaching, and of course, now that she was the empress, the birthday was to be called the "Qianqiu Festival." In addition to the customary rewards, Li Cheng privately gave her a hairpin that he had carved himself, saying proudly, “This jade is of excellent quality, and I thought the engraved magnolia flowers would suit you. Don’t dislike it.”

Huiyin immediately put it in her hair, saying, “How could I possibly dislike it? This is your heartfelt gift.”

As the emperor, Li Cheng didn’t have much time to rest. He woke up early to wish his wife a happy birthday and knew that the various titled ladies would soon arrive. He said, “Have fun today. I’ll head to the Duanning Hall first.”

Huiyin wanted to get up to see him off but was stopped. She then had her attendants help her dress, as on such days, formal attire was necessary. If she were to dress shabbily on such an occasion, others might gossip. Even when she was in Xuzhou, no matter how poor the year was, she always dressed elegantly.

This also had to do with each person’s character. Some people were good at overcoming strength with weakness, relying on simplicity, pity, and feigned weakness to make others devoted. But Huiyin believed that human nature was inherently flawed. She was willing to move people with benefits, especially since everyone had a flawed nature. In the short term, people might help out of sympathy, but in the long run, it required an exchange of benefits.

Even with her natal family, she operated the same way. Although she had deep feelings for them, relying solely on emotions to make someone sacrifice everything for her was not feasible. Even if the person agreed, those beneath them might not be willing.

Therefore, she always appeared elegantly in front of others, showing that the position of empress was stable and the position of the crown prince was even more so.

The first to arrive was Huiyin’s family from the Zheng family. Elder Madame Xu, as usual, didn’t come. Huiyin always said she understood that Elder Madame Xu was old and didn’t need to enter the palace, but in reality, it was because they couldn’t stand each other. If Elder Madame Xu were to attend grand occasions and constantly demand things as Huiyin’s grandmother, it would be troublesome. Madame Ji, Xin Shi, and Cui Yuehuan arrived together. They first performed the national ceremony, and Huiyin invited them to sit.

Everyone had changed a lot over the years. Cui Yuehuan had given birth to a son and a daughter, and her figure had become more rounded. Xin Shi had also given birth to another son, and even Madame Ji had added a few more fine lines on her forehead.

Madame Ji inevitably asked about the child, “How come we don’t see the princess?”

“She just got up and is still a little girl who hasn’t had her hair styled yet. But she insists on wearing hairpins like me. So, I asked the imperial clothing bureau to make her a hat with beautiful silk and velvet flowers on it. She was delighted.” Huiyin was puzzled as she wasn’t someone who particularly loved dressing up, but her daughter was completely different and loved beauty at such a young age.

Everyone laughed, and Madame Ji took it quite seriously, “Your Highness, I have some headscarves. How about I offer them to the princess?”

Huiyin quickly waved her hands, “No, no. Please keep those scarves for yourself. The princess is still too young to use them.”

After a few jokes, Huiyin had someone take Xianjie to the imperial garden to play. She couldn’t help but remark to Xin Shi, “The children grow up so fast. Xianjie has blossomed into a graceful young lady and bears a striking resemblance to her mother.”

This was Xin Shi’s proudest achievement, and she tried to suppress her smile, “Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. She’s just playful at home. In the future, I’ll need you to guide her more.”

Huiyin smiled, “Of course. Xianjie is my own niece.”

In truth, Huiyin had once considered whether to bring her niece to live with her but ultimately decided against it. Doing so might give others the wrong impression that she intended for Xianjie to be the future empress. There was no such thing as a lasting powerful in-law family. Pei Shuo and the Zheng family had already been rewarded with titles. As long as she was around, the Zheng family would naturally remain at the top, but once she was gone, it would depend on whether the Zheng family could produce capable descendants. If not, that would be their issue, not hers.

Moreover, she later had her own child, Tonger. She could barely give enough love to her own children, let alone share it with someone else’s. If things weren’t handled perfectly, it could breed resentment.

Previously, Xianjie was young, but now that she was older and more understanding, how could she not notice the difference in treatment?

Even with her own children, Huiyin couldn’t ensure they felt completely equal, let alone a niece. So, she decided to give more rewards but not bring anyone into the palace.

Xin Shi felt a little disappointed, but soon news came that both the Cui family and the Jiang family were arriving together. She had no time to dwell on her feelings. It was well known that Lady Jiang and Jiang Bipbo were inseparable, often accompanying each other. However, due to their children’s marriage arrangements, they arrived separately.

Everyone knew the reason but wouldn’t say it out loud.

Soon, everyone had arrived, and Huiyin said the usual pleasantries. Then Madame Ji spoke to Huiyin, “The Cui family has some joyous news, which is why Madam Cui and the eldest granddaughter-in-law are glowing.”

“Oh? What kind of joyous news? Aunt, why is the Cui family so happy?” Huiyin asked.

Madam Cui glanced at Lady Jiang before replying, “Our young master is going to marry Miss Jiang from the Jiang family.”

It turned out that the Cui family’s grandson was preparing to marry the Jiang family’s daughter. No wonder Lady Jiang’s face had cleared of any lingering gloom. The Cui family was a prestigious family among prestigious families and was related to the emperor’s maternal family, with a rank even above the Guo family.

Huiyin immediately responded, congratulating them, “What a perfect match made in heaven. Indeed, it’s a wonderful marriage.”

Everyone thought, ‘No wonder she’s the empress.’ Upon hearing the news, she remained composed, a demeanor not everyone could possess. Jiang Bipbo felt quite upset. The Jiang family’s daughter was now marrying into a higher position, and others might mock the Guo family for failing to recognize true value.

The Yuwen family had kept it tightly under wraps, and now only Madame Ji knew about it.

Congratulatory voices echoed through the hall, and Lady Yuwen finally felt a surge of pride. Blessed with good fortune, her daughter, although a few years older, would not have to serve her in-laws after marrying Cui Xiaolang, the younger son of the Cui family, who was even more handsome than Guo Xing. It was truly a blessing in disguise.

Originally, it was Huiyin's birthday celebration, but now there was an additional joyous event. Even Li Cheng asked Huiyin at night, "I heard that Miss Yuwen is marrying my cousin?"

"Yes, the Cui family is quite good at seizing opportunities. The person you trust the most is Yuwen, and now they are marrying into the Yuwen family. Fortunately, the Yuwen family understands its boundaries. I heard that the Yuzhang Prince might also be interested," Huiyin said. She had learned many things from her usual conversations with these titled ladies.

Li Cheng frowned. "Yuzhang Prince?"

Huiyin quickly added, "Yes, but I only heard that there is interest and it hasn't been made public, which shows that the mother of the Yuzhang Prince is quite sensible. Don't worry, Your Majesty, come, I've been waiting for us to share this birthday noodle together."

A very simple bowl of birthday noodles, just a few green vegetables and an egg, but she had been waiting for him to share this rare moment of warmth together.

"Delicious," Li Cheng praised.

As he ate, his brows remained furrowed, and Huiyin, aware of his many troubles, did not disturb him. She simply had the table cleared after he finished.

After Jiang Bipbo finished dining with Madame Ji, she prepared to leave. Madame Ji said to her, "Don't overthink it. People might gossip for a while, but everyone has their own life, and it will fade with time."

Jiang Bipbo had come specifically to seek Madame Ji's sympathy over her stepson's elopement. She was trying to find a way to truly connect with Madame Ji and the others, and this incident had brought her closer to Madame Ji.

"You are right. I am young and have never experienced such things. I always worry about how everyone views us, but with your guidance, I feel much better," Jiang Bipbo spoke skillfully.

Madame Ji thought to herself that her eloquence was quite good and felt rather proud.

After Jiang Bippo left, Madame Ji entered and told Zheng Fang, "As a stepmother, she is endlessly worried. I told her it doesn't concern her."

"It concerns her a lot. Actually, what relation does her stepson have to her?" Zheng Fang, who had been inept in his own governance, now saw things clearly from outside the situation.

Madame Ji didn't understand. "Then why does it matter?"

"Are you silly? The matter of the Crown Prince's marriage is of utmost importance. Although the Crown Prince is not yet of age to select a wife, families always look ahead a few years. As the mother of the Empress, who else would the Empress ask for advice on selecting a wife for her son?" Zheng Fang had previously helped in the selection of a Crown Princess for his daughters, and he knew the intricacies well. He had sent a lot of money to the mother and sister-in-law of the late Madame Ji.

Madame Ji suddenly realized. "I have always thought well of everyone. I used to be cautious, but now that my children are doing well, I have let my guard down. However, the Empress is very independent, and I can't influence her decisions."

"Outsiders don't know these things. They think the Empress is very filial and that you have a say," Zheng Fang said, yawning as his craving for alcohol returned. He sniffed.

Madame Ji thought that she had always been a simple person. If not for her many trials, she would not have developed any scheming nature. Now that life was good, she had relaxed.

While she had relaxed, the Yuzhang Prince's Mansion had not. Yin Lifang had heard that Miss Yuwen had not been married off and, although she had doubts, saw an opportunity. After all, the power behind Miss Yuwen was too tempting.

The residents of the Yuzhang Prince's Mansion appeared as wealthy idlers but held no real power. Noble families in the capital actually looked down on them. The next generation would only be ordinary members of the royal family, as the current dynasty practiced graded inheritance, and after a few generations, they would become commoners.

Unexpectedly, Xie Jiuyi had stopped her, and now that the Yuwen and Cui families were marrying, there was a lot of buzz outside.

Yin Liyi could now discern her sister's thoughts, and she added, "Sister, not marrying into the Yuwen family is actually a good thing. High-ranking families marry in, and low-ranking families marry out. You have never been on good terms with the Princess Wei, and because of the dowry, the princess almost emptied the mansion. If you find someone from a slightly lower family who is clever, they will be loyal to you in the future. If they have too much backing and are overly compliant, how can they truly respect you?"