The Court Attendants following Liu Yue responded quickly: "Understood."
Whatever the Little Highness said went. Not to mention standing up for Prince Heng, they would gladly bind those treacherous wretches and take them to Jiaofang Palace, or even lock them in the Eternal Lane on the spot. They shouted their assent in unison and seized the two identified servants with lightning speed. Then, they gagged them and bound their hands in one smooth motion!
No one had time to react. Before the two bound servants could even beg for mercy, the remaining "lone survivor" stood frozen in place, watching his companions being dragged away. His expression turned from shock to terror, his legs shaking uncontrollably.
Jiaofang Palace? … Jiaofang Palace!
No servant in the imperial palace did not fear the Empress. Looking at the age of the child, how could they not realize? This beautiful child was the legendary Little Highness, the son born to the Empress. Somehow, he was playing with their prince and had decided to punish the servants of Guangyang Hall!
Liu Heng stared blankly at everything.
The shell of the "little celestial" cracked and reassembled in his heart, turning into a cool and decisive younger brother.
He had never been "protected" so straightforwardly. Staring at Liu Yue with wide eyes, he opened his mouth, standing there like a bewildered goose. His limbs were stiff, and his eyes felt hot and sore.
Even though he had been muttering to himself, his younger brother had heard everything.
At the same time, he felt flustered and embarrassed.
He had actually cried and complained in front of his two-year-old brother, and now he would even have to trouble the Empress. Liu Heng panicked—was this really allowed?
His mother had told him never to be a burden to others!
Then he saw the chubby toddler turn around, his milky voice urging with an air of authority: "Go back to Guangyang Hall and rest quickly. If you don't, Lady Bo will worry."
This cheap brother is a crybaby who can't even get enough to eat, and now he's a silly goose standing still?
"Oh, oh…" Liu Heng’s soul was still out of his body. After a long moment, relying on instinct, he stole a quiet, reluctant glance at Liu Yue’s chubby cheeks and then obediently left.
As the sun set and the group returned grandly to Jiaofang Palace, the Emperor was receiving officials at the Eternal Longevity Hall.
That day, he had promised Consort Qi not to favor Prince Yue. On the first day, Liu Bang had vowed to stop thinking about that brat who defied him.
By the third day, he winced. Such a beautiful child was in the palace, and his own flesh and blood at that. Remembering the praise from the meritorious officials at the Bow-Holding Ceremony, Liu Bang felt a bit of an itch.
How long had it been since he had gained such face? Among the children and grandchildren of Xiao He and the others, though some were handsome or valiant, none could compare to Liu Yue in their youth. The Emperor didn't say it, but he was secretly smug.
By the fifth day, Liu Bang's hands felt itchy.
The boy's temper was like a firecracker, but his whole body was soft—soft bones, soft limbs, and a soft belly. Holding him was incredibly comfortable. Not wanting to deprive himself, the Emperor felt he needed to find a time for a good hug.
What was a promise? Was it edible?
Comfortably pushing his conversation with Consort Qi to the back of his mind, Liu Bang summoned the Taipu to inquire about the horse administration and animal husbandry in Guanzhong.
Taipu Xiahou Ying, a childhood friend of the Emperor, attended him closely and was deeply trusted. He had been enfeoffed as the Marquis of Ruyin and held a high status even before the Empress. This was because during the Battle of Pengcheng, when the King of Han was defeated by Xiang Yu and fleeing for his life, Liu Bang had kicked Liu Ying and his sister Liu Le off the carriage several times. If Xiahou Ying hadn't stubbornly saved them, the current Crown Prince and Princess Luyuan would have lost their lives long ago.
Xiahou Ying looked simple and honest, but his mind was sharp. Guanzhong was the base of the Liu family. Only by managing Guanzhong well could they "strengthen the trunk and weaken the branches," fitting the Emperor's vision of centralizing power. Since the Emperor valued it, the Nine Ministers worked with all their hearts and didn't dare slack off.
The ruler and minister spoke for half an hour. Liu Bang went from sitting upright to slouching, eventually crossing his legs. He pulled Xiahou Ying to sit beside him and praised his good work. After speaking, he noticed the Taipu didn't look happy but rather troubled.
Curious, Liu Bang asked what was wrong.
"Your servant… hasn't seen the Little Highness recently." At the Bow-Holding Ceremony, Xiahou Ying was one of the officials at the Prime Minister's table. He hesitated, saying, "I haven't heard any news of the Highness being ill, either. I apologize for the Emperor's amusement."
Liu Bang was stunned.
Adding "Little" before "Highness" could only refer to the ninth imperial son, Liu Yue. He gave an inscrutable "Oh" and realized he hadn't seen the brat for several days himself.
Is this a subtle reminder for me?
Liu Bang chuckled and waved his hand, denying any illness. Xiahou Ying seemed relieved and respectfully withdrew.
The next to seek an audience was Zhang Cang, the Marquis of Beiping. Zhang Cang was skilled in calculation. As the assistant to the Prime Minister, he managed the national finances and the accounting books of the feudal states. Liu Bang affectionately called him the "Jixiang."
Zhang Cang was fair and plump with a beautiful beard. Liu Bang always felt better seeing him, thinking one should be like the Marquis of Beiping—rigorous in work and open-minded in character. After a pleasant conversation, Zhang Cang spoke: "Your servant hasn't seen the Little Highness recently…"
Liu Bang: "…"
Is that brat some kind of captivating spirit?
He immediately decided to go and hug Liu Yue tonight.
The last to seek an audience was the Imperial Censor-in-Chief, Zhou Chang, one of the Three Excellencies. Whenever that stern and resolute square face appeared, Liu Bang felt a bit intimidated, yet he respected him most. He often admitted his mistakes and humbly accepted Zhou Chang's remonstrance.
Sure enough, after their talk, Zhou Chang let out a burst of criticism, saying that since the Emperor returned to the palace, he hadn't done much proper business, which pained him to see.
Liu Bang's face immediately darkened.
After a moment, he thought, Why get angry at a stubborn old rock? He smiled and said, "Marquis of Fenyin, I've come back this time to wait and suppress the rebellions of those restless fellows."
Zhou Chang fell silent. The Emperor had grown increasingly suspicious in recent years. Among the rebellious officials, some were truly guilty and others were wronged, but it was indisputable that for the stability of the realm and peace under heaven, Non-Imperial Clan Princes could not be allowed to exist.
He bowed and said solemnly, "The Emperor has everything under control; your servant overstepped." After a pause, he added, "Your servant hasn't seen the Little Highness recently…"
His voice was strangely gentle, as was his expression.
Liu Bang almost toppled over, thinking he hadn't woken up today.
He braced himself against the table as if he had heard a horror story. Am I dreaming?
After asking, Zhou Chang felt a bit embarrassed. He put back on his face that could stop a child from crying and took his leave. Soon, the warriors outside the hall heard Liu Bang shouting at the top of his lungs: "Prepare the carriage! Prepare the carriage!"
It was getting late, so someone hurried to ask, "Your Majesty, where to?"
Liu Bang was silent for a moment. "Jiaofang Palace."
He then ordered, "Drive!"
In the main hall of Jiaofang Palace, Empress Lu was reading a bamboo scroll while waiting for her youngest son.
Crown Prince Liu Ying was filial to his mother and came every morning and evening to pay his respects. He sat nearby, speaking gently with his mother, occasionally glancing outside, hoping to see the chubby child return from his walk.
Empress Lu asked her eldest son, "You've been studying in seclusion for many days. Have you gained any insights?"
Liu Ying lowered his eyes slightly and said softly, "Since the Qin Dynasty, the common people have always suffered. Guanzhong builds irrigation and promotes agriculture, allowing every household to undergo Recuperation and Revival. Yet beyond the passes, the clash of weapons never ceases, and Imperial Father's expeditions never end. War ravages the lands of the feudal lords, leading even the King of Han to rebel and join the Xiongnu. The people outside the passes can never live in peace. Why does Imperial Father persist so determinedly?"
Empress Lu put down the bamboo scroll.
What he said was true; without an end to war, the people would have no true stability, and the Emperor would continue to deploy troops in the future.
He wished for Non-Imperial Clan Princes like Ying Bu and Peng Yue to rebel so he would have an excuse to suppress them—as long as they didn't run to the Xiongnu to seek refuge with Modu Chanyu.
But Ying did not understand. Only when the world belonged entirely to the Liu family could they plan for the people's peace and a strong, wealthy nation. How could a man let someone else sleep beside his bed? The Emperor did this for his empire and to clear the path for the future monarch.
She suspected Ying hadn't listened to a word the Grand Tutor taught him. After a moment, Empress Lu said calmly, "Your Imperial Father does it for you as well."
The main hall fell into silence until the Grand Chamberlain came to report: "Empress, Your Highness, the Little Highness has returned."
The silence vanished instantly, and both mother and son smiled in unison.
Yue'er ate dinner early. Once his food was digested, he would need a late-night snack. What would he want to eat?
Liu Ying stood up impatiently, wanting to greet his younger brother at the door. Suddenly, he saw two bound servants thrown inside, their faces smeared with snot and tears.
?
"Mother, Brother!" Amidst the confusion, Liu Yue poked his head in from outside, sucked in his belly, and then trotted over the threshold.
At a time like this, he wouldn't hold a grudge against the threshold. The chubby toddler pointed at them, his rosy cheeks slightly sweaty from walking. "Both of these people deserve to die."
He hated that his legs were short and he couldn't walk fast; otherwise, he would have thrown them in sooner!
The lead Court Attendant explained the situation, and Liu Ying's face gradually turned livid.
In broad daylight, servants from Tianlu Pavilion were so snobbish that a prince of the Great Han couldn't even fill his belly!
Liu Yue looked even angrier than he did. His beautiful eyes turned pitch black, and his chubby cheeks weren't puffed out anymore; this was simply unforgivable.
It is said that no one knows a child better than their mother. Empress Lu didn't need to think much to understand why Yue'er was angry. She beckoned Liu Yue over, pulled her chubby son into her arms, and gave him a soothing kiss.
Her icy gaze fell on the servants on the floor. Lady Bo came every day to pay respects, showing a unique level of deference in the palace. Liu Heng was Lady Bo's son; she didn't necessarily like him, but she didn't hate him either. But turning to the Prince of Zhao?
"If they don't want their lives, then they shouldn't have them." Liu Yue leaned into his mother's ear and suggested in a tiny voice, "How about we lock them in Eternal Lane before dealing with them?"
He couldn't let his Crown Prince brother hear such things.
Empress Lu chuckled and spoke warmly to her son, "This isn't like last time. Their crimes do not warrant death. Yue'er, you must distinguish between the severity of offenses to judge with reason and evidence, so that everyone is convinced."
Liu Yue pondered and then nodded.
He would listen to his mother!
The chubby toddler perked up his ears, wanting to hear how his mother would handle it.
Empress Lu looked back at the people on the floor and ordered the Grand Chamberlain: "Gather the evidence and hand it to Lady Bo to handle. Whether they are expelled from the palace or otherwise, it's up to her. Just say Yue'er couldn't stand it. There's no need for her to bring Heng'er here to give thanks."
The maids and Court Attendants of Chang Le Palace all knew the Empress possessed immense majesty, sometimes no less than the Emperor. They were all afraid of falling into her hands, as it was a thousand times worse than being punished by other masters. But this time was different.
The one suffering was Lady Bo's son. Even if Lady Bo had a gentle temperament, as a mother, how could she easily forgive servants who were double-dealing and trying to serve the Prince of Zhao?
Who knew what awaited them!
Seeing the servants faint with their eyes rolling back, Liu Yue's dark grey eyes sparkled, feeling he had learned a lesson.
Liu Ying's livid face softened slightly, and he said, "Mother's handling is appropriate; Ying has learned. But those people at Tianlu Pavilion…"
"A prince of the realm has to go hungry. If we don't use a heavy hand, we can't settle this." Empress Lu's gaze was cold. Since Yue'er hated it, she couldn't let it slide. "Replace them all. First, interrogate them thoroughly. The main culprits shall receive the death penalty, the lesser offenders shall be dealt with accordingly, and the rest shall be expelled from the palace."
Although Tianlu Pavilion belonged to the outer court, she had the power to handle this. Would the Emperor really scold her?
Mistreating Liu Heng to curry favor with Liu Ruyi? What a joke.
There might be innocent people expelled from the palace in the process. In the past, Liu Ying would have surely voiced a few words of protest. But thinking of his fourth brother's hungry look, he was truly enraged and agreed with his mother's decision of collective responsibility, nodding gently.
Then he reached out to the chubby child in Empress Lu's arms. "Is Yue'er still angry? Brother will hold you."
…
When Liu Yue returned to Jiaofang Palace, it was sunset. Now, the night had turned dark.
He had run