Chapter 1348: Tender Affection

The imperial carriage procession entered the Youzhou temporary palace in a low, oppressive atmosphere. Emperor Liu, clad in a sable fur coat, looked somewhat bulky. As he descended from the carriage, wind and frost lashed against his face, and the countenance shrouded in cold frost made people dare not look directly at him.

"We greet Your Majesty!" Apart from the Empress, all the consorts, princes, and princesses accompanying the imperial entourage had arrived, respectfully awaiting the return of Emperor Liu, the head of the family.

Led by Noble Consorts Gao and Zhe, Noble Consort Gao attended with some caution, while Lady Zhe's expression was calm but appeared rather haggard, with obvious worry visible in her eyes.

"Where is the Empress?" Emperor Liu asked with a cold face.

"She is in the bedchamber. Your Majesty need not worry—the imperial physician has already examined her. It is merely a fit of anger striking the heart; she only needs to calm her qi and rest quietly, and she will gradually recover!" said Noble Consort Gao.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu's face still showed no particular reaction. He swept his gaze over the assembled crowd. They had clearly been waiting in the cold wind for some time—everyone's faces were frozen red, yet they still had to hold themselves taut. Several of the younger princes were even shivering slightly.

At this, Emperor Liu finally let out a sigh and waved his hand: "I've said it before—there's no need to wait in welcome! The wind is strong and the weather cold outside. Stop standing around; each of you return to your quarters, warm yourselves up, and don't catch a chill!"

After Emperor Liu finished speaking, his imposing aura subsided, and the imperial nobles present relaxed somewhat. Knowing that Emperor Liu was in poor spirits, they did not linger much—after completing their bows, they obediently took their leave.

"Little Ten, stay a moment—take me to see your mother!" Emperor Liu called out, stopping the Tenth Prince Liu Zhao.

"Yes!" The thin, boyish youth gave a start and bowed in response.

The Tenth Prince Liu Zhao was the third son born of Empress Fu, only thirteen years old, and clearly somewhat afraid of Emperor Liu.

Inside the bedchamber, the warm room was as spring-like, keeping the bitter wind and frost at bay. As Emperor Liu stepped into the inner hall, he was immediately enveloped by warmth. He sniffed—aside from a faint fragrance, there was none of the medicinal broth smell he had expected, and he unconsciously let out a breath of relief.

Attended by a plump female official, Emperor Liu removed his outer robe, shaking off the chill clinging to him, before passing through the beaded curtain to visit the Empress.

Empress Fu was lying on the phoenix couch, wrapped in a brocade quilt, her face bearing a sickly look and her mood clearly poor. Liu Zhao hurried forward, knelt beside the couch, and said with a choked voice, full of concern: "Mother, are you feeling better? Father is back!"

Looking at her own flesh and blood, the elder Lady Fu clearly thought of her other son, whose whereabouts remained unknown. She raised her hand to stroke Liu Zhao's head and forced a smile: "I'm fine. After resting for a while, I'll be better. Don't worry!"

A thirteen-year-old prince was hardly naive; he understood what comfort meant. Enjoying his mother's caress, his eyes reddened, and he could only pray that she would recover soon.

Emperor Liu stood to the side. Although the Empress did not seem to acknowledge him, he could tell that her words were also meant for him—telling him not to worry.

Approaching the phoenix couch, Emperor Liu sat down with a slight plop, gesturing for Liu Zhao to withdraw and leave space for the couple to talk. At this moment, Emperor Liu's face was like melting ice and snow—very gentle—and his gaze at the Empress carried a hint of tenderness and pity.

The Empress looked frail and ill, with several obvious strands of white hair mixed among her loose tresses. Emperor Liu reached out and gently brushed them, smoothing them into place, and sighed: "It was precisely to spare you worry and anxiety that I kept it from you. Who would have thought it would still leak out!"

"I know!" Seeing Emperor Liu's deep concern, the elder Lady Fu nodded, a look of understanding on her wan face: "In my heart, I don't resent you for keeping it from me!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu was somewhat surprised. After all, just a few months ago, the matter of Liu Fang and Liu Min accompanying the army on the expedition to Mobei had provoked great anger in the elder Lady Fu. Yet now, upon receiving news close to a death knell—news that had made her ill with rage—she appeared so calm, neither making a fuss nor causing a scene, and even expressed understanding.

Perhaps seeing through Emperor Liu's thoughts, the elder Lady Fu said bitterly: "I am not an unreasonable person. From the moment they joined the army, though I have been anxious and worried, I have also understood. Generals inevitably die in battle. Liu Min and the others, once they set foot on the battlefield, are generals. War is fierce and perilous; mishaps and accidents are things no one can foresee.

I also understand your thinking. For this northern expedition, hundreds of thousands of soldiers are fighting and bleeding on the front lines, over a million common folk are supporting with all their might, and countless officers and men have died on the battlefield. As your son, representing the imperial house, how could he simply seek advantage and avoid harm?

It's just that—I have three sons in total, and now only Liu Zhao remains by my side, while Liu Min's very life or death is unknown..."

As she spoke, Empress Fu was already sobbing uncontrollably. Seeing her grief-stricken state, Emperor Liu was deeply moved and felt even more pained. He hurriedly stroked her chest to soothe her and comforted: "Don't get agitated! The physician said you fell ill from anger striking the heart—you should rest your mind and recuperate!"

The elder Lady Fu gradually calmed down. Emperor Liu reached out and gently wiped the few traces of tears at the corners of her eyes, saying: "How can the news from the Khitan be taken at face value? While at Shanyang, I learned from captured Khitan ministers that Yang Ye and the others were indeed defeated, but the army was not completely annihilated—the main commanders all escaped.

Now, though they are lost in Mobei with their whereabouts unknown, being unknown also means there is hope. They marched north and endured so many dangers and hardships. I believe they can overcome this time as well—their lives are not meant to end here!

The Wude Office and the Military Intelligence Office have already dispatched large numbers of personnel north to search for them, and there have already been some traces. After their defeat, they retreated westward. Up to now, though there is no confirmed whereabouts, they have not fallen into Khitan hands—otherwise, Liao would have long used them as hostages.

Even if they are still on the run, there is still hope of their return! I promise you—I will find them!"

By the end, Emperor Liu was gripping the elder Lady Fu's hand tightly, his tone resolute and unwavering, making her a solemn promise. Though she knew this was still comfort, the elder Lady Fu still forced a smile and said: "Let us hope so!"

"Worrying and fretting will only harm your own body. Right now, don't be overly anxious about this—rest well and recover your health for me!" Emperor Liu stared at the elder Lady Fu and said forcefully.

Seeing this, the elder Lady Fu's eyes brightened somewhat, and she nodded lightly in response: "Since His Majesty has decreed it, I can only obey!"

Seeing that the elder Lady Fu's pent-up mood had eased somewhat, Emperor Liu's expression also warmed, and he considerately tucked the quilt around her. The elder Lady Fu silently savored the Emperor's care, then suddenly her expression shifted and she said: "There is one matter—you must promise me!"

"Speak!" Emperor Liu said directly, with an expression that said he would certainly agree.

"I know you issued a prohibition earlier. Do not blame Worthy Consort for her part—Cao Bin was compelled by me, and thus violated your prohibition to inform me of the expeditionary army's affairs. Do not punish him either, for interfering in military and state matters. If you must assign blame, then mete out punishment to me instead..." the elder Lady Fu said calmly.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu smiled and said: "Rest assured, I bear no blame. As for Worthy Consort, I actually feel guilty toward her—how could I bear to reproach her! Cao Bin... well, I know his nature; he must have been extremely helpless to have told you the truth as he did.

As for interfering in governance, there's no need to put it so gravely. We've been husband and wife for so many years—do I not know you? If it weren't for this matter concerning the safety of our two sons, you would never have overstepped so..."

"Thank you!" The elder Lady Fu's entire body relaxed completely.

The couple exchanged words harmoniously for a long while, pouring out their hearts to each other. The elder Lady Fu reached out and gave Emperor Liu a gentle push, saying: "I am not seriously ill—I only need to rest quietly for a few days. You have just returned to Youzhou and must be weary. Go and rest!

Go to Worthy Consort's quarters. Liu Fang is her own flesh and blood; with things as they are now, her heart must be suffering too! She has always been a resilient and fierce-natured woman, but these past days she has been unable to let it go, nearly weeping every day. You should go and comfort her properly..."

"Mm!" Emperor Liu acknowledged, without any false modesty. The bond between the two was deep, and the elder Lady Fu's current position meant she had no need to curry favor or please Emperor Liu to win his affection, nor did she have any thought of keeping him by her side. She had the confidence to be magnanimous.

As he left the elder Lady Fu's bedchamber, Emperor Liu's brow darkened once more—not because of the Han army in Mobei or the two princes, but out of worry for the Empress's health. The Empress had once fallen gravely ill before, and now she had fallen ill again. Though there was a cause for it, it still could not help but stir some apprehension in Emperor Liu's heart.

"You must take good care of the Empress. If anything goes wrong again, I will hold you all accountable!" Emperor Liu showed no kindness to the palace attendants, speaking sternly, almost threateningly, to the several female officials and palace maids in attendance.

"Yes!" The bevy of beautiful maids was thoroughly frightened, answering nervously, their delicate bodies trembling.

Perhaps feeling that frightening them this way was beneath his dignity, Emperor Liu waved his hand and instructed Yan Tuo: "Go to Worthy Consort's quarters!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo acknowledged the order, not daring to delay, and immediately led the way.