Chapter 27
◎Two chapters in one◎
After occupying Qingzhou, the court wanted to send the crown prince to lead the army.
"I really want the baby in my belly to come out soon, so I don't have to suffer anymore."
Yin Liyi smiled and said, "You just need to hold on for another two or three months. I can't go back to take care of my child even if I have one. It's hard for mother and daughter to be separated."
Huiyin heard that Yin Liyi gave birth to a daughter after marriage, but Xie Jiuyi couldn't bear to leave his wife. The couple always followed each other wherever they went and had a very good relationship. She touched her belly and said, "I don't want to be separated from my child in the future. I always feel that no matter who takes care of the child, it's not as safe as taking care of it myself."
At the same time, Huiyin also tried to ask: "When Governor Xie was away, were you always by his side?"
Yin Liyi shook her head: "Not really."
She took the initiative to come to Xuzhou this time because she knew that Li Cheng was a difficult person to talk to, so she came here with her husband. However, these words caused misunderstanding.
Huiyin was such a smart person that she had guessed almost everything from her expression. But she didn't expose him. Instead, she said, "I don't know what's going on outside. I just heard that the East Palace is going to lead the army in person. I'm afraid there will be a fierce battle soon. Madam Xie, why don't you stay in Xuzhou? It's safer this way."
"Alas, my husband also advised me to do the same. I will also keep the little princess company then." Yin Liyi said with a smile.
In Xuzhou, one cannot use the power of the dragon to suppress the local snake. Of course, one must build a good relationship with the King of Huaiyin. Originally, the King of Wu's fiefdom was also here, otherwise Li Cheng would not have been so successful in Xuzhou.
Huiyin said happily, "That's great. I came here from Jizhou and to be honest, I was completely clueless. Now my wife and I are of similar age and temperament, so we will definitely get along well."
In fact, Yin Liyi found that Huiyin was warm on the outside but cold on the inside. She seemed to be warm-hearted and thoughtful in her actions, but she was not someone who was easy to get close to, and even seemed distant.
Therefore, the two of them did not open their hearts to each other during their conversation and just spoke perfunctorily.
Huiyin certainly didn't think about becoming good friends with her. Although she didn't understand the political situation, she could figure it out by analogy. It was Li Cheng who married into Jizhou, and it should have been Li Cheng who attacked Qingzhou, but the King of Wei asked Xie Jiuyi to conquer Qingzhou. In this way, the territories occupied by the Xie family and Li Cheng were intertwined, and Xie was used to contain Li Cheng.
Maybe now everyone is working for the King of Wei, and there is no distinction between them, but often in the end, those who are too loyal will lose everything, including their money and their lives.
Yin Liyi left after Xie Jiuyi finished talking about the matter, but she was very happy to see Yun Hui when she left. Yun Hui also walked forward with a smile: "I greet you."
Yin Liyi quickly helped her up and said, "My dear sister, what are you greeting me for? When I was studying in Prince Wu's mansion, I ate and slept with you."
Yunhui also recalled the past, when the Wu Wang and his were still alive. Yin Liyi's uncle was a lecturer in the Wu Wang's mansion. Because of his neat life and good knowledge, he was admired by the Wu Wang. Wu Wang's wife Cui liked children, but Li Cheng was her only son, so she wife asked them to bring their children to the palace to play during festivals.
At that time, Yin Liyi's mother was an eloquent woman, and Yin Liyi's sisters were both pretty and lovely, so Princess Wu let them study together.
At that time, Yin Liyi was too young, so she assigned a maid to take care of her, and the two of them had a good relationship.
Later, Yin's father was introduced by King Wu to work as a recorder in the Palace of King Wei, and they separated.
Recalling that time, Yun Hui smiled and said, "I know that you are happily married, Miss Xiao. I am very happy in my heart."
"Sister Yunhui, are you doing well now?" Yin Liyi raised her eyes and glanced at Yunhui, noting that she was dressed a little too simply.
Yun Hui said: "It's still like that."
Seeing Yun Hui's unhappiness, Yin Liyi said anxiously, "Sister, what kind of relationship do we have? Why are you being so hesitant to me? If it's not good, I'll go talk to Brother Cheng myself."
Yun Hui might not open up to others, and even some things were difficult to say to Mother Chao, but there was no conflict of interest between her and Yin Liyi, and she knew Yin Liyi's character very well: she was enthusiastic, straightforward, and simple, and not a scheming person.
So the two of them agreed to meet in two days. As soon as they sat down, Yun Hui smiled and said, "I sneaked out. Usually, the little princess doesn't allow people to go out casually. They have to bring the right cards."
"It really is a royal palace, with such strict management. Come, Sister Yunhui, have some mutton fried fish. This restaurant makes the most authentic fish." Yunhui was very enthusiastic and caring.
They were all originally from Wuzhong, where Yangfangcangyu is very common, but authentic ones are rare in Xuzhou.
Yun Hui was somewhat touched: "In fact, I didn't take care of you much before, but you still treat me like this."
After two glasses of wine, although they were not drunk yet, they started talking. Yun Hui said, "Since Zheng came in, the whole palace has been reshuffled, and half of the old people have been driven out. Some of them were corrupt, but some were simply because they were not her own people. She gave all the lucrative jobs to the people she brought with her. The young prince was not at home, and even my mother became an idle person. Compared with them, I am already good. Now I have the title of head aunt, and I am free."
Having too much leisure time is not a good thing. Yin Liyi is now the lady of a mansion. The more useful people she has, the more things she has to do, and she is unable to handle them all.
But she couldn't interfere in other people's affairs, so she said, "Sister Yunhui, since ancient times, new people have replaced old ones, and she must have used someone she is good at. You have always been diligent in your work, and I can't find any fault with you."
Yun Hui took a sip of the wine, and felt the sweetness and bitterness of it. "Yes, I thought so too. But man proposes, God disposes. It was fine before, but now the little princess is about to give birth, and the little prince will agree to everything she asks for. I heard that someone went to her and reported that I was someone that King Wu had placed with the little prince. I don't know how many days I can stay in the palace."
Yin Liyi frowned: "Sister, you are old too. She will definitely not kick you out for no reason."
"I don't have much hope. I'm just happy to see you again." Yun Hui didn't expect Zheng to be so cruel. First, she cleared out a group of Princess Wu's old friends, and now even asked Manager Zhong to leave.
Although Manager Zhong said that he took the initiative to return the money, it was said that there was an extra bag of silver in her bag, which was a gift from Zheng, who wanted him to leave. When she thought of this, the store owner brought another dish of wine, and Yin Liyi poured wine for her personally. Yun Hui thought that no matter what, only Mrs. Yin didn't have these family backgrounds.
Yin Liyi felt very sympathetic towards her: "Willn't the whole palace be in chaos if she excludes dissidents like this? This is probably not a good thing." She didn't want to meddle in other people's family affairs, but just commented on this matter. It is not impossible to replace the old with the new, but many old servants were replaced without any reason. She didn't know if there would be any chaos in the palace in the future.
Yun Hui bit a mouthful of squid and said, "All of us followed the Prince of Huaiyin to join the Prince of Wei without hesitation. We never expected this would be the outcome. You don't have to worry about us. A new emperor appoints new ministers!"
"This is too much." Yin Liyi has never been able to change this bad habit. She was originally quite calm, but the more she listened, the angrier she became.
Yun Hui persuaded her: "This matter has nothing to do with you. It is an internal matter of the palace. If you say anything, how will the young prince look at you in the future?"
Yin Liyi sighed softly.
When she returned home, she saw Xie Jiuyi packing his luggage and couldn't help asking, "Are you going to Qingzhou so soon?"
"Yes, speed is of the essence in war, and I, the one who laid the foundation of Qingzhou at that time, must be here. But it doesn't matter, there is Prince Huaiyin in Xuzhou to support us." Xie Jiuyi had just conquered Qingzhou, and it was not easy to control it completely.
Yin Liyi saw her husband's growing stubble, and remembering that he was usually a clean man with a cleanliness obsession, she just smiled and said, "You look so dusty now, you should take care of yourself."
Xie Jiuyi nodded, and he remembered that the King of Wei had always been gathering people from all walks of life in the south of the Yangtze River for the emperor. This time, the court deliberately sent the prince to lead the army in person, which in a way was to attack the legitimacy of the King of Wei.
If he goes against the imperial court directly, the King of Wei will be attacked by many people.
So Xie Jiuyi was a little upset, fearing that he had made a wrong move and the entire Wei Wang army would be wiped out. But when he discussed it with Li Cheng, Li Cheng said why didn't the Wei Wang request officials to stay in Qingzhou at that time, which would save the court's face and allow the Wei Wang to continue to keep a low profile.
But the court would never allow the King of Wei's people to occupy the city, especially the He family. Now the crown prince was asked to lead the army in person.
But he would not say much to his wife. He just said, "After I leave, you will stay in Xuzhou. If you have any problems, just go to Yunzhi (Li Cheng's courtesy name)."
Yin Liyi nodded secretly, patted her chest and said that everything was fine.
On the other hand, it is said that Huiyin was sitting on the couch, and Li Cheng's hand was on her belly. Seeing the movement in her belly, he was ecstatic: "It's amazing, even though the sparrow is dirty, it must be his little feet that kicked me. This kid is really powerful."
"Your Highness, what if it's a daughter? You can't say that, or our children will hear it." Huiyin smiled.
Since Li Cheng came back, he only came back at night. During the day, he was either discussing things in the study or patrolling the city to set up defenses. But it was good for the couple to discuss things. For example, when it came to those sluts in the palace, Huiyin usually got the evidence first and didn't send them away. She just told Li Cheng first to see what he thought. If she was willing to give this person a chance to reform, she would stay and wait for an opportunity to observe. But if Li Cheng was unwilling to tolerate it, she would let him tell Manager Qiao to transfer the person away or drive him out.
If these people were sensible, they would know that it was a blessing in disguise that the palace did not pursue their corruption. If they continued to cause trouble, they would be handed over to the government for punishment.
Li Cheng is an example of a powerful person. When he was not in the palace, corruption was rampant and everyone was crying poor. Naturally, he would not do that.
Seeing Huiyin smiling sweetly, but being ruthless, she would still leave room for maneuver when doing things, and almost all of them ended in peace. He couldn't help but hold her hand and said, "It would be nice if she had a daughter, and it would be even better if she looked like you."
"But I heard that girls look like their fathers, and boys look more like their mothers." Huiyin looked at Li Cheng's appearance and looked forward to the birth of the child.
Li Cheng smiled.
Huiyin picked up the book next to her and started reading. Li Cheng used to think that people without friends would be very lonely, but seeing Huiyin like this, he felt that it was good. She got up early every day to do housework, and after lunch, she started reading and doing needlework. She also knew many elegant things.
For example, she would write poems on large banana leaves and let people use banana leaves to serve food. Or when she saw fallen flowers, she would pick them up, string them together with a needle, and hang them by the bed. Her whole person was full of poetic and picturesque sentiments.
Just like at this moment, she was sitting here reading a book, the wind blowing in from the window made her clothes flutter, and she looked like a fairy.
Whenever Li Cheng was with her, he would feel what it meant to have a peaceful and quiet life, and his mood would become much calmer.
"Huiyin, talk to me!" Li Cheng wanted to get her attention.
Huiyin folded the corner of the book, closed it, looked at him and said, "What's wrong? What do you want to say? Are you bored? Let's go out for a walk."
"Okay." Li Cheng stood up and helped Huiyin out.
When Pian Huiyin went out, Yun Hui came back. She was very sensitive to smells because she was pregnant. When Yun Hui approached to pay her respects, she covered her nose with her hands and said, "It smells like alcohol."
Li Cheng frowned: "After drinking, don't serve me in front of you."
Yun Hui didn't expect that Li Cheng had no regard for her at all and spoke so harshly in front of Zheng. She endured the discomfort and went downstairs.
"Are you okay?" Li Cheng asked about Huiyin. He knew that she couldn't smell alcohol. Even if he drank alcohol, he had to rinse his mouth and take a shower before entering the room, otherwise his wife would feel uncomfortable.
Huiyin shook her head: "It's okay, because I covered my nose immediately."
Li Cheng thought that the way she spoke was particularly cute, and took her hand to the garden. It was April now, and the garden was full of peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, Clivia, peonies, lilies, azaleas, magnolias, pansies, crabapples, and daffodils. Seeing the flowers always made one feel very happy.
"Hey, how about we have a poetry reciting competition while looking at the flowers in the garden?" Huiyin raised her chin with a little pride.
Li Cheng pointed at the peony and looked at Huiyin, reciting Xu Ning's "Peony": "Who doesn't love the peony flower? It dominates the beauty of the city. I wonder if it was made by the goddess of Luochuan, whose myriad charming forms break through the morning glow."
Huiyin pointed at the peach blossoms and said slowly, "There are layers of peach and plum blossoms on the mountain, and the fireworks in the clouds are people's homes. Silver bracelets and gold hairpins are used to carry water, and long swords and short hats are used to burn the grass."
This is a poem by Liu Yuxi. Although she likes flowers, she does not like vague praises and prefers the smell of fireworks.
Unexpectedly, Li Cheng said: "This poem is not bad, it can barely be considered peach blossom."
Obviously Huiyin just wanted to find a task for two people to do, but Li Cheng cared about winning or losing, and he had to make it clear. But she didn't think there was anything wrong with this. Sometimes she would benefit from Li Cheng's strong execution, which was his character.
But she would not discipline or teach him to correct his behavior. Instead, she pointed to a crabapple tree and said, "You are tall, pick one and let me pin it on my temples. I am too lazy to do my makeup today, and my hair is too plain."
Of course Li Cheng was willing to do this kind of intimate thing. After the last time they were intimate, every time he got a little emotional, his wife would get up, for fear that they could not control themselves.
"Which one do you want?"
"Look, the one on the top, what is a stick? It's a flower." Huiyin scolded with a smile.
Li Cheng took it off effortlessly, and looked at Huiyin for a long time before pinning it on her hair. However, when he got close to her, it rubbed against her breasts, and both of them were shocked.
Huiyin took a step to the side, her face slightly red, but Li Cheng followed her silently. He swore that he definitely didn't do it on purpose, it was completely an accident. It was mainly because their bodies were so well matched, and they were very eager for each other. When they saw each other, they just wanted to hug and kiss each other, and even do more intimate things.
Turning her head to look at Li Cheng, she saw him with his head down, as if he had done something wrong. Huiyin pursed her lips and smiled, then extended her hand. Li Cheng paused for a moment, then came over and held her hand.
As they walked and talked, Huiyin said, "I heard that Governor Xie is about to go to war, and the Crown Prince is going to lead the army himself. You know, my sister is the Consort of the Eastern Palace, and I don't know if my father will go to war. You can say that I am selfish. If you were to go to war, I would definitely write to my father and brother, especially since my brothers are from the same mother, so I could persuade them. But now it's not you who is going to war, so I don't care."
Li Cheng certainly hoped for the best for the King of Wei, and he was also very loyal. Even in Xuzhou, he never used his own name to make friends with anyone. But when Huiyin said this, he looked at his wife and said, "Why, why are you so good to me?"
"Because you are not only my husband, but also a very good person to me." No matter what, during such a long pregnancy, Li Cheng has no other women, which is much better than other men, not to mention that he would also joke with her.
Li Cheng was actually a little nervous when she said the second sentence, but after hearing her finish, he smiled with relief.
He expected her to say something, but was really afraid that she would say it. Huiyin also felt that everything happened too fast, and of course she couldn't say it, but she had to express her attitude. She had to put herself in a good attitude for Li Cheng, otherwise if her father didn't listen to her and wanted to help the prince, she would be alone in the King of Wei's territory, and she would become the target of everyone's criticism.
So, of course she would say this now, not because she was calculating, but because if a person does not work for himself, he will be punished by heaven and earth.
The love they have now may very well become a passing fancy in the future. Before she is sure that Li Cheng is devoted to her, she does not want to let herself get hurt.
Li Cheng had no idea of these things. He just felt that his wife was indeed a good wife. Even though they had no life-and-death relationship, she was indeed very good to him.
He parroted, "You are not only my wife, but also someone who treats me very well."
Huiyin and he looked at each other and both smiled.
It is also said that after Zheng Deyin discussed with Crown Prince Li Heng, she asked the crown prince to prepare for her return to Jizhou. Li Heng went to ask Queen He for help, and the two of them went to Jizhou first on the pretext of visiting relatives, in name only, that the crown prince was visiting his father-in-law before going to war.
There are only three daughters in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Princess Lü Xiao, Consort Zheng Deyin, and a low-ranking concubine Dong Yu Niang. Lü Xiao heard that the Crown Prince had accompanied Consort Zheng back home to visit her parents, and somehow she felt a little discouraged.
Her maid Grape came over with a bowl of mutton noodle soup and said with a smile, "Crown Princess, when the Crown Prince was in the palace, he usually disliked the smell of mutton, so the kitchen was always not prepared. Now that the Crown Prince is gone, you can have mutton noodle soup too."
Lu Xiao was unhappy at first, but after eating a bowl of mutton noodle soup, sweat broke out on his forehead and he felt an indescribable sense of comfort.
Grape was very happy when she saw the Crown Princess finish eating: "I haven't seen you smile in these days, but you smiled after eating a bowl of this today."
"I was wondering why I don't act like a Crown Princess no matter what I do. No wonder the Crown Prince is partial to me." Lu Xiao shook his head and said nothing more.
Grape said, "In my opinion, Concubine Zheng has overstepped her bounds. She is in charge of the Eastern Palace on your behalf, and she comes to you to pretend to be a good sister. It's because you are kind and don't say much. Didn't the Empress scold her for being too bossy a few days ago? This is also to vent your anger!"
Lu Xiao looked at the cakes on the table. These were sent by Zheng Deyin. She said, "Grape, stop saying these things in the future."
Grape muttered: "You are just a good person. I have stolen so much of your affection."
…
When Zheng Fang saw the prince and his daughter coming together, he quickly led everyone to kneel and kowtow. Ji knelt behind Madam Xu. She knew very well why Zheng Deyin came here, but she just sneered.
Li Heng personally helped Zheng Fang to stand up, and said, "We are all family, there is no need for such a grand ceremony."
This showed that he was very friendly and courteous, but Zheng Deyin felt that the prince was treating her father this way for her sake. She first asked people to prepare rewards for Ji and others, and then said to Zheng Fang: "The prince will go to the army soon, so you can accompany your daughter home to visit your parents and express the joy of family life. It would be better if everyone can be more comfortable."
Zheng Fang said yes repeatedly and invited Li Heng to take the seat. Li Heng looked at him with his eyes and nose, and seemed gentle and elegant.
Zheng Deyin found an excuse to invite Zheng Fang into the room so that the father and daughter could have a conversation.
"Father, the prince will personally lead the expedition to Qingzhou this time. I am afraid that the prince might encounter an accident, so I want you to help lead the troops. Don't worry, if the prince wins, your daughter will gain face in the East Palace in the future, which will also be a great thing for our family. I know that you are not in good health, father. If you let my elder brother and younger brother go with the prince to the expedition, if they make meritorious deeds this time, they can also be promoted, and even father will be able to surpass Lu Wei." Zheng Deyin said.
She found this very convincing. There was nothing better than getting a promotion.
Zheng Fang was a little tempted, but waved his hand and said, "Will Qingzhou be given to us?"
Nothing else matters, the site is the most important.
Zheng Deyin laughed awkwardly: "Father, this belongs to the court. It may be difficult to give it to you."
Zheng Fang said, "Gold, silver, and treasures are plentiful in my family. We are doing well in Jizhou now. If I help the crown prince, my daughter, what should I do if the king of Wei attacks me in the future? Besides, didn't I let the He family's army pass through? This is all for your sake."
He still believed his little daughter's words. Now that Lu Wei hadn't made any move, if he helped the court to recapture Qingzhou, what if the land was taken by the He family? He would lose his troops and get nothing.
Besides, my daughter has been married for more than a year and still has no children. Not only she has no children, but the entire Eastern Palace has no children. It is possible that this prince will not be able to hold a stable position. What's more, if they want him to help, they don't even say who will provide the food and fodder. Isn't it just letting the He family get something for nothing?
In short, he just didn't agree.
Unexpectedly, with a "thump" sound, Zheng Deyin fell to his knees, which scared Zheng Fang.
"If Daddy doesn't agree, I won't get up." Zheng Deyin seemed determined. Wasn't that how Shen Baoxu cried in the Qin court? She was not incapable of doing so either.
Zheng Fang felt more and more that his eldest daughter was not as capable as his second daughter in taking care of the family. He could no longer agree to the offer, as otherwise he would be using his own troops to enrich the other family.
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