Chapter 94

Chapter 94

◎Means◎

After the celebrations, it was time for envoys from various countries to come and pay tribute. For such an occasion, Li Cheng asked Huiyin to accompany him. It wasn't because he doted on her endlessly, but because he trusted that Huiyin wouldn't try to seize power as others speculated.

For her, seizing power would be too easy. If she brought him a bowl of soup, he would drink it without hesitation, even without anyone testing it for poison.

"This is the first time foreign envoys are visiting. We should show off the grandeur of our great empire," Li Cheng said with a smile.

Huiyin knew that Li Cheng's heart was clear and straightforward. Otherwise, why would he, at his age, still talk so naively and compete with others? She looked at him and said, "In these tributary events, we usually give more than we receive. We need to be careful. Our people’s lives aren’t exactly easy right now."

If he weren't someone so close to her, Huiyin might not have spoken so honestly. Still, she was careful not to hurt his confidence and only added, "This time, thanks to you, we get to see so many people. I wonder if the Shengping Bureau's dance is ready."

"Don’t worry, everything is ready, and I’ve personally reviewed the music," Li Cheng said meticulously.

Seeing him still sitting in the Duanning Hall, Huiyin couldn't help but say, "You've been sitting all day. Why don't we take a walk? I used to sit for long periods, and it made me uncomfortable. After I tried horse riding, I almost hurt my back. You used to train outside so often, and now, sitting all day, you should at least walk a few steps."

With Huiyin's suggestion, Li Cheng obediently let her lead him out. Outside, in the imperial garden, flowers bloomed, and butterflies and bees lingered. Somehow, he was reminded of his time in Xuzhou.

"Huiyin, do you remember our mansion?" Li Cheng suddenly asked.

"How could I forget? When I first arrived, I loved the garden at Huaiyin Mansion the most. Without it, how would I have gotten through those days alone?" Huiyin felt dazed recalling the past—too much happiness made time fly. She wished it could slow down, even more.

Granny Chao and Yun Hui felt like they belonged to another lifetime.

Those once fearful and anxious days now seemed to have a different meaning when looked back on.

However, before the couple could reminisce much longer, they heard that the Empress Dowager had suddenly fainted. Huiyin and Li Cheng exchanged glances and rushed over.

Although the Empress Dowager occasionally had minor ailments, they weren't severe. This time, since she fainted, the couple immediately summoned the imperial doctor.

The doctor spoke tactfully, but Huiyin understood the meaning. Because of her age and strict vegetarian diet, her energy and blood flow were weak, leading to her fainting. After the doctor prescribed medicine, Li Cheng called for Qin An and instructed, "The Empress Dowager's diet needs to be proper. She's old, and you can't let her have her way."

Qin An, being the chief steward, knew what to do upon Li Cheng's instruction.

However, why was the Empress Dowager on a vegetarian diet? It was said to be for Li Cheng's sake. She knew her grandson had been fighting for many years, with much killing, and she used this method to atone for it.

Huiyin's first reaction was to think, isn't this just a way to gain favor? Like pretending to hang yourself to get attention or fainting to pray for the emperor's well-being. These tricks were suitable for concubines seeking favor, but for an Empress Dowager, even if she noticed something, it wasn't appropriate to say anything.

She understood the principle of not interfering in family matters. Previously, the Empress Dowager, thinking of her grandson, didn't hide anything. Now that she did, Huiyin could see that Li Cheng wouldn't suspect these things.

Sure enough, Li Cheng sighed, "Grandmother, why did you do this?"

Huiyin also showed concern, "Yes, I believe grandmother's sincerity is a good thing, but it's not right to harm her body like this. I remember she liked a girl from the Xun family. Having that girl accompany her would give us peace of mind."

Better to bring it up ourselves rather than let others do it, making any pretense of fainting useless.

Li Cheng smiled, "This is a good idea. You have Tonger to take care of you now, so you can't accompany her for long." He didn’t want his wife to be there. In-laws often clash, and spending too much time together would only make things worse. He loved Huiyin, but his grandmother was still his grandmother, inseparable.

Both sides gave each other a step down, quite satisfied.

At that time, the Xun family was having a meal together. Princess Jianjia had just married into the family. Due to her special status, she usually didn't dine with everyone. But she didn't dare to put on airs either. When she married, Princess Wei advised her that although she was of royal lineage, the Xun family was also related to the emperor, and there was still the Empress Dowager in the palace, so she needed to respect Madam Xun on the surface.

Of course, the current title holder was Madam Xun's eldest son, while her husband was Madam Xun's youngest son.

Madam Xun, who once schemed to drive away Xun Rou, could hardly be considered a benevolent woman, but now appeared kind-faced. "Tomorrow, we'll go to the temple to burn incense together."

Jianjia, being astute, quickly said, "I'll come with you."

"Very well," Lady Xun said, then turned to her granddaughter, Xun Jiying: "Child, you need not go with us. A woman should prioritize chastity and tranquility."

Xun Jiying was quite different from Xun Rou. Xun Rou was truly ruthless, doing anything without any limits, but Xun Jiying, born into wealth and raised in a noble household, often read books and wrote, making her exceptionally dignified. She was eight when she left the palace that year, and now she is ten. She naturally understood why her grandmother spoke to her this way—not to make her chaste and tranquil, but to prevent her from getting into trouble.

The Xun family used to be just a minor official's family, rising to their current status only through the support of the Grand Empress Dowager. However, the Grand Empress Dowager is very old, and if she passes away, the Xun family will lose their standing in the capital. The Emperor has his own maternal relatives, the Cui family, and the Empress's mother's family, the Zheng family, holds two titles. The Cui and Zheng families have long been connected by marriage.

If Jiying can enter the palace and become the Crown Princess in the future, it could secure the Xun family's prosperity for generations.

As the saying goes, those closest to the water get the moon first. With the Grand Empress Dowager in the palace, there is always an opportunity.

"Yes," Xun Jiying replied respectfully.

Lady Xun's mother-in-law, seeing her daughter unable to go out for a long time, felt sorry for her and said to Lady Xun: "I heard the Yuwen family is hosting a poetry gathering. Why don't we let Jiying go and play? They have already sent an invitation."

Lady Xun smiled and said, "The Yuwen family's daughter is about to marry into the Cui family, so they are quite pleased. If she wants to go, let her go."

Unfortunately, before she could go, someone from the palace arrived, saying they wanted to bring Xun Jiying to the palace to accompany the Grand Empress Dowager. The Xun family was overjoyed, while Xun Jiying felt both delighted and apprehensive.

She first went to meet the Empress in the Linded Hall, the most splendid place in the entire palace. The glazed tiles, the arched eaves adorned with numerous flowers, and the animal-shaped incense burners emitting wisps of blue smoke all added to its grandeur. After passing through the crystal curtains, she knelt down to pay her respects.

"Rise," Empress Huizheng said with a smile.

Xun Jiying stood up: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for summoning me to accompany the Grand Empress Dowager."

Empress Huizheng looked at her: "You are still a child. In a few days, envoys from various countries will be coming to the palace, so you can come out and play. The Grand Empress Dowager is quite old, so you don't really need to take care of her; there are servants for that. Just keep her company and chat with her. I have already arranged your allowance, and if you need anything, just ask Qin An."

At her age, a young girl might feel some embarrassment, not wanting to flatter others or do things against her will. But girls mature early and understand the expectations of adults, so they try to meet those expectations.

Empress Huizheng didn't really have any ill intentions toward her. People should strive when they can, but there's no need to humiliate others. The marriages of the Crown Prince and the Second Prince are ultimately decided by the adults. As long as the parents are not foolish, what can others do?

"Thank you for your consideration, Empress Dowager." Xun Jiying could understand the meaning behind the Empress Dowager's words.

Huiyin smiled and said, "Go ahead."

The palace maid Baochan, who was in service at the Empress Dowager's quarters, came to fetch Xun Jiying. Along the way, neither of them dared to speak much, as palace rules were strict, and even casual conversations could attract unwanted attention and be considered improper.

At the palace entrance, Baochan said, "Miss Xun, the Empress Dowager is still asleep. Recently, she has often been eating vegetarian meals, which has made her feel weak. The Emperor has asked us to encourage her to eat more meat. So, we will trouble you, Miss Xun."

Xun Jiying felt somewhat uneasy. At home, she was the young mistress and, being a child, everyone doted on her. But here in the palace, although she was only ten years old, everyone treated her like an adult.

After they entered, Nanny Fan waved them over. "Go and rest in the side hall for now. The Empress Dowager has not woken up yet."

Xun Jiying went to rest in the side hall, but as soon as she left, the Empress Dowager woke up.

Nanny Fan, surprised and delighted, said, "Ancestor, you've finally woken up. The Emperor and Empress Dowager both came to visit you. How are you feeling now?"

At her age, even small ailments could cause discomfort. Upon hearing that Li Cheng had visited, the Empress Dowager felt some relief. She had lost all standing in the imperial harem. Even the things she received were far inferior to those of the Empress Dowager in Linde Hall. So this time, she hadn't told anyone and had set up this whole situation.

Even Nanny Fan had been kept in the dark. The Empress Dowager held her forehead, "I'm still feeling a little unwell."

Nanny Fan quickly said, "There's medicine just brewed in the tea room. I'll have someone bring it for you, Ancestor."

"That medicine tastes awful," the Empress Dowager said, leaning back on the cushion, looking rather unhappy.

Nanny Fan said, "You can't skip your medicine, Ancestor. The Emperor would surely blame us. He's coming over for dinner again tonight."

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager brightened up. Last time, the Emperor had sent her great-grandnephew's daughter away, which had been quite embarrassing. If this time, she could bring her family back into the palace through this situation, it would be perfect. That Princess Zheng was slippery; when she had suggested that her niece Xianjie come into the palace, she could have brought her family in too. But Princess Zheng had said it was against propriety, leaving no opportunity. This time, however, there was a chance.

Seeing the Empress Dowager's mood lift, Nanny Fan quickly added, "And, the Empress Dowager has summoned Miss Xun to keep you company. She's resting in the side hall now. We, the older servants, can't come up with anything new to entertain you, so Miss Xun is here to accompany you."

She had expected the Empress Dowager to be pleased, but instead, her face flushed with a mix of emotions.