Chapter 1226: Worthy Consort Yelu

When consciousness returned to his brain, Emperor Liu's first sensation was discomfort—a dizzy head, a tight chest, parched mouth and throat. The moment he opened his mouth, the stench of a night's stale breath was so nauseating he nearly vomited.

Over the years, Emperor Liu had always been restrained when it came to wine, never indulging, and it had been a long while since he'd been drunk. Yesterday he had clearly let loose and drunk his fill—of course, the pleasure of that moment was now being paid for overnight. He wondered what state Yelu Jing was in; the man drank heavily year-round, so he should be handling it far more easily. Emperor Liu was still thinking about the Liao emperor.

"Your Majesty!"

A somewhat timid voice sounded—a woman's voice—followed by a gentle force coming through his arm. Emperor Liu went with the motion and sat up.

Emperor Liu's face was somewhat contorted, and he couldn't help clutching his chest. Seeing this, the young woman immediately fetched a spittoon and set it before the couch. Emperor Liu couldn't be bothered with appearances anymore and directly buried his head down.

He dry-heaved for quite a while. Having not eaten much, he ultimately brought up only some bile and spat out a good deal of saliva...

The woman attended him diligently and carefully. Raising his head, Emperor Liu fixed his gaze upon her and spoke: "You've been keeping watch here all along?"

"Your Majesty cannot be without someone to attend him!" the woman replied while wiping the cold sweat from Emperor Liu's brow.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu nodded in acknowledgment and peacefully enjoyed the woman's attentions. The foul breath in his mouth left him with no inclination to speak, until fresh water, a toothbrush, and toothpaste were presented. After washing up, he finally felt "alive" again.

In recent years, improved daily necessities like toothbrushes and toothpaste had spread completely from the top down. Of course, only the middle and upper classes cared about such things; common folk had no such refinements.

"What hour is it?" Emperor Liu asked. He didn't even need to step outside to feel the gloom that enveloped the heavens and earth beyond the northern frontier.

"It's nearly the hour of Mao!" the woman replied.

He ordered lamps to be lit, and after several candles were added, the light within the tent brightened noticeably. Emperor Liu's gaze fell upon the woman—clad in simple autumn garments that outlined her graceful figure, her hair done up in a Han woman's bun, her charm on full display...

In truth, this woman was not old at all, just past twenty. Of course, women of this era mostly matured early. Her identity was not hard to guess—at this time, the only consort who could attend Emperor Liu's side was Worthy Consort Yelu.

"Your clansman brother brought you some gifts specially; I'll have someone deliver them to your tent shortly!" Emperor Liu said, looking at Worthy Consort Yelu.

At yesterday's banquet, Yelu Jing had specifically asked about Yelu Ling. By clan kinship, Yelu Jing was Worthy Consort Yelu's cousin. Now, feeling Emperor Liu's gaze upon her, Worthy Consort Yelu tensed up instinctively. A visible flicker of emotion passed across her beautiful face, and finally she knelt and bowed: "I thank Your Majesty!"

"Why thank me? It's not a gift from me!" Emperor Liu said.

Worthy Consort Yelu lowered her graceful form and obediently replied: "Without Your Majesty's grace and favor, how would anyone ever think of me!"

Hearing this answer, Emperor Liu couldn't help but smile and continued asking: "You married south into the Han palace several years ago now. Today you accompany the imperial carriage beyond the northern frontier, with your homeland right beside you—does your heart surge with emotion? Do you long for your homeland and family?"

At this question, Worthy Consort Yelu prostrated herself on the ground, her pert rear nearly facing the sky, her forehead pressed to the floor, and answered nervously: "People are not grass or trees—who can be without feelings? I dare not deceive Your Majesty; for family and homeland, I do indeed harbor longing!"

"I hear you still have a younger brother at home?" Emperor Liu said.

"Yes!"

"How old is he?"

"By the count of years, he should be fourteen!"

"Fourteen—a youth in his prime!" Emperor Liu seemed somewhat moved, and said: "You bore me my fourteenth son; speaking of it now, that counts as quite a coincidence!"

Emperor Liu's tone was flat and calm, but the roundabout, circuitous manner left Worthy Consort Yelu somewhat bewildered. Still, she was a clever woman, and she sensed something from Emperor Liu's tone. Thus, biting her red lips, she took the initiative: "Your Majesty, though I come from the Khitan, having entered Han, I am Han by my own accord. I dare not harbor any improper thoughts, nor entertain any other notions!"

Since Worthy Consort Yelu was kneeling with her head buried, he could not see her face, which made it inconvenient for Emperor Liu to read her heart. Still, hearing this somewhat emotional speech, a trace of a smile showed on his already somewhat weathered face.

Sitting on the couch, he leaned forward, reached out, and lifted Worthy Consort Yelu's chin, raising that beautiful face. Staring straight into her eyes, he asked with a smile: "Then let me ask you—if one day the Han and Liao go to war, fighting to the death, rivers of blood—what would you think then?"

Emperor Liu's gaze was calm, his expression calm, and his tone even airy, but the moment the question left his mouth, Worthy Consort Yelu's face went white in an instant.

Her gaze, which had seemed resolute, ultimately softened and wavered, and she averted her eyes from Emperor Liu's stare. After hesitating for a moment, she lowered her voice and said seriously: "If that day comes, should Your Majesty not trust me, imprison me or kill me as you will—I shall have no complaint!"

Women from beyond the frontier truly had a wild, fiery spirit, and this was especially evident in Worthy Consort Yelu. In earlier years, Emperor Liu had had a Lady Zhe by his side, also raised at the frontier—brisk and spirited, graceful and poised, much beloved by Emperor Liu. But Worthy Consort Zhe was, after all, a traditional Han woman, raised on those traditional teachings.

It had to be said—though she was Khitan, Worthy Consort Yelu could sometimes bring Emperor Liu a certain novel delight. Now, seeing her look of utter resolve and seriousness, he stroked her cheek and laughed: "No need to talk of life and death—it's not that serious! If Liu Xin were to lose his mother, wouldn't he resent me when he grows up?"

"I have been presumptuous and offended Your Majesty—please punish me!" Worthy Consort Yelu seized the opening and bowed her head once more.

Seeing this, Emperor Liu directly grabbed her arm and helped her up, saying: "Enough! The ground is cold—get up!"

"I thank Your Majesty!"

"You've stayed here all night—that's been hard on you. Return to your tent and rest well!" Emperor Liu's gaze grew gentler still.

"I am not tired!" Worthy Consort Yelu answered thus.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu lightly patted her on her shapely rear and said: "Saying you're not tired is all false. Go rest—I won't need attending for now!"

"Yes! I take my leave!" Only then did Worthy Consort Yelu bow and slowly withdraw.

He watched her the whole way until she left the tent, then Emperor Liu lay back down, and the tenderness in his gaze gradually faded. To that final question, she had not given a direct answer.

After all, she was still Khitan, still a woman of a foreign people. In this regard, Emperor Liu's attitude had always been fairly inclusive—as long as one was willing to integrate into the Great Han, serve the Great Han loyally, and be willing to become Han, he could accept them.

But as it stood now, at least this Worthy Consort Yelu—outwardly obedient, attentive in service—could ultimately never be of one heart...