After inventorying Liu Yue’s Little Treasury, aside from pottery jars and baby items, the most numerous items were bolts of silk. As a hard currency equal to gold, silk could be used for writing, as money, or for making clothes—it was incredibly versatile.
Empress Lu whispered a few instructions to the Grand Chamberlain. Before long, palace servants entered in a single file, moving the Congratulatory Gifts to the rear hall with light steps so the little prince could use them in the future.
Although the movement back and forth was quiet, the chubby baby still sensed it. Surrounded by the pleasant scent of his mother, his ears twitched, and he immediately relaxed. His belly rose and fell as he breathed steadily; if he hadn’t been wrapped in swaddling clothes, he surely would have been spread out like a starfish, perfectly illustrating what it meant to be splayed out.
Sleeping in such fragrant air, Liu Yue was practically bubbling with happiness.
It is said that the hearts of mother and child are linked. Thinking the noise had startled her son, Empress Lu hurried forward to check on him, only to find Liu Yue sleeping even more soundly. She couldn't help but chuckle. That fair and rosy face was so alluring it could melt any heart. She leaned down and couldn't resist kissing the tip of his upturned nose.
It was still early; there would be countless more gifts in the future. If the Jiaofang Palace couldn't hold them, there was the Prince's Hall, and even the entire Chang Le Palace. Her child, the child of Lu E'xu, was born to receive the best treatment.
She needed to grasp more power so that she and her children could avoid being abandoned or slighted again!
Ying’er’s position as Crown Prince, Lu Yuan’s joy and dignity, and then there was Yue’er—if he didn't have his imperial father’s love, she would bring everything in the world before Yue’er for him to choose from.
No one would be allowed to ruin that.
Empress Lu straightened her back, her soft gaze turning calm. "Where did His Majesty go last night?"
"His Majesty has been resting in the Eternal Longevity Hall and ordered Consort Qi to attend him," the Grand Chamberlain replied. Glancing at the little prince on the bed, the resentment she usually felt on behalf of the Empress softened significantly.
She supported Empress Lu as they walked slowly, whispering, "…An attendant from the Eternal Longevity Hall sent word that His Majesty intends to change the Prince of Dai to the Prince of Zhao, and has already summoned the Minister of the Imperial Clan to discuss it."
Empress Lu paused, her eyes turning cold.
The Prince of Zhao, Zhang Ao, was her son-in-law and Lu Yuan’s husband. Half a year ago, he had been demoted to a marquis because his subordinates had rebelled. Comparing the Dai Kingdom to the Zhao Kingdom was like comparing a desolate frozen waste to a land of plenty. Who didn't know the prosperity of the Zhao capital, Handan?
In the past, the Emperor had named his third son, Liu Ruyi, the Prince of Dai because he had no other choice. Non-Imperial Clan Princes occupied wealthy regions like the Liang Kingdom and Huainan, and the Qi Kingdom had been given to his eldest son, Liu Fei. Now that a choice spot had opened up, he couldn't wait to change his precious son’s fiefdom.
Oh, Your Majesty, if Lu Yuan heard this, what would she think?
"Mother!" Before the person arrived, a voice rang out. It was the crisp voice of Princess Luyuan.
The seventeen-year-old princess was dressed in a curved-hem robe. The slight upward tilt of her eyes revealed a sharp resemblance to the Empress. To avoid waking her infant brother, she consciously lowered her voice. The Crown Prince, Liu Ying, followed behind his sister, his gentle face full of anticipation.
Empress Lu quickly retracted her cold expression and offered a faint smile. Lu Yuan, however, could no longer remain calm. She stopped abruptly and looked at her mother in shock. "You… you…"
She had only come to see Yue’er; how could her mother be out of bed?!
This was only the second day after giving birth!
Seeing them look as if they were facing a formidable enemy, the Empress felt a slight headache.
Waving her hand to signal that her daughter didn't need to support her, she glanced at the Grand Chamberlain. The Grand Chamberlain suppressed a smile and quietly explained everything to the Princess and the Crown Prince. Liu Ying breathed a heavy sigh of relief, while Lu Yuan’s eyes lit up. "So Yue’er is a little lucky star."
She stepped forward quickly, gazing at the chubby baby sleeping on the bed. The more she looked, the more she liked him. She could watch such an adorable treasure for hours without stopping.
Her own Yan'er was just two years old. She had been quite ugly when she was born; how was it that her little maternal uncle was so good-looking?
Liu Ying was already happy about the birth of his younger brother, and learning that the baby was too considerate to trouble their mother made him like him even more. He wanted to reach out and touch him but was afraid of hurting Liu Yue’s tender face, so he stood by the bed, torn.
The gazes of the older siblings were incredibly intense, but Liu Yue was blissfully unaware.
He continued to sleep soundly, his little palms curled up, until a hollow feeling came from his stomach. He didn't wail; he just opened his mouth and made a few "yi" sounds. Liu Ying immediately became nervous. "What’s wrong with Yue’er?"
Empress Lu watched them with a smile. The Grand Chamberlain hurried to call the wet nurses in, saying affectionately, "Your Highness, the little prince is just hungry."
On formal occasions, the Crown Prince of the Great Han was always referred to as Jiashang; in private, close subordinates also used the term. Liu Yue woke up from hunger and vaguely caught a gentle, clear voice that sounded somewhat youthful. His walnut-sized brain started working, wondering who this was.
Was this his brother in this life?
Before long, the swaddled baby was carefully picked up by a wet nurse, and Liu Yue stopped thinking.
Having finally escaped the Apocalyptic Era, the memory of hunger was still etched into his bones. Eating was the most important thing; wasting food was shameful. Still closing his eyes, the chubby baby blew a bubble. Mm, I have to eat my fill to grow up. Everything else can wait.
There were two wet nurses, both carefully selected women from good families. They were nothing but respectful toward the master of the Jiaofang Palace, never daring to harbor any disloyalty. Once Liu Yue had eaten his fill, he was returned to his mother’s arms. In the next instant, two heads leaned in close.
Lu Yuan sighed in wonder, "Yue’er is so good."
Liu Ying suppressed his longing, "Brother is so soft."
He struggled with himself for a long while before finally reaching out to poke Liu Yue’s soft cheek.
The pressure was very light, and he retracted his hand quickly, but Princess Luyuan let out a soft cry—the chubby baby had opened his eyes!
This was the first time the little prince had opened his eyes. They were large and round, with pupils as clear as glass—black in the center with a faint ring of grey. His brows and eyes were curved as if measured by heaven, the finishing touch to his beautiful features. His eyelashes were as thick as little fans, blinking at them once, then twice.
His mother smelled good, and the scents in front of him were pleasant too.
Lu Yuan held her breath, feeling her heart melt.
When he grew up, how many girls would he charm?
Even though she knew a newborn couldn't see clearly, she was still overjoyed. "Yue’er must be looking at me."
Liu Ying had a different opinion. He had touched his brother, and then Yue’er opened his eyes. If this wasn't being close to his elder brother, what was?
The bond of blood wrapped around his heart, making it feel warm. Ever since he moved to the Crown Prince's Palace, Liu Ying had never laughed so happily. He crouched in front of the chubby baby. "I still have a piece of Shu Brocade in my palace. I'll have it tailored into clothes for Yue’er another day."
Shu Brocade was rare and precious; there were few bolts in the entire imperial palace. Liu Ying himself was reluctant to wear it even on important occasions. He was handsome, and even his speech was gentle. Empress Lu wanted to pat her eldest son's forehead, but she stopped herself.
Ying’er was grown; he needed the dignity and bearing of an heir. If his imperial father saw this scene, he would be scolded again.
Thinking this, she didn't stop him but smiled along with his words. "Very well."
Empress Lu didn't try to hide the fact that she could walk on the second day after giving birth; instead, she sent people to spread the word. The news shocked everyone in Chang’an, especially Emperor Liu Bang. He repeatedly asked his attendant, "You're not tricking me?"
How would the attendant dare! He nodded tremulously. Liu Bang hissed, thinking in disbelief that the newly born boy really knew how to be considerate.
Consort Qi was present when the attendant came to report, and her expression stiffened slightly at the news. Seeing this, Liu Bang said, "Alright, we're heading south to Luoyang in a few days. Aren't you coming with me? I guarantee you won't have to see her."
Only then did Consort Qi smile and softly give her assent.
Life in the Jiaofang Palace was stable and peaceful as the chubby baby grew day by day. If you asked the servants of the Jiaofang Palace, they would say everything was perfect, except for one thing: the little prince had never seen his imperial father again.
His Majesty had gone to Guandong, seemingly forgetting his youngest son's Bow-Holding Ceremony.
Six months, a year… until he was two years old. Just like the full-month celebration for children of later generations, the Bow-Holding Ceremony that required the father’s presence still showed no sign of happening. Gradually, thin rumors began to spread that their little prince was unfavored!
It made the Grand Chamberlain absolutely furious.