As the words fell, a silence settled over the banquet tables.
As a strategist skilled in both civil and military affairs, Chen Ping possessed a brilliant mind equal to that of Zhang Liang. The difference was that his reputation in court was somewhat less stellar.
In the words of his colleagues (specifically Wang Ling), the Marquis of Quni prioritized profit over righteousness and lacked moral integrity—after all, he was a man rumored to have "stole his sister-in-law"! Listen to him; he actually had the audacity to say that aloud. He was an absolute world-class flatterer. Looking at His Majesty’s face and then at the little prince’s face, did the Marquis of Quni’s conscience not hurt?
Chen Ping’s conscience didn't hurt at all.
Past experience had taught him that those who achieve great things cannot be too concerned with "face"; achieving the goal was what mattered. He offered a faint smile. Besides, if this were Consort Qi’s child, even if he looked like a celestial boy, when would Chen Ping ever offer him a single word of praise?
As expected, Liu Bang was delighted upon hearing this. He clapped his hands and said, "Excellent!"
Xiao He: "…"
Zhang Liang: "…"
Xiao He couldn't help but stroke his long beard. He had also prepared words of praise, but he hadn't expected Chen Ping to beat him to it. Zhang Liang had been watching the little prince, but upon hearing this, he couldn't help but let out a muffled cough. After several years, the Marquis of Quni’s flair for lying through his teeth was even more impressive than before.
On the other side, Liu Yue’s chubby little hand slowly retracted.
Cradled in his cheap father's arms, he remained silent for a long while, thinking that this handsome gentleman really ought to see an ophthalmologist.
To look one hundred percent like his Imperial Father was truly the saddest thing in the world. One could fabricate things, but they had to remain within the realm of reality. His appearance clearly inherited his mother’s features; what did it have to do with his cheap father?
Liu Yue carefully and seriously memorized Chen Ping's appearance, deciding that if he couldn't sleep well in the future, he would seek compensation from him.
As a flash of ferocity crossed that beautiful little face, the satisfied smile on Chen Ping’s face chilled.
At that moment, Liu Bang finally remembered the business at hand and began introducing the guests to his youngest son one by one. In his heart, this brat was different from his other sons, and his interest in the boy was only growing.
It just so happened that he had been idle lately.
The guests seated at this table were all the pillars of the Han Dynasty. The only one Liu Bang glossed over vaguely was the Marquis of Huaiyin, Han Xin, who sat further away, his head tilted back as he downed one cup of wine after another in silent frustration.
Xiao He, Wang Ling, Zhang Liang, Chen Ping… Liu Yue finally learned who these handsome uncles and elders were. They were the illustrious meritorious officials of the early Han, those who had performed great feats to help his cheap father win the empire, each leaving their name in the history books!
The handsomest one was indeed the Marquis of Liu. And the one lying through his teeth was actually the Marquis of Quni, who had resolved the Siege of Baideng, and who would serve as Chancellor during his mother’s reign—Chen Ping.
The chubby toddler’s grey-black eyes were bright and round, reflecting their figures. He stared at Chen Ping again and again. His cheeks were so white and tender they invited envy, leading to a massive misunderstanding—that among all the handsome men, it was the Marquis of Quni who most appealed to the little prince.
Even Liu Bang was surprised. He raised an eyebrow, but because of Chen Ping’s "pure and unpretentious" flattery just now, he was willing to let him hold his youngest son.
Chen Ping maintained a steady smile. Seeing the little prince getting closer and closer, he quietly adjusted his posture—
To his surprise, just as Liu Yue brushed against his leg, the boy reached out his hands toward Zhang Liang, his voice tender and soft: "Hold."
Chen Ping: "…"
What did it feel like to have the fruit of one’s meticulous planning snatched away?
Zhang Liang was startled. He hadn't expected that his decision to enter the palace would yield such a "gift." This sudden stroke of luck pleased him, and he accepted it with a smile.
The little belly pressed against him was round and warm, filling his arms completely. The boy felt as if he had no bones; his cheeks were soft, his whole body was soft, and his exquisite eyelashes fluttered as he looked up at him. Even a deity would feel a tug at their heartstrings.
Nowadays, Zhang Liang feigned illness and stayed at home, staying out of court affairs, yet he hadn't quite reached the point of being completely detached from the mortal world.
He used his rudimentary skills in physiognomy, musing for a moment as he began to calculate… the chubby toddler’s fortune regarding descendants.
He couldn't calculate it?
Since the boy had the potential to become a variable, this was to be expected.
Setting aside physiognomy, Zhang Liang couldn't help but compare the boy to his own eldest son. He thought idly that if Buyi had even thirty percent of the little prince’s looks and fifty percent of his temperament, the flowers and plants at home would surely bloom more vibrantly while he played chess.
Seeing the blissful scene of the Marquis of Liu holding the little prince, the other Marquises were envious, their hearts bubbling with sourness.
Liu Bang’s mood was complex, unsure whether to be happy or worried. I believe I only gave permission to Chen Ping.
What made the cheap father's feelings even more complicated was that the brat was incredibly well-behaved. His little hands rested loosely on Zhang Liang’s collar, as if he were being mindful of the Marquis of Liu’s health, afraid of weighing him down.
Had it been anyone else, Liu Bang would have been furious, but Zifang was different. The Marquis of Liu was his most trusted strategist. Although he no longer attended court or offered counsel, his status in the Emperor’s heart remained extraordinary. Thus, with these factors combined…
He couldn't help but hint to Zhang Liang, "Zifang, I see your face is pale. Is your health restored?"
…
At another table not far away sat Imperial Censor-in-Chief Zhou Chang and Grand General Fan Kuai.
As for why they were sitting there, it was because they had set out late, encountered traffic on the way, and failed to snag a prime spot at the banquet.
Zhou Chang and Fan Kuai—one had an ordinary face, save for a resolute, square jaw and an air of righteousness; the other was covered in a thick beard that couldn't hide his rugged features. They poured themselves another cup of wine, silently watching the scene at the neighboring table.
As he watched, Fan Kuai grew envious as well. Strictly speaking, he had married the Empress’s younger sister, making him the little prince’s uncle-in-law. He hesitantly touched his face. Do I really need to shave my beard?
While he was hesitating, Zhou Chang spoke up: "This is quite unseemly."
Fan Kuai sat up straight with a snap, uncrossing his legs. He then heard Zhou Chang say with a stiff face, "Appearance is a gift from the heavens. There are distinctions between beauty and ugliness, but no… no distinction between high and low rank. Even for the Marquis of Liu, how can he hold the prince for such a long time?"
Fan Kuai’s eyes lit up as he listened, thinking that educated people were indeed different—wasn't that exactly the point?
The Imperial Censor-in-Chief’s voice was neither high nor low, just right to drift into Han Xin's ears.
The slightly intoxicated Marquis of Huaiyin paused, feeling that his old acquaintances were all quite ill. "…"
He curled his lip. How ridiculous. No matter how beautiful he was, he was still a green-behind-the-ears nursing babe. How had they all lost their minds, with no trace of their former intelligence?
When the banquet ended, the officials took their leave one by one. The meritorious officials were stumbling, all drunk to varying degrees, including Liu Bang.
Chen Ping still hadn't managed to hold the little prince.
Surrounded by the smell of alcohol, Liu Yue held his breath, his eyelids drooping slightly. Seeing that his cheap father was finally drunk, he slipped down from the broad embrace of Zhou Bo, the Marquis of Jiang. He looked from one person to another and saw the Emperor holding the Marquis of Liu, affectionately pouring out his heart, looking for all the world as if he wouldn't let him leave the palace.
Liu Yue blinked. As expected of his cheap father’s favorite mastermind.
But for now, finding his mother was the most important thing.
He started walking on his chubby little legs, looking left and right in the grand hall. He found his mother looking gentle, standing beside his uncle, talking with a thick-browed, square-faced official.
"…Thanks to the Imperial Censor-in-Chief’s remonstrance, though my son’s Bow-Holding Ceremony was long overdue."
The square-faced official, Zhou Chang, quickly stepped back. "This was merely my d-duty, Empress. You overpraise me." He then took his leave of the Empress, preparing to head to the Censorate.
Liu Yue stood nearby, quietly pricking up his ears. Lu Shizhi, the Marquis of Jiancheng, caught sight of his nephew, and his refined face immediately broke into a smile. "Empress, the Prince is here."
Empress Lu’s gaze softened as she beckoned Liu Yue over.
Zhou Chang turned around and greeted the little prince with meticulous care. It wasn't hard to notice his habit of stuttering.
So this was the real Zhou Chang! Mother had said it was the Imperial Censor-in-Chief’s advice that made his cheap father remember him. Liu Yue crinkled his large eyes, his milky voice incredibly polite. "Greetings, Imperial Censor-in-Chief."
It was said that the colder and harder one looked, the softer their heart was. Zhou Chang didn't consider himself soft-hearted—he was even brave enough to chase after and scold Liu Bang—yet when the little prince spoke, his cold, hard heart trembled, and even his stutter vanished.
Why was there such a well-behaved and sensible child in this world?
He kept a stiff face and repeated, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Then he felt a pang of regret. His face was used to being stiff, and he didn't know how to soften it. To his surprise, Liu Yue wasn't afraid at all, softly telling him to be careful on his way.
Zhou Chang’s square face remained cold and hard as he walked away with light steps.
No one noticed the Imperial Censor-in-Chief’s secret reaction. Lu Shizhi bent down to pick up his little nephew, acting as Liu Yue’s personal transport. Empress Lu turned and touched her son’s round face. "Are you hungry?"
Liu Yue hugged his uncle’s neck. "Hungry."
After eating, he would have a sweet sleep. His cheap father’s banquet hadn't served beef, but he had some!
…
Lu Shizhi felt that watching his nephew eat was a joy every single time.
And then, he inadvertently ate until he was stuffed.
How on earth did Yue'er develop such a habit of cherishing and protecting his food? He ate everything cleanly, not leaving a single grain of rice; that boy Lu Lu was nowhere near his level. Lu Shizhi watched with pride and admiration. When he asked his sister, Empress Lu simply said that Yue'er was born this way.
Cherishing grain was good. Currently, the Han Dynasty was far from wealthy. He had heard that the Prince of Zhao, Liu Ruyi, had six dishes per meal, and His Majesty even praised him for his "magnificent aura" and "noble appearance." Lu Shizhi only wanted to sneer at that.
Who among them hadn't come from hard times?
Only Consort Qi and the Prince of Zhao, who followed Liu Bang during his most triumphant years, hadn't suffered a bit of hardship!
In Jiaofang Palace, after finishing the meal, Lu Shizhi spent a long time rubbing the chubby toddler’s belly. His uncle’s massage was gentle and comfortable, and Liu Yue grew drowsy, letting out rhythmic little snores. Empress Lu smiled at the sight and personally carried her son into the inner bedchamber, tucking him in with a thin quilt.
Returning to the front hall, Lu Shizhi spoke in a low voice, "What exactly does His Majesty mean by this?"
He hadn't seen Yue'er for two years, yet as soon as he returned to the palace, he held such a grand Bow-Holding Ceremony. No matter how you looked at it, it was strange. Could it be that because he saw his little nephew was good-looking, he suddenly began doting on him?
Lu Shizhi felt a stir of hope. Liu Ying had never been liked by His Majesty; if Yue'er could experience…
Empress Lu shook her head and said calmly, "It is merely novelty. It comes quickly and fades just as fast. It cannot be compared to the Prince of Zhao."
When had her child become a toy for his Imperial Father’s amusement? If he grew bored, he would kick him away and forget him in the blink of an eye, treating him worse than a servant. Had she not seen enough of such precedents?
Lu Shizhi’s expression darkened.
Then he sighed. "Short-term favor isn't necessarily a bad thing. His Majesty’s current liking is extremely beneficial to Yue'er, ensuring that no one dares to bully him—the same goes for Ying'er." He paused, then added, "Yue'er is closest to his mother; his heart will certainly not be lured away."
He meant that she didn't need to worry about Liu Yue becoming close to his father and distancing himself from his mother. Since His Majesty was currently fascinated by his youngest son, she should let him be and not interfere.
Empress Lu nodded, a faint smile appearing. "I know."
Yue'er was her darling treasure; who could possibly take him away?
…
As the festive atmosphere of the daytime banquet faded, the palace lanterns in Eternal Longevity Hall were lit.
Although Liu Bang had drunk heavily with his officials and refused to let go of Zhang Liang, given the Emperor’s tolerance for alcohol, he was only dazed for a short while. His mind soon cleared, and he handled government affairs with great energy.
Now that it was nearly time for bed, Liu Bang stood before a dressing mirror, his brow furrowed as he let out a long sigh.
Consort Qi helped him adjust his robes. Seeing this, she asked softly, "Did Prince Yue make Your Majesty angry?"
Liu Bang waved his hand. "No, no! Seeing Zifang today, my heart felt both happy and empty. Seeing that he has no intention of serving again, I fear he will not return to court."
Any position in the court was Zhang Liang’s for the choosing, yet he wanted none of them. Thinking of this, Liu Bang sighed again.
Then there was the Marquis of Huaiyin, Han Xin. Relying on his past achievements, he was becoming more and more arrogant.
After a moment, he cheered up and began to boast, "About Yue'er… that boy really did me proud today." He then chuckled. "You have no idea how exasperating he can be."
Seeing the Emperor become so lively, Consort Qi’s red lips flattened for a fleeting second.
She turned around, her beautiful eyes filling with tears. "My poor Ruyi. After not seeing his father for just half a day, his father is already doting on his younger brother." As she spoke, tears fell pitter-patter onto the floor tiles. Liu Bang exclaimed, "Oh, what are you doing?"
He moved in front of his beloved consort and said without thinking, "What 'doting'? I’m just testing my mettle against that boy."
He spent a long time coaxing Consort Qi, promising that Ruyi was his most favored son. Only then did Consort Qi smile through her tears. "Your Majesty must not break your word."
Liu Bang agreed immediately. "Of course, of course!"
Since the Bow-Holding Ceremony, Liu Yue had received his cheap father's certification. From then on, he was no longer an undocumented resident of Jiaofang Palace and gradually began to appear before the public.
Everyone knew that as soon as the Emperor returned to the palace, he had invited all the officials to the little prince’s Bow-Holding Ceremony, thoroughly shattering the rumors of his being unfavored.
The servants from other palaces were all respectful when they saw him, and no mindless slave dared to cross his path. With the Empress sending people to protect him, ordinary people couldn't get near him. The area Liu Yue was familiar with gradually expanded from Jiaofang Palace to the entire Chang Le Palace, with prospects of becoming even wider and further.
Recently, without his cheap father's disturbances, Liu Yue was very satisfied.
Today, he slept until the sun was high. Liu Yue got up slowly, first giving his mother a hug and a kiss. After a nap at noon and finishing his favorite minced beef for dinner, he set out on his short legs for a walk.
The sunrise at Chang Le Palace was beautiful, and so was the sunset. However, given Liu Yue’s sleep schedule, he felt he probably wouldn't be seeing the sunrise.
Well, the sunset from the high platform of Daxia Palace was also quite nice. The Eighteen Bronze Statues cast by the First Emperor were placed here, and they were magnificent.
He puffed and panted as he climbed the high platform, only to suddenly discover a figure squatting not far away.
The boy looked about seven or eight years old, with a round face and his hair tied in a cap. His shoulders were shaking as he sobbed sorrowfully.
Hearing the noise, he looked over with tear-filled eyes and let out a heavy sob-hiccup.
"Are you a little celestial boy from the Red Emperor's Son’s retinue?" As the son of the unfavored Lady Bo, Liu Heng had never seen such a beautiful child, and for a moment, his eyes were dazzled.
?
Everyone knew that the current Emperor, Liu Bang, considered himself the Red Emperor's Son. Liu Yue felt he couldn't take advantage of his cheap father; it would be more accurate to say he himself was the Red Emperor.
Before Liu Yue could answer, Liu Heng asked timidly, "Can I touch your squishy cheeks?"