Huiyin threw on a jade-colored long outer robe and dashed over. Even from such a distance, she could hear Li Cheng's voice: "How is it that I never noticed before how silver-tongued you are? How is it that no matter what you do, you blame it all on us? Are we to be responsible for everything?""Your Highness, the night air is cool as water—why are you still out here? We're to set out for Huai-Si tomorrow morning." Huiyin called out from not far away.Li Cheng hurried over at once. Seeing that Huiyin's hair was let down and she was thinly dressed, he immediately wrapped his arms around her and said, "Come, let's go back."She rarely refrained from asking questions, but Li Cheng had much on his mind. Outsiders said he was magnanimous and broad-minded, but in truth, he was not entirely so. He had originally intended to help the court after inheriting the princedom, but seeing that Lu Wei's methods were treacherous and that he was not truly capable of accomplishing great things, he had instead thrown in his lot with Prince Wei. Though he was young, his contributions were great. Prince Wei already had trusted generals and his maternal uncles and brothers around him, so Li Cheng could only endure and bide his time.Yet today's quarrel with Xun Rou made him realize that the impetuous temper of his youth had still not been tempered away.His hand rested on Huiyin's jade-like shoulder. Even through the gauzy fabric, he could sense her softness.Back in the room, Huiyin yawned. Seeing that he was still lost in thought, she said, "You'll be gone tomorrow, leaving me to deal with her alone. You know I'm not the most tactful person."Speaking of social grace, she was actually not as well-liked as her elder sister Deyin. Deyin had a temperament that attended to everything, and she could effortlessly blend in with others without even trying. Her knack for making friends seemed innate. Huiyin had always felt that even without renowned teachers, she had managed to excel at needlework and scholarship on her own—because learning any skill was a solitary endeavor.Those so-called social connections were nothing but illusions. If you ever fell to the bottom of the valley, even those who were once close to you would avoid you like the plague.That was why she never made grand promises to the people who had come with her as part of her dowry, nor did she speak of being "like sisters." Instead, she gave them real power, status, and generous rewards.Li Cheng glanced at Huiyin. "You're afraid of that? In my eyes, you're quite the talker.""That's because you're my husband, so of course I hold nothing back from you. But every time I meet a stranger, I have to steel myself inwardly." Huiyin was telling the truth. She hadn't always been a schemer; life had honed her into this."Fool. What's there to deal with? Can't you see her heart is set on the position of Princess Consort of Huaiyin?" Li Cheng suddenly poked Huiyin's forehead.Only now did he realize that this wife of his was actually a paper tiger—she had fooled him completely.Huiyin generally didn't wish to truly harm her romantic rival. Just as in her past life, she and Lu Xiao had never harbored any deep enmity. After Lu Xiao's father died, Huiyin had never mocked her; she only hoped Lu Xiao would directly kill Li Heng to avenge herself. If she ever became Empress Dowager, she would certainly release Lu Xiao from the palace to start a new life.As for Xun Rou, Huiyin looked at him and said, "She is your cousin, and she has been staying at the prince's residence all this time. I've heard that the old consort dowager is very fond of her. How could I not treat someone like that with extra respect? To be honest, I could tell from your argument with her today that you dislike people who use your name under the guise of doing good for you, when in reality they're only doing it for themselves.""You understand me—you put it in just a few words. I could have handled it today, but I was simply fed up." Li Cheng knew that if he hadn't spoken so harshly, Xun Rou would have stayed on forever. Yes, it was commonplace for him to casually take a woman into his service.But that would be troublesome. A woman who constantly uses some premeditated so-called kindness to hold you hostage would bring endless vexation.It seemed that whatever he said, Huiyin could understand—not in that shallow way of a wife blindly following her husband, but truly able to stand in his shoes and think about the problem.That night, they did not share the usual intimacy but slept separately, because it felt as though they had taken a step closer to each other.The next morning, when the door opened, Xun Rou was standing there gently and meekly, her attitude toward Huiyin several degrees more respectful. "Sister-in-law, I've come to apologize to my cousin. I was too hasty yesterday, and I had a bit to drink and made a scene."In truth, Xun Rou's methods were hardly sophisticated, but she was someone who could be ruthless with herself. She had been practically scolded to her face by Li Cheng the day before, and yet here she was, waiting early to soften her stance.People who hurl harsh words and sulk are a dime a dozen, but someone who can swallow their pride after a furious outburst—that's a formidable person.Clearly, Li Cheng accepted her sincere apology. From his standpoint, he was Prince Huaiyin. Though he usually treated people with warmth, that didn't mean he was entirely under anyone's thumb.But since there was no deep enmity between them, he said, "I'm heading back to Huaisi today. You'll stay at home and follow your sister-in-law's arrangements in everything."Xun Rou smiled. "Cousin is right. I will certainly listen to my sister-in-law."Li Cheng didn't know whether she meant it, but his mouth felt tasteless, so he said to Huiyin, "I want to eat pulled noodles.""Why didn't you say so when I asked yesterday? Kneading the dough now will take time." Huiyin complained.Seeing someone else in a bad mood put Li Cheng in a good one. "Then I'll wait a little longer. Go on."Huiyin had no choice but to have someone start kneading the dough, inwardly grumbling that he was being difficult.As Huiyin left, Xun Rou stepped inside. The main quarters were staffed with Huiyin's people, and when they saw Xun Rou stride in, they all felt she was brazenly forcing her way in.Li Cheng hadn't expected her to come in either and frowned slightly. Xun Rou immediately said, "Cousin, don't misunderstand. I know you've never had feelings for me. But I was raised by the consort dowager since childhood, and you know her temperament. If I didn't do this, I fear I'd never have a moment's peace."Consort Dowager Wu had not been favored in her youth. She had followed her son to his fief, and her son was not close to her. She often kept black cats with green eyes in her chambers. When Li Cheng was young and went in, seven or eight cats would surround him, and he found it deeply unsettling.Not to mention her temper—she was quick to anger, sometimes even hysterical.Li Cheng also understood that her life had not been easy, and he offered what he considered the most appropriate solution: "If you wish to leave the prince's residence and return to the capital, I can help. Your father's official position was, after all, recommended by me—he would not dare to treat you poorly."Compared to Consort Dowager Wu, Manager Xun was undoubtedly the one with the legitimate right to decide her marriage.Xun Rou, however, shook her head. "If my father were good to me, why would I have fled? Cousin, I only ask for a place to stay here. I will never disrupt the bond between you and my cousin-in-law. I'll simply be a decorative presence, with no improper thoughts toward you. I only ask for the title of a secondary consort, and I promise to behave myself. What do you say?"
Chapter 19
Rebirth of the Empress