Chapter 1476: The Prince of Jin Wishes to Be a Loyal Minister

In early spring, darkness fell rather early. Having accompanied the Crown Prince to pay respects to Emperor Liu, then proceeding to Kunming Hall to offer greetings, and afterward visiting Yaohua Hall to see his mother, Noble Consort Gao, by the time Liu Xi left the palace, night was already closing in, and the entire city of Luoyang was rapidly enveloped in a thick layer of dusk.

"Return to the residence!" Before the imperial city, facing the guards who hurried up to him, Liu Xi merely gave a calm order, his expression revealing nothing at all.

Inside the carriage, leaning against the wall of the compartment, Liu Xi's young face finally showed a trace of weariness. Among Emperor Liu's elder sons, there seemed to be a common trait—and Liu Xi was no exception.

In this quiet space of solitude, with his eyes slightly closed, his mind irresistibly reviewed the gains of this inspection tour—whether it was the results of observing local governance and civil administration, the Crown Prince's performance, or even the brief audience in Chuigong Hall.

When everything had been reviewed once more and he opened his eyes again, Liu Xi's weariness had already dissipated completely, and the somewhat fluctuating emotions had settled as well.

He let out a light sigh, a hint of a smile hanging at the corner of his mouth—somewhat disappointed, but more so relieved. As a son of Emperor Liu, it would be unrealistic to claim he had no thoughts about the supreme position. As for extravagant hopes—well, who couldn't dream?

In terms of birth, his mother was Noble Consort Gao, backed by the Gao clan. In terms of ability, Liu Xi dared not claim to be exceptionally brilliant, but he was certainly not inferior to others. However, he was neither the eldest son nor born of the legitimate wife—these two points alone were congenital weaknesses, like a natural chasm lying before him, absolutely impossible to bridge through later effort.

Of course, this was the same for all princes who were neither legitimate nor eldest. Compared to the Crown Prince Liu Yang, whose position had long been settled, they faced an innate gap like a vast gulf. What was even more despairing was that Liu Yang was also very hardworking, and sufficiently loyal and filial...

From childhood to now, Liu Xi had consciously kept a low profile and concealed his abilities. Aside from reasons of personality, the main factor was his awareness of this matter.

In the past, it might have been merely subconscious, but as he grew older, his learning deepened, and his experience broadened, his understanding became more thorough and realistic.

Regarding the system of legitimate eldest succession confirmed by Emperor Liu, Liu Xi harbored no resentment—he could even express approval. This was the way to secure the foundation of the state and reassure the people's hearts, greatly beneficial to the stability and development of the nation.

Of course, being able to maintain such a mindset when it applied to himself was not easy for Liu Xi either. Over all these years, among the gazes—overt and covert—that fell upon the Crown Prince Liu Yang, there was undoubtedly Liu Xi's as well.

Liu Xi had indeed been paying attention to Liu Yang, observing his virtue, conduct, and ability, and the final conclusion he reached was that his second brother, the Crown Prince, was very competent.

And as time passed, Liu Yang's position grew ever more secure. Emperor Liu's trust and regard remained unchanged and became even more unconcealed. By the time this situation was reached, Liu Xi had basically abandoned the instinctive ambition of a prince to compete for the heir's position.

In the past, the Crown Prince having no heir might have counted as a considerable hidden concern, but now with Consort Zhao's pregnancy, this weak link had also been filled. Of course, in Liu Xi's view, even if the Crown Prince truly remained without an heir, it would be impossible to completely shake his position—one only needed to take proper precautionary measures.

After this inspection tour with Liu Yang, through the experiences along the way and the repeated observation of his second brother the Crown Prince, Liu Xi had completely set aside those thoughts—those improper thoughts.

Liu Xi firmly recognized that for the Great Han Empire, having such a Crown Prince was very fitting. And for him, the Prince of Jin, being an obedient minister and loyal subject was not a bad thing either.

Just now in the palace, even Noble Consort Gao had changed her usual attitude, no longer pressuring him. As for the matter of contending for the heir's position, she didn't even mention it—not even a hint. Even this strong-willed mother, who never concealed her schemes, had become subdued—how much more so Liu Xi?

Being too intelligent wasn't entirely a good thing either. When one sees matters too clearly and problems too thoroughly, one considers too many factors of seeking advantage and avoiding harm.

For Liu Xi, letting go of such thoughts and ideas was not easy either. Making this decision carried a kind of inner interrogation and torment. Of course, if one truly let go, then one was truly relieved.

The smoothly traveling carriage suddenly came to a stop, which drew Liu Xi's attention. He asked in a deep voice: "Where are we? Why have we stopped?"

Soon, the escorting military officer reported to Liu Xi from outside the carriage: "Reporting to Your Highness, we have entered the ward. It happened that patrol soldiers were conducting their rounds, and they have already withdrawn. Having disturbed Your Highness's journey, please forgive us!"

"No matter!" Liu Xi naturally would not quibble over such a trivial matter. Instead, he said: "Very good. Note down the leading officer—someone so diligent and conscientious deserves praise!"

"Let us proceed!"

"Yes!"

Liu Xi's Prince of Jin residence was located in Shangshan Ward on the southern bank of the Luo River, not far from the imperial city, and had always been quiet and peaceful, filled with noble mansions and vermilion gates. In terms of public security, aside from inside and outside the Ziwei City, these areas where princes and nobles clustered were the best. The Patrol Inspectorate arranged patrol soldiers especially densely in the nearby wards, particularly after nightfall.

Soon, the carriage stopped before the gate of the Prince of Jin residence. The residence occupied a considerable area, but perhaps following the style of its master, even with its vermilion gates and noble plaques, it exuded an air of restraint. Compared to the splendor of other princely mansions, Liu Xi's residence appeared noble yet free of extravagance.

"Welcoming the Prince home!" Having received advance notice, led by the Princess Consort, Lady Song, the entire household stood in orderly formation in the front courtyard, bowing in welcome.

The Princess Consort of Jin, young Lady Song, was only twenty-one years old, young and beautiful. Her hair was styled high in a formal married woman's bun, and the nobility in her bearing and the temperament of one born to a distinguished family were both very captivating.

Among Emperor Liu's many daughters-in-law, the Princess Consort of Jin had the most distinguished birth. Her mother was Emperor Liu's sister, Princess Yongning, and her father was Duke Hui, Song Yanwo.

Seeing the dozens or even a hundred people filling the courtyard, Liu Xi was somewhat surprised. He waved his hand and said with a light laugh: "It's just returning home—why make such a big production? Everyone, rise and disperse!"

"Yes!" With Liu Xi's words, all the household members naturally dispersed quickly, each returning to their posts.

Liu Xi then stepped forward to help the Princess Consort of Jin rise, holding her hand and saying gently: "I've been away from the residence these past few months—you've worked hard, my lady. Has all been well in the residence? Any who refuse to obey discipline? If so, tell me, and I will certainly discipline them properly, so that you suffer no grievance!"

Liu Xi said this with a playful, teasing expression, carrying obvious banter. The couple had been married for three years now, and she was quite familiar with his temperament and style. Young Lady Song's cheeks flushed slightly as she chided: "Though the Prince has been away, the rules you established remain in place. Who would dare violate them? Rest assured, Your Highness—all is well within the residence."

"Is that so?" Liu Xi chuckled: "I have such authority? The household rules are so strict?"

"Your Highness has had a tiring journey. A meal has been prepared—please bathe, wash your hands, and come to the hall to dine!" Lady Song said.

"Since I've returned home, I naturally follow my lady's arrangements!" Liu Xi assumed his customary lazy demeanor.

His gaze shifted, landing on his son sitting in the wet nurse's arms. He clapped his hands toward the child and revealed a loving smile: "Wenhai, let Father hold you!"

This was Emperor Liu's third grandson, born during the northern expedition in the eighth year of Kaibao, now just over a year old. With the good genes of both parents as a foundation, he was naturally as fair as carved jade, extremely delicate and handsome.

However, he appeared especially quiet, his clear, dark, and bright childish eyes seeming very focused, as if undisturbed by external matters. Facing his father's enthusiasm, he paid it no mind at all, merely casting a sidelong glance at Liu Xi.

It was the wet nurse who seized the opportunity and handed the child over. Liu Xi gathered him into his arms, and the little prince seemed quite accustomed to it, neither crying nor fussing. Even when Liu Xi tickled him with his stubble, aside from showing a slightly displeased expression, his reaction was minimal—that little look in his eyes seemed to say: I'll endure it.

After washing up and changing clothes, Liu Xi finally entered the hall to enjoy the meal—of course, only the family of three. Liu Xi personally held the little prince Liu Wenhai and fed him, somewhat savoring this feeling of nurturing his offspring.

"My little son is very obedient!" Liu Xi said cheerfully.

Seeing this, young Lady Song furrowed her delicate brows slightly and said: "Your Highness, don't you think Wenhai is a bit too quiet?"

"What, is being quiet a bad thing?" Liu Xi said casually, picking up a silk handkerchief to carefully wipe the little prince's mouth.

"By this age, he should be able to utter some words. I heard that eldest brother's Wenyuan could already call out to people at this age!" Lady Song showed a trace of worry: "Your Highness, do you think Wenhai might be a bit slow?"

"Nonsense!" Hearing this, Liu Xi's brows finally furrowed. Perhaps feeling that his tone was too harsh and had startled Lady Song, he quickly softened and said with a smile: "The child is still young—what can you tell? You say he's slow to speak, but I think his eyes are bright and his courage is sufficient. Those who are noisy and clamorous—wouldn't they seem rather ordinary!"

"Don't you think so?" Liu Xi lowered his head and asked Liu Wenhai with a beaming smile.

The little prince seemed to have sensed his mother's worry and finally deigned to open his mouth, parting his small lips and babbling out a response.

"Haha!" Liu Xi laughed heartily: "You see, how is our Wenhai slow? Moreover, early intelligence is not necessarily a blessing, and slowness is not necessarily a loss. I think it's fine. Of course, if any gossip should arise, do they take me, the Prince of Jin, for a decoration—a Maitreya Buddha who never gets angry?"

With these casual words, Liu Xi displayed the authority of his position as Prince of Jin. And seeing Liu Xi speak this way, the worry on Lady Song's jade-like face diminished considerably. Her beautiful eyes fixed on Liu Xi, who was carefully doting on their son, and toward this husband of hers, she actually felt a hint of admiration arise.