When Liu Yue opened his arms wide, asking for a hug, the palace attendants pricked up their ears.
The first half of his sentence echoed softly through the hall. Hearing it, the Grand Chamberlain’s eyes grew moist, and her heart warmed. That lowly servant had been spouting nonsense, yet His Highness was not only unafraid, but was even comforting the Empress not to be angry. He was truly so well-behaved and brave that it made one’s heart melt.
But soon, she froze.
…Fin—finish her off?
The chubby toddler's matter-of-fact attitude could be described by a term from a later era: fiercely cute. The palace attendants were all stunned, and Empress Lu was also taken aback. A towering killing intent surged forth, directed at whoever had taught Liu Yue to say such things.
Their intentions were truly abominable!
However, she quickly dismissed that thought. Forget the Jiaofang Palace—most of the Chang Le Palace was under her control. No one with ulterior motives could even get near His Highness. Who would dare teach him?
It was simply that her Yue’er was different from his brother, the Crown Prince; he was born suited for the path of slaughter.
Thinking of this, Empress Lu didn't know whether to be happy or worried.
Being decisive in killing was a quality a ruler ought to possess, and it was also what she had hoped for from Liu Ying. But when it came to her youngest son, she felt a profound reluctance, wanting to protect him under her wings forever.
On second thought, a person's lifespan always has an end. Protecting him under her wings forever was nothing more than a wishful extravagance.
Yue’er was to be a Feudal Prince in the future, learning to manage the affairs of a state. There was nothing wrong with this.
She would rather Yue’er be bloodthirsty, so that he would always be the one bullying others, rather than others bullying him.
Empress Lu kissed her chubby son’s forehead. The smile on her face remained as she gently corrected him, "Mother is not angry. However, Yue’er, we shouldn't say ‘finish her off.’ Instead, we should say ‘bestow death,’ or at the very least, ‘give her a quick end.’ In our speech, we must still maintain some degree of decorum."
"…" The Grand Chamberlain watched the Empress teach His Highness, her expression extremely complicated.
Liu Yue pondered for a moment and nodded in realization.
His Imperial Mother was right; he was still too naive. Times had changed, and he couldn't think using the logic of the Apocalyptic Era. This was a subject worth studying further.
His small, chubby hands let go of his mother’s collar and moved to hug her neck, his tender cheek rubbing against hers. The sensation against her cheek was soft and warm; Empress Lu sat down holding the chubby boy, her heart melting into a puddle.
She hesitated for a moment but decided to tell her son, "Yue’er, do you know? Your Imperial Father is returning to the capital."
Liu Yue's grayish-black eyes widened slightly. After a thought, he said, "Oh."
His cheap father was finally coming back?
Life without having to work hard had been too comfortable; he had almost forgotten this person existed.
That single "Oh" was extremely indifferent, yet Empress Lu’s eyes were full of indulgence—she only mentioned that one sentence and did not go into detail.
It was as if it weren't anything important.
Patting her son's little belly, her stern face was full of smiles. "What do you want to eat today? Mother will have the kitchen prepare it."
…
The mother and son talked for a good while before Liu Yue slid down from his mother’s lap. He trotted on his short, chubby legs, stepped over the threshold, and disappeared from everyone’s sight.
Ordering several Court Attendants to follow His Highness at every moment, Empress Lu looked at the Grand Chamberlain. "As Yue’er said, give that wench a quick end. As for who is pulling the strings behind the scenes—investigate."
The word "investigate" was bone-chillingly cold and soaked in blood. The Grand Chamberlain immediately acknowledged the command.
Empress Lu stood up, her long hem trailing behind her. After a pause, she spoke with a cold sneer, "His Majesty ignored the Imperial Censor-in-Chief's admonishments and moved Liu Ruyi to be the Prince of Zhao. Only then did he feel at ease heading to Guandong, yet he alone forgot Yue’er's Bow-Holding Ceremony. Even Lu Yuan seems to have some resentment now. What a truly devoted fatherly heart!"
But even if the Empress was unwilling, and the entire court was unwilling, they could not change Liu Bang’s decision to establish the Prince of Zhao.
The founding emperor who started from nothing, the Son of the Red Emperor who rose in rebellion after slaying the white snake, possessed a peerless, accumulated prestige. Unless he chose to listen to advice himself, no one could stop him.
He had that power.
And all Empress Lu could do was one thing—endure. Her youngest son was her heart and soul, yet the Bow-Holding Ceremony that should have been presided over by his father was cast aside by Liu Bang, leading to rumors that the boy was out of favor. How could she not hate!
She hated, but she could only endure.
She had endured so many years of hardship; she could handle this final stretch.
Looking out at the lush trees in the courtyard, Empress Lu said coldly, "Once His Majesty returns to the palace, someone must remind him that the Bow-Holding Ceremony should be held." She then ordered, "Summon the Marquis of Piyang."
…
In the Luoyang Travel Palace hundreds of miles away, Liu Bang sneezed.
He rubbed his nose. Yo, who was talking about him?
He couldn't help but sigh at how fast time flew. This time when he returned, he truly intended to stay in Chang'an for the long term. The war against Han Wang Xin had come to a close, and he needed to free up his hands to deal with the Non-Imperial Clan Princes. How could he allow others to sleep soundly beside his bed? Even though that fellow, the Marquis of Huaiyin, was under house arrest in the capital, he still didn't feel at ease.
And the Crown Prince…
Liu Bang’s gaze darkened.
"Send the hand-picked maidservants I selected to the Crown Prince’s Palace." Thinking of the white hair he had brushed out last night, and how the white at his temples was increasing when he looked in the mirror, he finally made up his mind. Upon returning to the capital this time, he would truly establish the heir of the Great Han.
In an era of peace, one could have a ruler who merely maintained the status quo. But now, was this an era of peace?
Far away, the Xiongnu watched like tigers; nearby, the Non-Imperial Clan Princes commanded their own troops. If the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he wouldn't be able to hold the world. Just suppressing a group of old officials would be enough of a struggle. Could he use schemes to eliminate the Non-Imperial Clan Princes? Could he wipe out the Xiongnu in one fell swoop and wash away the previous humiliation of being surrounded by Modu?
Thinking with his toes, it was impossible.
Ying’er was too kind and weak, while Ruyi was decisive and clever, just like him. Liu Bang stroked his short beard and gave a long sigh, shouting toward the outside, "Is the carriage ready yet?"
After shouting, he fell back into thought. Having stayed in Luoyang for two years, he always felt like he had forgotten something.
What exactly was it?
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Even for a two-year-old child with plenty of energy, most of the day was spent sleeping. The Jiaofang Palace spanned a vast area; the Empress’s living quarters were located in the back left, and the place where Liu Yue lived was not far from his mother. It was a place Lu Zhi had carefully chosen and decorated very warmly; one could see it just by rounding a pepper-scented wall.
"Your Highness, Your Highness?" In a daze, a Court Attendant softly called him for his meal. Liu Yue rubbed his eyes and sat up with a roll.
Eating was the most important thing; sleeping came second!
Knowing that His Highness did not like the pomp of being surrounded by a crowd, the palace attendants followed at a distance, only stepping in to help if he tripped. His sleepiness hadn't fully dissipated, and the chubby toddler walked unsteadily, his face still bearing the red marks from sleep, until he bumped into someone halfway.
The newcomer was very tall, with a nose as straight as a hanging gall and eyebrows like carved knives—a handsome man whose age was impossible to tell.
The handsome man quickly supported Liu Yue and spoke in a magnetic, pleasant voice, "Your Highness, please forgive my offense. Should I carry Your Highness?"
When one is sleepy, who would refuse a visually pleasing transport?
Liu Yue’s large grayish-black eyes were misty. He opened his arms and called out, "Marquis of Piyang."
Shen Shiqi broke into a smile and leaned down toward the chubby toddler. With a firm lift of his arms, he securely picked Liu Yue up and carried him toward the dining room.
As the Changle Palace Attendant in charge of the Empress's affairs, the Marquis of Piyang, Shen Shiqi, visited the Jiaofang Palace the most and was the most familiar with Liu Yue.
When Liu Bang became the King of Han, he didn't return home for years, so he sent the attendant Shen Shiqi to his hometown to serve his wife and children. Later, when Liu Taigong and Lu Zhi were captured by Xiang Yu, Shen Shiqi was among them. Life in prison was extremely bitter, yet he continued to serve and navigate the situation with all his heart.
Because of this bond forged in shared hardship, once the world was settled, Shen Shiqi was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Piyang and concurrently served as the Changle Palace Attendant, deeply trusted by the Empress. Although he became increasingly arrogant toward outsiders, he remained consistently humble toward the Empress, the Crown Prince, and Princess Luyuan. This humility extended to Liu Yue as well—
He had even personally changed the little prince’s diapers, never leaving it to others. It could be said that Shen Shiqi had watched Liu Yue grow up.
A fresh scent of soapberry drifted to his nose. Liu Yue blinked and asked him, "Has the Marquis of Piyang eaten yet?"
Shen Shiqi hurriedly said, "Not yet. The Empress just summoned me; I shall eat with Your Highness."
Liu Yue’s heart and mind were entirely occupied by the word "eating," and he let out a little "mhm" in a milky voice.
Shen Shiqi’s heart trembled. He steadied himself, reminding himself to remain respectful at all times. No matter how cute the little prince’s belly fat was, it wasn't for him to touch!
Upon arrival, Lu Zhi was already kneeling behind the dining table.
Seeing Shen Shiqi carrying her son, she showed no displeasure. She pointed below the dais. "No need for formalities, sit." She then beckoned to Liu Yue, "Come to Mother."
Liu Yue left his aesthetically pleasing transport and trotted on his chubby legs to his mother’s side. There was a mini dining table specially made for him, with bronze tableware neatly arranged. He sucked in his little belly and sat down with what could be called a sense of piety.
Millet porridge cooked until very soft, shredded beef drizzled with bean paste, and a small portion of steamed egg custard made up this Western Han version of a luxurious delicacy. Even the imperial palace couldn't afford such luxury for every meal.
The truth was that plow oxen were precious in the Qin and Han dynasties and were not allowed to be killed at will unless there was an accident, which had to be reported and registered with the government. This was true for the common people, and the imperial family didn't have many oxen either—it was also thanks to Liu Bang’s love for beef that the Shaofu, one of the Nine Ministers, used his wits to raise a herd of beef cattle in the Shanglin Park specifically for the Emperor and Empress.
The early Han was poor, and the Shaofu was similarly strapped for cash. The number of beef cattle was limited, and at most, one could be slaughtered every six months. It had only become more frequent in the last two years because the little prince born to the Empress liked it.
What could be done?
The official in charge of the beef cattle waved his hand. With the Empress backing them up, they just slaughtered a few more without telling His Majesty.
In fact, the food of the Western Han was far inferior to that of later generations. At this time, the Silk Road had not yet been opened, and sauces and seasonings were scarce. If a human from the modern "Great Nation of Foodies" living in an era of peace traveled back and tasted a mouthful of this food, they would probably wish to travel back immediately.
But Liu Yue was different.
The air in the Great Han was good, and there was meat to eat—was this not heaven?
Thinking of the Apocalyptic Era he had lived in, going hungry was a common occurrence. When the five grains went extinct, being able to eat raw rice was a form of happiness. Of course, everyone has a heart that pursues gourmet food; now that conditions allowed, once he grew a bit older, it would be even better if he could improve the recipes.
The chubby toddler piously ate his egg custard mixed with rice bite by bite, saving the beef for last. With the slightly salty sauce, he took a large "aww-num" gulp, leaving absolutely nothing behind.
Shen Shiqi stole a glance at the little prince, then couldn't help but steal another. Unknowingly, his appetite was whetted, and the result… he overate.
Shen Shiqi: "…"
Liu Yue put down his spoon and said softly to Lu Zhi, "Mother, I want to go out for a walk to help my digestion."
This was also his routine. Lu Zhi felt her son’s bulging belly, her gaze soft as she nodded gently.
…
Liu Yue rarely wandered outside the Jiaofang Palace. Firstly, he was young and feared his mother would worry if he went too far; secondly, he wasn't quite sure who lived in the massive Chang Le Palace.
A long flight of steps led to the top of the main hall. Liu Yue stopped in his tracks, seeing a man standing far off on the steps, staring at him incessantly.
The man wore robes that weren't particularly flashy. He had thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a dignified appearance. He looked quite righteous, somewhat resembling the Imperial Censor-in-Chief, the Marquis of Fenyin, Zhou Chang, whom he had never met.
The Imperial Censor-in-Chief was famous for his integrity and for even daring to talk back to the Emperor, plus he was quite old… Remembering the Grand Chamberlain telling him earlier that the Empress was going to invite the Imperial Censor-in-Chief for a meeting, Liu Yue approached him, feeling more and more certain that this was Zhou Chang.
His grayish-black eyes curved into crescents, and Liu Yue greeted him politely, "Greetings, Imperial Censor-in-Chief."
To his surprise, the man froze on the spot. He pointed at himself, then at Liu Yue, looking as if he were actually getting angry.
"You brat, I am your biological father!"