Li Cheng's wounds had nearly all healed, but he was set to depart for the Huai River to train the naval forces, and could not afford any delay.In the past, he had left without a single lingering thought, but now, gazing at Huiyin's sleeping face, a faint reluctance unexpectedly stirred within him. Huiyin liked to draw the bed curtains tightly shut when she slept, so that, unaware of whether it was night or day outside, she could sleep without any restraint.She sensed Li Cheng stir slightly and opened her eyes, letting out a small yawn: "Are you leaving today?""Mm, right after breakfast." Li Cheng stroked her smooth cheek.The couple had gone to Baolian Temple yesterday to observe the ceremony. Li Cheng noticed that Huiyin carried herself with proper grace in public—when a little girl by the roadside fell, she even stepped down from the carriage herself to pick the child up and return her to her parents. All of this was very good.Only…There were far too many men who paused to stare at her beauty and lingered long without leaving. Yesterday, he had seen a young novice monk whose ears turned red at the sight of his wife.Hence, Li Cheng still felt somewhat uneasy: "Stay inside the residence and don't go out. There's constant fighting outside, and I fear enemies might come looking for trouble."This was a lie, but Huiyin did not catch it. She was also unfamiliar with how things were in Xuzhou, so she obediently nodded: "Don't worry. I'll just stay in the residence and wait for you."Seeing her rise and raise three fingers, vowing with an innocent, obedient look, Li Cheng felt his heart stir again: "Huiyin…"But Huiyin smiled: "How can a great man be entangled in matters of the heart? When you return, we can renew our affections as husband and wife."She wore a scallion-green bodice and pale yellow undergarments, her black hair cascading over her shoulders. She was not the sort of delicate, fragile woman—there was not a trace of vulnerability about her, but rather a vibrant, living beauty.Li Cheng used tremendous willpower to force himself to rise. Knowing he was leaving today, Huiyin had specially made him a bowl of beef pulled noodles."This time I simmered it with beef bone broth and added several of my special ingredients. The chili oil is also something I brought from Jizhou—it looks spicy, but actually it's not spicy at all, just fragrant."Li Cheng picked up his chopsticks, ready to eat, but saw Huiyin not moving. He said: "Aren't you eating?"Huiyin smiled and shook her head: "I'll eat slowly after you leave. I already asked your personal guards about your travel gear and packed everything for you. I just want to look at you a little longer. Once we part, who knows when we'll meet again."Li Cheng was deeply moved by these words. Even as he was leaving, he told Steward Qiao: "I'm going to Huaisi to train the naval forces. While I'm away, all of you are to obey the young princess. If I learn that any of you have shown her the slightest disrespect, I will return and punish you myself."Steward Qiao and the others thought to themselves that this new young princess must have won the young prince's heart, or else he would not have warned them so sternly.After Li Cheng left, however, Huiyin's expression turned cool and clear, showing not a trace of genuine longing. They had never shared hardship or faced life-and-death together, so it was impossible for her to reach the point of pledging her life for him now. If he were at home, she could cultivate their feelings, but since he had left so soon, she could only focus on managing the Prince Huaiyin's residence first.Nanny Fan received the letter from Xun Rou and knew that her earlier message had succeeded. Her heart was greatly relieved. If she were to scheme, it would simply be a matter of pulling some strings behind the scenes. Such methods could indeed be effective, but unfortunately Lady Zheng held favor. In truth, no matter what the matter was, when you were riding the tide of fortune, no one dared to confront you head-on.Fortunately, Miss Xun was coming. She was the most beloved of the old consort, and she could manage the entire Huaiyin Prince Manor in Jianye. The current staff here were all selected and sent by her. Steward He's daughter had married two years prior, and Miss Xun had bestowed a generous gift. This girl had grown up in the prince manor since she was seven, having been childhood sweethearts with the young prince—their bond was far from ordinary.Most importantly, she was extremely resourceful. At just seven years old, when her father remarried, it was said her stepmother treated her poorly, so she secretly hid in the carriage carrying gifts to Prince Wu's manor and came along with it.To have such boldness at such a young age—and moreover, when the Princess of Wu was still alive, she had initially treated her indifferently, but later when the princess fell gravely ill, she pricked her finger to write scriptures in blood, moving even the princess herself. With her coming, there would truly be a good show to watch.**Huiyin was slowly sorting through everything in the Huaiyin Prince Manor. Now that she was the legitimate head of the household, for those who were disobedient or defiant, she first had Nanny Nan note them down."These people pay lip service but act otherwise; they will also work against me in the future. Secretly find their faults and errors. Here's fifty taels for you, Nanny. Only by finding their weaknesses can I truly understand people."Calling a deer a horse is easy, but paper cannot wrap fire.Nanny Nan immediately bowed and said, "Yes."She also had four senior maidservants under her. Leyun was skilled at reading accounts, so Huiyin first had her review the account books and pick out anything problematic or obviously falsified, then Huiyin would review them again herself. Fugui was specifically in charge of the embroidery room and the tea room, noting down anyone with issues, finding faults, then either expelling them or transferring them elsewhere.Qiufeng and Dongshun each had their own areas of responsibility.Of course, the people in the manor wouldn't know that Huiyin was the type to dig through everything thoroughly. They all assumed she might casually flip through and not find anything.About ten days after Li Cheng left, suddenly Yun Hui came in and said, "Young Princess, Miss Xun's carriage has arrived.""Miss Xun? Who is that?" Huiyin was somewhat puzzled.She noticed Yun Hui's expression momentarily stiffen, as if facing a great enemy, but she only said, "Miss Xun is the young prince's cousin. She grew up in the manor since childhood."So they were childhood sweethearts?Could she be Li Cheng's first love? Huiyin thought to herself, but a faint smile appeared on her face: "Did she come alone? How could a young lady travel such a long way from Jianye to Xuzhou?"The roads were not safe these days, and why would she come calling at this time?But she saw Yun Hui shake her head, clearly unwilling to say more.Nanny Nan looked at Huiyin with some concern, but Huiyin said, "Since she's already at the door, invite her in. Yun Hui, you're a veteran of the manor—go and receive her on my behalf."But Yun Hui shrank back, which was rare for her. "Young Princess, it's not that this servant is unwilling to receive Miss Xun, but back in Jianye, she didn't like me, so I later requested to come to Xuzhou.""Oh, so there's that history. Then let Nanny Chao go and receive her on my behalf. Let me see what this Miss Xun wants." Huiyin was somewhat displeased.Yun Hui quickly went out to summon someone.Nanny Nan said, "This Miss Xun seems very difficult to get along with. From what I've observed these days, Yun Hui is meticulous and never oversteps her bounds.""Nanny, you're a kind-hearted person, but not everyone is," Huiyin said with a smile.But Nanny Nan said, "Your suspicions are too heavy."This is not Huiyin's fault. In the Zheng family, they had always lived under Madam Ji's protection. Their only worry was Grand Dowager Xu's hostility toward them, but with Zheng Wuheng growing up and Pei Shuo's fierce reputation, Grand Dowager Xu and Zheng Deyin had long since lost their influence.They probably had no idea how treacherous the world outside could be.After a moment, Nanny Chao entered, carefully ushering in a young woman. The girl wore a light purple gown, a jade comb in her hair, and gold swallow-shaped hairpins on either side, the gold and jade arranged in elegant harmony. Even as Huiyin scrutinized her with a critical eye, she could see that this was a gentle and beautiful young woman.The light purple dress looked simple at first glance, but when the light fell upon it, it reflected intricate hidden patterns. Clearly, this Miss Xun was well-dressed and lived a comfortable life.Nanny Chao introduced her: "Little Princess, this is Miss Xun, the young prince's cousin on his mother's side.""His cousin on his mother's side? Is she the late princess's niece?" Huiyin smiled as she stepped forward.Nanny Chao said, "Miss Xun is the grand dowager's grandniece, the daughter of the Shanglin Garden steward."Xun Rou curtsied. "Sister-in-law.""Miss Xun, cousin, no need to be so formal. I've only just arrived, and the young prince has already gone to Huai and Si to train troops. He didn't know relatives were coming, so we've been remiss in receiving you properly. Please don't take offense." Huiyin took her hand and gushed effusively: "With such a lovely appearance, I doubt one could find your equal not just in Xuzhou, but even in Jizhou or the capital. Come, let's go inside and chat."The two entered the inner chamber. Xun Rou noticed calligraphy and paintings pasted on the walls, and books filling the main hall. The walls of the hall should not be too plain, but neither should they be overly ornate. Hanging scrolls would sway in the breeze, but pasting them directly on the wall created a charming effect. In the four corners of the flower hall were painted colorful blossoms and lush trees, with birdcages hanging from them—thrushes and parrots alike—giving the place a lively, delightful air.Xun Rou nodded inwardly. "Two years ago, when I came to Xuzhou with the grand dowager, these walls were bare. Did you arrange all this, sister-in-law?""Yes, since I'm to live here, I had to make it presentable. Not just here—even my small study inside, I had wooden partitions built for the walls and paper pasted over them." Huiyin said.The two entered the inner chamber, and Huiyin had Nanny Nan bring a chair for Xun Rou to sit, then ordered tea to be served.Xun Rou took a sip of tea, then set it down and said, "Sister-in-law must be curious about why I've come?""It's not so much curiosity about your purpose, but rather I wonder what business you have with the young prince that you've traveled such a distance. He's gone to Huai and Si to train troops and likely won't return for some time, and I wouldn't want to disturb him." Huiyin said calmly.Xun Rou smiled. "Sister-in-law needn't worry about that. I've already written to my cousin. To be honest, I declined this task many times, but the grand dowager misses her grandson, and she said since I once helped manage the household at Prince Huaiyin's residence, she asked me to come and assist you, sister-in-law."Assist her? As the saying goes, how can one tolerate another sleeping beside one's own bed?This household was hers to manage. Why would the grand dowager send someone else over? But in this age where filial piety ruled all, even Madam Ji had to endure Grand Dowager Xu's petty grievances on a daily basis—let alone herself.With the old consort's directive, Huiyin smiled and said, "Then I couldn't ask for more. To be honest, this prince's mansion has only me alone, and now that a cousin has come to keep me company, I truly couldn't be happier. Nanny Nan, have the kitchen prepare the finest wine and dishes. Let it be known that the old consort specially sent Cousin Xun to manage the household—we must not treat her with any neglect."Xun Rou was taken aback, feeling that something about these words didn't sit quite right.
Chapter 14
Rebirth of the Empress