III. National Conditions

In a moment, family members gathered together, filled with joy and harmony. I actually do not have much fondness for the Liu clan; just thinking about how, after Liu Yan's death, this group of people distanced themselves from him to protect their own interests, maintaining a cold relationship with Liu Xiu, and even daring not to attend our wedding banquet, makes it impossible for me to develop any deep feelings for them

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Although the Xiu Han Dynasty was established and the Gengshi regime had fallen, some generals of the Xuan Han Dynasty still spread across key areas in the south, maintaining a state of observation and independence. Therefore, the Chief of the Imperial Guards, Jia Fu, requested orders to recover Yancheng, which Liu Xiu approved, and also ordered the Grand Marshal Wu Han to recover Wancheng

The tension in the national treasury has led to the current state of the nation. Although Liu Xiu conferred titles of nobility, the number of lords who could truly enjoy their fiefs was exceedingly few. Therefore, despite being the emperor, Liu Xiu advocated for frugality in daily expenditures, just as he did in the past

What is the intention and purpose of the gift-giver? Is it to flatter and please, or to take the opportunity to show off? If these were the only two possibilities, they would not amount to much. What I am concerned about is the third possibility. ... The feasibility of this possibility is quite high. If ... I did not have a sufficient understanding of Liu Xiu's character, if I were not Liu Xiu's loyal wife, having known him for many years, if I were not deeply aware of the difficulties of the national situation and the dangers of war. ... Then, faced with this third possibility, perhaps I would, like the Liu and Huang sisters, ignorantly overlook it. I do not have a sufficient understanding of Liu Xiu's character, if I were not Liu Xiu's loyal wife, having known him for many years, if I were not deeply aware of the difficulties of the national situation and the dangers of war. ... Then, faced with this third possibility, perhaps I would, like the Liu and Huang sisters, ignorantly overlook it.

Long before Liu Ci arrived in Luoyang, Liu Xiu's uncle Liu Liang, his second uncle Liu She, and his cousin Liu Zhi had already heard the news and successively rushed from Chang'an to Luoyang. On the second day of the fourth month, Liu Xiu conferred the title of King of Guangyang upon Liu Liang and the title of King of Chengyang upon Liu Zhi. Furthermore, Liu Xiu also brought Liu Yan's eldest and second sons to Luoyang, bestowing the title of King of Taiyuan upon Liu Zhang and the title of King of Lu upon Liu Xing

Amber carefully supported me as we walked forward, fearing that I might find the journey boring, so she kept chatting with me along the way, engaging in some casual conversation

From the moment I stepped through the palace gates, this seemingly peaceful harem has become anything but simple in my mind. This is not only due to the influence I experienced while in the Chang Le Palace, which has subtly heightened my awareness, but also because of the grand gift I received the day before entering the palace

I declined her visit on the grounds that her physical condition was not suitable, urging her to rest assured in the palace and take care of her pregnancy. During this period, she has become much more haggard; as a pregnant woman, her figure has not gained weight compared to before, but rather appears more gaunt. Fortunately, the imperial physician has reported that the condition of the fetus is very stable, and there is no need for concern

Nevertheless, the daily expenses and trivial matters of the inner court are all tacitly submitted to me by the palace attendants, allowing me to handle them with full authority

Well

As I was preparing to return to the Western Palace while bypassing the overpass, I suddenly heard a faint sound coming from a corner, seemingly elusive, as if it were merely a figment of my imagination. I paused to listen; the sound was graceful and melodious, reminiscent of a loved one's whisper, akin to the caress of a lover, tenderly expressing deep affection and lingering emotions.

Liu Xiu, feeling grateful for Liu Ci's recommendation to ascend north and hold the imperial edict, conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Shen

Given the friendship between Liu Ci and Liu Xuan, entrusting the orphan to him is indeed the best course of action

Currently, within the inner palace, there are only two consorts with official titles, myself and Guo Shengtong, yet Liu Xiu's stance has become quite evident; the only difference lies in the absence of a coronation ceremony for an empress. In fact, Liu Xiu has been waiting for my nod of approval, and preparations for the coronation ceremony have already begun, but due to various vague and inexplicable concerns, I have yet to make a clear statement.

Wu Han recaptured Wancheng, and Liu Ci, the Warlord of Wancheng appointed by Emperor Gengshi, led his family to Luoyang to surrender to Liu Xiu. What surprised me was that among the family members Liu Ci brought, there were actually Zhao Ji, the widow of Liu Xuan, and his three sons—Liu Qiu, Liu Xin, and Liu Li

The more I ponder over this repeatedly, the more I feel a sense of discomfort in my heart. That kind of depression, which is pent up inside yet cannot be expressed or shared with others, induces a maddening irritation. During the banquet, I excused myself to change clothes and stepped outside. The moonlight outside the palace was dim, further deepening my melancholic mood

It was that overwhelming and precious gift, which filled the entire house and made the Liu sisters, Liu Huang and Liu Boji, so joyfully forget themselves, that made me acutely aware of the truth that once you enter the palace, it is as deep as the sea, and every step must be taken with caution

Liu Xiu, who had originally set the objective to open the eastern front, was completely thrown off by the series of rebellions that sprang up from all directions, disrupting the original plans and deployments.

Liu Zhang and Liu Xing, the two children, have long since shed their former mischievousness. Liu Huang has educated the two brothers exceptionally well, instilling in them a sense of propriety and decorum, making it hard for others to believe that they are still merely adolescents

Wang often had a long-standing acquaintance with me. When Liu Xiu hosted a banquet to welcome me, he asked me to sit at the table with him. During the meal, we laughed and talked about the incident of kidnapping and extortion from our childhood. Wang could not help but feel embarrassed and laughed awkwardly, repeatedly bowing his head in apology to me. I responded with a smile on my face, extending my hand to gesture for him to rise and to politely ask him to refrain from such formalities, yet my heart was filled with countless emotions.

I leaned against the railing, and it was not until a tune had finished playing that I came to my senses after a long while, chuckling softly: "General Dazhu's vertical flute is still played so beautifully."

In the fourth month of summer, General Gai Yan, General Ma Wu, and three other generals launched an attack against Liu Yong, achieving a great victory over Liu Yong's forces and besieging him in Ju Yang. However, at this critical moment, Su Mao, a former general of the Xuan Han dynasty who had previously surrendered to Liu Xiu alongside Zhu Wei, betrayed Liu Yong. He executed the newly appointed Governor of Huaiyang, Pan Jian, occupied Guangle, and pledged allegiance to Liu Yong. Consequently, Liu Yong appointed Su Mao as Grand Marshal and conferred upon him the title of King of Huaiyang.

At the time when Liu Xuan was killed, it was precisely when I was leaving Chang'an. Upon hearing the news of his death, I had instructed Wei Chi Jun to discreetly and properly arrange for the safety of Liu Xuan's wife and children, ensuring their transfer to a secure location. After that, I became preoccupied with my own troubles and forgot to follow up on this matter.

The petite and frail Guo Shengtong resembles a delicate young daisy, trembling as it blooms in this harsh and chilly spring season, exuding a charm that evokes a sense of tenderness and resilience.

I nodded with a smile, listening to the sound of the flute that seemed to come from a distance, likely from outside the palace. A pang of sorrow struck my heart, and I suddenly felt like a caged bird, forever separated from the world. The vast expanse of the outside world no longer belonged to me.

The Prefect of Yuyang, Peng Chong, received an imperial edict but did not comply, and he delayed his departure to the capital to meet the emperor. Liu Xiu then dispatched his cousin to Yuyang to urge him. Unexpectedly, Peng Chong detained his cousin and suddenly raised an army in rebellion, leading over 20,000 troops to attack Jicheng, where Zhu Fu was located, while also sending forces to assault the three commanderies of Guangyang, Shanggu, and Youbeiping.

Meanwhile, Liu Jia, who was conferred the title of King of Han by Liu Xuan, faced a sudden rebellion from his subordinate Yan Cen. Liu Jia was unable to withstand the attack and fled in haste. Afterward, Liu Jia regrouped his forces and engaged in a protracted battle with Yan Cen. As both sides fought fiercely, the Emperor Gongsun Shu of the Cheng family, who had declared himself emperor in the Bashu region, took advantage of the vulnerability in Nanzheng and reaped the benefits.

Since the Emperor is thus, the imperial harem should also follow suit, without exception

Just as I do not represent only myself, I am also connected to the thousands of members of the Yin family behind me

The servant has accepted everything according to the wishes of the noble person

The fields have yet to be cultivated, and the harvest is difficult to obtain. The limited agricultural labor and resources have all been consumed by the requisitions of war. Where the war has spread, cities have turned into ruins, villages have become wastelands, and in some areas, there are stretches of a hundred miles devoid of life, completely desolate.

The person has passed away, and the past cannot be pursued. If he were to know that the death of Cheng Dan is inextricably linked to me, what thoughts would he have at this moment? I fear he would find it hard to swallow, and even this meal would no longer be eaten with peace of mind

Well

"Go back." Perhaps due to the effects of alcohol, the hot and flushed cheeks were cooled by a breeze, bringing a slight chill that crept over the body, while a dull ache throbbed in the head

Not long after this, Wang Chang, the King of Deng of the Gengshi regime, surrendered. Liu Xiu was extremely pleased after meeting him, and he was appointed as the Left Minister and granted the title of Marquis of Shansang.

I can see Liu Xiu's exhaustion. At this moment, if he does not wish to follow in the footsteps of Emperor Gengshi Liu Xuan, he cannot afford to halt the pace of expanding his military achievements, much like the principle of rowing against the current. During this time, Liu Xiu was so busy that he had no time to even close his eyes, worrying day and night about state affairs. Not only was the military situation critical, but due to the chaos of war, the economy and the livelihood of the people had also become major issues. Countless civilians died from the conflict and hunger, and in many places, including Chang'an, there were horrific instances of cannibalism. According to reports from officials, the population of the Western Han during the reign of Emperor Ping was approximately sixty million, but it has now sharply decreased to an estimated ten million.

I smiled and patted her hand that was wrapped around my arm, saying, "She is with child, so naturally she needs more care and service than we do. Whether the Western Palace adds more attendants or not is of no concern to me. There are so many women outside the palace who are displaced and struggling to make ends meet. With fewer people in the palace, the reason I allow for additional selections is merely to provide another mouth to feed, to help one more person survive. Ultimately, it is just a drop in the bucket." Seeing Amber pouting with lingering resentment, I couldn't help but laugh, "Do you want me to select more beautiful women to add to the palace, waiting for His Majesty's favor, to share the affection with me?"

A few days later, Liu Xiu had no choice but to hurriedly return to Luoyang's Nangong with his troops from Xiuwu, reoccupying the Quefei Hall to directly oversee and comprehensively control the chaotic military situations, both large and small.

In March, during the amnesty, Liu Xiu convened a military conference

In the five ranks of the imperial harem established by Liu Xiu, even the empress and noble consorts with titles and ranks received an annual salary of merely several dozen measures, which essentially covered their meals, ensuring they were well-fed but with little pay. The remaining three lower ranks received even less, with no basic salary, merely ensuring they had food to avoid starvation

In the face of her misery, Amber often displayed a look of glee behind her back. I understood the source of her joy; however, I never dared to underestimate Guo Shengtong, whether on her days of triumph or in her current state of disfavor

A few days ago, Lady Guo sent someone to deliver items again

"Lady Guo has added several new maidservants to her palace, all of whom were selected to enter the palace this time... My lady, you often tell me that His Majesty wishes to economize and that within the inner court, regardless of rank, extravagance and waste are not permitted. Yet look, Lady Guo not only disregards this, but also continues to bring more people into her palace, and she chooses only those of the highest quality. If she truly held you in esteem, how could she dare to select people before you do?"

Amber exclaimed, "Are you referring to the esteemed Yang Xiahou?"

Looking at them reminded me of Liu Li, and unable to suppress my feelings of longing, I requested the three brothers Liu Xiu, Xuan, and Qiu to enter the palace for a discussion. Liu Xiu did not inquire further about the reason, and after summoning them to the inner court, he conferred upon the three of them the titles of Marquis of Xiangyi, Marquis of Gushuo, and Marquis of Shouguang respectively

I cannot forget, nor dare to forget the warning from Yin Xing. No matter how innocent and harmless Guo Shengtong may appear at this moment, I cannot afford to let my guard down. A frail Guo Shengtong may not be formidable, but what is truly to be feared is the presence of a Guo master behind her, a member of the Guo clan who could potentially rise again at any moment.

Peng Chong consecutively dispatched envoys to Shanggu, attempting to persuade the governor of Shanggu, Geng Kuang, to join in rebellion. Fortunately, Geng Kuang maintained a firm stance and did not get involved with him. Otherwise, if the two major forces of Shanggu and Yuyang had united and marched north, the pressure would have significantly increased, putting Luoyang in a precarious situation

Every morning, Guo Shengtong comes to my palace to pay her respects. Not to mention that I am not yet the Empress, even if I were, she still flaunts her large belly in front of me, occasionally having the servants bring Liu Qiang to bow to me. This alone is already more than I can bear

This was originally a jesting remark, and when I said it, I did not weigh it carefully, completely without thinking. However, once the words left my mouth, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my heart, a kind of pain and sorrow that was both jest and not jest, enveloping me deeply, once again reminding me inescapably that Liu Xiu is a sovereign, possessing the exclusive right to choose and dismiss any woman in the entire Yeting.