Chapter 1556: Old Nine, a Reckless Fool

By the time the princes left the palace gardens, dusk was already approaching. The setting sun hung low in the west, yet its dying rays blazed with undiminished intensity, baking the earth below. On the imperial road leading to the palace gates, the Liu brothers, who had been thoroughly dressed down, walked in small clusters, silent and grim-faced, none of them looking particularly at ease.

Liu Yun, Liu Ai, and Liu Xiao—three full brothers—walked together, while Liu Hui, Liu Shu, Liu Zhao, and Liu Han huddled in another group. Liu Min also followed along with the rest.

Clearly, Liu Shu was the talkative one. Even after being singled out and scolded by Emperor Liu, his spirits hadn't been too badly shaken. At this moment, he couldn't help grumbling: "What's Father thinking? For such a trivial matter, he gathers us all together and gives us a thorough tongue-lashing. Are we really that rotten and degenerate? If he wants the three elder brothers to guard the frontier, he could just issue an edict directly—why drag us all into it!"

"I do indulge a bit in food and clothing, but I haven't done anything illegal or immoral. I've never had the chance to squeeze the people's blood or corrupt social order. I just shut myself up in my mansion and estates and enjoy myself, staying perfectly within the rules. And that still makes Father unhappy with me?"

"Mind you, the mansion, the estates, the farmland, the salary—even those servants—were all bestowed by him. If he's displeased, he's welcome to take them all back!"

"Liu Shu!" Hearing this, Liu Min beside him could no longer hold back, and immediately snapped: "Say one more reckless word, and I'll slap you!"

"Oh?" Liu Shu, already full of pent-up frustration, suddenly heard Liu Min's rebuke. His eyes immediately slanted sideways as he sneered: "His Highness the Prince of Wei certainly puts on quite an air. Little me, just a mere Duke, is so terrified I dare not even speak!"

"What do you mean by that!" Liu Min's brows furrowed, his gaze turning cold as he stared at Liu Shu.

Liu Shu flashed a smile that begged for a beating: "What do I mean? I just find it curious—when Father gathered us princes together, how is it that there's one extra person among us!

If I remember correctly, your title of Prince of Wei was inherited from your late uncle, wasn't it! By the norms of propriety and ethics, you should be calling Father 'Imperial Uncle' and 'Your Majesty,' just like the rest of us. Don't you find it awkward!"

The moment those words landed, Liu Min nearly lost his composure. His eyes instantly reddened, and the gaze he fixed on Liu Shu carried a hint of murderous intent. The knuckles of his clenched fists turned white.

Seeing how hard Liu Min was struggling to restrain himself, Liu Shu instinctively backed away a few steps, then said with feigned calmness: "What? Did I say something wrong? Don't think that just because you've made a name for yourself these past two years, taken a trip to Mobei, and earned Father's regard, you can lord it over us brothers and lecture me. What right do you have to scold me?"

"Liu Shu, you've gone too far!" Just as Liu Min was about to explode, the seventh brother, Liu Hui, spoke up. His handsome face was filled with sternness: "Haven't you been scolded enough? Forget your mansion and lands—even the flesh and bones on your body are gifts from Father. What's a little scolding? Where does all this resentment come from? If Father were to hear what you've been saying..."

Before Liu Hui could finish, Liu Shu cut him off, his gaze sweeping over him with blatant disrespect. He sneered: "What, are you going to run to Father and tattle on me again? You literati types—full of filthy schemes and petty tricks. I understand. Aren't you always badmouthing me in front of Father anyway? What's one more time? Worst case, Father punishes me again. What is it—a whipping, or a beating at court?"

Having ranted and raved, Liu Shu suddenly smiled again, turning a cold sneer upon Liu Hui: "And you, Liu Hui, are you really any better than me? All day Longyou gather your friends, composing verses about the wind and moon, singing poems and songs, prattling on about noble character—it's all just posturing, enough to make one sick!

You don't actually think that a few compliments from some rotten pedants make you a true celebrated scholar, do you? Empty talkers, useless fellows—the very type Father despises most. And yet you strut around all smug, thinking you can win Father's favor with that..."

If Liu Min had merely been a target for venting frustration, then Liu Hui—whom Liu Shu had always found insufferable—received even less courtesy. The sharp, biting mockery was enough to make even the perpetually graceful Liu Hui lose his composure.

His handsome face twitching slightly, Liu Hui's eyes practically shot flames. His face was red, his neck swollen with anger, his fists clenched so tightly they trembled. If not for his carefully cultivated image, he would probably have lunged at Liu Shu already.

It was Liu Min who, with a dark face, strode forward quickly. Anyone could feel the anger he was barely suppressing. Seeing Liu Min charging toward him with murderous intent, Liu Shu finally felt a twinge of fear. He had enough self-awareness to know that when it came to fists, he was no match for this sixth brother. He immediately stumbled backward.

It was Liu Yun, seeing the conflict between the brothers escalating, who rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Liu Min, urging: "Sixth brother, calm your anger! Liu Shu has always been like this—a reckless fool. Don't bother with him!"

Liu Min's face was dark and grim. He said nothing, only glaring fiercely at Liu Shu. But under Liu Yun's restraining hold, he ultimately managed to suppress his fury.

Seeing Liu Yun had grabbed hold of the sixth brother, Liu Shu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Those iron fists of Liu Min's—he didn't think he could withstand more than a few blows. But with the situation somewhat under control, Liu Shu's mouth refused to let up: "Fifth brother, let him go! I'd like to see just how our Prince of Wei, puffed up on favor, throws his weight around and raises his hand against an imperial prince!"

These words were practically poking at Liu Min's already raw nerves. Liu Yun, who could feel Liu Min's fury most keenly, sensed his struggling growing stronger. He held him in a death grip while turning his head to roar at Liu Shu: "Ninth brother, shut your mouth! If you want to end up in the Imperial Clan Court, I won't stop you—just don't drag everyone else down with you!"

Seeing even his normally carefree fifth brother rebuke him like this, Liu Shu's face paled slightly, but he shot back a stubborn glare. Among all the brothers, Liu Shu was closest to Liu Yun. The two shared some common interests—well, when it came to eating, drinking, and having fun.

Only, compared to Liu Yun, Liu Shu was more like a spoiled child—more willful, more thoroughly so. The kind that even a whip couldn't bring back in line.

Perhaps to give his usually close fifth brother some face, Liu Shu finally stopped provoking further conflict. He stewed in silence, but the resentment in his heart only grew thicker.

As for the other princes—the eighth prince, Duke of Lu, Liu Ai, stood by looking simple and dull; the tenth prince, Duke of Yan, Liu Zhao, remained silent; the eleventh prince, Duke of Liang, Liu Xiao, was still listless and sickly; and the twelfth prince, Duke of Yue, Liu Han, couldn't have cared less.

"What do you think you're doing?" At this moment, the group of four elder brothers, having noticed something amiss, walked over. As Crown Prince, Liu Yang strode quickly to the front, drew close, and fixed a stern gaze on Liu Yun and Liu Min, then swept his eyes over Liu Hui, and finally settled on Liu Shu: "Have you no sense of decency or propriety? Are you not satisfied with how disappointed and angry Father already is? Brothers fighting, raising fists at each other—is this your filial piety?"

Seeing that someone capable of restoring order had arrived, Liu Yun finally released his hold and wiped the sweat from his brow. If Liu Min hadn't retained a shred of self-restraint, there was no way he could have held him back.

Seeing the Crown Prince's furious expression, Liu Min took a deep breath and clasped his hands in a salute: "Your Highness the Crown Prince speaks too gravely. Your subject would not dare! Your subject is hardly qualified to stand alongside the various princes, let alone speak of fraternal strife.

Having offended the Ninth Prince today, your subject has failed in decorum. If there is to be any punishment, your subject will await the decree at his residence.

Your subject, takes his leave!"

Every single "your subject" in that speech struck Liu Yang's heart like a hammer blow.

Having said his piece, Liu Min turned and swept his sleeves, walking off directly. Seeing this, Liu Yang felt a pang of compassion. Whatever others might think, by blood, Liu Min was his own full brother—how could he not defend and understand him? He immediately called out from behind: "Sixth brother, wait!"

Unfortunately, Liu Min paid him no heed. Dragging his somewhat heavy steps, he walked off on his own, leaving his brothers with a slightly forlorn silhouette. Even his footsteps seemed to carry disappointment.

"Look at him—acting like he's been so terribly wronged..." Liu Shu muttered another remark.

This time, Liu Yang was thoroughly enraged. He turned with a furious glare, his finger pointing at Liu Shu trembling slightly. Liu Yang opened his mouth and barked sternly: "Liu Shu, how can you be so impossibly dense!"

In the eyes of the brothers, the Crown Prince carried considerable authority—the deterrent of one long accustomed to wielding power and position. Seeing the Crown Prince genuinely angry, Liu Shu didn't dare argue further. He only curled his lips slightly.

At this moment, the dozen or so brothers gathered on the imperial road made even that broad thoroughfare, wide enough for the imperial carriage, seem somewhat crowded. Liu Shu, standing among them, felt distinctly uncomfortable.

"There are matters at my residence—I'll take my leave first!" Making up an excuse on the spot, Liu Shu also turned and left. But judging by his hurried footsteps, his mood was far from calm.

This matter seemed to have blown up...

And indeed it had. The conflict among the princes within the palace spread like wildfire through the palace and beyond, reaching the households of nobles and high officials.

It was merely a quarrel between brothers, but it laid bare a profound truth: beneath the facade of fraternal harmony within the imperial house, each was already harboring their own schemes, and conflicts were ceaseless.

Grown princes often represented trouble. Liu Shu was merely one of the more representative examples.

Naturally, this matter could not escape Emperor Liu's notice, and it reached his ears with the utmost speed. Upon learning of it, Emperor Liu flew into a towering rage—uncontrollable fury that could not be suppressed.

"Wretched brat"—that was Emperor Liu's assessment of Liu Shu. If Liu Shu's willfulness and extravagance merely displeased him, then after learning the full details, his mood could no longer be described as mere anger. Liu Shu's arrogance and insolent words had crossed Emperor Liu's bottom line. Without severe punishment, his own heart would not be at ease.

Especially those words aimed at Liu Min—they were truly heart-piercing. Many years ago, Emperor Liu had already come to regret adopting Liu Min into the family. Because of this, he had always harbored a sense of guilt toward this sixth son and had looked after him in many ways. And Liu Min, who had proven himself worthy, had only endeared himself further to Emperor Liu. For Liu Shu to use this matter to mock and ridicule—it was practically attacking Emperor Liu's own state of mind.

In Emperor Liu's eyes, this son Liu Shu had already grown somewhat crooked. He needed to prune his branches and straighten his trunk, lest in the future he do something even worse.

And so, an edict was issued: the Ninth Prince, Liu Shu, was to be confined to the Imperial Clan Court for half a year, losing even the opportunity to train and temper himself in the military. At this, even the young Lady Fu, the Consort of Virtue, was alarmed. She hurriedly sought out Emperor Liu, weeping and pleading for mercy. But the furious Emperor Liu could spare no thought for such things—tears and crying only made him more irritable.

He harshly rebuked Consort Fu, saying that if not for her doting indulgence, Liu Shu would never have become so arrogant and overbearing. Of course, this reflected one thing: his education of the princes was not as exemplary as he boasted. This was likely one of the reasons for Emperor Liu's fury-born shame—his face had been slapped too hard, and by one of his own sons at that.

Consort Fu had never suffered such grievances before. She refused to let the matter drop, and the seething Emperor Liu nearly opened his mouth to punish her as well. But seeing his young son Liu Xuan, who had accompanied Consort Fu, he couldn't bring himself to be that harsh. He gave her a mild rebuke and sent her back to her Spring Orchid Hall.

He also stated that half a year of confinement was already exceptionally lenient—otherwise, he would have directly stripped Liu Shu of his title. Only then was Consort Fu frightened into silence.

Leaving Chongzheng Hall, the young Lady Fu felt aggrieved. She went to Kunming Hall to seek out Empress Fu, hoping the Empress could intercede. But the elder Lady Fu, having learned the full details, firmly sided with Emperor Liu.

If it had merely been a minor squabble between brothers, that would have been one thing. But it wasn't. Liu Min was also flesh and blood from the elder Lady Fu's own body—how could she not be angry?

In the past, the palace staff called the Empress "His Majesty," but she was, after all, no true sage.