Chapter 99

Chapter 99

◎Regency Behind the Curtain◎

The news of the Empress assuming regency spread throughout the court, and the most exhilarated person was Zheng Fang. He had been resting on the bed, with two young servants massaging his feet, enjoying a leisurely and comfortable life. Lately, he had fully embraced the lifestyle of a wealthy man of leisure. With the Emperor being shrewd and efficient, and his son always finding things to do, he could rightfully avoid responsibilities.

Unexpectedly, his daughter was about to assume regency. He first spoke boldly, scolding the Cui family, and immediately asked Madame Ji to find his long-stored official robes, as he needed to attend the grand court meeting.

Madame Ji was speechless. "How long has it been since you attended court? Do you even know what’s going on at court? Don’t make a fool of yourself."

"Make a fool of myself? I’m going to help my daughter. You don’t understand. Even the Emperor, with his strong will, still has to face off against them. My daughter has probably never seen such a scene before, and I’m going for her own good." Besides this wish, Zheng Fang also thought that if his daughter truly took control of the court, he might become a regent, which would be quite prestigious.

Originally, Madame Ji didn’t understand these court affairs. When she was younger, being from a military family, she could go to the battlefield, but sitting down all day dealing with political intrigue was not something she could handle.

Hearing Zheng Fang’s explanation, she found it somewhat reasonable.

However, she hesitated. "Do you think the Emperor will be alright?"

She didn’t want anything to happen to her son-in-law. After all, her daughter was a woman of the inner palace, and the Crown Prince was not yet grown. If something happened to the Emperor, the country might fall into disarray again.

Zheng Fang shook his head. "The Emperor is a strong-willed person. If he steps back for a while due to his uncle’s passing, public opinion might claim that the Cui family infuriated the Emperor. But I don’t think he cares much about his reputation. It might really be—"

"What about her?" Madame Ji was most worried about this.

"What about her? Isn’t our family here? You don’t think my two sons can handle things?" Zheng Fang reassured her.

The Pei family was also anxious. Today, Pei Shuo was resting at Dong Shi’s place. Dong Shi had just finished dining with her son, and when it came to her child, she had endless things to say. "The wet nurse feeds him, but he refuses to eat. Only when I feed him does he eat."

Pei Shuo smiled, pleased to hear this. "Even though he’s young, he knows who he’s close to."

Dong Shi struggled to respond. Actually, her son’s betrothal to the Xin family had made her relationship with Xin Shi somewhat better, but Pei Shuo was not entirely satisfied, and today, his words had a sharp edge to them.

However, she couldn’t stay silent. She still cared for Pei Shuo and understood he was thinking about their son, so she smiled and said a few more things about household matters.

Pei Shuo said, "I might not be home much these days. You should also avoid going out unnecessarily."

Dong Shi was puzzled. "Why is that?"

"The Emperor’s health is not well, and the Empress is assuming regency. I’m responsible for safeguarding the capital, and at this time, we cannot afford any mistakes." Pei Shuo explained.

Dong Shi’s heart tightened. She had just had a few years of peaceful life and didn’t want anything to happen to the Emperor. If something happened to the Emperor, Pei Shuo would be in trouble, and who knew what the future would hold?

So, she asked again, "Will the Emperor be alright?"

It seemed that Pei Shuo noticed her unease and smiled. "Don’t worry, and besides, there’s the Empress. She’s not an ordinary woman."

Other women, even if highly respected, mostly shared in their husband’s glory, but his sister was different. When they were in Xuzhou, she helped transport grain and managed everything inside and out. She was very capable.

Actually, Huiyin was not without her own anxieties. In her previous life, her son was too young, and the regency behind the curtain was to consolidate her son’s position. But no matter what she did, at least no one criticized her. Now that Li Cheng was still here, if she did anything wrong or was deceived, all of Li Cheng’s hard work would be for nothing.

So she said to Li Cheng, "Maybe we should wait until you’re better."

Li Cheng, who was usually impatient, became clearer after this fainting spell. Leaning on the cushion, he said, "If I don’t let you handle things, how will we know who’s causing trouble? The Cui family is certainly detestable, but the people behind them who have been setting obstacles and making me stop are also a problem. I want to see who they are. Besides, my head really hurts."

He knew that if he didn’t say this, Huiyin would never agree.

Sure enough, when Huiyin heard that he had a headache, she said, "I’ll call the imperial doctor again and have you treated with acupuncture."

"No need. I know my illness. It’s just that I’m too anxious and angry, which makes me uncomfortable. I just need more rest. You always avoid seeing doctors even when your waist hurts, don’t you?" Li Cheng sighed.

Huiyin would only seek treatment for obvious external injuries; for issues like back pain, she believed that unless there was a fracture, excessive movement by others could make things worse. So, she could empathize with Li Cheng. Now, with her hands spread, she said, "In this case, I can only steel myself and proceed. But I will play it by ear and help you root out the people behind the scenes, just as you said."

Li Cheng clapped his hands and laughed, "Good, good, good! I knew you had the ability."

"I agreed to your request easily, but in reality, I’m not confident at all," Huiyin looked at her husband and secretly worried.

At this moment, Li Cheng seemed to have become deaf. Huiyin angrily threw a handkerchief at him, and Li Cheng just smiled.

So, Huiyin called Jing'er over first. She said, "I am troubled about tomorrow's court session. You are always better than me, and you often accompanied your father. Let's discuss this matter between us. We can't be controlled by the external ministers."

Jing'er had always been the crown prince and had been attending court sessions, but this time, with his father collapsed, he felt much more burdened.

Fortunately, the empress stepped up. Jing'er nodded, "Mother, what is the plan?"

"We will first send someone to Duanning Hall to get the memorials from these days, and copy down the urgent matters. I think most of them are about farmland, and from these, we can also see your father's intentions. Then, each department will handle their own affairs. For those we don't understand, we will ask them to write detailed reports. In any case, we must remain calm. Once this period is over and your father recovers, both of us will be relieved." Huiyin stroked her chest, her expression highly tense.

Jing'er stood up and agreed.

The memorials were quickly delivered. Jing'er had known that his mother was very measured. When his father reviewed the memorials, she would always step aside and rarely interfere, even with state affairs.

Now, seeing the memorials, she quickly sorted them.

One batch was about farmland from various regions. She hastily registered the names of those who submitted the memorials. Jing'er saw her writing swiftly with great memory, mainly noting how Li Cheng had responded. She showed Jing'er the reviewed ones, "Look, this is how your father replied. We will follow this."

Jing'er had previously thought that his mother was afraid of fatigue and would often want to lie down, but seeing her now full of energy, acting swiftly and decisively, making decisions in an instant, he found her completely different.

Even he might not have been able to endure. As Huiyin yawned, she went through the matters, which somehow calmed Jing'er's heart.

Neither of them had much confidence. Huiyin woke up startled in the middle of the night, not having slept well. Even after fully dressing, she told Jing'er, who came to fetch her, "My heart is racing."

Jing'er, still a teenager, was very nervous hearing this but still comforted Huiyin, "Mother, don't worry, your son is standing right next to you."

"You’ll be standing next to me?" Huiyin grew even more anxious. This wasn't traditional regency from behind a screen; she would be directly seated on the throne, with the crown prince standing to her left.

She couldn't let down his trust.

After stepping down from the sedan, Jing'er saw that his previously anxious mother now appeared calm. The courtiers were almost all waiting here. They walked in, and everyone knelt down, shouting long life.

Huiyin couldn't see the people clearly, just a dark mass before her. She didn't feel the superiority of being an emperor. Having this power, she couldn't abuse it.

She signaled to Qin An on her left, who raised his fly-whisk and called out, "Rise."

Everyone stood up. Some of them had seen Huiyin before, while others were seeing her for the first time. Previously, they had only glimpsed her from afar during the sericulture ceremony, barely making out her features. Now, they saw her with a crown and sitting upright, with sharp eyebrows and a calm expression.

As an outsider, Zheng Fang stood in front, ready to charge for his daughter at any moment. He carefully looked at his daughter a few more times. As an external minister, he was not as fortunate as his two sons, who had been serving in the imperial court and could see the emperor more often. He rarely had the chance.

"If you have matters to present, do so now. Otherwise, the court will be dismissed."

They exchanged uneasy glances, thinking that as a woman, she wouldn’t meddle in state affairs—otherwise, it would be akin to a hen crowing at dawn, which was unacceptable.

Left Chancellor Jian Qin spoke first, asking, "Esteemed Empress, may you enjoy long life and prosperity. How is His Majesty’s health?"

This question was a subtle trap. Inquiring about the emperor’s health could reveal whether Li Cheng was still capable of ruling.

Jian Qin, a senior minister from Xuzhou, didn’t press further, but some ambitious officials saw an opportunity for advancement.

"Your Majesty, Imperial Academy Scholar Wang Pao has a matter to present. Our primary concern is the emperor’s safety. Without him, we cannot focus on governing effectively."

His words did indeed garner several nods of approval. Just as Zheng Fang was about to speak, he heard Huiyin above say, "You constantly invoke the Son of Heaven, yet in reality, you are spying on the emperor's actions. The emperor's oral decree has appointed me to oversee the court, but you disregard it. You say one thing but think another. Truly, you are full of hidden intentions. What reward do you think you deserve for such behavior?"

Zheng Fang quickly stepped forward and said, "In reply to the Heavenly Empress, this official does not follow your orders and should be relieved of his duties."

"Oh, but the Son of Heaven encourages open discourse. How can I, as the empress, casually dismiss an official? The emperor's health is not yet recovered, and I am merely standing in for him to safeguard the household. If everyone wishes to question the emperor, then continue. I don't believe anyone would dare defy authority just because the emperor is not present." Huiyin said this with a smile, but those below were sweating profusely.

Zheng Fang thought to himself, good, good, good, she is indeed my daughter.

The sharp-tongued Wang Piao dared not say more. To continue would mean inviting the empress to remember any defiance, and even if the emperor did not heed whispered advice, the crown prince was still present.

Where there were thorns, there were also those particularly adept at handling situations. A young official stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Dong Fen, Director of the Ministry of Rites' Guest Affairs Bureau, has a memorial. The students from Goryeo, Southern Barbarians, and Dali have entered the Guozijian, and their envoys have been settled. Please review, Heavenly Empress."

An attendant quickly brought the memorial, and Huiyin, who had already seen it, simply said, "They have all arrived, and their customs vary. The Reception Office must host them well."

Non-committal responses were sufficient by this point, and Huiyin also breathed a sigh of relief.

Then came the Ministry of Finance's report, and indeed, this time it concerned land matters. Jing'er glanced at Huiyin, and Zheng Fang was also anxious since he wasn't very clear about this matter. Pei Shuo, though frequently reading the court gazette, was not a member of the cabinet and, being a military officer, could not easily comment on unrelated matters.

Huiyin said, "The lands of Qing and Xu have already been measured. Why do the previously measured acres differ from what is being reported now? Please draft a detailed report."

After saying this, she also glanced at Jing'er, who thought to himself that his mother was indeed clever. For matters not understood, they should be detailed in writing, with only a general summary given orally.

The Ministry of Works then reported on water conservancy matters. Huiyin thought that she had seen this memorial before, and Emperor Li had also discussed it with her. It was a fitting topic, so Huiyin gave an extensive discourse, to the astonishment of the Minister of Works.

Jing'er thought to himself that his mother's memory was indeed too good, with many replies from the memorials the day before.

This was called handling known matters by stalling for time and presenting detailed reports for unknown matters.

Everyone below listened as the empress spoke. Her words were clear, her voice soothing, and her reasoning impeccable. She was quite appropriate and unhurried, earning the silent admiration of those present.

Even Zheng Fang couldn't help but stroke his beard and exchanged a glance with Pei Shuo, smiling.

After court, Huiyin changed out of her formal attire and said to Li Cheng, "Hurry and rise. I truly cannot hold on any longer."

Li Cheng laughed and pointed at her, "I heard that you remained composed in all matters. Good Huiyin, let me rest for a few days."

"You've rested enough, but I was overwhelmed. Teach me again, will you?" Huiyin's coquettishness was unbearable for Li Cheng.

Li Cheng explained a few more things, only to find that Huiyin had fallen asleep. He couldn't help but laugh. It was hard on her, but he also felt a sense of relief. His wife indeed responded swiftly, though she was a bit lazy. Unexpectedly, even though Huiyin was like this, there were still secret letters saying that the empress wanted to dominate the court.

If she really took his place, it would be good. Then he could rest more and enjoy some easy life. It's just that some people couldn't see it that way.

While she slept, Li Cheng seized the chance to kiss her repeatedly.

Huiyin felt she was trembling with fear, but Zheng Fang was delighted and even invited Pei Shuo to his home, where he talked non-stop at the banquet, "My sister truly remained composed. Some of the things people said made me angry, but she could think of countermeasures. It's exhausting, truly exhausting."

"Yes, my son thinks the same. Sister, wearing the yellow robe and sitting there, had an imposing presence. Her words were appropriate and precise, and no one below dared to act rashly." Pei Shuo thought that while other women might desire to be protected, she could stand on her own, though one wonders how tricky the court and the public could be.

However, ten days later, when Li Cheng attended court, he appeared completely normal, much to Huiyin's relief.

The Zheng family quickly came in to pay their respects. Cui Yuehua did not dare to mention the Cui family's matters. Now that the Cui family's title was with her elder brother, they did not dare to make a big deal out of mourning, especially since they had angered the emperor, which was the Cui family's fault.

Huiyin remained calm and did not bring up the Cui family, only saying, "As long as the emperor's health is secure, we are all well."

Madame Ji smiled and said, "Who wouldn't agree? The emperor's health brings peace to the empress as well."

"I also say this. I heard that my younger brother has handled matters well in Wu Commandery, and the emperor praised him just yesterday. Mother, you also benefit from this." She only said a few pleasantries.

Madame Ji then said, "Thanks to the fortune of the Heavenly Empress, many more people visit our residence now. I just wish I could hide away for some peace."

Huiyin shook her head with a smile. "As the saying goes, extreme prosperity is inevitably followed by decline. I've only listened to one political matter on behalf of the Emperor, and already people are looking for connections. Go back and tell Father and the others: if they accept anything from others and commit illegal acts in my name, I won't show mercy, not even to family."

It was unclear whether she was referring to the Cui family or her own. Madame Ji didn't dare say anything and immediately went back to tell Zheng Fang and the others. Zheng Fang was speechless. "Why are you only telling me this? Am I really the one most likely to cause trouble around here?"

"I wouldn't know about that. But I'm just passing on Lady Huiyin's instructions. If I didn't tell you, it would be worse."

Madame Ji could only stifle a laugh behind her hand.

Only Cui Yuehuan was feeling quite upset, but now she didn't dare say a single defiant word. A woman who could debate with courtiers in the imperial court was no ordinary person.

In the past, everyone called her the Empress, but now they call her the Heavenly Empress.

Nanny Rong, however, said, "The mistress has also realized this. She asked me to tell you that since the title has been inherited by the eldest master, just focus on living peacefully in the Zheng family and stop bringing it up. Don't worry about your birth family."

Cui Yuehuan sighed. Luckily, Zheng Wuheng isn't here; otherwise, he might clash with the Cui family if he found out.

She wondered when he would return.

She had hoped her husband would come back in about a year, but instead, she ended up waiting three years. Seeing him return from Jiangnan without any entourage, she was first delighted, then teased, "You've returned just in time. The Emperor and Empress are about to choose a Crown Princess for the Crown Prince, and here you are, the Crown Prince's very own uncle."