Second, chaff and husk

I originally thought that under Liu Xiu's leadership, this matter would naturally reach a satisfactory conclusion as Liu Huang wished. However, many days passed without Liu Xiu mentioning the arrangement for Song Hong to marry Liu Huang again. Liu Huang seemed to sense this as well, but out of concern for face, he found it difficult to frequently inquire about his brother. Thus, he came to my residence every day, engaging me in idle chatter to pass the time.

The room was as silent as the night, and the yellow gatekeepers and palace maids were so frightened that they fell silent like cicadas in winter, kneeling on the ground. After chasing out a few steps, I stopped in place, feeling a deep sense of desolation and melancholy, torn between the urge to weep and the desire to laugh. Such pain inflicted upon others and oneself, I fear, will torment me for a lifetime, and him for a lifetime as well. Unable to let go, yet unable to escape, when will I finally find liberation? ... When can I return to the future, return to the starting point, return to ... that place that will not bring me sorrow? When can I return to the future, return to the starting point, return to ... that place that will not bring me sorrow

Love me as I love you

I could not help but sigh, feeling an indescribable bitterness in my heart

"What do you think of Song Hong as a person?" After Song Hong had withdrawn, Liu Xiu suddenly asked as he looked at his receding figure

Liu Huang shook his head, weeping uncontrollably: "It has nothing to do with you, it has nothing to do with you..." As he spoke, he stood up, covered his face, and ran out.

The person who led us placed the two of us behind the screen, and before we could figure out what was happening, he hurriedly withdrew. After a short while, I heard faint laughter coming from the hall. I was taken aback and turned to look at Liu Huang; she was first stunned, and then her face was filled with a rosy glow.

Is it a book?

No

Is that so

He seemed to have completely not heard what I was saying, suddenly reaching out to pull me into his embrace: "When will you understand?"

I let out a long sigh of relief, as it seems that I had struck the right balance. Liu Xiu did not become angry because of this; instead, he generously pardoned Wang Liang and did not hold Zong Guang accountable for his presumptuous actions

"Yes." Song Hong had no objections, and then proceeded to report another matter, "The Minister of Personnel, Zong Guang, executed Wang Liang without following the edict. Zong Guang did not carry out the order to execute Wang Liang in the army; instead, he captured him and transported him to Luoyang in a prison cart. Although Wang Liang violated the imperial decree and was punished, Zong Guang's actions also contravened the decree. I do not dare to make a decision on my own and hope Your Majesty will adjudicate."

A wife of humble origins... will not be cast aside! Will not be cast aside...'' He held me tightly in his arms, repeatedly murmuring the same words, filled with such sorrow, such despair, and such helplessness

Liu Xiu remained silent, yet I could guess the answer and could not help but mockingly say: "What is so difficult about this? Your Majesty could simply demote Song Hong's wife to a concubine!"

When Song Hong arrived in Xiu Wu to express his gratitude, I deliberately hid behind the screen and quietly observed this man who had won Liu Huang's favor. Upon a glance, he truly lived up to his reputation; Song Hong was handsome and distinguished. What was even more commendable was that he maintained a dignified presence when meeting Liu Xiu, showing no signs of excitement due to his promotion, nor did he lose his composure in the presence of the emperor. From beginning to end, he engaged in a respectful and balanced exchange with Liu Xiu.

Separated by the screen, although I cannot see the expression on his face, I can discern the helplessness in his words. Liu Huang is no longer young, and neither is Song Hong. In terms of age, appearance, talent, character, and status, the two of them are a perfect match in every aspect. ... However ...

One must not forget the friendship forged in poverty, nor should one cast aside a wife who has shared in the hardships of life

If Liu Huang is truly interested in Song Hong

On February 19, Liu Xiu appointed Song Hong, the Grand Minister of the Interior of Jingzhao, to the position of Grand Minister of Works.

In the hall, the sound of rustling garments was heard, and it was Song Honggong respectfully bowing and saying: "I have only heard that one should not forget the knowledge gained in poverty, and that one should not cast aside a wife of humble origins."

After Song Hong withdrew, Liu Xiu circled behind the screen and sighed softly: "Elder sister, I am incompetent, this matter..."

I stood upright on my knees, and Liu Huang's expression suddenly changed dramatically. After a long while, her eyes, which revealed a mix of shame and anger, turned slightly red, and tears quietly slid down her cheeks. She did not want me to see her in such a disheveled and awkward state, so she covered her face with her sleeve. Although there was no sound, it was clear to see her shoulders trembling violently.

Liu Xiu did not respond

Your Majesty

Not allowed

Perhaps he has long understood Song Hong's intentions, and today he merely used Song Hong's words to reject Liu Huang while simultaneously expressing his own feelings to me

Do not say that Liu Huang would not be reconciled; even if she were willing, Liu Xiu would not agree. Moreover, it has never been the case in history for a princess to marry as a concubine.

I felt a moment of daze; his words were profound. I do not truly understand them at all; rather, sometimes thinking too deeply can lead to fear.

He suddenly got up from the couch and looked through the gap in the screen. I could vaguely see him standing there in a daze, silent. My heart was filled with sadness, and the long-suppressed pain was stirred up again, causing me to speak without thinking: "As the saying goes, 'It is easy to make friends with the rich, but easy to marry the wealthy.' This is human nature. Men... are they not all like this? Your Majesty has moved him with emotion, reasoned with him, and empathized with him, fostering mutual trust between ruler and subject. I spoke without thinking: 'As the saying goes, 'It is easy to make friends with the rich, but easy to marry the wealthy.' This is human nature. Men... are they not all like this? Your Majesty has moved him with emotion, reasoned with him, and empathized with him, fostering mutual trust between ruler and subject..."

"Kill him, and he still won't divorce his wife to marry the princess," I said coldly

-- -- -- -- -- -

Suddenly, a sound of pottery shattering echoed in the room, interrupting my words. I hurriedly rushed out from behind the screen, but only caught a glimpse of Liu Xiu stumbling out the door.

What a compassionate and loyal person Song Hong is

On that day, as usual, I was enduring the torment of Liu Huang's incessant nagging when Liu Xiu suddenly sent someone to invite us. Upon arriving at the hall, however, we found not a single soul in sight

Liu Xiu did not turn around, sitting on the couch, seemingly lost in thought: "Since I can remember, my elder sister has always taken on the household duties on behalf of our mother, raising our younger siblings, and has always sought only to give, never asking for anything in return. This time, it is the first time she has expressed her feelings. If you were me, what would you do?"

No one could have anticipated that Liu Xiu, who was discussing official matters, would suddenly interject such an awkward topic, causing Liu Huang's face to flush red and my heart to leap to my throat

Does Song Hong have a wife at home? This is a very clear answer. Given Song Hong's age, it is impossible for him not to have married and had children. Liu Huang has set her sights on Song Hong, and marrying him is not a difficult matter. The challenge lies in how, with her status as the Princess of Huyang, she could possibly be willing to become a concubine to Song Hong.

In this world, men with such thoughts are already rare, and those who dare to refuse the emperor's obvious matchmaking efforts to their face are even more unique. This is not merely a matter of loyalty; it also concerns his future and life.

I stared blankly at Liu Huang's departing figure and asked in a dull tone, "What do you plan to do about it?"

I have recently heard a saying, "It is easy to befriend the rich, and easy to marry the wealthy." The person who mentioned this to me claims that it is a common sentiment among people. What do you think of this?

The topics she can discuss are nothing more than the trivial matters within the princess's residence. Aside from that, she often recounts how she managed to live alone in Caiyang while taking care of her three nephews, which is still trivial and filled with mundane details. However, compared to the former, I would much prefer to hear the amusing stories of Liu Zhang and Liu Xing, as they are far more enjoyable than the tedious complaints about disobedient servants or the insufficient fief to support a large number of retainers.

With no one around, apart from the attending courtier Huangmen, I was the only one hiding behind the screen. I sighed, knowing that my small actions could not escape Liu Xiu's notice, and could only honestly respond: "Your Majesty has a discerning eye"

A chill ran through my heart, yet I did not dare to speak rashly. Liu Xiu fell silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said: "In that case, I shall pardon Wang Liang's crime and demote him to the position of Zhonglangjiang, sending him to the north to guard Jiguan."

Xiuer, you also... love me, don't you

My fondness for Song Hong has greatly increased. After Liu Huang's husband, Hu Zhen, unfortunately passed away in the Battle of Xiaochang'an, she has remained a widow at home for over three years now. Liu Xiu also intended to find a suitable husband for this elder sister, but firstly, the chaos of war has made it difficult to attend to such matters, and secondly, Liu Huang and Hu Zhen shared a deep marital bond, raising concerns that she might not be interested in another man.

A wife who has shared the hardships of life should not be cast aside

The two individuals who entered the hall were none other than Liu Xiu and Song Hong. They took their seats according to their ranks as sovereign and minister and discussed various state affairs. Recently, the power struggle between Peng Chong, the governor of Yuyang, and Zhu Fu, the governor of Youzhou, had escalated from behind-the-scenes scheming and backstabbing to a heated confrontation. Liu Xiu was greatly troubled by this situation and thus summoned Peng Chong to the capital. This time, Peng Chong submitted a request to enter the capital together with Zhu Fu to confront the emperor.