Chapter 1286: The Seventh and Ninth at Odds

Emperor Liu, on a sudden whim, made an unannounced visit to the Hall of Literary Brilliance, catching the imperial princes, lecturing scholars, and reading attendants completely off guard. Even Grand Academician Zhang Zhao, who was basically in his retirement years, set down his teacup and hobbled over with his cane to pay respects.

As Zhang Zhao beamed with honor and wept tears of gratitude, Emperor Liu personally helped him to the teacher's seat before taking his own. He then turned his gaze to the assembled princes and said with a smile that he had merely come to inspect their studies.

Those studying at the Hall of Literary Brilliance included not only princes of age but also sons of the imperial clan and high ministers—a special honor and recognition granted to the nobility who shared the state's fortunes. Whether a family was prominent or favored by His Majesty could be discerned by whether they had a son of suitable age serving as a reading companion in the palace.

Among the princes, since the elder brothers had all left the palace to establish their own households and serve the state, the one still studying at the palace who ranked highest was the Seventh Prince, Liu Hui.

However, compared to his elder brothers, the seventh prince clearly lacked authority among his siblings. After all, the age gaps were not large, and as he grew older, Liu Hui had displayed certain unsociable traits in his personality.

The Seventh Prince, Liu Hui, was born to Pure Consort Zhou Ehuang. He had just turned fourteen not long ago, yet from a young age he had shown extraordinary talent. Unlike the eldest's modesty, the second's steadiness, the third's quick wit, the fourth's boldness, the fifth's free-spiritedness, or the sixth's seriousness, Liu Hui possessed his own distinct character—confidence tinged with pride.

Perhaps inheriting his mother's gift, Liu Hui had shown literary talent from childhood. He could compose poetry at age seven, and in the words of many great literary masters of the Great Han, this child possessed remarkable spiritual flair. Though such praise contained flattery, among all of Emperor Liu's sons, only Liu Hui had ever received this assessment.

By now, Liu Hui had demonstrated brilliance not only in poetry but also in music, calligraphy, painting, and chess—anything connected to literature, he excelled at. Naturally, he received no shortage of acclaim, and the teachers at the Hall of Literary Brilliance were unstinting in their praise. Zhang Zhao's favorite was also this brilliantly talented Seventh Prince.

Talent often breeds arrogance. After all, he was still a youth with an unsettled temperament. Having received so much praise, he inevitably developed a measure of pride in his dealings with others. While standing out from the crowd, he naturally appeared unsociable. His brothers were also at an age of competitive rivalry, so they found Liu Hui hard to stomach.

The Ninth Prince, Liu Shu, in particular, was most dissatisfied with Liu Hui, finding him affected and attention-seeking. As the son of Worthy Consort Fu, his status was naturally a cut above his brothers'. With the Fu clan as a towering tree outside and the younger Lady Fu's doting inside, he naturally resented Liu Hui's dazzling prominence.

It should be noted that because of the pampered temperament the younger Lady Fu had spoiled into him, Liu Shu frequently received scoldings and punishments from Emperor Liu, while toward Liu Hui, the Emperor was always gentle and smiling. With such a contrast, Liu Shu's resentment toward Liu Hui only grew.

Thus, in the Hall of Literary Brilliance, no two brothers clashed more than Liu Hui and Liu Shu. Liu Shu looked down on Liu Hui, and Liu Hui naturally looked down on Liu Shu in return, considering him nothing more than a pampered wastrel—lacking both talent and knowledge, and lazy to boot. The two frequently bickered on ordinary days. In the past, when the Fifth Prince, Liu Yun, had not yet established his household, his outstanding social skills could still smooth things over and mediate. Now, however, the two had grown increasingly sick of each other's sight.

Emperor Liu had naturally heard of the conflict between his two sons, but he did not forcibly intervene. After all, it was merely youthful petulance and petty jealousy. Moreover, Emperor Liu had never believed that so many of his sons could truly achieve complete harmony among themselves—what royal household was without some infighting and friction?

"Excellent! Very good! This rhapsody is well written—better than I could do!" Now Emperor Liu was praising Liu Hui again in front of everyone, waving a sheet of paper in his hand. On it was a neatly and beautifully written rhapsody that Liu Hui had recently composed—"Rhapsody on the Eastern Expedition."

Emperor Liu's words, besides praising Liu Hui, were also a bit of self-aggrandizement. He had no poetic talent whatsoever—he could barely even appreciate poetry—but that did not stop him from appreciating and encouraging it.

Before Emperor Liu, Liu Hui remained very humble. Upon hearing the Emperor's praise, a smile spread across his handsome features as he clasped his hands and said: "Recently, both inside and outside the court have been discussing the northern campaign. Your son knows he cannot wield a blade or ride into battle, so he could only pour his feelings into verse to express his respect for the soldiers of the northern expedition!"

"Very good! For you to have such an understanding, your studies have not been in vain!" Emperor Liu nodded with a smile. "Unlike some people who, relying on a bit of literary talent and the ability to write some poems and songs, set themselves apart on a high pedestal, attacking the court in their verses, questioning My fondness for grand achievements and military ventures, all while putting on a pose of worrying for the nation and its people. Such posturing is nauseating! Do they truly think I don't understand poetry, can't hear the meaning between their lines, can't see the intent behind their words?

"Perhaps those people should be sent to the frontier, dispatched to the front lines. Then they would know that their leisure to write about the splendor of the capital comes from the Great Han's soldiers, who carved it out with sword and blade, through bloody battle..."

Hearing Emperor Liu's undisguised contempt, everyone present could not help but lower their heads. In the past, Emperor Liu rarely spoke words that might provoke controversy or unsettle people's hearts, and even when he did, it was only with close confidants. Now, however, he had fewer and fewer scruples—anything or anyone that displeased his eye or ear, he would directly attack.

Liu Hui smiled awkwardly and said: "Your Majesty sees far and wide; naturally, there are those of shallow knowledge who find it hard to grasp Your sacred intent!"

"Well, aren't you my son?" Emperor Liu raised the "Rhapsody on the Eastern Expedition" again and said: "Those idle talkers simply cannot understand my ambitions and intentions the way you do!"

"Hmph..." Off to the side, Liu Shu, seeing Liu Hui's performance before Emperor Liu, could not help but let out a light snort. In his eyes, Liu Hui was putting on another act to curry favor.

Emperor Liu's ears and eyes were sharp. Seeing this, his expression stiffened as he looked at him: "Liu Shu!"

"Here!" The moment he heard Emperor Liu call him, Liu Shu immediately became serious, his back stiff and straight, as if recalling the whipping on the western inspection tour, the cold wind blown, and the unjust detours walked.

"What do you think of the rhapsody your seventh brother wrote?" Emperor Liu asked casually in return.

He very much wanted to say "mediocre," but noticing Emperor Liu's amused gaze, he reluctantly mumbled in a muffled voice: "If you say it's good, how could I say it's not?"

Seeing the boy's unyielding attitude, Emperor Liu smiled faintly: "If you can write one too—no, you don't need to write a rhapsody, just compose a single poem—and I will grant you one wish!"

"Really?" Liu Shu perked up and asked instinctively, but noticing Emperor Liu's gaze, he gave an embarrassed smile. The Emperor's word was law, after all—Emperor Liu would hardly speak falsely.

His eyes rolling shrewdly, Liu Shu raised his head and declared: "Give me one day, and I will present a poem!"

"Good! I look forward to reading it!" Emperor Liu laughed heartily.

Hearing this, the corner of Liu Hui's mouth could not help but twitch slightly, with a trace of mockery. Composing a single poem requiring a whole day—surely he wasn't planning to find someone to help...

It was fortunate that Liu Shu did not notice Liu Hui's expression, or the two brothers would likely have started fighting again.

"You've written such a rhapsody—it should be circulated for all to see! I am very pleased, and you deserve a reward!" Emperor Liu turned to Liu Hui again and said: "Here's what we'll do—go to my study and pick out two items!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Hui immediately bowed in thanks, equally delighted. It was not about the value of the reward but the fact of the reward itself, which represented Emperor Liu's favor.

"Liu Ai! How are your studies?" Emperor Liu finally turned his attention to his eighth son.

Among all his sons, the one with the least distinctive personality was the Eighth Prince, Liu Ai, born to Worthy Consort Zhe. He had been like this since childhood—utterly mediocre. He was not particularly taciturn on ordinary days, but he simply had no presence.

Thus, facing Emperor Liu's question, he hesitated timidly before finally answering: "Your son's studies naturally cannot compare to Seventh Brother's or Ninth Brother's..."

Seeing his performance, Emperor Liu's brow furrowed slightly, but soon relaxed. He could not demand that every son be a dragon among men.

As for the remaining sons—the Tenth Prince, Liu Zhao (born to Empress Fu), the Eleventh Prince, Liu Xiao (born to Consort Zhe), and the Twelfth Prince, Liu Han (born to Consort Ning)—Emperor Liu showed his customary concern for each, especially the Eleventh Prince, Liu Xiao, whose body had still not fully recovered from the western inspection tour.