Chapter 1543: A Mix of Emotions

The setting sun was infinitely beautiful, hanging low at the edge of the sky, releasing boundless radiance that dyed the white clouds beneath the azure heavens red, and also cast a layer of gorgeous color upon the palaces of Kaifeng.

Chongzheng Hall, long renowned for its solemnity and majesty, appeared resplendent and magnificent under the glow of the setting sun. After a full day of exposure to the sun, the area around Chongzheng Hall remained warm and toasty, and so all the doors and windows of the hall were thrown wide open to avoid stifling His Majesty the Emperor—even so, it was difficult to completely dispel the lingering traces of heat.

In the quiet chamber, Emperor Liu, with disheveled hair and clad in a single thin garment, lay languidly upon the reclining chair he had used for over a decade, gently rocking back and forth.

The evening breeze seeped in, causing the light gauze curtains hanging all around to sway incessantly, while Zhang Dejun stood bowed before the imperial presence, holding a palm-leaf fan in his hand, waving it gently and rhythmically.

This ought to have been the duty of a palace maid holding a fan, but Emperor Liu wished to meet with Zhang Dejun alone, and everyone else had to withdraw, leaving space for the two of them.

Even Yan Tuo, the head of the palace eunuchs, had to keep his distance, personally preventing others from disturbing Emperor Liu while also, unable to suppress his curiosity, concentrating his mind, pricking up his ears, and casting his gaze repeatedly toward the interior of the chamber.

But clearly, it was all wasted effort—he could not hear anything useful at all. That fellow Zhang Dejun, who spoke so loudly in front of him, was as quiet as a mosquito's buzz before His Majesty.

Noticing Zhang Dejun attending before Emperor Liu, sticking out his rear and bending at the waist, he found the sight utterly detestable no matter how he looked at it. A petty man! A fawning minister! A lackey! Such was Yan Tuo's assessment of Zhang Dejun.

"The matter is just so, and I humbly request Your Majesty's judgment..." On his side, Zhang Dejun had no idea of Yan Tuo's slander against him, and devoted himself wholly to reporting the findings of his investigation. When he finished, he bent his waist even lower, carefully and cautiously awaiting Emperor Liu's response.

Upon hearing these circumstances, Emperor Liu made no sound for a time, and after a long while, still no movement came. When Zhang Dejun cautiously raised his head, he discovered that Emperor Liu's expression was somewhat complicated—it could only be described as complicated.

There was none of the furious rage Zhang Dejun had imagined; he looked very calm, but Zhang Dejun firmly believed that beneath that calm countenance there must be surging emotions hidden.

His Majesty's beard swayed slightly in the breeze, and the corners of his eyes twitched a few times, making his wrinkles especially distinct. His eyes, always cold and deep, now seemed somewhat vacant, and his gaze was unfocused as well.

Such an Emperor Liu was rarely seen even by Zhang Dejun. Emperor Liu merely raised his hand, startling Zhang Dejun into hastily lowering his head, as if hoping Emperor Liu would not notice him.

"Show me the written report of your findings!" Emperor Liu simply held out his hand.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dejun dared not be negligent, and disregarding the fan, swiftly produced a memorial from his bosom. In this memorial, besides the investigation report personally written by Zhang Dejun, there were also the confessions and testimonies of a series of related investigation subjects involved.

In terms of evidentiary nature, these things did not constitute a complete chain of evidence, but the fact that the direction of the investigation pointed toward the Prince's residence was real.

And in matters of this kind, whether evidence was needed or not did not matter; the key was how Emperor Liu viewed it and how he thought about it. As for what Zhang Dejun thought—completing the task was enough, handling it truthfully and pragmatically, not seeking merit, only hoping His Majesty would not vent his anger upon him, which would already be thanks to heaven and earth.

What his own emotions were, Emperor Liu himself likely did not know. He was not surprised by such a result—he had even estimated it beforehand—but when he truly received the report from the Palace City Office, a thousand flavors surged into his heart at once, understanding and disappointment coexisting, while there was not much anger at all.

Toward Liu Xu, Emperor Liu naturally could not lack affection—this was, after all, his first son, and having lost his mother at birth, an innocent orphan, he could not help but feel a bit more pity for him in the past.

Although he had established Liu Yang as Crown Prince, toward the other princes, especially the elder sons, Emperor Liu had likewise invested no small amount of effort and care.

Not only from the standpoint of an emperor, but also with a father's feelings within—even at this moment, Emperor Liu could still recall how, when Liu Xu was young, he had that precociously wise, filial, respectful, and delightful appearance.

But now, the son had grown up, become independent, developed his own thoughts, and was no longer easy to manage—at least, it was no longer convenient to educate him from the position of a father.

In the hall, Emperor Liu still lay in that same posture, looking somewhat feeble, and the rustling sound of him flipping through the memorial drowned out the faint sound of the wind.

Seeing this, Zhang Dejun gently waved the fan again, hesitated for a moment, and still lowered his voice, saying: "Your Majesty, these are only the confessions of those scholars and merchants; they cannot prove anything. Perhaps there are other hidden circumstances within..."

"Oh?" Hearing this, Emperor Liu stopped his movements, raised his eyes to glance at Zhang Dejun: "Do you think I need your consolation?"

"This humble one would not dare! This humble one spoke too much!" Emperor Liu's gaze gave Zhang Dejun a feeling of his heart leaping in fright, and he hurriedly lowered his eyes and bowed his head, not daring to speak further.

It was only a rather thin memorial, yet Emperor Liu flipped through it for a long time. It had also been a long while since he had so meticulously perused any document.

After another considerable while, Emperor Liu gently placed these documents upon the small table at his side, still without speaking, merely leaning there quietly, his expression having completely settled into stillness.

This made Zhang Dejun even more anxious. Although he was somewhat unclear about what exactly he was worried about, he only felt that the atmosphere in this quiet chamber was exceptionally oppressive, and he also sensed that Emperor Liu in this state was very dangerous.

After hesitating for a few moments, Zhang Dejun still steeled himself and said: "Your Majesty, according to this subordinate's investigation, Supervising Secretary Murong Defeng has also been arranging people to secretly investigate the details of this matter."

"Oh?" This indeed drew Emperor Liu's attention and elicited a bit of a reaction.

"So he has sensed something too. If he had sensed nothing..." Emperor Liu murmured, his low muttering so faint that even Zhang Dejun, standing right before him, could not hear clearly.

He closed his eyes and pondered for a long time. Just as Zhang Dejun's waist was growing sore and he thought Emperor Liu was about to fall asleep, he heard the heavenly voice again.

The movements were very slow, the speech very measured, but the tone was exceptionally grave: "Listen carefully!"

"Yes!" Zhang Dejun immediately perked up.

"The investigation into this matter ends here!"

"Yes!"

"I have heard that there has been much gossip and rumor within the Eastern Capital lately, with common folk discussing it endlessly!" Emperor Liu continued: "I do not wish for any further rumors regarding this matter to spread!"

"Yes!"

"As for the investigating officers involved in this inquiry, reward those who deserve reward, but there must be no leaks—especially regarding all the persons involved. How to deal with them, I need not instruct you, do I?" When Emperor Liu gave this order, the gaze he cast at Zhang Dejun carried no emotion whatsoever: "If I hear any rumor, then I will not seek out others—I will hold you accountable!"

Faced with Emperor Liu's somewhat unreasonable threat, Zhang Dejun felt some grievance in his heart, but more than that, tension. He had foreseen it long ago—investigating such matters would likely bring trouble upon himself. He could only say: as expected.

"Withdraw!" Emperor Liu raised his hand in a gesture of someone too lazy to move, pointing at the memorial on the table: "Take these and burn them!"

"Yes!" At this moment, Zhang Dejun seemed capable of only saying "yes."

After Zhang Dejun withdrew with utmost deference, Yan Tuo quickly sidled up, wanting to attend to Emperor Liu, but upon seeing Emperor Liu's indifferent expression that inspired fear, he dared not speak much, merely picking up the palm-leaf fan and taking over the heavy responsibility of fanning from Zhang Dejun.

At this moment, all of Emperor Liu's emotions had returned to calm; his countenance was peaceful, his eyes bright and spirited, but within his mind, stray thoughts flew in disarray.

Regarding this matter, had it been anyone else—say, some minister, even Zhao Pu—if it were for the sake of striking down political opponents or eliminating dissidents, then the iron fist of Emperor Liu would have smashed down directly upon them.

But of all things, it was his own son—the one situation he least wished to see. This left him, besides being furious, also with a feeling of heartache and helplessness.

Since ancient times, no matter how wise and martial an emperor, when facing the question of succession, he would always appear hesitant and cautious. It was the same for Emperor Liu.

Although he had long since established the Crown Prince, everything could not pass smoothly as he wished. With so many sons, entangled with so many political forces, yet only one throne—even if he were Emperor Liu, how could he restrain everyone's thoughts and make them follow his will completely?

Even common folk, over the question of inheriting family property, could fight until heads were bloodied—let alone this supreme seat of power?

Liu Xu's problem was not surprising, and clearly, there was also Emperor Liu's own personal issue within it. On one hand, he established a Crown Prince; on the other, he had to apply pressure to him. On one hand, he gave the princes power, entrusted them with heavy responsibilities, and cultivated their abilities; on the other hand, he wanted them to stay content and obedient, not to develop disloyal intentions, and to serve the court diligently—was that possible?

Liu Yang's position as Crown Prince was now absolutely secure. Even someone as suspicious as Emperor Liu had little jealousy or doubt toward him, and was single-mindedly determined to pass the realm and the altars of state to him. After so many years of cultivation, tempering, and testing, Emperor Liu also believed that Liu Yang would be able to take over his mantle in the future.

But how could anything be absolute? At least in Emperor Liu's case, there was always a sense of crisis. Unless he passed away and his mind stopped turning, only then would everything proceed smoothly.

And this incident had clearly also provoked more reflection in Emperor Liu regarding the handling of the succession question. Liu Xu, in his past service and duties at court, had always been earnest and steady, rarely making mistakes, and had never shown any abnormality—why had he suddenly begun to stir restlessly?

If Liu Xu was like this, then what of Liu Xi? Liu Fang? Even that fifth son Liu Yun, who had always seemed lazy and unambitious? The seventh son, Prince Wu Liu Hui, was close to those civil officials of Jiangnan; the ninth son Liu Shu had always been frivolous and reckless—if he too developed thoughts of contending for the succession, it was not impossible; and even the tenth prince Liu Zhao, only sixteen years old, who was also Empress Fu's son and one of only two legitimate sons after Liu Min was adopted as heir to the Prince of Wei—would he have such thoughts as well?

Having many sons was certainly said to bring many blessings, but for the imperial household, for Emperor Liu, that was not necessarily so. Moreover, these sons were no ordinary men, and behind them were entangled numerous interests and stakes, which made Emperor Liu's heart feel even more ill at ease...