05. Morning Greetings

Jin Jian was fidgeting on the side, and Liu Fu stopped him, saying, "One person is enough."

This is a feast of indulgence, as well as a grand celebration. When the sound of the bells is replaced by the exhilarating beats of the drums, countless youths in short garments perform continuous somersaults, rolling onto the stage, immediately eliciting thunderous applause and admiration from the audience.

Shi Changle remained silent, and the heads of the imperial physicians lowered in unison

As the bustling and lively performances come to an end, the performers take the stage holding their instruments, the singers raise their voices, and the dancers wave their sleeves, once again elevating the atmosphere in the hall to a new climax

The Wuhuan tribe once again invaded the frontier, disturbing the borders, and General Fan Mingyou of the Duluo commanded troops to defend against the enemy. On the 27th of November, the court promoted Yang Chang to the position of Chancellor and Cai Yi to the position of Grand Historian, while Shi Lecheng became the Minor Minister of the Weiyang Palace. The entire city of Chang'an, both inside and outside, was dominated by the attendants and guests of the General's residence, and those who held opposing views to Huo Guang had essentially disappeared from the capital and its surrounding areas.

As the two conversed, the sedan chair had already been carried far away, with Jin An closely following beside it, occasionally reaching out to wipe the sweat from Liu Fu's brow

Everyone immediately relaxed, their solemn expressions transforming into vibrant ones. Accompanied by the music of bells and chimes, the hall was filled with delightful conversations. On this day of changing years, everyone exchanged blessings and laughter, and the atmosphere in the hall became lively, no longer constrained and suppressed as before

This sitting and smiling consumed more than an hour. After the gifts were collected, the officials from various counties stepped forward to report on the local taxation and the conditions of the people over the past year

The eastern horizon is shrouded in white mist, and Huo Guang's pair of eyes not only needs to survey all the changes, big and small, in the surroundings but also must constantly pay attention to the expression of the emperor on the high platform

At this moment and in this occasion, it is imperative that no acts of disrespect are displayed under any circumstances, and it is essential that outsiders do not perceive that the Emperor is so gravely ill that he can no longer support his own physical movements freely

The Grand Minister personally led four young attendants to carry the emperor's dining table onto the high platform. Liu Fu's face turned pale, yet he still reached out to lift the wine goblet from the table, signaling to the thousands of people below

Shi Lecheng cleared his throat, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, and finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "How is the Empress's health?"

He slightly raised his hand, and Jin Shang immediately announced in a loud voice: "The decree states: Approved."

The sky had yet to brighten, and within the eastern gate, shadows flickered; this was a temporary resting place for the lords and officials, all waiting for the arrival of the seventh watch of the night. Individuals like Liu Bingyi, who held no official rank or title, stood at the very back of the crowd, forced to remain on the outskirts of the open space in front of the Eastern Sima Gate. The cold night wind blew, causing him to shiver uncontrollably. There was no moonlight above, and beneath the twin towers, the guards held torches aloft, the acrid smoke of burning pine resin wafting through the frigid air. Along the roadside were piles of swept snow, reflecting a glaring, stark white.

The always refined Jin Shang could no longer hold back and exclaimed: "A bunch of fools, be more gentle with your hands and feet"

Liu Fu's vitality had reached its limit, and his body, which had been trembling uncontrollably, suddenly ceased to shake. He hunched over, his head drooping weakly, allowing the tassels of the crown to sway incessantly. Jin Shang quickly embraced Liu Fu's upper body, lifting his frail form with ease. The crowd far below on the high platform was captivated by the singing and dancing; even if someone noticed, they would merely assume the emperor was rising to change clothes and would not pay much attention.

In the midst of the new moon, the heavy palace gates finally opened with a dull creaking sound. However, the crowd did not surge in like a tide as expected. The Weiwei of Weiyang Palace, Fan Mingyou, stood at the gate with hundreds of soldiers, exuding an imposing presence. Their spears gleamed brightly in the firelight, radiating a chilling brilliance.

Liu Bingyi stood there with his mouth agape, his face flushed from the words of Jin Shang that had choked him. However, Jin Shang did not spare him another glance, instead pulling his younger brother along as they hurried to catch up with the departing palanquin.

He smiled as he looked down, his lips slightly moving, "Help me out."

Jin Jianxiang is a child whose lies have been exposed, and he awkwardly tries to escape under the excited gaze of Liu Bingyi

Liu Fu lifted his eyelids and discovered that those below either held their cups upright or had already set them down, yet none dared to lift their chopsticks to eat. He couldn't help but smile bitterly, forcing himself to raise his already weak and powerless arm, using his trembling fingers to pick up food with his chopsticks

At this moment, if one is still unaware of the limits, it would be better to take responsibility and end one's own life sooner.

Liu Fuduan sat upright on the resplendent high throne, facing south with his back to the north, gazing down at the nearly ten thousand ministers who filled the entire front hall and extended to the steps outside the hall. The music and ceremonial bells within the hall had ceased, and he felt an itch in his throat, forcing himself to suppress the urge to cough, yet his chest could not contain a tremor.

Jin An leaned sideways, hiding behind Liu Fu, supporting his hips. Liu Fu gritted his teeth and exerted himself, finally managing to stand up

Liu Fu set down the wine goblet, his right arm hanging weakly at his side, while his right hand, hidden within his sleeve, trembled incessantly like the hands of his master Cai Yi. He was unsure whether his face appeared as comically ridiculous as that of his master.

On the jade steps beneath the throne, the Grand Historian Cai Yi presented the soup with both hands, while the Grand Minister of Agriculture Tian Yannian offered the rice with both hands. Within the palace, the music for the banquet began to play. In such an atmosphere, thousands of people below raised their wine cups in unison, exclaiming: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the banquet!"

As the golden reward was signaled, Shi Lecheng immediately waved his hand to the rear guard upon receiving the message. In the next moment, countless yellow-clad attendants surged in from the western side of the front hall. The Deputy Minister of the Imperial Kitchen nervously followed alongside the line, suppressing his voice as he gestured continuously, directing the attendants to place the food tables in front of everyone in succession

Liu Bingyi suddenly felt a wave of inexplicable tension, but soon the procession began to move in step with his feet, flowing towards the entrance. He did not even have time to fully experience this feeling of tension. He was no stranger to the architecture and pathways within the Weiyang Palace, but walking in such a dignified manner on Zhangtai Street, marching towards the front hall, was a first in his life

Shi Changle anxiously asked: "Then why has there been no sign of pregnancy for so long?"

The tedious and boring wait consumed the hours as he stood beneath the tower, suddenly recalling how, at the age of six, he was brought back to Chang'an from the Shi family. He had once stood here, and in the blink of an eye, the stars had shifted; he was about to turn eighteen, start a family, and have a beautiful wife and children, soon to become a father. His current state of mind was entirely different from that of his childhood. He stamped his foot, breathed into his palm, and the sesame cake he held in his arms still radiated warmth, gently pressed against his heart.

This is Liu Bingyi's first time personally participating in such a grand event as a member of the royal family after reaching adulthood. He, along with many of his Liu surname relatives, crowded in front of the East Sima Gate, holding two sesame cakes that his wife had given him before he left home.

Liu Fu was still smiling, although that face, paired with such a strange smile, could hardly be described as amiable. Nevertheless, he remained properly kneeling in this highest position, exerting every effort to maintain the dignity befitting an emperor

Liu Fu held his breath, supporting himself with his palms, intending to use the force to stand up, but unexpectedly, his arms weakened, and he nearly toppled forward from the imperial seat

He truly realized and experienced for the first time that the living environment of adults is indeed so different. This is very different; the carefree childhood has already passed, and now, he is an adult

He recalled his portly wife and couldn't help but laugh in the cold, dark night

Jin Shang and Jin Jian half-supported and half-dragged Liu Fu out of the front hall. In the deep corridor, a palanquin was already waiting. Jin An waved his hand anxiously: "Hurry! Hurry up!"

The emperor's illness had become a chronic condition, and Shi Lecheng did not dwell excessively on this issue. The most detailed inquiry he made was regarding the empress's female physician, Chunyu Yan. Standing humbly behind a row of imperial physicians, Chunyu Yan felt compelled to step forward when Shi Shaofu called her name once more.

The twelve jade tassels in front swayed chaotically, accompanied by the clanging sounds that brought an overwhelming sense of dizziness. He flipped his hand and firmly grasped the shoulder of Jin'an. Fortunately, at this moment, no one would pay attention to any minor changes on the high platform, as nearly ten thousand people inside and outside the front hall had already knelt down, bowing their heads and bodies in reverence to their supreme Emperor.

The crowd was in an uproar, yet dared not make the slightest noise. The first group to enter the Dong Simamen, as usual, consisted of the visiting princes and the civil and military officials of the court. The princes wore caps adorned with nine tassels, while the nobles wore caps with seven tassels. The sound of jewels clashing like shattered ice resonated in the silent night, akin to the music of the heavens

The night drips away drop by drop in the endless darkness

After Shi Lecheng assumed the position of Minister of the Imperial Granary, his primary concern was naturally the emperor's prolonged illness. He convened the Chief Imperial Physician, the Deputy, and a group of physicians, including female doctors, at the Ministry of the Imperial Granary, and meticulously interrogated them for three to four hours, ultimately leaving the Chief Imperial Physician so flustered that he could only sweat and utter no further words.

Only the Kim brothers, who are close at hand, can clearly see the emperor's heavy robes soaked in cold sweat

Your Majesty. The golden reward is quietly reminding him beside.

"It is indeed you." Liu Bingyi stood at the entrance of the corridor, where two guards holding halberds had originally blocked his way. Upon seeing Jin Jian turn around, the guards hesitated, unsure whether to let him pass.

Huo Guang turned slightly to instruct Tian Yanniang, who was seated behind him, and Tian Yanniang immediately stood up and called out to the front, "Lord Cai."

Thus, hunger can only be endured in silence and helplessness

Jin Shang stood on the jade steps beneath the imperial throne, deliberately avoiding the sight of Liu Fu's despondent and bleak expression behind him, taking a deep breath and singing loudly in praise: "The Emperor rises for the Lord—"

As the night dripped away, the time reached seven quarters, and a series of long and clear sounds of bells resonated from the front hall, "Ding! Ding! Ding!" Everyone shook off their drowsiness, and the procession orderly divided into several lines. Led by the Grand General Huo Guang, the nobles, ministers, generals, and officials stepped onto the white jade stone steps, resembling a soaring dragon winding its way into the high sky in the darkness. Xiongnu, Wuhuan, Yelang, Dian Kingdom, Korea, Ruo Qiang, Shanshan, Qiemu, Xiaowan, Jingjue, Ronglu, Fengmi, Qule, Yutian, Pishan, Wuzhen, Xiye, Jibin... Everyone shook off their drowsiness, and the procession orderly divided into several lines. Led by the Grand General Huo Guang, the nobles, ministers, generals, and officials stepped onto the white jade stone steps, resembling a soaring dragon winding its way into the high sky in the darkness. Xiongnu, Wuhuan, Yelang, Dian Kingdom, Korea, Ruo Qiang, Shanshan, Qiemu, Xiaowan, Jingjue, Ronglu, Fengmi, Qule, Yutian, Pishan, Wuzhen, Xiye, Jibin... The foreign envoys followed closely behind, and only at the end were the feudal lords and princes from various commanderies and states.

Although hungry, one can only endure

Before attending the morning assembly, he bathed and cleansed himself. Pingjun, while ironing his ceremonial robe, innocently asked him: "So, you will be able to see the Emperor? What will His Majesty be like..."

Officials with a rank of 2,000 stones or above may enter the hall to pay their respects, while others can only stand on the steps outside the hall to do so

The heavy crown and ceremonial robe had already caused Liu Fu to breathe irregularly. Although he tried his best to restrain himself, the twelve tassels in front of him could not deceive everyone. The tassels swayed slightly, and as time gradually passed, the extent of their swaying also increased.

Jin Jian turned his head, and this glance left him both astonished and bewildered, rendering him speechless

He forced a smile, twitching the corners of his mouth. Given the current situation, he could only rely on his imagination to conjure up in his mind the majestic appearance of a sovereign in a dark robe and ceremonial attire, adorned with a twelve-crest crown.

Huo Guang, Yang Chang, and Cai Yi, these three officials were closest to the emperor. Liu Fu's complexion was dark and his expression weary. Although he appeared somewhat more spirited than usual after deliberately applying makeup, those ministers who were close enough could still see through the forced smile and the exhaustion he was trying to conceal.

"Your Majesty's illness..." The tone of Shi Changle was not loud, yet it exerted considerable pressure on his subordinates. "Your Majesty has reached the age of twenty this year and has no offspring. If you, the medical officials, fail to cure His Majesty's ailment, I see no reason for you to continue drawing your salaries and wasting the nation's resources. The Weiyang Palace has no need for incompetent physicians"

The imperial physicians fell silent like cicadas in winter, and Chunyu Yan glanced around with the corners of her eyes, noticing that no one was willing to step forward to respond. Although they all clearly understood the situation, no one was willing to take on the responsibility. Chunyu Yan felt a slight anger in her heart; her colleagues were heartless. Although she was merely a minor female physician, she was also unwilling to bear the consequences for others. Therefore, she raised her head and replied, "Regarding matters of pregnancy, it is essential to seek a balance between yin and yang. Since the Empress is not ill, the root cause must naturally lie in the Emperor's chronic ailment."

"Indeed..." Just as the two were about to quicken their pace, a young voice suddenly rang out from behind them.

The clansmen not only failed to push forward, but instead retreated like the ebbing tide of the sea. Liu Bingyi stood at the end of the line and was inadvertently stepped on twice.

Jin Jian asked, "Second Brother, has the imperial physician arrived at the Xuanshi Hall to wait?"

The six young attendants steadily lifted Liu Fu, but the slight jolt from the lift caused Liu Fu, who was in a semi-conscious state, to let out a groan.

In the long corridor of the courtyard, people come and go like a flowing stream. Deep fatigue is evident in Liu Fu's eyes as he watches one group after another of envoys, as well as vassal kings and ministers, present him with gifts. His expression is carved with an unchanging smile, resembling that of a terracotta figurine

The open space in front of the high platform of the main hall of Weiyang Palace is already crowded with people, who look up and gaze; the hall merges into the night, majestic and solemn, evoking a sense of reverence.

The wine in the cup had long since dripped onto his hands, yet few noticed, as more people directed their amused gazes towards the elderly man in his twilight years. Cai Yi's trembling hands struggled to hold the bowl, preventing the soup inside from spilling out. His toothless, withered lips moved oddly due to nervousness, rendering his already hairless, aged face strangely comical.

Liu Bingyi was not particularly concerned about which stage the court assembly in the main hall had reached. Like many around him, he had no other action but to quietly sit and keep to his duties. However, having risen so early and after waiting for such a long time, he finally felt a burning hunger in his empty stomach.

Inside the hall, various colored lamps and stoves are lit, with fragrant incense wafting through the air, and the golden beams and jade pillars showcase the utmost luxury

The waves of sound surged higher and higher, and such fervent and powerful shouts made Liu Fu's seemingly lifeless heart beat once more. He slightly tilted his head back, taking a deep breath, and then inhaled again.

As the emperor took his seat, the ministers also entered in order, and the nearly ten thousand people crowded in the courtyard could not maintain absolute silence, especially during such an exciting grand event. The crowd, which was supposed to be quiet, began to stir anew, with many individuals standing up in turn. From the dukes and marquises to the officials, the dukes and marquises presented jade discs to the emperor, while officials of 2,000 stones offered lambs, those of 1,000 stones and 600 stones presented geese, and those above 400 stones contributed pheasants

The elderly and trembling Cai Yi moved slowly, barely managing to stand up with the support of the attendants on either side, and he staggered towards the throne

Long live! Long live! Long live!

On the first day of the first month of the year Dingwei, the morning of the New Year celebration.

Although Chunyu Yan was not striking in appearance, she was quick-witted and easily understood the implied meaning behind Shi Lecheng's words. Bowing her head, she replied, "The Empress is in good health, the Gui water is as expected, and there are no signs of infertility."

Although he understood that he was cursing those quacks, the fierce and imposing demeanor of Jin Shang was something Jin Jian had never witnessed before. Jin Shang now glared with bloodshot eyes, and his appearance seemed as if he truly would draw his sword and kill.

Although Liu Bingyi was not well acquainted with the relatives sitting nearby, he was skilled at making connections. Not long after the banquet began, he took the opportunity to toast and became familiar with those around him. The cold sesame cake still pressed against his chest at this moment; he did not take it out, feeling neither discomfort from its presence nor the urge to discard it in light of the abundant delicacies before him

The sound of shattered ice-like jade clashing and the rustling of garments filled the air, yet no one spoke. Amidst the seemingly endless crowd, Liu Bingyi, wearing a two-beam crown and dressed in a ceremonial robe, found himself on the west side of the front hall. Among the many relatives on the west side, he was so small that he could barely find a place to turn around. He strained to catch a glimpse of the emperor's visage, but regrettably, with his limited sight, he could only see countless black and white heads in front of him. He could not even see the coronets of the princes standing at the very front of the line of relatives; he felt like a drop of water lost in an ocean, completely submerged in the crowd.

In his arms were two sesame cakes, which Ping Jun had stuffed into his hands as breakfast. However, it was evident that both he and his wife had considered the issue of hunger, yet they had not anticipated that the morning assembly would be such a grand and solemn occasion. As he swallowed the dry foam of his illness, he touched the sesame cakes through his robe, but did not dare to truly reach in and take the cakes to satisfy his hunger

Tears welled up in Jin Jian's eyes as he choked out, "Your Majesty..." but was silenced by a sharp glare from his brother Jin Shang, swallowing the remaining words with tears in his eyes

Inside the hall, a thick long rope was pulled up, and two courtesans danced gracefully on the suspended rope, their figures slender and enchanting; below the rope, performers showcased their skills in a wrestling match, with their legs resting on their shoulders, their bodies bending as if boneless, their extraordinary technique leaving the audience in awe; in the four corners of the hall, other performers danced with burning fireballs, radiating scorching waves of heat as they leaped around.

"No." Jin Shang turned around, the coldness in his eyes sending chills down one's spine, and the sharp, weary gaze made Liu Bingyi involuntarily take half a step back. "Go back to where you belong! Your eyes are meant for watching operas and dances, your mouth is meant for savoring delicacies. Why are you here today? Just return to doing what you are supposed to do!"

"Was that person just now... is it possible that..."