Fifth, to confer a marquisate
Six months after Liu Xiu ascended to the throne, he finally conferred titles of marquises upon twenty meritorious individuals, among whom the Marquis of Liang, Deng Yu, and the Marquis of Guangping, Wu Han, each received a fief consisting of four counties. Traditionally, the fiefs of marquises did not exceed one hundred li, and Liu Xiu's exceptionally high "salary" in this regard caused considerable concern among many civil officials. Doctorate holder Ding Gong raised objections, but Liu Xiu resolutely dismissed them.
I am tired, truly tired
I scoffed coldly: "This humble servant has no literary talent, and my writing has never been able to catch Your Majesty's eye. Has Your Majesty perhaps forgotten?"
He took a step forward, pressing on: "Once the King of Zhen Ding is removed, the Guo family will be left with nothing but an empty shell. Most of the officials in the court hail from Nanyang County, and even the ministers from Yingchuan and Hebei Counties are old acquaintances who have shared life and death experiences with you. If you are established as the empress, there will be no one in the Han dynasty who would oppose it. However, you must think carefully; this crown of empress is easy to wear, but difficult to remove. If you lack the confidence to firmly grasp the emperor's reserved and profound thoughts, the fate of Liu Yang today may not be different from that of the Yin family in the future..."
Perhaps I should not have stayed at all
Just as I was about to speak, the shadowy figure suddenly raised its chin. In that moment, as I was half-bent over, I happened to receive that sharp gaze, piercing like a blade. That look, filled with a warning, stunned me in an instant, causing me to forget entirely what I had intended to say.
However
Li Hua ... ... '' He turned my shoulder, his voice hoarse, `` What do you want? What do you desire? Don't treat me this way, Li Hua ... ... ''
Is that so? The tone remains neither warm nor cold, his expression as frigid as water, and a hint of a mocking smile lingered at the corner of his mouth. "Your intelligence has indeed come to naught when faced with someone like Liu Wenshu."
Liu Xiu was finally compelled to relent, and Yin Shi continued to bow in gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty"
In the silence, after a while, a low inhalation sound came from above. Liu Xiu pressed his chest against my back, took a clean piece of silk with his left hand, and held my hand with his right, guiding me to grip the pen. The pen was held lightly, my fingers trembled slightly, and Liu Xiu's palm was as hot as fire, burning my hand. I wanted to withdraw my hand, but he forcefully made a stroke on the silk.
Looking at the hurriedly departing figure, I finally couldn't help but complain: "Is he really that terrifying, worthy of such fear from you?"
He killed Liu Yang... was it for me
After a long time, I finally became aware of the pain brought by this wound, which shook my chest heavily, as if a great stone were pressing down: "Zhen Ding Wang ... ... Liu Yang?"
Two years ago, when he sorrowfully asked me if I could marry him, I knew full well that ahead lay a pit of fire, yet I resolutely agreed to him. ... But now ... . ... That feeling seems to have become my burden, my constraint, and the source of my heartache
I shivered slightly; his words were delivered with such precision and authority that they hardly seemed like mere alarmist rhetoric. My sense of foreboding gradually intensified, and ripples began to form on the surface of my heart's lake.
Stars fall to the mortal realm, the Purple Star crosses the sky... You seek to gather twenty-eight individuals in this world, to establish kings and appoint nobles... The day the twenty-eight constellations return to their positions will be the day you return... Fate is determined by heaven, but actions are in human hands
If this is what you desire... he gently squinted his brows, with the same淡笑 as always, his gentle aura capable of drowning one in life.
On the 17th day of the first month in the second year of Jianwu, Emperor Liu Xiu of the Jianwu era issued a decree: "Human nature is easily satisfied, yet it suffers from indulgence, hastily pursuing immediate desires while forgetting the importance of caution and punishment. All generals, having achieved great merits and accomplishments, sincerely wishing to pass them down through eternity, should be as if standing on the edge of a deep abyss, as if treading on thin ice, trembling with fear, and exercising caution day by day. For those whose significant effects have not yet been realized and whose names have not yet been established, the Grand Minister of Ceremonies is urged to report, and I shall appoint and record them."
I was taken aback; Liu Xiu was actually here! I thought he had not yet left the court and had not paid any attention to when he had returned.
Fear and dread, only you and I. ... Where will you find peace and joy, if you abandon me ...
I bit my lip and nodded firmly. I had never intended to stay by Liu Xiu's side, and I had already mentally prepared myself to let go of this affection and return to my own world. I had steeled my heart, and now, for the sake of the Yin family, I could not and dared not take the risk of remaining in the palace.
Amber cautiously rose, assessing the situation, and quietly withdrew from the room with an unexpected awareness
This matter was conducted with utmost secrecy. His Majesty first dispatched Cavalry Commander Chen Fu and Guerrilla General Deng Long to Zhen Ding, with orders to summon Liu Yang to the capital. Liu Yang, being a shrewd individual, surprisingly took the precaution of closing the city gates to prevent their entry. However, while this tactic was indeed clever, it was evidently a misstep. To resist an imperial edict without cause is already a significant offense, not to mention the other charges that could be brought against him
I take a half step back, the early spring wind blows against me, still surprisingly cold, like a sharp knife, cutting into my flesh with each stroke
The tone was cold as he responded with a question, "Is he not worthy of my fear?"
When beautiful memories are no longer as they once were, when sorrow has become a foregone conclusion, irreversible, I choose ... to give up
He wants to make you his consort! You cannot escape... Although his temperament is gentle and he shows no signs on his face, once he has made up his mind about something, no amount of obstacles can hinder his progress. A person who is gentle and warm does not mean they are incapable of killing; sometimes, in order to achieve a goal that is more important than their own nature, they may ruthlessly disregard their true self. Haven't you ever experienced such a feeling?
Elder brother
It is merely... just a concubine in his harem
I am a concubine
The prophecy made by Cai Shaogong in those years, "Liu Xiu shall become the emperor!", was astonishing and hit the nail on the head. If one were to truly follow his prophecy, then the so-called titles of kings and marquises he informed me of, as well as the notion of the twenty-eight constellations returning to their positions, would not be an impossible dream to realize.
Forgive me, but I no longer wish to stay by your side to help you through the various difficulties that lie ahead. Because remaining here, staying by your side, is for me nothing but a torment, a heart-wrenching agony
He smiled gently, his smile appearing as if veiled by a thin gauze, making it difficult to see clearly: "Do you wish to be the queen? Lihua, do you wish to be the queen? Your man is currently committing great slaughter in order to place that crown upon your head... Now, as long as you desire it, that position is already within reach, easily attainable.
Liu Xiu maintained his smile, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over me. I furrowed my brows and remained silent, merely staring intently at the obsequious demeanor and the words spoken with trepidation.
Liu Xiu was momentarily taken aback, and a flash of confusion passed through his eyes. I suddenly realized that his emotions had become increasingly easier for me to discern. In the past, such joys and sorrows were all concealed beneath a gentle smile, making them impossible to glimpse.
I tried to soften my voice and smiled as I bent down to help Yin Shi. I grasped his arms with both hands, appearing to exert little effort, but in reality, I was using all my strength, stubbornly attempting to drag him up from the ground. However, Yin Shi's body swayed slightly, and he instead pushed himself down with great force, completely disregarding my concealed anger
I was harshly pricked by a nail. Although Yin Shi has always given me a feeling that is difficult to define in terms of closeness or distance, he has never ridiculed me as coldly as Yin Xing does. Today, in my eyes, Yin Shi has become more than just a peculiar case. In that moment, a sudden alertness flashed through my mind, and I asked stiffly, "What happened?"
Yin Shi turned around, looking at me with clear eyes, and finally revealed a hint of approval. However, his brow immediately furrowed tightly, and the depths of his eyes reflected nothing but deep concern.
No matter how Liu Xiu persuaded him, Yin Shi remained kneeling on the ground, repeatedly bowing and pleading with Liu Xiu to retract the generous reward he had offered. In the end, Liu Xiu had no choice but to helplessly seek my assistance: "Li Hua, please persuade your elder brother."
Therefore, I simply allowed Liu Xiu to handle official business in the main hall and moved to the side hall myself. The side hall is quite spacious, but it is cluttered with too many books and documents—my old work, "Searching for the Han," is piled up in stacks within the hall.
He sneered: "Precisely because he is the uncle of a noble, humph, the family of the maternal relatives... The living examples of Lü Zhi and Huo Chengjun from the previous dynasty are right there as a warning. If Your Majesty is a wise person, you will certainly impose restrictions on the power of the maternal relatives, and will never allow a tiger to lie beside you as a threat. This time it is Liu Yang, but we cannot guarantee that next time it won't be our family."
As I wish
Emperor, Son of Heaven...! ... Revered by thousands, supreme and unparalleled!
Your Majesty. A patch of ink has stained the mat on the ground, and Amber, fearing that Liu Xiu would scold her, was so frightened that her shoulders trembled uncontrollably
With a steely resolve, I trembled as I pushed his hand away. At that moment, the Yin Lihua who dared to risk her life to marry him no longer existed; that Yin Lihua was his wife, a wife worthy of his cherishment and protection. The current one... is merely a concubine in the Western Palace of the Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty.
Xiu'er, grant fiefs! As an emperor, go and bestow titles upon the lords!
I lowered my eyelids, fearing that he would see through the weakness deep within my heart
The humility displayed by Yin struck my heart with an unusual pain, and his deliberately maintained attitude in front of Liu Xiu was something I could not accept. Is this person still the same wise, sharp, and elegantly breezy eldest son of the Yin family? Has Liu Xiu's ascension to the throne caused even such a proud and aloof individual to lose the ability to maintain a calm heart as before?
As the middle of the month arrived, after having dinner on this day, Liu Xiu, who was distinctly from the Chu-Han period, unexpectedly entered the warm hall of the side chamber without an invitation. When he arrived, Hu Po was busy grinding ink for me, while I was deeply engrossed, racking my brain to find the right words. Suddenly, I heard a 'bang' beside me as Hu Po accidentally dropped the ink on the floor.
Tears unconsciously moistened my eyes, and before the tears could fall, I had turned my head away, feigning a relaxed smile as I said: "Your Majesty is joking about this humble servant; how could this humble servant dare to disregard Your Majesty?"
Your Majesty, please reconsider and retract your decree
With each stroke, he wrote extremely slowly. By the time he finished, I only felt my back stiffening, my head heating up, and the place where I was pressed against his chest felt as if it were on fire
What I truly detest is not him, but rather myself, a self that is filled with contradictions yet is awkward and helpless!
Since entering the palace, this is the first time I have seen Yin Shi. Considering the implications hinted at by Yin Xing, Yin Shi generally does not take the initiative to meet with me. If he has entered the palace, it must be due to some significant event. A sudden tightness gripped my heart: "Big ... ... "
Fear and dread are to be faced by me and you alone. As for peace and joy, you have turned your back on me.
"Rise, for it was my fault, disturbing you all."
"Lihua, do you really not want me anymore?" He held me tightly, his voice hoarse
I was taken aback upon hearing this: "Elder brother?" Before I could finish my words, a tall figure flashed in from outside the door, wearing a distant traveler's cap and dressed in a simple black robe, striding in with flowing garments.
Liu Xiu gave me a wry smile, his expression full of helplessness. Just as Yin Shi was getting up, Yang Xiahou Feng Yi suddenly rushed over. After exchanging pleasantries, before I could figure out what was happening, Liu Xiu followed him away, leaving Yin Shi and me at the entrance of the Western Palace's main hall, gazing into the distance.
The shadow cannot save me, the path is one I have chosen, Liu Xiu is the one I have decided to marry, therefore I must bear all the consequences myself, I cannot escape, nor can I selfishly walk away.
Do you mean... Your Majesty... to send someone to kill him? How is this... how is this possible? Not to mention that the other party is the King of Zhen Ding with an army of over 100,000, aside from the military strength, there are also familial ties; he, he is still the uncle of Lady Guo
I am not sulking with him; in fact, I am sulking with myself
I observed her reaction closely, my heart as clear as a mirror. Raising my head, I gazed at Liu Xiu, and after pausing for about three to four seconds, I set down the pen in my hand and slowly folded my robe, kneeling: "Your humble servant pays her respects to Your Majesty"
I felt as if I had fallen into an ice cellar, and then I numbly repeated his question: "Why?"
Liu Yang this time is undoubtedly doomed His gaze is as deep as the stars, and the words of Yin Shi are like a sharp blade, instantly cutting open a gash with dazzling brilliance
After finishing the bow, I stood up and saw Liu Xiu gazing at me with a look of compassion, his expression dazed as if his soul had been drawn away. A faint bitter smile lingered at the corner of his lips as he shifted the topic and said with a smile, "Just right, let me borrow your pen to write something."
Thoughts in disarray, breath held in this moment. Looking at these heartfelt sixteen characters before me, my memories seem to rewind to two years ago when I was newly married to him, the desolate scene of us helplessly embracing and crying in our new home. ... At that time, fear every day, tears every night, with no one to rely on, just the two of us ...
"Noble one, the Marquis of Yinxiang requests an audience." Amber timidly leaned against the door, glancing back repeatedly.
-- -- -- -- --
I had just wanted to speak, but he immediately pressed down on my shoulder and said, "I will read what you wrote."
He sighed: "Because you have grown up, because you chose Liu Xiu back then... Big brother can no longer protect you as he did before, and I hope you can live happily and carefree. You are my cherished sister, but now you can only rely on your husband, for he is the support for the latter half of your life"
Amber moved the writing desk, the screen, and the couch over for me. During my leisure time, Liu Xiu was handling state affairs next door, while I quietly lay here, catching up on the journal entries I had missed over the past year.
It turns out... he still remembers, they all remember.
Then... what should I do? How can I avoid implicating the Yin family? I looked at him helplessly. The Yin family's backing possesses an information network that is powerful beyond compare. If one day Liu Xiu becomes aware of the existence of this information network and realizes the immense threat it poses to him and to the entire nation, it will undoubtedly bring about a catastrophic disaster for the Yin family. Just thinking about the likelihood of such a disaster occurring in the future sends chills down my spine. In my anxiety, I cried out in a choked voice, "Take me away, I don't want to stay here any longer. Brother... take me away!" If one day Liu Xiu becomes aware of the existence of this information network and realizes the immense threat it poses to him and to the entire nation, it will undoubtedly bring about a catastrophic disaster for the Yin family. Just thinking about the likelihood of such a disaster occurring in the future sends chills down my spine. In my anxiety, I cried out in a choked voice, "Take me away, I don't want to stay here any longer. Brother... take me away!"
Li Hua, in my view, although Liu Wenshu in the past was quite deep and inscrutable, he was ultimately just an ordinary person with nothing to his name. No matter how formidable such a person may be, I would never hold him in high regard. However, times have changed; if today I were to treat him as I did the old Liu Wenshu, I would surely suffer a severe setback, perhaps even to the point of having no place to be buried.
How could I not have any feelings? For Liu Xiu, I would even dare to give up my life; what is killing compared to that? In order to seek revenge, the innocent blood that stains my hands will certainly not be less than anyone else's
As I watched Yin Shi approach, he did not come directly to me, but suddenly turned towards the corridor of the main hall and knelt, saying: "Your servant Shi pays his respects to Your Majesty"
I lowered my head in silence. ... The things I desire, Liu Xiu will never understand, will never be able to understand ... . ... I do not belong here, I cannot truly integrate into this society, I cannot accept him degrading his wife to a concubine, embracing others on both sides. Even if I can rationally empathize with his various difficulties, I cannot emotionally acquiesce to such a situation.
My entire body feels as if the blood is about to freeze into icicles, the words of the shadowy consciousness are sharp and incisive, each sentence strikes at the heart of the matter, I stagger back a step, taking deep breaths.
"Brother..." I called out softly, filled with a sense of unwilling resentment and pride. The servile and pretentious demeanor of Yin Shi made it difficult for me to agree with him. Regardless of whether Liu Xiu is an emperor or not, if I am forced to treat him with such reverence from the depths of my heart, as if he were a ruler above all, I would rather die. "Elder brother, please get up."
In that case... I shall grant the request of the Marquis of Yinxiang first, you may rise now, so as not to make Lihua's task difficult
Fear and dread, only you and I share. Peace and joy, you have turned away from me
In the evening, he sleeps in the main hall, while I sleep in the side hall, each attending to our own matters, without interfering with one another
Liu Xiu should be the emperor—if the prophecy that Cai Shaogong predicted was indeed so effective, then allow me to be selfish for once.
Liu Xiu smiled and said: "There is no need for you to be overly formal, Yin Xianghou. This is the palace where your sister resides, not the court or the imperial hall."
Your Majesty..." With a hoarse voice, I spoke slowly, my heart aching like a knife, "Now that Your Majesty has ascended to the throne, is it not time to reward the meritorious officials and grant titles to the lords?
Elder brother! I shouted sharply, interrupting his words, my heart aching to the point of tears. Why must it be me... Why must I be forced to live so exhaustingly? Elder brother, do you know how tired I am right now? Day and night, I am constantly worried about this and that, calculating this and that... Why? Why can't it be like before, carefree and untroubled? Day and night, I am constantly worried about this and that, calculating this and that... Why? Why can't it be like before, carefree and untroubled?
I had Liu Xiu confer titles of nobility, while simultaneously counting the list of those marquises, I could not help but feel anxious. I wonder if the prophecy of Cai Shaogong has any direct connection with the inexplicably appearing star chart on my back. If so, what then? The chart on my back has already been destroyed by me; does that mean that perhaps even if I am conferred the title of marquis and find the twenty-eight constellations, I will still be unable to return?
I am merely a concubine
Having long understood the environment in which one finds oneself with great rationality, and knowing very clearly what one should do and what one should not do, yet still being unable to control one's emotions, having fallen in love with him, utterly helpless
With a serious expression, he knelt upright on the ground: "The world is initially settled, and there are many generals and commanders who have made contributions. I, as a minister, am entrusted to the imperial court, and thus belong to the royal relatives. If we were to further increase the titles and territories, it would not be appropriate to demonstrate this to the world."
I am so angry that I can hardly restrain myself from dragging him up and fighting him. When did Liu Xiu become someone he respects and fears so much? Is it merely because he has become emperor?
I am exasperated: "He is Liu Xiu, the Liu Wenshu who knows how to farm and sell grain. Do not always think of him as an extremely terrifying and dangerous person."
Liu Xiu has recently taken to spending all his time in the Western Palace. Regardless of whether there are matters to attend to or not, he goes directly to the Western Palace after leaving the court at Quefei Hall. Even when affairs of state are pressing, he does not leave, choosing instead to handle them directly in the Western Palace. As a result, officials who report urgent matters are constantly coming in and out of my palace every day, busily attending to their duties.
Yin Xianghou has overthought it
Are you willing to part with it?
I do not dare to indulge in wild fantasies; even if there is only a one percent chance of hope, I still yearn for heaven's mercy to once again invoke a miracle
I furrowed my brows slightly, unsure of what scheme he was concocting, and not wanting to refuse outright, I could only ask softly: "Your Majesty, please..."
Elder brother ... ... I covered my face and wept
Gong Sun Long of the Zhao State once said to Lord Pingyuan Zhao Sheng, "When relatives are rewarded, the people of the state also calculate their contributions. If Your Majesty were to grant me special rewards due to my noble connections, I would be filled with fear and unworthiness. I humbly request that Your Majesty retract the decree."
However, his gaze softened, carrying a sense of helpless pity, and he slowly said, "It is too late. Think carefully about why he wanted to eliminate Liu Yang."
Yin Shi was recently conferred the title of Marquis of Yinxiang. After breaking the precedents set by Deng Yu and Wu Han, Liu Xiu proposed to increase Yin Shi's marquisate fief and further commend his military achievements. He promoted Yin Xing to the position of Palace Attendant and appointed him as the Supervisor of the Gate Guards, overseeing the cavalry.