Chapter 1480: The Passing of the Lady Flower Heart

At the sudden news of the death, Emperor Liu did not react at first; only after his mind turned for a moment did he realize who Consort Xu was.

This was the former Xiuyi Xu, the original favored consort of Meng Chang, the surrendered ruler of the Later Shu—the Lady Flower Heart. In the first year of Kaibao, because she gave birth to Emperor Liu's seventh daughter, she was elevated to the rank of consort.

However, compared to the other consorts and concubines in the Han palace, Consort Xu was not favored. First, because the forcible taking of the two ladies, Xu and Li, had caused some unpleasantness back then, leaving a knot in Emperor Liu's heart. Thus, after she entered the harem, he had visited her only two or three times in total—yet a few hits found their mark, and the little princess Liu Hui was conceived.

But that was where it ended. Thereafter, as time passed, Consort Xu's youth faded, her beauty withered, and Emperor Liu found even less interest in her.

Had she not given birth to a princess, Lady Xu's presence in the palace would have been even lower. Of course, losing Emperor Liu's favor was not necessarily a bad thing for Lady Xu personally. After all, she was a woman of a fallen state; though her family had not been destroyed, as a perceptive and cultured woman of extraordinary talent in this age, the bitter experience of separation and chaos in such troubled times inevitably accumulated resentment and melancholy in her heart.

She had neither the possibility nor the desire to compete for favor. Without Emperor Liu's visits, she at least gained a measure of psychological freedom—no need to force a smile, to cater and flatter, no need to lay her dignity bare to be trampled by Emperor Liu's imperial authority.

Therefore, over these years, Consort Xu remained very low-key and tranquil in the Han palace, simply living her plain and quiet days, quietly raising the little princess.

It could be said that Emperor Liu had almost forgotten Consort Xu entirely. Of course, he truly did not care—once the urge to conquer had been satisfied, all that remained was coldness and indifference.

Still, when he suddenly heard that Consort Xu had passed away, Emperor Liu could not help but feel surprised. In his mind, this woman's appearance had already grown blurry; as for his heart, there was no need to speak of any waves—there was barely a single ripple.

However, she was after all the mother of the little princess Liu Hui, and also a consort of the harem. Since she was gone, he ought to make some gesture; otherwise, would it not make him, Emperor Liu, seem heartless?

"What happened?" Emperor Liu asked the palace eunuch who had come to report. This bit of concern was nearly charity.

"Your Majesty, in recent years Lady Xu's health has never been good. Last winter, her condition worsened, and she could no longer rise from her bed..." the reporting eunuch hurriedly explained.

"Did the imperial physicians not see her?" Emperor Liu's brows furrowed slightly.

"The imperial physicians naturally saw her, but they said it was an illness of the heart, difficult to eradicate with medicine or stone. Her Majesty the Empress also showed concern and bestowed tonics, but their effect was poor."

"Illness of the heart?" The corner of Emperor Liu's mouth twitched—a reaction that sent a chill through those who saw it. He said flatly: "It seems she died of melancholy. Is there truly no room in this harem for a single Lady Xu?"

Emperor Liu's expression and tone were somewhat frightening, especially to the young Pure Consort Zhou attending at his side. Her delicate brows knitted slightly, a trace of worry showing on her fair, flawless face as she softly called out: "Your Majesty..."

The pleasant call drew Emperor Liu back from that cold mood. After a moment's thought, he instructed: "Issue the decree—bury Consort Xu with the rites of a Noble Consort!"

"Yes!"

The person was already dead, and a lavish burial was arranged. Yet the emotion Emperor Liu had revealed left a weight in people's hearts, especially the young Pure Consort Zhou. She felt something like the grief of one creature for another of its kind. She was now the most favored among the Han palace consorts, frequently summoned to his bed. But if one day the imperial favor should no longer be hers, would she not end up in the same desolate state as Consort Xu—only remembered by the emperor after she was gone?

Emperor Liu was a man of keen perception; he saw the young Lady Zhou's reaction clearly. The sorrow on her flower-like face was rather pitiable. He gently patted her shoulder and asked: "What, grieving for Consort Xu?"

The young Lady Zhou instinctively nodded, then quickly shook her head, murmuring: "Lady Xu has passed, leaving only the little princess. She is still young, with no one to rely on in this deep palace. The more I think of it, the more pitiable she seems."

"No one to rely on? What are you talking about!" Emperor Liu raised an eyebrow and said: "My daughter, a princess of the Great Han—who would dare bully her? The Empress and I are her greatest support!"

Emperor Liu spoke these words with confident grandeur. Yet how could he not know the truth in his heart—within the deep palace, beneath the splendor and magnificence, filth and wickedness were inevitably hidden. Consorts, princes, and princesses who had lost favor might fare worse than ordinary eunuchs and palace maids.

Favor gained and favor lost, the warmth and coldness of human sentiment—could there be a more profound illustration than within these ornate chambers? Even as he said such things, Emperor Liu seemed to deliberately overlook his own neglect of Liu Hui. On ordinary days, he showed her little care at all. If even the princes received insufficient attention from Emperor Liu, how much of his gaze could fall upon the little princess?

"Prepare the carriage. I shall go see for myself—consider it a farewell!" After a moment of deliberation, Emperor Liu raised his hand and gave the order.

"Yes!" Yan Tuo hurriedly led the way.

Consort Xu did have her own private bedchamber, named Laiyi Pavilion. Compared to the magnificent halls of the other favored consorts, it was naturally plain, and on ordinary days it was very quiet, attended by only a scant two or three palace maids.

Ten years like one day, it was always a cold and desolate scene. Yet now it became lively again—only because its mistress had passed away. When Empress Fu and Emperor Liu arrived one after another, the sharp-eared and keen-eyed consorts of the harem also gradually gathered, each wearing a sorrowful expression and mournful eyes, jointly creating an atmosphere of grief.

The palace staff worked with great efficiency. Inside and outside Laiyi Pavilion, white silk and white funeral banners had already been hung. Lady Xu's remains had also been carefully dressed and made up, all traces of aging concealed.

Heart-rending cries of weeping, somewhat shrill and piercing to the heart, filled the air. The little princess Liu Hui knelt before Lady Xu's remains, calling out to her mother with a hoarse, desperate voice.

That mournful cry entered his ears, and even Emperor Liu could not help but be moved, pity stirring in his heart. The Xiurong Lady Li, who had been taken into the palace together with Lady Xu back then, also crouched to one side, darkly sorrowful, tears falling without cease.

Surrounding them in a circle were the chattering palace maids. Though they all wore mournful faces, Emperor Liu still felt somewhat displeased at the sight.

He waved his hand and said to these noble ladies of the harem: "Why have you all gathered here? To watch a spectacle? Disperse, all of you!"

Since Emperor Liu had spoken, the consorts naturally dared not disobey. Each performed their salutations, briefly registering their presence before the emperor, then gradually departed. The pavilion became empty again, but the atmosphere of grief grew even heavier.

"Consort Xu has unfortunately passed away. Everyone came to pay their respects out of good intentions—why must you be so harsh?" the elder Lady Fu walked to Emperor Liu's side and said softly.

Emperor Liu replied flatly: "On ordinary days, did any of them visit Laiyi Pavilion? Now that she is dead, they come to claim this show of human sentiment—truly unnecessary!"

Looking at Emperor Liu, the elder Lady Fu sighed inwardly. The root of all this lay with none other than the emperor himself. Of course, even the elder Lady Fu only dared to grumble silently in her heart.

"Liu Hui has been weeping for a long time now. Her voice is already hoarse, and she cannot be consoled!" The elder Lady Fu's gaze fell upon the little princess, carrying a trace of pity.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu stepped forward two paces, reached out, and gently stroked the little princess's head. Unfortunately, even knowing it was her imperial father, Liu Hui paid him no attention at all—though her crying did quiet somewhat.

Emperor Liu, for his part, did not grow angry over this. However, what was slightly awkward was that he opened his mouth, yet truly could not find any words of comfort to say.

After hesitating a moment, Emperor Liu took a deep breath, turned his head to look at the crouching Xiurong Li, and said: "Issue the decree—promote Xiurong Li to Duanfei, and select another hall for her residence!"

Suddenly hearing this decree, the Xiurong Li, who had instinctively knelt down, was somewhat taken aback. She raised her eyes; through her tearful, blurred gaze was a hint of surprise. Not daring to meet Emperor Liu's eyes, she only lowered her head and said softly: "Your concubine lacks virtue and talent and dare not accept this reward!"

Clearly, Lady Li did not place much value on the promotion Emperor Liu had graciously bestowed. Emperor Liu, however, had no intention of considering her feelings. He merely pointed at Liu Hui and said: "I promote and reward you—there is reason in it. From now on, Liu Hui shall be placed in your care to raise!"

Hearing Emperor Liu say this, Lady Li finally understood. She kowtowed and said: "I humbly thank Your Majesty..."