Chapter 1419: Matters of the Ducal Mansion

At dusk, the mansion of the Duke of Qin.

On the flat stone-paved road, a carriage slowly approached, its sounds exceptionally clear in the tranquil ward. The escort guards and ceremonial outriders were clearly of high rank. It stopped before the mansion gate, and the guards at the door, seeing this, swiftly prepared to receive the arrival.

The master of the carriage was, naturally, the Duke of Qin, Liu Xu, returning home. Stepping down from the low stool, he paused after landing. The sun had not yet fully set, hanging in the west, casting forth a series of brilliant rays. Vivid evening clouds spread across the sky, beautiful and colorful—today truly had fine weather.

Breathing in a few breaths of fresh air, his mind seemed to clear somewhat. Liu Xu was nearly twenty-four years old, still a young age, yet not a trace of youthful impetuosity showed on him. His expression was entirely composed, watertight.

The master's return affected nearly the entire ducal mansion, for everything within revolved around him. Both the front courtyard and the rear gardens entered a state of "high alert." Liu Xu actually disliked this ostentatious feeling, even within his own home. But as an imperial prince and duke, his comings and goings followed ritual protocol, and since the household staff acted according to the rites, he could hardly fault them.

"We respectfully welcome Your Highness home!" In the main hall, his wife Bai Ying personally attended to Liu Xu, helping him remove his court robes and cap.

"My lady need not stand on ceremony!" Taking a seat, he accepted the hot tea offered by a maidservant, took a simple sip, and only then turned his attention to his wife.

Lady Bai was the wife the Emperor and Empress Dowager had chosen for him—born of a distinguished family, a proper lady of refinement. They had been married for many years now. One could hardly call it a perfectly harmonious union, but with two children born between them, there was certainly some affection. For Liu Xu, Bai Ying was his "meritorious supporter," and he held her in considerable respect.

"I did not know my husband would return early today. The meal is not yet prepared—it will still take some time!" Bai Ying, ever the gentle wife, handed the folded robes to a waiting maidservant, then said to Liu Xu.

"No matter!" Liu Xu relaxed somewhat, though a trace of weariness was evident between his brows. He smiled in response: "Official business at the bureau has been heavy lately. Now that there's finally a lull, I can enjoy some leisure!"

The Great Han's Court of Border Affairs had been established for quite some time now. Its function was to manage affairs concerning the various non-Han peoples within the realm and coordinate relations among the tribes. In the past, it had been a nearly invisible department, but as the Great Han's territories expanded and the peoples absorbed and pacified grew in number, the Court's role gradually became apparent, and its power increased. Now it was a department of real authority among the various offices of the court.

As the head of the Court of Border Affairs, Liu Xu bore heavy responsibilities and was naturally kept busy. Especially recently, when the court had undertaken a systematic and comprehensive sorting and reconciliation of the many ethnic forces within the Great Han, Liu Xu had been so busy his feet barely touched the ground.

Though young in years, thanks to Emperor Liu's cultivation and no lack of practical governing experience, and with Zhao Kuangzan's assistance, he handled these complex and tangled ethnic affairs with increasing ease.

The previous grand assembly of foreign tribes had concluded successfully, and much of that was due to his efforts. It was a political achievement he could present with pride, and it had earned him Emperor Liu's recognition and praise.

"You truly have worked hard this period. You should rest for a while!" Noticing the fatigue in her husband's expression, Lady Bai said with concern.

"Thank you for your concern, my lady!" Liu Xu's smile remained, but he shook his head, replying with some stubbornness: "Working for the court—what is a little hardship compared to that? Not failing my imperial father's trust, not delaying the great affairs of state—that is what matters most!"

Hearing this, Lady Bai sighed softly and did not press further. They had been husband and wife for nearly seven years now, and while there was no "seven-year itch" crisis, her understanding of Liu Xu was nonetheless profound.

Her husband was intelligent and shrewd, tolerant and magnanimous, gentle as warm jade, a true gentleman. But beneath the surface lay a stubbornness and pride unknown to outsiders—many things, even she, who shared his pillow, could not persuade him on.

"Where are those two boys?" Letting Lady Bai sit down, Liu Xu changed the subject.

"Wenyuan was summoned to the palace. A messenger came from the palace just now—he will stay overnight at Chuigong Hall to accompany His Majesty!" Lady Bai replied.

Hearing this, a slight smile unconsciously bloomed at the corners of Liu Xu's mouth. Then he looked at Lady Bai and said: "In the future, take them into the palace more often. Have them pay respects at Chuigong Hall and Kunning Hall frequently. Let Father and Mother see their grandsons more—it will make them happy!"

"Yes!" Lady Bai had no interest in guessing Liu Xu's intentions, nor did she dare to speculate. She simply obeyed.

Liu Xu now had two sons and a daughter. His eldest son Liu Wenyuan and second son Liu Wenyuan were both born of Lady Bai. Liu Wenyuan was only three years old now, and from time to time, Emperor Liu would summon him to the palace.

"As for Wenyuan..." Lady Bai hesitated, as if about to speak but stopping.

"What is it? What happened?" Liu Xu's expression did not change, but his tone turned slightly heavy.

"Today he went out to the market. On the street, he encountered a vicious dog that had broken loose from its leash and was frightened..." Lady Bai's tone carried a hint of indignation: "He cried for a long time after returning home; I only just calmed him down!"

"Is that so!" In that instant, a trace of coldness flashed through Liu Xu's eyes. He set down his tea and rose directly: "Come, take me to see him!"

Liu Wenyuan was the eldest grandson of the imperial house. He enjoyed the same treatment his father once had, being greatly favored by Emperor Liu. Grandparents always dote more on the next generation—Emperor Liu was no exception.

When Liu Xu went to visit, the boy had already woken up. Fortunately, the guards had been capable—he had indeed been frightened, and traces of tears still lingered on his small face. But upon seeing his father, he was lively and bouncing again, enthusiastically describing to Liu Xu how ferocious that vicious dog had been.

After comforting him for a while, Liu Xu returned to his study, his expression dark and forbidding. His study was not lavishly decorated, but it had great atmosphere—the air was filled with the scent of books, very quiet, giving one a sense of peace and tranquility.

But the mansion's steward, standing humbly within, saw Liu Xu's grim face behind the desk and could not help feeling anxious. Liu Xu did not keep him waiting long. After thinking for a moment, he asked directly: "What exactly happened with Wenyuan's matter? Has it been investigated thoroughly?"

Upon the question, the steward immediately replied: "Reporting to Your Highness, I have inquired and clarified the matter. It was merely the son of a wealthy merchant from the southern city, passing through the market with his dog, intending to stage a dog fight. The vicious dog broke loose and startled the young master!"

"There's nothing suspicious in it?" Liu Xu's face was expressionless, but suspicion was evident in his eyes as he asked.

The steward replied: "I have investigated carefully. It should simply be an accident!"

Hearing this, Liu Xu was silent for a moment, then said coldly: "Beneath the Son of Heaven's very feet, in this foremost district of the realm, there are still people who flaunt vicious dogs through the streets? Is this the affair of Zhang Congde repeating itself?"

Zhang Congde was the second son of the late Duke Dingguo, Zhang Yanwei—the one who had been frightened into suicide by Emperor Liu. Years ago, he too had passed through the market with a dog and run afoul of Dang Jin, receiving a lesson. Later, Zhang Yanwei ordered the dog killed and cooked, and only then was the matter settled.

Of course, Liu Xu did not care about such arrogant and domineering people. What he cared about was that his son had been frightened and nearly harmed—this forced him to think more deeply.

"Where is the man?" Liu Xu asked.

"The Luoyang prefectural office has already taken him into custody. I have also urged Governor Zhao to carefully interrogate and punish him!" The steward said ingratiatingly, hoping to ease the anger in Liu Xu's heart.

Unexpectedly, this only provoked greater fury from Liu Xu. He glared fiercely at the steward: "What status do you have, that you dare to urge Zhao Kuangyi? What office is the Luoyang prefectural government, that my mansion of the Duke of Qin can order it about? You have quite the nerve—do you ordinarily rely on the mansion's name to throw your weight around as well?"

Hearing this, terror flashed across the steward's face. With a thud, he knelt and kowtowed: "Your Highness, forgive me! I truly would not dare! I was merely worried about the young master, and in my haste, acted rashly. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness—I will never be so reckless again..."

Seeing his pleading posture, Liu Xu calmed somewhat, suppressing his anger back into his heart. After thinking for a moment, he finally waved his hand: "Get up!"

He said nothing more, but for the steward, it was the greatest blessing. The mansion of the Duke of Qin was strictly governed, and Liu Xu did believe that his servants would not dare act so wantonly.

"The guards performed their duty well—reward them handsomely! From now on, Wenyuan is not to leave the mansion freely; his protection must be strengthened!" After pondering briefly, Liu Xu raised his hand and gave orders: "As for this matter, continue investigating. If it truly was an accident, then let the Luoyang prefectural office render its judgment—no further entanglement is needed!"

"Yes!" The steward hurriedly acknowledged.

"Is there anything else in the mansion?" Liu Xu asked again.

"The Imperial Uncle came by today and brought some gifts—said they were seafood goods that Prefectural Administrator Geng had sent from Mizhou!" The steward said.

The Imperial Uncle the steward referred to was naturally Liu Xu's maternal uncle, Geng Zhong'en, currently serving as Director of the Palace Administration. And County Magistrate Geng was his cousin, Geng Jixun. Speaking of which, it had been at Liu Xu's suggestion that he had gone to serve in the localities, and after seven or eight years, he was now a prefectural administrator of an entire prefecture.