Chapter 1570: The Eldest Princess Returns

Inside Qionglin Garden, Emperor Liu's laughter drifted through the air. It had been a long while since he had laughed so heartily, and the reason was that the eldest Princess Liu Jia and her husband, Imperial Son-in-law Li Jilong, had returned to the capital to visit their families.

Emperor Liu had seven daughters, three of whom were already married. The eldest Princess Liu Jia had married Li Jilong in the ninth year of Kaibao, the second Princess Liu Jian had married Chai Zongxun in the latter half of that same year, and the third Princess Liu Xing had married Yang Yanzhao in the eleventh year of Kaibao.

However, when it came to affection, none of the other princesses could compare with the eldest, and Emperor Liu's doting on his eldest daughter had almost become a matter of habit.

Liu Jia had been married for over four years now. The last time Li Jilong had returned to the capital to report on his duties was in the year of the Fengshan sacrifices, and Liu Jia had been unable to make the journey due to pregnancy. Thus, father and daughter had not seen each other for roughly four years.

With that in mind, upon learning that the couple had brought their son south to pay their respects, Emperor Liu was naturally overjoyed. By the time they had only just arrived outside Qionglin Garden, he was already standing before the hall waiting for them.

"Your child (Your subject) greets Father (Your Majesty)!"

"Rise quickly! Rise quickly!" Seeing the family of three, Emperor Liu wore a face full of kind smiles and personally helped Liu Jia and her husband to their feet.

"What's this, still calling me Your Majesty?" Hearing their forms of address—Liu Jia's still so familiar and affectionate, while Li Jilong's carried obvious reverence—Emperor Liu looked at his son-in-law and asked with a smile.

When commanding troops, Li Jilong was stern, even cold, with orders strictly enforced and military commands as immovable as mountains. But facing Emperor Liu, he seemed bashful and boyish, and his thick beard only added a touch of simple honesty to his appearance. Hearing his father-in-law's gentle teasing, he smiled along somewhat awkwardly, then called out in a small, nervous voice: "Father!"

"Haha!" Seeing this, Emperor Liu couldn't help but laugh, teasing him: "Is this how you issue orders in the army? With so little confidence, how can you possibly achieve strict discipline and unwavering commands!"

The round of teasing left Li Jilong somewhat embarrassed. In truth, Emperor Liu was quite satisfied with this son-in-law. Like Yang Yanzhao, Li Jilong was currently the most prominent rising star in the Han army—distinguished family background, noble rank, outstanding ability. These years he had been stationed at the border in Monan, leading troops to suppress bandits and keep the local regions in check, accumulating considerable merit in the public security operations of Monan.

Seeing her husband being "ribbed" by Emperor Liu, Liu Jia couldn't help but chide playfully: "Father!"

He smiled again, patted Li Jilong on the shoulder, then turned his gaze back to Liu Jia. The eldest princess had now completely shed her youthful greenness—her figure was graceful, radiating the bearing of a young matron. Her complexion was no longer as fair as before; time and the environment of Yunzhong had left a few traces on her face, but the spirited boldness she had inherited from Emperor Liu had never changed.

"I've been to Yunzhong more than once myself—is it really that nourishing? You seem to have put on a bit of weight!" Emperor Liu shifted his teasing target.

In truth, Liu Jia wasn't fat, but rather full-figured. However, Emperor Liu felt that using that word to describe his own daughter was somewhat inappropriate, so it was better to just say she was fat—it felt more affectionate.

Liu Jia, for her part, was neither annoyed nor embarrassed. Instead, she said openly: "If even a remote northern prefecture like Yunzhong can be so nourishing, doesn't that prove Father's achievements in governing the realm?"

"That little mouth of yours, still so sweet, as if smeared with honey!" Emperor Liu chuckled lightly, his gaze drifting downward to land on the small child who was timidly nestled against his mother yet curiously gazing up at him. He asked: "This is Zhaoxian, isn't it?"

Liu Jia gently nudged her son and said softly: "Hurry and kowtow to your grandfather!"

Clearly, the child had been trained. A child just over two years old could hardly understand anything or know proper etiquette, but he knelt with practiced ease and spoke clearly, calling out "Grandfather."

Even though it wasn't the first time he had heard it, that pure call still warmed Emperor Liu to the bottom of his heart. And perhaps because of his love for the mother, Emperor Liu felt a fondness for the child the moment he laid eyes on him. He directly scooped up his grandson, who seemed startled and struggled a little.

"Time passes quickly, and people age!" Holding his grandson Li Zhaoxian and beckoning the couple to walk inside, Emperor Liu said to Liu Jia with emotion: "You are now a wife and a mother..."

Hearing Emperor Liu's somewhat moved lament, Liu Jia also grew concerned and said: "But I am still your daughter! Father, how is your health? Has your leg ailment improved at all?"

"Your concern is what warms the heart—unlike those brothers of yours, who only cause me trouble!" Emperor Liu said this while quickening his pace to show his health: "Don't worry, I can still hold up fine. Look at me striding along briskly—is there any problem at all!"

In truth, it was simply that the season hadn't arrived yet. Only in spring and summer could Emperor Liu feel somewhat better; come autumn and winter, especially the deep cold, he could never avoid suffering.

"You must still take good care of yourself!" Liu Jia said solemnly, then with a hint of a smile, she made small talk: "I wonder which younger brother has displeased Father this time?"

Emperor Liu raised an eyebrow: "Couldn't it be your older brothers?"

Liu Jia said: "My older brothers are all virtuous and talented men. Everyone at court knows how proud you are of their achievements! Even Fifth Brother, so clever and quick-witted, filial and gifted..."

"Alright, alright, they're not here right now—why bother flattering them!" Emperor Liu waved his hand.

"I'm only speaking the truth! Speaking of which, after so many years apart, I do miss my brothers and sisters dearly. It's only Third Brother, since he went to guard the border, that I can occasionally see!" Liu Jia also let out a slight sigh.

"It's good that you've returned this time. Stay for a while—you brothers and sisters will have plenty of time to gather!" Emperor Liu said.

"Third Sister has also married. Unfortunately, I was about to give birth back then and couldn't return in person. This time, I ought to prepare a gift to make amends!" Liu Jia said.

Among the princesses, Liu Jia clearly possessed the bearing of an eldest sister. Even Emperor Liu had said that if Liu Jia had been a boy, she would absolutely be no worse than her brothers.

"You're quite thoughtful!" Emperor Liu said with a smile: "Have you been to see your mother yet?"

"I haven't entered the palace yet—I planned to pay my respects a bit later!" Liu Jia shook her head: "After returning to the capital, I learned that Father was relaxing at Qionglin Garden, so I came straight here. Batu also needs to report to you."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately turned to Yan Tuo and instructed: "Go, inform Consort Hui that Liu Jia and her husband have returned, and ask her to come to Qionglin Garden. Also, go see how the Empress is doing—if it's convenient, have her come as well. And summon Liu Yang and Liu Shu too. Tonight, we'll hold a family banquet here!"

"Yes!" Yan Tuo replied respectfully, a smile also on his face. When His Majesty was pleased, he naturally had to appear even more pleased—sharing in His Majesty's joy, sharing in His Majesty's delight.

After taking his seat, Emperor Liu still wouldn't let go of Li Zhaoxian, keeping him in his arms without feeling the slightest burden. Turning his attention to the somewhat reticent Li Jilong, he said: "These years in Monan, you've performed well—training troops, suppressing bandits, quelling unrest, venturing into Mobei five times. The Bureau of Military Affairs holds your achievements in high regard and speaks very highly of you!"

In his years at Monan, the greatest reputation Li Jilong had built was personally leading Han cavalry five times across the heart of the desert to raid Mobei. Though not every expedition yielded victories, he always managed to return with his entire force intact.

His fame had even spread among the Khitan tribes of Mobei. When he went north for the fifth time, the Khitan ruler Yelu Xian even dispatched a large army to encircle and destroy him, hoping to capture Emperor Liu's son-in-law. But Li Jilong was quick-witted on the battlefield—sensing something amiss, he decisively withdrew south and returned. Precisely because of this incident, Emperor Liu had issued a special order forbidding him from recklessly risking himself again.

Raising a son was not easy, and obtaining a son-in-law destined to become a pillar of the Great Han was not easy either.

Facing Emperor Liu's praise and commendation, Li Jilong replied humbly: "Your subject merely serves the state by guarding the border, doing his modest duty. I have accomplished nothing of note and dare not claim any merit!"

"What, you find the realm too peaceful, with no wars to fight, and feel lonely?" Emperor Liu laughed: "If that's the case, perhaps I should transfer you to the northeast."

To this, Li Jilong shook his head and said calmly: "Born to be a general, one naturally yearns to gallop across the battlefield and render service to the nation. However, more than these things, your subject would rather see the Great Han at peace on all seas, with no barbarians daring to offend. I am content to quietly guard the border, protect the territory, and keep the people safe!"

"Very good!" Hearing his words, Emperor Liu did not stint on praise, saying: "It is rare for you to have such awareness and understanding. As a general, one must always be prepared to rush to the battlefield and fight the enemy, but never fight for the sake of fighting.

When the realm was not yet pacified and powerful enemies surrounded us on all sides, it was right to shed blood on the battlefield and render meritorious service to the state. Now that the era of war has passed, what is needed of you is precisely diligence, quiet dedication, guarding the border, protecting the realm, and keeping the people safe!

But accomplishing these things is not easy—not just for the border troops, but for the court's military and political decision-making as well..."

"Your Majesty speaks truly. Your subject has been instructed!" Li Jilong rose and clasped his hands in salute.

"Father, this is not Chongzheng Hall, not the Hall of State Affairs, not the Bureau of Military Affairs—how is it that the moment you sit down, you start discussing affairs of state?" Emperor Liu's satisfaction was written all over his face, and listening to the conversation between father-in-law and son-in-law, Liu Jia's beautiful eyes also held a smile, though her mouth couldn't help but "complain."

Hearing this, Emperor Liu immediately said: "Wasn't it you who just said Batu needed to report to me? How did you forget yourself..."

Though he said this, Emperor Liu still followed good advice readily, changing his tune: "But you do have a point. It's not easy for you to come back, so let's set aside military and political matters for now! The weather is so hot—there are some watermelons stored in the icehouse that were sent from Guanzhong. It just so happens you should try some..."