Feast

It is nothing, I left something in the palace, and the people in the palace cannot find it, so I have to go back to retrieve it.

Perhaps what she really wants to ask is, what exactly does her third brother intend to do

In April, Wu Han returned to Luoyang from Wancheng, accompanied by a variety of luxurious items previously used in the imperial court, including blind musicians, ritual instruments for the suburbs, ceremonial carriages, and palanquins. I had heard Ma Yuan mention before that after Gongsun Shu declared himself emperor, he particularly enjoyed displaying the airs of an emperor, and the items and ceremonial regalia used in the palace were truly exceptional. However, I had only heard of these things and had never seen them. Following Liu Xiu, the self-made and frugal emperor of Han, I have lived in this so-called palace for over ten years, yet the grandeur I have witnessed is still far from even a small fraction of what was seen in the Chang'an Chang Le Palace back in the day.

I keenly sensed an unusual odor, and I believe there are many others as sensitive as I am. The day before the banquet, I sent out my calling card as the favored concubine, inviting Liang Hou and General Jianwei Geng Yan to the palace for a brief discussion. As a result, Deng Yu did not show up, but sent a messenger with four words as a reply; Geng Yan hurried into the palace, and the two of us met outside the Xuande Hall. I only exchanged a few brief words with him, and half an hour later, he left the palace with a pale face, walking unsteadily. As a result, Deng Yu did not show up, but sent a messenger with four words as a reply; Geng Yan hurried into the palace, and the two of us met outside the Xuande Hall. I only exchanged a few brief words with him, and half an hour later, he left the palace with a pale face, walking unsteadily.

At the end of spring, Wu Han returned to the capital from the Shu region. I suggested to Liu Xiu that Wu Han take a detour to visit his hometown, Wan City, as he had been tirelessly working for the restoration of the Han dynasty over the past few years, which could be considered a significant contribution. Liu Xiu readily agreed and granted Wu Han permission to return home for ancestral worship, additionally rewarding him with 20,000 measures of grain.

You should get up quickly. Yiwang is my daughter; if she has made any mistakes, it is due to my inadequate supervision, and I should be the one to apologize to you

"No! I want him to compensate!" The crisp, lively voice of a girl was filled with an inexplicable air of arrogance and charm

He raised his head in shock, staring blankly at me

Yes

What happened? I couldn't help but laugh and ask as I saw her staring blankly at the top of my head

I never intended to make things difficult for him regarding this matter; it is mostly my precious daughter's fault, and I cannot blame others.

"There is no intention to mock; what I said is all true. I usually don't see you in makeup, but seeing you dressed up like this is just as vibrant as when you were unmarried, isn't it?" She became more and more animated as she spoke, disregarding the occasion, and laughed, "It's just that wearing this outfit makes you look too serene. I still remember the first time I saw you; back then, you didn't hesitate to engage in a duel with me..."

In recent years, the only person who has remained steadfast among the three public offices is Grand Marshal Wu Han. Although I have considerable reservations about Wu Han's habitual acts of violence and slaughter, I must acknowledge that, in the overall political landscape, as a key figure of the powerful gentry in Nanyang, I need his strong support to counterbalance the influence of the Guo clan's faction in Hebei.

A stir arose in my heart; although Liu Xiu's promise seemed more like a jest than a serious commitment, I couldn't shake the feeling that beneath his smile lay an indescribable sentiment, as if... this was not merely a jestful promise.

Father is a noble mountain

Liu Boji's implication is to blame me for not adhering to the "convention" this time. In the past four years, the order of childbirth among the imperial heirs in the harem has always been that the Changqiu Palace would first announce good news, followed by the Xigong Palace two to three months later. Such a clearly artificial balance, however, allows everyone within and outside the court, whether from the Empress's faction or the Noble's faction, to have nothing to say and remain silent.

The crowd before me parted automatically, and then I saw Liu Yi Wang at the foot of the jade steps, his face full of anger as he grabbed a young man's collar. At their feet, less than a yard away, lay a long spear and a small bow that had been broken into two pieces.

Cough. He cleared his throat and said, "So for this pregnancy, do you want a son or a daughter?"

Take her back to the palace! I do not wish to escalate this matter and summon those guests; that would truly create a spectacle. There would be no need to put effort into arranging songs and dances for today's banquet; we could simply witness the grand drama of the Han princess crying and making a scene.

I rose with a smile: "I fear their noise, so I had someone take them directly to the Xuande Hall."

"Wherever it may be, the noble person is simply unaccustomed to makeup." Chen Min's hands were extremely skillful; she used fragrant powder to cover all the brown spots and acne scars on my face, shaped my eyebrows into a delicate arch, applied a touch of blush to my cheeks, and added a hint of vermilion to my lips, making them resemble a cherry. Although this makeup style does not align with my aesthetic preferences, it at least adds an unspoken allure in the eyes of others. "The noble person, even without cosmetics, surpasses many others." Although this makeup style does not align with my aesthetic preferences, it at least adds an unspoken allure in the eyes of others. "The noble person, even without cosmetics, surpasses many others."

The hairpin, styled like a cloud, is supported by gold and adorned with a golden hairpin shaped like a cassia branch, threaded with white pearls, gleaming brightly as it is inserted into the bun. I was momentarily taken aback; I had intended to take it off, but as my hand was raised, I hesitated and then lowered it again. Looking up at the mirror, I smiled lightly: "Are you planning to dress me up as a young maiden today? Do you think I am still of the same age as you?"

It was clearly you who provoked first that time

"You really are unwilling to suffer even the slightest loss," he said with a smile, playfully pinching my nose. "If that is truly the case, I shall grant you a wish; whatever you desire, I shall give it to you."

I waived the formalities and inquired, "Is the Lieutenant General available?"

Everything fell perfectly into my sight, and I felt both proud and somewhat worried. Just as I was thinking of finding an opportunity to give a few reminders, suddenly a little yellow gatekeeper quietly approached me and whispered in my ear: "The Central Attendant has sent someone to invite you to move your residence..."

Dumbfounded, this child's intellect has long surpassed that of ordinary people. Looking at the towering Changqiu Palace across from me, I let out a hearty laugh from the bottom of my heart. I will indeed not become Lü Zhi; Lü Zhi devoted herself entirely for her son, willingly bearing all the blame and scorn. Yet in the end, her honest and simple-minded son showed no understanding whatsoever, not only failing to appreciate her efforts, but instead blaming his mother for being cruel, leading him to self-destruction. I will indeed not become Lü Zhi; Lü Zhi devoted herself entirely for her son, willingly bearing all the blame and scorn. Yet in the end, her honest and simple-minded son showed no understanding whatsoever, not only failing to appreciate her efforts, but instead blaming his mother for being cruel, leading him to self-destruction.

Liu Boji gave birth to a son earlier this year, and her body shape has not yet fully recovered after childbirth, making her appear much fuller than usual. She is four years older than me, at thirty-seven years old this year, and according to the average life expectancy in ancient times, she is undoubtedly a middle-aged woman.

Guo Shengtong came to her senses as if awakening from a dream, and a faint smile finally appeared on her pale face: "Yin Guiren, please rise. Why did you not bring the three princesses along with you?"

He chuckled as he ate, his fingers entwining with mine even tighter: "How about this, you give me a son, one that looks just like me, and when he grows up, you will face him every day..."

"These words can only come from your mouth and enter my ears; let us speak and laugh behind closed doors." I grasped his hand in return, our fingers interlocking, with thoughts in my heart, and could not help but say, "Are you not worried that I might become another Empress Gao?"

According to the regulations, noblewomen should only adorn their hair with dark-colored tortoiseshell hairpins, so it is likely that my appearance today has already stunned many. Well, if they are stunned, so be it; this is precisely the effect I desire.

When I bowed to her, she said nothing, but her eyes were fixed intently on the golden hairpin atop my head, until Guo Zhu, smiling, intervened: "The noble lady Yin is of delicate constitution, please rise quickly."

I find this situation utterly outrageous, I scolded, "If you do not let go, where is your semblance of a princess?" I stepped forward, struck the inside of her wrist, and as her hand went limp, I directly lifted her and threw her to the nurse, "You need not attend the banquet today, return to the palace and reflect on your actions."

Once he walked away, Liu Boji quietly pulled me aside, her gaze shifting downward, directly piercing my abdomen: "Is it true?"

Yes

Mother, please give me another little brother

After lingering in the Changqiu Palace for more than half an hour, at 7:15 PM, a young eunuch came to report that the Emperor had finished his court session and was heading to the Xuande Hall with the various ministers and princes. Thus, we all stood up, tidied our attire and appearance, and then followed Empress Guo to the Xuande Hall

Liu Xiu was not a monarch who indulged in enjoyment; the imperial harem rarely featured singing and dancing, and there was little merriment. Even during major festivals such as the Winter Solstice and New Year's Day, the inner court did not appear particularly lively. Therefore, when this grand banquet was truly set up in the Xuande Hall, every palace attendant in the harem wore a smile that reflected an added sense of anticipation and curiosity compared to usual.

The value of Wu Han to me is not insignificant; he is capable of committing various immoral acts, yet I cannot take the opportunity to eliminate him, but rather must support him in every way.

Looking at her and then reflecting on myself, a rather amusing thought suddenly crossed my mind: should I also continue to bear the title of advanced maternal age until I reach the age of 40?

He held my hand, fiddling with my fingers, counting them one by one, while muttering: "The eyes of Yi Wang resemble mine, Jing Er's face shape is somewhat like mine, Cang Er looks more like Jun Ling, Zhong Li, Hong Fu... Tell me, who does our Yang Er resemble more?"

Yang'er, you are a good son to your mother, and she takes pride in you

Are you the eldest son of the High Mountain Marquis

I was taken aback; I have not yet communicated this matter to the imperial physician for a diagnosis, yet it is surprising that even Lady Liu from outside the palace has already heard the news.

On the 12th day of the 3rd month in the 13th year of the Jianwu era, Han Xin, the Prefect of Pei County, was promoted to the position of Grand Minister of Works. Five days later, Ma Cheng was removed from the temporary position of Grand Minister of Works and was appointed as the General of Yangwu.

I could not help but glance at him twice, noticing that he was not much older than Liu Yang, likely of a similar age to Liu Qiang. However, he exuded a vigorous aura that was far beyond that of pampered princes.

It is precisely for this reason that last year, when he reverted to his old ways and massacred the entire family of Gongsun Shu, who had already surrendered, I did not react with the impulsive anger that I had exhibited ten years ago. Ten years ago, the sacrifice of a Deng Feng brought me to a state of unusually cold clarity today. I do not know whether this change signifies a progress in awakening or a regression in humanity, but I have finally learned to walk gradually through the stumbles and falls, and I have grown stronger through the bumps and bruises. At the end of last year, Wu Han executed Gongsun Shu's wife and children, sparing none, young or old, truly achieving a complete eradication. Such bloody methods ultimately provoked Liu Xiu's fury.

I remained calm and pretended not to see, sitting at the banquet table, with the beautiful Xu seated right next to me on my right side

Before long, Liu Kang, unable to contain himself, ran off on his own. Once Liu Kang left, Liu Yang suddenly paused his conversation with his aunt and turned to Liu Ying, whispering a few words. After hearing this, Liu Ying unexpectedly burst into laughter, dispelling the earlier awkward atmosphere of confusion.

After the young man extricated himself, he first adjusted his clothing and then picked up the long spear from the ground, standing to the side. In fact, from the very first glance at his attire, I knew he was a young official responsible for guarding the Xuande Hall, but he appeared quite young, seemingly not yet fifteen years old. Although the position of a young official is not a high-ranking one, more than half of the current young officials in the Southern Palace are selected from the sons of high-ranking officials and wealthy families. These individuals, to varying degrees, always have some background, especially in the case of a minor like the one before me, whose origins can be presumed to be extraordinary.

Liu Xiu held my hand, his smile filled with a sense of the passage of time, the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes deepening: "It is truly a pity that you do not become the empress"

I have given it some thought and, borrowing the words of Deng Yu, I respond: "As you wish"

"This time, after the Grand Marshal returned from the ancestral rites in Wancheng, when will the Marquis of Gushi also return to Wancheng for a visit? Princess Ningping is a fortunate person; the Marquis of Gushi treats you well, and he treats His Majesty well... His Majesty treats him well too..." I can only say this much; whether she can grasp the deeper meaning is up to her.

"Do not praise him any further; he cannot withstand your constant flattery. I humbly offer a few polite words and then instruct Liu Yang, 'You should go in first to greet your mother and your aunt. When they inquire about me, just say that I am chatting with your little aunt and will come shortly.'

During a brief pause, I exchanged a few words with her, while Liu Yang respectfully paid his respects to his aunt. Liu Boji couldn't help but exclaim, "Look at this demeanor; how can he possibly be just a ten-year-old child? Your mother has truly raised you well, resembling your father in his prime."

I pointed at the broken bow on the ground and sighed, "Do you know that this bow is a creation of the Son of Heaven?"

"Hmph, do you think I am infatuated?" Suddenly realizing that the term 'infatuated' is too 'novel' and 'vibrant,' I quickly interjected, "If I were to truly give birth to such a little Liu Xiu, what would you reward me with?"

Fingers gently brush against the cheek, the layer of fragrant powder applied is made from high-quality fine rice, and it feels exceptionally smooth and delicate between the fingertips. In fact, over the years, I have rarely adorned my face, being a typical example of someone who prefers armor over makeup. However, time is relentless, and now to return to the carefree and spirited days of youth, to freely express my youth, has become a luxury.

Liu Yang paused slightly before responding: "Father has stripped the nobility of their titles, and no one in the Han court can be called a king anymore. Regardless of how many fiefs the vassals possess, they are merely marquises. The more brothers there are, the greater their combined strength will be."

"No, no... it's nothing." She lowered her head slightly in a flustered manner. Compared to me and Guo Shengtong, her attire was much simpler; her hair was not styled into an elaborate bun, and she wore no accessories. If it weren't for her makeup and her presence at the table, one could hardly distinguish her from a palace maid or a beauty in a crowd. Any of the noble ladies present would appear far more radiant than she did.

A rather gossipy question, I blinked my eyes and thought for a long time before finally coming up with a phrase: "neither fish nor fowl"

The early summer breeze brushed against me, already carrying a hint of heat, and at this moment, the sun had just begun to rise. I lifted my head high, with my eldest son Liu Yang closely following behind me. As we approached the steps in front of the Changqiu Palace, Liu Yang reached out to support me. I was taken aback for a moment, staring at him for two seconds. Although I did not consider climbing these more than ten flights of stairs to be anything significant, it was rare for this child to show such thoughtful filial piety. I did not withdraw my hand, allowing him to assist me as we ascended step by step.

This idea somehow reached Liu Xiu's ears, and thus a small gathering originally planned for the inner palace was ultimately expanded into a banquet for the civil and military officials of the Han court

Respected father is...

She had no doubts about him, only reminding him: "Then you should go quickly and return quickly"

"How come this time..." She suddenly stopped mid-sentence, staring blankly at me, feeling somewhat awkward. "This matter isn't really your fault; no one can predict it, and there's no way to deliberately prioritize... Sigh, look at me being so clumsy with my words, what I mean is..."

In fact, I really want to tell Liu Boji that when it comes to having children, if one is determined, it is not truly impossible to deliberately distinguish the order of precedence. However, upon further reflection, the other party is already a mother of several children, so there is no need for me to gossip about such matters of the boudoir. She must have already considered this aspect, which is why she just asked such a question.

Liang Song's face turned pale as he knelt down holding the spear, saying, "It is my duty as a subject, I hope the noble person will forgive my offense." Although his words were firm, he was still just a child, and his voice inevitably trembled slightly

"Wow, you know this too?" I teased exaggeratedly, since he wanted to change the subject, what harm would it do for me to go along with it?

Your monthly letter is delayed by nearly half a month

I inhaled sharply. Goodness, I truly did not expect that this young man is actually the son of Liang Tong, the Marquis of Gaoshan. This Liang Tong, like Dou Rong, also hails from the gentry of Hexi. Back in the day, when Wei Xiao occupied Tianshui and Longxi, it was precisely with their support that he was able to defeat Wei Xiao and successfully reclaim Hexi

I did not dare to linger, and immediately followed the palace attendants who led the way, hastily making my way towards the main hall of the Xuande Palace

The order of precedence and status was rearranged, and below there was a flurry of activity. I smiled and exchanged pleasantries while discreetly observing Madam Guo. She sat high in the secondary seat, showing no sign of wanting to move.

I cannot prevent the passage of time from leaving its marks on me. I, too, have experienced such youthful days of fourteen or fifteen years, and not just once. The reflection in the mirror, heavily made up, vaguely resembles the splendid and beautiful appearance I had on the day of my marriage. I smile faintly, rise, and don my ceremonial robe, lightly instructing: "Let the Fourth Prince accompany me to the Changqiu Palace for the morning audience, and have the others taken by their respective wet nurses to the Xuande Hall. Remember not to miss the appointed time."

Upon seeing this situation, I already understood about seventy to eighty percent of what was happening. Everyone else looked at me with fear and bowed, but only that young man, with a pale white face and twitching lips, stood there straight, seemingly stunned, and did not kneel.

Only upon entering did one realize that they had indeed arrived late. The various noble ladies who had hurried from outside the palace to attend to the Empress had already filled the hall to capacity. The matting was spread out, yet only a few, such as Princess Liu Huang of Huyang and the mother of Guo Shengtong, Guo Zhu, were able to take their seats at the main table. Seated in the principal position was Guo Shengtong, dressed in a deep robe with curved hems, adorned with a golden hairpin and a pair of moon-shaped earrings. Her attire was equally splendid, but her collar and cuffs were enhanced with an additional layer of gauze, embroidered with a circle of patterns.

In recent years, the undercurrents of conflict have not been insignificant; however, at that time, the focus was on restoring the country and maintaining order. Everyone's energy was primarily devoted to dealing with warfare and competing for territory. There is a saying that goes, "To repel external threats, one must first stabilize internal affairs." Therefore, the major political direction and conflicts of interest were not prominently highlighted. Yet now, with the world at peace, few of the brothers who fought for the country remain alive. No one anticipated that the newly appointed officials would lead to the rise of the gentry from Hexi, who would occupy a very important position.

Not yet determined

I hurriedly followed that little yellow gatekeeper, but instead of returning to the Western Palace, I took a shortcut towards the eastern side of the Xuande Hall. Before I arrived, I saw a crowd of children of various ages gathered there, while several attending wet nurses looked anxious, their foreheads glistening with sweat.

"You may mock me as you wish." Although I know these are merely flattering words, they still bring me immense pleasure when they reach my ears

After asking for a long time without a response, the young man suddenly spoke up: "I, Song, pay my respects to Lady Yin." He knelt to bow, but the righteous king did not give him this opportunity, gripping his collar tightly and pulling forcefully.

Indeed. Perhaps influenced by the festive atmosphere of the palace banquet, she became playful in her speech, saying, "With the noble ladies and the little princesses attending together, it is certain that those ministers will not recognize you as mother and daughter"

Yiwangwa began to cry, twisting her body as she wept and said: "It is clearly his fault, boohoo, he wouldn't let me enter the palace, snatched my bow, took my arrows, boohoo..."

I sighed and lowered my voice to call out: "Yiwang!"

Liu Boji hurriedly took two steps and, astonished, grabbed my hand: "It really is San Sao, I almost didn't recognize you. I watched you from behind for quite a while. Just now, I was pondering in my heart, whose daughter is this, how does she look so much like my San Sao..."

Liang Tong was appointed as the General of Xuande in the fifth year of the Jianwu era. In the eighth year of Jianwu, he accompanied Liu Xiu in the campaign against Wei Xiao and was granted the title of Marquis of Chengyi. His elder brother Liang Xun and his cousin Liang Teng were also made Marquises within the borders, with Liang Teng serving as the Chief of Agriculture in Jiuquan. In the twelfth year of Jianwu, which was last year, Liang Tong, along with Dou Rong and other meritorious officials from Hexi, was summoned to the capital, Luoyang, to participate in court discussions as a noble lord. Shortly thereafter, Liang Tong was conferred the title of Marquis of Gaoshan and appointed as a Grand Official. All four of his sons were summoned to the palace and granted the position of court officials.

Before I could react, Liu Boji beside me had already noticed: "What happened?"

"A daughter, then. I pondered carefully, none of Yi Wang, Zhong Li, or Hong Fu resemble me. I wish to have a girl who looks exactly like me, and when she grows up, you will see her and be reminded of my youth..."

He did not respond, merely chuckling softly twice. Suddenly, he leaned closer, wrapping his other arm around my waist, his palm resting on my lower abdomen

Currently, the old ministers and meritorious officials in the court can be roughly divided into three groups based on the Yellow River as a boundary: the Hebei group, the Hexi group, and the Henan group. Further subdividing, the Henan group can be divided into two factions: the Yingchuan Commandery and the Nanyang Commandery. Liu Xiu and I, as well as the majority of the imperial relatives, all hail from Nanyang, while Empress Guo Shengtong comes from Hebei. Therefore, once a conflict of interest arises between Guo Shengtong and me, the first to be affected by the ensuing turmoil in the court will undoubtedly be the struggle between Henan and Hebei.

Ten years ago, faced with this situation, I would have strongly demanded the execution of Wu Han to demonstrate justice. However, today, as a member of the gentry of Nanyang, I secretly advocate for Wu Han's protection to Liu Xiu.

When the luxury items that Gongsun Shu had prepared arrived in Luoyang, the first to be affected was Empress Guo Shengtong. Among these, the ceremonial and musical instruments were particularly complete, which had been entirely absent in the past from the Southern Palace. Consequently, the greatly impacted Empress Guo decided to host a banquet in the palace to showcase the grandeur of the Han family.

I had long known that she was undoubtedly a clever woman, smiling as I took her hand and entered the hall together

Yes

The lofty Changqiu Palace, usually deserted, is today bustling with activity. Just as I arrived at the main hall, I heard that Princess Huyang had already arrived, when suddenly a loud call came from behind me: "Third Sister!"

I walked slowly, occasionally chatting with Liu Boji, while Liu Yang was being pulled close by Liu Huang. The two of them, aunt and nephew, were being very affectionate, which made Liu Ying and Liu Kang on the other side feel somewhat neglected

I understand. I forced a smile, pretending not to care

Originally intending to engage him in further conversation, time, however, waits for no one. From a distance, I spotted Dai Ang emerging from the side door of the Xuande Hall, constantly looking around. I reached out to help him up, patted his shoulder, and said with a kind expression: "In the future, if she does anything wrong, you may reprimand her directly. In truth, she is not ill-natured; it is merely because she is the eldest daughter that she has inevitably been somewhat favored by His Majesty."

Without waiting for him to make any further indication, I signaled to everyone to quickly clear the area and evacuate. Dai Ang also saw me and kept gesturing for me to hurry into the hall

Indeed, I have grown old. I gently shook my head at the mirror, sighing with a sense of nostalgia, as the moon-shaped earrings on my earlobes began to sway.

Hmm? "Why do you need a younger brother?" with steps neither hurried nor slow

Guo Shengtong nodded casually, and the polite pretense between her and me came to an end. After I stood up, someone immediately hurried to vacate their seat, and many moved aside to stand next to the table.

Liu Boji was initially bewildered, but after a moment, she took a breath, and her surprised expression finally broke into a smile: "Yes, yes, Nanyang Commandery..."

In the evening chat, Liu Xiu seemingly casually asked me: "Has Geng Bozhao entered the palace?"

Among the noble ladies, some are familiar while others appear unfamiliar, and I do not recognize them, nor could Yan Zhi possibly recognize them. Fortunately, the Empress is present, and regardless of what they may be thinking about how to quickly ingratiate themselves, they would not dare to approach me openly.