Chapter 96

Chapter 96

◎Incognito Inspection Tour◎

Until the imperial procession left, Huiyin begged Li Cheng to tell her what method he was using, but he refused to say.

"Mother, Mother, look, that's a moo-moo..."

A child's voice interrupted her thoughts. It was her daughter speaking. The child, who had never left the palace in her two years, was making a fuss over seeing a water buffalo.

Huiyin smiled and said, "That's not a moo-moo, that's a cow. Cows can be used for plowing fields and can also pull carts. Look, there's a cowherd riding on top of it."

"The cowherd rides the yellow cow, the song echoes through the forest shade. Intending to catch a chirping cicada, he suddenly closes his mouth and stands still." Tonger suddenly said.

Huiyin was surprised and said, "My daughter is really amazing. I didn't teach her many times, but she already memorized it. She has such a good memory."

In their free time in the palace, Huiyin taught her daughter poetry just as she did with her two sons. Jing'er and Zhan'er were also cheering for their sister. They both adored Tonger without any hint of jealousy. The two boys were playing a game of Go at the moment and continued their game after cheering. The carriage was spacious enough for her to comfortably manage all three children.

Since Huiyin was so eager to know Li Cheng's method, she even probed her sons, "Has your father said anything to you recently?"

Jing'er had just placed a piece and looked at Huiyin, nodding heavily.

"What did he say?" Huiyin continued to ask.

Jing'er thought for a moment, seeing his brother still pondering, then looked at Huiyin and said, "He said a lot. He mentioned that this trip is about observing the people's lives, and I shouldn't act like a Crown Prince, but rather speak less and observe more."

Zhan'er, who had been thinking, added, "Yes, Father told us the same thing."

Huiyin forced herself to resist the urge to roll her eyes. "That's it...?"

It didn’t seem like any great strategy, so she didn’t ask further and continued to accompany Tonger in looking outside. Outside looked nothing like the palace. It was autumn harvest season, and the rice fields swaying in the breeze outside looked so inviting.

Since Li Cheng took the throne, all regions were required to report hidden farmland, but this touched the interests of many large landowners. For them, regime changes meant nothing, but touching their land was like creating an enmity. Some incited commoners to make trouble at government offices, while others deliberately bribed ministers heavily to speak on their behalf.

In fact, Li Cheng’s days were not easy. He aimed to consolidate military power and redistribute land to the commoners, but instead, unrest erupted among the populace.

The tour didn’t venture far, just around the capital, intending for his sons to inherit his legacy. He didn’t want them to be misled by the gentry if one day he passed away.

By evening, they arrived at the temporary palace. This was originally the previous emperor’s palace for recuperation. Li Cheng, being frugal, did not have it renovated but only arranged for some defense, cleaning, and basic setup. The five of them moved in.

Jing’er and Zhan’er stayed in the palace opposite theirs. The couple stayed with their daughter. After arriving at the temporary palace, Li Cheng whispered to Huiyin, "There’s a hot spring here. Go freshen up, and we’ll go soak in it."

"Hot spring?" Huiyin, who had been feeling very tired, brightened up at the mention of it.

Li Cheng smiled. "Indeed. I’ve heard you’ve been uncomfortable for so long. Ever since you married me, you’ve endured hardships—traveling, giving birth to our children. Even though you seem to live in luxury, you've truly been enduring hardships, anxious and unable to sleep peacefully. How could your body be in good shape? We’ll soak in the hot spring, and tomorrow we’ll have some ginseng chicken soup. The day after, we’ll go out for a walk. Everything will be fine."

While other emperors might feel they have the world at their fingertips, Li Cheng was filled with anxiety. He feared that his wife might not be able to stay with him forever and worried that many of his well-intentioned actions might be too radical, leading to bigger problems in the future.

Only Huiyin could truly understand his inner turmoil.

While the children were asleep, they crept to the hot spring pool like thieves. The servants wisely retreated. Li Cheng wrapped his arms around his wife. She wore a delicate garment embroidered with carp playing among lotuses, which made her skin appear even more flawless. He couldn’t resist and pulled it down...

The hot spring water gushed over Huiyin’s body. She stood up and deliberately blocked the water with her waist, experiencing an unparalleled sense of relaxation.

Li Cheng, having grown up in the Jiangnan region, was excellent at swimming. Huiyin could swim too, but not as freely as Li Cheng. They splashed water playfully until late into the night before heading back.

As a result, when they woke up, the sun was already setting. She touched her head. "I’ve slept nearly a full day!"

Fugui carried a bowl of soup over and said, "Empress, you've finally woken up. The emperor has taken the Crown Prince and the Second Prince out. The princess came by earlier, but when she saw you were asleep, the stewardess took her out to play."

Huiyin, who usually didn't feel like eating ginseng chicken soup, finished the entire bowl clean, likely because she was hungry.

As soon as she finished, the two boys came in with flushed faces. Zhan'er had a bow and arrow on his back, and surprisingly, Jing'er was carrying two rabbits. After wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, Huiyin couldn't help but laugh and said, "Oh wow, you two actually brought that in here. This isn't a hunting ground, you know."

Jing'er quickly replied, "It was my fault. Today, Father took us hunting nearby. I shot two rabbits and wanted to bring them for you to see, Mother."

"Impressive, truly impressive. Zhan'er, did you shoot anything?" Huiyin asked hurriedly.

Zhan'er shook his head. "I didn't."

Huiyin smiled and said, "Don't be discouraged. You're younger than your brother, yet. When the time comes, you'll definitely be able to do it."

Zhan'er nodded heavily and added, "Mother, Father and Elder Brother also said the same. But I heard that Elder Brother was able to shoot rabbits at the age of six, so I'm still not as good as him."

"You can't say it like that. Your brother has his strengths, and you have yours," Huiyin understood Li Cheng's intentions. A real comparison, though harsh, was the most effective.

Jing'er chimed in, "Yes, Mother, don't worry. I'll teach my younger brother."

"Well, that's good," Huiyin gently touched her younger son's face.

Zhan'er felt a bit ashamed and said, "Sometimes I want to surpass my older brother, but he always wants to help."

"Of course, after all, you two are your father's right and left arms. How could any outside officials be as trustworthy as you?" Huiyin said with a smile.

At dinner, there was braised rabbit meat, and the family ate heartily. Li Cheng was talking to Huiyin, "You've rested enough. Tomorrow, we'll go out in disguise together."

"Alright, tomorrow I won't wear hairpins, a scarf should be fine," Huiyin, who had rarely dressed as a commoner when she wasn't Empress, found it novel.

Seeing her like this, Li Cheng said, "You're still like a child."

As the children ate heartily, Huiyin quietly spoke to Li Cheng, "Now that we've left, I wonder what's happening in the capital? Are you worried?"

She was the kind who feared someone might usurp the throne if she let go of control. Before Li Cheng was in the capital, she was there. Now that they were all out, the Empress Dowager was useless and knew nothing in the capital.

Li Cheng smiled and shook his head. "You, stop thinking like a princess of a vassal state. I've unified the world for several years now. If someone causes trouble just because I'm away for a few days, then I shouldn't be emperor."

"I know, but I can't help but worry," Huiyin said as she placed a piece of rabbit meat on Li Cheng's plate.

Though they were royalty, their meals were quite simple. Exquisite dishes were only for festivals or when outsiders visited the palace. Usually, their meals were very simple.

This time, while taking his family out of the capital, Li Cheng hadn't really relaxed his control over the capital. But if he told his wife, she wouldn't enjoy the trip fully, so he changed the subject. "These candied sculptures seem a bit fibrous in the mouth."

"Fibrous? No, I think they're fine. The Fruit Bureau made these just yesterday; could they be fibrous already?" Huiyin tasted them.

Li Cheng smiled slightly.

The imperial guards in the capital are still under Pei Shuo's management. He was more diligent about his duties than anyone else. Even Xin Shi mentioned to Lady Dong, "He's still like a young man, patrolling three times a day. The troops from the Five City Military Division have to avoid him."

Lady Dong laughed. "That's because His Majesty trusts our Lord. Others would want this opportunity but can't get it."

Now in the family, Xin Shi had both a son and a daughter. Lady Dong hadn't had any more children since her second son. Her son had married into the Xin family, and she was practically the sole favorite. Xin Shi occasionally felt a bit sour but thought she would wait for her future blessings.

Now that Lady Dong had more control over the money, Xin Shi remembered she had several fur coats and a few fine pearl crowns. Since she had no children, perhaps these could be added to Xianjie's dowry in the future.

Pei Shuo may hold a high-ranking position and seem incredibly prestigious, but during the four seasons and major festivals, gifts are still sent to the palace for the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, the Princess, and even Pei Shuo's mother-in-law from the Zheng family. Additionally, Pei Shuo is a sentimental man who supports injured veterans from the Pei family, which costs an untold amount.

Our daughter Xianjie's dowry should be at least one hundred boxes to make it look presentable. It has to be ready within a few years, and I don’t want to touch the family's core funds for this. Last time, when we fled to Xuzhou, I couldn’t take my dowry with me, and thinking about it now still pains me.

Xin Shi is a highly dominant matriarch both inside and outside the household, seemingly treating money like dirt. However, in her heart, she meticulously calculates every grain and coin.

The two wives were discussing how their interests were closely aligned with those of the Emperor and Empress. They even planned to have beef soup prepared by the mansion and sent to Pei Shuo at the yamen. A few others had similar ideas, but they were only a small minority.

Even Yin Lifang and Yin Liyi were concerned about the marriage of the Prince of Yuzhang. Yin Lifang once considered having her niece marry into her family, but now that their status has changed, it's no longer possible.

Yin Liyi is even more open than Yin Lifang. With Yin Lifang's help, they first purchased a three-courtyard house and then a shop. Xie Jiuyi, skilled in both literary and martial arts, opened a framing shop, which did well due to his excellent craftsmanship.

The framing shop didn’t require Yin Liyi's direct involvement, so she often came to visit her sister, asking Yin Lifang to help find a match for her. Yin Lifang carefully selected the son of a Yuwen family official, who was a fifth-rank official. Xie Jiuyi and his wife were very satisfied with the match.

Now, Yin Liyi even said to her sister, "I think Miss Sun would be a good match, don’t you? Don’t set your standards too high."

Last time, although she advised Yin Lifang, it was clear that Yin Lifang still thought families with lower status were not suitable for her son.

"It's not that I have high standards, but Miss Sun has a leg length discrepancy. It's not noticeable usually, but it’s quite obvious when she walks," Yin Lifang explained. She wasn’t looking for a prominent family like the Pei, Guo, or Yuwen families.

Yin Liyi smiled, "Sister, feel free to pick carefully. If there's anything you need me to do in the future, just call on me."

Yin Lifang was grateful to have her sister by her side. Holding her hand, she said, "Once the prince's engagement is finalized, the Imperial Clan Court will arrange his marriage. I'll give you some money for Fangjie's dowry. Don’t worry."

"Sister, what are you saying? You’ve given us the Huaiyin Mansion to live in and even a shop, and now a dowry. We are truly overwhelmed," Yin Liyi quickly waved her hands.

However, Yin Lifang said, "Living in the capital is not easy. The Emperor is touring the capital region and has left it in the care of Prime Minister Jian. The elder lady of the Jian family is also having a birthday soon, and we need to prepare a birthday gift."

The Jian family has been extremely prestigious since Jian Qin became Prime Minister. This time, the Emperor left all government affairs to him while touring the capital region, making him second only to the Emperor.

Since becoming Prime Minister, Jian Qin was initially fine, but recently he has developed a love for indulgence, enjoying fine food and clothes. However, he has never changed his wife. He knows very well that the Emperor uses the term "pig-eared husband" from their Sichuan region, and their officials below must follow suit.

However, the Emperor is too young and impatient, wishing for immediate political harmony, but that’s easier said than done. Look, someone is here to discuss matters again.

"Come in."

The person who entered was the top scholar from the last imperial examination, personally selected by Jian Qin, now his disciple. Jian Qin asked, "Why are you here? Aren’t you at the Hanlin Academy?"

"Teacher, I’m not here for anything else. I heard that the local gentry in Wu Prefecture have presented a petition concerning land disputes."

"A petition? That can’t be submitted lightly."

"Yes, Wu Prefecture is extremely wealthy with many large landowners. These people may have supported the Emperor before, but now that he has ascended the throne, they are the first to cause trouble."

"Should we advise the Emperor to take it slow?"

Despite the warlord conflicts in the past, it was ultimately these gentry who provided support.

……

Huiyin got up early and dressed in a blue top and soy-colored skirt, securing her hair with a ribbon. She was pleased with her outfit, though Li Cheng was less enthusiastic.

"This coarse fabric will make your skin rough," Li Cheng said.

"What does it matter? If we kept wearing silks and satins, it would raise more suspicions," Huiyin pulled at her clothes and patted the wrinkles.

However, Li Cheng looked at Huiyin's face and said, "Even dressed like this, you stand out. It’ll only draw more attention."

Even in plain clothes, her beauty is hard to hide.

Huiyin clung to his arm, "I'm not afraid as long as you’re protecting me, no matter what. Besides, we'll only be out for two hours. What could possibly happen?"

"Alright," Li Cheng knew he had to do this trip. Only by immersing himself among the common folk could he truly understand their thoughts and feelings.

He initially wanted to bring Tonger, but she was too young, and Huiyin was afraid she might eat something unclean outside. Therefore, he only asked the stewards to watch over her at home while the four of them went out.

Li Cheng only let the secret guards follow from behind. He drove the carriage himself, and the group quietly left through a side gate of the palace. The servants at the imperial retreat didn’t even know they had left.

Coming out, this time without officials clearing the way, Jing'er frowned as soon as they stepped out, "Father, Dad, look at those people kneeling with wooden sticks on the ground. There's a corpse next to them?"

Before Li Cheng could explain, Huiyin already said, "That’s a grass marker. They’re selling themselves to bury a parent."

"How sad. Should we give them some money?" Jing'er felt reluctant.

Huiyin, however, said, "We shouldn’t interfere with others’ fates. Moreover, many of these 'selling themselves to bury a parent' are scams, deliberately using beautiful women as bait. Since we’re heading to the countryside now, let's not cause any unnecessary trouble. When your father uncovers more hidden lands and redistributes them to the landless, that will be a great help."

Jing'er still felt uneasy, but Huiyin smiled, "If we pass by again on our way back, we can help them then."

Only then did Jing'er let it go.

They arrived at a small village called Zhanggou. Li Cheng quickly unloaded several wax-dyed fabrics from the carriage into a wheelbarrow, disguising himself as a peddler. Huiyin nudged Jing'er, "Go on, shout like your father taught you."

Jing'er opened his mouth but still couldn’t shout. Zhan'er, being clever, quickly banged a gong, and only then did Jing'er, his face turning red, shout in a voice as thin as a mosquito's, "One dou of rice for one bolt of cloth..."

"Louder, how can anyone hear you like that?" Huiyin teased, covering her mouth with a mischievous smile.

Blushing, Jing'er finally dared to shout, "Villagers, uncles, and aunts, one dou of rice for one bolt of cloth!"

Standing next to him, Zhan'er, who had been laughing, quickly hid behind his mother when he saw many people running out from the village entrance. He felt sympathy for his brother—being a crown prince in this era wasn’t easy, having to peddle through villages. Fortunately, he wasn’t one.

Seeing a group of women surrounding Li Cheng, Huiyin immediately stepped forward. These women hadn’t received much formal education and couldn’t help but glance at her handsome husband in his simple clothes. Huiyin said, "Sisters and aunts, this coarse cloth was woven by me at home and dyed by my husband. Our grain was taken by my mother-in-law to help my brother-in-law. Our family of four is trying to exchange some for money. If you miss this village, you’ll miss the shop. In the past, this kind of coarse cloth would have cost at least four or five hundred wen per bolt."

Seeing Huiyin’s emotional plea, the villagers immediately offered to let them stay at their homes, which she gladly accepted.

Li Cheng & Jing'er & Zhan'er...

Weren’t they supposed to ask about hidden lands through selling cloth? How did the script change?

Huiyin whispered to Li Cheng, "This is how we inquire. How would we know without investigating? Only by staying there can we understand the situation."