Chapter 1047: Outside the East Water Gate

Southeast of the Eastern Capital's outer wall, where the Bian River flows downstream, the majestic and expansive East Water Gate stands in a towering posture, spanning across Bianliang. Essentially, all money, grain, and supplies transported from the east, south, and north into Kaifeng pass through this gate.

The fifteenth year of Qianyou was drawing to a close, and winter was about to pass. The most severe cold period had basically been weathered. Whether it was the Great Han court or the gentry and commoners of the Eastern Capital, everyone was preparing to bid farewell to the magnificent fifteenth year of Qianyou, welcome the new year, and look forward to a brand-new era.

From top to bottom, all were immersed in a joyful atmosphere, and the Eastern Capital was also enveloped in a relaxed mood. Perhaps there were still many poor folk in the Eastern Capital, perhaps many commoners still struggled to make a living, but at such a time, even the most numb and servile of the masses, while striving to keep themselves fed and clothed, could not help but reveal a few smiles under the drive of the state's will, celebrating together with the nation.

The Emperor had already issued an edict: on the seventh day of the second month of the coming year, a grand national celebration would be held, presided over by Chancellor Wei Renpu, assisted by the relevant offices, which were already implementing all the procedures and arrangements for the ceremony. Moreover, this occasion's scale would be even more lavish than Emperor Liu's decennial celebration last time—even the preliminary preparations already displayed something out of the ordinary.

Not only the regional magnates and commanders of the various circuits, but also the meritorious officials since the founding of the Great Han, the nobles and distinguished subjects who had already retired—those who were qualified—were likewise invited to gather in the Eastern Capital. From Emperor Liu's edict, one could tell that this was not merely to boast of achievements, celebrate, and reward for unifying the realm, but also to summarize the governance of the past fifteen years, and at the same time, to pool wisdom for how to govern this vast, unified, brand-new Han Empire.

Thus, one could imagine that the grand ceremony after the new year would be the foremost since the founding of the state, whether in scale, scope, or significance—destined to be a grand occasion. During this period, officials and commanders of the Great Han from various regions had already begun arriving in the capital, and even more were still on the road.

The reason Liu Chengyou set the ceremony for the seventh day of the second month, rather than New Year's Day or the Lantern Festival, was to give his ministers more time. Of course, the seventh day of the second month of the coming year was also an auspicious day.

Outside the East Water Gate, the wind was bone-piercing and the water still cold, yet amid the whistling northern wind, a high-specification honor guard had already been waiting for some time. Not just the guard's specifications—the rank of those waiting was even higher: Prince Yong, Liu Chenghsun, and the Third Imperial Prince, Liu Xi.

During this period, His Highness the Prince of Yong had nearly been used as a master of ceremonies. However, this kind of assignment, representing both the imperial house and the court, was something Liu Chenghsun rather enjoyed. Moreover, he was also Qian Hongchu's brother-in-law. The guest that Liu Chenghsun was being sent out to receive this time was naturally of no ordinary status—it was none other than the King of Wuyue, Qian Hongchu, and his party, whom Emperor Liu Chengyou had been thinking of with great anticipation.

After more than a month of travel, overcoming the difficulties of heading north in winter, and hampered by the weather with frequent stops and starts, they had finally neared the Eastern Capital. As for Liu Xi, Noble Consort Gao simply could not bear seeing him idle and comfortable in the Flying Dragon Stables, so she once again petitioned Emperor Liu, whereupon Liu Chengyou issued a single decree, having Liu Xi accompany his third uncle in receiving the King of Wuyue, letting him see a bit of the world as well.

However, among those accompanying, besides a few officials and the honor guard, there was also a little princess—Emperor Liu's second daughter, Liu Jian, Liu Xi's full sister. She was now nearly ten years old, having inherited her parents' genes, with a lovely appearance. But as the second imperial daughter, with an elder sister above her, Liu Jian naturally was not as favored as the eldest princess, nor as conspicuous.

Among the consorts, in terms of forceful temperament, perhaps only Noble Consort Gao could claim the top spot. Yet neither of the two children she bore resembled her in personality. Liu Xi needed no further mention, and Liu Jian was also quiet and gentle—from childhood she never cried or made a fuss, was very well-behaved, and had a very low presence. Even Noble Consort Gao, with her fiery nature, could not bear to scold or rebuke her.

It was mainly because of her children that Noble Consort Gao had felt bitter at heart these past years. Among the princes, he was not as favored as Liu Yang, Liu Fang, or even Liu Xu, and among the imperial daughters, what Liu Chengyou treasured most was Liu Jia—and Liu Jia was born to the younger Lady Fu, the Pure Consort, seemingly only because she was born a month earlier than Liu Jian.

Of course, what truly made Noble Consort Gao feel depressed was her son's lack of "ambition." No matter how actively she tried to cultivate him into a man of accomplishment, Liu Xi was forever that unhurried, composed posture—he had never even hurried in his walking. As a child, it only showed as a tendency, but as he grew older, he became increasingly languid.

Just like at this moment—Liu Xi's attention was not on the reception arrangements, but rather on bringing his sister along, pointing and gesturing outside the East Water Gate, introducing things to her. Liu Jian rarely had the chance to leave the palace, so she was somewhat excited, listening with great interest, her clear eyes glancing around in all directions, filled with great curiosity toward these sights so different from those within the palace, asking questions from time to time...

The weather was still cold—even dressed thickly, body heat dissipated quickly. When he felt his hands turning cold, Liu Xi crouched down, took Liu Jian's little hand, and tucked it deep into his chest through the lapel of his robe, warming her hands with his own skin. Had Liu Jian not refused, he would have taken off his outer robe to drape over her. He had brought his sister out—if she caught a chill or fell ill, it would be hard to explain when they returned.

Liu Chenghsun sat inside a pavilion, silently watching this scene, feeling somewhat moved—after all, they were full siblings, with genuine affection between them. Even though they were still young, in the imperial house, such familial warmth was rare indeed.

A trace of reminiscence flickered in his eyes. Liu Chenghsun could not help recalling the events of those years—from Yedu to Jinyang. Though he had been young then, the three Liu brothers had been properly fraternal and respectful to one another.

But later, their family followed Liu Zhiyuan, riding the tide of the times, swept into the maelstrom of history, becoming the most honored family in the realm. The eldest brother had unfortunately passed away in his prime, and as for his imperial elder brother Liu Chengyou—his later transformation filled him with awe. The past was no more...

Even to this day, Liu Chenghsun felt both respect and fear toward Emperor Liu.

"Third Uncle!"

When Liu Xi brought Liu Jian over and called out, Liu Chenghsun finally snapped back to his senses. He crouched down, pinched Liu Jian's rosy little cheeks, and could not help revealing a gentle smile: "Is it fun outside the palace?"

"Mm!" Liu Jian seemed a bit shy, burying her little head and answering softly. This bashful reaction only delighted Liu Chenghsun further—he now had three sons of his own, but no daughter.

Turning his gaze to Liu Xi, his smile fading, Liu Chenghsun asked him: "They all say you, Third Young Master, have a placid temperament—and indeed it is so. You have not a trace of solemnity about you!"

Hearing this, Liu Xi chuckled and replied: "Father only sent me here to see the sights—bringing a pair of eyes is enough. Besides, the King of Wuyue has not yet arrived, so why be so tense? Once the King of Wuyue arrives, proper etiquette will suffice!"

Hearing him speak so lightly and leisurely, Liu Chenghsun grew somewhat interested and could not help asking: "Do you know why His Majesty has us, uncle and nephew, receive the King of Wuyue at such a high specification? Making me, a Prince, and you, an imperial prince, stand in this cold wind? Mind you, back then when he came north by invitation, the court only sent a single minister to greet him."

Liu Chenghsun intended this as a test of sorts. Liu Xi, still with that nonchalant demeanor, replied: "The King of Wuyue comes to the capital bearing heavy tribute—naturally he must be received with sufficient courtesy to set his mind at ease."

Giving him a brief once-over, Liu Chenghsun seemed somewhat surprised, saying: "Then tell me—what heavy tribute is this?"

Liu Xi answered with equal surprise: "Third Uncle tests me with this? Anyone in the court with even a bit of insight these days knows—the King of Wuyue coming north can only mean he comes to offer his territory!"

Liu Chenghsun smiled slightly and continued asking: "Why?"

Glancing at his imperial uncle, Liu Xi replied: "The court sent troops to pacify the south and has already taken all of the Two Rivers and Lingnan. The realm is trending toward unification, but it is not yet complete. Of the southeastern half, only Wuyue remains as a separatist regime. Four years ago there was already an incident of offering territory, with Chen Hongjin offering Zhang and Quan beforehand. The King of Wuyue comes this time—so long as he is clever enough, he will know what to do, and join in the grand undertaking of unification..."

Hearing his analysis, Liu Chenghsun could not help praising: "Well said!"

Shifting his thoughts, Liu Chenghsun sized up Liu Xi once more and said with slight curiosity: "Though this is a commonplace topic, at your age, being able to articulate it so clearly is no small feat. If you were to share this insight with your imperial brother, he would be pleased as well!"

"I was merely speaking offhand—the prattling of a brat. As for the great affairs of the realm, Father sees them all as clearly as fire. He has no need for my shallow opinions to trouble his sacred ears..." Liu Xi said leisurely.

Hearing Liu Xi speak these words, Liu Chenghsun could not help feeling some emotion inwardly—among the imperial house's elder princes, not one was truly mediocre. Even the Third Imperial Prince Liu Xi, the least ambitious of them all, having received the same education and upbringing over the years, and having witnessed many things alongside Emperor Liu—how could he be viewed as an ordinary man...