Chapter 1403: The Imperial Consort and Her Son

Han Palace, Yaohua Hall.

Whether in Kaifeng or Luoyang, there was such a palace—this was Noble Consort Gao's bedchamber. At this moment, the palace was immersed in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere, decorated with lanterns and colored banners, with characters for fortune and longevity pasted in conspicuous places. Palace eunuchs and maids all wore smiles, and even the spring light seemed brighter, as if joining in the celebration of a birthday.

Today was Noble Consort Gao's forty-third birthday.

Inside the bedchamber, a large number of exquisitely wrapped birthday gifts of all kinds were neatly arranged. Although Noble Consort Gao did not intend to make a grand affair of this birthday, those with thoughtful intentions both inside and outside the court did not skimp on their gifts—including consorts, imperial princes and princesses, as well as relatives and nobles, all voluntarily expressed their sentiments.

Of course, Noble Consort Gao did not care much for these superfluous congratulatory gifts, merely ordering the palace staff to store them properly and record them by name, planning to return the favors one by one when the opportunity arose.

Noble Consort Gao wore a magnificent palace gown, her resplendent attire concealing some of the signs of age. And what she cared about most was clearly not these gifts, no matter how attentive they were.

"Your Ladyship, Chief Eunuch Yan has arrived!" The palace lady-in-waiting reported excitedly, and Noble Consort Gao immediately perked up.

"This humble one congratulates Your Ladyship on her birthday!" Soon, Chief Eunuch Yan Tuo entered the hall and paid his respects, his attitude deferential.

"Rise!" Although Yan Tuo was a favored figure by Emperor Liu's side, his personal eunuch, Noble Consort Gao showed no hint of flattery, merely appearing somewhat warmer in her manner.

"Thank you, Your Ladyship!" Yan Tuo straightened up, then signaled to the two eunuchs accompanying him, who presented a vivid red coral tree, and said with a smile: "This is the birthday gift His Majesty prepared for Your Ladyship, and he specially ordered this humble one to deliver it!"

Noble Consort Gao, in all her elegance, finally revealed a trace of a smile. She examined it for a moment and was quite delighted—not because she cared how precious the coral was, but because she felt Emperor Liu's sincerity. She recognized this tree; it was the one that Qian Hongchu, the King of Huaihai, had originally purchased at great expense from maritime merchants in Guangzhou and presented to the court.

"And His Majesty?" However, no matter how beautiful the gift, she cared more about the one who sent it.

Yan Tuo replied with a smile: "His Majesty said he will grace Yaohua Hall this evening, to celebrate Your Ladyship's birthday!"

Hearing this, Noble Consort Gao immediately beamed with joy and promptly ordered a reward to be given, but Yan Tuo firmly declined. He had received the consort's rewards often in the past, but today he had to mind the occasion.

Once Emperor Liu's gift had arrived, Noble Consort Gao no longer cared much about the rest. She sat down calmly, listening to congratulations from all sides while conversing with Princess Liu Jian.

It was not until the Third Prince, Duke of Jin Liu Xi, arrived with his family—accompanied by his wife, Lady Song—that Liu Xi personally carried his son, still in swaddling clothes, maintaining his usual carefree, indifferent demeanor.

The couple performed the great bow of respect to offer birthday congratulations. With children and grandchildren gathered together, Noble Consort Gao also set aside her usual sternness. She naturally took the grandson from Liu Xi's arms, her face full of affectionate tenderness.

Liu Xi's son was only six months old; Emperor Liu had bestowed upon him the name Wenhai, making him the third imperial grandson of the Great Han. Watching Noble Consort Gao dote on the child, Liu Xi smiled along and said: "Mother's birthday should be properly celebrated!"

The consort's eyes were filled with unshakable love for her grandson, and she replied casually: "It's not a major birthday. When your father celebrated his jubilee before, we ultimately didn't hold a grand affair either. If I were to make a big show of it, I'm afraid gossip would inevitably arise, saying I'm extravagant and wasteful! This is fine—just our family, gathering together is enough!"

As she spoke, Noble Consort Gao couldn't help but sigh: "It's a pity your maternal uncle isn't in the capital..."

"Mother, Uncle still remembers your birthday. See, he prepared a birthday gift long ago and instructed me to deliver it to the palace!" Seeing the consort's mood dip slightly, Liu Xi said.

Hearing this, the consort smiled, seeming to think of something, and let out a silent sigh.

After all these years, Noble Consort Gao held an exalted position in the palace, her favor never waning—below the Empress, she was next. But in her heart, she couldn't help feeling pent-up frustration, often experiencing a sense of loneliness.

It wasn't because of petty jealousies with the other beauties of the Han Palace—she had long stopped caring about that, and basically no one in the palace could shake her position. She was a woman of strong will and firm opinions, and she had worn herself out worrying over Liu Xi. But whether it was her son or her brother, neither seemed to understand her, neither was of one mind with her.

And since Emperor Liu had established the Crown Prince, for over a decade now, his position had grown increasingly stable, and the consort had temporarily suppressed her feelings, but in her heart, she still found it hard to let go.

Thinking of past grievances, the consort's gaze toward Liu Xi turned somewhat "unfriendly," and she asked: "How have your official duties been lately? Are you busy?"

Liu Xi replied casually: "With Uncle Murong overseeing the Ministry of Works, I naturally have an easy time of it. No need to trouble my mind, quite carefree!"

Hearing his words and seeing his demeanor, Noble Consort Gao's phoenix brows shot up. What she could not stand most was Liu Xi's unambitious attitude. She immediately scolded: "Imperial Uncle Murong is advanced in years—how can you bear to let him toil and labor? Your father placed you in the Ministry of Works precisely so you could share the burden of its affairs. You ought to be helping him more, so why are you still this lazy!"

Noticing Noble Consort Gao's gaze, Liu Xi gave a start, his eyes darting around before he offered an awkward smile: "Mother's admonishment is right, I will definitely change!"

There was really no sincerity in Liu Xi's response, and Noble Consort Gao felt a lump stuck in her chest. Her son was grown now, enfeoffed and married—she found him increasingly difficult to discipline.

She sighed and said: "Your father too—even Liu Xu already heads the Court of Border Affairs, yet he placed you in the Ministry of Works, under others!"

"Elder Brother has rendered great merit and already proven his ability, fully capable of taking charge on his own. My talents are shallow and my knowledge limited; I still lack experience!" Liu Xi said.

Hearing him say this, Noble Consort Gao immediately retorted: "During the northern expedition, you were also long at the imperial side, assisting with important affairs—didn't your father praise you greatly?"

Noble Consort Gao's words revealed her displeasure, and Liu Xi hurriedly said: "Uncle Murong is of high virtue and great prestige. Following him, I can also learn a great deal."

Seeing that the consort still wanted to say more on this matter, Liu Xi hurriedly changed the subject, looking toward his younger sister Liu Jian beside him and asking with a smile: "Has Sister's wedding date been set?"

Throughout her mother and brother's conversation, Liu Jian remained composed. Having grown up witnessing similar scenes, she had seen plenty of them. When Liu Xi addressed her, he also blinked twice, and seeing this, the young woman smiled gently and said: "Not yet set—I'll just follow our parents' arrangements!"

"Then when the time comes, I, as your elder brother, will definitely prepare a generous gift!" Liu Xi declared.

Noble Consort Gao also noticed the exchange of glances between the siblings. She was equally familiar with it—when they were young, Liu Xi had been very skilled at using Liu Jian to change the subject in front of her.

Sighing inwardly, Noble Consort Gao didn't press the matter further, but said: "Zongxun will be your brother-in-law from now on. You should maintain frequent contact with him. He hasn't entered officialdom yet—when the opportunity arises, you should help promote him..."

Liu Xi showed not the slightest impatience at Noble Consort Gao's nagging admonitions, merely smiling and saying: "He's the son of Duke Ying, and also Father's son-in-law. Father and the Chai family will naturally make arrangements for him. What virtue do I possess to promote him? Let things take their natural course..."

"You! Did you come today to wish me a happy birthday, or to anger me!" Seeing that Liu Xi always had a retort to her advice, Noble Consort Gao finally lost her composure.

Observing the consort's reaction, Liu Xi hurriedly said: "How would your son dare! Your admonishment is correct—I will certainly obey and maintain more contact with our brother-in-law..."

Seeing Liu Xi's obedient appearance, Noble Consort Gao still felt a tightness in her chest, inexplicably depressed. Remembering it was her birthday, she ultimately didn't press the matter, her expression turning serious as she shifted to another question: "I heard your father is preparing to enfeoff you brothers as princes?"

Hearing this, Liu Xi was somewhat surprised: "Where did you hear such a rumor?"

"Don't play dumb with me. Tell me the truth—what do you think?" Noble Consort Gao glared at him.

"What thoughts would I have?" Liu Xi chuckled.

But under the consort's gaze, Liu Xi became somewhat more honest: "This matter depends entirely on Father's wishes!"

"So it should be true then?" Noble Consort Gao pressed.

Noticing his mother's expectant gaze, Liu Xi pondered briefly, then nodded: "Barring any accidents, it should be!"

"Since the start of the year, the meritorious officers and soldiers of the northern expedition have all received rewards one after another. I was wondering—you brothers also rendered extraordinary merit, how could you go unrewarded!" the consort said.

Liu Xi replied calmly: "To exert oneself for one's own family's affairs, how could one hope for rewards!"

Hearing him say this, Noble Consort Gao was taken aback, then nodded: "You're right, I misspoke! You should continue to strive, do more for the court, and share your father's burdens!"

"Your father is holding off on the enfeoffment—could he be waiting for Liu Fang and Liu Min to return?" Noble Consort Gao asked with sudden realization.

This time, Liu Xi answered directly: "Yes!"

Mentioning this, the consort couldn't help but say: "Look at Liu Fang—this time he's made quite a name for himself. In the future, he'll likely gain even more favor with the Emperor. Can't you emulate him?"

Hearing this, Liu Xi said with his usual carefree air: "If your son had Fourth Brother's courage and strategic brilliance, I would certainly ask Father for an army and go fight in Mobei..."