Chapter 1451: The Crown Prince Has an Heir at Last

"His Majesty has arrived!"

In the Han Palace, at the Kunning Hall. A single high-pitched announcement shattered the winter stillness of the hall, and immediately after, Emperor Liu's figure appeared in the corridor beneath the eaves, that black-and-yellow winter robe equally conspicuous.

It was already deep winter, and the cold had grown noticeably harsher. However, today, a rare patch of warm sunlight could be seen, its rays falling upon the palace chambers, adding a touch of brightness. Were that bone-piercing chill wind to cease, it would surely be a fine day for an outing.

Inside the Kunning Hall, noble ladies had gathered in abundance, a fluttering flock of finery surrounding Empress Fu in conversation. But Emperor Liu's arrival naturally drew all attention away.

"We greet His Majesty!" The ladies rose, sinking into graceful bows, displaying their radiant countenances and elegant figures, as if vying to outshine one another.

"Rise, all of you!" Emperor Liu seemed as hard as iron in his heart, as if he had seen through the mortal world entirely, utterly unmoved by these rosy skeletons of temptation. He remained perfectly composed, lifting a hand lightly in a gesture.

His gaze swept across the noble ladies in a circle, finding that there were indeed quite a few present—the Worthy Consort, the Benevolent Consort, the Righteous Consort, and the Grand Dowager Consort of Prince Wei were all there, along with several Princesses. What surprised Emperor Liu was that the Crown Prince's two consorts were also present.

The young prince Liu Xuan obediently clung to Consort Fu's side, both little arms wrapped around his mother's shins, his bright, spirited eyes gazing at Emperor Liu with full curiosity.

Consort Fu bent down and whispered something softly in Liu Xuan's ear. A trace of timidity and hesitation flickered across Liu Xuan's small face, but under his mother's encouraging gaze, he mustered his courage, spread his arms wide, and toddled toward Emperor Liu on his short legs, crying out "Papa!"

Liu Xuan was not yet three years old, the youngest son of Emperor Liu. Toward his youngest son, Emperor Liu was no exception to the common rule—compared to his elder brothers, he showed less severity and more fondness.

Facing the charging Liu Xuan, Emperor Liu scooped him up in one motion, cradling him in his arms, planted a kiss on his chubby cheek, deliberately leaving a bit of saliva behind as a mischievous prank, and laughed heartily: "Long time no see—my little Fifteenth has gotten heavier again. Did you miss Papa?"

Though prickled uncomfortably by Emperor Liu's beard, Liu Xuan still couldn't help but burst into giggles, answering sweetly: "Yes!"

A young child's smile and laughter always carry a certain infectious quality—that innocence and purity never fail to lift one's spirits and inspire cherishing care. Even Emperor Liu's cold, hard shell was temporarily set aside, a warm smile blooming across his face, taking on a kindly paternal air as he patted Liu Xuan's head and said: "Next year, Papa will take you out to play!"

"Hurry and thank Papa!" Consort Fu, watching from the side, her beautiful eyes nearly curving into crescent moons, her jade-like face blooming with a smile as radiant as spring light.

"Thank you, Papa!" Liu Xuan was clearly very obedient.

Without setting Liu Xuan down, he carried him to the main seat, bade everyone sit, swept his gaze around the circle, and looked toward Empress Fu, asking with a smile: "I could hear the laughter and merriment from outside the hall. You sent someone to summon me, and I came without a moment's delay—what happy news is there?"

At this, Empress Fu also broke into a visible smile—Emperor Liu rarely saw her so delighted. She pointed to Lady Zhao, the Crown Prince's secondary consort seated to one side, and said with some cheer: "We have just discovered—Lady Zhao is with child!"

"Oh?" Emperor Liu was momentarily taken aback, but quickly recovered, his gaze shifting to look at Lady Zhao.

The pressure of Emperor Liu's stare was formidable. Lady Zhao dared not meet his eyes, instinctively lowering her head. Though somewhat bashful, the corners of her lips clearly carried a hint of joyful smile.

Beside Lady Zhao sat the Crown Princess, Lady Murong, maintaining a dignified posture, poised and graceful, a faint smile upon her jade-like face. Yet there was a hint of forced cheerfulness about it, and the slight lowering of her head carried a trace of desolation and gloom.

Emperor Liu's attention was naturally on Lady Zhao. Seeing her reaction, he understood at once, and a rare look of emotion appeared on his face as he asked: "How long?"

"Nearly two months!" Empress Fu said.

"Haha!" Emperor Liu's laughter rang out somewhat loudly, echoing through the hall, his tone carrying a note of excitement: "This is indeed happy news! Excellent news!"

Those present, even if merely palace noblewomen with limited perspective, understood well what Lady Zhao's pregnancy meant. It signified that the final shortcoming of Crown Prince Liu Yang might be filled, that the last unsettling gap could be mended.

All along, the Crown Prince's lack of an heir had been an extremely serious problem. In earlier years, it had not been so prominent, but now, married for over five years with no issue, it could not but cause concern.

Liu Yang had been Crown Prince for over a decade now. Through all those years, whether Emperor Liu or the ministers and high officials of the court, all were thoroughly satisfied with his abilities, his character, and his cultivation, and the ministers who worked alongside him heaped praise upon him as well.

With his mother being the Empress, and his maternal clan being the Fu family, under normal circumstances Liu Yang's position was absolutely unshakeable—and indeed, it had always been so, with no one able to challenge or undermine it.

But as time passed, the problem of having no heir gradually became a source of anxiety for a number of people, including Empress Fu, including the Crown Prince himself, and the entire faction behind him.

Especially after his other brothers had successively produced offspring, giving birth to dragon sons and dragon grandsons—one must know that even Prince Zhao Liu Fang, who had returned to the capital, and the newlywed Duke of Qi, Liu Yun, both had wives with child at home.

With these comparisons, the Crown Prince's domestic matter was magnified all the more, drawing intense attention from those with vested interests both in court and outside. Emperor Liu was no exception. And as the party directly concerned, Crown Prince Liu Yang naturally bore even greater psychological pressure. Even though Emperor Liu had strictly forbidden loose talk both in court and among the populace to protect Liu Yang's dignity and face, and had dealt with some loose-tongued individuals by extremely harsh means, Liu Yang himself still frequently felt vexed.

Over all these years, it was not as if no treatment had been attempted—nor had he exclusively favored Crown Princess Murong—but none of the Ladies of Beauty of the Eastern Palace who had been favored had shown the slightest sign. It seemed the problem lay with the Crown Prince himself.

For this, Empress Fu was full of worry and anxiety, and Emperor Liu himself felt somewhat displeased in his heart. Of course, this situation had not shaken Liu Yang's position in his estimation. Indeed, to make up for this gap, he had already prepared—should the Crown Prince ultimately remain heirless—to select one from among his grandsons to be adopted as successor.

But though that was the plan, it was ultimately not reassuring. It was only a last resort, fraught with hidden dangers, and quite likely to provoke a succession crisis.

In recent years, every time the imperial household was about to welcome a new child, alongside the joy came the rubbing of salt into Liu Yang's wound. The bitterness of it, perhaps only Liu Yang himself could understand.

Now, suddenly learning that Lady Zhao was pregnant, Emperor Liu's mood was stirred with rare excitement, his spirits as refreshed as if he had eaten a ginseng fruit. Looking at Lady Zhao, he displayed his most amiable expression.

His hand waved vigorously: "Excellent! This daughter-in-law of yours—I made no mistake in choosing her! Next, I give you a task: take good care of your health, and strive to deliver a fine son!"

"Yes!" Lady Zhao's hand instinctively touched her belly as she replied with reverence and earnestness.

Emperor Liu's spirits remained undiminished. He turned to the elder Lady Fu and said: "You too, show her more care and attention!"

"That goes without saying!" The elder Lady Fu shot Emperor Liu a playful glare, saying with a smile: "How could I not be attentive to my own grandson?"

Emperor Liu chuckled, then collected himself and turned to ask Yan Tuo: "Where is the Crown Prince? Where is he? Such a momentous event has occurred in the palace, and he is not here!"

At the question, Yan Tuo reminded him somewhat cautiously: "Your Majesty, His Highness left the palace the day before yesterday to inspect the river defense construction. At present, he is likely out on the embankment!"

"Oh, so that's it—I had forgotten!" Emperor Liu could not help but slap his forehead, then instructed: "Send someone to notify him at once! Leave the river defense matters to his subordinates—have him return to the capital immediately!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo's face was also full of joy, looking even happier than Emperor Liu himself, and he scurried off eagerly to make the arrangements.

Within the Kunning Hall, all conversation once again turned to Lady Zhao, the atmosphere warm and harmonious. The only awkward one, it seemed, was the Crown Princess.