"You're incredible—three times already, and thank goodness I have a strong constitution." Huiyin leaned against Li Cheng's chest, still trembling slightly, and praised him without meaning to.She enjoyed herself openly and didn't like to feign innocence or shyness—couldn't women experience pleasure too?Li Cheng felt that during the day, he and Huiyin were exceedingly polite with each other, but at night in bed, it was like being adrift on a vast ocean, with no reservations whatsoever. She was beautiful and adorable, generous in manner yet not lacking in resourcefulness—if she were truly sincere with him, that would be wonderful."Princess Consort—""My courtesy name is Huiyin. You may call me Hui-niang or Huiyin, whichever you prefer." Huiyin didn't want to stand on such ceremony with him.Li Cheng was a bit taken aback, then tried calling out, "Hui'er.""You just had to say something different from what I suggested, didn't you?" Huiyin teased him.In his youth, Li Cheng had also been lively in temperament, but after his parents passed away one after another, he gradually learned to conceal his emotions. Now, hearing Huiyin's playful reproach, he couldn't help but laugh: "Are you this mischievous at home too?"Huiyin smiled and nodded: "Of course! Everyone says I'm witty and fun. Before my brother got married, we used to climb trees together—except once there were stinging caterpillars on the tree that left me aching and itching all over."Li Cheng laughed out loud at that: "I was mischievous as a child too, but my kind of mischief was pretending to be sick to skip school, smearing dark ink under my eyes to look like dark circles. I thought I was being flawless about it, but my father had actually seen through it all along. My mother, feeling sorry for me, deliberately let me sleep in a little longer and covered for me."It seemed he too had grown up surrounded by love—otherwise, he wouldn't light up with joy when speaking of his parents."In the blink of an eye, we've become adults, and the two of us have formed our own little family. Who knows, one day we might have children of our own. I never imagined my marriage would land me with you, and that we'd be so well matched." Huiyin spoke gently, guiding the conversation.At Li Cheng's age, most men were already married, yet he had only wed Lady Zheng through a political alliance. Originally, he'd intended to simply go through the motions—after all, one only needed to respect one's principal wife—but she had surprised him greatly.The Zheng woman was stunningly beautiful, with a face that could topple cities. She spoke with wit and charm, conducted herself with propriety, spent generously, and seemed genuinely eager to build a good life with him. She even sat up and looked at him, asking: "If we have children, do you think it'd be better for them to look more like you or like me?""I've heard that a man with feminine features is destined for wealth and honor, while a woman with masculine features endures much toil. So whether we have a son or a daughter, it's best if they take after you." Li Cheng smiled.Huiyin hadn't expected him to say that, and a beautiful scene immediately painted itself in her mind…The next morning when she rose, Steward Qiao delivered the account ledgers from various departments, with several stewards seated below. Huiyin first flipped through the gift ledger—this was the clearest way to see with whom Li Cheng had the closest dealings.Li Cheng's gifts went most frequently to Prince Wei's residence. Huiyin looked up and asked: "I notice the gifts sent for the Cold Food Festival differ from those sent to Prince Wei's household for the Dragon Boat Festival. The Dragon Boat Festival gifts are twice as generous—is there some significance to that?"Steward Qiao had assumed Huiyin would first inspect the storehouse, but instead she asked about the gifts. He replied: "The fifth month is Princess Consort Wei's birthday.""I see." Princess Consort Wei was his elder, so it was only fitting that the gifts be more lavish.Huiyin then reviewed the social gift exchanges here in Xuzhou. There were quite a number of rewards given to Yuwen Dang. She made a mental note, flipped through a few more pages, and got a general sense of things—after all, it was impossible to memorize everything at once.After the gift ledgers came the household accounts. These recorded the monthly allowances and all expenses for food, clothing, and miscellaneous supplies across the entire estate. When she saw that eggs were listed at two qian apiece, she remarked, "Are eggs really this expensive in Xuzhou? Back in Jizhou, an egg costs just three wen."Steward He, who managed the kitchen, stood up with a smile and said, "Your Highness, eggs are not all the same. The ones we purchase are fed with the finest nourishing medicinal ingredients, so naturally they differ."Huiyin smiled and said, "The Young Prince mentioned he'll be training troops in the army from now on and won't be back for long stretches. Since that's the case, I'm the only legitimate master of this household, so just buy the most ordinary eggs from now on. I don't need to eat so well."But Steward He couldn't help saying, "Everything has its established precedent…""Even in the palace, where concubines are ranked by grade, the distinction is made with silk and satin—I've never heard of it being done with eggs. Moreover, if I myself don't care, why should any of you?" Huiyin didn't expose him outright, but that didn't mean she was unaware of these little tricks. An egg at two qian—two qian being two hundred wen—was simply treating people like fools.Seeing how sharp-tongued the new princess was, Steward He dared not say another word and stammered his assent.Huiyin then pointed to the salt. "Xuzhou is a major salt-producing region—nine parts well and mine salt, one part sea salt. In a place like this, you're charging one tael of silver per dou of salt. Steward He, the Young Prince told me it costs only ten wen per dou. You're buying it far too expensively. The salt seller isn't a relative of yours, is he?"Without any shouting or threats, she simply demanded corrections and invoked Li Cheng's name. Steward He immediately knelt and swore to heaven, "Young Princess, this humble one was momentarily confused. From now on, I will certainly make corrections."Huiyin smiled. "I've only just arrived, and I'll need everyone's guidance in the days ahead. Steward He, you're older than I am and have more experience. Take a look at these account books yourself, and ask around about the market prices. Don't let cunning merchants cheat you out of silver without you even realizing it."Steward He relaxed—as long as the princess didn't replace him, he'd be fine. Seeing that she only pointed things out mildly, clearly not wanting to make a big fuss, he immediately kowtowed in gratitude.Huiyin continued flipping through the books one by one. She didn't scrutinize every minor detail, but the few items she singled out all needed correction. With a flick of her wrist and a turn of the page, she could grasp the crux of any matter—it was clear she had real ability."Alright, today's account books are handed over to me. It's getting late, so I'll keep them here. You'll settle accounts with me starting today, and beginning tomorrow, we'll reopen the books fresh. As for the storeroom, I'll go inspect it in person after lunch." Huiyin waved her hand, dismissing them all.At the midday meal, she changed her clothes and had Li Cheng summoned. She told him everything about managing the household that day. "I don't know if you eat eggs at two qian apiece, but if it were up to me, one at three wen would do just fine. I've cut those expenses."This was, in effect, a veiled complaint: while you're away from the estate, these people have been running rampant.Li Cheng set down his chopsticks. "Is an egg at two qian really that expensive? The household staff now are either my mother's dowry retainers or the Old Madam's people. I've been away so long, I wouldn't know about these things."Huiyin smiled and said, "I've been eating them for several days now and can't tell any difference. In our Jizhou, eggs cost three coppers each, and if you buy in bulk, the sellers will even deliver them to your door. Even when I went to the palace for egg custard or visited the Princess's residence, I couldn't taste any difference. Since you won't be home most of the time and it's just me eating them, there's no need for such expensive ones.""How much does grain cost out there?" Li Cheng asked.Huiyin replied, "Prices vary by region. In the north, wheat is about thirty-five coppers per dou, and rice is twenty coppers per dou. I'm not too familiar with prices here, but since the south grows more rice, it should certainly be cheaper than in the north. For an ordinary family of three, they'd need no more than fifteen dan of rice a year, costing around fifteen taels."Back home, Huiyin often helped her mother, Madam Ji, with the accounts. She had always kept a close eye on prices in Jizhou and remembered them well.This was not the time for false modesty—she had to show her competence. Only then would Li Cheng trust her more. Affection might spark in an instant, but mutual benefit and shared goals were what truly bound people together.Li Cheng wasn't actually ignorant of these matters. As a general, he had to calculate military supplies and provisions well in advance. But he wanted to see if Huiyin truly understood such things. Now that she spoke with such authority, she was clearly no sheltered young lady—yet neither was she the type to nickel-and-dime the servants, since she hadn't cut anyone's monthly wages."I see that you, my Princess, are also a lady raised in the inner chambers—how is it you know so much?" Li Cheng probed.Huiyin smiled and said, "Though I was raised in the inner chambers, I still needed to understand household finances. My mother often had me help with the accounts, and I remembered these things. I'm afraid I'm just showing off my meager skills before an expert.""Why call it showing off before an expert? I think you're truly capable. You can manage this household as you see fit—no need to report everything to me." Li Cheng nodded.That was exactly what Huiyin wanted to hear. She gave him a thumbs-up and said, "The Young Prince is indeed worthy of commanding a region at such a young age—truly one who employs without suspicion and suspects without employing."Li Cheng smiled and shook his head.With Li Cheng's endorsement, she felt much more confident when inspecting the storerooms that afternoon. The servants noticed too—seeing the young Princess personally checking every item, knowing all about how to care for porcelain vases and where to place screens, they dared not try to fool her.Nanny Fan said to Steward He's wife, "She found some faults with your husband, but didn't dismiss him. What does your husband say about that?"Madam He replied, "What can he say? He's as meek as a quail, terrified that the young Princess might dismiss him at any moment."Nanny Fan cursed him inwardly for being spineless. Steward He, who normally ran the main kitchen with a fierce temper, had been criticized so thoroughly and yet showed no reaction at all.So Nanny Fan said, "He's just being roasted over the fire for now. Who knows, she might dismiss him later."Madam He pursed her lips. "Godmother Fan, we understand the logic you're speaking of, but the Young Prince fully supports the young Princess. This afternoon, the Young Prince even accompanied her to inspect the storerooms—everyone saw it. As servants, we can't very well go against the Young Prince, can we?"This was the real truth—in Prince Huaiyin's manor, the prince's presence represented everything. Steward He might have been Grand Dowager Consort's man, but the grand dowager consort was already yesterday's news. A new mistress who was favored and backed by the young prince—who would dare to oppose her?Just as Nanny Fan was racking her brains over this, a few days later, she received a letter and immediately broke into a delighted smile—Miss Xun was coming!
Chapter 13
Rebirth of the Empress