Third, audience with the sovereign

The intensity of the pain faded away, and he gently stroked my burning left cheek with his fingers, smiling as he said, "It still doesn't sound pleasant."

The oppressive heat is somewhat unbearable, and sweat has soaked my undershirt. Suddenly, I recall that he should be receiving Liu Xiu in the side hall at this moment. How could he suddenly appear in the ancestral hall

What do you wish to say to me

His lips pressed down domineeringly, and I tightly closed my lips, my teeth clenched hard, and I forcefully tilted my neck upward. With a loud bang, a flurry of golden stars danced before my eyes. He was also hit hard by me, gasping in surprise, and laughed while scolding, "You really have some nerve."

In our dynasty, filial piety is paramount. Liu Mu, the mother of Liu, has passed away, and according to the rites, Liu Xiu should observe a mourning period of three years. To marry during this mourning period would be an act of unfilial behavior. Furthermore, his elder brother's remains are not yet cold, and Liu Xiu fails to provide a proper burial, neglecting the funeral rites, while instead promising his sister to Li Tong. This is an act of injustice! Such a person, who is both unfilial and unjust, how can he be accepted by our Liu clan?

I could hardly restrain myself from biting his finger.

Yin Lihua! What do you take me for?

In the stifling air, a peculiar sensation quietly circulates, and I gather my thoughts, faintly catching a whiff of a fragrance at the tip of my nose, subtle and seemingly reminiscent of sandalwood

"How about this!" He interrupted me, speaking with three parts cunning and three parts excitement, "Liu Xiukun has made contributions in Yang, so I appoint him as the General of the Breaking of the Enemy and confer upon him the title of Marquis of Wuxin!"

Pah! I took the opportunity to spit in his face and said, "Let go of me!"

As he narrowed his eyes, alarm bells rang in my heart, and without a second thought for the consequences, I curled my legs and turned to run. Just as my feet began to move, he yanked me back with a firm grip. I swung a slap at him, but he caught my wrist, rendering me immobile. I was wearing a long, flowing robe, and my legs were bound like a mermaid's, making it impossible to lift them. In a panic, I attempted to push away his increasingly close face with my other hand.

Hmm—" he elongated his nasal sound, as if in contemplation. After a moment, he pulled me up from the ground, and I stood unsteadily, feeling dizzy. This was not the time for me to seek revenge; dressed in this cumbersome attire, I had no chance at all. Moreover, he is the Emperor; even if I were to defeat him, what would it matter? What he could do to me, I might not be able to do to him. Committing such an offense against authority could cost me my head.

On the way to the yamen, I felt a mix of anxiety and unease, my heart racing. Liu Xiu, however, remained as calm and composed as ever, unperturbed by the situation.

With a loud bang, upon hearing that tremendous sound, my heart suddenly sank

My heart trembled, and for a moment I could not fathom his emotions. I could only follow his words and replied, "This humble servant thanks Your Majesty on behalf of my husband"

Liu Xuan took my silence as tacit consent to his advances. Not only did he not withdraw his hand, but he also pulled me forcefully into his embrace. At this point, it became difficult for me to maintain my composure, and I changed my expression, saying: "Your Majesty..." When I looked up, I saw a half-smile on his face, his eyebrows raised, as if encouraging me to continue speaking.

As my arm tensed, I was unable to kneel down. He supported my elbow, and my heart raced. Being so close, the sandalwood scent from the ceremonial robe, infused with incense, became even more pronounced. My palms felt clammy, my fingers clenched and then relaxed, unsure of how to respond

The sound of chirping and chattering came from the treetops, and it had been noisy all night long. I only managed to close my eyes briefly at dawn, while Liu Xiu probably did not sleep at all throughout the night. Indeed, with such heavy concerns weighing on one's mind, how could anyone possibly sleep well?

According to my past disposition, I no longer feel the need to "speak" about anything; my speed in action far surpasses that of words. However, at this moment, I can only forcefully suppress the anger within me and barely manage to pull a smile: "Your Majesty, have you just finished your court session?"

He is merely a warmonger, bringing glory to himself while causing suffering to the common people. And what is there to boast about his so-called love? First, there was the golden house to hide his mistress, followed by Wei Zifu, Lady Li, and Lady Gouyi... None of the women associated with him ended up well.

I took a deep breath, feeling a burning heat in my chest as if it were about to ignite. After a moment, I chuckled lightly and replied in a crisp voice: "Your Majesty, Emperor Wen of Han once decreed, 'After three days of mourning, all shall be released from their mourning attire.' Although Emperor Wu later reinstated the three-year mourning system from the Qin dynasty, the present circumstances are different from the past. The realm is in disarray, and the new dynasty has lost over 400,000 troops, with defeat already determined. As Sun Tzu said, 'When a general is outside, the command of the sovereign may not be obeyed.' If the command of the sovereign is thus, how can we speak of propriety? As for Liu Yan..." A pang struck my heart, yet my smile remained intact. "Liu Yan protected Liu Ji in rebellion, which makes him a traitor. Your Majesty has already executed him. You are a benevolent ruler, never implicating the innocent or punishing their families. We, as a couple, should be deeply grateful and must draw a clear line with the traitor Liu Yan. May I ask, those who rebel against the sovereign are rebelling against heaven itself; what talk of righteousness can there be against those who defy heaven?"

Liu Xiu naturally made a gesture of modesty, and the two exchanged polite pleasantries. Shen Tu Jian cast a few meaningful glances at me, smiling as he said to Liu Xiu: "General Liu, His Majesty requests your presence in the side hall"

The head of the Liu clan in Nanyang is Liu Chang, and the clan descendant is Liu Zhi. According to the original customs, after I have paid my respects to Liu Liang at home, I would also need to go with Liu Xiu to pay homage to Liu Chang or Liu Zhi. However, at this moment, as the Han Dynasty is newly established, Emperor Gengshi Liu Xuan holds the highest position, which surpasses that of any clan leader. Therefore, it has become imperative to pay an audience with the emperor.

The car stopped at the side door, and Liu Xiucai assisted me in getting out. Suddenly, Shentu Jian appeared from inside the door like a ghost, greeting us with a smile: "General Liu!"

His index finger rested on my lips, silencing my words, with a deep smile: "I am not a wise ruler; I enjoy flattery, but... the flattery you speak is not pleasing to the ear"

Congratulations. The voice was neither warm nor cold, making it difficult to discern whether it was sarcastic or teasing, but in any case, it was unlikely to be a sincere congratulation

The lines are rough, and the craftsmanship is quite ordinary; even the facial features and expressions of the figures are rather abstract. I stared blankly for a moment, as it is said that Emperor Wu of Han is the most accomplished and decisive emperor in the history of the Han Dynasty, and even in Chinese history, because his most well-known achievement is that he helped the Han people regain their pride by repelling the Xiongnu.

Yin Lihua, why do you want to marry Liu Xiu

What does this mean

Thank you, Your Majesty! I trembled as I rose from my seat, not because I truly feared him, but rather because his silent entrance had genuinely startled me. I had not yet recovered from my shock, and as I stood, I felt weak in my limbs, with my palms sticky and clammy with sweat

To serve as the Chief of the Imperial Guards, to marry Yin Lihua—this was the grand ambition expressed by Liu Wenshu in his youth, well-known among all. Now, he holds the position of a high-ranking official in the Nine Ministers, nearly equivalent to the Chief of the Imperial Guards, and has married you, Yin Lihua. It can truly be said that he has fulfilled his wishes. However...

The index finger slid down, lifting my face by pressing against my jaw, while the pad of the thumb gently caressed my lips. I shivered; such an ambiguous and provocative gesture could be sensed as inappropriate by even the most naive person

You truly are a source of calamity. He exhaled softly, and the intensity of his gaze made the hair on my body stand on end

With a tight grip around my neck, he pinched my chin and turned my face to align with his. I hazily met his gaze. He smiled again and asked, "Am I a wise ruler?"

He gathered his long hair at the back of his head, the strands flowing gracefully, and his handsome appearance exuded a hint of charm: "That being said, congratulations to you both on a century of harmonious union; it is only fitting that I present some modest gifts to celebrate this occasion."

I curled my lips in disdain, feeling quite unconvinced. Everyone speaks highly of him, yet they only see the glorious side of him as an emperor. Indeed, he has left a mark in history, becoming renowned for eternity. When modern people mention Emperor Wu of Han, who does not know of him? Even television dramas often exploit his great achievements, portraying him as unparalleled in both politics and romance, as if there has never been anyone like him before or will be anyone like him in the future

Liu Xiu received my questioning gaze and subtly nodded, which could be taken as tacit consent. In fact, since Shen Tu Jian had brought the matter to this point, it was already a delusion for us to think of opposing it. Moreover, Liu Xuan is the ruler, and we are his subjects; Liu Xiu's very life is tied to a single word from Liu Xuan, leaving us with no ability to resist.

He pressed down on my limbs, looking down from a height with an arrogant expression tinged with mockery: "Now... am I still considered a wise ruler?"

Not in a hurry

Should Your Majesty not go to the side hall to meet the humble servant's husband

It is he who, in order to eliminate dissenters and to solidify the crown upon his head, ruthlessly murdered Liu Yan

I obediently followed a young attendant to the ancestral hall. The so-called ancestral hall, in reality, could hardly be of a formal scale during the times of war. It was merely a side room cleared out from the government office to temporarily serve as an ancestral hall. The walls were adorned with portraits of the Western Han emperors, including Liu Bang, the founding emperor, Liu Ying, the Hui Emperor, Liu Heng, the Wen Emperor, and Liu Qi, the Jing Emperor. Inside the hall, offerings of three sacrificial animals and fresh fruits were presented, and it was quiet and empty.

He did not let go of me, the tassels swayed gently, and he even brushed my forehead. His eyes were dark as ink, devoid of any luster, and amidst the stark contrast of black and white, I could not discern his pupils at all

It is of no concern if I die, but if it implicates Liu Xiu, or even the entire Yin family, young and old, then I would truly be guilty of a heinous crime

"To toy with a minister's wife, you are worse than a tyrant!"

With a loud slap, he struck me hard, causing my teeth to ache and my left ear to buzz incessantly

I suddenly fell silent

Your Majesty truly enjoys jesting. My humble affection for my husband is well known among the women and children of Nanyang. Why must Your Majesty deliberately humiliate me?

Stand at ease

I forced a smile, using a tone that even I found disgusting, and flattered, saying: "Your Majesty is a wise ruler of all ages, possessing benevolence and virtue, and will be remembered through the ages..."

"Your Majesty, why do you say such things?" The smile was about to fade, as he deliberately sought to provoke me into losing control

I raised my head in suspicion to look at Liu Xiu. Could it be that Liu Xuan intends to separate us and defeat us one by one

You ... ... '' The strength of my fingers increased, a sharp pain shot through my jaw, and I trembled as I replied, `` Your Majesty ... ... is indeed a wise ruler ... ... ''

Liu Xiu nodded and led me through the door, intending to turn left, but unexpectedly, Shen Tu Jian reached out slightly to block the way and said with a smile, "Madam Liu, please stop!" I was taken aback; his smile was more chilling than welcoming. "It is sufficient for General Liu to meet His Majesty alone; Madam may proceed to the ancestral hall to pay your respects."

Perhaps the reason why the emperor's crown is adorned with these twelve tassels of jade is to prevent the subjects below from discerning the emperor's expression and speculating on his intentions

Similarly, through this layer of jade, I am completely unable to see through Liu Xuan, yet a voice in my heart keeps reminding me: endure! No matter what he says or does, I must endure!

This is a demon

I gazed straight into the depths of his eyes, the dark pupils devoid of any luster as always; there was no reflection of me in his eyes, only an endless expanse of darkness.

After completing the formalities, I knelt on the mat and did not rise. I waited for a long time but still did not see anyone come out to greet me, so I mustered my courage and looked around. The hall was quiet, and a light rain had fallen in the morning. After about half an hour, before it could even dampen the ground, the rain had stopped. Although the rain was light, it had evaporated the heat from the ground, making the atmosphere feel even more oppressive.

To meet Liu Xuan, to say that I am not nervous is purely to deceive others. I am not good at hiding my emotions; if I were to reveal even the slightest flaw during the meeting, not only would I be unable to save Liu Xiu, but I would also likely bring about his immediate demise.

I lowered my head to my chest and bent down again: "Thank you, Your Majesty"

He merely wants to provoke my anger, hoping that in my impulsiveness I will make a mistake

I cannot fathom what he is planning again, hurriedly saying: "I am undeserving of such praise..."

With a loud thud, the two of us tumbled to the ground. I did not scratch Liu Xuan's face, but I did manage to displace the crown on his head, causing the tassels tied under his chin to tighten around his neck. He furrowed his brows in anger, and while pinning down my limbs, he freed one hand to untie the tassels, flinging the crown far away.

I spoke all at once, my heart aching to the point of numbness. I had long been familiar with these words before coming here, but when it truly came time to speak them aloud, it was more painful than being cut a thousand or ten thousand times.

I turned around abruptly, breaking into a cold sweat, desperately suppressing the scream at the tip of my tongue, hurriedly using my knees to shift as I turned, bowing and prostrating: "Your humble servant... pays her respects to Your Majesty!"

He was not wearing casual clothes, but rather ceremonial robes, adorned with a crown featuring twelve flowing tassels atop his head. The white pearls and jade swayed gently, occasionally clinking together, producing a sound reminiscent of shattered ice. The pearls and jade obscured his features, rendering his face, even when in close proximity, shrouded in a vague and indistinct haze.

Liu Xuan did not allow any trusted aides to accompany him, and there was not even a small attendant by his side. I glanced down at the silk shoes on his feet, not daring to breathe a word.

Liu Xuan was momentarily taken aback, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter, his jade-like demeanor swaying chaotically, as if he were about to laugh himself into madness. I knew that this person was very scheming, and at this moment, I could not fathom what tricks he was playing again, his unrestrained laughter sending a chill down my spine.

Your Majesty is indeed the Son of Heaven! You are the Emperor! You are a wise ruler...

On the second day of the wedding, it is necessary to perform the family rites—according to tradition, after marriage, I am considered a "wife of a person," but to become a "true wife of a person," I must pay respects to my elders and worship at the ancestral temple before I can enter the ancestral hall, thus being recognized as a genuine member of the Liu family.

After the little yellow gatekeeper led me in, he left. I was afraid that there was no one in plain sight, yet someone might be secretly watching. I dared not show the slightest negligence, and I respectfully followed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine knockings, bowing and paying my respects to these lifeless portraits.

"Hmm, just finished the court session..." He responded to my words in a tone reminiscent of a cat playing with a mouse

What is it?

I knelt upright on the seat, bored out of my mind as I looked through the portraits of the emperors one by one. Finally, resting my chin on my hand, my gaze settled on Emperor Wu of Han.

I am ... ... I am the wife of Liu Xiu! I trembled as I made my final resistance

He chuckled lightly, his long black hair cascading over his shoulders. The tips of his hair brushed against my cheek with the vibrations of his laughter, causing a tingling sensation that was hard to bear. I slightly turned my head, avoiding the sight of his wild delight, yet he forcefully adjusted my chin to face him.