3. Breakup

Um...

She was taken aback for a moment, glanced up at me, and then quickly lowered her eyelids, cautiously replying: "Madam, have you forgotten? The Marquis took care of you all night last night and only left at the hour of the rabbit. He is currently resting in the adjoining room."

The subtle sound of breathing suddenly grew heavy, and after a moment, he finally uttered a word: "Yes"

"You are ruthless, I admit you are ruthless!" I held my breath, wiped the tears from my face, and straightened my back, "You do not need to write a divorce letter, I will leave on my own—now it is I who do not want you! Liu Xiu, listen well, it is I who do not want you! It is I—Yin Lihua who no longer wants you!"

Once Liu Xuan becomes successful, he resembles a high-speed racing car that cannot be stopped; the imperial power further inflates and expands the private desires deeply embedded in his bones

Although Liu Xuan had not read many books, he had someone under his command who specialized in etiquette to guide him on what to do, and this person was none other than Liu Xiu

I have such unwavering faith in him! I always thought that between him and me, even if we cannot be considered as truly close and trusting kin, we are nonetheless each other's dependable and unshakeable friends in times of adversity

The wind rustled the trees, and the fallen leaves danced in a flurry. Liu Xiu stood beneath the tree, his smile as radiant and innocent as when we first met, so beautiful that it made one hesitant to blink. For a moment, I forgot what I should say or do, simply standing opposite him, grinning foolishly.

- - - - - - - - - -

A layer of white lime on the surface of the rammed earth wall is flaking off, and some dust has drifted into my eyes. I instinctively close my eyes and raise my hand to rub them.

The room fell silent, and I stood in place, trembling slightly. I did not know whether Liu Xiu had left or not; my heart both wished for him to quickly disappear from my sight and hoped that he could provide me with a reasonable explanation.

Liu Xiu was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "When did you become so concerned about matters of the harem?"

I am drunk

He continuously sent people to pacify the local forces that had previously rebelled, but this task was not as easy as it seemed. Although the Han Dynasty occupied the two capitals and destroyed Wang Mang's Xin Dynasty, thus claiming to be the "legitimate" Han court, there were still those who were unwilling to submit. Even Fan Chong of the Red Eyebrow Army merely brought his generals to Luoyang to receive titles, yet his actual military power was not surrendered to the court. The hundreds of thousands of troops of the Red Eyebrow Army still remained in the vicinity of Puyang, remaining inactive.

A sudden flash of inspiration struck my mind

Sitting quietly on the bed waiting for Amber to finish packing and come back to find me, my mind feels like a chaotic battlefield with countless people fighting. How should I explain my solitary return to the Yin family to Yin Shi and the others? With the intelligence of the Yin brothers, no matter what kind of excuse I fabricate, I cannot conceal the fact that I have broken up with Liu Xiu.

Liu Xiu sat opposite me, facing my reprimands, yet he did not utter a single word, and the room was so quiet that it was suffocating and unsettling

Where should the clean water that the servant has brought for you be placed, my lady? Do you wish to wash up or... Oh dear, how did your hand get injured?

Clearly, he was not consulting with me about a matter, but rather solemnly announcing his decision. He had arrived at today's address to me after careful consideration

I held my head high as I strode away from him, making an effort to raise my chin and prevent the tears of grievance from falling in anger.

Proud as I am, how can I endure such an insult. I can tolerate his exploitation, but I cannot bear his abandonment. I am not an object; I have my feelings, not something he can take when he wants and discard when he does not!

Liu Xiu's gentle expression slightly stiffened, and slowly he withdrew his smile, suddenly adopting a very serious demeanor

According to the early Han dynasty's imperial harem system, the harem was divided into eight ranks. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, the ranks of the harem were further expanded, adding four categories: Jieyu, Rong'e, Linghua, and Chongyi. In the reign of Emperor Yuan of Han, the rank of Zhaoyi was added once again. Over time, the harem of the Han dynasty continued to expand without limit, and by the end of the Western Han dynasty, the ranks of concubines had grown to fourteen. Aside from the Empress, the ranks included Zhaoyi, Jieyu, Rong'e, Linghua, Meiren, Bazi, Chongyi, Qizi, Liangren, Changshi, Shaoshi, Wuguan, and Shunchang. The lowest rank, the fourteenth, was further divided into Wujuan, Gonghe, Yuling, Baolin, Baishi, Liangshi, and Yezhe.

It is acceptable

Liu Xiu appeared much more haggard; although we had been together day and night before, I had sensed his gradual weight loss, yet I had never felt it as profoundly as I do now. At the moment of our reunion, he stood under the tree smiling at me, his smile somewhat hazy

In this era, concubines are regarded as property, akin to the servants owned within a household, serving as symbols and manifestations of status and position. This reflects the inherent flaws of men in a feudal society, with emperors possessing greater capacity than ordinary individuals to exemplify this shameless and extravagant vice.

I rubbed my throbbing temples, reached out to lift the bowl of soup, contemplated for a moment, and ultimately decided not to be at odds with my own body, tilting my head back to drink it all.

Without a doubt... Have I truly come to believe in him completely?

I gasped, "What do you intend for me to do?"

"Why must you wager your own body on a curse when everything is fine?" Liu Xiu sighed lightly, "If you do not wish to see me, I shall leave. Do not rush to rub your eyes; I will have Hupo come in to take care of you, as well as your wounds..."

I propped myself up from the bed; this is the portico for receiving guests, not the living quarters of Liu Xiu and myself. The portico is in the front courtyard, where many idle people stroll back and forth. If a commotion were to arise here, it would be hard to avoid becoming a laughingstock.

Tears uncontrollably streamed down my face, I pressed my lips tightly together, as if my throat were stuffed with cotton, rendering me unable to make a sound

To understand these seemingly daunting levels of the harem, I might as well go back to doing advanced mathematics exercises. Liu Xiu, with great patience, spoke slowly and clearly, yet the more I listened, the more my expression darkened. How many women must an emperor possess to feel satisfied?

Good

Zhao Ji, young and beautiful, skilled in singing and dancing, has long been the favored concubine of Liu Xuan, and it is no secret that he has long forgotten his former wife, Han Ji. Now that the Han dynasty's system is gradually being perfected, coupled with the submission of various regions, how could Liu Xuan not be elated? Especially after the news of the restoration of the Han dynasty, the Red Eyebrow Army, which could compete with the Green Forest Han Army, willingly submitted. The leader of the Red Eyebrow Army, Fan Chong, personally led more than twenty generals to Luoyang, where Liu Xuan conferred titles of marquis upon each of them.

My steps were unsteady, and Hu Po supported me, her anxious calls echoing in my ears. Through my blurred vision, I seemed to see a figure resembling Liu Xiu crossing the threshold and approaching me. In anger, I grabbed a cup from the table and threw it at him, shouting, "Get out—just get out!"

I couldn't help but shoot Liu Xiu a fierce glance. Perhaps my gaze was too sharp, causing him to fall silent and give me a puzzled look: "Still not understanding? Sigh, not understanding isn't really a big deal..."

Deeply convinced... not convinced?!

I am filled with regret, wishing I could bang my head against the wall, recalling how Yin Shi vehemently opposed Liu Xiu's proposal for marriage. At that time, even though Yin Shi had ulterior motives in his calculations against me, he nonetheless offered me sound advice. It was I who refused to heed his words and willingly agreed to marry Liu Xiu.

It is often said that a brief separation enhances the joy of a new marriage; however, our union is filled with boundless sorrow and helplessness. This moment of reunion is equally accompanied by awkwardness and guilt. Although I have not truly done anything harmful to him, my selfishness has indeed led me to harbor a certain distrust and doubt towards him. Otherwise, there would not have been the incident of him being appointed as the Inspector of the Commandery and sent to Luoyang to renovate the palace.

This ballad was created by the common people of Luoyang to satirize the lowly merchants and porters of the Han army, who have now risen to high official positions. "Under the stove" refers to the cooks, while "rotten sheep's stomach" signifies the petty vendors. These shortsighted soldiers of the Han army have plundered countless resources in Luoyang, displaying greed and a complete lack of refinement, causing great suffering to the people of Luoyang

Have you lost weight? I don't think so

Did Gongsun not prepare any delicious food for you to eat

The sudden and harsh decision frightened the young girl, and my anger was laid bare before her without any concealment. Fortunately, she was somewhat afraid of me; despite her face being filled with confusion and doubt, she did not dare to ask further. She softly acknowledged and retreated with the empty bowl in hand.

He indeed left!

"Madam, would you like to go and see the Marquis?" Amber asked again

I opened my eyes wide and stared at him, yet he did not flinch; our gazes met, his calmness tinged with a hint of guilt

- - - - - - - - - -

It is said that Liu Xiu had much to offer regarding matters of etiquette. For instance, regarding attire—when the Han army entered Luoyang, from the nobles to the soldiers, everyone was dressed in short tunics and trousers. The tunic can be considered casual wear, suitable for both men and women. I sometimes prefer to wear such clothing for convenience, but it is certainly not regarded as formal attire. While this outfit may not seem too remarkable in the eyes of the commoners of the Green Forest Army, it is indeed difficult to present in a dignified manner in the eyes of the gentry from the Sanfu region. Thus, although the Han army had not been in the city for long, rumors and gossip began to spread everywhere, with some even describing the Han army as a group of country folk dressed in women's clothing

How have you been these past few days

Liu Huang pushed me gently, covering her lips with a smile as she left with Hu Po and the others, leaving this relatively quiet space for us as a couple

"Lihua!" His gaze was clear, and his deep eyes conveyed a steadfastness as cold as ice. "I plan to go to Hebei!"

A pang of sadness struck my nose, and my heart grew heavier with guilt. I simply tightened my embrace around him, resting my chin on his right shoulder, and said in a muffled voice, "Let's not be apart anymore in the future, okay?"

I feel as if I am intoxicated, yet at the same time, I feel completely awake

I am concerned about the harem. God knows how much I dislike Liu Xuan. If it were not for Liu Huang's suggestion to maintain a good relationship with Zhao Ji, I would be too lazy to enter the palace every day

The price of a hangover is a splitting headache in the morning. It is often said that alcohol can relieve worries, that a single drunken night can dispel a thousand sorrows; those who say such things are simply talking nonsense! I got myself so drunk that I could barely crawl on the ground, yet my mind was clear and I remained awake. Whether I was drunk last night or awake this morning, I have not been able to forget the humiliation that Liu Xiu has imposed upon me.

I set down the bowl, took the mouthwash that Amber handed me, rinsed away the bitter taste in my mouth, and then asked, "Where is the lord now?"

- - - - - - - - - -

I always keep my eyes closed, not because I do not wish to open them, but because I am utterly exhausted and lack the strength to move even a little. My consciousness gradually becomes blurred, and I let out a sigh deep within, deeply lamenting, forcing myself to ignore the surge of aching pain.

Indeed, a... hypocrite

The "Book of Rites, on the Meaning of Marriage" records: "In ancient times, the Son of Heaven established six palaces, three consorts, nine concubines, twenty-seven wives, and eighty-one imperial wives, to oversee the internal governance of the realm and to clarify the principles of wifely obedience, thus ensuring harmony within the realm and order in the family. The Son of Heaven established six officials, three dukes, nine ministers, twenty-seven great nobles, and eighty-one distinguished scholars, to oversee the external governance of the realm and to clarify the teachings for men, thus ensuring harmony outside and order in the state"

"Hebei? Do you wish to become the envoy for the pacification of Hebei?" I set my hand down, "Your Majesty... will you truly let him go?"

"Don't move!" Both hands were suddenly grabbed by someone, "Your hands are bleeding, and there is dirt on the back of your hand!"

Since the reigns of Emperor Wu and Emperor Yuan of the Han Dynasty, the number of people in the Yeting increased to three thousand, which is the origin of the historical phrase "three thousand beauties in the imperial harem"

I let out a cold snort; it seems I was not drunk and confused last night, Liu Xiu has indeed come. But so what if he has come? I am determined to divorce, and this is what he wishes in his heart anyway. It's just that I don't want him to take the initiative to write the divorce letter, as it would be a bit difficult to save face.

If Your Majesty truly agrees to my crossing north with the edict, I hope you can first return to Xinye with your brother

The words that were on the tip of my tongue were swallowed back again, and I lowered my head in a state of loss and regret

If I wish to go, there will naturally be a way for me to do so

These past events are vividly etched in my memory, and the more I think about them, the more infuriated I become. A repressed anger surges within me, and an impulse to strike is rapidly swelling. I clench my fingers into a fist, suddenly let out a loud shout, and punch the earthen wall opposite me.

"You... no longer want me?!" A sudden pain struck my heart, and shame and anger erupted simultaneously in my chest. My mind went blank, and I could not allow him to continue speaking. My tone abruptly rose, "What you mean is that I am no longer needed now! The time for you to break free from Liu Xuan's control has come! So... so..." I gasped for breath, unsure of what I was saying. It was as if a delicate and fragile string deep within my heart had finally been stretched to its limit and snapped.

"Madam!" She knew that I was in a bad mood, so her words were particularly cautious, "This is the hangover soup that the Lord has instructed me to prepare for you!"

Unintentionally, warm tears have seeped from the corners of my eyes, silently cascading down my cheeks

I shivered involuntarily, and a low murmur escaped my lips: "Xiu..."

He put away the bamboo slips, and I suddenly reached out to press down on him: "You are well-versed in etiquette, so I would like to ask you, since His Majesty favors Zhao Ji and wishes to establish her as the Empress, if we consider the principles of seniority and rank, the position of Empress should rightfully be given to Han Ji. If the order of wives and concubines is reversed, can it be said that His Majesty has lost propriety?"

He was taken aback for a moment, then reached out to brush aside the hair from my forehead, smiling: "He is my scribe, not our household cook!" After a pause, he wrapped his right arm around my waist and gently pulled me into his embrace, "And you say that about me, haven't you also lost weight yourself?"

At the moment that sound rang out, my body trembled, and I shook him off as if avoiding a plague: "There is no need for the lord to worry! My eyes... have always been blind, otherwise I would not..."

I was taken aback, my hand poised in mid-air as I clapped.

In a fit of rage, I grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it out, just as Amber was coming in with a bowl of soup, nearly hitting her on the head with the pillow

However, Liu Xuan did not take these blunders of his subordinates to heart; the only aspect of etiquette he valued was the system of the imperial harem

Liu Xiu, in ancient times, a promise was worth a thousand gold pieces; can your promise even be exchanged for a single coin?

I felt like a cat that had suddenly had its tail stepped on, and I immediately yelped, "What do I need to see him for? I don't need to meet him, and he doesn't need to come see me anymore! You go pack your things now, and later come back with me to the Yin family!"

You have lost a lot of weight

Emperor Gengshi Liu Xuan established his capital in Luoyang, and the first thing he did after taking control of the Southern Palace was to widely recruit beautiful women for the imperial harem

"Get lost!" I shouted angrily with my eyes closed, the foreign object in my eye stinging my eyeball, causing tears to fall uncontrollably down my face. "Don't let me see you again, or every time I do, I'll beat you up!" I waved my fist, warning in a fierce and menacing tone.

I rarely see him displaying such an expression; in my impression, Liu Xiu, with such a solemn demeanor, only reveals this sharpness when he decisively overcomes opposition at Kunyang, when the situation hangs by a thread.

The earthen cup shattered into pieces as it struck the cold ground. My wrist was too weak to throw it far, and Amber, drenched in sweat, knelt on the ground picking up the fragments. Without her support, my knees suddenly buckled, and I fell backward, exhausted to the point that I could barely open my eyes. Yet, despite my physical fatigue, my hearing remained unusually sharp; the footsteps in the room were chaotic, and someone lifted me up, followed by Amber's voice calling out loudly: "Madam"

"Have you heard the folk song in the city?" I did not respond to his question, but instead, I smiled and clapped my hands, "Raising under the stove, the middle general. Rotten sheep's stomach, riding the captain. Rotten sheep's head, the marquis within the pass..."

Although it cannot be said that I am completely intoxicated, it is indeed the first time in my life that I have consumed so much alcohol in one go. The feeling of being drunk is quite unpleasant; I want to scream at the top of my lungs but find myself unable to do so. It feels as if a heavy stone is lodged in my chest, accompanied by nausea, retching, dizziness, and blurred vision, yet my mind remains exceptionally clear.